It is with great pride that I introduce the current issue of UNLV Magazine. In the wake of 9-11, homeland security has, of course, become a pressing, ubiquitous topic. I would speculate that it is being discussed regularly in the offices of virtually every government agency in America; related issues have been covered with great frequency on our nightly newscasts, debated at length in Congress, interpreted in our courts of law, and are still being considered in the planning of all sizable public events. It seems only fitting that this subject should also be discussed and analyzed in the halls of academe. I am pleased to know that we are contributing to the public dialogue on this issue, both in this publication and in the classrooms of our campus.

UNLV’s involvement in matters surrounding homeland security developed just as the term itself did: in the aftermath of the horrific, world-altering events of 9-11. After the shock of the tragedy subsided, I believe we – at UNLV and collectively as a nation – resolved to search for constructive ways to restore peace of mind to the American psyche. At such times, it is the best in our resilient human nature that leads us to identify and take positive action. At our university, that meant using our most valuable skills – teaching, research, and service – to begin exploring the possible causes of this terrible act, to discuss solutions to the myriad social, political, and religious issues that may have produced it, and to better understand – and, thus, help combat – terrorism in general.

Out of this resolution to contribute in a meaningful way, we began examining what actions UNLV could take. One of the results was the creation of the UNLV Institute of Security Studies, which was established last year. The institute utilizes and coordinates the educational and research capabilities of our institution in the analysis and distribution of the body of knowledge relating to homeland security. Through the institute, UNLV partners with a number of federal, state, and local governmental agencies, as well as private industry, to study and combat terrorism. The institute houses a number of units, including the offices of academic programs, educational outreach, applied technology, human considerations, cybersecurity, and domestic preparedness. More detail on the programs and services these offices provide is offered in the following pages of this magazine, and I encourage our readers to learn more about them. I congratulate those members of the campus community who founded the institute on their thoughtful consideration of the roles the institute has adopted and the functions these offices perform; they seem to mesh well with the needs of the community, state, and nation, and they effectively complement UNLV’s goals and research capabilities.

I would be remiss in my discussion of the institute’s formation if I did not also mention that we were able to obtain startup federal funding with the help of UNLV’s longtime friend and supporter, Sen. Harry Reid. As always, we are grateful for Sen. Reid’s unwavering support, which has led to a number of research-oriented projects and partnerships benefiting UNLV. He consistently observes the university’s potential for involvement in addressing timely and critical issues.

And that is, after all, one of the most important endeavors a university should undertake, in my opinion: to help address and remain involved in the crucial issues of the day. The pursuit of that endeavor guided us recently as Provost Ray Alden led the development of what we call our 12 “research macrothemes,” which are current or emerging areas of study that characterize the contribution UNLV is making to Nevada and the nation. These macrothemes identify and support scholarship and research clusters that most keenly represent our commitment to partnering with our community, that promote economic diversification efforts, and that illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of the programs active on campus. In short, they were developed to help us concentrate our research efforts on areas of greatest need.

One of these macrothemes focuses specifically on the development and protection of community infrastructure with regard to ensuring homeland security. Researchers in this area – many of whom are working through our Institute of Security Studies – are responding to the national demand for improved training and research associated with threats to the safety and stability of community infrastructure. They focus on multidisciplinary approaches in the study of homeland security, including examination of emergency response and management by fire and police; public transportation; public health and bioterrorism; engineering and construction; and strategies to ensure efficient interactions of local, regional, and national governments.

The UNLV faculty members working in this area are seeking to find concrete solutions to the problems associated with homeland security; they are employing their knowledge, skill, and ingenuity to discover new and innovative techniques, equipment, and ideas to thwart the very real threat of terrorism. I would like to acknowledge them for their willingness to apply their abilities in such constructive ways; I often speak of the noble endeavors of higher education, and I see examples of these endeavors every day on the UNLV campus. But when I allow myself to speculate that the human condition could be improved through the work of a researcher or educator from our university – through the study of homeland security or any other discipline – I know the definition of meaningful contribution.

So, as you can see, we are finding our path, as are many fine institutions and people throughout the country, to help restore peace of mind in the post-9-11 world without engaging in any activity that restricts human or civil rights. I encourage you to read on to learn more specifically about UNLV’s programs and research on the issue of homeland security. I believe you will find it a powerful reminder of the remarkable results produced when intellect meets resolve.