Last night, the founders of UNLVino, Larry Ruvo and Dr. Jerry Vallen, were honored at the UNLV men’s basketball game vs. New Mexico at Thomas & Mack Center. The duo was recognized for their influential role in raising millions of scholarship dollars for students in the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
Ruvo, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Senior Managing Director, and Vallen, the founding dean of the hotel college, started UNLVino in 1974 as a humble wine tasting fundraiser. It has now evolved into a four day food and wine festival, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary as Nevada’s original wine event April 9-12, 2014.
Ruvo and Vallen were presented with honorary game basketballs and joined by UNLV Executive Vice President and Provost, John White; Athletic Director, Tina Kunzer-Murphy; NSHE Board of Regents Chairman, Kevin Page; William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration’s Dean Stowe Shoemaker; and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Director of Marketing & Events, Michael Severino.
Tickets are now on sale for the 40th UNLVino, and can be purchased by visiting www.UNLVino.com.
Photo Credit: UNLV Photo Services
