BEST OF UNLV: 2012
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PROFESSOR:
READERS’ PICK: KYNAN DIAS
Kynan Dias is a young film professor who reaches students with his energy and passion. His classes are not easy — he demands serious thought and contribution. But his students know him as a knowledgable and approachable mentor.
STAFF PICK: JOSHUA KRYAH
Joshua Kryah holds a Ph.D. in creative writing from UNLV and teaches in interdisciplinary studies. He inspires and educates while he contributes serious work to the local arts community as an outstanding poet.
UNLV MEME:
READERS’ PICK: WINNER
Oh, memes. These things are everywhere recently,
and UNLV has joined in on the craze. Inspired by the
growing popularity of the UNLV Memes Facebook page,
we couldn’t resist adding this category to this year’s
best-of picks. And besides, the number of people
taking the elevator the second floor really
is too damn high.
DORMS:
READERS’ PICK: DAYTON COMPLEX
It’s very easy to see Dayton’s appeal: the newest facilities, themed floors, a clean courtyard in the center and probably the closest, most cohesive group of RAs on campus. Possibly the liveliest of all the complexes, Dayton definitely provides students with an ideal on-campus experience.
STAFF PICK: UPPER CLASSROOM COMPLEX
Last year we called the UCC a “pigeon infested shit-fortress” and it really hasn’t changed enough to make that characterization untrue. What makes the UCC the best, however, are the serene surroundings, respectful residents and rooms that protect your privacy rather than violate it on a daily basis.
BATHROOM:
BEST: GREENSPUN HALL
Nothing brings relief to our bladders like entering a pristine, well maintained restroom. The gleam of polished chrome and the shine of well-washed tiles help ease a trouble soul, allowing you to set aside worry and let the stress of a long day flow from you.
WORST: CBC
We prefer to pee somewhere that doesn’t remind us of a halfway house for rodents. That is why we always avoid the CBC building and its plague infested restrooms. The threat of a painful, disease ridden death is something you should only have to worry about while cutting your way through the Amazon.
STUDENT ORGANIZATION:
READERS’ PICK: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Christian or not, there’s nothing quite like walking into a room full of stangers and leaving knowing everyone’s name. Not only are they super welcoming, but their live music (with singers so talented, goosebumps are guaranteed) and community service (their Operation Christmas Child project gathered 492 shoe box gifts for children around the world) makes InterVarsity Christian Fellowship a stand-out student organization.
STAFF PICK: YESNevada
Young Entrepreneurs of Southern Nevada gives students a forum to exchange ideas. In its first semester, the group brought Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh to campus. Kudos.
PLACE TO BUY REBEL GEAR/TEXTBOOKS:
READERS’ PICK: AMAZON
Nothing is more aggravating than spending $150 for a text book, and then selling it back at the end of the year for a measly $20. The Man is taking our monies! Luckily, Amazon is there to save the day, providing some of the cheapest used text books around and even offering free shipping for students trying out Amazon Prime.
BEST NAPPING PLACE:
READERS’ PICK: LIED LIBRARY
Nothing puts students to sleep faster than books. There’s just so many words and, these days, so few pictures! When we need a quick snooze, we hit the library. Being surrounded by so many books is like being tucked into a nice, warm incubator.
STAFF PICK: REBEL YELL OFFICE
The Rebel Yell offices offer plenty of nooks and crannies for grabbing some shut eye after hours or writing and editing. Under the desks, on the table in the meeting room or even under someone else’s desk — the possibilities are endless.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:
READERS’ PICK: REBEL PLACE
Rebel Place is just like a dorm, but without all of the RAs, Dining Commons food and cinderblock walls. OK, so Rebel Place is really nothing like the dorms, which is why it was our reader’s pick this year. With an added kitchen and shuttle service, who wouldn’t mind paying through the nose to share an apartment with three others?
STAFF PICK: UNIVERSITY CREST
Hipsters, cyclists, PBR, poets and super friendly dumpster divers … what more is there to look for in a neighborhood? With cozy little townhouses, a cute park and upstanding Rent-a-Cops patrolling at night, this neighborhood won over our staff.
SUPPORT DEPARTMENT:
READERS’ PICK: ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER
There are many institutions on campus that cater to those students who are natural achievers, but the Academic Success Center is a testament to the flip side of the teaching ethic: that helping those students who learn differently is just as important as anything else.
FRATERNITY/SORORITY:
SORORITY: ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
FRATERNITY: PI KAPPA ALPHA
Greek life is an integral piece in any campus puzzle, and UNLV has no shortage of ultra-involved students who also call themselves brothers or sisters. Indeed, Greek students on campus are easily the most involved individuals on campus, and their philanthropic efforts in the community are a valuable service to everyone who calls themselves a Rebel.
ON-CAMPUS COFFEE:
READERS’ PICK: STARBUCKS
Coffee: It’s the only thing keeping college students sane, and at UNLV we have access to the best provider of go-juice there is. Hailing from the rain-slicked streets of Seattle, this purveyor of ambrosia was kind enough to set up shop right inside the Student Union. And across the street. And probably in a dozen other places within a one mile radius …
STAFF PICK: EINSTEIN’S IN SRWC
While Starbucks is usually favored in this category, Einstein’s Bagels is just as good. Residents can wake up and shamble a convenient 100 yards for a morning pick-me-up and a warm smile from the staff.
ON-CAMPUS EATERY:
READERS’ PICK: GREENS TO GO
With the Student Union offering so many greasy options for your daily lunch break (burgers, pizza, a taco stuffed into a Dorito’s shell, the list could go on), it’s nice to have a less-caloric option. Greens to Go offers a wde variety of fresh vegetables, fast and friendly service and a reasonable price. After finishing your white box you’ll be full without feeling the need to do some sit ups after class.
