UNLV Newsmakers 2019: April/May

A collection of news stories highlighting the people and programs of UNLV.

The final months of the spring semester were packed with community engagement activities - renowned authors tackled the tough topic of anti-Semitism in America, former Vice President Al Gore delivered the harsh reality of climate change and its impacts, NBC's Chuck Todd emceed a national gathering of experts discussing the future of work, and zombies roamed UNLV's campus to help students and staff be RebelSAFE. 

May brought with it the annual Spring Commencement, and with it inspiring stories – including a mother-son graduation duo, exceptional researchers and community advocates, and a former gang member turned school social worker. UNLV faculty were also called on to discuss the rise in measles nationwide, politics at home and abroad, and a partnership between the university and Caesars that will usher in a new era of innovation in hospitality and gaming. 

These stories and more make up the latest edition of UNLV Newsmakers.  

Al Gore Talks Climate Change

In late April, UNLV welcomed former Vice President Al Gore to campus for a discussion on climate change. During an hourlong talk to a packed audience at UNLV's Ham Hall, Gore assessed the impacts of an increasingly warmer world and offered suggestions on how everyone can contribute to the Global Sustainability Revolution. Prior to the talk, Gore and UNLV President Marta Meana met with students from UNLV's Solar Decathlon team, which is designing and building a solar-powered home for international competition in 2020. 

Public Policy and the Future of Work

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and former House Speaker John Boehner joined forces to co-chair the MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute's inaugural symposium, “Investing in America: The Future of Work.” Chuck Todd of NBC's Meet the Press emceed the event, which included an exclusive conversation with Reid and Boehner and panel discussions on the roles and responsibilities of the education system and companies to support continuous learning, and ways to broaden access to the labor market.
 

Urban Adventures 

Crime tape. News reporters. Investigators. But this isn’t a crime scene, at least a real one. Students in UNLV’s Greenspun College of Urban Affairs experienced a new class, dubbed Urban Adventures, which required all of the college's majors to interact with one single crime for an entire semester. For example, criminal justice students process the scene while social work majors speak with the family of the victim. Journalism and media studies students interview witnesses, and communication studies students acted as liaisons between investigators and the press. 
 

Zombie Apocalypse on Campus

If you’re prepared for a zombie apocalypse, you’re prepared for just about anything. UNLV's Emergency Management team hosted a “zombie apocalypse” preparedness drill in April to encourage students and staff to download and test the RebelSAFE app. Staff and students familiarized themselves with the app by taking pictures throughout campus with groups of roving zombies and uploading them along with a suspicious activity report of what they saw. 

Increase in Measles Outbreaks

Measles outbreaks have been steadily increasing nationwide - over the past year, the number of measles cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more than tripled. Johan C. Bester, bioethics director with the UNLV School of Medicine, was called upon by numerous media outlets to give insight into why these outbreaks keep occurring and how vaccination can help stop them.

A Discussion on Anti-Semitism in America

Former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, in partnership with the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and the Nevada System of Higher Education, welcomed award-winning author/historian Deborah Lipstadt and journalist Jonathan Weisman to UNLV on April 11 to discuss the rise of anti-Semitism in America. The panelists discussed the modern manifestations of anti-Semitism and bigotry that are on the rise nationwide, pulling from their own scholarly work and experiences.
 

Black Fire Innovation

UNLV and Caesars recently announced Black Fire Innovation, a research partnership that will bring the two together in a simulated integrated resort environment to develop, test, and commercialize innovations in gaming and hospitality. The partnership will occupy 43,000 square feet of the debut research building at the UNLV Research & Tech Park and feature elements of mock hotel rooms, a casino floor and sportsbook, an esports arena and virtual reality facilities. It will also give students unparalleled access to experts at the forefront of the gaming industry.
 

Inspiring Graduates

On May 18, more than 3,000 students joined the ranks of UNLV alumni, each with their own inspiring story of perseverance on their path to success. A few were highlighted by local media for their exceptional contributions.

  • Karessa Royce: 23-year-old Royce graduated with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, and her story is one that reflects her incredible strength. A survivor of the Route 91 shooting in October 2017, Royce delivered a speech at a remembrance ceremony on UNLV’s campus in the aftermath of the tragedy. In spite of having gone through so much, she offered then and continues to be a comforting voice of hope, resilience, and positivity to the university and Southern Nevada community. And she’s just getting started. 
  • Gloria Flores & Michael Flores: Gloria and Michael Flores, mother and son, turned their tassels together at UNLV's spring commencement. Gloria Flores achieved her life-long goal of receiving her bachelor’s in sociology after 25 years of juggling work, school, and raising Michael. Michael, who serves as chief of staff for the Nevada System of Higher Education, received his master’s degree in urban leadership. 
  • Clayton Rhodes: Clayton Rhodes made history by being the first student with Down Syndrome to walk at UNLV's commencement. Clayton was among the first to enroll in Project Focus, a program at UNLV for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities which helps to guide them through the college experience. Project Focus works with UNLV professors to make classes accessible to students like Clayton. Clayton hopes to use what he learned at UNLV to find a job in the sports field.
  • Lionel Stoxtell: Student success advocate Lionel Stoxtell received his master’s degree from UNLV to support his career as a school social worker. But the road to get there has not been easy. Stoxtell overcame a former gang lifestyle and addiction, among many other hardships. His story shows that one’s past does not dictate their future.

Commencement Coverage

The class of 2019 came from 37 states and 50 foreign countries. Many are the first in their families to graduate from college, and 60 percent are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. The ages of these graduates range from 18 to 71, with an average age of 27. This group of UNLV graduates were the first to receive a degree from a Research 1 university — the gold standard for university research classifications. A collection of stories highlight this commencement.

Expert Roundup

  • Boyd Law School Professor Francine Lipman lends her expertise to the media regarding tax season
  • Political Science Professor Austin Wang gives insight into Tawain’s presidency
  • UNLV Immigration Clinic Director Michael Kagan lends his expertise to the immigration debate in Nevada
  • Matthew Lachniet explains the rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere
  • Couple & Family Therapy Program Professor Katherine Hertlein offers relationship conflict advice
  • Asma Tahir gives insight into the difficult allergy season

Ecosexuality

Marriage is typically between people. But what if it was between people and the earth? Towards the end of April, UNLV instructor and Ph.D. candidate Jennifer Reed officiated a “Marriage to the Earth” ceremony in Pida Plaza. The wedding involved ecosexuals who were there to declare their love to the earth. Reed is currently writing her dissertation on ecosexality, which can be defined as anyone who seeks a closer relationship with the Earth.

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