UNLV welcomed its largest-ever class of new graduates today, as more than 3,300 were eligible to participate in the university's 45th commencement ceremonies at the Thomas & Mack Center.

UNLV President David B. Ashley recognized community members Michael Gaughan, Bruce Woodbury, Edward Dewayne Smith and Cathy Ray as Distinguished Nevadans for their contributions to the community and support of higher education. Ashley also honored 10 graduating students for their achievements at the university and in the community.

Students from the School of Dental Medicine, University Studies, and the colleges of Engineering, Education, Business and Hotel Administration participated in the 9 a.m. ceremony; students from the William S. Boyd School of Law and colleges of Sciences, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts and Urban Affairs took part in the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Since 1964, UNLV has awarded approximately 80,000 degrees. This year marks the first graduating classes for students in nursing and physical therapy doctoral programs.

Additional information is available at http://commencement.unlv.edu/. Details on the spring 2008 outstanding graduates are contained on the following pages of this release.

<strong class="tableHeadRed">Outstanding Graduates - A.M. Ceremony</strong>

<strong>Lillian Ratliff - B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Mathematics</strong>
Lillian Ratliff has achieved remarkable success both academically and in the community while at UNLV. A double major in two of the university's most rigorous programs - engineering and mathematics - Lillian graduates summa cum laude in both programs with a 3.96 GPA. She has participated in significant research projects in bioinformatics, nuclear energy and nanotechnology as an undergraduate and developed an analytical model for studies related to electromagnetic pump efficiency for the department of mechanical engineering. Outside the classroom, Lillian shares her talents as a tutor for multiple organizations, including UNLV's Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach and Roy Martin Middle School. She also works with the local Shade Tree shelter, assisting women in their efforts to obtain a high school equivalency degree. Lillian plans to pursue advanced degrees in electrical engineering from UNLV.

<strong>Jacob Ludwig - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering</strong>
Jacob Ludwig exemplifies the UNLV Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps' mission to develop leaders for our nation's Air Force through excellence in academics, fitness and leadership. As a cadet in UNLV's AFROTC detachment 004 and member of the U.S. Marine Reserves while at UNLV, Jacob stands out among his peers both in and out of the classroom. Ranked among the top five percent of cadets nationwide with a 3.38 GPA, Jacob has been the recipient of nine university and service oriented honors, including the Daedalian Society Scholarship and the American Legion General Military Excellence Award. He has also held numerous leadership positions within his cadre, earning the AFROTC Achievement Award twice, Warrior Flight Award and the Air Force Recruiting Award. Jacob has been accepted and will attend the Air Force flight school next summer.

<strong>Jeffery Halsell - Ed.D. in Educational Leadership; Nita Tallent-Halsell - Ph.D. in Life Sciences</strong>
Jeffery and Nita Halsell are husband and wife outstanding graduates. Both Jeffery and Nita earned undergraduate, master's, and now doctoral degrees from UNLV. Jeffery is a current senior administrator for Clark County School District specializing in student and program assessment. Nita currently serves as a research scientist for the Environmental Protection Agency, with a specialization in invasive plants. During their time at UNLV, Jeffery and Nita have demonstrated superior scholarship and a strong commitment.

<a href="http://publicaffairs.unlv.edu/mp3/624/Halsell.mp3" id="halsell" title="Interview with Jeffery and Nita Halsell"></a> <label for="halsell">Interview with Jeffery and Nita Halsell</label>

<strong>Devin Johnson - DMD in Dental Medicine</strong>
Devin Johnson has already made a marked impact in the field of dental medicine research. Working as a research associate in UNLV's School of Dental Medicine, Devin investigated and published the first description of human pappilomavirus-driven changes to oral cancer phenotype. This research led to a second peer-reviewed publication, both among the most accessed publications in their respective journals. In addition to his impressive academic performance - Devin will graduate with a 3.96 GPA - he currently serves as UNLV chapter president of the American Dental Education Association, is a guest lecturer in first-year dental courses, serves as a volunteer tutor and participates in UNLV's annual "Give Kids a Smile" event for low-income families in Southern Nevada.

