This fall the University of Nevada, Reno welcomed its largest enrollment ever with students from across the country, all 17 Nevada counties and many countries around the world. The University now has students from 49 states; however, not a single, solitary student from Vermont is in the rolls.

Not. A. Single. One.

This is the first year since the University began tracking these statistics in 1993 that Vermont was not represented in the student body. Since that time, 86 Vermont students have attended the University.

To close the gap, the University took to social media with the campaign, #Vermontfor50, on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, including a video created with students from various states outside of Nevada. Social media posts began trickling out Thursday, Sept. 24. A full-page ad featuring a letter from Steve Maples, director of admissions for the University, was placed in the Sunday, Sept. 27 Burlington Free Press.

By noon on Monday, Sept. 28, more than 20 Vermont students had contacted Maples.

The campaign pulled out all the stops, including contacting Governor Brian Sandoval and alumni currently residing in Vermont to help find five academically qualified students to attend a NevadaBound session.

To be considered for the NevadaBound visit, the five Vermont students must have an average high school GPA of 3.37, and SAT math and reading scores of 540 and 535 respectively. The visit will consist of a campus tour, lunch with University students and meetings with faculty and advisors.
Reported first by the Reno Gazette Journal,  the campaign even went so far as to suggest a new ice cream flavor to Vermont-based Ben and Jerry's to get the word out about how "chill" it is to be a member of the Wolf Pack. The great ice cream debate was captured by a KRNV News 4 poll of the day. News stations from as far away as New Hampshire, and media outlets across the country, including the New York Post, picked up the story.

Citing the similarities between the two states, Maples compared the legendary Tahoe Tessie with Lake Champlain's mythical lake creature, Champ, who was reported as being first seen by the lake's namesake, European explorer Samuel de Champlain in the 17th century.

"The Reno area has similarities with Vermont with the mountains and outdoors activities," said Marian Berryhill, assistant professor of psychology at the University and a native Vermonter, said. "What's vastly superior here though is the sunshine in fall and winter, although I find the fall foliage sign's location in Hilliard Plaza amusing - it is right next to a pine tree."Maples also appealed to snowboarders and skiers with references to Squaw Valley, Heavenly and Alpine Meadows. Known as the Green Mountain State, Vermont's claim to ski fame is Stowe Mountain Resort.

Joking aside, Berryhill said the University offers all the benefits of a big state university, without a big price tag.

"Students can get a great education, access to all of the features of higher education they could want or need and, as Vermonters, I would expect them to be able to come and take advantage of those assets on campus and make it happen."
Although the campaign has taken a light-hearted approach, the message is intended to reach well beyond Vermont and convey the University's status as a national university in an appealing setting.

"The University has been ranked again by U.S. News & World Report in the top tier of the 'best national universities,'" Maples said. "Rounding out the list to cover all 50 states again would be sweet, kind of like maple syrup."

To participate in the adventure, follow #Vermontfor50 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.