2011-12 Year in Review
Being a rebel means making a difference in our community, winning international honors, sharing knowledge at major events, and leading breakthroughs in research. View the slideshow of some memorable moments from the 2011-12 academic year.
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Shining Example
UNLV earned a Silver Star from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The association noted that more than 60 percent of waste collected on campus in 2010 was diverted from landfill disposal; nearly 95 percent of building space is maintained with sustainable operations guidelines; and a new minor in solar and renewable energy integrates aspects of sustainability into existing science, engineering, and public policy curriculum.Learn more about UNLV's Urban Sustainability Initiative »
A Major Minor
Students are learning from the nation's premier public policy think tank under a new academic minor through UNLV and The Brookings Institution. It's the first such partnership for the highly respected organization, which has established its Western headquarters at UNLV to study our region's issues, including economic development, housing, transportation, environmental sustainability, and community health.More on the Brookings curriculum minor »
Popular Melting Pot
U.S. News and World Report listed UNLV as the 10th most diverse college for undergraduates. We also ranked 12th on its Most Popular Colleges list, alongside Harvard, BYU and Stanford. The designation is based on the percentage of applicants accepted who end up enrolling.
Military Friendly
G.I. Jobs, a magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, named UNLV a Military Friendly School. Its 2012 list honors the top 20 percent of colleges doing the most to embrace America's military service members and veterans. This fall, the Student Veterans Organization also organized the dedication of the UNLV Veterans Memorial, which sits near the Alta Ham Fine Arts Building.Learn about UNLV's veteran's programs »
The Education Governor
A bronze relief of the late Kenny Guinn, a former Nevada governor, was placed on UNLV’s Pioneer Wall. Guinn, the university’s interim president in 1994, is responsible for establishing the Millennium Scholarship, which has helped more than 7,000 UNLV alumni attain their degrees. Pioneer Wall was built around a fragment of the original Maude Frazier Hall, UNLV’s first building.Read about UNLV’s landmarks »
Star Power
Bing Zhang burst into the pages of Nature with the first evidence of a star being swallowed by a supermassive black hole. The astrophysics professor is part of NASA’s international Swift team and an expert on the universe’s most powerful explosions.Read more »
A New Home for Discovery
UNLV dedicated the 205,000-square-foot Science and Engineering Building. Its labs bring together faculty and students from various fields to encourage collaboration and foster the kind of new technologies and breakthroughs that can diversify the Nevada economy. The building has received a LEED silver rating for its sustainable design.More »
Free Culture
UNLV’s many free public lectures bring international experts to our community. Topics this year included the tenor of national politics, the untold story of women casino workers, and the architecture of the temporary community that pops up during Burning Man festival.Check out all UNLV events »
The Lee Business School
UNLV received a $15 million donation — one of the largest individual donations in its history — from the Ted and Doris Lee family to bolster business education. In return, the university renamed its business college the Lee Business School. The gift will fund 10 endowed professorships, a scholarship program, a lecture series, and a visiting professor program.Lee Business School »
Dreaming Bigger
Through its Adopt-A-School program, UNLV reaches out annually to nearly 2,000 students attending five local elementary schools whose student population is deemed to be at-risk. UNLV staff, students, athletes, cheerleaders, band members, and mascot Hey Reb! visit the schools to encourage the youngsters to read, to work hard, and to strive for a college degree.Adopt-A-School Program »
Homecoming Awards
Pat Mulroy, '75 BA and '77 MA German Literature, was named the 2011 Alumna of the Year by the UNLV Alumni Association. She oversees the operations of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, which is responsible for acquiring, treating, and delivering water to local agencies that collectively serve approximately 2 million residents and nearly 40 million annual visitors.Read about all the Homecoming award winners »
100,000th degree
Emily Tamadonfar received UNLV's 100,000th degree at winter commencement. She graduated with a perfect GPA in biology and was one of five outstanding graduates honored at the ceremony.Read more »
Campus Hub
The Student Union is a popular meeting place on campus for students and community groups alike. Student Union & Event Services was recently awarded the One-Stop Shop Certified designation by the Association of Collegiate Conference & Event Directors.More info on events space »
Foundation marks 30th anniversary
The UNLV Foundation, which raises private gifts for the university, celebrated its 30th anniversary. In its first year, the foundation raised $800,000 to support UNLV. Over the past 30 years, it has cumulatively raised more than $800 million, and the university’s endowment now tops $100 million.UNLV Foundation »
Keeping Arts Alive
The Las Vegas Art Museum and the UNLV College of Fine Arts recently announced a partnership to exhibit the extensive LVAM collection on campus and in the Las Vegas community. The collection has been in storage since the museum closed in early 2011. UNLV’s Barrick Museum is being remodeled to display some of the collection.Read more »
No Debating It
The Sanford I. Berman Debate Team reasoned its way into the top 10 among varsity teams in the National Debate Tournament rankings. The accomplishment is especially notable considering the team was resurrected just five years ago.Get tips from the team’s coach »
Solar Decathalon
Team UNLV, led by the School of Architecture, is one of only 20 university teams chosen for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013, a highly competitive contest that attracts colleges from around the world. Over the next year and a half, the team will design, build and test its solar-powered home before reassembling it at the competition site in Irvine, Calif.Follow the team's progress »
Badwater for Better Biotech
