Oral history interview with Juanita Fain conducted by Claytee D. White on November 19, 2021 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Fain recalls her childhood in Newark, New Jersey and earning a doctorate degree in Higher Education administration from The Ohio State University. After she was hired by Carol Harter at Ohio State in 1980 as Director of Financial Aid, she came to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in 1996 as Dean of Enrollment and Management. After various positions, she became Vice President of Student Affairs and in 2021, Interim Chief Diversity Officer was added to her responsibilities. Fain will retire in 2023 after serving her final year as a Special Liaison to President Whitfield.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vernon S. Caples conducted by Cheryl Caples on February 25, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Vernon S. Caples (born August 7th, 1891 in St. Johns, Oregon) discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Vernon describes what Las Vegas was like in the early days, from the Red Light District to the Nellis Air Force Base. He also mentions the implementation of a government program that was set in place to aid senior citizens living in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Roy Brown conducted by John Grygo on March 05, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses his personal history and living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1954. He recalls moving to West Las Vegas and attending segregated schools at the time. Brown then talks about the positive influence that church and spirituality have on the Westside community. He describes his employment at the Stardust Hotel and Casino and working with the Culinary Workers Union after beginning his new employment at the MGM Grand Hotel. Lastly, Brown discusses changes in African American churches and describes how the newer generations have influenced change within the church.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Herb McDonald conducted by Perry Kaufman on an unknown date in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Herbert Cobb McDonald discusses his work as a managing director and chamber director at Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos including the El Rancho Vegas and the Last Frontier Hotel. McDonald also discusses his experiences promoting tourism through conventions, the Las Vegas News Bureau, celebrity advertisements, and the first sporting events held in casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tommy Nelson conducted by Art Rader on November 29, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Nelson discusses the history of Boulder City, Nevada and his career as a musician. He describes moving to Boulder City in 1932 and working as a laborer on the construction of Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). Nelson describes life in the city during the construction of the dam, how the dam was built, and how Boulder City has changed. Nelson continues, talking about being a trumpeter, performing in various orchestras in Las Vegas, Nevada casino shows, and for injured United States service members during World War II.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dinah Calhoon conducted by Margaret Neel on October 27, 1971 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Calhoon first discusses the various schools that she attended and the recreational activities and social clubs in which she belonged. Calhoon then discusses the different occupations she has had and the various parts of town in which she and her family lived. The interview later includes Calhoon’s thoughts on how she believes Southern Nevada should develop socially and recreationally, and it concludes with her recounting some of her earliest memories of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hank Greenspun conducted by Perry Kaufman in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Hank Greenspun discusses the newspaper industry, the Las Vegas Sun (local Las Vegas, Nevada newspaper), the Las Vegas Review-Journal, economic expansion in Las Vegas, Nevada, atomic testing, and the Local 226 Culinary Union.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Shelia White conducted by Irene Rostine on May 24, 2012 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. White opens her interview by discussing her move to Boulder City, Nevada in 1953 with her mother. White then talks about her experiences working for the Southern Nevada Telephone company in the 1960s as a switchboard operator and how she eventually became a low-level customer service manager. She describes leaving the Southern Nevada Telephone company and being hired at the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino. White also discusses the writer Celesta Lowe, the Lowe family, and the MGM Grand fire in great detail.
Archival Collection