From left, 2023 emeritus recipients are former Executive Assistant Kelly Kiesow, retiring Human Resources Assistant Director Brenda Yenkole, Faculty Senate Chair and Mathematics Professor Jim Strange and retiring Institutional Research and Effectiveness Director Cathy Fulkerson with President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe.
Western Nevada College’s 2023 emeritus recipients are retiring Institutional Research and Effectiveness Director Cathy Fulkerson, former Executive Assistant Kelly Kiesow, Faculty Senate Chair and Mathematics Professor Jim Strange and retiring Human Resources Assistant Director Brenda Yenkole.
To receive emeritus status, employees must serve as an academic or administrative faculty member for at least 10 years and have a distinguished history of service to the college.
WNC President Kyle Dalpe honored the four emeritus appointments on June 21 with recognition plaques.
“We are honored that these employees chose Western Nevada College to demonstrate their outstanding qualities as employees,” said Dalpe. “Their contributions in teaching, human resources, managing and institutional research have made WNC a better place for our students, faculty, staff and community members. They will always have a special place at WNC and we wish them well in their futures.”
Fulkerson worked as a contract archaeologist for 10 years and earned her master’s degree in anthropology at Washington State University. Eventually, Fulkerson went to work inside and became WSU’s director of institutional research in 2007 after starting out as a student data analyst. A desire to live closer to her family led Fulkerson to return home to Nevada and become the IRE director at Great Basin College in 2010 and at WNC in 2013. Uniquely, she served as the director of IRE at both institutions from 2014-18.
In recent years, Fulkerson has played a critical role in providing data to help Western identify ways to increase student enrollment while other institutions throughout the country are dealing with enrollment losses.
As an administrative faculty member and former WNC student, Yenkole is a strong supporter of lifelong learning and plans to continue to support and promote the college to community members. She has enjoyed working in a positive learning environment and the Human Resources Office since 2009. As the assistant director of HR, it has been her main focus to support WNC faculty and staff, who help make a difference in the lives of students. For many years, she has also served various Nevada System of Higher Education projects, including the Workday implementation. Yenkole has a Bachelor of Science degree and is working toward a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Management and Resolution.
The longest-serving employee from this year’s emeritus group is Strange. He has been teaching full time at WNC since 1995.
“I was the first WNC math instructor to teach math via interactive video (IAV), to develop and teach a graphing calculator course (1995), and to teach math online (1998),” he said. “I taught math at many off-site locations, including Hawthorne, Fernley (at Quebacor, Inc.), Dayton High School, Carson High School and Douglas High School.”
Notably, Strange served as the chief negotiator for the WNC faculty alliance. As part of the Mathematics Department, he helped develop the math corequisite models and pilot program for Math 120, 124 and 126. Strange also served three terms as the Faculty Senate Chair and multiple terms as the Fallon/Douglas and Liberal Arts senator.
Kiesow has worked for WNC on two different occasions, totaling 16 years. Her first stint at WNC spanned nearly 11 years, starting in 2001 as head cashier in the Business Office and as an assistant in Admissions and Records. In her return to WNC, Kiesow served as an assistant in the Vice President’s Office.
“Since graduating in 2021 with my associate degree at Western Nevada College and working for this wonderful institution for the last 16 years, being considered and granted emeritus status with Western Nevada College is such a wonderful honor,” she said.
Reach for the Stars Gala Aug. 12
Join WNC Foundation for its sixth annual Reach for the Stars Gala, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Jack C. Davis Observatory in Roaring '20s style on Saturday, Aug. 12 in Joe Dini Library.
Flapper dresses, pinstripes, feathers and pearls encouraged! Enjoy appetizers, cocktails, a full dinner, live and silent auction and exciting entertainment all before dancing the night away!
Tickets and sponsorships available: wnc.edu/reach.
20th anniversary observatory coins available
To commemorate the value of the Jack C. Davis Observatory, Western Nevada College Foundation has created a 20th anniversary coin.
The silver coin is available for purchase through the Foundation Office in Bristlecone Building, room 145 or by calling 775-445-3240.
Proceeds from the sale of each $100 silver coin will go toward the sustainability and care of Jack C. Davis Observatory.
The coin can also be ordered at the weekly Star Parties on Saturday nights at JCDO. Purchasers will fill out a form and the order will be processed the following week.
Nevada Green Business Network seeking student intern
Nevada Green Business Network is seeking a WNC student intern to assist the Green Business program coordinator manage marketing tasks, including social media, newsletters, blogs, fliers, business outreach, and more.
The pay is $15 per hour for 10 hours per week. Send a resumé and cover letter to erica.gallegos@wnc.edu by Aug. 10.
Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs to start, finish at WNC
After one of the heaviest snow loads that Lake Tahoe has seen, you might think that ultrarunners in the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs (A Glimpse of Heaven … A Taste of Hell) might need snow shoes instead of running shoes.
But the July 15 and 16 event is going on as planned, with all three races starting and finishing at Western Nevada College.
“Yes, there will be snow, but it’s melting fast right now,” said TRT Endurance Runs Race Director George Ruiz. “There will be some snow fields and snow drifts to navigate, but 90 percent of the trail will be our legendary single-track trails we have here in Carson City.”
One big change is that the start-finish location has moved to WNC’s John L. Harvey Field.
“Very excited to be operating out of the John L Harvey baseball stadium! It’s going to make the finish line and ‘Ultra Lounge’ a very nice and cozy venue!” Ruiz said.
Ultrarunners compete in 100-mile, 50-mile and 55-kilometer events, ascending as much as 22,000 feet from Carson City to Marlette Lake (above Spooner Lake) before returning to Carson City. The 100-mile race begins at 5 a.m. July 15 and participants must finish by 5 p.m. July 16. The 50-mile race starts at 6 a.m. July 15 and competitors must complete the course by 2 a.m. July 16. The 55-kilometer event also starts at 6 a.m. and the course must be completed by 2 a.m. July 16.
For more information about the event, go to trter.com.