Campagni Auto Group scholarships make difference in WNC students’ lives
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 06/07/2021 - 10:57am
COVID-19 changed the way many businesses operated in the past year, but it didn’t impact Carson City Toyota and the Campagni Auto Group’s commitment to area students pursuing higher education.
Among Western Nevada College students receiving a scholarship from Campagni in 2020-21 were Lyssa Ileea Philippi, Jarrod Ryan Meyer and Alexus Bodenstein.
Philippi is pursuing Professional Applied Technology degrees to provide a better life for mother and son.
“With the money I have received, I am able to get all books and supplies for my classes,” she said. “It has also helped us become more stable financially as every bit counts toward my cost of living while accommodating full-time school and being a mom. As hardships hit us all, I am extremely grateful for all the help. I’ll continue my path in school, to graduate with both my welding and auto mechanics degrees.”
Meyer said that the generosity of Campagni Auto Group has allowed him to focus more on his academics and has given him more direction for the future.
“My education is my top priority and with extra money for tuition and books, it allows for me to dedicate more time to school and less time at work,” he said. “By focusing solely on my degree, it helped me decide that in the future I would like to look into working in the automotive industry and possibly teaching automotive mechanics to kids in high school.”
After earning her associate degree at WNC, Alexus Bodenstein wants to eventually become a pediatric nurse practitioner.
“Receiving the Dick Campagni Scholarship has been very motivating and extremely honorable,” Bodenstein said. “Freshman year in college is a challenge, but knowing that a group of people noticed my effort and offered support was more than encouraging. Thank you so much for supporting my education.”
Carson City Toyota, part of the Campagni Auto Group, annually provides scholarships to area students to attend Western Nevada College. This financial assistance enables students to pursue their associate degree of choice and careers in auto mechanics.
“The Dick Campagni Automotive Scholarship was created five years ago to benefit this community by offering local students help in attaining higher education and with the intention of giving these students the best chance of a successful future,” said Jeff Campagni, general manager of the Dick Campagni Auto Group.
Dick Campagni Auto Group’s dedication and commitment to students seeking higher education goals and professional careers remains steadfast as Carson City Toyota has donated $5,000 to help students attend WNC in fall 2021.
In addition to helping high school grads and other auto mechanics students pursue their education goals at WNC, the Campagni Auto Group began providing scholarships for WNC’s Higher Education in Prison program last year.
"Campagni Auto Group is leading the way in this community,” said HEP Coordinator Deb Conrad. “They initiated the development of a new program at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, in conjunction with Nevada Department of Corrections, Western Nevada College and Carson Adult High School, to provide a career pathway in the automotive service and repair industry for incarcerated men.
"Not only did Campagni step forward with the idea, they are providing partnership, expertise and insight as the program moves toward launching the first pilot.
“They are also generously providing scholarship funds for incarcerated students who are underserved and often unable to afford to take college courses without financial assistance. This kind of leadership in our community is an inspiration.”
In addition to seeding student success at WNC, the Campagni Auto Group supports the annual WNC Golf for Education Tournament with hole-in-one prizes, including a brand-new car.
“Campagni Auto Group is an important partner to Western Nevada College and we couldn’t appreciate their support more than we do right now,” said WNC Executive Director of Institutional Development Niki Gladys. “Students need our community’s support more than ever and, as always, Dick Campagni’s team is leading the way.”
Philippi agrees: “Amazing foundations such as yours help those of us who struggle to get to the best place we possibly can. I take every step towards my brighter future with you in mind,” she said. “Thank you for help in making goals and dreams come true!”
For information on starting a scholarship in your name, to memorialize a loved one or to simply help change someone’s life, contact WNC Foundation at 775-445-3239 or email niki.gladys@wnc.edu.
In the Photo: Carson City Toyota General Manager Jeff Campagni presents Western Nevada College Executive Director of Institutional Development Niki Gladys with a donation for student scholarships.
