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The ceremony took place at the beginning of the month but we couldn’t let November pass without mentioning the special tribute that the Center for Basque Studies, at the University of Nevada Reno, paid to William A. Douglass as founder, for some time its professor emeritus, and always a respected figure. As a sign of its appreciation, the CBS decided to officially change its name to “William A. Douglass Center for Basque Studies.” 

Leire García Baztarrica/Reno, NV. An emotional and singular recognition at the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno to two of the most important people who contributed to its beginning and development, William Anthony Douglass and Jon Bilbao.  The University of Nevada, Reno, held a renaming ceremony on November 3 when the Center was renamed The William A. Douglass Center for Basque Studies, as well as the Basque Library being renamed the Jon Bilbao Basque Studies Library.  The event and the renaming was the result of a process that included the Center’s faculty and its Advisory Board, with the blessing of University President, Marc Johnson.

The event wasn’t just a celebration of the work of Bill Douglass, but also that of Jon Bilbao, who passed away in 1994, who was represented by his son, Iban Bilbao.  The event was attended by several distinguished professors and personalities of Basque heritage from the university and its surroundings.  Remarks were made by university president, Marc Johnson, the Governor of Nevada, Brian Sandoval, as well as William Douglass himself who greatly thanked everyone for the honor.

Video of Governor Sandoval’s remarks at the renaming ceremony of the Center for Basque Studies and Basque Studies Library

The Center for Basque Studies is a unique place that includes the largest library on Basque topics, with an emphasis on the Diaspora, outside of the Basque Country.  The renaming also included the library that is now called the Jon Bilbao Basque Studies Library.  His son personally thanked everyone for the honor bestowed on his father.

The event was also attended by representatives from other institutions including the Delegation of Euskadi in the United States, Ander Caballero and Igor Camaño and Koldo Atxutegi, representatives from the Provincial Government of Bizkaia who stressed the importance of establishing and strengthening ties of mutual benefit between Euskadi and the US.