TODAY
WINTER 2019
LOP
LIFE
Winter 2019
MAGAZINE
LIFE
Celebrate Teaching
UNK Today is published twice a year by the UNK Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation and is the official alumni publication of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI RELATIONS & DEVELOPMENT Lucas Dart ‘97 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI COMMUNICATION Michelle (Thompson) Widger ‘90 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT Tricia (Sunderman) Danburg ‘94 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Toni (Winsor) Meyers ‘93
EDITOR, ART DIRECTOR AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER Michelle Widger ‘90 UNK Alumni Association Assistant Director of Alumni Communication ASSISTANT EDITOR Kelly Bartling UNK Assistant Vice Chancellor Communications and Community Relations PHOTOGRAPHY UNK Alumni Association Corbey Dorsey/Communications and Marketing
UNK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEAD COUNCIL Angela (Reynolds) Davidson ’09, MBA ‘10, President, Grand Island Jack Kreman ‘04, Past President, Noblesville, Indiana Hilke Brandon ’12, Omaha Yousef Ghamedi ’99, Kearney Andy Greer ’11, Lincoln Dusty Jura ‘08, MBA ‘15, Axtell Dusty Newton, MSE ‘02, Kearney Curt Ott ‘07, Kearney
POSTMASTER: PLEASE SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:
UNK TODAY UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY CAMPUS BOX 21 KEARNEY, NE 68849
INDEX The 11 members of your UNK Alumni Association and NU Foundation team consider ourselves very lucky to do the work that we do. We are the cheerleaders. The engagers. The good news people. We have the privilege of bringing the very best of your alma mater to you, whether that’s at an alumni reception, a homecoming event, through this magazine, or electronically via social media, email messages or the new unkalumni.org website. From telling stories about the impact that the under-construction Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center will have on our youngest citizens and future educators, to telling about the life-changing access to higher education for first-generation students and beyond, to celebrating a Top 10 ranking in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges in the Midwest and yet another MIAA regular season championship for the Loper volleyball team, we beam with UNK pride … and hope you do, too. But, the news isn’t always good. It’s not fun to talk about campus programs that are reduced or even eliminated due to Nebraska’s state budget challenges. Cutting $3.4 million from our campus budget this past spring meant that some programs that are important to alumni, that are their connections back to their college experience, ended. Worse yet, the lives of some students, faculty and staff were disrupted. The decisions were excruciatingly difficult, but given the steep budgetary challenges, they had to be made. Our campus has come through those cuts with strength. There’s a certain resolve among UNK’s family to act — so that this doesn’t happen again. As UNK alumni, you have an opportunity to influence decisions that can advance your alma mater and our sister campuses. It is essential that we have many voices advocating for UNK. Become an authority on what a strong university does for the state and beyond. Position yourself to counter misinformation when you hear or read it. Call your legislator to tell them your story and why consistent funding of the university truly is an investment — with a return of $6 for every dollar spent. Within your unique network, share positive information about UNK. I talk about this stuff for a living, but I know that my voice of one that is paid to speak is nowhere nearly as convincing as one who’s advocating on their own time. You have the power to influence for the betterment of UNK. A great way to stay informed is to become a “University of Nebraska Advocate.” Your individual commitment is small, but the return for UNK is big. If you are interested, please visit the website: nebraska.edu/advocates. UNK is an essential part of the NU system and our great state. Our campus has never been better positioned to make Nebraska stronger. And that’s worth shouting about! Thank you for your time, treasure and goodwill to benefit UNK!
Lucas Dart ‘97 VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI RELATIONS & DEVELOPMENT
LIFE
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TEACHING ABROAD
A LEGACY OF LOPERS
8 EDUCATION
Two UNK alumni step out of their
One family; 36 degrees. The Hoehner
Joining the UNK online community
comfort zones to teach halfway around
family explain how much being a Loper
and taking the step in furthering his
the world in South Korea.
and their educations have impacted
education, one student works to make
their lives for generations.
his and countless student lives better.
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COVER
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UNK Under Construction......... 10-13 UNK Distinguished Alumni...... 14-16 Galen & Marilyn Hadley.................17
FUTURE TEACHERS
CELEBRATE TEACHERS
Hall of Fame............................... 18-19 Cyber Security Demand........... 20-21 Loper Legion.............................. 22-23
The William and Ruth Scott Family
We sent pennants to teachers across the
College of Arts & Sciences...........24
Foundation is providing funds with
world and received photos of them from
the goal of increasing affordability to
Washington, Texas, Kansas, Colorado,
Heritage Scholarship.....................25
prepare future educators.
South Korea, Nebraska and many other schools. If you would like a pennant to hang in your classroom, email lopers@unkalumni.org.
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Loper Lifestyles...............................26 FACEBOOK.COM/UNKALUMNI TWITTER.COM/UNKALUMNI
More pictures can be viewed at
LINKEDIN.COM > work > groups > University of Nebraska at Kearney
unkalumni.org/loper-locator/
LOPERS@UNKALUMNI.ORG
TEACHING ABROAD
Michelle Widger '90 Writer Jared Sanford '17 Pictures
Alumni teaching English around the world COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Watching a show on YouTube as a sophomore in Mantor Hall at the University of Nebraska at Kearney can land a Loper halfway around the world teaching English. At least that is what happened to Jared Sanford ’17. Sanford is now teaching English as a Foreign Language in South Korea at Cheongnyeong English Village. Sanford was a resident assistant at UNK who happened to be watching a YouTube show with the topic of teaching English abroad. The idea stuck. He did some research since he knew next to nothing about the
Asian countries. Sanford talked to his residents from Japan and Korea. “We would talk about our childhoods a lot and the differences between the countries,” Sanford said, “It got me really excited about how different the world was outside of America.” Soon after they graduated, Sanford and his girlfriend, Madison Mickey ’17, started researching recruitment companies. They sent in their resumes, took online Teaching English as a Foreign Language courses to get certified and set up Skype interviews at 11 p.m.
to account for the time differences. They were offered jobs, obtained their passports and visas and got ready. “It was terrifying flying for 20 hours to a place we'd never seen to work for people we had only met once over Skype,” said Sanford. “However, it has all worked out really well.” The school, Cheongnyeong English Village, is a government-funded camp that hosts different schools from the surrounding area every week. Cheongnyeong is the town nearby that is the size of Kearney. Every week the school has new students whom Sanford teaches English from 12:30-4:30 p.m. In the evenings, the school offers specialty classes that Sanford runs from 7-9 p.m. Currently, there are seven English teachers. Each teacher gets a class of about eight students from fourth to eighth grade. Lessons are entirely up to the discretion of the teachers who write their own textbooks. The school provides various simulation rooms that can be used for role-playing scenarios like pretending the students are travelers visiting an English restaurant, an airport, or a hospital for the first time. “The simulation rooms are really fun to use, and the students love them,” Sanford explains. “For example, the hospital room has shelves full of empty medicine bottles, waiting room posters on Jared Sanford ’17 left, teaches English as a Foreign Language in South Korea at Cheongnyeong English Village. Richard Jeong, school superintendent, loves America and is named after an American missionary that visited his family many times when he was growing up. 4
#UNKAlumni
Madison Mickey '17 moved to South Korea with Sanford to also teach English as a Foreign Language. Mickey is in the airport simulation room where students role-play scenarios to learn English. The South Korean students are typically in school 12 hours per day. Korean students arrive at school at 8:30 a.m., study at the library and attend evening class at an academy until 8:30 p.m. DO YOU KNOW ANY ALUMNI WITH UNIQUE CAREERS? LET US KNOW ABOUT IT AT LOPERS@UNKALUMNI.ORG
the walls, a whiteboard to teach from and a partition separating the doctor's office where there are clothes for the students to dress up as doctors and nurses, some play equipment and a blood pressure monitor.” School wasn't engaging for Sanford until eighth grade in Minden when he had a math teacher, Buck Wood, who was so enthusiastic about the students, Sanford’s attitude changed. “I started getting excited about learning. I have had great teachers before Mr. Wood, and I have had phenomenal teachers after,” said Sanford. “Mr. Wood was in the right place at the right time to make me excited to be a student. We really connected.” Although Sanford had many options, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he wanted to become a teacher. “If a good teacher can change a life for the better of some middle school kid who hates learning, I was up to that challenge,” Sanford reasoned. Sanford credits his excellent teachers at UNK, including Patsy Bruner and
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Dena (Drabek) Harshbarger ’92, MAE ’98 in the College of Education, for his preparation. “UNK did a great job of preparing me to teach. I've talked with many other education majors from different universities, and so many of them don't spend hardly any time in a classroom before student teaching. That sounds terrifying to me.” While Sanford is glad he took the opportunity to teach in South Korea, he will be ready to return to the United States. “Teaching overseas has shown and taught me about parts of the world I didn't know existed,” said Sanford. “I love South Korea and these people are great, but I can't see myself making a life anywhere but America. It's just what I know.” When asked what advice Sanford would give to students at UNK, he said: “Enjoy being on campus and take advantage of the opportunities. I'm obviously someone who loved living on campus and being a part of it all, so I'm pretty biased. Honestly, just go to events. If they're boring, then just leave. You have nothing to lose and life-changing friends to gain.”
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
A LEGACY OF LOPERS One family; 26 degrees RIGHT: Three generations of Loper athletes. The late LeRoy Hoehner '59, MSE '65, Ed.S. '82 ran track in the late '50s. Carrie (Hoehner) Goltl '90, MSE '97, MAE '05 ranks in the UNK career top 10 in five different track and field events, holding school records in the 100 meters, 200 meters and the long jump. She was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Dillon Goltl '13, MAE '17 earned a Loper football scholarship. After four knee surgeries, Coach Darrell Morris shifted him to a position of helping coach wide receivers for the Lopers.
Many alumni proudly share their stories of multiple generations of Lopers within their families who have attended Kearney throughout the campus's history with pride. But when it comes to the college of education, no family stands out more than the Hoehners. “We came here in the ’50s,” says Patricia “Pat” (Kelly) Hoehner ’57, MSE ’67, Ed.S. ’82 , Ed.D., “We're still here in 2019. We have had Lopers here all the way through.” The Hoehner family boasts 18 family members attending UNK, achieving 13 undergraduate degrees and earning 13 master's degrees in education administration. That includes Hoehner's late husband, LeRoy Hoehner ’59, MSE ’65, Ed.S. ’82, who ran track for the Lopers in the ’50s. He taught, coached, and was a secondary principal from the age of 23 until 1995 when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Extremely proud of her family and their degrees from Kearney, Hoehner
earned her bachelor’s degree in education when UNK was named Nebraska State Teachers College. She went on to earn a master’s degree in educational administration and an education specialist degree from UNK. While her doctorate is from the University of NebraskaLincoln, her heart belongs to Kearney. “Kearney provides a phenomenal education,” Hoehner brags. “I can say that every one of my grandkids have earned stellar jobs because of their degrees from Kearney.” Initially, Hoehner was set to go to UNL and major in electrical engineering. However, her mother had concerns about engineering so she suggested Hoehner major in math education just in case she wanted to start a family. Hoehner started in education at Kearney and continued because, as she said, “Once I got into teaching, I just loved it. The thing that keeps you going in teaching are the emails you receive
from students. You could be in positions with a whole lot of money, but you may never get that fulfilled feeling of making a difference in someone's life.” Hoehner's teaching career started at Overton Public Schools where she taught and coached volleyball. Then she taught math at Bertrand Public Schools. In 1976, Hoehner moved to McCook and worked as an administrator until 1998. In 1998, Hoehner began teaching at UNK where she was the first full-time professor in educational administration and later was the first female full-time professochair of the department. Hoehner currently teaches introduction to educational administration, social foundations, practicum and curriculum at UNK. In 1989 while in McCook, she began a study on the identification 6
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THE HOEHNER FAMILY IS A FORCE IN EDUCATION: Kelly Hoehner, Carrie (Hoehner) Goltl '90, MSE '97, MAE '05, Chris Hoehner, Patricia “Pat” (Kelly) Hoehner ’57, MSE ’67, Ed. Spec. ’82 , Ed.D. and Kyle Hoehner '81, MAE, '95. Top-right picture: Randall Goltl, Dillon Goltl '13, MAE '17, Audrie Goltl '12, future Loper Hannah Goltl, Rachel Goltl who attended and transferred to K-State for dietetics, Cody Goltl '15 and Carrie (Hoehner) Goltl '90, MSE '97, MAE '05. Bottom-left picture: Justin Hoehner, Amy (Dunn) Hoehner '14, Kyle Hoehner, Michele Hoehner, Elizabeth Hoehner Yilk '04, MAE '09 and Jeremy Yilk '05, MAE '10. Bottom-right picture: Trever Hoehner, Kellsey Hoehner '16, Sarah (Krepcik) Hoehner '86, Chris Hoehner and Nicole Hoehner '14. Nicole and Kellsey Hoehner are currently in the MAE program. Nicole and Dillon plan to graduate May 2019.
