Tuesday, March 25, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
DESERT RESEARCH Institute's 10th annual awards dinner at Caesars Palace attracted its largest audience ever. The first awards dinner had an attendance of 50; this year, more than 400 attended.
For 38 years, the Desert Research Institute, a nonprofit, statewide arm of the University and Community College System of Nevada, has been involved in environmental research on local, national and international levels.
DRI employs more than 400 scientists and related personnel in Las Vegas, Reno and Stead. The acclaimed institute conducts environmental research for governments and industry.
For the past 10 years, it has awarded its highest honor, the Nevada Medal, to an outstanding scientist. This year's recipient, Dr. F. Sherwood Rowland, agreed to accept the 1997 Nevada Medal in September 1995. Exactly one month later, he was notified he had been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his studies of the atmosphere, which led to an understanding of how the ozone layer forms and decomposes.
During his acceptance speech, Rowland said that in 1973-74, when his work began with his colleague, Dr. Mario Molina, it was not their intent to do an environmental study. What began as curiosity led to the understanding of the devastating effects of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on the ozone layer.
Rowland and Molina's research inspired legislation in the United States and other countries regulating the manufacture and use of CFCs. The Montreal Protocol, "the first international agreement for controlling and healing environmental damage to the global atmosphere" was another result of their research. According to Rowland, the Montreal Protocol is working.
One scary note and a reminder why we must be aware came when Rowland, who is the Bren research professor at the University of California, Irvine, told of finding particulates in the air from Chernobyl just 11 days after the accident.
President's Medal
This year, a new award, the President's Medal, was given to a Nevadan who was recognized for her many contributions to science. First lady Sandy Miller was indeed surprised by the honor and made a charming impromptu acceptance speech.
Both Gov. Bob and Sandy Miller and are staunch supporters of DRI and the Nevada Medal honor. Even young daughter Megan is involved. Rowland had dined at the Governor's Mansion and was impressed by the family's avid interest in science.
The festive evening began with a cocktail reception and silent auction of some very interesting prizes. In addition to fly fishing, cycling and rock-climbing courses bidders could win a scientist-guided tour of Death Valley; stunning nature photography -- exotic "sand roses" from Saudi Arabia; volcanic ash samples from the "Ring of Fire" in Kamchatka, Russia; a 35 million-year-old petrified oak from McDermitt, Nev.; a planetarium package for 20 including a show and telescope viewing; and a miniature Easter Island statue hand-carved by native inhabitants of the South Pacific island.
I don't know who successfully bid for the exotica, but Mike and Candy Schneider get to surf the World Wide Web for a full year.
The program
Among those enjoying the interesting evening were Dee and Don Snyder, Judy and Jim Kropid, Lou Emmert, Jeff Mielke, Rhonda and Laird Sanders, Dora Hogue, Lt. Gov. Lonnie and Sandy Hammargren, Isabel Pfeiffer, Dorothy and Paul Huffey, DRI Trustees Tim Cashman, Scott Beeman, Bruce Layne, John Ellis, Charles Lenzie, Ian Mackinlay, Roger Peltyn, Phil Bryan, Earl Casazza, Tyrus Cobb, Frederick Weiss, Brendan Egan, Terry Van Noy, Clark Guild Jr., Robert Quenon, Sandra Tiffany, Ted Quirk, Brad Stanley, Gordon Peters, Bill Martin, Gail Tuzzolo, Howard Wahl, Joan Bradley, Jerry Call, Mac King Jr., Richard Costello, John Ellis and Nello Gonfiantini III.
The well-paced program was expertly emceed by KLAS Channel 8 anchors Paula Francis and Gary Waddell; Dr. James Taranik made the presentation of the President's Medal to Sandy Miller; the award of the Nevada Medal was made by Gov. Miller.
The program took place in between courses of the delicious dinner: field green salad with in a tomato cup, breast of chicken, filet mignon with a cap of portobella mushroom, seasonal vegetables and a delectable dessert sampler.
Also attending were Myrna Williams, Shelley Berkley, Thalia Dondero, Kitty Rodman, Leona Gennis, Charlotte Hill, John Doherty and many university people and state legislators.
After a slow start, DRI is gaining many new followers. To learn more about the Desert Research Institute and its programs call, 895-0530.
More DRI
On Sept. 26-27, DRI will host its first "Where Environment Meets Recreation Golf Extravaganza" at the new Red Hawk Golf Course north of Reno. Proceeds from the fund-raiser will benefit environmental research.
Reservations must be made by Aug. 15. For reservations or more information, call (702) 323-2893.
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