skyline at sunset
Spring 2025

At Your Service: Our Difference-Making Partnerships for a Better Nevada

From hosting science field trips to delivering therapy services to rural areas, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ enriches the lives of Nevadans. 

Current Issue: Spring 2025

skyline at sunset

From hosting science field trips to delivering therapy services to rural areas, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ enriches the lives of Nevadans. 

three women on couch in living room with walls covered in family photos

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Special Collections workshop helps families collect oral histories, memorabilia, and records to pass down through the generations.

man in regalia at commencement ceremony

Longtime administrator Chris Heavey on his appointment as interim president of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.

Campus Scenes photo

The launch of the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture marks a significant step in strengthening 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's global engagement in an interconnected world.

Portrait of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Interim President Chris Heavey

Heavey, a longtime 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty member and administrator, most recently served as the university's officer in charge; appointment runs through April 2028. 

woman posing with her chin in her hands

Art history major Izzy McClain on reconnecting with her family's past.

A student talking in a group setting with her laptop.

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Urban Affairs class prepares students to navigate emergency situations from a crisis communication perspective.

Dozens of musicians in formal outfits play instruments.

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students and residents come together for the love of music and to support Las Vegas organizations.

Drew Peltier in lab with tree samples

Life Sciences professor Drew Peltier explores how trees grow, survive, and reproduce despite poor conditions — and when they might not recover.

A brain model atop a blue plate

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ research team says high blood sugar levels appear to weaken function in key part of brain, mimicking Alzheimer’s.

person standing with choice to go left, right, or straight

New 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ-led study models thousands of generations to find out why animals – including humans – evolved to prefer short-term gains over more fruitful long-term benefits.

blurred image of red banner with trees in background

For this column from 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Magazine, Nevada journalist John L. Smith seeks context from someone, he says, "who has done everything for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ but paint it."

collage of three people

To answer that, we turned to three alumni who’ve handled their fair share of turmoil. Here they share lessons learned from their respective industries.

hockey team celebrating as coach holds trophy

Two decades after the program was formed, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ ice hockey reaches the pinnacle of club team success with a national championship.

football coach at practice with athletes

From the gridiron and the hardwood to the fairways and the swimming pool, it’s been another eventful — and in many cases highly successful — year for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Athletics. 

 

black and white photo of Herbert Derfelt

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s origin story traces back to one vote by one man, Herb Derfelt. And his legacy continues through generations of family members who followed in his educator footsteps.

Pate Thomas holds a photo of his great-grandfather Herbert Derfelt

Pate Thomas initially had no desire to add his name to the long list of family members who became Rebels and then educators. Now? He’s a proud alum, a difference-making educator, and the boss of a brand-new high school.

Piotr Tomasik wearing a shirt that says Tensorwave

Piotr Tomasik, a computer science graduate and serial entrepreneur, is driving a local tech renaissance one internship â€” and startup â€” at a time through new 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ program.

a man and woman in formal attire on a stage

The business leader and pioneer for the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation passed away April 14.

Students cheer in front of tall scarlet 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ letters on an outdoor field

Here's how the signature scarlet letters — the star of hundreds (thousands?) of photos — found a home at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. 

purple and white tulips on campus

Faculty, staff, and members of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ community that passed away in 2024-25.