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UNLV Foundation News

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that raises and manages private funds for the benefit of UNLV. Our mission is to increase philanthropic support for the university, grow its endowment for long-term financial stability, and enhance the future growth of UNLV.

Current Foundation News

Wearing a dark blue suit and blue tie, 2024 UNLV Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Randy Garcia poses with his hands in his pants pockets in front of logo for his company, the Investment Counsel Company
People |

After founding an investment firm, Randy Garcia has generously (and gratefully) invested in his alma mater. 

Portrait of Marco Benvenuti
People |

Gift from Las Vegas business icon and 2002 graduate Marco Benvenuti provides opportunities for students beyond the classroom.

older man speaking in front of audience
People |

Despite a guidance counselor's naysaying, the former UNLV president has racked up a lifetime of achievements too long to list.

woman in red shawl sitting in front of wall of historic photos
People |

The Oral History Research Center and its inaugural director, Claytee White, celebrate 20 years.

photo illustration of woman holding UNLV pendant
People |

This fundraiser is the ultimate hype woman – and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie, too!

woman in doctor's coat outdoors
People |

Undergraduate research experiences helped Jordyn Farewell strengthen her academic performance and get into med school.

Foundation In The News

Las Vegas Review Journal

UNLV is getting a new institute for Chinese language and culture after a $15 million donation by Las Vegas Sands Corp. to the UNLV Foundation.

Las Vegas Review Journal

UNLV is getting a new institute for Chinese language and culture after a $15 million donation by Las Vegas Sands Corp. to the UNLV Foundation.

Las Vegas Sun

Since 2017, the Resiliency and Justice Center has been helping victims of the Route 91 mass shooting but was activated for the first time in six years Dec. 6, when a rejected job applicant walked onto UNLV’s campus and shot four professors, killing three and injuring one. The center – working alongside UNLV, Clark County, the UNLV Foundation and Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada – set up a fund to accept donations for families of victims who died in the incident and suffered severe physical injuries.

U.S. News & World Report

Before closing out the fall semester, many schools observe different holidays through unique and time-honored traditions.

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

How does a new foundation CEO ensure long-term success? The first 100 days in office are critical to a successful tenure and depend on the CEO establishing candid, trusting relationships with the institution president, the foundation board, and internal and external stakeholders. Success also depends on the new CEO’s ability to understand the entire gamut of the position’s responsibilities, the corresponding gaps in their experience and expertise, and the means to address limitations.

KTNV-TV: ABC 13

UNLV is getting a new center called the Kerestesi Center, named after Tom F. Kerestesi of Cragin & Pike. Its primary focus will be for students who want to come into the insurance industry. 

Recent Foundation Accomplishments

Anjala Krishen (Marketing and International Business) was appointed as the first Mel Larson Endowed Chair in Marketing. The endowed chair in was created to honor in perpetuity the memory and exemplary career of marketing pioneer Mel Larson and allows the Lee Business School department of marketing to recruit, retain, and recognize faculty for…
Andrew Thomas-Reyes (Nursing) received the 2021 UNLV Research Foundation and UNLV Foundation grant to fund his work, "Testing the Feasibility of Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Smartphone App Intervention for College Student Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Randomized Controlled Trial.” He will be working with Christopher…
A number of UNLV communicators and other staff members received high marks from the Las Vegas Valley Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America during the recent Pinnacle Awards ceremony. The Las Vegas chapter sends the entries to judges outside the local market for evaluation to provide the most objective evaluation and determination of…
Joakim Nyoni (Foundation) was selected and participated in the Institute for Educational Management (IEM) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in July. IEM is a comprehensive executive education program that prepares senior leadership in higher education to address challenges and opportunities that face institutions of higher learning…
Caleen Johnson (Foundation) and Stine Odegard (Service Learning and Leadership) have been announced as members of the 2019 cohort of Jameson Fellows.  In 2013, Gard Jameson developed the program to create a culture of greater cohesion across nonprofit sectors. This program will enrich the work currently being done by…
UNLV has received two 2018 Educational Fundraising Awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The honors are given each year to superior fundraising programs at educational institutions across the country. UNLV is one of six public universities nationwide with endowments of less than $350 million to be honored for…