WNCC 2010 Self-Study Report - Western Nebraska Community ...

8. Cougar Award
Given to a student athlete who has excelled in athletics and academics, and who has been
an active participant in College life
9. Shades of Color Award
Given to a faculty or staff member who has promoted and contributed to diversity within
the College community
Student Publications
The College supports The Spectator, a news and entertainment periodical published five times a
semester by students pursuing a degree related to journalism, and Emerging Voices, an annual
visual and photographic arts magazine and literary anthology of student, faculty, and community
member prose and poetry selections. Student editors, under the guidance of a sponsor, establish
the content and format both publications. For the school newspaper, students write all columns,
articles, and reviews.
Student editors of the Emerging Voices journal receive performance grants to pay their tuition at
the College, and reporters on the Spectator staff do as well. Students are highly encouraged to
seek out topics for coverage, and newspaper stories or articles are not censored. Most of the
photographs used in the newspaper are taken by student reporters, but occasionally a photograph
is used that has been taken by an employee who works part-time doing sports information for the
institution and part-time assisting the sponsor of the Spectator in helping students ready the
newspaper for printing.
Opportunities for Co-curricular Involvement
To further enhance the educational experience, the College encourages student participation in
full-length dramatic productions, one-act plays, oral interpretation performances, concerts, informal
instrumental/vocal sessions, jazz and classical performances, vocal showcases, and other similar
events. In addition, WNCC fields a speech/debate team, providing the possibility of participation in
regional and even national events. Students either select material or produce their own works for
performance. These events provide students an opportunity to enhance their exposure to and
involvement in their community, as well as broadening their horizons and social/global awareness.
Internships allow students to move from the classroom to the workforce and gain experience in
their career field in a hands-on environment, providing chances for students to work in their chosen
profession and to gain credit while doing so. Since 2001, over 100 students have successfully
completed internships within the academic divisions, including vocational programs such as
Powerline, Aviation Maintenance, Automotive Technology,
The College hosts community events open to students and the general public, including
presentations by notable speakers (live and via satellite); blood drives; cultural celebrations;
regional, county, and district school competitions; and many other activities of student and
community interest. For example, recent forums on wind energy were hosted by the College, and
Senator Ben Nelson conducted a town-hall meeting on health care reform.
Western Nebraska Community College Page 141