More Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement News

News: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

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The Grateful Rebel
Older white man with receding gray hair wearing a black pinstripe suit, white collared shirt, red tie and gold watch on his left wrist poses with his hands crossed in front of him with small lake, waterfall, large boulders and palm trees in the background
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David Ross credits ÐÔÊӽ紫ý for helping him fulfill his boyhood dream of reaching the pinnacle of the casino management business. Which is why the 2025 Fred C. Albrecht Outstanding Alumnus is always there whenever his alma mater needs him.

Heather Brown: Living a Life that Matters
White woman with long brown hair wearing a dark jacket with Class of 2008 emblem and white, black, and red shorts and red shoes poses while sitting on grass with her back against the wheel of a red cannon outside the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý football complex
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Whether uplifting small businesses, supporting her alma mater, or championing student success as a Nevada regent, this year’s Achievement in Service Award recipient is happy to lend a helping hand.

Making the Grade
Latin woman in a black top with gold buttons smiles as she leans against the front-desk counter at Communities in Schools Nevada
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Two decades after discovering a passion for teaching that she didn’t know she had, two-time grad Debbie Palacios is the College of Education Alumna of the Year.

They’re All Smiles
A white woman with long blonde hair and wearing a cream-colored top, blue pants and beige high-heel shoes sits on a dark wood table with her hands clasped around her knee as a man with thinning dark hair, plaid shirt, brown belt and dark pants leans in from her right. Both are in front of a lighted sign with the words You Make Me Smile in cursive script
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Nadim Guirguis and Megan Tufteland pivoted in their careers, they found dentistry. That led the Dental Medicine Alumni of the Year to ÐÔÊӽ紫ý — and to each other.

Setting the Stage
portrait of man holding his arms as a music conductor does
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Iñaki Sandoval has enjoyed immense success as a world-class performer, composer, producer and educator. And the Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year credits ÐÔÊӽ紫ý for paving the way.

Engineering His Future
White man in a navy blue blazer, light blue button-down shirt and blue jeans poses with his hands in his pockets in front of a blurred image of a city bus
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý History |

As a young adult, Dave Swallow had to make a difficult family decision, one that led the Engineering Alumnus of the Year to ÐÔÊӽ紫ý and positively shaped his personal and professional trajectories.

The Interview: Zarinah Washington
Zarinah Washington in the Student Supportive Services Courtyard
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Setting up students for success is the goal for this School of Social Work field liaison.

Crowning Achievements
White man with grayish hair wearing a gray suit and white collared shirt stands at a clear podium in front of a microphone speaking at a conference
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After building a career in the manufactured home industry, Leo Poggione — ÐÔÊӽ紫ý’s 1991 Homecoming King — reigns supreme as the Business School Alumnus of the Year.

Raising the Bar
a mother and her two adult daughters posing, wearing Boyd sweatshirts
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A passion for justice drove Boyd Law Alumna of the Year Shane Jasmine Young to become a difference-making lawyer. Now her twin daughters (and fellow Rebels) are following in her footsteps.

Peter Arceo’s Bet on ÐÔÊӽ紫ý Pays Off
Man in a dark blue pinstripe suit with black and gray hair and beard poses in a hotel bar with his left arm resting on the bar and the Bellagio hotel in the background
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A brief campus visit during a chance trip to Las Vegas set the Hospitality Alumnus of the Year on a journey to the top of the hotel-casino org chart.

Healing ‘Powers’
Woman in white medical coat with the ÐÔÊӽ紫ý School of Medicine logo poses in front of a ÐÔÊӽ紫ý School of Medicine sign with her right hand in her pocket and left hand on a silver rail
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When Dr. Faun Lee Powers isn’t caring for patients, the School of Medicine Alumna of the Year is back at her alma mater shaping the next generation of mental health practitioners.

Namesakes: Selma Bartlett, the College of Engineering's ‘Queen of Scholarships’
Selma Bartlett speaking at an event
ÐÔÊӽ紫ý History |

Trailblazing banker helped generations of Rebels complete their degrees and launch their careers. She passed away Sept. 16.