JODI LAMP - Western Nebraska Community College

CougarCORNEReNews
Western Nebraska Community College Alumni Newsletter
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
JODY LAMP
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
KENT HARVEY
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
POWERLINE MAINTENANCE
& CONSTRUCTION
Summer 2015
Western Nebraska Community College Alumni Newsletter
CELEBRATING
THE SUCCESS OF
OUR GRADUATES
April 23, 24, & 30 -Western Nebraska Community
College students celebrated another successful school
year during their 14th annual awards ceremony.
Each campus held their own afternoon gatherings
highIighting student achievements with awards.
New this year, each campus invited community
supporters to the event as a special “thank you”
donor recognition reception. Students, faculty, staff,
and community supporters celebrated together over
appetizers, cake, and punch.
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DR. EUGENE HUGHES:
2014-15 OUTSTANDING ALUM
1954 SJC GRADUATE
WATCH ENTIRE GRAD. SPEECH AT
WNCC.EDU/ALUMNI-FRIENDS
On May 16, 2015 - 190 graduates
crossed the stage in Cougar Palace
filled with the wise words and
encouragement given by Keynote
speaker Dr. Eugene Hughes
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Summer 2015
WNCC is fortunate to have a
committed group of faculty and
staff that not only provide superior
service for students but, are also
graduates of our college. The
following group of 45 current
employees earned their associates
degree, certificate, or diploma at
WNCC. We are fortunate to have
them stay with us or continue their
education and return to teach, live,
and work at our College.
Aletia Norwood 2006, Alice Macht 2005, Amy Winters 2004, Bambi Sell 2006, Brooke Blomenkamp 2010, Carolyn McConkey 1997, Christine Wolf 1994,
Coral Richards 1959, David Nash 1978, David Harnish 1979, Deb Kildow 2002, Doug Avis 2005, Erica Muhr 1999, Grace Hendrickson 2000 and 2002,
Gus Seminario 1983, Jason Stratman 1999, Jeannie Bear 1971, Jen Pedersen 1996, Jennifer Araujo 2005, Joe Deer 1991, John Sinks 2001, Jon Leever 1987, Judy Amoo 1979,
Kathy Ault 2013, Katie Groves 2010, Keith Miller 2002, Kevin Dahlstedt 1983, Linda Roelle 1997, Mandi Raffelson 2000, Margarita Gurrola 2005, Margaret Evans 1998,
Mark Rein 1982, Mary Barkeloo 1971, Mary Wuest 1986, Michael Mitchell 1992, Mindee Randall 2009, Neal Brady, Pam Leever 2008, Ray Newman 1991,
Regina Kuhns 2004, Robyn Iossi 1997, Susan Verbeck 2002, Tammy DuBray 1997, Trudi Arends 1981, Yavette Prater 2009.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
JODI LAMP
“MY ULTIMATE GOAL
IS TO HELP OTHERS
RECOGNIZE RICH
OPPORTUNITIES...”
Jody (Price) Lamp, a 1989 alum,
credits her western Nebraska
upbringing for her business baseline
approach of working with respect,
integrity, and best practices. After
launching her journalism career at
WNCC’s The Spectator, Jody received
her Associate of Arts degree and
continued her education and writing
at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
and the Daily Nebraskan, receiving a
Bachelors degree in journalism-news
editorial in 1993.
With more than 20 years of
experience as a daily newspaper
reporter and photographer, PR agency
account executive, public speaker
and director of marketing, Jody now
hones her entrepreneurial spirit of
passionately preserving and promoting
agriculture and history through the
business she owns with her husband
Mike, Lamp Public Relations &
Marketing. Operating from Billings,
Mont., and new offices in Ashland and
Mitchell, Nebraska, the business offers
a team approach to the development
and distribution of national legacy
strategic plans, projects, and funding
programs.
Their most recent project included
the “Great American Wheat Harvest”
documentary film, which premiered at
the Smithsonian’s National Museum of
the American Indian in Washington,
D.C. Jody says, however, that one of
her proudest moments was seeing the
film at its first public theater showing
in Scottsbluff at the Midwest Theater.
The team’s next venture is to move the
family back to Jody’s roots in Scotts
Bluff County to live, work, and enjoy
Nebraska’s good life.
Western Nebraska Community College Alumni Newsletter
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
KENT HARVEY
Coffee with Kent, written by Bradley Brown, current
WNCC student
Having a cup of coffee with Kent Harvey is
impossible. He knows so many people that no matter
the time or day someone is always coming by to say
“hi” or talk to him. Sometimes in life it’s a struggle
to find our purpose but for Kent, it was simple—he
chose to go to college. While taking a night class
at Chadron State he met Roger Green, a man who
would change his life forever. They become close
friends and Roger Green persuaded Kent to teach at
WNCC. So started a satisfying and lengthy 38 year
teaching career at WNCC. He has impacted over
10,000 students in that time and he will tell anyone
he had the best job in town.
