Over the past few days, in the wake of an unfathomable tragedy that took the lives of three cherished UNLV faculty members, numerous stories have been shared about their remarkable lives and the very real and lasting impact they had on the students, colleagues, families, and loved ones that they cared so deeply about – and who cared so deeply about them. 

We continue to mourn the tragic loss of Lee Business School professors Dr. Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, Dr. Patricia Navarro Velez, and College of Liberal Arts professor Dr. Naoko Takemaru. 

At 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, the campus community will gather together on campus for a memorial vigil to honor and remember the lives and remarkable legacies of these dedicated and beloved educators. 

The vigil will be held outdoors on the north end of the Academic Mall near the Lee Pascal Rose Garden, just east of the Carlson Education Building and south of the UNLV Performing Arts Center buildings. 

Members of the university community will have the opportunity to be together, to grieve together, and to honor the lives of three colleagues, friends, and mentors who will never be forgotten. 

Sincerely, 

Keith E. Whitfield
UNLV President