WC NEWS

The Weatherford College Board of Trustees received an annual update on the success and growth of the Wise County campus during their May meeting on Thursday.   

Kristin McLaughlin, dean of WCWC, and Kim Hutton, director of student services for WCWC, provided the update, which included information about the expanding Associate Degree Nursing program and increases in student activities.   

“When I first started in this position, the one thing that I heard from students the most was they wanted more activities,” McLaughlin said. “They wanted it to feel more like a college campus, and we’ve worked very hard at this.”   

Campus activities during this academic year have included Welcome Week, cookouts, a research party, Halloween party and other themed holiday parties, an expanded game room and the creation of a workout room.   

Students can also join clubs and organizations, including WC2, which has hosted movie nights and Friendsgiving. Membership also doubled in the campus chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.   

The Student Ambassador program was added to the campus this year. McLaughlin said that one of the three ambassadors is returning next year, and several quality applications have been received to fill the vacancies.   

Hutton spoke about new registration strategies, including holding a contest to recognize the first returning student who registered and calling students currently enrolled but not registered for the next semester and those with holds on their accounts.   

“Once the spring semester started, we held different information sessions on general studies and their specific programs to prepare them for advising,” she said. “We also met with students who are projected to graduate.”    

As of May 11, 125 students were registered at WCWC for the Fall semester, up from 66 on the same day last calendar year.   

“Several fall classes are nearing capacity, and registration for new students hasn’t even opened yet,” Hutton said.   

The report also covered recruiting efforts and dual credit partnerships at the eight Wise County high schools and their growing collaboration with the Wise Health System to train employees as patient care technicians.   

Dr. Robert Marlett, the Wise County appointee for the WC board, commended the staff for their work.   

“Dean McLaughlin has been very helpful to the Music and Arts Foundation in Wise County, providing space on the campus for the Wise County Strings Ensemble,” he said. “We had our concert a couple of nights ago and overfilled the lecture hall.” 

The board also approved:   

• The minutes of the April 13 meeting.   
• The financial reports ending April 30.   
• Budget amendment No. 2 for the 2022-23 fiscal year.   
• A transfer from unrestricted reserves for construction of the Vickie and Jerry Durant Hall.   
• The renewal of the Ellucian Colleague and Recruit SaaS software subscription.   
• The disposal of obsolete and surplus items through e-waste recycling and online auction.   
• Received a written academics and student services update.   
• Received the preliminary 2023-24 budget report.   

In his President’s Report, Dr. Tod Allen Farmer:   

• Recognized the 37 Coyote athletes who earned Academic All-Conference accolades for 2022-23 from the Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference.   
• Announced the transfer agreement with Lynn University.   
• Congratulated Dr. Hyeyoung Song on a successful 5th annual WC International Piano Competition.    
• Announced the resignations of Corina Flatten, associate registrar; Angela Culp, vet tech instructor; and Michelle Burt, mathematics instructor.