More than 7,000 UNLV graduates can thank the late Gov. Kenny Guinn for the start of their careers.
Since 2000, the Guinn Millennium Scholarship has opened access to higher education for Nevada high school graduates and encouraged them to stay in state. UNLV has graduated 7,024 Guinn Millennium Scholars, with hundreds more added after May's commencement. More than 6,500 students currently receive the benefits of the scholarship.
UNLV highlighted the impact the scholarship has had on UNLV students and paid tribute to Guinn, who passed away last year:
Memorial Display -- The university installed a display in the Student Union. The display includes a history of the program, a biography of Guinn, and lists all UNLV alumni who received the scholarship.
Tribute Book -- The tribute book will include cards, testimonials, and photos from friends and prominent Nevadans.
Pioneer Wall -- A bronze relief of Guinn was placed on UNLV's Pioneer Wall. Located at the entrance to campus on Maryland Parkway and Harmon Ave., the wall honors people who have shaped the development of UNLV, including Maude Frazier, James Dickenson, and Donald C. Moyer.
What's your Millennium Scholarship story?
We want to capture your story. Tell us how the Millennium Scholarship has made a difference in your life. At the UNLV Ambassadors website, you can write your story, upload your own video testimonial, or schedule an appointment to record a video.
About the Scholarship
With millions of dollars expected from the national tobacco settlement agreement in 1999, Guinn saw an opportunity to address the problem of low college attendance rates in Nevada without using taxpayer dollars.
The scholarship rewards Nevada's top high school students with up to $10,000 to pursue higher education in the state. It has more than doubled the number of students who now attend Nevada's colleges.
The scholarship impact:
- Approximately $240 million has been distributed to more than 63,000 Guinn Millennium Scholars across Nevada.
- Nevada's higher education institutions have conferred more than 22,000 degrees to Guinn Millennium Scholars.
About Kenny Guinn
Guinn is remembered as a champion of education. Whether he was serving as governor of Nevada, interim president of UNLV, superintendent of the Clark County School District, or as a high school teacher, Guinn exhibited a genuine passion for helping to improve the lives of those he served. Guinn was UNLV's interim president in 1994, taking a salary of just $1.
