UNLV Alumni Association Celebrates 22 Exemplary Alumni and Friends at 2024 Annual Alumni Awards

For 50 years, the UNLV Alumni Association has honored remarkable alumni who demonstrate a positive impact and influence on both UNLV and their communities. This year, the association will celebrate 22 outstanding alumni and community leaders for their exceptional achievements and leadership at a special ceremony on October 24, 2024, during Rebel Homecoming week. The Investment Counsel Company of Las Vegas is the presenting sponsor.

“Once again, we’re proud to recognize our accomplished and loyal alumni and friends for their impressive service to their professions, academia, and communities,” UNLV Alumni Association Executive Director Blake Douglas said. “Our award recipients are an impressive group of leaders who inspire and motivate us all to give back.”

COLLEGE ALUMNUS/A OF THE YEAR AWARDS
These honorees have demonstrated a history of outstanding service to UNLV and the community through their impressive professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.

Lee Business School Alumnus of the Year
Craig Billings, ’97 BS Business Administration, Accounting

School of Dental Medicine Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Benjamin Barborka, ’13 Doctor of Dental Medicine

College of Education Alumna of the Year
Lynn Manning John, ’04 Master of Education

Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Alumna of the Year
Raquel Shohet Floyd, ’96 BS, Engineering

College of Fine Arts Alumna of the Year
Wendy Kveck, ’07 Master of Fine Arts

Graduate College Alumnus of the Year
Lonnie Wright, ’78 BS Hotel Administration, ’84 Master of Education, ’15 Ph.D.

Honors College Alumnus of the Year
Scott Hoffman, ’12 BA Political Science

William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Alumni of the Year
Wyndee Forrest, ’04 BS Hotel Administration
Dave Forrest, ’04 BS Recreation & Leisure Studies

School of Integrated Health Sciences Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Juan Gutierrez, ’15 BA Romance Languages, ’18 Doctor of Physical Therapy

William S. Boyd School of Law Alumnus of the Year
Justin Carley, ’06 Juris Doctor

College of Liberal Arts Alumna of the Year
Gretchen Grierson, ’92 BA Psychology, ’94 MA Psychology

University Libraries Alumna of the Year
Claytee White, ’97 MA History

School of Nursing Alumna of the Year
Dr. Janice Enriquez, ’23 Doctor of Nursing Practice

Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine Alumnus of the Year
Dr. Chase Shropshire, ’15 BS Biology, ’21 Doctor of Medicine

School of Public Health Alumnus of the Year
Fabian Donate, ’18 BS Public Health 

College of Sciences Alumna of the Year
Alison Sloat, ’14 Ph.D. Geoscience

Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Alumna of the Year
Aileen Pastor, ’08 BA Journalism & Media Studies, ’13 Master of Public Administration 

ADDITIONAL HONORS
The awards program has evolved over the years to honor campus and community leaders for their success, service, and philanthropy. 

Fred C. Albrecht Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
Randy Garcia, ’77 BS Business Administration, Accounting
This award is the highest and most prestigious award given to an alumnus/a by the association. It is bestowed in recognition of an individual's impact on UNLV through a lifetime of significant contributions made to society in their professional field and through personal achievements. The award is named in memory of Fred C. Albrecht '71, a champion of alumni relations.

Silver State Award
Joe Murphy, CEO of Murphy Electric & Founding Partner, NextGen Protection
This award of distinction is presented to a non-alumnus/a by the association. It recognizes support to the university and the community at large.

Patrick T. Smith Achievement in Service Award
Izack Tenorio, ’15 BS Business Administration, Management, ’17 Master of Public Administration, ’22 Doctor of Public Policy
This award gives recognition for service to UNLV, the UNLV student body, and/or the association in support of Alumni Association-related activities and events. This award is named in memory of Patrick T. Smith '97 '01, a dedicated Rebel at heart and in service.

Outstanding Faculty Award
Federick Ngo, Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education
The Alumni Association recognizes a faculty member for outstanding contributions to the university and community, including commitment to students, service, and research.

For more information about the UNLV Alumni Association or Rebel Homecoming week, please visit unlv.edu/alumni. 

About the UNLV Alumni Association
The UNLV Alumni Association was established in 1964 as a not-for-profit organization to promote and enhance alumni engagement on campus. With an alumni base of more than 144,000 strong, the Alumni Association offers various services and opportunities to support alumni and their families. UNLV alumni are encouraged to support the values of higher learning through advocacy, involvement, and giving. 

About ICC
The Investment Counsel Company (ICC) was among the first independent fiduciary investment advisory firms in the industry.  The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s financial publications have ranked Randy Garcia as one of the top 100 independent wealth advisors in the nation 6 times and the number one financial advisor in Nevada for 11 years. Randy and his team of experienced investment consultants have been providing guidance, perspective and judgment to affluent individuals and families, as well as foundations and company 401(k) plans, for 37 years.  Randy, who founded the company in 1987, has been generously giving back to UNLV and the community for over four decades.

Press Contact
Blake Douglas, UNLV Alumni Association Executive Director, (702) 895-2399, blake.douglas@unlv.edu