Nevada Silver & Blue Magazine - Spring 2017

The magazine of the University of Nevada, Reno • Spring 2017

02 cover story

Room to move 12 what i’ve learned

Kristen Avansino ’16 14 - 29

Honor Roll of Donors 32 pack tracks

Coach Jay Norvell

FROM THE PRESIDENT

86 > unr.edu/president

5

1 THERESA DANNA-DOUGLAS

Open for business on opening day

O

President

Spring 2017 Vol 34 No. 3

2

FEATURE: Room to move

12

WHAT I’VE LEARNED: Kristen Avansino ’16

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 14 Hearst Foundations support student-driven news production 15 Stephen R. Davis supports Special Collections 16 Grahams establish scholarship for graduate mentors 17 Nursing school celebrates 60 years of Orvis support 18 Scholarship Endowment honors the late Henry Malin Prupas, M.D. ’71, ‘73 19 Colleagues and friends honor beloved environmental activist Marge Sill ’69 20 Jim Riley ’69 endows scholarship for single parents 21 Young alumnus pays education forward 22 Fans support the Donald L. Jensen Plaza project at Mackay Stadium 24 The Jones Family Foundation: A tradition of philanthropy 25 Planned Giving Advisory Council helps secure Nevada’s futures 26 New engineering building gains momentum 27 Tahoe Prosperity Center helps keep Tahoe safe 28 William N. Pennington Foundation supports Nevada middle and high school instruction 29 Marching Band celebrates five years of support from

GNCU

On the cover: One of the most striking features of the recently opened E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center is the Jeffrey R. Rodefer Family Fitness Stairway. To learn more about the Fitness Center and to take a look inside the 108,000-square-foot facility, read our cover story, “Room to move,” on Page 2. 1 THERESA DANNA-DOUGLAS Honor Roll of Donors: We are grateful for your support. The recognition given to those listed in this special donor issue of Nevada Silver & Blue is one small way to thank our generous donors for gifts received during calendar year 2016. Every effort has been made to make this report accurate. If your name has been omitted, misspelled or misplaced, we apologize. Contact the Office of Donor Relations at (775) 784-1587 or donor_relations@unr.edu with questions or corrections.

The magazine of the

University of Nevada,

Reno • Spring 2017

• Spring 2017

Marc A. Johnson

CONTENTS

NEVADA Silver&Blue

pening day at the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center in mid-February was exactly what one would expect when a student-centered building has been more than three years in the making.

Our students, excitedly and enthusiastically, took full advantage of the 108,000-square-foot facility.

They bounded up the “fitness stairway,” a series of stairs leading from the first-floor entry all the way to the fourth floor, where an eighth-mile running track awaited them. Not far away was an open strength training space, packed with users who tested themselves with weight equipment. Upstairs were five multipurpose rooms for fitness classes such as yoga, Pilates, aerobics and Zumba, as well as a gymnasium for three multi-use courts and a cardio zone for stationary bikes and treadmills.

It felt like a lot of students were using the building. And they were. According to Campus Recreation and Wellness, more than 4,000 students flowed through the building on its first day of operation.

Clearly, the building was meeting a need. It exemplified the University’s ongoing commitment to our students’ whole-person success.

Health and wellness, numerous national studies have shown, are interwoven with the success of college students. And we firmly believe that by more fully integrating student wellness into our newest facility, we are helping our students lead healthier, longer and more productive careers and lives.

How the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center came to be is also instructive. It illustrates how partnerships with donors, foundations and philanthropic organizations help our University realize key aspects of our core mission. We’ve been a university on the move for some time now. And it is no exaggeration to say that without the continuing support of our donors, local foundations and the philanthropic organizations of our community, we could not offer the vast array of services, programming and support that our students need. In addition to student fees and University funds, the contributions of several individual donors, foundations and philanthropic organizations were the difference in making the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center a reality.

Recently, not long after its opening day, I happened to walk by the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center again. It was in the evening this time, and the structure’s large, wide windows were filled with light.

Students were still using the treadmills. They were still bounding up the fitness stairs. If anything, the building, fully lit and fully in use on a midweek night, looked just as busy as its bustling opening day.

It was a proud moment—for our University and for all those who chose to invest in our future.

02 cover story

Room to move 12 what i’ve learned

Kristen Avansino ’16 15 - 22

2016 Foundation Report 23 - 95

2016 Honor Roll of

Donors

96 pack tracks

Coach Jay Norvell

NOTE: The academic degrees indicated following an individual’s name indicate only degrees received from the University of Nevada, Reno. An individual’s preferred primary degree, which may in some cases be an advanced degree, is listed first. The same year listed twice after an individual’s name indicates a dual degree during that year. Individuals listed in the alumni section with no class year attended the University but did not graduate. Individuals marked with an asterisk (*) are deceased; however, this notation is not indicated in the Honor Court listing or Remembering Friends.

With the Joe Crowley Student Union (far left) and the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center (center), the recently opened E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers students the opportunity to nurture their minds, bodies and spirits in the midcampus corridor. The photo was taken from the Lawlor Events Center.

1 THERESA DANNA-DOUGLAS

32

PACK TRACKS: Nevada grit: Coach Jay Norvell ushers in a new era of Wolf Pack football

36

GATHERINGS: E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center opening / TEDxUniversityofNevada / Blue Tie Ball / Discover Science Lecture

34 38

GOOD MEDICINE: New tools for telemedicine

UNIVERSITY FOR YOU: Practicing medicine

The magazine of the University of Nevada, Reno ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Copyright © 2017 by the University of Nevada, Reno. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Nevada Silver & Blue (USP # 024-722), Spring 2017, Volume 34, Number 3, is published quarterly (fall, winter, spring, summer) by the University of Nevada, Reno, Development and Alumni Relations, Morrill Hall, 1664 N. Virginia St., NV 89557. Periodicals postage paid at Reno, NV and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Nevada Silver & Blue, University of Nevada, Reno Foundation/ MS 0162, Reno, NV 89557-0162 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTACT US

40

UNIVERSITY NEWS: Wonders of the Mekong / Excellence in animal care and research / Hannah Jackson awarded Silver Paw / Nevada robots could help clean up nuclear waste / An everyday hero / Grand Award for gorgeous grounds / From coffee rings to DNA sequencing / Nevada Leads / Could your car get hacked?

Nevada Silver & Blue Magazine Morrill Hall Alumni Center University of Nevada, Reno / 0007 Reno, NV 89557-0007 (775) 784-6620 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Class Notes / Mates / Pups: chatter@unr.edu Address Changes / Obituaries: updateus@unr.edu All other inquiries: silverblue@unr.edu ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Means vada. Always Nevada.

Once Ne

56 NEVADA ALUMNI COUNCIL 57 CLASS CHAT

ALUMNI PROFILE 53 Brandi Luv Stankovic ’01 56 CHAPTER UPDATES ALUMNI GATHERINGS TREE CHALLENGE: 60 FAMILY 58

Swanson/Brooks Family

Executive Editor Managing Editor Art Director Staff Writers Associate Editor Contributing Editors

62 REMEMBERING FRIENDS

65

Contributors

FOSTERING NEVADA’S FUTURE: Clipper family supports University students and new engineering building

“Nevada Silver & Blue”

twitter.com/silverandblue

Staff Photographer

John K. Carothers Amy (Zurek) Carothers ’01 M.A. Moses S. Achoka ’07 M.A. Joanna Trieger Curtis B. Vickers ’07 M.A. Carrie Bushá ’06 Keiko Weil ’87 Kevin Price Jessica Stack ’11 Courtney B. Wadhams Dawn Roelofs ’95, ’97 M.A. Elizabeth Wesseling ’01, ’12 M.A. Jasia Beehler ’12 Tamara Koszuth, CPA Laurie L. McLanahan ’86, CPA Theresa Danna-Douglas

Marc A. Johnson President

Kevin Carman Executive Vice President and Provost

John K. Carothers Vice President Development and Alumni Relations

Bruce Mack Associate Vice President Development and Alumni Relations

COVER STORY

E. L. Wiegand Foundation President Kristen Avansino ’16 (honorary doctor of humane letters) cuts the ribbon at the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center opening ceremony Feb. 22. She is joined on stage by Lesly Grajeda, Gabelli Asset Management, Inc. Vice President Marisa Avansino, E. L. Wiegand Foundation Chairman Skip Avansino ’65, University President Marc Johnson, ASUN President Brandon Boone and Andrew Pugh.

2 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

1 David Calvert

COVER STORY

3 The William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center opened to students Feb. 22. The building’s south entrance is easily accessed from the University Quad.

Room to move

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A. photos by THERESA DANNA-DOUGLAS

S

With the February opening of the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center, students now have the room they need to get up and move.

ometimes, all you need is an excuse. It’s too cold out. I’m too tired.

Or, for students at the University, “Lombardi is just too crowded.”

The bad news is: You might have just lost your favorite excuse.

The good news is that, no matter the weather, no matter the time of year, no matter if it’s a peak workout time, you will always find room to move in the newly opened E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center.

The opening, after an 18-month construction period, demonstrates the University’s commitment to providing its students

with the support they need, whether that is in the classroom or in the weight room. After all, there is a consensus among researchers that success in the classroom and healthful, regular exercise are integrally related.

“The cornerstone of a successful career of learning, development and growth is a well-rounded and balanced approach to life,” President Marc Johnson said. “The opening of the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center ensures that all students have the opportunity to develop their minds, bodies and spirits. The Fitness Center lays the groundwork for a lifetime of productivity and health.”

The $47.5 million project was paid for through a combination of student-approved fees and philanthropic support from University partners and benefactors, led by an $8 million grant from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation. (To learn more about the E. L. Wiegand Foundation, see page 10.)

The University of Nevada, Reno Foundation also provided $3 million in support of the project, and the Mario J. Gabelli Foundation awarded $1.5 million for the Mario J. Gabelli Plaza. Additional support for the project came from many alumni, friends and community partners (see page 10).

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 3

COVER STORY

A look inside

A

t 108,000 square feet (with 41,000 square feet of parking underneath the building), the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center nearly doubles the space on campus dedicated to student fitness and recreation. The four-story building, located north of the Brian Whalen Parking Complex on North Virginia Street, provides a range of spaces and facilities to accommodate the fitness needs of students, from strength training to cardiovascular training to group exercise classes.

“Throughout the years dancers, athletes, and all students have seen an explosion of exercise options. The value of cross-training is vital yet sometimes intimidating. The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center provides every imaginable experience — from serious weight-lifting to quiet yoga — in a non-judgmental, inviting environment,” stated Kristen Avansino ’16 (honorary doctor of humane letters),

4 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

adjunct professor of dance and president of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation. “Students can realize goals while tackling new exercise horizons and, hopefully, commence a lifetime of physicality.”

One of the most striking features of the Fitness Center is the Jeffrey R. Rodefer Family Fitness Stairway. Of his choice to support the project, University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Trustee Jeff Rodefer ’85 (finance) said, “When I was a student, I used to run stadium stairs. It’s such great exercise, and I am glad to be able to provide the space for current and future students to challenge themselves.

That the stairway is the first of its kind in any collegiate fitness center is par for the course for the University’s innovative spirit.”

The fitness stairs begin on the first floor and rise to the fourth floor. There, they feed into the Jerry & Roxie Enneking Indoor Track, an eighth-mile, three-lane indoor running track that circles the top floor and overlooks

the third floor’s court sports gymnasiums, made possible through a $3 million contribution from the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation.

“The Foundation is committed to nurturing University students in all aspects of their college experience, from facilitating scholarships to student success services supported by our generous philanthropists and friends,” Executive Director of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation John Carothers said. “Making sure students have an area to play basketball and other sports that foster friendship and teamwork — all while they break a sweat — is one way we fulfill our mission.”

In addition to the gymnasiums, the third floor also features cardiovascular training equipment like exercise bikes and treadmills, and a strength training area. These facilities augment the strength facilities and multipurpose training areas on the first and second

COVER STORY

3 At the heart of the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center is the Jeffrey R. Rodefer Family Fitness Stairway. The 36 fitness stairs rise from the first floor to the fourth floor and were made possible by a gift from Jeff R. Rodefer ’85 (finance).

#PackFIT:

Getting fit with the Pack

In conjunction with the opening of the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN) launched the #PackFIT campaign. Designed to inspire healthier, more fulfilling lifestyles, this student-run campaign will include 5K runs, healthy eating workshops, a speaker series and group hikes. Participants are encouraged to share their experiences through the social media hashtag #PackFIT.

“PackFIT was created with every student in mind. We are giving students a platform to begin their journey to healthier living,” said Jacob Springmeyer, vice president of ASUN. “Our goal is to make an impact on this University.

ASUN values the health of our students and we are excited to facilitate their journey.”

In the short weeks since its launch, #PackFIT is among the most successful campaigns in ASUN history and the first created solely to promote student health and wellness.

Instructor Rachel Maas ‘16 leads a reformer Pilates session in one of seven group fitness rooms.

a WorthGroup Designers

floors, spaces used for classes like Pilates (both mat and reformer), yoga, TRX, aerobics, rowing, fusion fitness and Zumba. In all, the Fitness Center offers more than 400 individual training stations and seven group fitness rooms.

Through the generosity of the Marshall R. Matley Foundation, the Fitness Center also offers an array of equipment for students with disabilities, ensuring that everyone on campus has the ability to reach his or her fitness goals and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “At the Matley Foundation, we are pleased to help the University achieve its goal of making campus accessible for all students, including students with disabilities,” said Dan Klaich ’72 (accounting) of the Marshall R. Matley Foundation.

“As students experience success in the gym, improving their fitness and increasing their stamina, that success will undoubtedly translate to success in other aspects of life, and when one of us excels, our whole community is strengthened.”

4 108,000 floors

The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center nearly doubles the amount of space available for student recreation activities on campus.

square feet (plus a 41,000-square-foot parking facility)

7 400 120 3,500 3

group fitness rooms

individual workout stations

classes per week and daily visitors

lane, eighth-mile indoor track

On the third floor, the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Gymnasiums offer visitors an area to practice and play together.

86To learn more about

5

the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center, visit: fitness.unr.edu.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 5

COVER STORY

Fitness and student success

F

or years, universities and colleges have treated the cultivation of their students’ mental health, physical health and academic success as separate enterprises.

But in the past decade, researchers have come to the conclusion that these three components of a student’s life are deeply connected. On the one hand, students who maintain regular exercise routines (three times a week for twenty minutes) tend to earn GPAs that are roughly one grade higher than their non-exercising counterparts. These

same students report lower levels of anxiety and depression, which in turn lead to greater levels of focus in the classroom, the library and the research lab.

“Considering what we know about the effect improved physical fitness has on functional ability, prevention of chronic disease, improved cognitive ability and academic performance, as well as its ability to decrease anxiety, depression and alleviate stress, maintaining or adopting a physically active lifestyle may be one of the most important lifetime decisions a student makes in their

time here at the University of Nevada, Reno,” said Jim Fitzsimmons ’91 (recreation), ’97 M.S. (physical education), ’12 Ed.D. (educational leadership), director of campus recreation.

Whether students want to work out alone, in classes, or in a friendly pickup game of basketball, the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center has been designed to offer visitors an open and bright environment to achieve their physical fitness goals. And in achieving these goals, they might just find that the other challenges the University offers are more manageable as well.

Considering what we know about the effect improved physical fitness has on functional ability, prevention of chronic disease, improved cognitive ability and academic performance, as well as its ability to decrease anxiety, depression and alleviate stress, maintaining or adopting a physically active lifestyle may be one of the most important lifetime decisions a student makes in their time here at the University of Nevada, Reno.” – Director of campus recreation JIM FITZSIMMONS ’91 (recreation), ’97 M.S. (physical education), ’12 Ed.D. (educational leadership)

1 David Calvert

1 Tim Dunn

1 Tim Dunn

The Mario J. Gabelli Foundation

The University of Nevada, Reno Foundation

The Mallory Foundation

Marisa Avansino represented the Mario J. Gabelli Foundation at the Feb. 22 opening ceremonies. The Mario J. Gabelli Plaza provides a connector between the Fitness Center and lower campus.

Ken Creighton ’75 (political science), chair of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation. The Foundation provided a naming gift of $3 million dollars for the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Gymnasiums.

Jane ’68 (fashion merchandising) and Riley Beckett ’68 (accounting), an officer in the Mallory Foundation, toured the Mallory Foundation Conditioning Area Feb. 22.

6 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

COVER STORY

The heart of midcampus: mind, body, and spirit of the Pack

I

n the past ten years, the midcampus corridor—connecting Mackay Stadium and Lawlor Events Center with the more historic parts of campus—has undergone a radical transformation.

Beginning with the opening of the Joe Crowley Student Union in November 2007, and followed by the opening of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center in 2008, the sloping hill has been transformed into the heart of the University.

With more than one million visitors each year, the Knowledge Center fulfills its mission of providing students, faculty and commu-

“Everyone on campus wants our students to turn their potential and their goals into reality,” President Marc Johnson said. “Given that and given how important exercise is to academic success, it was important for us to provide our students with a centrally located, open and inviting space that nurtures the entire student. The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center allows us to complete a vision of the midcampus corridor. Students can expand their minds, nurture their spirits, and train their bodies in these key buildings.”

nity members with access to the books and technology necessary to become proficient in nearly any topic in the scope of human learning. Next door, the Joe Crowley Student Union provides a space for students to come together to dine, watch movies, enjoy internationally acclaimed programs, study, catch up with old friends and make new ones.

Together, these buildings serve the campus by providing opportunities for intellectual development and social and cultural growth.

They are vital in the University’s mission to help students develop as well-rounded members of society.

No excuses The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center is the latest change to campus that is designed to ensure students have the resources they need, when they need them, in order to reach their full potential. So, sorry students, but on the University of Nevada, Reno campus, there really is no room for excuses. N

1 Tim Dunn

1 David Calvert

hTo learn more about supporting capital projects on campus, contact John Carothers, vice president of development and alumni relations, at (775) 784-1352 or jcarothers@unr.edu.