Sciences professor Dennis Bazylinski became the first to identify and grow a new type of magnetic bacteria. The unique minerals in the bacteria, found in Death Valley’s Badwater Basin, could lead to better drug delivery and medical imaging. Watch the bacteria in action »
Mendenhall Center Opening
The new practice facility for the Runnin’ Rebels opened this spring. Attached to the south side of Cox Pavilion, the facility has two basketball courts, a film room, locker rooms, and athletic training and academic areas. It was built entirely through private donations.Take a peek inside »
Alum wins Grammy Award
Internationally acclaimed composer, conductor, and UNLV graduate Eric Whitacre ('95 BA Music) won a 2012 Grammy in Best Choral Performance for Light & Gold, his debut album as a conductor. In his acceptance speech, he gave a shoutout to a his professor David Weiller, director of choral studies. (Photo by Alexander MacNaughton)Read more and listen to his acceptance speech »
Healthy Rebels
UNLV Athletics was recognized as a "Public Health Hero" by the Southern Nevada Health District for its involvement with the UNLV Coaches Challenge. The four-week program motivates second- through fifth-graders to lead healthy, active lifestyles. More than 17,000 students from 696 classrooms in 146 schools participated.Read more »
College Experience for Kids
Each year, UNLV partners with organizations across the region to host a number of events for secondary school groups, including the Beal Bank Regional Science Fair and the Las Vegas Book Fair. The UNLV Performing Arts Center brings in more 40,000 local children for performances and school competitions each year. Organizations can also arrange for custom campus tours.Campus tours »
Cohen to College
The new Philip J. Cohen Scholars Program was launched to fund full-tuition scholarships for up to 50 UNLV students each year. The first 33 scholarships were awarded this spring. The program was made possible through the estate of Cohen, a Las Vegas gaming and real estate executive who passed away in 2010.Read more »
Community Concert Band Celebrates 25 Years
The UNLV Community Concert Band celebrated its 25th anniversary in April. The band is open to any student or Las Vegas-area resident who wishes to perform. The more than 85 members range in age from high school students to senior citizens.Read more »
Festival of Communities
UNLV hosts the annual Festival of Communities to celebrate the cultural traditions that make Southern Nevada unique. The daylong event annually draws thousands of visitors to its live musical and dance performances, international food booths, kid-friendly activities, and gardening exhibits as well as an academic fair for prospective UNLV students.UNLV Festivals »
Runnin' Again
Led by first-year head coach Dave Rice (a UNLV alum), the men's basketball team had a national-headline grabbing season. The team's 26 wins were the most in a season by a UNLV first-year head coach. The team beat three top-25 teams, including a win over then-No. 1 North Carolina. The Runnin’ Rebels packed the Mack with 18,577 fans during three home-game sellouts (in the previous 19 seasons, UNLV had a total of three sellouts).More men's basketball news »
Dorm Life
UNLV lowered pricing and offered new academic scholarships for on-campus housing residents. The campus offers four building complexes with distinct living environments to meet differing student needs and interests.Housing and Residential Life website
Hot Jobs
The UNLV student chapter of the American Nuclear Society hosted a conference and job fair in April. The event drew nearly 800 nuclear science, engineering, radiochemistry, and health physics students and professionals from around the nation.Career Services
Sweeping the Competition
Four UNLV student teams took top prizes and collected $65,000 in prize money in the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan Competition, a statewide contest designed to encourage students to use their ideas and talents to create tomorrow’s businesses.Read about their future businesses »
Rebel Reading Challenge
Nearly 7,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students attended the Rebel Reading Challenge kickoff celebration at the Thomas & Mack Center in October. The challenge — made possible through a partnership with SuperPawn and the CCSD School-Community Partnership Program — is a 30-day program to motivate kids to read. The event made Las Vegas history for being the largest gathering of elementary school students in one place. A staggering 2,509,500 pages were read during the challenge.Watch the video »
Bounce Back Season
The women's basketball team had its finest season in eight years as it finished with an record of 22-10 and recorded its highest-ever Mountain West finish in second place with a 10-4 mark. The Lady Rebels had a school-record four all-conference honorees, and the team received an automatic berth in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.More women's basketball news »
A Putt Above
The men's golf team recorded five wins and two second-place finishes in 10 events, earning a ranking as high as No. 2 nationally. Four Rebel golfers also claimed individual tournament crowns this year.More golf news »
Bright Minds
Student walk near north field at sunset. In the fall, UNLV enrolled more than 27,000 students.Campus photo galleries
Bringing The Band
The band fires up campus spirit during a pre-football rally.Hear the UNLV fight song
Taking A Break
Southern Nevada's sunny climate makes hanging out on the academic malls pleasant during most of the school year.Student life photo gallery
Premier UNLV
Premier UNLV kicked off the academic year, welcoming new and returning students to campus. The beloved tradition, which started in 1996, includes a cookout, live music, and the formation of the letters U-N-L-V by students holding flashlights.
Our Graduates Soar
UNLV graduate Emily Black flies across the stage to get her degree during UNLV's 2012 commencement. Black was a member of the first class to earn a bachelor's degree in entertainment engineering and design, a multidisciplinary program that combines technical theater and engineering.Watch the video of Black's flight »
Hey Reb!
A statue of the UNLV mascot, located outside Tam Alumni Center, is a favorite spot for student pictures.Read the story of how Hey Reb! came to be »
Desert Blooms
The UNLV campus is filled with native, drought-tolerant plants.The campus arboretum and xeric garden
Home Court
The Thomas & Mack Center ranked in the top 10 in the world for highest grossing venues of 15,000 and over. The National Finals Rodeo topped the chart as the No. 1 highest grossing ticketed event in the world for venues 15,000-30,000 capacity. UNLV also ranked in the top 25 nationally for home basketball attendance.Events calendar »
