***Updated to correct an error regarding graduation. Graduation is May 16th, our original story had May 2nd.
The 2025 spring semester at Ellsworth Community College is winding down with graduation set for Friday, May 16th in the Martin Ellsworth Dittmer Gymnasium.
Barb Klein, Provost of ECC, tells RadioOnTheGo News enrollment has remained strong with the addition of new programs.
“We’ve had the addition of the welding program in the last couple of years, which has been a nice enrollment boost for us. We have the pocket of students that are taking welding classes through the local high schools, and we also have the program, you can do that as a student that has graduated from high school already. We’ve got a lot of really solid programs here. Nursing is always really good for us. So yeah, we have good quality programs that I think, you those are the outcomes that we’re looking for that shows that they are. Ag and equine are always, you know, really big for us here at Ellsworth and, you know, and we expect that to continue.”
After an absence of nearly nine years, Ellsworth Community College brought back their music department this year. Cindy Lin was hired back in August to serve as music director and Klein says with the current remodel of Kruse Main, which houses Hamilton Auditorium, that department will continue to grow.
“So in Kruse Maine, we are redoing Hamilton Auditorium so that we can have play productions in there. And then we are also redoing the music area in there to have band and choir. Dr. Cindy Lin has put together a small band this year and choir. So we’ve got that going, but are super excited to have those facilities ready to go for next fall so that we can have performances on our campus and have play productions in Hamilton Auditorium. Currently there is no seating in Hamilton Auditorium. They’re getting new seating, new sound system, all of that. So excited to see what that looks like too.”
Graduation at ECC is May 16th beginning at 2:00 p.m.
