Midland Lutheran officials said Wednesday that the Fremont college is on track to take in nearly half of Dana College's 600-plus students and is adding four new athletic programs that will be run by former Dana coaches. Midland is also taking steps to hire some of Dana's faculty members.

"These kids and these families did nothing wrong, that they were disrupted a little over a month before the school year. We want to give them comfort that they don't have to be applying somewhere and getting into some financial aid beurocracy, and find out 6 or 8 or 10 weeks from now if they have a financial aid package," said Dr. Ben Sasse, President, Midland Lutheran College.

Dana, which has a 126-year-old history in Blair, announced its closure last week. Just months ago it announced that a group of investors had bought it and planned to convert it to a for-profit enterprise.

"I was mostly just shocked. I kind of thought it was a big prank. I wasn't sure what to think," said Drey Keairnes, Dana student, now attending Midland.

"That ran through my head so many times, that I'm back looking for colleges again. I don't really know what to do, I don't know where I want to go, and just trying to figure out financial aid and sports and wrestling," said Keairnes.

The closure was forced after the Higher Learning Commission refused to transfer accreditation to the group of investors.

Several colleges and universities have announced their plans to take in Dana students and staff. Below are colleges and universities that have contacted us about their plans (in alphabetical order).

Hastings College
Hastings College will hold an Open House for Dana Students from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, July 10 and from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday, July 22 on the Hastings College campus. Representatives from financial aid, registrar, admissions, academic advising and more will be on hand to answer questions and streamline the admissions process for transferring Dana students. Campus tours will also be available. Students may call Senior Associate Director of Admissions Traci Boeve at (402) 469-9856 for more information. Individual appointments are also available.

Hastings College has also provided a holiday helpline over the 4th of July weekend to answer questions from concerned students at (402) 469-9856.

An informational session will be held in Omaha, from 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, July 7 at Goodnights Pizza (1302 Mike Fahey St.) to help students displaced by the closing of Dana College learn more about Hastings College and its Dana Student Assistance program. For more information about this event, please contact Omaha-based admissions counselor Mike Snyder at (402) 690-0727 or msnyder@hastings.edu.

Midland Lutheran College
Midland Lutheran College announced Wednesday, July 7 it will add four new athletic programs and has already given temporary or permanent contracts to Dana Colleges head coaches, as a result hundreds of Dana students already saying yes to becoming Midland Warriors this Fall.

Mens and womens bowling, a competitive dance/cheer squad, womens lacrosse, and wrestling-all programs Dana previously held rosters for-are being added at Midland. All the head coaches and some of the assistant coaches from each of these and the other 14 athletic programs also received temporary or permanent contract offers . One additional meeting with former Dana coaches will take place later Wednesday, where it is anticipated that more of Danas head coaches will sign on.

Most notable among the coaches of the four National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) programs being added is wrestling head coach Beau Vest. Along with his three assistant coaches, Vest has elevated the program to a place among the top-ten in the country. And in doing so, his teams have also amassed an impressive list of academic honors. Vest will bring nearly all of his team with him to Midland.

"We are grateful to the coaches and staff who are helping us to serve Danas students as they transition to our campus," Ben Sasse, president of Midland Lutheran College said. "At the core of each of the discussions I have had with our new hires over the course of the past few days is a true commitment to, and genuine concern for, their students and players."

When the sudden decision to close Dana last week left students, faculty and staff on the Blair campus scrambling, Midland Lutheran College immediately implemented the Dana@Midland transfer plan. Midland was already in the midst of an athletic and programmatic review, and was considering the addition of several new athletic programs. With the Dana closure and subsequent Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) decision to allow Dana students to transfer within the conference without sitting out a year, Midland was able to move their plans forward.

The ability to fund these additions, Sasse says, is possible through strategic planning by the Midland Board of Trustees and excellent community support for the College in Fremont.

"We have a multi- million dollar investment fund for moments like this," Sasse said. "Before accepting my appointment here as president, the Board raised a significant pool of cash that is allowing us to make a positive impact. We are fortunate that we now have the cash to do it."

In addition to coaches, several Dana staff were hired in admissions, alumni relations, student services and information technology to assist with the influx of students. Some Dana faculty are also being sought out to enhance areas of growth for Midland, serve positions currently open, and to expand programs Midland wants to add. This process is ongoing, and takes time to complete, as faculty hires must be approved by a governing committee of current Midland faculty leadership. The Midland Board of Trustees met over the weekend to approve the formation of an emergency faculty committee to immediately begin the process for reviewing faculty candidates from Dana. They are meeting this week and will extend offers to candidates in the next few weeks.

Another area where Midland is reaching out to the Dana community is by serving their alumni. Recent graduates of Dana who are still seeking employment are encouraged to contact Connie Bottger, Director of Midlands Career Resources Center, at 402-941-6471. Bottger is creating a list of potential employers who are hiring in the region that Dana may contact. Bottger also worked with former Dana employee Lorna Auch to transfer the credential files on record at Dana over to Midland. These files are used by education majors as points of reference for potential employers.

Through all the sudden changes, Midland has remained committed to serving the Dana community in the days ahead and beyond.

"We want the alumni, emeriti, the parents of students, the churches in communities far and near…and the entire Blair community to know that we want the heritage of Dana to live on," Sasse said. "Moving forward together now is an important step, and the most important step for the students and families Ive met with over the past few days."

Students interested in learning more about the Dana@Midland Transfer Plan can contact the Midland admissions office at 402-941-6501 or email dana@mlc.edu. A complete overview of the plan, including the application form, is available at www.mlc.edu/dana. Classes at Midland begin August 25.

UNK
The announcement earlier this week that Dana College was closing its doors has sparked calls to the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus, according to Dusty Newton, UNK director of Admissions.

"We are sorry to lose one of our fellow Nebraska campuses in the closing," Newton said. "And we're willing to help accommodate those students in any way that we can.

"For starters, we're waiving the application fee," he said, adding that, "The first step for the students is to get admitted and enrolled."
Students can access and complete the admission application online at: www.unk.edu. The application form is found by clicking on "Admissions" in the left column of the UNK homepage.

On Thursday, July 22, UNK has scheduled a transfer day. Students who have been admitted by July 22, can attend and enroll in classes for the fall semester, meet with Financial Aid representatives and take part in an orientation program.

"There is still plenty of time to get admitted," Newton said. "And if they need help or have questions, our office will be happy to assist them, or get them to someone who can." Admissions personnel are available weekdays at 308.865.8702. UNK offices will be closed for the holiday weekend but will reopen Tuesday morning.

"UNK is a good fit for students who are like small classes and personal attention," Newton said.

UNL
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Office of Admissions announced it would waive its transfer admission deadline to admit, enroll and provide campus housing for eligible Dana College transfer or new students for the fall semester. UNL's transfer admission application deadline for the fall semester was May 1.

Dana College on June 30 announced it would not open for the fall semester after its accrediting body denied its request to transfer its accreditation to new owners, according to news reports. The closing leaves as many as 550 students without a college this fall.

"We are very willing to work with any Dana College student who is interested in attending UNL with enrollment, housing and financial aid processes," vice chancellor for student affairs Juan Franco said. "This is unfortunate news for these students and we hope all are able to continue their plans for higher education."

For more information, visit http://admissions.unl.edu or telephone (402) 472-2023.