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Almost time to celebrate 150! The beginning of the University’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration kicks off this month with special events and the release of the University's 150th anniversary license plate.

Morrill Hall sits on the south end of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno quad, a large lawn area surrounded by trees and a walking path.

Almost time to celebrate 150!

The beginning of the University’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration kicks off this month with special events and the release of the University's 150th anniversary license plate.

October 02, 2023

University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno 150th anniversary logoThe beginning of the University’s year-long 150th anniversary celebration is fast approaching. The University has been planning a number of special events, with the kickoff this month, to commemorate this remarkable milestone. We now have a number of ways to come together as a community to celebrate the historic journey of the state of ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s original land-grant institution, which opened its doors to seven students in Elko on Oct. 12, 1874.

Here is some information regarding the University’s sesquicentennial celebration:

  • University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno commemorative license plate exampleUniversity 150th anniversary license plates available: Starting today, ÁùºÏ±¦µä residents can order official license plates or souvenir plates (non-legal license plates for decoration) from the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Department of Motor Vehicles with the special University sesquicentennial logo. These plates will only be available to purchase for one year. The 150th plates are available to all motorists in ÁùºÏ±¦µä as . The starting cost of the 150th plate for a sequential option is $61 as an initial fee and $30 for annual renewal. Fees increase for personalized options.

In addition to supporting the Wolf Pack with school spirit, these plates will benefit Pack Provisions. Pack Provisions is the on-campus food pantry that serves the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno community. Sequential plates are available in stock at ÁùºÏ±¦µä DMV offices and personalized 150th plates can be ordered online through the .

  • Business Building groundbreaking on Oct. 12 marks the yearlong kickoff: I will be joining College of Business Dean Greg Mosier for the College of Business Building Groundbreaking on Oct. 12 from 3-5 p.m. The event will be held at the future site of the new Business Building, which is located off University Way. The campus community is invited to attend.
  • The 150th Bash and UNLV Clash on October 12: Join ASUN, GSA, the Alumni Association and me on the Quad, Thursday, October 12 from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the University’s birthday and kick off the ÁùºÏ±¦µä/UNLV rivalry weekend. There will be food trucks, games, giveaways, a DJ, inflatables, Pack friendly business and campus partner tabling, appearances by Wolf Pack coaches, student athletes, cheer and spirit teams, and our pack of mascots. To close out the night there will be a fireworks show on the quad!
  • Wolf Pack plays UNLV in rare October matchup: The Wolf Pack will meet UNLV on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Mackay Stadium to culminate the first week of sesquicentennial activities. The Mountain West Conference, which usually encourages rivalry games to be played at the end of the conference season, agreed to schedule this year’s rivalry game between the Wolf Pack and UNLV here in Reno just two days following our 149thbirthday.

Additional 150 resources include:

  • Find out more about the University’s long and distinguished history through this from University Libraries, as well as this interactive timeline on the University’s 150 celebration website
  • The latest news and information regarding the year-long celebration at the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Today 150 news hub, “Celebrating 150 Years of History.”
  • University Libraries has also prepared a that includes event support, locating materials, printing and more.

It is my sincere hope that the year-long sesquicentennial experience will be one that reaffirms the pride and commitment that we all feel for our University. The celebration should also be a time for all of us to look to the future, inspired by the extraordinary dedication and remarkable achievements of those who came before us.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President