Disabled American Veterans giving scholarship to WNC student

The Reno Chapter No. 1 Disabled American Veterans organization has awarded the first-ever $1,000 scholarship to go to a Western Nevada College student.

The scholarship, administered by the Western Nevada College Foundation, will be awarded in November to a disabled veteran, or the dependent of a disabled veteran, at a dinner in Sparks Nov. 6.

The DAV has provided scholarships to the University of Nevada, Reno for 11 years, and to Truckee Meadows Community College for the past three years. Tim Galluzi, pre-admissions adviser for the WNC Veterans Resources Center, reached out to Frank Greenwood, Disabled American Veterans Reno Chapter No. 1 commander, to seek support for WNC students.

Galluzi, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2004 through 2012, doing two tours in Iraq and one deployment in Afghanistan, earned his associate degree in business management at WNC, and has been working toward his bachelor’s degree at Western Governors University, said the WNC veterans’ resource center is a “resource clearing house.”

“We guide veterans through the transition piece of entering school from the military,” he said. “It is a process and can be incredibly difficult if you don’t surround yourself with resources.”

Galluzi said it’s imperative for the veteran community to work together and support each other.

“The Reno DAV Chapter No. 1 understands this and has agreed to make this generous investment in the future leaders of our community” he said. “We are immensely grateful and look forward to working with Chapter No. 1 in the future.”

DAV Chapter No. 1 scholarship funds are raised through a raffle held each summer, from June through August, with help from Sportsman’s Warehouse in Reno.

“Our goal is to support as many veterans as we can,” Greenwood said. “By providing the scholarship to WNC, we have all three major colleges in Northern Nevada covered.”

The organization works closely within Nevada Gaming Commission guidelines to ensure compliance with state laws. This year, the chapter raised more than $50,000.

“An organization without purpose is just an organization,” Greenwood, who served in the United States Marine Corps from 1968 through 1975, said. “Our purpose is to raise these funds to make a difference in our veterans’ lives in northern Nevada and northeastern California. And with this educational support, we are doing that.”

Information on how to contribute to the WNC Veterans Resource Center and the Western Nevada College Foundation can be found at http://www.wnc.edu/foundation/.