Marco Benvenuti, an alumnus of the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, died Aug. 28, 2026, following a three-year battle with cancer. Originally from Tuscany, Italy, Benvenuti came to UNLV in 1999 and earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration in 2002, graduating summa cum laude from both the Hospitality and Honors colleges. He earned a master’s degree from Cornell University and worked for several major hospitality companies before turning to entrepreneurship. In 2010, Benvenuti co-founded Duetto, a hospitality technology company focused on revenue strategy. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small consulting operation into a global technology business serving hotels and casinos. Benvenuti remained connected to the hospitality college throughout his career and was a strong supporter of education. The Marco Benvenuti Strip View Lobby in Hospitality Hall was named in his honor.
Mary Dale Deacon, who served as director of UNLV Libraries from 1982 to 1992, died in August 2026. Deacon played a key role in the growth of the Libraries, securing funding for expanded collections, implementing an integrated automated system, and creating new staff positions. She also championed construction of a new library facility as a priority for the Maryland campus. A graduate of the University of New Mexico, Deacon earned a master’s degree in library science from the University of Denver and later worked at the University of British Columbia. She was preceded in death by her husband, James E. Deacon, a distinguished professor emeritus at UNLV, in 2015.
William “Bill” R. Jankowiak, a distinguished professor of anthropology at UNLV and internationally recognized scholar of Chinese society, human relationships, and cross-cultural anthropology, died in July 2026. During his three decades at UNLV, Jankowiak became a leading scholar of love, family, sexuality, and human relationships, authoring a dozen books and more than 130 scholarly articles. His greatest legacy was the generations of students he mentored.
Randall “Randy” Shelden, a longtime UNLV professor of criminal justice, died June 19, 2026. Shelden joined UNLV in 1977 and retired in 2024. With a focus on criminal justice, he helped develop the program, including the creation of its master’s degree in the late 1980s. Shelden authored more than 20 books and 50 articles and received national recognition in 1992 for his contributions to criminology. A dedicated teacher, he received UNLV’s Outstanding Teacher Award six times. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran and an avid Boston Red Sox fan.
Joyce Woodhouse, a UNLV alumna and longtime Nevada educator and public servant, died May 8, 2026. Woodhouse moved to Southern Nevada in 1966 to begin her career as a teacher. Over more than four decades with the Clark County School District, she served as a teacher, principal, and administrator. She later represented Henderson in the Nevada State Senate, serving from 2006 to 2010 and again from 2012 to 2020. A tireless advocate for public education, she worked to support Nevada’s schools, educators, and students. Woodhouse earned two master’s degrees from UNLV and founded the Nevada Institute for Teacher Education Preparation. In 2024, she was inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class of the UNLV College of Education.
Zhanlei Yao, a longtime UNLV financial planning and budget analyst, died June 3, 2026. Yao spent more than 15 years at UNLV, serving as a senior financial accountant and, most recently, a senior budget analyst. She worked with departments across the university, providing financial expertise and support to campus colleagues. Known for her kindness, positive spirit, and dedication to her work, Yao was a valued colleague and friend to many at UNLV.