1 David Calvert

Jerry and Roxie Enneking

The Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation

The Marshall R. Matley Foundation

University Honor Court Gold Benefactors Roxie and Jerry Enneking provided naming gifts for the Jerry and Roxie Enneking Administrative Suite and for the Jerry and Roxie Enneking Indoor Track. “Every time we come to campus, we see a lively spirit of determination in the students,” Roxie Enneking said. “That spirit is apparent in the classroom and now in the Fitness Center. It is a delight to contribute to this beautiful building and to see students enjoying the track and achieving their fitness goals.”

The Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation provided a gift to name the Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation Lobby.

Board member Craig Karrasch was on hand at the opening ceremonies to represent the longtime University partner.

Members of the Marshall R. Matley Foundation Dan Klaich ’72 (accounting) and Ernest Maupin ’68 (accounting). Gifts from the Marshall R. Matley Foundation ensured the Fitness Center included universal access equipment for use by students with disabilities. “At the Matley Foundation, we are pleased to help the University achieve its goal of making campus accessible for all students, including students with disabilities,” Klaich said.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 7

COVER STORY

The Fitness Center offers us a lot more freedom to explore types of fitness. Those possibilities keep exercising fresh, and they make staying healthy fun.

Lauren Ruuska, Class of 2017

OA ,

C

KENZI

E WASLE Y ’16 (wildlife

e c o l o g y a n d c o n s e r vat i o n )

I didn’t come with a plan ... it’s a bit overwhelming - I wanna go over here, I wanna go over there - so much to do here, it’s a cool problem to have.

MAR

CO

BAL B

Julian Lupo, Class of 2017

Whitney Weinheimer, Class of 2018 Nicole Foster, Class of 2019

Jade Bourdeau, Class of 2017

Rachel Maas ’16 (journalism) 8 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

l

o ass

f 20

18

COVER STORY

Sephra Lall, Class of 2019

Christian O’Quinn Jr, Class of 2018

It’s amazing.

It is everything we needed, and it is by far the coolest place on campus.

Cla JERRY MILABU,

ss of 2

018

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 9

COVER STORY

The E. L. Wiegand Foundation

E. L. WIEGAND FITNESS CENTER DONORS

Edwin L. Wiegand (1891-1980)

Edwin L. Wiegand was a self-taught electrical engineer

and a pioneer in the use of electricity for heating purposes. He obtained his first patent in 1915 for a metal-sheathed refractory-insulated electric heating element (commonly known as the electric iron). In 1917, he founded the Edwin L. Wiegand Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and with one employee, manufactured the first successful resistance heating units.

Under the name Chromalox, Wiegand developed and manufactured heating elements for home appliances and industrial uses that are still the heart of every modern electric range, water heater and numerous other electrical appliances.

Wiegand’s innovations served the public good during World War II, providing heating elements for GIs to clean their canteens in hot water. During the Space Age, NASA used heating elements developed by Wiegand when it sent astronauts to the moon.

In 1968, Wiegand merged his company with Emerson Electric Company, of St. Louis, Missouri, and served as a director of that company until January 1973. In 1971 Wiegand became a resident of Reno, and shortly thereafter, Miami Oil Producers, Inc., made Reno its home base. Wiegand was an active participant in Miami’s development of oil and gas properties and served as honorary chairman of the Miami board until his death on April 29, 1980 at the age of 88.

The E. L. Wiegand Foundation awards charitable grants that honor the pioneering visionary and reward excellence.

Kristin Avansino ’16

E. L. Wiegand Foundation Mario Gabelli of the Gabelli Foundation University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Jerry and Roxie Enneking William N. Pennington Foundation Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation The Mallory Foundation Jeffrey R. Rodefer ’85 Paul ’62 and Judy* Bible ’65 Barbara and Tom Witter Foundation Marshall R. Matley Foundation Marc A. Johnson and Karen Penner-Johnson John K. Carothers Stephen A. Lind 1 David Calvert

10 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

*Posthumously

COVER STORY

Revitalizing Lombardi

by CHAD HARTLEY ’03

Conceptual renderings of the renovations of the Lombardi Recreation Center featuring a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center (top) that will serve all 400 student-athletes, and a dedicated basketball practice facility (bottom) for the men’s and women’s programs. 1 Courtesy Nevada Athletics

RENDERING

T

he Lombardi Recreation Center opened its doors in 1974 serving a campus population of about 4,000.

With University growth surging and campus enrollment of more than 21,000, the new E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center now is the central piece of campus recreation. The move has allowed the University to transform Lombardi into a shared academic and athletic building featuring a state-of-the-art practice facility for the Wolf Pack athletics department.

One of the key features of the renovation project is the Ramon Sessions Basketball Performance Center. In October 2016, Ramon Sessions, point guard for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association and former star of the Nevada Wolf Pack (2004-2007), pledged $1 million to improve the existing basketball gym and weight room. Upon completion, the Ramon Sessions Basketball Performance Center will include eight baskets and two full courts, with new flooring, lights and scoreboards. These improvements will give the Wolf Pack men’s and women’s basketball programs a long-awaited dedicated practice facility throughout the year.

“This transformation of the Lombardi gym from a campus recreation facility to a dedicated intercollegiate athletics center is a game-changer for our program,” said Athletics Director Doug Knuth. “The Ramon Sessions Basketball Performance Center is the result of unique collaboration between the University administration, intercollegiate athletics and the community. We’re thankful for the leadership of University President Marc Johnson and Vice President for Administration & Finance Ron Zurek, and their partnership on this project.

A standalone new facility would cost in the tens of millions of dollars and we are able to provide a training center for our student-athletes at a fraction of the cost.”

Construction on the project is planned to begin early in 2017 and is scheduled for completion by August 2017.

RENDERING

hTo learn more about supporting the Lombardi Recreation Center renovations, contact Assistant Athletic Director, Development Zack Madonick at (775) 682-6977.

Donors to Lombardi renovations: Ramon Sessions Jerry and Roxie Enneking Richard Reviglio Walter and Mae Minato Edna B. & Bruno Benna Foundation

Ann Carlson ’59 and Ronald L. Turek Christopher ’88 and Kim Aramini ’89 Jason ’02 and Alix Sterrett Superior Storage, LLC Bruce C. ’75 and Christine Sexton ’91, ’93

Dan Loose Construction Co., Inc. Northern Nevada Juniors Volleyball, LLC Michael F. Dillon ’94 and Siobhan McAndrew Nick Capparelli ’12

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 11

pack university tracksfor you

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

Kristen Avansino

’16 (honorary doctor of humane letters)

1 Joanne (Cieri) Hildahl ‘72 published in the University Times in Dec. 1973.

The Journey

M BEGINNING

y 46-year love affair with the University of Nevada, Reno ignited when I was hired as a professor to create an academic dance program. Yes, I had studied every form of dance imaginable, including classical ballet, jazz, Afro-Haitian and ballroom, but modern dance, specifically the Martha Graham technique, captivated me. To pursue the modern dance genre, I earned my bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in dance at Mills College in California. I created dance programs in San Francisco and Las Vegas, but my dream was always to teach the Martha Graham curriculum in a university setting.

As the old adage says, “Be careful what you ask for.” In 1971, the University of Nevada, Reno gave me the opportunity to fulfill my passion.

My first teaching station was located in the North Virginia Gym (known as the New

12 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

2 During the early years of the dance program, the “Old Gym” welcomed new choreographers who sought to perfect the academic challenges of dance composition. The unique athletic atmosphere was dynamic, given the various classes taught simultaneously. Sometimes dancers dodged basketballs!

Gym in the ’60s; later lovingly called the Old Gym). There I shared space with Coaches Chris Ault ’69 (physical education), ’73 M.Ed., John Legarza ’58 (history), ’63 M.Ed., and Jack Cook.

Student devotees of dance totaled thirty; the less than perfect musical accompaniment consisted of my portable phonograph. However, as the dance program grew, I became the transient professor, record player in hand, at various campus locales (including the gym basement).

Dance concerts featuring choreography by both students and professors were held in the gym or at the Masonic Theatre on First Street.

The dance program was a “diamond in the rough” featuring tough, competitive standards, unabashed student commitment, and joyful camaraderie.

DEVELOPMENT

In 1973, the entire faculty of the physical education and dance department was jubilant as we were moved to the new Lombardi Center.

As the first non-smoking building in Nevada, dance had bona fide studios on the second

floor. Dancers, non-dancers and athletes alike enrolled; body conditioning classes even included the Nautilus equipment placed alongside the new swimming pool. The epitome of this cross-enthusiasm was my highly acclaimed dance class for the track team, purportedly the first such class offering in the United States.

In 1981 I moved on to tackle the business of philanthropy at the E. L. Wiegand Foundation knowing that dance was alive and thriving at UNR. BE PATIENT

During my early years at UNR I desperately envisioned a united arts curriculum, magically “governed” by a school of arts. My efforts evaporated as the advocate-in-residence, Dean Rebecca Stoddard, relocated to an eastern university. However, today the dance program is an important part of the School of the Arts under the leadership of President Marc Johnson, and boasts a major in dance with almost 900 students enrolled per semester! My dream has come true.

WHAT I’VE LEARNED

3 Since the program’s inception, UNR concerts have

featured instructor choreography. Since our cast was so small, the Martha Graham/Afro-Haitian-style dance featured the professor as soloist. 1 Courtesy Kristen Avansino ’16

Today, in addition to traditional dance classes, a dancer’s regimen includes cardiovascular, weightlifting, Pilates, yoga, and TRX disciplines to acquire physical and mental prowess.

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

DO NOT REST ON YOUR LAURELS

I returned to UNR 17 years ago as an adjunct professor of dance. Honestly, it was a very scary proposition. The risk associated with becoming a choreographer and lecturer was not only daunting but challenging. After mentally agonizing for several weeks I realized I could NOT reject the honor. Over the years, my dances have become more athletic, thematically complex, and theatrical. I have pushed myself into unknown territories, practicing a “nothing ventured, nothing gained” philosophy. Positive risk taking has also seeped into the execution of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation’s mission: pose the creative “why not” questions, force applicants to consider the execution of a “dream goal” or become the catalyst for change. Case in point: the intersection of North Virginia Street and Lawlor Events Center. Why not create an extraordinary sense of arrival on campus and complete the circle with the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center and the Joe Crowley Student Union?

Why not support every student’s well-being and fitness in a state-of-the-art environment?

The 149,000-square-foot E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center is the perfect example of the notion that has become a reality for our entire student body.

BLENDED CAREERS

Every day I am grateful for the opportunity to use my creative talent and my analytical abilities in my responsibilities as an adjunct professor of dance and as the president and executive director of the E. L. Wiegand Foundation. Seemingly unrelated, my professorship and my responsibilities as a foundation president are intertwined; one can use both skill sets in both professional arenas. For example, the mechanics of creating a dance course curriculum is similar to building a mission-driven philanthropic agenda, and the creative process inherent in building choreography is not unlike visionary grant-making.

NEVER A DUMB QUESTION, NEVER TOO SMALL A DETAIL

My long relationship with UNR students has transformed personal reticence and selfdoubt. As an artistic mentor and dance jock, the challenges of the creative process present unique opportunities to learn together. We learn to remain curious, to ask questions, and address details. The goal is to work hard to do well … very well.

THE FUTURE

The University of Nevada, Reno has matured into a nationally recognized institution thriving in its gorgeous surroundings and more than 21,000 students strong. Reno is a university town, and I look forward to dancing and teaching in the future! N

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 13

Hearst Foundations support student-driven news production Undergraduate journalism students Krysta Scripter and Jose Olivares work on a piece for Wolf Pack What, a student-run news and entertainment service that uses video and virtual reality to tell stories about life on campus.

Thanks to increased support from the Hearst Foundations, students will have more opportunities to produce and distribute multimedia stories in Spanish and English through the Reynolds Media Lab.

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

by JOANNA TRIEGER

I

n 2012, a grant from the Hearst Foundations helped launch the Nevada Media Alliance (NVMA), a student-driven news service within the University’s Reynolds School of Journalism, in partnership with professional media organizations in northern Nevada. Now, additional support from Hearst is expanding the program, rebranded as the Reynolds Media Lab, into a full-scale news production and distribution center.

The increased funding allows the Reynolds Media Lab to expand into Spanish-language news coverage and to explore new broadcast-

h

ing platforms, such as virtual reality video, podcasting and video segments shared over social media. The lab will help more media students gain valuable skills and expose them to a wider variety of career possibilities within the industry.

In addition to providing quality news content to English- and Spanish-speaking populations across Nevada, the opportunities available through the Reynolds Media Lab serve the Reynolds School’s development plans and faculty recruitment efforts. The school is planning to establish the nation’s first un-

dergraduate Spanish-language journalism program, tentatively scheduled to launch in fall 2018, and recently moved toward that goal by hiring another Spanish-language journalism faculty member.

“The Reynolds School is noted for providing students with innovative opportunities for experiential learning,” said Dean Al Stavitsky.

“This extended funding from the Hearst Foundations will take these real-world experiences to the next level, as well as enable us to establish bilingual curricula found nowhere else.”

To learn more about the Reynolds Media Lab, please contact Laurice Antoun-Becker, associate director of development, (775) 784-4184 or lantounbecker@unr.edu.

14 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Stephen R. Davis supports Special Collections

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A.

A

fter retiring as assistant director at Nevada Humanities in 2012, historian and photographer Stephen R. Davis donated his entire photographic archive to the University of Nevada, Reno’s Special Collections. The Stephen R. Davis Photo Collection documents the history of the Great Basin’s deserts and mountains, and the people who inhabit them. Davis’s work includes the projects “Childhood Memory and Sense of Place in Northern Nevada”; “Stories from the Front Lines: Portraits and Stories about the Lives of Cancer Patients, their Families, and Caregivers”; and “Nevada in Time: Photographs of a Changing Landscape.”

Now, Davis has made provisions in his estate plans to support Special Collections in preserving, organizing and exhibiting his work. The gift ensures that his archive remains available in perpetuity to scholars studying the history of Nevada.

“Dr. Davis’s exceptional photography is an incredible asset for the University,” Kathy Ray, dean of the University Libraries, said.

“His work exploring the changing nature of our Nevada landscape adds to the growing corpus of scholarship gathered in Special Collections that is of critical importance to researchers and scholars. In establishing a provision in his estate plans for the continued upkeep of his catalog, Dr. Davis’s generosity has ensured that

h

his phenomenal work will inspire viewers and scholars for generations.”

Even as his photography advances scholarship, knowing that Special Collections will continue to care for his catalog has become a source of encouragement for Dr. Davis: “I’m very pleased that my work is being preserved, and it is a great motivation for me to keep working.”

Director of Planned Giving Lisa Riley, historian and documentary photographer Stephen Davis and Director of Development Millie Mitchell. Having already donated his catalog of work to Special Collections in 2013 and 2014, Davis recently made a provision in his estate plans to support the upkeep of his archives.

1 Courtesy Millie Mitchell

To learn more about supporting Special Collections, please contact Millie Mitchell, director of development, (775) 682-5682 or mimitchell@unr.edu.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 15

Grahams establish scholarship for graduate mentors Merrily Kronberg-Graham ’72, ’75 M.S. and Douglas Graham are creating a scholarship endowment for graduate students who mentor undergraduates in the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.

1

Theresa Danna-Douglas

by JOANNA TRIEGER

M

errily Kronberg-Graham ’72 (geography), ’75 M.S. (geology) and her husband Douglas Graham are creating a scholarship endowment for graduate students in the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering.

Now a member of the Mackay Executive Advisory Board, Kronberg-Graham received outstanding mentorship from graduate students during her undergraduate years—mentorship that she now hopes to encourage through the Douglas and Merrily Kronberg-Graham Graduate Mentor Endowed Scholarship. Beyond offering valuable help with logistics and course

material, her graduate mentors gave her a thorough sense of what graduate study entailed.

Armed with this knowledge, she was able to make an informed decision about when to go back to school.

Kronberg-Graham’s graduate studies led to an internship with the State of Nevada, and she eventually became the state’s first flood plain manager. Career success aside, perhaps the biggest gain from her graduate education was a personal one: Merrily met her husband, Doug, after his property flooded in 1980.

“My decision to pursue graduate study, and from there the whole trajectory of my

h

life and career, was fundamentally influenced by the graduate students who encouraged me when I was an undergraduate,” says Kronberg-Graham. “That relationship can be so powerful and important. I want to encourage a culture of mentorship in the Mackay School.”

Mackay School Director Russell Fields agrees. “For our undergraduates, being mentored by someone who can introduce the joys and challenges of graduate study can really open their eyes,” he said. “Someone close to their age, whom they see as more of a peer than their instructors, can make graduate school feel accessible, and that opens up a lot of options.”

To learn more about supporting students in the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, contact Donna Knotek ’12, ’15 MBA, director of development, (775) 682-5952 or dknotek@unr.edu or Stefanie Givens, assistant director of development, (775) 682-8791 or sgivens@unr.edu.

16 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Nursing school celebrates 60 years of Orvis support

University President Charles Armstrong and philanthropist Mae Orvis during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Orvis School of Nursing Building in October 1965.

Arthur and Mae Orvis, and later the foundation that bears their names, have been leadership supporters of the nursing school since its inception in 1957.

1 Courtesy of Special Collections

by JOANNA TRIEGER

F

or 60 years, the University’s Orvis School of Nursing has been educating aspiring nurses to provide outstanding health care to the citizens of Nevada. From an original gift to found the school to continued annual operating support, Arthur and Mae Orvis, and later the foundation that bears their names, have been the school’s champions every step of the way.

Founded in 1956 and opened in 1957, the Orvis School of Nursing is the oldest nursing school in Nevada. It offers a total of three degrees (BSN, MSN and DNP) at the undergraduate and graduate levels with six different graduate-level specializations, and graduates 150 to 160 students each year. Orvis students are noted for their rigorous academic perfor-

mance: In 2016, Orvis graduates boasted a 93 percent pass rate on the NCLEX (the national examination for registered nurses), compared to the national average of 84 percent.

The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation was founded in 1967 in memory of Reno resident, financier and philanthropist Arthur Orvis by his wife, Mae, a talented opera singer.

By providing unrestricted funding as well as support for specific initiatives like the Arthur Emerton Orvis Endowment Chair, capital projects across campus and the purchase of essential teaching equipment, the Orvises and the foundation have bolstered the school’s efforts to recruit and develop outstanding faculty and to acquire leading-edge technology so that their students can be educated in the most up-to-date

health care settings.

