Robert B. Reich, former secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton, will serve as the Wells Fargo Distinguished Speaker for the 2002 UNLV Foundation Annual Dinner on April 6 at the Bellagio.

The topic of his speech will be "The Strength of America: An Educated Workforce."

Each year this event honors the university's major donors and members of the President's Inner Circle, Academic Corporate Council, and President's Associates who annually provide support to enhance academic and scholarship programs at UNLV.

"We are honored to have Robert Reich serve as the speaker for this important UNLV Foundation event. He joins a long list of distinguished guests who have served as keynote speakers for this event in the past," said Kitty Rodman, chair of the UNLV Foundation's special projects committee that organizes the event annually. "We are pleased that he accepted our invitation to help us recognize the many individuals and corporations who generously support the university with their time and resources. This dinner is only a small token to show how much we appreciate their support."

The UNLV Foundation will pay special tribute to the inductees of the distinguished Palladium Society, the UNLV Foundation's honorary organization that recognizes donors who have contributed $1 million or more in life-time gifts to the university. This year, the UNLV Foundation welcomes into the Palladium Society The Andre Agassi Foundation, Barnes & Nobles Bookstore, Inc., and UNLV Foundation Board Trustee Joyce Mack and Emeritus Trustee E. Parry Thomas.

"On behalf of the UNLV Foundation, I am pleased to welcome these new members into the Palladium Society and to have the opportunity to honor them for the commitment they have shown UNLV over the years," said UNLV Foundation Board Chairman Michael O. Maffie. "These individuals and corporations join a distinguished group of valuable supporters who share UNLV's mission of teaching, research, and public service. With their help, UNLV is making great strides in academic excellence."

This year's speaker, Reich, is a professor of social and economic policy at Brandeis University. Before leading the Labor Department, Reich was a member of the faculty at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

He served as an assistant to the solicitor general in the Ford administration where he represented the United States before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also headed the policy planning staff of the Federal Trade Commission in the Carter administration.

Under Reich's leadership, the Labor Department moved forward on several initiatives to build the skills of American workers. The School-to-Work Opportunities Act, which was signed into law in 1994, eases the transition from secondary education to the world of work for the 75 percent of America's youth who do not graduate from college.

Goals 2000, also enacted in the first two years of the Clinton administration, establishes a national system of skill standards, certifying that workers have the skills that employers need. States now have funds for one-stop career centers, linking unemployment insurance, job counseling, and access to job training.

Also, under Reich's leadership, the Family and Medical Leave Act was passed and the minimum wage was raised for the first time since 1989. Reich, who serves as a consultant, has written eight books and more than 200 articles on global economy.

Wells Fargo Bank Nevada is sponsoring Reich's appearance as part of the distinguished speaker's program. Past speakers include Gen. Colin Powell, former first lady Barbara Bush, and many other well-respected community, business, and government leaders.

About 700 of Nevada's top professionals, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders attend this invitation-only event.