Dear Campus Community,
The new academic year is upon us and the energy is palpable! We are welcoming 30,000 students to our campuses as well as more than 80 new faculty and staff. This is an exciting time, and I thank you for your hard work and your incredible enthusiasm.
I also want to take a moment to reflect on what makes student achievement, creative activities, research growth, and community partnerships happen: You. Your spirit and drive create a collaborative, supportive environment where people thrive. What you do makes a huge difference every day.
We’ve accomplished a tremendous amount, and I’ve been witness to monumental progress over the past two decades. The William S. Boyd School of Law celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Since the law school’s opening, we’ve added the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Community Health Sciences, and the School of Medicine. These complement our outstanding Nursing and Integrated Health Sciences schools, all of which directly address Nevada’s critical need for health care providers. Building and growing such programs in the span of 20 years is no small feat!
A few more units are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year: our Academic Success Center is 10 years old, the College of Sciences celebrates 50 years, and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering was established 30 years ago.
We’ve helped 119,587 students become alumni, supported startups, boosted existing businesses and industries, and contributed to the arts and the state’s economy. We have excelled in many ways, all while attracting the most diverse student population in the country. What we’ve done together is remarkable!
Of course, we are most successful when we work together. I hope you will have time this fall to attend events and engage with colleagues, students, alumni, and community members. Here is a small selection of opportunities:
- Our student-athletes are back in action this month, and UNLV Football hosts its home opener against UTEP on Sept. 8.
- We’ll hold our annual State of the University at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, in the Judy Bayley Theatre.
- Be a part of the Performing Arts Center’s 42nd season, which starts Sept. 20.
- Experience a showcase of student and faculty research as well as scholarly and creative works during Research Week, beginning Oct. 8.
- Come hear Guillermo del Toro, the director of The Shape of Water, speak during the first Barrick Lecture of the season on Oct. 17.
- Get ready for a festive homecoming celebration, including Rebels Give, the Scarlet & Gray Homecoming Parade, the Rebel Block Party, UNLV Football, and more.
This will be an amazing academic year, and I look forward to seeing you on our campuses and in the community. Thank you for being a part of the UNLV family!
Warm regards,
Marta Meana, Ph.D.
Acting President
@UNLV_President
Facebook.com/UNLVPresident