NSHE Mourns Passing of Former Regent Jim Bilbray
NSHE Mourns Passing of Former Regent Jim Bilbray
Sep 5, 2021
![NSHE Mourns Passing of Former Regent Jim Bilbray](/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/UPDATED-NSHE-VIRTUAL-TOWN-HALL-ON-DACA-ISSUES-copy-1.jpg)
NSHE Mourns Passing of Former Regent Jim Bilbray
Former U.S. Congressman and Nevada Regent Jim Bilbray, who served the Nevada System
of Higher Education (NSHE) from 1968 to 1972, passed away Sunday. He was 83 years
old.
Regent Bilbray served our state with distinction and was a selfless advocate for the
Nevada System of Higher Education and its students, said Regents Chair Cathy McAdoo.
On behalf of the Board of Regents, Chancellor Melody Rose, NSHE staff, and our entire
system, I want to express our sympathies to Regent Bilbrays family.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Bilbray was a tireless champion for UNLV, where he attended
school and was elected as president of the student body. He transferred and graduated
from American University in Washington D.C., before going on to American Universitys
Washington College of Law.
After, he returned to Las Vegas and joined the Nevada Bar in 1965. He helped found
and served as the first president of UNLVs Alumni Association.
Regent Bilbray dedicated his life to public service in Nevada, which included serving
time with the Nevada Army National Guard and Army Reserve, as a Nevada State Senator,
and four terms as a U.S. Representative for Nevadas 1st Congressional District.
In 2015, Regent Bilbray was recognized as a Distinguished Nevadan, NSHEs most prestigious
honor.