WNC News and Notes: Fallon commencement ceremony set for May 26

Western Nevada College is pleased to honor its 2022 graduates with the personal experience of the Parade of Graduates drive-through ceremony.
For the third straight year, WNC is planning three ceremonies, including Thursday, May 26 on the Fallon campus.
The Parade of Graduates will begin at 9 a.m. and provide each student with the opportunity to be acknowledged for their hard work and dedication by crossing a decorated stage and being cheered by dignitaries, WNC faculty and staff, and others.
“The drive-through ceremonies allow a very personal experience for our graduates, with friends and family at the base of the stage to cheer on their graduate,” said WNC Director of Admissions and Records Dianne Hilliard. “WNC believes the drive-through celebration is a tremendous way to honor our graduates.”
Drive-through ceremonies are also scheduled May 23 and May 24 on the Carson City campus. The May 23 ceremony will be for Liberal Arts grads: Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. On May 24, Associate of Business, Applied Science, General Studies and; Bachelor of Applied Science degrees and; those earning Certificates of Achievement will be honored.
WNC has hosted this type of ceremony for the past two years and it has been a huge success. Feedback has been extremely positive from students, family and friends of the graduates, and others who attended.
Western also plans to livestream the ceremonies so friends and relatives who are unable to accompany the grad in his or her celebration vehicle can watch the event live online.
More information about the ceremonies will be provided as graduation nears.
Register for short-term classes by March 28, open entry classes by April 1
If you haven’t heard, at Western Nevada College you don’t have to start the semester when it officially begins.
Open entry (self-paced) courses, as well as short-term and late-start classes, give students many options and modalities to receive their instruction well after the semester started back in late January.
Self-paced courses are available in Applied Industrial Technology, Aviation, Biology, Business Administration and Management, Core Humanities, Construction, Education (Nevada School Law), English (Composition I and II and Introduction to Creative Writing), Environmental Science, Finance, Information Systems Computer Applications, Mathematics (Fundamentals of College Mathematics, College Algebra and Precalculus), Management Science, Music (Music Appreciation, as well as Recording Techniques), Philosophy (Introduction to Ethics) and Psychology (General Psychology).
The deadline to register for these courses is April 1. The open entry structure for completing the coursework and assignments by the end of the semester on May 21 gives students the flexibility to work at their own pace and set their own personal deadlines.
Another option for individuals, are the short-term and late-start courses that begin on March 28. They accommodate an individual’s busy work and family schedule. Some of these courses have already reached their enrollment capacity so register as soon as possible. The following classes are available online:
• Applied Industrial Technology Projects (AIT 200)
• American Sign Language II (AM 146) and IV (AM 148)
• American Sign Language Fingerspelling II (AM 152)
• IT Project Management (CIT 263)
• Career Choices and Changes (CPD 123)
• Principles of Child Guidance (ECE 204)
• Life Span Human Development (HDFS 201)
• Survey of U.S. Constitution History (HIST 111)
• Change Management (MGT 412)
• Changing Environments (MGT 462)
• Business Plan Creation (MGT 497)
• Nevada Constitution (PSC 100)
For a full list of classes and course descriptions, go to wnc.edu/class-schedule/. To arrange an appointment with Counseling Services, phone 775-445-3267 or email counseling@wnc.edu.
Students new to WNC can apply for admission and take care of other pre-registration requirements at www.wnc.edu/starthere/. For more information, phone 775-445-3277.

Summer, fall schedules online
Plan ahead to register for summer and fall courses. The Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 schedules are now available on the college website. Go to wnc.edu/class-schedule/.
Returning and continuing students can register for summer and fall starting April 4, and new students can begin registering on April 11.
Students can register through their personal WNC accounts. Individuals planning to attend WNC for the first time can apply for admission at wnc.edu/starthere/.
Summer session begins Monday, June 13 and ends Saturday, Aug. 6. Fall semester starts Monday, Aug. 29.
For information about becoming a student at WNC, phone 775-445-3277.

