David W. Emerson ’51

David W. Emerson ’51, a distinguished educator and academic administrator, died on January 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dave received his degree in chemistry in 1952, after two tours of duty in the U.S. Army. He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Michigan in 1958. Dave served first as a professor of chemistry and later as dean of the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Arts, Sciences and Letters. In 1981 he took on the challenge of building the college of science, mathematics and engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). When he arrived at the college as dean there were only five faculty members in engineering, inadequate facilities and no accreditation. When he retired in 1998 a new college of engineering had been established; programs in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering had been accredited; a new $11.5 million building had been constructed; and the faculty was greatly expanded. The prestigious UNLV Emerson Medal is named in his honor and is awarded by the college of sciences to individuals who have made distinguished and sustained contributions.