NSHE Regents’ 2026 Distinguished Nevadans, Honorary Degrees Announced

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents has announced the recipients of the 2026 Distinguished Nevadan Award, the most prestigious award conferred by the Board, as well as honorary degrees that will be presented at NSHE’s spring commencement ceremonies.

Distinguished Nevadans

The Distinguished Nevadan Award recognizes prominent individuals who have made significant contributions to the cultural, economic, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada and its people.

This year’s Distinguished Nevadans include:

• Donna Lee (Nominated by Chair Byron Brooks) – A retired United States Navy veteran and longtime advocate for Nevada’s veteran community, Lee has dedicated more than two decades to supporting veterans, first responders, and their families. Through hands-on advocacy, she has helped hundreds of Nevada veterans access housing, benefits, treatment, and mentorship while advancing efforts to address veteran homelessness, mental health, and suicide prevention. Her continued service and leadership have strengthened support networks for veterans across Southern Nevada.

• Diana L. Bennett (Nominated by Regent Heather Brown) – A pioneering leader in the gaming and hospitality industry, Bennett is the Chair and Co-Founder of Paragon Gaming and a second-generation casino operator whose work has shaped gaming development across North America. Her career has been marked by innovation and leadership, including her induction into the American Gaming Association’s Gaming Hall of Fame in 2017. In Nevada, Bennett has also made a lasting impact through extensive philanthropic leadership, serving as Chair of the Three Square Food Bank Board and the UNLV Foundation Board while supporting numerous initiatives that advance education, community development, and opportunities for women.

• Dixie May (Nominated by Regent Carol Del Carlo) – A Reno philanthropist whose decades of generosity have supported education, youth programs, and community organizations across Northern Nevada, May has made lasting contributions to the University of Nevada, Reno and the broader community. Through both personal giving and the Wilbur May Foundation, she has provided significant support for Wolf Pack Athletics, student scholarships, and programs such as the Dean’s Future Scholars initiative, while also contributing to community organizations, including the Children’s Cabinet and Renown Health.

• Thomas J. Hall (Nominated by Regent Jeffrey S. Downs) – A Reno attorney whose career in real estate, land use, and water law has helped shape development across Northern Nevada, Hall has practiced law in the Reno-Tahoe region for more than five decades. Beyond his legal work, he has been deeply involved in civic and educational leadership, serving in numerous community organizations and supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for Nevada students. His longstanding commitment to the University of Nevada, Reno, including service as chair of the UNR Foundation and president of the Alumni Association, has strengthened programs in education, aviation, and community development across the region

• Alan Feldman (Nominated by Vice Chair Stephanie Goodman) – A longtime Las Vegas leader whose career in gaming communications and public affairs has spanned more than three decades, Feldman has helped shape conversations around responsible gaming and community health in Nevada. After senior leadership roles with Mirage Resorts and MGM Resorts International, he continued his advocacy through work with organizations focused on problem gambling awareness and research, including the International Center for Responsible Gaming and the Nevada State Advisory Committee on Problem Gambling. Feldman also contributes to education and research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas International Gaming Institute, where he supports initiatives that advance responsible gaming practices and public understanding of gambling-related issues.

Honorary Degrees

Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the improvement of academic programs and student life at one of NSHE’s eight institutions.

College of Southern Nevada – Honorary Associate Degree

• Frank R. Woodbeck – A longtime public servant and higher education leader, Woodbeck retired from the College of Southern Nevada in 2025 after more than four decades advancing workforce development, economic development, and public policy in Nevada. Through his work with CSN, the Nevada System of Higher Education, and the State of Nevada, he helped strengthen partnerships that connect education and workforce opportunities for Nevadans, including efforts supporting the Westside Education and Training Center in Las Vegas.

Great Basin College – Honorary Baccalaureate Degree

• Terri Clark – A healthcare and community leader with more than three decades of service in Nevada, Clark has strengthened partnerships among healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community organizations. A graduate of Great Basin College and Chair of the college’s Institutional Advisory Council, she has supported initiatives that expand student support services and workforce pathways in rural communities.

Nevada State University – Honorary Master’s Degrees

• Stephanie Garcia-Vause – A longtime public servant with nearly three decades of leadership in the City of Henderson, Garcia-Vause has helped advance planning and development efforts that support education and community growth in Southern Nevada. She played a key role in the College Area Plan that established the foundation for the development and expansion of Nevada State University and strengthened collaboration between local government and higher education.

• Jon Porter – A former mayor, state senator, and U.S. representative, Porter has dedicated his public service career to strengthening communities and expanding opportunities across Southern Nevada. He played a key role in the establishment of Nevada State College, now Nevada State University, helping expand access to four-year public higher education for the region’s growing population.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas – Honorary Doctorate Degrees

• Jacob Coin – A citizen of the Hopi Tribe and a leader in Indian gaming law and policy, Coin has spent nearly three decades advocating for tribal sovereignty and economic development across Native communities. Through a 25-year partnership with the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, he has supported student mentorship, curriculum development, and workforce opportunities, while helping secure a $9 million investment to expand UNLV’s education initiatives in tribal hospitality, governance, and gaming.

• Jung-Ho Suh – A UNLV alumnus and Chairman of Ambassador Hotel Group, Suh is a global hospitality leader whose work has helped shape the modern tourism and lodging industry in South Korea and beyond. Through decades of partnership with UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, including philanthropic support and international collaboration, he has helped expand the university’s global reach and strengthen hospitality education worldwide.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.