To create this commemorative edition of Nevada Silver & Blue we had to live in the past – for several months anyway. Our “time machine” was a deep dive into University Libraries’ Special Collections and University Archives and its vast physical and digital collections. We’ve learned so much in honor of the University of Nevada, Reno’s 150th birthday, and we can’t wait to show you.
This issue required a vast amount of detective work, and we couldn’t have built it without the help of University Libraries’ faculty and staff, especially Rebecca Sparagowski, sesquicentennial archivist. Rebecca solved countless mysteries – like tracking down Morrill Hall’s original floorplans in the 1885-86 University student handbook, of all places!
To transport you back to campus, we enlisted local artist, Emily Reid to paint several original pieces for this issue. On the front cover, Emily imagines in stunning detail how the interior of Morrill Hall might have looked when it housed the entire University in 1886, the year it opened.
Moses Achoka ’07 M.A., our award-winning graphic designer, used countless vintage details from past student publications while designing this issue. From fancy “drop cap” letters and patterned endpapers to hand-drawn comics and original stories, we owe a debt of gratitude to the creators of the Artemisia yearbook and Nevada Sagebrush newspaper.
We greatly appreciate the authors and historians – including New York Times bestselling author Chris Enss – who allowed us to re-share their work for this historic issue. And a heartfelt shoutout to our colleagues from across campus who offered time, talent and flexibility in supporting an out-of-the-ordinary Nevada Silver & Blue.
While a single publication cannot capture every detail that has made our University unique over a century and a half, John Trent ’85, ’87, ’00 M.A., the University’s senior editor of news and features, has come awfully close with his book “University of Nevada, 1874-2024: 150 Years of Inspiring Excellence.” We are grateful to John and the University of Nevada Press for allowing us to include excerpts from this special book before its official release on Oct. 1, 2024.
As we count down to the University’s birthday, we hope you’ll join us for our Sesquicentennial Celebration, Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. Please visit unr.edu/Celebrate150 for event details and a first look at the University’s newly released sesquicentennial video. Our thanks to Kerri Garcia ’92, sesquicentennial committee co-chair, and the University’s marketing and communications team for their leadership throughout this historic year.
Without our students and alumni, faculty and staff, donors and friends, this magazine wouldn’t exist – because our University wouldn’t exist. We dedicate this special issue to you. Thank you!
Patricia Richard ’89, ’92 M.A.Vice President, University AdvancementCo-Chair, Sesquicentennial Committee
Christy Jerz ’97Marketing & Communications Director, University AdvancementEditor in Chief, Nevada Silver & Blue
PS: We’d love to hear what you think about this issue. Email SilverBlue@unr.edu to reach the team.
