The Distinguished Nevadan Award represents the most prestigious award conferred by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. It is bestowed upon prominent individuals who have made significant achievements that have contributed to the cultural, scientific or social advancement of Nevada.

Two Distinguished Nevadans will be honored during the afternoon Commencement ceremony on the University Quadrangle on Friday, May 18.

Frank W. McCulloch

Frank McCulloch is the most accomplished and distinguished journalism graduate in University of Nevada, Reno history with a career spanning more than 50 years. McCulloch, the son of Fernley pioneer cattle ranchers and a 1941 graduate of the University, launched his career as editor of the campus newspaper, Sagebrush. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Following graduation and the end of World War II, McCulloch was an award-winning investigative reporter and editor at Time Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee and San Francisco Examiner. As Saigon Bureau Chief for Time-Life News Service from 1964-67, he ably directed what has been described by many as one of the world's most talented assemblages of war reporters and photographers. His trademark shaved head became known to both American generals and Vietnamese citizens. McCulloch's influence on American journalism over the past half-century is considered immense. He played an instrumental role in shaping war reporting, and also is considered one of the nation's foremost leaders in the continuing fight to maintain First Amendment freedoms for journalists. His many honors include the Columbia University Award for Contributions to American Journalism (past recipients include Walter Cronkite, Joan Didion and Ben Bradlee), the Freedom of Information Award and the Theodore Kruglak Award for Service to American Journalism.

Joyce Anderson Bock

Joyce Anderson Bock has had a transformational influence on the state of Nevada's tourism industry, spending much of her life raising the world's awareness of northern Nevada/Lake Tahoe as a picturesque and historic destination. Following graduation from Hayward High School in Hawyard, Calif., Joyce earned her degree from the College of San Mateo. She then graduated from Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing in Salt Lake City as a registered nurse. After moving to Incline Village with her late first husband, Bill, Joyce and Bill began the process of building and managing the Ponderosa Ranch, which was based on the hit NBC television series, "Bonanza." The Andersons turned their property into a theme park which opened to the public in 1967, and soon attracted more than 300,000 visitors annually. The Andersons' influence was then felt worldwide; they were named the United States' Ambassadors for the Travel Service, and the couple travelled the world in the offseason promoting the ranch, Incline Village, Nevada and the United States. Joyce is a past president of the Incline Village Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, she and her second husband, Charlie Bock, were honored in 2015 when they were selected as the Grand Marshals of the Fourth of July Parade in Incline Village.