Western Nevada College Foundation’s ninth annual Reach for the Stars Gala: Moonlight Masquerade is almost here, and organizers have incredible experiences waiting for the highest bidders on Saturday night, Aug. 8, at Joe Dini Library on WNC’s Carson City campus.

Check out a few of the top live auction packages, including a Las Vegas Getaway, Tahoe Knight Monsters Experience, Soar Over Carson Valley balloon ride and Cast A Line guided fishing trip.

And that's just the beginning! Your bids don't just win incredible experiences; they help provide scholarships, academic programs and educational opportunities for WNC students, helping them overcome barriers and reach their goals.

Phone 775-445-3240 for ticket and sponsorship information.

Western Nevada College's Disability Support Services will welcome nationally recognized motivational speaker and social-emotional learning expert Dr. Laura Rizo back to campus on Tuesday, Aug. 11, for an inspiring presentation designed to empower students to overcome adversity, build resilience and discover their own potential.

The free presentation is from 9 to 11 a.m. in Carson Nugget Hall on WNC's Carson City campus and is open to CREST (College Readiness Education for Students in Transition) participants, WNC students, faculty, staff and the college community.



Representing CoolSpeak, Dr. Rizo returns to WNC after delivering a memorable presentation in 2024 that challenged students to embrace their authentic selves and recognize the greatness within.

A selection of platinum prints by photographer Adam Jahiel are on display through Sept. 9 in the Bristlecone Gallery on the Western Nevada College's Carson City campus.

The exhibition features images from Jahiel’s "The Last Cowboy" series, which documents the lives of cowboys and the traditions of ranching in the American West.

The Bristlecone Gallery is open weekdays, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Western Nevada College is remembering longtime nursing professor, community leader and devoted benefactor Jeanette Wilde Mellow, whose decades of service helped shape the college’s nursing program and whose generosity will continue supporting students for generations to come.

Jeanette, who passed away earlier this month, joined Western Nevada College in 1975, four years after the college opened its doors, and became one of the founding instructors of the college's nursing program. During a distinguished career spanning decades, she educated hundreds of future nurses while helping establish a program that has become one of the college’s signature academic offerings.

Thousands of patients throughout Nevada have been cared for by nurses whose journeys began in Jeanette 's classroom at Western Nevada College. Beyond the classroom, Jeanette remained deeply invested in Western Nevada College. Since 1994, she faithfully supported students through the Vivian R. Wilde-Mellow Scholarship, reflecting her lifelong belief that financial barriers should never prevent deserving students from pursuing higher education.

“Jeanette Mellow was one of the individuals who helped build Western Nevada College into the institution it is today,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “As one of the founding instructors of our nursing program, she dedicated her career to educating compassionate, highly skilled nurses who have gone on to care for countless patients throughout Nevada and beyond. Her commitment to excellence, service and student success established a standard that continues to define our nursing program today. Through her philanthropy, she ensured that future generations of students would have the same opportunities to pursue their dreams. Jeanette's legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of Western Nevada College, and we are profoundly grateful for all she gave to our students, our college and our community.”

Every conversation about higher education is really a conversation about opportunity.

Recently, WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe had the privilege of meeting with several Nevada legislators to share how Western Nevada College is making a difference across our state. From record enrollment that led to our largest graduating class in college history to expanding dual enrollment and charter school partnerships, President Dalpe communicated how WNC is creating more opportunities for students to begin college earlier, earn valuable credentials, and build brighter futures.

The discussion with Legislators Linda Hunt, Reuben D’Silva, David Orentlicher, and Michelee "Shelly" Quiroz Cruz-Crawford also focused on the future of higher education and workforce development in Nevada.



For many children, summer camp is a chance to try something new, make friends and create memories that last a lifetime. Thanks to the generosity of local physicians Dr. Tim McFarren and Dr. Sandra Koch, more children in the Carson City community have had the opportunity to experience those moments this summer.

The doctors provided scholarships through the WNC Foundation for local children to attend Western Nevada College's Kids College Summer Sports Camps, helping ensure that financial barriers would not prevent young people from participating in the program.

“We read about the program in the news, and it sounded like a really great program,” Koch said. “It’s great for kids to have the opportunity to discover new interests and spend time together in a fun environment.”

For generations, Briggs Electric has helped power communities across the region. This summer, the company is once again helping power opportunity for Western Nevada College students.

