Wayne State College

09/10/2026

WSC EDUCATION FAIR … More than 500 Wayne State education students and 74 employers attended yesterday’s (Sept. 9) Education Fair on campus. The fair is designed to connect school administrators seeking candidates in education and related fields for their field experiences and open job positions. It also provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about prospective school districts to consider for practicum experiences and student teaching.
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09/09/2026

Dr. Karl Kolbeck and Shelly Armstrong will pay tribute to the musical expressiveness of the clarinet with a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, in the Peterson Fine Arts Building’s Ramsey Theatre. The recital is free and open to the public. It will also be livestreamed.

Dr. Karl Kolbeck and Shelly Armstrong will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026, in Ramsey Theatre.

09/04/2026

CAREER SCHOLARS DISCOVER GRAND ISLAND, NORFOLK … Freshman students in Wayne State’s Cooperative Education Career Scholars Program recently visited their respective cities of Grand Island and Norfolk to learn more about each city and what it has to offer. They also visited their future housing accommodations for their senior year and met with business and industry leaders regarding job availability in each city. At its core, the Career Scholars program supports workforce and economic development in Nebraska. To learn more about the Career Scholars Program, visit https://www.wsc.edu/career-scholars
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09/03/2026

"Diary of an Artist," an art exhibit featuring the work of retired WSC professor Pearl Hansen, opened yesterday in the Nordstrand Visual Arts Gallery in Conn Library. This is Hansen’s first exhibit at Wayne State since she retired in 2015 after 39 years of teaching here. The exhibit runs through Oct. 7. Come see her beautiful work!

09/03/2026

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SIMEON WEERS … The Wayne State Student Spotlight Series for 2026-27 kicks off this week with junior Simeon Weers, the new president of the Wayne State College Student Senate. Weers, who is from Neola, Iowa, is majoring in Secondary Social Studies Education at Wayne State.

Weers and his vice president, Robynne McMaster of Johannesburg, South Africa, plan to focus on three primary things.

“Firstly, and arguably most importantly, is a clear channel of communication between faculty, administration, and the student body,” said Weers. “We want to ensure that the most important voice, that of the students, is heard in all discussions; we would have no purpose without the campus community. Furthermore, we want to advocate for change that is in the interest of improving Wayne State in a way most conducive to student success. Lastly, we want to act on our promises. This is vitally important to establish trust in the Student Senate and create meaningful change.”

Weers said creating something meaningful at Wayne State is important to him since it was something meaningful that brought him here.

“There were a lot of factors that pulled me to Wayne State, but the biggest thing for me was just the presence of the community,” said Weers. “There is a family-like sense here, and everyone is incredibly supportive of each other. From the moment I stepped on campus for the first time, I could tell that Wayne has the same feeling as home, and that the community is incredibly supportive. I also had the opportunity to run track and cross country for which I am incredibly grateful.”

In addition to the Student Senate, Weers is active in the Christian Student Fellowship campus ministry and Cru, a non-denominational Christian ministry. He is a former member of the Wayne State track and cross country teams.

Weers will graduate in May 2028, and he intends to continue his education by pursuing his master's in education degree, or by getting his Juris Doctorate. He hopes to teach in Southwest Iowa or Southeastern Nebraska someday.

Fun Fact: “I am a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, although I never got to see them perform live. I’m currently working on collecting all their albums on vinyl, and I am in the band’s top .1% of listeners according to Spotify and Apple Music.”

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09/01/2026

Guest pianist Philip Daniel brings his unique musicality to Wayne State College for a 7:30 p.m. performance Thursday, Sept. 10, in Ley Theatre, located on the second floor of Brandenburg Hall. The performance is free and open to the public. It will also be livestreamed.

The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. September 10, 2026, in Ley Theatre.

09/01/2026

The public is invited to experience the Anne Frank traveling exhibit beginning Monday, Sept. 7, at Wayne State College. Admission is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 20, will be in Ley Theatre, located on the second floor of the Brandenburg Building. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The display will be located in Ley Theatre (Brandenburg Building). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is free and open to the public.

08/29/2026

WSC SOCCER TEAM CORRALS MUSTANGS 6-1 IN SEASON OPENER … Goals from six different players (Emma Wasilewski, Tyler Donaldson, Briella Thompsen, Morgan Mancuso, Alyssa LaPointe, and Eryn Skoruppa) helped propel the Wildcat soccer team to a 6-1 win over Morningside University in its season opener at the Wayne State Soccer Pitch on Friday, Aug. 28. Catch the Cats again at home Friday, Sept. 4, when they host Nebraska-Kearney at 4 p.m. The complete season schedule is at https://wscwildcats.com/sports/womens-soccer/schedule
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08/28/2026

TRIO STUDENT OF THE MONTH ... Congratulations to Joseph Dominguez Peña of West Point on being named Wayne State College’s TRIO Student of the Month for September. Peña is a sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice at Wayne State.

“I chose to attend Wayne State because it has one of the best Criminal Justice programs in Nebraska,” said Peña. “After graduation, I would like to become a crime scene investigator.”

Peña is involved with Wayne State’s TRIO Student Support Services Program, which he says has helped him tremendously with his college experience.

“TRIO has helped me adjust to college life and provided me with the support and resources I need to succeed academically,” said Peña. “It has also encouraged me to stay focused on my goals.”

But Peña isn’t just benefitting himself; he’s helping other students achieve their goals by serving as a TRIO Peer Mentor.

“I support other students by sharing my own experiences and encouraging them when they face challenges,” said Peña. “I want to be someone they can come to for advice and motivation, especially first-generation students who may be unsure about navigating college.”

Peña’s work and commitment haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Since arriving last fall, Joseph has immersed himself in the campus community,” said Vito Cole, a learning skills specialist with the TRIO Program. “He is a strong student, and he made the Dean’s List in the spring. In the short time he has been here, he has established himself as a leader in the TRIO Program. He is quick with a joke and a smile. He brings positive energy and charisma, and he has the innate ability to bring people together. He is an asset to both Wayne State and the TRIO Program.”

Peña, who is scheduled to graduate in May 2029, is the son of Basilio Dominguez and Sandra Peña.

“My parents and my brothers have been my biggest influence during my college life,” said Peña. “As a first-generation student, they have always encouraged me to work hard and stayed focused on my goals. Their support has motivated me to make the most of my college experience and build a successful future.”

Wayne State College, a leading, public four-year college in Northeast Nebraska, is a proud member of the Nebraska State College System.

About TRIO Student Support Services

TRIO Student Support Services is a federally funded outreach and student services program administered by the U.S. Department of Education to help first-generation college students, students who meet income guidelines, and individuals with disabilities progress through their academic journeys. It was originally created through the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965.

At Wayne State College, TRIO Student Support Services works with 225 students and has a robust waiting list. Led by Dr. Liesel Mrsny, the TRIO Program offers academic coaching, community building, intensive advising, peer mentoring and much more. TRIO provides these services to students free of charge through a five-year federal grant. TRIO plays a vital role in increasing retention and graduation rates for students facing socioeconomic barriers.
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08/28/2026

Cats take down #2 Tampa in the Paws Up Classic Volleyball Tournament in Garden City, New York.