John G. Tryon was one of the early leading figures in the Engineering Department at UNLV. He grew up in Washington, D.C., the oldest of three sons. His father worked with the National Bituminous Coal Commission during the Depression and his mother was editor of the American Association of University Women's Publications. John went directly to University of Minnesota after high school graduation and earned a bachelor's in physics. During WWII he served in the Army Signal Corps and then went back to Cornell University to get his doctorate. His post doctoral work experience includes six years at Bell Telephone Laboratories, eleven years at University of Alaska, and six years at Tuskegee Institute. In 1974, Dr. Tryon interviewed at UNLV and was hired. The faculty carefully built up the curriculum, adding classes one at a time. John introduced a senior engineering design course modeled after one that pioneered at Dartmouth. He had also introduced this particular course at University of Alaska and Tuskegee. John was a member of the Academic Standards Committee at UNLV which helped set standards for academic probation and semester length. He has strong opinions on keeping engineering students who show promise and interest, and letting go of students whose academic strengths don't match the program. He believes students need to be matched to opportunity, be given the chance to find a niche that fits, and that they should not be given inflated grades or false hope. Dr. Tryon met his wife-to-be in Ithaca, New York, while attending Cornell University. His wife's mother, who was married to a botany professor, had invited him to Sunday dinner, something she had done for a number of students. John and his wife, who eventually became an English teacher, have two sons who grew to college age while they were in Alaska. Today they enjoy their church community, their family, and their circle of friends.
On March 10, 1981, Rebecca (Beth) Bonenfant interviewed Ruth Gust (born 1905 in Mokane, Missouri) about her life in Nevada. Gust first talks about her original move to Las Vegas in 1947 and some of the first businesses that existed at the time. In this brief interview, she also talks about the first casinos, the culinary union, her employment as a server, and Mt. Charleston.
On February 24, 1979, Keri Wright interviewed Verna Chadwick (born 1931 in Lehi, Utah) about her life in Las Vegas, Nevada. Chadwick first talks about her early life in Utah and some of the activities in which she would take part when first moving to Las Vegas. She also talks about her family and living in several homes throughout the city, including some of the steps taken to build those properties. She also talks about her involvement in Cub Scouts, her church membership, political involvement, recreational activities, atomic testing, and the first stores and casinos that opened in the city. The interview finalized with a discussion on social changes and the changes in prices of goods over the years.
In this interview, Rosencrantz discusses at length her involvement as a founder of the city?s Jewish Federation?s Young Leadership Program, including other local leaders she worked with to promote Jewish community engagement in Las Vegas. She also talks about her spiritual journey as an adult, leading to her participation at Stillpoint Center for Spiritual Development.
On February 24, 1977, Coleen Mancini interviewed the claims manager for the Culinary Workers and Bartenders Insurance Fund, Agnes Gauger (born Coleen Evans on November 21, 1926 in Arkansas) in her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mrs. Gauger’s daughter, Traci Sturdivant was also present during the interview. This interview covers significant changes and growth in Southern Nevada, including gambling and other industries, family life and recreation, and early atomic tests. Mrs. Gauger also discusses housing in the Las Vegas, Howard Hughes, McCarran Airport, medical facilities and education in Southern Nevada.
From the Mabel Hoggard Papers (MS-00565) -- Personal papers file. This scrapbook contains event programs; newspaper clippings about Mabel Hoggard; photographs of Mabel Hoggard, family, and friends; and letters to Mabel Hoggard. Items include: Mabel Hoggard Elementary School 1981 graduation program; biographical sketch of Mabel Hoggard; "Happenings: successful steps toward school integration: report #1, what's happening in Clark County School?" February 10, 1969; and Westside Council tenth meeting summary, May 27, 1969.
The McCall Family Papers are comprised primarily of family photographs and correspondence from 1910-1970. The materials concentrate on Quannah McCall and his daughter, Connie McCall, both were well known dentists in Southern Nevada. The materials also contain letters, postcards, holiday cards, and birth, death, and marriage certificates, as well as school commencement announcements for family members.
The collection consists of letters, greeting cards, survey maps, newspaper clippings, legal papers, photographs, collected recipes, land sales and expense journals, and survey reference books. The material was created or collected by pioneering Nevada surveyor, engineer, and real estate entrepreneur J. T. (John Thomas) McWilliams and his wife, Iona, between 1900 and 1968.