The dreams of local educators, civic leaders and young minds became a reality when we opened our doors in September 1971. WNC began its charge for access to higher education without dedicated buildings, using classes throughout the community from Reno to Hawthorne, including the Tahoe Basin. The Carson City campus opened in 1974 with the construction of the Bristlecone building; WNC expanded its footprint to Fallon in 1981, and the Douglas Campus opened in 1997. WNC has consistently grown and evolved to meet the needs of a growing and thriving Nevada, and while WNC’s history is rich with accomplishments and student success the best is yet to come!

  • 2019

    WNC celebrates its largest graduating class of more than 600 students.

  • 2018

    Dr. Vincent Solis becomes WNC's president.

  • 2017

    Under Nevada Promise, the college unveils plans to provide the cost of college for many students for the fall semester of 2018.

  • 2017

    Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signs a bill at WNC that mandates that other high schools in the state must follow the colleges Jump Start College model and offer the dual-credit program to their students.

  • 2017

    The Applied Industrial Technology training program, specifically advanced manufacturing, receives a boost with the construction of additional lab space.

  • 2017

    The Board of Regents appoints P. Mark Ghan as acting president.

  • 2016

    WNC's Applied Industrial Technology department launches the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification, becoming the only college in the West to offer the training program.

  • 2016

    Soccer and rodeo debut as club sports.

  • 2015

    A Veterans Resource Center opens on the Fallon campus.

  • 2015

    Chet Burton takes over as the college's president (previously served as the acting and interim president).

  • 2014

    The dual-credit Jump Start College debuts, giving Nevada high school students the opportunity to earn an associate degree before graduating from high school.

  • 2013

    A Veterans Resource Center opens on the Carson City campus, operating under the motto of Vets helping Vets.

  • 2012

    The Daughters of the American Revolution, John C. Fremont Chapter, recognizes English professor Marilee Swirczeks stewardship of the traveling exhibition Always Lost: A Meditation on War with its 2012 Medal of Honor for Patriotism.

  • 2011

    Western Nevada College inaugurates Nugget Hall in the Aspen Building in recognition of donations from the Carson Nugget to WNCs Always Lost: A Meditation on War touring exhibition.

  • 2011

    Western Nevada College celebrates 40 years of academic opportunity for western Nevada.

  • 2007

    Western Nevada Community College officially becomes Western Nevada College to reflect the colleges expanded mission and academic opportunities, including a new Bachelor of Technology degree in Construction Management.

  • 2006

    John L. Harvey baseball field opens at the Carson City campus. New Main Art Gallery and administrative offices open in Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus.

  • 2004

    Joe Dini Jr. Library & Student Center opens on the Carson City campus.

  • 2003

    Jack C. Davis Observatory opens on the Carson City campus.

  • 1999

    students gather in Reynolds Building

    The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Technology opens on the Carson City campus, housing drafting, electronics, construction technology and seminar rooms. Jim Randolph High Tech Center opens at Carson High School, providing technology programs in a joint use college-high school facility.

  • 1999

    Dr. Carol Lucey becomes WNC's president.

  • 1998

    Cedar Building opens on the Carson City campus, housing nursing, physics and engineering, business, computer labs, criminal justice and more. The new student services wing opens in the Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus, expanding Admissions and Records, Counseling Services, Financial Assistance, the Business Office and Human Resources. The Automotive Center on the Carson City campus expands to include an auto paint and body shop, and auto collision and repair.

  • 1997

    Douglas Campus opens in Minden Bently Hall. John Sheldon Trade and Industry Complex opens on the Carson City campus with new machine, automotive and welding laboratories. Central Receiving facility opens at the Carson City campus.

  • 1995

    Dr. James Randolph assumes the role of college president.

  • 1993

    Family Services Center (now Child Development Center) opens at the Carson City campus, housing the Early Childhood Education program and a child care center/preschool.

  • 1992

    Stillwater Hall (now Virgil Getto Hall) opens at the Fallon campus housing new science and art labs, student services areas, and the first on-campus library and media services area. The library and media services addition opens at the Carson City campus, with the first interactive video classroom.

  • 1991

    Aspen Building opens at the Carson City campus, bringing much-needed science and art laboratories, expanding areas for counseling and admissions, and creating the colleges first cafeteria, the (Marvin) Sedway Caf.

  • 1988

    The Pinon Hall classroom building opens at the Fallon campus.

  • 1987

    Local builders and manufacturers donate time and materials to construct a college building for machine tool technology instruction, making Western the only school in Nevada with such a state-of-the-art program.

  • 1985

    Fallon Campus bookstore opens. Fernley Center opens.

  • 1983

    Dr. Anthony Calabro is chosen as president.

  • 1981

    Fallon campus opens Sage Hall.

  • 1979

    Western is split with the north campus in Reno becoming Truckee Meadows Community College.

  • 1974

    Bristlecone Building opens on the new Carson City campus.

  • Sept. 19, 1971

    Western Nevada Community College opens its doors in leased facilities, serving Carson City, Reno and most of western Nevada.

  • 1971

    Dr. Jack C. Davis named the founding president of WNC.