Western Nebraska Community College hosted the 10th annual Alumni & Friends banquet and awards ceremony, Friday, Oct. 27, in Scottsbluff.
WNCC’s Alumni committee presents six awards each year including the Cara Perkins Meritorious Service award, Outstanding Young Alumnus, Family Pride, Outstanding Alumnus, Lifetime Achievement, and Friend of the College.
“As the Alumni Director, I am privileged to connect with former WNCC students both far and wide,” WNCC Alumni & Stewardship Director Mary Sheffield said. “WNCC has a special place in the hearts of so many. It is an honor, each year, to recognize a few individuals and businesses that do so much to serve the college and our mission.”
The Cara Perkins Meritorious Service Award honors a person or organization that has served WNCC and students in a special or extraordinary way. The 2023 Cara Perkins Meritorious Service award winner went to WNCC’s longtime sports information assistant, Mark Rein. Mark has not only been a fixture in WNCC athletics for many years, but the entire Panhandle, writing and taking photography for high school sports, community events, and more.
The Outstanding Young Alumnus award recognizes a graduate of WNCC younger than 40 years old who is a rising star in their career field and has shown dedication to community service. The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award was presented to Christopher Niehues, a native of Alliance. Niehues graduated from WNCC in 2011 and pursued a medical degree at the University of Nebraska – Omaha. He is now a self-employed OB-GYN physician specializing in delivering babies for low and high-risk mothers, with expertise in minimally invasive robotic surgery and female pelvic floor reconstructive surgery.
The Family Pride award is given to a family with at least two generations that have attended or graduated from WNCC. This year, the Family Pride award was presented to the Hal Enevoldsen family, from Potter. Hal attended Western Nebraska Technical College in Sidney. Five of Hal and his wife Lynn’s children have attended WNCC in some form.
The Outstanding Alumnus Award goes to a graduate that has been successful in their career and has made significant contributions to the community. Dr. Timothy Alvarez, a Minatare native, accepted the 2023 Outstanding Alumnus Award. A self-admitted bad student, Alvarez evolved from an unengaged student at WNCC to a dedicated leader. He holds degrees from WNCC, Bellevue University, Chadron State College, and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. He served in many leadership roles at higher education institutions, including Vice President of Student Services at WNCC and he recently retired as President of Otero Junior College in Colorado.
The Lifetime Achievement award is given to a WNCC faculty, staff, or alumnus who has demonstrated a lasting commitment of service to the mission and community of WNCC. The 2023 award went to John Marrin. Marrin began his career by teaching marketing and management courses at then WNTC in 1977, before growing into administrative roles within WNCC. After a tenure as President of Lamar Community College in Colorado and adjunct faculty at Eastern Wyoming College, he returned to WNCC in 2019 to serve as the interim vice president, and then accepted the role as interim president in 2021 until June of 2023 when he retired once again.
The Friend of the College award is given to a person, organization, or business that has demonstrated a commitment to the educational advancement of people in the Panhandle. Dr. M. Thomas Perkins, longtime member of the WCCA Board of Governors accepted the 2023 Friend of the College award. Perkins served on the Board of Governors for 32 years, becoming an advocate for equal access to education. He championed community college’s role in economic development and recovery and has extended his influence well beyond the Panhandle to a regional, state and national level.
Organized in 2011, the WNCC Alumni Association has presented awards annually for the past 10 years. To nominate an individual, family, or business for an Alumni award, visit go.wncc.edu/alumni. If you would like more information on how you can be a part of the WNCC Alumni Association which hosts this event and many others, contact Sheffield at alumni@wncc.edu, or call 308-630-6571.