This raffle for DRI will Bug you

Friday, March 4, 2005 | 8:48 a.m.

Nevada's Desert Research Institute just got a $12,000 Beetle.

No, it's not some rare bug the institute plans to study, but a classic 1972 Volkswagen Beetle convertible that university system Interim Chancellor Jim Rogers donated to raise money for the facility.

The fully-restored orange Beetle, which comes from the Sunbelt Antique and Classic Automobiles Museum owned by Rogers and his wife, Beverly, will be raffled off at DRI's Nevada Medal dinner Thursday night at Caesars Palace, DRI officials said.

The dinner is honoring University of Washington archeologist Donald Grayson, who has conducted landmark studies involving the Great Basin, the Donner party and the French Stone Age. Sponsored by SBC, the annual medal acknowledges outstanding scientific achievement and includes an eight-ounce minted medallion of Nevada silver and a $20,000 lecture honorarium.

As the millionaire media owner of Sunbelt Communications, Rogers has donated or pledged more than $60 million to the University and Community College System of Nevada. That includes about $1.5 million to DRI, and the Las Vegas science and technology building is named after Rogers' late father Frank H. Rogers.

Tickets are $50 each for the car and may be purchased prior to the event. The winner need not be present.

For more information, call Dawn Coots at (775) 674-7555 or e-mail her at Dawn.Coots@dri.edu.