University announces $10 million gift to Health Sciences Building
The William N. Pennington Foundation has committed $10 million to the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation for the purpose of a new Health Sciences Building. This brings the total private investment in the building to $15 million, which also includes a $2.5 million 
gift from the Nell J. Redfield Foundation and a $1 million gift from the Thelma B. and Thomas P. Hart Foundation. These gifts will support construction of the new teaching facility which will be the hub of medical and nursing student activities.
“This gift will have an important, lasting impact for our state,” said University President Milt Glick. “Nevada continues to face a shortage of doctors and nurses. The expansion of these teaching programs will go a long way toward addressing the shortage. Ultimately, this generous gift will improve the quality of healthcare for generations to come.”
William “Bill” Pennington has been a Nevada entrepreneur involved in Wildcat oil drilling, real estate development and electronic gaming. In 1974, he and his partner acquired the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They expanded the company to Reno in 1978 and took the company public in 1983, which generated additional revenue for continued expansion to include the Excalibur and Luxor Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas and the Edgewater and Colorado Belle in Laughlin, Nev. Circus Circus Enterprises later became the core for the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. Over the years, his company was recognized as introducing a focus on family entertainment and service to Nevada’s tourism industry. Pennington retired in 1988.
