Mackay School of Mines Building dedication, June 10, 1908. ID: UNRA-P222-1

 
Students Kenneth R. Robbins (left), Paul Finch (center), and Hank Rilling (right) use an iron handpress. Kenneth Robbins was the editor of the school newspaper and graduated in 1957 with a BA in Journalism. Special Collections and University Archives Photograph Collection, UNRA-P453-1.

Milestones exhibit

Explore a curated selection of significant milestones highlighting the University's unique 150-year history. Discover who the first University graduates were, how campus has expanded over the years, major achievements and benefactors, increases in student enrollment, degrees awarded and faculty hired, as well as milestones in community engagement. 

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Traditions exhibit

Explore the culture of the University of Nevada, Reno, from time-honored traditions such as the 'Paint the N' event and Homecoming to the innovative Digital Wolf Pack Initiative.

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Black and white photo of students seated in front of Mackay School of Mines with an old vehicle behind them that fades into a color picture of the building with students walking in front. Left image: Special Collections Photographs Collection, UNRS-P1988-55-0961. Special Collections and University Archives.

Step into 150 years of University history

Join us in celebrating our journey from past to present, a testament to the enduring spirit of excellence and innovation that defines our university.

Explore the University timeline
 
Honor court walkway on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Looking for help?

Explore the sesquicentennial resource hub.

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Printing resources

Plan ahead for your printing and signage needs

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Event support

Get assistance with event planning, venues, and audiovisual technology

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Locating materials

Access our physical and digital resources such as historical campus images

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Getting help

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Sesquicentennial stories

Members of the Mackay Muckers team show off their skills during a competition, 1985. Artemisia 1985, UNRA-P1512-004. University Archives.

University Libraries' sesquicentennial archivist brings University's history to life

Sesquicentennial Archivist Rebecca Sparagowski discusses how various University Libraries departments are contributing to the celebration of the University's 150th anniversary

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A more beautiful situation would be hard to find. In all directions the outlook is inspiring. To the west the great eastern flank of the Sierra, heavily wooded with pine and fir, forms the horizon from Peavine to the point where it is intersected by a higher wooded range standing boldly out the east, the Rose Spur of the Sierra. The mountains of this spur are bolder and higher. They...are seen from every part of the Campus and from almost every part of the valley, the great peak of Mount Rose, white with snow for three-quarters of the year rising over everything else.

S.B. Doten, History of the University of Nevada, 1924

1898 graduate and faculty member from 1900 until his retirement in 1946. Campus Images Collection, UNRA-P182-1. University Archives.

Portrait of Samuel Doten. Campus Images Collection, UNRA-P182-1. University Archives.