<strong class="tableHeadRed">Outstanding Graduates - P.M. Ceremony</strong>

<strong>Sequoia Holmes - B.A. in Psychology </strong>
Sequoia Holmes is a prime example of both academic and athletic achievement at UNLV. A two-time captain of the Lady Rebels basketball team, Sequoia maintained a 3.25 GPA in psychology and was widely regarded as the academic role model for her team. Among her many accomplishments, Sequoia led the Mountain West Conference last season with 18.3 points per game, is the current conference career steals leader and was the conference defensive player of the year in 2007. Just as impressive off the court, Sequoia was twice named to the academic All-Mountain West Conference team, represented the university at the NCAA Leadership Conference in 2006, and was the recipient of the Weldon E. Havins Scholastic Advancement and Athletic Recognition Award. She also regularly represents UNLV student athletes at community events to raise awareness for diabetes and breast cancer research. Sequoia is currently in training camp with the WNBA's Houston Comets.

<strong>Cristobal Neblina - B.A. in Psychology </strong>
Cris Neblina is proof that family support and an unwavering desire to succeed can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As a child, Cris and his family immigrated to America from Mexico in pursuit of a better life. After high school, he started a family and joined the workforce, but after ten years realized that higher education would be the key to his success. With help from the Osher Re-Entry Scholarship, Cris enrolled at UNLV and has balanced family, work and academic obligations to earn a perfect 4.0 GPA in psychology. With a strong research interest in the field of clinical psychology, Cris hopes to continue his studies in graduate school at UNLV.

<a href="http://publicaffairs.unlv.edu/mp3/624/Neblina.mp3" id="neblina" title="Interview with Cristobal Neblina"></a> <label for="neblina">Interview with Cristobal Neblina</label>

<strong>Hilary Heap - B.A. in Criminal Justice</strong>
Hilary Heap has achieved remarkable academic success at UNLV. The recipient of the Edwin Sutherland Award for highest GPA in criminal justice - a perfect 4.0 - Hilary has earned multiple merit and academic honors, including the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs and Jay Hahn Law Enforcement scholarships. Hilary is also very active as a research assistant, working on projects related to domestic violence and prostitution. Off-campus, Hilary has helped develop a non-profit to help sexually abused youth in Las Vegas and volunteered on the Girls Initiative research project for the Department of Juvenile Justice Services in Clark County. Hilary earned a full scholarship to continue her studies next fall at the William S. Boyd School of Law.

<strong>Michael Gordon - M.A. in Public Administration</strong>
Michael Gordon has inspired many students to consider service a vital part of the college experience since arriving at UNLV in 2006 from South Africa on a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. A master's student in public administration, graduate assistant for residential life and member of multiple national honor societies, Michael founded three campus organizations at UNLV - including the Public Administration Graduate Association. Just as active off campus, Michael has in the past year initiated and managed a $54,000 fundraising effort between the U.S. and South Africa to promote children's literacy; overseen the distribution of 15 wheelchairs to disabled veterans in Clark County; and has been involved in charitable work benefiting multiple community organizations, including the Salvation Army and Ronald McDonald House.

<a href="http://publicaffairs.unlv.edu/mp3/624/Gordon.mp3" id="gordon" title="Interview with Michael Gordon"></a> <label for="gordon">Interview with Michael Gordon</label>

<strong>Lara Carver - Ph.D. in Nursing</strong>
Lara Carver is making history by being awarded one of the state's first two Ph.D. degrees in nursing, a critical step in combating a national shortage of nurse educators. Carver, a former nurse for the Clark County School District, was part of the first cohort of students in the nursing doctoral program at UNLV, the state's only nursing Ph.D. program. She currently serves as nursing director for the newly formed Henderson, Nev. branch of National University. Under her leadership, the university recently gained new program approval from the Nevada State Board of Nursing and will admit its first nursing undergraduates this summer. Carver's dissertation explored generational differences in nursing faculty, particularly their impact on the current nursing faculty shortage. She will graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA.