Nevada Press Foundation Inducted Cartoonist Mike Smith
The Las Vegas Sun veteran joined the state's newspaper hall of fame at a ceremony held at the Springs Preserve.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Longtime Las Vegas Sun editorial cartoonist Mike Smith has been inducted into the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame. He is the first editorial cartoonist to receive the honor from the Nevada Press Foundation.
Why it matters
Smith's career, spanning over four decades in the valley, has shaped local discourse through thousands of editorial cartoons. His work now serves as a historical record for the region following a major donation to UNLV.
Mike Smith has produced approximately 14,000 editorial cartoons during his career, with his work currently syndicated to 250 newspapers. In 2021, he and Brian Greenspun donated 13,000 of those original pieces to the UNLV Libraries collection.
The players
Mike Smith
A veteran Las Vegas Sun editorial cartoonist who is the first in his field to be inducted into the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Nevada Press Foundation
The organization responsible for managing the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame and inducting new members.
Brian Greenspun
A partner who joined Smith in donating original cartoons to UNLV Libraries in 2021.
The details
Smith, who joined the Las Vegas Sun staff in 1983, was recognized by the Nevada Press Foundation for his use of satire and caricature. His decades of work have reached a national audience through King Features Syndicate and a long-running weekly spot in USA Today. Ron Kantowski, Mary Hynes, and Howard Stutz were also inducted alongside Smith at the Springs Preserve event.
Timeline
1983: Mike Smith joined the Las Vegas Sun staff.
2021: Smith donated his life's work to UNLV.
September 26, 2026: Mike Smith was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Beyond the Strip
This induction follows Smith's massive 2021 donation to the UNLV Libraries special collections repository. It cements his career's place within the 15,000 linear feet of records that document Southern Nevada history.
Residents interested in viewing the preserved history of Smith's career can access the 13,000 original cartoons now held at UNLV Libraries. These archives provide a unique visual record of decades of editorial perspectives in the Las Vegas Valley.
The takeaway
Smith's induction marks a milestone for editorial cartoonists in the state's media history. Readers can explore the evolution of his satire through the massive collection donated to UNLV.
Further reading
For more news on local professional recognitions and career milestones, see Nursing Jobs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Sun.
