UNO Magazine, Summer 2012

summer 2012

Yoga Rocks the PaRk

JaZZ oN the gReeN

WohLNeR’s MIDWeek MaRket

eND oF sUMMeR coNceRt seRIes

4 PM | sUNDaYs | May 27 - July 22

4 - 7 PM | WeDNesDaYs | June 6 - august 8

MoNDaY NIght at the MoVIes tURNeR PaRk

8 PM | MoNDaYs | June 11 - august 13

Visit our website for a complete listing of performers and events

7 PM | thURsDaYs | July 12 - august 16

7 PM | FRIDaYs | august 31 - september 28

vol. 3, no. 2 summer 2012 www.unoalumni.org/unomag

CREDITS

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Get to Know

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My Home

Letter from the Chancellor

Managing Editor

Letters to/ from the Editor

Anthony Flott associate Editors

6 Alumni

Jennifer Arnold, Tim Kaldahl

art direction

10 Philanthropy

Emspace Group

cover illustration

15 Partners

Dave Sullivan

Association

Matters

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Contributors

Dave Ahlers, Becky Bohan Brown, Sarah Casey, Nancy Castilow, Tim Fitzgerald, Matt Goodlett, Colleen Kenney Fleischer, Eric Francis, Warren Francke, Mary Kenny, Greg Kozol, Tom McMahon, Nate Pohlen, Charley Reed, Bonnie Ryan, Kara Schweiss, Kevin Warneke, Katey Wennekamp, Laura Wiese, Jenna Zeorian.

The Colleges

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Athletics

UNO Magazine is published three times a year by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the UNO Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation.

Direct editorial inquiries to Managing Editor UNO Alumni Association 6705 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182-0010 Phone: (402) 554-2444 Toll-free: UNO-MAV-ALUM Fax: (402) 554-3787 Email: aflott@unoalumni.org

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Home Sweet Home

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Send all changes of address to attention of Records or visit www.unoalumni.org/records Views expressed within this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the UNO Alumni Association or the NU Foundation.

Leaving the Nest

Moving from Memories

CLASS

NOTES

Home Biz

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Home on the Road Work at Home Moms

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Century Club

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Retrospect

no place like HOME

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FROM THE chancellor

Dear Alumni and Friends: This edition’s theme of “no place LIKE Home” has particular meaning for those of us for whom this campus has been a “home away from home” for many, many years.

Upon my arrival on campus as a graduate student and, later, as a faculty member in the ’70’s, I was impressed by the camaraderie among faculty and staff and the personal investment each member of the campus community had made in moving the institution forward.

Many times of late I’ve referred to all of us — students, faculty, staff and alumni — as the “campus family.”

And while much has changed physically on campus since my early years, I am proud that our strong sense of family remains.

Our goal is that everyone who comes to UNO, whether a student, faculty, staff or visitor, feels welcomed, “at home” and eager to return again and again.

This sense of coming home was perhaps never more evident than during our recent Graduation Weekend (May 4 and 5) when, for the first time in decades, our Spring Commencement ceremony returned to campus. Some alumni will remember when our graduation ceremony was held in the UNO Fieldhouse.

Later, it moved to the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum then to the Civic Auditorium as graduating classes grew.

In a bold move, ceremonies for the UNO Class of 2012 adopted a new format, starting with a Graduation Convocation on Caniglia Field on Friday and continuing throughout that evening and on Saturday with individual college-hosted ceremonies. Friday was a homecoming of sorts for alums Dick Holland, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, and Senator Chuck Hagel, who delivered the Commencement Address, while alum Robert Houston received the Citation for Alumni Achievement.

We simply could not have asked for better role models to inspire our newest alumni.

Many of the college ceremonies were held outside in venues like the Pep Bowl, the Thompson Alumni Center Estate, and the grounds of the Peter Kiewit Institute and Mammel Hall. And while the weather was unseasonably warm for early May, our beautiful grounds and buildings provided the perfect backdrop for these ceremonies. It is the opinion of many who attended and staffed the event that seeing families and graduates touring buildings, taking photos and enjoying the campus setting was, in a word, “priceless.”

It is good to be home……. and you’re welcome any time.

Until next time, Chancellor John E. Christensen

On Spring 2012

m ag a z i n e

Letters to the Editor Reader feedback is key to making UNO Magazine among the best university publications in the country. Write us about the magazine, the university, or suggest a story. Letters must include the writer’s first and last names, address and phone number and may be edited for taste, accuracy, clarity and length. www.unoalumni.org/unomag-led SPR ING 2012

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PLOP-PLOP, FIZZ-FIZZ Congratulations. The spring issue arrived today and I simply wanted to take a minute to say that I think it is great. It is attractive from cover to content. There is not a way that it could fail anyone’s plop test.

David L. Belden, ‘92 Alexandria, Va. JUICING UP I completely appreciate all of the planning, coordinating and creative juice that went into the spring 2012 issue. I’ve been doing corporate publication planning, writing and design for nearly 30 years. I get what a huge undertaking this was.

Paula Lukowski, ‘83 Omaha

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FROM THE editor Information regarding NeSIS security breach On May 23, a security breach of the University of Nebraska’s university-wide student information system, NeSIS, was detected. At the time the system was brought online, student records going back to 1985 were moved into it. In addition to information for current students, parents, employees and applicants, NeSIS contains Social Security numbers, date of birth and academic records for students who attended the University of Nebraska (records go back to 1985 for UNL, 1986 for UNO, 1990 for UNK, 2004 for NCTA, and fall 2010 for UNMC.) A small percentage of past students also have bank account information, driver’s license or tax ID numbers associated with their student account.

The university is working with a security firm to analyze the level of risk of personal information being misappropriated.

Local law enforcement and the FBI also are involved in the investigation and have identified a student they believe is responsible for the incident.

What you can do: The University recommends that alumni: • Place a free Initial Security Alert on their credit report with one of three national credit reporting firms.

• Monitor bank accounts carefully and report suspicious activity to financial institutions.

• Follow updates on the situation and access additional resources at the University of Nebraska website http://nebraska.edu/security.

A telephone service center is open to assist employees, current and former students, parents and applicants whose personal information may be at risk. The center can be reached at 888-215-4321 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. CST.

DESKTOP DROP It just landed on my desk today and is truly outstanding! The cover is amazing and the fact that there are 101 tech ‘tips, tales, and trends’ just knocks my socks off!! This is the best to-date — wowee!

Amy Risch Rodie, acting associate dean College of Business Administration PHOTO FUNNIES You have a great sense of humor. The two photos on page 23 gave me a good laugh. UNO was the best school I ever attended, and between the Air Force and civilian life I have a lot to compare it to.

Major Joe Bejsovec, USAF Ret., ‘70 Boise, Idaho

Fans of illustrator Richard Scarry should appreciate our homage to him with this issue’s cover illustration.

Scarry’s books, like What Do People Do All Day, enchanted children in many a home for hours on end as they poured over his detailrich and often humorous takes on everyday life. Kudos to illustrator Dave Sullivan for capturing the spirit of Scarry’s work while putting a UNO spin on the art that captures all we mean to explore in our theme of “NO PLACE LIKE Home.” Hopefully, you’ll flip to and fro between articles and cover, searching for the article-specific graphics within our hometown depicted (plus a few nods to campus).

My wife still has her copy of What Do People Do All Day from when she was a child. The cover is tattered and has a large stain on it from where she once spilled nail polish remover as a teen. When I brought it out for reference, though, a huge smile came across her face and she sat down for another long look.

I hope you do the same with this issue of UNO Magazine.

Enjoy the read,

Anthony Flott Managing Editor

CHEER, CHEER, CHEER Outstanding job! Not sure how you crammed it all in, but it’s a great issue. Three Cheers!

Patrick Wheeler, ’01 UNO Environmental Advocate/Sustainability Champion RISING FROM THE ASHES Awesome magazine! Thanks for getting Ash Ashokan into the magazine — clever use of the sign. Well done!

Erin Owen, Director, Communication UNO Graduate Studies

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

affiliate news IS&T, Scott Scholar Alumni Affiliate Groups Formed

Alumni of the College of Information Science and Technology and of the Scott Scholar program have new organizations with which to connect. Both alumni organizations were approved as official “affiliate” groups by the UNO Alumni Association at its May meeting. They join the existing affiliate group for Air Force ROTC Alumni.

Young Alumni Academy Seeking Applicants

Affiliate groups are smaller groups of alumni formed around a common bond or interest. The Alumni Association would like to see more affiliate groups form.

“Our worldwide alumni network of nearly 100,000 people may seem overwhelming to some alumni, so affiliate groups remove barriers by connecting alumni through more personal groups,” Lee Denker, UNO Alumni Association president, said at the May Meeting. “The more affiliate groups that we make available, the more opportunities alumni will have to maintain a personal level of engagement well beyond graduation.”

The Alumni Association assists alumni who are interested in forming affiliate groups and offers ongoing support for affiliates once they are formed. More information on affiliate groups is available at www.unoalumni.org/affiliates.

AFROTC Chapter Presents Gifts to Grads The UNO Alumni AFROTC Chapter presented second lieutenant bars and shoulder boards to nine new Air Force officers during a May 4 commissioning ceremony for graduating cadets with UNO Detachment 470. Two cadets went through a mock pinning with formal commissioning taking place later this summer.

Chapter member Judy Campbell provided the gifts in memory of her husband, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Bob Campbell.

The new officers also received UNO Alumni AFROTC Chapter membership cards.

It is the fourth class of graduating cadets the chapter has so honored.

The chapter is seeking AFROTC alumni to assist with commissioning set efforts and to increase its scholarship fund. Interested in helping? Call chapter President Chuck Holderness at 402-995-1982 or chuckie10@msn.com.

Join us July 6 at

Shakespeare on the Green Join fellow alumni July 6 for the 27th annual Shakespeare on the Green. The annual event features dinner at the Thompson Center followed by a performance of “Julius Caesar.”

Picnic 6 p.m.

Performance 8 p.m.

Admission includes a picnic buffet, reserved spot “down front” at the play, reserved parking and a performance preview from a Nebraska Shakespeare Festival insider.

Adults $15 each Children $10 each

Dinner features chicken, BBQ pork, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, cookie and beverages. See more information and register at unoalumni.org/shakespeare or contact Elizabeth Kraemer at ekraemer@unoalumni.org or 402-554-4802.

THE UNO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION seeks motivated, enthusiastic and proud young alumni to join the third class of the award-winning UNO Young Alumni Academy.

The UNO Young Alumni Academy is designed to facilitate networking and professional growth while delivering participants an insider’s view into what it takes to run one of the nation’s premier metropolitan universities. Here’s what two previous participants have said about their experiences with the academy: The UNO Young Alumni Academy is a great forum to network with like-minded professionals. The behind the scenes tours and meetings with campus decision makers will make you excited for the future of UNO. — Jacob Rehder, 2003

The Young Alumni Academy was an eye-opening experience. It’s really a pretty low maintenance way to become reconnected with the university and its many alums.

— Jon Brooks, 1996

The 2012-13 UNO Young Alumni Academy begins in October. Evening sessions will highlight the UNO hockey program, student life and other “inside glimpses” into areas that make UNO special.

Applications are being accepted at unoalumni.org/ unoyoungalumni Direct questions to Elizabeth Kraemer at ekraemer@unoalumni.org or 402-554-4802.

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

More Awards for Association Programs The UNO Alumni Association is making a case with CASE that its programming is among the best in the nation.

CASE — the Council for Advancement and Support of Education — is the professional organization for advancement professionals who work in alumni relations, communications, marketing, fundraising and other areas. In June the Association received a Silver Award in CASE’s international Circle of Excellence awards program for “New Program Initiatives.” The award honored the UNO Young Alumni Academy (see article page 6), which received the highest award among all entries.

In January the Academy had a gold award for special group programming during the CASE VI Conference, held in Denver. The 2011 UNO Homecoming Tailgate Party also received a gold and the UNO Homecoming Office Decorating Contest a bronze, both for excellence in an institutional relations project.

“These awards recognize a lot of hard work by a lot of people, including staff, alumni and numerous volunteers,” says Elizabeth Kraemer, who coordinated the programs (pictured with Association President Lee Denker). “Through their efforts we were able to successfully engage alumni with each other and with the university, many for the first time.”

More information on the awards is at www.unoalumni.org/caseawards2012

Partnerships Credit

Insurance

The UNO Alumni Association has partnered with Capital One to offer members a wide range of credit card choices. For more information, visit www.unoalumni.com/card

Are you in need of home, life, auto, health or life insurance? The UNO Alumni Association offers graduates insurance for these and other needs at discounted rates. See all the coverage available at www.unoalumni.org/insurance.

Travel The UNO Alumni Association is pleased to announce discounted travel opportunities for alumni through a new partnership with travel provider Go Next! Join fellow graduates on one of these three cruises in 2013: • Antebellum South New Orleans to Memphis, April 19-28, 2013 • European Mosaic Rome to Lisbon, June 5–13, 2013 • Mediterranean Inspiration Rome to Venice, Oct. 18–29, 2013 For more information, visit www.unoalumni.org/travel. To receive a brochure, call the association toll-free at UNO-MAV-ALUM (866-628-2586).

Through the generosity and leadership of donors and supporters, UNO has received quite the makeover via numerous construction and renovation projects.

Several of the university’s facilities have undergone complete transformations; others have been enhanced and modernized. New buildings also have been built from the ground up, providing state-ofthe-art facilities featuring computer laboratories, outreach clinics, multi-use classrooms, interactive areas, cafés, student lounges and updated fixtures. And plans are underway for more (see story Page 18).

Such renovations provide an enhanced experience for new ways of learning and leading.

UNO’s home, Omaha, depends on the university’s expertise in preparing students for professions fundamental to the city’s development and success. As UNO continues to emerge as a premier metropolitan university, it fosters collaboration between the university and local, regional, national and global communities.

Enhancements also help change the way students view their time on campus.

“All of the new amenities are convenient and help make spending time on campus a lot more comfortable,” says Andrew Muhle, a junior studying accounting at UNO’s new Mammel Hall. “The environment really caters to the needs of students. It makes my time away from home more pleasant.”

UNO becomes a home away from home, a place where students are supported like family.

No wonder, then, that every year 90 percent of students who enroll at UNO are Nebraskans who stay in Omaha after graduation.

UNO left an indelible mark on them and, in return, they hope to leave some sort of mark on it.

One way to do so is through a gift to the UNO Alumni Association. Please consider supporting the UNO Annual Fund by giving via mail, phone or online at www.unoalumni.org/give.

— Katey Wennekamp, University of Nebraska Foundation

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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Association Appoints New Board Members, Issues Service Awards at Annual Meeting The UNO Alumni Association conducted its 100th annual meeting May 22, confirming its executive committee and electing new members to serve on its board of directors.

G­ arrett Anderson will direct the Alumni Association as 2012-13 chairman of the board.

Owner of Anderson Print Group in Omaha, he earned an MBA from UNO in 1996 and joined the alumni board in 2008. Anderson is the 89th graduate to chair the Association board.

An annual review presented at the meeting documented another successful year of growing the UNO alumni network. For the third consecutive year the Association increased the number of direct contacts with alumni and students, topping 12,000 connections in

Homecoming

2012

Nov 9 & 10

2011-12. Three event/programming projects the Association staged also earned awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for a second straight year. Two of them were gold awards. The association’s communications also topped nearly 2 million impressions.

An Outstanding Service Award also was issued at the meeting to Kevin Munro (1986, AAA Nebraska), outgoing past chairman. He had served on the board since 2005 and was chairman in 2011. Director Appreciation Awards were issued to outgoing board members Dave Andersen (1977, retired) Steve Frantz (1983, Tributary Capital Management) and Jim Temme (1984, University of Nebraska Medical Center).

A complete roster of the current UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors is provided at www.unoalumni.org/board

2012-13 Executive Committee: Chairman of the Board, Garrett Anderson (1996), Anderson Print Group; Past Chairman, Laura Kapustka (1984, 1991), Lincoln Electric System; First Vice Chairman, Andy Rikli (2007), Westside Community Schools; Second Vice Chairman, David Craft (1990, 1992), Wells Fargo; Secretary Sarah Waldman (1994), Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Treasurer, Laurie Ruge (2001), Gordmans Management Company; Legal Advisor, Lou Anne Rinn (1977), Union Pacific Railroad; President & CEO, Lee Denker, UNO Alumni Association.

Mark your calendar for an expanded UNO Homecoming 2012 — so big it will be held on two days!

The fun begins Friday, Nov. 9, when the university celebrates UNO basketball’s inaugural game at the new Ralston Sports and Events Center (see more on Page 25). The Division I Mavs will play Northern Illinois University at 7 p.m. The Huskies are members of the Mid-American Conference.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, UNO Homecoming 2012 hits the ice for a Maverick hockey game against 2011 national champion Minnesota–Duluth at the CenturyLink Center.

“Our 2012 Homecoming events will bring the celebration of UNO to different areas of Omaha, from campus to the new Ralston Arena and downtown,” says Lee Denker, UNO Alumni Association president. “It will be an exciting time for alumni, students and fans to kick off a new era of UNO basketball while also supporting the Mav hockey team.

“Homecoming also is a great time to connect and network with university leaders, students and fellow alumni. Like our university, it’s an event that keeps growing.”

UNO’s on-campus homecoming traditions include a lively parade, an office decorating contest, crowning of a king and queen, and a tailgate party. More information will be provided soon to graduates in emails and online at www.unoalumni.org/homecoming.

Contact Elizabeth Kraemer with questions: 402-554-4802 or ekramer@unoalumni.org.

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alumni association

UNO Alumni Teaching Award Honors Nine Faculty The UNO Alumni Association celebrated the 16th year of its Alumni Outstanding Teaching Awards program when it presented the honor to nine faculty members during the UNO Faculty Honors Convocation Breakfast April 12.

Association President Lee Denker presented the awards, established in 1997 to honor distinguished teaching in the classroom. Peer committees in each college chose recipients, each of whom received a $1,000 award and commemorative tablet.

With the 2012 awards the association has issued $140,000 since the program’s start. For biographies of recipients, visit www.unoalumni.org/aota.

Pictured above: Dennis Hoffman (School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, College of Public Affairs and Community Service), Alumni President Lee Denker, Jennifer Blaskovich (Accounting, College of Business Administration), Stacie Petter (Information Systems & Quant. Analysis, College of Information Science and Technology), Elizabeth Leader-Janssen (Special Ed. Communication Disorders, College of Education), Andrew Swift (Mathematics, College of Arts & Sciences), Hamid Sharif-Kashani (Computer & Electronics Engineering, College of Engineering), Marshall Prisbell (School of Communication, College of Fine Arts, Media & Communication), Steven Torres (Foreign Languages (Spanish), College of Arts & Sciences), Daniel Hawkins (Sociology and Anthropology, College of Arts & Sciences).

Association-sponsored Student Regents Installed The UNO Alumni Association’s longstanding support of the university’s student government leadership continued April 9 during installation of the student body president/regent and vice president.

Alumni Association President and CEO Lee Denker presented certificates to Devin Bertelsen, president/regent, and Shawn Addison, vice president, recognizing the scholarship support the association will provide to each.

Since 1983 the association has provided a Student Regent Leadership Award scholarship (now $2,400) to the president. In 1997 the association began issuing a scholarship ($1,200) to the student vice president. Combined, these scholarships have totaled more than $73,000 in the past 29 years.

Bertelsen is a senior majoring in public relations/advertising. Addison is a junior majoring in business management. They were elected to their offices in March. Both serve one-year terms.

UNO’s president/regent meets with the chancellor and associate vice chancellor for academic and student affairs as the official representative of the student body. As regent, they also represent UNO students on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. The vice president assists the president/regent in coordinating visits and special requests by students. The vice president makes all appointments to university-wide committees and to the student senate.

For more on UNO Student government, visit http://sguno.unomaha.edu

32nd Scholarship Swing set for Sept. 10 The UNO Alumni Association will tee off for scholarships on Monday, Sept. 10, with the 32nd annual Chancellor’s Scholarship Swing at Tiburon Golf Club.

The UNO Alumni Association’s biggest single fundraiser, the Swing last year raised $47,000, pushing the total to more than $730,000 raised since the association began hosting the tournament in 1995. Almost 130 golfers and 62 sponsors participated in the tournament.

The money raised supports various Association-sponsored student scholarships. Letters have been sent to business and individuals seeking their participation in the tournament as sponsors. To participate, or for more information, contact Elizabeth Kraemer at 402-554-4802 or ekramer@unoalumni.org.

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PHILANTHROPY MATTERS

Home of the Rave

By Colleen Kenney Fleischer, University of Nebraska Foundation

Jeff Lehmkuhl’s workday can be dangerous.

The U.S. Air Force captain is executive officer of the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. He flies the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. He’s been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, rescuing special operations forces deep behind enemy lines.

He’s proud of his job.

“Returning a son, father or husband home to their families is truly the best calling I could ask for,” Lehmkuhl says.

He’s also a proud UNO alum. In 2010 he graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from UNO’s nationally acclaimed School of Public

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Many are singing the praises of UNO’s nationally ranked School of Public Administration; A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska endowment is the latest good news Administration — a school devoted to training public servants like Lehmkuhl to be leaders. To make government more efficient. To balance that need for efficiency with the broader needs of people.

To serve others.

Lehmkuhl completed most of his coursework online while living in locations that often were without Internet access — or even running water. People in the School of Public Administration understood, he says. They went out of their way to adjust deadlines or frontload coursework, so he could work offline then upload his assignments when he had Internet access.

“UNO truly supports the warrior-scholar concept,” he says.

And it equipped him, he adds, with leadership and managerial skills that directly apply to his job. He draws on what he learned to tackle tough administration problems within the military as it tries to do more with less manpower and money.

