Nazir and Mary Ansari Business Leaders Award

In honor of Drs. Nazir and Mary Ansari's exceptional service to the business community, Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada will recognize business leaders at the annual Hall of Fame Gala with the Mary and Nazir Ansari Business Leaders Award beginning in 2021.

Dr. Nazir A. Ansari and Dr. Mary B. Ansari were both Emeritus Faculty of the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Mary B. Ansari received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from the University in 2000 (see citation below). Both Nazir and Mary received the Nevada Alumni Association University Service Award in 1995 and both received the Distinguished Nevadan honor from the Nevada Board of Regents in 2007.

In 1990, Drs. Nazir and Mary Ansari established the Mary B. Ansari Map Library Endowment Fund to establish and support the Mary B. Ansari Map Library housed in the Mackay School of Mines. In 2000, the couple established the Nazir and Mary Ansari Business Government Information Center Fund. They have also given generously to the College of Business, Women's Athletics and Friends of the Library.

Drs. Nazir and Mary Ansari are Patron level members of the University's Honor Court and members of the Nevada Legacy Society. The Nazir Ansari Business Building was named in Dr. Ansari's honor in 1995. Dr. Mary Ansari served as a Trustee of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation from 1995 to 2000, including Vice Chair for Programs.

In addition to their activities with the University of Nevada, Reno, the couple established a scholarship at Truckee Meadows Community College and an Excellence in Teaching Award at Sierra Nevada University. The couple also established scholarships and teaching awards with the Desert Research Institute.

Mary Ansari passed away on December 18, 2020 leaving a legacy of service to Northern Nevada. Junior Achievement is honored to name the business leaders Hall of Fame Award after Mary and Nazir Ansari in perpetuity.