SAINTS PERSPECTIVE, SCCC President Brad Bennett
Earlier this summer, the sound of music drifted across the Seward County Community College campus. I mean that literally. The community theater group Rainbow Players staged its production of “The Sound of Music” at the Clifford & Irene Pepper Showcase Theater. The cast featured several members of the SCCC staff and relatives of faculty and staff, but in my view, every person on stage was a member of the Saints family.
That’s because we truly view our campus as home to the community, a place where people can eat, exercise, learn and be entertained, whether that is by watching the summer league Bee Jays baseball team or cheering for the Saints basketball team — or enjoying a musical.
Among the many events the college regularly hosts, there are:
• Boy Scouts, who camp out and attend workshops to earn Merit Badges every spring
• Swim teams from Liberal High School and Guymon High School, who use the Wellness Center pool for daily practices during their respective seasons
• Community members who exercise at the Wellness Center and pool
• Civic clubs like the Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis, who hold meetings in the Student Union
• Trade and industrial groups that conduct annual training and certification sessions at the Industrial Tech campus and in the main campus meeting rooms
• Youth sports league teams that attend summer athletic camps, or hold regular practices when the facilities are available
• Ag producers and livestock companies that travel to Liberal for shows, judging competitions and auctions
• School children of all ages who visit the Ag Department for the annual Farm Bureau education day, take school tours, and attend Kids College
• Legislators and political candidates who campaign, host town hall meetings, and participate in legislative luncheons
• The Southwest Kansas Circuit Court, which convened on campus in the Showcase Theater to hear real cases and provide a learning opportunity for high school and college students
• Diners who choose the Great Westing dining center as a gathering spot with great food
• Anyone in need of a little TLC or a fresh haircut can walk in or schedule an appointment with our cosmetology students
Many more events take place on campus through the year, including private events hosted in rental spaces. The possibilities are almost endless. No matter what the occasion, we love welcoming our community to campus.
In the coming year, be on the lookout for pickleball courts, which we will be installing thanks to a partnership grant through the Liberal Area Coalition for Families. On our West Campus, plans include a conference space that can be used for various types of large gatherings. Those are just a few of the projects we envision in the near future.
SCCC is proud of our middle name. That’s right — it’s community. And who makes a community? That’s you. We can’t wait to see you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR — Brad Bennett is the president of Seward County Community College, and while he is not a diehard fan of musical theater, he does enjoy a family-friendly show like “The Sound of Music.” You can reach him at
