Prospective students; parents appreciate Future Eagle events

Events were hosted in Rapid City, South Dakota; Chadron; Kearney; Lincoln; Norfolk; North Platte; Omaha; Scottsbluff; Valentine; and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Vice President of Enrollment Management Dr. Derry Ebert said families valued CSC’s effort to bring leadership directly to their communities and answer questions about the college. Students also had opportunities to meet one another and begin building relationships before arriving on campus.

Those planning to attend CSC are invited to one of the college’s Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) sessions Friday, May 29 or June 26.

Kali Reiners, who plans to major in education and play volleyball at CSC, said the event reinforced her decision to enroll.

“Events like this help tremendously. Getting introduced to faculty and becoming familiar with the college early on is extremely beneficial and makes the school even more welcoming,” she said. “It helps incoming students form important connections before arriving on campus.”

Reiners, whose sister Addi is a current CSC student, said hearing alumni speak about their experiences was especially meaningful.

She also noted the advantages of smaller class sizes, including more one-on-one interaction with professors and stronger peer relationships.

“I am very grateful to have been part of Eagle Night. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it to other future Eagles,” she said.

Her parents, John and Jennifer Reiners, are both CSC alumni and former student-athletes. Jennifer, a former volleyball player, is a member of the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame.

“We were excited to meet with staff and leadership from Chadron State,” Jennifer Reiners said. “The friendliness and enthusiasm haven’t changed since we were students. It made us extremely proud to be alumni.”

She said her own experience at CSC continues to influence her perspective.

“My time at Chadron shaped who I am today, both as an educator and a coach,” she said. “Kali understood that choosing the right fit was most important.”

John Reiners said the event’s speakers left a strong impression, particularly Katie O’Boyle, an elementary teacher, former admissions ambassador, and CSC women’s basketball player.

“Her enthusiasm about her time at Chadron State made it easy to see the impact the school had on her,” he said.

Jennifer Reiners added that she hopes her daughters leave CSC with meaningful relationships and confidence in their careers.

“Everywhere we go, we meet someone with Chadron State ties,” she said. “That has had a profound impact on our family, and we hope that continues for our girls.”

John Reiners said small class sizes and supportive faculty were key to his own experience.

“We’ve made lifelong connections, and those relationships still run deep,” he said.

Alumni speakers across the event locations shared similar messages about the value of their CSC experience.

In Chadron, Ashton Burditt, a third-grade teacher, addressed attendees. Scottsbluff speakers included Jamie Weingart of JNW Consulting and attorney Danny Reynaga, a member of the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees.

In North Platte, Cassie Jarzynka, an occupational therapist, and Bryce Jarzynka, a physician assistant, spoke.

Jared Hansen, a 2011 graduate, and Sheridan Hansen, a 2016 graduate, represented alumni in Cheyenne. He works for the State of Wyoming Human Resources Department, and she is the diagnostic medical sonography clinical coordinator at Laramie County Community College.

In Kearney, Dr. Rachel Forster Hoffman and Chuck Hoffman spoke. She is a 2000 graduate who earned a doctorate in pharmacy, and he earned business and MBA degrees in 1999 and 2000 and works for The Buckle.

Valentine speakers included Travis Connot, a 2008 graduate with the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District, who was named acting site manager for the Niobrara National Scenic River in 2025, and Joanna Connot.