Traditions: Old and New
A history of inspired excellence
Since its inception in 1874 as the state of Nevada’s first institution of higher education, the University of Nevada, Reno has delivered on the promise of providing the citizens of Nevada with a better future.
As the state’s original land-grant university and ranked among the nation’s top universities by the Carnegie Foundation, the University is providing new paths for the state’s next generation of leaders.
The University celebrated the conferral of its first college degrees in 1891. Frederick Bristol, Henry Colman Cutting, and Frank Herbert Norcross, three graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, delivered their capstone “orations” to an overflow crowd at McKissick’s Opera House. The following year in 1892, Blanche Davis became the first woman to graduate from the University. Along with four other people, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. A few years later, Joseph Williams earned the first master’s degree in 1903 while Roger Barron Morrison received the first doctoral degree in 1964.
More than 130 years later in Spring 2023, the University held five commencement ceremonies and conferred 3,130 degrees and certificates, including 2,373 bachelor’s degrees and 757 advanced degrees (master’s and doctoral degrees).
The University has conferred over 125,000 degrees since opening in 1874.
NevadaFIT is an award-winning academic program that kicks off the fall semester for first-year students. Designed to help students successfully transition from high school to the University, it provides realistic exposure to the style, pace, intensity, and rigor of college courses. After completing NevadaFIT, students are better prepared for their first semester of college and connect with peers before the start of the academic year. The week kicks off with an opening ceremony, outside, at the newly renovated Mackay Stadium.
The University partnered with Apple® to create the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative, a program that provides a common learning platform and equal access to technology and digital tools for new, degree-seeking students and faculty. The program began in 2021, with more than 3,200 new first-year students receiving an iPad, keyboard and stylus at no cost to them. The program is designed to augment digital literacy and increase student success by providing enhanced curriculum and experiences that expand digital skillsets and provide a platform to personalize the learning experience.
Dedicated in 1997, the Honor Court recognizes those who drive the University’s success by celebrating the contributions of campus and community leaders. The Honor Court, with its tranquil park-like setting, is situated at the south end of campus and is adjacent to the University’s historic Quadrangle. Together with major donors, the names of students, faculty, staff, and community members who have contributed to the University’s history of exemplary scholarship, teaching and outreach are engraved and publicly acknowledged.
The Nevada and UNLV football teams play annually for possession of the Fremont Cannon trophy. The cannon is a replica of the howitzer that accompanied Captain John C. Fremont on his expedition through Oregon, Nevada, and California from 1843-44. Captain Fremont was the first presidential candidate of the new Republican Party in 1856.
The cannon is the largest and, at one point, was the most expensive trophy in college football. It
weighs roughly 545 pounds and cost roughly $10,000 to build more than 50 years ago. The winning team takes possession of the cannon and paints it their team color: blue or red.
Nevada and UNLV played their first football game on November 22, 1969. Nevada won, 30-28. In 1970, UNLV won the second annual rivalry game, taking home the replica Fremont Cannon in its first year. Overall, Nevada leads the series 29-19.
A major pedestrian path on campus dubbed The Wolf Pack Way, is lined with banners featuring outstanding recent graduates doing great work all over the world. The path features an inaugural 50 alumni, extending roughly a mile from the main University entrance all the way to the north end of campus. According to Provost Jeff Thompson, “The Wolf Pack Way is not only the main pedestrian thoroughfare on our campus, but is also the value system demonstrated by our students, faculty, staff and alumni as they make positive contributions to their communities throughout the world.”
The Mackay Muckers Mining Team practices old school mining techniques, including swede saw, mucking, single jack handsteel, goldpan, trackstand, jackleg, and survey. The Muckers compete in the annual Intercollegiate Mining Games, an international competition held every spring since 1979 in memory of the Sunshine Mine Fire that occurred on May 2, 1972. They have competed in Montana, Missouri, Colorado, Nevada, England, and Australia. The Muckers have been competing in the competition since its inception. In 1985, both the men’s and women’s teams placed first, establishing a long history of excellence. Ten students on the team traveled to Australia in March 2023 to compete in the 45th International Collegiate Mining Competition, where the women’s team took first place overall. The Muckers have also established an alumni team, made up of many former collegiate members.
The University held the first Mackay Day event in 1913 to honor the Mackay family, who donated $1.5 million to support a new mining building and its equipment, landscaping for the Quad, and an athletic field and training house in 1908. The family later established a $150,000 endowment for the Mackay School of Mines in 1912. Mackay Day, which later became Mackay Week, celebrated the Mackays as well as united the campus and created fond memories for the students.
Homecoming week is an opportunity for alumni to reminisce about their time at the University and for current students to make memories. Alumni return to campus, look around, think about their time spent here as students, and recall the people, professors, and landmarks that made it special. Homecoming, which dates back to the early years of the University, has included many traditions that involve alumni and current students: football games, parades, carnival-themed games, concerts, and the March from the Arch.
In 1913, students placed and whitewashed thousands of rocks to form a 140-foot by 150-foot “N” overlooking the campus on Peavine Peak. At that time, first-year students were required to participate. Now ASUN recruits students each summer who refresh the site, and, in return, can receive volunteer hours.
The Multicultural Center with the Indigenous Student Services program collaborates with our local native community to produce the University of Nevada, Reno Powwow. This event, started by the Native American Student Association, began in 1991, and has been held annually since 2005 to honor graduating students and celebrate higher education. It invites native communities to the University to connect with one another and with the campus community. The Powwow represents native culture through regalia, dance, and music. The event takes place each spring and includes local food vendors and artists and the crowning of Mr. and Miss University of Nevada, Reno Powwow.
