In the 1950s and 1960s, Nevada experienced a nursing shortage, largely as a result of the lack of nursing schools in the state and rapid population growth. To address the problem, the Nevada Board of Regents approved the implementation of an associate degree program at the campus of Nevada Southern University (now known as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas) in 1965, and that fall the first students were admitted.

John Denver (1943-1997) was a popular country-folk singer-songwriter of the 1970s and was also known for his work as an actor, activist, and humanitarian. His popularity brought him to many different places including the Harrah’s Lake Tahoe property, where he performed along the likes of Frank Sinatra and hosted events like the Celebrity Ski Classics.