WNC Foundation awards more than $150,000 in scholarships
More than 125 students were awarded over $150,000 across 90 different scholarships at the Western Nevada College Foundation 16th Annual Scholarship Appreciation and Recognition reception in Carson City. Student award recipients and their families and scholarship donors filled the Carson Nugget ballroom Friday, Oct. 16.
“Tonight is an example of the good things we are doing at the college, but the best examples are sitting out here in the audience,” Chet Burton, president of WNC, said. “The best possible investment you can make in yourself is your education, and all the people around you are helping you.”
Burton spoke after a performance by cast members from the Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Mary Poppins, followed by Niki Gladys, chair of the WNC Foundation board.
“This is such a special event, having students and donors in the same room,” Gladys said. “We are proud of our students’ commitment to bettering themselves and grateful to our donors for believing in our students.”
Scholarships are given by area civic and service organizations, as well as individual and memorial fund donors and local business leaders.
Joe Lushina, long-time Carson City financial advisor for Edward Jones, has provided the Joe Lushina Business Scholarship for several years. He has served on the WNC Foundation board for 15 years.
“Serving on the board really made me aware of the needs of students and gave me the inspiration to provide the scholarship,” he said. “It’s good for students, and it’s good for me – makes me feel good to contribute to their success.”
June James of the Carson Valley Quilt Guild said the organization provides two $500 scholarships to students who are interested in the arts.
“This is a great opportunity for students to continue to include classes in the arts in their studies,” she said. “We’ve given these scholarships for many years because we believe so strongly in the importance of the arts in education.”
Courtney Baxter, a WNC student, received four awards – the Harriet L. Crowell Memorial Scholarship, the Bonnie Parnell Scholarship for Community and Political Activism, the WNC Leadership Scholarship, and the WNC Talent Grant Music Scholarship. Baxter said these scholarships will pay for both this semester and next semester with a little left over for books. She said she hopes to become a music teacher and plans to return to Carson City if a job opens up.
“If not, I’ll go where I’m needed,” she said. “I don’t know where I would be without the arts and my teachers. They don’t just teach music, they teach community values, how to reach out and help others. I’m very grateful to my donors and to my teachers.”
Todd Minto received the Woody Wurster Machine Tool Scholarship. Minto is in his second year at WNC and plans to graduate in May with associate’s degrees in welding, machine tool, automated systems and general industrial.
Averaging 27 credits per semester, Minto said he hopes to attend an Ivy League engineering school, and is grateful for the scholarship.
“It’s nice to have somebody recognize I am trying hard and taking my education seriously,” he said.
His mother, Tonya Flowers, beamed. “I’m grateful for the scholarships and proud of all the hard work he has put in,” she said. “He’s always been an achiever.”
The Western Nevada College Foundation’s primary purpose is to raise awareness, financial resources, and other assets in support of Western Nevada College by creating public/private partnerships, encouraging philanthropy with prospective donors and strengthening relationships between the college and the communities it serves.
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