Nevada Society of Scottish Clans - Silver Thistle Award

Silver Thistle Award

Each year as Tartan Day Approaches, The Society seeks a Nevadan as the “Scot of the Year.”

The history of prominent Scottish immigrants in Nevada is well-known. Early Nevada Governor Henry Kincaid, Alexander “Sandy” Bowers, and his intrepid wife, Eilly Orrum lead the list. Sandy and Eilly made a huge fortune on the Comstock and then lost it. We must also count John Mackey, who said he was Irish, but was actually born in Scotland. He was one of the richest miners in Virginia City.

The “Silver Thistle” is awarded each year to a modern Scottish-Nevadan who has made a contribution to our community through his/her personal or professional life. Nominations come from the areas of business, industry, arts, music, poetry, Nevada history and culture, and service to the people of our state.

The award itself is a beautiful “quaich,” (pronounced ‘quake’) a traditional Scottish drinking bowl. It is polished pewter representing silver for the great Nevada riches found on the Comstock. It bears an embossed thistle, the national flower of Scotland.

The list of Nevadans honored thus by the Society illustrates the wide range of talents and abilities of the Scots in the state. The list of awardees is impressive.

2007

William F. McConnell

William McConnell, a proud Scot, is well-known to many of Nevada Society of Scottish Clans as a long-time member, having served as its Chieftain in 1990 with Chief Clyde Johnson. He is a familiar face about Reno having spent many years working with the Nevada Opera Association and the Nevada Festival Ballet at the Pioneer Theater. He resides in the Hidden Valley community with his wife Louise.

Bill had an impressive military history having retired from the Air Force at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In retirement bill has been a researcher, lecturer, and writer of early military history of Nevada. His love of military history led him to research some of the early military posts of Nevada, including the Civil War Camp Nye whose exact location had been lost. It was through his research and his article on Nevada’s Lost Military Past that state officials were able to validate the actual site and erected State Historical Marker 235 on October 11, 1981.

A lifelong Civil War enthusiast, Bill used his 30-year experience as a military intelligence officer to bring to life the exploits of Civil War hero and general, Jesse Lee Reno. The book “Remember Reno” was cited as an inspiration for the erection of a statue of General Reno now standing in Powning Park that was dedicated on Memorial Day in 2006. Bill has donated copies of the book to local school libraries.

On Wednesday, July 12, 2006, Bill and Louise McConnell, were called before the Mayor and Reno City Council-to-be presented with a Certificate of Adoption into the Reno/Reneau family as a result of “their dedication, devotion and contributions to the history of our illustrious kinsman, General Jesse Lee Reno.” The certificate was presented by the Reno City Council on behalf of the Reno/Reneau National Family Reunion.

2006

Jim Galloway

Jim Galloway, Member of the Washoe County Commission, has service on a long list of other local government entities: Debt Management Commission, Tahoe Conservation District, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, Washoe School District Facilities Oversight Board, Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, and the County Senior Citizen Board. Galloway is an engineer with Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctor’s degrees in several fields of Physics.

This proud Scotsman, affiliated with Clan McFarlane, is known for his dedication to the service of the people, and frequently called the commissioner for the little guy. He has served on the Commission since January, 1997.

2005

Dr. John W. Whitney

Dr. John W. Whitney is a high-achieving inventor, and founder, Chairman and CEO of the worldwide firm, Itronics. The project that resulted in his choice for the Silver Thistle, is an exotic process that removes silver from the discharge of local waste treatment. It removes virtually all toxic heavy metals, including silver, from photochemicals and converts the residue into environmentally beneficial fertilizers. Whitney’s Scots ancestry is Kellogg-MacDonald.

2004

Carrie Porter

Carrie Porter, statewide leader in women’s interests, was also chosen from the ranks of NSSC members. A former chief of the Society, she is president of the Nevada Women’s History Project, and worked tirelessly in support of the project to place a statue of Sarah Winnemucca in the U.S. Capitol. She developed the Jean Ford Research Center, and is curator of the Special Manuscripts Collection in the UNR Library. Her clan is MacFarlane.

2003

Ronald James

Ronald James, Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer, Author and Artist. He was the first member of the NSSC to be chosen. Ron James is responsible for making pioneer history available to all Nevadans, young and old. Besides overseeing the physical treasures of the state, Ron has written books on the people who built the human infrastructure – the miners, financiers, teachers, gamblers, prostitutes, writers and assorted characters. In his “spare” time Ron volunteers with programs for Scottish events, and plays the bagpipes with the Sierra Highlanders pipe band. Clans Morrison and Galloway.

2002

Dr. James W. Forsythe

Dr. James W. Forsythe, is a physician in private practice, and a former U.S. Army medical officer. He was the first to identify the Fallon leukemia cluster. He founded the oncology units in all the hospitals in Washoe County. Dr. Forsythe has published numerous articles in the field. He retired from the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a Full Colonel with a Commendation Medal for his work. Of course, he belongs to Clan Forsythe.

2001

Dr. Steven MacFarlane

Dr. Stephen C. McFarlane is the Chairman of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Nevada, Reno. He served as interim President of the UNR Medical School, and as University President while replacements were recruited. He has written extensively in the field and his books have been translated into many languages for use as textbooks around the world. He and his son, Paul, conduct tours of Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. He affiliates with Clan McFarlane.

To nominate someone for the award, list Name, age, address, phone number and E-mail address, and the accomplishments that have benefited our community, Include their Scottish background. The deadline is March 15 of each year.

Mail to “Silver Thistle” Scot of the Year Award, 11510 Osage Road, Reno, NV 89506-8521, to send an email click here. For more information, call John Howe, 972-1869.

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