Writers’ Wednesday – On The GO! – The University of Nevada, 1874–2024: 150 Years of Inspiring Excellence (Off-site, KOP)
December 10 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Writers’ Wednesday – On The GO!
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
5:00 – 5:30 pm – Building open
5:30 – 6:30 pm – Lecture
Speaker: John Trent
Title of Talk: The University of Nevada, 1874–2024: 150 Years of Inspiring Excellence
Summary of Talk: Since opening in October 1874 in Elko, Nevada, the University of Nevada, Reno has grown into an institution of more than 21,000 students pursuing their academic dreams. The 150th anniversary book was published in honor of this milestone, showcasing why the University has truly been a catalyst for success throughout the state’s history.
Book Overview: With an uncertain beginning in the sparsely populated remote northern Nevada town of Elko, a preparatory school opened its doors in October 1874 through the Morrill Act that sought to establish land-grant universities across the nation. Seven students began their higher education experience with dreams of a better future.
As both the University’s student body and the state’s population grew, the campus was transferred to Reno in 1885-86 as an effort to secure the fledgling institution’s prospects for survival. Many of the initial class of thirty-five students resided in Morrill Hall, the only building on campus, where they also received instruction and ate their meals. As the University enhanced its academic offerings, enrollment grew to more than 1,000 students by the turn of the century. A strong belief that the University must always be changing and evolving to meet the needs of its students and answer the challenges of a particular era. The little school on the hill expanded during its first 100 years to become a leading public university in the western United States.
Today, the University continues to achieve institutional benchmarks, including a record 5,000 graduates during the 2019–20 academic year. It is exactly this kind of student success that has always been at the heart of the Wolf Pack Family’s mission to help students find the path that is right for them, and beckon others to share in their journey and this 150th anniversary book was published in honor of these achievements.
Speaker Bio: John Trent is the senior editor of News & Features at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is a two-time Nevada Sportswriter of the Year and longtime Nevada journalist. Trent is the author of two books, Running Toward Life and Second Sunrise: Five Decades of History at the Western States Endurance Run. An eleven-time finisher of the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, Trent lives in Reno, Nevada with his ultra-running family.
The Writers’ Wednesday Lecture Series, held the second Wednesday of each month, features a different author who takes part in a book signing, a presentation and question-and-answer session with the audience.
The intent of the program is to highlight writers who specifically focus on Nevada, the Great Basin, or the West in general. The authors talk about the content of their books but also share details about the creative process.
We would like to thank our partner, the Knights of Pythias for hosting our off-site lectures.
The Knights of Pythias fraternal organization promotes friendship among men and for the general welfare of its membership. They strive to make the world a better place by practicing the principles of friendship, charity, and benevolence through community service. The Knights of Pythias has been serving Nevada communities across since the 1870s. There are only three active lodges left in the State of Nevada. The address is 980 Nevada Street, Reno, NV 89503.
