Dear Colleagues,
A week from today, Nevada, for the first time, will observe as a state holiday “Juneteenth.” The new holiday recognizes June 19, 1865, as the date when freedom was announced to slaves in Texas, almost two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
As I reflect on this acknowledgement, I am drawn to the phrase delivered by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., nearly 100 years later during his iconic “I have a dream” speech.
“Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty, we are free at last.”
I want our university to remain committed to understanding and discussing our country’s past, however complicated and difficult those conversations may be.
So, I ask that on this holiday, Monday, June 19, please take time to acknowledge the injustices and inequalities littered throughout our history and accept our charge to battle against inequity wherever it occurs.
In the meantime, I want to thank Gov. Lombardo and our elected state leaders who supported and made “Juneteenth Day” an annual state holiday in Nevada, effective immediately. This means that all state offices – including UNLV and other NSHE institutions – will be closed this coming Monday, unless a unit (i.e., UNLV Health, etc.) is guided by continuity of service or care procedures. New student orientation or other functions taking place over the weekend will continue as scheduled.
Finally, I had the honor recently of meeting with Ms. Dee Evans and the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation for Nevada. During this fruitful meeting, we discussed continued community efforts and potential collaborative opportunities involving UNLV in the near future.
Thank you for your commitment to our mission to make our community and state a more just and equitable one for all.
Warm regards,
Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D.
UNLV President