Oral history interview with Dr. David Emerson conducted by Claytee D. White on December 21, 2005 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview Emerson discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 and teaching chemistry classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He talks about building up the engineering department at UNLV through distance education for students who needed credits in math, computer skills, or electrical engineering. He then talks about promoting the idea of a strong engineering school at UNLV, and then working to gain accreditation for civil, mechanical, electrical, and other areas of engineering.