Nevada Centennial Medallion Winners

To celebrate Nevada’s centennial in 1964, the Rotary Club of Las Vegas (LVRC) donated 101 original Centennial Medallions to the University of Nevada, Southern Regional Division, now known as UNLV.

The 1964 Nevada Centennial Medallions were created to celebrate Nevada’s 100th anniversary of statehood and feature symbols that reflect the state’s history: “Battle Born” signifies Nevada’s admission to the Union during the Civil War in 1864; the miner and burro represent Nevada’s mining heritage; Sagebrush is the state flower; the Hoover Dam symbolizes Nevada’s development; the Five-Pointed Star symbolizes Nevada’s mineral wealth; the 36 stars mark Nevada’s position as the 36th state to join the Union, and the sunbeams represent hope and new beginnings.

The LVRC donated the medallions to honor one outstanding undergraduate student at each annual commencement in the spring from 1964 through Nevada’s bicentennial in 2064. Recipients are selected by UNLV based on academic excellence, including grade point average. Winners are invited to the Club with the President of UNLV for a ceremony honoring the recipient’s outstanding academic achievement.

Below is a list of the past recipients who were awarded the Centennial Medallion by UNLV.

Past Winners

John Surina – 1981
Nancy M. Forni – 1980
Judi D. Record – 1979
Martin D. Schaffer – 1978
Diane N. Aiello – 1977
Steven B. Sedlacek – 1976
Mary V. Dibble – 1975
Kathleen Ashton – 1974
Phyllis J. Zagortz – 1973
William M. Brown – 1972
Chris A. Beecroft, Jr. – 1971
Michael George Carlson – 1970
Amalie A. Austin – 1969
Carol James – 1968
Myrna Dorothy Selwyn – 1967
Janet Naomi Monson – 1966
Jacqueline Mongeot – 1965
Dominic I. Daileda – 1964