Journalist · Radio Host · Writer

Marcus
Lavergne

Marcus Lavergne spent four formative years as a working journalist — reporting and hosting at KUNR Public Radio, an NPR affiliate in Northern Nevada, covering sports for ESPN Las Vegas under Lotus Broadcasting, and cutting his teeth at the Nevada Sagebrush, UNR's student newspaper. In that time he reported on federal civil rights litigation, environmental science, public health, criminal justice, and culture across one of the most eclectic news markets in the country.

After graduating from UNR in 2017 with a B.A. in Journalism, he moved into business development — working across medical devices at Intuitive Surgical, advanced manufacturing at Star Rapid, and now at Sojo, a startup in the short-term rental space. The work has always centered on research, communication, and understanding an audience. Now he's bringing that back to writing.

Marcus holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was a Tony and Linda Bonnici Scholarship recipient and a NAIA Track & Field All-American.

Awards & Recognition

Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Student of the Year

Reynolds School of Journalism, UNR · Savitt Awards · 2017

The Reynolds School's highest recognition for a graduating student in the broadcast / electronic media category, presented at the annual Savitt Awards Banquet in Marcus's senior year — the same year he was interning at ESPN Las Vegas as co-host and producer.

2nd Place, Community Feature Writing — "Gray Space: Woes of the Undecided"

Nevada Press Association Better Newspaper Contest · 2016

Placed second in the statewide Community category competing directly against professional journalists at Nevada newspapers — not in a student division. Judges noted the piece showed "good insight into the caucus process" and captured "difficulty in election without going to the national level." Published in the Nevada Sagebrush.

View official results — nevadapress.com ↗

2nd Place, Community News Writing — "Diversity: An Open Conversation"

Nevada Press Association Better Newspaper Contest · 2016

Second statewide NPA placement in the same contest year, again competing in the Community category against professional news organizations across Nevada. Judges described it as a "solid overview of the issue." Published in the Nevada Sagebrush.

View official results — nevadapress.com ↗

Tony & Linda Bonnici Scholarship

Nevada Broadcasters Association · 2013–2017

Four-year recipient of the scholarship program founded by Lotus Broadcasting's Tony Bonnici and his wife Linda — the same company that owns ESPN Las Vegas, where Marcus later interned and worked as a co-host and sports show producer.

Credentials

Degree

B.A. in Journalism

University of Nevada, Reno · 2017

Scholarship

Tony & Linda Bonnici Scholarship

Nevada Broadcasters Association · 2013–2017

Athletic honor

NAIA Track & Field All-American

2012–2013

Muck Rack

KUNR · KBAD · Nevada Sagebrush

Verified byline index

Beats

Politics, Policy & Civil Rights

From tribal voting rights litigation in federal court to election night coverage across Washoe County. His most notable work follows two Native American tribes suing Nevada over satellite early-voting access — sourced across federal litigation, tribal leadership, and state election officials.

Environment & Public Health

Covered snowpack research from UNR and the University of Colorado, Lake Tahoe invasive species management, West Nile Virus outbreaks, healthcare affordability in rural Nevada, and a prescription drug ring investigation involving a Reno physician.

Science & Higher Education

Reported on breakthrough breast cancer research at UNR's School of Medicine, a Boeing–UNR drone data-gathering partnership, and a teacher pipeline program designed to put STEM graduates into Nevada classrooms. Comfortable translating complex research for general audiences.

Sports

Reporter and on-air host at ESPN Las Vegas (KWWN 1100 AM / Lotus Broadcasting), covering the UNLV Runnin' Rebels and Nevada Wolf Pack before the Raiders, Golden Knights, and Aces reshaped the market. Game recaps and features on the Las Vegas Sports Network.

Culture & Community

Features on a Buddhist center building community through shared meals in Midtown Reno, controversial changes at Burning Man's 30th year, and a woman who left the Westboro Baptist Church and rebuilt her life in public. A reporter who knows how to slow down and let a scene breathe.

Muck Rack profile indexes the full byline archive across all outlets.

muckrack.com/marcus-lavergne ↗

Interviews & Features

6 pieces

Long-form audio & character-driven work

Jun 2016

Doctors Without Bodies: Death Begets Widely Needed Gift

A 4-minute audio feature reported from inside UNR School of Medicine's annual memorial service honoring anatomical donors — the people medical students call their "first patients." Marcus reported from the chapel, capturing the voices of students, a grieving grandson whose grandmother donated her body, and the program administrators managing a growing shortage of cadavers.

Nov 2016

'The Truth Will Prevail,' Renowned Pathologist Striving to Uncover Concussion Risks Says

A 7-minute audio interview with Dr. Bennet Omalu — the pathologist who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and was the subject of the Will Smith film Concussion — on his career, the NFL's responsibility to players, and the future of brain safety in young athletes.

