Great Basin College

After its opening in 1967, the college joined the University of Nevada system in August 1969. Formerly, hopes for a college in Elko were fading in the spring of 1968 until a $250,000 donation was received from reclusive Las Vegas billionaire Howard Hughes. The gift was announced by Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt, who was heading the list of dignitaries, at an emotionally charged assembly of supporters at the Commercial Hotel.[1][2]