For more information, contact Ken Henderson, 620-792-9371, hendersonk@bartonccc.edu, or Todd Moore, 620-792-9241, mooret@bartonccc.edu.

Aug. 7, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Story by: Michael Dawes
dawesm@bartonccc.edu

‘Big Plans at Barton'

Annalee Webb is a typical spring high school graduate preparing to transition to college life as the fall semester quickly approaches. She's eager and a bit anxious to get started. Still, little is traditional for the traditional student who hails from Gardner, Kan. Along with her belongings and dorm furnishings, Webb carries with her the responsibility of footing the bill for her college education.

"Paying my own way is helping me to grow up faster," said the 18-year-old Webb, who has enrolled in 18 hours for the fall semester at Barton Community College. "I started looking at the bills and debt I will incur going to college and I realized how much better it was for me to get as much done at Barton as I can."

That's a wise choice for Webb, considering that tuition-and-fee rates continue to climb for higher education. In late June, standard resident tuition-and-fees rates for the state universities increased once again, ranging from 3.8 percent at Kansas State University to a high of 7.4 percent at Wichita State University. The University of Kansas is potentially the most expensive in-state college for residents at $245.30 per credit hour and flat-rate fees ranging from $15.55 to $199.55. K-State also incorporates a flat-rate fee of $342 to go along with its tuition rate of $206.20 per credit hour.

Meanwhile, Barton enters this academic year with a combined tuition-and-fees rate of $74 per credit hour in most cases. That amounts to significant savings for college freshmen and sophomores, since the cost per semester for a fulltime student can be more than three-times higher at the two most expensive in-state higher education institutions when compared to Barton. Residents can save at least a few thousand dollars annually by choosing Barton over any of the regents universities.

Webb admitted that if her parents, Dave and Toni, were paying for her college, she would not think twice about attending K-State. That was her plan when she paid her dorm-room deposit in early spring in preparation for moving to Manhattan this fall. But harsh economic reality and another opportunity changed her decision.

Webb was in Hoisington in early May, visiting her grandparents, Don and Angel Degenhardt. Her grandmother heard about Barton's Athletic Training Program on a local radio show a few weeks earlier and encouraged her granddaughter at least to visit the Barton campus before returning home.

"My grandmother has always encouraged me not to go into debt with student loans," explained Webb. "I decided to visit only because she wanted me to visit. I always thought that I was going to a university."

What Webb found was surprising to her: Helpful staff and faculty ready to answer her questions, a well-maintained campus with handsome brick buildings, dormitory rooms, and a scholarship opportunity that could advance her career in the health and fitness field.

"(Barton Ambassador) Kayla (Simmons) was my tour guide and she did a great job of showing me around, and I loved the dorms," said Webb. "Then I talked to (Head Athletic Trainer) Ken Henderson about the scholarship opportunity and I knew I was coming here. I plan on spending a lot of time in the Training Room and getting to know everything."

In the Athletic Training Room, Webb will be working with athletes who have sports injuries as part of her involvement in the program to go along with the Athletic Training Practicum. She will earn a books-and-tuition scholarship for her work and involvement. She will also be serving as a Barton Ambassador, showing Barton to other prospective students. Coupled with the athletic training experience, Webb plans to major in exercise science at Barton to prepare for her eventual career.

"You can do so much with that degree," said Webb. "I'm thinking of becoming a physical therapist, a dietitian, or personal trainer. My early college experience will help me determine what direction I take."

Webb admitted there were times she second-guessed her decision, but after participating in a two-day Athletic Training camp in mid July, she's convinced she made the right choice.
"At first I was a little uneasy about my decision and I was thinking that perhaps I wasn't pushing myself far enough," said Webb. "But once I got here I've gotten to know so many people and I'm trying to get really involved. That is making everything more exciting because everyone is so welcoming. I have big plans here at Barton."

Tuition and Required Fees for Fulltime Resident Undergraduate Students Per Semester

Tuition rates based upon 15 credit hours.

Barton Community College = $1,110.00

Proposed Tuition and Fees for State Universities

University of Kansas, Lawrence (Compact) = $4,102.85
Compact tuition rates are for first-time, degree-seeking KU freshmen only.

KU, Lawrence (Standard) = $3,706.85

Kansas State University = $3,434.75

KSU-Salina = $3,221.16

Wichita State University = $2,733.50

Emporia State University = $2,187.00

Pittsburg State University = $2,296.00

Fort Hays State University = $1,881.00

*The Kansas Board of Regents approved the state universities' tuition rates June 25, 2009.

PHOTO: Michael Dawes