About Walter E. Jacobson
Walter Jacobson was born on July 16, 1922, in Perley, Minnesota. He was the youngest of 13 brothers and sisters. He married Jean Beach after serving in World War II as a navigator and pilot. After completing college in Michigan, he and his wife moved to Gallup, New Mexico. While he was there, he received his Masters Degree in graphic arts and education from Highland University. He then moved his family to Clark County and began teaching art at Henderson Junior High School in 1955.When Western High School opened in 1962, Mr. Jacobson began serving as the chairman of the art department. He remained in that position until 1983, the year he died. Most of his past students will remember him most for the mosaics that decorate the school's halls.

Each year he would help the graduating class design and create these highly visible works of art. Many of his students will also remember "Mr. J", as they called him, for his patience and kindness. Although many people encouraged him to pursue his own career in art, he chose not to give up his instruction of art to others.

He finished his 28th year at Western High School and died 3 days later on June 1, 1983. It was a great loss for all of the students there. Besides the mosaics at Western High School, Walter Jacobson was also instrumental in designing the lamp of learning that has been Clark County School District's logo from 1965 to 2001. The lamp of learning dominates the center circle, as the symbol of education and purpose of the school district. Behind the lamp are crossed quills, recognized as one of man's oldest and most important tools used to record knowledge and learning.