University of Nevada System. Board of Regents

The Distinguished Nevadan award was established in 1958, when acting president William Wood proposed that such an award be made each year at commencement to recognize prominent individuals who are former or present residents of the state for their significant achievements contributing to the cultural, economic, scientific, or social advancement of Nevada, or for educational service to the state or nation.

The first honorary degree was awarded in 1888, but a formal policy was not established until 1908, when the Board resolved that honorary degrees only be granted for distinguised and unusual public, scientific, literary or educational attainments. In 1941, the Board expressed itself as not in favor of granting the degrees and moved that it be general policy not to grant them any longer; this was reversed in May 1944.