Aug. 7, 2023
For almost five decades, the UNLV Alumni Association has acknowledged remarkable individuals who showcase our alumni's influence on both UNLV and their respective communities. This year, the association will pay tribute to outstanding alumni and community leaders for their exceptional achievements and leadership at a ceremony scheduled to take place during Rebel Homecoming week on Friday, October 20, 2023.
“The annual awards program is our opportunity to honor distinguished leaders and committed alumni for their legacy of service to their profession, academia, and the global alumni community,” said UNLV Alumni Association Executive Director Blake Douglas. “These recipients have made a lasting impact and genuinely serve as inspiration for the generations of alumni who will follow.”
COLLEGE ALUMNUS/A OF THE YEAR AWARDS
These honorees have demonstrated a history of outstanding service to UNLV and the community through their outstanding professional, philanthropic, or volunteer accomplishments.
Lee Business School Alumnus of the Year
Rick Arpin, ’95 BS Business Administration
Rick Arpin, ’95 BS Business Administration
College of Education Alumnus of the Year
Kyle Konold, '04 Ph.D. Education
Kyle Konold, '04 Ph.D. Education
Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Alumnus of the Year
Robert Mark Newburn, ’81 BS Computer Science, ’83 MS Computer Science
Robert Mark Newburn, ’81 BS Computer Science, ’83 MS Computer Science
College of Fine Arts Alumna of the Year
Cecilia Violetta López, ’11 BA Music – Vocal Performance
Cecilia Violetta López, ’11 BA Music – Vocal Performance
Graduate College Alumna of the Year
Katelyn DiBenedetto, ’15 MA Anthropology, ’18 Ph.D. Anthropology
Katelyn DiBenedetto, ’15 MA Anthropology, ’18 Ph.D. Anthropology
Honors College Alumna of the Year
Jennifer Dorsey J.D., ’94 BS Communications
Jennifer Dorsey J.D., ’94 BS Communications
William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Alumna of the Year
Monica M. Moradkhan, ’04 BS Hotel Management, ’16 MS Hotel Management
Monica M. Moradkhan, ’04 BS Hotel Management, ’16 MS Hotel Management
School of Integrated Health Sciences Alumnus of the Year
Scott A. Scherr, MD, FACEP, ’97 BS in Radiologic Sciences and Health Physics
Scott A. Scherr, MD, FACEP, ’97 BS in Radiologic Sciences and Health Physics
William S. Boyd School of Law Alumna of the Year
Kathia Ines Quiros Medina, ’03 Juris Doctor
Kathia Ines Quiros Medina, ’03 Juris Doctor
College of Liberal Arts Alumnus of the Year
Mark Wiley, ’01 BA Psychology
Mark Wiley, ’01 BA Psychology
University Libraries Alumnus of the Year
Tyler D. Parry, Ph.D. ’08 BA History
Tyler D. Parry, Ph.D. ’08 BA History
School of Nursing Alumna of the Year
April Clyde, ’00 BS Nursing
April Clyde, ’00 BS Nursing
School of Public Health Alumna of the Year
Joanna Kramer, ’09 MS Public Health
Joanna Kramer, ’09 MS Public Health
College of Sciences Alumnus of the Year
Douglas B. Sims, Ph.D. ’95 BA Anthropology, ’97 MS Water Resource Management
Douglas B. Sims, Ph.D. ’95 BA Anthropology, ’97 MS Water Resource Management
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Alumna of the Year
Shanice R. Stevens, ’10 BA Journalism & Media Studies, Integrated Marketing Communications
Shanice R. Stevens, ’10 BA Journalism & Media Studies, Integrated Marketing Communications
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
Russel A. Kost III, ’83 BA Communication Studies
Russel A. Kost III, ’83 BA Communication Studies
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
Gregory T. H. Lee, Chairman, and CEO, Eureka Casino Resort
Gregory T. H. Lee, Chairman, and CEO, Eureka Casino Resort
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
Greg McKinley, '80 BS Accounting
Greg McKinley, '80 BS Accounting
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
Manoj Sharma, MBBS, PhD, MCHES
Manoj Sharma, MBBS, PhD, MCHES
Professor & Chair, Department of Social and Behavioral Health
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 or contact Blake Douglas, UNLV Alumni Association Executive Director, at (702) 895-2399 or blake.douglas@unlv.edu.