Lou Anne Rinn, J.D., a proud alumna of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is not shy about the impact that scholarships had on her college experience. Rinn grew up in Omaha, raised alongside seven siblings by her Irish American parents, who instilled in her the value of hard work — a lesson she carried with her throughout her time as a student and her successful career as a lawyer.
“Without my education, I would not have had the career opportunities I’ve had,” Rinn said. “That was made possible by other people willing to give money. So, if I was to thoroughly appreciate that, then I had to be prepared to give back as well.”
And give back she has.
The UNO College of Arts and Sciences Cross the Finish Line Scholarship is one of several scholarships Rinn has established through bequests. This gift assists students who are close to completing their degrees but, due to unexpected circumstances, need additional financial support to graduate.
Like Rinn, you can make a difference in the lives of students. And it’s much easier than you may realize.
DOWNLOAD AN ESTATE PLANNING KIT TODAY: nufoundation.org/change-a-life
Mavericks,
At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, we often highlight the degrees earned, research conducted, partnerships made and the lives we have transformed. These are the metrics of a thriving urban public research university.
But, behind every achievement is something deeper that doesn’t always make the headlines, yet shapes everything we do: joy.
At UNO we find joy in community, possibility and in knowing that every Maverick – past, present and future –plays a part in shaping a better tomorrow.
Joy also lives at the heart of learning. You’ll find joyfulness in our classrooms,
across campus and in the legacies of our alumni. It’s part of what makes our work in Omaha so powerful.
Here is why that matters: The Omaha metro area is a major economic driver for Nebraska and plays a vital role in supporting the state’s future. This community deserves a public research university providing equitable services to our people.
UNO takes that responsibility seriously. As a Carnegie-classified research institution and proud metropolitan university, we exist to serve, uplift, expand access, accelerate discovery and drive economic development. That means removing
barriers to education, creating pathways to high-quality jobs and showing up for our city.
We believe that joy fuels resilience, optimism sparks innovation and that communities thrive when every person feels seen. The future we are building is shaped by the hopes and dreams of those we serve.
Thank you for being part of this joyful, transformative mission.
Sincerely,
Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA Chancellor
Still thinking about this magical moment. Recently we celebrated with the announcement that the Biomechanics Research Building is being expanded to include more labs and collaborative space (construction will begin this fall).
The Biomechanics faculty, students, and researchers are doing incredible things that are saving lives, which has made this building the biomechanics capital of the world and UNO a valuable research institution.
PHOTO I L to R: Frank Stalla; Chancellor Joanne Li; Viv Ewing (BS 83, MS 86); Mayor John Ewing (BGS 85, MS 87); Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell; Stephanie (Kirby) Dowell (BS 04); Aileen Warren (BS 83, MSW 85); Thomas Warren (MS 89)
BEHIND THE DESIGNS OF UNO’S 2025 THEATRE STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Thomas Rowe’s unexpected journey from psychology to theatrical costume design culminates in a stunning senior capstone production of Alice in Wonderland.
Late one April evening in the Weber Fine Arts Building, Thomas Rowe watched as an actor shed a shimmering “cocoon” coat to reveal a 1920s flapper-style dress with gossamer wings. It was the Caterpillar character’s onstage transformation, and Rowe’s own costume design vision came to life.
Rowe’s road to this stage was far from direct. Initially, he intended to focus on psychology and advocacy. Theater, which he had experience in as a show choir performer, initially seemed to be in his past. Rowe had “sworn off performing” after the demands of high school arts. However, a twist of fate in an intro theatre class pulled him into a backstage role.
READ THE FULL STORY BY BELLA LOCKWOODWATSON AND AND VIEW MORE MAGICAL PHOTOS ON THE UNO MAGAZINE WEBSITE.
EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE
THE HERD: AMPLIFYING SPIRIT, MUSIC, AND COMMUNITY AT UNO
The Herd’s collaboration brings together students with diverse percussion backgrounds, fostering creativity and communication in a unique and unified environment.
Read this online exclusive story and watch a video of them in action at: unoalumni.org/unomagazine
20
BUILDING BETTER READERS
UNO and partners are on a mission to help every child in Nebraska discover the joy of reading.
by SUSAN HOUSTON KLAUS
24 WALLS THAT TALK
A vibrant mural by UNO alumnus Hugo Zamorano, UNO students, WhyArts, Inc. and Omaha community members celebrates creativity and connection.
by JULI OBERLANDER
26
EMPOWERING FOSTER YOUTH
UNO MBA students and an alumni-founded nonprofit are helping foster youth in Omaha step into adulthood with confidence.
by BELLA LOCKWOOD-WATSON
28
AMOR MUNDI
CREATIVE SERIES
A series of fiction and creative writing by UNO alumni, faculty, staff and students.
by CAITLIN CASS
ALUMNI PROFILES: The stories of four alumni who create joy in their lives and careers, pages 34–37.
Read the full issue and web exclusive content online at: unoalumni.org/unomagazine 6 I UNO MAGAZINE
EDITOR’S NOTE
At its best, a university experience offers more than knowledge. It offers connection, purpose and moments of joy that stay with us long after we leave campus. For Mavericks, that joy often resurfaces in unexpected ways: in a career that aligns with their values, in mentorship that shapes the next generation or in the simple act of returning to a place that helped define who they are. Sometimes, joy is less about the moment and more about the impact. When we look closely, we see it — in the lives of students, in the stories of alumni and in the ongoing relationship between UNO and the community it serves.
MANAGING EDITOR
Davina Schrier
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Jennifer Arnold
Sam Peshek
ART DIRECTION/DESIGN
Heidi Mihelich, cre8ivenergy
CONTRIBUTORS
Annie Albin, Caitlin Cass, Jared Craig, Zoë Euteneuer, John Fey, Susan Houston Klaus, Bella Lockwood-Watson, Juli Oberlander, Kari Ramsey, Kara Schweiss
EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES contact: 800-432-3216 or unomagazine@unoalumni.org.
UNO Magazine is published three times a year. UNO graduates in Nebraska receive two issues – the fall issue and either the spring or summer issue. All UNO graduates receive the fall issue. UNO Fund donors of $25 or more of the past two years receive all three issues.
Do we have your correct name and address? Send all changes to unomagazine@unoalumni.org or visit unoalumni.org/recordupdate.
ON THE COVER
Just Graduated by Kelly Altman. Altman is a visual artist best known for her portraits in colored pencil and watercolor. Based in Ashland, Nebraska, she graduated from UNO in 2016 with a bachelor of arts in journalism and media communication.
The graduate featured on the front cover is Vivian Kaldahl, a UNO Alumni Association scholarship recipient. Kaldahl joyfully graduated summa cum laude in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
Views expressed within this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the UNO Alumni Association or the University of Nebraska Foundation. The University of Nebraska at Omaha shall not discriminate based upon age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, gender-identity, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, religion, or political affiliation.
SUMMER 2025 I 7
UNO alumnus and artist Hugo Zamorano brings together UNO students and community members to share the joy of creative expression, page 24.
Men’s Basketball Head Coach Chris Crutchfield’s leadership is rooted in Maverick pride, page 34.
COMPETITIVE YAPPERS: INSIDE MAVFORENSICS
by JARED CRAIG UNO Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager
For MavForensics, UNO’s speech and debate team, preparation and a love for storytelling are critical for success.
On stage at Strauss Performing Arts Center, Keith Allen and Yasmin Monroy had a story to tell in a typical fashion from MavForensics, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)’s competitive speech team.
Portraying a grandmother and grandson in a Mexican household, the students brought to life a narrative about their close bond and multiple generations living under one roof. The grandmother passed away, leaving the grandson without the love and guidance he had relied on, but it wasn’t a moment of grief.
Allen, portraying the grandson, explained how Mexican culture uses death as an opportunity to celebrate life.
“Our culture uses death to enjoy family together,” said Allen, a senior political science major. “Because at the end of the day, we’re all family and here to help each other.”
It was one of the many memorable performances from the team at their before traveling to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for a competition, resulting in students being named among
outside the classroom. For Abigail Faris, a senior studying political science and international studies, the team has given her a voice in a digital world where dialogue is clunky, and many can feel drowned out by the sheer volume of people contributing to a discussion.
“I’m not given a platform to speak my messages other than social media and my friends,” she said. “MavForensics lets me share a point with a large, captive audience, practically, letting me see how they respond and understanding what’s important to them.”
FROM ZOOM TO THE AUDITORIUM
No one can argue that the 2024-2025 MavForensics team members are adaptable.
Many were on a team in high school and were accustomed to competing, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced the team
MAVFORENSICS HELPED ME REALIZE THAT COLLEGE ISN’T TOO SCARY IF YOU PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE.”
on your own,” said Allen. “Having an organization where people are helping and always wanting the best for you, you get those confidence skills and slowly start taking them elsewhere to your classes or your job. MavForensics helped me realize that college isn’t too scary if you put yourself out there.”
SUCCESS IN COMPETITION
With competitions from its latest season completed, MavForensics gained national recognition after Allen and Faris earned spots on a National All-American Team most recently at the American Forensics Association National Speech Tournament. Meanwhile, Allen was also a semifinalist in Dramatic Interpretation, Faris was a quarterfinalist in Dramatic Interpretation and Brooklynn Schmidt, a UNO senior psychology major, was a finalist in the category of persuasion — placing 5th in the nation.
Amanda VonGoodrich, the team’s coach and a lecturer in the UNO School of Communication, cites that an extraordinary group of seniors led this team to success and sees a bright future.
Forensics goes beyond the typical speech visualize. Missing are the note cards and podiums, with participants spitting out factoids. Instead, it’s a more robust form of public speaking storytelling meets advocacy to societal issues within a specific interpretations of literature and
to learn how to conduct a performance virtually. Transitioning back to in-person formats forced students to re-learn the process all over again.
“At in-person competitions again, we had to learn how to never turn off,” said Faris. “We’re always on our game 100% of the time from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., which could be mentally exhausting.”