Kent has had many successes in his teaching
career. For him the key to success is “don’t quit in
everything” and to “remain interested in life.” Kent
has many stories but one in particular illustrates the
impact Kent has made. He recalls a student who
always came to class, sat in the back and failed the
first mid-term exam. “At that point, I didn’t think too
much of it, but then she failed the next test, so I asked
her to see me after class.”
Through that conversation Kent discovered the
student could not read. He could have told her to
drop the class and that she wasn’t cut out for college,
but he didn’t - he set her up with a reading tutor and
helped her learn how to read. This student went on
to complete her GED and continue taking classes at
WNCC.
Kent brings great energy to everything he does and
it’s impossible not to like the guy, as evidenced by all
the interruptions during our interview. So if you ever
decide to have a cup of coffee with Kent, be prepared
for all the interruptions, but in the end it will be
worth it.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
POWERLINE
During the 2015-16 school year, WNCC will celebrate
the 10 year anniversary of the Powerline Construction
and Maintenance Technology program, located on the
Alliance Campus. “The Powerline program is a hidden
gem of technical trades,” commented instructor Ed
Salazar. Salazar began at WNCC in September of 2014
after 16 years of experience in the energy industry and
member of the International Brotherhood Electrical
Workers (IBEW) 111.
The success of the Powerline program can be attributed
to a strong course curriculum focused on the needs
of the industry and expert advisors that support the
college. Bi-annually an advisory committee comprised
of industry professionals consult WNCC staff and faculty
on new technology, regulations, and best practices
so that WNCC students are prepared for work in the
field. In just 12 months students can earn a diploma in
Powerline Construction & Maintenance Technology, or
complete an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in
15 months. This career is in high demand and offers great
wages as well. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of
Labor Statistics reports that in 2012, the median pay for
Powerline Installers and Repairers was $58,210 per year.
Jobs for Powerline Installers and Repairers are projected
to grow by 7% in the next seven years.
For more information, contact Admissions at
308.635.6010 or email admissions@wncc.edu.
WNCC
STRATEGIC PLAN
WNCC conducted a community study during which
116 local business and community leaders from around
the western Nebraska Panhandle were asked questions
about the regional economic climate, WNCC’s
effectiveness, and the regional workforce. WNCC
used this community feedback to outline the College’s
three-year Strategic Plan.
Check out the full summary of the study
results at: wnccfoundation.org
93% OF PARTICIPANTS
HELD A FAVORABLE
IMPRESSION OF WNCC
Summer 2015
Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Student Recruitment
Develop and implement a Recruitment Plan to
raise participation rates of students.
Goal 2: Student Success
Review, modify, and implement college-wide
processes and procedures to raise retention and
graduation rates.
Goal 3: Student Learning and Development
To launch a long-term effort at engaging students
and faculty members in the creation of the type
of vital learning enterprise that students and staff
members deserve.
Goal 4: High School Partnerships
Work closely with school districts in creating clear
academic pathways, preparing students for the
rigor of college, and helping students achieve their
career goals.
Goal 5: Workforce Readiness
Enhance and align college resources/programming
to the demands of regional workforce shortages
and training needs.
ENTREPRENEURS
“LINK YOUR BUSINESS”
87% OF ALL FIRMS THAT
GRADUATE FROM THEIR
INCUBATORS ARE
STILL IN BUSINESS
start up or expansion of a business. A
business can also be virtually incubated
– by taking advantage of the services
and resources provided by a variety of
organizations that support businesses.
Program participants can use conference
and training classrooms for free and
enjoy free classes and workshops.
For more information, contact Judy Amoo
at 308.635.6702 or amooj@wncc.edu.
source: nbia.org/resource_library/faq/#8
<
The WNCC Linkubator combines
business incubation and a link to a
wide array of services and resources
orchestrated to help entrepreneurs grow
their business. Incubation can happen
through locating your business in an
office at WNCC, where supports are
provided for businesses that don’t yet
have the capital to invest in things such
as furniture, computer, phone, and
fax systems, conference and training
rooms, and other resources vital to the
“This has been a great venture
so far, and it’s steadily growing
on both sides - security and
investigations. I’m honored to be a
part of the Incubator program and
for all of your help. Thanks for your
assistance and the time you spend
making us a success.”
– Lanny Hanks, owner of Hanks
Security and Investigations
Western Nebraska Community College Alumni Newsletter
OPPORTUNITY
FOR ALUMS
NOMINATE FOR THE
2015 ALUMNI AWARDS
Nominate your friends, family, or local organizations that have made
a positive impact on our College NOW for the 2015 Alumni Awards.
Below is a short description of each award. Winners will be
recognized on October 23, 2015 during the
Alumni & Friends Banquet.
