UNR NEWS RELEASE
The University of Nevada, Reno named Mathew Neben the recipient of the 2012 Herz Gold Medal for outstanding scholarship, presented at each commencement ceremony to the graduating senior with the highest grade-point average.
Neben graduated today with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in economics and finance and minoring in journalism. He originally started his academic career at the University as an “apathetic, undecided freshman” but eventually was inspired to succeed because of the enthusiasm and encouragement of fellow students and University faculty.
“Did I have the personal capability to get involved and excel as a leader before I enrolled at the University?” Neben said. “Yes. Would I have ever attempted to apply myself without the support of my faculty and friends? No.”
As a student, Neben became a member of a social fraternity, was elected to the Associated Students of the University of Nevada senate and participated in many additional co-curricular activities.
The Herz Gold Medal is the University of Nevada, Reno’s oldest and most prestigious award, and was established in 1910 when the University was only 36 years old by brothers Richard, Carl and Otto Herz. This is the 20th consecutive year that the recipient of the award has graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
Funding for the award is now being provided by the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation and the Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation, a Reno-based charity. The foundations wish to continue honoring the Herz family and will keep the name of the award.
Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno has an enrollment of more than 17,000 students. The University is home to the state’s medical school and one of the country’s largest study-abroad programs, and offers outreach and education programs in all Nevada counties. For more information, visit www.unr.edu. The University of Nevada, Reno is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education.