Pre-inauguration event receives BC3 president
BUTLER TWP — Against a background of electric guitars and the smell of hamburgers in the air, Butler County Community College President NickNeupauer shook hands with table after table of students.
"I can honestly say it's the first time I've been asked for my autograph,"Neupauer said.
Forced indoors by rain, Party with the President in Founders Hall Wednesday was Neupauer's chance to introduce himself to the students before inauguration ceremonies on Friday.
Ashley Ritson, a second-year student in the parks and recreation management program, is a member of the inauguration committee. She said it originally considered a meet-and-greet event, but she suggested a party atmosphere complete with food, games and music.
"He really wanted to become part of it," she said.
Neupauer said instead of getting a professional rap artist to come to campus, he suggested bringing in community talent.
<table width="300" height="275" border="0" align="right" valign="top" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><embed src="/assets/mov/BE43267410.MOV" width="320" height="250" autostart="true" loop="false" ></embed></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/" target="_blank"><span class="style11">Requires Quicktime Media Player </a><br><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Times New Roman">Video by Brandon Gerthoffer</font></span><td></tr></table>Ritson, who also is chair of the Executive Committee for Students, auditioned bands of BC3 students.Those bands filled the stage Wednesday during lunch as the hall filled with students and faculty.Neupauer said he tries to keep in touch with the students by teaching a public relations class, but this "takes it to a whole new level," he said.The response, he said, was overwhelming."I'm so honored to lead BC3,"he said.The air of festivity at the college continues today with a groundbreaking ceremony for a $6 million Student Success Center.On Friday, Neupauer will be installed as the college's eighth president in a formal ceremony. He has been in office since Aug. 1 after Cynthia Azari left for a position in California.Both today and Friday's events are by invitation only.
