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LAS VEGAS - August 26, 2009 - The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) today announced a $14 million donation from The Lincy Foundation. Pending approval from the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents at its September meeting, the gift will establish The Lincy Institute at UNLV. Additionally, the donation will enable an upcoming partnership with a major international research and policy group. (A detailed announcement of this partnership is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2009).
The proposed Lincy Institute at UNLV will set a new standard for integrated problem solving by allowing regional organizations to more effectively address large-scale challenges in the areas of education, health care, social systems and public policy - issues identified in a 2008 Brookings Institution report as critical to building a diverse, sustainable economy and improving quality of life in the Intermountain West states (Mountain Megas).
"To truly prosper as a region, we need to address our key issues through a sustainable, productive and inclusive approach," said UNLV President Neal Smatresk. "The Lincy Institute will be a hub for addressing the human capital challenges that are integral to the future prosperity of our region. It brings together the resources of the university in partnership with nonprofit agencies to tackle problems in a focused, cohesive manner."
The Lincy Institute will work closely with existing UNLV research centers and faculty, and report to the UNLV vice president for research and graduate studies. The institute will be housed in UNLV's Greenspun Hall, and will employ program directors in health, education and social systems, a full-time grant writer and will sponsor 12 faculty fellowships in related areas. Funding will also support post-doctoral, graduate and undergraduate assistantships, and scholarships to enhance existing educational and community programs.
"The community at large will be the direct beneficiary of The Lincy Institute," said Anthony L. Mandekic, chairman of The Lincy Foundation. "We are very pleased to honor U.S. Senator Harry Reid with our gift today; he shares our passion for improving the quality of life for all Nevadans."
"In life, I find friendships to be most important, especially long-lasting friendships with people of integrity and commitment to others," said Kirk Kerkorian, benefactor of The Lincy Foundation. "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is such a person of integrity and commitment to others. I have known Senator Reid for more than 40 years; throughout this time he has always been fair and honest - all the while doing his best for Nevada. I am proud to call him my friend."
The Lincy Foundation was formed by Kerkorian in 1989 in response to a devastating earthquake in Spitak, Armenia. Helping children and families reach their full potential is one of the cornerstones of The Lincy Foundation, which has donated more than $800 million dollars to various humanitarian causes. Funding is provided by Mr. Kerkorian's wholly-owned Tracinda Corporation.
Eds.: Please see the Brookings Institution Mountain Megas report and related content. For more information about The Lincy Institute, please visit <a href="http://lincyinstitute.unlv.edu/">http://lincyinstitute.unlv.edu/</a>.
