Where I Stand

Hank Greenspun

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1957 | midnight

From the caliber of statesmen we have produced in the past, I can think of no greater gift that we can make to our country than to provide better facilities for the education of our youth.

One of the most impressive experiences I've had in a long time was the open house party at Nevada Southern University Sunday afternoon.

I can't help but think back at the scoffers who laughed at the thought of young people attending a university in Las Vegas. When the SUN, which was always interested in the development of a university, printed stories of people like Maude Frazier, Archie Grant, Bill Elwell, Grant Stewart, Ray Germain and many others talking about a college in Southern Nevada, we were ridiculed as dreamers and money wasters.

Sunday, the University promoters were all there to smile a pleased, "We told you so." And I was especially glad to celebrate with them.

There's a wonderful spirit about the people at Nevada Southern. Dean Carlson, Dr. Stout, President of the University of Nevada, members of the Board of Regents and some of the students I met on Sunday were so filled with enthusiasm. It reminded me of the spirit that kept the pioneers moving westward in spite of almost insurmountable odds.

The students, who hosted the affair and greeted visitors, had an almost dedicated look as they proudly showed off new classrooms, laboratories and library.

The one lone building may look rather small and insignificant to those who think of a college campus as dozens of brick buildings covered with ivy, athletic fields, carefully tended lawns and walks with a giant gymnasium off in the distance. While it is small, the fact is it is bursting at the seams already. But it is a beginning or something fine for this area.

It certainly is a lesson to those who said, "A university for Southern Nevada, it's impossible." I only wish they would have been at the dedication this Sunday. The students who trudge through the desert sand to get to the one building, which houses all the classes, are just the forerunner of thousands who will one day walk along sidewalks between numerous buildings now in the planning stage.

Some of us have children who will attend Nevada Southern this year, others are looking forward to the time when our grade schoolers will be ready for the last lap of their education. It's mighty comforting to know that our children can attend a university right here in Las Vegas, especially for those who because of circumstances might be denied an education if they had to go out of town.

And, there's nothing which can add more prestige to a community than having its own university.

I came from a town in New England called New Haven, Connecticut. Our only claim to distinction was Yale University first and the Winchester repeating arms company. The whole town centered around the university and just living in the same town gave us a feeling of being someone. When a professor evolved a famous theory which brought nationwide renown, we gloried in his reward. When Albie Booth scored an impressive touchdown we took pride in his feat. And we never went to Yale. But we were still part of it.

Some day, a former student of Nevada Southern or even a professor teaching there might become famous and Las Vegas will be proud of their accomplishment. We will hold our heads high and glory in the educational achievements of our town.

Those who might have accused Las Vegans of a lack of culture or desire for learning, should know the story of Nevada Southern, the many obstacles which had to be overcome before it became a reality. They should also meet its students and teachers, who have such pride in what has been accomplished.

It's always big news when a fabulous new resort hotel opens, or a big-name entertainer comes to town. The publicity staffers make sure this news gets the full treatment and is broadcast throughout the land. There's no one to tell of the big news of a dedication of a one-building little university. But for me, it was the biggest news of the year. It may not make headlines in out of town newspapers, but the establishment of Nevada Southern and the official opening of its first building can do much toward proving that ours is a stable economy in the midst of people who desire progress.