Las Vegas City Wire

A study room at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was named for an alumnus and "Jeopardy!" champion.

Brayden Smith, who died last year, spent many hours at Lied Library during his college years, according to a news release from the university. The economics major studied, mentored friends, watched lectures, and prepared for law school there. Smith also prepared to compete on "Jeopardy!" — a lifelong goal — at the library. He eventually won five championships on the game show.

Smith's family and friends wanted to honor his passion for learning at UNLV, the news release noted. They started a memorial fund in order to dedicate a study room in his name because Smith was known to be a high-volume reader. Knowing that he spent much of his time at the library made choosing the location easy.

"After visiting campus, we knew that the Lied Library had to be the place," Debbie Smith, Brayden's mother, said in the news release. "And with more than one million books, we knew that Brayden would approve. This room is tucked away and unassuming but has the capacity for so much, just like Brayden."

The Brayden Smith Memorial Group Study Room at Lied Library officially opened on Sept. 6, his 26th birthday. Smith's family — his parents and brothers Bryce, Brock, and Brody — and friends were in attendance to mark the occasion. 

"It's an honor to know that Brayden's time in this library helped him complete his degree at UNLV and gave him a sanctuary to study as he prepared to be a contestant on 'Jeopardy!'" Maggie Farrell, dean of libraries at UNLV, said in the news release. "We hope that this area that Brayden treasured — surrounded by so many books — will inspire future generations of UNLV students with his story and commitment to learning."