Developing these soft skills often helps prepare students for their academic and professional careers. Being part of a team also helps students bolster their social skills.
Keith Allen, a native of Lexington, Nebraska, is glad that MavForensics was the first student organization he joined. “For a freshman, it’s scary coming to a new place, to a much larger city, and
“They are leaders on the team, the classroom and their student orgs,” she said. “It’s common for a faculty member to tell me, ‘I have a forensics student, and they’re the best in our class.’”
Joining the team is open to all majors and even to those who don’t have competitive public speaking experience levels. It’s an adventure that these students cite as the best of their time at UNO.
“MavForensics has been my home away from home,” said Schmidt. “I’m thankful to have these teammates and coaches. They’ve all definitely contributed to the person I am today.”
PHOTOS I Top: The UNO Mavforensics team at their Annual Performance Showcase at the Strauss Performing Arts Center. Bottom: Brooklyn Schmidt, Abigail Faris and Keith Allen were all nationally recognized at a recent forensics competition in North Carolina.
SUMMER 2025 I 9
SMART START
by SAM PESHEK
A UNO-Buffett Early Childhood Institute partnership brings playful learning straight to families’ homes, helping young learners build essential skills before kindergarten.
What if everything you needed to get your child ready for kindergarten could fit inside of a backpack?
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is piloting the “Smart Start Family Engagement Backpack Program,” a collaborative project aimed at strengthening school readiness before kindergarten begins.
Developed in partnership with Douglas County West Community Schools, the Learning Community of Douglas and Sarpy Counties, and the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, the program is funded as part of the Superintendents’ Early Childhood Plan and provides families with a one-week take-home experience filled with hands-on activities that make early learning both engaging and accessible.
Smart Start reflects UNO’s broader commitment to early childhood development community engagement. It’s an example of how the university is applying research to real-world needs.
“Collaborations like Smart Start are exactly what communityengaged scholarship looks like. At UNO, we’re driven by a ‘think global, act local’ mindset and this project embodies that mission,”
UNO School of Health & Kinesiology Assistant Professor and lead investigator on the project Kailey Snyder, Ph.D., said. “By bringing our research and expertise into real homes and real lives, we’re supporting children’s early development and preparing the next generation to be thoughtful, impactful leaders in their communities.”
Research shows that strong parent-child interactions and early exposure to language, motor and social-emotional skills can significantly boost a child’s development before kindergarten.
A 2024 study found that students who were “on-track” for kindergarten readiness scored on average 5.08 points higher on the
ACT in 11th grade and 4.3 points higher in 12th grade than those who were not on-track. Another 2024 study found that 90.5% of children who demonstrated kindergarten readiness in 2014 scored proficient or higher on the state mathematics test in third grade.
Families bring home a backpack filled with hands on activities like a bridge building challenge or nature scavenger hunt prepared by Drs. Snyder and Dinkel and explore the materials inside over the course of a week, choosing the activities that best fit their child’s interests and daily routines.
By bringing play-based learning tools into the home, this initiative helps ensure that more children arrive at school ready to learn. The Superintendents’ Plan works with districts across the region to help close opportunity gaps; this program helps support the ongoing work at DC West focused on strong transitions to kindergarten for both children and their families.
“Smart Start helps young learners build the skills they need to succeed in school, but its impact goes far beyond academics,” Buffett Early Childhood Institute Director of Educational Practices Amy Schmidtke, Ed.D., said. “This project creates space for families to laugh, learn and grow together. It’s about readiness, it’s about relationships and it’s about building memories and connections that can last a lifetime. We’re grateful for the Learning Community funding to advance early childhood programming across school districts in our region.”
UNO Director of Editorial and Media Relations
NEBRASKA BY THE NUMBERS
UNO Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) is committed to pragmatic research and discovery that directly benefits Nebraska. Here is a sample of the high-quality, reliable data CPAR provides the U.S. Census Bureau and community partners to support informed decision-making.
MIGRATION TRENDS
Where Nebraskans Are Going
METRO GROWTH
• Most out-migration is to Colorado and Iowa
• Those most likely to leave: ages 24–34 and incomes over $75,000
• Brain drain has persisted since 2010, but improved from 2022 to 2023
• The core metropolitan counties of Lancaster, Sarpy, and Hall gained population from other parts of the state.
• Some population gains occurred in the outlying metro counties, including Cass and Saunders, largely attributed to the growth of ‘exurbs’ in areas like Ashland, Plattsmouth, Wahoo and Valley.
• Despite these gains, all county types net lost population to other states.
ACCESS TO DATA CAN HELP US MAKE BETTER DECISIONS THAT WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES AND REGION FOR YEARS TO COME. WE WORK HARD TO CONTEXTUALIZE DATA SO THAT LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF DECISIONS AND WE COLLABORATE WITH PARTNERS TO DEVELOP ACTION-ORIENTED STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL NEBRASKANS.”
JOSIE SCHAFER, PH.D. DIRECTOR, UNO CPAR
HOUSING TRENDS
A Shift to Metro Areas jobs added since COVID 3% unemployment vs. 4.2% national rate
OMAHA’S ECONOMY
+24.4 % +67,000
increase in median value of owner-occupied homes (2018–2023)
MASTERING THE GAME OF NETWORKING
by JARED CRAIG UNO Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager
The Turkish bazaar was in its usual excitement, bustling with the sound of vendors moving their goods, and Shohina Sultonova knew how to get a good deal.
Sultonova, a University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) business administration major concentrating in business analytics, sales and international business, studied abroad in Turkey last summer, prepared to use her business knowledge when interacting with locals.
Having prior experience traversing through local bazaars with her grandmother when she was a little girl, she knew that these vendors operated on a bargaining system. She also knew that vendors tended to inflate prices for those who behaved like tourists.
Since freshman year, she had served as part of the American Heart Association’s Sweethearts program, where she volunteers every month in heart health campaigns, mentorship events and leadership workshops for high school girls in Omaha.
I BECAME A CHAMELEON. AND I TAPPED INTO MY ADAPTABILITY SKILLS I DISCOVERED THROUGH UNO.”
“I became a chameleon,” she said, purposely avoiding speaking English to the vendor. “And I tapped into my adaptability skills I discovered through UNO”
It worked. Leaving the bazaar with a $50 purse she haggled down to $8, she chalked up the exchange to not street savviness but her business education — most importantly, the art of people skills.
FINDING HER PEOPLE
Sultonova is a go-getter. She had participated in eight internships — all acquired through networking, including at campus events.
Arriving at UNO as a first-generation student, she has made the most of her time in the College of Business Administration. She joined student organizations associated with the college, aimed at developing well-rounded business skills and providing a community to students. With all, she holds leadership roles.
Her passion for learning is infectious, and she finds joy in understanding the people around her.
“I’ve always been curious about people. I love asking what drives them and what makes them who they are. I like analyzing how they think and what motivates them because it helps me connect with people and be a better leader,” she said.
UNO, UNMC LAUNCH DUAL DEGREE TO EQUIP FUTURE DENTISTS WITH BUSINESS SKILLS
Future dentists now have a fast track to get the skills they need to confidently enter private practice thanks to a new collaborative effort between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).
A dual degree offering between the UNO College of Business Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and the UNMC College of Dentistry Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) program now allows DDS students to pursue the dual degree starting in the Summer 2025 semester.
“This program is a testament to the incredible spirit of collaboration between UNO and UNMC,” UNO CBA Interim Dean Steve Schulz, Ph.D., said. “By working together, we are not only enhancing educational opportunities but also strengthening Nebraska’s workforce. This initiative aligns perfectly with our shared mission of preparing students with the skills they need to lead, innovate and succeed in their professions.”
Running a dental practice isn’t just about clinical expertise. It’s also about managing a business. Most UNMC College of Dentistry graduates enter private practice, with many eventually owning their own clinics. By combining dentistry with an MBA, this program equips future professionals with leadership, financial management and strategic decision-making skills crucial to the modern healthcare environment.
The program has arrived right as demand for dentists is, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall employment of dentists is projected to grow 5% from 2023 to 2033. About 4,900 openings for dentists are projected each year, on average, over the decade, largely due to the need to replace dentists who switch careers or retire.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW UNO AND UNMC ARE OPTIMIZING THIS PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND HOW YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE DUAL DEGREE.
SCIENCE, SPANISH, SERVICE — AND A FUTURE IN MEDICINE
by ANNIE ALBIN
Marketing and Communications Manager, UNO College of Arts and Sciences
Tai Prauner’s week swings between cellular concepts and community events — immersed in epigenetics research one day, and leading bilingual outreach the next.
For some, moving between such different experiences might feel like major whiplash. But for Prauner, it’s perfect.
As an honors student getting double degrees in molecular and biomedical biology and Spanish for health sciences, Prauner has crafted an undergraduate experience that speaks to her unique passions and pursuits. From working in a research lab to connecting with classmates in language clubs, her University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) experience has been full of rich opportunities to explore and engage in her interests.
Her molecular and biomedical biology major allowed her love of science to flourish, inspiring plans to pursue a master’s degree in cancer research, followed by medical school. And her other major, Spanish for health sciences, aligns with her aspirations for providing medical care to all communities.
After initially only studying Spanish as a minor, Prauner was ecstatic to learn about the new Spanish for health sciences major pathway. The major’s tailored course catalog of specialized
Spanish courses covering the healthcare topics immediately caught her attention, and she quickly declared her double major in the subject.
“I love being able to learn Spanish because it’s a good skill,” Prauner said. “But what I’m super passionate about is bringing that into healthcare, especially in rural areas and here in Omaha.”
In addition to her interests in medicine, Prauner also has a passion for research. As a student worker in Professor Ryan Wong’s Behavior, Neuroscience, and Genomics Lab, she was the first in the lab to conduct epigenetic research.
In 2024, she was one of 428 undergraduate students selected from across the country for the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship, one of the top awards in the nation for STEM students.
As she reflects on her path at UNO and looks towards her future, she can’t help but reflect on who she was when she first started college. Thinking about her fellow students, she encourages other current and future Mavericks to stay curious and compassionate as they chase their collegiate dreams — she did, and it made all the difference.
