Donald Snyder Selected as 2024 UW College of Business Distinguished Alumnus

Donald Snyder has been selected as the University of Wyoming College of Business’ 62nd Distinguished Alumnus.

He was nominated for embracing the spirit of hard work, leadership and integrity. Snyder will be honored at the 73rd annual College of Business Recognition Dinner later this month.

Snyder, who was born in South Dakota and grew up in humble surroundings, first in South Dakota and then in Wyoming, graduated with honors in business administration from UW in 1969. He began a successful banking career, continuing to be involved within the industry today.

He has deep ties to southern Nevada and has been an executive with senior leadership experience in both the commercial banking and gaming industries. Snyder also served as dean of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas’ (UNLV) William F. Harrah College of Hospitality and president of UNLV. He continues to serve as a volunteer for UNLV.

Years before becoming an administrator at UNLV, Snyder had a long history of active volunteer engagement with the university. He became a member of the UNLV Foundation Board of Trustees in 1988; served five years as chair of the board; and later served as chair of the first and only comprehensive capital campaign that concluded in 2009.

For his work supporting UNLV, Snyder was awarded the President’s Medal in 2000; received an honorary Doctor of Law degree in 2001; and was named a Distinguished Nevadan in 2003. The UNLV Lee Business School also inducted him into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame in 2011 for his leadership.

Snyder has had a diverse and successful professional career in banking, gaming/hospitality and higher education. This includes service as chair and CEO of First Interstate Bank of Nevada -- now Wells Fargo -- and president and board member of Boyd Gaming Corp.

He currently sits on the board of directors for Western Alliance Bancorporation, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company. Including his current board service, Snyder has served on the boards of seven public companies and several private and subsidiary company boards.

His involvement with the community consists of service on several nonprofit boards, including as chair of several of those boards and commissions. He has been honored for his community leadership on numerous occasions during his more than 37 years in Nevada.

Snyder and his wife, Dee, have been married for 53 years, and they have three children and four grandchildren. Snyder recently completed an autobiography titled “Taking the Lead” with co-author Jack Sheehan.

To view a complete list of previous UW College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award winners, visit www.uwyo.edu/business/alumni/distinguished-alumni.html.