Close up of the "Rebels Forever" logo on 51ԹϺ undergraduate gown.

Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement News

The Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement strives to build meaningful relationships with 51ԹϺ alumni and steward private investment in the university. We do this by supporting the mission and vision of the 51ԹϺ Foundation and the 51ԹϺ Alumni Association, two 501(c)3 organizations.

Current Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement News

Dean Grinvald, Justice Douglas, and Will Sykes stand by law school signage
Campus News |

William T. and Brianne M. Sykes donate $60,000 to William S. Boyd School of Law pre-law program in honor of Justice Michael L. Douglas.

exterior of Maryland Administrative Building 2
Business and Community |

Initiative, supported by $15 million donation from Sands, highlights shared commitment to enriching the educational and cultural landscape of Las Vegas and beyond.

Satish Bhatnagar wearing graduation robes and holding ceremonial mallet
People |

51ԹϺ math sciences professor Satish Bhatnagar will be honored for his half-century of contributions to the university during the annual Faculty Length of Service Program. 

students hold framed photos of professors lost on Dec. 6
Campus News |

The awards honor Naoko Takemaru, Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, and Patricia Navarro Velez.

51ԹϺ red flag banner against green leaves of tree
Campus News |

Engelstad Scholars celebrate 15 years of leadership, scholarship, and service to the community.

Joyce Mack and her daughter Marilynn smile for a photo
51ԹϺ History |

The philanthropist and her family bet on 51ԹϺ's success with contributions to help establish the campus, build the Thomas & Mack Center, and advance the law school.

Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement In The News

KSNV-TV: News 3

51ԹϺ welcomes more than 5,000 students, staff, faculty, and alumni for Rebel Homecoming Week. The university calls it the Happiest Homecoming on Earth as people gathered in the Student Union Courtyard & Plaza.

Hospitality Net

The 51ԹϺ William F. Harrah College of Hospitality announces a $1 million philanthropic gift from Marco Benvenuti to establish the Marco Benvenuti Excellence Endowment. The gift represents the culmination of years of support from the local entrepreneur and 2002 graduate.

U.S. News & World Report

Before closing out the fall semester, many schools observe different holidays through unique and time-honored traditions.

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

How does a new foundation CEO ensure long-term success? The first 100 days in office are critical to a successful tenure and depend on the CEO establishing candid, trusting relationships with the institution president, the foundation board, and internal and external stakeholders. Success also depends on the new CEO’s ability to understand the entire gamut of the position’s responsibilities, the corresponding gaps in their experience and expertise, and the means to address limitations.

Sports Handle

'Pioneering' grant announced one day before ESPN BET sportsbook launch

Vegas Inc

Cindy Rivelli is a seasoned fundraiser and manager who found her calling while studying and working abroad. After graduating from the University of Oregon, she taught English in Lille, France, before moving on to pursue her master’s degree in international relations at King’s College London. While there, Rivelli stumbled into fundraising after taking a job at UNICEF UK.

Recent Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Accomplishments

Robert Rippee (Black Fire Innovation), Amanda Belarmino (Hospitality), and Ph.D. alumna Nasim Binesh recently had an article published in Current Issues in Tourism. Their paper, "User segmentation in human–robot interactions: insights from sports betting patrons using diffusion of innovation theory," groups together different types …
Darren Noble (Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement) attended the Alumni Career Services Network’s (ACSN) Annual Conference, hosted by the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. The event brought together practitioners from 150 institutions and organizations dedicated to alumni career services support. This year's theme was "Grow * Adapt *…
Rickey N. McCurry (Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement) co-presented with Greta Daniels, CFRE, senior vice president, RNL, at the 2024 RNL National Conference on Enrollment, Student Success, and Fundraising in Dallas, Texas. The presentation on “Reimagining the Advancement Business Model to Promote Healthy Pipeline Growth” discussed the balancing…
Heather Torgersen, DPP (Liberal Arts; Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement) was chosen as a member of Leadership Las Vegas' class of 2024. Leadership Las Vegas is a 10-month executive leadership program sponsored by the Vegas Chamber designed to expand knowledge in the community so that participants become more effective leaders and change…
Cindy Rivelli (Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement), senior associate vice president for development and principal gifts, was featured in Vegas Inc.'s "40 Under 40: The Best and Brightest of Las Vegas" award series.
Anjala Krishen (Marketing and International Business) was appointed as the first Mel Larson Endowed Chair in Marketing. The endowed chair in was created to honor in perpetuity the memory and exemplary career of marketing pioneer Mel Larson and allows the Lee Business School department of marketing to recruit, retain, and recognize faculty for…