UNO’S A CAPPELLA GROUP FINDS THE PERFECT PITCH
by JARED CRAIG UNO Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager
The sounds of singing and beatboxing echoed through Strauss Performing Arts Center late at night. Students filled a classroom, decked out with microphones, speakers and a piano.
It didn’t take them long before they started to sing and dance again, despite taking a break during rehearsal between musical numbers. They just wanted to continue singing, knowing they were creating something special.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is home to a new a cappella student organization, One Note Stands, which was created this spring and is the only of its kind.
One Note Stands hosted a Spring Show, an end-of-school-year celebration based on the hit workplace comedy The Office at Strauss Performing Arts Center in the Concert Hall.
Mary Mancuso, president of One Note Stands, said the group began with just four students at the start of the semester. But after an Instagram post announcing its creation gained traction, auditions were held, and membership grew.
“When several of us had the idea to start this group at UNO, I was so excited to be involved,” she said. “It’s amazing that people are able to make music with just their voices.”
Many members, like Mancuso, had experience in a cappella during high school. Others, like Lucas Good, were drawn to the musical style and went to audition.
“Being part of the group has meant the world to me,” Mancuso said. “We all have a passion for music, and it’s made rehearsals something I look forward to every week.”
ANA’S WAY
by KARI RAMSEY
Marketing & Communications Specialist, UNO Office of Graduate Studies
Ana Diaz-Orozco knows what it means to find a way forward — especially when there isn’t a clear path ahead.
Today, she serves full-time as the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Office of Latino/ Latin American Studies (OLLAS) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), mentoring students and helping them unlock their potential. But Ana’s story started like so many others — with questions, uncertainty and the brave decision to be the first in her family to go to college.
Growing up close to her family, Ana knew she didn’t want to stray too far from home. UNO offered her the perfect balance: close enough to stay connected, yet far enough to grow independently. With the support of the Susan T. Buffett Scholarship, she moved into the dorms and began her journey as a first-generation college student — navigating a world her parents had never experienced.
“I was the first one in my family to go to college,” Ana recalls. “That was scary. But the scholarship made everything click. I could live on campus, build relationships and get involved in student life.”
At UNO, Ana double-majored in Psychology and Latino/Latin American Studies, combining her passion for mental health with a deep desire to explore and affirm her cultural identity. Her academic choices weren’t just strategic — they were personal.
“I wanted to learn more about my culture while also applying it to psychology,” she explains. “I wanted to help people better understand what they’re going through.”
By the time she neared graduation, Ana wasn’t ready to leave the classroom behind. “I love learning,” she says. “I just wanted to keep going.”
FROM BOISE TO BIOMECHANICS
by BELLA LOCKWOOD-WATSON UNO Communications Specialist
It was the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic, and the entire world was at a standstill when Kolby Brink stumbled upon the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) through a biomechanics forum.
Brink was unsure about continuing his education after finishing his undergraduate degree in Boise, Idaho. As the pandemic limited job prospects, Brink began exploring master’s programs. A researcher and UNO professor, Aaron Likens, Ph.D., had taken an interest in Brink just from the conversations the two had online via the forum.
He never intended to make the move to Nebraska, but when a graduate research assistant position opened in the Biomechanics department at UNO, Likens urged Brink to apply. Likens offered Brink an interview after they connected, and they hit it off immediately. “We just kind of clicked,” Brink explained. The research that Likens was conducting excited him, leading to Brink’s decision to pursue his master’s at UNO.
“I didn’t realize how phenomenal the program was at the time, but once I got here, it became pretty obvious just how great it was,” he recalled.
Having experienced different programs during his time at Boise State, Brink quickly noticed the vast difference in resources that UNO Biomechanics had to offer.
“The department here is huge,” he said. “It’s one of the only places in the world with an entire building dedicated to biomechanics research.”
From state-of-the-art force plates and motion capture systems to specialized equipment like an aquatic treadmill and the highly soughtafter computerized rehabilitation environment, Brink appreciates how accessible these resources are to students.
UNO SCIENTISTS ARE STUDYING THE IMPACT OF MOVEMENT ON OUR HEALTH
by ROBYN MURRAY
When was the last time you thought about walking? Not just enjoying a stroll outside or the joy of stretching your legs, but the actual, complex mechanics involved in walking. Watching a toddler attempt it for the first time is a reminder of just how tricky it is.
At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, using highly advanced computer models and technology, scientists are studying the intricate mechanics of movement and the varied implications on our health.
“We perform calculations to determine forces at the ankle, the knee, the hip and other parts of the body to understand how people control their movement. May they potentially be at risk for injury or is there presence of chronic disease?” said David Kingston, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biomechanics at UNO.
Kingston’s team has partnered with Children’s Nebraska to help kids with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities to help plan surgical interventions and worked with local physicians to develop advanced prosthetics for children and adults.
Those applications likely make intuitive sense when you hear the word “biomechanics.” But the scientists at UNO are concerned not only with what’s happening on the outside of our bodies but also with the systems that keep us moving on the inside.
WE PERFORM CALCULATIONS TO DETERMINE FORCES AT THE ANKLE, THE KNEE, THE HIP AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY TO UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CONTROL THEIR MOVEMENT. MAY THEY POTENTIALLY BE AT RISK FOR INJURY OR IS THERE PRESENCE OF CHRONIC DISEASE?
CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMECHANICS
Posted on the wall outside a wet lab in the Biomechanics Research Building is a diagram of a human leg with a web of arteries that stretch through its soft tissues. In the diagram, the knee is bent, which shows a dramatic crimping of the primary artery as the movement forces it to bend and twist in response.
This crimping presents a challenge for the roughly 12 million people in the U.S. who suffer from peripheral arterial disease, a condition in which arteries supplying blood to the lower limbs become narrowed or blocked. A common treatment for PAD, which is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, is the placement of a metal stent. However, stents are significantly less flexible than arteries and can fail over time in the dynamic environment of the human body. As a result, many PAD patients require repeat interventions, additional stent placements or amputations.
“Developing a better treatment method and a better treatment device for these patients is critical to both improve their quality of life and also to reduce the economic burden associated with these repeat interventions,” said Alexey Kamenskiy, Ph.D., director of the Center for Cardiovascular Research in Biomechanics.
In partnership with physicians at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Kamenskiy’s team has developed a stent engineered to be compatible with the natural flexion and movement of the arteries in the limbs and to have more stretch capacity than commonly used versions today. The goal is to reduce the need for repeat surgical interventions and improve long-term outcomes for patients with PAD.
Kamenskiy’s work will improve its own stretch capacity when it moves into a new addition, for which a groundbreaking ceremony was held May 29. Supported by principal benefactors Ruth Scott and the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, the 19,000-square-foot expansion marks the third phase of development supporting UNO Biomechanics’ rapid growth and rising national prominence.
“With this new expansion, UNO will have the space to bring together the greatest minds in cardiovascular science, medicine and biomechanics,” said Nikolaos “Nick” Stergiou, Ph.D., director of the Division of Biomechanics and Research Development and the Distinguished Community Research Chair in Biomechanics. “Our research team will be able to continue pushing the boundaries of science to solve health challenges like PAD — and save lives in the process.”
Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is focused on supporting transformational research and innovation particularly in areas such as cardiovascular disease, where Nebraskans face higher incident rates. Visit OnlyinNebraska.org to learn more.
STEP INSIDE THE LAB WHERE MOTION MEETS MEDICINE. WATCH VIDEO
Joe Conner was one of only 28 Nebraska high school seniors with a perfect score on the ACT in 2024. As a standout student, he received an influx of college offers. But when he learned about the University of Nebraska’s Presidential Scholars Program — an award that covers the full cost of attendance and provides an annual stipend for students who ace the ACT — he was eager to visit and ultimately committed to UNO, where he is now majoring in chemistry and physics.
The top priority of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is relentless focus on student access and success and ensuring all students can achieve their dreams.
BUILDING
by SUSAN HOUSTON KLAUS
There’s nothing quite like the joy of reading. And while it may seem like a long road from “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to “Macbeth” or “Crime and Punishment,” being a proficient reader early makes a big difference in a student’s life.
To ensure all young readers in the state stay on track with literacy, the Nebraska Legislature enacted the Nebraska Reading Improvement Act (NRIA) in 2018. It mandates that K-3 teachers deliver targeted foundational skills instruction for at-risk readers and requires K-3 educators to have continual professional development in early literacy. Learning to read isn’t an easy path for many students. A 2023-24 Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System evaluation of those in grades 3-8 showed that only 59% were proficient in English language arts.
BETTER READERS
The Early Literacy Workshop, presented by the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences is helping teachers across Nebraska enhance their knowledge in the science of reading. Here’s what some of the educators who have participated in the program have said:
WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING
“I FEEL LIKE I’VE WALKED AWAY WITH SO MANY TOOLS AND IDEAS THAT ARE GOING TO TRANSFORM THE WAY I TEACH, AND I CAN’T WAIT TO INTEGRATE THESE STRATEGIES NEXT YEAR!”
“THE IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES WERE AMAZING. GETTING TO SEE SPECIFIC STRATEGIES IN ACTION COMPLETELY EXPANDED MY TOOL BELT. I LOVED LEARNING A NEW STRATEGY THAT I COULD TAKE BACK INTO MY CLASSROOM THE VERY NEXT DAY.”
“I THINK THE MOST VALUABLE PART OF THIS WORKSHOP WAS LEARNING ABOUT THE SCIENCE AND RESEARCH BEHIND LITERACY INSTRUCTION. IT HELPED TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT, IN ADDITION TO THE STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES THAT WILL HELP TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.”
“THE MOST VALUABLE PART OF THE WORKSHOP WAS LEARNING THE VARIETY OF STRATEGIES THE INSTRUCTORS MODELED DURING OUR IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES. I APPRECIATED SEEING PRACTICAL, HANDS-ON TECHNIQUES THAT CAN BE EASILY IMPLEMENTED IN THE CLASSROOM.”
