WNC News & Notes: Carson Nugget invests in student veterans

The Carson Nugget has made another investment in the education of student veterans at Western Nevada College. The hotel-casino recently established the Carson Nugget Endowment Scholarship to benefit military veterans who are returning to school. Last week, the Nugget donated an additional $25,000 to the endowment, which will ultimately total $55,000.WNC student and veteran Cassandra Noll is the first recipient of the $1,250 scholarship. She served four years in the U.S. Navy onboard the USS Boxer and spent eight months deployed to the Middle East. Noll worked in aviation maintenance administration. Now, Noll is enrolled at WNC, looking toward graduation in May with a Bachelor of Technology degree in construction management. “This scholarship has been extremely helpful to me,” she said. “It helped me with books and so many other expenses that the GI bill doesn't cover.”Carson Nugget General Manager Star Anderson said the endowment is a way to show appreciation to military members. “It's a small way to say thank you,” she said, adding, “We want to help them go on to greater things.”WNC Director of Development Katie Leao said the endowment shows the Nugget's commitment to education. “We are very grateful to the Carson Nugget for being such a big supporter of the college. The endowment is a wonderful investment in the school and the community,” Leao said.Summer Research Scholarships Availablefor Students Attention, budding researchers: College students in the Nevada System of Higher Education can apply for a $4,500 scholarship to do summer research in the sciences and technologies, specifically the area of climate change. The competitive, paid undergraduate research opportunity is offered to full-time students in any major. Those studying science, technology, engineering and math are particularly encouraged. Any field related to climate change is of special interest. The project is part of the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) for Climate Change Research. Students who are chosen will receive a $4,500 scholarship from the National Science Foundation for their work. Each student, together with a chosen mentor, will develop a research project.Western Nevada College Chemistry Professor Mike Sady has served in the past as a student researcher mentor and believes the experience is invaluable. “The students will have a sense of the research experience as a team player,” he said. “Science is constantly changing, through exciting fields from particle physics to answering questions about our changing climate. Both are topics that look toward the future,” he said. Interested students must submit an original research proposal that meets all qualifications. Requirements and additional information are at http://epscorspo.nevada.edu/. Navigating Medicare:An IntroductionLearn to navigate the Medicare system in a non-credit course being offered at Western Nevada College Carson campus this spring. The community education class meets 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 20 through March 27.It is designed for those currently on Medicare, others who will soon join the program, and caregivers who are helping others with their Medicare plan. It will cover all aspects of Medicare, including terminology, reimbursements, policies and procedures for filing a claim. “People have such a misunderstanding of Medicare. They think it's free, and it's not,” said Mary Wilson course instructor. “It's important to be aware of everything that's involved with Medicare so you can make smart decisions.” Participants will gain a good understanding of the Health Care Reform Act and its impact on the Medicare program. At the end of the course, they will have a working knowledge of the Medicare program, understand parts A, B, C and D, be able to navigate the prescription drug plans, and be familiar with the changes as they relate to the Health Care Reform Act. For more information or to register, go to www.campusce.net/wnc/ or call 775-445-4268. The course SKU number is 131037. Cost is $36.