“The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation has been exceptionally instrumental in the growth of our programs and development of our faculty,” said Orvis School of Nursing Dean Patsy Ruchala. “Sixty years ago, when the state was in critical need of a nursing school, Arthur and Mae Orvis responded to that need. The Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation continues to support the vision for nursing education inspired by Mr. and Mrs. Orvis. Today, whether we need resources to recruit and develop faculty, technology to keep our students up-to-date or support for a community outreach initiative, the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation is there.

They are outstanding partners in our quest to improve health care in Nevada.”

h

To learn more about supporting the Orvis School of Nursing, please contact Kara Mays, assistant director of development, (775) 682-8567 or karamays@unr.edu.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 17

Scholarship Endowment honors the late Henry Malin Prupas, M.D. ’71, ‘73

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A.

T

A renowned specialist in the treatment of arthritis and an associate clinical professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, the late Henry Malin Prupas ‘71 (premedical), of the twoyear Class of 1973, dedicated more than 40 years of his life to helping his patients and students. In his honor, the Henry Malin Prupas, M.D. Medical Student Scholarship Endowment has been established with gifts from his wife, Barbara Prupas ‘86, and additional memorial gifts.

1 Courtesy Barbara Prupas

h

he University and the Reno community lost an extraordinary leader when Henry Malin Prupas, M.D. ’71 passed away February 2016.

He was a member of the charter class of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine ’73. In his 40-year medical career, Dr. Prupas was not only dedicated to the treatment of his patients suffering from arthritis pain but also to participating in clinical trials and other academic studies designed to facilitate medical breakthroughs. The author of two books, “Arthritis Made Simple” and “Learn About Your Arthritis,” Prupas shared his medical expertise as an associate clinical professor in the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine for 35 years.

In honor of Dr. Prupas’ career of service, instruction, and research, the Henry Malin Prupas, M.D. Medical Student Scholarship Endowment has been established with gifts from his wife, Barbara Prupas ’86 M.A., and donations from family, friends and colleagues. Recipients of the scholarship will be medical students from northern Nevada.

“As a researcher and clinician, Dr. Prupas combined mastery of his field with a passion for helping anyone suffering from arthritis and related diseases,” Dr. Thomas Schwenk, dean of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, said. “He carried his warmth and kindness into the classroom, demonstrating through his words and his deeds what is required to be the very best in our profession. The Henry Malin Prupas, M.D. Medical Student Scholarship Endowment will ensure that the legacy of this exceptional man will persevere.”

The philanthropic spirit behind the named scholarship is in keeping with Dr. Prupas’ own generosity. Among many gifts he made to support the University and its students, Dr. Prupas made memorial gifts to the University in honor of his parents, Robert and Berniece; his sister, Roxann Prupas Leid; and his brother, Norman, to name the Prupas Family Suite in Morrill Hall. His gifts continued, ensuring the upkeep of the room and providing support to the University’s iconic and original building.

To learn more about supporting students in the School of Medicine or to make a memorial gift in honor of Dr. Prupas, please contact Seema Donahoe ’ 02, director of development, at sdonahoe@unr.edu or (775) 682-7304.

18 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Colleagues and friends honor beloved environmental activist Marge Sill ’69

The late environmentalist Marjorie Sill ’69, known as “Mother of Nevada Wilderness.” A scholarship endowment for students of environmental science and related fields has been established in her honor, as well as a fund to 1 Courtesy Friends of Nevada Wilderness inventory and archive her papers in the University’s Special Collections.

by JOANNA TRIEGER

A

scholarship endowment for students of environmental sciences and conservation has been established to honor the late Marjorie “Marge” L. Sill ’69 M.A. (English), along with a fund to support the work of Special Collections to process and care for her extensive archives. Marge was a longtime environmental activist known as the “Mother of Nevada Wilderness.”

Born in Bakersfield, Calif., Marge became active in environmental issues in her home state and continued her activism when she moved to Reno with her husband in 1959. She was a founding member of Friends of Nevada Wilder-

h

ness and served on the board for 32 consecutive years. She fought tirelessly for the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964, which created a legal definition of wilderness in the United States. She was instrumental in the creation of Great Basin National Park in 1986 and in the passage of the Nevada Wilderness Protection Act in 1989. Marge’s advocacy continued nearly until the day she passed away in October 2016.

But Marge’s greatest legacy may be the impact of her infectious enthusiasm and reverence for Nevada’s wild places on others. Throughout her decades of advocacy, one of her greatest joys was introducing new people to the beauty of Nevada.

“The majesty of our state depends on the willingness of its citizens to protect and

conserve its natural wonders,” said Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations John Carothers. “Marge Sill led that charge.

We are grateful that her friends have stepped forward to honor her legacy and to ensure that the values she upheld are passed on to future generations.”

The scholarship endowment in Marge’s honor was established by her friend, David von Seggern, faculty emeritus in the Nevada Seismological Laboratory. Additionally, friends and colleagues established the fund in Special Collections to catalogue Marge’s papers for future generations to reference and enjoy. The lead gift was provided by University Foundation Professor Emerita Ann Ronald.

To contribute to the Marjorie L. Sill Memorial Scholarship Endowment, please contact Ralph Phillips, director of development, (775) 784-4390 or rphillips@unr.edu. To contribute to the Special Collections Marge Sill Archives project, please contact Millie Mitchell, director of development, (775) 682-5682 or mimitchell@unr.edu.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 19

Jim Riley ’69 endows scholarship for single parents

The late LaRie and Abe Riley in 1941. The couple’s son, Jim, has established a scholarship in their honor for single parents in the College of Business. 1 Courtesy Jim Riley ’69

by JOANNA TRIEGER

U

niversity alumnus Jim Riley ’69 (journalism) has established an endowed scholarship in honor of his late parents, LaRie and Abe Riley. Recipients of the scholarship will be students in the College of Business. The first award will be made for the 2017-18 academic year.

Natives of Carson City, Nev., and Teague, Texas, respectively, Abe and LaRie Riley married in Reno in 1941. They opened their own insurance agency, Evans-Riley Insurance,

h

in 1957. Unfortunately, Abe passed away suddenly on New Year’s Eve 1958, and LaRie found herself running the business while raising the couple’s young son, Jim, on her own.

Hoping to further her education, LaRie sold the agency and began taking classes at the University’s College of Business. While she eventually had to leave the college to support herself and Jim, she valued the experience highly. Jim hopes that the scholarship in his parents’ honor will assist those who are pursuing education to care for their families.

“The College of Business helps students

develop personally and professionally in their careers, but it can be challenging for single parents to take advantage of those opportunities while also devoting considerable time to their many other obligations,” said Greg Mosier, dean of the College of Business. “Scholarships like this can bridge the gap and make a real difference for those who need it.”

In addition to this scholarship, Jim Riley established a scholarship endowment in honor of his late godparents, Urdene and Jim Slingerland, to benefit deserving University students in any major.

To learn more about establishing an endowed scholarship for students in the College of Business, please contact Mitch Klaich ’02, director of development, (775) 682-6490 or mklaich@unr.edu.

20 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Young alumnus pays education forward

by JOANNA TRIEGER

F

or an increasing number of young alumni, giving back to their alma mater is a natural step once they’ve established themselves in their careers. One such Nevada alumnus is Matthew Wolden ’03 (health ecology), ’05 MPH, who recently created the Matthew R. Wolden, MPH School of Community Health Sciences Scholarship to assist future professionals in his field.

Wolden, a former ASUN president, focused on health care leadership and public health during his time as a graduate student. He then dove into his career, earning positions at UCSF Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital and Stanford Children’s Health before settling into his current role as an executive director at UCSF Health.

“I had an outstanding experience as a health sciences student at Nevada, and I’ve been able to take advantage of some great career opportunities because of my training,” Wolden said. “This career is extremely rewarding, both in terms of personal fulfillment and in the joy of helping to improve the lives of others. I want to help give today’s students access to the same opportunities I had at the University of Nevada. I hope that this scholarship will help the next generation of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as the perspective they could provide would be an asset in our field.”

Lauro Solomo II, a sophomore majoring in community health sciences, received the scholarship this year. “I plan to use this knowledge to improve the lives and health of people in need,” wrote Solomo in a letter to Wolden. “Thank you again for giving me the opportunity and help to accomplish my goals in life, and thank you for giving back to the Nevada community.”

h

Matthew R. Wolden ’03, ’05 MPH recently established a scholarship for students of community health sciences.

1 Courtesy Matthew Wolden ’03, ’05 MPH

To learn more about supporting students in the Division of Health Sciences, please contact Kara Mays, assistant director of development, (775) 682-8567 or karamays@unr.edu.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 21

Fans support the Donald L. Jensen Plaza project at Mackay Stadium RENDERING

MACKAY CHAMPIONS PLAZA

The Donald L. Jensen Plaza will create a grand entrance to Mackay Stadium with three gates on the north side. A new brick plaza will honor the contributions of thousands of Wolf Pack fans. New tickets facilities and concession and merchandising opportunities will also be created to serve fans on gamedays in the fall. a Courtesy Design Workshop

MACKAY CHAMPIONS PLAZA

by CHAD HARTLEY ‘03

T

he Nevada football team enters a new era this fall with first-year Head Coach Jay Norvell, and fans of the Wolf Pack will not only see a new product on the field but continued improvements to Mackay Stadium. A year after an $11.5 million renovation to the 51-year-old stadium, the Wolf Pack will provide a new grand entrance on the north side of Mackay — the Donald L.

h

Jensen Plaza — in time for kickoff to the 2017 football season.

Jensen made a leadership gift to the project.

The owner and CEO of Jensen Precast, he has been a longtime friend of the University, providing support to campus projects and initiatives for more than 20 years. Additional support for the project has been provided by James ’63 (premedical) and Elaine Colgan ’63 (elementary education), and Nick ’79 (political science) and Debbie Rossi.

The community-led project is further supported by thousands of Wolf Pack fans who have purchased personalized bricks to leave their legacy in a stadium that has provided countless memories over the years. More than 60 percent of Wolf Pack fans enter the stadium on gameday through the north entrance. Jensen Plaza comes complete with new ticketing facilities and concession/merchandising opportunities to better accommodate fans during Nevada games.

To learn more about supporting the Donald L. Jensen Plaza project, please contact Assistant Athletic Director, Development Zack Madonick, (775) 682-6977 or mmadonick@unr.edu.

22 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Do you know someone who bleeds

SILVER & BLUE? The Nevada Alumni Council is now accepting new member nominations!

DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2017—The Nevada Alumni Council is the governing body of the Nevada Alumni Association and meets throughout the year. For more information or to nominate yourself or someone you know, please visit unr.edu/alumni/nevada-alumni-council/nominate, or fax this form to (775) 784-4878.

OR mail the form below to: Nevada Alumni Association, Morrill Hall Alumni Center, University of Nevada, Reno/0164, Reno, Nevada 89557-0164.

Name: Class Year: Address: City: State:

Zip Code:

Business/Occupation: Telephone: Email:

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

The Jones Family Foundation: A tradition of philanthropy

by JOANNA TRIEGER Charlotte McConnell and Ann Carlson ’59 (business), ’78 M.Ed. celebrated the induction of the Clarence & Martha Jones Family Foundation into the Honor Court at the Founder level in June 2016. Founded by Charlotte and Ann’s parents, Clarence Jones ’31 (electrical engineering) and Martha (Hansen) Jones (attended 1929-31), the Jones Family Foundation has long been a strong supporter of academic programs and capital projects around the University, including the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center, the planned University Arts Building, renovations to the Fleischmann Planetarium, the Dean’s Future Scholars Program and NevadaFIT. Most recently, the Foundation pledged its support of the proposed new engineering building (see Page 71).

In addition to serving as trustees of the Jones Family Foundation, Ann and Charlotte have both personally supported the University in ways that are meaningful to them, backing scholarships and programs in the College of Education (Ann) and the College of Engineering (Charlotte). Both are champions of Wolf Pack Athletics, and their generosity has been felt by student-athletes and fans alike for decades.

Support from organizations like the Clarence & Martha Jones Family Foundation, and from individuals like Ann and Charlotte, is absolutely critical as the University strives to build inspiring facilities, to develop programs that challenge students and assist our community, and to conduct research that moves the needle for Nevada, the nation and the world. We are grateful for their outstanding generosity and for the generosity of each and every donor on these pages. Together, we are creating a Nevada of which we can all be proud.

24 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Planned Giving Advisory Council helps secure Nevada’s future

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

The Planned Giving Advisory Council helps connect the University to community members who want to make a difference through planned gifts. At its Jan. 25 meeting, the PGAC was given a tour of the University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center – Powered By Switch, a collaborative space designed to stimulate the creation and incubation of start-ups. Front row, left to right: Lynda Mahorter, Leslie Daane ’89, 2017 Chair Sandra Wilson, Greg Yup ’85, Julie Callahan ’89. Back row, left to right: Ron Zideck ’59, McClure Wallace ’03, Darcy Houghton, Mark Quinlan ’78, Tom Rafferty ’98, Bill Creekbaum ’95 MBA, Chris MacKenzie ’90, Sarah Baley, Mike Aurnague ’89, Tammy Love ’02 M.Acc., Scott Albright ’09 M.S., Jason Morris, Mike Rooker ’89, Director of Development Brian Saeman ’98, Director of Planned Giving Lisa Riley.

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A.

T

he University of Nevada, Reno Foundation’s Planned Giving Advisory Council is comprised of some of the best and most highly regarded professionals in northern Nevada. The volunteer council, which includes accountants, attorneys, financial planners and others in fields related to planned giving, meets quarterly to learn about University projects, programs and initiatives that may be of interest to their clients as they

make decisions about wealth management and estate planning. With this knowledge, council members serve as ambassadors to the greater community and work to increase community engagement with the University.

Planned Giving Advisory Council Chair Sandra O. Wilson obtained her bachelor’s and master’s in education at Stanford and her law degree at the University of San Francisco.

Nonetheless, she is a longtime Nevadan and supporter of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Of the role the PGAC plays in the community as ambassadors of the University, she says, “We,

as members of the Planned Giving Council, are a diverse group of business, legal, accounting, trust and other professional advisors and this diversity helps expand the variety of community members we each reach. I, for example, am not an alumna of the University and bring a different perspective to the process of communicating the University’s achievements, plans, dreams and excitement to the larger supporting community. As council members and with our families, friends and clients, we enjoy the chance to spread the University of Nevada, Reno story.”

The Office of Planned Giving recently launched a new website: unrlegacy.org. Curated by Lisa Riley, director of planned giving, and Brian Saeman ‘98, director of development, the website provides in-depth information on the benefits of planned gifts, sample bequest language, and calculators designed to help users determine valuations. The website also provides an up-to-date listing of current and emeriti Planned Giving Advisory Council members.

h

As always, if you cannot find the answer you want on the website, please feel free to contact Lisa at lriley@unr.edu or (775) 682-6017 or Brian at bsaeman@unr.edu or (775) 682-5938.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 25

RENDERING

New engineering building gains momentum

a Courtesy H+K Architects.

by JOANNA TRIEGER

A

new engineering building is planned for campus, and construction could start as early as fall 2018. The University has received widespread community support for the building, a critical addition to the campus’s engineering complex. Governor Brian Sandoval ’86 (English) provided for the building in the biennial budget released earlier this year and $23 million in private philanthropy has been garnered for the project. University funds and private donations comprise more than half of the $87.8 million projected cost of the building, which is pending legislative approval.

The University’s College of Engineering has seen enrollment nearly double in the last 10 years. Area businesses, along with businesses throughout the state and nation, are anxious to hire qualified engineering graduates, like the 262 who received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering from Nevada last year. The University is meeting these demands by hiring more engineering faculty to teach students, to conduct important research and to partner with local industry to meet critical needs. The new engineering building, as proposed at 87,000 square feet, will provide state-of-the-art research laboratory, teaching and office space and a 200-seat classroom.

“We are gratified by the generous support

we have received from individuals, businesses and foundations at this early stage of the project,” says Manos Maragakis, dean of the College of Engineering. “We still have work ahead of us to bring the building to fruition, but it is absolutely time to expand the space available for our faculty, students and community partners to learn, to conduct research and to innovate.”

hTo learn more about supporting the planned new engineering building on campus, please contact Flynn Ginty, director of development, at (775) 682-7696 or fginty@unr.edu.

The following individuals and organizations have provided leadership support for the proposed engineering building: Bretzlaff Foundation

Clarence & Martha Jones Family Foundation

Nell J. Redfield Foundation Barrick Gold Corporation Charles H. Clipper Family Trust Educational Pathways International

Stuart Feigin

Jeff ’76 and Rhonda Ceccarelli ’83, ’93 M.A. Gardner Family EBARA International Roxie & Azad Joseph Foundation Krater Consulting Group, PC The Robert S. & Dorothy J. Keyser Foundation Dick and Charlotte McConnell Mallory Foundation Q & D Construction NV Energy

William Rose ’62, ’65 M.S. Richard ’66, ’71 M.S. and Assunta Natucci Reynolds ’66

26 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Tahoe Prosperity Center helps keep Tahoe safe

1 The Nevada Seismological Laboratory

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A.

A

s nearly two inches of rain fell on Reno Jan. 9, the entire region watched with bated breath to see if the Truckee River would flood. National Weather Service forecasts harkened back to historic flood years like 2005 and 1997, the latter of which caused an estimated $600 million in damage to downtown Reno. Many hunkered down and watched the rising Truckee with trepidation from a camera mounted on Arlington Avenue.

That camera is part of the AlertTahoe program, a wirelessly connected camera system that is designed primarily to help detect nascent wildfires and give first responders an edge in protecting wilderness and saving lives.

An AlertTahoe camera mounted on Arlington Avenue during the Jan. 9 flood warning allowed residents to monitor the rising Truckee River in real time. To watch the time-lapse video, visit http://bit.ly/2lshxjm. The 30-camera AlertTahoe system is run by the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and receives support from the Tahoe Prosperity Center, a regional economic and community development organization.

An initiative of the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and community partners like the Tahoe Prosperity Center, AlertTahoe features 30 strategically placed cameras (one of which was temporarily moved to Arlington during the January flooding) that, in the past three years, have been instrumental in fighting more than 25 wildfires.

“It is important for everyone on campus to turn our research into tangible benefits for our community,” Russell Fields, director of the Mackay School, an AlertTahoe partner, said.

