WNC recognizes longtime employees with emeritus status
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 07/25/2022 - 1:40pm
Western Nevada College’s 2022 emeritus appointments clearly share two common denominators: their dedication and long-term commitment to Western. The six appointments collectively combined for 135-plus years of service to WNC and its students during their employment at the higher institution of learning.
Receiving emeritus status are Darla Dodge, budget officer and chief financial officer; Edda Gibson, nursing instructor; Dianne Hilliard, Admissions and Records director and registrar; Dr. Robert Morin, political science professor; Lupe Ramirez, Latino Leadership Academy creator and coordinator; and Troy Tingle, project manager for the Digital Campus Technology Media Group.
“We are so pleased that there is a way to truly acknowledge and appreciate what these six individuals have done for Western Nevada College over the years,” WNC Foundation Executive Director Niki Gladys said. “Their outstanding and extensive careers have made such a significant difference at this institution, and we are delighted that they can retire with this honor and recognition.”
To receive consideration for an emeritus status appointment, appointees must have served as an academic or administrative faculty member for at least 10 years and have a distinguished history of service to the college.
Dodge began working at WNC in 2001 as an administrative assistant in the Child Development Center, then became a key figure in the college’s budgeting and finances throughout the next two decades on campus.
By 2002, she was the executive assistant for the Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services, a fiscal analyst in 2010 and budget director in 2011. While she maintained her role as Budget Director, she accepted the interim VP of Finance and Administrative Services role in 2017, interim chief financial officer in 2019 while providing long-term leadership and supervision of the Child Development Center and Bookstore. She is currently serving as a part-time instructor in Management courses.
Gibson helped WNC’s nursing program become one of the state’s best, as well as the Best in the West, as a professor and instructor since 2004. She recently delivered the keynote address at the Nursing and Allied Health’s Pinning Ceremony.
The longest-serving of this year’s emeritus appointments is Hilliard, who started at WNC in 1987. She capped her career bringing students into the college as Admissions and Records director and registrar. She also was instrumental in making the college’s commencement ceremonies so successful.
Earlier in her WNC career, Hilliard oversaw student government, served as a counselor and was once the interim dean of Student Services.
The late Dr. Morin began teaching at WNC in 2003 and quickly became an important and popular professor on campus. During his 18-year tenure at WNC he contributed in many ways beyond teaching. He served as coach, mentor and guide to many at this college. He was a tireless and fierce advocate for all things WNC.
Because of his commitment to students, he was twice voted Teacher/Instructor of the Year (2006 and 2018). But Dr. Morin meant much more to WNC and the college community. He was quick-witted, laughed often and cared deeply about his colleagues.
The WNC family lost this outstanding educator when he died last August.
Without the efforts of Ramirez, many first-generation Latino students wouldn’t have overcome their higher education barriers to achieve associate degrees, bachelor degrees and better-paying professional jobs in the workforce.
Presented with improving WNC’s college graduation rate for the area’s Latino population in 2010, Ramirez helped create the Latino Cohort, which later became the Latino Leadership Academy. The program eases students’ transition from high school to college by helping them overcome cultural obstacles while making them more successful students.
In 2018, Ramirez was selected as the Nevada ACT College and Career Readiness Postsecondary Champion, which celebrates individuals who make a positive impact on their communities through their efforts to advance college and career readiness. Two years earlier, WNC selected Ramirez as the Administrative Faculty of the Year Award winner. She now serves as a trustee for K-12 students in the Carson City School District.
Tingle dedicated more than 12 years to the college, serving in technology and digital job capacities. He started as Media Services coordinator in 2009 and later became the Instructional Technology manger and finally the project manager for the Digital Campus and Technology group. He was profiled by Quest Technology Management for the work that he and the college did in upgrading classroom technology.
Emeritus appointees are considered to have lifetime status as WNC employees. Emeritus recipients, their spouses and financially dependent children are eligible for grant-in-aid privileges. They are also eligible to participate in certain departmental and college events, including WNC commencement, as well as receive other employee-related perks.
