UNLV Foundation’s dinner honors donors

The UNLV Foundation's 21st annual dinner on Nov. 5 at the Bellagio's Tower Ballroom attracted 600 financial supporters and celebrated new donors and the end of the "Invent the Future" campaign. By the end of the year, the campaign will have raised $500 million dollars.

Among those attending the hosted reception, where the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble entertained, were University Chancellor Dan Klaich and wife, Denise, UNLV President Neal Smatresk, UNLV Vice President Bill Boldt, Gov. Jim Gibbons, former Gov. Kenny Guinn, Regent James Dean Leavitt, former UNLV presidents David Ashley and Carol Harter, State Sen. Steven Horsford, Assemblyman Harry Mortenson and Helen Mortenson, Councilman Stavros Anthony, Christina Hixson, Diana Bennett, George Smith, Maria and Ted Quirk, William Boyd, Patti Becker, Jon Cobain, Mel Wolzinger, Dee and Don Snyder, Bill Paulos, Bill Wortman, and Kris Engelstad McGarry.

Dinner entertainment was a performance by the UNLV Choir, with special guest Kristi Holden, who is currently starring as Christine in "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular." Robert Lange spoke about the Brookings Institute and their new joint initiative with UNLV on research and public discourse on issues facing western states.

Mark Fine, chair of the UNLV Foundation, spoke about University's Palladium Society, which is comprised of donors who have made a contribution of $1 million or more to UNLV.

Recent inductees into the Palladium Society were Bank of America, Maria and Ted Quirk and Dee and Don Snyder.

This year, two levels were added to the society. Those who have donated $10 million or more became members of the Palladium's Diamond Society.

Honored were William Bennett and the Bennett Family Foundation, William S. Boyd and the Boyd Foundation, Lied Foundation Trust, the Lincy Foundation, Stan Fulton and Ruth and Mel Wolzinger. The Greenspun family, with their contribution of more than $25 million, became a member of the Palladium's Ruby Society. A special announcement was made about the gift of $12.6 million from the Englestad Family Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship program.

More donors in attendance were Kitty Rodman, Nancy and Kell Housels, Joyce Mack, Perry Rogers, Tamara and Jay Kornmayer, Mike Meyer, Hope Anstett, Vicki Fertitta, Lorenzo and Teresa Fertitta, Selma Bartlett, Sandy and Stanley Mallin, Marcia and Tola Chin, Patricia and Andrew Noll, Mary and Troy Wade, Jan and Owen Nitz, Carmen and John Gallagher, Kim Stein and Michael Leslie, Anne Mulloy, Marge and William Speer, Paula Garriott, Trish Nyer, Julie Murray, Amy Ayoub, Barbara Molasky and Mike Sloan, Gina Polvina and Ira Sternberg, Nancy Strouse and H.R. "Bud" Beekman.