Regents honor 2013’s Top Nevadans

The Nevada Board of Regents met Thursday and Friday and name recipients of several prestigious honors, including the 2013 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.

2013 Distinguished Nevadans

(click name to view nomination)

• Dr. William H. “Bob” and Anna L. Bailey
• Mr. Robert D. Faiss
• Pastor Paul Goulet
• Mr. Bruce R. James
• Mr. Ceasar E. Salicchi
• Mr. Richard “Dick” and Fran Trachok 

In addition, the following 2013 Regents’ Awards were announced:

2013 Regents’ Creative Activities Award

The Board of Regents established the Regents’ Award for Creative Activities 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 2013 honoree is Peter Epstein of the 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, NSC or DRI, and the other from CSN, GBC, TMCC or WNC. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2013 honorees are Cynthia Hyslop of Great Basin College and Dr. Megan Becker-Leckrone of the 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 2013 honorees are Susan Trist of Western Nevada College; Dr. Elena Pravosudova, University of Nevada, Reno (undergraduate); and Dr. Robert Ostergard, University of Nevada, Reno (graduate).

2013 Regents’ Scholar 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 2013 honorees are (click to view all nominations):

• Mr. Juan Zavala-Saucedo, College of Southern Nevada
• Ms. Melissa Mahlberg, Great Basin College
• Mr. Nathan Hale, Truckee Meadows Community College
• Mr. Daren Kight, Western Nevada College
• Ms. Jenny Reategui, Nevada State College 
• Ms. Emylia Nicole Terry, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (undergraduate)
• Mr. Erik N. Ringdahl, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (graduate)
• Ms. Jade Keehn, University of Nevada, Reno (undergraduate)
• Mr. Richard Charles Kelley, University of Nevada, Reno (graduate)

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 2013 honoree is Dr. Hans Moosmuller of the Desert Research Institute.

Regents’ Rising Researcher Award 

The Board of Regents established the Regents’ Rising Researcher Award in 2008. This award is bestowed upon one faculty member at each Nevada research institution in recognition of their early-career accomplishments and potential for future advancement and recognition in research. The 2013 honorees are Dr. Mei Yang, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Dr. Matthew Forister, University of Nevada, Reno; and Dr. Rajan K. Chakrabarty, Desert Research Institute (click to view all Rising Researcher Award nominations). 

2013 Honorary Degrees

Honorary Doctorate Degrees

• Mr. James Christian “Jimmy” Kimmel, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
• Mr. Samuel S. Lionel, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Honorary Baccalaureate Degrees 

• Mr. Dean A. Rhoads, Great Basin College

Honorary Associate Degrees

• Mr. Robert and Mrs. Dorothy Ramsdell, Western Nevada College
• Mrs. Irene Vogel, College of Southern Nevada