From Dean Sara - December 30, 2021

Dear Friends,

As you all know, United States Senator Harry Reid, the Distinguished Fellow in Law and Policy at the Boyd School of Law, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82. Senator Reid will be remembered by many as the Nevada Democrat from the little town of Searchlight, an amateur boxer, an advocate for justice, and Nevada’s longest-serving United States Senator. At the Boyd School of Law, we will remember him in those ways, too, but we will also remember him for the many things¾large and small¾that he did with and for the Boyd community since its founding. 

From his work with the Senator Harry Reid Civic Dialogue Series, which allowed the law school to convene panel discussions around important societal issues, to the Senator Harry Reid Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support for our first-generation students with strong ties to Nevada, Senator Reid’s legacy of leadership and service to the law school cannot be overstated and his impact on the school and our students will continue for generations to come.

As important and impactful as these public initiatives are, many Boyd students and alumni will also remember Senator Reid for his mentorship, support, and kindness.  Whenever the law school hosted an event in which Senator Reid was involved, he was eager to meet with students, to listen to their stories, and to encourage them to pursue their dreams.  We will all remember Senator Reid’s kindness and grace and we will always be thankful for his friendship.  

Our thoughts are with his wife of 62 years, Landra, his children, Rory, Lana Reid Barringer, Leif, Josh and Key, and his 19 grandchildren. I wish all of them, and all of you, a peaceful, safe, and fulfilling new year.