Natalie Brown, Ph.D., Director of Academic Advisement, Transfer Center and International Student Advising Services received the WESTOP TRiO Achievers Award on Apr. 4.
Marlon Amburgey to Graduate in May and Begin Career in Advanced Manufacturing
Marlon Amburgey will be graduating from Truckee Meadows Community College in May with a Production Technician, Certificate of Achievement.
“I like my career path because it will enable me to take advantage of the continually improving job market here in the Truckee Meadows involving state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution systems,” he said.
Amburgey adds that the community college environment is helpful when students are managing the demands of continuing their education while working.
“The instructors at TMCC are very knowledgeable, and the program allows individuals to balance out work demands and still find time to study and learn new skills in the lab,” he said.
Amburgey has already been selected for a new job in his field.
“I was recruited by Mars Petcare,” he said. “They sent a couple of representatives to the TMCC Applied Technology Center campus. I met with them briefly and gave them my resume. Then I went through the interview process and was hired. I started on March 21st. I like the job and it's a great company.”
E.L. Cord Foundation Donates $50,000 to Child Care Center
TMCC is grateful to the E.L. Cord Foundation for providing a $50,000 donation toward the installation of enhanced outdoor learning environments for children attending the TMCC E.L. Cord Child Care Center.
The TMCC E.L. Cord Child Care Center is in the process of upgrading outdoor play space and equipment to support early learning experiences for their infant, toddler and preschool programs. In 1992, the E.L. Cord Foundation provided funding support for the initial purchase of indoor and outdoor equipment.
The renovated play areas will give children the opportunity to explore the world, interact with others, express and control emotions, practice problem-solving and emerging skills.
“Our outdoor space has not undergone a major renovation in more than two decades and we are excited about the positive benefit that this upgraded play space will provide for the children every day,” said Diane Nicolet, Director, E.L. Cord Child Care Center. “We are extremely grateful to the E.L. Cord Foundation for their continued support.”
With combined funding from TMCC and the E.L. Cord Foundation, construction on the project is expected to begin in June 2016 and should be completed by October 2016.
Endowments Established for Retired TMCC Professors Cheseldine and Scally
In 2015, Thomas and Cheryl Cardoza, TMCC Humanities and English Professors, established the Cheseldine Spanish Scholarship Endowment and the Scally Philosophy Scholarship Endowment.
Their love for TMCC and fondness for fellow professors Dianne Cheseldine and John Scally led them to donate the leading gifts to endow two scholarships in their colleagues’ honor, wrote Thomas Cardoza.
Thomas and Cheryl Cardoza have taught at TMCC for 13 and 14 years respectively, and worked closely with Professors Cheseldine and Scally. The establishment of these endowments was a way to honor their friends and their life-long commitment to TMCC and higher education, he wrote.
“John Scally was TMCC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs as well as Humanities Department Chair for many years,” Cardoza said. “He established the College’s Philosophy Program, and built a reputation as a rigorous scholar as well as a kind, generous, and caring person. We wanted to create a lasting memorial to him, just as his work established a permanent legacy here.”
Similarly, when Dianne Cheseldine announced she was retiring after a long career as a foreign language professor, the Cardozas decided to create a lasting tribute to her legacy.
“What better way is there to do that than to establish a scholarship for language majors,” Cardoza said.
The Cardozas look forward to making annual gifts to both awards to build the endowments, and encourage others who value learning and the incredible service of Professors Scally and Cheseldine to do the same, he wrote.
“Long after we are gone, these scholarships will continue to help TMCC students achieve their dreams,” wrote the Cardozas. “We know Dianne approves, and we are certain John would as well.”
They hope to increase the number of awards to a total of four within the next three years, and encourage donations to help achieve that.
The Cheseldine endowment is awarded to an outstanding Spanish major, while the Scally Endowment is awarded to an outstanding philosophy major. Awards are made on an annual basis by the TMCC Foundation. The 2015-16 winner of the Scally award is Matthew Ebert, and the 2015-16 winner of the Cheseldine award is Kenia Ramirez-Moreno. The College will announce two new winners in Fall 2016.
If you would like to learn more about making a tax deductible gift to either endowment, please contact Tara Hawkins at 775-673-7127.
Natalie Brown, Director of Academic Advisement is Awarded the TRiO Honor
Natalie Brown, Ph.D., Director of Academic Advisement, Transfer Center and International Student Advising Services received the WESTOP TRiO Achievers Award on Apr. 4.
“Natalie is not only a TRiO success story, but also a TMCC success story,” said Sharon Wurm, Director of Financial Aid and Student Success. “She was one of the first graduates of TMCC high school and returned to TMCC in 2013 to lead the Academic Advisement office. To see her come full circle, from a teenager who didn’t think she'd ever go to college to a successful professional with a doctorate degree, is awe-inspiring. We couldn't be more proud to have her on our team.”
WESTOP is the acronym for the Western Association of Educational Opportunity Personnel. Member chapters are from states including Ariz., Calif., Nev., and the Pacific Islands of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, Federal States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands and The Republic of Palau. The organization is dedicated to promoting educational opportunities for first-generation and low-income students, and for students with disabilities.
“I’m so honored to be the recipient of this award — it really means a lot to me and I’m grateful to have had the support of TRiO throughout the years and the unending support of my supervisors, colleagues, and staff at TMCC,” Brown said. “I wouldn’t be able to accomplish all that I do without the amazing network of support I have.”
The WESTOP TRiO Achievers Award is given to professionals who have completed their undergraduate degree, are now employed in an education-related field and are active volunteering in the community. They “have served their fellow human beings and are focused on the improvement of society,” according to the program of the 38th Annual WESTOP Conference 2016.
The conference took place Apr. 3-6 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino, 2707 S. Virginia St., in Reno.
Contributions to TMCC Good News are Welcome
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