University of Nevada, Las Vegas: A Legacy of Notable Alumni
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), a public land-grant research university, has been a cornerstone of higher education in Southern Nevada since its establishment. Located in Paradise, Nevada, just east of the Las Vegas Strip, UNLV has grown from its humble beginnings as a southern extension of the University of Nevada to become a comprehensive university with a wide range of academic programs and a diverse student body. Over the years, UNLV has produced a remarkable array of alumni who have made significant contributions to various fields, both locally and nationally.
A Brief History of UNLV
UNLV's story begins in 1957 when it was founded as the Southern Division of the University of Nevada. The first college classes were held in 1959 at Las Vegas High School. In 1955, State Senator Mahlon Brown sponsored legislation to provide $200,000 for the construction of the campus's first building, Frazier Hall. The university was officially founded by the Nevada Board of Regents as the Southern Division of the University of Nevada on September 10, 1957. The first classes were held on the current campus in Maude Frazier Hall.
In 1965, the Nevada Legislature renamed the school Nevada Southern University, and Donald C. Moyer was hired as the campus's first president. In 1968, Nevada Southern gained equal status with the University of Nevada, Reno, and in January 1969, the Board of Regents approved the present name, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Throughout its history, UNLV has experienced significant growth and development. The Lied Library opened in 2001, providing a state-of-the-art research facility for students and faculty. In 2003, the Institute for Security Studies was established to address homeland security concerns. UNLV opened its first regional campus on Shadow Lane, near the University Medical Center, in 2004. A new science and engineering building, designed to support interdisciplinary research, was completed in 2008.
UNLV has also focused on sustainability, with the Science and Engineering building receiving a LEED Silver rating in March 2009. The university has implemented various measures to reduce energy and water consumption, saving millions of dollars.
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In 2016, UNLV hosted the final presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, showcasing the university's growing prominence on the national stage.
Notable Alumni in Arts and Entertainment
UNLV has a strong presence in the arts and entertainment industry, with many alumni achieving fame and success in various fields.
Jimmy Kimmel, a prominent television host, comedian, writer, and producer, is perhaps one of UNLV's most recognizable alumni. Kimmel has hosted "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" since 2003 and has also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards and the Academy Awards multiple times. Although he attended UNLV, the university awarded him an honorary degree.
Guy Fieri, a renowned restaurateur, author, and Emmy Award-winning television presenter, graduated from UNLV with a bachelor's degree in hospitality. He is known for hosting various television series on the Food Network and has become a prominent figure in American food television.
Tomi Lahren, is an American conservative political commentator and television presenter. In 2014, she graduated from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and political science.
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Dan Reynolds, the lead vocalist and a founding member of the pop rock band Imagine Dragons, is another notable UNLV alumnus. Imagine Dragons formed in 2008 and has achieved international success, with Reynolds receiving the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hal David Starlight Award.
Flo Rida, a rapper, singer, and songwriter, also attended UNLV. His debut single "Low" was a major hit, topping the charts for 10 weeks in the United States and breaking digital download sales records.
Ryan Higa, also known as nigahiga, is an American internet personality known for his comedy videos on YouTube. He was one of the most popular creators on the platform in its early years and was the first person to reach 2 million and 3 million subscribers on YouTube.
Ronnie Vannucci Jr., is an American musician, best known for being the drummer for the rock band The Killers.
Eric Whitacre is an American composer, conductor, and speaker best known for his choral music.
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Gina Carano, is an American actress and former mixed martial artist. She competed in Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce from 2006 to 2009, where she compiled a 7-1 record.
Anthony E. Zuiker, is a television producer.
Notable Alumni in Sports
UNLV's athletic programs have produced numerous talented athletes who have gone on to achieve success in professional sports.
Larry Johnson, a former professional basketball player, is an NCAA champion and two-time NBA All-Star. He is a member of the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Randall Cunningham, a former professional football quarterback, played in the NFL for 16 seasons. He is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and is known for his rushing ability.
Shawn Marion, a former professional basketball player, played 16 seasons in the NBA. He was a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time member of the All-NBA Team, and an NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Greg Anthony, a former professional basketball player, played 11 seasons in the NBA. He is now a television analyst for NBA TV and Turner Sports.
Cecil Fielder, a former professional baseball player, was a power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He played in MLB for several teams, including the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, and won the 1996 World Series with the Yankees.
Matt Williams, a former professional baseball player and manager, played in Major League Baseball for the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He managed the Washington Nationals from 2014 to 2015 and is currently the third base coach for the San Francisco Giants.
Reggie Theus, is an American basketball coach and former player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a two-time NBA All-Star.
Adam Scott, is an Australian professional golfer. In 2000, Scott turned professional and quickly earned European Tour membership.
Anthony Bennett, is a Canadian professional basketball player. He was the first overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the first Canadian to be drafted number one overall.
Notable Alumni in Politics and Public Service
UNLV has also produced a number of prominent figures in politics and public service.
Steve Sisolak, an American businessman and politician, served as the 30th governor of Nevada from 2019 to 2023. He previously served on the Clark County Commission and the Nevada Board of Regents.
Shelley Berkley, is an American politician.
Carolyn Goodman, is an American politician.
John Ensign, is an American politician.
Joe Lombardo, is an American politician.
Other Notable Alumni
In addition to the alumni mentioned above, UNLV has a diverse range of graduates who have achieved success in various other fields.
Jo Koy, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was a frequent panelist on E!'s late night show Chelsea Lately, and he has since had a total of six comedy specials released by Comedy Central and Netflix.
Ryback, is an American retired professional wrestler and YouTuber. He is best known for his tenure with WWE, where he performed under the ring name Ryback.
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