WHAT: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Spring 2005 Commencement exercises.
WHEN:Saturday, May 14, 2005, 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. Ceremony: Graduate College, Law, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Urban Affairs.
2:00 p.m. Ceremony: Graduate College, Business, Education, Engineering, Hotel, and University College.
WHERE: UNLV Thomas & Mack Center
BACKGROUND: More than 2,000 degrees will be awarded at this year's spring ceremonies. Seventy seven percent of spring graduates are Nevada residents, with the remaining grads representing 46 different states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and 35 foreign nations. Since 1964, UNLV has awarded over 68,000 degrees- 50,710 bachelor's, 14,587 master's and specialty degrees, 444 doctoral degrees, and 584 law degrees.
9:00 a.m. Ceremony Special Honorees
* Brian Greenspun-- Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
* Franny Forsman -- Distinguished Nevadan
* Jerry Keller -- Distinguished Nevadan
9:00 a.m. Ceremony, Outstanding Graduates Being Recognized
Norah and Chelsie Campbell
This mother and daughter have been attending UNLV since 1997 and are graduating together for the second time. Norah came to the United States in 1971 as a political refugee from Cuba. She eventually learned English, settled in Nevada, got married and started a family. In 2001 - thirty years after leaving Cuba - Norah walked across the UNLV stage with her daughter Chelsie, where both received bachelor's degrees. Norah has now completed her master's degree in foreign language studies, and Chelsie is graduating from the Boyd School of Law. Both women are very active in Las Vegas -particularly within the Latino community. They have been recognized by many organizations for their stellar academic performance and dedication to serving Latino youth in Las Vegas.
Karen Kesterson
Karen is graduating with a Ph.D. in biological sciences. In addition to her outstanding academic achievements, Karen is a 20-year Naval Reserve officer, who interrupted her graduate studies to serve on active duty for 20 months in Iraq, where her unit provided medical support to the U.S. Marines. Following this deployment, Karen returned to UNLV to finish her doctoral degree.
Anthony Allen
At the age of 13, Tony was uprooted from his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, and most of his family and lifelong friends, when his mother passed away from breast cancer. He attended four different high schools in three states, yet continued to excel academically, finally graduating with honors from Henderson's Basic High School. Although he was recruited by such top institutions as Harvard, Dartmouth, Stanford and the University of Arizona, he chose to attend UNLV due to the strong reputation of its honors program. He is graduating summa cum laude from the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs.
Stephanie Mrozek
Stephanie is an undergraduate geology major with a GPA of 3.8, and is president of the UNLV Geology Club. She has excelled academically and has been involved with a number of research projects, and in 2004 was awarded an Undergraduate Research Award to study salts occurring on school grounds and parks in Las Vegas. After graduation, Stephanie will attend a prestigious summer course in Field Methods in Volcanology at the University of Hawaii, funded in part by the Norman R. Tilford Scholarship. She plans to pursue her PhD in Geology in Submarine Volcanology.
2:00 p.m. Ceremony Special Honorees
* City of Las Vegas -- President's Medal
Mayor Oscar Goodman will be on hand to receive the President's Medal in recognition of the Las Vegas Centennial
* Joseph M. Neal -- Distinguished Nevadan
* Bobby Siller -- President's Medal
2:00 p.m. Ceremony, Outstanding Graduates Being Recognized
Henry Schuck
A member of the Honor's College and graduating with a dual degree in hotel management and accounting, Henry will finish his UNLV experience with many accomplishments. He is the outgoing student body president and has served in a number of other leadership capacities on campus. He was a founding organizer of the UNLV Water Polo Club and has been active in a number of student organizations.
Jessica Adler
Jessica is graduating with a dual major in hotel administration and political science. She has earned numerous scholarships and performed very well academically, with a GPA of 3.75. She conducted research, authored and edited scholarly publications, and presented academic papers internationally- for example, she recently represented UNLV at the Annual International Tourism Conference in Spain. After graduation Jessica will be joining the prestigious Teach for America program, which seeks bright college graduates to teach in challenged school districts. She will be going to Philadelphia to teach language arts at an inner-city school middle school for two years.
Louis Amundson
Louis has been a key role player for the Runnin' Rebels during his time at UNLV, but he has demonstrated just as much success off the court. He has maintained a GPA of 3.3 throughout the course of his university studies major, and has overcome both physical and personal hardship during the past four years. After graduation he plans on pursuing a second degree in business and hopes to one day apply for medical school.
Bradley Mayer
Bradley is graduating from the College of Business with a degree in economics. He has been a very active student at UNLV, holding various leadership positions on campus and volunteering for numerous organizations. As a student representative, Bradley has been active with the Alumni Association and serves on the membership committee. In addition, his community activities include volunteer work with several political campaigns. Bradley plans to pursue his MBA after graduation.
**EDITOR'S NOTE** - Media are invited to cover commencement ceremony- a list of special honorees provides strong story ideas surrounding commencement, particularly the outstanding graduates.