procedures and program options for gifted middle school student. After arriving at UNK, she continued the study for the past 20 years with UNK professor Scott Fredrickson. “My epitaph is that every child deserves a curriculum commensurate with his/her abilities,” Hoehner said, “That is something I truly believe.” Hoehner will tell you she has had many memorable students. “It is such fun to see my students as outstanding administrators who are perpetuating a lifestyle that students come first,” Hoehner said. “You have to keep that focus, and it makes it a lot easier to make the tough decisions.” “Kids don't really change all that much. They will have a positive reaction if you take the time to understand what's important to them, and let them know you really care,” says Hoehner. “I think every child has to have a caring adult in their life to succeed. That
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caring adult can be a teacher and very often is. Teachers save a lot of students by giving them the extra time.” Hoehner's pride in her teaching and UNK goes nicely with the pride she takes in her family and their education. Some of the many examples include her son, daughter, and grandson-in-law in administrative positions. In addition to her four grandchildren who are teaching and three of them are pursuing masters degrees in educational administration. Not all of her grandchildren who attended UNK went into education. One grandson graduated from the industrial distribution program and is an operation leader in Kansas City. Another granddaughter started at UNK and is a dietician at the Nebraska Medical Center. She is also proud of her granddaughters who opted to go to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. One is an occupational therapist and the other a counselor. Pat's son, Kyle Hoehner ’81, MAE ’95, in 2015 as the Lexington High School Principal, was named Nebraska state high school principal of the year just
like his late father, LeRoy Hoehner, and earned one of three finalists for national principal of the year. An award sponsored by the Association of Secondary School Principals. “I just want to say how much UNK rocks,” Pat Hoehner says. “When you're really satisfied with your education, your children tend to follow. Since I've been on campus, the grandchildren grew up here, loved it and they just keep coming back for more degrees.” “I've never had a plan in life," said Hoehner. “My life has always just unfolded, and it has been wonderful. My parents and husband promoted education and convinced me that I could do anything I wanted to do. Now I'm pushing that same mentality to my granddaughters.” When asked if considering retirement, Hoehner says, “When I walk through the doors at UNK, I really get a euphoric rush of goodwill because the people are good, and it is just a fun place to be. There is nothing I want to do more than what I'm doing right now.”
UNK eCAMPUS
Transition to EDUCATION Passion for science sparked a new career in teaching Alyssa (Baker) Wyant ‘11, MA '16, Writer eCampus
Curtis Reese Master of Science in Biology ’15
Education had always been a priority for Curtis Reese MS ’15 as he pursued his passion for biology, but he never planned on becoming a teacher. Now he inspires students every day in the classroom—and they’re the reason he will always keep learning. Reese is a biology teacher at Osceola Public Schools teaching three college biology classes for dual credit. He’s also an adjunct professor of anatomy and physiology for Wayne State College in Wayne and an adjunct professor of biology for Central Community College in Columbus. His path to the classroom began with two online programs at the University of Nebraska at Kearney— one in biology, the other in teaching. “I had an undergraduate biology degree, but I wasn’t qualified to be a teacher,” Reese said. “A fellow teacher told me that UNK has this Transition to Teaching program (now called the Transitional Certification Program). So I was able to teach while getting my teaching certificate.” He also heard about UNK’s online Master of Science in Biology program by word of mouth—a degree that allowed him to build on his knowledge and passion in the sciences. He knew UNK’s accredited online programs were the best chance to get his foot in the door to career advancement. “I heard about the online biology program from someone who had already gone through the program,” he said. “They used it to become
the department head and advance their career in their high school.” Reese has similar career aspirations, crediting his education with qualifying him for new positions. With encouragement and support from his family, he says the challenge of reaching the degree and starting a new career was all worth it. “My parents didn’t go to college, so they were proud when I got my bachelor’s degree, and they were even more proud when I got my master’s degree,” he said. But balancing family, work and school wasn’t easy. Reese typically studied from 9 p.m. to midnight after tucking his kids into bed. Late nights made for longer days, but the convenience of online coursework made his education possible. “You could work a full-time job, still have a family and not feel like you’re depriving them. You still get to play with the kids,” he said. Support from UNK faculty helped, too. The online M.S. in Biology program assigns each student to a faculty mentor to guide them throughout their independent research. Reese’s mentor was Paul Twigg Ph.D., professor of biology and associate dean of UNK’s newly merged College of Arts and Sciences. “He helped me with setting up the research method and with questions I had when I did my final research paper. He was always on campus helping students too, but he always made time for me,” Reese said. “The faculty always seemed happy to have me ask questions, and the next day they would post the
questions and answer for others to see. I felt like I was able to get to know them.” Reese’s field research in the biology program took him to Puerto Rico to research mangrove trees, lionfish, and land crabs. One of his biggest drives toward graduation was to learn and experience as much as he could to inspire his students about how exciting science can be. “I have the ability to affect students every day,” he said. “The more knowledge I have, the more ability I have to talk to the students and get them interested. It’s nice when they ask me questions and right off the bat, I have the answers. Whether it’s high school students or college students, I just have a passion for the sciences.” Reese is currently pursuing UNK’s online Educational Specialist certificate to qualify for administrative positions in Nebraska schools. For more information visit ecampus.unk.edu 8
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COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
FUTURE TEACHERS Scholars Academy offers 40 full-tuition scholarships
Applications are open for a new full-tuition scholarship and learning academy for education majors that will make the University of Nebraska at Kearney a more affordable and quality experience for 40 students. Starting next fall, the scholars selected will be part of a new learning community and receive a scholarship funded by the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation that will provide free tuition (up to credit 120 credit hours) plus $8,000 annually for education expenses (such as housing, books and food). That makes an education degree at UNK attainable for many more prospective teachers and is the intent of the university-wide scholarship program. Also offered in colleges of education at Lincoln and Omaha, the Teachers Scholars Academies are devised to increase affordability and demand among education majors, eventually increasing the number of qualified and capable teachers available for Nebraska school districts. At today’s tuition per credit-hour at UNK, the 120 credit hours is worth nearly $24,000 alone, and combined with the $32,000 in total provided for education expenses, the scholarship package is worth roughly $56,000. “This generous donation changes the landscape of education in Nebraska,” said dean of the UNK College of Education Sheryl Feinstein. “We are excited to welcome 40 more students into UNK and the College of Education. These are future teachers who will make meaningful impact on the lives of countless children and their families all across the state and country.” William Scott is a 1953 graduate of the
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University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration. The Ashland native joined Buffett Partnership in 1959 and Berkshire Hathaway in 1970, where he remained until the early 1990s. Ruth Scott, also an Ashland native, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1952. She went on to teach school and later founded the Omaha Bridge Studio. By making college more affordable for prospective teachers, the University of Nebraska will be able to meet one of Nebraska’s most critical workforce needs according to University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds. Bounds pointed out that the pipeline for preparing future generations of teachers isn’t keeping pace with demand. The number of college students in Nebraska majoring in education has fallen from 5,370 in 2009-10 to 3,600. And the number of teaching positions left vacant or filled by someone other than a fully-qualified teacher has more than tripled, to 232. “The Teachers Scholars Academy will keep the University of Nebraska at the
forefront of meeting the needs of Nebraska’s children and our workforce,” Bounds said. The academy is fashioned as a learning community, with the 40 students selected taking two courses together each of the first and second years, and a third- or fourth-year class. The cohort courses become the basis for the academy in which the UNK students share common experiences, working alongside each other. A final research project or capstone experience will be collaborative, with students working in teams to present at a conference, seminar or workshop. Other enrichment activities will take place for the academies, such as guest lectures, volunteer work and mentorships. Activities will be managed by a program coordinator on each campus who will lead recruitment and other efforts to foster community among the students, such as academy-only sections of some education courses, research, seminars and post-graduation networking. More information and application can be found at unk.edu/futureteachers. Review of applications begins March 1.
UNK CAMPUS NEWS UNK Communications and Marketing
UNK broke ground in May on a $30 million, state-of-the-art facility that will bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs together.
K N U
UNDER CONSTRUCTION Recent sights and sounds of UNK campus have been pervaded by construction fence and heavy equipment. Replacement facilities for Otto Olsen, renovation to the Nebraskan Student Union, the beginning of University Village, a new entry and sewer projects are changing campus – and it looks different every day. Here’s a roundup:
STEM Building
Chancellor Doug Kristensen called it a perfect day for a perfect building when UNK broke ground in May on a $30 million, state-of-the-art facility that will bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs together. UNK faculty, staff and supporters gathered at the public event to mark the ceremonial start of construction on the
80,000-square-foot building that will rise on UNK’s west campus between West Center and Ockinga/Welch Hall. The building, which will promote collaboration and innovation among UNK students and faculty, has been a “long time coming,” Kristensen told the crowd gathered on campus on a gorgeous spring afternoon. “This building is a reward for our perseverance,” he said. The new STEM facility, which hasn’t been formally named yet, is one of three projects that will replace Otto C. Olsen, the 63-year-old building that has been on the state’s capital construction replacement list for more than 20 years. Most of the programs currently housed in Otto Olsen will move to the STEM building, which is expected to be complete in fall 2019. Those include
construction management, industrial distribution, interior design, aviation, and cyber systems (formerly computer science and information technology). Mathematics and statistics programs are also relocating to the new STEM building from Warner Hall, and the physics/astronomy and engineering programs are shifting there from Bruner Hall of Science. Kristensen said these programs will share more than a building, they’ll also share ideas, projects and research that advance UNK’s mission and benefit the entire state. The proximity to West Center – where the majority of College of Business and Technology programs are housed – will further enhance collaborations and 10
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TO READ MORE ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS, VISIT UNKNEWS.UNK.EDU
The academic programs located in the new STEM building will include: Construction management, industrial distribution, interior design, aviation, computer science, information technology, mathematics and statistics, physics/astronomy and engineering.
promote a rich environment to learn and apply principles and skills across multiple academic areas. That will result in better opportunities for graduates and businesses and organizations. Plans for the STEM building have been in the works since 2016, when funding for the project was approved by the Nebraska Legislature. The replacement buildings are being paid for with renewal bonds and deferred maintenance funding.
Plambeck Center
The second of three projects replacing Otto Olsen is the LaVonne Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center at University Village, and the third piece is the development of an art corridor, housing the glass-blowing lab, under construction at the Fine Arts Building. The mission of the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s new Plambeck Center was best described by a group of young children who performed during the October groundbreaking ceremony. The children, dressed in blue “Little Lopers” shirts, sang “Together We Can Change the World.” “That is what our future is all about,” Kristensen said. The crowd celebrated a facility that will transform early childhood education and instruction across the state and impact the lives of Nebraskans for generations to come. The Plambeck Center is more than a building, Kristensen said. It’s an investment in the state’s future.
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“I believe I do not overstate the significance and the prominence of this new Early Childhood Education Center in becoming a model for the best childhood education centers in the country,” Kristensen said. “UNK will be a destination for planners of early educational programs throughout the country and a place where undergraduate and graduate students want to learn to become our best teachers.” Kristensen called the $7.8 million, 19,900-square-foot building the state’s most innovative center of early childhood excellence, a facility that will serve local families, UNK students and faculty, and communities across the state by preparing caring and highly qualified educators to enter the workforce. The facility replaces the Child Development Center in Otto Olsen, which cares for and educates 60
children – with an ongoing waiting list of 75 from infants to age 6. The capacity for the new LaVonne Kopecky Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center will be 176.
Village Flats
Village Flats was the first building to rise from the former cropland south of U.S. Highway 30 as part of the University Village development. In the years to come, these 104 acres of UNK-owned land will be transformed into an urban community that combines academic, retail and office spaces with recreational amenities, restaurants and housing. Village Flats opened in August and replaced the nearly 60-year-old University Heights apartments that were closed and sold in 2017. The residence facility is the only apartment-style
Students moved into the new 130-bed Village Flats residence hall at UNK in July. Village Flats features 68 one-bedroom and 31 two-bedroom apartments that are fully furnished. Village Flats will be home to upperclassmen and graduate and nontraditional students from both UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as well as faculty.