“Through technological advances originating in work performed by our faculty and staff, we

were able to develop the wireless microwave sensor technology that fuels the AlertTahoe system. And with the support of the Tahoe Prosperity Center, we have been able to put that system to good use, protecting land and lives.”

Citing the devastating and costly ($160 million in damage) 2007 Angora fire as an example of the kind of destruction that AlertTahoe can help prevent, the Tahoe Prosperity Center, a regional economic and community development organization, has taken the lead in supporting the AlertTahoe system as part of its goal of ensuring a sustainable and healthy Lake Tahoe Basin.

h

To learn more about supporting the AlertTahoe system, contact Donna Knotek ’12, ’15 MBA, director of development, (775) 682-5952 or dknotek@unr.edu , or Stefanie Givens, associate director of development, (775) 682-8791 or sgivens@unr.edu. 586To learn more about the AlertTahoe system (and to view live feeds of its cameras), visit http://alerttahoe.seismo.unr.edu/.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 27

William N. Pennington Foundation supports Nevada middle and high school instruction

1 Steve Calhoun

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A.

T

he William N. Pennington Foundation recently made a gift to ensure that NevadaTeach continues to train students to excel in the STEM fields and in the classroom.

The University launched NevadaTeach in fall 2015. An educational program that connects Master Teachers in middle and high schools with college students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, NevadaTeach is designed to provide college students with the skills and qualifications necessary to become teachers immediately after graduating. Participants who go on to teach in Nevada’s middle and high schools have the depth of knowledge gained through majoring in a STEM field and exceptional instruction from experienced

h

NevadaTeach Master Teachers Glenn Waddell ’09 M.Ed, Mandi Collins ’02, ’07 M.Ed and Megan Beckam with Program Coordinator Roxanne Piskel. NevadaTeach provides 122 students majoring in STEM fields the opportunity to train with Master Teachers for careers as instructors in middle and high schools, in addition to the career training they receive in their STEM coursework.

teachers in effective pedagogy. NevadaTeach currently employs three Master Teachers who work with 122 students preparing for careers in education.

“The NevadaTeach program is an important part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring Nevada students receive the best education possible from instructors who are not only experts in their subjects but trained by successful teachers to inspire students in the classroom,” Kenneth Coll, dean of the College of Education, said. “The William N. Pennington Foundation’s support of NevadaTeach strengthens our community by nurturing the teachers who will go on to mentor thousands in their teaching careers.”

Gifts from the William N. Pennington

Foundation to NevadaTeach will be used to launch a renovation project in the William Raggio Education Building that will create a physical home for the program. The space will include a dedicated reception area, a student work room, a classroom laboratory, a conference room, six Master Teacher offices, storage space and a director’s office. The spaces will not only centralize NevadaTeach resources but will also facilitate collaboration among NevadaTeach students and their Master Teachers.

In more than 25 years of philanthropy, the William N. Pennington Foundation has given to programs, scholarships and building projects across campus, supporting excellence in the full range of intellectual endeavors.

To learn more about supporting NevadaTeach, contact Kristen Kennedy ’98, director of development, (775) 784- 6873 or kristenk@unr.edu.

28 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016

Marching Band celebrates five years of support from GNCU

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

University President Marc Johnson, Director of Bands Reed Chamberlin, GNCU Chief Operating Officer Dean Altus, GNCU Chief Financial Officer Joyce Whitney-Silva, GNCU President and CEO Wally Murray and Director of Athletic Bands William Plenk with Luna and Wolfie Jr. during the presentation of a ceremonial check from GNCU at the Nevada vs. Boise State men’s basketball game Feb. 22.

by JOANNA TRIEGER

S

ome attend Wolf Pack athletic events for the epic rivalries; others are there for food and friends. But for many, the highlight of a Nevada sporting event is the Wolf Pack Marching Band, aptly named the “Pride of the Sierra.”

The Marching Band is made up of 190 students from all academic disciplines and personal backgrounds, making it one of the most diverse groups on campus. Between home and away athletics performances and special events, the band gives over 70 performances each year. Beyond pure technical skill, the group’s rigorous practice and performance schedule instills a strong work ethic and a sense of pride, ownership and community in its members.

The band may bring the fun to the games, but community partners, like Greater Nevada Credit Union, bring the funds to the band.

GNCU has been one of the group’s biggest supporters for five years and matches community donations, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000 per year. This partnership has been critical to the Marching Band’s success, funding student scholarships, new uniforms, upgraded instruments and equipment, increased instructional staff and unique travel opportunities that define many students’ band experience. With support from GNCU, the band performs at community events throughout the year, including Special Olympics Nevada’s bowling tournament and Polar Plunge fundraiser.

“The Wolf Pack Marching Band is one of the most beloved ways that we connect to the community, and it is so wonderful to see community partners like GNCU responding with enthusiastic support,” said College of Liberal Arts Dean Debra Moddelmog. “Their generosity allows us to make this an exceptionally educational — and rewarding — experience for our hardworking students.”

Member-owned Greater Nevada Credit Union is a not-for-profit, full-service financial institution that has been helping Nevadans since 1949. Their philanthropy at the University extends beyond the Marching Band with gifts to scholarships, programs and KUNR radio.

h

To learn learn more about supporting the Wolf Pack Marching Band in the College of Liberal Arts, please contact Stuart Golder ’91, ’98 M.A., director of development, at (775) 784-1222 or sgolder@unr.edu.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 29

2017 NEVADA HOMECOMING AWARDS NOMINATIONS We are now accepting nominations for the 2017 Nevada Homecoming Awards. If you know someone who fits a description below, please submit the completed nomination form, along with 1-4 pages of supporting material, to the address below by May 15,2017. You can also email the information to Jessica Stack at jstack@unr.edu OR complete the form online at unr.edu/alumni/homecoming/award-nominations. Award winners will be honored during Homecoming, October 19-21.

Nevada Alumni Association • 1664 N. Virginia Street • Reno, NV 89557

Nominee’s Name:

Nominee’s Phone: Nominee’s Address: Award Category (check one): Professional Achievement Award Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

University Service Award

Alumni Association Service Award

Outstanding Chapter of the Year Award

Alumnus of the Year Award

Silver & Blue Appreciation Award Your name:

Your Phone/ Email: Awards Alumnus of the Year An alumnus who has made significant contributions to alumni, students and friends of the University and the Nevada Alumni Association during the past year.

Alumni Association Service A friend or graduate who has rendered special and outstanding service to the Nevada Alumni Association.

Outstanding Chapter of the Year The award recognizes a specific chapter that has made significant contributions to alumni, students and friends of the University and the Alumni Association during the past year.

Outstanding Young Alumnus A graduate less than 15 years past graduation with an outstanding record of career accomplishments, and/or whose dedication, commitment and service to the Nevada Alumni Association has significantly enhanced alumni programming.

Professional Achievement An alumnus/alumna with an outstanding record of career accomplishments.

Silver & Blue Appreciation A foundation/nonprofit or for-profit corporation whose support, service and partnership with the University has enriched the advancement of the University and contributed to its reputation as a leading institution of higher learning.

University Service A friend or graduate who has demonstrated dedication and service to the University.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2016 • 31

pack university tracksfor you

PACK TRACKS

Nevada grit: Coach Jay Norvell ushers in a new era of Wolf Pack football

4 Jay Norvell, right, speaks with University President

Marc Johnson after Norvell was introduced as the 26th head football coach in Wolf Pack history at a press conference on Dec. 9.

J

by CHAD HARTLEY ’03 photos by JOHN BYRNE ay Norvell grew up dreaming about football. As a child in Wisconsin, with the hometown Badgers in his backyard and the legendary Green Bay Packers not far away, football was woven into

the fabric of the culture. But Norvell’s dream always had a twist.

“I would dream about playing football and then I would dream about coaching. In the schoolyard with other kids, I was fasci32 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

nated with organizing and motivating and drawing up plays. I always knew I was going to coach,” Norvell said.

Decades later, after an all-conference playing career on a storied University of Iowa team and more than 30 years as an assistant coach, the 54-year-old has his first head coaching job, ushering in a new and exciting era of Nevada football.

Norvell was officially announced as the 26th head coach in Wolf Pack history Dec. 9

by Athletics Director Doug Knuth. He arrived in Reno with a specific plan to lead Nevada to

the top of the conference.

“The University of Nevada is the flagship program of the state. It is our charge to make it the flagship program of the Mountain West Conference. And that’s what we are going to go to work to do,” Norvell said in his introductory press conference. He shook hands and conducted interviews. He posed for pictures with professors and donors and staffers.

And then he went about a plan some four decades in the making, going back to the schoolyard in Wisconsin. With stops at some of the top collegiate programs in the country and time spent with two different NFL teams, his life’s work has been preparing this plan for his opportunity to be a head coach.

He wants his defense to be fast and physical, an attacking style that made things difficult during his years as an offensive coordinator at schools like Oklahoma and Nebraska. He wants his offense to be athletic and dangerous, possessing the ability to score from all over the field, an aerial attack fused with a lethal running game.

“The first step was to hire the coaching staff,” Norvell said. “I wanted men of character and integrity, and that’s what we got. But we also got experts in the schemes that we will run here.

“The next step was recruiting, and we went out and found players who fit specific needs. We need playmakers. We need toughness. We need big bodies on the offensive line.

And from there, the process continued.”

After National Signing Day, Norvell met one-on-one with each player already in the program. He asked about their families, their goals and ambitions, their majors, their concerns and everything in between. “It was an eye-opening experience,” Norvell said, and a vital step in the process for a coach to

PACK TRACKS

Norvell has leaned on legendary Wolf Pack coach and Hall of Famer Chris Ault (right) for advice during his first few months on campus.

Athletics Director Doug Knuth (right) picked Norvell to restore the winning ways of Wolf Pack football.

understand a group of young men that he will now lead.

Off-season conditioning programs were tailored in a military style to build trust by teaching student-athletes to work together and for each other. Norvell wanted a practice and workout environment where competitiveness would breed success.

Through the meetings with the players, off-season workouts and spring practice sessions, Norvell installed the fabric of the program: three core values that are non-negotiable.

“Respect. Accountability. Hustle,” Norvell said. “These values don’t change. They are expected. We don’t give pats on the back for what is expected. We are expected to be gentlemen. We are expected to work hard, to run through the line. We are expected to outwork the other guy. Those three core values are our culture. That is our Nevada grit.”

Grit is an old-school sports term.

Intestinal fortitude is another. You’ll hear both from Norvell. And if that reminds you of another Wolf Pack football coach, you’re not too far off.

Norvell first met Chris Ault about five years ago when he was the offensive coordinator for a powerhouse Oklahoma Sooners program, and Ault’s protege quarterback, Colin Kaepernick ’10 (management), was about to emerge on the NFL scene and lead the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.

Norvell’s offenses were among the best in the nation, but he knew that success is often the enemy of innovation. A call was placed and Ault found himself in Norman, teaching the concepts of the Pistol offense that he developed more than a decade ago in Reno with the Wolf Pack.

“I so enjoyed that time when he visited with us,” Norvell recalled. “I found him to be a true gentleman coach. We had a mutual respect for each other and I learned a lot from him. As an offensive football coach, you have to keep evolving. Offenses evolve and defenses catch up. That’s the way football has always worked.”

Ault served as a consultant to Doug Knuth during the coaching search, and the Hall of Fame coach has played a large role for Norvell during the transition and offseason.

“His knowledge of football is incredible. His knowledge of Nevada is incredible. Every university has its own personality, its own strengths and weaknesses, its own tradition and its own history. Coach Ault has been so valuable in helping us understand Nevada’s. He spoke with our coaches about the tradition and history here. We know that we are caretakers of a program that is bigger than us, that will be here after us.”

Months into his first tenure as a head coach, everything has gone according to plan. The next step? Norvell said he’s looking forward to further establishing roots in the northern Nevada community with his wife, Kim, and their teenaged son, Jaden. He said that Reno has a lot of the same qualities he cherishes from his time growing up in Madison, Wis., and going to school in Iowa City, Iowa.

“Reno is a lot like those great college towns,” he said. “I’ve been humbled by the friendliness of people and how genuine their feelings are for the University of Nevada. People identify with the program here. And we want them to be proud of it.” N

2017 NEVADA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT LOCATION

James Butler

Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Nov. 4 Nov. 11 Nov. 18 Nov. 25

Northwestern Evanston, Ill. Toledo Reno, Nev. Idaho State Reno, Nev. Washington State Pullman, Wash.

Fresno State* Fresno, Calif.

Hawai`i* Reno, Nev. Colorado State* Fort Collins, Colo.

Air Force* Reno, Nev. Boise State* Boise, Idaho San Jose State* Reno, Nev. San Diego State* San Diego, Calif.

UNLV* Reno, Nev.

* Mountain West Conference game times and television stations to be announced.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 33

UNIVERSITY NEWS good medicine

Good Medicine

New tools for telemedicine

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

by JAMES RUTTER, Class of 2017

D

r. Paul Park ’06 M.D., Ph.D. (cellular and molecular biology) believes telemedicine is the future of patient care in Nevada. To help healthcare professionals administer clinical services remotely, Park developed the Hummingdoc Flip, a device that connects to a smartphone and records data from a patient’s heart and lungs. And he hopes the Hummingdoc Flip will soon be standard in every first-aid kit.

To operate the device, the user places the microphone from a pair of Apple EarPods in its center, closes the lid, and plugs the EarPods into a smartphone, thereby effectively giving the user his or her own stethoscope.

Park is in the process of developing an

34 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

app to work with the Hummingdoc Flip that will allow mothers to record fetal heartbeat and send the information to physicians remotely.

Park says the University has been a great catalyst for success during the development process. Working with the University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center — Powered By Switch and community partners, Park used the 3-D printer at the University’s DeLaMare Library to print his first prototypes. With access to these services, he’s been able to set the price of his product at a fraction of the price of his direct competitor. “The makers of the app we use sell a similar device for around $500,” Park said. “With our product you get about 90 percent of that functionality, but ours costs $79.

“From a product development standpoint, the DeLaMare Library staff has been awesome.

One of the students showed me all the computer

resources and the 3-D printer, which was really helpful,” Park said. “And now in the business development phase, the Innevation Center has been a real game-changer, by providing a great place to work and meet with advisors, as well as resources like student assistance. Jim Sacherman, the director of the Innevation Center, has really helped with business advice and finding additional resources.”

Park also described Reno as a changing landscape for entrepreneurs, where local groups are working to redefine business in the Biggest Little City. “There’s capital here, and Reno has really been pushing to reinvent itself as a home for entrepreneurs,” he said. “There are a lot of people, like those at the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, who are trying to build that reputation.”

Park says he first got the entrepreneurship bug when he was working in Cambodia in the

GOOD MEDICINE

Adult with atrial fibrillation (irregularly irregular heart rhythm)

Fetal heart sounds at 35 weeks (magnified)

2 Combining the Hummingdoc Flip, Apple EarPods, and

a smartphone gives patients the ability to effectively have their own stethoscope.

4 Paul Park ’06 M.D., Ph.D. invented the Hummingdoc

Flip working closely with the Innevation Ceter – Powered

By Switch and other community partners.

Breath Sounds

spring of 2014. “I got interested in some of the humanitarian work happening in that part of the world, where sometimes they don’t even have the equipment necessary to provide basic medical care,” he said. Park and his colleagues often did not have access to the medical equipment they needed. “I started thinking it’d be great if we had a portable endoscopic device.

We could take it around to places that don’t have a lot of medical equipment,” Park said.

“While I was there I saw all of this development happening outside government efforts and humanitarian aid groups,” Park said. “I realized that entrepreneurs had a large role to play in helping these people.”

But it was ultimately an encounter with an ill friend back in Cambodia after his return to the U.S. that gave Park the idea for his company.

“I had a friend who was emailing me about some symptoms he was having. I thought, he’s

either having atypical migraines or what we call transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes,” Park explained. “One of the ways we could have made a determination would have been to listen to his carotid arteries for a specific sound. That was when I wished I could have also listened to his heart. And that was the piece of the interaction – the missing data – that really limited how I was able to assess him remotely.”

Park believes the need for his Hummingdoc Flip, and other telemedicine products, will continue to increase in the coming years, as both populations and doctor shortages increase.

“I believe everyone is going to be using telemedicine consultations eventually. I think it’s inevitable. It’s very clear that there just won’t be enough physicians to meet the rising demand, and the solution to that is technology.

Instead of having patients travel great distances and sit in waiting rooms before being seen, we

can use technology to streamline their visits.”

Park’s mission is to give patients an overall better health care experience by giving them the tools to learn more about their health and making telemedicine a more efficient process.

This will also provide greater access to health care in places where it’s currently lacking, such as in rural communities.

“With technologies like ours, we can provide better health care to people in remote areas where they don’t have access to the right equipment or enough doctors. The big picture is to empower patients and to make health care more cost effective and efficient for everyone,” he said.

The Hummingdoc Flip device is available online at www.hummingdoc.com. The app currently under development is expected to be available by early summer 2017. N

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 35

GATHERINGS 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center Opening The newly opened E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center was commemorated at an event Feb. 22. The facility features more than 108,000 square feet of multiuse space including a 200-meter, three-lane indoor running track. 1 DAVID CALVERT and 1 THERESA DANNADOUGLAS (4, 7, 8)

1 Dale Raggio and University President Emeritus Joe Crowley ’03 (honorary degree). 2 Geraldine Lilley and University President Emeritus John Lilley.

3 Nevada System of Higher Education Regent Rick Trachok ’74. 4 -6 E. L. Wiegand Foundation President Kristen Avansino ’16 (honorary doctor of humane letters) cuts the ribbon to open the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center.

She is joined on stage by NSHE Regent Jason Geddes ’90, ’95 Ph.D., Gabelli Asset Management, Inc. Vice President Marisa Avansino, E. L. Wiegand Foundation Chairman Skip Avansino ’65, University President Marc Johnson, ASUN President Brandon Boone and students Lesly Grajeda and Andrew Pugh holding the ceremonial ribbon (an exercise band), tied to exercise weights on either side. 7 University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Trustee John Dooley, Liza Bradley ’96 and Foundation Trustee Emeritus Joe Bradley ’78.