April 1 deadline for scholarship applications
Current and prospective WNC students can ease the financial burden in funding their college education through the college’s foundation.
But there is one catch: They must apply by the April 1 deadline.
WNC Foundation has more than $700,000 in scholarship funding available for the 2022-23 academic year, making it possible for the foundation to provide more students with scholarships. Donations from the college, community, corporations and private donations, as well as fundraising events, make it possible for the foundation to offer more scholarship funding to students.
To qualify, students must be enrolled in at least six units, have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0, and must complete the application by the April 1 deadline to be eligible. Applicants will be considered for several hundred scholarships when they fill out the simple application at wnc.edu/scholarships.
Some scholarships require financial need, which means that students should also make sure to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid. However, there are many scholarships that do not require a financial need and are awarded based on other factors including community service, military service, academic achievement and career plans. For this reason, all students are encouraged to apply regardless of financial need or past academic performance.
Students who are training or planning to pursue a career in a technology-driven career are also encouraged to apply for the William N. Pennington Foundation Career and Technical Scholarship. WNC offers scholarship funding to students pursuing meaningful careers in fields such as computer information technology/cybersecurity, welding, automotive, machine tool technology, manufacturing, construction, truck driving, and more. Apply at wnc.edu/scholarships.
For information on applying for a scholarship or to start your own scholarship, contact the WNC Foundation at 775-445-3240.
Victim advocate provides support for students, staff and faculty
Western Nevada College has expanded its crisis support system for students, staff and faculty members who need someone to talk to following a crisis. The college has joined the Campus Victim Advocate program and will have a member of Crisis Support Services available to support them.
Gwyndelyn Thompson will be available two days per month to meet with victims in person on the Carson City campus, but she can accommodate students, faculty and staff in rural areas via Zoom and phone.
Those with recent or historic experiences of violence may reach out to receive support. There isn’t a time frame to access services.
Thompson will provide confidential support for students, staff and faculty members who have experienced sexual assault, harassment, domestic violence, trafficking, and more.
“It doesn’t have to be something that occurred on campus,” Thompson said. “What I really aim to do is listen, provide support and a space for people to go to talk as part of the healing process. I can be another person in their support system, and I will be there to cheer them on.”
Thompson will also recommend resources on and off campus to survivors so they can receive additional help.
“My goals for this program are to let people know that this exists and to support them,” she said. “My biggest goal is to help survivors thrive and help the WNC community feel safe and supported!”
Student survivors will also have the opportunity to join student support groups at no charge.
To learn more about the program or to arrange a time to meet with Thompson, phone her at 775-771-8724. This is the confidential Campus Advocate cellphone number that someone can call or text to reach Thompson directly.

Spring Topic Series continues with 3 free presentations
The Spring Topic Series, presented by Western Nevada College, continues with three new presentations in April.
Scheduled topics include the “Fallon City Government” on April 8, “Wisdom Along the Way” on April 15 and “CONNECT with Health Literacy: Healthy Habit Building” on April 22. Each free presentation starts at 5 p.m. in Room 304 of Virgil Getto Hall on WNC’s Fallon campus.
City of Fallon Councilwoman Kelly Frost will present “Fallon City Government.” Frost will provide an overview of the City of Fallon and discuss Fallon’s government structure and activities, as well as council meetings.
Marie Nygren, WNC’s Fallon Art Gallery coordinator and teacher, writer and photographer, will present “Wisdom Along the Way.” Nygren, who minored in psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno, will focus on human behavior. Parents, teachers and people in leadership positions are encouraged to attend. Learn to communicate better and manage people effectively.
Tracy Runnels, a Community Health Worker Program assistant with the Churchill Community Coalition, will present “CONNECT with Health Literacy: Healthy Habit Building.” This free presentation will help attendees understand what it means to be healthy and learn to build healthy habits and routines through habit tracking, journaling and meal planning.
Earlier this year, the Spring Topic Series included presentations on health and wellness, and the history and stories behind the Olympic Games.