The University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Liberal Arts is proud to share that two of our distinguished emeriti faculty members, William A. Douglass, Ph.D., and Carmelo Urza, Ph.D., were recently honored by the Basque Government during this summer’s Jaialdi festival, held July 29–Aug. 3 in Boise, Idaho.
Jaialdi, one of the largest celebrations of Basque culture in the United States, welcomed numerous dignitaries from the Basque Country, including Lehendakari Imanol Pradales, President of the Basque Government. During a special reception hosted by the Lehendakari following the NABO (North American Basque Organizations) meeting on Friday, two significant recognitions were awarded:
William A. Douglass, founding director of the College of Liberal Arts', Center for Basque Studies, was honored on the 50th anniversary of his seminal work Amerikanuak — a foundational text in Basque diaspora studies that continues to shape the field today. Carmelo Urza, longtime faculty member and founder of the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), received the prestigious Lan Onari award, presented by Lehendakari Pradales and Ander Caballero, Secretary General of the Basque Government’s Foreign Action Department and Global Euskadi. The Lan Onari is the second highest civilian honor awarded by the Basque Government.
