1908-1938

The University Takes Hold

1908

The Mackay family donated $1.5 million to support a new mining building and its equipment, landscaping for the Quad, and an athletic field and training house.

Black and white photo Photograph of Kenneth O'Brien, left, Clarence Mackay, center, and Katherine Mackay O'Brien (Hawkins), right.

1908

The dedication of the Mackay School of Mines building took place in June.

Lieutenant and Acting Governor Dickerson delivers an address to Mr. Clarence Mackay after the dedication of the John Mackay Statue with the Mackay School of Mines in the background.

1908

The Mackay Mineral Museum opened to showcase minerals, rocks, and fossils from Nevada and around the world.

This photo shows the W.M. Keck Museum, originally known as the Mining Museum. The Museum was constructed as part of the original layout of the building in 1908, with the main floor of the museum still maintaining much of its original characteristics seen in this photo. The Museum is the second oldest museum in the state of Nevada and the oldest museum still housed in its original place (photographic print, 5 x 7 inches).

1909

The Mackay Athletic Field and Training Quarters opened.

The Orr Ditch is in the foreground with Mackay Athletic Field and Mackay Training Quarters to the right (photographic print, 2.25 x 7 inches).

1910

The student newspaper, The Student Record, changed its name to The U. of N. Sagebrush.

Sagebrush The August 29, 1910 issue of the student newspaper, The U. of N. Sagebrush, after it changed its name from The Student Record the same year.

1910

Audrey W. Ohmert and Dorothy F. Riechers received the first R. Herz Gold Medals, given to the graduating senior(s) achieving the highest undergraduate grade-point average.

1911

A ceremony commemorated the completion of the Orr irrigation ditch dam and Manzanita Lake.

Manzanita Lake is viewed from the east shore. Manzanita Hall and the Tram are visible in the background (photographic print, 4.5 x 6.5 inches).

1912

The Mackay family established a $150,000 endowment for the Mackay School of Mines.

A black and white photo of The Board of Regents accepting the Mackay endowment for the Mackay School of Mines.

1912

Students enrolled in the first summer session of the University.

1913

Campus held the first Mackay Day celebration.

Black and white photo of people sitting in the bleachers along Mackay Field on Mackay Day.

1913

Students placed and whitewashed thousands of rocks to form a 140 by 150 foot "N" overlooking the campus on Peavine Peak.

This undated photo shows a view of the "N" painted on Peavine Mt. (photographic print, 4.5 x 6.5 inches).

1914

The administration of President Stubbs ended with his death on May 27th.

1914

Archer W. Hendrick assumed the presidency on September 14th. He was the University’s 4th president.

Black and white headshot of Archer Hendrick

1914

The Smith-Lever Act invigorated the Cooperative Extension program, leading to the creation of the Agricultural Extension Division.

1915

The first graduates in Electrical Engineering earned their degrees.

Black and white photo from of students standing around an electrical machine and a generator (photograph album; photographic print, 5 x 7 inches).

1917

The University purchased 213 acres to establish the University Farm.

1917

The administration of President Hendrick ended on September 1st with his resignation.

1918

On September 1st, the University celebrated the inauguration of Walter Ernest Clark as its 5th president.

Black and white headshot of Walter E. Clark

1918

The University ordered a quarantine to contain the spread of the flu pandemic. No one was allowed to go from or to the campus without permission.

1920

Classes began in the newly formed School of Education.

1920

The University of Nevada received accreditation from the National Association of American Colleges and Universities.

1921

James "Rabbit" Bradshaw, a standout football player, became Nevada's first All-American.

Black and white photo of James "Rabbit" Bradshaw. Bradshaw was a running back for the Wolf Pack from 1920 to 1921.

1921

University enrollment surpassed 500 students for the first time.

1922

Faculty member Laura Ambler matriculated the first Journalism department students to the University.

1923

The "Wolf Pack" officially became the University’s mascot.

Black and white version of the 1923 original Wolf Pack logo

1928

Wá∙šiw Tribe member Lloyd Barrington became the first Native American to graduate from the University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Black and white headshot of Lloyd Barrington

1929

The Mackay School of Mines established the Nevada Bureau of Mines.

Black and white photo of the U.S. Bureau of Mines laboratory on the University of Reno, Nevada campus showing lab equipment, microscopes, and apothecary bottles.

1929

Theodore H. Miller, the first African-American graduate of the University, completed a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

Black and white headshot of Theodore Miller

1930

On October 24th, Clarence H. Mackay dedicated Mackay Science Hall and presented it to the University.

University President Walter E. Clark, building architect Frederick Delongchamps, and building donors Clarence Mackay and Katherine Mackay O'Brien participate in the Mackay Science Hall cornerstone ceremony. Clarence Mackay holds a trowel with his wife Katherine and Frederick standing behind him. President Clark stands to the left of the photo and an unidentified man helps to push in the cornerstone.

1936

University enrollment surpassed 1000 students for the first time.

1936

Clarence H. Mackay purchased and donated nearly 27 acres of adjacent land, increasing the campus footprint by nearly 50%.

Black and white photograph of Clarence Mackay and daughter Katherine Mackay (O'Brien Hawkins)

1938

The Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools accredited the University.

1938

Max C. Fleischmann initiated the then-largest giving program in University history, including scholarships for Native-American students.

Black and white headshot of Max Fleischmann with a caption below the photo that reads "Max C Fleischmann."

1938

President Clark resigned on September 30th.