We may associate yearbooks more with our days in high school, but the University Archives in UNLV Libraries hold a set of yearbooks which provide a fascinating documentary and photographic record of student life. Titled Epilogue, the yearbook was published from UNLV's beginnings in 1957 through 1986.
Judy Bauer and Tom Daly were named the first Sweetheart Couple at the annual Sweetheart Dance. From Epilogue, UNLV's yearbook, 1969. (UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)
In addition to formal student portraits, the yearbooks capture a variety of events from formal dances to lectures to sporting events to images of campus buildings and landscape through the years and candid snaps of campus life. There are some long-gone campus traditions in the pages of these yearbooks, including University Days bonfire, Homecoming activities that occurred in spring rather than fall, and perhaps most of all, formal dances such as the December Sno-Ball and the Valentine's Day Sweetheart Dance, which was known as the “annual girl’s reverse dance.”
The pictures shown here highlight this innocent tradition with its heart-shaped decorations and flowers, and the selection of the Sweetheart Couple, in addition to providing a fun look at contemporary fashion and hairstyles. Beyond the Sweetheart Dance, these candid couple photos selected for this Valentine’s Day provide a look at how snuggling on campus has long been a UNLV student tradition.
The Sweetheart Dance couples in 1963, from left: Nancy Smith and John Oliver; the Sweetheart Couple, Linda Hester and Ron Stephenson; Jim Beaver and Johanna Schaming. (UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)
From Epilogue, UNLV's yearbook, 1969. (UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)
From Epilogue, UNLV's yearbook, 1969. (UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)
From Epilogue, UNLV's yearbook, 1969. (UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)
From Epilogue, UNLV's yearbook, 1969. (UNLV University Libraries Special Collections and Archives)
For this column from UNLV Magazine, Nevada journalist John L. Smith seeks context from someone, he says, "who has done everything for UNLV but paint it."
UNLV’s origin story traces back to one vote by one man, Herb Derfelt. And his legacy continues through generations of family members who followed in his educator footsteps.
