FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Suzanne Ernst (702) 889-8426

Regents Honor Top Nevadans

LAS VEGAS -- The Board of Regents today named recipients for several Regents' awards, including the 2002 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 commencements in Reno and Las Vegas in May.

The 2002 Distinguished Nevadans are:

• James Edward and Alice Ray Smalley of Las Vegas
  
• Dr. William Pearson of Las Vegas
  
• J. Terrence Lanni of Las Vegas
  
• Donald Bently of South Minden
  
• Dr. Jesse Hall of Reno

In addition, recipients of the 2002 Regents' Awards, Academic Advisors Award and Regents' Scholars Award were announced.

Regents' Researcher Award: Dr. James Neil Brune, University of Nevada, Reno

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: Mr. Stefan Karlsson, 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: Mr. Eric Bateman, Great Basin College; and Dr. Gary Hausladen, University of Nevada, Reno

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. Sherri Theriault, Undergraduate
  
• Ms. Roberta B. Williams, Graduate

University of Nevada, Reno

• Ms. Debra Holman, Undergraduate
  
• Dr. Joseph Cline, Graduate

Community College of Southern Nevada

• Mr. William Erik Proctor

Great Basin College

• Dr. Mike McFarlane

Truckee Meadows Community College

• Re-Entry Center Professional Staff
  
  • Ms. Barbara Twitchell
    
  • Ms. Ruth McKnight
    
  • Ms. Darlene Simkins
    
  • Ms. Lee Geldmacher

Western Nevada Community College

• Mr. Michael Sady

2002 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. Kate E. Martin, Undergraduate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Ms. Chiaki Brown, Graduate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  
• Ms. Lori Anderson, Undergraduate, University of Nevada, Reno
  
• Dr. Shannon Martin, Graduate, University of Nevada, Reno
  
• Ms. Kerri Hamrick, Community College of Southern Nevada
  
• Ms. Bobbi Claytor, Great Basin College
  
• Ms. Erin Lippert, Truckee Meadows Community College
  
• Ms. Suzanne Lequerica, Western Nevada Community College

The Regents also approved the following honorary degrees:

• Honorary Doctorate
  
  • Mr. Glenn Schaeffer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    
  • Dr. George Sidney, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    
  • Mr. Michal T. (Tommy) Sands, University of Nevada, Reno
    
  • Mr. John Bancroft, University of Nevada, Reno
    
  • Dr. John Noble, University of Nevada, Reno
• Honorary Associate
  
  • Assemblyman Morse Arberry, Jr., Community College of Southern Nevada
    
  • Maj. Gen. Billy McCoy, Community College of Southern Nevada
    
  • Mr. Ricard Barrows, Great Basin College
    
  • Mr. Kevin Melcher, Great Basin College
    
  • Mr. Frank & Mrs. Stephanie Burnham, Truckee Meadows Community College
    
  • Rev. Onie Cooper, Truckee Meadows Community College
    
  • Ms. Shelly Aldean, Western Nevada Community College

The Nevada Board of Regents is the elected, 11-member governing body for the University and Community College System of Nevada. Comprising two doctoral granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one internationally acclaimed research institute, the UCCSN 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.

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