National gravitas, local heroes Lehmkuhl chose UNO’s School of Public Administration because of its high national ranking. The National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration named its distance MPA program “a model of best practices.” And U.S. News & World Report consistently rates the school’s MPA program among the top 30 in the country.

The school’s information management program is No. 6, higher than Cal-Berkeley. Its public finance and budget program is No. 6 – higher than Harvard. City management/ urban policy is ranked 14th best in the country, public management 6th, and nonprofit management 11th.

director: “Yes, we’re very proud of what we do. Our reputation nationally helps keep us focused and anchored because not only do we want to maintain that, but we have pride in the fact that we worked hard to get it. We work hard educating students.”

We are one of the highest-rated units in the whole University of Nebraska system.

- Dr. John Bartle, acting dean of UNO's College of Public Affairs & Community Service The typical student, they say, is someone who wants to make the world a better place.

Alumni serve on city councils and county boards. They lead nonprofit organizations.

They are city managers, Congressional staffers and public policy analysts.

“To me,” Bartle says, “just as important as the big-name graduates of our program are the thousands who are a cog in the wheel, but in many cases they’re local heroes — the people who make sure things get done and who are leaders within their smaller organizations, who expand the capacity of it and deliver services in a very important way.”

He points to one such alum, Nebraska Unicameral Legislative Fiscal Office analyst Liz Hruska, who found an error in federal Medicaid funding that resulted in Nebraska receiving an additional $6.3 million. She was named Nebraska’s Outstanding Public Administrator of the Year for 2010.

Says Bartle: “She was like, ‘I don’t deserve an award. I was just doing my job.’ So you have people with that kind of attitude.”

Jeremy Nordquist knows how good the school is.

“We are one of the highest-rated units in the whole University of Nebraska system,” says Dr. John Bartle, acting dean of UNO’s College of Public Affairs & Community Service — the school’s home.

The young state senator serves his South Omaha constituents in the Nebraska Legislature. He also serves his city in his job as senior advisor for Building Bright Futures, a community initiative that seeks to improve overall academic performance and reduce the academic achievement gap.

Says Dr. Ethel Williams, the school’s

He’s finishing his master’s degree in public

administration at UNO with a concentration in health administration. He’s taken great courses. One course he took on budgeting helps him immensely as a member of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.

A Creighton University undergrad, Nordquist had worked as a staff member in the Legislature for a few years before enrolling at UNO. During those years, he grew to know people who had gone through its MPA program — other legislative staff members, folks in the fiscal office and state agencies.

He’d seen their expertise.

“But I also looked at the national rankings, and the School of Public Administration at UNO is a tremendous school, a tremendous asset,” Nordquist says. “I’m very excited to be continuing my education there.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield endowment The school is about to get even better.

A recently announced gift from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska will create an endowed faculty position — the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Chair of Health Care Administration and Policy. The gift will enable the school to hire a top scholar who will work with the insurance company and with other community partners to provide practical research on policy issues and management practices.

“Never before have the issues of health care policy been more critical to our state and our nation,” Bartle says. “And we can be part of the solution.”

Lehmkuhl was grateful that the people at the school found a solution for him. While deployed, he found a way to thank them.

“I decided I would place an American flag in my kit on combat search and rescue missions — and fly it for UNO. I don’t remember the number of sorties it flew on — 10, maybe 20. But they were all accomplished over Iraq on Special Operations missions aimed at dismantling terrorist cells.

“Then I presented the flag to the School of Public Administration.”

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PHILANTHROPY MATTERS

Graduate’s Estate Gift to Fund Scholarships Betty Jean Haupt must have had a lot of fun at Omaha U.

Make a gift now to benefit the future One of the many ways to support UNO is through a planned gift — one that is planned by the donor as part of his or her will or estate plan.

Examples of planned gifts include:

In photos of her then she’s always wearing a smile — as when she was a contestant in the school’s annual beauty contest or rush chairman for Kappa Psi Delta.

• Bequests: Designate a specific percentage, dollar amount or item to be donated to UNO through your will or living trust.

Haupt studied English, Spanish and social studies at then-Omaha University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1946. She earned a master’s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1947 then taught history and was a counselor at South High School in Omaha.

• Life insurance: Name the University of Nebraska Foundation as the owner and/or beneficiary of an existing or new policy.

She left Omaha a few years later after marrying Theodore Andreskowski, whom she met on a double date at a rodeo. He worked for Wilson Meat Packing Co., and Betty followed his career to Argentina, Chicago and finally to Oklahoma City, where they lived for years in a close-knit community. But she stayed close with her friends from those Omaha days until the day she died, Nov. 11, 2010.

• Real estate: Gifts of highly appreciated real estate may help donors avoid potential capital gains or estate tax consequences.

Turns out she kept her alma mater close to her heart, too, leaving UNO a gift in her will to create need- and merit-based scholarships.

At UNO, more than 80 percent of students seek financial help to attend college.

UNO Chancellor John Christensen praises Andreskowski’s compassion for students and her generosity. He says she showed foresight by remembering UNO in her estate plans.

“Support from private donors like her is critically important to ensuring that all students have access to an affordable education,” he says. “These scholarships will help UNO attract the best and brightest students, and those in need of financial assistance, to attend college.”

And, most likely, her gift to students will help make their years at UNO a lot more fun.

“She never forgot Omaha and her life there,” says Barbara Ozinga, a friend. “With her generous bequest to the Omaha campus to fund scholarships, I believe she is truly at home.”

Student support is a priority of the Campaign for Nebraska and for UNO. If you also would like to help UNO students, consider giving online or contact the foundation’s Lori Byrne at 402-502-4920.

— Jenna Zeorian, University of Nebraska Foundation

• Retirement plan assets: Donate your retirement plan assets to the Foundation and receive a full tax deduction of their value.

• Life income gifts: charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder annuity trusts or unitrusts, and charitable lead trusts.

Some of these gifts can be made without giving any money now; others will actually return an income to you. Many times, planned gifts can provide significant tax advantages, depending on your specific situation.

All gifts, regardless of form and size, contribute to the success of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and its students.

For more information on making a planned gift to benefit the University of Nebraska at Omaha, contact Joe Reding at the University of Nebraska Foundation at 402-502-4722 or jreding@nufoundation.org.

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PHILANTHROPY MATTERS

A Leader Supporting Future Leaders They say it takes one to know one.

In former Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey’s case, he knows there are future city government and political leaders at UNO — and he wants to see them succeed.

Fahey recently made a $50,000 gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to support students and academic programs in UNO’s political science department.

The gift establishes the Mayor Mike Fahey Omaha City Government and Politics Fund, which will support the political science department through the development and implementation of: • A credited course — Omaha City Government and Politics; • The Mayor Mike Fahey Lecture on City Government and Politics; and, • The Mayor Mike Fahey Internship Program.

Chancellor John Christensen says Fahey has played a tremendous role in furthering the vision of Omaha and, with his gift, he is doing the same for the university.

“It is an honor to have his name associated with the new opportunities his gift will provide, and I sincerely thank him for his commitment to helping shape the next generation of government leaders,” Christensen says.

Fahey was born in Kansas City in 1943 and graduated from Creighton University in 1973. He founded a title insurance company, American Land Title Company, and served as CEO until retiring in 1997. He was elected the 49th mayor of Omaha in 2001 and won his second term in 2005.

"I am proud my gift will be used to help young political science students get the training and experience necessary to prepare them for a lifetime of public service,” Fahey says.

Paying it Forward Yvette Kinney learned at a young age the importance of repaying kindness — and that’s exactly what she is doing.

Recently, the Kinney Family Foundation made a gift to honor individuals who were instrumental in the development of the UNO English department’s Creative Nonfiction Program. The gift also supports the current program and its students.

My granddad taught me many years ago that if someone helps you, you pay it forward.

- Yvette Kinney

The foundation’s gift establishes the John J. McKenna Graduate Fellowship in Creative Nonfiction and the John J. McKenna Undergraduate Scholarship in Creative Nonfiction, each to be awarded annually to eligible students.

The fellowship and scholarship are named for Dr. John McKenna, one of the founders of the English department’s creative nonfiction program at UNO. A widely-published poet and professor emeritus of English, he taught at UNO for more than 40 years and was

a mentor to Kinney, chair of the Kinney Family Foundation.

In 2003, Kinney became the first student at UNO to earn the English department’s Graduate Certificate in Advanced Writing after working closely with McKenna and the administration to develop the program.

The gift also establishes the Yvette Kinney Creative Nonfiction Program Fund, which will provide $15,000 annually to further the mission of the creative writing program and assist in bringing the creative nonfiction programs at UNO to national prominence.

McKenna says now is an exciting time for the English department.

“UNO has the faculty, the courses, the students and now, with the Kinney Foundation gift, it has the support to make this program a nationally recognized center for creative nonfiction.”

— Jenna Zeorian, University of Nebraska Foundation

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA Amount Raised Toward $150 Million Campaign Goal

2005

$141,670,748

91%

459

new funds have been established during the campaign to support UNO.

individuals have made donations to UNO during the campaign.

• Building the educated workforce of tomorrow.

• Enriching campus and community life.

56% 80%

of UNO donors have donated for the first time during the campaign.

UNO CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Engaging our community.

of UNO campaign gifts are from Nebraska households/organizations.

9,517

2014

of UNO students apply for financial assistance.

The Campaign for Nebraska is a four-campus fundraising campaign benefiting the University of Nebraska.

campaignfornebraska.org/uno All statistics as of March 31, 2012. The Campaign for Nebraska began in July 2005 and will conclude December 2014.

20/20 Vision As a metropolitan university UNO’s vision is clear — to be a key asset and resource for the Omaha metropolitan area. Central to this vision is boosting the quality of UNO’s educational programs and growing student enrollment to 20,000 by 2020. Through Campaign for Nebraska, UNO has targeted areas where private support can greatly impact its growth: • Expand doctoral programs and graduate research.

• Increase study abroad experiences.

• Strengthen and expand campus-wide programs in STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

• Enhance UNO’s role in early childhood education and welfare.

• Become a catalyst for learning, research and outreach in the area of sustainability which is critical to urban communities.

To learn more, contact Lori Byrne at 402-502-4920 or lbyrne@nufoundation.org.

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Home Service

UNO service learning students help local partners provide habitable homes For many college students, spring break is a time to leave home.

For hundreds of UNO students, it’s a time to build homes.

It happens through service learning, and UNO is a national leader in the field. The university’s Service Learning Academy has offered 974 service-learning classes since its inception in 1998. From 2005 through 2011, 654 classes were offered involving 10,131 students, 431 faculty and 90 community partners. The value of such work was nearly $700,000.

The contributions are most visible during spring break’s Seven Days of Service, which just marked its 10th anniversary, and fall break’s Three Days of Service.

Of all the volunteer possibilities, though, nothing sells like homes.

“Home projects and renovations are very attractive to volunteers,” says Kathy Oleson Lyons, director of the UNO Office of StudentCommunity Leadership and Service. “We try and incorparate that as a service option as often as we can.”

And that’s quite often. UNO students and other volunteers have renovated more than 50 homes over the years, and 10 to a dozen more become habitable each year thanks to their work.

Renovation and construction of homes takes place for partner organizations like Habitat for Humanity in Omaha and Council Bluffs.

UNO students during breaks also have worked with the Salvation Army, Together Inc. and many other nonprofit organizations.

University volunteers might paint, nail, saw or do basic landscaping. But home-related projects also provide valuable opportunities for the university’s construction management students, who plan projects and educate participants on construction skills —everything from how to work a shovel to the best way to hang drywall.

Tiffiny Clifton, who works for Habitat for Humanity in Council Bluffs, says her organization relies on UNO and its Seven Days of Service each spring break to kick off the spring construction season. UNO students can take a home construction site from a basic cement slab to an enclosed house (walls, roof and more) in just a week. A normal construction timeline would take more than three months.

“The work creates great relationships and great stories,” Clifton says. She serves as Habitat for Humanity of Council Bluffs’ director of Volunteer, Family and Faith Relations.

Habitat clients are required to invest more than 400 hours of their own sweat equity on their future homes. Those future homeowners and UNO volunteers often develop relationships and a sense of community while on the job. Clifton says conversations while working often turns to things like eventual bedroom paint colors, what a family’s first meals in a completed home will be, and where children will do their homework in years to come.

The positive energy of these projects is “infectious,” says Clifton, who would like to involve UNO in other Habitat work, such as helping client families with family money management or learning how to be a good homeowner or neighbor.

It’s all real work with real value. And when UNO students help with homes, their influence extends beyond mere provision of a place to stay warm and dry.

“Families that have a home, we know, results in their children having a better chance at being successful in school,” Olseon Lyons says.

Much like UNO students taking part in service learning.

— Tim Kaldahl, Associate Editor

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International Harvester

Moving Day

There is no record of who the first UNO international student was, where he or she called home, or when that person came to campus.

For most of the university’s history, though, the international student presence was fairly meager.

In 1974, when Dean of International Studies Tom Gouttierre arrived at UNO, just 13 students hailed from somewhere other than the United States.

That’s changed dramatically under Gouttierre’s watch.

Today, more than 1,700 international students, scholars and participants from more than 120 countries call UNO home. The students have an annual economic impact on Omaha estimated at $46 million annually.

Merry Ellen Turner, director of International Programs, says many of the international students over the decades come to view Omaha as their second home. Being surrounded by “Midwestern nice” makes a difference. Some families from abroad have sent multiple sons and daughters over the years.

“Omaha is a very welcoming community,” Turner says. “We’ve been very lucky in that respect.”

UNO makes sure international students have access to a full student life experience. The right housing, host families, and on- and off-campus activities are important, says Lori Arias, assistant director of International Student Services. Her office also helps with the day-in, day-out issues of being a foreign student, such as help with immigration compliance, academic advising and providing health service referrals. International students also have 24-hour emergency phone numbers of International Studies and Programs advisors.

“We provide service beyond what most schools do because we care about their (the students’) impression of the U.S. and UNO,” Arias says. She coordinates even the first moments a new international student has in Omaha, when UNO volunteers meet them at the airport.

Recently, the largest numbers of internationals have come from five countries — Saudi Arabia, China, India, South Korea and Japan. More than 250 Saudi students attended UNO in 2010-11.

Another indicator of UNO’s international success is the pace at which the university adds foreign students. Nationally, during the 2010-11 academic year, student numbers increased about 5 percent, which can be attributed to improving economics and greater accessibility to student visas. At UNO during the same period, the international student body grew about 10 percent, Turner says.

“Having our students on campus enriches the college experience for every student,” Turner says. “Tuition dollars and economic impact are important, but having international students on campus is what a university should be about.”

— By Tim Kaldahl, Associate Editor

It’s not that often that a UNO classroom gets to take a country ride.

The actual classroom, that is, not the students.

In January, though, a 19th century barn and silo trekked four miles to their new home, UNO’s Allwine Prairie Preserve, where they will be used as classroom and laboratory space. The 160-acre preserve is a restored tallgrass prairie just northwest of Omaha. More than 1,300 students visit each year.

The barn and silo, built in the late 1800s, once belonged to Roy and Bess Johnson, dairy farmers in western Douglas County. Their granddaughter, Omahan Barbi Hayes, donated the barn and silo to UNO, as well as more than $600,000 for moving expenses.

Moving day came Jan. 12 when two large Mack trucks, each with an attached trailer, took the barn and silo along country roads to the preserve, located at 144th & State Streets.

The trip commenced at a crawl. Movers from Scrib’s Moving and Heavy Hauling of David City, Neb., walked along side the caravan, frequently checking the levels and hydraulics of the barn and silo on their trailers. The journey took eight hours.

A few days later barn and silo were lowered onto new foundations. Renovation of the structures begins with the addition of an elevator and restrooms. A state-ofthe-art field lab, classroom, kitchen and library will come next. The barn will connect via walkway to the silo, which will be redesigned as a lookout tower.

“We’ll use them for outreach to K-12 and college students who are doing research,” says Tom Bragg, UNO biology professor and the preserve’s director. “The barn’s laboratory will open directly onto the prairie while the hayloft can be used for large groups.”

— Tim Fitzgerald, University Relations

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UNO students help build a house they hope eliminates energy bills

Zeroing in on Home Savings In the blistering heat of summer and bonechilling cold of winter, home energy consumption tends to be on everybody’s mind.

Avery Schwer thinks of it year-round.

Schwer is an associate professor of construction systems in UNO’s Peter Kiewit Institute. For the past four years, he and his students have been constructing a zero-net energy test house — aka, ZNETH — near UNO’s Peter Kiewit Institute.

Construction on the 2,000-square-foot ZNETH was finished in January 2012 and its first occupants, students, take residence this fall.

“What we did anybody could do,” Schwer says “whether you are renovating or building your home.”

One goal is to have the house consume as little electrical energy as possible. Since its completion, ZNETH has become the first home in Nebraska to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. UNO’s Mammel Hall is LEED Gold certified for its commitment to sustainability.

To limit energy consumption ZNETH was fitted with a geothermal heat pump, which captures heat from the earth in the winter and rejects the heat back into the earth during the summer. The geothermal system alone could lower energy bills up to 60 percent. Insulation is critical to that process, though, says Brad Cory, a UNO Ph.D. student helping Schwer with the project.

“A good insulation should do two things: it should stop air leakage and prevent moisture,” Cory says. “Closed cell spray foam is both, a moisture barrier and air barrier. Also, it helps deaden sounds in the walls of the house, which helps homeowners to have a quiet peaceful home.”

Other energy-saving features in ZNETH include: • Roof-based solar panels as thin as laminate stickers to convert the sun’s rays to electricity.

• Cisterns buried in the lawn to collect rainwater to be used for a garden and plants.

• A wind turbine that converts frequently blustery days into energy.

• A real-time energy management system.

Combined, the technology is meant to produce more energy than the home consumes.

Indoor air quality also was addressed.

“We included things like solid-surface flooring, porcelain tile, reused an old oak floor and purchased products with low-volatile, organic-containing compounds, like in paints and adhesives, that are not harmful for occupants to breathe in,” Schwer says.

Building a house wasn’t the ZNETH team’s only challenge. They also wanted to make it a home.

“What we are doing uses the open-design concept,” Schwer says. “What you are doing is taking a smaller space and opening it up to make it more livable.”

ZNETH has few walls, and those that exist are designed as dividers rather than barriers. Large windows were placed to capture as much natural light as possible without causing glare.

“Natural lighting feels good,” Schwer says. “That’s what people are attracted to.”

Now that the house is completed, the next step involves creating and placing devices to monitor how much energy is used when the house is occupied. Students will monitor the results. Schwer says everything needs to be in perfect working order so as to not affect results of the tests.

ZNETH likely won’t be the last home UNO students build. Cory now is exploring ways to build a ZNETH-passive house — one that uses even less energy than ZNETH 1.

He says it’s important all homeowners consider making changes to their own energy consumption habits. ZNETH, he adds, provides a blueprint to do just that.

“We hope this project inspires others to take some of our energy and design principles and build their own net zero home.”

— Charley Reed, University Relations

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New Homes

As the university moves closer to 2020 and the needs of a growing student population evolve, it becomes necessary to expand the campus and its offerings to the community. In 2012, UNO designed or created these new homes.

Biomechanics Research Facility Breaking free of its current cramped confines in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building (HPER), the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility soon will have 23,000 square feet of new research space.

The privately funded Biomechanics Research Facility will be located southwest of Al Caniglia Field and house departments and programs including the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility led

by UNO professor of biomechanics Nick Stergiou. Construction began in June with a target completion of August 2013.

Stergiou and his fellow researchers will utilize the new space to continue their work in the study of human movement, including groundbreaking research on cerebral palsy.

The Biomechanics Research Facility also will house UNO's new Ph.D. in exercise science program.

“A premier Ph.D. program in exercise science was unavailable to students in the Nebraska region,” says Deborah Smith-Howell, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean for Graduate Studies. “UNO leads in this area of study, and it made sense to develop a Ph.D. program to complement our master’s programming health, physical education and recreation, as well as athletic training.

"It is critical that students who want to study and work in the Nebraska area have excellent choices, and now UNO offers this additional level of education in exercise science.”

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Military and Veteran University Services Office (MaV USO)

Community Engagement Center

UNO's new Military and Veteran University Services Office (MaV USO) opened April 2. Housed on the first floor of the Gene Eppley Administration Building, MaV USO is the result of two years of assessing how the needs of military and veteran students were being met by services offered at UNO. The office was designed based on feedback from student surveys and features a virtual presence for students stationed or deployed around the globe.

After much discussion, there finally came time for construction.

Of UNO’s new Community Engagement Center, that is.

Groundbreaking began in May for the new facility, which will provide additional office and meeting spaces, learning spaces and community areas to support the university's engagement and work with community partners and the public.

MaV USO is staffed by individuals with personal affiliations to the military. It is available to current military and veteran students at UNO and to prospective students with military affiliations. The office will help students better navigate the university, whether in person or online, and discover and utilize programs and services available to them at UNO, such as GI Bill assistance, transfer credits and other academic support.

The center will be located between the Dr. C.C. Mabel L. Criss Library and the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) building. It will house many of the university's current outreach programs and create new ones.

It also will help address concerns outlined in survey responses, including the transitional concerns some military and veterans face adapting to the university environment (particularly if they are dealing with PTSD or other trauma-based injuries received in combat).

Visitors to the center will be able to observe the interactions of university and community representatives through the walls of the glass-enclosed conference rooms, use the center's state-of-the-art technology to sign up for current or future community service activities, participate in special events, or attend open lectures.

"It's a very exciting opportunity for UNO to better meet the unique needs of this student population and make sure they receive the support they need to be successful in their education pursuits," says MaV USO Director, Hayley Patton.

A grand opening for MaV USO will take place this fall.

