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October 10, 2024

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

Since we opened our doors in Elko on that historic day in 1874 to seven students, our University’s story has been one of resilience, belief in the untold possibilities of our future, and a commitment to the mission of our institution and the people who bring our mission to life. We started as Nevada’s best idea, and continue to serve our community, state, nation and world.

Think, for a moment, of what our 150 years as the State of Nevada’s original land-grant institution means.

We have evolved from the uncertainty of whether we were a preparatory school or a full-fledged university in those early days. We have grown from a single building in Reno – Morrill Hall – to a campus that reaches far beyond Northern Nevada to all of Nevada’s 17 counties and throughout our country and the world. Our impact now touches all of the continents. The Wolf Pack Way inspires our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends to transform the future and to energize the lives of everyone they meet.

We proudly embrace our 150-year history while also knowing that we are in the midst of making history. The silver thread of who we are, connecting all who will ever work, study and live at our University with those in the past and those who are to still come, will forever be the strength of our University.

We are a place that is so much bigger than all of us; yet the experiences we have at the University are some of most personal we will ever know. The depth of ideas, creativity and innovation for the future is strong on our campus. The responsibility and sense of purpose we carry to make our state and world a better place because of our time here define us forever.

As we move closer to Saturday’s big day, I would like to remind you of some very special events that remain on our Sesquicentennial Celebration calendar.

Today, Thursday, Oct. 10, “A Journey Through 150 Years: University of Nevada’s Sesquicentennial Celebration,” will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community members are all encouraged to attend. Festivities will include a parade and opening ceremony, interactive exhibits, activities and entertainment. The evening concludes with a women’s volleyball match between our Wolf Pack and Air Force at 7 p.m. in the Virginia Street Gym. 

On Friday, Oct. 11, our football team, led by Coach Jeff Choate, will do their pre-game walkthrough on our historic Quad at 8:30 a.m. Please come and join us as we hand out free coffee and donuts for all who attend.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, Nevada takes on Oregon State at Mackay Stadium for our 150th anniversary celebration game. Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m.

From the time we were founded in 1874, there are many universal experiences that our University has shared. Perhaps the best one is our ability to recognize and celebrate the potential of each other, and to work tirelessly from that point forward to help our family, friends, classmates, colleagues and communities achieve their greatest success. This is The Wolf Pack Way.

As our institution turns 150 years old, we are filled with pride for this incredible journey. We turn our gaze with wonder at what the next 150 years will hold. As we look to this next Nevada horizon, we know at 150 years old, we are only just getting started. There is still much more history we will make.

Happy 150th birthday, University of Nevada!

Go Pack!

Brian Sandoval
President