James Frey was born in Eureka, South Dakota, in 1941. His father worked in creamery and his mother was a registered nurse. When James was nine, the family,including his twin sister, relocated in Sioux Falls where his dad was plant manager for a dairy. He joined the YMCA in the fourth grade and ended up working for them until James attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, graduating with a major in sociology and a minor in history. After graduation, he worked for three years at the YMCA in Sioux Falls as program director. He earned his master's degree in sociology at the University of Iowa in two years, and was hired at the YMCA in Whittier, California, where he worked for three years. While working in Whittier, James was offered a fellowship to Washington State University in Pullman. He committed to completing his doctorate in three years, and while still working on his dissertation began sending out applications. He sent one to UNLV and arrived in Las Vegas for an interview in 1974. James was hired as assistant professor of sociology at UNLV, and immediately established a survey center at the university. He also converted his dissertation into a book length manuscript and had it published, followed by other books and articles over the years. He conducted a survey on a very high-profile political race between Sheriff Ralph Lamb and his opponent, John McCarthy, which led to work for the State of Nevada, Yucca Mountain, and other entities. The survey program was eventually named the Cannon Center for Survey Research, after Senator Howard Cannon. In the course of his career, James was tenured, taught in London under a university sponsored program, spent a sabbatical in Washington, D.C., doing research, taught several classes, and served seven years as dean. He has detailed memories of the contributions of several university presidents, including Brock Dixon, Pat Goodall, Robert Maxson, Kenny Guinn, and Carol Harter. Today, Dr. James Frey and his wife of over thirty years, Carol, are both retired. He has made a smooth transition to president of his Rotary Club, Chairman of the Nevada Humanities group, and spectator at UNLV basketball and football games. He and his wife plan to stay in Las Vegas, close to their son and friends and neighbors they know and love.
The collection consists of records of the Frontier Girl Scouts Council (FGSC) dating from 1944 until 1999. The majority of the collection dates from 1990 to 1999. It contains annual reports and publications of the FGSC, committee minutes and agenda, troop financial records, membership data, and leader training records. It also includes correspondence and publications of the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA).
Collection contains nineteen real estate appraisal reports created by John R. Moser from Las Vegas and rural Southern Nevada (Lincoln and Nye counties) from approximately 1957 to 1972. The reports contain information on the market values of the properties and contextual information explaining the appraisals. This collection also contains photographs and photographic negatives depicting properties, and photographic slides of desert flora and landscapes around Nevada and Idaho such as Groom Mountain Range, White Bird Canyon, Salmon River Valley, Clover Valley, and Ruby Mountains.
The J. A. Tiberti Construction Records include material documenting construction work performed throughout Las Vegas, Nevada between 1950 and 2011 including bid packages, specifications, contracts, correspondence, company records, legal documents, and architectural plans.
The Spencer and Georgia Butterfield Papers (1890s-1978) consist primarily of photographs and scrapbooks pertaining to Spencer and Georgia Butterfield, a prominent Las Vegas, Nevada couple involved in local business and civic activities. The collection also includes newspaper clippings of their social activities, correspondence, and assorted personal memorabilia.
The C. D. Baker Photograph Collection depicts former Las Vegas, Nevada mayor Charles Duncan "C. D." Baker from 1916 to 1966. The photographs primarily depict Baker at political events, including campaign stops, fundraising events, meetings with officials and politicians, and at important locations in Las Vegas and Nevada. Baker was photographed with politicians such as U.S. Senator Chic Hecht, President Harry S. Truman, Governor Vail Pittman, and Lt. Governor Cliff Jones.