Southeast Community College Marketing, Communications leader retiring

BEATRICE – Southeast Community College Administrative Director for Marketing and Communications, Stu Osterthun is retiring at the end of March, after 16 years with the college. The Elk Creek-area native was formerly the Marketing Specialist for Northwest Missouri State, where he received his undergraduate degree.

Osterthun says Southeast has undergone quite a transformation in recent years, most notably in modernizing its facilities. "All the way from new housing, to academic and technical buildings...we still have a couple in Lincoln that are not out of the ground totally yet, but will be soon. That stands out. We have a new advising model, a enrollment model...and a strategic plan that employees live and work, each day."

With the modernization, SCC has rebranded itself, developing a new logo launched in March of 2019….and choosing a college mascot…the Bobcats….with an expansion of athletics offerings at all of the SCC Campuses.

Osterthun feels community colleges have gained more acceptance as time goes on, as a viable option to help in developing a career. "I know you may want to go to a four-year school...you may think that a bachelor's degree is necessary. Once they look at a community college or a trade school, they find out that's not so much the case. We have proof in our graduate report every single year....we report the average starting salary of graduates from each of our programs. Two year schools are a viable, viable option...and I think more and more students will be looking at schools like Southeast."

As for retirement, Osterthun says he’s not concerned about having enough to do.  "I love to garden, I love to do yard work. I especially love woodworking. I've made a few things for the grandson, so far...and I look forward to doing more of that. I love to fish. Back in the day, I played some golf. I might dust those clubs off, too. I don't think I'll be idle, for very long."

Osterthun attended his final SCC Board of Governors meeting in Beatrice, Tuesday. College officials were holding a Wednesday retirement reception in Lincoln, in his honor.