In another first for Western Nevada College in 2020, the Welcome Back Convocation was held virtually on Aug. 26.

Like past starts to the school year, however, the well-attended Zoom conference enabled President Dr. Vincent Solis to honor employees of the year, accomplishments by the college and service by longtime employees. Dr. Solis also used the conference to announce plans to transform the college and acknowledge the efforts of the whole college for their dedication and work through challenges brought on by COVID-19.

Faculty and staff awards were presented to Dr. Elizabeth Tattersall, Dr. Judith Cordia and Lorraine Plympton.

Dr. Tattersall, the only full-time faculty member on the Douglas campus, received the Faculty Member of the Year Award. She has been teaching biology and chemistry classes at WNC since 2007.

I feel honored to be selected as the outstanding faculty member of the year and was completely surprised by the announcement, Dr. Tattersall said. I love being in the classroom and laboratorywith students, and I have actively sought funding opportunitiesto support WNC studentsdoing research in STEM disciplines.It is wonderful to see the students blossom and flourish when they discover their passion in the learning arena.

Dr. Cordia, the director of Nursing & Allied Health, received the Administrative Faculty of the Year Award. She has been at WNC since 2002 and has recently overseen the addition of a Paramedicine program to the college curriculum and nursing becoming the top-rated program in the West.

Plympton of Admissions & Records earned the Classified Employee of the Year Award and was recognized for her devotion and high-level work at the college.

I humbly accept the Classified Employee of the Year Award and I thank those who nominated me, Plympton said. It is one of the best things in life to be acknowledged by your peers for a job well done and to know that what I do every day makes a difference to our students, staff and our college community. I would like to thank the Classified Council for continuing to uplift our Classified staff with support and also wish to acknowledge my fellow Classified staff with all of your hard work and pride WNC continues to be the best.

Dr. Solis also presented the 2020 Presidents Team Award to the teaching faculty in the award-winning Higher Education in Prison Program. Faculty members participating in this program are Robert Ash, Diane Housken, Dr. Cynara Medina, Dr. Peter Mires, Randy Naylor, Dr. Michael Nevius, Evan Pritsos and Jim Strange.

Congratulations to all award winners.