1930-1959

1930

• On October 24^th, Clarence H. Mackay dedicated Mackay Science Hall and presented it to the University.
• Theodore H. Miller, the first African-American graduate of the University, completed a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

1936

• Clarence H. Mackay purchased and donated nearly 27 acres of adjacent land, increasing the campus footprint by nearly 50%.
• University enrollment surpassed 1000 students for the first time.

1938

• The Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools accredited the University.
• Max C. Fleischmann initiated the then-largest giving program in University history, including scholarships for Native-American students.
• President Clark resigned on September 30^th.

1939

• The administration of President Leon W. Hartman began with a formal inauguration on December 15th after serving as interim president for more than a year. He was the University’s 6^th president.
• Campus held the first Winter Carnival.

1941

• The state legislature authorized a bond issue to construct a new gymnasium.
• Commencement ceremonies included celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the graduation of the University's first four-year class.

1942

• After no major capital improvements for 30 years, the University constructed a new engineering facility, later named the Stanley Palmer Engineering Building.
• The University’s war effort included the development of additional special summer session offerings.

1943

• The Army and Army Air Force training contingents arrived at the University.
• President Hartman died in office on August 27^th.

1944

• The University celebrated the inauguration of John O. Moseley as its 7^th president on October 12^th.

1946

• The University canceled a football game at Mississippi State when its state athletic director requested that Nevada play without African-American players.

1948

• The Twentieth Century Fox filmed Apartment for Peggy on campus, one of several movies shot on University grounds during the 1940s.

1949

• Gilbert E. Parker became acting president on July 1st after the resignation of John Mosely.

1951

• On June 10^th and 11^th, the University celebrated the inauguration of Malcolm A. Love as its 8^th president.
• One full-time and two-part University instructors began offering classes in Las Vegas. A total of 38 students enrolled.

1952

• Stella Mason Parson became the first African American woman graduate, with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

1953

• On June 8^th, the University celebrated the inauguration of Minard W. Stout as the 9^th president.

1954

• The University established a Nevada Southern branch in Las Vegas with 269 students.

1956

• The legislature funded a new building to support business education. The building was named for Silas E. Ross, a former regent who served for 25 years.

1957

• The first Las Vegas campus building opened.
• Students began taking classes in the Orvis School of Nursing, which received funding from Arthur E. and Mae Zenke Orvis.

1958

• Construction concluded on Jot Travis Student Union, which alumni helped to fund.

1959

• The University established the Desert Research Institute.
• On April 19th, the University celebrated the inauguration of Charles J. Armstrong as the 10^th president.