Folder of materials from the Mabel Hoggard Papers (MS-00565) -- Civic engagement file. National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa certificate, journal, meeting minutes, program, and poem.
Pat Moreo was born in the borough of Queens in New York City. His family moved to the Finger Lakes region when he was ten and he finished grade school and high school in Horseheads. He grew up in a close Italian family watching his mother and his grandparents cook both southern and northern Italian dishes. Pat shares his family history, explaining how his maternal grandfather was originally a tunnel builder but quit that trade to open a luncheonette in New York, own and run apartment buildings, and become the first Pepsi Cola distributor in Queens Other family members ran the Pepsi franchise after his grandfather died. Mr. Moreo graduated from New York City Tech in 1967. He worked that summer at various hotels and restaurants and then decided to get his bachelor's degree in hotel and culinary work. He and several friends applied to Oklahoma State and were accepted, but were convinced at the last moment to apply at UNLV. They were accepted as students by Jerry Vallen, the new chair, and arrived in Las Vegas on Labor Day weekend. Coming from New York to Las Vegas in September of 1967 was like landing on Mars Pat describes in detail the heat, the small campus, and the supportive staff at UNLV. People like Jerry Vallen, Boyce Phillips, George Bussel, and Bruce Balton made the newcomers feel welcome, inviting them into their homes and making sure they were comfortable. Pat lived in Tonopah Hall and found work in the student union while working on his degree. After graduation in 1969, Pat went on to work for Harris Kerr Forster and Company (now PKF Consulting) and traveled for them all around California. After a stint in the Naval Reserves, he worked for Howard Johnson Company in NYC, and at the same time completed his master's degree at Cornell University. In 1975 he returned to UNLV as an instructor, earned a PhD in Ed Administration under George Kavina and went on to work at Penn State and New Mexico State. Pat returned to UNLV in 2006 to head the hotel/culinary department and is working with faculty and staff to make revitalizing changes. He expresses his opinions about the importance of food in every culture, explains his position on making people feel welcome, and shares his thoughts on what the future holds for Harrah's College of Hotel Administration.
Patty Becker’s recollections concerning her law career shows her determination and enthusiasm in encouraging women to enter the field. Beginning during a period when few women were accepted to study law, she not only passed the Nevada Bar with high marks but was chosen by Governor O’Callaghan in 1979 to become deputy attorney general. In 1985 she was chosen by Governor Richard Bryan to be the first and only woman selected to serve on Nevada’s Gaming Control Board. She also recollects arguing before the Nevada Supreme Court the case that put Tony Spilotro in the Nevada’s Black Book and working with many proficient attorneys like Oscar Goodman, Patty left the Nevada Gaming Control Board to become general counsel for Hurrah’s Entertainment where she served for nine years and then began Chief of Staff for Governor Bob Miller from 1993 through 1995. Patty also served as senior Vice President of corporate affairs and legal adviser for Aladdin Gaming as well as sitting on several corporate boards. Patty began Patricia Becker and Associates and continues to serve on the board of Fitzgerald’s Hotel and Casino, serves her own clients, as well as teaching at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in gaming. She encourages women to enter gaming, keep a sense of humor and not to be afraid to speak up for themselves. Meanwhile she challenges herself intellectually and believes that one should always continue to grow personally and professionally.
On February 9, 1980 collector Connie Carr interviewed teacher, Lestor Burgwardt (born May 24, 1926 in Hamburg, New York) in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers local entertainment, Lake Mead, school districts, and gaming’s effect on the educational system. Lestor also recalls his move to Nevada and offers a general overview of Henderson in 1954.
On February 26 and 29 of 1980, Leanne Terry interviewed Edwina E. Danzinger (born 1925 in Houston, Texas) about her life in Southern Nevada. Danzinger first talks about her family, specifically her siblings, children, and grandchildren. She also talks about church membership, early housing in Nevada, her husband’s work on the Nevada Test Site, and her family’s hunting practices. Danzinger then describes her involvement in Boy Scouts and hiking, her various positions of employment at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, how the college campus has changed over time, and how the college students have changed over the years. The two also talk about the changes in the crime rate, the atomic testing, air pollution, and the changes made to the university by the Buckley Amendment.
Jim Hodge describes an active and success filled life in this narrative. Born and raised in the South, Jim enlisted in the Navy at the young age of 17, just as World War II was winding down. His primary job was that of a cook. He became smitten with the life of an entertainer after participating in a play and headed for Hollywood in 1952. It was there that he auditioned for Donn Arden, who organized and directed Las Vegas shows. Though he didn't get the part, he did get hired to be a singer for a show featuring Betty Grable. Thus his career was launched and would span the heyday of Las Vegas entertainment from the 1950s to the 1970s. Jim talks about the people, shows and places that touched his life. He also offers thoughts about the changes in the Vegas entertainment scene as well as shares his relationship with his church over the past 40 years.