Regent Shelley Berkley has been named this year's Outstanding Alumnus and former 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ President Kenny Guinn has been chosen as the recipient of the Silver State Award, the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Alumni Association announced Monday (Oct . 21).
The Outstanding Alumnus Award is given each year to a 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ alumnus who has exemplified leadership, service, and dedication to the university, the Alumni Association, and the community.
Berkley has been a steadfast supporter of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, having served as a member of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Alumni Association's board of directors and its legal committee. She has been both a donor to the association's scholarship fund and to the fund to build the Richard Tam Alumni Center. Berkley also served as student body president at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and as voluntary legal counsel to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's student government.
She has also been an active member of many civic organizations in Southern Nevada, including the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, the Democratic Women's Club of Clark County, and the Allied Arts Council.
"Shelley has always been there to serve the university and the Alumni Association and contribute whatever time and commitment she could," said Fred Albrecht, executive director of alumni and community relations. "She is both a role model for students and a leader in the community."
The Silver State Award is presented each year to a non-alumnus who has exemplified outstanding contributions to the state, the university, and the Alumni Association.
Guinn, the former superintendent of the Clark County School District, served as interim 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ president during 1994-95 and as chair of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Foundation Board of Trustees during 1993-94.
Guinn was also chairman of the board and president of both the Southwest Gas Corp. and PriMerit Bank and has been an active member of numerous civic organizations, including the Nevada Development Authority, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of Southern Nevada.
"He provided leadership at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ during a difficult transition period," Albrecht said. "His service to the university deserves special recognition."
Both Guinn and Berkley will be honored at the Homecoming reception Friday evening at the Lied Athletic Complex on the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ campus and will be introduced during half time at the Homecoming game against Fresno State Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
