About this event

Please join us in honoring this year’s Nevada Alumni Association Awardees joined by the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees!

Awards Reception
Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 6pm-9pm
Joe Crowley Student Union  

Check back for registration link

No physical tickets will be issued - registered guests will be on a list at event check-in. Attire is cocktail or business. Following the awards ceremony, heavy appetizers with drinks will be served so you can celebrate with all of the award winners and inductees.

NEVADA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Alumnus of the Year
Dale Erquiaga ’85 (political science)

Community Service
Sarah Schmidt ’10 (Spanish)

Exceptional Achievement
Bret Frey ’89 (biology), ’00 M.D.
Bryan Nakasako ’15 (criminal justice)
Stefanie Stafford ’04 (biochemistry)
Katie Weigel ’96 (finance), ’98 MBA
Emma White ’18 (general studies)

Outstanding Chapter of the Year
Fallon Alumni Chapter

Outstanding Recent Graduate
Noemí Gómez Martínez ’16 (Spanish and management), ’20 MSW
Morgan Young ’24 (computer science & engineering)

Silver & Blue Appreciation
Bean Space Foundation
George W. Gillemot Foundation

University Service
Ann Morgan ’75 (English)

The Wolf Pack Way
Trent Mahler ’16 (criminal justice), ’21 MSW

COLLEGE & UNIT AWARDS

Athletics Distinguished Alumnus 
Joe Sellers Sr. ’70 (physical education), ’71 M.A. (school administration)

College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources Distinguished Awardee
Elwood Miller

The College of Business Distinguished Alumna
Melissa Pick ’06 (marketing)

College of Education & Human Development Distinguished Alumna 
Rita Laden ’96 Ed.D.

College of Engineering James G. Scrugham Medal Recipient
Roy Maxion ’75 (mathematics), ’82 M.S.

College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Alumna
Jill Tolles ’97 (speech communications), ’06 M.A. 

College of Science Samuel Abraham Goudsmit Medal Recipient
Elizabeth Austin ’91 M.S. (atmospheric physics), ’94 Ph.D. (physics)

Honors College Distinguished Alumna
Meagan Noin ’05 (political science and journalism)

Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering John William Mackay Medal Recipient
Joseph Kurtak ’73 (geology), ’75 M.S. 

Orvis School of Nursing Distinguished Alumna
Linda Clift ’74 (nursing)

Reynolds School of Journalism Distinguished Alumnus
Terry Oliver ’71 (journalism)

School of Public Health Distinguished Alumnus
Jake Hargis ’08 (health ecology), ’20 MPH

School of Social Work Distinguished Alumna
Lisa Ruggerio ’01 (social work), ’20 MSW

University Libraries Distinguished Alumnus
Joxe Mallea-Olaetxe ’88 Ph.D. (Basque Studies)

School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus
Brig. Gen. David Young III ’75 AAM.D.
 

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Softball
2008 Nevada Softball Team

Diving
Krysta Palmer ’16 (community health sciences)

Men’s Basketball
Garry Hill-Thomas Sr. ’04 (marketing), ’15 MBA

Football
Michael Rockwood ’00 (general studies)

Football
Luke Lippincott ’09 (psychology)

Ski
Tommi Viirret

Additional information

• Attendance type: In person