HutchCC announces Dillon Lecture Series speakers, Distinguished Dragons, teen driving class registration open
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For more than 40 years, the Dillon Lecture Series at Hutchinson Community College has provided residents of central Kansas access to distinguished speakers they might otherwise never have the opportunity to hear.
Since its inception in 1982, the series has featured an eclectic mix of presenters ranging from poets and politicians to space scientists and American heroes, all selected with the goal of educating and inspiring audiences across generations.
"Learning is the key to enlightenment," according to Chinese philosopher Kuan-Tzam, whose teachings guide the Dillon Lecture Committee in choosing speakers for the annual series.
All lectures take place at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, beginning at 10:30 a.m. and lasting approximately one hour. The venue choice reflects the series' commitment to accommodating large audiences from Hutchinson and surrounding communities.
The series has attracted notable figures from diverse fields. Recent speakers have included James Olson, who served for over 30 years in the Central Intelligence Agency's Directorate of Operations, primarily in overseas clandestine operations. Olson also served as Chief of Counterintelligence at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia.
Award-winning broadcaster Joel Goldberg, another featured speaker, has been a fixture with the Kansas City Royals television broadcast team since 2008. Goldberg hosts pregame and postgame shows on FOX Sports Kansas City and Bally Sports KC, drawing on his 25-year career building relationships with professional athletes, coaches and team management.
The lecture series maintains an accessible pricing structure to encourage broad community participation. General admission tickets cost $10, while students and school groups are admitted free of charge with valid school identification. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hutchcc.edu/dls or at the Sports Arena on the day of each lecture.
The Dillon Lecture Committee, chaired by Richard Shank, includes representatives from various segments of the college community. Committee members include Uriah Bueller, Susan Buttram, Butch Dillon, Carolyn Dillon, Tammy Dillon, Charlotte Galler, Kathy Morris and Dane Power.
Dr. Tricia Paramore, president of Hutchinson Community College, serves on the committee alongside the chairperson of the HutchCC Board of Trustees, a representative from the Hutchinson National Faculty Association, and the president of the Student Government Association.
Denny Stoecklein from HutchCC Marketing and Becky Rogers, who serves as both DLS Coordinator and Presidential Administrative Assistant, round out the committee's membership.
The series represents Hutchinson Community College's broader commitment to serving as a cultural and educational hub for the region, bringing world-class speakers to an area that might otherwise have limited access to such programming.
In other HutchCC news, Hutchinson Community College is highlighting the accomplishments of its standout students while continuing to serve the broader community through educational safety programs.
The college recently featured Jacob Welch of Hutchinson in its "Distinguished Dragon Alert" series, recognizing his academic excellence and community involvement. Welch, who studied psychology and sociology at Hutchinson Community College, has been named to the President's Honors Roll and earned recognition as an Honors Merit Scholar and Ray and Delores Endowment Scholar.
Beyond his classroom achievements, Welch has demonstrated significant community engagement, volunteering at homeless shelters, leading faith-based recovery meetings at the Coffee Corner, and working with inpatient substance abuse treatment centers. As a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Welch has shown leadership both academically and in service to others.
"I enjoyed my Public Speaking class. I thought I was going to hate it, and then when I got up in front of everyone, I ended up really enjoying it," Welch said, reflecting on his educational experience at the college.
Welch plans to continue his education at Wichita State University while working at Horizons as a Peer Support Specialist, combining his academic background with hands-on community service.
The college also spotlighted Brooke Backhaus of Newkirk, Oklahoma, who completed an Associate of Science degree while serving as a skilled first baseman for the Blue Dragons softball team. Backhaus has shown excellence both on the field and in the classroom, with strong performance in macroeconomics reflecting her academic commitment and intellectual curiosity.
Like Welch, Backhaus earned membership in Phi Theta Kappa and was repeatedly named to the President's Honor Roll. She also volunteered at the Hutchinson Animal Shelter, demonstrating the college's emphasis on community service among its students.
"Brooke's leadership and teamwork on the softball field, combined with her academic achievements, make her deserving of this honor. She truly exemplifies the qualities of excellence and perseverance," the college noted in its recognition.
In addition to celebrating student achievements, Hutchinson Community College's South Campus will serve as the venue for a Tire Rack Street Survival event organized by the Wichita Region Sports Car Club of America. The hands-on driving experience, will be held at Pioneer Hall, focusing on teaching participants about handling limits and hazard recognition in real-world situations.
The program emphasizes practical safety skills, helping students become more observant of traffic situations while learning to anticipate dangerous actions by other drivers. The curriculum stresses the importance of physics in driving, teaching participants to make fewer unwise driving decisions and understand the critical importance of seatbelt use.
"It's about more than driving - it's about LIVING!" organizers noted, highlighting the program's broader safety mission.
The event, priced at $125 for all schools, represents the college's commitment to serving the broader community beyond traditional academic programming. Three parents, including former Indianapolis 500 Champion Scott Goodyear, will share their perspectives in an accompanying video presentation.
These initiatives reflect Hutchinson Community College's dual mission of academic excellence and community engagement, showcasing both student achievements and the institution's role as a regional resource for educational and safety programs.
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