From left, Western Nevada College President J. Kyle Dalpe; Jeff Campagni, general manager of the Dick Campagni Auto Group; and Niki Gladys, WNC chief advancement officer and Foundation executive director. Campagni visited the college’s automotive mechanics shop April 23.
Courtesy
For students at Western Nevada College, having strong community champions can change everything. One of those champions is the Campagni Auto Group, including Carson City Toyota.
The Campagni Auto Group awarded $5,000 in scholarships to WNC students pursuing associate degrees and careers in automotive mechanics.
“The Campagni Auto Group and Carson City Toyota have truly given WNC students a better chance at succeeding in college,” said WNC President J. Kyle Dalpe. “This partnership benefits not only our students — it plays a vital role in preparing them to become contributing members of our society.”
Many students would not be able to pursue a college education without this kind of support. Some rely on the scholarships while others are able to reduce their work hours and focus more fully on their education thanks to financial assistance.
“We have seen the difference our scholarship funding has made with students attending Western Nevada College and its automotive mechanics program,” said Jeff Campagni, general manager of the Dick Campagni Auto Group. “This scholarship was designed to help people who live here become successful and make a difference in their community.”
The 2024-25 Dick Campagni Automotive Scholarship recipients include Emma Carpenter, Caitlynn Cummings, Lila Kaufmann, Ximena Mata Sanchez, Audrie McGarry, Alan Morales and Audrey Wood.
Several years ago, the Campagni team partnered with WNC and the Nevada Department of Corrections to launch an automotive mechanics training program at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. To further support these students, the Campagni Auto Group also funds scholarships for WNC’s Higher Education in Prison program.
The Campagni Auto Group supports the annual WNC Golf for Education Tournament, donating hole-in-one prizes — including a $10,000 grand prize.
The WNC Foundation is accepting scholarship applications for the 2025-26 academic year. Students can apply at wnc.edu/scholarships. The deadline is June 2.
For information about the WNC Foundation, call 775-445-3240 or email foundation@wnc.edu.
ASWN Recognizes Standout Students, Faculty and Staff
April 18. WNC’s student government group, the Associated Students of Western Nevada, held its annual Awards & Appreciation Reception in Casino Fandango’s Grand Ballroom.
Students, faculty and staff were recognized for their contributions in academics, instruction, leadership and service during the 2024-25 school year.
Highlighting the evening with recognition awarded to students standing out in Workforce, Career and Technical Education; Jump Start, Liberal Arts, Veterans service, leadership and employment.
Receiving WCTE awards were Brandy Gavenda, Sierra Pulver and Austin Feise.
Mayra Servin, Andrea Freitas and Grace Edison were recognized for their excellence in Nursing.
Liberal Arts honors went to Mekoh Benbrooks, Deaf Studies; Max Rizzo, Mathematics; Alberto Gonzalez, History; Ezequiel Varela, Humanities; and Angel Castro-Polovorosa, Psychology.
Jump Start honorees were Noa Blann, Carson High School; Mason Storm, Churchill County High School; Kiley Patterson, Dayton High School; Cristian Valenzuela González, Douglas High School; Kylian Van Wynendaele, Nevada Virtual Charter; Paola Moran Rodriguez, Oasis Academy; Kassandra Canales, Silver Stage High School; and Ava Farrell, Virginia City High School.
ASWN also celebrated the work and dedication of students who made a difference with their leadership qualities and outstanding service in other important areas of the college throughout the year: Richard Tidrick, Veterans; Catalina Wilson, President Award; and student workers Makenna Blunt, Community Service and Technology & Innovation; Catalina Wilson, Diversity and Inclusion; Lahaina Estomin, Leadership; Laisha Ortiz, Critical Thinking; and Vanessa Poppenga, Overall Student Employee of the Year; and for student service, Denise Velazquez, Matthew Hamlet and Michael Robinson.
Dru MacKay was also honored for earning the prestigious Nevada System of Higher Education Regents’ Scholar Award in March.
Faculty and staff were acknowledged for their commitment to students, as Curtis Kupferschmid received the Academic Faculty of the Year Award; Dr. Angela Sawyer was recognized with the Adjunct Faculty of the Year Award; and Tyler Golden was honored as the Advisor of the Year.
Hilda Villafana and Computing Services shared the Service Award, and the Club of the Year went to the Games Club.
Research Students Publish Two-Year Study of Pinyon Jay
Research students at Western Nevada College have published their study of the Pinyon Jay online at storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5565df4c2b124b2182ad83f282177afb.
Over the past two years, Liberal Arts and Science Instructor Robin Eppard oversaw 11 students in their study of the Pinyon Jay and its habitat near Topaz Lake on the southern end of Douglas County. This study at Wild Oat Mountain included the Geographic Information System, topography, dendrology, soils, microbiome, pathogens, vegetation, organisms, taxonomy, ecology and land use.
“Collectively, I believe this project contributed to our understanding of the limits of the ecosystem utilized by the Pinyon Jay,” Eppard said.
Participating students included Elijah Smith, Nathan Boyd, Hailey Wagstaff, Maile Pierson, Vincent Dao, Gabriella Piceno, Tanner Morgan, Esmay Harger, Ashley Ambriz, Nandana Praveen and William Pickard.
The WNC baseline study provided field and laboratory opportunities for these students in addition to data management, experience preparing posters, presentations and generating the Story Map.
Student Art Shows, Receptions on Carson, Fallon Campuses
Students on WNC’s Carson City and Fallon campuses have contributed to two different exhibits.
The Carson City campus exhibit is showing through May 8. The Bristlecone gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A reception is scheduled for May 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
In Fallon, the Student Art show opened Monday, April 28, in Virgil Getto Art Gallery. A reception for the artists is planned May 15 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
WNC Automotive Mechanics Student 4th at State Finals
Nevada high school students competed at WNC’s E.L. Cord Automotive Technology Center in April for the opportunity to become one of 6,500 state champions from across the United States in 114 skilled and leadership events.
The SkillsUSA state finals included an automotive maintenance and light repair division, where students were tested on brakes, wheels, vehicle checkpoints, engines and more. WNC Automotive Mechanics Instructors Alex Street and Sunshine Haupt hosted the event with assistance from some of the college’s industry partners.
Scott Dobson, a second-semester WNC student, became the college’s first representative in the state finals in approximately 15 years. He finished fourth out of 20 competitors, just missing a podium finish. Dobson said he plans to compete next year.
WNMTC to Present ‘The Sound of Music’ on May 9-18
“The Sound of Music,” is being presented by Western Nevada Musical Theatre Co., in May. This production tells the story of a young novice, Maria Ranier, sent by her convent to be a nanny to the seven children of a widowed naval captain, then fills the house with love and music. The love story of Maria and the captain is set against the poignant backdrop of the Nazi occupation of Austria.
A full, professional orchestra accompanies the score.
Performances are scheduled on weekends from May 9-18. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. on May 9, 10, 16 and 17. Matinee showings are at 2 p.m. on May 11, 17 and 18 at the Carson City Community Center. The cost is $25 or $28 and can be purchased at wnmtc.com.
If you need assistance in purchasing tickets, phone 775-445-4253 on Monday through Thursday.