UNLV recently received commitments of more than $3 million in support of its Science, Engineering and Technology Building, UNLV President Carol C. Harter announced Tuesday during her 2003 State of the University address.

The gifts, made through the UNLV Foundation, are from some of the university's long-time supporters -- Sierra Health Services and one of its subsidiaries, Health Plan of Nevada; Fred and Harriet Cox; Bechtel National, the parent company of Bechtel Nevada; and PBS&J.

Sierra Health Services and its subsidiary company Health Plan of Nevada are partnering to give $1.35 million. Fred Cox, a member of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, and his wife, Harriet, have committed $1 million; Bechtel National will contribute $500,000. PBS&J, an engineering firm with local offices in Henderson, has promised $150,000 ($100,000 toward the building and $50,000 for other purposes in UNLV's Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering).

The combined gift of $1.35 million from Sierra Health Services and its subsidiary company Health Plan of Nevada makes it the single largest contribution toward the Science, Engineering and Technology Building to date.

"The Science, Engineering and Technology building is the cornerstone of our mission to become a premier research institution," Harter said. "We cannot express enough our appreciation for the outstanding support these community partners have shown in advancing our mission. Research activity is a vital part of our community, and these contributions will enable us to engage in cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research. The sophisticated work that will take place in this facility will make it a research landmark in Southern Nevada."

The 190,000-square-foot building, slated to be completed in 2006, is designed for interdisciplinary teaching and research. It will include state-of-the-art labs, "smart" conference rooms, and integrated research space. The university currently has approximately 100,000 square feet of science and engineering research space; the new building will raise this total to more than 200,000 square feet.

"We appreciate the generosity and vision of these community partners who are investing in the future of Southern Nevada," said UNLV Provost Raymond W. Alden. "This facility is a unique resource that has tremendous implications for the region. Not only will it greatly enhance the educational and research experiences of our students and faculty, but it will also allow UNLV to become a top research institution and serve as a catalyst for economic diversification in Nevada."

The building will help address the university's needs in chemistry; physics; biology; geosciences; computer science; civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering; and other areas of technology.

"On behalf of the College of Sciences, I applaud the commitment these corporations and individuals have made to help UNLV continue providing high-quality education," said Ronald Yasbin, dean of the College of Sciences. "These gifts will help continue the important work that has been ongoing at the university."

Sierra Health Services is a diversified healthcare company headquartered in Las Vegas. Through its subsidiaries, which serve nearly 1.2 million people, it provides and administers the delivery of managed care benefit plans for employers, government programs, and individuals. Health Plan of Nevada is the state's first and largest federally qualified health maintenance organization.

"Sierra has a long history of support for UNLV. This gift demonstrates our recognition of the university's positive impact on the business and social structure of our communities, and our ongoing commitment to education in Nevada," said Anthony M. Marlon, M. D., chairman and CEO of Sierra Health Services, Inc. Marlon is also a member of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees.

Bechtel Nevada manages operations at the Nevada Test Site and its related facilities and laboratories. It also works on projects for other federal agencies.

"Bechtel National is proud to support UNLV's new Science, Engineering and Technology Building," said Dr. Frederick A. Tarantino, Bechtel Nevada president and general manager. "Through the years, we have become increasingly impressed with the excellent engineering programs at UNLV and the quality of students coming out of those programs, some of whom we hire at Bechtel Nevada. The addition of this state-of-the-art facility will only improve the strength of those students."

PBS&J is one of the nation's largest multidisciplinary firms offering engineering, architectural, scientific, and planning services to private and public clients.

"We are strongly committed to helping advance higher education in Southern Nevada," said Todd Kenner, executive vice president of PBS&J. "We feel fortunate to be in a position to support such a worthwhile project as the Science, Engineering and Technology Building. UNLV represents a critical component to Las Vegas evolving as a world-class community."

Eric Sandgren, dean of the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, said, "We are pleased that these individuals have chosen to partner with us in such an important venture. The new facility will help to expand UNLV's research base and more importantly will provide an interdisciplinary environment which will enable us to pursue the difficult problems facing us regionally, nationally, and internationally."