UNK CAMPUS NEWS housing option at UNK. The $16 million complex was designed to accommodate upperclassmen and graduate and nontraditional students from both UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as well as families and faculty. “The goal was to better serve a demographic of students who have different needs than the student who typically lives in the residence halls,” said George Holman, associate dean of student affairs and director of residence life at UNK. “We wanted to be able to serve students who have families, those who served in the military and are coming back to finish their degree and students working on graduate degrees. This gives us that opportunity while allowing these students to feel like they’re still part of campus.” Alumna and grad student Cacia (Lyon) Barnes '15, the residence hall coordinator at Village Flats and a full-time employee at UNK’s Office of Residence Life, said the 130-bed, 99-apartment complex offers the modern living arrangements many college students prefer. It’s so popular there’s a waiting list for both one- and two-bedroom units. “Students are looking for affordable housing that’s also nice,” Barnes said. “They
don’t want to have to spend an arm and a leg just to live someplace decent. Pricingwise, Village Flats is extremely competitive with the rest of Kearney.”
Underground Infrastructure
Work began in June on an expansive sanitary and storm sewer project that dissected campus north-south from the Nebraskan Student Union to Thomas Hall, causing the removal of Cope Fountain. The line replacement, identified as a high-priority project during a 2015 utility infrastructure review, also is addressing overflow/backflow issues caused by a section of the pipe running uphill. The fountain that was dedicated to UNK in 1995 will stay in the same location near the center of campus. The new design hasn’t been finalized. It’s expected to be operational in time for spring commencement. “When we rebuild the fountain, the goal is to make it more of a yearround feature,” said Lee McQueen, director of facilities management and planning. The plaques, donor bricks, benches and branding elements of Cope Fountain will be saved and reused.
Because sewer upgrades will occur directly under Cope Fountain, that feature must be removed and replaced. The fountain will stay in the same location near the center of campus. The new design hasn’t been finalized. (Courtesy Chroma Design)
Newer & Better Union
UNK Student Government hosted a ribbon-cutting and grand opening on the first day of the fall semester to celebrate the first phase of renovations of the Nebraskan Student Union, which included the opening of a new Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. In addition to improved dining areas, the project creates a more open layout with spaces for meetings, studying, relaxing or hanging out with friends, including a student lounge with a gas fireplace. New furniture and interior finishes were also part of the project, as was remodeling the Antelope Room and the Antelope Bookstore.
East Entry
The Nebraska Department of Transportation and City of Kearney plan to start work on a project along U.S. Highway 30 between Seventh and 12th Avenues to make that stretch of road safer for motorists and pedestrians. This includes altering the Ninth Avenue intersection by eliminating left turns onto eastbound Highway 30. That change will make the highway safer, and also offers the opportunity to create a “gateway” or main entrance to the east side of campus. The project, as outlined in the campus master plan, will transform the area near Warner Hall into a “front door” that welcomes students and visitors to UNK. Work began this fall on the east side of Warner Hall to improve the accessibility and look of that building, and to tie in with the highway and gateway projects. A monument sign matching the one along Highway 30 on the west side of campus, pillars and a circular drop-off/pick-up area in front of Warner Hall are being added, along with landscaping improvements. The remainder of that work is expected to begin after spring commencement.
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LAVONNE PLAMBECK EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER The ECEC will feature 11 classrooms and three research-based philosophies of Early Childhood Education: Eclectic (Waldorf, Reggio and others), Montessori and Project Based.
A financial gift from LaVonne Kopecky Plambeck added two dedicated Montessori classrooms to UNK’s Early Childhood Education Center. Plus, an endowed Montessori education professorship and an endowed fund will support workshops, seminars and other outreach activities for early childhood education providers across Nebraska. The facility from Plambeck’s gift will also advance and create new partnerships at the community, state and national levels. “This will be the first early education Montessori program in the country from a public university,” said Plambeck, who called early childhood the “most critical learning period.” “You must have the proper environment for early education,” she said at the ceremonial groundbreaking. Inspired by the Montessori teaching method, based on a philosophy that puts much of the responsibility and freedom for learning within a child’s control, Plambeck opened Omaha’s first Montessori Educational Center in 1968 and later added seven locations and opened schools in Denver and Fort Worth, Texas. She launched the MidAmerica Montessori Teacher Training Institute to provide professionals with training and certification and has worked
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extensively on early childhood education with UNK and other institutions. Plambeck said her goal is to TO SEE VIDEOS ON THE turn UNK into the “Harvard of early GROUNDBREAKING, VISIT UNKNEWS.UNK.EDU/ childhood education,” allowing more children to reach their fullest potential. In addition to working on early childhood education extensively with UNO, UNK, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, College of Saint Mary’s and Concordia University, she has served the Nebraska Association of Young Children, the American Montessori Society Board of Directors and Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, an advisory committee on early childhood education for the State of Nebraska, and was appointed to a White House conference on families. Chancellor Doug Kristensen praised Plambeck for her dedication to children and early education, calling her an “unstoppable force of determination.” “She has and will continue to make a profound difference in the lives of children,” Kristensen said. “Because of her vision and shared commitment to his project, she Children from the current Child will make an equally profound difference Development Center assisted with the in the lives of educators who will become ECEC groundbreaking in October. experts in early childhood education.”
HOMECOMING 2018
UNK DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI Outstanding alumni were recognized during Homecoming 2018
The University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni Association recognized 11 alumni award recipients during UNK's homecoming festivities at the 38th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon celebrated in September.
Distinguished Alumni Awards
Michael Coe ’68, MSE ’74 of Crete recently retired after 42 years of teaching and working in professional teacher certification. Coe taught high school science at Crete High School and science methods courses at Doane University. Coe’s dedication to the education of young people led him to become involved with teacher training, evaluation
and certification. He is a member of the Instruction Professional Development Commission, which is a part of the Nebraska State Education Association. Coe has served on the Nebraska Council of Teacher Education, was an advisor to the Nebraska State Board of Education on certification and was a member of more than 10 Nebraska college and university accreditation visitation teams. He is also active with the National Commission on Teacher Education, National Science Teachers Association, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the NCATE Board of Examiners and served as an accreditation team member on more than 20 site visits to colleges and
universities across the United States. While at Crete High School, Coe started the trap shooting team, which garnered several state championships. He is also a hunter safety course instructor and serves as the curator for the Crete Public School Arboretum (the first and oldest in Nebraska). Coe has been recognized as an outstanding educator by Channel 10/11 and the Nebraska Wildlife Federation. Coe, an Orleans High School graduate, earned his degree in biology in 1968, a master’s in education in 1974 and a biology specialization in 1975, all from Kearney State College. 14
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The 2018 award recipients are Rakesh Srivastava ’02, MSE ’06; Roger Mathiesen ’73, MSE ’77; Michael Coe ’68, MSE ’74; Kathleen McDonald, M.D. ’87, Susan (McDonald) Fanta, M.D. ’89; Sandra (Bishop) Olson ’71; Kelly Miller ’93; Erica (Wendland) Lee ’03; Amy (Fagot) Cope ’99; Mat Cope ’99 and Don Clark MSE ’95.
Roger Mathiesen ’73, MSE ’77 of Kearney recently retired after teaching and coaching for 43 years. Mathiesen started his career at Shelton Public Schools before spending 41 years with Kearney Public Schools. Mathiesen’s track and field coaching career is highlighted by a national record of 123 consecutive regular season team championships and 16 state championships. He is a member of the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, named coach of the year by the Nebraska Coaches Association four times and was the 2001 National High School Coaches Association National Coach of the Year. Mathiesen was selected as teacher of the year by various regional and statewide organizations and was honored as an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. Mathiesen, a native of Hebron, received his bachelor’s degree in history and political science in 1973 and earned a master’s in education in 1977 from Kearney State College. Sandra (Bishop) Olson ’71 of Grand Island is a professional parliamentarian and a retired teacher. Olson has spent more than 45 years in the classroom. Olson taught business courses at Centura High School, Grand Island Senior High School and Wood River Jr. Sr. High School over the course of 33 years. She also was an adjunct instructor for Central Community College, Doane College and Kearney State College. Olson joined the National Association of Parliamentarians in 1989 and is a National Association of Parliamentarians teacher-trainer of parliamentary educational courses. As a registered, professional parliamentarian, Olson volunteers her time to educate all ages on parliamentary procedure. Olson has been recognized with many awards, including the Nebraska State Business Education Association
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Distinguished Service Award, Nebraska State Parliamentarian of the Year, Nebraska State Outstanding Secondary Business Education Instructor, and as the teacher of the year by various regional and statewide organizations. She has also served on Nebraska FBLA State Board of Directors and is currently serving as the state parliamentarian for the Nebraska State Business Education Association. Olson, a Gibbon High School graduate, earned a Bachelor of Arts in education in 1971 from Kearney State College. Rakesh Srivastava ’02, MSE ’06 of Hastings is the CEO and president of Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics. Srivastava grew Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics from two to 32 staff members within four years, with clinics in Hastings, Grand Island and Omaha. It is now a global company, with four clinics in India. Srivastava is part of the Cyborg Beast research team at the University of Nebraska at Omaha where they are developing an affordable and innovative prosthetic hand created utilizing 3D printing. Srivastava serves as an adjunct faculty member for the department of biomechanics at UNO. He recently received the Fellow of the Academy designation from the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists. Srivastava has published several papers and spoke at conferences throughout the United States and India. He is a member of the American Board of Certification for Orthotist & Prosthetist, a planning commissioner for the City of Hastings and the chairman for the Voice of Differently Abled in New Delhi, India. Srivastava served as the associate director of telecommunications at UNK from 2005-2008. Srivastava, a native of India, graduated from UNK with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications management in 2002 and a master’s degree in instructional technology with an emphasis in assistive technology in 2006.
Now taking nominations for 2019 UNK Alumni Distinguished Award recipients. Nominate one today at unkalumni.org
Jim Rundstrom Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Mat ’99 and Amy (Fagot) Cope ’99 of Kearney are the recipients of the service award. Mat is the owner of Cope Ag Service, L.L.C. Amy is the marketing director for Buzz's Marine. Mat previously worked for LandMark Implement and owned N2 Projects, Inc., and Curbit, Inc. Amy was the marketing manager for LandMark Implement and an account executive at SCORR Marketing. The Copes have been active members of the Loper Gridiron Club for 14 years, serving as leaders for many of those years. Amy served on the UNK Alumni Association Board, was a UNK Gold Torch Society mentor and has been active with the UNK Mentoring for Success program. Mat has been part of the Loper Football Backers board and committees since its inception. Mat, a Gretna native, received his degree from UNK in industrial distribution in 1999. Amy, a Loomis native, earned a degree in organizational communication with a minor in marketing from UNK in 1999.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Erica (Wendland) Lee ’03 of Tarzana, California, is the vice president of digital for Sony Pictures at UM Worldwide. In her 14 years in entertainment marketing, Lee has led digital media campaigns for some of the leading entertainment companies in the world, including Disney Pictures, CBS Television Network, and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Her work on Sony Pictures has garnered more than 14 local and national awards. In 2016, Lee returned to Nebraska to head up the media practice at Omaha-based advertising agency Bailey Lauerman. During her time in Omaha, she was named to the Midlands Business
Homecoming is also a time to celebrate the One Room, One Teacher Program that honors one-room teachers in the UNK College of Education. This year six teachers were honored.
Journal’s list of Top 40 Under 40. Lee returned to UM Worldwide in Los Angeles in late 2017 to oversee the digital media team on the Sony Pictures account. Her teams at UM Worldwide have led digital media strategy and execution for box office hits “Jumanji,” “Peter Rabbit,” “Sicario,” “Hotel Transylvania 3,” and “The Equalizer 2.” Lee, a native of Oshkosh, graduated from UNK in 2003 with a double major in advertising and public relations as well as a minor in graphic design.
