May marked the end of a chapter for thousands of UNLV graduates, who crossed the Thomas & Mack stage for the first spring semester commencement ceremony held on campus since the pandemic began.

While physical activity on campus slowed down, academics and research did not. From the impact of climate change on grisly crime discoveries at Lake Mead and the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic to school violence and U.S. Supreme Court controversy, media outlets from around the world called on UNLV experts to weigh in on discoveries near and far.

Class of 2022

More than 3,300 UNLV students officially joined the ranks of Rebel alumni during three on-campus ceremonies. The university celebrated its newest alumni during two undergraduate ceremonies and a new, third event specifically for master’s and doctoral degree recipients. UNLV Fine Arts Hall of Famer and renowned actress, Ann-Margret, received an honorary doctorate degree presented by President Keith E. Whitfield. Media also highlighted the accomplishments of a select group of six Outstanding Graduates who exemplify the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class. 

Las Vegas Sun, Las Vegas Review-Journal (twice), KSNV-TV: News 3, KLAS-TV: 8 News Now, Associated Press, U.S. News & World Report 

Lake Mead Discovery

As the water levels at Lake Mead continue to dip to an all-time low, human remains were discovered by police in early May. History professor Michael Green, forensic anthropology professor Jennifer Byrnes, and gaming historian David G. Schwartz spoke to multiple outlets about the process of identifying the bodies, the likelihood of uncovering more, and the possible link to decades-old mob activity. 

The New York Times, CBS News, Associated Press, Insider,  U.S. News & World Report, Las Vegas Review-Journal, CBC, Spectrum Local News, Travel Awaits, Mirror

Pandemic Progress

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Nevada, but School of Public Health epidemiologist Brian Labus explained that they are comparatively low from other months. Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine professor Edwin Oh’s wastewater surveillance initiative continued to monitor traces of new subvariants. And Marc J. Kahn, dean of Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, spoke to the media about changing public health guidelines as  the pandemic reaches a new phase.

Las Vegas Review-Journal (twice), Pahrump Valley Times, KVVU-TV: Fox 5, KTNV-TV: ABC 13 (twice), Casino.org, Vegas PBS, Tampa Bay Times

General Roundup

• College of Sciences hydrology professor David Kreamer is concerned about drilling that is occurring in Russia. In previous attempts of drilling, toxins were released into the air including uranium and arsenic, The New York Times reported. New Express News and World News Era have also picked up this story.

• The New York Times interviewed English professor Melissa Carrion, who studies the rhetoric of health and medicine, for a story about lay people’s research into vaccines.

• The nicer the car, the worse the driver? Insider spoke to School of Public Health professor Courtney Coughenour about her research into the topic

• Alan Feldman, a Distinguished Fellow in Responsible Gaming, explained to KVVU-TV: Fox 5 that more than ever families are bringing their children to Las Vegas for vacation. He also discussed the future of the volcano at the recently purchased Mirage  with The Street. 

• KSNV-TV: News 3 featured Angie Honsberg, professor of internal medicine, in a report about the ways wind can affect people’s health.  

• David Orentlicher, director of the UNLV Health Law Program, and School of Public Health professor Amanda Morgan gave their input to KNPR about the recent squabble over U.S. abortion rights.  Law professor Sylvia Lazos also explained to KSNV-TV: News 3 how other states may react following the leak of the SCOTUS abortion law draft. 

• Several UNLV professors spoke to media about the impact of violence in schools and a Texas school shooting on students’ mental health. MSN and KSNV-TV: News 3 (twice) interviewed Lisa Durette, director of the Kerkorian School of Medicine’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program. College of Education professor Samuel Song spoke to NPR, The Las Vegas Sun, KTNV-TV: ABC 13, and Yahoo!. 

• Erin Breen, director of Road Equity Alliance, spoke to KNPR about motorcycle deaths.

•  WalletHub featured comments by William H. Sousa, professor and director of the Center for Crime and Justice Policy, on the future of law enforcement.  

• Dak Kopec, assistant professor of the School of Architecture, spoke to The New York Times about what the Hulu show, “Conversations with Friends,” says about changing attitudes toward real estate.

• School of Dental Medicine professor Jeffrey Ebersole wrote an essay about tooth decay for The Conversation, and Yahoo! picked up the piece.

• Mark Padoongpatt, director of Asian and Asian American Studies, spoke to City Cast Las Vegas and KNPR about AAPI History Month.

• Law professor Jean Sternlight shared her research on ways emerging technology is changing the U.S. legal system with  The National Desk and KATV. 

• Public policy professor Jayce Farmer gave his opinion to Insider about Jeff Bezos donating $35 million to NYC childcare.

• The Las Vegas Sun featured four experts — psychology chair Chris Kearney, public policy professor Christopher Stream, climate scientist Kristen Averyt, and Brookings Mountain West/Lincy Institute student researcher Elia Del Carmen Solano-Patricio — in a story about the effect of climate change on physical and mental health.