Family Pride: A family with multiple generations of family members
that have attended or graduated from WNCC. Include a list of
all family members, years of attendance, areas of study, and a
description of how each are related.
Friend of the College: A person, organization, or business that has
demonstrated a commitment to the educational advancement of
people in the western Nebraska Panhandle.
Lifetime Achievement: A WNCC staff or faculty member (current
or former) who has shown a lifetime commitment to the mission
of the College.
Meritorious Service: A person (need not be an alumnus) or
organization that has served WNCC and students in a special or
extraordinary way. If this person is not an alumnus he/she will be
granted “honorary” alumni member status for life.
Outstanding Alumnus: A graduate of WNCC that has displayed great
personal achievement in their career field or shown outstanding
community service.
Outstanding Young Alumnus: A graduate of WNCC that is 40 years of
age or less who has proven to be a “rising star” professionally or has
shown outstanding community service.
Please submit nomination letters by September, 15 2015
by email to alumni@wncc.edu
The WNCC Scottsbluff campus library houses
27 “treasure albums”. These scrapbooks are full of
newspaper clippings about alumni and events that
have happened at our college. The collection spans
41 years of institutional history from 1951 to 1992.
Our plan is to digitize the articles and preserve the
original articles and albums.
The alumni & friends committee along with
library staff will organize the project and are
looking for volunteers. Volunteers will be trained
in correct archival procedures and are an essential
component needed to complete this project.
If you would like to volunteer, call the
Alumni Office, 308.630.6571
CELEBRATE
YOUTH ART
CONTEST
Grow Your Future. Sprout a Career. The Seeds of
Your Future Start Here.
Kids, this summer let your creative seeds grow! Use
the theme, “Grow Your Future” to create an original
piece of art and then enter into the Celebrate
WNCC 2015 Youth Art Contest.
Ages: 5-18
Cost: FREE
Submission period: August 1-October 1
(by appointment only)
More information on guidelines, age categories,
and registration forms can be found at
wncc.edu/celebrate or by calling 308.635.6700.
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Register for Alumni & Friends Banquet call
308.630.6571 or email alumni@wncc.edu
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Aug 1 – Oct 1
Youth art contest and WNCC art
Gallery entries accepted
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Oct 1 – 16
Coloring Contest entries accepted
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Oct 9 – 10
Autumn on the Bricks, Alliance
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Oct 17
Fly-In Breakfast, Sidney Airport
Summer 2015
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Oct 16 – 18
Little Theatre Production, Scottsbluff
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Oct 22
Business After Hours & Art Gallery
Exhibit, Scottsbluff
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Oct 23
Alumni & Friends Awards Banquet,
Scottsbluff & Home VB game
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Register for the Fall Frolic online at wnccfoundation.org
Oct 24
Fall Frolic & Varsity Vocal Showcase,
Scottsbluff
Business & Community Education Classes: check out the current classes and summer camps being offered at WNCC! wncc.edu/bce
REFER A FRIEND
EARN A TICKET
We’re growing our Alumni & Friends Community! The
WNCC Alumni Association began in June 2013, now
nearly two years later we have reconnected with over
6,000 alums and have collected priceless stories about
our College, faculty and alumni. Our goal is to reach
10,000 alumni by October 23, 2015 during Celebrate
WNCC’s Homecoming.
We estimate that our alumni base is over 188,000
people and a majority of our alums live and work in
western Nebraska. Our plan to reach more alumni is
simple: Refer a Friend, Receive a Golden Ticket! Use
your Golden Ticket to admit one person into one
WNCC home volleyball, soccer, or basketball game
in the 2015-16 season.
All you need to do is give this sign-up form to a friend,
co-worker, family member, classmate, neighbor, anyone
you know that has taken at least one class at WNCC!
When they return it to us, we will send you a GOLDEN
TICKET. There is no limit to the number of tickets you can
earn so give us a call if you need more sign-up forms.
I’m a WNCC alum!
First
My Friend Referred Me
MI
Last
Address
City
Email
Phone
State
(Maiden)
Friend’s Name
Zip
Address
Email
Mail this form to: WNCC Alumni Office, 1601 E. 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Email: alumni@wncc.edu
Visit: wncc.edu/alumni-friends to complete an online form.
City
State
Phone
Zip
“WNCC WORKED FOR ME...”
<
“WNCC’s science courses and supportive faculty
prepared me for a career in nursing. Now I’m
ready to make a difference in the lives of others.”
- Keah Cross
2010 WNCC Graduate
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION :
WNCC ALUMNI & FRIENDS
1601 EAST 27TH STREET, SCOTTSBLUFF, NE 69361
308.630.6571 | ALUMNI@WNCC.EDU
WNCC.EDU/ALUMNI-FRIENDS
Western Nebraska Community College Alumni Newsletter
Summer 2015
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