Positive altitude
Chancellor Bruce Shepard gets acquainted with the 28-foot,
360-degree Chameleon tower that is a centerpiece
of the spectacular new Kress fitness center. A climber
in his younger days, Shepard is getting in practice
with hopes of joining students when “open climbing
hours” begin later in October.

Chancellor Bruce Shepard (right) poses with experienced
climbing instructors Ruth Homrighaus and her husband,
Prof. David Voelker. Rec coordinator Tim Helein says
the couple has volunteered “a ton of time”
to setting routes, training supervisory staff and
helping get the climbing program off the ground.

Student staff and others watch as Chancellor Shepard
participates in his first safety training. The two-hour
orientation class is required of all Kress climbers;
they are then asked to return a few days later for
a mandatory skills test. A passing score allows climbers
free access to the tower for a full year –
always under the watchful eye of trained staff.
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