Other universities have similar centers of collaboration and engagement, but UNO's Community Engagement Center will be the first of its kind in the nation in terms of size, focus and potential impact.

— Sarah Casey, University Relations

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A ZNETH of His Own Zero Net Energy Test Home (ZNETH) participant and UNO sustainability champion Patrick Wheeler has tried to “walk the talk” while building a ZNETH-like house of his own.

It was a walk that took him down unexpected paths.

“We started with the premise of wanting a healthy home, then tried to incorporate as much energy efficient and sustainable attributes as possible,” Wheeler says.

With 1,735 square feet on the main floor and 1,500 more in the basement, Wheeler and his wife, Diane, were deliberate and judicious in the use of space.

“Our bedrooms are small, and we’re OK with that because we have a larger kitchen and dinette space,” Patrick says.

Natural light floods the home. “With the help of our double-pane Anderson windows and two sun tunnels, during the day there are only two rooms that light switches are used: bathroom and mudroom,” Wheeler says.

The house is wired to someday run entirely on solar power (one solar panel already is on the roof). And the three-car garage is pre-wired for an electric car.

Natural gas won’t be found. Wheeler says Nebraska leads the country in number of deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning, and the Wheelers wanted a no-emissions house.

The biggest expense in the home was the geothermal system.

Other features: An 85-gallon Marathon water heater; a 2-ton, two-stage heat pump; sealed footings and foundation; thicker exterior walls; hardwood and tile floors throughout (eliminating use of toxic glues); and high-rated insulation.

“Best return on your money is to properly insulate your attic,” Wheeler says. “It pays off with heating and cooling.”

The Wheelers moved in to their new home in mid-April. Patrick plans to create a website exploring the building process and sustainable choices made building his very own ZNETH home.

— By Becky Bohan Brown, University Relations

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get to know he answered What has been your favorite home and why?

My great-grandmother’s two-family house in the South Bronx, where I spent my earliest years. It was a short walk to my school and schoolyard, and it was the epicenter of family activity.

we asked

Lou Pol Dean, College of Business Administration

What was your first job?

A paperboy in Champaign, Ill. I started out with about 50 customers, but eventually ended up with over 200, when I was given a different route.

What was the best advice you ever received?

Don’t ever underestimate the role of good luck in your life (from my dad).

What is your favorite weekend hangout?

On some beach along the west coast of Florida in the morning, getting ready to watch a spring training baseball game in the afternoon, then moving on to our favorite nightspot in the evening.

What is your secret to happiness?

Enjoy art, listen to music, work and play hard, and hang out with your family and friends.

we asked

What has been your favorite home and why?

I called Atlanta, GA, home until 2006, which is when I moved to Omaha. I quickly learned anywhere feels like home if I can find a glass of sweet tea!

answered Stacie Petter Professor, College of Information Science and Technology

My favorite home would be the one that my father custom-built for our family.

I recall being included in the process, from drafting the plans, building the foundation and seeing only a stack of materials turn into a dream home. It was a great life lesson that with wellthought-out plans and hard work you can build anything from nothing.

My favorite home is not a physical structure; my favorite home is being part of large family that has served in our U.S. Armed Services. It is a very close-knit family where friendships last a lifetime. I still communicate regularly with my UNO AFROTC classmates who are scattered all over the world.

answered

Chuck Holderness (’70), President, UNO Alumni AFROTC chapter

Devin Bertelsen UNO student president/ regent, 2012-13 Text, photos by Jenna Zeorian, University of Nebraska Foundation

answered

My favorite home is my current home. I particularly enjoy the panorama of activity outside my back door on weekend mornings, including the myriad of neighborhood birds and squirrels exploring feeders for tasty bits and the usual sequence of neighborhood cats quietly passing through on business of their own.

answered Les Valentine Archivist, UNO Criss Library

My home away from home is Jamaica, where I’m from.

I miss the environment — it’s much warmer there! — the culture, the music, my family, my friends and the food. Of course, the food! I miss my mom’s and grandmother’s cooking.

answered Kathie-Lee Laidley Student-athlete, track

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far from

Home The Changing Face of UNO Athletes

UNO Athletics adopted the nickname “Omaha’s Team” three years ago in part to reflect the local makeup of its studentathlete population.

And, indeed, a large majority of Mavericks hail from greater Omaha and remain after graduation to work and raise families.

But the demographics of UNO’s teams have changed greatly in the last 15 years. And the influx of students from outside Nebraska and even the United States has contributed profoundly to the success of many UNO teams.

In 2011-12, UNO had approximately 250 student-athletes competing for its 14 teams. Of those, 160 were from Nebraska.

But almost a fourth call somewhere else home — 29 percent from other states and 7 percent from outside the country.

It wasn’t always that way. Associate Athletic Directors Don Leahy and Connie Claussen recall a time when UNO truly was the home team.

“I remember when he had a regional TV game [for football] in the early ’80s,” Leahy says. “The announcer was introducing UNO, and he kept saying, ‘…from Omaha, …from Omaha, …from Omaha.’ Almost the whole starting lineup was from Omaha.”

As Claussen remembers from her early days as the coach of nearly every women’s sport at UNO, there were few options for getting student-athletes from outside city limits.

“We didn’t have money for scholarships and recruiting so it was pretty much the ones who were going to come here to UNO,” Claussen says. “We didn’t really spend much time with recruiting because we didn’t have anything to offer them other than the education at the university, which was big.”

Hockey, Track Lead the Pack The first significant change to the UNO student-athlete population came in 1997 when hockey became the school’s first Division I sport. Without a large group of hockey-playing high school players in the area, then-head coach Mike Kemp

and his staff brought in players from Minnesota, New York, Alaska, Canada and even Finland.

Hockey remains UNO’s most diverse team to this day.

Hockey, comprised of players from 11 states and two foreign countries, was the only UNO program without a Nebraska resident on its roster last season. Its American players come from all over — from traditional hockey hotbeds like Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin to unexpected states such as California, Texas and Missouri. Additionally, the Mavs have four Canadians and Czech Andrej Sustr.

Sustr says the notion of college athletics as we know it doesn’t exist in his home country. That’s why he’s at UNO. “After high school, you have to decide if you’re going to go pro or to stay with school,” Sustr says. “But you won’t get to play hockey as much because the colleges don’t care what you do beyond school work. There’s not a way to do both so I decided to come here because I could play and get an education.”

Beyond hockey, UNO’s track and field team has had the most consistent pipeline to international talent in the last five years, in part because track is such an international sport. Head Coach Steve Smith has brought in talented runners, sprinters and jumpers from Turkey, Slovenia, Russia, Nigeria, Jamaica and elsewhere. All have helped the Mavericks achieve at a high level.

For international student-athletes, Smith says, much of their decision to attend UNO comes down to a comfort level.

“They’re not always concerned about going Division I or Division II,” Smith says. “They’re looking for a good school, and their parents want them at a good school where they’re going to get a good education and where the coach and staff will look after them. It helps when you visit their parents and their coaches, and they get comfortable with you and they trust that this coach will look out for my child.”

Maja Mihalinec, one of Smith’s sprinters, remembers when he came to visit her and her family in her home town of Mozirje, Slovenia.

“I was pretty fluent in English at that time and when Coach Smith came to visit, we had a good conversation,” she says.

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“I was translating for my parents because they don’t speak English, so that was a bit challenging and funny.”

Calling Home Basketball has become a much more international sport during the last 30 years, but UNO’s men’s team has not had many foreign-born players on its roster.

Head coach Derrin Hansen says that when the Mavs were a Division II program, UNO didn’t always have the money to recruit internationally.

B.J. Kabamba, native of Winnipeg, Manitoba

“We’ve had three or four in my 14 years here because of the international program we have here,” says Hansen.

“But there are a lot of hurdles to clear internationally, too, so the cost factor to get here is kind of a harsh reality. So do we look at some international students? Yes … but it doesn’t always work out.”

The UNO women’s basketball team has one international player, forward Zenta Liepa from Riga, Latvia.

Like many international student-athletes, she played for junior colleges in Illinois and Kansas before coming to UNO.

Zenta Liepa, Riga, Latvia

Like many of UNO’s international student-athletes, she’s balancing school, playing and the tug of family back home.

“At first my mom was upset about me coming to America,” Liepa says. “She didn’t really want me to come here, but it’s been so far, so good. We Skype a lot, and if we didn’t, it would probably be a lot harder.

International phone calls are really expensive. But I’m just used to being far away from home. It’s always a great feeling to go back home, which I will for a couple months this summer.”

Czech native Andrej Sustr

B.J. Kabamba is a member of UNO’s first-ever men’s soccer team. The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is of Congolese descent and lives in an African community in that city. He says the similarities between Canada and the United States have made the transition easier, and that his teammates have helped with that.

“It’s tough with the family situation, with them being so far away, but my teammates are good friends and they’re easy to get along with,” Kabamba says. “I’ve built good relationships with them and that makes it easier.”

As UNO looks to be competitive in the Summit League, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference in 2013, its coaches will continue to look for the best players, no matter where they live.

That means Maverick fans can expect to see a more diverse group of student-athletes competing under the banner of “Omaha’s Team” in the years to come.

— Dave Ahlers, Director of Athletic Communications

Maja Mihalinec, Mozirje, Slovenia

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Bits of the Bull The event drew more than 400 attendees to Embassy Suites in LaVista, Neb.

Nelligan Sports Marketing to Represent UNO UNO Athletics announced in April that it had given Nelligan Sports Marketing (NSM) exclusive rights to manage the university's athletic corporate sponsorship program and media rights. The agreement also will provide the opportunity for NSM to assist UNO in securing business-to-business agreements that extend across campus.

UNO’s hockey season includes at least 19 home games in 2012-13, but one comes in an unusual venue — outdoors.

“This partnership is another step in the growth of Maverick Athletics and the university as a whole,” says Director of Athletics Trev Alberts. “Our goal was to find a company that would be a true partner in every sense of the word; someone who would represent our best interests and be as dedicated as we are to the long-term success of UNO.”

The Mavericks on Feb. 9 will host North Dakota at TD Ameritrade Park for the first outdoor game in school and Omaha history. The game is part of the “Mutual of Omaha Battles on Ice,” which opens with a 12:30 p.m. game between the Omaha Lancers and Lincoln Stars. UNO-North Dakota follows as the second game of their WCHA series. Tickets go on sale Oct. 1.

NSM provides sales and marketing expertise for sports properties worldwide.

Its university clients include Colorado State, Indiana State, Louisville, Marquette, Massachusetts, Princeton, Rutgers, Seton Hall and others.

UNO’s 16th season starts with college hockey's traditional opening tournament, The Icebreaker, in Kansas City’s Sprint Center Oct. 12 and 13. The Icebreaker includes Army, Maine and Notre Dame.

New Assistant Hockey Coach UNO hockey Coach Dean Blais on June 5 introduced Steve Johnson as his new assistant coach. He replaces Mike Hastings, who left UNO to become head coach at Minnesota State.

“Steve has the ability to be a great recruiter for us, and his on-ice skills as a coach are very strong,” Blais says.

Johnson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at WCHA rival school St. Cloud State. Prior to that, he succeeded Blais as the head coach of the Fargo Force of the USHL, leading the Force to the 2010 Clark Cup Finals.

Outdoor Game, Icebreaker Highlight 2012-13 Mav Hockey

“The Icebreaker and the outdoor game are sure to make this one of the most memorable seasons of UNO hockey,” Director of Athletics Trev Alberts says. “UNO ranked fourth in the country in home attendance last season, and we know our fans are going to enjoy all of the home games on our schedule this season.”

Albers, Puc Honored at Senior Night UNO celebrated the accomplishments of its student-athletes April 22 at the 2012 Senior Night and Awards Banquet, a year-end event honoring the 46 graduating seniors and other athletes.

Basketball player Mitch Albers received the Senior Career Male Student-Athlete Award.

Albers capped his career as the No. 2 scorer in school history with 1,790 points and ranked 36th nationally in 2012 for scoring. An allconference honoree, he also carried a 3.0 grade-point average in physical education and was one of UNO's most dedicated studentathletes in the CHAMPS/Life Skills program.

Anja Puc of the track & field team received the Senior Career Female Student-Athlete Award. Puc was a three-time NCAA champion and an eight-time All-American, setting four school records. In 2010, she won the

From left, Alberts, Anja Puc and Associate Athletic Director Connie Claussen.

800 meters indoor and outdoor championships, running the fifth-fastest outdoor time in Division II history. Puc was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and was named to the MIAA All-Academic Team three times. In the community, she took part in Athletes and Elders, the Women's Walk and UNO's partnership with Methodist Women's Hospital. She carried a 3.72 GPA in international studies.

Albers also was named Male Athlete of the Year while volleyball’s Angie Reicks was named Female Athlete of the Year. Reicks was a four-year starter and a two-time allconference selection, setting a career record at UNO with 1,935 digs. She also set the single-match school digs record.

Other awards presented can be seen at OMavs.com From left, Associate Athletic Director Don Leahy, Mitch Albers and Athletic Director Trev Alberts.

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ATHLETICS

New Digs It’s been a year full of “new” for the UNO men’s basketball program — a new Division I schedule, new travel destinations and new peers in the Summit League. When the 2012-13 season begins, another item will be added to the list — a new home in the Ralston Sports and Event Center.

The $33 million arena, under construction, opens this fall at 72nd and Q Streets, minutes from the UNO campus. With an expected capacity of 3,700, it will house Maverick men’s basketball, the Omaha Lancers, the Omaha Beef and other sports and entertainment events for the Omaha metropolitan area.

Moving to Ralston marks the end of an era, as the men’s basketball program has called on-campus Sapp Fieldhouse home since 1949. But it also gives the Mavericks a sparkling new place to welcome a full slate of Summit League opponents in 2012-13, making UNO a league leader in basketball facilities.

Hoofing it for UNO Athletics The Claussen-Leahy Run/Walk debuted April 21, featuring a variety of activities for participants on the UNO campus. The event benefited all UNO student-athletes and athletic programs.

The Claussen-Leahy Run/Walk was an outgrowth of the highly successful UNO/Diet Pepsi Women's Walk, an event held for 26 years as the marquee fundraiser for women's athletic scholarships. The Women's Walk was begun in 1986 by current assistant athletic director Connie Claussen and became the largest fundraiser of its kind in NCAA athletics, raising $4 million dollars in its history.

The 2012 Claussen-Leahy Run/Walk brought in more than $200,000 and involved more than 850 participants. In a change from previous years, participants were allowed to designate which teams they would like to support or if that support should go to the general athletics fund.

Shirley Young served as chairperson of the Claussen-Leahy Run/Walk.

The event began with an 800 meter Kids' Race and the Elders' Walk on the stadium track. The Claussen 5K and Leahy 2K runs followed on a challenging course around the campus perimeter. The morning also included Mini Sports Clinics for all Kids' Race participants.

— Bonnie Ryan, UNO Athletic Communications

“It was special getting to play one final season at Sapp Fieldhouse,” Head Coach Derrin Hansen says. “So many great games, players and coaches went through there, and paying tribute to that history was important.

“Now the new Ralston arena is going to provide our team with the kind of home-court advantage we enjoyed for so many years at Sapp Fieldhouse, but at new heights. It’s also a great recruiting tool as we continue to bring in the kinds of players who will help us find success in our transition to Division I.” The facility totals 95,000 square feet for events and functions, and free parking will be available each night. Featured fan amenities include 12 suites, each with 16 seats, flat screen televisions and a personal attendant. There also are 240 club seats and approximately 40 super club seats with access to a personal wait staff that will send in-game food orders directly to the kitchen via iPads.

For the Mavericks, the locker room includes 18 lockers and a players’ lounge with sofas, flat screen TVs and places to relax and study. Separate spaces accommodate coaches’ offices and dressing areas, as well as a full athletic training room. Directly outside the locker room, a reception area will be built for pregame entertainment and postgame gathering among student-athletes, families and supporters, as well as postgame media interviews. The entire area will be branded for UNO, providing a true feeling of home for Maverick players.

“It’s really exciting to see the arena start to take shape,” sophomore center John Karhoff says. “You can already tell it will be a great place to play in front of our home crowd, and we’re excited to get in there for the first time.”

While the 2012-13 schedule is still being finalized, fans are guaranteed eight home games against opponents from the Summit League. The home opener comes during 2012 Homecoming Week — Nov. 9 against Northern Illinois.

Also, as part of its conference membership, UNO will host a BracketBuster game on Feb. 23, which could be televised on ESPN. In anticipation of those events, early season ticket sales for 2012-13 have been promising, nearing 1,000 seats sold in the first two weeks.

“The new arena is a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes to play in a first-class facility,” Associate Athletic Director Josh White said. “The locker room and players’ lounge have been designed so our players have a great place to go before, during and after games and to relax when they’re not playing. They have options to rest and study there, and they can do all their pregame preparation in the same place.

“This new arena is not only a recruiting advantage; it will also encourage UNO students to become part of the growing fan base, which helps our student-athletes in the long run. Changes like these will only set us up for future success, which makes this a very exciting time to be part of UNO men’s basketball and UNO athletics.”

— Bonnie Ryan, UNO Athletic Communications

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A peek inside rooms of two UNO residents 8

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Bits of the Bulletin: Lake of the Ozar bumper stick er, a summer getaway; hospital wristksbands “from reconstructive surgery on my face from ball incident”; Summer work schedule, end-of-the-yeaar soft BBQ Flyer, pics of her and mom, her and a friend at the Tim raw concert The crown signifies her captaincy as a McG senior.

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mes bity de cided against obtaining: aName residence hall living. al plan tied to my own meals in ou “I enjoy prepa ring “However, I also en r kitchen,” he says. joy dining ou at different restaura nts close to cat mp us.”

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How’d That Get Here?

The stuffed alien is a childhood keepsake that was accidentally put into a box when he was moving into his residence hall.

“So I’ve kept it at the dorm to remind me of home.”

Photos by Eric Francis

Photos by Eric Francis

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Moving Day: Mom and Dad helped Nabity move in, then again when he switched rooms.

Resident assistants and volunteers also are made available during move-in to help residents.

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Leaving the Nest

How freshmen adjust to life away from home

By Matt Goodlett

Transitioning from high school to college, home life to dorm life, is a BIG adjustment

For UNO freshman Jais Ford, the emphasis is on “big.”

A UNO Alumni Association Alumni Scholar, Ford was raised in the village of Cody, Neb. — population 154. In August 2011 she moved into UNO’s University Village — population 576.

Ironically, it might have been harder at first making friends in the latter, which is structured as apartment-style living. There’s more privacy than a typical dorm, but that can have its drawbacks, too.

“In the apartments you don’t get to know people,” Ford says. “You just kind of go to your room, where in a usual dorm everybody just leaves their door open and everyone knows everyone.”

Ford overcame the anonymity of apartment-style living by getting involved on campus. The former basketball and volleyball captain at Cody-Kilgore Unified High School took part in on-campus intramurals and is exploring joining the pre-health club. She says UNO’s Student Organization and Leadership Programs office has helped her find the right fit among more than 100 recognized clubs and organizations.

That’s important for Ford and other students who’ve left the nest for the first time.

“I’ve never left home for a long duration of time,” Ford says. “Being so far you don’t get back home often.”

Ford’s mother, Tracee, said decisions made in high school helped her daughter in the transition. It probably helped, too, that Jais could follow the example of three older siblings who also left home for college.

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UNO makes it pretty easy to get acclimated.

– Jais Ford

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“We encourage [our children] to go out and experience things and to travel abroad,” says Tracee, who teaches grades 7 to 12 at Cody-Kilgore. “They gain a lot of confidence I think kids in even bigger schools don’t have if they don’t take those opportunities.

“It’s scary anytime you do something new.

You just have to be prepared for it as best you can and use your resources — talk to your teachers, talk to your guidance counselors or siblings.”

Help is Here UNO offers a range of services to students to ease the transition from high school to college and from living at home to living away from home. That includes advice during student orientation not just for incoming freshmen, but also for parents (such as communication strategies with their college student).

Also among UNO’s offerings is the First Year Experience Course, a 10-week intensive course that teaches college success strategies and covers reading and note taking at the college level, test anxiety, career assessments, public speaking and learning styles. Seventeen sections will be offered this fall, each with a 25-student capacity. Students from the First Year Experience Course often continue meeting after the class has ended and also take the required Public Speaking course together to ease anxiety.

Cathy Pettid, director of UNO’s Counseling Center, recommends students get involved, as Jais did. She also stresses the importance of time management.

“A lot of UNO students do work, and they work a lot of hours,” Pettid says. “But there seems to be a magical number.”

Working 20 to 25 hour per week has shown to improve grades, she says, but working more than that can have an adverse effect on grades.

Pettid also advised communication between parents and students. She said it’s a good idea for parents to discuss budgets and academic expectations before students leave home for college. The dynamics can be much different.

“To be a good parent in high school means you’re very involved and you go online to check grades,” Pettid says. “Then, all of a sudden in college, you have to let go.”

Getting a grip on finances also is important. According to the College Board Advocacy and Policy Center, the estimated average price for room and board for the 2011 to 2012 academic year ranged from $8,890 for public in-state schools to $10,090 for private universities.

Trenton Fredericksen, assistant director of UNO’s University Housing, says UNO housing ranges from $5,800 to $6,100 per year depending on the facility, with meal plans adding additional cost. UNO offers 2,084 beds in five different facilities throughout campus.

Newer facilities, like Scott Court on the Pacific Street campus, now are structured more like homes. Students have separate bedroom suites but share a kitchen, living room and one or two bathrooms. Some of the on-campus residences also offer onsite gyms, laundry facilities and dining halls.

For Jais Ford, her sophomore year at UNO could feel even more like home. Her sister, Teeyl, is exploring a transfer from North Platte Community College to UNO and is hoping to room with Jais.

