The Faculty & Staff Holiday Card Returns to Support Student Dreams
Faculty/staff donations to the annual holiday card tree fund have been providing scholarships for over 50 years.
In a 2017 photo, Grace and Don Schmeidel sort through the collection of cards that have been part of UNLV's holiday card tree tradition for years. (UNLV Special Collections and Archives)
To participate in the 2024 Faculty & Staff Holiday Card Scholarship, visit the Rebel Raiser page. All contributors’ names will be included in a holiday card mailed to the UNLV community. Your donation must be received by Nov. 14, 2024, for inclusion. If you have questions, please contact annualgiving@unlv.edu. Thank you for supporting this tradition and scholarships at UNLV!
Tis’ the season to show students we care!
For more than half a century, UNLV faculty and staff have given generously to the Holiday Card Scholarship campaign, funding the educational dreams of more than 75 students.
The card campaign started in the 1960s as a simple way for a growing community of young faculty and staff to send season’s greetings to each other; instead of mailing out dozens of cards, each person sent a greeting to the Holiday Card Tree Project to decorate a tree in the student union. Over time, the project evolved to collect donations for student scholarships. A beloved campus tradition was born.
“It began to keep faculty from feeling obligated to send cards to one another because we were all just starting off, and we didn’t have a lot of money,” remembered Don Schmiedel, a retired foreign language professor and early organizer.
A peaceful night scene of the Las Vegas Strip in 1993.
The idea came to life through the work of his late wife, Grace Schmiedel, as well as Evangeline Marshall, Joy Saville, Ann Zorn (the university president’s wife), and other members of what was then known as the Women’s Club. “I put out the fliers and collected the checks,” Don Schmiedel said.
Contributors received a beautiful holiday card, featuring a highly-anticipated new design every year. “The designs came from all over, from students, faculty, printing services, and friends of UNLV. One was even machine-designed,” he said.
Campus printing services and mail carriers all pitched in to make the project happen. “People caught on to the idea that it wasn’t just university people designing the card, and that created a bond with the community.”
From a Santa-capped tortoise to a baby seal with ear muffs, Runnin’ Rebels tribute to snowy cactus, the unique designs have captured our Rebel Spirit, desert landscape, and the times we live in. This year, UNLV Foundation graphic designer Amelia Davis created a snowy campus wonderland. [View the historic Holiday Card Tree slideshow.]
“I always felt like the cards served as a bond between the students and faculty, it’s just something nice,” Schmiedel said
The Holiday Card Through the Years
The 1982 holiday card was a simple Western-themed drawing.
Sometimes the greetings, like these from 1983, 1986, and 1987, were on the generic side.
While 1984's design had little to do with UNLV, what's not to love about a baby seal with ear muffs wishing for peace?
The designs in 1991 and 1998.
In 1988 the card's artist worked UNLV's
A desert tortoise brought tidings in 1990.
The Strip reappeared on the 1999 card.
UNLV buildings became the focal point in 1995 (top left), 1996 (bottom left), and 2001, when the Lied Library opened.
2000 brought a nod to rock art of Southern Nevada's earliest inhabitants.
And it was back to general artwork in 2003 and 2004.
In 2005, we celebrated the installation of the Maureen Jackson Pipe Organ, the largest in the state.
2006 offered a glimpse of campus while 2007 celebrated some of the recipients of the scholarship program that the Holiday Card Tree campaign supports.
In 2008 and 2011, the designers took a more whimsical approach to the card.
Snow! On campus! The 2009 card featured the snowfall from Dec. 17, 2008.
Snow! On campus! It's so rare we had to use it again on the 2010 card. Here's hoping we get another storm soon.
The 2012 card played up enthusiasm for the Runnin' Rebels season.
2013 respected the 'stache.
2015's design played off the cookies served at campus holiday parties.
The student-designed 2016 card.
2020's card reflected the times as we, collectively, experienced the effects of COVID-19.
2021 brought a simple graphic design that captured the spirit of Rebel red.
In 2022, UNLV photographer Becca Schwartz created a series of miniature-lettered UNLV scenes, including this quaint holiday snowscape.
2023 saw an architectural take with this stunning, classical design.
2024 paints a magical campus scene and shows off the famous Flashlight sculpture, located in the plaza between Artemus Ham Concert Hall and Judy Bayley Theatre.
Namesakes: Las Vegas Pioneer Joyce Mack and Her Vision for the Next Generation
The philanthropist and her family bet on UNLV's success with contributions to help establish the campus, build the Thomas & Mack Center, and advance the law school.
What ties this year's honorees together? A strong sense of gratitude for the unique experiences they had as students and community connections they've made through UNLV.
