skyline at sunset
Spring 2025

At Your Service: Our Difference-Making Partnerships for a Better Nevada

From hosting science field trips to delivering therapy services to rural areas, UNLV enriches the lives of Nevadans. 

Current Issue: Spring 2025

skyline at sunset

From hosting science field trips to delivering therapy services to rural areas, UNLV enriches the lives of Nevadans. 

three women on couch in living room with walls covered in family photos

UNLV Special Collections workshop helps families collect oral histories, memorabilia, and records to pass down through the generations.

man in regalia at commencement ceremony

Longtime administrator Chris Heavey on his appointment as interim president of UNLV.

Campus Scenes photo

The launch of the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture marks a significant step in strengthening UNLV's global engagement in an interconnected world.

Portrait of UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey

Heavey, a longtime UNLV faculty member and administrator, most recently served as the university's officer in charge; appointment runs through April 2028. 

woman posing with her chin in her hands

Art history major Izzy McClain on reconnecting with her family's past.

A student talking in a group setting with her laptop.

UNLV Urban Affairs class prepares students to navigate emergency situations from a crisis communication perspective.

Dozens of musicians in formal outfits play instruments.

UNLV students and residents come together for the love of music and to support Las Vegas organizations.

Drew Peltier in lab with tree samples

Life Sciences professor Drew Peltier explores how trees grow, survive, and reproduce despite poor conditions — and when they might not recover.

A brain model atop a blue plate

UNLV research team says high blood sugar levels appear to weaken function in key part of brain, mimicking Alzheimer’s.

person standing with choice to go left, right, or straight

New UNLV-led study models thousands of generations to find out why animals – including humans – evolved to prefer short-term gains over more fruitful long-term benefits.

blurred image of red banner with trees in background

For this column from UNLV Magazine, Nevada journalist John L. Smith seeks context from someone, he says, "who has done everything for UNLV but paint it."

collage of three people

To answer that, we turned to three alumni who’ve handled their fair share of turmoil. Here they share lessons learned from their respective industries.

hockey team celebrating as coach holds trophy

Two decades after the program was formed, UNLV ice hockey reaches the pinnacle of club team success with a national championship.

football coach at practice with athletes

From the gridiron and the hardwood to the fairways and the swimming pool, it’s been another eventful — and in many cases highly successful — year for UNLV Athletics. 

 

black and white photo of Herbert Derfelt

UNLV’s origin story traces back to one vote by one man, Herb Derfelt. And his legacy continues through generations of family members who followed in his educator footsteps.

Pate Thomas holds a photo of his great-grandfather Herbert Derfelt

Pate Thomas initially had no desire to add his name to the long list of family members who became Rebels and then educators. Now? He’s a proud alum, a difference-making educator, and the boss of a brand-new high school.

Piotr Tomasik wearing a shirt that says Tensorwave

Piotr Tomasik, a computer science graduate and serial entrepreneur, is driving a local tech renaissance one internship — and startup — at a time through new UNLV program.

a man and woman in formal attire on a stage

The business leader and pioneer for the UNLV Foundation passed away April 14.

Students cheer in front of tall scarlet UNLV letters on an outdoor field

Here's how the signature scarlet letters — the star of hundreds (thousands?) of photos — found a home at UNLV. 

purple and white tulips on campus

Faculty, staff, and members of the UNLV community that passed away in 2024-25.