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TALKING POINTS Stability is the last ingredient by Bruce Spotleson healthy Nevada State College will mark its 10th anniversary. T A parade of permanent and temporary leaders somehow kept things on track during the institution's first decade, including the likeable Fred Maryanski, a crusader who gave the school a public face for five years until cancer took him. Last October, Bart Patterson was appointed president, having actually worked his way up to the top job. After a career as a lawyer, Patterson had joined the school in 2001 as part- time faculty. He became its general counsel and held the positions of vice here were doubts about its future, especially given the many challenges of its infancy. But in just a couple more moons, a chancellor of administrative and legal affairs. Now he is leading it. Last spring, the Henderson campus graduated more than 300 students representing all 24 degree programs, 1,500 alumni in the world. Half of all its students are the first in their families to attend college. More than half are from ethnic backgrounds. "I want the college to position itself to help all students succeed," Patterson said, "but in particular the demographics we have." He reminded me the school is not just for teachers and nurses, but is now filling the mission of the comprehensive state college that was planned in its beginning. NSC has had a 45 percent increase in enrollment over the past five years. The catch is that it corresponds with a 35 percent budget cut during the same period. The school has taken creative its largest class yet. There are now some measures to get by — such as using part- time faculty, the role Patterson had 10 years ago. And full-time faculty have taken on more responsibility. But one of the touted strengths of NSC is the "personal connection" it forms with students, and Patterson knows it's tougher for students to connect with a teacher who isn't on campus every day. Patterson is a self-made achiever, and not likely to spend much time moaning about budget issues. Just like the college, he also had relatively modest beginnings, living with his folks in a NSC beat odds in formative years, turns to new president to lead it into next decade trailer until he was in high school. He seems focused on moving the school onward with its mission — whether its teaching is conducted in a classroom, online or both. Patterson said he draws "strength and vision" from his time with Maryanski, who became a close friend. And although his style and personality are different than Maryanski's, he intends to be just as visible. "I'm going to do what I can to get the name out," he said. As Nevada State College moves toward its teen years, that visibility can only help. And although the school has shown an ability to survive frequent leadership transitions, this particular president might change that pattern. "I want the college to position itself to help all students succeed, but in particular the demographics we have." — Bart Patterson Nevada gets the cold shoulder Olympic bids are more about money than the spirit of competition W by Richard N. Velotta hen the curtain rose on the Olympic Games over the weekend, millions of people saw Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye and other British tourism icons. The images broadcast on televisions worldwide reminded people that 22 both. expressed interest. U.S. venue is selected, the competition moves to the global stage, and the International Olympic Committee evaluates sites from around the world. The winning bid is determined in a series of elimination votes. A Nevada-California bid has a lot going for it. Heavenly Ski Resort in Nevada has been pegged for alpine ski events. Squaw Valley in California has the experience of hosting the 1960 London would be a pretty cool place to visit. That's exactly the kind of publicity Nevada hoped to get in 2022. Northern Nevada was on a short list of places angling to host the Winter Olympics that year. The selection process for host cities is two-tiered. First, American venues compete with one another to win over the U.S. Olympic Committee. Once a It's the kind of publicity you can't buy. Winter Olympics and could host other skiing events. Arenas in Sacramento and San Jose could handle hockey and figure skating, while a refurbished Mackay Stadium at UNR has been identified for hosting opening and closing ceremonies. The effort wouldn't be without challenge. Three other cities have Denver, one of the bidders, is the gateway to some of the world's best ski resorts. And a Colorado bid would be strong — the U.S. Olympic Committee is headquartered in Colorado Springs. Salt Lake City also is preparing a bid. It hosted the 2002 Games, the last time the Olympics were held in America. Bozeman, Mont., wants in, too. But most insiders believe the area's lack of transportation infrastructure makes it a long-shot. Amidst the preparations, the U.S. Olympic Committee made a stunning announcement: The United States isn't going to bid for the 2022 games. Committee executives say they're waiting instead for the 2024 Summer Olympics, the 2026 Winter Olympics or What? Whatever happened to the spirit of competition, the kind shown by Olympic athletes? Shouldn't the United States field bids for every competition? The big worry is that if the United States won the 2022 games, it would have no chance of hosting the more financially lucrative summer games two years later. So the strategy seems to be, "Go for the big bucks in 2024, and if that fails, there's always 2026." The U.S. Olympic Committee seems to be more concerned with sponsorship money than the spirit of competition. As a result, once again, Nevada will be left out in the cold. rick.velotta@lasvegassun.com / 259-4061 / @VegasInc_TheRV The United States isn't going to bid for the 2022 games. Executives say they're waiting for the 2024 Summer Olympics, the 2026 Winter Olympics or both. | 30 JULY 2012 |