Regents Honor Top Nevadans

Las Vegas // February 8, 2008 -- The Board of Regents today named recipients for several prestigious awards, including the 2008 Distinguished Nevadans.

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 2008 Distinguished Nevadans are:

• Dr. Joseph N. Crowley of Reno
• Mr. Michael Gaughan of Las Vegas
• Mr. Lynn C. Hettrick of Gardnerville
• Mrs. Cathy Ray of Las Vegas
• Mr. Edward Dewayne Smith of Las Vegas
• Mr. Bruce Woodbury of Las Vegas

Biographical information on the Distinguished Nevadans can be found at www.nevada.edu by clicking here.

In addition, recipients of the 2008 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 2008 honoree is:

• Dr. Thomas Cargill, University of Nevada, Reno

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 2008 honoree is:

• Mr. Thomas Warrington, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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 2008 honorees are:

• Ms. Gail Ferrell, Truckee Meadows Community College
• Dr. John Farley, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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 2008 honorees are:

• Dr. N.J. Pettit, College of Southern Nevada
• Ms. Lorena Beck, University of Nevada, Reno (undergraduate)
• Dr. Richard Tracy, University of Nevada, Reno (graduate)

2008 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 2008 honorees are:

• Ms. Aurora Guzman-Luna, College of Southern Nevada
• Mr. Jim Flanders, Great Basin College
• Ms. Christine Pesqueira, Nevada State College
• Ms. Windi Goodman, Truckee Meadows Community College
• Ms. Emily Powers, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (undergraduate)
• Ms. Lorraine Benuto, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (graduate)
• Ms. Jessica Ford, University of Nevada, Reno (undergraduate)
• Ms. Rashi Tiwari, University of Nevada, Reno (graduate)
• Ms. Nichole Peterson, Western Nevada College

The Board of Regents will vote on honorary doctorate, masters, baccalaureate, and associate degrees during their April 3-4 meeting in Carson City.