Fall 2007
Defining UNLV's next 50 years
This academic year marks the beginning of UNLV's second half century — a milestone we are recognizing with a year of 50th anniversary activities, and a year of comprehensive and collaborative planning.
When this university held its first commencement, the graduates and faculty fit in a couple of rows in the old gymnasium. These pioneers relished their unique place in history and boldly embraced the challenge of turning a dusty patch of land into a great university.
Now, five decades later, our graduates number in the thousands, we have satellite campuses in Las Vegas and Southeast Asia, and our faculty exceeds 1,000. But UNLV is about more than simple growth. Today we emphasize focused growth. Deliberate growth. Like the city we call home, rapid growth does not define us — it merely describes us. A larger population — be it citizens or students — is evidence of something greater at work.
Our scientists and researchers are winning prestigious competitive grants and the scientific community is taking note. This summer, a National Science Foundation study ranked UNLV among the top five universities in the nation for the greatest increase in publication of research findings. UNLV also made the pages of The Atlantic, which ranked our graduate writing programs among the nation's top five and most innovative.
Another major accomplishment is our progress toward raising $500 million through the Invent the Future campaign. Last month, the Harrah's Foundation pledged $30 million to help us put research and education at the forefront of the hospitality industry (see page 10 for more information).
We are no strangers to excellence in the world of sport, either. And we have stayed true to form with conference titles in basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and track and field — not to mention the advancement of the Runnin' Rebels to
the NCAA Sweet 16.
As these most recent accomplishments demonstrate, we are poised to achieve goals that 50 years ago our founders had not yet even dreamed. This year, we will chart the next steps in our development through a comprehensive strategic planning process. Firmly linked to our budget, this process will set the priorities for defining our future excellence.
As past students and university supporters, you left a mark on this campus, but there is still much work to be done. I hope our 50th anniversary will inspire you to rediscover your alma mater. To come to the many special events we have planned this year. To call up an old professor to ask how you can help today's students. And to act as an ambassador for us in your community.
A half-century mark is a fine time to look back. But it is a better time to look forward. With your help, we can set an even higher standard for those who follow.
David B. Ashley
UNLV President
Learn how you can be part of UNLV's 50th anniversary by visiting celebrating50.unlv.edu.