Two outstanding Hutchinson Community College students were recognized as the 2025 Young Kansan Award winners at a ceremony on campus on April 29. The students will also be honored during the College’s commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9.

Maggy Adolf (Moundridge) and Key’ahn Taylor (Junction City) were selected from a field of students nominated for the honor.  The Young Kansan award recognizes two outstanding graduates each year at Hutchinson Community College and is chosen by a vote of the faculty and administration at the college.

The award is sponsored by RCB Bank.  Each winner received a plaque and a cash honorarium in recognition of their achievements.

Maggy is a graduate of Moundridge High School and a proud alumna of the HutchCC Cosmetology program. Currently, she is working toward a degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, driven by her ambition to one day open her own salon.

Maggy holds the distinction of being a Leadership Scholar and serves as a Student Ambassador for the Admissions Department. She is an active member of CrossPoint Challenge, contributes to the Dance Club as a board member, and supports fellow students through her role in the Student Success Center.

Key’ahn is a graduate of Junction City High School and is completing the HutchCC Fire Science program. In addition, he serves as a Resident Assistant in the Residence Halls and actively participates in several student organizations, including the Student Firefighter Association, Student Government, and Dance Club.

For more information on the honor and award programs at Hutchinson Community College, visit the college’s website at www.hutchcc.edu.

The Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees opened its April meeting by welcoming students from its theatre program. Theatre typically does four presentations throughout each school year.  Their final presentation of the 2024-25 year - The Spotlight Sessions: A Musical Showcase - will be held April 18-19.

The Board received a report on the College’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation efforts along with a Workforce and Outreach update.

In addition, the Board approved an agreement with the City of Hutchinson for placement of a new electronic sign at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

The next meeting of the board will be on Thursday, May 8 at 6:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater. The public is invited to attend. Board meeting agendas and information can be found at www.hutchcc.edu/boardmeetings.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu.

Hutchinson, Kan. – Tyler Merritt, actor, comedian, musician, and content creator will present the second Dillon Lecture of the 2025 Series on Tuesday, April 1 at 10:30 am at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Merritt is the founder of The Tyler Merritt Project and author of the memoir, I Take My Coffee Black: Reflections on Tupac, Musical Theater, Faith, and Being Black in America. As a 6’2” dreadlocked black man living in the South, Merritt is well aware of stereotypes and their potentially dangerous consequences. In response, Merritt has devoted his creativity to bringing his ethos of “Love. Learn. Create.” to life through his words and videos as part of The Tyler Merritt Project. In his lectures, Merritt infuses his core beliefs of unity, empathy, compassion and inclusion with humor, making his message relatable and accessible to wider-ranging audiences.

Tickets to the lecture are available now at www.hutchcc.edu/dls and will also be available beginning at 9:45 am on the day of the lecture at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Merritt will appear at a press conference for members of the media prior to the lecture.  The press conference is scheduled for 9:45 a.m. in the Media Interview Room of the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

2025 is the 44th season for the Dillon Lecture Series on the HutchCC Campus.  For more information on the Dillon Lecture Series or to become a patron, visit www.hutchcc.edu/dls or call Becky Rogers at 620-665-3505.

The Hutchinson Community College Board of Trustees welcomed the Blue Dragon soccer team to its March meeting.  The Blue Dragons finished their fall season 12-2-6 and advanced to the district championship game. Head coach Sammy Lane just completed his 21st season and has led the program since its inception.

In addition to an update on its Strategic Planning initiatives, the Board approved bids to resurface several campus parking lots as well as for enhancements to its public website.

The next meeting of the board will be on Thursday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center Justice Theater. The public is invited to attend. Board meeting agendas and information can be found at www.hutchcc.edu/boardmeetings.

For more information on Hutchinson Community College, visit the college website at www.hutchcc.edu.