Briggs Electric returns as a principal sponsor of the Western Nevada College Foundation's ninth annual Reach for the Stars Gala: Moonlight Masquerade, taking place Saturday, Aug. 8, in the Joe Dini Library on WNC's Carson City campus.

As the WNC Foundation's signature fundraising event, Reach for the Stars brings together community leaders, alumni, business partners and supporters for an evening dedicated to expanding educational access and investing in student success.

For Briggs Electric, the partnership reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening both education and the future workforce.

Relationships matter and strong communities are built by supporting and uplifting its neighbors. The Southwest Gas Foundation continues to reflect that commitment through its support of Western Nevada College (WNC) students.

As a major sponsor of the Western Nevada College Foundation’s ninth annual Reach for the Stars Gala: Moonlight Masquerade on Saturday night, Aug. 8, the Southwest Gas Foundation is helping create opportunities that extend beyond a single evening of celebration.

WNC Foundation’s support reflects a shared commitment to developing Nevada’s future workforce and opening doors for students pursuing meaningful careers.

That relationship already has a visible impact. WNC graduates have gone on to build careers with Southwest Gas after completing programs such as construction management and welding, demonstrating how educational pathways and industry partnerships can create lasting outcomes for students and employers alike.

For CORE Construction, building stronger communities begins with investing in education.

The company is helping create new opportunities for Western Nevada College students as a major sponsor of the Western Nevada College Foundation's ninth annual Reach for the Stars Gala: Moonlight Masquerade, taking place Saturday, Aug. 8, in Joe Dini Library on WNC's Carson City campus.

As the Foundation's signature fundraising event, Reach for the Stars raises support for student scholarships, academic programs and initiatives that help students achieve their educational and career goals.

Western Nevada College is encouraging eligible students to enroll in its College Readiness Education for Students in Transition (CREST) program before the Aug. 5 enrollment deadline. The free program helps students with disabilities build the academic, personal and career skills needed to successfully transition to college and the workforce. The program is funded through the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR). 

WNC's Disability Support Services currently has nine students enrolled for the Summer 2026 cohort and is seeking at least three more participants to meet the program's minimum enrollment requirement.

The three-week program provides students with a supportive introduction to college while helping them develop confidence, independence and practical skills for future success.

The silver jubilee edition of the Tahoe Rim Trail Endurance Runs (TRTER) hosted by Western Nevada College welcomed a new race and even included a couple of college employees completing the arduous 100-kilometer course.

Race Director George Ruiz introduced the 100K race for 25th anniversary of TRTER and the ultrarunning community responded in great numbers.

“It came in as a Western States Endurance Run qualifier, so it was an immediate success,” he said. “I capped it at 300 runners and it filled with a strong waitlist.”

Among the participants were WNC Construction Project Management Professor Nigel Harrison and Learning & Innovation Circulation Manager Cameron Carr. Both completed the demanding 62.14-mile course through the Sierra backcountry, finishing in 21 hours, 29 minutes and 31 seconds and 23:29:34, respectively. They were among 230 competitors who finished the first-time race won by Connor Rosenblatt of Davis, Calif., in 10:01:52. South Lake Tahoe’s Peter Nocka and Jake Lawrence each cracked the top 20, taking fifth (11:47:23) and 19th (13:21:20), respectively.

Building Tomorrow's Workforce Through Strategic Partnership! Western Nevada College is taking another important step toward strengthening Northern Nevada’s workforce.

WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe recently joined Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony, Niel E “Rick” Nelson, Brett Edwards of CBRE and regional leaders for a visit to the Victory Logistics District, where the college is preparing to expand workforce education through a dedicated Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Fernley. Developed in collaboration with industry partners and aligned with regional workforce needs, the center will help prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing while providing employers with a skilled talent pipeline to support continued economic growth.

“Partnerships like these demonstrate what can be accomplished when education, industry and government work together with a shared vision,” President Dalpe said. “By aligning training with workforce needs, we're creating opportunities for students while helping employers build the highly skilled workforce that will drive Northern Nevada's future.”

This aerial photo of Western Nevada College from nearly 40 years ago shows how much the Carson City campus and the surrounding residential area has grown in the past four decades.

With the Aspen Building opening in 1991, the Cedar Building in 1998, the Reynolds Center in 1999, Jack C, Davis Observatory in 2003 and Joe Dini Library/Student Center in 2004, the growth of the college has been immense since it opened in 1971 without a campus building.