HutchCC Announces 2025 Dillon Lecture Series Lineup; Kicks Off Back-to-School Activities
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — YouTube sensation Rob Kenney, known as the "internet Dad" to millions of followers, will open Hutchinson Community College's 2025 Dillon Lecture Series on Feb. 4, marking the 44th season of the distinguished speaking program.
Kenney rose to fame in 2020 with his YouTube channel "Dad, How Do I?", where he generates practical advice and life skills for people who may not have had a father figure in their lives. His channel covers everything from how to tie a tie and change a tire to unclog a sink and other essential "dad advice."
Kenney's inspiration for starting the channel stems from his own childhood. His father left when he was just 14, leaving him and his siblings to navigate life without that guiding parental influence.
The lecture series will also feature author, actor, musician, comedian and activist Tyler Merritt on April 1. Merritt has devoted his creativity to bringing his ethos of "Love. Learn. Create." to life through his words and videos as part of The Tyler Merritt Project. The series concludes Sept. 16 with former CIA counterintelligence chief Jim Olson.
Since 1982, the Dillon Lecture Series has provided distinguished and notable speakers that many in Hutchinson, Kansas and surrounding communities might not have the opportunity to experience. All lectures are held in the Hutchinson Sports Arena beginning at 10:30 a.m. and last one hour.
General admission tickets are $10. Students and school groups are admitted free of charge with a school ID. Tickets are available online at www.hutchcc.edu/dls or at the Sports Arena on the day of the lecture.
College Launches New Programs, Celebrates Faculty
In other campus news, HutchCC is launching a new Industrial Mechanical Maintenance Certificate A program at its McPherson Outreach Center, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. This innovative program is designed to equip students with essential foundational skills in manufacturing engineering technology, including electrical/electronic systems, automation, fluid power, and mechanical maintenance.
Tuition is set at $131 per credit hour, with FREE tuition available to high school students through the Excel in CTE waiver.
Sydney Fountain, Instructor of Psychology, has been selected as the 2024-25 Dragon Educator of the Year. Fountain was selected from nominees from all academic areas by the HutchCC Student Government Association for the honor.
Blue Dragons Athletic Success
The college's athletic teams continue their winning tradition. Students at Hutchinson Community College took home several top honors at the SkillsUSA Kansas State Championships held in April in Hutchinson. In all, HutchCC had four first-place finishers.
In Mechatronics, the team of Edgar Morales (Hutchinson) and Josh Burdett (Hutchinson) won the competition, while the team of Kevin Rodriguez (Hutchinson) and Kohen Starnes (Hutchinson) placed second.
The college recently held its annual Back to School meeting in the Sports Arena, where employees from every department, location and shift came together to celebrate teaching, learning and the tradition that makes the Blue Dragon community special, according to a recent Facebook post.
Hutchinson Community College serves nearly 5,000 credit students every semester and students can choose from more than 70 different academic programs, leading to Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of General Studies and Associate of Fine Arts degrees.
For more information about the Dillon Lecture Series or to become a patron, visit www.hutchcc.edu/dls or call Becky Rogers at 620-665-3505.