WNC News & Notes

New rules to benefit military families

A number of recent rulings by the Nevada Legislature and state system of higher education will benefit those seeking a higher education in Nevada.

A new law authorizes a college fee waiver for the spouses and children of Nevada National Guard members killed in the line of duty, and to the immediate family members of the U.S. Armed Forces identified as prisoners of war or missing in action. The fee waivers are similar to what exists for active members of the Nevada National Guard.

Other benefits are being extended to armed forces veterans. Active duty members who are honorably discharged in Nevada will not have to pay out-of-state tuition. This includes those serving at the nearby Marine facility at Pickle Meadows, Calif.

For Millennium Scholars, students may simultaneously attend two Nevada colleges or universities and still qualify for the scholarship as long as they enroll in a total of 12 credits and maintain required grades.

Another new rule eases the requirement for graduating within six years to maintain Millennium eligibility. Those who step out from college to participate in charitable, religious or public service programs will have their eligibility extended.

Carson City resident donates telescope

Joyce Buck of Countis Industries in Carson City has made a significant contribution to the Jack C. Davis Observatory. She recently donated a Celestron telescope with tripod and accessories including lenses, diagonal, mount and documentation to the observatory. The college's students and the community will benefit from the gift.

Instructor earns faculty honor

Political science instructor Robert Morin, J.D., has earned "Educator of the Year" honors from the Nevada Faculty Alliance. Morin and other college educators were honored on the floor of the Nevada Senate during the recent legislative session, along with K-12 teachers. Morin began teaching at Western in 2002 and is also the chair for the Social Science, Education, Humanities and Public Service Division.

Morin is a veteran educator who also taught at California State College Chico, University of Virginia and University of Nevada. He teaches Principals of American Constitutional Government, World Politics, Criminal Law and Procedure and Environmental Law. He also coordinates the Nevada Legislature internship program for Western students.

Women's softball tryouts Tuesday

It's time to dust off the cleats and glove, and try out for Western Nevada College's softball team. WNC will begin its second season next spring, and plans to build on its first-year record that saw the team earn 10 victories against three conference rivals. Tryouts will be from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at Carson High School. Participants need to bring a bat, glove and cleats.

Players who are chosen must enroll in 12 credits each semester at Western and attain at least a 2.0 GPA. There is no age limit as long as players have two years of college athletics softball eligibility. Western plays in the Scenic West Athletic Conference of NJCAA Division I, against colleges in Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Colorado.

Recycling committee targets waste

The college's recycling committee is selling stainless steel 15-ounce mugs, good for hot or cold beverages, to help raise money for recycling bins and supplies. The committee is encouraging reusable mugs and glasses in the campus cafe and other places. The stainless steel mugs featuring a "We Care" recycling logo are available for $15.

Recycling one aluminum can saves enough electricity to power a 100-watt incandescent light bulb for three hours and requires only five percent of the energy to make a new can. Plastic water bottles produced in the United States are made using 1.5 million barrels of oil per year, which could be saved to power 250,000 homes for a year.