UNLV Alumni Association celebrates graduates and campus community leaders as part of its annual awards program.
Please note that this Series is more than three years old and details may have changed since the publish date.
For more than 40 years, UNLV has recognized exceptional individuals who represent the ideals of higher learning and Rebel pride. Through the awards program, the UNLV Alumni Association recognizes alumni, faculty, students, and community leaders for their outstanding achievements and leadership at the university as well as throughout our community. These recipients truly serve as inspiration for the generations of students who will follow.
[View the full awards ceremony.]
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year didn't let a little thing like Nevada's only law school closing stop him from pursuing a legal education.
Silver State Award-winner Larry Ruvo is still charging hard into philanthropy, just like he has for more than 40 years.
Achievement in Service Award winner Michael Green is UNLV's resident expert in all things Silver State.
Former Marine and College of Urban Affairs Alumnus of the Year has fought to get help for Nevada's veterans seeking educational opportunities.
Graduate College Alumna of the Year's time at UNLV left her with an appreciation for parsing differing, and often contradictory, viewpoints en route to becoming a champion for animals.
School of Public Health Alumna of the Year took a detour from optometry to end up serving Clark County.
School of Nursing Alumna of the Year knew in the fourth grade she wanted to be just like her mother — a nurse.
Sociology bachelor's has been foundational for College of Liberal Arts alumna of the year's ascent to heights of corporate leadership.
A turn with a bully in the seventh grade put Law School Alumna of the Year Marisa Rodriguez on the career path.
Integrated Health Sciences Alumnus of the Year Edwin Suarez's interest in physical therapy started with an injury of his own.
William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Alumnus of the Year still drawing on lessons learned as an intern at Bellagio.
Honors College Alumnus of the Year follows in his grandfather's footsteps to a legal career.
College of Sciences Alumna of the Year made a change at UNLV that led to an inspirational career in education.
A little help from his father set a 4-year-old Atsushi “Sush” Machida on the path to becoming the College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year.
College of Engineering Alumnus of the Year Piotr Tomasik has been involved in several startups since his 2009 commencement.
College of Education Alumna of the Year Tonia Holmes-Sutton boasts an impressive array of experience fighting for teachers and education regionally and state-wide.
School of Dental Medicine Alumna of the Year Dr. Brandi Dupont pursued a career in oral health to help better serve those in need.
As the owner of a marketing business, Lee Business School Alumna of the Year Gina Bongiovi couldn't find a lawyer who could give affordable advice for her business. So she stepped in to fill the void.
Outstanding Faculty Award winner Alona Angosta progressed from bachelor's to master's to tenured faculty at the university that made her feel welcome.
