Oral history interview with Jon Cobain conducted by Claytee D. White on March 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cobain describes his childhood growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and living in a trailer while his father built the family's home. Cobain is the first graduate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), as he walked across the stage first, thus becoming the first to receive a degree from UNLV. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in business, Cobain attended Northwestern for graduate school. He discusses time spent working in Venezuela, and the value of learning other cultures and building international relationships. At the time of the interview, Cobain is matching gifts to the Jon Cobain Lee Business School at UNLV up to $2.3 million to help first-generation scholars. Other subjects discussed include the Nevada Test Site, Frank Sinatra, and Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview With Carolyn Sparks conducted by Claytee D. White on June 7, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sparks describes her childhood growing up in Overton, Nevada where her father worked as a mining engineer. Later the family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where her father invested in the El Cortez and Showboat hotels. Sparks received a degree from the University of California, Berkeley before returning to Las Vegas to work at an insurance company, where she met her husband, Kenneth. Sparks discusses their shared adventure insuring many of the businesses on the Las Vegas Strip while simultaneously entering the world of philanthropy. Sparks became area Chairperson of the American Cancer Society, a fundraiser for Junior Mesquite Club, and founded the Nevada Children's Center. Sparks served on the Nevada Board of Regents from 1984 to 1996, on the Board of Directors of the Showboat Hotel & Casino, and as president of the family's International Insurance Services, Ltd.
Archival Collection
Oral history with Nathan Harper conducted by Claytee D. White on July 29, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Harper describes his childhood and growing up in Wichita, Kansas and how those early days shaped his belief system today. After discussing his experience as a Fulbright Scholar in Cyprus, Harper discusses his role, beginning in 2007, as Archaeologist for the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about unearthing the history of John Howell, the first Black man in Las Vegas who claimed land near what is now Springs Preserve. He also talks about relocating railroad cottages to the Preserve, restoring, and even decorating the buildings. He talks about the history of early Las Vegas and the area's water supply throughout the interview.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rossi Ralenkotter conducted by Claytee D. White on August 4, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ralenkotter describes migrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1951 with his parents at the age of four. He shares early memories of the city, and talks about how it brought him to be president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Ralenkotter is responsible for marketing and branding Las Vegas and Southern Nevada as the world's most desirable destination for leisure and business travel. Under his leadership, the LVCVA launched the most successful branding campaign in tourism history, "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas." In 1971, Ralenkotter earned a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and in 2008 was selected as Alumni of the Year. In 2009, he was honored with UNLV's Distinguished Nevadan Award. Throughout the interview, Ralenkotter recalls his many memories of the city throughout his life, including cruising Fremont Street, swimming at Lorenzi Park, participating in Helldorado parades, and watching the transformation of sports in the city.
Archival Collection
The Peter Michel UNLV University Libraries Committee Records (1996-2006) contain the files from former University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Director of Special Collections and Archives Peter Michel. Files contain UNLV Libraries Dean's Cabinet meeting minutes, UNLV Planning Council records, and assessment reports from the Libraries.
Archival Collection
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Office of Academic Assessment Records (1957-2017) consists of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) self-studies and accreditation materials. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is UNLV's regional accreditation agency.
Archival Collection
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Social Work Records (1991-1997) consist of materials created by the school in their effort to create a master's program. The collection contains the application for initial accreditation for a master's program, a candidacy update, self-studies for reaffirmation, and course syllabi for the School of Social Work.
Archival Collection
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas Office of Admissions Records (approximately 1954-2025) contain early enrollment and admission records for Nevada Southern University (NSU), later the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The collection contains correspondence between NSU and other universities regarding transcripts and course credits for potential students, admissions reports, and newspaper clippings of the University's early years. Booklets, flyers, posters, and photographic film and slides used by the University to recruit students are also in the collection.
Archival Collection
The UNLV Libraries Collection of Gambling Related Sheet Music (1890-1987) consists of primarily early 20th century American gambling-related sheet music. This collection is most noteworthy for the covers' bright and colorful imagery, including white gentlemen playing cards, imagery from card and related games, and some with offensive stereotypes and caricatures of African Americans. The material was created by a wide range of designers, composers, and publishers from various places, including New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; and Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This collection contains illustrations which depict Black and Asian individuals in racist caricatures, photographs of white individuals wearing blackface, and some song titles include derogatory language or racial slurs.
Archival Collection
"Help Nevada Get In The Scrap!" Poster (approximately 1941-1945) is a single poster produced by the Office of Civilian Defense during World War II as part of the "Victory Home" (V-Home) campaign. The poster outlines what common household items like tin cans, iron and steel scrap, and stockings and rags can be salvaged and sent to war production plants. The poster also lists the five point program of all V-Homes and also includes spaces where households could write the names of their Block Leader, Salvage Chairman, and Air Raid Warden. This poster lists Nellie Cashman of Las Vegas, Nevada as the Block Leader.
Archival Collection
