Western’s 2023 emeritus recipients are retiring Institutional Research and Effectiveness Director Cathy Fulkerson, former Executive Assistant Kelly Kiesow, Faculty Senate Chair and Mathematics Professor Jim Strange and retiring Human Resources Assistant Director Brenda Yenkole.

To receive emeritus status, employees must serve as an academic or administrative faculty member for at least 10 years and have a distinguished history of service to the college. 

WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe honored the four emeritus appointments on June 21 with recognition plaques for their outstanding service to the college.

“We are honored that these employees chose Western Nevada College to demonstrate their outstanding qualities as employees,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “Their contributions in teaching, human resources, managing and institutional research have made WNC a better place for our students, faculty, staff and community members. They will always have a special place at WNC and we wish them well in their futures.”

Fulkerson worked as a contract archaeologist for 10 years and earned her Master’s degree in Anthropology at Washington State University. Eventually, Fulkerson went to work inside and became WSU’s Director of Institutional Research in 2007 after starting out as a student data analyst. A desire to live closer to her family led Fulkerson to return home to Nevada and become the IRE director at Great Basin College in 2010 and at WNC in 2013. Uniquely, she served as the director of IRE at both institutions from 2014-18.

In recent years, Fulkerson has played a critical role in providing data to help Western identify ways to increase student enrollment while other institutions throughout the country are dealing with enrollment losses.

As an Administrative Faculty member and former WNC student, Yenkole is a strong supporter of lifelong learning and plans to continue to support and promote the college to community members. She has enjoyed working in a positive learning environment and the Human Resources Office since 2009. As the assistant director of HR, it has been her main focus to support WNC faculty and staff, who help make a difference in the lives of students. For many years, she has also served various Nevada System of Higher Education projects, including the Workday implementation. Yenkole has a Bachelor of Science degree and is working toward a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Management and Resolution.

The longest-serving employee from this year’s emeritus group is Strange. He has been teaching full time at WNC since 1995.

“I was the first WNC math instructor to teach math via interactive video (IAV), to develop and teach a graphing calculator course (1995), and to teach math online (1998),” he said. “I taught math at many off-site locations, including Hawthorne, Fernley (at Quebacor, Inc.), Dayton High School, Carson High School and Douglas High School.”

Notably, Strange served as the chief negotiator for the WNC faculty alliance. As part of the Mathematics Department, he helped develop the math corequisite models and pilot program for Math 120, 124 and 126. Strange also served three terms as the Faculty Senate Chair and multiple terms as the Fallon/Douglas and Liberal Arts senator.

Kiesow has worked for WNC on two different occasions, totaling 16 years. Her first stint at WNC spanned nearly 11 years, starting in 2001 as head cashier in the Business Office and as an assistant in Admissions and Records. In her return to WNC, Kiesow served as an assistant in the Vice President’s Office.

“Since graduating in 2021 with my associate degree at Western Nevada College and working for this wonderful institution for the last 16 years, being considered and granted emeritus status with Western Nevada College is such a wonderful honor,” she said.