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Successful Strategies Advice for first-time university students ❶ S tudents and parents should communicate academic expectations and financial expectations before the start of classes.

Students should be especially wary of credit card offers and spending. ❷ D iscuss how much information parents will have access to. Applicable forms must be completed because the university is limited as to what student information it can provide. ❸ S ecure on-campus housing as early as possible. UNO typically has a waiting list for its 2,000-plus beds. ❹ B ecome involved with organizations on campus. Studies show that retention rates are higher for students with campus involvement. ❺ U tilize UNO’s Learning Centers for math, science, public speaking and writing. They can get students from struggles to success. ❻ U NO’s Counseling Center can help.

It’s staffed by licensed mental health practitioners and also has alcohol and drug counselors available. It offers a wide range of free and confidential services to freshmen through graduate students, covering topics from pre-existing mental health conditions to transitional issues. The center also offers vocational/career testing. ❼ A ttend classes. When attendance becomes optional in college, some students take that independence too far. No one will call home to say a class was missed — it’s the responsibility of students to be there and be on time. ❽ G et to know your professors and academic advisor. It’s good to speak with professors one-on-one even if you don’t have a specific question. ❾ D on’t forget to account for spending money.

After tuition and meal plans, many students will need some dispensable income — plan accordingly.

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HOME *SWEET* HOME How to make sure the American Dream doesn’t go sour Dave and Melissa Anderson are starting to talk.

With their daughter away in college, they find themselves empty nesters in a house in southwest Omaha that’s been home for the past 15 years.

By Kevin Warneke Story sources: Dave Anderson

UNO alum, vice president and CFO, Millard Lumber Nate Bjorklund

lecturer and coordinator, UNO Real Estate program Kate Dodge

UNO alum, president, NEI Global Relocation Dan Grzywa

UNO alum, agent, American Family Insurance Rob Randels

adjunct professor, UNO finance, banking and law Wei Rowe

associate professor, UNO finance, banking and law

They wonder if now might be a good time to downsize — and build new.

“It’s a great time to build,” says Dave, vice president and chief financial officer of Millard Lumber, and a UNO alum. “We could build what we need, creating a smaller footprint for ourselves at a time when construction costs are pretty good.”

Lower construction costs and record-low interest rates may be all the motivation some buyers need to leap into home ownership.

But wait a minute, warns Wei Rowe, Nebraska Bankers Association professor in UNO’s department of finance, banking and law.

“It is a good time to buy if you have steady income, job security and adequate down payment that allows you to afford a mortgage,” Rowe says.

Those might be easy check offs for the Andersons, but their conversation centers more on whether a 3,600-square-foot house is too much for two people, and whether they are willing to leave their neighborhood for a new venue.

Steven Shultz

“It’s just the two of us,” Anderson says. “Do we really need as much house as we have?”

Baright professor of real estate and land use economics, UNO

So the Andersons talk.

David Volkman

chairman, UNO department of finance, banking and law Robert Wiebusch

vice president of operations, Omaha Title and Escrow

Following is conversation fodder all about homes — what they mean to Americans; the skinny on interest rates and when to consider reverse or second mortgages; when the best time is to buy, and whether to rent or to own; and, insurance considerations.

It makes for an issue worth saving — around the home.

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A Dream for Some, Fantasy or Nightmare for Others A look at how many people are living the ‘American Dream’ of home ownership Analyzing dreams can be rather subjective. At Xavier University, professors delve into the American Dream as objectively as possible, considering 35 factors in what they call the American Dream Composite Index (ADCI). Measurements include trust in government, civic participation, physical environment — and home ownership.

In April, the ADCI was 64.11 percent, meaning American society is just two-thirds of the way toward realizing all aspects of the American Dream.

Of all the indicators, though, home ownership might resonate most with Americans.

“The concept of mass homeownership seems an inseparable part of American mythology,” went a 2010 Time magazine dissertation on homeownership. “The U.S., we tell ourselves, has always been a nation of bootstrapping immigrants, a place where, in the 19th century, anyone with enough endurance could head West and collect a homestead.”

So what’s behind the dream? Participants in a Fannie Mae survey said owning a home made them feel safe and secure and provided a good place to raise children.

Home ownership remains part of the American dream – “but only if you can afford it,” says UNO Professor Wei Rowe. “Otherwise, it is ‘American fantasy.’”

The numbers indicate that fewer Americans today are living the dream of home ownership. Homeownership percentages have returned to 1960s’ lows of 62 percent – down from their peak of nearly 70 percent in 2004 – just a few years after the recession of the early 2000s and before the credit bubble burst.

“People probably felt optimistic,” Rowe says.

Rowe ticks off several reasons for the recent decline in home ownership: • Millions of homes have been lost to foreclosure.

• S ecuring a mortgage loan has become more difficult due to more stringent guidelines.

• The tax credit for first-time homeowners ended.

• T he children of Baby Boomers are choosing to rent or live with their parents because of their financial insecurity.

Nate Bjorklund, lecturer and real estate program coordinator for UNO’s College of Business Administration, chooses his words carefully when joining the conversation about the American dream.

“Home ownership is not always the best fit at every point in one’s life,” Bjorklund says.

Owning a home may not make sense for people in certain times of their lives, he says. The key, he continues, is doing your homework and thinking critically about the future.

Robert Wiebusch, vice president of operations for Omaha Title and Escrow, says the concept that everyone should own a home no longer is a given.

“We are going through a cycle now that puts home ownership out of reach for a segment of the market that previously would have qualified for funding to purchase a home,” Wiebusch says.

In metropolitan Omaha, at least, homebuyers and sellers are faring better.

“The market is already rebounding, and it is especially rebounding here in Omaha,” Wiebusch says. “Inventory is down and demand is on the rise. Slow, steady and sustainable are good words when referring to the rebound of the housing market.”

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At Home, and Broke

Making sure you can afford what you’re buying UNO Professor Nate Bjorklund cautions first-time homebuyers about the dangers of being “house poor.”

Many young couples buy their dream home and get caught up in the excitement without sufficient consideration of future expenses.

UNO Professor Rowe offers potential buyers with a formula to determine whether they should be in the market: • D ebt-to-income ratio should be no more than 36 percent.

• House payment-to-income ratio should be less than 28 percent.

The reasons for buying, according to Robert Wiebusch, are low interest rates and sellers who might be willing to take less than their ideal asking price. Sellers who are “moving up” in their housing might be able to take less for their current home if they are getting an even better deal on the new home, he says.

The median price for a house in the Omaha market for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $132,900 – down 3.1 percent from the same quarter in 2010, according to Walter Molony, a spokesman for the National Association of Realtors. Nationally, the median price for a home was $163,500 – down 4.2 percent from the previous year.

Single-family residential homes in the Omaha metropolitan area appreciated by 8.7 percent based on median values, according to a February research report authored by Dr. Steven Shultz, Baright professor of real estate and land use economics at UNO. The report, which focused on single-family residential housing prices, also found that prices have fallen by 9.5 percent, based on median values, since 2006 – when housing values peaked in Omaha. The study included 88,653 Omaha housing sales from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2011.

Rowe encourages buyers to assess their financial situation before buying, asking themselves whether their income is steady, they have job security and whether they have an adequate down payment.

She suggests 20 percent, which allows the buyer to avoid having to buy private mortgage insurance. Twenty percent is optimal, but at least 10 percent is necessary, she says.

“You should give yourself a thorough, honest assessment of your own financial well-being before taking on a 30-year mortgage just because interest rates are low,” Rowe says.

So is Rowe living the American dream? Yes, she purchased a house in 2000 – a year after taking her faculty position at UNO. Did she have the 20 percent down payment? No, but… She said she had job security and was earning a steady income. And even though interest rates were higher than they are now, she and her husband needed a tax deduction because they had no children at the time.

Finally, they selected a home well within their means although they could have purchased a much larger, more expensive home.

“My payment is not that much different than apartments,” she says.

Bjorklund suggests that potential buyers extend an assessment of their finances well into the future. Include the costs of raising a family, furnishing the home and living the lifestyle associated with owning a home. “Buying a home is the single largest investment that many of us will make – and we need to keep that in mind,” Bjorklund says.

He also encourages homebuyers to do their homework. Having a basic understanding of real estate may allow the consumer to find the best interest rate and buy in the most advantageous location within budget – while keeping stress in check, he says.

“Knowledge is power, and I cannot begin to convey how important being an educated consumer is,” Bjorklund says.

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Seconds, Anyone?

Second mortgages aren’t getting the second look they once did

One of three reasons typically is in play when a homeowner decides to take a second mortgage, says UNO Professor David Volkman, chairman of UNO’s department of finance, banking and law: • To pay off a costly personal expense. “A trip, a car, a wedding,” Volkman says.

• T o update your current home. “Say you want to put in a swimming pool or finish off a basement.”

• T o stay out of the jumble loan market. Prospective homeowners can seek standard loans up to $417,000. Beyond that magic number, they enter into the jumble loan market – loans that are 100 to 200 basis points higher, Volkman says.

Second mortgages for the third reason aren’t as popular as they once were, Volkman says. In the past, homeowners could count on their values of their homes increasing – worth the while of taking the second loan. These days, he says, homes are decreasing in value and second mortgages aren’t as prevalent.

Backing Up

Reverse mortgages are gaining popularity among homeowners 62 and older.

Sliding Down

Interest rates are at 40-year lows. Will they rise again?

Turns out reverse mortgages may be becoming more popular as a last option when finances are limited.

This much is true: interest rates are at 40-year lows and are likely to remain that way for the short-term.

Reverse mortgages are backed by the Federal Housing Authority and available to those 62 and older. They are used to release home equity in a property as one lump sum or in multiple payments. The obligation to pay comes after the owner’s death, the home is sold or the owner leaves the property.

“It sounds like the Fed wants to keep rates low for the next 18 months,” Robert Wiebusch says. “After that, you would have to consult a crystal ball for an answer.”

“More and more people are looking at reverse mortgages as an option,” says Rob Randels, an adjunct professor in finance and a certified financial planner. “This conversation didn’t exist five years ago.”

The conversation should start for home owners in their 50s and 60s, Randels says, but shouldn’t come into play unless they have exhausted all other options.

When discussing reverse mortgages, homeowners should consider current interest rates, the amount of equity in the home, and government lending limits, which could change. Homeowners also must know that they don’t turn over the titles to their property.

Randels says reverse mortgages continue to be more popular on the coasts because people living in the Midwest tend to be a little more conservative. “And the values of their homes aren’t so outrageous.”

Says Wei Rowe, “I don’t expect them to go above 5 percent in the next year.”

Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages reached their peak of more than 18 percent in 1981 – during a time of high inflation and just after the savings and loan crisis. In response, the Federal Reserve employed restrictive monetary policies and raised interest rates until inflation was kept in check, Rowe says.

The 2008 credit crisis resulted in a weak economy resulting in low interest rates, she says. The government, in response, increased spending to stimulate the economy, but demand was weak. Low interest rates also are the result of the Federal Reserve’s expansionary monetary policy. The Fed tried to stimulate the economy by encouraging businesses and homeowners to borrow and spend money.

Wiebusch says he expects to continue to see a high volume of refinance transactions as long as interest rates remain low. He added that he is seeing more 15-year and, in some cases, 10-year refinance mortgages.

“This was not the case five years ago,” says Wiebusch.

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after a half- century of growth, home sizes might be on the downswing By the numbers, homes are getting smaller, although slightly. But by 1950s standards, American homes could be considered downright huge.

The reason for large home: “It might be bigger is better,” Wei Rowe says. “Keeping up with the Joneses.”

In the 1950s, homes, on average, were less than 1,000 square feet. By the 2000s, they had jumped to 2,300 square feet, topping out in 2007 when the average new home was 2,571 square feet, according to new home trends reported by Stanton Homes. In 2010, the average new home was 2,392 square feet.

The reason for the downward trend might be attributed to homebuyers being more budget-conscious, energy conscious and conservative, Rowe says.

Robert Wiebusch says he comes from a generation that doesn’t understand why a homeowner needs a 5,000-square-foot house for a family of three or four. He says he sees a trend toward smaller, quality homes. “The demand for ‘McMansions’ will certainly be impacted in a negative way.”

is

Bigger better?

Wiebusch envisions a day when homes have destinations within walking distance – “where you can buy a gallon of milk without buying a gallon of gasoline.”

Merry Christmas.

I’d like to buy your house.

Getting the right home at the right price sometimes is a matter of timing

Determining when to buy a home is situational, Nate Bjorklund says. During the winter, fewer buyers may be in the market because people don’t want to move when the temperatures are low and snow could be everywhere, he says.

Inventory is another matter. Homes for sale in the Omaha-area market exceeded 5,900 in June and July of 2011. That number dipped to 4,146 in March before rising.

Months with warmer temperatures may be more ideal for an actual move, with volume up – along with increased competition for homes, he says.

“More important is to get a good deal and get the home you want – and will live in for a number of years,” Bjorklund says.

Robert Wiebusch adds his own take: “I say the best time to buy a home is when you need to – or on Christmas Eve, with cash. There aren’t too many buyers writing offers that day so you could probably catch a seller who is willing to deal.”

Getting into the Business The University of Nebraska Omaha offers college students an entry into the real estate business. The College of Business Administration offers a bachelor’s degree in real estate. The program recently moved from the economics department to the finance department.

Nate Bjorklund, UNO real estate program coordinator, says the program is geared toward commercial real estate with a focus on finance, and includes about 35 students.

Contact him at nbjorklund@unomaha.edu or call 402-554-2570.

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The ins and outs of insurance Ask questions about what’s covered and what’s not when purchasing homeowner’s insurance That sump pump which was included in your construction plans for a new home just made sense to protect against basement water damage.

But be sure to have some additional backup when arranging for homeowner’s insurance.

Protection for your protection against basement water damage by adding a sump pump overflow endorsement may be a prudent part of a homeowner’s insurance policy, suggests Dan Grzywa, an agent for American Family Insurance in Omaha and a UNO alum.

It’s among many considerations a homeowner should make when considering insurance for their house. The key is to ask questions about what is included and what is excluded, and about available discounts, Grzywa says.

Home insurance policies typically exclude coverage for such catastrophes as nuclear explosions and earthquakes – and floods. Those living in flood zones, Grzywa says, are required to add flood insurance at extra costs.

Calculating the proper amount of replacement cost coverage for new construction isn’t difficult, Grzywa says.

“They know the value because they just built the home.”

A cost analysis will determine adequate insurance coverage for existing construction, he explains.

To Have?

To Borrow?

More people are opting to rent

As president of NEI Global Relocation, Kate Dodge helps people relocate when their jobs take them to new locales.

Lately, Dodge has found more clients opting to rent – before owning.

Previously, her clients bought homes about 60 percent of the time when relocating to a new city. Now, they’re choosing to rent at that clip, she says.

In 2008 and 2009 with the burst of the credit bubble, clients rented because they weren’t confident their jobs were secure. Some of that sentiment remains, says Dodge, who earned her master’s degree in psychology at UNO. “However, if they feel they’re going to be here for a time, then they’re buying,” Dodge adds.

The question of renting versus owning extends beyond job security, Rowe and Bjorklund say, although it is a factor to be considered.

Bjorklund says first-time buyers sometimes fail to realize costs associated with owning a home: appliances, lawn equipment and furnishings.

“Many young couples buy their dream home and get caught up in the excitement without sufficient consideration of future expenses,” Bjorklund says. “There is a tendency to think that if they can make the payment today and live frugally that is OK because incomes will increase.”

When talking coverage amounts, Grzywa suggests considering endorsements for large ticket items such as jewelry, guns and furs. Then, be sure to ask about the deductibles for wind, hail and tornado damage, which Grzywa calls the “covered perils, to ensure they seem appropriate for the coverage you are buying.

They also must understand the costs of selling a home, he says. “They should also consider their exit strategy when buying a home. Is that a property that other people would be interested in? Is it somewhat unique and not desirable for others in the market down the road?”

Finally, ask about discounts. Building new? Discount.

Including a security system? Discount.

Rowe suggests renting first, building up savings, paying off student loans –then looking to buy a house.

“Be sure to ask,” Grzywa says.

“It’s easy to buy a home,” Rowe says.

“It’s more important to pay for it.”

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Of course you love your children.

But would you love living with three of them if home was a 250-square-foot camper for an entire year?

Home on the Road

By Warren Francke

UNO geology Professor Harmon Maher and wife Lynn Harland, associate dean in the College of Business Administration, are finding out.

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In August 2011, Maher and Harland with children Ayden, Tera and Ian hitched the camper, boarded their Suburban and began a Year of Living Rangerously, dedicating the road trip to Ranger, their late German Shepherd.

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A few years back they’d had a test run of sorts, weathering a month-long run to Alaska when they slept in tents under almost daily rain.

But this time is different — much more than a carefree vacation.

pl annin and Lynn Harmon el route av their tr

It’s a faculty development leave, with the professoriate not only conducting research but also home-schooling their children.

Follow their blogs and you’ll see the geologist at work in Harmon’s posts; hear Ian, 13, skipping an outing to master geometry; find Lynn flying back to Omaha to teach a four-hour class at 7:30 a.m.; and view America through 11-year-old Tera’s eyes when she’s not reading Anne of Green Gables.

They’re touring America in the same 135,000-mile SUV Harmon shared on occasion with UNO students on field trips. The year began on Indiana sand dunes beside Lake Michigan, moved to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, to Maine, New York City, Washington, D.C., to Tybee Island in Georgia, to paddling with manatees in Florida, down to New Orleans, then out west, not to mention many stops in between. They’ll perhaps wind up in the Black Hills of South Dakota before coming home.

New Hampshire

The yearlong adventure was Ian’s idea when he was 11. They were ready to abandon a pop-up that slept only four and buy a larger one when Ian wondered, “Why don’t we buy a real camper that would be big enough for us to live in and travel around in for a year?”

Lynn recalls, “I took a breath” and prepared to tell him it would be impossible, “then realized there was some tiny chance that we could do such a thing.”

When Ian later learned that it might happen, he exclaimed with some alarm, “Oh, my gosh, you people actually listen to me.”

The blog well-traveled The family’s travels are documented at http://rangerously.blogspot.com.

Fans of writer John McPhee will find his mastery of the physical world in some of Harmon’s posts, especially one from Tybee Island, headlined “5 Days — 5 Paddles.” Calling it “new paddling territory for me,” he describes “changing tidal currents that can be quite strong … With winds that develop quickly, razor-sharp oysters to slice up the delicate skin of the Folbot kayak, stories of aggressive water moccasins, and potential rednecks with power boats to top it off, there was plenty to anticipate.”

Later, Maher observes that “mud defines this landscape” and photographs “subtle clouds of flocculated mud in the tide water.” He explores mud “full of burrowing creatures,” including fiddler crabs, noting that time-lapse photography

hanging ou t while ian ta at “home” – Tera read s kes piano le ssons via sk ype

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g in the t ian sittin lynn and s national monumen d n sa e whit

“would show it writhing with life.” Savoring a diet of crabs, “turns out raccoons love seafood,” he writes.

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Another paddle took them 20 yards from two bottlenose dolphins. Later, the whole family, with five folding kayaks “in a semi-stable pile” atop the Suburban, visit a barrier island crab shack (motto: “Where the elite meet in bare feet”), and toss treats to scores of little alligators.

At the mouth of the Savannah River, Ian and his dad beach combed and the lad “asked what I’d do if this was a deserted island we had been washed up on.” So father and son speculate on beach debris. “Garbage turned into treasure and shells became possible tools,” Harmon says. “Fun change in perspective.”

BIG BEND, TX ALL THE KIDS IN FRONT OF THE LIBERTY BELL

Interspersed with family interaction and Harmon’s geological observations, Lynn often posts thoughts on home schooling — she learned a lot in fourth grade world history — and mundane demands of home on the road, such as Laundromats. She learned to be “deeply grateful” because “We would be significantly smellier without them.” Thus she was “honestly surprised to hear a young acquaintance sniff (in a disdainful tone) that he would NEVER go to a Laundromat.”

Turns out they’re not easy to find, tucked away in strip malls with poor signage. Fortunately, “Tera has a special ability to spot even the most elusive Laundromats.” The kids often are in camp while she’s doing laundry, but one rainy night in New Jersey, “the entire family joined me” in a Laundromat. With one wall-less side open to the weather. They pulled up chairs and played cards. In New Hampshire, it was the warmest place in the campground and near New York City a laundering woman from the Hamptons shared stories about how singer Billy Joel regularly ran into trees.

harmon in fron t earnst tinaha s of the inuous folds

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Occasional posts hint at challenges for the children. Tera, 11, reported that relatives visited in Greensboro, N.C., had “no girls my age. I long for all my friends and my Girl Scout troop. They are a big part of my life and I have the best time with them.”

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After a four-hour study session, Ian feared “my brains would be coming out my ears.” And Ayden got a bit nervous in the dark close quarters of Carlsbad Caverns.

Homebound But fears expressed by friends who heard of their plans — “The expectation that it would be way too much togetherness” — haven’t been a problem. Lynn assures, “We have always been a family that tends to hang out together, so we’re pretty compatible and the kids are pretty flexible.”

They took “each kid kayaking in a snuggly (on Mom) by the time they were 6 months old. Frankly, I don’t think they know anything different — this is the way it has always been for them.”

AT METEOR CRATER

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She credits the kids with being great campers who “help us a ton. We are almost a well-oiled machine at this point.”

Speaking of machines, Harmon noted one day while driving with a tail wind that their rig got 12 mpg rather than the normal 8 or 6 heading into wind.

They can go a week without emptying 30-gallon sewage tanks, allowing stays in $14- to $20-a-night public campgrounds rather than the $23 to $50 a night private grounds with sewer hook-ups — all considerations while living on less than half their usual salaries.