22 I UNO MAGAZINE
Guided by those findings and in support of the NRIA, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) created the NebraskaREADS initiative. Its goal: to increase proficiency in third-grade readers from 59% to 75% by 2030.
As a partner with the NDE, the University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences created the Early Literacy Workshop to help Nebraska teachers build knowledge and instructional practices focused on early literacy foundational skills in the science of reading.
“Literacy is really something where it’s everybody’s business,” said Neal Grandgenett, Lois G. Roskens Dean. “Particularly with children, it takes a village to help children to learn to read, and in our college, we have a lot of experts helping teachers to understand how to help children to read, because it is such an integral part of so many things that they’ll do in the future as adults.”
Led by Jennifer Lemke, Ed.D., assistant professor of literacy, the pilot program began last fall with support from the Lozier Foundation. Lemke is also slated to become the inaugural recipient of the Lozier Distinguished Chair of Literacy, pending approval by the University of Nebraska. The Lozier Foundation established this chair to support UNO’s literacy education programs.
Seven school districts across the state participated in the workshop pilot: Omaha Public Schools, Alliance Public Schools, Crete Public Schools, Lincoln Public Schools, Blair Public Schools, Scottsbluff Public Schools and Ralston Public Schools.
To reach as many teachers as possible, the workshop is developing a network of literacy leaders.
Lemke, a statewide expert in literacy, co-led each cohort with a facilitator from each school district. Each district had a customized plan created by a team member at UNO, which consider the district’s own curriculum and their existing materials.
The training consisted of five in-person sessions and asynchronous learning modules, designed to build knowledge and instructional practices focused on early literacy foundational skills.
“With a focus on the core components of literacy, participants are identifying concrete strategies to support student learning and practice,” Lemke said. “The workshop helps to build knowledge and skills of evidence-based early literacy instruction and provides resources to support K-3 educators’ planning and instruction.”
It’s important to Lemke that teachers can put what they learn in the workshop to work right away.
“I feel like teachers appreciate the bridge that we’re building between theory and practice and that they can walk away with ideas and strategies that they can implement immediately with kids,” she said.
Lisa Oltman, a K-6 English Language Arts curriculum specialist who’s been with Lincoln Public Schools for 30 years, co-led her cohort with Lemke this spring.
She said recognized a new kind of motivation among the teachers who have completed the program.
“It builds community and energy within your building, so then you can go back to school, and you can talk about it there and think about ‘How are we going to do this?’ she said. “All of that is empowering and motivating. [The teachers] are excited about
what they’ve learned. Many of them have said, ‘I’ve told my other colleagues, you have to take this course.’”
“You will not find a more thoughtfully homegrown vision for this than Jennifer and the whole Early Literacy Workshop,” said Kelly Gomez Johnson, Ed.D., teacher education chair and associate professor. “Jennifer’s been a phenomenal steward of literacy and has really been staying on top of all of the best practices. The team is really being intentional so that whether no matter how [the program] scales to Scottsbluff or Plainview, or anywhere in this state, it’s going to be the same quality for all.”
To date, Lemke and her team have instructed 550 teachers and trained 40 facilitators. By next summer, the workshop plans to expand the network to reach full capacity with a goal of 7,000+ K-3 educators trained across Nebraska by 2030.
Oltman said she and other educators appreciate all the effort Lemke and her team have invested into making sure the workshop is effective.
“That’s been a lot of work on their part, in terms of the materials, the resources and the meetings that they have with facilitators,” she said. “Ultimately that’s what’s going to make this program successful across the state is that they’ve thought ahead to develop all those pieces. I can’t say enough about the great work that they’ve done.”
With support from the UNO Early Literacy Workshop, teachers are putting new skills to work in their classrooms — not only to show students the joy of reading a good book but also demonstrate the long-lasting value of literacy in their lives.
WALLS THAT
Expanded UNO mural champions education, creativity and community
THAT TALK
by JULI OBERLANDER
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) alumnus and WhyArts teaching artist Hugo Zamorano recently completed Community Visions II, a mural created in partnership with arts education nonprofit WhyArts.
As lead artist, Zamorano expanded on his 2014 mural Community Visions, a 163-foot installation marking the opening of the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center (CEC). Continuing its themes of community and storytelling, Community Visions II spans two murals totaling 75 feet in the CEC parking garage. The project was funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nebraska Arts Council.
For the theme, Zamorano invited input from UNO students, who emphasized accessibility, diversity and safe spaces. To support aspiring artists, Zamorano and WhyArts Executive Director Mary Kingslan Gibilisco also offered paid apprenticeships.
“It felt right to me to work with students,” Zamorano says. “Since we’re at the university, it’s about education and learning.”
Through UNO’s Service Learning Academy, Zamorano also enlisted UNO instructor Jody Boyer’s Art 4020 students to help with painting and installation.
“Most of the students had not had an experience working with a community-based partnership,” Boyer says. “Being able to hear Hugo talk about the processes that he went through to gather information and voices in order to partner with a community was really important for the students.”
While Zamorano provided guidance and finishing touches, he encouraged Boyer’s students and WhyArts apprentices to express creative freedom.
Jerry Brito-Mendoza, one of Zamorano’s apprentices and a 2025 UNO graduate, says the project taught him about mural techniques and the art communities in Omaha.
“Ever since working with Hugo, I’ve taken more initiative to explore other large-form art mediums and really find my own interests,” BritoMendoza says. “His own experiences inspired me to want more out of art.”
Throughout the apprenticeship, Zamorano regularly checked in with students, who came from different backgrounds and skill levels. A mentor with Kent Bellows Studio, Zamorano prioritizes flexibility and openness to ideas.
WhyArts apprentice Mariana Granados-Trejo says she appreciated the learning opportunity.
“Working on the mural was an amazing experience,” GranadosTrejo says. “I learned so much from Hugo and from the other community members involved. It was inspiring to be part of something that brings people together through creativity.”
Kingslan Gibilisco hopes the project draws attention to both murals while celebrating Omaha’s diversity and the value of public art.
“You don’t have to pay to go see it,” she says. “It’s in a public area, and that’s important to depict some of our marginalized community members. I hope people take away from this that everyone in our community is very important.”
Like Gibilisco, Zamorano’s goal is to highlight UNO and Omaha’s art spaces.
He hopes the mural brings awareness about the artwork in the CEC along with more opportunities for students.
“It would be great to see a bigger legacy of just more public artwork on campus aside from what’s already there,” Zamorano says, “and even more so, having more students involved in the art making.”
EMPOWERING FOSTER YOUTH
by BELLA LOCKWOOD-WATSON
In Nebraska, more than 4,000 adolescents navigate life without the stability of a permanent home. Caught in a system that often overlooks their needs, these young individuals risk missing out on crucial milestones and the essential skills required for adulthood.
In response, University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Master of Business Administration (MBA) students have transformed their capstone projects into vital support systems for local foster youth. Through the MBA Capstone Course, students engage in integrative applied projects, collaborating with local organizations to address pressing community needs.
UNO students Isabella Kloppel, Jeremy Halliburton, Lane Harding and Shaena Peart partnered with Foster Heart & Hope, a nonprofit co-founded by two UNO alumni, to develop a life skills training program for teens aging out of the foster care system. The collaboration sharpened the students’ business acumen and created a program to help foster youth confidently transition into the workplace and adulthood.
The project centered on designing “Launch Pad,” a curriculum to teach critical life and job skills. Over the semester, the MBA team researched best practices, consulted child welfare experts and crafted workshops on budgeting, résumé building, interviewing and other essentials.
“We were tasked with approaching this project as consultants, applying what we have learned throughout the MBA program,” said Kloppel, who led the team’s coordination with Foster Heart & Hope. “Turning this knowledge into action allowed our team to meet a real community need.”
Student Growth Through Service
Working on the Foster Heart & Hope capstone challenged the students to grow personally and professionally. Halliburton, an MBA student with a concentration in business technology, said the experience pushed him beyond his comfort zone.
“Developing a full program from scratch required us to think creatively and collaboratively,” Halliburton said. “I learned how to analyze problems from multiple angles and gained confidence in my project management skills. More importantly, I learned the power of business skills when used for good.”
For Harding, who brought an engineering mindset to the team, the project highlighted the value of adaptability and empathy.
“In business school you focus on efficiency and results, but this project taught us to put people first,” Harding explained.
“It was rewarding to see how much our work meant to the Foster Heart & Hope team. We’re MBA students, but in that moment, we felt like we truly became professionals ready to make a difference.”
Halliburton said.
Each student also discovered personal growth through service-learning. Kloppel shared that working on a project that helps local foster youth inspired her to remain involved in the community beyond graduation.
Halliburton, who had no prior exposure to the foster system, said the project “opened my eyes to the challenges these young adults face.” He aspires to continue volunteering as a mentor because “this capstone showed me the kind of leader and citizen I want to be.”
PHOTOS I Above, top: Trey in front of the new boutique sign named after him. Above, below: UNO Graduate students Jeremy Halliburton, Lane Harding and Isabella Kloppel. Right, top: Foster Heart + Hope Back 2 School event. Right, bottom: The Richardson family.
ALUMNI CONNECTION STRENGTHENS THE MISSION
Foster Heart & Hope was founded by UNO alumna Amber Richardson and her husband and fellow graduate, Matt, in 2020. The nonprofit’s mission is “to provide basic needs and opportunities for children and families impacted by foster care so they feel confident, empowered, and valued.”
The students often met with the nonprofit’s founders to align goals, learning firsthand how the alumni turned their passion into a sustainable venture. This mentorship aspect gave the MBA team insight into nonprofit leadership and affirmed the strength of the UNO network.
IMPACT ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY
The ripple effects of the capstone project are already being felt. Foster Heart & Hope is implementing the Launch Pad life skills program early next year, and dozens of Omaha-area foster youths are expected to participate in its first sessions. The curriculum covers practical workforce readiness topics like financial literacy, career planning, communication and time management, which are tools that will help participants thrive as independent adults. The program also pairs youths with volunteer mentors for ongoing guidance, many of whom are recruited from UNO’s alumni and student community.
