Blinn celebrates 20 years of educational excellence at its Schulenburg Campus
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September 11, 2017
From left: Becky Garlick, Executive Dean, Blinn College-Schulenburg Campus; Dr. Donald Voelter, Former President, Blinn College; Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District; Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka; Barbara Moore, former Blinn-Schulenburg Campus Director; Tami Blaschke-Walker, City Administrator and City Secretary for the City of Schulenburg; and Otto Kocian, Mayor of the City of Schulenburg.
In Fall 1997, Blinn College celebrated the grand opening of its Schulenburg Campus with a small ceremony in front of the newly-opened institution.
Two decades later, more than 50 Blinn students, employees, alumni, and community members gathered on the same front steps Thursday to celebrate Blinn-Schulenburg’s 20 years of educational excellence. Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District, joined local leaders to reflect on the campus’ humble beginnings, highlight its past and present service to the community, and outline a vision for a bright future.
“For 20 years, the Blinn-Schulenburg Campus has laid the educational foundation for hundreds of students pursuing advanced degrees and launching successful careers,” Hensley said. “As the institution begins its third decade, we will continue to provide excellent education opportunities for students, and make a positive impact on the community.”
The celebration opened with remarks from an array of College and local leaders, including Former Blinn President Dr. Don Voelter; Former Blinn-Schulenburg Campus Director Barbara Moore; Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka; City Administrator and City Secretary for the City of Schulenburg Tami Blaschke-Walker; Mayor of the City of Schulenburg Otto Kocian; and Blinn-Schulenburg alumnus and local businessman John Cardenas.
Becky Garlick, Executive Dean of Blinn-Schulenburg, and Susan Myers, Blinn College Foundation Executive Director, recognized the generous donors of five newly endowed scholarships available to Blinn-Schulenburg students. Following the ceremony, a light lunch was provided to allow for fellowship and reunion among guests – many of whom attended Blinn-Schulenburg before becoming successful community leaders.
“Education is a gift that none can take away, especially from Blinn-Schulenburg,” Blaschke-Walker said. “Twenty years ago, Blinn leaders opened a campus here with a promise to provide top-rated education to the area. They have done an exceptional job fulfilling that promise, and will continue to deliver for years to come.”
Members of the Blinn-Schulenburg Student Government Association were present to assist with celebration activities and to guide campus tours. Dozens of additional Blinn-Schulenburg students attended the celebration to witness the historical occasion.
“This is an exciting time for the Schulenburg Campus, and it is great to see so many individuals gathered to celebrate this milestone,” Blinn-Schulenburg sophomore Zachary Taylor said. “Since enrolling in Fall 2016, Blinn-Schulenburg has opened so many doors of opportunity for me. I am grateful to have such an affordable option nearby that prepares me to continue my education at the University of Texas-Austin next Fall.”
Blinn-Schulenburg offers academic transfer, workforce training, and continuing education classes to further the interests of students in a variety of areas. In addition to its academic credit courses, Blinn offers credit technical courses in child development, criminal justice, and legal assistant.
Blinn-Schulenburg also offers non-credit technical and career education courses in Advanced Computer Training, Beginning Computer and Keyboard, Conversational Czech, Conversational Spanish, Communications, Data Processing, Desktop Publishing, Dietary Manager, Food Service Training, Job Search and Employment Skills, Painting Watercolor Flowers, Professional Truck Driver, and Word Processing.
In addition to traditional face-to-face courses, Blinn-Schulenburg offers students fully online courses, interactive video conferencing courses, and blended courses, in which 50-85 percent of planned instruction occurs online or via interactive video. Through these strategies, Blinn-Schulenburg can offer a wider range of courses and allow students greater flexibility in developing their course schedules.
According to Blinn’s most recent economic impact study, Blinn-Schulenburg and its students add $11.1 million in income to the local economy each year, including $9.2 million in productivity from former students who enter or re-enter the workforce with newly acquired skills.
Blinn College’s district-wide academic transfer rate regularly ranks among the highest in the state and the nation. According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Blinn’s academic transfer rate of 34.2 percent ranks second in the state and far exceeds the statewide average of 21.1 percent.
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s CollegeForAllTexans.com, out-of-district Blinn students who take 30 credit hours during the 2017-18 academic year will save $3,717, approximately 42 percent, compared to state residents at the average Texas public university.
In addition to Blinn’s low tuition and fees, the Blinn Foundation offers more than 200 endowed scholarships available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Blinn students and prospective students also can register for external scholarships and participate in grant programs.
