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.