FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Ernst (702) 889-8426

LAS VEGAS -- The Board of Regents today named recipients for several Regents' awards, including the 2001 Distinguished Nevadan.

The Distinguished Nevadan represents the most prestigious award conferred by the Board of Regents. It is bestowed upon prominent individuals who have made significant achievements that have contributed to the cultural, scientific or social advancement of Nevada. The recipients will be honored at special Regents' Receptions in Reno and Las Vegas in May.

The 2001 Distinguished Nevadans are:

• Dr. Elias F. Ghanem, M. D. of Las Vegas
  
• Dr. Marvin Moss of Sparks
  
• Mr. Wayne Newton of Las Vegas
  
• Dr. Anthony Saville of Las Vegas
  
• Mrs. Sallie Springmeyer of Gardnerville

In addition, recipients of the 2001 Regents' Awards, Academic Advisors Award and Regents' Scholars Award were announced. These recipients will also be honored at the Regent's Receptions in May.

2001 Regents' Researcher Award: Dr. Judith Chow, Desert Research Institute
The Board of Regents established the Regents' Researcher Award in 1992. This award is bestowed upon faculty members with a substantial record of accomplishments, including a significant amount of research and scholarly work with recognition, clear evidence of the national and/or international stature of the research, and in the case of grants and contracts, must have been competitive on a national or international level. The honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal.

Regents' Creative Activity Award: Dr. David Hickey, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
The Board of Regents established the Regents' Award for Creative Activity in 1993. This award recognizes significant accomplishments which bring recognition, as well as national and international stature, to the University and Community College System of Nevada. The honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal.

Regents' Teaching Award: Ms. Marilee Swirczek, Western Nevada Community College and Dr. Marta Meana, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
In 1996, the Board of Regents approved the establishment of the annual Regents' Teaching Award. This award honors outstanding instructional contributions to the University and Community College System of Nevada. Two awards are granted yearly, one from UNLV, U NR or DRI, and the other from CCSN, GBC, TMCC or WNCC. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal.

Academic Advisors Award:
The Board of Regents established the Regents' Academic Advising Award in 1998. This award honors outstanding academic student advising on each campus. Each honoree receives a $2,500 stipend.

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  - Ms. Heather Howard, Undergraduate
  - Dr. Charles Regin, Graduate
  
  
• University of Nevada, Reno
  - Dr. Christine Cheney, Undergraduate
  - Dr. Mary Maples, Graduate
  
  
• Community College of Southern Nevada
  - Ms. Carmen Martin
  
  
• Great Basin College
  -Teacher Education Committee
  
  
• Truckee Meadows Community College
  - Ms. Cheryl Woehr
  
  
• Western Nevada Community College
  - Mr. Paul Nelson
  

2001 Regents' Scholars Award:
The Regents' Scholar is awarded to one student from each UCCSN institution for their academic achievements, leadership ability and service contributions. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend.

• Ms. Kelli Jones, Undergraduate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Ms. Cheryl Radeloff, Graduate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Ms. Alicia Privette, Undergraduate, University of Nevada, Reno
  
• Ms. Jennifer Frankovich, Graduate, University of Nevada, Reno
  
• Mr. David Campbell, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Mr. Brian S. Hutchison, Great Basin College
  
• Mr. Casey Gillham, Truckee Meadows Community College
  
• Ms. Crystal Smith, Western Nevada Community College
  
  

The Regents also approved the following honorary degrees:

Honorary Doctorate

• Mr. William Bennett, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Mr. James R. Dickinson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Mr. Don Snyder, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Ms. Emilie Wanderer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Senator Richard Bryan, University of Nevada, Reno
  
• Mr. Jerome Lemelson, (posthumously) University of Nevada, Reno
  
• Ms. Dixie May, University of Nevada, Reno
  

Honorary Associate

• Ms. Hannah Brown, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Mr. Joseph Buckley, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Mr. Carlos Garcia, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Mrs. Barbara Joan Greenspun, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Mr. A. Allan Stipe, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Mr. Charles Briggs, Great Basin College
  
• Dr. Jim Hager, Truckee Meadows Community College
  
• Mr. Ron Turek, Truckee Meadows Community College
  

Comprising two doctoral-granting universities, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institution, the University and Community College System of Nevada serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to nearly 100,000 students.