Two named to WNCC foundation board

The Western Nebraska Community College Foundation named two new board members who have joined its existing group of volunteers.

Senator John Harms and Jordan Colwell, both of Scottsbluff, formally joined the Foundation Board of Directors in October 2014. Harms and Jordan are members of a number of local volunteer organizations and boards, and they bring their years of expertise and experience to the Foundation Board.

Harms, a lifelong panhandle resident, has served the 48th legislative district since 2006 and reached his term limit in December 2014. Harms was the president of Western Nebraska Community College from 1976 until 2006. During that time, he was instrumental to a number of projects through the Foundation to advance WNCC, including the construction of the John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center. He and his wife, Pat, share three children.

Colwell, a registered nurse, serves as the nurse manager for Family Medicine at Regional West Physicians Clinic. A lifelong resident of the panhandle of Nebraska and graduate from Alliance, also serves as a captain and flight nurse in the United States Air Force Reserve. Colwell is an alum of WNCC through his dual credit course completion partnership with Alliance High School and WNCC. His wife, Tiann, is also a nurse.

WNCC Foundation Board President Howard Olsen shared his enthusiasm about both additions.

“John and Jordan represent exactly the kind of dedication and talent that helps to make WNCC and the foundation better serve our students,” Olsen said. “They join an active and committed group of volunteers who give their time and resources to advancing WNCC and its students. I’d like to thank both of them for their commitment to the region, their long history of service, and their upcoming contribution to our board.”

The Western Nebraska Community College Foundation supports and promotes education and training opportunities at all three WNCC campuses, awarding $380,000 in scholarships to WNCC students last year.