Big things are happening at Western Nevada College’s Douglas campus. WNC celebrated the official start of a $4.4 million expansion of its nursing program on Tuesday at the college’s Minden campus.



Funded by a $4.4 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration and $1.6 million from the William N. Pennington Foundation through WNC Foundation, the project will transform existing campus space into a modern nursing education facility.

A big thank you to Eagle Scout Logan Patterson! The WNC Child Development Center’s toddler play yard received an incredible makeover thanks to Logan, who recently completed his Eagle Service Project at the CDC. Even more special? Logan and his sister once attended the Child Development Center themselves and three current CDC instructors remember Logan.

With help from WNC Facilities team members Dan Smith and Jose Oliva, Logan transformed the play area by sanding and painting the swing, building a resilient surface beneath the swing, creating a new area for the climbing structures and adding rubber bark for safety, filling both sandboxes, and creating a new shade structure. The result is a safer, more inviting and refreshed play space for our youngest Wildcats.

Many thanks to Logan for giving back to a place that was once part of your own childhood. his hard work, generosity and commitment to making a difference are truly inspiring. Special thanks to our Facilities team for helping bring this wonderful project to life.



The 2026 Golden Pinecone Sustainability Awards will recognize 14 individuals, organizations, projects, and businesses for their contributions to a more sustainable Nevada. Award recipients will be honored Thursday, Nov, 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce, 4065 S. Virginia St., Suite 100, Reno.

This year’s theme, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” acknowledges the people and organizations strengthening Nevada, with a hands-on giving component included. Dr. Kyle Dalpe, president of Western Nevada College, will serve as master of ceremonies.

Established in 1989, the Golden Pinecone Sustainability Awards recognize individuals, educators, businesses, and organizations working to make their communities more sustainable and environmentally healthy.

Register to attend the awards ceremony. The 2026 awards celebration is organized by Western Nevada College, greenUP! and the Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce.



A special lecture and new Moon cycle should provide excellent telescope viewing conditions during Jack C Davis Observatory Star Parties in November.

JCDO Director Dr. Thomas Herring will lecture about astronomer Carl Sagan, the late space science and planetary researcher who shaped modern space exploration, to tip off the Saturday, Nov. 7 Star Party. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. lecture. Provided the weather is mostly clear, there should be excellent viewing of the cosmos with darker than normal skies stemming from the beginning of a new Moon cycle. The Andromeda galaxy and Taurid meteor fireball may add to the viewing possibilities.

The second party of the month is set for Saturday, Nov. 14. Telescope viewing and space and science discussions will highlight this party.



Both parties are free to attend. JCDO is located at 2269 Vanpatten Ave. on the northern end of WNC’s Carson City campus.



A growing fall tradition at Western Nevada College is a flag football tournament presented by Academic Advising & Access that brings together students and staff on the playing field.

Dubbed the Turkey Bowl, the friendly competition turns 5 on Tuesday, Nov. 10, when the teams convene at John L. Harvey Field from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Student Services won the first three titles before a cold rain dampened the number of participants last year and forced mixed teams of students and staff. Sign up as a team or individual as soon as possible. No experience is necessary, just bring your game face and be ready to have some fun. Note that participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian complete a waiver form prior to the event in order to participate.

Turkey Bowl V promises to be fun no matter what the weather holds and is an outstanding opportunity to make new friends. Play or stop by to watch. For more information, email advising@wnc.edu.



Western Nevada College is forming student and staff teams to take part in the Carson City Can’t Dodge This Coed Dodgeball Tournament at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the Carson City MAC.

Students and staff interested in participating, please contact Casey Otto as soon as possible at casey.otto@wnc.edu. This year’s theme is “Night at the Oscars”.

“It’s a ton of fun, and if you play, I’ll give you a pass on your normal workout routine for the week. As always, if you have any questions, just let me know,” Otto said.

High school seniors graduating in spring 2027 can apply for the Nevada Promise Scholarship, a last-dollar scholarship that can cover tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other federal or state gift aid for up to three years at Western Nevada College.

The application deadline is Oct. 31.

Created by the Nevada Legislature in 2017, Nevada Promise is designed to help remove financial barriers to higher education. There aren't income restrictions and high school GPA requirements, making the scholarship available to a broad range of Nevada students who meet the eligibility requirements. Students must begin at WNC in the fall immediately following high school graduation.

For more information, contact Academic Advising & Access at 775-445-3267 or advising@wnc.edu.

For Western Nevada College students, the holidays can be more than hanging out with family and friends. The college is offering accelerated online classes before and after Christmas and New Year's Day.

Students have the option of taking three or five-week courses in art, business, history, information systems and management. The five-week classes run from Dec. 21 through Jan. 22 and the three-week classes start Jan. 4 and end Jan. 22.

To view the classes and information about them, go to wnc.edu/classes and select "Spring 2027" for your term, then click the "show open classes only" box, and select "winter" for your session.

Western Nevada College students pursuing Career and Technical Education programs can apply for financial support through the William N. Pennington Career and Technical Education Scholarship for the 2026-27 academic year.

This scholarship provides an opportunity for eligible CTE students to reduce financial barriers while gaining the hands-on skills and industry knowledge needed to enter Nevada’s workforce.

