Western Nevada College News
ASWN Presents Awards to WNC Students, Faculty and Staff
By pr@wnc.edu | Apr 25, 2023
ASWN Celebrating at the 2023 Awards
The Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN) recognized outstanding students, faculty and staff during its Awards and Appreciation Ceremony on April 21 in Casino Fandango Grand Ballroom.
The reception enabled the student government group the opportunity to present awards to students in a variety of academic areas, including Workforce, Career and Technical Education; Jump Start; Liberal Arts; and Nursing & Allied Health.
Receiving WCTE awards were Eric Hobbs, Construction Management; Neil Mortimer, Organization and Project Management; Zach Remer, Criminal Justice; and Rosaura Vasquez, Education.
Jump Start College Student Awards were presented to Eid Abdelhady, Carson High School; Gerik Wassmuth, Churchill County High School; Sarah Farnham, Douglas High School; Casamaro White, Oasis Academy; David Moore, Silver Stage High School; Sarah Thran, Smith Valley High School; and Talon Fain, Virginia City High School.
For Liberal Arts, awardees included Eid Abdelhady, Chemistry; Levi Smith, Humanities; Danielle Tuttle, Biological Sciences; and Casamaro White, Geology.
In Nursing & Allied Health, awards were granted to Rachel Duewel, Nursing; Hannah Lyons, Nursing; Adriana Mendoza, Nursing; and Makenna Smiley, Certified Nursing Assistant.
Five students were recognized for their leadership and academic excellence representing specific groups of students: Eduardo Gutierrez Luquin, Latino Leadership Academy Student of the Year; Christopher Key, Veteran Student of the Year; Suzanna Stankute, ASWN President Award; and Andrea Sanchez de Loza, Student Employee of the Year. Taylor O’Daye was recognized earlier this spring for receiving the Regents’ Scholar Award, and Sherlyn Vasquez Perez and Lahaina Estomin were honored with Outstanding Student Leadership Awards.
Awards were also bestowed upon academic and administrative faculty and classified staff for outstanding performance or service. For their contributions to students and voted on by students, ASWN honored Evan O’Brien, Advisor of the Year; Cindy Frank, Academic Faculty of the Year; Natalie Turley, Adjunct Faculty of the Year; and Dan Smith, Service Award. ASWN’s Club of the Year was the All Booked Book Club.
Two WNC professors were recognized for receiving Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents’ awards: Rachel Stiff (Creative Activities) and Dr. Amy Ghilieri (Teaching).
“Each year we take just a few hours to recognize outstanding students in academics, service and leadership,” said Heather Rikalo, Student Life coordinator and ASWN adviser. “We celebrate the best of WNC with family and friends and help close our year with real joy and celebration for these students.”