Carson City, NV- April 3, 2008- Following approval today from the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) will award community icon and sports legend Andre Agassi an honorary doctorate. Agassi has agreed to accept the award at a fundraising dinner for the NSHE Health Sciences System where he will be honored later this spring.
"Andre Agassi will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but his enduring philanthropic work with children is even more significant," said UNLV President David B. Ashley. "In particular, the impact of the Agassi Center for Education and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy on at-risk children is profound - his extraordinary generosity has transformed many young lives. Mr. Agassi's efforts devoted to children, his value as a role model, and his commitment to the Las Vegas community are truly exceptional and worthy of the highest recognition.
The Health Sciences System (HSS) was created to link and integrate the health professional schools--i.e. nursing, medicine, dental, etc.--within all eight of the state's public institutions. This allows for a statewide collaboration of higher education health programs and educators to meet the health and wellness needs of Nevada.
Executive vice chancellor and CEO of the HSS, Maurizio Trevisan, said, "Andre Agassi is a hero with integrity and character who is helping school children reach their full potential. Andre has given them hope, a chance, and a future. And, he has been able to do it because he has been innovative and original. This is how the Health Sciences System will work toward improving health care in Nevada. We will pursue a new and innovative approach to health education in Nevada. Working as a strong and integrated team of eight institutions, we will be able to make great improvements in health care in this state."
The HSS fundraising dinner honoring Andre Agassi is Saturday, May 24, 2008, at the Green Valley Ranch Resort. For additional information, please visit http://www.nevada.edu/agassievent/.