Harmon and Lynn still ponder the larger significance of what they’ve experienced, but are already fascinated by how the great diversity of America is bound into one nation. Tera loved swimming at Balmorhea in West Texas, and she particularly liked Carlsbad Caverns. Ayden loved the mini-golf in Orange City, Fla., where they paddled with manatees, and D.C. was a favorite for Lynn and Ian, while Harmon enjoyed walking in New York City and encountering a street band in New Orleans.

Just trying to sum up everyone’s highlights “makes it clear” to Harmon, “how incredibly fortunate we have been.”

“I have learned our kids are really neat and funny people,” Lynn adds, “that there are wonderful people all over the country (and very few rude people), that we don’t really need as much stuff as we have at home, that the U.S. is beautiful and huge and widely varied, that Omaha is one of the most wonderful places to live” (already thought, now confirmed), and that “a microwave, a toaster, a space heater, and an electric blanket can make life much better in a camper.” Not to mention the need for good wi-fi connections.

e Martin the kids at th morial me ng ki er th lu

ST. GEORGE ISLAND, FL

What next? Harmon and colleague Bob Shuster will take students on a 10-day summer field trip to Nebraska’s Toadstool area, then the roaming geologist will go to Norway for a doctoral dissertation and his annual research in the Arctic.

Lynn will return to leadership with the Center for Collaboration Science, and the three youngsters will get reacquainted with Omaha friends.

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NeW ORLEANS

Back home after a living home on the road.

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RIDING

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Moving from Memories

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By Kara Schweiss

Many seniors face the decision of leaving a longtime home.

Some go willingly, some not.

For many older Americans, leaving a longtime home means leaving behind memories.

But UNO Professor Russ Smith and his wife, Patti, chose to look forward — not behind — when choosing the home of their latter years.

“We really tried to look ahead as we closed in on retirement,” says Smith, director of UNO’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness. “We really wanted to enjoy more things in Omaha.”

A confluence of factors nudged the Smiths into downsizing four years ago as they entered their 60s — rising gas prices impacting a 40-mile round-trip commute; a youngest son finishing college; and, extensive maintenance on their large house and nearly 11 acres of prairie and forest.

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The couple sold their home, lived temporarily in an apartment and eventually settled in a west Omaha villa. They auctioned off all equipment amassed to maintain their large property as well as most of the furniture and other household items from the house where they raised four sons.

“I think after parting with a lot of our material possessions that we’re a lot better able to prepare for the future,” Smith says, “and we’re a little bit more adaptable after having gone through this.”

The Smiths proactively faced a decision staring down the more than 40 million Americans already 65 or older — where to live in the twilight of their lives. Many more will face the same question as 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 each day for the next 19 years.

For some, the move is by choice — a preference for less space, less maintenance; more companionship, more amenities. For others, the move is forced upon them as health-related problems make it difficult or perhaps even impossible to live alone.

Forethought, then, is paramount.

“Age is a risk factor and people are living longer, so you have to anticipate doing that,” UNO gerontology Professor Karl Kosloski says.

From Aging in Place to Finding a New Place That could mean “aging in place,” says UNO gerontology professor Karen Shaffer.

If a senior is comfortable with a community network and has no major healthcare needs, staying home might only require occasional home health care and a few modifications to make the house more accessible or easier to manage.

Or, as the Smiths discovered, downsizing might be the answer.

Others join a retirement community, a move accompanied by increased social opportunities and convenience-oriented amenities like transportation and on-site dining options.

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“The two most motivating factors” of a move, Shaffer says, “are health and loneliness.”

For some seniors, she adds, such a move often leads to a more active and independent lifestyle since the former homeowners no longer are burdened with maintaining a house. They may even enjoy improved family relationships because family members no longer have to provide assistance.

But assistance, and lots of it, is required of many others, necessitating a move to a nursing home, assisted living or skilled nursing facility.

“At any given time, only about 5 percent of the older population is in a nursing home, but the lifetime risk is much higher than that,” Kosloski says. “When you get into the upper ages, more than 85, it’s closer to 50 percent.”

Typical residents have medical conditions beyond the scope of family care or independent living. Assisted living facilities are an alternative for seniors who do not require the level of medical care provided by nursing homes, offering residents supervision or assistance with everyday activities and coordination of medical services.

That gets costly. Yet multiple sources are available to assist families who do not have the private resources to pay thousands of dollars a month for what could be many years. Some seniors may qualify for government programs like Medicaid, veterans’ benefits and Social Security.

Insurance — long-term care, life, Medicare or health — may cover all or part of the cost. And families even may be eligible for assistance from nonprofit organizations.

Shaffer recommends that family and seniors make eldercare decisions together if the senior is cognitively able to participate, but emphasizes that seniors should discuss the future possibility of a care facility when they are still healthy and independent — and make sure their families know their wishes.

“Plan ahead,” Shaffer says. “It’s hard to do that because you’re facing your own mortality.

But if you wait until the fall to do that, or the stroke, then you’re in a crisis mode.”

HOME INSTEAD Inspired by the experience of collaborating with family to provide extended care for a grandparent, Paul and Lori Hogan co-founded Home Instead Senior Care in 1994. The company offers nonmedical services like meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders and transportation that help seniors continue to reside in their own homes.

The Hogans quickly discovered a huge demand for such services and their network now includes nearly 900 franchise offices around the globe.

Lori Hogan, a 1984 UNO graduate, says the typical Home Instead client has family who is unable to directly provide the level of ongoing assistance a senior needs.

“It’s an ambulatory person who can get around pretty well but just needs some extra help so they can remain in their home,” Hogan says. “Ninety percent of all seniors want to stay in their own home, so it really is gratifying to be able to provide caregivers that make that a reality for them. They don’t have to leave their communities they are very familiar with and their surroundings.”

Hogan emphasizes that seniors should be part of the decision-making process to explore at-home assistance. Plus, part of the consultation process is to discuss multiple care options.

“Our staff can help assess that, whether it’s feasible to stay in the home or not, and direct them to the right care that they need,” she says. “Right now is a great time to be a senior because there are so many different options available,” Hogan says.

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Home Biz

By Tom McMahon

Starting a business from the bottom up sometimes means that quite literally — working from a home’s basement.

Or, like Hewlett Packard and Apple, it might mean starting up in the garage. Perhaps even a dorm room, where Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook was launched.

For one-time UNO student Ken Jarecke, the home office is a stand-alone building located on his ranch near Billings, Mont.

Jarecke attended UNO in the early 1980s then worked as a contract photographer for high-end publications such as Life, Time and U.S. News and World Report. He performed his last such work about six years ago, though.

“Print magazines were becoming less important as things began going digital,” Jarecke says. “There was less of a demand for photographers like me who combined art and journalism.”

That nudged Jarecke to start an at-home book publishing company, eyeQ Press.

His initial venture was publishing his own photography collections recording the University of Nebraska’s final Big 12 football season and its first in the Big 10. Husker Game Day – Farewell Big 12 was published in 2011; Husker Game Day – A Big 10 Welcome is scheduled for August publication.

While starting a home business presented challenges — Jarecke had to draw on other resources to help with marketing, design and printing — he says the advantages outweigh punching a time clock for someone else.

“You have the freedom to keep control of your work,” he says. “It has been a huge advantage. It keeps you hungry, taking chances, on the cutting edge.”

Not home alone Jarecke is among millions of other Americans to have started businesses from home. And a struggling economy has some people exploring the feasibility of joining the club.

Cliff Mosteller, Omaha director of the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at UNO, says that Nebraska home-based businesses are holding steady in a down economy. In 2009, he says, Nebraska had a net loss of 25,605 jobs. But home-based businesses in the state increased by 4,306 jobs.

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That’s about average over the previous five years. Overall in 2009 there were 117,000 home businesses in Nebraska.

production and his wife did the books.” Mark says the Healys wanted their second effort to have fewer employees and be more of a family affair.

So why, if unemployment rose, did the number of home businesses only hold steady?

Challenges came with a rise in commodity prices — corn jumped from $3 a bushel to more than $7. That meant slowly escalating costs to consumers.

Still, Choice Pet Foods has expanded its markets and doubled business during the past four years.

“Some people may be reluctant to take the risk if they get laid off,” says Mosteller, whose NBDC is a cooperative program of the U.S. Small Business Administration and UNO’s College of Business Administration.

“They may be timid about putting what money they have into a business venture.”

Also, says Mosteller, the number of home-based businesses may be underreported: one-person operations sometimes are not reported as an at-home business.

“If you are just doing it on your own, you can use your social security number, but if you hire even one person you have to have a federal I.D. number,” he says.

Home biz vets Mark and Stephanie Healy have travelled the home business road before — twice.

In 1999 the UNO alumni (Mark: BS-1993, MS-1995; Stephanie: BA1991) launched a third-party Internet database marketing firm called winfreestuff.com, later known as WFS Direct then Vente. Mark quit his job at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to manage the company, which attracted visitors by offering prizes from retailers. Customers could opt to provide their e-mail address to winfreestuff.com; the email databases built were sold to merchants (with customer approval).

“We ran it out of our home for about six months,” Mark says.

Eventually, they moved the business to another location and employed 75 people. The Healys sold the highly successful company in 2005, providing investors a hefty return.

In 2007 the Healys began another venture with Mark’s brother, Tim, when they purchased Choice Pet Foods. A veterinarian began the company, developing its product and selling it from Plainview, Neb. “Steph was home making calls to breeders. I got my CDL (commercial driver’s license) and delivered direct to breeders,” Mark says. “Tim oversaw

BUSIN E SS

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Homework and help Mosteller says the most popular home business ventures continue to be those in the service industry, such as daycare, lawn care and home healthcare. Selling items such as jewelry, food and home care products also is common. The Internet is crucial for some.

“It has provided another target market for home-based product sales,” Mosteller says. “You can even sell other manufacturers products as a home-based business.”

Among the successful home businesses to start in Omaha is Home Instead Senior Care, which UNO graduate Lori Hogan and her husband, Paul, began in 1994 to provide in-home care. Today it has more than 900 franchises around the world with nearly 65,000 employees.

The company, Mosteller notes, “started as an idea around a kitchen table.”

Mosteller says that for a home business to succeed it is critical an owner researches thoroughly — and gets help.

“If a business gets no outside assistance, about four out of five fail,” Mosteller says. Those numbers are reversed if they get help from his office, the Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Corps of Retired Executives, or some other business-savvy individual or organization.

“After five years, 80 percent of those companies are still in business,” Mosteller says.

Last year, the NBDC assisted almost 3,000 Nebraska small businesses, he says. Some of the consulting is provided free.

Healy echoed Mosteller’s advice.

“It is important to have people around you who can advise you and help manage the risk,” Healy says. “There are a lot of resources out there.

Use them.”

For the risk might be high, but for some, the reward is even greater.

NBDC’s Cliff Mosteller cautions would-be home entrepreneurs to beware of scams promising easy home-based start-ups. According to Internet Scam Busters, home-based business and work-at-home opportunities rank high on the list of Internet fraud.

Common scams often involve working from home stuffing envelopes or craft assembly. Mosteller cites a recent scam involving home-based medical

transcriptions. Clients first must purchase expensive computer equipment and software to begin their business, only to encounter difficulty finding businesses willing to outsource such work.

Check with the Better Business Bureau or similar organization before proceeding. To get help from UNO’s Nebraska Business Development Center, visit http://nbdc.unomaha.edu

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HOME OFFICE

By Greg Kozol

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UNO graduates are among those pushing the trend of WAHMS — Work At Home Mothers It wasn’t stress, money, or a hard-driving boss that made Erin Elston Callahan quit her job as a bank vice president in Chicago.

Something else forced Callahan, a 2003 UNO graduate, to re-evaluate her priorities. Something she confronted after another long day of balancing career and family.

Callahan would wake up at 4:30 in the morning to get her 5-month-old daughter, Kara, ready for daycare. After the bank closed for the day, Callahan would hop in her car, where she participated in conference calls while stuck in traffic, to pick up Kara before the daycare shut its doors at 6:30 p.m.

One day, she noticed something different.

Her baby was sitting up.

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Identity Crisis “When did she start doing that?” Callahan asked.

For the last couple of weeks, the daycare staff replied.

The young mother, weighed down by managing 15 banking branches, had missed one of her daughter’s first milestones.

“I was devastated,” Callahan says. “Then I felt guilty. So my husband and I had a conversation and said, ‘This isn’t working.’”

Three years later, Callahan enjoys a commute that starts in her kitchen and ends in the office of her home, now in a Minneapolis suburb. She doesn’t worry about missing Kara’s accomplishments because her daughter pretends to talk on a phone while Callahan is working.

Callahan’s second child, Lauren, is there, too.

When they decided to stay home, Baggiani and Callahan asked themselves the same question: Is this why I went to college?

“I had an identity crisis,” says Baggiani, who has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education. “Kind of selfishly, I felt more important in the adult world.”

Using Facebook, Baggiani found a support network of work-athome moms. “It’s tremendously important having things that connect us,” she says. “We’re all-in.”

Both UNO graduates found that working from home wasn’t as easy as advertised.

Callahan still gets an early start, rising at 5 a.m. to answer e-mails and handle administrative duties in an office with a computer, fax, printer and a parrot-themed bouncer.

A Third Way Callahan didn’t attend UNO to become a work-at-home mother — it just turned out that way.

Sam Ammons, assistant professor of sociology at UNO, says many women are considering options that weren’t available to generations that faced two all-or-nothing choices: stay-at-home mother or career woman.

Staying home with children is by far the hardest job I’ve ever had. When you add trying to run a business on top of it, it’s a very busy day.

- Erin Elston Callahan

Technology such as high-speed Internet and Skype make it possible to choose a third option.

“Generation X and Generation Y definitely want more flexible work arrangements,” Ammons says. “People want to have more control over their time.”

“There’s been times when I’ve been on the phone and I’ve got a 2-year-old in the background going, ‘Mommy, Mommy, Mommy.’ It goes with the territory,” she says.

The Census Bureau estimates that 5.8 million Americans — men and women — worked from home in 2010. While that’s only 4.3 percent of the work force, the number of home-based workers increased from 3.4 million in 1990.

Throughout the day, she balances play activities with phone calls to solicit business and answer questions.

Ammons in her research found that the trend isn’t limited to telemarketing in pajamas. Working from home appeals to skilled employees with managerial or sales experience.

Still want to give up that office job?

Callahan, whose general studies degree emphasized English and creative writing, now represents a direct-mail company that helps customers plan meals with organic ingredients.

UNO graduate Paula Baggiani teaches online classes from her Omaha home while raising two boys, ages 3 and 4. She was on maternity leave from Union Pacific, where she worked in human resources, when she decided she didn’t want to put her child in a daycare center.

Today, she teaches contemporary business communications and composition for Phoenix University as well as strategies for success at Everest College. She has taught on campus at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha.

“I had every intention of going back to work,” Baggiani says. “It was a very, very tough decision.”

After the children are in bed, she sends a handwritten note to each customer, prepares for the next day then takes time for herself.

“People are more productive in the home,” says Ammons, whose research examines boundaries between work and home. “They end up working more than they would have in the office.”

She says home-based workers don’t waste time on commuting or office gossip. Ammons suggests setting up a dedicated work area and creating a routine to maintain focus.

Working from home comes with downsides. Ammons describes a “career penalty,” saying those who work from home tend to earn less and have a harder time returning to the traditional work force.

Callahan and Baggiani say their husbands have jobs that made their work-at-home choices more feasible.

“It’s harder to advance your career,” Ammons says. “There is some perception that you’re not as committed.”

Those concerns evaporate when Baggiani takes time to build a fort with her boys, or Callahan gets her girls to eat vegetables.

“I don’t miss always having to be clocking in and clocking out,” Callahan says. “This is it for me. I’m very fulfilled.”

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Collegebound Nebraska is helping thousands of Nebraska students earn a college education at no cost

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one child in college and an annual income of $53,000 or less will qualify. Collegebound Nebraska will pay the remainder of a qualifying student’s undergraduate tuition.

In 2011-12, more than 6,200 students across the university qualified for Collegebound Nebraska funding, including more than 2,300 UNO students. Four of those students serve as “Collegebound Nebraska Ambassadors,” communicating with prospective students via Facebook and Twitter with a message that college is attainable and affordable.

Stay at Home, attend UNO for free Among the most important roles of a public university is to develop talent — attracting top students and preparing them to be successful in the global economy. So it is critical that the cost of attendance not be a barrier to talented Nebraska students who want to “stay at home” and attend the University of Nebraska.

That’s the premise behind the Collegebound Nebraska tuition assistance program.

Casey Wilson, a self-described “smalltown girl,” found her home on the UNO campus after coming from a graduating class of just 28 at Loup City High School.

A sophomore in speech communications, Wilson is the first member of her family to attend college and is active in the Thompson Learning Community —another great Nebraska financial aid and mentoring opportunity offered by the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation. Wilson loves the “sense of community” at UNO. “The campus is big at first when you first see it,” she says.

“But it seems so small once you start going here just because everybody knows everybody.”

Another first-generation college student, Isis Hernandez, is a Millard South graduate majoring in biology, French and Spanish. Hernandez, who hopes to become a pediatric oncologist, loves the variety of learning opportunities at UNO. “It’s a home away from home,” Hernandez says. “I live here at the dorms and it feels like I’m far enough away from my family that I can experience my own life but also close enough that I can go and visit whenever I need to.”

CASEY WILSON

SHARON WARD

Omaha North graduate Sharon Ward is a freshman hoping to become an athletic trainer. Ward says UNO’s faculty helps her feel at home. “My instructors all know my name, and they all have told me, come to office hours. They all are there to help me succeed and they want to see me succeed.”

The fourth ambassador is Will Gottner, a sophomore biology major from Omaha Central. The second of 14 children, Will wanted to stay close to his family and be a positive role model to his siblings.

“One thing I really enjoy about UNO is the diversity, all of the different students and different cultures that I get to see every day,” says Gottner, who hopes to become a doctor.

ISIS HERNANDEZ

WILL GOTTNER

Collegebound Nebraska promises Nebraska high school students: If you meet admission requirements and qualify for a federal Pell Grant, you can attend the University of Nebraska and pay no tuition. Pell Grants range from $555 to $5,550, depending on several factors. In general, a family of four with

Financial assistance also is available to UNO alumni who have left home. All University of Nebraska graduates qualify for the Nebraska Legacy Scholarship program, which allows the nonresident children of graduates to pay in-state tuition. Students must meet academic requirements for the scholarship, renewable for up to four years.

For additional information on these programs, contact the UNO Office of Financial Aid (http://financialaid.unomaha.edu) at 402-554-2327.

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Home Schooling Tips for successful online learning Most people have a sense that online education is becoming a big deal. Just how big, though, might come as a surprise.

The University of Nebraska’s Online Worldwide offers a few suggestions for these students and others considering online education.

Nationally, 2.1 million higher education students took ALL of their classes online in 2010, about 10 percent of the total. By 2016 it is estimated that number will grow to 3.4 million, or 15 percent.

Budget time

Add those who took at least one course via the Internet and there were 6.1 million online students in 2010 with 10.8 million expected by 2016.

Non-traditional students 21 and older constitute the majority of these online learners. Online courses often are a better fit with their employment, family life and other obligations.

For a three-credit-hour online class, about three hours per week are spent viewing lectures or other instructor-guided materials, or participating in discussions.

Additional time is spent reading/ working on assignments.

Most online classes have a set schedule of assignments but allow for flexibility as to when students submit work.

“Approach online classes like a job,” one non-traditional student suggests. “Set aside time each day

Time to take that CBSHOME agents know the Omaha Metro area and work with you each step of the way to find the home that is just right for you and where you want to live, work and play.

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to work on each class. If you are caught up, review.”

study in a neutral place, such as a library or coffee shop.

Tech tips

Stay in touch

Most college-level courses are reading- and writing-intensive and require a modicum of technological savvy. In addition to having a computer, online classes typically require access to high-speed Internet, Microsoft Office and free, downloadable plug-ins like Acrobat Reader and PowerPoint Viewer.

Eyes on the prize

Create a study space Consider setting aside a special place at home to focus on studies.

Distractions should be removed and family members asked to keep interruptions to a minimum. Or,

Communicating frequently with your adviser will ensure you’re staying on track with your program of study.

Also, discussion boards are a great place to form connections with other students and to find valuable support/advice.

Write your reasons for taking online courses — whether to advance in a career, change careers or fulfill a personal goal — and post those in a prominent place.

– Laura Wiese University of Nebraska Online Worldwide

next step?

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CLASS 43

DALE WOLF (BA) (No. 21 in photo) sends a type-written class note from Omaha. “When I saw in the fall issue of UNO Magazine [“LIFE: ALL STAGES, ALL AGES”] that the oldest class note was 1957, I thought I would like to wake up some of the pre-1950 alum members. I enjoyed this issue of the magazine as some of the articles seemed to be just for me. I don’t celebrate birthdays anymore. I just had the 57th anniversary of my 39th birthday (You don’t stop laughing because you are old, you grow old because you stop laughing). I spend a lot of my time writing — a regular contributor to the Omaha World-Herald Public Pulse (some hits, some misses). Have had several publications in national magazines.

Now connected with a former schoolmate who owns and publishes a newspaper in Escondido, Calif., who will use some of my output. I do this because I love my country and need to blow off steam when something disturbs my peace of mind. I criticize and ridicule outrageous blunders. It would seem that my writings are controversial and perhaps negative, but in reality I try to express ideas for reform and freedom. My aim is meant to be a stimulus and incentive, and maybe hit a spot that will bring corrective action.”

