1981
The University established the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation to generate private support for the University.
1982
Laxalt Mineral Engineering Center building opened for use.
The main entrance to the Laxalt Mineral Engineering building is viewed from the Quad.
1982
A new business building opened, later named in honor of Nazir Ansari, a faculty member in the College of Business.
This scene shot shows the northeast side of the Ansari Business Building (photographic print, 7.5 x 9.5 inches). The Ansari Business Building, named for Professor of Management Nazir Ansari, was completed in 1982. T
1983
Construction on Lawlor Events Center was completed.
This photo shows the Lawlor Events Center under construction (photographic print, 2.75 x 3.25 inches). The Lawlor Events Center opened in 1983. It holds 11,200 seats for Wolf Pack men’s and women’s basketball sports fans, while additionally hosting other events such as concerts and Winter Commencement.
1984
The University established the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism and Center for Advanced Media Studies.
1985
The Nevada Legislature named the campus grounds a state arboretum.
Black and white photo from 1985 of Mackay School of Mines viewed from the southwest corner of the Quad (photographic print, 5 x 7 inches).
1986
The University celebrated 100 years in Reno.
1989
The College of Human and Community Sciences opened.
1991
The ElderCollege began offering continuing education opportunities for retirees.
1993
The Reynolds School of Journalism building was completed and named after Donald W. Reynolds, a businessman and journalist whose support catalyzed the transition from department to school.
1993
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents honored donor Jean Sanford's generosity by officially renaming the University’s Geriatric and Gerontology Center to the Sanford Center for Aging.
Jean Sanford, owner of the Dangberg Land and Livestock Company in the Carson Valley. While caring for her aging mother, Jean Sanford envisioned a better future for older adults in Nevada. From 1982-92, Jean made numerous generous gifts to establish the University’s Geriatric and Gerontology Center and, upon her death, designated the vast majority of her estate to establish an endowment to support this critical program dedicated to “research, teaching and publicizing ways and means to improve quality of life for elders.” At the time, it was the largest gift in the University’s history.
1994
History professor Michael Coray was named the first Special Assistant to the President for Diversity to improve recruitment and retention of diverse students and faculty.
1997
The University created the Honor Court to highlight the students, faculty, and donors with great impact to the University, both historically, and into the future.
Honor Court pillars are photographed from the inside. Honor Court was dedicated in 1997 and is located between Morrill Hall and the Clark Administration Building where Stewart Hall used to reside.
1999
Legacy Hall opened, housing the athletic department under one roof and capping $20 million in athletic facility improvements during the decade.
Legacy Hall is seen at night. Legacy Hall finished construction in 1999 as a center dedicated to Wolf Pack athletics and is often where special athletics’ ceremonies take place.
2000
The Fitzgerald Student Services Building opened.
This image shows students walking near the Fitzgerald Student Services Building. The Whalen Parking Complex, Lawlor Events Center, and Peavine Peak are visible in the background.
2001
On October 8, the University celebrated the inauguration of John Lilley as the 14th president.
John Lilley poses for a photo while seated in his office.
2003
Student enrollment surpassed 15,000.
2004
A massive campus reorganization divided the College of Arts and Science into the College of Liberal Arts and College of Science.
2004
The Latino Research Center opened its doors with initial startup funds from the United States Department of Education, supported by former U.S. Senator Harry Reid and Nevada Assemblywomen Sheila Leslie
2005
The Redfield campus, a joint educational venture between Truckee Meadows Community College and the University opened.
This exterior shot was taken during the Nell J. Redfield Building (Redfield Campus) dedication ceremony. The Nell J. Redfield Building opened in 2005 located along the Mt. Rose Highway in the southern end of Reno.
2006
The University celebrated the inauguration of Milton D. Glick as the 15th president on September 29th.
Headshot of President Milt Glick
2007
The Joe Crowley Student Union construction finished, primarily paid for by the student body.
