Chet Burton: WNC employee giving campaign

Western Nevada College programs have received many generous gifts from local business and philanthropic organizations over the past several months, and for these we are truly grateful. With the support of such organizations as the E.L. Cord Foundation, the NV Energy Foundation, we are able to grow some of our most valuable programs, like Applied Industrial Technology and Jump Start College.

Today, I want to celebrate the spirit of giving embodied by WNC’s faculty and staff. Every year for the past 13 years, WNC employees have raised more than $300,000 for our students and the special programs, scholarships and departmental funds that enable WNC to continue to produce a skilled, educated workforce for Nevada.

WNC’s strategic plan through 2018 focuses on three important themes: student success; institutional excellence; and, one college serving many communities. In response to these institutional priorities, the WNC Foundation has made a commitment to support the following college initiatives: Jump Start College Program, Need Based Scholarship Endowment, STEM program development and scholarships, and institutional sustainability. Funds raised during the employee giving campaign are not used for salaries or supplies — 100 percent of contributions are used for college, student and program support.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude and respect for my colleagues at Western. Not only do they believe 100 percent in the programs and educational support they provide to the students of northern Nevada, they give their time and they give their money.

Last month I wrote about how our local and regional partners are helping us to put the community back into community college. Every day, our faculty and staff contribute their talent, knowledge and expertise to the future of Nevada and during the six weeks between now and mid-October, they will contribute to the programs and initiatives that will aid in successful outcomes for so many WNC students.

Monday, Aug. 24, was the welcome back faculty and staff kickoff for the fall 2015 semester, and Friday, Aug. 28, marked the beginning of our annual employee giving campaign. Last year, more than half of WNC’s employees contributed $29,000 to programs and scholarships, a 12 percent increase over 2013.

I cannot wait to see what they come up with this year.

Chet Burton is WNC President and Chief Fundraising Officer on behalf of WNC Foundation.