State college surpasses target enrollment

Jennifer Knight

Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2003 | 11:05 a.m.

The Nevada State College at Henderson opened its doors this morning with an enrollment equivalent to 352 full-time students, surpassing its Legislature-funded target enrollment of 300.

In addition, the college will officially be deeded almost 300 acres this month to build its permanent home. The property abuts the renovated vitamin factory it now rents at 1125 Nevada State Drive, formerly Dawson Avenue.

"We have two years worth of funding," President Kerry Romesburg said. "We met our enrollment for which we are funded. Donations are starting to come in. And, it's important to note that Henderson will give us the full deed from the (Bureau of Land Management)."

After two years of struggling to get on its feet, the college has turned a corner in its development.

It has a $1 million donation toward $10 million needed to construct its first permanent building. It was able to fill all of the seats this semester.

"In a way this is sort of a milestone, a watershed event that we will be able to (give this land over)," said Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson.

Before the college opened in September 2001 a series of events caused significant setbacks, beginning with the loss of a permanent site near Henderson's downtown district, the resignation of founding President Richard Moore and the inability to enroll enough students to meet its legislative-set target of 500. The school opened with 200.

College officials believe those problems kept donors at bay and students from signing up.

One student who started school today said that politics had no bearing on her decision to attend.

Brendie Aceret, a nursing major from Hawaii, said she wasn't aware of the school's problems. "My uncle told me about the school," she said. "My mom didn't want me to go to UNLV because I would just get distracted. It's more one-on-one attention. I think this school will be good for me."

Katie Winkler, 22, of Washington, a nursing major and freshman, said she heard of school by word of mouth, and was aware of its struggles.

"I was a little apprehensive, but I have a lot of confidence in the dean of the nursing program, so I'm not worried about it," she said.

The college has also made progress in its course offerings this year, expanding its list of classes from 49 to 122 sections in just one year.

There was one hitch with today's first day, the opening of two new labs and four new classrooms was delayed, leaving students to study in the student lounge and other places.

"Other than that, things are going smoothly," Romesburg said.