March 18, 1997 -- Reno, Nevada

The University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) Board of Regents (Board) approved nominations for the 1997 Nevada Regents' Scholar awards at its regular meeting of March 13-14, 1997. These awards for student academic achievement are formally presented at Commencement in May and include a medal and $5,000. At the two universities, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Reno, Regents' Scholars are named in both the undergraduate and graduate categories.

Doriayn Olivarra, Community College of Southern Nevada

The Board approved the nomination of Doriayn Olivarra as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for the Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN). Doriayn Olivarra is recognized as an excellent candidate for this award. A single mother with two children and a part-time job, Ms. Olivarra maintains high academic standards with a GPA of 3.85 in the Associate of Arts and Sciences programs. She has recently been accepted into the Registered Nursing program and plans to transfer to UNLV to pursue her Bachelors and Master's degrees. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Ms. Olivarra has been a member of CCSN's Phi Theta Kappa honor society since 1995. She has also done volunteer work for Channel 10 and KNPR and been a volunteer CPR instructor for the Badge Corporation.

Connie Thomson-Hornbarger, Great Basin College

The Board approved the nomination of Connie Thomson-Hornbarger as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for Great Basin College. Ms. Thomson-Hornbarger will be receiving her Associate of Arts degree this May with a GPA of 4.0. During her three years at GBC, Ms. Thomson-Hornbarger has taken 9-12 credits per semester while working as a volunteer and a secretary in the main office at Carlin Combined Schools. Her service to her community has centered around the school, assisting with such diverse activities as spelling bees and tutoring. This experience has given her an interest in psychology, especially that of children, and her ultimate goal is to obtain a Master's degree in that field.

Denise Abbey, Truckee Meadows Community College

The Board approved the nomination of Denise Abbey as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for Truckee Meadows Community College. Ms. Abbey is recognized as an outstanding student in the Business Management program with a 3.9 GPA. Upon completion of her Associate of Arts degree at TMCC, she plans to continue her studies at UNR toward a B.S. in Business. Ms. Abbey originally entered TMCC with the help and assistance of the TMCC ReEntry and Single Parent Program. Rising from being a high school dropout at age sixteen to earning a GED to becoming the Regents' Scholar for 1997, Denise personifies the phrase "true grit" and exemplifies persistence and courage in the face of adversity. She is a formidable role model for all other students, not only having overcome earlier hardships and barriers, but currently maintaining academic excellence in spite of a chronic illness, financial hardships and the challenges of raising three teenage sons.

Michelle Wright, Undergraduate Student, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The Board approved the nomination of Michelle Wright as the Regents' Scholar for undergraduate students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Ms. Wright is an undergraduate student in Social Work in the College of Urban Affairs with a GPA of 3.8 who has overcome enormous physical and medical problems. In 1993, she became legally blind due to Diabetic Retinopathy and decided to leave UNLV where she was pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry. After several operations, she decided to resume her studies at CCSN where she subsequently graduated with a 4.0 GPA and High Honors. She decided to return to UNLV in the fall of 1995 in the area of Social Work. "I had to learn just how resourceful I could be in finding ways to read books, do research and absorb the knowledge presented in class without my vision." Ms. Wright then suffered a second major medical setback, but still managed to maintain her honor roll status. Ms. Wright will graduate this May with many accomplishments and awards. She received the Jean Nideth scholarship for overcoming adversity and academic excellence and the American Association of University Women Scholarship for overcoming adversity. She is the co-founder and member of Second Sight, a support group for vision-impaired students, and a member of the Active Blind group and the University Association of Social Workers.

Sandra Phillips Johnson, Graduate Student, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

The Board approved the nomination of Sandra Phillips Johnson as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for graduate students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Ms. Johnson is currently in her final semester of completing her Masters degree in Economics with a GPA of 3.96. In 1995, she graduated with a BSBA degree with Summa Cum Laude distinction. She is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma, the Phi Kappa Phi, the Omicron Delta Epsilon and Golden Key societies. Ms. Johnson has been active with the Graduate Student Association and been a graduate assistant, tutor and adjunct professor. She is also active with the Clark County Women's Democratic Club.

Tasha Palmer, Undergraduate Student, University of Nevada, Reno

The Board of Regents approved the selection of Ms. Tasha Palmer as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for undergraduate students at the University of Nevada, Reno. Ms. Palmer is a junior in Chemical Engineering with a perfect 4.0 GPA. and a member of the UNR Honors Program. She received two awards from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for her achievement in the study of French. Additionally, she was named as the "Outstanding Chemistry Student" in 1996. Ms. Palmer is extremely active in both campus and community life. She is a member of the Ethnic Student Diversity Committee and helped to organize the University Awareness Day. She is the student representative on the University Ethnic Studies Board and an active member of the Society of Women Engineers, Student Ambassadors, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Women's Political Action Network of Mines. In terms of community service, she has been a volunteer for the Adaptive Recreation Program for mentally and physically handicapped people and worked with Nevada AIDS Foundation to bring the NAMES quilt to Reno, among other activities.

Keith Flower, Graduate Student, University of Nevada School of Medicine

The Board approved the nomination of Keith Flower as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for graduate students from the University of Nevada, Reno. Mr. Flower is a second-year student in the School of Medicine. He is recognized for his leadership in the inception, development and implementation of a medical/nursing student outreach, assessment and referral clinic for the homeless and indigent in the Reno-Sparks area. His vision, effort and tireless pursuit of this valuable project are credited with bringing it to fruition. In terms of academic accomplishments, Mr. Flower was selected to participate in the medical nutrition program where he completed a research project, evaluated nutrition instructional media and advised the School of Medicine on ways of incorporating nutrition education into the curriculum. He is also the co-author and programmer of "A Model for Cancer and Nutrition Support Using the World Wide Web" and co-author of the article "The Initiation and Development of a Collaborative Health Care Outreach Program by Medical Students." Mr. Flower is a member of the School of Medicine Building Committee.

Lisa Nelsen, Undergraduate Student, Western Nevada Community College

The Board approved the nomination of Lisa Nelsen as the 1997 Regents' Scholar for Western Nevada Community College. Ms. Nelsen has completed 35 credits at WNCC with a GPA of 3.71 and is currently enrolled for 16 credits. She has been elected to be a member of Phi Theta Kappa because of her academic achievements. She works full-time and additionally serves as a tutor in the Academic Skills Center. Ms. Nelsen plans to pursue Bachelors and Master's degrees in Civil Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno following graduation. While a freshman at WNCC, Ms. Nelsen served as a volunteer advisor to the Churchill County High School Yearbook, working with high school students.