About Sam Lieberman
Sam Lieberman (1962-2020) was involved with UNLV the entirety of his adult life. He left home in Minnesota in 1980, at age 18, to attend UNLV. Living on campus, he immediately took on an active role in a wide array of student organizations. He was particularly active with the Center for Religious Life as well as Sigma Chi fraternity and student government. Even as an undergraduate, he also began what would become a lifelong engagement with local, state and national philanthropic and civic organizations. Such was his level of engagement and the breadth of his intellectual interests that Sam did not complete his degree until 1996, when he was awarded a Bachelor of Social Work degree.
After graduation, Sam became an active alumnus, serving on the board of the UNLV Alumni Association from 2000 to 2008. He particularly engaged with alumni affairs on behalf of the College of Liberal Arts, serving as a founding member of both the College's Dean's Leadership Board and its UNLV Alumni Association chapter; in 2009, he was named College of Liberal Arts alumnus of the year. Sam's longtime involvement with electoral politics (including a term as chair of the Nevada Democratic Party from 2009 - 2011) and his abiding interest in supporting UNLV came together when he ran for and won election to the NSHE Board of Regents in 2014.
Throughout these years, Sam also served the Southern Nevada Jewish community in a variety of roles, including several terms as president of Congregation P'nai Tikvah. Throughout his life, he was a passionate advocate for Jewish values, above all pluralism, tolerance and mutual understanding. In this capacity, he was particularly active in promoting curricular and co- curricular developments to promote Jewish civilization, better understanding of anti-Semitism, and the history of the Holocaust. Sam's values were evident in how he approached every decision he made or policy he advocated thinking of how it would affect the weakest or those most in need of the care of others. Even when he might agree that a certain decision or policy might be in the best interest of the general body, he considered how those who were in the minority or on the margins might feel about it. He believed firmly that those with the greatest resources – financial, political, intellectual or social –should be aware of their advantages and recognize the needs of those less well endowed. In his advocacy for UNLV and in how he lived, Sam set an example of how we can each be less bound by hierarchy and procedure, more sympathetic toward the needs of others, and always willing to listen most attentively to those with whom we disagree.
Support Sam’s Scholarship Fund!
Help us keep this scholarship fund growing.
The COLA Alumni Chapter invites you to have coffee in memory of Sam. Enjoying coffee or a meal with friends of UNLV was one of Sam’s favorite activities.
You can also make a direct gift to the Sam Lieberman Memorial Scholarship through the UNLV Foundation. Every gift, no matter the amount, perpetuates Sam’s legacy and goes directly to current students pursuing a Liberal Arts degree.
Impact Direct From the Recipients
"Thank you to the Lieberman Family, UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, friends of Sam, and the College of Liberal Arts for granting me the privilege of receiving the Sam Lieberman Memorial Scholarship. I plan to utilize the scholarship award to further my education in honor of my community and my strong support network at UNLV. The scholarship will allow me to take the first steps necessary to apply for graduate school, such as taking the GRE and paying for application costs. Thank you once again for this honor!"
Iram Gonzalez ’21, BA English & Philosophy
"This scholarship is so much more than an award, it is about honoring Mr. Lieberman and all his contributions to the community. He was a wonderful man who did so much for those around us, and with this scholarship, I promise I won’t disappoint. I’ll continue working my best to make strides toward diversity, equity, and inclusion, to bring our community together, to perform well academically, socially, and professionally, and to honor the name of Mr. Lieberman.”
Nour Benjelloun ’23, BA Philosophy
“The Sam Lieberman Memorial Scholarship has helped me invest in the community by helping me with the financial hardship of being a full-time student. Thanks to this scholarship, I am able to continue my education while also taking on an unpaid internship to help a local non-profit in their work with children in Title 1 schools. Having the opportunity to help local kids in the underserved school district that I grew up in, would not be possible without the generous investment of scholarships like the Sam Lieberman Memorial Scholarship. Thank you for helping me continue my path toward becoming a first-generation college graduate while being an active member of my community!”
Yvette Machado, Psychology major
“With deep gratitude, I receive the Sam Lieberman Memorial Scholarship. This honor humbles me, recognizing my efforts while propelling me toward my ambitions. This scholarship will be a transformative force on my academic path, mitigating financial stressors, and unlocking previously inaccessible opportunities. With its support, I can fully immerse myself in my academic endeavors, unfettered by financial worries and part-time job obligations. This will yield a more profound engagement in my courses, bolster my academic performance, and deepen my understanding of my discipline. Moreover, the scholarship will facilitate my participation in pivotal academic conferences which serve as conduits to industry professionals and like-minded peers, seeding relationships for future internships and career opportunities. However, the scholarship's significance extends beyond financial aid; it imbues me with confidence and reaffirms my potential. This gift strengthens my resolve to excel, reinvigorates my love for learning, and fuels my desire to contribute to society.”
Michael Mucthison, Philosophy major
Overview
This scholarship was established by the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees, family, and friends, to honor Sam Lieberman's memory and all he did for UNLV and our community.
The Sam Lieberman Scholarship is awarded at least once per year to one recipient. No class standing is required.
Please note, while there is no class standing required, the scholarship funds do go toward the student’s tuition/fees. Therefore, the scholarship may not benefit a graduating senior, unless of course, they are continuing on to grad school.
The Sam Lieberman Memorial Scholarship shall be awarded based on the following criteria:
- Student must pursue a major in the College of Liberal Arts;
- Student must demonstrate financial need as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Need Determination Form;
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0; and
- Student may be full time or part time.
Recipients may be eligible for this scholarship in subsequent years, provided they maintain the scholarship criteria and remain in good standing with the institution.
How to Apply for This Scholarship
A call for applications will be distributed via email to all COLA students in October of each year. Application materials will only be accepted through the process outlined in the email. Selected scholarship recipients will be notified by December 1st.
Disbursements from the Fund shall be made in accordance with policies established by the UNLV Foundation, University of Nevada Las Vegas, (“UNLV”), and the Nevada System of Higher Education (“NSHE,”) and with the provisions specified in this Agreement. UNLV Foundation and NSHE policies allow private funds to include hosting, travel expenses, employee perquisites, or other reasonable expenditures that comply with all applicable UNLV Foundation, UNLV, Board of Regents, and NSHE policies, as well as all applicable state regulations.