Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism Records

The first course in Journalism at the University of Nevada was offered in 1921 within the Department of English. Professor Alfred Higginbotham, an experienced newspaperman, was hired by the English Department and developed the 1922 curriculum to cover the areas of editorial writing, advertising, public relations, newspaper, magazine, and electronics journalism (radio, television, and national wire news services). In 1936, the Kappa Tau Alpha chapter of the Journalism Honor Society was established at the University, followed by the Sigma Delta Chi chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists in 1947.

The Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Department of Journalism in December 1942. The Department collaborated with the Nevada State Press Association to establish the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1948. Early courses were taught in the Jones Building. In 1967, the Department moved into the entire first floor of the new Mack Social Sciences Building.

In 1984, the Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism and Center for Advanced Media Studies was established. The Center for Advanced Media Studies was designed to provide working media professionals with an environment for study and debate within the framework of seminars and other activities. In 1993, the School of Journalism moved into its new building.