Dennis George - Class of 1963
Dennis George was born on September 10, 1945 in Tacoma, Washington and moved to Sparks in the fall of 1957. Dennis was always most involved in sports. One of his fondest memories of high school was beating Reno High in both football and basketball his senior year. In addition to all the trophies he helped earn, Dennis was selected as Boy Athlete of the Year.
After high school, Dennis attended UNR for two years and then enlisted in the military where he earned The Purple Heart in 1968, when wounded in Vietnam. While serving in the military, Dennis served tours of duty in Vietnam, Europe and Ethiopia, where he flew helicopters in support of the Ethiopia-U.S. Mapping Mission. While in the military, he came back to UNR and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business and one in Mathematics. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Utah. After returning from a three-year assignment in Germany, he taught at UNR with the ROTC and also taught economics at night. He now teaches Introduction to Economics at the University.
Dennis has served as Director of Governmental Affairs for the Nevada Association of REALTORS, Executive Director of the Reno Board of REALTORS, Assistant Director of Governmental Affairs at the Chamber of commerce, and Assistant Dean of the College of Business at UNR.
In June, 2000, Mr. George retired from the Nevada Army National Guard, where he had served for twenty-one years in various positions, including Director of Aviation and Safety, Director of Operations and Training, and, ultimately, the Chief of Staff. Dennis retired as a Colonel, and his military decorations include the Air Medal, The Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.
Dennis is still very proud to be a Sparks High Graduate. He feels the need to give back for all that Sparks has given to him. He would like to make the students’ experience as memorable as his. His future goals include traveling and spending more time with his family.
Whatever Dennis has done, he has put his heart and soul into it. He’s given back to Sparks High and to his country, in more ways than one.
Inducted 2007