Jun 2016

Interview: Fan Feedback Paves Way for Stadium Transformation

A 3:39 sit-down interview with UNR Athletic Director Doug Knuth about the $11.5M Mackay Stadium renovation — what fans asked for, what changed, and what the upgrades mean for the program's future.

Jan 2017

Reno Buddhist Center Draws Crowds Through Dharmic Dinners

Audio feature on a Midtown Reno Buddhist center's communal dining events — tracing the quiet community they've built through food, ritual, and open doors.

Mar 2016

Picketing for Peace: Leaving Westboro

Profile of Megan Phelps-Roper — granddaughter of Westboro Baptist Church's founder — speaking at UNR about her decision to leave the church and how she rebuilt her worldview from the outside.

Sep 2015

Festival Changes Bug Some Burners

On-the-playa audio postcard from Burning Man's 30th year, reporting on controversial changes to healthcare providers, drone permits, and music zone placement — through the voices of people who were there.

News Reporting

17 pieces

KUNR Public Radio — NPR

2015–2017

Oct 2016

Tribes Waiting for Ruling on Voting Access

Federal court hearing on Nevada tribes' request for satellite voting locations ahead of the 2016 general election.

Sep 2016

Nevadan Tribes Seek Litigation Over Voting Rights Dispute

First report in a two-part series on the lawsuit filed by Nevada tribes seeking on-reservation early voting access.

Aug 2016

Photos: 20th Annual Lake Tahoe Summit

Photo essay from the summit attended by President Obama, Sen. Harry Reid, and Gov. Jerry Brown — the first time a sitting president participated in the annual event.

Aug 2016

Study: Snow Melting Earlier in the Year, Leaving Less for Reservoirs

UNR and University of Colorado research showing rising temperatures are shifting snowmelt timing and reducing downstream water availability.

Aug 2016

Boeing Teams Up with UNR to Improve Drone Data Gathering

Partnership between Boeing's Insitu drone division and UNR aimed at improving unmanned aircraft systems data collection.

Nov 2016

Photos: Election Night 2016 in Washoe County

On-the-ground photo coverage of election night as Donald Trump's upset victory became clear across Northern Nevada.

Jul 2016

A Look at Reno's Evolving Culinary Scene

An in-depth 3:58 feature on whether Reno had what it takes to become a culinary destination — reported from inside a chef competition at downtown Campo, following chefs, tasting the city's transformation from casino town to arts hub.

May 2016

Packed Stadium Illustrates Ripe Reno Soccer Culture

Coverage of the unveiling of Reno 1868 FC's official crest at a sold-out test match at Greater Nevada Field — capturing the emergence of a new pro soccer culture in a market better known for baseball and gambling.

May 2016

Reno City Council Eyes Sage Street for New Overflow Shelter

Report on the search for a new location for Reno's homeless overflow shelter after the Volunteers of America facility was vandalized and rendered uninhabitable.

Feb 2016

Nevada Treasurer Talks Faraday Finances in China

Co-published with KNPR Las Vegas — State Treasurer Dan Schwartz travels to China to confront Faraday Future's parent company over a stalled $175M bond commitment for the company's $1B electric car plant in North Las Vegas.

Jun 2016

9 Indicted for Alleged Drug Ring in Reno

Formal charges filed against a Reno physician and eight others in connection with an alleged prescription drug distribution ring.

The Nevada Sagebrush

2015–2016

Nov 2015

Behind the Scope: School of Medicine Grant Brings About New Possibilities for Women's Health

Original report on the UNR School of Medicine receiving $3.8M in grant funding for women's health research — the story that sparked a follow-up investigation into the breast cancer breakthrough that followed.

Dec 2015

Battle for the Breasts: UNR Researchers Work Toward a New Treatment for Breast Cancer

Follow-up investigation into UNR School of Medicine's $3.8M grant-funded breast cancer research and a potential breakthrough in less invasive treatment options.

Sep 2015

Parking Purgatory: Parking Proves to Be a Catalyst for Change at UNR

Campus investigation into the loss of 200 metered spaces and the university's response — solutions-oriented reporting on an issue affecting thousands of students daily.

Apr 2016

Tech Break: Digital Detox Offers Technological Hiatus During a Day of Student Engagement

Feature on a campus Digital Detox event framed against Pew Research data on smartphone saturation and emerging research on tech's effects on young adults.

Feb 2016

Crowdfunding Ranks Among Top Investment Options

Business feature on the rise of crowdfunding platforms as a financing vehicle, with projections of $34B+ globally and analysis of rapid growth from 2013 to 2015.

MarcusLavergne

Awards & Recognition

Credentials

Beats

Interviews & Features

News Reporting

Marcus
Lavergne