Community
Community service was a core belief of founder Dan Thurston. Over more than forty years in Elko he taught fifth-grade catechism at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, umpired Little League baseball, judged the Elko County Science Fair, and served as an assistant coach for the Elko High School speech and debate team. He was as proud of the young people from those programs as of the schools, houses, and landmarks the laboratory helped build. Thurston Laboratories still treats that service as part of the company's identity and of the people who work here.
Schools
New Owyhee Combined School
Thurston Laboratories is a member of the new Owyhee Combined School project team and is responsible for testing and special inspection on the new school. The laboratory, along with other project stakeholders, cut prices by approximately 15 percent so the project could proceed. Dr. Hank Thurston and estimator/draftsman Brandon Carter attended the inaugural black-tie gala held to raise money for the school. The photo shows them there.
Nevada Classical Academy - Elko
Dr. Hank Thurston, chief executive officer of Thurston Laboratories, serves as treasurer of the board of Nevada Classical Academy Elko, a Hillsdale College–affiliated charter school in Elko.
Elko High School STEM Seminar
Dr. Thurston has given guest lectures on cosmology to the Elko High School STEM Seminar class in 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Elko High School Robotics
Dr. Thurston is a community mentor and assistant coach for the Elko High School FIRST robotics team.
High School Athletics
Thurston Laboratories proudly supports Elko High School and Wells High School athletics.
Teaching and Youth
Public Astronomy Nights
Dr. Thurston hosts public telescope and astronomy nights for the community. Telescopes have been set up on a school lawn for a public viewing, and the mobile observatory was at Elko City Park for the October 2023 eclipse. More about the observatory is on the research page.
Youth Sports
Carson Newby, chief operating officer, coaches youth soccer and baseball in the area.
Veterans
Elko VFW Post 2350
Dr. Hank Thurston serves on the color and honor guard of Elko VFW Post 2350.