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NOTES

JUST FOR YOU

Send your classnotes to www.unoalumni.org/classnotes or get your class note online — keep your fellow graduates up to date with a posting on the UNO Alumni Association Facebook site at www.facebook.com/UNOAlumni

MARY HEUMANN NORTHROP (BS) lives in

Hastings, Neb., where last November she celebrated her 90th birthday with a family dinner party. As a surprise, her son, John, took her on a trip to the East Coast. She stays busy with her church, bridge clubs, lunching with friends, and driving her “beloved” BMW.

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JACK FRAENKEL (BA)

recently retired from teaching at U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco State after more than 40 years. “Now hiking, playing poker and catching up on my reading,” he writes. “This year I reached the magic 80th birthday and my wife and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. If there are any of the class of '53 still around, I'd like very much to hear from them.” marjak78@comcast.net

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MILAN BREZACEK (BGS)

writes from his home in Texas: “91 years old and

retired.” Brezml@att.net MEL ROUSEK (BS) has been retired since 1999 and is “living the good life in Arizona,” he writes. “I'm healthy, winning a few golf and tennis events.

I'm married with three children and five grandchildren. Have gone to a few UNO events in Arizona.” mdrousek@cox.net

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CLARENCE SAGE (BS) lives in Kingston,

Tenn., and visits Omaha twice a year.

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JOHN B. MORSE (BS)

lives in Omaha.

RODNEY MURRAY (BA)

has signed for another year as interim pastor at the Worthington Presbyterian Church in North Apollo, Pa. He celebrated his 50th year as an ordained pastor. He and wife, Geraldine Safar Murray, celebrated 56 years of marriage. They have three children and one grandchild. rod-gerri@hotmail.com

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PHYLLIS JOHNSON BEAM (BA) is a retired

elementary school principal and lives in Omaha. phylbbb@cox.net

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AVELINE NELSON

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MARKS (BS) lives in

Omaha and writes: “Worked for a municipal bond company and for Peninsular Gas Company after graduation. Still interested in my needlework projects like needlepoint and cross stitch, which are my favorite hobbies. Also, love to bake yeast breads and lots of cookies for Christmas.

DON CONDRILL (BGE)

lives in Centreville, Va. He retired from the U.S. Army in 1974 as a colonel after 32 years and three wars service. He writes: “I am a graduate not only of Omaha University but of 90 days at Anti Aircraft Artillery Officer Candidate School. I enjoy joshing my West Point friends that it took them four years to get a commission in the Army, but I did it in three months. Very nice memories of Omaha U. and the town of Omaha. I found the town very hospitable and friendly and good restaurants. I might have settled there if I had been a lot further south. I do remember the headlines one morning that there was to be a warming trend from 30 below to zero degrees!

Regards to all at U of O and the town itself.” dcondrill@cox.net

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EDDIE POWERS (BGE)

retired as president and executive director of the Southfield Area Chamber of Commerce in Southfield, Mich. He and his wife, Debera, have moved Evergreen, Colo., where they purchased a mountain home with three acres of land and “all types of mountain wildlife.” eghome@hotmail.com

aveneedle@msn.com

KENNETH HARGIS (BS) is owner

of Search Technology, a consulting/ staffing firm with offices in Omaha and Bend, Ore. “Enjoying our children and grandchildren as much as possible,” he writes.

ContactKen@Searchtech1.com

MIKE MORAN (BS) now is represented by Octagon Olympic & Action Sports for speaking appearances, books, media and endorsements. His theme is "Medals, Moments And Memories," related to his work at 14 Olympic Games as spokesman for the United States Olympic Committee.

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mike@thesportscorp.org

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bookmarks TIM ROCK is a photojournalist based in Guam who travels the world Rowan University in for underwater, aerial, cultural, marine Glassboro, N.J., after 24 years of and travel-related images. He is an service. He retired from the U.S. Air Force (Iowa Air National Guard) several experienced photographer and writer specializing in the ocean realm. years ago. rsw45@hotmail.com “Beautiful corals reefs, dolphins and whales, models and beaches are LARRY BOCKELMAN (BS) writes among the featured subjects in the of “Fond memories of my experience colorful, compelling galleries,” he at UNO. It didn't take me long to writes. His work is featured in coffee recognize and value the quality table books, international magazines education I received. I often think of and other worldwide venues. He is a friends made during my four years jgreen637@sbcglobal.net contract author for Lonely Planet and at UNO. After UNO, I spent 25 years has authored more than a dozen diving VIRGINIA (GINNY) in sales and sales management at guides. His work can be seen at ConAgra Foods. I left ConAgra in CORREA CREAGER (MA) http://timrock.photoshelter.com. He 1995 to join a sales brokerage lives in Litchfield attended UNO before and after a stint company and subsequently formed Park, Ariz. She was honored by the in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. He worked Phoenix/Valley of the Sun Alumnae Club my own sales brokerage company. at KMTV as a UNO intern and No regrets. Best wishes to all.” of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority for the professionally at KETV and WOWT-TV. bockelman@lmbsales.com 50-year anniversary of her Sept. 11, 1961, initiation. She will be honored again this summer at the national convention.

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JACK L. GREEN (BS)

lives in Temple, Texas.

He is a former U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who served in the Office of Special Investigations with tours in Thailand, Vietnam, Turkey and various bases throughout the United States. He retired in 1990. He also worked 10 years for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and conducted personal investigations for the U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs.

He’s now retired.

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DrVCreager@aol.com

JIMMY ASHWORTH (BA) retired

as a colonel in the U.S. Army. He was Army Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces and Intelligence. He later worked for large security corporations in various posts before becoming general manager and owner of a firm in San Antonio. “Now Retired and enjoying the beautiful Texas Hill Country,” he writes. ysrejmbob3@yahoo.com

LINDA M. LEWIS (MA)

published Dickens, His Parables, and His Reader, with University of Missouri Press.

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ALBERT HODAPP (MA)

presented a paper, Media Questionnaire, at the National Association of School Psychologists Convention in Philadelphia in February.

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RICHARD WADLEIGH

(BGS) has retired from

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TERRY MCDERMOTT (BA)

recently published his third nonfiction book, The Hunt for KSM: Inside the Pursuit and Takedown of the Real 9/11 Mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. tjm99@msn.com

GEORGE MEEGAN (BGS) recently

was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. He lives in Tempe, Ariz., and just retired from the Young Marine youth program after 11 years with that group. “Future plans involve exercise, golf, travel and complete retirement,” writes Meegan, who retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a captain.

He will continue to volunteer weekly at an elementary school reading program for second and third grade. captaingeorgemeegan@cox.net

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BOOKMARKS KRIS KLINE (ASSOC.) returned

24/7 on-call schedule.”

from Rome in May and now is editorial manager for a 22-plus edition healthcare publication headquartered in Tampa, Fla. klinekris@aol.com

kirchhusker@comcast.net

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ROGER HUMPHRIES (BS) is manager of public

relations for the U.S. Post Office. He recently retired from 17 years of service as a board member of the Food Bank for the Heartland, though staying involved as a member of its distribution committee.

MARC MANGANARO (BA) on July

1 began his new post as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Loyola University New Orleans. He had been the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Gonzaga University and is a professor of English. Prior to working at Gonzaga, Manganaro was a faculty member for 18 years in the department of English and served as an administrator at Rutgers University. He is a scholar and teacher in modern literature in English, with specializations in modernist literature and in interdisciplinary work between literary study and cultural anthropology, folklore and myth. He has published several books in these areas.

KEN KIRCHHOFF (BS) has served more than 36 years in law enforcement (nearly 33 years at Fort Collins) and retired from Fort Collins, Colo., police services in August 2011. “I spent most of my career in the patrol division and special assignments, more than 16 years in SWAT as the senior crisis negotiator and the negotiations and tactical command facilitator,” he writes. “I am now enjoying life without a demanding

JOHN MCNAMARA (BS) Published

Hunter's War, a Novella, and Selected Short Stories in March 2012. In 2010 he published the novel, Life Without Grace. jmcn49@comcast.net

AGNES CZERWINSKI RIEDMANN (MA), is a professor and “semi-

retired” teaching spring semester only at California State University. She lives in Modesto, Calif.

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Rand@hinrichshealthcare.com

PAUL YOCHUM (MS) lives

in Cross Plains, Wisc. His last name was spelled incorrectly in the Spring 2012 UNO Magazine. Apologies, Paul!

DORIS M. FYFE (MA) is retired from Omaha Public Schools and Grace University. She lives in Omaha and writes: “I work at ESU3 reading and rating students’ essays. I recently published my first book, If This Schoolhouse Could Talk, which shares many of my experiences of 60 years in education.” FyfeDM@cox.net

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jconnell1@aol.com

mlkohler@comcast.net

JOHN CONNELL (BGS)

with his wife, fellow UNO graduate Terri Connell (’81) are returning to the Omaha area. John, who joined the military 30 years ago, will be will be working at Offutt Air

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WILLIAM BARTON is an engineering technician with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, engineering division, geotechnical branch. He lives in Omaha. wbarton73@gmail.com

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SIGHTS

MIKE KOHLER (BS) lives in Olathe, Kansas. The Educated Franchisee, a book he co-authored with one of the nation's leading franchise consultants, now is in its second edition. “We are pleased that our book has helped many prospective entrepreneurs make great business decisions,” Kohler writes.

RANDALL HINRICHS (MPA) is the principal and

owner of Hinrichs Health Care Consulting in Phoenix. He provides consulting services for physician groups, hospitals and medical organizations, for managed care contract development and negotiations. He consults for national health plans for medical network development and Medicaid contract proposals. He recently was a featured speaker at the American Association of Medical Audit Specialists, national conference in Phoenix.

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Force Base; Terri will be working as an elementary school teacher. “It is nice to finally be coming home,” John writes.

KATHIE LEE (BS) is

director of physician placement at Sanford Health North in Fargo, N.D., and is pursuing an MBA at the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. ALICE MEILMAN (MSW) has been

a clinician in the counseling center at Ithaca College for 14 years. “The knowledge and experience I gained at UNO in the School of Social Work serves me every day,” she writes.

MARY BERNIER (BS) writes, “I began working for UNO in 1983. After holding several positions, I accepted a position at the University of Nebraska Foundation as a development officer in 2000. Working to support UNO as it continues to grow has been a wonderful experience. There are so many generous and thoughtful individuals who understand the importance of a state university in a community, and I am privileged to work with some of the best. Bob Bernier, assistant dean of UNO's College of Business, and I married in 2001. We have four grown children and are expecting our eighth grandchild. Family dinners are quite an event at our home! I pinch myself almost every morning for the life we've been given.” mbernier@nufoundation.org

ameilman@ithaca.edu

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AILEEN WARREN (BS)

was named a 2012 Omaha North High School Viking of Distinction.

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KIMBERLEY MONARI (BS) lives in San Diego and

provides a look back at her UNO days and its impact on her life: “I studied broadcasting at UNO under awarren11968164@yahoo.com Professor Fritz Leigh and worked at KVNO when it was still a closed circuit VICTORY SEDLACEK (BM) is an operation (broadcasting to the student accompanist for the Omaha Public union) and after KVNO received its FM Schools, the Omaha Academy of Ballet, license. We broadcast from the playing for singers at UNO and playing beautiful Storz Mansion. I left school piano and harpsichord for the Voices of my senior year to work in broadcasting Omaha yearly Messiah performances. at KQKQ as the first female disc jockey When not accompanying she loves in the area. I obtained my BS after spending time with her family and completing the required credits in gardening.

California and transferring them to UNO. Since then I have worked in radio GEOFFREY AKALEGBERE (MS) news and newspaper in San Francisco, writes from Gaithersburg, Md.: “Will Rome, Houston and the Monterey Bay. never forget the good life of Omaha I still employ my UNO-learned media and the fun with all had in 1983 at skills as a mental health advocate.

UNO. Peace and long life to you all.” akalegberegeoffrey@yahoo.com

kimmonari@journalist.com

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class notes ARDYCE SCHOONOVER (MS)

writes from Omaha: “I so appreciate the basis for counseling provided by my UNO program. Would love too hear from classmates!” ardisch@cox.net PAUL CURRIER (BA) lives in San

Diego with his wife, Kristine, and their two children: Maggie, 5, and Cameron, 2. Currier is a specialty district sales manager for Abbott Labs. He also is co-founder and vice president of the Owie Pillow. His wife is president.

The company “a unique solution for anyone who finds a car's seat belt uncomfortable,” Currier writes. See more at www.owiepillow.com. curripv@yahoo.com

TIM HANSON (BS) is a deputy with the Kearney County Sheriff's Office in Minden, Neb., and also started working part-time as a police officer for the Minden Police Department.

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PaladinSam26@yahoo.com

ROBERT SHAND (MS) lives in Victoria, Texas, and has published Musings of a Maine Man Abroad, a collection of prose, poems and plays “with a smattering of personal philosophy,” he writes. It’s available at book retailers everywhere. tamaulipas19602@gmail.com

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MICHAEL MERCER (BS)

has retired after 20 years in law enforcement. He writes: “Worked as a deputy sheriff, police lieutenant and police chief and two years in federal security.” He lives in Emerson, Iowa.

careers to government service.

Warren is president and CEO of the Urban League of Nebraska. He previously was chief of the Omaha Police Department until retiring from that post in 2008.

but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love helping people get what they need and both my jobs help me do that!

Thank you, UNO!”

a lot of knowledge and skills that I learned from Dr. Suzuki in urban studies program in my position,” Rivera writes. sheri.rivera@cox.net

KELLY MURPHY (BS) is co-owner

of Triage Staffing, a healthcare staffing company. “We are always looking for talented recruiters/sales professionals,” Murphy writes.

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DAN R. MORRIS (MBA) operates

FreeWeeklyMastermind.com, a free forum for businesses interested in increasing their income from online kelly@triagestaff.com activities. “Internet marketing is a JOHN PENTON (BS) owns must-understand endeavor in today's market,” he writes. “While a degree Penton Enterprises Lawn JOHN FULLER (BS) is from UNO will get your foot in the door, and Landscape, which in senior principal and CMO at quality marketing will bring the February earned two Angie’s List DLR Group. He provides customers to your doorstep. It was at Super Service Awards for lawn care strategic guidance to the marketing, and for landscaping. The company was UNO that I sent my first email in 1992, brand communications and business joined the online Friends FanClub and formed in 1997. Angie’s List Super development practices and serves as started forwarding jokes. Every career Service Award winners meet strict DLR’s marketing forum leader. In this has to start somewhere, eh?” eligibility requirements, including role he manages the national marketing and business development earning a minimum number of reports, dan@lettersfromdan.com an exemplary rating from their practices for the firm, and actively TIMOTHY REECE (BA) mentors marketing staff professionals. customers and abiding by Angie’s List recently completed his first He joined DLR Group's Omaha office in operational guidelines. office@PentonEnterprises.com year as an assistant 1986. In 1994, he was part of a professor in the department of physics leadership team that opened DLR JENNIFER ADEN MURNANE and physical science at the University Group's Kansas City office, which (BSBA) was promoted to vice of Nebraska at Kearney. “I'm actively since has grown to be one of the president of business development participating in UNK's undergraduate largest DLR Group offices and is for Capital Analytics, an analytics research program,” he writes. “This recognized annual by KC Magazine as one of Kansas City's top 10 places consultancy specializing in measuring past year, I mentored students as they human capital investments. She lives worked on projects in Brewster angle to work. in Omaha. microscopy and laser holography.”

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COCO SPETHMAN MCATEE (MSW) lives in Overland Park, Kan.,

jmurnane@capanalytics.com

and has launched a business, Telling the Truth about Bodies, “focusing on parents and the all-important conversation with children and teens about healthy sexuality and decision-making.” See more at www.CocoMcAtee.com

JOHN BOHAN (BGS) is in the second year of writing a baseball blog, http:// baseballmelove.blogspot.com “It covers topics from college to minors to Major League to fantasy baseball,” he writes. “Check it out!”

ANASTASIA KREEKOS

JOHN CHERICA (BS) lives in Omaha and writes that he has started a new residential real estate appraisal company, Citywide Appraisals.

baseballmelove@yahoo.com

reecetj@unk.edu

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GREGORY ZILL (EMBA)

in February received a kidney transplant at Johns Hopkins. “My wife of 25 years donated into the chain to elevate my chances,” he writes from Omaha. “All is well and we are feeling good.” gregory@r3g.net

Mike.mercer@aol.com

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TOM WARREN (MS)

received a National Public Service Awards from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the National Academy of Public Administration during the ASPA’s national conference in Las Vegas in March. The awards, established in 1983, are presented annually to individuals who have dedicated their

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TSATSAKIS (BA), is a real

estate broker with Prudential Mac Real Estate in Plainfield, Ill., and also sells life, health and accident insurance with Healthcare Solutions Team in Lombard, Ill. She writes: “I am married to a wonderful man, Anastasios, and we have a son who is 15 months old. Things are very busy with both my jobs and raising my son,

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john@citywideappraisals.net

EMERSON MUNGIN JR. (BGS)

writes that “After 24 years in Bellevue, Neb., I had to make one more move, to Brunswick, Ga. I am living on the grounds of my ancestors. That is Historical, for me.” emung60@gmail.com

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SHERI FRASER RIVERA

(MS) is a project manager for PB&A working on environmental compliance projects for the U.S. Department of Defense. “Use

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class notes GINNY CRAWFORD (MSW) is the

manager out Outpatient Behavioral Health for Avera in Sioux Falls, S.D. She writes: “Have accepted a few interns for their masters in social work … have convinced a few to enroll at UNO. I remember the trainings of many of the professors who still teach at UNO. A strong advocate for education.

I have supervised many over the years for their PIP level of licensure in South Dakota. It is due in part to those teachings at UNO!”

Industry Council and past president of the Nebraska Chapter for The Design Build Institute of America. sierrahomesomaha@cox.net

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MATT MORTON (BS)

earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from Upper Iowa University in December 2011.

ROBERT WIEBUSCH (BA) writes

against traffic and the high cost of living. “People should move to Omaha and be happy,” he writes. “Affordable housing, opportunity, great people and plenty of steak to eat! I love Omaha and my family does too!” rwiebusch@npdodge.com

AMY POLAND (Ph.D.) this fall joins the faculty of St. PATTY PIERSON (MPA) Joseph's College in represents Nebraska as Patchogue, New York, as an assistant the Nebraska State professor of criminal justice.

Long-Term Care Ombudsman under 3poland. amy@gmail.com MELINDA MARSHALL SOMMERFELD (BA) was the federal Older Americans Act. She implements the Ombudsman named a partner at LARRY D. BURKS (MPA) writes from Program across the state to ensure Omaha: “I enjoy keeping up on UNO Anderson that the rights of residents in Partners and alumni. It is great to share the Advertising in long-term care facilities are good things done by the school and its addressed. "It's the best gig Omaha. products.” larry.burks@cox.net Sommerfeld is I've ever had. It feels good to do good,” writes Pierson, who lives in an account Lincoln, Neb. manager AUTUMN BURNS (BS) was ppier57091@yahoo.com responsible for recently promoted to social key client media specialist for Behaven relationships, including several in the CRYSTALLE COTTON (BS) Kids, which currently owns two firm’s healthcare practice. She directs performs skills-based volunteering locations in Nebraska with two as a computer lab assistant and all aspects of client marketing franchises in place and more to open. technical analyst at St. Louis VAMC aburns@behavenkids.com communications, including strategic Hope Recovery Center and Web planning, traditional and interactive Innovations & Technology Services.

KILEY CLEMENS media, creative, design and public relations. She joined Anderson in 2007 FREEMAN (BA) married STEVE MASSARA (BS) as an account executive following five fellow alum Michael Freeman has completed four years (’10) in a ceremony at St. Cecilia's years in a similar role with another of service with the U.S. Omaha advertising agency.

Cathedral in Omaha. The couple lives in Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska. Now Little Rock, Ark., with their Australian he’s learning to speak Thai at the MATT KRONAIZL (BS) has started shepherd puppies.

Defense Language Institute in Sierra Homes in Omaha, focusing Monterey, Calif., in preparation for on quality custom homes ranging ELLEE KOBOLD ELLIOTT his next assignment as an from $200,000 to $500,000. It (BA) writes that “after exchange officer with the Royal completed three homes in 2011, all graduating I worked at the Thai Air Force in Bangkok, Thailand. Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging. This of which were certified Energy Star “Go Mavs!” Massara writes. and received a 5+ star energy home fall I will be attending Creighton Law steven.massara@gmail.com rating. Kronaizl began his career School where I want to specialize in with Farris Engineering in Omaha, a elder law and help people with mechanical and electrical design and RYAN NELSON (BA) is getting disabilities.” married in Breckenridge in June to construction administration services his fiancée, Meghan. He recently firm for commercial construction ISAAC LUK (BGS) after UNO attended projects. For 10 years there he worked was promoted at PayPal to account Liberty University and earned his MA manager of emerging technologies on the design and construction side in theological studies. In January he and works with its newest of the business. He later moved began a Bible Seminary School “where products, including PayPal’s new into business and human resources Sudanese people in Omaha are learning in-store checkout and Here product. new skills in the Word of God. I also management for the firm. He also ryan.3dsales@gmail.com is founder and chairperson of the host a local TV program in Omaha Nebraska Design and Construction through Community Telecast where

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more people are hearing the word of God every week.” isaluany80@revilukministry.org

MEGAN WILLIAMS (BA) has relocated to Navarre, Fla., and works in mental health at a local hospital, conducting group therapy and helping patients rediscover their leisure interests. “My time at UNO has helped me greatly by providing a solid foundation of diversity and knowledge that has aided me in my work.”

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mjaynewilliams@gmail.com

MELISSA PLYBON (BSW) is working

for Lincoln Community Action as a family educator for Saunders County for Early Head Start.

