Western Nebraska Community College
Encyclopedia
Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) is a community college in Scottsbluff, Nebraska
. Its athletics teams are known as the Cougars.
WNCC was previously known as Scottsbluff Junior College, Scotts Bluff County College, and Nebraska Western College.
WNCC also has two other campuses in Sidney, Nebraska
, and Alliance, Nebraska
.
in September 1926 as an extension of the University of Nebraska. WNCC was originally named Scottsbluff Junior College. The College became inactive after only one year and was reopened in September 1929, as part of the Scottsbluff Public Schools
System. The College operated as part of that system until September 1932, when it became a public, two-year institution. In June 1968, Scotts Bluff County College became Nebraska Western College.
The State Legislature formed the Western Technical Community College Area in 1973, which included Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College and the Alliance School of Practical Nursing. On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three entities into a single college, multiple campus setting. July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the college to Western Nebraska Community College.
at the former Sioux Army Depot approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) west of Sidney, Nebraska
. In October 1966, classes began at the technical vocational school. The school changed its name to Western Nebraska Technical College in 1971. On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three entities (Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College, and Alliance School of Practical Nursing) into a single college, multiple campus setting. July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the college to Western Nebraska Community College.
at St. Josephs Hospital. In 1979, the school hired a part-time coordinator and began offering a variety of general education and vocational classes in conjunction with Nebraska Western College. On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three entities (Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College, and Alliance School of Practical Nursing) into a single college, multiple campus setting. July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the college to Western Nebraska Community College.
, HATC provides short-term, high-impact skills training to assist in job creation and capacity building for area companies. The 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) facility includes computer-based training, construction trades, machine tool and hazardous materials training, in addition to flexible training spaces.
. Credit and noncredit courses are offered at the campuses in Scottsbluff, Alliance, and Sidney and at various sites throughout the service area. WNCC works closely with communities to ensure that course offerings meet the educational needs of each community.
Todd Holcomb is the current president of the college.
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 15,039 at the 2010 census. Scottsbluff is the largest city in the Nebraska Panhandle, and the 13th largest city in Nebraska....
. Its athletics teams are known as the Cougars.
WNCC was previously known as Scottsbluff Junior College, Scotts Bluff County College, and Nebraska Western College.
WNCC also has two other campuses in Sidney, Nebraska
Sidney, Nebraska
Sidney is a city in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cheyenne County.-History:The city was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney...
, and Alliance, Nebraska
Alliance, Nebraska
-External links:* * *...
.
History
Western Nebraska Community College was established in Scottsbluff, NebraskaScottsbluff, Nebraska
Scottsbluff is a city in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 15,039 at the 2010 census. Scottsbluff is the largest city in the Nebraska Panhandle, and the 13th largest city in Nebraska....
in September 1926 as an extension of the University of Nebraska. WNCC was originally named Scottsbluff Junior College. The College became inactive after only one year and was reopened in September 1929, as part of the Scottsbluff Public Schools
Scottsbluff Public Schools
Scottsbluff Public Schools, located in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, is the largest school district in Scotts Bluff County. The district serves more than 2,600 students and has one high school, one middle school, and six elementary schools....
System. The College operated as part of that system until September 1932, when it became a public, two-year institution. In June 1968, Scotts Bluff County College became Nebraska Western College.
The State Legislature formed the Western Technical Community College Area in 1973, which included Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College and the Alliance School of Practical Nursing. On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three entities into a single college, multiple campus setting. July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the college to Western Nebraska Community College.
Sidney Campus
The Western Nebraska Vocational Technical School was founded in 1965 by the State Legislature in Cheyenne County, NebraskaCheyenne County, Nebraska
-History:Cheyenne County was formed in 1871. It was named after the Cheyenne Native American tribe.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, of 2000, there were 9,830 people, 4,071 households, and 2,686 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile . There...
at the former Sioux Army Depot approximately 12 miles (19.3 km) west of Sidney, Nebraska
Sidney, Nebraska
Sidney is a city in Cheyenne County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,282 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cheyenne County.-History:The city was named for Sidney Dillon, a railroad attorney...
. In October 1966, classes began at the technical vocational school. The school changed its name to Western Nebraska Technical College in 1971. On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three entities (Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College, and Alliance School of Practical Nursing) into a single college, multiple campus setting. July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the college to Western Nebraska Community College.
Alliance Campus
The Alliance School of Practical Nursing started in 1957 in Alliance, NebraskaAlliance, Nebraska
-External links:* * *...
at St. Josephs Hospital. In 1979, the school hired a part-time coordinator and began offering a variety of general education and vocational classes in conjunction with Nebraska Western College. On July 1, 1978, the Area Board of Governors placed all three entities (Nebraska Western College, Western Nebraska Technical College, and Alliance School of Practical Nursing) into a single college, multiple campus setting. July 1, 1988, the Board of Governors discontinued the separate campus names and changed the name of the college to Western Nebraska Community College.
John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center
Given the increase in demand for worker training, retraining and economic development activities, the College established the Center for Business and Individual Training (CBIT). The CBIT, now known as the John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center of Nebraska (HATC). Named after former Western Nebraska Community College president (who served from 1976 to 2006) John HarmsJohn Harms
John N. Harms is a Nebraska state senator from Scottsbluff, Nebraska in the Nebraska Legislature and a former President of Western Nebraska Community College. -Personal life:...
, HATC provides short-term, high-impact skills training to assist in job creation and capacity building for area companies. The 42000 square feet (3,901.9 m²) facility includes computer-based training, construction trades, machine tool and hazardous materials training, in addition to flexible training spaces.
Notable alumni
- Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
r Dick "Night Train" Lane - NBANational Basketball AssociationThe National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
players Bobby Jackson and Sedric ToneySedric ToneySedric Andre Toney is a retired American National Basketball Association player. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 59th overall pick of the 1985 NBA Draft....
.
Present
Today, Western Nebraska Community College serves 12.5 counties in the Nebraska PanhandleNebraska Panhandle
The Nebraska Panhandle is an area in the west of the state of Nebraska. A panhandle is an area extending from the rest of a political unit; the Nebraska panhandle is two-thirds as broad as the rest of the state. It is approximately 100 miles east to west and 125 miles north to south...
. Credit and noncredit courses are offered at the campuses in Scottsbluff, Alliance, and Sidney and at various sites throughout the service area. WNCC works closely with communities to ensure that course offerings meet the educational needs of each community.
Todd Holcomb is the current president of the college.