College of Education Distinguished Educator of the Year
Don Clark MSE ’95 of Kearney, Nebraska, taught for 32 years, spending 28 of those years at Kearney High School, before retiring in 2018. While employed with Kearney High School, Clark taught mathematics and computer science and coached girls’ track and girls’ basketball. He was recognized as the 2011 Outstanding Educator for Kearney Public Schools. Clark was active in the Nebraska State Education Association and Nebraska Association of Teachers of Mathematics. He has also been a Nebraska high school football referee for 27 years. Clark earned his Master of Science in Education in 1995 from UNK.
Past alumni board and LEAD Council presidents paused for a picture during the homecoming beer and brats lunch at the UNK Alumni House. The presidents in attendance were Maureen (Gaffney) Nickels '74, MAE '78; Arlen Osterbuhr '84; Jack Kreman ‘04; Brenda (Snodgrass) Christensen '83 and Angela (Reynolds) Davidson ’09, MBA ‘10.
Don Fox Lecturers
Kathleen McDonald, M.D. ’87 of Friendswood, Texas, is a physician with Houston ENT, where she has been the past 19 years. Houston ENT is one of the largest ENT groups in the Houston area. McDonald was the first female ENT to join the group. Currently, she practices general ENT with a focus on allergy and sinus issues. McDonald received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, with a minor in biology, in 1987. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1991. Susan (McDonald) Fanta, M.D. ’89 of Yankton, South Dakota, has been with the Yankton Medical Clinic, P.C., since 2002, practicing in the field of internal medicine. Fanta also serves as a clinical assistant professor for the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and serves as chief of staff at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital. Fanta received her Bachelor of Science degree with double majors in biology and chemistry in 1989. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1993. Drs. McDonald and Fanta are sisters and grew up near Phillips.
Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumna
Kelly Miller ’93 of Winter Park, Florida, is an associate professor and coordinator of music education at the University of Central Florida. She teaches music education, method, theory, assessment and conducting classes, as well as coordinates and supervises student teachers. She also conducts the women’s chorus, men’s chorus and SoAl Ensemble. Before joining UCF, Miller was an assistant professor at Western Illinois University, conducted at Michigan State University and taught at the high school level in Michigan, Florida and Nebraska. Outside of the classroom, Miller has a private voice studio and leads choral workshops, frequently serving as a clinician and festival adjudicator throughout the United States. Dr. Miller has performed at both divisional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and at the Nebraska Music Educators Association Convention. Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts in music education from UNK in 2003, her Master of Music degree in music education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and her Doctoral of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Michigan State University.
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Galen and Marilyn Hadley Champions of higher education receive inaugural Presidential Medal of Service
University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds selected Galen and Marilyn Hadley, longtime champions of higher education’s vital role in growing the state, to receive the inaugural Presidential Medal of Service. The medal is a new annual award celebrating Nebraskans’ promotion of the impact that the University of Nebraska and higher education have on the state’s economic and social well-being. It is the highest honor the university president can bestow on a community member. Bounds chose the Hadleys following a nomination and review process this fall that invited the public to nominate Nebraskans who have gone above and beyond in lifting up their voices for an affordable, excellent university. “There are so many Nebraskans who have been willing to advocate for our 52,000 students and talented faculty and staff. Frankly, they all deserve to be recognized,” Bounds said. “Galen and Marilyn Hadley are a fitting choice for first Medal of Service. They are public servants in the truest sense of the word. Their ties to Nebraska run deep, and their commitment to the young people of our state is difficult to match. “Quite simply, the University of Nebraska would not be the institution it is today without the support, service and advocacy of Galen and Marilyn. I am honored to recognize the Hadleys on behalf of the entire of University of Nebraska and past, current and future generations of college students across our state.” In a joint statement, the Hadleys said: “We are truly humbled to be the first recipients of the Presidential Medal of Service. For us, public service isn’t about awards or recognition. It’s about the impact that each one of us can have
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on future generations. That’s what drives our work. And education is at the center of it all. In our own lives and every day in the Kearney community, we’ve seen the dramatic impact that education, and the university specifically, have on economic growth and quality of life. “The future of our state depends on a strong, growing, accessible, competitive University of Nebraska. We’ll continue to do whatever we can to support the institution that is one of Nebraska’s most important drivers of growth and prosperity.” The Hadleys are Nebraska natives – she from Red Cloud, he from Lincoln – who met while attending the University of Nebraska. They served as educators at universities across the country before settling back in Nebraska, each becoming faculty members and leaders at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Marilyn served as dean of UNK’s College of Education, while Galen was dean of UNK’s College of Business and Technology. Galen Hadley later was elected mayor of Kearney, then served as a Nebraska state senator from 2009 to 2017, including two years as Speaker of the Legislature. As a senator, he was a leading champion for the University of Nebraska and higher education, advocating for affordable tuition for students, quality faculty and staff, and cutting-edge teaching and research facilities. In 2012, he shepherded the university’s
Building a Healthier Nebraska legislative package through the body, which resulted in generous state and private support for some of the most ambitious and stateof-the-art capital projects in university history. These included the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC, the Veterinary Diagnostic Center at UNL and the Health Science Education Complex at UNK, the latter of which Hadley also introduced legislation for. Marilyn Hadley, after retiring from UNK, has been deeply engaged in community service, particularly in activities related to the humanities, education and the arts. She has served as president or chair of a number of notable charitable entities, including the Nebraska Foundation for the Humanities and the Legislative League. She is also a member of the UNMC Board of Counselors, a statewide citizen advisory group through which she has helped UNMC foster relationship and engagement opportunities across the state. In 2017 the Hadleys were presented the Ron and Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award, UNK’s highest honor, for their long record of campus and community service and support.
Now taking nominations for 2019 UNK Alumni Distinguished Award Recipients. Nominate one today at unkalumni.org/awards/
UNK NEWS
HALL OF FAME UNK Athletic Hall of Fame inducts five more athletes Five former student-athletes were inducted into the University of Nebraska at Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies on homecoming weekend in September, 2018. Matt Bruggeman is one of the top defensive linemen in Loper history, earning All-American honors in 1995 from two different outlets. To date, he is one of just nine UNK players to be named to the Sports Information Directors All-American team and is one of only three d-linemen to be tabbed an NCAA Division II All-American. The Wayne High School graduate was UNK's first Division II football All-American as he was a first-team pick by Don Hansen's Football Gazette and a second-team S.I.D. selection. During a four-year career, he racked up 208 tackles including 39 for lost yardage. Since tackles became an official statistic at UNK in 1990, Bruggeman's career tackle total currently ranks 14th among all players and third among interior linemen and defensive ends. Bruggeman amassed 19 tackles for losses including nine quarterback sacks his senior year. He also led UNK in tackles that fall with 72 while forcing two fumbles and one recovery. During Bruggeman's tenure, the Lopers were a Division II independent before joining the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1995. He helped UNK win 24 games including efforts of eight in 1994 and seven in 1992. As a senior, Bruggeman was one of two Lopers named first-team All-RMAC. He also was named to the S.I.D. All-Region team. Graduating with a physical education/health K-12 degree,
Bruggeman was the head wrestling coach at Gretna High School for more than 20 years. He led the Dragons to numerous conference and state awards, including the 2017 Class B State Dual Championship. For his efforts, he was a three-time Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year. A longtime teacher in the Gretna school system, Bruggeman currently is an assistant principal at Aspen Creek Middle School in Omaha. He resides in Gretna with his wife, Ronda, and has three children; Braxton Bruggeman, Keegan Towey and Tristan Towey. Richard "Richie" Ross is among the more dynamic football players in UNK history. From 2002-05 he caught 279 passes for 4,882 yards and 50 touchdowns. Each total is not only a school record but also among the best in NCAA Division II history. The Lincoln High School graduate began his college football career with a bang as his first reception went for 71 yards and a touchdown at rival NebraskaOmaha. Named the 2002 RMAC Freshman of the Year, his play helped UNK reach the playoffs that season. Also sharing the RMAC title, it was the Lopers first postseason game in 22 years and first-ever Division II playoff appearance. As a sophomore, Ross was named the 2003 RMAC Offensive Player of the Year. The four-time All-RMAC selection amassed a school record 1,482 receiving yards that fall with his top effort coming at rival Fort Hays State. Ross caught 16 passes in the game for a school-record 317 yards. That figure still is among the highest totals in NCAA game history, all divisions.
A two-time All-American and a three-time all-region pick, Ross helped UNK return to the playoffs in 2005. The Lopers won the RMAC title outright that season and faced Pittsburg State in a home playoff game. Ross had 203 yards against Pitt State; he had 204 yards in a 2002 playoff game against Texas A&M-Kingsville. Invited to the 2006 NFL Draft Combine, Ross played professionally with the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans. Recently inducted into the Nebraska Black Sports and Lincoln High School Halls of Fame, he currently resides in Lincoln and works in the Lincoln Public School system. He is engaged to Ivana Juresic and is the father to Richard Jr., Quincy and Adrienne. William Jacome is among the most decorated Nebraska-Kearney studentathletes in the NCAA Division II era. Among the top-tennis players in school history, he is the only Loper in any sport to be named RMAC Player of the Year four times. At the time of his graduation it was believed he was the only student-athlete, male or female, in the RMAC's 100-year history to be a four-time P.O.Y. Not surprisingly, in 2009, Jacome was named captain of the RMAC's "Centennial" Men's Tennis team. From 2005-2008 Jacome was at number one singles and doubles for UNK. His play helped the Lopers become a power not only in the RMAC but also the region. Jacome was part of four teams that reached the NCAA Tournament including Sweet 16 appearances in 2005 and 2006. During 18
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To view schedules and other athletic news, go to lopers.com The UNK 2018 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees from left: Football players Matt Bruggeman '96, and Richie Ross '06; track athlete Lance Pfeiffer '06, MBAÂ '08; and cross country/track athlete Paula (West) Mayfield '91. Not pictured is tennis player William Jacome '08. The group was honored during the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet held Sept. 14, and at the homecoming game vs. Emporia State on Sept. 15.
his Loper tenure, Jacome helped UNK win four RMAC regular season and two RMAC tournament titles. Named the RMAC Freshman of the Year as well as the North Central Region Rookie of the Year, the southpaw was tabbed as the 2006 North Central Region Men's Player to Watch. In 2008, he was the North Central Region Men's Singles Champion, making him the first Loper to win an Intercollegiate Tennis Association Tournament title. Setting a new school record for career wins with 148, Jacome remains an active tennis player. He currently resides in his native Florida where he works in real estate. Lance Pfeiffer is one of the most decorated throwers in UNK history. Between 2003 and 2007, the EustisFarnam High School graduate won two national titles in the shot put, was tabbed All-American five times, won four individual RMAC shot titles and was the first Loper to reach the 60 foot mark. In 2003, Pfeiffer was named the RMAC Freshman of the Year as he was the indoor champ in the shot while placing seventh in the event at nationals. He then was a 2004 national indoor qualifier in the shot before redshirting in 2005. Pfeiffer had a banner junior season as he was the NCAA outdoor national
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champ in the shot thanks to a career-best toss of 60-6. That was the school record at the time and currently ranks second in Loper lore. A few months earlier, Pfeiffer was national runner up in the shot at the national indoor meet. He was the RMAC indoor and outdoor champ in the event as well while also being a U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All-American. Finally, Pfeiffer was named the 2006 National Strength and Conditioning Association Athlete of the Year. As a senior, Pfeiffer set a then-school record in the indoor shot (61-2.75). He won the national title in the event that March after repeating as RMAC champion. In the spring, Pfeiffer was national runner up to conclude his career. Pfeiffer holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from UNK in business administration. He currently lives in Windsor, Colorado, with his wife, Heidi, and children, Gage and Reid. Since 2008 he has been an orthopedic trauma sales consultant for DePuySynthes. Paula (West) Mayfield is one of the most accomplished distance runners in school history. She is one of six Loper women to earn at least five track All-American honors in a career, recording each at the NAIA level. She also is one of seven women, either at the NAIA or Division II levels, to earn cross country All-American honors. Mayfield currently ranks in the
UNK all-time top 10 in three indoor and three outdoor track events. Her 35:55.7 is still the Loper 10,000 meter standard while her 10:56.79 is the second fastest two-mile time. The six-time track All-American placed sixth in the 10,000 meter run at the 1988 NAIA outdoor championships after helping the two-mile relay team come in third at the 1987 indoor meet. The Shelton High School graduate then earned four All-American honors in 1989, placing third in both the two and three mile runs and helping the distance medley relay team finish fourth. Her efforts helped then Kearney State finish fourth in the indoor team race with 40 points. Finally, she was fourth in the 10,000 in the spring of 1989. In 1987, Mayfield placed 20th at the national cross country championships. Teammate Donna Spickelmier was 22nd, helping the Lopers place 17th in the team race. Graduating with a degree in physical education and health, Mayfield currently serves as mortgage and consumer lender for the Bank of Doniphan. She previously spent eight years at First National Bank as a residential lending originator and worked 16 years in mortgage originating. Mayfield lives in Grand Island and has three children; Kelsey, Dylan and Taryn Mayfield. She is engaged to Les Stelk. ď ¸
BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY UNK is doing its part to fill the growing need for cyber security experts by adding a new Cyber Security Operations major. Faculty Matthew Miller '03, left, and Angela (Emrick) Hollman, Ph.D., '01, MSE '09 were instrumental in establishing the new program.