BEST UNLV UNDERDOG TEAM:
READERS’ PICK: UNLV FOOTBALL
Perhaps it’s strange that a 2-10 football team somehow managed to win best underdog, but that’s what you voted. Far be it from us to cast judgment, however. We mostly sit around in an office and type all day. Here’s hoping for a succesful next season for the team.
STAFF PICK: UNLV VOLLEYBALL
In their first year under head coach Cindy Fredrick, the Rebels made it to the Mountain West title game as the No. 7 seed with a 14-17 record behind the play of Candice Thomas, Sekola Falemaka and Makenzie Moea’i. They defeated San Diego State and TCU to advance to the championship, but lost to Colorado State.
CSUN SENATOR:
READERS’ PICK: MARK CIAVOLA
The former leader of the UNLV College Republicans and present Undergraduate Student Body president has moved up from student government’s senate to its executive board. Love him or hate him, Mark Ciavola has an uncanny ability to interact with students on their level and we hope he does well next year.
STAFF PICK: RACHEL STEPHENS
Rachel Stephens may piss a lot of people off with her strong opinions and confrontational style in senate meetings, but at least she’s paying attention to the issues and not secretly texting or eating food.
GPSA COUNCIL MEMBER:
READERS’ PICK: MICHAEL GORDON
Graduate and professional student body president Michael Gordon began his first year aware that he had big shoes to fill. He made his constituents proud as he worked to provide opportunities to students through research and advocacy. As he embarks on a second year of leadership, Gordon is equipped to become a leader with a legacy.
STAFF PICK: KYLE KAALBERG
Kaalberg works tirelessly to do lasting good. He is one of the proud faces behind the UNLV Cares Food Bank, where he has made a difference for students and staff. The teaching and learning program is lucky to have him as a representative.
UNLV ATHLETE:
MALE: MIKE MOSER
In his first year as a starter for the Runnin’ Rebels, Moser was third in the nation in rebounding at 10.5 per game, and was selected First Team All-Mountain West. He was one of two players in the country to have two 20-rebound games in a season.
FEMALE: LUCIA BATTA
After being named MWC Freshman of the Year last season, Batta went above and beyond in her sophomore year by winning Player of the Year honors. She went 31-8 in singles matches and 22-2 in dual action. Batta earned the MWC automatic qualifying in the Division I Singles Championship that begins on May 23.
UNLV EVENT:
BEST: PREMIER
Nothing gathers hundreds of college students together faster than the words “free stuff.” Food, sunglasses and most importantly, T-shirts, are all for the taking at Premier. The event provides students with an exciting night of entertainment, mingling and bragging rights of where you are in the UNLV flashlight picture — all before the stress of the semester kicks in.
WORST: HEADPHONE DISCO
Though the infamous CSUN Headphone Disco took place last year and attracted literally four people, you still voted it the worst by a wide margin. Who would have thought a dance party in the middle of the day in the heat on a field would have been a bust?!
UNLV BEST KEPT SECRET/GEM:
READERS’ PICK: MASSAGE CHAIRS IN SRWC
We don’t always have the time and funds to indulge in such luxuries like massages, so we often have to suffer through knots, aches and pains. That is until we discovered the SRWC’s relaxation room, complete with tranquil music and massage chairs. This may not be a high-end Strip spa, but these wonders do the trick. You can have your body kneaded, rolled and rubbed; and feel your stress fade away.
REBEL YELL SECTION:
READERS’ PICK: NEWS
Tuition hikes, budget cuts and funding formulas — oh my! Our news section has gone above and beyond to provide students and faculty with the best and most comprehensive reporting about things that matter to them. They’re the first ones in the office in the morning and the last in the office at night, and you think their section showed it.
STAFF PICK: a&e!
Though you chose news as your favorite section, we all have been proud of a&e! editor Leslie Ventura and her brilliant work this year. Her unique style, great use of photography and smart writing have truly stood out on campus, and we like to think Las Vegas.
DC STAPLE:
READERS’ PICK: FRENCH FRIES
Of all the staple items at the good ol’ DC, one cuisine reigned supreme: the french fries. While the grill was always a pretty reliable option for any meal, these yellow, partially hydrogenated potatoes stood head and shoulders above the rest of the food.
FORMER REBEL:
READERS’ PICK: JIMMY KIMMEL
Even though Kimmel was only a Rebel for one year (working at the KUNV radio station), his fame skyrocketted after meeting fellow comedian Adam Corolla. Although Kimmel keeps busy with his popular talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! and rolling in his millions, we’d like to think that there’s still a little bit of Rebel pride left in him somewhere.
MARYLAND PKY RESTAURANT:
READERS’ PICK: CHIPOTLE & CAFE RIO
Chipotle has a lot of great, cheap items to fill you up and move you on your way, but the chips n’ guac combo is a student favorite as well as a favorite of ours. Put a sack of those chips and a plastic thingy of that delicious green paste anywhere near our office, and you’ll be left digging crumbs out of those cute brown baggies.
At first glance, both Reader’s Picks seem to serve the same kind of food. However, Cafe Rio has two things that Chipotle doesn’t: homemade tortillas and the house ranch dressing. Seriously, these two specialities enhance every item on the menu.
SPORTS BLOG:
READERS’ PICK: Rebel Yell Sports Blog
The sports section of The Rebel Yell kept UNLV up to date on all sporting evets ranging from the collegiate level all the way to the pros. With witty and hard-hitting sports analysis, The Rebel Yell sports blog was the most informative source of social media this side of the Mississippi. Have a question about sports? Visit the Rebel Yell sports blog.