Students preparing for careers in manufacturing, automotive technology, welding, healthcare, construction and other high-demand fields are encouraged to apply. Scholarship support can help students focus on their education while preparing for meaningful, household-sustaining careers. Even though the fall semester began at the end of August, there still is time for students to apply for this scholarship.

WNC students and employees took an important step toward being more informed voters this afternoon during the second-and-final Ballot Breakdown hosted by the college’s ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Committee on Oct. 22 in Dini Library.

Led by Discovery Librarian Nichole Paul, the nonpartisan session provided an opportunity to better understand what voters will encounter on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

There were no political pitches. No persuasion. Just information. Participants explored the offices appearing on the ballot, ballot questions and what a Yes or No vote means, how to identify the candidates in their district and what the different choices on the ballot mean.

Student government leaders also joined the conversation, including Officer Cameron Enke, who helped attendees navigate the candidates appearing on their district’s ballot.

A big thank you to the ALL IN committee members for helping our campus community become more informed and engaged voters.

The WNC community showed up in a big way for Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Oct. 19. Students, faculty and staff filled the Dini Student Center with pink during the Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN) Picture Us in Pink event, standing together to honor survivors, supporing those fighting breast cancer and remembering loved ones.

Participants also added messages of hope, strength and support to the Wall of Hope and enjoyed some delicious Dirty Dough cookies. The pink power didn’t stop in Carson City. ASWN hosted Breast Cancer Awareness Day on the Fallon campus, sharing important information, pink cookies and plenty of support for fighters and survivors.



Throughout October, ASWN has kept the momentum going with Paws for Pink Mondays, Ribbons of Hope, Poppin’ for Pink before the Picture Us in Pink finale. Together, we are spreading awareness, support and hope throughout the month.

Western Nevada College welcomed Andy MacKay, Executive Director of the Nevada Franchised Auto Dealers Association to WNC for a tour of our automotive program and facilities earlier this month.

The discussion focused on WNC, its automotive program, workforce needs, and the crucial connections between education and Nevada’s automotive industry.

WNC Automotive Instructor Jack Sato, and Cliff Sorensen (WNC Foundation Board member) and Jeff Hawkins from the Campagni Auto Group also joined WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe for the tour.



Homeschool families, we’d love to meet you!

Join us for WNC’s Homeschool Information Night on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Dini Library, Room 201, Carson City campus. Discover programs, dual enrollment opportunities, and ways WNC supports homeschool students on their path to college success.



A Homeschool Information Night is also scheduled for WNC’s Fallon campus. It’s set for Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. in Virgil Getto Hall, Room 303.

For more information, email rebecca.bevans@wnc.edu.



Thanks to the Nevada System of Higher Education and all the participating institutions for coordinating the Oct. 15 Great Nevada ShakeOut Drill, the annual statewide earthquake drill.

The exercise provided students, faculty and staff a chance to practice life-saving actions and improve readiness in the event of an earthquake.



The Great Nevada ShakeOut is part of a global campaign promoting earthquake safety. Participants were advised to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On,” practicing the steps to take during seismic activity. Nevada is one of the most seismically active states, and this drill highlights the importance of being prepared.

WNC executives, staff and students made a special visit to the Financial Aid Office on Oct. 21 to surprise and thank our incredible Financial Aid team on National Financial Aid Day. Financial aid professionals do so much more than process paperwork; they help students navigate the path to college affordability and turn educational goals into reality.

The Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN) brought the celebration to the Student Services area, complete with balloons, music, bakery goodies and a thank-you sign.

Thanks again to the Financial Aid team of Brittney Chesher, Ambra Reed, Kathleen McFarlin, Temple Campana, Austin Long, Rebekah Fillippini and student worker Katie Zarate. Your dedication, patience and hard work make a difference in the lives of WNC students every single day. Thank you for helping our students Start Here and Go Anywhere.



Oktoberfest at WNC was anything but typical. The Dini Student Center was buzzing inside and out on Sept. 30 as students, faculty and staff came together for a five-hour celebration presented by the Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN).

They listened to the sounds of the Sierra Alphorn Players, and some Wildcats even got the chance to try their hand at playing an alphorn. They dug into delicious pot pies from Sierra State Pie Co. They decorated their own Bavarian hats. They put their arm strength to test by extending two mugs of water in front of them for as long as they could in the Stein Showdown. And just when they thought the fun was winding down, everyone capped the celebration with root beer floats and soft pretzels. From alphorns and Bavarian hats to pot pies, steins and floats, ASWN brought plenty of Oktoberfest spirit to campus.



Prost, Wildcats!

Taking the time to enjoy the array of beautiful colors surrounding Western Nevada College is a must this year.

The vibrant fall colors, however, won't last for long as they are at or near their peak.

This photo was taken from the V&T Trail, overlooking the Silver Oak residential community adjacent to the college. Enjoy the rest of fall!

ASWN presented a Nevada Day Celebration in Dini Student Center on Oct. 27, four days before the state's actual 162nd birthday.

Attendees enjoyed decorating their own Silver State cowboy hats and Battle Born bandanas, shaping geodes in a "Nevada Rocks" activity, and consuming bagels, Basque chorizos and refreshments.

Western Nevada Colleges wishes everyone a great Nevada Day!