CYBER SECURITY DEMAND UNK Cyber Systems meets a growing business need
Technology allows businesses to work more efficiently, but technology can also create challenges for businesses and organizations. Angela (Emrick) Hollman, Ph.D., '01, MSE '09 is determined to find solutions for improving the technological and communication processes. She works with information technology departments and business executives to protect against cyber-attacks. Her fascination with technology began when she was just 11 years old. “We always had a computer around ever since I can remember,” said Hollman, assistant professor of cyber systems at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. “I remember when we had dial-up Internet. It was before we had a browser and you just typed things on the text line. “I was playing different games
with people who were all over the world. It was fascinating to me.” While enrolling for classes at UNK, she was unsure what she should study. But when an adviser suggested technology, she went for it. Hollman majored in computer programming and had a minor in networking and systems. “I really liked technology, and I was fascinated by programming and how applications were made,” she said. “How you could type in code and make something for the user that looked totally different.” Hollman admitted she couldn't have done it without the help of scholarships. She earned a Board of Regents scholarship, a two-year Honors program scholarship, and a handful of local scholarships. “The scholarships helped me a lot.
My family did not have any resources to help me, so I was on my own,” she said. “Without the scholarships, my life may have turned out differently!” Travis Hollman '01, MBA '17 and Angela met during the spring semester in Randall Hall at UNK their freshman year. They lived on the same floor but did not run into each other until April. "It was close to finals week," she said. “We spent some long hours hanging out in the commons area talking when we should have been studying!" The couple started dating that summer and ended up having many college adventures together like a student exchange to Utah State University. “We got engaged in summer 2001 right before our last semester in 20
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college,” Angela said. "We were both December 2001 graduates. Our senior year, Travis made a bet with me that he could get the higher grade point average. Unfortunately, he won by one hundredth of a GPA point, but we still stayed together after he won, and got married the following the summer, August 2002.” During the exchange program at Utah State University, Travis suggested they start a web applications business together. With his growing expertise in advertising and her knowledge of computer programing, they grew the business as they finished college. In 2004, Angela began working as a network analyst in information technology Services at UNK. She was soon promoted to assistant director of networking and earned her master’s degree in education with a concentration in instructional technology. “After I got my master’s I thought I might like to try teaching,” she said. “That was a turning point for me.” She taught a capstone course for the networking systems major at UNK as a lecturer and quickly fell in love with teaching. Hollman was eventually offered a fulltime assistant professor position, and she began working on her Ph.D. in educational studies with a specialization in educational leadership and higher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Helping build a technology company gave Hollman a special interest in how businesses use technology and how technology can be used to protect against cyber-attacks. “Cyber security isn’t just an IT problem. When a company gets hit and its service gets taken down, it affects the well-being of the whole RIGHT: The Hollmans are a true blue family. Travis Hollman '01, MBA '17 and Angela (Emrick) Hollman, Ph.D., '01, MSE '09 met at UNK. They also happened to have their anniversary during the UNK Blue Gold Community Showcase this year. Their kids, and Loper legacies, Sterling and Ayla, joined in on the fun.
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company,” said Hollman. As people become more vulnerable to disruption and theft of information, money and essential services, organizations are looking to protect themselves and beefing up security. But that presents challenges. “This is still new to a lot of companies. They don’t have cyber security experts on their IT teams,” said Matthew Miller '03, UNK assistant professor of cyber systems. UNK added a new Cyber Security Operations major which was formally offered for the first time in the fall 2018. The new program emphasizes technologies that enhance the national security posture of U.S. intelligence, military and law enforcement special operations, as well as energy, financial and health care corporations. “The need for cyber security experts has been realized for some time by the National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation,” said Sherri Harms, chair of UNK’s Cyber Systems department. UNK’s cyber security operations major is based on the NSA’s National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber
To learn more information about how to help with a scholarship, visit nufoundation.org
Operations curriculum. Currently, there are only 15 undergraduate programs in the U.S. with that designation. “We’re also one of the few programs with professors in the classroom teaching hands-on labs,” said Hollman. “We are training people who are on the keyboard, building and designing systems, and thinking about it that way. We are sending out the hands-on, in depth, technically-trained student,” Miller said. “UNK already has resources and is giving students fundamental skills on the computer science side, IT and networking telecommunications side,” said Hollman. “Hacks are really a problem. The risk to businesses is huge and keeps growing. We’re just opening everybody’s eyes to all the career opportunities in cyber security. This move aligns UNK with future workforce demands in the field.”
Loper Legion
The Loper Legion understands the impact students and the University make on Kearney. The Kearney Chamber of Commerce staff show their appreciation by wearing blue and displaying a sign in support of the Lopers during the Blue Gold Welcome Week festivities.
Kearney businesses support students and campuses.
Kearney area businesses have been showing their UNK Pride through the Loper Legion. The newly formed group aims to promote the relationship between the UNK campus and Kearney area businesses. More than 100 businesses have joined the ranks and proudly display yard signs, flags, window clings and wear t-shirts. Many Loper Legion businesses also offer UNK students discounts, part-time jobs and internships. By working with the Buffalo County Economic Development Council, the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and the Kearney Visitors Bureau, the Kearney community celebrated Loper Welcome Week with their staff by wearing Loper shirts, flying the Loper flag and changing marquee sings to welcome Loper students back to campus. “Joining the Loper Legion made all of us at the University of Nebraska Federal Credit Union’s new location feel right at home and even more a part of this great Kearney community. The Loper Legion welcomed us with open arms and treated us like a neighbor from the day we arrived and opened our doors,” said Cheryl Montgomery '80, Kearney branch manager.
Kearney businesses can get involved and display their Loper Pride as part of the Loper Legion. Whether it be to show that pride via signs at the business location or employees wearing Loper blue on game days, Ryo will work with businesses to develop a plan for what is the easiest way for them to show their Loper spirit.
The Kearney Park and Recreation team shows their Loper pride. Join the Loper Legion with other businesses and organizations around Kearney is as easy as a phone call or contacting Ryo Suzuki '16. Members range from small entrepreneurial businesses to larger corporations with hundreds of employees.
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AS A LOPER LEGION PARTNER AS A LOPER LEGION PARTNER, YOU WILL: 3 Receive A LOPER PARTNER, YOU WILL: a yard sign to display yo 3 Receive a yard sign to display yourAS UNK pride at LEGION your business or on your properties.
3 Bepride recognized Lopy 3 Receive a yard sign to display your UNK at yourpublicly businessasoraon 3 Be recognized publicly as a Loper Legion partner. 3 Receive weekly emails with spec 3 Be recognized publicly as a Loper Legion partner. 3 Receive weekly emails with special announcements from campus. 3 Gain visibilityfrom withcampus. the UNK com 3 Receive weekly emails with special announcements 3 Gain visibility with the UNK community and alumni. 3 Gain visibility with the UNK community and alumni. WIN-WIN
WIN-WIN
By aligning with the Lopers, your b WIN-WIN By aligning with the Lopers, your business will strengthen its connection with all UNK constituents andwill increase exposure for UNK. Th By aligning with the Lopers, your business strengthen its connection and increase exposure for UNK. This will create brand equity and synergy benefiting both sides. Show yourbrand Loperequity pride and for all to se and increase exposure for UNK. This will create synergy Show your Loper pride for all to see. Show your Loper pride for all to see.
LOPER PRIDE
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Your business can show its Loper Pride by receiving or sponsoring: 3 T-shirts 3 Window Clings 3 Loper Flags 3 Yard Signs
LOPER PRIDE DO YOUR PARTYour BYbusiness OFFERING can showDO its Loper Prid YOUR P
3 Display/Sign Messages Your business can show its Loper Pride by receiving or sponsoring: 3 Student Discounts 3 T-shirts receiving or sponsoring: 3 Loper Pride Days 3 Window Clings 3 T-shirts 3 Tailgates 3 Loper Flags 3 Window Clings 3 Hire a Loper 3 Yard Signs 3 Loper Flags 3 Yard Signs
3 Display/S 3 Student D 3 Loper Pri 3 Tailgates 3 Hire a Lo
JO JOIN THE LOPER LEGION ANDLOPER PROMOTE YOUR B JOIN THE LEGION AND PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS, UNK AND THE KEARNEY COMMUNITY. CONTACT Ryo Suzuki | 308-865-8560 #Loper4Life suzukir2@lopers.unk.edu
AND PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS, UNK AND THE KEAR CONTACT
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CONTACT Ryo Suzuki | 308-865-8560 suzukir2@lopers.unk.edu
Ryo Suzuki | 308-865-8560 suzukir2@lopers.unk.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
NEW COLLEGE OF
UNK Communications and Marketing
ARTS AND SCIENCES Merger promotes collaboration at UNK UNK’s colleges of Fine Arts and Humanities and Natural and Social Sciences merged to form a new College of Arts and Sciences. The consolidation, which was approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents June 2018, represents the most significant change in UNK’s academic structure since the college joined the university system in 1991. The College of Arts and Sciences was formally launched in August. The merger, which has been in the works for more than a year, provides several benefits to UNK students and faculty, according to Charlie Bicak Ph.D., '74, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. Bicak said the College of Arts and Sciences will reaffirm UNK’s liberal arts core while complementing the university’s two professional colleges – the College of Business and Technology and College of Education. Plus, he added, a majority of UNK’s peer institutions, as well as the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha, utilize a college of arts and sciences structure. “That provides us a certain consistency,” Bicak said. “It also allows for potential collaborations, a little more easily, with UNL and UNO.” Bicak said the College of Arts and Sciences was created with a focus on improving UNK and opening new doors for student research and
engagement. He expects to see more faculty and students working together on interdisciplinary projects moving forward. “We have much more in common across a university campus than we do that’s different, and we ought to be exploiting those similarities to leverage answers to questions that society asks of a university,” he said. UNK also plans to implement an experiential learning initiative in 2019-20 that ensures all students gain firsthand experience through research, internships and related activities. Moving from four academic colleges to three will provide some cost savings for UNK, although Bicak stresses that wasn’t the driver behind the change. “We never went about this with the idea that it was about cost-cutting, saving money or a budget cut,” he said. “Frankly, we started the conversations before we knew what the nature of our budget cuts would be on this campus.” UNK expects to save about $326,000 in fiscal year 2018-19 through administrative reductions tied to the merger. The new alignment results in the elimination of three positions – a dean, associate dean and administrative associate. William Jurma, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities, retired in July after 20 years at UNK. Peter Longo will continue serving as interim dean of the College of Arts
Charles Bicak, Ph.D., '74
and Sciences until they hire a dean. The search for the inaugural Dean of College of Arts and Sciences is currently under way. The merger won’t result in any changes to the curriculum or degree requirements for programs within the two colleges, and programs will remain in their current locations on campus until the new STEM building opens. Bicak said the academic restructuring dovetails with the STEM building, which will house science, technology, engineering and math programs. More than 60 faculty members served on committees that provided input throughout the academic restructuring process. 24
#UNKAlumni
LOPER HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIP New opportunity for UNK alumni families living out-of-state
We value our alumni and would love to see the next generation of your family
become the next generation of Lopers. Take advantage of the new Loper Heritage Scholarship. Your qualified son or daughter will pay in-state tuition rate. At UNK, we hear from alumni about our quality academics, hands-on experiences, and lifelong friendships that started here in Kearney.
Would your soon-to-be college student like the same opportunities? Learn more at unk.edu/heritage
BECAUSE ONCE A LOPER...
always a Loper.
