It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of Margaret (Peg) Rees, on Feb. 5, 2025. She was a beloved member of not only the College of Sciences, but of the UNLV community as a whole. She was also an influential scientist, cherished by colleagues the world over.
Rees grew up in central California, and earned a B.A. from Sonoma State University in 1972. In 1975, she earned an M.S. in geology with honors from the University of Kansas. This was followed in 1984 by a Ph.D. in geology with honors from the University of Kansas. For the next 32 years, she served on the faculty of the Department of Geoscience at UNLV, providing memorable teaching and mentoring experiences to generations of students. She also held various administrative leadership positions in her time at UNLV: Chair of the Department of Geoscience, vice provost for Educational Outreach, senior vice provost, associate vice president for Research and Community Outreach, vice provost for Faculty Excellence and associate provost for Academic Budget, Facilities, and Personnel. In her role as executive director of the Public Lands Institute, she served not only UNLV but also people across the State of Nevada. Rees, who was always devoted to nurturing students, also served as the president of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Rees was an internationally recognized scientist specializing in carbonate sedimentology. Her work included seminal studies on the early Paleozoic strata of western North America, Antarctica, and Asia. Despite her many commitments, she always maintained a tremendous love for geoscience and stayed committed to her research. Her extensive work in Antarctica spanned eight field seasons between 1984 and 1996, and she was awarded the U.S. Congressional Polar Medal for Scientific Service in Antarctica in 1985. A mountain in Victoria Land, Antarctica, was named after her: Mt. Rees. She also played a leadership role in surviving the Starshot Glacier plane crash in Antarctica in 1984.
Rees was an extraordinary field geologist, unflagging and insightful. She, her field partners, and accompanying mountaineers trekked up and down the peaks of frozen mountain ranges in Antarctica collecting roughly 4,000 pounds of rocks, which were brought back to UNLV for study. Upon Rees’ retirement in 2018, these rocks were donated to the U.S. Polar Rock Repository at The Ohio State University, where they now provide other researchers with access to samples they wouldn’t have been able to study otherwise.
In Utah and China, Rees’ work contributed to substantial refinements of Cambrian stratigraphy (rocks 539–487 million years old), culminating in two internationally ratified boundary positions on the Geologic Time Scale.
Rees was a remarkably successful researcher and academic leader who contributed not only to geology. As a guiding voice for feminist pedagogy, she developed innovative interdisciplinary research spanning feminism, social science, and geology. She also served on the UNLV Woman’s Council for many years. Peg, as a representative of the Provost office, also played an important role in designing the SEB building.
Rees received a variety of awards and honors for her work. She was a fellow of the Geological Society of America, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Sonoma State University, and received the Erasmus Haworth Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Kansas.
Rees is remembered as a trailblazer; she opened doors and then she held them open for others that came after her. She was an inspirational leader, a dedicated teacher and mentor, and a wonderful, compassionate person. She left an indelible mark on those who interacted with her. She inspired many campus women by her competent and confident presence in all the UNLV leadership positions she served. Numerous former students, colleagues, and friends have all noted that she had an incredibly positive impact on their lives, and she will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to her partner and family at this difficult time. It was her wish that instead of flowers or other remembrances, that money be donated in her name to the Great Basin National Park Foundation.
Peg Rees will have a Green Burial at the Colorado Natural Burial Preserve, near Cañon City, Colorado, dates still pending. Contact Brenda Buck Brenda.buck@unlv.edu for more information.