36 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

8 Maureen Rovig, Foundation Trustee Emeritus Dan Rovig, Rebecca Pennell and Foundation Trustee Bill Pennell. 9 Brian Kernan, Luke Morales, Jim Mickey ’85, Lance Semenko ’88, Don Grove, David Evans, Director of Capital Improvement Projects John Walsh ’82 and Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness Jim Fitzsimmons ’91, ’97 M.S., ’12 Ed.D. 10 Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations John Carothers and Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation Trustee Craig Karrasch.

11 Vice President of Student Services Shannon Ellis.

12 ASUN President Brandon Boone.

12

GATHERINGS

1

2

3

4

6

5

7

8

9

TEDxUniversityofNevada Speakers and participants shared “ideas worth spreading” during the Jan. 21 TEDxUniversityofNevada at the Grand Sierra Resort. 1 CHRIS HOLLOMAN 1 Vanessa Vancour, coordinator for the Nevada Media Alliance with the Reynolds School of Journalism, shared a simple tactic to challenge some of our most basic assumptions about other people. 2 Albert Lee, assistant professor of voice and opera at the University of Nevada, Reno, sang the national anthem, then reflected on its meanings and challenges. 3 Adam Kramer, University of Nevada, Reno Foundation trustee and executive vice president of strategy for Switch, described how Paris Hilton changed his life. 4 Ashley Greenwald Tragash ’09 M.A., ’16 Ph.D., project administrator for the Positive Behavior Support-Nevada project and the School Climate Transformation Project in the College of Education, juxtaposed the different approaches our society takes to childbirth.

Blue Tie Ball

Discover Science Lecture

The annual event benefiting Wolf Pack student-athlete scholarships was held at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Feb. 10. 1 MARK RAUH

The brilliance of Saturn’s rings lit up the Redfield Auditorium in the Davidson Mathematics and Science Center March 16 when renowned planetary scientist Carolyn Porco spoke as part of the Discover Science Lecture Series. 1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

5 Students perform a Great Gatsby-themed dance.

6 Grant Korgan ’04, Shawna Korgan, Ciara Pegoda ’03 and Josh Pegoda. 7 Christopher Galli, Lori Windfeldt, former Alumni Council President Ty Windfeldt ’95, Diana Bourgeois, April Carroll ’91, ’96 M.A., and Allen Coldani.

8 College of Science Dean Jeff Thompson, Carolyn Porco and Professor of Geological Sciences and Engineering Wendy Calvin.

9 In 2010, Porco was awarded the Carl Segan Medal for Excellence in the Communication of Science to the Public by the American Astronomical Society.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

• 37

pack university tracksfor you

UNIVERSITY FOR YOU

Practicing medicine

At the University’s Student Outreach Clinic, doctors-in-training run the show while providing a health care safety net for the community.

E

by JOANNA TRIEGER • photos by KATHLEEN GO ’16

arly on a Saturday morning, the waiting room at the University’s Student Outreach Clinic looks like any other. Between sips of coffee, a smiling staffer greets new arrivals and checks them in. Waiting patients tap on their phones. Medical brochures line the walls.

But there’s something different about this clinic. Here, under the guidance of supervising physicians, medical students are in charge of all clinic operations. Here, most of the patients don’t have health insurance, and virtually none will pay for their visits.

The Student Outreach Clinic, now located on campus in the Family Medicine Center, came into existence in 1996 when second-year medical students wanted a way to interact with patients while giving back to the community.

Before clinical rotations start in their third year, medical students are typically focused on academics and have little patient contact.

“There are so many academic things for second-year students to worry about, like passing their boards and studying for tests,” says Professor and Chair of Family and Community Medicine Dr. Daniel Spogen, the clinic’s faculty advisor. “This clinic refocuses their attention on the true goal of medical school: learning how to care for patients. It teaches them the fundamentals so that when they start their clinical rotations in their third year they can hit the ground running.”

Second-year medical students, led by an elected executive board, run every 38 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

Visit the Student Outreach Clinic WHERE: Family Medicine Center (corner of 17th St. and E. Stadium Way, on campus). RTC Bus Route 7 or the Sierra Spirit Bus will get you there.

WHEN: Most Saturday mornings and one Tuesday evening per month. Visit http://med.unr.edu/soc/ clinics for a full schedule. No appointment is necessary.

86 visit > http://med.unr.edu/soc to learn more.

5

UNIVERSITY FOR YOU

Left: First-year medical students Ryan Johnson (center) and Peter Park (right) practice a physical exam on Student Outreach Clinic volunteer Samantha Palacios. Top right: Second-year medical student Steven Kim (right) discusses a patient’s diabetes treatment plan with first-year medical student Joseph Rebman. Bottom right: First-year medical students (from left to right) Patrick McGuire, Megan Oberbillig and Zina Stavitsky prepare free immunizations for patients at the Student Outreach Clinic.

aspect of the clinic, from scheduling to marketing and finances to patient care under the guidance of a preceptor.

“The students run everything,” says Spogen. “They are the doctors in this setting, and the preceptors are there to help and guide them.”

Phillip Breslow ’15 (biology and community health sciences), a second-year medical student, was the clinic’s executive director for the 2016-17 year.

“It’s a mutually beneficial system,” Breslow says. “Without the clinic, many of our patients wouldn’t receive care, and this is really our first major opportunity to give back to the community. On the flip side, we get so much from the experience. We learn how to be better doctors.”

Grant funding originally provided resources for general and women’s health clinics. Now, with increased funding from community donors, the students are able to offer additional clinics in pediatrics, geriatrics and dermatology.

Diagnostics, like blood work, can often be run in-house, greatly reducing or even eliminating the cost to the patient. As partnerships are created with other schools on campus, like social work and foreign languages, the scope and quality of care available to patients at the clinic is expanding each year. The combined clinics treat about 800 patients annually, and virtually all services are offered for free.

“The patients served here are those who have trouble accessing health care. Either they have insurance and they can’t get in to see their primary care provider, or they don’t have insurance,” says Spogen. “At the Student Outreach Clinic, we don’t ask them any questions about their insurance coverage or their ability to pay. Even when we’re treating patients for chronic conditions, our care is free of charge. It’s a true safety net.”

Maria* has been coming to the women’s health clinic for four years.

“I don’t have medical insurance, so if I couldn’t come here I don’t know where I would go,” she says. “The doctors here are really good.”

As a native Spanish speaker, Maria takes advantage of the clinic’s translation services, also provided by students.

“I understand a little bit of English, but when the doctor is speaking it is very specific, so I love to have the translator. They are in the room every time I visit.”

Hailey*, a master’s student in social work at the University, visited the Student Outreach Clinic for the first time for a minor surgical procedure.

“The doctors were amazing,” Hailey says. “I was told elsewhere that this procedure could be a bit complicated and could even create some scar tissue, but they did it in 10 minutes, and it was painless. I’d definitely come back.”

She also appreciates the clinic’s focus on connection to local services.

“Before the procedure, they had me take a survey about my housing situation and access to social services. It’s really cool to see that they’re looking at patients from a social work perspective.”

Support from community partners like the Nell J. Redfield Foundation, Aspire Capital Partners (formerly Abowd & Rose Financial Group) and Patricia D. Cafferata, Esq. (in memory of Dr. H. Treat Cafferata) has been integral to the success of the clinic.

“Grants and donor funding have been essential in creating the Student Outreach Clinic and transitioning it from a small, off-site operation into what it is today: a full-service clinic with advanced testing and diagnostic capabilities,” says Dr. Thomas L. Schwenk, dean of the School of Medicine. “The generosity of our donors combined with the passion and enthusiasm of our students makes this an outstanding resource for patients in the community.”

From the students who run the clinic to the administrators and donors who make it possible, the focus is clear: serving patients. When asked what he would like the community to hear about the clinic, Phillip Breslow doesn’t miss a beat.

“Come see us,” he says. “We’d love to have you here.” N

1 Courtesy Jennifer Ott ’13

sole 5k

*Patient names have been changed.

Heart and APRIL 22 Sole , 2017 5K ND

5K & 1 MILE: 11:00 AM

BBQ & MUSIC AFTER Join the UNR Med community for the THE HeartRACE and Sole 5k!

Check in: 9:00-10:30 am On the Knowledge Center Lawn

WHAT:Walk, A 5K and 1-mile fun run jog, or race your way across the finish line to support the Student WHEN:Outreach Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m.

Clinic at the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine! help provide free primary care to uninsured Nevadans.

WHERE: Proceeds Start and end on the Knowledge Center lawn

admission Prices

Admission is $25 for adults and $20 for students, including a Early Bird Aprilto 1stthe ) post-race BBQ. All proceeds go(Ends directly Student Outreach $22 Adult Clinic in support of their mission to provide outstanding care to $16 Student uninsured and underinsured Nevadans.

General Admission $25 $20

Adult Student

86 Register online > http://www.amsaunr.org/soc5k.

5

REGISTER ON: WWW.AMSAUNR.ORG/SOC5K

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 39 For more information please contact Samantha Palacios at amsa.unr@gmail.com ASUN reminds you to request a ride from ASUN Campus Escort Services at www.unr.edu/campus-escort or call 742-6808 if you need a ride after an event. ASUN supports providing equal access to all programs for people with disabilities. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations are encouraged to email amsa.unr@gmail.com

UNIVERSITY pack university tracksforNEWS you

UNIVERSITY NEWS

During the annual fish migration in January and February, thousands of fishermen descend on the Tonle Sap, a tributary of the Mekong River, to take advantage of the river’s bounty – billions of fish of all shapes and sizes.

1 Courtesy University of Nevada, Reno

Wonders of the Mekong

by MIKE WOLTERBEEK ’02

T

he University’s Global Water Center research team officially launched its Wonders of the Mekong initiative in Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tuesday, Feb. 7. The five-year project aims to preserve a functional, biodiverse and healthy Mekong River. The Wonders of the Mekong: A Foundation for Sustainable Development and Resilience is funded by the U.S. Agency for

International Development (USAID).

“This project is a great opportunity for us to share our knowledge and expertise on water and biodiversity issues with other institutions and learn from the experiences of experts in the Mekong River Basin,” said Zeb Hogan, assistant research professor at the University of Nevada, Reno and lead researcher on the project. Hogan has been conducting research on the river for 20 years.

The team will be working with one of the main partners on this project, the Cambodian Inland Fisheries Research and Development Institute, on fisheries studies, migration studies and endangered species research. The launch

event featured remarks from USAID-Cambodia Mission Director Polly Dunford and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Secretary of State Nao Thuk.

“The Mekong River, with its total length of about 2,700 miles, is the most productive river on Earth,” said Thuk. “The project will contribute to conserving the beauty and sustainability of this mighty river for the benefit of the people living on and along it.”

“USAID is pleased to partner with the University on this important initiative that will help maintain the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of one of the most important river and delta systems in the world,” Dunford said.

UNIVERSITY NEWS Read more @ NEVADAToday 40 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

unr.edu/nevada-today

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Students at Mamie Towles Elementary School learn about animals from Cara Goff ’12, Main Station Farm manager and research technician.

1 Theresa Danna-Douglas

Excellence in animal care and research

by JANE TORS ’82

T

he Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International recently renewed the University’s full accreditation for use of animals in teaching, testing and research, reflecting Nevada’s commitment to going above and beyond the letter of the law in achieving excellence in animal care. AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in

science and first awarded the voluntary and internationally recognized accreditation to the University in 2007.

The University works with animals in many ways — on the farms of the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station and through research and teaching programs in the field and in labs on campus. The animal resources team of veterinarians and certified professionals oversees animal care University-wide and provides veterinary services, ensures regulatory compliance, facilitates training for those who

work with animals, and helps develop curriculum and learning opportunities for students.

“The University’s animal program is complex, and the corresponding rigorous review is highly valued and keeps the focus on continued improvement,” said Animal Resources Director and Campus Attending Veterinarian Ben Weigler. In addition to faculty-led Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee oversight and the AAALAC International accreditation review, the University’s animal program is reviewed at least annually by the USDA and is subject to oversight by the Office of Animal Laboratory Welfare, part of the National Institutes of Health.

Hannah Jackson awarded Silver Paw by HANNAH RICHARDSON, Class of 2017

T

he University’s Center for Student Engagement awarded Hannah Jackson with the fall 2016 Silver Paw Award. The award recognizes students who exhibit civic responsibility, leadership and personal growth, and embody the ideals and spirit of an engaged student.

Jackson is a sophomore double majoring in secondary education and journalism with a minor in political science. She is also involved with a number of student groups and organizations on campus. “To

me, the practice of civic engagement is the laboratory in which we become better citizens,” Jackson said.

Jackson will receive a personalized plaque and will have her profile and accomplishments displayed on campus.

5 Hannah Jackson’s involvement with a number of student groups and organizations earned her the Silver Paw Award for fall 2016. 1 Courtesy ASUN NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 41

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Kostas Alexis is director of the College of Engineering’s Autonomous Robots Lab. 1 Mike Wolterbeek ’02

Nevada robots could help clean up nuclear waste

by MIKE WOLTERBEEK ’02

C

leaning up old nuclear waste sites around the country is a long, expensive and dangerous process — and research at the University of Nevada, Reno promises to help with a combination of advanced, intelligent, autonomous aerial and ground robots that have a new level of perception, navigation and planning abilities.

The College of Engineering’s Autonomous Robots Lab, under the direction of Assistant Professor Kostas Alexis, has completed a proof of concept for a drone that flies by itself in dark corridors looking for nuclear radiation and toxic chemicals.

“We’ve designed and built an aerial robot with multimodal mapping capabilities that includes inertial sensing, LiDAR, cameras with synchronized flashing LEDs, as well as sensors for radiation and chemical sensing to localize itself and comprehensively map its environment in very high quality,” Alexis said.

“Basically, it flies itself into a dark corridor, maps the area, including complex structures such as tanks or barrels, and simultaneously finds radioactive areas or toxic chemicals using a variety of sensors. It learns the environment — the space, the contents and the dangers —

and reports back to us.”

Their work is part of a National Robotics Initiative project funded by the Department of Energy to clean up the legacy sites of the Manhattan project that have been shuttered for decades. The information will be used by the Department of Energy to build a cleanup plan based on what the autonomous robots locate, analyze and map. “Specifically, we are hoping that we can enable the autonomous multimodal mapping of the PUREX tunnels where multiple train cars are holding nuclear waste,” said Alexis.

For the three-year program, they have put together an interdisciplinary team of experts in perception, motion-planning, ground robots, micro aerial vehicles, and nuclear robotics, including colleagues at the Robotics Institute of Carnegie Mellon University.

An everyday hero by HANNAH RICHARDSON, Class of 2017

M

any years ago, Dr. Trudy Larson, professor and director of the School of Community Health Sciences, worked with a team from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine to implement and evaluate HIV/AIDS nutrition services in an outpatient setting. Today, their findings inform nutritional care for HIV/AIDS patients. Larson has also worked on projects with the Nevada State Division of Public and Behavioral Health in evaluating the status of care for mothers with HIV and their infants. Through large needs assessments, she and her colleagues identified important treatments and services needed in Nevada and evaluated how services for HIV/AIDS affect outcomes. Her

42 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

findings currently inform policies and funding decisions.

According to Larson, a baby has not been born with HIV in northern Nevada for 23 years, thanks to her work and care of mothers with HIV. She said that it is a testament to the routine testing that obstetricians do to identify women with the disease early in pregnancy.

“I help manage those pregnancies by starting medications and following the women and their infants after delivery,” Larson said.

“The treatment of HIV has become so advanced that medications are easy to take and very effective at treating the women and protecting their infants.”

UNIVERSITY NEWS

The Wolf Pack basketball team celebrates its first ever Mountain West Championship after beating Colorado State in the final regular season game at Lawlor Events Center in March.

1 John Byrne

Wolf Pack hoops team returns to prominence with championship season

by CHAD HARTLEY ’03

T

he Nevada men’s basketball team returned to the nation’s biggest stage this season after a 10-year absence when it qualified for the NCAA Tournament following a championship Mountain West season.

Nevada’s March Madness charge ended in the Big Dance as the 12th-seeded Wolf Pack fell to No. 5 seed Iowa State in the first round, losing 84-73 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The loss ended the Wolf Pack’s sensational season with a record of 28-7.

The Wolf Pack claimed the MW regular season title by beating Colorado State 85-72 at Lawlor Events Center on March 4. The victory came in front of its second sold-out crowd of the season as Nevada set a school record with an average of 8,923 fans per home game in 2016-17.

The regular-season championship is the first for the Pack since joining the conference in 2012.

Nevada went on to the MW Tournament championship the following week in Las Vegas, defeating Utah State in the quarterfinals and Fresno State in the semifinals to set up a show-

down against Colorado State in the final. The Wolf Pack never trailed in the championship game, building a 16-point lead in the first half and then holding off a Rams charge to claim a 79-71 victory and sweep the conference trophies for the season.

Wolf Pack Head Coach Eric Musselman was named the District VIII Coach of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association. After inheriting a team that won just nine games the season prior, Musselman has led the Pack to 52 wins in the past two seasons.

5 Dr. Trudy Larson is a professor and director of the School of Community Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is also co-founder of Northern Nevada HOPES, a nonprofit community health center in downtown Reno that offers patients integrated medical care and wellness services. Left to right: Kathy Bandur, Dr. Trudy Larson, Colleen Martin and Angelica Gallegos.

1

Courtesy Dr. Trudy Larson

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 43

UNIVERSITY NEWS

From coffee rings to DNA sequencing

by MIKE WOLTERBEEK ’02

T

he formation of the humble coffee stain has been the subject of complex studies for decades, though it turns out there remain some stones still to be overturned.

Researchers in the College of Engineering have modeled how a droplet of coffee evaporates and found a previously overlooked mechanism that more accurately determines the dynamics of particle deposition in evaporating sessile droplets.

“Understanding and manipulating the dynamics of particle deposition during evaporation of colloidal drops can be used in DNA sequencing, painting, ink jet printing and fabricating ordered micro/nano-structures,” said Hassan Masoud, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

“And now we understand it better than ever before. We believe our findings are going to

Nevada Leads

by NICOLE SHEARER ‘03

T

he University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Education is partnering with Washoe County School District to redesign its Educational Leadership graduate student program, Nevada Leads. Launched in spring 2017, Nevada Leads is a program designed to prepare graduate students to be elementary, middle and high school principals.