The University of Nebraska at Kearney does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, 25 #Loper4Life genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities or employment. UNK Communications & Marketing. 2018
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LOPER LIFESTYLES Whether you come home or we visit you, there are always friendly faces and engaging stories at Loper alumni events.
LOPER CELEBRATIONS
KEARNEY QUARTERLY The Kearney Quarterly events have been getting Lopers together from around the Kearney area. In July, alumni gathered at Cunningham's on the Lake where more than 225 were in attendance. Pictured left is the UNK eCampus team that inlcudes Alyssa (Baker) Wyant '11, MA '16, Heather Rhinehart '03, Timothy Bartling '08 and Dylan Munson '17.
GOLD TORCH SOCIETY Into its 18th year, The Gold Torch Society had another excellent event of networking, learning and mentoring. Twenty-five undergraduate women are paired with 25 alumnae for a weekend mentoring retreat in November. This year Joyce (Bryan) Strout '70 was the featured speaker. She is standing on the top right.
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#UNKAlumni
Alpha Xi Delta and Zeta sororities met this summer at Valentino's in Kearney since the Nebraskan Student Union was under renovation. Those attending are (standing) Sharron Altmaier '55, Kay Obermiller, Maxine Erpelding '66, Mary Kenney '65, Karen Prososki, Whitney Brown, Carrie Prososki '16, Pat Schuster, Shirley Urwiller, and Nora Lindner '63; (sitting) Deb King, Joan King '58, Marcia Trimble '66, Marion Mirehouse '55, Kay McGahan and Karen Humphrey.
Grace Lueders just finished her freshman year at UNK. She was an honors student who lived in Men’s Hall. Her father, Layne Lueders '90, MSE '95, lived there his freshman year from 1986-87 and her grandfather, Jerry Miller '73, lived there his freshman year in 1960-61. This Loper family celebrates another Loper alumna joining the group. Jen (Deines) Hansen '02, Landon Killion '17, graduate Brianna Deines '18, Liane (Schroeder) Deines '92 and Mike Deines '92. Brenda VanLengen '88, speaker for the UNK winter commencement, visits with former Loper classmates Shari (Watson) Stonacek '87, who was one of her suite mates, and Troy Stonacek '86. When VanLengen was a student trainer she taped Troy's ankle for football.
In August, cyber system alumni and faculty gathered in Omaha to network and learn about the new cyber systems and STEM department, programs and building. Standing: Oli Avande, Nate Coleman '14, Tyler Neal '15, Jeremy Suing '97, Pete Evans '02, Natalie Hanisch '15, Scott Klausen '09, Harry Ngondo '07. Sitting: Tom Mezger '03, Steve Chramosta '88, Sherri Harms the chair of UNK’s Cyber Systems department, Shahram Alavi a cyber #Loper4Life 27 security professor and Brian Britten '05.
CLASS NOTES 1958
Elaine and Cliff Sovereign MAE of Kearney celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Nov. 24.
1959
Maxine and Dwight Parrish MSE `63 of Hendley celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 1. Marilyn and Lloyd Unick of Hazard celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 1.
1964
Ted Griess of Minden retired after 15 years as the extension agent at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension office in Kearney.
1964
Merle A. Hinrich of Hong Kong is the recipient of the 2018 Beta Gamma Sigma Entrepreneurial Achievement Award for innovative business achievement with service to humanity. Merle is founder of The Hinrich Foundation, a private philanthropic organization established in 2012 for promoting sustainable global trade.
1966
Sam and Doris (Huffman) Corder of Kearney celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Nov. 22. Ron Greenwall of Columbus was inducted into Lakeview High School Athletic Hall of Fame as a coach. Dan Moore of Ansley was inducted into the 2018 National High School Athletics Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Ken and Linda (Keating) Anderson founded Task Lighting Corporation in 1985 in Kearney. Ken Anderson had the “Ken Anderson, CKD Humanitarian Award” named after him by the SEN Design Group, a national buying group for the kitchen and bath industry.
1969
Danny and Kristi (Marsh) Ansbach of Trenton celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 31. Kay and Ruth (Brown) Staley of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 3.
1970
Charles Welch MSE ‘74 of Peterborough, New Hampshire, exhibited a collection, Post Midway: Stamps and Mail Artifacts in the Cope Gallery at the Museum of Nebraska Art.
1971
Thomas and Kari (Keating) Anderson MSE of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 14. Bryan Jones, '86 of Fairplay, Colorado, wrote his third book North of the Platte, South of the Niobrara: A Little Further into the Nebraska Sand
Hills which has been published by Stephen F. Austin State University Press.
1972
Ed Foster of Gothenburg was inducted into the Nebraska Cooperative Council Cooperative Hall of Fame. Jan Frye of Gretna retired from his position as deputy assistant secretary for acquisition and logistics with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2018. He and his wife, Carrie, recently moved from Woodbridge, Virginia, to Gretna where he is the CEO for Platte Group, a federal acquisition consulting firm. Kathy (Lavene) Livingston of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
1973 Diane (Jensen) Bettge of Alta Loma, California, retired after 40 years as a music educator. William (Bill) Gilbreath MA `05 of Axtell retired from Axtell Community Schools.
1975 James Petersen of Texarkana, Texas, was elected as senior vice president of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. Karen (Harmon) Verraneault of Kearney retired from the Educational Service Unit 10 after 39 years of service. Sherry Morrow, '76, Ed.S., of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
1977
Bob Lammers retired from Farm Credit Services of America where he was a certified general appraiser. Bob completed his third and final term on the Kearney City Council. Julie (Slaughter) Larsen MSE `88 of Kearney retired from Kearney Public Schools after 41 years of teaching.
1978
Brad Ericson, Ph.D., of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Christy (Burger) Kosmicki `80, MAE `87 was recently named the 2018 Nebraska Art Teachers Association Higher Education Art Educator of the Year. Christy teaches at UNK.
1979
Kevin Madsen MS `88, Ed.S. `89 of Kearney was recognized as the Assistant Principal of the Year in Region IV of the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals for his work at Kearney High School, where he has been for the past 18 years.
1981
Kay Hodge, Ph.D., MSE `83 of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney after 35 years of service.
Nancy (Sovereign) Klimek of Grand Island is the activities manager for the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home. Tim Marshall of Malcolm has been named chief operating officer of the Nebraska Rural Radio Association.
1982
Bob Glenn MSE of Hastings is an early college specialist with Central Community College. Doug Hinze MAE `93 of Axtell retired from Axtell Community Schools. Ann (Ritzen) Knipping MAE of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
1983
Diane (Davidson) Rouzee of Grand Island was named the Independent Girls Coach of the Year and also the 2018 National High School Athletics Coaches Association National High School Volleyball Coach of the Year.
1984
Wayne Bell, Ed.S., of Springfield, Missouri, retired from the Educational Service Unit 10 in Kearney after 24 years of service. Tim Carman of Hyattsville, Maryland, is a food reporter for The Washington Post and is a James Beard Award Winner. Carman presented “Food Writing in the 21st Century: From Suppertime to Sexual Harassment” at UNK. Marcia (Bertrand) Dorn of Axtell is the pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church. Connie (Luce) Fie of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Rick Haney MAE `87 of McCook retired in June as business manager and treasurer of McCook Public Schools after 30 years of service. Bill Hanson of Sellersburg, Indiana, senior publisher of the News and Tribune in Jeffersonville, Indiana, and the Glasgow Daily Times in Glasgow, Kentucky, has expanded his publisher responsibilities to the Somerset Commonwealth Journal.
1985
Kip Colony of Omaha was with Millard Public Schools for 33 years as a teacher, basketball coach and assistant principal. He was the first girl’s varsity basketball coach hired at Millard West High School where he took his teams to the state tournament 11 times, winning 420 games during his career. He is now the varsity girl’s basketball coach at Skutt Catholic High School and serves as a supervisor in Omaha for UNK student teachers. Elizabeth (Struble) Feese MAE of Kearney turned 90 years old on May 12.
Share your news at 28
unkalumni.org/classnotes
CLASS NOTES
Do you know someone whose professional and volunteer accomplishments deserve to be recognized? Each year, the UNK Alumni Association recognizes UNK graduates who have achieved distinction either in their professional fields or through their involvement in civic, cultural or charitable activities. We invite you to nominate individuals who deserve to be recognized. The award guidelines and a nomination form can be found at unkalumni.org. If you know of a deserving graduate, submit your nomination to tricia.danburg@unkalumni.org by April 1, 2019. The award recipients will be recognized during homecoming weekend festivities fall 2019. Annual Awards include: • Distinguished Alumni Award • Distinguished Young Alumni Award • Jim Rundstrom Distinguished Service Award Dean Jindra of Papillion is an assistant director and senior technical writer with Moody’s Analytics in Omaha. Julie Souhrada-Voss of Bellevue is a federal probation officer. She has two children, Steven and Nicole.
1986
Rebecca (Eckwert) O’Connell MSE of Kearney is the women’s swim coach for UNK. Alex Willford of Grand Island is the administrator for the Grand Island Veteran’s Home and the Central Nebraska Veteran’s Home.
1987
Lisa Karnatz of Gilbert, Arizona, is the associate director for the Arizona Association for Economic Development. Diane (Martelle) Sciachitano of Kearney was commissioned by Shawn King ‘93, owner of Yanda’s Music Store, to design and paint a butterfly mural on the wall outside of Yanda’s store in downtown Kearney. John and Mary (Denesia) Sickler of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 14.
1988 Jay Bellar MAE, Ed.S. ‘98 of Lincoln, is the Executive Director of the Nebraska School Activities Association.
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29
Becky and Rod Bredenkamp of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct.5. Krista (Sheldon) Fritson of Kearney is a professor at UNK and received the 2018 PrattHeins Faculty Award for Teaching. Nathan Marsh `04 of Sydney, Australia, is co-founder and creative director of Girraphic. Bill Wood of Kearney appeared in Orphan Train: The Musical, a University of Nebraska at Kearney theatre production. Dee (Goedert) Urwiller of Bennington retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
1989 Lisa (Reese) Parish of Kearney was elected to the board directors for the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska. She is a lifetime Girl Scout member and earned her Gold Award. Dawna Sigurdson MSE, Ed.S. `91 of Minden retired from the Educational Service Unit 10 after 24 years of service.
1990 David and Ann (Yust) Bauer MAE of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sept. 19. Deb (Griffith) Gangwish MSE `93, Ed.S. `99 of Shelton was elected to serve on the National Corn Growers Association’s Corn Board at the organization’s biannual Corn Congress event in Washington, D.C. She also is a director for the Nebraska Corn Growers Association.
Marsha (Rodehorst) Wilkerson and Curt Wilkerson ’91 of Kearney celebrated their business, Big Prairie Homes, fifth anniversary.
1991 Wayne Fuller of Omaha retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Michael Long of Norfolk is the judge for the 7th Judicial District in Nebraska which includes Madison, Antelope, Knox, Pierce, Wayne, Stanton and Cuming counties. Kim (Williams) Swedburg MAE of Axtell retired from Axtell Community Schools.
1992 Tammy (Thompson) Jeffs of Kearney is the community services director for Community Action Partnerships of Mid-Nebraska and has earned the organization’s certified community action professional credential. Mahabir Pun MAE `01, of Myagdi Dhaulagiri, Nepal, returned to campus to talk about his community development projects including the National Innovation Center of Nepal. Pun has been the recipient of the Innovation on Access Provision Award from the Australian Information Society Innovation Fund, the 2012 “Ujjwal Kirtimaya Rashtradeep” Medal from the President of Nepal and the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, the Asian equivalent of a Nobel Peace Prize. He was the 2007 recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letters from UNK.
1993 Kyle Harshbarger of Kearney is a full-time lecturer in the criminal justice department with UNK after a 24-year career with Kearney Police Department.
1994 Charles “Greg” Limbach MAE of Kearney was honored by the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Association with the George F. Sullivan Athletic Trainer of the Year award. He has served Kearney High Bearcats for 32 years.
1995 Amy (Anderson) Trenolone of Omaha is a director of development for University of Nebraska Foundation supporting UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.
1998
Janet Lear MSE `00 of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Nicole (Klauz) Peterson of Kearney is Nebraska’s 2018 School Social Worker of the Year. Nicole is employed by Kearney Public Schools.
CLASS NOTES 1999
Eric Hellriegel of Elm Creek has been named the assistant city manager of Kearney. Jennifer (Conner) Rowling of Kearney has been named partner with Tye Law Firm. Jennifer is a mentor with UNKAA’s Gold Torch Society.
