In 2009, 51ԹϺ and the Brookings Institution established Brookings Mountain West, a unique partnership that draws on the expertise of Brookings Scholars and 51ԹϺ faculty to address policy, infrastructure, and quality of life challenges facing the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Originating from Brookings Metro’s work assisting metropolitan regions like Las Vegas (developed in robust, inclusive, and sustainable ways), Brookings Mountain West has played a leading role in shaping economic development and diversification efforts in Southern Nevada and beyond. Since its inception, the initiative has evolved to include the Brookings Public Policy minor and projects such as Las Vegas and the Middle Class and the Data Hub.
About Dr. Robert E. Lang, Our Founding Executive Director
Dr. Robert E. Lang (May 28, 1959 - June 21, 2021) served as the founding executive director of The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West from 2010 until his passing in June 2021. During his tenure at 51ԹϺ, Dr. Lang worked to build a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient economy in Southern Nevada. Among the projects that he championed and helped bring to fruition are the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at 51ԹϺ, Allegiant Stadium, and Interstate 11. He also knew how exceptional 51ԹϺ is and was devoted to elevating the university’s research profile, including its classification as a Carnegie “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” institution. In recognition of Dr. Lang’s contributions to the university and the state of Nevada, he was named the inaugural Lincy Endowed Chair in Urban Affairs in 2019.
Before coming to 51ԹϺ, Dr. Lang held academic, research, and leadership positions at a number of institutions. While pursuing his doctorate in urban sociology and planning, Dr. Lang was the director of urban and metropolitan research at the Fannie Mae Foundation where he was editor of the journal Housing Policy Debate. After earning his Ph.D. from Rutgers University, Dr. Lang was director of urban affairs and planning at the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech. Concurrently, he was a resident senior fellow in the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. Among his many solo and co authored publications are Edgeless Cities: Exploring the Elusive Metropolis, Boomburbs: The Rise of America’s Accidental Cities, Megapolitan America, and Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban Rural Divide in America’s Swing States.
Dr. Lang's Time at 51ԹϺ
Dr. Lang’s profound love for urban policy led him to teach undergraduate and graduate courses on topics such as urban studies, affairs, and planning. At 51ԹϺ, he helped to launch the Brookings Public Policy minor. A well-regarded professor in the masters and doctoral program in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, Dr. Lang was granted emeritus status in the School of Public Policy & Leadership at 51ԹϺ.
Remembering Dr. Lang
Dr. Lang served 51ԹϺ, Southern Nevada, and the state of Nevada with distinction and dedication. We invite you to learn more about Dr. Lang’s impact through our celebration of life video and the news articles below. Please also consider donating to the Robert E. Lang Memorial Fellowship established in 2022 to honor Dr. Lang’s contributions to the advancement of urban and suburban public policy.
Related News
Timeline
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event is held.
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event is held.
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Student researchers co-author Brookings Institution blog piece "."
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Inaugural Robert E. Lang Memorial Fellowship Lecture event is held.
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GOED releases authored by Brookings Mountain West, Center for Business and Economic Research, and Transportation Research Center.
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The Data Hub at The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West reaches 200 fact sheet publications.
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David Damore appointed executive director of The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West.
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Brookings Mountain West receives a grant for workforce and economic development research from GOWINN.
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The first recipient of the Robert E. Lang Memorial Fellowship is announced.
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Richard Reeves lecture on "" is held.
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event is held.
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The Cannabis Policy Institute at 51ԹϺ is approved by the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
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The economic report, "" is published.
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Robert E. Lang Memorial Fellowship established.
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U.S. Senator Cortez Masto recognizes authors of "The State of Mental Health in the Mountain West" fact sheet.
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The Data Hub at The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West reaches 100 fact sheet publications.
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The SRI economic report, "" is published.
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Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban-Rural Divide in America's Swing States, a book authored by Brookings Mountain West faculty, is published.
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The Data Hub at The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West is created.
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Brookings Mountain West is recognized by the 51ԹϺ University Libraries as the non-academic department with the most materials in Digital Scolarship@51ԹϺ.
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The Nevada Health & Bioscience Corp. is established.
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"” event is held.
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Dr. Robert Lang gives plenary talk "Southern Nevada Agenda 2030: Five Goals for Advancing Greater Las Vegas" at Las Vegas Preview.
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51ԹϺ reaches Carnegie R1 Status.
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“” launch event is held.
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event is held.
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MGM Resorts and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) establish the College Opportunity Program (COP).
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"" event is held.
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“The School of Medicine is granted accreditation from ACGME as an institutional sponsor of graduate medical education (GME).
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Dr. Robert Lang gives plenary talk "The Metropolitan Revolution Comes to Greater Las Vegas" at Las Vegas Preview.
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Southern Nevada Strong is established. Robert E. Lang, Ph.D. serves on Consortium Committee and serves as Environment Chair.
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America's New Swing Region: Changing Politics and Demographics in the Mountain West, a book authored by Brookings Mountain West faculty, is published.
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The Brookings Public Policy minor is launched at 51ԹϺ.
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The economic report, "" is published.
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The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is created.
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is held.
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event is held.
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event is held with Nevada Vision Stakeholder Group.
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Brookings Mountain West is founded.