By focusing on youth aging out of care, the project addresses a critical need. About 200 young people age out of foster care in Nebraska each year, often without a strong support system. Many are at risk of homelessness or underemployment if they lack guidance after they leave state care. Foster Heart & Hope’s new program aims to change that trajectory.
“Launch Pad is going to help bridge the gap for our youth,” Richardson said. “Completing foster care shouldn’t mean entering adulthood alone. We want to set these young people up to succeed in the workforce and in life.”
This community impact is a point of pride for UNO’s College of Business Administration (CBA). Professor of Management and Executive Director for UNO’s Competencies, Skills, and Workforce Development Hub, Erin Bass, teaches the MBA capstone and was the faculty member who led this project. For her, such projects embody UNO’s metropolitan mission.
“Our MBA students are not only honing their business expertise, but they’re also contributing to workforce development in our community,” said Bass. “It’s a win-win. The students gain real consulting experience, and nonprofits like Foster Heart & Hope gain valuable strategic solutions.”
The Foster Heart & Hope board estimates that with the UNO designed training, participants will be more likely to secure jobs or pursue higher education within a year of aging out. That kind of outcome demonstrates how university partnerships can uplift the broader community.
FOSTER HEART + HOPE
Foster Heart + Hope was born from a deeply personal journey shared by two University of Nebraska at Omaha alumni — Amber and Matt Richardson.
“Our journey began on July 11, 2007, when we became foster parents,” Amber recalls. “Trey was placed with us with a single black trash bag bearing all of his belongings. They lacked love and dignity.”
That moment sparked a calling. Over the next 18 years, the Richardsons fostered dozens of children, witnessing firsthand the systemic gaps that left many youth without the essentials — or the confidence — they needed to thrive.
“Through our experiences, we learned Trey’s story was not unique,” Amber says. “Fast forward, stars aligned, and I was able to manifest my dream of providing quality new basic needs and opportunities with the help of the community.”
That dream became Foster Heart + Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity and empowering children and families impacted by foster care. From its beginnings in the Richardsons’ basement to a mobile studio in a repurposed RV, and now an 8,000-square-foot facility, the organization has grown into a beacon of hope.
Matt, a dedicated firefighter and hands-on partner, has been instrumental in every phase. “He was the manpower behind our first pop-up events, the renovations at our storefront and the buildout of our new location,” said Amber.
Today, she and Matt are raising five children Trevon, Jayda, Leonardo, Demetrius and Berkley, while continuing to expand the reach of Foster Heart + Hope.
“Together, we have been able to create something special for the community and an organization that is very meaningful to our family’s story.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT FOSTER HEART + HOPE AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THEIR MISSION.
by CAITLIN CASS
2024 Nebraska Arts Council Individual Artist Fellow Recipient
JAMIE CAREY NAMED OMAHA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
Omaha Athletics has officially introduced Jamie Carey as the new head coach of the women’s basketball team. Carey, a former WNBA player and associate head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, expressed her commitment to building upon the program’s existing strengths and making a meaningful impact in her new role. One of the all-time Texas Longhorn greats, Carey, a four-year WNBA veteran, joins the Mavericks after completing her fourth season at UTSA (NCAA Division I – American) as associate head coach.
SUMMIT LEAGUE COACH
OF THE YEAR CRUTCHFIELD,
OMAHA AGREE TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION
Omaha Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Crutchfield’s contract has been extended through April 2030 following the most successful season in UNO’s Division I history. Crutchfield, a UNO alumnus and former student-athlete, led the Mavericks to a program-record 22 wins, capturing both the Summit League regular season and tournament titles for the first time and earning the team its firstever NCAA Tournament appearance. Recognized as the 2024–25 Summit League Coach of the Year and 2025 Omaha Sports Commission Male Coach of the Year, Crutchfield also coached standout players like Marquel Sutton, the league’s Player of the Year, and All-League honorees JJ White and Ja’Sean Glover.
LEARN MORE about Crutchfield in his Alumni Profile on page 34.
SOFTBALL HEAD COACH MIKE HEARD INKS EXTENSION
Omaha Head Softball Coach Mike Heard signed a multi-year contract extension following a historic season in which the Mavericks captured both the 2025 Summit League regular season and tournament titles. Heard, the 2024 Summit League Coach of the Year, has led Omaha to three consecutive NCAA tournament
appearances and four straight Summit League finals, including the program’s first-ever regular season title and a top-10 national midmajor ranking. Under his leadership, the Mavericks have achieved a 148-59 record, earned national rankings, and secured wins over Power Four programs. The team has also excelled academically, with a cumulative GPA of 3.664 and multiple NFCA Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-America honors.
CONTINUOUS CENTERHUNG
This fall, fans returning to Baxter Arena at the University of Nebraska at Omaha will experience a major upgrade with the installation of a state-of-the-art video display system by Daktronics, featuring a new centerhung scoreboard, ribbon boards and video walls. Designed to enhance the game-day atmosphere and fan engagement, the centerpiece is a curved, high-resolution display capable of showing dynamic content like live video, stats and sponsor messages. Additional upgrades include a 713-foot-long ribbon board and high-definition video walls at key entrances, all powered by Daktronics’ advanced Show Control system.
PHOTOS I Top L to R: Former WNBA payler, Jamie Carey, named Omaha women’s head basketball coach. Omaha men’s basketball March Madness first round site in Providence, R.I. Credit: Carley Pappas/Omaha Athletics. Omaha women’s softball team at the NCAA Championship – Norman Regional (Norman, Okla.).
Credit: Carley Pappas/Omaha Athletics.
Center: Rendering of the new state-of-the-art video display system by Daktronics at Baxter Arena.
FROM UNCERTAINTY TO UNFORGETTABLE
Maggie O’Brien’s leap of faith led to leadership, legacy and lasting joy.
“THE BIGGEST THING I’M GOING TO TAKE AWAY FROM SPORTS IS JUST THE WORK ETHIC AND THE DRIVE.”
by JOHN FEY
Maggie O’Brien accepted a scholarship offer to play softball at UNO in March 2021. The following July, the coach who recruited her stepped down, and a month later Mike Heard was hired not knowing much – if anything – about most players on his roster. Heard quickly discovered he had a gem in Maggie O’Brien, who helped lead the Mavericks to three straight NCAA tournament appearances.
Arriving from the Chicago suburb of Palos Heights, O’Brien said she “took a chance” on UNO. Heard is grateful she did.
“Maggie moved to campus not knowing who her head coach was,” he said. “I always thought that was probably a pretty stressful time for a freshman, moving away from home and moving somewhere not even knowing who your coach was. She ended up being my starting shortstop every game that I’ve coached here.”
O’Brien remembers the range of emotions she wrestled with before her UNO career began.
“I got to UNO in August, and no coaches were hired,” she said. “I had not heard of (Heard), because, obviously, I wasn’t from the area. I’m like, ‘We’ll see how it goes,’ and Mike and I clicked right away.”
O’Brien completed her career as one of the mostdecorated players in UNO softball history – both on and off the field. She capped her senior season by being named the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year and made the Academic AllLeague team for a third straight year.
Balancing the academic side and athletic side of college wasn’t easy, she said.
“It was challenging,” she said, “but I feel like I’ve been used to it my whole life.”
O’Brien played a key role in UNO reaching the NCAA tournament three straight seasons, but she doesn’t take credit for that.
“I genuinely think each year we had better players and more talent,” O’Brien said. “It was just a really cool experience to grow a program from kind of square one with four years of really impressive seasons. I think that’s one of the coolest things I’m going to take away from my college career.”
She’ll be remembered for her .310 career batting average over 207 games played, not to mention her leadership during her final season.
Said O’Brien: “I think leadership came pretty natural for me, and I do like to lead. I like to guide the younger girls and teach them how we do things at Omaha softball.”
Her coach was just as impressed with O’Brien outside the softball diamond.
“She does community service and spends a lot of time with that,” Heard said. “She serves from the front. She doesn’t serve from the back.”
O’Brien capped her final season with the Connie Claussen Senior Career Achievement Award in recognition of UNO’s top female athlete. Claussen, the founder and first coach of UNO softball, followed the team closely during O’Brien’s career under Heard.
“Mike has them doing everything the right way,” Claussen said. “I can’t say enough good things about Maggie, just the person she is. She’s the best.”
O’Brien can’t wait for the next chapter of her life, but, meanwhile, she’ll cherish the memories from her four years at UNO.
“The biggest thing I’m going to take away from sports is just the work ethic and the drive,” she said. “I want to go into leadership and management one day in the business world, and I think that these experiences that I gained as a leader on the softball team are going to be really helpful to my future career.”
GRATITUDE DAY
On April 3, the University of Nebraska at Omaha celebrated its first Gratitude Day. Throughout the day, students wrote handwritten notes or recorded video messages thanking the UNO community — alumni, faculty, staff, students, friends and fans — for making financial contributions and supporting their education each year.
The UNO Alumni Association partnered with the University of Nebraska Foundation, UNO’s Durango’s Advancement & Support Hub (DASH) and student volunteers to host gratitude booths across campus. More than 200 students shared their appreciation for their scholarships, colleges, student organizations, student emergency assistance and wellness programs supported by private philanthropy.
Follow our Facebook and Instagram @unoalumni to view thank you notes and videos from the day!
MAVERICK MOMENTUM
Celebrating a year of growing engagement, meaningful impact and unstoppable Maverick Spirit.
From launching new engagement platforms to outfitting students for success and serving our communities with pride, Maverick Spirit was on full display this year. The UNO Alumni Association’s 2024–2025 Engagement Impact Report celebrates the powerful ways alumni, students and friends stayed connected and propelled our university community ahead. EXPLORE THE UNO ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT IMPACT REPORT 2024-2025
UNO COMMENCEMENT HONORS EXCELLENCE
The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s May 2025 commencement ceremony at Baxter Arena was a powerful tribute to leadership, service and Maverick pride. Eartha Johnson (BS 83), CEO of LegalWATCH, and Tobi Mathouser (BS 01), president and CEO of Goodwill Industries Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, were recognized with the Citation for Alumni Achievement Award for their outstanding professional accomplishments and community impact. The ceremony also featured a keynote address by four-division world champion boxer Terence “Bud” Crawford, who was honored with the inaugural Spirit of the Maverick Award — a distinction celebrating individuals who embody UNO’s values of excellence, engagement, discovery and integrity.