2000 Troy Keiswetter of Concordia, Kansas, is the principal at Concordia Junior-Senior High School. Casey Slama MAE `09 of Gordon will serve as the president of the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) for the 2018-2019 year. Adam Wells of Omaha was promoted from experiential graphic design leader to principal at DLR Group.
2001
Joe `01 and Tara (Coughlin) Johnson `02, and Ryan `06 and Katie (Haggerty) Fitch, all of Kearney, opened McCue’s Nebraska Taproom in May in the former McCue’s building in historic downtown Kearney. Gary Payne MAE `10 of Kingsville, Texas, is the assistant beach volleyball coach at Texas A&M University, Kingsville. In the 2018 season, Texas A&M University, Kingsville won the inaugural American Volleyball Coaches Association NCAA Division II National Title, the first women’s national championship in school history. John W. Urbanski of Omaha is a 2018 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award recipient. He has taught 17 years at Omaha Public Schools. Leslie Wilke, D.O., F.C.C.P, is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. Leslie is a provider with Lowcountry Lung and Critical Care in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Abbey Flesner MSE `07 of London, United Kingdom, is a pediatric speech therapist at The Children’s Place. Brandon Mowinkel MAE of Milford was elected vice chairman of the Next College Student Athlete executive board. Gregory Verraneault MA `16 of Omaha is a 2018 Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award recipient. He has taught 11 years with Omaha Public Schools. Jillian (Tangeman) Wenburg MA `06 of Durango, Colorado, is assistant professor of English at Fort Lewis College. Justin Zeleski of Omaha was a three-time finalist for the Heart of Education Award, sponsored by The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and the Rogers Foundation. After teaching for 12 years in Las Vegas, he now teaches orchestra at Millard West High School.
2006
Krystle (Faust) Buntemeyer of Kearney has been promoted to president of SCORR Marketing. Jennifer (Leech) Prososki MS `13 of Beatrice is a high school counselor at Beatrice High School. Matthew Sullivan of Madison, Wisconsin, is now assistant dean of students at Edgewood College in Madison.
2007 Mike Gruszczynski of Bloomington, Indiana, is an assistant professor of communication science at The Media School at Indiana University-Bloomington.
2008
Riley Gruntorad of Lexington is the new CEO of the YMCA of the Prairie association that includes branches in Lexington, Holdrege and Gothenburg. Stephanie Kaczor MAE, Ed.S. `13 of Kearney is the superintendent at Riverside Public Schools in Cedar Rapids.
2009 Kellen Skarka of Lincoln recently moved from San Diego, California, where he spent the last seven years as an active duty/reserve Marine officer, to Lincoln after accepting the position of operations specialist for the Lincoln Airport Authority. JoelThurman of Greeley, Colorado, completed his Master of Arts U.S. History from Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado. Joel’s thesis was titled: “A Centennial Look at the 89th Infantry Division and Nebraska During World War I.”
2010 Jeff Schwartz MAE `17 of Axtell is the principal at Axtell Community Schools.
2011 Lisa Kent of Omaha is now a log consultant at Werner Enterprises. Kelci (Fulton) Wood of Norfolk earned a masters in curriculum and instruction in January 2018. She is now teaching music in Newman Grove. Sarah (Hille)Yendra MS `14 of Kearney has been selected to join the Buffalo County Community Partners board of directors. Yendra is the owner and therapist at Insight Counseling and Recovery.
2012 Faith Colburn MA of North Platte read as a part of the Front Porch Poetry series presented by Prairie Arts Brothers in September at the G.W. Frank Museum on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus. Colburn writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Garrett Goldsberry of Lincoln is an account manager with ABB. John Lawless of Kearney has joined the law firm of Anderson, Klein, Brewster & Brandt as an associate. Markeya (Dubbs) Peteranetz of Lincoln completed a Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May. She is currently working as a post-doctoral research associate at UNL.
2003 Clark Ribble of Henderson was named head coach for Beatrice boy’s basketball.
2004
Bryce Abbey MAE `06 of Kearney competed on the CBS show “TKO: Total Knock Out” and won. Kara (Ritterbush) Faber of Holdrege is now the executive director of the Phelps County Community Foundation. Jack Kreman of Noblesville, Indiana, was named Chief Executive Officer of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Aaron Estes, Ph.D., MSE `06 of Kearney earned his doctorate in education degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
2005
Dawn (Suchsland) Bickford of Kearney is assistant manager of the Antelope Bookstore on the UNK campus.
Share your news at Joel Thurman '09
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CLASS NOTES 2013
Andi Diediker of Wayne is a 5th grade teacher at Wayne Public Schools. Katie (Swett) Diediker of Wayne is human resources director and assistant trust officer at State Nebraska Bank & Trust. Justin Swedburg of Axtell is teaching and coaching at Axtell Community Schools.
2014
Arin Enge of Allendale, Michigan, is director of tennis at the MVP Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brandon and Jessica (Ferguson) Hotz of Kearney have opened a store front in downtown Kearney for their company, Elevate. Marla Trampe of Kearney retired from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
2015
Stephanie Brand, MAE '18 of Grand Island is UNK Volleyball’s top assistant coach. Jill (Davidson) Epley of Seward is the event coordinator at The Archway. Dillon Nelson of Kearney is the community engagement manager with the Kearney YMCA. He also assists with the annual Dancing with the Stars events in Kearney and was cast in the UNK production of Orphan Train: The Musical. Jack Nicholson of Basingstoke, United Kingdom, is a contracts manager for CSG. He is moving back to the United States to be a sales director for CSG in Denver.
2016
Matt Driml of Lawrence, Kansas, is working in the industrial automation field for Rensenhouse Electric in Topeka, Kansas. Carrie Prososki of Kearney is a special education teacher for Kearney Public Schools. Nikki (Lewis) Schafer MS of Omaha is a technology integration specialist for Millard Public Schools. Nick White of Lincoln is a customer success specialist at Firespring.
2017 Tyler Dowling of Kearney is loan operations specialist at NebraskaLand National Bank. Miranda Heeren of Lawrence, Kansas, is an alumni relations consultant for Pennington and Company.
2018 Krayton Conell of Lincoln is a lead tax associate with RSM US.
Mattison Peterson ’18 and Wyatt Anderson ’17 of Arapahoe married Sept. 15. Melissa Anderson ’05, MAE ’09, MS ’15 and Adam Heupel of Wheatland, Wyoming, married July 25. Jordan Christensen ’12 and Jordan Reinertson of Kearney married July 6. Taylor Kitzelman and Austin Edghill '16 of Kearney married Nov. 10. Katie Elder ’13 and Devin Mueller of Lincoln married June 10. Katie is a second grade teacher at Norris School District in Firth. Chelsey Batenhorst ’10 and Chris Evans ’06 of Omaha married Sept. 22. Tonya Foulk ’09 and Brian Dodson of Minden married June 23. Jenny Gierhan ’11 and Evan Fisher of Lincoln married July 21. Jenny works for NRC Health. Garrett Goldsberry ’12 and Neale Stadler of Lincoln married on Aug. 31. Dawson Johnson ’17 and Rachel Smith `18 of Kearney married May 26. Cayle Jones ’12, MS ’16 and David Burbach of Lincoln married June 22. Cayle is a third grade teacher at Elmwood-Murdock Public Schools. Courtney Jones ’16 and Matt Culler of Minden married Sept. 17. Demi Higgins ’16 and Jarek Patterson of Kearney married Aug. 18. Taylor Kittle '16 and Mitch Peters '15 of Kearney married June 9. Carlie Prososki ’18 and Brandt Runge ’18 of Funk married Aug. 4. Taylor Randall and Faron Klingelhoefer MA ’14 of Franklin married April 28. Erika Redfern ’04 and Ben Allen of Lone Tree, Colorado, married July 7. Erika is a program manager at Sierra Nevada Corporation. Kennan Schleicher ’13 and KayCee Upton ’13 of Saint Libory married June 9. Bailee Schuster ’16 and Tom Knott ’12, MS ’15 of Kearney married Oct. 27. Abbey McFarland `06 and Nathan Thies ’05 of Firth married May 26. Brianne Wetovick ’12 and Zachary Butcher ’12 of Central City married on Sept. 2.
Births
Dustin and Sara (McMillan) Bennett ’11, MBA ’15 of Gibbon are parents of a daughter, Scarlett Jean, born Nov. 30.
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Marriages
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T.J. and Lauren (Mollard) Brandt ’09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Ripley Ann, born Sept. 8. She has a brother, Barker. Austin and Asa (Russell) Broadfoot ’14 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Hayden Stevie, born Sept. 7. She has a brother, Maddox. Brock ’14 and Amie (Lee) Burney ’14 of Doniphan are parents of a son, Gannon Reed, born Oct. 17. He has a brother, Grady. Joel ’07 and Carrie (George) Buysse ’07 of Kent, Washington, are parents of a son, Otto Raymond, born Sept. 27. Jesse ’05 and Elizabeth (Obermeier) Cain ’06 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Rogan Cain, born Sept. 28. Brooke and Douglas Cooper MA ’11 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Abigail Lynn, born May 22. Matt and Kelsey (Deterding) Dobish ’11 of Kearney are parents of a son, Kash Matthew, born Sept. 26. He has brothers, Lane and Beau. Jerod ’05, MSE ’07 and Kristina (Artz) Dorn ’06, MSE ’17 of Kearney are parents of a son, Fletcher Thomas, born Dec. He has a brother, Tyler. Jeff ’05 and Brette (Covington) Ensz ’06, MS ’14 of Kearney are parents of a son, Emory Covington, born June 6. Emory has a big brother, Elliott. Jodi and Mike Garretson ’08 of Grand Island are parents of a son, Jonah Michael, born April 26. He has a big sister, Claire. Taylor J. ’16 and Taylor R. (Hubbard) Gellerman ’16 of Gibbon are parents of a son, Wyatt Taylor, born May 9. Chad and Theresa (Lenz) Gillespie ’07 of Kearney are parents of twin sons, Kade Michael and Kipp Matthew, born Nov. 29. They have brothers Cooper, Mason and Weston. Dan and Kaitlin (Smuskiewicz) Greene ’12 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Finley Harper, born Aug. 9. She has a brother, Wesley. Adam ’09 and Cari (Smyth) Haag ’09 of Shelton are parents of a daughter, Paisley Dawn, born March 7. Katie and Matt Hothem ’07 of Sumner are parents of a daughter, Hadley Claire, born Oct. 2. Emily and Aaron Jameson ’04 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Olivia Lois, born June 6. Julie and John Jensen ’07 of Seward are parents of a son, Leo Curtis, born Sept. 2. Heather and Jason Johnson ’96 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, are parents of a son, Dean Cromwell, born Aug. 18.
CLASS NOTES Kirby ’10 and Brooke (Scripter) Johnson ’10 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Lucy Jo, born July 13. She has a brother, Milo, and a sister, Zoe. Joshua ’12 and Vanessa (Leeper) Jones `12 of Calhan, Colorado, are parents of a son, Everett Norman, born Aug. 22. He has a big brother, Elijah. Nathan ’12 and Kayla (Kimberling) Klaus ’13 of Windsor, Colorado are parents of a son, Kaden Lucas, born Sept. 15. He has a brother, Jacen. Machaela and Tanner Kirchner ’12 of Kearney are parents of a son, Reign Isaiah, born Nov. 5. He has a brother, Parker and a sister, Maxtyn. Arron and Kristi (Scott) Kochanowicz ’09 of Senoia, Georgia, are parents of a daughter, Clara Ann, born June 14. Matthew ’09 and Jessica (Kuhl) Kollars ’10 of Kearney are parents of a son, Emmett Ike, born October 12. He has a brother, Jameson. Jason and Jayleen (Lambert) Landstrom ’12, MA ’15 of Axtell are parents of a son, Layken Wayne, born April 18. He has a sister, Revyn. Alex and Megan (Wagman) Lathrom ’14 of Houston, Texas, are parents of a son, Nolan Andrew, born June 7.
