WNC News & Notes: NV Energy presents scholarships to WNC students

For more than a decade, NV Energy has supported Western Nevada College through its scholarship program. This year, NV Energy Scholarship Committee chairman Johnny Hargrove has presented five $1,000 scholarships to WNC students for the 2014-15 academic year.

Recipients are Lisa Moya, Leah Kniffen, Shawnye Garren, Gloria Gouty and Colton Hansen. They are a diverse group of students studying business administration, environmental sciences and engineering, said WNC Director of Development Katie Leao.

“Western has a great partnership with NV Energy, and it is apparent through their commitment to give back to the community. We are grateful for their continued support of our students, and are looking forward to strengthening our relationship.”

Since 2002, NV Energy has donated $65,000 in scholarships to students at WNC.

“We feel like even a small scholarship can be a head start in life,” said Karen Ross, Community Relations manager for NV Energy. “We’re really trying to further education opportunities and access to education for students throughout the state.”

Former professor returns to WNC in Foundation role

In the spring of 1977, Western Nevada College needed someone immediately to teach a real estate class for the remainder of the semester.

Larry Goodnight was living near Lake Tahoe, working in the gaming business and teaching a class at Lake Tahoe Community College, and in the process of launching a real estate company. Goodnight was contacted about the position and given little time to consider the job offer.

His decision to rearrange his life changed WNC’s business department long term, providing it with continuity and growth. It also gave Goodnight the opportunity to educate daily.

Not only did Goodnight finish that first semester, he became the linchpin of WNC’s business department over the next 30 years. From a part-time role, Goodnight became a permanent faculty member, teaching business management, finance, economics and real estate classes in the late afternoon and evening.

“That way I could keep my real estate business. I did that for 28 years,” he said.

After retiring from WNC in 2008, Goodnight concentrated on the day-to-day operations of his company, Mountain Investments Inc., but the college remained in his thoughts. His company focuses on residential and commercial clients and at one point included 12 employees, including former WNC students, before the recession scaled back his workforce.

Knowing he could still contribute to the college, Goodnight agreed this spring to return to the college as a member of WNC’s Foundation.

“This is a good fit,” Goodnight said. “It’s time to get back.”

Through his contacts and associations with the local business community, Goodnight seeks to make a difference in WNC’s future. As a result, he’s joined the foundation’s finance committee and will assist with fundraising.

“I’m going to actively pursue donations to the foundation from manufacturers and small business owners,” he said.

During his tenure at WNC, Goodnight watched the college progress into a well-rounded, diversified school that prepares students for university transfer and certifications, along with applied science, technology and business degrees.

The Business Department, which Goodnight chaired three different times, tailored some of its classes to enhance students’ employment opportunities.

When a partnership with Carson City Harley-Davidson allowed senior employees to teach classes at the business in different areas such as credit collections, phone skills, etc., Goodnight taught business-related golf classes that helped students become employed in pro shops.

In his role with the foundation, Goodnight said he would like to provide more area businesses with specifically trained employees.

“My thrust would be to have more involvement in the community with business and tweak the curriculum to satisfy what the business community wants,” he said.

Goodnight earned his bachelor’s from the University of Southern California and his MBA at the University of Nevada, Reno. He also served in the U.S. Air Force.