2007
Hixson Softball Park opened on the site of the former Bishop Manogue High School to provide improved and dedicated playing and practice fields for women’s sports.
This aerial image shows the Christina M. Hixson Softball Park viewed from the northwest.
2008
The Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center opened its doors and was one of the most technologically advanced libraries and campus technology services facilities in the country.
2008
The Davidson Academy, a free public school for profoundly gifted young people, and the Black Rock Press opened in the Jot Travis Building, formerly the student union.
2008
Marguerite Wattis Petersen Foundation Athletics Academic Center opened.
This view shows the front entrance to the Marguerite Wattis Petersen Foundation Athletic Academic Center. It was built in 2008 for $7.5 million as an on-campus academic and counseling support center for university athletes.
2008
The Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Greenhouse Complex opened on Valley Road.
The entrances of two greenhouses at the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, located at the Valley Road Field Laboratory, are shown in this image.
2010
The Davidson Mathematics and Science Center opened.
2010
The Center for Molecular Medicine, housing the Whittemore Peterson Institute, opened.
This view shows the east side of the Center for Molecular Medicine and the "University of Nevada, Reno Health Sciences" sign. The Center for Molecular Medicine was finished in 2010. It houses many medical departments ranging from pharmacology to biotechnology and includes both teaching and research facilities.
2011
The administration of Milton D. Glick closed with his death on April 16, and Provost Marc Johnson stepped in as interim president.
2012
The University celebrated the inauguration of Marc A. Johnson as the 16th president of the University on September 28th.
Headshot of President Marc Johnson
2013
The Earthquake Engineering Laboratory, housing one of the world’s largest shake table experiential floors, opened.
2014
NevadaFit completed the first campuswide freshman boot camp, after expanding from the successful BioFit the previous year.
2015
The Innevation Center, a collaborative space designed to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, opened in downtown Reno.
Exterior of the Innevation Center Powered by Switch, a multistory brick building with large rows of reflective glass windows.
2015
Student enrollment surpassed 20,000.
2016
The William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center opened.
2014
NevadaFit completed the first campuswide freshman boot camp, after expanding from the successful BioFit the previous year.
2017
The Wiegand Fitness Center opened.
2018
The University attained the prestigious R1 status as measured by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Higher Education.
2019
The University Arts Building opened.
Exterior of the University Arts Building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus during the evening.
2019
The University offered the first-ever Paiute language course.
Colorful large-scale mural painting of a Paiute Indian.
2020
In March, the University closed on-campus operations to slow the spread of COVID-19. Faculty pivoted to online instruction.
2020
The University celebrated the inauguration of Brian Sandoval as the 17th president on October 5th.
Headshot of President Brian Sandoval
2021
The University launched the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative to reduce digital inequity by providing iPads to all incoming first-year students.
A collection of Apple iPad boxes surround the John Mackay Statue in front of the Mackay School of Mines.
2021
A partnership agreement between the School of Medicine and Renown Health established the first fully integrated health system in Nevada and expanded clinical training and clinical research programs as well as access to clinical care for all Nevadans.
The 2021 signed agreement between Renown Health and University of Nevada, Reno to establish a fully integrated health system in Nevada.
2022
The University began operations at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe on July 1st, after entering into an agreement to acquire Sierra Nevada University.
Aerial view of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus, surrounded by trees with the blue waters of Lake Tahoe visible in the distance.
2022
The University established the Office of Indigenous Relations, with Daphne Emm Hooper as the inaugural director.
Six individuals stand on a stage with graduation attire for the 2023 Affinity Graduation Celebration at the University of Nevada, Reno.
2023
President Sandoval held a ribbon-cutting for the Mathewson University Gateway District.
Aerial rendering of new College of Business Building that anchors the Gateway District (courtesy of LMN Architects and Design Distill)
2023
The Mackay Muckers Women’s Team won first place in the International Collegiate Mining Competition in Australia.
The Mackay Muckers Women's Team sits on a pile of dirt in front of a mining cart. They are all covered in dirt.