Amanda and Michael Lierman ’07 of Sioux City, Iowa, are parents of a son, Kingston, born July 21. Rylan ’09 and Kayla (Cochnar) Little ’11 of Kearney are parents of a son, Talan Lee, born June 11. Jason and Sarah (Jensen) Messerli ’09 of Lincoln are parents of a daughter, Aria Joelle, born April 12, 2017. Sarah is a speech language pathologist at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. Joseph Meyers ’17 and Michelle Gannon of Minden are parents of a son, Connor Joseph, born May 18. He has a brother, Tyler. Brad ’07 and Bryna (Dixon) Miller ’07 of Kansas City, Missouri, are parents of a daughter, Larkin Marley, born July 6. Aaron ’11 and Megan (Larson) Mitchell ’12 of Pleasanton are parents of a daughter, Maren Lee, born Aug. 30. She has a sister, Adalyn. Scott and Allison (Kruger) Monson ’04 of Marshall, Minnesota, are parents of a daughter, Logan Jean, born July 28. Todd and Elizabeth (Hinrichs) Muller ’07 of Kearney are parents of a son, Wyatt Randall, born Aug. 6. Wyatt has a big brother, Garrett. Ben and Rita (Vogel) Pehl ’10 of Terry, Montana, are parents of a son, Luke William, born Sept. 26. He has a big sister, Sophia.
Couple Gives Rural Students Educational Boost Kearney residents Carol (Weaver) ’70 and Larry Hardesty ’69, MSE ‘71 recently created an endowed scholarship fund as a way for the couple to offer one or more scholarships to students who have graduated from several rural Nebraska schools. Larry and Carol Hardesty both grew up in rural Nebraska. Larry on a ranch in McPherson County and Carol on a farm in Adams County. Education has always been important to both, evident by their graduations from Kearney State College and further schooling. Carol and Larry held various positions with academic institutions across the country throughout their careers. In 2004, Carol and Larry returned to the University of Nebraska at Kearney where Larry served as the dean of library and Carol served as membership coordinator for the Museum of Nebraska Art (MONA). They both are now retired and are involved with several organizations and do volunteer work.
Mannie ’14, MA ’16 and Shauna (Reidy) Reinsch ’13 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Merritt Opal, born Oct. 17. Sarah (Archer) and Cody Riedel ’09 of Kearney are parents of a son, Kipton Cody, born Aug. 28. He has sisters, Braelynn and Sloan. Matt and Alyssia (Jones) Roberts ’09 of Anselmo are parents of a son, Grant Thomas, born May 11. Michael ’05 and Shannon (Ryan) Sands ’07 of Springfield are parents of a daughter, Annabelle Ryan, born Oct. 28. Scott ’09, MS ’12 and Michelle (Bixenmann) Seeba ’12, MA ’15, MAE ’17 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Maris Lou, born October 7. Cierra Graf and Brett Schaepler ’12 of Kearney are parents of a son, Theodore Tokuzo, born May 9. Stephanie and Troy Schleiger ’95 of Rochester, Minnesota, are parents of a son, Henry Scott, born July 24. He has a brother, Frederick, and sister, Margaret. Daniel and Lacey (DeTurk) Schroeder ’07 of Miller are parents of a daughter, Raleigh Rachele, born May 22. She has two brothers, Lincoln and Kage. Kevin and Kailey (Rock) Smith ’08, MA ’13 of Bellevue are parents of a daughter, Claire Olivia, born Feb. 13. Aaron ’09 and Kalie (Wetovick) Steele ’09 of Bellevue are parents of a daughter, Margaret Anne, born Oct. 28. Tara and Brad Stolcpart ’09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Marley Jae, born Nov. 24. She has a sister, Brynlee. Travis ’09 and Betsy (McCrone) Theiler MA ’13 of Paxton are parents of a daughter, Lucy Corrinne, born Oct. 24. Carson ’07 and Jenna (Stremel) Watt ’13 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kenzie Leigh, born July 29. She has a sister, Libby. Matthew and Abbie (Davis) Wecker ’13 of Kearney are parents of a son, Corin Luke, born Oct. 15. Ryan ’12 and Stephanie (Rash) Wetovick ’11 of Broken Bow are parents of a daughter, Ava Kay, born August 15. She has a sister, Mya. Carly (Havener) ’13 and Trevor Williams ’13 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Celia Lucille, born Nov. 30. She has a brother, Sawyer.
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CLASS NOTES
Save the date for the 50th Anniversary of Alpha Omicron Pi, Phi Sigma. Plan on attending the Phi Sigma 50th Anniversary Banquet, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 at the Holiday Inn in Kearney. Please send your mailing address, email, phone number, pledge class year and maiden name to phisigmaalum@gmail.com and be sure to update your record at unkalumni.org. Stay connected with us on our Facebook pages: Alpha Omicron Pi Phi Sigma
Emiliano and Stacy (Egge) Zapata ’05 of Lincoln are parents of a daughter, Lillyana Marie, born April 21. She has two brothers, Izaya and Zayne. Gabriel and Kimberly (Stones) Zwiener ’12 of Pleasanton are parents of a daughter, Sydney Elizabeth, born Nov. 10.
Deaths Sherri (Gappa) Banks ’94 of Kearney died Aug. 10. She was 63. Marian (Meyer) Binderup ’78 of Minden died May 10. She was 89. Connie Bittfield ’73, MSE ’79 of Kenesaw died Oct. 4. She was 73. Claudia (Rumbeck) Bowers ’68 of Friend died Oct. 31. She was 85. Harriet (Bacon) Buller ’50 of Cozad died Oct. 14. She was 91. James Colling ’57 of Axtell died June 13. He was 83. Sherry (Karlson) Damrow ’78 of Holdrege died June 18. She was 65. Larry Day ’89 of Kearney died June 22. He was 52. LeRoy Dinges ’63 of San Mateo, California, died May 12. He was 80. Doris (Leamons) Eppenbach ’72 of Ewing died May 3. She was 66. Mary Ann (Wendell) Erickson ’42 of Omaha died Nov. 29. She was 97. Gary Fanoele ’68 of Blair died June 9. He was 72.
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Thomas Glasco ’70 of Fort Morgan, Colorado, died March 27. He was 71. Dr. Lucille Freeman-Gregory MSE ’68 of Torrington, Wyoming, died July 6. She was 77, and an emeriti faculty member who taught in the teacher education department. Linda (Harrifeld) Hagewood ’71 of Schuyler died March 19. She was 69. Lisa Henk `93 of Kearney died September 28. She was 48. Bernard “Bernie” Horst ’72 of Grand Island died Sept. 21. He was 69. Johnny Hyde ’67, ME ’71 of Burwell died June 17. He was 81. Randal Issler ’78 of Holdrege died Oct.15. He was 62. Judy (Breinig) Jacobson ’74 of Loomis died Oct. 9. She was 67. Donna (Arehart) Jauken ’72 of Holdrege died June 24. She was 87. Holly Johnson ’69 of Columbus died July 5. She was 71. Ronald Kenney ’50 of Las Vegas, Nevada, died May 29. He was 88. Howard Kolbo ’52 of Kearney died Oct. 17. He was 94. Mike Kramer ’92 of Phillipsburg, Kansas, died July 14. He was 50. Rachael (Toman) Kucera ’13 of Stanton died September 11. She was 28. Barbara (Gellerman) Larson ’58 of York died Aug.17. She was 86. Mary Lierley-Wulf ’68, MSE ’70 of Lincoln died April 25. She was 92.
Stanley Linch ’57, MSE ’63 of Lexington died May 21. He was 87. Lorraine (Lorraine) Maloley ’82 MSE ’84 of Kearney died Nov. 25. She was 79. Judy (Brigham) Manhas ’69 of Seward died Feb. 9. She was 69. Lynn Miller ’65 of Kearney died Aug. 12. He was 78. Mary “Sheryl” Miller ’91 of Johnson Lake died June 21. She was 72. Byron Moore MSE ’76, EdS ’82 of Grand Island died May 13. He was 72. Goldie (Raveling) Palmer ’56 of Hoquiam, Washington, died Aug. 22. She was 93. Robert Peterson ’51 of Kearney died July 17. He was 98. Colleen Pfeiffer ’67 of Kearney died Oct. 9. She was 84. Carolyn (Fox) Priebe ’66, MAE ’83 of Gibbon died June 7. She was 73. Sharon “Shari” (Krepel) Reisdorff ’81 of David City died Oct. 8. She was 59. Dennis Roper ’74 of Kearney died June 7. He was 67. William Schievelbein ’92 of Lincoln died Nov. 6. He was 65. Scott Schneider ’01 of Jarvie, Alberta, Canada (formerly of rural Funk), died Aug. 18. He was 40. Randall Shackleton ’84, MAE ’95 of Grand Island died Nov. 12. He was 57. Clinton Shurigar ’68 of Fremont died June 8. He was 72. Ruth (Scudder) Sisler MAE ’60 of Alliance died May 16. She was 99. From 1956 – 1984, Ruth served as the Dean of Women, Associate Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Kearney State College. Gayle Smallcomb ’13 of Kearney died April 25. She was 28. Verle Straatmann ’52, MSE ’69 of Kearney died July 15. He was 87. Thomas Webb ’79 of High Point, North Carolina, died August 2. He was 63. Vera “Ellen” (Gertsch) Weller ’63 of Park Ridge, Illinois, died April 13. She was 96. William “Bill” Welte ’60 of Claremore, Oklahoma, died June 12. He was 79. Vincent Wright ’96 of Kearney died Aug. 24. He was 74.
Stephanie Teten
Nathaniel Korth
Erica Pribil
Johnson, NE
Fayetteville, AR
Erica Marshall
Luverne, MN oluwalope Makinde CLASS NOTES Omaha, NE
Stephanie Teten Johnson, NE
Peru, NE
Emilie O’Connor Omaha, NE Justin Bakke
Kaelyse Clapper Geraldine Spinner Minden, NE
Tessa Porter
Ariel Wong
Lincoln, NE
La Vista, NE
Nicol Blue
Soon Lau
Ed Cornish has been helping students for more Kristen Drvol Columbus, NE Travis Burger Omaha, NE than 78Columbus, years, even though he died in 1938. NE Emilie O’Connor Lincoln, NE
Albion, NE
Lincoln, NE
Shane Korte
Bailey Harris
Lance Sorensen
Lincoln, NE
Kearney, NE
hley Bernstein
Nicole Berns
Elkhorn, NE
Crystal Pribyl Geneva, NE
Blue Hill, NE
Laura Hargarten Clinton, WI
erine Drehs
ncoln, NE
Emily Williams
Omaha, NE
Omaha, NE
Jennifer Pickering Aurora, NE
Brooke Grossenbacher Pei Ang
Albion, NE
Columbus, NE
Tessa Porter
Lincoln, NE
Weeping Water, NE
Craig, NE
Hoskins, NE
Heather Sasse
Eustis, NE
Nebraska City, NE
Effie Epke
Sally Steele
Lincoln, NE
Gothenburg, NE
Kathleen Sackett
Davey, NE
Amanda W Loveland,
Miranda Schurr
Lori Rezac
mber Talbott
Steven Kaiser
Grant Wallace
t Point, NE
Pilger, NE
Omaha, NE
Bailey Harris
Susan Hammons
arles Caruso
Kristen Cochr
Lincoln, NE
Albion, NE
Schroeder
Woodbu
Travis Burger
Lincoln, NE
Olivia Kunzman
Tessa Porter
Jamie E
Overland Park, KS
Travis Lucas Raymond, NE
Gretna, NE
Morrill, NE
Elizabeth Pf
Madison, N
Natalie Soude Wilber, NE
Amber Cleveland Carson City, NV
Ed Cornish was one of the first donors to establish a scholarship fund for students at the University of Nebraska. The very next year, he passed away. But students have benefited from Mr. Cornish’s generosity every year since — including the students listed here. The legacy of Ed Cornish lives on. Yours can, too. To find out how, visit us online at nufoundation.org/giftplanning or call a gift planning officer at the University of Nebraska Foundation at 800-432-3216. Share your news at 34
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“My today started when I took my passion for the sciences and my ability to affect students through teaching to the next level.” CLASS NOTES
“The online Biology, MS program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney was flexible and helped me advance my career. It helped me become a better educator because now I’m more comfortable. I have more knowledge and I’m able to get students interested. I also explain things better, and make it easier for my students to understand. I’m now teaching high school biology and environmental science, while also teaching anatomy and physiology as an adjunct instructor at a community college. It was hard work, but the program has opened up opportunities for me.” Curtis Reese, Graduate Biology, MS University of Nebraska at Kearney
4 campuses. 125+ online programs. online.nebraska.edu
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