Las Vegas is better known globally for its superb entertainment, colorful nightlife and diverse gaming than for higher education. Even though the city's history has been previously chronicled in a host of books, their emphasis has been rather one-dimensional, basically covering all matters related to the Strip. Perhaps so because it's called the Entertainment Capital of the World.
The 50thanniversary has helped put UNLV more prominently on the map. In honor of this important date, Dr. Eugene Moehring, a history professor and department chair, just published a book about the school, titled "The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, A History". The project took about a year and a half in research, writing and editing to complete.
The early years for the university were quite difficult. The Board of Regents was largely made up of Northern Nevadans who obviously had ties to the University of Nevada, Reno, which was then considered the true facility of higher education in the state. The struggling campus down south was actually referred to as "Tumbleweed Tech". Funding for buildings and programs was hard to come by and that shortage was slowly overcome by energetic community involvement and door-to-door campaigning by Las Vegas high school students.
UNLV's mascot is the Confederate rebel which was originated in those days to symbolize the battles it had with the Northern establishment. Intriguing for everyone to know where it came from. The struggle for independence was finally achieved in 1967 when it was officially named the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. One of the school's noteworthy academic accomplishments has been the ascendancy of the Harrah College of Hotel Administration to the forefront of hospitality education worldwide.
The history book can be purchased online at http://www.unpress.nevada.edu/.
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