CITATION FOR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
1. EARTHA JOHNSON (BS 83), CEO of LegalWATCH (center)
2. TOBI MATHOUSER (BS 01), President and CEO of Goodwill Industries Serving Eastern Nebraska and Southwest Iowa (center)
INAUGURAL SPIRIT OF THE MAVERICK AWARD
3. TERENCE “BUD” CRAWFORD, World Champion Boxer (center)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD RECIPIENTS AND WATCH CRAWFORD’S SPEECH
NOON TO NOON OCTOBER 8-9
BACK
Be part of a growing Maverick tradition! UNO’s sixth-annual giving day, WEAR BLACK, GIVE BACK , will be held from noon on Oct. 8 until noon Oct. 9. Show your Maverick spirit and make your gift of $5 or more to support scholarships, student organizations, colleges and programs, Omaha athletics, emergency assistance, and more. Spread the word and share your generosity this year during WEAR BLACK, GIVE BACK!
by KARA SCHWEISS
The stories of alumni who create joy in their lives and career.
“I WOULD NOT BE THE PERSON THAT I AM TODAY IF I DIDN’T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO UNO.”
CHRIS CRUTCHFIELD
Kentucky native Chris Crutchfield started at UNO in 1989, playing both basketball and football for the Mavs before earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and corrections. It is not surprising that the men’s basketball head coach since March 2022, who came back to Omaha after a decades-long collegiate basketball coaching career, was a gifted athlete back in the day. What is surprising is that, during his undergraduate years, Crutchfield never envisioned himself as a coach at all.
“I finished my schooling in ‘92 on an internship with Douglas County Juvenile Probation, and it was getting ready to turn into a full-time job,” he said. “But, every day, I would come up to UNO and play noon ball as my lunch break.”
One of the coaches approached him about a graduate assistant position. The offer intrigued him, Crutchfield said, because he wasn’t sold on a career in juvenile justice.
“I wanted to try to do something else. My whole plan was to go to the FBI Academy. I was going to try to be a cop,” he said.
Instead, he gave coaching a try and also pursued a master’s degree in sports administration and recreation.
Crutchfield ultimately served on the coaching staff of many institutions, among them New Mexico State, Texas Christian, Oral Roberts, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Oregon before returning to Omaha.
Although coaching wasn’t Crutchfield’s original aspiration, it proved to be his ideal career, giving him both professional success and personal fulfillment.
“We’re not just coaches we’re mentors, we’re counselors,” he said. “I think people underestimate that part of coaching; it’s not winning basketball games. We’re guiding young people through a very challenging part of their lives where they’re trying to figure out, one, who they are, two, what direction they want to go in, and three, can they survive at that level? There’s a lot of things are going on in these young peoples’ hearts and in their minds.”
Serving as a role model is a serious responsibility that Crutchfield strives to live up to. It’s become “the most enjoyable part of the business and coaching for me,” he said; not shaping young people into what he thinks they should be but into what they want to become.
Crutchfield served as a role model on the home front, too, as the father of now-adult sons Derrick, Jalen and Josh, and he’s become a grandfather, too. It’s given him and his wife (and fellow UNO graduate) Jodi joy, he said, to see his sons explore their lives and figure out careers, with son Josh joining his father on the UNO sidelines as an assistant coach. Looking back, Crutchfield expresses gratitude for the career path that started at and circled back to UNO.
“I would not be the person that I am today if I didn’t get the opportunity to come to UNO. They gave me a scholarship to come and play football and basketball, and I was able to play and get my degree, and that led to what I am doing now,” he said. “I wasn’t still sure when I got into coaching, but it ended up being the most rewarding thing that anyone could ever do.”
“ WE’RE BOUNCING OFF IDEAS AND BUILDING NEW PROGRAMS TOGETHER, AND THEN GETTING TO SEE THOSE PROGRAMS COME TO FRUITION IN OMAHA THE PLACE I GREW UP IS REALLY FUN AND VALUABLE.”
KAILEY SNYDER
For the better part of a decade, Kailey Snyder was a student, first at the University of Iowa, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in ethics and public policy, and then back to her hometown and UNO for a master’s degree in health, physical education and recreation followed by a doctorate in physical activity in health promotion. She’s been able to use the title of “Dr.” since 2019, but Snyder is still in the classroom as an assistant professor of public health/health behavior at UNO’s School of Health and Kinesiology.
“I did my Ph.D., and then I went into faculty positions. I was at two other academic institutions for a few years before I came back to UNO,” she said. “I was really trying to find that right balance between teaching, research and service.”
Snyder’s impressive path in academia actually had a small detour between her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, she said.
“When I first got out of college, I was working as a health coach, and I really thought that was the field I wanted to stay in, that I wanted to be in health promotion, probably in the worksite wellness side of it,” she said.
“I knew a master’s degree would help, but I had no interest at all in research. Then I got a graduate assistantship and I started the master’s program.”
And then came a surprise: “I fell in love with research, and pretty quickly, I’d say… I knew by the end of the first year that I wanted to get a Ph.D., and then it kept going from there.”
Snyder’s behavioral health research includes postpartum health and early childhood
development, and she’s published several dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and been cited as a content expert in multiple media outlets. She regularly provides program evaluation for projects related to early childhood health and well-being as well as parental health.
“A lot of my work is directly embedded with different community partners in town. So, traveling around town to various organizations that are either associated with maternal child health or early childhood, getting to be in meetings where we’re bouncing off ideas and building new programs together, and then getting to see those programs come to fruition in Omaha—the place I grew up—is really fun and valuable,” she said. “I feel like I get to see fruits of my labor more so in this role, in this community, than maybe (I would) in other places or larger cities. A lot of the times I get to see the changes made, and then hopefully see the positive impacts follow.”
It’s also a nice juxtaposition being on the other side of the lectern, Snyder said. Now she gets to be the mentor and provide the same kind of scholarly and career guidance she was once given.
“I really like when I have a student that’s interested in research and gets an idea in their head and puts energy into it, drives the bus on their own research agenda,” she said. “That brings me a lot of joy.”
In the seven years since Daniel Trejo graduated from UNO with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, he’s already built an enviable career as an art director for Clark Creative Group and earned multiple advertising awards with his team. He’s even served as a UNO adjunct professor in the program he once studied.
“It’s a little strange, because I feel like I’ve been able to do a lot and there’s just so much yet to come, as well,” he said.
There’s been much to love in his career so far, he said.
“Clark has been great because of being able to have the wide range of clients, and with that, a lot of great opportunities. I just love branding. Branding is my favorite thing to do,” he said. “Every now and again, you get those projects that you really connect with or they have a unique opportunity for exploration… When it comes to branding, I really enjoy that dive-in approach, that research element, finding that deeper layer to do the project.”
Trejo, who features samples of his work on his website dannytrejodesign.com, was born in Mexico and raised in Omaha. He started his college studies in architecture at Kansas University before he transferred to his hometown school after realizing his intended field of study wasn’t the best fit.
“I wasn’t really feeling the architecture. I still love architecture, I still appreciate it… But it’s the actual working in architecture that I don’t enjoy. There are so
“I THINK THAT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS I LOVE ABOUT DESIGN: IT’S EVERYWHERE. IT’S IN THE SMALLEST OF THINGS, IT’S IN THE BIGGEST OF THINGS.”
many constraints and rules and regulations. There is so much that feels limited,” he said. “I started really liking graphic design; it’s a great avenue for that creativity.”
One appealing thing both sectors offer is what Trejo calls “interaction with design.”
“I think that’s one of the biggest things I love about design: It’s everywhere. It’s in the smallest of things, it’s in the biggest of things,” he said. “I really love when I design something and find it out in the world… When you see that stuff in the wild, it’s like the sensation of a little Christmas present, finding that little joy. It could be as small as making a little postcard, and you go to a coffee shop and find it lying there. It’s like, ‘I made that.’” Trejo has found joy not only in his work, but also in hobbies unusual for someone who’s grown up in the era of digital media.
“I love record collecting. I’ve got a massive record collection. It very much depends on the mood; lots of jazz and then alternative, the emo pop punk is real big right now, lots of ‘70s funk and rock it’s all over (the place). I love analog and I have all this vinyl. Over the years I’ve been building up my sound system and everything like the amplifiers and speakers,” he said, adding that he’s also discovering traditional photography.
“I love the textures and grains that happen with film photography. I love the textures that happen with the printing,” he said. “I love those tangible things.”
DANIEL TREJO
KAMRIN BAKER
As managing editor at Good Good Good (goodgoodgood.co) since 2022, Kamrin Baker oversees and contributes content for several channels that share positive stories of hope, good in the world and making a meaningful difference. Not only does Baker find joy in her work every day, she also presents it to thousands of readers and followers.
“I had previously known about the company; I had connected with the founder, Branden Harvey, years ago when I was in college,” said Baker, who graduated summa cum laude from UNO in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism and media communications and a minor in women’s and gender studies. “I remember thinking like, ‘This would be my dream job. This is so cool. I want to do this one day.’”
Good Good Good was still a fledgling enterprise when Baker first reached out, so its founder wasn’t yet in a position to hire. Baker had built solid credentials through three years on the UNO Gateway including a stint as editor-in-chief, several communications internships, and freelance credits, but she happened to graduate at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
“Leaving school at the time that I did, it was really hard to find work,” she said. “Especially in this industry, it was hard to find work then; it was hard for everyone. I don’t think a lot of newsrooms were eager to get new employees in the door.”
“ GOOD NEWS COMES WHEN YOU SIFT THROUGH A BUNCH OF BAD NEWS.”
