More than 100 Western Nebraska Community College students, faculty, and staff members
signed a pledge to Commit to Complete this week as part of an awareness campaign by
the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Lambda Pi chapter in Scottsbluff.
Commit to Complete, a campaign developed by the University of Nebraska, is aimed at
helping students graduate on time and with less debt. The campaign urges students
to complete their diploma or certificate program on time by meeting regularly with
an adviser, and developing a plan to graduation.
"Nebraska is facing a workforce shortage. We need every student at Western Nebraska
Community College to complete every certificate, diploma, and associate degree," said
WNCC President Dr. Todd Holcomb. "We need you to complete because we need you to be
successful for the future of our state."
Throughout the week, the PTK Lambda Pi Chapter invited students, faculty, and staff
to sign the pledge online. Students were also given an opportunity to learn more about
WNCC's graduation requirements, meet with a transfer adviser and career pathways adviser,
take part in a LinkedIn workshop, and have professional head shots taken.
At the end of the week, two $100 scholarships were awarded to WNCC students Sam Davis
and Devon Rees for signing the pledge.
During the ceremony, PTK Lambda Pi Chapter President Shelby Benson recognized Dr.
Holcomb and former WNCC President Dr. John Harms for pledging their commitment to
the campaign.
"When you go out into the world of work, employers are going to look at your records,"
Harms told a group of students during Friday's Commit to Complete celebration. "They're
going to look at when you started school and whether or not you completed. If you
stopped and started school 100 times, they might pass over you, so it's extremely
important that you finish your degree. You're getting a great education here. I encourage
you all to complete your degree or certificate because it's going to be extremely
invaluable to all of you."
Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith wrote a letter in support of the efforts the PTK
Lambda Pi Chapter has taken, saying, "Your efforts to celebrate a commitment to completing
a college degree are to be commended. Nebraska's future is highly dependent upon the
ability of organizations like Phi Theta Kappa and Western Nebraska Community College
to promote the value of vocational education and to encourage current and potential
students to realize the opportunity present within these beneficial careers."
For more information on the Commit to Complete initiative or the PTK Lambda Pi Chapter,
contact faculty adviser Amy Winters at winters4@wncc.edu.