Vassiliadis among ‘Distinguished Nevadans’

Friday, April 7, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

RENO -- Billy Vassiliadis, a lobbyist and adviser to politicians, has been named a "Distinguished Nevadan" by the Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

Regent Mark Alden called Vassiliadis "a common man and an unheralded hero," at the meeting in Reno Thursday. He is president of R & R Partners, a Las Vegas-based company that represents businesses and some government agencies.

Vassiliadis had a contract with the Community College of Southern Nevada, but regent attorney Tom Ray said that does not disqualify him from the honor, which will be formally bestowed during commencement ceremonies later this year.

Regent Tom Wiesner was the only dissenting vote. Wiesner called Vassiliadis a "good guy," and said his vote had to do with other issues, not Vassiliadis personally.

The board also selected Alice Turner, a 101-year-old Las Vegas resident. Regent Thalia Dondero said Turner has helped youngsters at Child Haven in Clark County. Turner goes every Tuesday night to make crafts that are sold to defray costs of running the center. In the mid 1980s, she became the first hospital volunteer to work in the AIDS unit at University Medical Center. She has lived in Las Vegas since 1937.

Others selected were Donald Cavin of Hawthorne who has served nearly 17 years on the state Board of Wildlife Commission; James Eardley, the first president of Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno and a member of the regents for 12 years, and Dorothy Patterson Elton of Wells, who opened her home to 54 foster sons over the past 35 years.

The board voted to confer an honorary doctorate degree on Dr. Wole Soyinka at UNLV and will give honorary associate degrees to Manny Cortez, Lou Emmert, Sherman Frederick, David Hoggard Sr., and Al Whalen at the Community College of Southern Nevada.