Decision soon about Dana College campus

Speaker: Jody Horner, Midland University
 
Jody Horner, president of Midland University in Fremont, gave an update about the former Dana College campus, which Midland acquired through a lease agreement. ​Horner, who lives in Fremont with her husband, started at Midland in February 2015 after 30 years at Cargill. She said she visited Blair's Cargill plant many times during her tenure with the company. 
 
Midland, which had as few as 600 students in 2009, gained about 300 students when Dana closed. Most of its enrollment growth since 2010, which has doubled, has been through its athletics programs, including 27 varsity sports. 
 
Midland has identified three options for growth that are being explored: expand and grow, including reopening the Dana campus; continue to grow in Fremont; and focus on its online programs. The university will commit to two of the three options.
 
Horner said the Midland Board of Directors gave her one year from her hire to make some kind of "conclusion" about the Dana campus. Horner expects that in two to three months. Midland has met with Blair business leaders and officials to discuss the donations.
 
Since Midland took over the campus, the cost to update and reopen the campus has climbed to about $15 million to $16 million, Horner said. 
 
Club news
 
The club voted to contribute $500 to Heifer International. Cash collected in the pot during the meeting will be added to the $500. 
 
Member news
 
Tom White of Great Plains Communications is a new member. Lisa Scheve of Gateway Development Corp. is transferring from the Plattsmouth Rotary. 
 
Member Amie Clausen brought a guest, Sherri Eddie, chief financial officer of Good Shepherd Lutheran Community. Member Milt Heinrich's guest was his wife, Jane.