44 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

Despite a decent amount of server space and speed, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Hassan Masoud, center, his doctoral student Saeed Jafari Kang, right, and post-doctoral fellow Vahid Vandadi ’15 Ph.D. opted to write out their many equations in longhand form on dozens of large pieces of newsprint paper as they modelled a more accurate look at coffee ring droplet deposition.

fundamentally change the common perception of the mechanism responsible for the so-called coffee-ring phenomenon.”

Until now, the coffee-ring stain was thought to form as a result of the fluid flow inside the drop. Masoud and his team found that the free surface of the droplet, the top layer where it is in contact with the air, plays a critical role in the deposition of the particles.

“Our innovative approach — and using some ugly-long equations — distinguishes our work from previous research,” he said. “No one else has used this coordinate system for this problem, and this allows us to track the motion of particles in the drop in a natural way.”

The discovery allows scientists to manipulate the motion of solute particles by altering the surface tension of the liquid-gas interface rather than controlling the bulk flow inside the drop.

“We can use surfactants to tweak the surface tension,” Masoud said. “In a simple example, if you are cleaning solar panels, which can lose up to 90 percent of their efficiency when dirty, the preferred method of cleaning is with water, but that leaves behind a stain that is hard to wipe out. Changing the flow dynamics during evaporation with a specialized cleaning agent could leave the panels cleaner and able to operate more efficiently.”

“Nevada Leads is an innovative, University-district partnership designed to improve the preparation of effective educational leaders,” said Melissa Burnham ’94 (human development), ’96 M.S. (human development), associate dean and professor in the College of Education. “Well-prepared leaders improve teacher retention, which is a key strategy to address Nevada’s severe teacher shortage.”

Supporting Nevada Leads are 14 Washoe County School District principals who will serve as mentors to 25 teachers in the first cohort. Many of the principals will also assist in course creation and serve as co-instructors.

“This program will deepen the pool of highly qualified teachers who are excited and ready to assume leadership roles in our schools in order to prepare our more than 64,000 students for college, career and global citizenship,” shared Salwa Zaki, Washoe County School District professional learning director and Nevada Leads co-creator. “Nevada Leads will be the model principal-preparation program in our state and beyond.”

Funding for the first year of Nevada Leads is provided by a $113,000 grant the University received through the Nevada Department of Education.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

The Georgianna Trexler Memorial Garden on campus features weeping cherry trees, flowering pink almond, Mexican primrose and purple allium.

1

Courtesy University of Nevada, Reno

Grand Award for gorgeous grounds

by NATALIE SAVIDGE ‘04

T

he Professional Grounds Management Society recognized the University of Nevada, Reno with a Grand Award in the Society’s 2016 Green Star Awards competition. The award was given in the

University and College Grounds category for exceptional grounds maintenance.

“This is an exciting achievement and national recognition for our University,” said Marty Sillito, assistant director of grounds services in the University’s Department of

Facilities Maintenance Services.

Sillito, along with the University’s Arboretum Board, his team of 26 grounds crew members including student workers, and many others worked hard to achieve Tree Campus USA status for the University of Nevada, Reno in 2014, with the official ceremony held Arbor Day 2015.

The Green Star Awards program brings recognition to grounds maintained with a high degree of excellence, complementing other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction.

“I believe we were awarded, in part, because of some of our large-scale green waste diversion, green waste recycling and all-natural soil fertility projects,” Sillito said. “The all-organic composted products that the University purchases for its lawns and gardens reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and herbicides.

Our campus landscape also provides a variety of attractive features such as waterfalls, wisteria-covered trellises, creeping vines, blooming rose gardens, a wide variety of daffodils, tulips, irises and hyacinth and a beautifully manicured lawn on the historic Quad, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and surrounded by century-old elms.”

Nevada is known for its clear blue skies, and Heather Holmes aims to keep it that way.

Heather Holmes, Ph.D. has a passion for understanding air pollution and its effects on human health. Her research combines numerical weather prediction, chemical transport modeling and field experiments to investigate pollutant accumulation, transport and mixing. She shares her work with epidemiologists for health and public policy assessments. Thanks to Heather's research, folks around the world and across Nevada can live healthier and breathe easier.

THE NEW NEVADA

IS POWERED BY

KNOWLEDGE.

THE KIN

WE GENERATD E

EVERY DAY.

poweredby.unr.edu

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 45

Home Means

NEVADA ALUMNI COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Mary-Ann K. Brown ’85, ’96 M.S. President

Nick Butler ’02, ’06 M.Acc.

Past President

Kris (Perkins) Layman ’93 President-elect/Treasurer

Mike McDowell ’03

Vice President for Chapter Development

Chrissy Menicucci ’86

Vice President for Membership & Marketing

Joe Nannini ’00, ’10 Ed.S. Vice President for Student Involvement

Amy (Stechman) Ozuna ’08 Vice President for Community Outreach

BOARD MEMBERS Gary Aldax ’92 Derek Beenfeldt ’93, ’11 M.D. Brandon Boone* (President, ASUN) John K. Carothers* (Vice President, Development & Alumni Relations)

Delores (Bercellos) Clewe ’69 Peter Costa ’84, ’88 M.D. Matthew Forman ’06 Michael Hix ’89 Sandesh Kannan ’16 MBA (President , GSA) Doug Knuth* (Director, Intercollegiate Athletics)

John Krmpotic ’90 Trevor Macaluso ’11 Megan May ’05, ’07, ’13 MBA Deb Pierce ’86 Jake Pereira ’15 Christopher G. Smith ’01 Ken Creighton ’75* (Chair,

Foundation Board of Trustees)

Jack Sutton ’70 Paul Thomsen ’01, ’10 MPA Jocelyn Weart ’00 Scott Walquist ’02 Katie (Sens) Weigel ’96 Victor Wowo ’11 Chul Yim ’04

STAFF MEMBERS Bruce Mack

Associate Vice President, Development & Alumni Relations

Amy J. (Zurek) Carothers ’01 M.A. Director, Alumni Relations

Moses S. Achoka ’07 M.A. Manager, Publications and Graphic Design

Carrie Henderson Bushá ’06 Manager, Alumni Relations

Kevin Price

Manager, Alumni Relations

Jessica Stack ’11

Manager, Alumni Relations

Courtney Wadhams

Manager, Alumni Relations

Hope Robinson

Administrative Assistant III

* ex-officio member

1 Carrie Bushá ’06

Class

Chat

Land a new job? Climb a mountain or sail across the ocean? Get married or have a baby?

We want to hear about it! Submit your Class Chat at unr.edu/silverandblue/classchat.

Class

Chat

PRESIDENT, Nevada Alumni Council

1960s

Dear alumni and friends,

Our University has always held a special place in my heart. And since I began my tenure as Nevada Alumni Council president, my love for Nevada continues to grow. I recently attended my first University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Board of Trustees meeting and was moved by the monumental work our trustees do to make our University among the best in the country. During my involvement with Senior Scholar award recipients I was impressed not only with the outstanding academics of our students, but with the reciprocal way students affect their faculty mentors — at Nevada, we learn from each other.

As a parent of a current student, I’m grateful for everything this University has given my family.

As an alumna, I’m immensely proud of my alma mater. And as Nevada Alumni Council president, I’m honored to have the opportunity to give back to the institution that gave me and my community so much. I invite you to join the Alumni Association at Pack Picnics, Homecoming, chapter gatherings and many other events throughout the year to reconnect with your University and all of the amazing people from Nevada.

I hope to see you soon,

Mary-Ann (Merlo) Brown ’85, ’96 M.S.

48 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

1970s

N BEN ECHEVERRIA ’61 (chemistry), ’64 M.A. (counseling and educational psychology) published his first novel, “Don’t Call Me Madam,” a piece of historical fiction about a lady of the evening who worked for a short time “behind the board fence” in one of the small Nevada towns where prostitution is legal. It is a story of the psychological injury suffered by women before they free themselves of this form of gold-rush slavery. It is a story of survival of mind, body and character.

ALBERT WIGCHERT ’74 (electrical engineering)

RUSS PIKE ’61 (business administration) and LAURI (LONG) NITZ ’73 (Spanish) recently

(history) is writing under the name of J. Lee Taylor and recently published the fifth novel in her Cindy Nesbit mystery series, the Curse of the Ibis Box. She lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills and is at work on her next novel.

formed New Venture Management, a business consulting service focusing on startups with offices in Reno, San Francisco and Denver. With over 50 years of experience between them in legal services, marketing, business management and investor services, they offer personalized guidance for small business owners.

is a member of the LiberFactory team that wrote the software needed for the recent migration of the computers at CNAF, an agency of the French government, to ATOS. This is the largest migration from one vendor to another in the entire history of the computer industry.

1980s

JUDY TAYLOR ’80 (political science) ’95 M.A.

BARBARA (COLES) MARINOFF ’63 (political

science) moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2002 and works for Fennemore Craig as a legal secretary. Her husband, Sam, passed away in 2008, and it still seems strange to her when she checks “widow” on forms in the doctor’s office. Their son, Brian, lives in Flagstaff and is the pastry chef at 1899 Bar and Grill. Barbara hasn’t retired yet, and probably won’t for a while. Her time at the University of Nevada, Reno feels like just a few years ago; it was a remarkable and rewarding few years for Barbara.

N TERRY SULLIVAN ’81 (biology) is retiring from the military after more than 25 years of service in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army. He is looking forward to spending more time enjoying his home in Reno with his wife, Misty, and all that northern Nevada has to offer, including Wolf Pack sports!

Read more about Terry online in the Pack Post at unr.edu/alumni/thepackpost.

Class

N

Chat

N

Nevada Alumni Lifetime Member Nevada Alumni Annual Member

LISA (LEACHMAN) HAGGERTY ’82 (physical

TODD WHITE ’89

(resource management) is executive vice president and chief operating officer at Goldcorp. Prior to joining Goldcorp in 2014, Todd was senior vice president, South America at Newmont Mining Corporation.

education) is celebrating her 27th year in the emergency medical system. She currently lives in San Jose, California, with her daughter and enjoys hiking with her dog and working out at the gym.

BRETT WYRICK ’83

(premedical) was recently promoted to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Air Force. Brett is dual board certified in surgery and aerospace medicine and has served as a trauma surgeon in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is presently assigned as the assistant adjutant general for the Hawaii Air National Guard in Honolulu.

RON DEBELLIS ’85 (premedical) is faculty at the

Keck Graduate Institute and has recently taken on the role of chief scientific officer for the National Organization for Rare Disorders. One in 10 people in the U.S., or 30 million patients, suffers from a rare disease.

1990s BERNADETTE LONGO ’90 (nursing) has been selected as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. A very prestigious award, there are less than 10 AAN members in the state of Nevada.

JACCI (TERRY) TURNER ’91 M.A. (counseling and educational psychology) recently published a novel entitled “The Retreat: A Tale of Spiritual Awakening,” available on all eBook outlets. Jacci is the author of nine young adult and middle grade fiction books. She is the director of bereavement and spiritual care at A Plus Hospice Care.

WADE B. GOCHNOUR ’92 (accounting) has recently been selected to the Class of 2017 Leadership Henderson Program by Howard & Howard Attorneys. The program is an eight-month course devoted to educating and empowering civic-minded professionals with a goal of building and maintaining a strong network of effective community leaders.

JENNIFER HILL ’94 (journalism) has joined Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada as director of philanthropy and is responsible for cultivating and stewarding relationships with individual, corporate, foundation and government donors, as well as implementing fundraising campaigns and events.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 49

Class

Chat

DAVID GILLER ’96 (criminal justice) served four years in the Navy as an operation specialist after he graduated from Nevada. After that, he took a job with the Department of Justice as an immigration officer in San Jose, California, where he stayed for 11 years. David then transferred to Tampa, Florida, where he was an immigration officer. He currently works for the Department of Homeland Security in Greer, South Carolina.

David has worked in immigration for 16 years, and his favorite part of the job is administering the Oath of Allegiance to new U.S. citizens.

JONATHAN KARR ’97 (chemical engineering) is the owner of Telescope Lanes, Blind Onion Pizza and Coldstone Creamery in Elko, and was recently elected county commissioner for Elko County.

er

ANDREW BOURELLE ’05 M.A. (English), ’09 Ph.D.

(English) published his first novel, “Heavy Metal,” in February 2017. The novel won the Autumn House Press Fiction Prize and was described by the judge as “a real gut-punch of a novel, ‘Heavy Metal’ sings with energy and

beauty and honest abandon about grief and hope and trying to find one’s balance in an unsteady world.” Andrew is an assistant professor of English at the University of New Mexico.

N

LISA JANSEN ’05

(marketing), ’15 MBA has been named assistant vice president of community relations for the northern Nevada branches of One Nevada Credit Union.

Lisa is a fourth-generation Nevadan and third-generation University of Nevada, Reno graduate.

SCOTT CAREY ’07 (geography) was appointed

by Sparks Mayor Geno Martini and the Sparks City Council to serve on the city’s planning commission. The planning commission advises the City Council on long-term development of the city including such issues as natural resources, economics, housing, population, land use and zoning. Scott has worked in planning in Nevada for the past 12 years and currently works for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.

sity of Ne v

a

U

iv

ad

n

ERIK BEEVER ’99 Ph.D. (ecology, evolution and conservation biology) is research ecologist at the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center and affiliate professor at Montana State University in Bozeman. Erik continues to do research on mountain ecosystems and their wildlife across Nevada and the Great Basin. Erik and his wife, Yuriko, have a daughter, Rachel.

2000s

N JODI STEPHENS ’99 (political science) has joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Reno and Carson City offices as a senior policy advisor in its government relations department. Before that, Jodi served as the executive director of the Nevada Senate Republican Caucus for the last three Nevada legislative sessions.

A Silver and Blue Event

Reunion Weekend 2017 REUNION Golden Friday, September 8 & Saturday, September 9

GOLDEN

Mark your calendars and get ready for a celebration fifty years in the making!

www.unr.edu/alumni/events/golden-reunion

ALUMNI ASSOCI ATION

50 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

Class

N

Chat

N

BILL SINGH ’07

(finance) is a member of the board of directors for Queens Economic Development Corporation, a small business development nonprofit in New York. Bill also leads corporate financial planning and analysis for Genting Americas, a gaming and lodging operator headquartered in New York. Bill misses his hometown of Reno dearly, and is forever indebted to the University for his professional development.

2010s

PRISCILLA ACOSTA ’10 (health ecology) has re-

cently been elected to the National Indian Child Care Association’s board of directors. She currently works as a compliance specialist for the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada’s Child Care Development Fund and is looking forward to representing the region on a national level.

JUSTIN LEWIS ’10 (computer science) recently

joined Capstak, a commercial real estate market network. In this role, Justin joins the development and community build teams to collaborate on the

Nevada Alumni Lifetime Member Nevada Alumni Annual Member

strategic expansion of the Capstak beta product for a national audience.

WHITNEY PARKS ’10 (journalism) recently started

her own business and marketing consultancy, Parks Evolution. She focuses on digital marketing and helping people take their ideas to the next level.

JEFFREY LAMBIN ’11 (mathematics) is married

to Christa Lambin, and they have two little girls, Abbie and Elaina. They recently moved to Carson City. Jeff is a full-time commercial underwriter and associate pastor at Fellowship Bible Chapel.

He is also opening a seminary, Sierra Theological Seminary, that will allow students to earn a master’s degree with an emphasis on divinity and theology.

CHRISTINE A. LEMON ’11 (biology)

will receive her doctor of dental surgery from USC this May. She has accepted a dental anesthesiology residency at NYU Lutheran Medical Center and will train alongside medical anesthesiologists in Brooklyn’s Level 1 Trauma Center.

MARGO VIGEANT ’11 (English) has been to over

nine countries in the past two years, including Ireland, Mexico, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, England, France and Spain.

Margo works at Aerojet Rocketdyne in Rancho Cordova, California, and comes home each day to her Yorkie Terrier, Mia.

THEN AND NOW In 1997 Melanie Watkins ’98 (health science) was featured on the cover of Nevada Silver & Blue in a story outlining the enormous efforts students put forth to pay for higher education. But as a single mom at the time, Melanie had some extra hurdles to clear. After graduating with honors, she went on to Stanford Medical School, with her 5-year-old son in tow, to earn her M.D. Her son, Jonathan ’16 (English), must have absorbed his mom’s grit and energy. He graduated from Nevada this past December, bringing his family’s Nevada story full circle.

Now Jonathan is headed off to Indonesia with the Peace Corps to teach for two years.

Left to right: Kwame Inkabi, Melanie Watkins Inkabi ’98, Jonathan Watkins ’16, Alice Heiman, Fred McElroy ’76.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 51

Remy Royal

WOLF PUPS

Steggy Amelia

Elyse (Smith) Hansen ’03 (elementary education) and Dale “Travis” Hansen announce the birth of their daughter, Remy Royal, on March 25, 2016. Remy joins big sister, Elliott Maeve.

Hailey Marie

Aubrey Ann

Joanna Bogen and Michael Bogen ’07 (criminal justice) announce the birth of their daughter, Hailey Marie, on April 27, 2015.

Tiffany (Threatt) Bourelle ’09 Ph.D. (English) and Andrew Bourelle ’05 M.A. (English), ’09 Ph.D. (English) are very happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Aubrey Ann, on Jan. 28, 2016.

Charlotte Grace

Madeleine Marrissa (Perea) Markee ’09 (political science), ’13 M.Ed. and Martin Markee ’09 (geography) announce the birth of their daughter, Madeleine, on Sept. 7, 2016. Madeleine joins big sister Mila.

Candace Dietrich and Kurt Dietrich ’00 (civil engineering), ’08 (construction management) announce the birth of their daughter, Charlotte Grace, on Dec. 5, 2015.

52 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

Ashley (Bunch) Robbins ’10 (elementary education) and Curtis Robbins ’08 M.S. (mechanical engineering) announce the birth of their daughter, Steggy Amelia, on Dec. 24, 2016.

Alumni Profile

Brandi Luv Stankovic ’01 Executive Coach. Motivational Speaker. Mommy.

