Kathy Dyke readily admits she knew very little about UNLV when she decided to transfer from Iowa State in 1989. She even readily admits that what she did know—that the university was home to a world-renowned hotel college, which was precisely what she was looking for — she only learned from doing research in Iowa State’s library. “There was, of course, no Internet back then.”

Dyke’s research was so hyper-focused, though, that it failed to reveal two important facts about her soon-to-be new home: that Vegas is a tad on the warm side in the summer and that UNLV had a powerhouse basketball program. (“I was a big college basketball fan, and when I arrived, I was like, ‘Oh, these guys are really good!’”)

Thus began Dyke’s love affair with her university that exists to this day. In addition to be an ardent supporter of Rebel athletics, Dyke has given back to her alma mater by serving on the UNLV Alumni Association Board and serving as the go-to person whenever a UNLV-sponsored gala needs a little extra flair.

For all that, and more, Dyke was named the 2017 Hotel College Alumna of the Year. Humbled by the honor, Dyke is quick to acknowledge that it wouldn’t have happened without the continued blessing of her employer. “I’m just super lucky that I have a boss who supports it,” says Dyke, who has been with ByDzign since 2012. “He didn’t go to UNLV, but he’s said, ‘It’s the university that’s in our town. It’s the right thing to do.’”