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Transcript of interview with Robert C. Maxson by Dr. David Emerson, May 15, 2007

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Date

2007-05-15

Description

Dr. Robert C. Maxson was president of UNLV for ten years, 1984 to 1994. When he arrived, discussions were already under way about developing an engineering school. Certain elements in the community, such as Summa Corporation, were lobbying for such a program here in southern Nevada. Dr. Maxson began receiving printed materials and phone calls about it, and he started putting his fund raising skills to good use. He believes that civic pride in the young university, as well as a sense that an engineering school would be good for business, led many individuals, hotels, and corporations to open their pocketbooks. Locally, Dr. Maxson found generous support from Tom Beam, Nevada Power, the Summa Corporation, and many other businesses and individuals. Since the legislature only meets every two years in northern Nevada, Robert and others made many trips to Carson City that first year to discuss every nuance of the project. He spent considerable time with Senator Bill Raggio, John Marvel, Bill Bilyeu, and other legislators convincing them that Nevada would get its money's worth. He also gives major credit to Las Vegas civic leaders for their influence and the fact that they had rallied behind this cause. Once the funding was approved, Dr. Maxson insisted on and facilitated the accreditation of the program. Faculty members enthusiastically got behind this push and accreditation was achieved in a remarkably short time. The next order of business was funding an honors program for deserving students. Dr. Len Zane was given this project and began recruiting students. Individuals in the private sector were invited to fund academic scholarships, and they responded generously. Dr. Maxson traveled the state attending high school commencements and recruited valedictorians on the strength of offering those students the honors scholarships. Dr. Maxson greatly enjoyed his time as president at UNLV. He feels he was privileged to be part of its growth and expansion, to have worked with enthusiastic, energetic faculty, and to have encouraged the community's desire to get behind the growth of the university.

Digital ID

OH_01228_book
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    Citation

    Robert Maxson oral history project, 2007 May 15. OH-01228. [Transcript]. Oral History Research Center, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/d15t3k306

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    This material is made available to facilitate private study, scholarship, or research. It may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by UNLV. Users are responsible for determining whether permissions are necessary from rights owners for any intended use and for obtaining all required permissions. Acknowledgement of the UNLV University Libraries is requested. For more information, please see the UNLV Special Collections policies on reproduction and use (https://www.library.unlv.edu/speccol/research_and_services/reproductions) or contact us at special.collections@unlv.edu.

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    Language

    English

    Format

    image/tiff

    Lb # 3 1 £001 A Telephonic Interview with Robert C. Maxson Conducted by Dr. David Emerson The UNLV @ Fifty Oral History Project Oral History Research Center at UNLV University Libraries University of Nevada Las Vegas 2007 ©UNLV@ FIFTY Oral His