NOELLE BLOOD (BS) was hired in January 2012 as a staff assistant in the dean's office of UNO's College of Business Administration. She is responsible for event planning in Mammel Hall and also writes the college's monthly newsletter "Great Things in CBA." nblood@unomaha.edu

in memoriam 1946 Jewell Goodloe 1948 Don B. Johnson

Donald L. Elder 1952 Robert V. Mercurio 1954 Donald D. Luenenberg 1955 Clara A. Person 1958 LaVona L. Park 1959 John Stephens 1961 Samuel Levy Norman L. Girdler 1964 Robert Paul Williams

George McDonald 1965 Robert S. Stewart Horace Rix Furlough 1966 Alice Scobey 1969 Dale C. Pancake Sr.

(Ret., Lt. Col.) 1971 Bobby J. Kirkland

(Ret. Col. USAF) 1974 Anastacio Torres 1975 John C. Hille 1977 Roger Bellows 1981 Mary A. Ralph 1983 Phyllis S. Jeter 1984 David Mooter Michael L. Sprunger C. Larry Vice

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class notes Eleanor Pearl Davis, daughter of James and Tiffany (Young, ’09) Davis of Kearney, Neb. Eleanor Sandra Farrow, daughter of Heidi (Connealy, ’02) and Christopher (’00, ’02) Farrow of Austin, Texas.

future ALUMS

Submit a birth announcement (within 1 year of birth) and we’ll send you a certificate and an Ador-A-Bull T-shirt.

Include baby’s name, date of birth, parents’ or grandparents’ names and graduation year(s).

Mail to UNO Magazine, 67th & Dodge Streets, Omaha, NE 68182-0010 or online at www.unoalumni/futurealums

William James Torres, son of Williams and LeAnn (Stoltenberg, ’00) Torres of Omaha.

Nathan Curtis Schulte, son of Pam (Kuder, ’07) and Curt (’94) Schulte of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Austin Everett Weaver , son of Allison (Abel, ’09) and Cole Weaver of Omaha.

Jacoby James Mullen, son of Jamie (Hilz, ’10) and Kevin Mullen of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Reegan Jolene Hiser , daughter of Nicholas and Kelly (’10) Hiser of Bellevue, Neb. Kaitlyn Larynn Chapman and Annabelle Morgan Chapman, twin daughters of Jessica (Geiser, ’02) and Michael (’06) Chapman of Omaha and granddaughters of Carol Lee (Geiser, ’94) Olsen of Omaha.

Siena Claire Van Pelt, daughter of Aileen and Brian (’99) Simborio of Maize, Kan. Graeson Ryne Sommerfeld, daughter of Jason and Melinda (Marshall, ’01) Sommerfeld of Omaha.

Brielle Johanna Henderson, daughter of Kelly and Diana (Sieben, ’95) Henderson Brinley Deanna Boster , of Kennewick, Wash. daughter of Janet (Walker, ’04) and Joshua Nathaniel Park , David Boster of Elkhorn, Neb. son of Lindsay (Kemnitz, ’02) and Joselyn Rose Downey, daughter of Stephanie (Hinrichs, ’08) and Jordan (’06) Downey of Omaha.

Emily Grace Waldman, daughter of Sarah (Giles, ’94) and Timothy Mitchell Tom Waldman of Omaha.

Bilbrey, son of T.J. and Laura (Hansen, ’03) Bilbrey of Virginia Andrew Edward Libis, Beach, Va. son of Angela (Palmesano, ’00)

and Cory (’00) Libis of Omaha.

Gina Marie Cieslik , daughter of Patrick and Brietta (Cacioppo, ’98) Cieslik of Papillion, Neb.

Derek (’06) Parks of Omaha.

Berkeley Emma Sandquist, daughter of Teresa and John (’09) Sandquist of Omaha.

Lily Abigail Maxwell , daughter of Patricia (Cannon, ’07) and Zachary (’06) Maxwell of Omaha.

Presley Jayne Russell and Colton Prescott Theodore James Mason James Fehringer , Russell , twin daughter and son son of Mikhala (Harding, ’08) and Gleason, son of Angela of Pyper (’09) and Charles (’09) (Burrell, ’08) and Mike (’05) Tyler (’08) Fehringer of Omaha.

Russell of Bellevue, Neb. Gleason of Omaha.

Eloise Mae Robinson, daughter of Trista (Hanson, ’05) and Steven Lee Elgan lll, Italia Elia Sanchez , son of Malissa (Dawson, ’08) and daughter of Jose and Athena (’02, Roy (’06) Robinson of Chicago. ’04, ’09) Sanchez of Bellevue.

Steve Elgan II of Omaha.

CLASS NOTES

What have you been doing since graduating from UNO? Your fellow alumni would like to know! We welcome personal and professional updates and photographs for Class Notes. Send your news to Class Notes Editor, UNO Magazine, 67th & Dodge Streets, Omaha, NE 68182-0010; fax to (402) 554-3787; submit online at www.unoalumni.org/classnote

Name:

May we post your email address in the next UNO Magazine?

Last name while a student: Class Year: Degree: Address: City/State/Zip: E-mail: News:

Phone:

Yes No

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2011 century club

2011 UNO CENTURY CLUB

In 1973, the UNO Alumni Association created its premier giving society — the UNO Century Club — asking graduates to contribute $100 or more. The first 44 members contributed $5,250.

Today, the Century Club includes more than 1,000 members who each year combine to give more than $220,000.

Through their leadership, Century Club members support traditional alumni programs, including the UNO Magazine, events, student scholarships, and the growth of new, innovative programs.

The UNO Century Club is vital to UNO’s continued growth as one of the region’s finest metropolitan universities.

Today, nearly 40 years after its inception, Century Club gifts account for more than 87 percent of all UNO Annual Fund contributions.

On behalf of the university, its students and faculty, the UNO Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation recognize the generosity of UNO Century Club members who believe strongly in the mission of the university and support its ongoing success.

The following list includes donors to the UNO Annual Fund from Jan. 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011.

Platinum Club ($2,500+) Mr. and Mrs. John Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Grieb George F. Haddix, Ph.D. Mr. Richard D. Holland Bill and Patricia Johnston Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kirshenbaum Mr. David G. Langevin Mr. Rod Rhoden Ms. Louise A. Rinn

Golden Club ($500-999)

Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Beschorner, III Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Burress Mr. Robert A. Carpenter Chancellor and Mrs. John E. Christensen Mr. Robert E. Costello Mr. and Mrs. A. Mort Crim Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Crouch Mr. and Mrs. James Cullison Lt. Gen. Russell C. Davis, Retd.

Diamond Club ($1,000-2,499) Mr. and Mrs. Lee Denker, Jr. Mr. William R. Boers Ms. Kathy L. Divis Mr. and Mrs. David H. Craft Mr. and Mrs. Guy O. Duncan Mr. James E. Czyz Mr. and Ms. Scott D. Durbin Mr. Don Dane Mr. and Mrs. James L. Easton Mrs. Peggy L. Doty John W. and Nancy C. Estabrook Mr. Donald L. Fjellin Mrs. Kay K. Gardiner Mr. Nathan Frink Dr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Gerbus Ms. Jane H. Gilbert Mr. Francis R. Greguras Fred C. Haeberlein, D.D.S. Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Grosskopf Terry and Judy Haney Sen. and Mrs. Chuck Hagel Mr. and Mrs. Roger R. Jacquart Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hancock, Jr. Christine M. Jeffrey, M.D. Mr. Darrald B. Harsh Mr. John A. Jeter Mr. and Mrs. Timothy D. Hart Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Koraleski Dr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Heise Mr. and Mrs. Harold B. Kosowsky Mrs. Karen L. Hutchinson Mr. Jim L. Leslie Mrs. Mary M. Jetton Mr. Steven S. Martin and Mr. David M. Juenemann Dr. Amy M. Haddad Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Julian Mr. and Mrs. Kevin D. Munro Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Karlin Mrs. Nancy Noack Mr. and Mrs. Albert W. Kernen Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Oltman Lt. Col. Louis A. Mallia, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Penisten Ms. Virginia H. Malone Mr. William R. Peters Mr. Gerald F. McDonald Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Powers Lt. Col. Robert L. McKaig Mrs. Jennifer D. Snow Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. McLarney Mr. Terry Stofferson Ms. Margo L. Metzger Lt. Col. and Mrs. Donald E. Treaster Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Nealon Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Utzke Rev. Donald Nesheim Mr. and Mrs. John Wallace Webster Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Nodean Dr. Delmar C. Wilcox Mr. Michael J. Nolan

Dr. and Mrs. James R. Dolan Mr. and Mrs. Delaine R. Donohue Mr. Blake T. Edwards Mr. Todd and Mrs. Cathy Engle Ms. Syntha E. Essex Mr. Leonard L. Finnegan, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Terry G. Forsberg Mr. and Ms. Richard Foster CMSgt. and Mrs. Alfred J. Fransen, Retd.

Mr. Michael J. Glaser and Mrs. Joyce A. Glaser Mrs. Connie D. Gore Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Gustafson Mr. Myrton L. Hall Mr. and Mrs. James R. Hannibal Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Harling Mr. David P. Hawk Mr. Michael T. Hesser Ms. Traci L. Hinkle Silver Club ($250-499) Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Hogan Mr. and Mrs. Nathanael J. Adamson Mr. Neil M. Hopkins Mr. and Mrs. David Andersen Mr. and Mrs. Roman L. Hruska, Jr. Mr. Geoffrey and Dr. Debra K. Anderson Mr. Harold H. Hunter Mr. Garrett G. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Mark C. Jaksich Mr. and Mrs. J. Patrick Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Jamieson Mrs. Marlene K. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. John J. Jesse, III Ms. Tammy L. Anderson Ms. J. Richelle Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Asmus Dr. and Mrs. Barry J. Jose Mr. and Mrs. Robin O. Bates Mr. John E. Kasun Mr. and Mrs. Gary Baumann Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Kathol, P.E. Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Baumert Mr. John L. Keiser Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Bianchi Mr. Timothy M. Kerrigan Mr. and Mrs. Melvin R. Cerny Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Killion Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Clendenin, Jr. Mr. Peter Kink, Jr. and William and Silvia Conley Mrs. Bonita E. Allred Marilyn L. Cowger, M.D. Mr. John P. Kirk Rev. and Mrs. Norman A. Crews Mrs. Mary Guin Knoll Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Cuba Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Knox Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Cummings Mr. and Mrs. Daniel L. Konopatzke Mrs. Jacqueline Y. Danielson Mrs. Suzanne Wallin Kossow Mr. Donald L. Darling Mr. David J. Kriegler

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Ojile, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Patora Sondra S. Peters and Kermit C. Peters Mr. Joseph W. Pittack Mr. Glenn A. Prigeon Cmdr. Gary L. Pritchard, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis J. Rotella, Jr. Mr. George B. Seliga Mrs. Marcia J. Shirk Mr. and Mrs. Herbert A. Sklenar Mr. and Mrs. Leonard M. Sommer Ms. Shirley A. Spieker Mr. Richard C. Stoufer Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Thiele Drs. Dan E. and Suzanne Nelson Tolman Dr. and Mrs. Vincent J. Webb Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Withem

Mr. John E. Kuhfahl, Jr. Lt. Col. and Mrs. Norman G. Laumeyer, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Lembke Dr. William Mackley, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dean D. Matter Mr. and Mrs. Hugh H. Menton Mr. and Mrs. Dennis M. Meredith Marlene R. Meyer, M.D. Mr. Charles Monico Mr. and Mrs. Dwight L. Morgan Mr. Grant P. Novak Col. and Mrs. Richard A. Orsini Mr. and Mrs. Gregg R. Paulsen Mr. and Mrs. Dieter Petz Dr. and Mrs. Louis George Pol, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. David Prochnau Thomas L. and Joan Quinlin Mr. and Mrs. George M. Reid Mr. Alan Reinarz Mr. Ted L. Ridgway Mrs. Margaret A. Ringhofer Mr. Edward S. Risley Drs. William H. and Jane S. Roccaforte Mr. Lloyd Roitstein Mr. and Ms. Douglas W. Ruge, II Col. Otto P. Scharth, Retd.

Mr. Richard Scott Mr. Ron Mordhorst and Dr. Tina R. Scott Ms. Pamela S. Sellenrick Ms. Shirley K. Siebler Mr. and Mrs. Gary P. Smith Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Smith Dr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Stivrins Lt. Col. Jarvis A. Strong, Jr. Mr. Scott L. Struble Mr. and Mrs. William R. Swanson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Tews Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Thompson Mr. John P. Thorslev

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century 2011 century clubclub Col. and Mrs. Loren E. Timm, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Del L. Toebben Lt. Col. and Mrs. Charles E. Toomer, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Omer C. Trout, Jr. Ms. Ginny M. Tworek Mr. Jeffrey L. Wacker Mr. and Mrs. Tom Waldman Mr. and Mrs. Clark H. Ward Mr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Warren Maj. Verne A. Weber, Jr., Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Jerome W. Wilks Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Willice Mrs. Mary C. Wilson Diane R. Wood, Ed.D. Sara and Kirby Woods Lt. Col. Wilson A. Younge, Jr., Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Zuckweiler

Bronze Club ($100-249) Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Abel Mr. Robert C. Adams Mr. Steven R. Adams Lt. Col. Philip J. Adelman, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. James E. Aguilar Ms. Sharon E. Ahmad Mr. Chris W. Albers Mr. Wesley N. Alden Lt. Gen. Donald O. Aldridge, Retd.

CMSgt. and Mrs. James L. Alf, Retd.

Mr. Robert Alfers Ms. Mary A. Allee Col. and Mrs. John E. Alley, Retd.

Mr. Adrian M. Alvarez Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. Anderbery Ms. Jean M. Andersen Mr. and Mrs. Dale A. Anderson Lt. Col. and Mrs. John H. Anderson, Retd.

Ms. Marcia K. Anderson Rev. Russell F. Anderson Col. and Mrs. Steven L. Andraschko Mr. and Mrs. Raymond S. Angeli Ms. Sharon E. Appleby Mr. John F. Arkwright Mr. William G. Arnold Lt. Col. and Mrs. Eugene T. Atkinson, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Babic, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Badura Mr. Arthur Bailey Mr. and Mrs. James D. Bailey Mr. Keith O. Bailey Dr. Ronald J. Baken Mr. and Mrs. Roland E. Ballow Ms. Udoxie Barbee Mr. Charles C. Barbera CAPT James F. Bard, Jr. Drs. Sean G. and Stephanie L. Barry

Mr. Howard W. Barton Mr. and Mrs. Joshua C. Bates Dr. Michael S. Bauer and Dr. Elizabeth B. Sather Bauer Mr. and Mrs. Peter K. Baumhefner Mr. Timothy E. Becker Mr. Michael F. Bednarz, Jr. Betty J. Beeson, Ed.D. Dr. and Mrs. Robert S. Behrns Dr. Edward G. Belzer and Mrs. Phyllis Belzer Col. and Mrs. Lyle D. Bender Patti and John Benker Mr. Ronald Benson Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert E. Beran Mr. and Mrs. Chris D. Berens Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Bergeron Col. Paul A. Bergerot, Retd.

Robert J. and Deborah A. Bezousek Mr. and Mrs. George J. Bighia, Sr. Maj. Gen. Edward C. Binder Mr. John S. Binderup and Mrs. Patricia L. Carrell Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Binderup Mr. Gary G. Birge Dr. Thomas A. Birk and Mrs. Constance J. Sorensen-Birk Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Bitcon, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Bizzarri, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Robert F. Blair Ms. Phyllis A. Blease Col. and Mrs. Fred M. Blum, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. John Boatwright, Jr. Mr. Larry J. Bockelman Dr. and Mrs. Larry A. Boersma Mr. Gary Boettcher Mrs. Kathleen C. Bohacek Mr. and Mrs. Brian F. Bollich Mr. Bobby G. Bomgardner Dr. and Mrs. Ramakrishna R. Boppana Lt. Col. and Mrs. Marvin L. Borgman, Retd.

Ms. Linda J. Bors Mr. and Mrs. Leo Boston, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bothe Mr. Delbert D. Bowers Mr. Gordon L. Boyer Mr. and Mrs. John A. Bradshaw Ms. Mary Ann Bragg Mr. and Mrs. Lewis S. G. Braxton, Jr. Mr. Patrick H. Brennan Mr. and Mrs. Dennis G. Brewster Mrs. Patricia I. Brinkman CW3 Billy Broadway, Retd.

Mr. Richard D. Brown Drs. Robert E. and M. Martha Bruckner Mr. Matthew P. Bruening

Rev. and Mrs. Thomas Buckley Mr. and Mrs. Wayne H. Burk Mr. and Mrs. Garold W. Burkholder Mrs. Patricia L. Burton Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Bush, CPA Mr. Dennis E. Bussom Mr. Daniel H. Bye Mr. and Mrs. Norman V. Cadorette, Jr. Lt. Col. and Mrs. Richard J. Callahan, Retd.

Richard and Nancy Callis Mr. and Mrs. Robert Calvert Mr. Robert E. Campbell and Rev. April M. Davis Campbell Mr. Gary J. Campisi Mr. Eduardo Canas Hon. D. Nick Caporale Mrs. Desiree C. Carbonell-Jacobsen Mr. and Mrs. Jarrod T. Carley Lt. Col. and Mrs. Virgil V. Carlsen, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael M. Carlson Mr. Rex M. Catton Mr. Timothy W. Cavanaugh Mr. and Mrs. William D. Ceely, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Cerillo, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. David J. Chamberlain Col. and Mrs. Clarence W. Chancey, Jr., Retd.

Mr. Robert F. Chandler Mr. and Mrs. William Cheese Mr. John A. Cherica Mr. Jerald Chesnut Mr. and Mrs. Raymond D. Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Christiansen Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Christie Col. and Mrs. Eugene E. Cirillo, USAF Mr. Arnel B. Citurs Capt. and Mrs. David Clark Mr. and Mrs. Paul M. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Classen Mr. Craig S. Clawson Ms. Linda M. Clawson Mrs. Berdine R. Clumpus Mrs. Linda M. Coates Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd A. Coates Mr. and Mrs. James Cobbs Lt. Col. George R. Cockle Mr. Oscar Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Combs Pastor Frank Coniglio Mr. and Mrs. Ralph F. Connolly Mr. Everett L. Cook Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Coppess Mr. Herbert Cossano Dr. and Mrs. Richard T. Cotton Mr. David J. Coulton Lt. Col. Robert E. Courneen, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest D. Couture, Jr.

Dr. Hugh P. Cowdin Mr. and Mrs. John D. Coy Mr. and Mrs. Douglas P. Cramer Mrs. Tracy L. Crowell Mr. Clyde E. Cummings Ms. Cherie M. Curry Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Jerry R. Curry, Retd.

Mr. Lycurgus C. Curry, Jr. Mr. Paul M. Curry, Jr. Mr. Richard M. Curtis Mr. and Mrs. James G. Czeranko Dr. and Mrs. Mark L. D’Agostino Mr. T. Eugene Dahlgren Dr. and Mrs. Harl A. Dalstrom Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Daniel Mr. Scott W. Darden Mr. and Mrs. James J. Daskiewicz Ms. Linnea A. Davidson C. Bruce Davis, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry R. Davis Mr. Richard Davis Lt. Col. James M. Dellaripa, USAF Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Denenberg Mr. and Mrs. Donald Deter Mr. John P. Devries Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Oliver W. Dillard, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Dinzole Mrs. Elma I. Dodder Mr. and Mrs. N. Phillips Dodge, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Donaldson Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Dougherty Mr. James Douglas Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Q. Drake Dr. and Mrs. Charles S. Dresher Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Drew Mr. and Mrs. David J. DuCharme Mr. Paul F. Ebisch Mr. James M. Ecker Mr. and Mrs. Craig L. Edmundson Mr. and Mrs. Lennie O. Edwards, Jr. Mr. Dan Friedlund and Mrs. Ramona M. Edwards Col. and Mrs. James C. Egan, Jr., Retd.

Lt. Col. Ralph G. Egenmaier, Retd.

Dr. Steven Eggers Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Eissler Mr. and Mrs. Roy V. Ekberg Lt. Col. Arthur R. Ellisen, Retd.

Lt. Col. Robert L. Elsasser, Retd.

Ms. Katherine L. English Mr. and Mrs. James Erixon Mrs. Jacqueline A. Estee Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Euler Ms. Genevieve I. Evankovich Ms. Monica M. Evans

Col. and Mrs. Richard J. Evans Mr. and Mrs. Douglas A. Ewald Mr. Edward Fallon Chief Terry L. Feeney Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fichter Mr. and Mrs. Larry G. Fiegel Mr. and Mrs. John A. Fiscus Col. and Mrs. James M. Fisher, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald J. Flood Mr. Anthony W. Flott Mr. Charles A. Foell Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Fonda Mr. William A. Forsee Lt. Col. Mary R. Forster Col. James E. Foster, Retd.

Drs. Edward T. and Mary L. Foster Mr. Bruce Fowler Mr. and Mrs. Don C. Fox Mr. and Mrs. Brett A. Franksmann Mr. Stephen R. Frantz Capt. and Mrs. Robert P. Frizzell, Retd.

Mr. Jack A. Frost Lt. Col. Robert C. Gaddi, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Gallagher Dr. and Mrs. Neilson Galloway Mr. and Mrs. James Garbina Mr. and Mrs. James C. Gathmann Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Gauck Mr. and Mrs. David Gaul Ms. Anne B. Gee Dana and Steve Gehring Mr. and Mrs. John S. Gelecki Ms. Darcy S. O’Brien-Genrich Mr. Robert S. Georgecink Mr. David S. Gerdes Mr. and Mrs. Barry L. Gerken Lt. Col. and Mrs. Stephen C. Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Giles, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Ivan J. Gilreath Mr. and Mrs. William H. Gober Mr. and Mrs. Denis I. Goeser Lt. Col. and Mrs. Norman Goldberg, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Larry M. Gomez Mr. and Mrs. Ronald M. Gordon Col. and Mrs. Judd H. Grace, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. Gredys Mr. Richard W. Greene Mr. Robert Gries Mrs. Mary M. Griffin Mr. Warren W. Griffin Mrs. Marilyn A. Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Grimaila Mr. Charles B. Gruenig Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Guenther Mr. and Mrs. Anthony A. Gum Mr. and Mrs. John R. Gustafson

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2010 2011 century club Mr. and Mrs. Troy E. Gutheil-Bykerk Ms. Jo Ann Haafke Mr. and Mrs. Douglas E. Hadley Mr. Bruce and Dr. Patricia A. Hageman Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hahn, Jr. MSgt. and Mrs. Paul N. Hall, Retd.