The College of Business is known for producing alumni with a passion to succeed. Brandi Stankovic ’01 (finance) has that in spades. But what drives her even more than achieving her own success? Helping others to achieve theirs. After her time at Nevada, Brandi went on to earn her MBA from the University of San Diego, and her doctorate from Pepperdine University. Now a senior partner and founder of Mitchell, Stankovic & Associates, Brandi is well-known for the strength and energy she brings to bear on behalf of her clients. As a strategic planner and executive coach, she uses her education and experience to take businesses and organizations to their next level of success.

Brandi knows how to hustle. “I volunteered my way to the top,” she said. Brandi serves on the advisory board for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, is the volunteer manager for Aid at AIDS Nevada and is the USA Ambassador for the Global Women’s Leadership Network. During the time she was going to school, she also worked as director of education and client support at Harland Educational Services, vice president of marketing and administration at Ventura County Credit Union, and was adjunct faculty at Ventura College and College of Southern Nevada. Oh, and in her spare time? She published her first book, “The Strategic MVP.”

Brandi now hosts a biweekly podcast, The Strategic Hotbox, where she creates “the 2 a.m. dynamic, challenging, stimulating and authentic conversations” about what makes a difference in business and in life. The stodgy feel that leadership discussions typically have are kicked to the curb in The Strategic Hotbox. Her guests hail from a wide range of professions and industries, and they discuss everything from personal branding, to influence, to emotional intelligence, to how to take control of your life, all packaged into three regular segments called Learn. Love. Kick Ass.

With her roles of executive coach, motivational speaker and mommy, Brandi demolishes that wiggly and often elusive line between excellence in her professional and personal life. “Work-life balance is baloney,” she says in one of her podcast episodes. And she gives a compelling argument for why we can’t separate (a prerequisite for balancing) our professional and personal selves. “If something is going on in my work life, it will impact the personal life.

I am the same person. It doesn’t matter if I am working, playing or loving my beefcakes.”

Her two boys, ages 4 and 6, have a mom who is a motivational speaker and executive coach, not just as her profession, but as her identity. Lucky ducks.

Brandi’s connection to the University came full circle last fall when she got a call from Wolf Call, the student-staffed phonathon. Wolf Call students reach out to alumni to update information, share news about the University, and secure support for a broad range of campus programs through the University’s Annual Fund. True to form, Brandi took things to the next level and became the inaugural member of the University Associate giving. “The student who called created the connection and reinvigorated my relationship to the University,” Brandi said. From there, she reached out to be even more involved and returned to campus to facilitate a motivational leadership session with Wolf Call students.

- by CARRIE BUSHÁ ’06

h

To learn more about the Wolf Call Phonathon or to support the University through the Annual Fund, contact Laura Terry, Wolf Call manager, at lterry@unr.edu or (775) 682-6009 (direct line), or call the Wolf Call Center at (775) 784-8210.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 53

Class

Chat RACHAEL LAMBIN ’14 (nutrition) and her mom,

Debbie, create unique artwork from books and magazines by folding the pages with origami and manipulating them to create intricate sculptures.

From a man in his boat engaged in a heroic battle with a mighty swordfish, to a lonely kite caught high in a tree, to mustangs galloping through the tall grass. Debbie and Rachel’s work is currently on display in the Nevada Governor’s Mansion, the State Capital Building and several private residences throughout the United States, United Kingdom, Bermuda, South America and Africa.

KELLY GERATY ’15 (general studies) had an in-

Debbie (left) and Rachel (right), with a client (middle). 1 Courtesy James Glover Photography

ternship with the San Francisco Giants, which transitioned into a freelance position working at all control rooms for Bay Area sports teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Cal Bears, Stanford Cardinals, Sacramento Kings and San Jose Earthquakes.

See who’s reading

Nevada Silver & Blue and stay in touch on facebook.com/nevadasilverandblue/

54 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

JESSICA A. NELSON ’15 Ph.D. (counsel-

ing and educational psychology) was recently promoted to director of undergraduate research at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, where she serves as assistant professor of counseling and executive board member for the Connecticut Counseling Association.

N TRAVIS SMITH ’16 (civil engineering) is a staff engineer with Manhard Consulting in the Reno office. h

Wolf Mates SABRINA (LOUREIRO) FARMIN ’10 (political science) and RYAN FARMIN ’11 (finance) were married Oct. 7, 2016, in Zephyr Cove.

EMMA JAQUETTE ’11 (nursing) and AHRON OSHEROFF ’11 (civil engineering) were married in September 2016 in Lyons, Colorado.

KATE (THOMPSON) ANYANWU ’08 (marketing) and UCHE ANYANWU ’08 (speech communication) were married Oct. 15, 2016, in Las Vegas.

RACHEL (RINGENBACH) WATKINS ’08 (accounting/finance) and JEFF WATKINS ’04 (electrical engineering), ’13 MBA were married Oct. 22 at Hidden Valley Country Club in Reno.

LINDSAY (PANKO) KAISER ’12 (journalism) and BILL KAISER ’10 (economics) were married Oct. 15, 2016, in Reno surrounded by family and friends.

ERINN (THOMAS) KARI ’10 (general studies) and MIKE KARI ’14 (theater) were married Oct. 16, 2016, in Reno.

ASHLEY (STONE) BERRIOCHOA ’11 (management) and JOHN BERRIOCHOA ’06 (theatre), ’13 MJM were married Aug. 27, 2016, at Galena Creek Park in Reno.

LAUREN (ADRAGNA) BOWDEN ’09 (speech pathology and audiology), ’11 M.S. (speech pathology) and MATTHEW BOWDEN ’12 (mechanical engineering) were married July 16, 2016, in Reno.

JULIET (LACHAPPELL) TILLY ’14 (economics) and ERIC TILLY ’12 (engineering) were married May 23, 2015, in Grass Valley, California.

ALEXANDRA WATSON ’10 (biology) and JOSEPH GOSS ’07 (mining engineering) were married Aug. 15, 2015, in Incline Village.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 55

CHAPTER UPDATES 86 Visit all our alumni chapters online > unr.edu/alumni/chapters

5

and be sure to follow them on Facebook!

2 Nevada Bay Area Alumni at the Brasserie Saint James for the NV vs. New Mexico basketball game.

Nevada Bay Area Alumni Chapter Jocelyn Weart ’00, nvbaac@gmail.com

2 Young Alumni Chapter Bowling mixer before the Nevada vs. Boise State viewing party at The Rack Jan. 25. Left to right: Ben Hoffman ’06, Katie Hoffman ’06, Steve Koepnick ’07, ’09 M.S. and Lydia Peri ’11, ’15 M.S. Young Alumni Chapter Monika Mala ’08, ’12 M.A., Nevada.AAPI.Alumni@gmail.com The Young Alumni Chapter has been actively growing in membership and has had a blast hosting fun and unique networking events each month. We held a bowling mixer/ Nevada vs. Boise State viewing party at The Rack in January and sold discounted tickets to Nevada basketball games in February and March. We invite you to join us at the Downtown Reno Ballroom on Friday, April 21 for our 24th annual Beer Fest! Tickets and more information are available on our website, nevadayac.com, or at the door. Proceeds from last year’s event helped us donate $15,000 in scholarships to Nevada students! We are hopeful to award even more this year.

Nevada Bay Area alumni have established a home base at San Francisco’s Brasserie Saint James, where we’ve enjoyed multiple viewing parties to cheer on the Wolf Pack during the football and basketball seasons. When the Pack came to San Jose in March, we raised a glass at 4th Street Pizza before the game. In April we’ll enjoy our annual outing to watch the Warriors take on the Pelicans at Oracle Arena, and we’re holding elections to find new board officers. If you’re interested in taking on a leadership role with the chapter, stay tuned for an email with more details about elections. Stay connected through our website and Facebook page for updates, and if you have any questions, email nvbaac@gmail.com!

Orvis School of Nursing Alumni Association Jan (Pritchard) Brady ’63, ’88 MBA lvcrrsswrds@aol.com OSNAA held its spring Mock Interview Event in February for students getting ready to enter the job market. As always, it was valuable to the students and gratifying for the volunteer interviewers.

Invitations have gone out to all Orvis School of Nursing alumni for the upcoming Diamond Anniversary Gala celebrating our sixtieth anniversary. This will be a must-not-miss event whether you are an Orvis alumnus, an Orvis faculty member, a family member or friend of an Orvis student or alumnus, or part of the healthcare network in northern Nevada. The event is April 22 at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. For further details call 775-682-7342. See you there!

USAC Alumni Chapter Derreck T. Calkins, alumni@usac.unr.edu The USAC Alumni Chapter has enjoyed a very busy fall. The chapter hosted a welcome back event and resume webinar for alumni. This May we will host our semi-annual graduation reception. We would like to thank all of those that participate and help make our events successful. To learn more about upcoming events, please contact Derreck Calkins at (775) 682-6784 or dcalkins@unr.edu.

College of Business Alumni Association Vick Wowo ’11, vwowo@whitneypeakhotel.com COBAA will be hosting an exclusive tour of the Tesla Gigafactory in April that will kick off a series of tours and opportunities for alumni to learn more about companies in our region that are seeking qualified employees. The chapter will be focusing on engaging events for College of Business graduates to connect them to the evolving business environment in northern Nevada.

The 26th Annual Golf Tournament will take place June 9 at Wolf Run Golf Course. For details or sponsorship, please email Erika Ibaibarriaga Saiz at erikaibaibarriaga@yahoo.com.

We are also looking for chapter members interested in serving on our board of directors.

To learn more about COBAA and to find out how to join, please contact Megan Lowe-Lynch at mlowe@chaseinternational.com.

Student Ambassadors Alumni Chapter Priscilla Acosta ’10, pnacosta@gmail.com

2 Student Ambassador Alumni and friends at the Nevada vs. UNLV basketball game Feb 8. Kenzie Taylor, Brigitte Price ’15, Kate Westfall, Desirae Acosta ’15, Cynthia Uba ’14, ’15; Laura Lord ’11, ’14 MBA; Joel Shedd ’15; Amanda Guffey ’16; Jenn Richards, Jessica Adams ’13; Keyana Bunting ’16; Karyle Kost ’16 and Keith Lantz ’09, ’15 MBA.

56 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

This winter has been full of celebrations for the Student Ambassador Alumni Chapter. In December we hosted a Holiday Jubilee at local hot-spot Battle Born Cafe where we shared delicious eats and treats and played some reindeer games. The chapter also hosted an alumni night at the Little Wal and cheered on the Pack as they crushed UNLV Feb. 8.

This spring we’ll hold our annual Graduation Celebration to welcome our newest alumni members, and begin planning the quadrennial undergrad/alumni summer retreat – stay tuned for more info.

As always, we are looking for generous donors for the Student Ambassador scholarship fund. Please contact Priscilla to set up your donation.

4 The Southern Nevada Alumni Chapter learns about the chemistry of winemaking at Grape Expectations, September 2016. “Behind Enemy Vines” will be bottled May 2017.

Southern Nevada Alumni Chapter Trevor Macaluso ’11, trevormac589@sbcgloba.net The Nevada Bay Area Alumni Chapter was named Chapter of the Year for 2016 and recognized at the Homecoming Gala and football game! We also celebrated this award with fellow alumni in September at Seven Stills Brewery in San Francisco. We can’t thank our members enough for making this possible!

We had incredible turnouts for football this year with a viewing party at Brasserie Saint James in San Francisco for the Notre Dame game and a tailgate for the SJSU game in San Jose.

Next year, we’re planning our Warriors’ tailgate for April 8, so stay tuned for more details! As always, please stay in touch on Facebook and our website, nvbaac.com.

Native American Alumni Chapter Stephanie Wyatt ’12, swyatt1031@gmail.com

Nevada Football Alumni Association Matt Airoldi ’94 tgratsunami61@yahoo.com The Nevada Football Alumni Association had great reunions for the 1966 team (the first to play in Mackay Stadium), the 1986 Big Sky Championship team, and the 1996 Big West Championship team.

Our Annual Poker Tournament will be April 28, followed by our spring game April 29. We are very excited for our new head coach, Jay Norvell, and his entire staff, and we’re looking forward to a great 2017 season!

Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter Amy Beck ’09, amyjeanbeck@gmail.com The Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter has been quite active this quarter! In addition to meeting monthly for happy hour, the chapter attended a Reno Bighorns game in March. Our next event will be a bagna cauda dinner April 24 at the Coney Island Bar in Sparks. Tickets are available for $25/person by visiting our chapter webpage. For more information or to join the chapter, please follow us on Facebook. Chapter membership is only $25/year and open to all.

The Native American Alumni Chapter has been working hard to increase membership and reach out to alumni. We kicked off the year with a New Year’s Eve party and attended the Nevada Women’s Basketball vs. UNLV game. We had a great turn out, and it was a fun way to show support for our women’s team that has American Indian players. Don’t forget to stay in touch on Facebook!

School of Medicine Alumni Association The School of Medicine Alumni Association held its Annual Alumni Reunion and Reception as part of the Homecoming festivities in October 2016. The reception was held in the Pennington Health Sciences Building and was well attended. We honored Dr. Ann Jobe ’86 as our 2016 Distinguished Alumna. UNR Med Dean Thomas Schwenk spoke to the group and reminded us of the important role alumni play in the School of Medicine. We welcomed back the Class of 2006 for its 10-year reunion, as well as the Class of 1991 and Class of 1976, for their 25th and 40th reunions, respectively.

If you would like to make a nomination for next year’s School of Medicine Outstanding Alumnus, please contact Seema Donahoe at sdonahoe@unr.edu.

4 Fallon Alumni Chapter members and friends at the Men’s Basketball game against Fresno State Jan. 21.

Fallon Alumni Chapter Cheryl Venturacci, cventuracci@cccomm.net The Fallon Alumni Chapter attended the Nevada vs. Fresno State game Jan. 21.

We had a full mini bus with 29 proud supporters. After the game we stopped in Sparks at Woody’s for a wonderful dinner and libations. It was another great scholarship fundraiser for the Fallon Chapter. We also sponsored a tailgate party at the old post office in Fallon to watch Nevada take on UNLV Feb. 25.

We had a busy year in 2016 with four well-attended events that will enable us to give three $1,000 scholarships to Churchill County seniors who will attend Nevada in 2017.

Nevada Cheer and Spirit Alumni Chapter Elliot E. Sparkman ’04, eesparkman@gmail.com The Nevada Cheer and Spirit Alumni Chapter hosted the Annual Senior Luncheon March 4 at Hidden Valley Country Club where we honored our 13 graduating seniors. We had an opportunity to celebrate and thank them for their commitment to the program and University and provided them with complimentary one-year chapter memberships.

If you would like to join the chapter, make a donation to support academic scholarships for student-athletes, participate in our professional mentorship program or need additional information please visit our website or contact Elliot E. Sparkman.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 57

ALUMNI GATHERINGS 4

2

1

3

Nevada vs. UNLV Pregame Party

School of Medicine Match Day

Excited basketball fans gathered for a pregame party on Feb. 25 before the Nevada vs. UNLV tip-off at Thomas & Mack in Las Vegas. The crowd got a special visit from Wolf Pack football’s new head coach Jay Norvell, who talked about his plans for the program and the 2017 season. 1 RONDA CHURCHILL

Match Day is a nationwide celebration in March for all medical students to learn where they will complete their residency training. This year’s event, held March 17, took on a Harry Potter theme with students catching their “snitch” that told them where they will complete the next phase of the medical education. 1 THERESA DANNA-DOUGLAS

1 Dorothy (Howell) Huffey ’61 with her son and grandson, Neil ’97 and Hudson. 2 Jay Norvell, the new Wolf Pack football head coach (left) is greeted by Nevada Athletics Director Doug Knuth. 3 Chuck Johnson ’92, Scott Machabee ’90, Shelly Burns ’85 and Tom Burns ’85.

The Nevada Alumni Association hosts many events year round for alumni, friends and family. Visit us online to find one near you. ________________________ unr.edu/alumni/events 58 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017

5

4 University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine Dean Thomas Schwenk. 5 Armita Sadeghi (matched into neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), Shuang Lei ’16 (matched into psychiatry at the University of Southern California) and Annie Hong (matched into internal medicine at University of Nevada affiliated hospitals in Las Vegas). 1 EDGAR ANTONIO NUNEZ 6 Colt Williams ’14 was matched into internal medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver. He and his wife, Morgan Williams, wait for their next adventure on Platform 9 ¾.

6

ALUMNI GATHERINGS

2

1

4

3

5

Southern Nevada Alumni Chapter Watch Party 1 Wolf Pack fans gathered at Dom DeMarco’s Pizzeria in Las Vegas March 16 to watch the men’s basketball team take on Iowa State in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament.

1 DR. SCOTT FIELDEN ’88, ’93 M.D.

Student Recruitment Reception The Nevada Alumni Association and the Office of Prospective Students held the third of nine Student Recruitment Receptions March 9 at Arden Hills Club and Spa in Sacramento. Prospective students and family members are invited to these events to meet alumni, current students, and University administrators and faculty to get their questions answered and learn more about Nevada.

1 THERESA DANNA-DOUGLAS 2 Mary Jezyl Stoke with her parents, Benzyli and Jesse. 3 Israel Quinn and his parents, Titus and Lori, check his application status with staff from the Office of Admissions and Records. 4 Mary T. Calhoon, assistant director of the Nevada Career Studio, answers questions for parents Amy and Eric Soik.

6

An Evening with Danyelle Musselman The Nevada Women’s Programming Group invited alumni and friends to an event with Danyelle Musselman March 4 at Basin Street Club in Mackay Stadium. Danyelle talked about how she does it all: managing a successful sports broadcasting career while raising a family with her husband, Nevada Men’s Basketball Head Coach Eric Musselman.

1 COURTNEY WADHAMS

7 6 Stephanie (Clemo) Hanna ’96, Christy (Upchurch) Jerz ’97, Danyelle Musselman and Lisa Goon. 7 Danyelle Musselman (middle) with Nevada alumni relations managers Jessica Stack ’11 and Courtney Wadhams.

5 Danyelle Musselman with retired Wolf Pack Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jane Albright.

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2017 • 59

Swanson/Brooks Family Tree

Kyle Swanson ’85 (English) Julie (Kealy) Brooks ’00 (marketing) Karen (Swanson) Kealy

Jeff Gladding ’03 (biology)

Harry B. Swanson ’50 (English) Patrick Kealy ’10 (political science) Irene (Fulton) Swanson attended Jane Landis Kathy (Swanson) Landis attended 1973 - 75

Nick Landis ’06 (construction science)

David Landis ’74 (biology), ’77 M.D.

