Following in their footsteps: Alumni families begin a new CSC chapter

For Jim Levick, a 1998 graduate in business administration with an emphasis in finance, having his son, Logan, attending Chadron State is a natural fit.

“I like that Logan is attending CSC because it’s closer to home,” Levick said.

Levick went into banking after graduation, accepting a position with Nebraska State Bank in Oshkosh, Nebraska. Twenty-eight years later, he is still there.

The Levicks’ daughter, Emily, also has a connection to higher education in Nebraska. After spending a couple of years in Lincoln, she is now in Chadron and plans to pursue pre-law or legal studies.

Logan Levick never seriously considered another college. A freshman, he plans to major in sports management and said CSC’s small-community atmosphere and personable people appealed to him.

For another family, CSC connections also run deep.

Trevor Anderson, a native of Randolph, Nebraska, graduated in 2008 with a degree in education, grades 7-12 natural sciences. He has spent the past seven years as superintendent of Kimball Public Schools.

After earning a master’s degree in administration and a superintendent endorsement from Wayne State College, Anderson worked as a teacher or administrator in three Nebraska locations including Chambers, Battle Creek, and Southern Valley, before joining Kimball Public Schools.

His son, Sam, is an entering freshman.

“I’m excited about Sam going to Chadron State. I know the professors are exceptional. They get to know you and work with you to make sure you’re successful,” Anderson said.

Anderson said one of the most valuable skills he developed at Chadron State was learning to collaborate with others.

“Of course, there were assignments you did by yourself. But in teaching block, your cohort supported you,” he said.

That sense of community is something Anderson hopes his son will experience as well.

“My wife (Nicole) and I had a very good experience and expect him to have the same,” he said.

Sam Anderson said he is ready to find out what college life is like.

“I’ve done two campus visits, and the professors have answered my questions about what I can expect in college life,” he said. “Mom and dad both attended, so it’s got to be pretty good.”

Sam Anderson plans to major in history with a legal studies minor, attend law school, and eventually return to Kimball to practice law.

His mother, Nicole (Pribil) Anderson, has fond memories of her time on campus. A native of Gordon, Nebraska, she graduated in 2010 with a degree in business.

She is a certified public accountant and owns a public accounting firm in Kimball. After initially working in accounting, she decided to become a CPA and completed the additional coursework she needed at CSC before taking the CPA exam.

“Chadron made that easy because they offer online classes,” she said. “The people at CSC are friendly, a good representation of what western Nebraska is like.”

Presently, she is watching Sam make the transition to college.

“I look forward to him gaining the next level of independence and having opportunities to learn about things he’s interested in,” she said. “That’s the fun part about college. You get to pursue subjects you’re really into.”

For Ashley Guild of Colorado Springs, Chadron State will be a new beginning as well as a familiar place.

Her mother, Alicia Guild, is a CSC alum, and Ashley said she is proud to continue that connection.

“I want to tell my kids about my experiences at college like my mom did,” Guild said.

She plans to study health science and hopes to become a nurse in labor and delivery or an emergency room. She is most excited about the freedom that comes with starting a new chapter and learning to live on her own.

Alicia Guild’s favorite CSC memories include living in High Rise with her best friend, playing in the band at football games, traveling on band and choir trips, and singing the national anthem at basketball games with her sister.

The friendships Alicia Guild formed at CSC have lasted. She remains in contact with her former roommate and recently ran into another CSC friend during move-in day while the friend was helping her son move in.

Her CSC experience helped confirm the career she wanted to pursue.

“I always knew I wanted to teach, and my elementary and special education professors helped me realize I was definitely going into the right field,” she said.

Alicia Guild hopes her daughter will have the opportunity to discover her own path and build friendships that last a lifetime.

“It means so much to see my daughter follow in my footsteps,” Alicia Guild said. “She is an amazing lady who is going to do great things.”

The Guild family’s Chadron State connection extends beyond mother and daughter. Alicia Guild’s brother and sister graduated from CSC, and her nephew is a current student.