Nursing students have long been successful in Western Nevada College’s Associate of Nursing program. One reason for their continued success, in part, is through the outstanding work and dedication of Deborah Ingraffia-Strong, who doubles as the college’s interim director of Nursing & Allied Health and as a Professor of Nursing. Now the Nevada Nursing Foundation also knows what students and WNC already know and will honor her this fall. The NNF is recognizing Ingraffia-Strong for her excellent work, selecting her as a nominee for the 2022 Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada People’s Choice Award. “It’s always nice to be recognized by others — especially the Nevada Nursing Foundation — for your work,” Ingraffia-Strong said. “But there are usually many people that go into one’s success. In my case, I’m very thankful to the other professors and instructors in Nursing & Allied Health and throughout the college, as well as our clinical sites and support staff. This award is theirs, too.” Voting is open for the People’s Choice Award. Vote for Ingraffia-Strong at https://www.nvnursesfoundation.org/Awards/cno_form.php or go to wnc.edu/debi-peoples-choice/ to access the voting link. Once on the NNF site, scroll down to the bottom of the page and select her name in the nomination and scoring form and cast your vote. Ingraffia-Strong has been an important part of the college’s award-winning nursing program since 2005. Most of that time she has served as a valuable faculty member, but she also has been a driving force in many of the philanthropic and fundraising efforts of the Second Year Nursing Club and WNC’s chapter of the National Student Nurses' Association. In 2021, she became the interim director of the Nursing and Allied Health program after Judith Cordia retired. Ingraffia-Strong will be honored along with other nominees during the seventh annual Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada Awards Gala on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Celebrity Showroom in the Nugget Casino & Resort in Sparks. “You're amazing and deserve the recognition!” said NNF Chief Executive Officer Sandy Olguin. Ingraffia-Strong earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and her Master of Nursing Science degree from the University of Phoenix. The gala will include dinner, a silent auction, raffle, awards and dancing. For more information about the gala, go to https://nvnursesfoundation.org/. Students Can Order Books for Fall Semester Online Textbook Brokers offers Western Nevada College students a full-service online bookstore to purchase textbooks, eBooks, digitally delivered coursework and fully emblematic Western merchandise, as well as rental services. Orders for fall semester, including book rentals, can be placed online. An ordering kiosk and book drop box are available in Students Services on the Carson City campus and in Getto Hall on the Fallon campus. Textbook Brokers will provide a popup bookstore on both campuses at the start of the semester in the Dini Building Room 100 and in Getto Hall, respectively. Students will be able to pick up their online orders on campus during the first week of school. Specific times for the popup location will be announced later. To place an order, students will just need to visit wncbookstore.com — which is iPhone and Android friendly — and enter their student ID. Conveniently, course materials will automatically appear in their cart. Then, click checkout and select to have books and other items delivered to your home address or to the Carson City or Fallon campus for pickup. For more information, go to wncbookstore.com, email wncbookstore@textbookbrokers.com or phone 775-507-4011. Reach for the Stars Nearly Sold Out Reach for the Stars — Western Nevada College Foundation’s festive fundraiser to benefit local students seeking higher education — is almost here. The Reach for the Stars Black Tie Gala is set for Saturday evening, Aug. 13 in the newly renovated 55,000-square-foot Joe Dini Library. The library will be transformed into an elegant, starry night-themed event venue and feature a live performance by the Jeff Leep Orchestra with dancing under the “stars” in this gorgeous venue overlooking Carson City. WNC Jump Start graduate Morgan Golden, who just completed her freshman year studying aerospace and aeronautical engineering at the University of Washington, is the featured speaker. The enterprising student is part of five student clubs at Washington, including one that built a submarine. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a complete dinner hosted by Chef Howard Jachens, gifts, as well as live and silent auctions. You’re invited to connect with other community members and support your community college students at this exclusive, fun-filled event. All of the excitement begins at 6 p.m. The event is nearly sold out. For ticket availability, call WNC Foundation Office at 775-445-3240 or by going to wnc.edu/foundation/reach-for-the-stars/. Wells Fargo is the event’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors of the event are Southwest Gas, JOIN, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, Briggs Electric, Nevada Mining Association, Chase Bank, Gabelli Funds, George and Regent Carol Del Carlo, Classic Finishes, Bradley Electric, Barb D’Anneo, Comstock Inc, United Federal Credit Union, America First Credit Union and Quick Space. WNC Offering Courses Focused on Scientific Study of Birds for Fall Semester For fall semester, Western Nevada College is offering two new general biology courses, both of which are specific to ornithology, or the scientific study of birds. • Biology 135 (3 credits): The Introduction to the Ornithology (biology of birds) course focuses on avian biology, behavior, ecology, mechanism of flight, and migration; along with opportunities for field identification of birds common to Western Nevada. The class includes classroom lectures, hands-on activities, four laboratory experiences and field trips. The class meets Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 5:15 p.m. • Biology 198 (3 credits): Special Topics in Biology provides students with an introduction to the Pinyon Juniper Woodland with emphasis on the role of the Pinyon Jay. Includes classroom lectures and participation in the Great Basin Bird Observatory Pinyon Jay survey. The class meets Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. For more information about each biology course, go to wnc.edu/class-schedule/#biol. To learn more about becoming a student at WNC, go to wnc.edu/starthere/. Continuing students can register for the classes through their myWNC account.
First of Four Wednesdays with Evening Hours for Student Services on Aug. 10 Departments in Student Services at Western Nevada College will remain open into the early evening on Wednesdays starting on Aug. 10. To help assist and support students preparing for the Fall 2022 semester, WNC’s Admissions and Records, Counseling Services and Financial Assistance Office will remain open until 7 p.m. These student support offices will also be open until 7 p.m. on Aug. 17, 24 and 31. All of these departments will be represented in Counseling Services on the first floor of the Bristlecone Building. WNC's regular business hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students are reminded to register for classes well before they begin on Monday, Aug. 29 to ensure that they will get their preferred classes. New students can get started by applying for admission at www.wnc.edu/starthere/. Go to wnc.edu/class-schedule/ for a list of fall classes. Talks on ‘Pirates,’ ‘Apollo 13’ on Aug. 19-20 at JCDO Northern Nevada lecturer Mike Thomas will provide free presentations on Aug. 19 and 20 at Jack C. Davis Observatory on Western Nevada College's Carson City campus. On Friday, Aug. 19, he'll talk about the thieves of the sea — "Pirates" — followed by a presentation on "Apollo 13" on Saturday, Aug. 20. In his “Pirates” discussion, Thomas will talk about the people and events of piracy, from ancient origins of it to the activities of today. In “Apollo 13,” Thomas recounts how three astronauts try to return to Earth in a crippled spacecraft and how it captured the world’s attention. Both presentations begin at 7:30 p.m. Doors to JCDO open at 7 p.m. Jack C. Davis Observatory is located at 2269 Vanpatten Ave., overlooking WNC's Carson City campus. The public is reminded that each Saturday night, the observatory hosts Star Parties from sundown to 11 p.m. Attendees receive guided viewing of the moon, stars and planets via interior and exterior telescopes. Located on the eastern edge of the Sierra, JCDO is ideally located and equipped to provide information and viewing that will inspire more learning about the universe.
