The Nebraska Community College Association hosted its annual awards ceremony in Norfolk in November, and two WNCC employees and an alum were recognized.
Patsy Yager, early childhood education instructor, earned the NCCA Faculty Member Award. Yager has been an early childhood education instructor at WNCC since 2016. She is the only full-time faculty member in the ECED, and works closely with community agencies in the Panhandle to address critical childcare and early education issues. Yager is also an advisor to Phi Theta Kappa, chairs the Faculty Assembly and is involved with several committees on campus.
WNCC Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Reisig was named a NCCA Administrators/Staff Award winner. Reisig has been the executive director of the Foundation since 2018, fostering a strong partnership between the Foundation, College, and the community. She leads the organization of the Foundation’s largest fundraiser, the Monument Marathon, that attracts roughly 600 participants from across the nation and several countries. The Marathon raises money for scholarships, emergency funds, and student success.
George Holthus, a Gering native and WNCC alum, was named as a NCCA Distinguished Alumni. Holthus earned his associate’s degree in Human Services from WNCC in 1987 and began his public service career as a police officer shortly after. He served several roles in his career that spanned over three decades, including patrol office and criminal investigator. He completed the FBI National Academy in 1995, earned a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Bethel University in 2013 and was promoted to Chief of Police. He also contributes to the community through the Gering Public Schools Foundation, Mediation West, and helped establish the Gering High School Public Safety Academy.
The NCCA is comprised of five member schools: Central, Mid-Plains, Northeast, Southeast, and Western Nebraska. Each year the NCCA holds its annual meeting at one of the member schools and awards Faculty, Governor, Administrator, and Friend of Community College awards, along with a Distinguished Alumni Award.