Las Vegas, Nevada - May 15, 2013
Dorothy S. Gallagher, a regent who has represented rural Nevada for more than 28 years, has died at the age of 87. A fourth generation Nevadan, Gallagher represented District 8 which encompasses Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Mineral, Nye, Pershing and White Pine Counties.
|
 | | Dorothy S. Gallagher |
"Dorothy Gallagher was an iconic figure in Nevada and in higher education," said Jason Geddes, chairman of the Nevada Board of Regents. "She was a great regent, great Nevadan, and a great mentor who has cast a lasting impression on higher education in Nevada. She set the gold standard for excellence and commitment to students for those of us who followed her. She will be missed."
Gallagher was first elected to the Nevada Board of Regents in 1980 and served 22 years before retiring in 2002. She returned to the Board in 2004 when her appointed predecessor chose not to run in the 2004 election. During her tenure, she served as Board Chair from July 1989 through June 1991 and chaired more than a dozen Regent committees. Gallagher was also instrumental in the development of Great Basin College in Elko and in bringing baccalaureate programs to the rural institution.
"Dorothy was not only a trusted colleague when I served with her on the Board, and a mentor to me as chancellor, but a true friend," said Dan Klaich, chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. "Her tough love and passion for education made me, and our higher education system, a truly better place. While the Dorothy we know and love is gone, the impact she made will be felt for generations to come."
"Dorothy Gallagher will be sorely missed, but she will always be remembered for her contributions to the Nevada System of Higher Education and to the State of Nevada," said Scott Wasserman, Board of Regents chief of staff.
Funeral arrangements and services are pending.
About Dorothy S. Gallagher
Gallagher's father, Harvey Sewell, founded Nevada National Bank in 1939. She received her bachelor's degree in zoology from the University of Nevada in 1947. She has been married to prominent Elko dentist Dr. Tom Gallagher since 1947. She was first elected to the Board of Regents in 1980, representing 11 counties in rural Nevada. She served on the Board until 2002 when she retired. She returned in 2004 for her fifth term which concluded with her retirement in 2010.
Dorothy Gallagher's tenure on the Board of Regents was notable for its achievement and historic nature. Her Board of Regents service included serving as chair of the Board of Regents (1989-91), the Investment Committee (1998-99), Academic, Research and Student Affairs (1993-95, 1997-98), DRI Presidential Search Committee (1997), Budget and Finance Committee (1989-90, 1995-96), TMCC Presidential Search Committee (1995), and Legislative Liaison Committee (1985-87). She is credited with leading the creation of Great Basin College in Elko and the subsequent expansion of Great Basin College's curriculum to include associate degree programs and baccalaureate offerings. Her leadership helped create vocational educational programs in the training of craftsmen for the mining industry.
Her awards and honors include the prestigious gold medallion from the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America in 2009 (becoming the first woman ever to receive the honor); the Nevada Hospital Association's Trustee Excellence Award (1994), Nevada Women's Fund Hall of Fame Award for Education (1989) and the University of Nevada, Reno's Alumnus of the Year award in 2009. In 2003, along with her husband, she was named a Distinguished Nevadan by the Board of Regents and she received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2011. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, the Nevada Legislature passed concurrent resolutions commending Dorothy S. Gallagher for her service to education.
|
|
|
About NSHE
The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprised of two doctoral-granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institute, serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. The NSHE provides educational opportunities to more than 105,000 students and is governed by the Nevada Board of Regents.
|
|
|
Contacts:
John Kuhlman
Nevada System of Higher Education
(702) 889-8426
| |
