Students in WNC’s Summer CREST program toured CGI facilities in August.
By Western Nevada College
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Before the fall semester at Western Nevada College, students were already learning about employment possibilities from some of Northern Nevada’s most recognized and important employers.
Tesla, CGI and Starbucks were providing virtual or in-person tours for students in WNC’s Disability and Support Services’ three-week Summer CREST program. CREST is a grant-funded educational program funded by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.
The focus of the program is to prepare students with disabilities for success in college and beyond. Thirteen students are enrolled to continue with the CREST program throughout the school year as they work toward an associate degree or industry certification.
“Our philosophy is to empower students to be successful in obtaining their educational goals,” said WNC DSS Director Susan Trist. “By providing necessary support, we help students to attain their academic, vocational and personal goals at WNC. Disability Support Services provides qualified students with disabilities equal access to higher education through academic support services, technology and advocacy in order to promote their independence, retention and graduation.”
College Readiness Education for Students in Transition program is for transition-age students 16 to 22 with disabilities. It is a free program that introduces students to the college experience, giving them practical skills to succeed. The program provides students with personalized academic coaching, peer support systems, topic-based workshops, field trips, inspirational events and alumni gatherings.
In addition to providing the skills that encourage success, the program creates peer support, provides access to services and accommodations that help students with disabilities access their education.
Some of the accommodations that Trist considers for her students are extended time for testing, note-taking assistance, a distraction-reduced testing room, assistive technology, academic coaching, auxiliary aides and American Sign Language interpreters and captioning.
Besides learning more about businesses, students in the summer program were able to become more comfortable attending WNC through “Introduction to the College Experience,” an accelerated class that was presented on Zoom this year and was led by Jennifer Verive.
“This course provides students with essential academic basics as they transition to college for the first time,” Trist said.
For information about CREST, email susan.trist@wnc.edu or phone 775-445-4459.
Graphic design students create ‘Graphics Extraordinaire 2021’ at the Brick
Typography assignments in two of Jayna Conkey’s graphic design classes morphed into her students' posters becoming an art exhibit presented by the Capital City Arts Initiative.
Isela Rodriguez of WNC created this poster focusing on the Bodoni typeface in a graphics design class.
“The work in this exhibit was created by WNC students enrolled in online graphic design courses during COVID,” Conkey said. “They should be complimented for their creativity while working under those conditions. The high quality of their work speaks to their dedication and reflects the solid foundation they learned from their previous course work in the Graphic Design program.”
Conkey’s students in the intermediate graphic design course were tasked with creating posters in Helvetica, Bodoni, Alphapipe, Futura and Caslon fonts.
“The purpose of this project was to expand creative typography and design approaches while showcasing the history of a typeface,” she said. “Every font (typeface) on any given computer was designed by someone — probably hundreds of years ago. For this assignment, students were required to choose a typeface, then research its history. Next, they created a poster that had to include a biography and image of the type designer, as well as a dynamic display of the typeface’s elements (uppercase, lowercase, numerals, glyphs and punctuation).
Diana Estey’s colorful poster on the Futura typeface is part of the “Graphics Extraordinaire” collection that will be shown at the Brick from Sept 27 through Dec. 3.
“They were required to research designers and, after choosing one, create a poster reflecting the designer’s style — without simply copying their work," Conkey said. "While researching, they had to ask themselves what characteristics made that designer’s work so unique — what was their ‘claim to fame?’ An understanding of these ideas helped them create visually interesting designs, echoing the work of Milton Glaser and Jan Tschichold.”
The quality and creativity of the posters has impressed CCAI Executive Director Sharon Rosse.
“The Initiative is delighted to present this excellent work — these weren’t easy assignments,” Rosse said. “Professor Conkey’s lessons challenged the students and they definitely rose to the occasion.”
The Brick is located at 108 E. Proctor St. It is open to the public from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Artists exhibit landscape photography in Bristlecone
The current art exhibits at WNC reflect this time of the year.
Now showing in the Bristlecone Atrium Gallery on the Carson City campus is “Glorious Autumn” by photographer Marie Nygren of Fallon. WNC Art Galleries is also presenting work from two other photographers in the Bristlecone Hallway Gallery: Dennis Doyle and Kristen Kabrin.
“Fall is a special time,” Nygren said. “As colors abound in prominent and obscure places, it makes for an outrageous artistic palette and a bounty of photographic opportunities.”
Marie Nygren's "Glorious Autumn" exhibit is one of three currently showing by landscape photographers in the WNC’s Bristlecone Galleries in Carson City.
“My heart is full witnessing all of the beauty in nature and sharing what I see through the lens with you,” she said. “It is my honor to show my art at WNC.”
Doyle specializes in capturing the mood of a sunset, the serenity of a desert playa, the story of the tree and the power and movement of the beauty of water. His passion for the outdoors has taken him throughout the West, including national and state parks; deserts, mountain peaks and the Pacific Coast.
Earning a college degree didn’t alter what Kabrin loves most, taking photos of landscapes.
“In short, I like to be outdoors, shooting things that me happy and, in turn, I hope to bring a little happiness to others,” Kabrin said. “Black-and-white images make my heart sing. Landscape and nature photography feed my soul.”
The exhibits will be shown through Oct. 5. These artists will be included in the reception for the “Lockdown” exhibit from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 in the Main Gallery.
WNC’s Art Galleries are located at 2201 W. College Parkway in the Bristlecone Building. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The galleries offer an ever-changing collection of fine art from locally renowned artists. They display a wide variety of original paintings, prints, sculpture and photography, among various other art forms. The goal is to cultivate and promote the arts within the Northern Nevada community by representing and exhibiting works from emerging and established artists. WNC has galleries on the Carson and Fallon campuses and host multiple shows a year.
Face coverings are required on WNC’s campuses.
For information on art shows at WNC, go to facebook.com/wnc.art.galleries or email artgallery@wnc.edu..
Volunteer for the Golf for Education Tournament on Sept. 24
Making the Golf for Education Tournament successful year to year is a group of volunteers who dedicate their time to ensuring that participants have a memorable day.
With WNC’s 18-hole golf scramble less than a week away, volunteers are needed. If you are interested in volunteering, call 775-445-3240.
The tournament is set for 9 a.m. on Friday at Toiyabe Golf Course, providing area golfers and businesses the opportunity to generate funding to assist students pursue degrees and certifications that will help Nevada’s economy as the college celebrates its 50th year of serving Northern Nevada communities.
Participants will be treated to great tee prizes, hole-in-one and long drive prizes, ample on-course refreshments, raffle prizes, an opportunity to shoot the highly acclaimed golf ball cannon, a barbecue lunch, an awards ceremony, team photos and more. The cost is $150 per player, $550 per four-player team or $850 for a business team sponsorship.
Foundation store purchases help students
Directly support students at WNC by purchasing from the Foundation Store in the Bristlecone Building.
You can shop for jackets, vests, beanies, T-shirts, hoodies, notecards created from student artwork, pilsner glasses, coffee cups, tumbler, hats (including a 50th anniversary hat), and a trivet created by the Machine Tool Technology program.
Make purchases from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 775-445-3240 or emailing foundation@wnc.edu. Purchases can also be made online at https://www.wnc.edu/foundation/foundation-shop.