Timothy E. Hamel and Somboon Jaiharn-Hamel Maj. and Mrs. Jesse Hamilton, Retd.

Mr. Paul J. Hammel and Ms. Nancy Evans Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Hansen Col. and Mrs. Donald C. Hansen, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Hansen Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Hansen Maj. and Mrs. Marvin C. Hardin Lt. Col. and Mrs. Kurt C. Haripar Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Harper Mrs. Linda M. Harr Mr. James L. Harrel Mr. and Mrs. James R. Harrington Mr. Melvin H. Harrington Beverly Harwick Schrag Mr. and Mrs. Louis G. Hatch Mrs. Betty J. Hawkins Mr. Gerald L. Hawley Mr. and Mrs. Bruce K. Hayden, Jr. Mr. Robert Hearron Jack Heidel, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Richard F. Hekl, Sr. Mrs. Sherry M. Hellmuth Mr. and Mrs. Floyd G. Hellyer Ms. Eleanor M. Helmann Lt. Col. and Mrs. Joseph L. Henderson, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. William H. Henderson Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Clyde A. Hennies, Retd.

Col. George A. Henry, Jr., Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. H. Robert Herold, II Mr. and Ms. Robert G. Herrera Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Hide Mr. and Mrs. Peter W. Hill Mr. Robert C. Hill Mr. and Mrs. Roger H. Hinderliter Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Hirsh Dr. and Mrs. John H. Hoehne Dr. and Ms. William L. Hoevet Mr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Hoffmann Shari R. Hofschire Col. and Mrs. Robert L. Hohman, Retd.

Col. Chuck W. Holderness, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Clifford H. Hollestelle Mr. and Mrs. Richard E. Hood Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Horak Mr. John C. Horton Mrs. Jeanette Hosek

Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Hotz, Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Houston W. Craig Howell and Deborah Smith-Howell Col. Delbert C. Huddleston, Retd.

Mr. Henry G. Hudson Lt. Col. Hans G. Huettig, Retd.

Ms. Marilyn A. Hughes Mrs. Arline M. Irey Mr. Connor A. Isgett, Jr. Mr. Charles E. Iverson Mr. and Mrs. Leo D. Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Thaddeus E. Jackson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Eric M. Jacoba Mr. Roger Jacobsen Mr. Allen F. Jacobson Mr. and Mrs. David A. Jacobson Mr. Daniel J. Jaksich and Ms. Jayne L. Timmerman Mr. and Mrs. Stefan G. Jenkins Mr. and Mrs. Gene Jensen Mr. and Mrs. Norman K. Jensen Col. and Mrs. Wendell W. Jernigan Mr. and Mrs. Carl A. Johnson Mr. Donald E. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Tim A. Johnson Mr. and Mrs. William J. Johnson Mr. Randall J. and Dr. Kay D. Johnston Mr. and Mrs. Laska H. Jones, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Terry P. Jones Mr. Dennis D. Jorgensen Mr. Larry C. Juul Mr. William F. Kabourek Mr. Hugo Kahn Mr. and Mrs. Dennis L. Kaiser Mr. and Mrs. Scott J. Kaminski Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Kankousky Mr. and Ms. Stanley Kapustka Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Karrer Lt. Col. and Mrs. James C. Kasperbauer Mr. Timothy J. Kasun Drs. Anthony R. Keber and Nancy E. Knowles Mr. William J. Keiderling Ms. Linda J. Keill Dr. and Mrs. Ralph H. Keill, Jr. Lt. Col. and Mrs. Richard C. Kellems, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Kelley Mr. Timothy Kelley Ms. Rolee Kelly Mr. and Mrs. John P. Kennedy Ms. Mary F. Kenny Mr. John W. Kersey Ms. Kathleen Kersey Maj. and Mrs. Richard R. Keskinen, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Ketchum

Mr. Clyde W. Ketelsen Ms. Ann T. Kieffer Mrs. Betty J. Kieran Lt. Col. Edward L. King, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald F. King Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Kingery Mr. George Kirby Ms. Joan Klanderud Ms. Shirel Klimaszewski Mr. Donald E. Kneifl Mr. Sever Knutson Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Knutzen Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Koehler Mr. and Mrs. Curtis L. Koehlmoos Dr. and Mrs. Richard L. Kolowski Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Kopocis Mr. and Mrs. James J. Koranda Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Kotch Ms. Sarah Kovoor Mr. James J. Kozak Mr. John Kozak Mr. and Mrs. Leroy F. Kozeny Mr. Lee A. Kramolisch Ms. Linda P. Krause Mr. and Mrs. John A. Krecek Mr. and Mrs. Douglas V. Krenz Lt. Col. Gilbert A. Krom, Retd.

Ms. Alicia Chavez Kroupa Ms. Margaret M. Kubat Mr. William M. Kult Lt. Col. and Mrs. Paul M. Kunichika Mr. Joseph F. Kurgan Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Lacey Mr. James R. LaMaster and Mrs. Mary K. LaMaster Mr. and Mrs. Louis E. Lamberty Ms. Lou Ann Landholm Mr. G. Curtis Lansbery Dr. and Mrs. C. Rex Latta Ms. Fredericka M. Laux Mr. Patrick J. Lavelle Mrs. Carolyn J. Law Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Lawson Joel D. Lebsack, Ed.D. Mr. Bobby R. Lee Mr. Walter L. Lee Mrs. Judi L. Leibrock Mr. David M. Leigh Mrs. Margaret K. Lemen Mrs. Dorothy R. Lemon Mr. and Mrs. Larry T. Leverett Mr. and Mrs. Ryan P. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Lewis Dr. Mary J. Lickteig Mr. Tom Liefer Mr. and Mrs. Galen K. Lillethorup Mrs. Sandra A. Lim and Mr. Sun-Ha Lim Mr. Robert J. Lindberg

Ms. Danya A. Linneman Lt. Col. and Mrs. George J. Liotis, Retd.

Maj. Daniel M. Littley, Jr., Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Darrell J. Logemann Mr. and Mrs. Norman E. Long Mr. and Mrs. Albert Luedtke Ms. Joan L. Lukas Mr. and Mrs. Jay D. Lutey Lt. Col. Hillary A. Luton Mr. and Mrs. Bob L. Lykke Mr. Sean A. Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Maass, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. George D. Macht Ms. Andrena L. MacLeod Mr. J. Terry and Dr. Ruth A. Macnamara Mr. William MacQuarrie Mrs. Marion S. Maddocks Ms. Marjorie E. Magner Mr. and Mrs. Barry J. Maher Ms. Gayle M. Malmquist Mr. David Manning Mr. Roger L. Mansfield Mr. Dale I. Marcum Mr. and Mrs. George L. Marling Mrs. Kathleen H. Martin Mr. Roger A. Martz Mr. and Mrs. John A. Mascarello Mr. William G. Mavity Mr. and Mrs. Luama Mays Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie B. McCaa Mr. and Mrs. Joe T. McCartney, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Mark T. McCormack Mr. and Mrs. Keith McCormick Dr. and Mrs. Stanford L. McDonald Ms. Alice J. McDowell Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. McElligott Mr. Patrick E. McGinty Mary T. McGovern Mr. Roger McGranahan Ms. Kathleen A. McGuire Lt. Col. Lawrence A. McIntyre, Retd.

Rev. Dr. Patrick A. McLaughlin Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. McMahon SMSgt. Wilson H. McMillan, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. McMullen Lt. Col. John J. McOscar, Retd.

Mrs. Rebecca L. Means Maj. and Mrs. Michael J. Mears, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Mehaffey, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Philip W. Meilman Mr. and Dr. David C. Melliger Marilyn F. Mellor, M.D. Mr. and Mrs. Norman J. Melton Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. Mench Ms. Gloria A. Wallen-Mendez Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Merrick

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas E. Merz Mr. and Mrs. Garry E. Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Militti Mr. and Mrs. Carter D. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Miller Mr. and Mrs. Jesse H. Miller Ms. Mary Ann Miller Mr. and Mrs. Jon R. Minks Dr. and Mrs. Vincent F. Miscia Capt. and Mrs. Ralph W. Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Moenssen Mrs. Maureen M. Moluf Robert G. Money, D.D.S. Ms. Cynthia A. Moore Ramsey Sgt. and Mrs. John W. Moore Dr. Russell P. Moore, Jr. Mr. Terrance R. Moore, LCSW Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Moran Ms. Nancy T. Morris and Mr. Joseph Muller Mrs. L. Louise Moss Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Muhlbauer Dr. and Mrs. Willis P. Mundt Mr. William F. Munoff Mr. Michael L. Murray Mr. and Mrs. William W. Musgrave Miss Diana S. Myers Mr. and Mrs. Willie Nantz Mr. Rohit R. Nayak Lt. Col. and Mrs. Thomas D. Needham Mr. and Mrs. Leo W. Nelsen Mr. and Mrs. Bradford J. Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Elbert L. Nelson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin H. Nelson Lt. Col. and Mrs. Phillip H. Nelson, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Norby Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Nun Mr. and Mrs. Robert O’Brien Mr. John M. O’Doherty Mr. Pedro E. Okoruwa Mr. Richard L. O’Larry Mrs. Linda L. Olsen Mr. and Mrs. Conrad M. Olsson Mr. Paul E. Oppel Dr. and Mrs. Robert C. O’Reilly Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Orndorff Rev. and Mrs. William Osick Mr. Michael B. Ostrom and Ms. Benita M. Seliga Dr. Dorothy A. Ostrowski Mr. and Mrs. John C. Ott Dr. and Mrs. Joel M. Padmore Mr. Carl E. Palmer, Jr. Lt. Col. Curtis G. Parker, Retd.

Maj. Murray H. Parker, Retd.

Drs. Michael D. and Laura J. Parr Capt. Dennis R. Partenheimer, Retd.

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2010 century club 2011 Ms. Dorothy M. Patach Mr. and Mrs. Donald J. Pavelka, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Keith V. Payne Mr. Gilbert W. Peers, Jr. Mr. Gerald F. Pesek Mr. and Mrs. David W. Peters Mr. and Mrs. Martin F. Petersen Ms. Beverly M. Petersen Mr. and Mrs. Dale L. Petersen Mr. and Mrs. Norman E. Peterson Mr. and Ms. William R. Petrowski Mr. and Mrs. Dale Pfannkuch Mr. and Mrs. Leon D. Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Pierson Lt. Col. Robert R. Piragowski, Ed.D. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen R. Pitzer Mrs. Terri Pitzer Mr. Efren Pol Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Polk Ms. Dianne K. Polly Ms. Mary A. Poppino Mrs. Joyce L. Porter Mr. and Mrs. William L. Powers Mr. John B. Preisinger Mr. Douglas D. Primmer Maj. Elza B. Pringle, Jr., Retd.

Mr. Jerome Prismantas Mr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Radek Lt. Col. and Mrs. William L. Raincsuk, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Ramm Mr. Lonzale Ramsey, Sr. Mr. Richard R. Rankin Ms. Marilyn Raupe Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Rawe Mr. James L. Reardon Mr. and Mrs. Larry L. Reding Mr. Guy L. Reece, II and Mrs. Shirley A. Rogers-Reece Mr. Matthew S. Rehder Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Reilly Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Reiser Mr. and Ms. Frank Reiss Maj. and Mrs. Raymond R. Reusche, Retd.

Mrs. Susan E. Riccio Col. Michael E. Richardson, Retd.

Mr. Robert E. Ridder Dr. Richard A. Riddle Lt. Col. and Mrs. William P. Riddling Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Rieschl Dr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Rigatuso Dr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Rikli Mr. and Mrs. Timothy S. Riley Mr. Zane O. Gresham and Ms. Carol J. Robinson Mr. James S. and Rev. Carol J. Roettmer Brewer Mr. Harvey Roffman

Mr. Ronald L. Rosberg Mr. Robert D. Rose, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. William F. Ross Mr. and Mrs. Craig Rothfuss Joanne K. Rowney Maj. and Mrs. Richard L. Ruffcorn, II Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Runyon Mr. and Mrs. Wayne L. Russell Mr. Sterling M. Ryder Mr. Paul G. Saathoff Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Sagehorn Rev. and Mrs. Gary A. Sallquist Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Samson Ms. Kathy M. Sangimino Lt. Col. Thomas M. Saunders, Retd.

Mr. John M. Savage Lt. Col. and Mrs. Roy C. Schaeffer Lt. Col. Stanley O. Schaetzle Mr. Dennis and Dr. Beverly Schaffer Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Q. Schiefer Mr. William R. Schlott Lt. Col. and Mrs. Frank W. Schnee, Retd.

Mr. Stevan Schneider and Dr. Lori A. Moseman Mr. and Mrs. Helmer A. Schoenfeld Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Scholz Mr. Barry K. Schonlau Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Schubert Lt. Col. and Mrs. Magnus R. Schuldt, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Schutte Ms. Karen L. Schwartz Barbara M. Schweiger, Ph.D. Ms. Charlyn Scott Dr. Janet A. Seaman Lt. Gen. Richard J. Seitz, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Terry Seliga Mr. and Mrs. Steve W. Seline Mrs. Susie Severson Ms. Pamela M. Seward Ms. Judith L. Sexton Col. H. Kenneth Seymour, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Sgroi Mrs. Marie R. Shafer Chris and Reynee Shanahan Mrs. and Mr. Joyce A. Sheridan Maj. and Mrs. Donald E. Sheriff, Retd.

Mr. William L. Shimek Mr. Dennis L. Shimon Parker L. Shipley, J.D. and Velma C. Shipley, Ph.D. Tom Shoberg and Susie Long Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Shuey, Jr. Mr. Frank S. Shukis Col. William L. Sickenberger, Retd.

Mr. Daniel Silvea Dr. and Mrs. Donald R. Silverman

Lt. Col. and Mrs. Joseph V. Sinnett, Jr., Retd.

Mr. Leonard R. Skillan Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Sklenar Mrs. D. Eileen Smith Mr. and Mrs. Glenn D. Smith CMSgt. and Mrs. Henry D. Smith, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney S. Smith Mr. Scott Smith Mr. Todd C. Smith Col. and Mrs. Charles V. Smoot, Retd.

Maj. Albert L. Snyder, USAF, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Larry E. Socha Mr. Frederick V. Sohle, Jr. Mr. Donald B. Solwold Mr. and Mrs. James W. Sorensen Dr. Robert Kreitner and Ms. Margaret A. Sova Mrs. Dorothy J. Spence Mr. and Mrs. Craig R. Spinharney Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sramek Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Stalnaker Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Stanek Dr. William R. Staplin and Ruth A. Staplin Mr. and Mrs. Peter T. Starke Mr. George Starks Mr. and Mrs. Troy A. Staroscik Mrs. Betty K. Start Mr. and Ms. Brandon L. Steenson Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Stein John A. Stephens, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Stewart Ms. Joanne M. Stewart Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Stillmock Mr. Dan J. Stoney Mr. and Mrs. Francis J. Stranick Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Strawhecker Mr. Stephen B. Strehle Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Stubbe Mr. and Mrs. Reginald L. Stupp Xiaolu H. Sturgeon, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Emil L. Sulentic Ms. Maureen R. Svagera Mr. Ronald L. Swain Mr. Ernest Swanson Mr. Gregory G. Swanson Mr. Robert E. Synowicki, Jr. Mr. Ralph M. Tait Mr. and Mrs. Wayne J. Tannahill Lt. Col. Maynard Tatelman, Retd.

Maj. and Mrs. Burgess L. Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Taylor Mr. Turner M. Tefft, Jr. Mr. James B. Temme Mrs. Joanne G. Thietje Mr. and Mrs. Barry J. Thoendel

Mr. Leroy Thomas, Sr. Dr. and Mrs. Austin B. Thompson Col. James D. Thompson, Retd.

Mr. Wade H. Thomson Mr. Donald K. Tickler Mr. Ben Tobias Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Todd Dr. and Mrs. Neal W. Topp, Ph.D. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Tosoni Ms. Sandra Trandahl Mr. and Mrs. Dustin J. Treinen Col. and Mrs. Milo Treska, Retd.

Mrs. Barbara L. Tripp Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Tripp Mr. and Mrs. William Trotter Mr. and Mrs. Eugene A. Trout Mr. Jeffrey Turley amd Dr. Mary Ryan-Turley Mr. Lawrence E. Turner Ms. Margaret A. Twohey Mr. Timothy J. Vail Ms. Carol Valdrighi Mr. Leslie Valentine and Ms. Carol Gutchewsky Mrs. Ingrid Van Blerk Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Van Rossum Mr. Steven Vandenberg Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. VanMooreleghem Mr. and Mrs. Brett A. Vasek Col. Dennis P. Vasey, Retd.

Sgt. and Mrs. Herbert A. Veach Mr. Lee D. Velde and Mr. Healy Leong, AIA Lt. Col. Carl F. Vercio, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Terry J. Vermaas Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Vetro Capt. and Mrs. Harry Vick, Retd.

Mr. and Ms. Gary J. Vicker Col. Francis C. Vossen, Retd.

Dr. and Mrs. William O. Wakefield Mayor Edwin B. Wakeman, Retd.

Mr. Brett P. Walenz Mrs. and Mr. Frances F. Ward Mr. Lester J. Ward, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Ward Mr. Mike M. and Dr. Judith E. Watanabe Mr. and Mrs. Larry L. Watson Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Way Mrs. Gloria O. Webb Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Weber, CPA Mr. Thomas Webster Col. and Mrs. Freeman J. Weedman, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Lynn A. Wegehaupt Mr. Jack A. Nelson and Mrs. D. Lori Welch Nelson Mr. Glenn A. Welz

Mr. Robert R. Wemhoff Capt. and Mrs. Thomas P. Westgaard, Retd.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Wheeler Mr. and Mrs. Michael L. White Mrs. Susan H. White Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Whitehouse Mr. and Mrs. Don A. Whitmer Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Whitney Mr. Marshall A. Widman Mr. Alan W. Wiederholt and Ms. Karen C. Yamaguchi Ms. Claudia D. Wiethop Dr. and Mrs. Dan L. Wilcox Mr. and Mrs. Gregory E. Wilcox Dr. and Mrs. Wesley G. Wilhelm Mr. and Mrs. Craig D. Wilkins Dr. and Mrs. Eric M. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Jack W. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Marcus C. Williams Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Williams Mr. Robert M. Wilmes and Dr. Mary Jo Wilmes Mr. Joel M. Wilson Mr. Nick A. Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Sidney W. Wilson, Jr. CMSgt. and Mrs. Laverne Wingate, Retd.

Ms. Rebecca L. Wingate Mr. Jason L. Winterboer Maj. Harry B. Wolfe Ms. Carol D. Wood Mr. and Mrs. Vernon H. Wood, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. Worm Mr. and Mrs. John K. Wotherspoon Dr. and Mrs. Danny D. Wright Lt. Col. and Mrs. George L. Wright, Retd.

Mr. Grover E. Wright Dr. and Mrs. Robert G. Wright Mr. Robert S. and Dr. Mary M. Wurtz Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Yankus Mr. Paul A. Yochum Mr. and Mrs. Arthur L. Young Mr. Francis Young Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Young Mrs. Martha K. Zajicek Mr. Ralph J. Zender Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Ziebarth

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retrospect

UNO's First Home If not for a fire, UNO alumni today might be able to dance in what once was the university’s first home — on a lake island in southwest Minnesota.

That home originally was an Omaha farmhouse, built in 1875 at 24th and Pratt Streets. Omaha attorney, real-estate developer and judge John Redick later bought the house, expanding it to 17 rooms while adding a large circular porch and 60-foot-tall open-tower balcony. Thus it became “Redick Mansion.”

By the early 1900s, though, Redick and his family had moved elsewhere. In 1909 the newly established Omaha University purchased the mansion and its accompanying 10-acre homestead. The parlor was converted into a chapel; bedrooms became classrooms, laboratories and space to socialize; the kitchen housed physics and the garage chemistry.

On Sept. 14, 1909, 26 students met for OU’s first classes in what was renamed Redick Hall. In less than a decade, though, the university would need

more space, and in 1917, construction was completed on a new home, the three-story, 30-classroom Joslyn Hall.

Valhalla featured an enormous dance floor on its second story with mirrored walls, soft-colored moving lights and the busts of life-sized animals hung on its walls.

Redick Hall was sold to Rudolph Beal, a wealthy Omaha grain broker. Beal had the house dismantled, a project that took just three weeks.

He also purchased fixtures and furnishings from 11 Omaha saloons — closed after the city went “dry” May 1, 1917. Those materials and numerous empty whiskey barrels were loaded onto railway cars and shipped to Currie, Minn.

Omaha historian Harry Walters, who studied Redick Mansion extensively, said in a 1996 UNO Alum magazine article that "As many as 10,000 visitors would flock to the island during special weekend events.”

They arrived at Lake Shetek, where the one-time mansion would be used in construction of the Valhalla Dance Pavilion and Café on Keely Cure Island. The whiskey barrels were used to build a floating pontoon bridge to transport materials to the island.

Ten years later, Omaha University left its original location and moved to its present campus. Where Redick Hall once stood is the 12-story Evans Tower, an Omaha Housing Authority senior community.

But the roaring fun would come to a roaring end. On March 3, 1928, Valhalla burned to the ground. The cause of the fire never was determined.

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