When I met Don Bernard ’85 (speech communications) on campus, he almost immediately explained that he prefers to lie low — though that’s hard to do when you’re Alumnus of the Year. His love for the University of Nevada, Reno was visible on his face, but so was his hesitance to take credit for any of it.

Alongside Sallie Bernard, his wife of 35 years, Bernard does a lot. His 38-year career in finance includes serving as managing director of investments at Stifel and The Bernard Wealth Management Group. He’s been a football and basketball season ticket holder for almost 40 years and rarely misses a game. In addition, Bernard has served on numerous local nonprofit boards, including the Nevada Museum of Art, Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, Prospector’s Club and Renown Hospital. He is a trustee of both the Estelle J. Kelsey Foundation — which donates more than $1 million annually to northern Nevada charities — and the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation. Through these foundations in particular, Bernard has been involved in funding many campus projects, including the new John Tulloch Business Building.

“For my wife and me to be able to give back to the community as a whole and to this University is very humbling,” Bernard said.

Bernard is the fifth generation in his Nevada-born family and part of a long tradition of Nevada grads, including his parents, sister and brother-in-law, and many in Sallie’s family. “For me [attending Nevada] wasn’t really a question. I just grew up coming to the Quad for things, seeing sporting events. I always knew I wanted to go to school here,” he said, adding that of their three children — Donald, Brooke and Collin — the latter two also call Nevada their alma mater.

Foundation for Success

After Bernard graduated from Wooster High School, he enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in communications. He describes a college experience full of enriching social and athletic memories — experiences that led to lifelong friendships, deepened his connection to the campus community, and taught him the importance of giving back.

As a freshman, Bernard joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, where he eventually became chapter president and befriended future University President Brian Sandoval ’86 along the way. A committed Wolf Pack fan who played many sports, Bernard wanted to represent the University in athletics. Basketball was his preference — “but I wasn’t good enough,” he said. Instead, he opted for boxing, a sport he’d practiced under the tutelage of his grandfather, a former professional fighter, since age 7. He lettered in boxing for the University during its final year as a varsity sport (before it became a club sport) under Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Olivas.

After graduating in 1985, Bernard worked in advertising for three years, though it soon became clear it wasn’t the right fit. With gentle prodding from his father, a finance professional, Bernard joined his dad in the wealth management world. He credits his Reno roots, especially his time at the University, for the valuable connections that helped him steadily grow his business and sustain a successful career as a top producer.

But it’s the emotional connections from Bernard’s Nevada experience that stand out most — watching his kids graduate, meeting up with old friends from his school days and attending Wolf Pack games with family. While he’s been recognized for other accomplishments in the past, being named Alumnus of the Year is what gives Bernard goosebumps. “I truly can’t think of anything more fulfilling than to receive this award.”

Bernard will be recognized Thursday, Oct. 23, during Homecoming week, at the Nevada Alumni Association Awards and University of Nevada Hall of Fame Inductions.