Erika (Landis) Johnson ’06 (animal science)

A Nevada Legacy When Harry Swanson and Bud (Douglas) Brooks started at the University of Nevada, Reno in the late 1940s, they could have never known the legacy they were building for their future families. While these two men didn’t know each other, they took similar paths as active members of the University. Bud played football for theWolf Pack, and Harry was a leader in student government and his fraternity, ATO. After graduation they both served in the military, then married their school sweethearts, Irene Fulton and Ruth Hiltz, respectively.

Both families prioritized education, which is why so many of their children and grandchildren followed in their footsteps at Nevada. Sixty years after these two men attended the University, their families merged with the marriage of Harry’s granddaughter and Bud’s grandson, Julie Kealy and Gary Brooks. The Swanson and Brooks families are incredibly grateful for the education and experiences gained at the University.

You will almost always see one of them at University events or enrolled in classes. These two families have a long history at the University of Nevada and look forward to continuing to grow and support the great school they all share a love for.

118 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2016 • HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2015

Vincent Johnson ’05 (construction science)

Harry ’50 and Irene Swanson 08-06-1950

Kathy Brooks Kelly (Gullion) Brooks ’06 (mathematics) Daniel Brooks attended 1979-89 Thomas (Buzz) Brooks ’06 (mathematics) Emilee (Brooks) Houston ’06

Thomas R. Brooks ’07 M.Ed. Bud ’55 and Ruth Brooks 09-01-1951

(elementary education)

Michael Brooks ’08 (health education), ’12 M.S. (secondary education)

Joan Brooks

Tim Brooks attended 2005-06

Gary Brooks ’14 MBA Douglas R. Brooks ’06 (biology)

Haley (Zook) Brooks ’06 (management)

Robin (Carls) Brooks ’02 (elementary

Douglas “Bud” Brooks ’55

education)

Douglas Brooks

(physical education)

Ruth Brooks

Jack Brooks ’08 (material science), ’14 MBA

Erin (Carr) Brooks ’14 M.A. (psychology) Zachary Chatelle attended 2009-12 Luke Chatelle Class of 2018

Jane (Brooks) Chatelle ’83 (special education)

Lewis Chatelle ’69 (zoology)

Julie ’00 and Gary Brooks ’14 MBA 05-08-2010

Samantha (Francis) Brooks ’15 (community health sciences)

Joe Brooks

John Brooks ’82 (agriculture)

Eric Brooks Paige Brooks Brandi Brooks

How many University of Nevada alumni make up your family tree? Let us know, and you could all be featured in an upcoming issue of Nevada Silver & Blue.

For details, visit unr.edu/alumni/magazine or call 888.NV ALUMS.

10

YEARS

HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2015 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • SPRING 2016 • 119

REMEMBERING FRIENDS

Dorothy E. Lokke ’48

Geraldine I. Puccinelli ’54

FA C U LT Y

ALUMNI

Roscoe M. Booth June 27, 2016 — Pueblo West, Colo.

Lydia M. (Grandi) Sheehan ’32 (art) Sept. 15, 2013 — Crescent Mills, Calif.

Jack F. Clarke Jan. 10, 2017 — Reno, Nev.

F.G. Hap Fisher ’38 (civil engineering) Aug. 9. 2013 — Minden, Nev.

Barbara L. Hall-Bellows Nov. 24, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

Walter H. Preston ’39 (civil engineering) Sept. 17, 2013 — Irvine, Calif.

Jack L. Oberholzer ’50 (electrical engineering) April 14, 2014 — Honolulu, Hawaii

Walter K. Johnson Jan. 29, 2017 — Reno, Nev.

Ferren W. Bunker ’40 (agriculture) Sept. 29, 2014 — Las Vegas, Nev.

Gerald W. Galletti ’51 (political science) Dec. 28, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

Paul A. Kessler Nov. 13, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

Mildred M. (Riggle) Fast ’42 (home economics) Nov. 26, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

William N. Lusebrink ’51 (chemistry) March 17, 2916 — Davis, Calif.

Larry J. Larsen November, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

JoAnne E. (Blood) Smith ’42 Jan 27, 2013 — Antelope, Calif.

William P. Craven ’51 (mining engineering) Dec. 28, 2016 — South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Lawrence T. Larson Dec. 5, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

Harriet (Williams) Uhalde, attended 1939-43 Dec. 10, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Lawrence K. Schneider July 3, 2014 — Bandon, Ore.

Geraldine M. (Streshley) Di Grazia ’44 (home economics) Dec. 13, 2016 — Wells, Nev.

Thomas P. Tarpey Jan. 11, 2017 — Sparks, Nev. Larry A. Walters Dec. 5, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Fredrick Wood ’47 (chemistry & zoology) May 4, 2015 — Chicago, Ill. Jordan Eliades ’48 (arts & science) Dec. 15, 2016 — Bakersfield, Calif.

FRIENDS

Peter E. Galli ’48 (geological engineering) Nov. 17, 2016 — Chiloquin, Ore.

William G. Ellis March 4, 2015 — Los Gatos, Calif.

Nora (Morris) Hertel ’48 (botany) Dec. 8, 2015 — Pendleton, Ore.

Vera Stern Jan. 16, 2017 — Las Vegas, Nev.

Dorothy E. (Hooper) Lokke ’48 (history) Jan. 30, 2017 — Reno, Nev. Mary A. (Duffy) Mathews, attended 1944-45 Nov. 28, 2016 — Reno, Nev. Abe T. Kaplan ’49 (premedical) Nov. 19, 2014 — San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Robert T. Larsen ’49 Jan. 27, 2017 — Reno, Nev.

126 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • WINTER 2017

William D. Fugit ’49 (mining engineering) May 4, 2013 — Ocean Grove, N.J. Billy J. McFarland ’50 (journalism) Feb. 4, 2015 — Portland, Ore.

Wallace F. Burnett ’53 (business administration) Aug. 5, 2016 — Fairbanks, Alaska Robert L. De Ruff ’53 (civil engineering) March 15, 2014 — Newport Beach, Calif.

Maurice C. Devore ’53 (mathematics), ’63 M.S. (mathematics) Sept. 18, 2014 — Vallejo, Calif.

Fred E. Alpers ’54 (zoology) Jan. 26, 2015 — Carson City, Nev. Geraldine I. (Seaberry) DepaoliPuccinelli ’54 (elementary education) Dec. 11, 2016 — Sparks, Nev. Dorothy M. (Bastian) Galli ’54 (primary education) Jan. 4, 2017 — Fayetteville, Ga. Jake A. Carpenter ’55 (civil engineering) Oct. 30, 2016 — Sparks, Nev. Grant L. Bowler ’56 (unknown) Sept. 28, 2013 — Overton, Nev. Oakley G. Parker ’57 (agricultural & resource economics) Aug. 28, 2013 — Carlsbad, Calif.

Dorothy M. Galli ’54

Robert J. Scott ’57 (arts & science), ’67 M.Ed. Dec. 26, 2016 — Carson City, Nev. Virgil Aramini ’58 (business administration) Jan. 16, 2017 — Reno, Nev. Gilbert B. Ballinger ’58 (accounting) March 8, 2015 — Fernley, Nev. Beverly M. (Griggs) Hudson ’58 (journalism) 2017 — Sparks, Nev. John ‘Jack’ H. Pursel ’58 (agricultural economics) Nov. 15, 2016 — Yerington, Nev. Thomas A. Burns ’59 (zoology), ’64 M.S. (zoology) Oct. 30, 2016 — Vancouver, Wash.

Phyllis (McDill) Day ’59 (English) Nov. 17, 2016 — Reno, Nev. John H. Elliott ’59 (psychology) March 8, 2014 — Coleville, Calif.

John R. Urbigkit ’59 (chemistry) Oct. 22, 2016 — Ketchikan, Ark. John D. Harrington ’60 (education) July 10, 2016 — Las Vegas, Nev. Joseph G. Earl ’61 (agricultural education) March 31, 2014 — Las Vegas, Nev. Prudence (Gould) Muran ’62 (elementary education), ’78 M.Ed. Nov. 9, 2016 — Tahoe City, Calif.

John P. Crawford ’64 (history) Jan. 23, 2017 — Carson City, Nev. Radean W. Miskimins ’64 M.A. (psychology) Nov. 27, 2016 — West Linn, Ore. Icyl C. (Santos) Mulligan ’64 (history), ’86 M.S. (geology) November, 2016 — Carson City, Nev. Maureen M. O’Neal ’64 (psychology) June 29, 2013 — Verdi, Nev.

John D. Harrington ’60

Lendon K. Barney ’65 M.Ed. Jan. 15, 2017 — Las Vegas, Nev. Richard G. Bennett ’66 (English) Jan. 29, 2017 — Reno, Nev. Arthur H. Williams ’66 (zoology) July 24, 2013 — Los Angeles, Calif.

Ronald L. Boatman ’67 (geological engineering) March 1, 2016 — Paradise, Calif.

Theodore J. Glenn ’67 (social psychology) Feb. 25, 2014 — Parma, Idaho George A. Grayr ’67 (management), ’69 MBA April 7, 2015 — Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.

Richard O. Williams ’67 (mechanical engineering) Jan. 22, 2013 — Savannah, Ga. Terry L. Fleming ’68 (business) June 1, 2013 — Banks, Ore.

Fred L. Oats ’69

Michael A. Brussa ’80

Mohammad B. Sulahria ’69 M.S. (renewable natural resources), ’72 Ph.D. (hydrology) Nov. 2, 2016 — Reno, Nev. Sharon Y. (Clark) Schultze ’70 (accounting) Dec. 26, 2016 — Sparks, Nev. Carolyn A. (Clark) Benedict ’71 M.Ed. Feb. 11, 2017 — Reno, Nev. Molly J. (Deighton) Earnhart ’71 (medical technology) Aug. 18, 2016 — Carson City, Nev. Thomas A. Dardis ’72 Ph.D. (physics) Jan. 29, 2015 — Fountain Valley, Calif.

Robert A. Eckhart ’72 (zoology) Feb. 13, 2015 — Cocoa Beach, Fla. Wayne A. Frediani ’72 (management) Feb. 1, 2017 — Reno, Nev. Ella C. (Ohliger) Kleiner ’73 (history) Jan. 27, 2017 — Reno, Nev.

Robert D. Gatewood ’68 (management) April 16, 2014 — Danville, Calif.

Jon C. Deisher ’73 (social psychology), ’76 M.A. (speech communications) Feb. 17, 2016 — Eagle River, Ark.

Patricia R. McDonough ’68 (home economics) July 9, 2013 — Rio Linda, Calif.

Virginia (Williams) Hatjakes ’73 (office administration 2017 — Reno, Nev.

Roderick G. McInnis ’68 (civil engineering) Oct. 5, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Linda L. Shields-Toney ’73 (elementary education) Oct. 28, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Allen L. Mobley ’68 (management) Feb. 15, 2015 — Dos Palos, Calif.

Michael E. Cleveland ’74 (geology) July 29, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Stella M. (Vest) Neidert ’68 M.Ed. Nov. 23, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Mary K. Gregersen ’89

Jacqueline A. Wisnoski ’08

John R. Heuer ’79 (managerial science) Dec. 14, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

Lorena D. Diaz ’93 (social work) June 10, 2014 — Las Vegas, Nev.

Michael A. Brussa ’80 (managerial science) Feb. 12, 2017 — Reno, Nev.

Diane Pritchard ’96 M.A. (anthropology) Oct. 15, 2014 — Vale, Ore.

Renee L. Magrini ’82 (biology) Dec. 8, 2016 — Dayton, Nev. Scott B. McDaniel ’82 (geology) June 11, 2014 — Leawood, Kan. Thomas W. Elledge ’83 (renewal natural resources) Oct. 10, 2013 — Charleston, Ore. Renee L. Magrini ’85 M.S. (biology) Dec. 8, 2016 — Dayton, Nev. Rayola C. McBride ’85 (Music) Feb. 8, 2017 — Sparks, Nev. Rita (Whitney) Kelley ’86 (geology) Jan. 23, 2017 — South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Albert Dufur ’89 (biology) Dec. 5, 2015 — Reno, Nev. Mary K. (Millhiser) Gregersen ’89 (elementary education) Dec. 5, 2016 — Auburn, Calif.

Forrest C. Madewell ’00 (music education) Feb. 20, 2015 — Bakersfield, Calif.

Michael H. Lapolla ’01 (electrical engineering) Nov. 10, 2016 — Reno, Nev. Larry D. Booth ’02 (criminal justice), ’07 M.A. (counseling & educational psychology) Nov. 12, 2016 — Sparks, Nev. Juan F. Guerrero ’02 M.Ed. May 5, 2014 — Reno, Nev. Dana J. Tuttle ’02 (accounting) Dec. 22, 2013 — Carson City, Nev. Joann W. Karam ’04 (accounting) July 2, 2013 — Reno, Nev. Frank A. Spenia ’06 (political science) Feb. 5, 2014 — Las Vegas, Nev.

Nancy L. (Jahn) Robeson ’89 M.Ed. May 9, 2013 — Gardnerville, Nev.

Nathanial Clark ’07 (art) March 3, 2013 — Dayton, Nev.

Eric P. Blum ’90 (nursing) June 9, 2013 — Marina, Calif.

Jacqueline A. Wisnoski ’08 (marketing) Nov. 15, 2016 — Sparks, Nev.

Donald J. Wilson ’74 (renewal natural resources) March 17, 2013 — Mentor, Ohio

Andrew K. Steen ’92 (English literature) June 27, 2014 — Reno, Nev.

James E. Binns, attended 1950,1976 Nov. 17, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

John T. Spann ’68 (political science) Jan. 1, 2017 — Henderson, Nev.

Richard A. Junnila ’75 (managerial science) May 14, 2015 — Livermore, Calif.

Susan A. Damask ’93 (anthropology) Sept. 29, 2016 — Reno, Nev.

Roland E. Dannan ’69 (Spanish) Oct. 17, 2013 — Sparks, Nev.

Christian D. Deverich ’93 M.S. (social Karen D. (Fichthorn) Konewko ’76 (anthropology), ’84 M.Ed., ’92 (mechanical work) Nov. 18, 2013 — Palm Springs, Calif. engineering), ’93 (mathematics) May 23, 2013 — Gardnerville, Nev.

Joseph L. Kuchenmeister ’69 (geology) June 1, 2015 — Ephraim, Utah Fred L. Oats ’69 (accounting) Nov. 22, 2016 — Spring Creek, Nev.

Cherie (King) Templeton ’77 (chemical engineering) Aug. 15, 2016 — Westminster, Colo.

John P. Cannan, attended 1946-49 Nov. 7, 2016 — Leucadia, Calif.

For full obituaries, visit > www.unr.edu/silverandblue/

NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • WINTER 2017 • 127

PACK TRAVELS

2017 and 2018 trips are currently available.

Please visit www.unr.edu/alumni or call 888-NV-ALUMS for more information.

BALTIC & SCANDINAVIAN

TREASURES

STOCKHOLM TO COPENHAGEN AUGUST 17 - 28, 2017

SOUTHERN

GRANDEUR NEW ORLEANS TO MEMPHIS APRIL 22 – 30, 2018

128 • NEVADA SILVER & BLUE • WINTER 2017

Fostering Nevada’s Future

Clipper family supports University students and new engineering building

Through distributions from the Clipper Family Trust, the late Charles and Cecil Clipper established the Charles H. and Cecil J. Clipper Scholarship Endowment. Longtime University supporters and Honor Court inductees, Charles and Cecil were dedicated to civic service 1 Courtesy of Jeanne Swanson and philanthropy.

by CURTIS VICKERS ’07 M.A.

T

he late Charles and Cecil Clipper ensured they were able to realize their dream of establishing a sizeable scholarship endowment to benefit generations of Nevada students by naming the University in their estate plans. Recent distributions from the Clipper Family Trust established the Charles H. and Cecil J. Clipper Scholarship Endowment, which will be first awarded in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Additional distributions from the Clipper Family Trust are designated for a naming gift to the new engineering building, a proposed 87,000-square-foot facility designed to complement the existing College of Engineering complex.

The Clippers were University supporters during their lifetimes and were inducted into

h

the University’s Honor Court in 2015 as Silver Benefactors. They enjoyed traveling, and Cecil was active in volunteer organizations, including the National Assistance League, the Nevada State Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and the Renown Hospital Health Auxiliary Board of Directors. A veteran of WWII and Korea, Charles retired from military service in 1965 and became manager of the Sacramento Better Business Bureau and director of United Way of Northern Nevada. He later served in the Reno Rotary Club.

“Endowed scholarships not only provide students with important financial support to pursue their education, they also impress upon students that we believe in them and in their potential,” Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations John Carothers said.

“The Clippers’ choice to establish the Charles

H. and Cecil J. Clipper Scholarship Endowment will make a tremendous impact on its recipients and, through their careers, will pave the way for a brighter future for us all.

Endowed scholarships like this one allow the University to bring to campus exceptional students who otherwise might not be able to attend, changing their lives and creating opportunities for success.”

Through the generosity of donors like Charles and Cecil Clipper the University is able to meet the needs of its students who, in turn, strengthen our economy and community. By offering Nevada residents tuition rates that are 72 percent lower than at other Tier 1 universities and providing nearly $8 million in donor-funded scholarships annually, the University helps more students reach their potential and achieve their goals.

To learn more about how you can include the University in your estate plans, please contact Lisa Riley, J.D., director of planned giving, (775) 682-6017 or lriley@unr.edu, or Brian Saeman, J.D. ’98, director of development for planned giving, (775) 682-5938 or bsaeman@unr.edu.

B E C O M E A N A LU M N I A S S O C I AT I O N

member

T O D AY.

Becoming a member of the Nevada Alumni Association shows you support the great University you attended.

It shows that regardless of how much time has passed, the traditions and values defined by your class are not forgotten. Be proud to call yourself an alumnus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Keep the tradition alive.

Your membership in the Nevada Alumni Association includes discounts at the Nevada Wolf Shop (ASUN bookstore), reduced tailgate party admission, access to the new

unr.edu/alumni

E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center at the faculty rate & access to Nevada Career Studio services.

775.784.6620 / 888.NV ALUMS