Dean Lillian Wichinsky alongside President Brian Sandoval, Provost Jeff Thompson and Regent Carol Del Carlo led the celebration at the School of Social Work’s Ribbon Cutting on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. The momentous occasion signified the completion of the new home of the School of Social Work and fittingly formed part of the University’s 150th Anniversary celebration.

During President Sandoval’s address, he recognized the significance of the event and of the School of Social Work’s place at the University and in the community.

“If you want to make history, start with celebrating a new building for our school of social work,” Sandoval Said. “Whose people will then go out and proceed to make all of the key connections and community building that will ultimately help us solve all of the problems.”

Whilst Building 058 is the new home of the School of Social Work, it has been a firm fixture on the University of Nevada, Reno campus for over 100 years. In 2019 reconstruction work commenced to make the space suitable for the School of Social Work and it has been beautifully restored, with many original features preserved.

Dean Wichinsky acknowledged the long history of the School of Social Work and Building 058 at the University of Nevada, Reno, as she shared her vision for the future of the School.

“We feel honored to be to be able to call this important part of history home,” Wichinsky said. “Our vision is to grow our student body to meet the mental health needs of this state, we want to create more scholarships so students can access education and complete their degrees, we want to continue to make new discoveries and develop new knowledge through the scholarly works of our incredible faculty and we want to serve the community by developing new projects with community partners and agencies.”

During the event the school also unveiled the School of Social Work Giving Tree. The tree honors the generous donors who support the school, with their names being placed on the tree’s leaves. The donations will go towards the School of Social Work scholarship fund to support students.

“As you move through our new building today, I encourage you to take a moment to admire our beautiful new tree and the names that already adorn the leaves and consider adding your name for as little as $250,” Wichinsky said.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a reception in the new School of Social Work building, where guests could tour the new building.