Regents Honor Top Nevadans

During the meeting of the Board of Regents on March 15-16 in Carson City, regents named recipients for several awards, including the 2007 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 2007 Distinguished Nevadans are:

• Drs. Nazir & Mary Ansari of Reno
• Mr. & Mrs. Ralph & Sara Denton of Boulder City
• Mr. Philip J. Kohn, Esq. of Las Vegas
• Mr. Paul C. Page of Las Vegas
• Mr. Dale Porter of Elko
• Dr. Frank Curry Stokes of Incline Village

The Regents also approved the following honorary degrees:

• Honorary Doctorate Degrees
• Mr. Cole C. Campbell, University of Nevada, Reno (posthumous)
• Ms. Debbie Reynolds, University of Nevada, Reno
• Honorary Masters Degrees
  • Ms. Charlotte Danielson, Nevada State College
• Honorary Baccalaureate Degrees
• Mr. Mike Marfisi, Great Basin College
• Ms. Amanda Howard, Nevada State College (posthumous)
• Honorary Associate Degrees
• Mr. Domingo Cambeiro, College of Southern Nevada
• Mr. Jim Breslin, Truckee Meadows Community College
• Mr. Manny Martinez, Truckee Meadows Community College
• Dr. Jill Talbot Derby, Western Nevada College
• Mr. Harvey Whittemore, Western Nevada College

In addition, recipients of the 2007 Regents' Awards, Academic Advisors Award and Regents' Scholars Award were announced.

Regents' Researcher Award
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. The 2007 honoree is:

• Dr. Nicholas Lancaster, Desert Research Institute

Regents' Creative Activity Award
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 Nevada System of Higher Education. The honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2007 honoree is:

• Dr. James F. Winn , University of Nevada, Reno

Regents' Teaching Award
In 1996, the Board of Regents approved the establishment of the annual Regents' Teaching Award. This award honors outstanding instructional contributions to the Nevada System of Higher Education. Two awards are granted yearly, one from UNLV, UNR or DRI, and the other from CSN, GBC, TMCC or WNC. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2007 honorees are:

• Dr. Dale A. Etheridge, Community College of Southern Nevada
• Dr. Scott A. Mensing, University of Nevada, Reno

Academic Advisors Award
The Board of Regents established the Regents' Academic Advising Award in 1998. This award honors outstanding academic student advising with one award granted to a community college advisor and two awards granted to advisors at the state college or universities. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend. The 2007 honorees are:

• Mr. John Kinkella, Western Nevada Community College
• Ms. Jeanette M. Sorensen, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (undergraduate)
• Dr. Gale M. Sinatra, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (graduate)

2007 Regents' Scholars Award
The Regents' Scholar Award is bestowed upon one student from each NSHE institution for their academic achievements, leadership ability and service contributions. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend. The 2007 honorees are:

• Ms. Vacheral Carter, College of Southern Nevada
• Ms. Heather D. Steel, Great Basin College
• Ms. Kimberly Jacovino, Nevada State College
• Mr. Christopher Robison, Truckee Meadows Community College
• Ms. Kristal L. Sauer, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Undergraduate
• Ms. Amy D. Lykins, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduate
• Ms. Christine M. Harms, University of Nevada, Reno Undergraduate
• Ms. Janet Hart Frost, University of Nevada, Reno Graduate
• Mr. Samuel S. Lossing, Western Nevada College