Oral history interviews with Patricia Iannuzzi conducted by Claytee D. White on March 6, 2018 and November 30, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Iannuzzi discusses her early interest in library sciences. She talks about her educational experience and becoming a reference librarian. Iannuzzi describes the development of resource repositories, education reform, and the evolution of the internet. Iannuzzi recalls the first online databases, electronic resources, and improving undergraduate education. Lastly, Iannuzzi discusses her employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the importance of information literacy. In the second interview, Iannuzzi discusses accomplishments from her time as Dean of UNLV University Libraries, particularly her role in the creation of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jerome J. Vallen conducted by James Shaw on February 27, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Vallen discusses his career as the dean of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Hotel Administration College, a position he occupied at the time of this interview. Vallen discusses program funding, how UNLV's program compares with Cornell University's hotel administration program, and the difficulty the university faced establishing a program with newer educational concepts compared to some other majors which had been around for much longer, such as the math or sciences departments. Vallen then explains how they assisted students in finding jobs in the hotel industry, as well as his plans to grow the program and construct a dedicated building for the program on campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Albert Schouten conducted by Roger DeSart on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schouten discusses his family background in Las Vegas, Nevada dating back to 1924 and recalls growing up in Las Vegas. Schouten then describes the changes that the city went through and growth of Las Vegas at large. Later in the interview, Schouten discusses the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the opening of Boulder (Hoover) Dam with President Roosevelt, the increase in number of schools, and the construction of Nevada Southern University (later University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Lastly, Schouten shares his thoughts on how Las Vegas lost its sense of community, and discusses the increase of crime in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Craig Knight conducted by Adriona Jordan on December 01, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Knight begins the interview talking about his childhood in New York, including entertainment at the Apollo Theater, religious activities, and education. He then discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1980 in order to attend Bishop Gorman High School, emphasizing its racial makeup and his time spent playing in the jazz band. He also details his involvement in minority serving community organizations, including the Urban Chamber of Commerce and the Metro Advisory Council. He concludes the interview
discussing West Las Vegas, the closure of F Street, and modern renovations in the area.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lilly Fong conducted by Annie Yuk-Siu Shum on February 29, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Fong discusses receiving her education in both China and Arizona and later completing her Master’s degree in education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She describes how she held multiple careers, starting at the historic Fifth Street School as a third grade teacher in 1950 and continued to opening a Chinese restaurant called Fong’s Garden with her husband, Wing Fong. Then Fong describes her campaign for the Nevada State Board of Regents in 1974 where she would help develop the building of the University's Fine Arts Complex. The interview concludes with Fong’s thoughts on the Asian Studies program at UNLV.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Alan D. Dennis conducted by David Schwartz on April 20, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Dennis discusses the opening of the Boulder Station Hotel and Casino in 1994. He talks about the gaming industry in Las Vegas, Nevada, casino gaming, and casino customer services. Dennis recalls anecdotes as a valet driver and changes in valet services.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brittney Erickson conducted by Claytee D. White on August 14, 2015 for the Building a Las Vegas Tech Culture oral history project. In this interview, Erickson talks about growing up in Henderson in a household that pursued the family-owned business, her education and work as a teacher, and "The Spirit Project", a web-based software tool that links government agencies to people with social challenges.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Viki Richardson conducted by Shirley Leavitt on September 19, 2003 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Richardson discusses growing up in the Blue Diamond, Nevada village during the early 1940s. She remembers her father’s employment at the Blue Diamond Company, living at Oliver’s Ranch, and community events held at Wilson Ranch.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Valerie Tuftland conducted by Phyllis McKinnon on October 21, 1985 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Tuftland reflects upon her experience as a nurse practitioner in Las Vegas, Nevada. She discusses her training, challenges that she has faced throughout her career, and qualifications that she would look for in nursing candidates.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald Aikin conducted by Patrick Carlton on April 9, 2007 for the Las Vegas Rotary Club Oral History Project. In this interview, Aikin reflects upon his experiences working with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, his accounting career with various casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, and his involvement with the Las Vegas Rotary Club from the 1970s through the 1990s.
Archival Collection