Hall of Fame

UNLV's Hall of Fame: Celebrating Luminaries in the Arts

About the Hall of Fame

The College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame at UNLV was founded in 2003 to honor distinguished individuals and organizations that have made a profound impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and/or architecture, in Las Vegas and around the world.

UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame 2024 inductee headshots

2024 Inductees and Award Recipients

David Copperfield

Emmy Award-winning magician known for his artful combination of storytelling and illusion, described as “the greatest illusionist of our time” by Oprah Winfrey.

Shecky Greene (posthumous)

Las Vegas Strip headliner for over 30 years whose comic genius was described by Bob Hope as the “comedian’s comedian.”

Rita Deanin Abbey (posthumous)

Multidisciplinary artist and among the first art professors at UNLV where she taught for 22 years, earning a stellar reputation among her students, and inspiring the next generation of artists.

Keith Thompson

Critically-acclaimed composer, conductor, musical director, and founder and host of The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas.

Carnell Johnson

Famously known as ‘Golden Pipes,’ he is the voice singing the national anthem at Vegas Golden Knights games. This Las Vegas native is a classically trained bass-baritone with a music degree from UNLV.

Cecilia Violeta López

A celebrated soprano, this singing actress has been named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News.

Thanks to our Hall of Fame Sponsors

Additional Sponsors

Linda C. Berry
Juliana & Matthew McRae

The College of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has become a leader in preparing students for careers in the arts. Our students have gone on to become award-winning producers and directors; they have danced on Broadway and on the stages of some of the most extraordinary shows in the world; and they have designed award-winning resorts, golf courses, and gaming properties. Their success can be attributed to their talent, excellent faculty, and the firsthand experience they received while studying in a city such as Las Vegas.

Many of our students have been inspired by, and learned much from, generous artists who have given so much of their time – persons such as Tony Curtis, Phyllis McGuire, Vince Falcone, Matt Damon, Anthony Zuiker, and other individuals who have taken time out of their demanding schedules to teach UNLV students.

It is only fitting that the UNLV College of Fine Arts establish the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame at UNLV to honor those people who have contributed to the arts in Southern Nevada.

2023 Inductees — Brad Garrett, Virko Baley, Gloria Dea, Clarence Gilyard, James Stanford, Dean's Medal Recipients; Nelson Sardelli, Clarence Gilyard, College of Fine Arts Alumni of the Year; Cecilia Schafler, Dwayne Eshenbaugh
2022 Inductees — Dionne Warwick, Cynthia Gregory, Paul Anka, Michael Tylo, Dean's Medal Recipients; Fawn Douglas, Dave Loeb, Kenny Rampton, College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year; Cooper Rust
2022 Inductees — Dionne Warwick, Cynthia Gregory, Paul Anka, Michael Tylo, Dean's Medal Recipients; Fawn Douglas, Dave Loeb, Kenny Rampton, College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year; Cooper Rust
2021 Inductees — Ann-Margret, Dave Hickey, Mac King, Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson, Dean's Medal recipients; Justin Favela, Candy Schneider, College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year; Giovanna Sardelli, Sush Machida, Las Vegas Newcomer Award; Brian Newman
2020 Inductees – Postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19
2019 Inductees — Carolyn Goodman, Oscar Goodman, Ronald Husband, Frankie Moreno; John Katsilometes, Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns, Dean's Medal recipients; Michael Del Gatto, AIA '96 and '99, 2018 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2018 Inductees — Denise Scott Brown, Dale Chihuly, Leslie Jackson Chihuly, Guy Laliberté, Myron Martin, Claudette Robinson; Dr. Harvey Allen Godorov, William Lowman Dean's Medal recipients; Tim Bavington '90 MFA, 2017 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2017 Inductees — Lance Burton, Matthew Gray Gubler, Willie Harris; Carol Channing, Debbie Reynolds, Dean's Medal recipients; George Grove '01, 2016 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2016 Inductees — Marlena Shaw, Hugh Taylor, Johnny Thompson; Patrick Duffy, Dean's Medal recipient; Danielle Kelly '07, 2015 College of Fine Arts Alumna of the Year
2015 Inductees — Keith G. Boman, M.D., Gary Nelson, Paul Curtis Steelman; Jack A. Rappaport, Dean’s Medal recipient; Joe Aldridge ‘79, 2014 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2014 Inductees — Tim Bavington, Sue Kim, Joe Williams (posthumously); June T. Brennan, Dean’s Medal recipient; Ronnie Vannucci '11, 2013 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2013 Inductees — Vincent Falcone, Joel Bergman, Jeanette Farmer; Robin & Danny Greenspun, Dean’s Medal recipients; Eric Whitacre ’95, 2012 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2012 Inductees — Penn & Teller, George Garlock, Peter Foy (posthumously); Edward D. Smith, Dean’s Medal recipient; David Howryla ’97, ’00, 2011 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
2011 Inductees — Danny Gans (posthumously), Roger Thomas, The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre; Thomas Schoeman, Dean’s Medal recipient
2009 Inductees — Bernice Fischer, Lorraine Hunt-Bono, Liberace (posthumously), Siegfried & Roy, William E. Snyder FAIA
2008 Inductees — Robert Goulet (posthumously), Clint Holmes, Tony Marnell, Vassili Sulich, The Killers
2007 Inductees — Nancy Houssels, Rich Little, Thomas Schoeman, Anthony Zuiker
2006 Inductees — Frederic Apcar, Mary Healy Hayes, John Klai II, Wayne Newton
2005 Inductees — Phyllis McGuire
2004 Inductee — Tony Curtis
2003 Inductee — George Sidney

Who would you like to see in the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame next year? Nominate your choice for the 2025 Hall of Fame Award! For details and a nomination form contact:

Suzette Dacuag
College of Fine Arts
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 455013
Las Vegas, NV 89154-5013

Phone: 702-895-5676

Email: suzette.dacuag@unlv.edu