Baker didn’t relish the idea of working in a traditional newsroom, anyway, so she found other communications work to pay the bills. And she kept looking for work that would spark something more.
“I’m very much someone who needs to be passionate about what I’m doing, and it was very hard to pivot to the corporate thing; there just wasn’t a company that I was excited to work for. I did go freelance for a while, and I did some freelance writing, social media management, photography,” she said. “And then in December of 2021 this job opened up at Good Good Good. It’s the best job in the world.”
One big plus is being able to work remotely. Baker now enjoys being surrounded by the natural beauty of Colorado, and she’s building community connections as a member of the Littleton arts and culture board. “My partner and I have always wanted to live here, and so it was just a matter of when.”
But mostly, she loves her work because the world needs good news right now, she said.
“Good news comes when you sift through a bunch of bad news. It’s a lot of digging, and it’s a lot of knowing what’s going on in the world and then asking who’s doing something about that,” she said. “That in itself is a very joyful pursuit. It’s this ongoing challenge where every day I get to look at the world with a different perspective, and the longer I do this, the more necessary it feels to have that skill. I find a lot of joy in that. There really is a lot of good in the world.”
LAST NIGHT, I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS YOUR NEXT MAYOR OF OMAHA. STANDING ALONGSIDE MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS, I FELT IMMENSE GRATITUDE FOR THE TRUST YOU’VE PLACED IN ME. THIS MOMENT MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW CHAPTER FOR OUR CITY — ONE GROUNDED IN TRANSPARENCY, OPPORTUNITY AND SHARED PROGRESS. I’M READY TO GET TO WORK FOR ALL OF OMAHA. LET’S BUILD A FUTURE WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.”
JOHN EWING, BGS 85, MS 87
Ewing was officially inaugurated as Omaha Mayor on June 10. He brings more than four decades of public service to the role, including a distinguished career in the Omaha Police Department, where he retired as Deputy Chief after nearly 25 years, and 18 years of service as Douglas County Treasurer.
IN MEMORY
CHANCELLOR EMERITUS JOHN E. CHRISTENSEN, PH.D.
SEPTEMBER 6, 1948–MAY 28, 2025
University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Emeritus John E. Christensen, Ph.D., who led the university through a transformational period in the university’s history from 2007 to 2017, passed away Wednesday, May 28, at age 76.
An Omaha native and first-generation student, Christensen received a Master of Science in Special Education/Speech Pathology from UNO in the 1970s. In 1978, he began his tenure at UNO as a faculty member in the College of Education’s Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. He later served as chair of the department, dean of the College of Education and vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs.
Christensen was named interim chancellor in 2006 and was named chancellor in May 2007, making him the first UNO chancellor to have earned a UNO degree.
As chancellor, Christensen led UNO in achieving its three overarching goals as part of its strategic plan to be “student-centered, academically excellent, and engaged with the community.”
During Christensen’s tenure as chancellor, UNO:
• Served as host for the national Coalition of Urban Metropolitan Universities Conference.
• Opened the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center.
• Completed a four-year transition from Division II to Division I athletics and opened Baxter Arena.
• Established a unified brand for UNO and Omaha Athletics.
• Hosted then-President Barack Obama in January 2016 at Baxter Arena for a public speech following his final State of the Union Address.
• Built the Biomechanics Research Building, the world’s first stand-alone building dedicated to biomechanics research.
• Ranked No. 1 nationwide for military and veteran students in Military Times’ “Best for Vets” list two years running (2015 and 2016).
John E. Christensen (left) receives the Order of the Tower award from UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA (right), during UNO’s December 2023 Commencement Ceremonies.
• Led the nation in advancing the metropolitan university mission, earning recognition from the Carnegie Foundation and inclusion on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
• Launched the Metropolitan Advantage Program, which offers residents or high school graduates of several southwestern Iowa counties the opportunity to attend UNO at significantly reduced tuition rates.
Constructed Mammel Hall, UNO’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building on campus.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of these graduates. Reported to the University of Nebraska Foundation March 11, 2025 to June 27, 2025.
1946 Virginia C. Koutsky
1949 Darold N. Nelson
1950 John C. Wolfe
Beverly A. Cunningham
1957 Dino P. Cagni
Shirley D. Jensen
1960 Richard A. Serpan
Bruce P. Baker
Stuart A. Westphal
David Otoupal
1961 John Brown
1962
Harold D. Adams
John A. Burbridge
Rudy O. Nabel
1963 Mariellen S. Costello
Glenn E. Pyle
1964 Ronald W. Traynor
Ramon K. Winston
Richard Benito
Jack A. Kiscoan
1965 Richard E. Collins
William E.
Schneidewind
Herman Rhoads
1966 Richard G. Jorgensen
1967 Eleanor B. McNichols
Willa L. Holmon
1968 John A. Ruberti
Carol A. Struve
Roberta A. Williams
Ronald E. Grothe
Katherine V. McAndrew
1969 James C. Branson
Jack L. Green
Karen L. Linnan
1970
1971
Alfred M. Dillon
Eugene A. Glendenning
Mary E. Johnson
Rodney J. Pfeifer
Daniel J. Gazinski
Charles J. Gibilisco
Lou N. Snipes
1972 Marion W. Piner
Daniel W. Miller
Roy L. Larsen
James E. Blankenship
Marjorie B. Vandenack
1973
Marvin L. Bergsten
Judith M. McDonald
James J. Tenski
1974
John E. Christensen
Robert B. Faulkner
Michael F. Hansen
Charles I. Tabor
Bertine K. Loop-Schenken
1975 Earl P. Stone
James A. Youde
1976 Lillian K. Tidball
John M. Borgmeyer
Robert F. Edmonds
Marilyn J. Rochford
Thomas C. Schrad
Larry J. Weber
Bonnie M. Sliffe
1978
Robert H. Cooper
Edward L. Powers
PHOTO I Chancellor Emeritus
GLORIA OLDEROG, BA 53 is celebrating turning 94!
WARD SCHUMAKER, BFA 66
exhibited selected works from 2003–2025 at The Fourth Wall, in Oakland, California. The artists gave up painting at the age of 22 when the Nebraska Governor called his work “pornographic.” At 35, he began illustrating and for the next 30 years worked for (among many) The New York Times, Süddeutsche Zeitung, The Washington Post and Le Figaro; The New Yorker, Poetry and Esquire Japan; Hermès, United Airlines and Herman Miller. Schumaker returned to painting at age 58 and has had over 30 solo exhibitions.
LARRY FRUM, BS 70 recently assumed the role as Chair of the Board of Directors of Distinguished Young Women (DYW) of California, a program that acknowledges excellence and achievement and is accompanied by a college scholarship. DYW is the oldest and largest award and
1979
Janet A. Kealy
Ronald G. Eissler
1980 Mark S. O’Neill
Alexis K. Ziemba
1982 Anne T. Keenan
Sherry L. Vanness
Timothy D. Knipe
Donna C. Molacek
1983 Amy E. Schmid
1984 Bennett J. Langfeldt
1985 Daniel D. Young
Janet K. Thrasher
Mary-Anne Vieregger
1986 John R. Russell
Brad L. Mancuso
scholarship program for high school females in the country. Started in Mobile, Al in 1958, it conducts local qualifying programs, state finals and the National Finals where 50 state representatives vie for significant college scholarships. Frum completed 25 years of volunteerism at the local, state and national levels while leading the San Diego County program. He was inducted into the California DYW Hall of Fame in 2020 and received the prestigious Volunteer Service Award at the National Finals in 2023 for his many decades of service to the organization. larryfrum@gmail.com
DR. CATHERINE E.
JAMESON, BA 74 and her husband, Dr. John H. Jameson, have been admitted into the Oklahoma State University’s Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor bestowed by OSU, and one of many awarded to the Jamesons. Cathy has been inducted into the OSU College of Education and Human
Jeanne M. Giordano-Smith
Randy M. Schaefer
1988
Jeffrey D. Banghart
1989 Ronald C. Madison
Cynthia D. Dassner
1990 Marta F. Nieves
1992
1993
1994
Sciences Hall of Fame and was the chairperson for the Education Associates Board. She has served on the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees and is now on its Board of Governors. She has also received the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award, is on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, was named one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry and has received lifetime achievement awards from the Excellence in Dentistry Organization and the Academy of Dental Office Managers. She was a finalist for the Stevie Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurial Women. Beyond this, Cathy has nine books and over 1,500 articles published. She is a member of the American Association of Female Executives, The National Speaker’s Association, Academy of Dental Management Consultants and Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity.
1995 Cathy Squires
1996
1997
1998
Carol L. Rystrom
Thomas S. Gourlay
Shawn L. McCartney
Elizabeth A. Lanphier
David M. Noonan
Margaret A. Domalakes
Billy D. Jordan
Eugenia E. Perkins
Jane A. Kenyon
2004 Ryan J. Huebner
James L. Leath
Stephen C. Skog
2006
2007
2011
ALLAN VORDA, MA 76 will have a novel published by Mellemgaard in August 2025 titled “The Babel Hiking & Book Club (or, A Sexual Odyssey)” available on Amazon and Kindle.
JUDGE MARK SIEDLIK, BSBA 79 MA 82 recently retired after serving thirty-five years as an Administrative Law Judge for the Missouri Department of Labor, Division of Workers Compensation. Judge Siedlik twice served as the Chief Judge, once in the St. Louis Division, and once in Kansas City.
BRIAN CHRISTENSON, BS 80 was recently appointed by Governor Pillen to the Nebraska Investment Council. The Council, which consists of five Council members, manages approximately $41 billion in investment for the state as well as managing the states checkbook.
DEBORAH VAN EERSEL, BA 85 has been named as the New Chief Executive Officer of the University of Virginia Foundation. She brings 35 years of experience in real estate, nonprofits and higher education to the role. Her focus will be on maintaining the foundation’s people-first culture while advancing UVA’s mission through strategic real estate initiatives.
Russell E. Finken
Andrea L. Eischen
Jami J. Spale
Randy K. Jensen
2022 Dezhaun Artis
2023
Richard S. Mears
SCOT BROWN, BA 89 retired on September 13, 2024, after a successful 31-year career in Information Technology at Verizon. He is enjoying his time traveling and volunteering. SUMMER 2025 I 41
FOREVER MAVERICKS
Everywhere you go you’ll encounter life is up and down, always have positive thought sand your dreams eventually come without you knowing it.”
KEN LIM, BA 89
MARY CODAY EDWARDS, BS 94
published “To Travel Well, Travel Light. An Adventure Memoir of Living Abroad and Letting Go of Life’s Trappings: Material Possessions, Cultural Blinders, and a Patriarchal Christian Worldview.” The Nautilus award-winning book is a twopart memoir of an outward journey and an inward journey. Part 1 tells the story of the joys and pitfalls of living and working abroad with children in tow. A USAID program brought educated young Afghan men to the Midwest to instruct them in public administration. Mary and Mike befriended them through a community friendship program, and these mujahideen persuaded this adventurous family to move to Peshawar, Pakistan. Terryl Warnock, a blogger for MoonLit, wrote a book review of “To Travel Well, Travel Light,” focusing on Part 2, the inward journey. https://blanketfort.blog/ wordsbyterryl/to-travel-well-travel-light
AMY GILROY KNIGHT, BS 01 just wrapped up her 24th annual dinner gala as the Director of Events at Creighton Preparatory School. They raised the most money in the event’s 55-year history, all to support financial assistance for our students. She really loves what she does and feels lucky to work with such dedicated volunteers and generous community
It is an honor to continue as the head men’s basketball coach at the school I care about so deeply,” Crutchfield said. “This historic season was incredibly special in unifying our institution, rallying the City of Omaha and showing fans across the country what Omaha basketball and UNO are all about. I am grateful to Chancellor (Joanne) Li and (athletic director) Adrian (Dowell) for their work on this extension and continued trust in me and our staff. The best is yet to come for Omaha men’s basketball.”
CHRIS CRUTCHFIELD, BS 92, MS 96 Omaha Men’s Basketball Head Coach, signed a three-year contract extension through the 2029-30 season. Under Crutchfield, the Mavericks won their first Summit League regular season and tournament championships and made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. He has also been named the 2025 Male Coach of the Year at the OSCAS, an award event held annually by the Omaha Sports Commission.
DR. PORSCHA JACKSON, BSBA 01 has authored her second book, “It’s Me, Not You: How I Survived Toxic Work Environments” available on Amazon.com. Readers will journey alongside Dr. PJ as she reflects on her contributions to her toxic work experiences and ultimately offers practical tips to handle and overcome toxic behaviors and environments. This practical guide addresses the personified toxic behaviors of the 21st-century workplace, surpassing the trivial antics of the 20th century Negative Norm and Chatty Cathy. ms_porschaj@yahoo.com
rotellasbakery.com
I bought my first second house and moved, thanks to my wife! I’m still working in the field I learned while at UNO and every day brings new tech to learn and manage. I synced up with a whole group of friends that are alumni for the first time in years this winter for a night on the town. I hope you are doing well! mr.brandon.boyd@gmail.com
BRANDON BOYD, BS 11
Who cares about me, we made the NCAA Tournament, Baby! Go Mavs!”
BLAKE HIGGINBOTHAM, BS 17 Since graduation, Blake has joined a band that he is proud of but is still looking for his career. blakehigginbotham@icloud.com
ELLIE BRECHT, BS 19
Associate Athletic Director/ Director of Development, Omaha Athletics, won the Jason Galaska Rising Star Award through the National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD). She was awarded this for her exceptional leadership and innovation in college athletic fundraising, making significant contributions at every step in her career. Her impact at UNO has been profound — she has enhanced the development team’s outcomes and enriched team culture. She consistently identifies and engages potential donors, turning conversations into meaningful contributions. Her relationship-driven approach and commitment to collaboration have elevated the efforts at UNO.
DID YOU RECENTLY ADD A FUTURE MAVERICK TO YOUR FAMILY?
Submit your birth news at unoalumni.org/futuremavs to be featured in a future issue of UNO Magazine (optional) and we will send you an O BABY! t-shirt!
1 EASTON Son of MELISSA SALTS, BS, BA 08 and Ryan Blue 2 LIAM Son of RENEE LAYOUN, MBA 21 and Ricardo Casas 3 MAISIE Daughter of ALISSA ANDERSON, BS 13 and CHRIS ANDERSON, BS 13 4 MASON Son of MELISSA (SCANNELL) BIDROWSKY, BS 19 5 MAXTON Son of TAYLOR (DECKER), BS 18 and DANIEL ZELENSKY, BS 13
6 MAYA Daughter of MARIE NGUYEN, BS 12, MS 13, MA 20 and JOACHIM NGUYEN, BS 09
All is well. Enjoying married life since December 2024. Go Mavs!”
ALVARO RODRIGUES, BA 20
My most significant accomplishment was transitioning from social service to becoming a paraprofessional in the classroom. After working for a social service company for about three years, the change was worth it. I’m in a better place with myself in life and doing better. I was able to apply my skills from social service to the classroom. I appreciate UNO for everything! I will be going on my second year as a paraprofessional next year.”
MALIQUE MOODY, BMS 20 maliquemoody@yahoo.com
MARGRET KINGREY, MFA 21 and her husband have done some international traveling, which they haven’t done much of in their married life. They have been to places they have dreamed about seeing for years and have one more out of the country trip in August. sloopdejour@hotmail.com
MARIAH MARKS ERIKSON, BS 21 graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in May 2025! She is planning to clerk with a judge in the juvenile division and is excited to see where her JD takes her.
ANA BELLINGHAUSEN, BS 22 has been named the 2025 Steve Pivovar Sports Person of the Year by the Omaha Sports Commission. The award is presented at the annual OSCAS awards ceremony to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to sports coverage throughout the year. Bellinghausen, a podcast host, sideline reporter and producer, is the first woman to ever receive the award.
AMANDA BELT, BA 23 will be finishing up her first full year of teaching with the “most amazing class of second graders” this May.
DAYTON SCHUMACHER, MBA 24 is using the business skills he acquired during his time at UNO by starting a running apparel brand called ‘Your Pace, Your Peace’ created to inspire self-improvement for others and help people in need. 25% of the profits from sales are donated to organizations dedicated to mental health awareness and addiction recovery. https://yourpaceyourpeace.com
ELIE BAKOTA, BA 25 was awarded a scholarship to pursue graduate studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He will be studying Sports Leadership while continuing his passion for soccer and community engagement.
Congratulations to six new members of the UNO Air Force ROTC Alumni chapter! The cadets were sworn in as 2nd Lieutenants on May 17, 2025. Major General Bill Murphy, BGS 90, Mobilization Augmentee to the USSTRATCOM Commander, spoke at the commissioning ceremony for new Lieutenants held in a hangar at Offutt Air Force Base.
Back row, left to right: Zach Bowen, Julien Fichepain, Kaleb Kroeger, Micheal Zach Lee, Matt Parry. Front row, left to right: Cassandra Hanson, Esme Rodriguez, Tyler Smith.
Photo: Shannon Corsi SCAN FOR SCHEDULE
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORY!
Visiting UNO BOLD program alumni in Bosnia & Herzegovina!”
UNO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR GLOBAL GRANTS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS JULIE JIMENEZ, MPA 26
Visiting Venice, Italy, Switzerland and Paris, France. My wedding was all about the Eiffel Tower so seeing it in person was breathtaking.”
VICTORIA MAHONEY, BS 06 AND MS 07
I think it was one of the best experiences I could have had, and I am already planning on doing another one before I graduate. I love traveling and being able to mix it with learning – it’s just an experience you can’t get from a classroom.”
ANNE THOMAS, BSBA 24, CURRENT MBA STUDENT
Proudly displaying the UNO flag earlier this year on an island off of Key West.”
BOB MARBLE, BS 87
Learn more about how study abroad experiences in Slovakia, Austria and Hungary gave Thomas fresh career insights.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CAMPUS HANGOUT SPOT AND WHY WAS IT SPECIAL
Share your voice and view to be featured in the Fall 2025 issue of UNO Magazine. Submit your favorite campus hangout spot and why it was special with a photo (optional) at stories.unoalumni.org/voices-views.
In collaboration with Criss Library and UNO Archives and Special Collections
Before drama became an academic program, the University of Omaha Dramatic Club staged UNO’s first play, “Hicks at College,” on Dec. 13, 1912. It was performed in Jacob’s Gymnasium at the original campus on 24th and Pratt Streets.
Before 1980, theater classes were part of the speech department, and performances were held in Arts and Sciences Hall. Growing student interest led to the creation of the Dramatic Arts Department — the foundation of today’s UNO Theatre.
The Great Depression and WWII slowed theatrical activity, but the University Players revived it in 1945. They remained active until 1968, when OU joined the University of Nebraska. A standout: the 1959 spring musical “Guys and Dolls,” was described in the Tomahawk yearbook as “a fascinating tour of Damon Runyonland.”
SETTING THE STAGE
The opening of the Del and Lou Ann Weber Fine Arts Building in 1992 gave theater and other arts programs a dedicated home — and a stage. At the dedication, Chancellor Del Weber said, “[It] is indeed a departure from what has been built on this campus previously. Like artists themselves, the building is controversial. It causes those who look at it to think and have an opinion.”
More than a century after the first student-led performance, theater at UNO has evolved from makeshift stages and student clubs into a vibrant academic and artistic institution. Look back at the milestones that shaped UNO Theatre — and the people and places that brought it to life.
In 2015, the College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media (CFAM) was reorganized and the former department of Theatre became part of the School of Arts. In celebration, as well as the 10th anniversary of CFAM, the final show of the season was an intense and immersive production of “Kwaidan: Japanese Ghosts and Demons.”
THE UNO THEATRE FALL 2025 SEASON WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. VISIT THE UNO WEBSITE FOR DETAILS AND TICKETS.
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