UNO Magazine Summer 2026

UNO MAGA ZINE

SUMMER 2026 I VOLUME 17 I ISSUE 2

IMAGINATION

UPSKILL IN BUSINESS, AI, TECH AND MORE WITH

MICROCREDENTIALS UPSKILL TODAY! Build your future, one badge at a time. Advance your career with microcredentials. These short-form offerings equip learners with in-demand skills that unlock opportunity and fill critical workforce gaps.

[ UPSKILL.UNOMAHA.EDU ]

ACCESS TO EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION FROM ANYWHERE

EARN YOUR DEGREE

CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE Mavericks, As a metropolitan university, the University of Nebraska at Omaha is deeply connected to the people, challenges, and opportunities that shape our community. That connection requires imagination.

Imagination is often associated with creativity, but it is also a powerful force for progress. It is what allows us to see possibilities where others see obstacles, to ask new questions, and to envision solutions that have not yet been discovered. At UNO, imagination drives innovation, learning, and impact.

Every day, our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners demonstrate the power of imagination in action. Researchers pursue ideas before outcomes are certain, driven by curiosity and a desire to improve lives. Educators create learning experiences that help students see new opportunities for themselves and the world around them. Community partnerships emerge from a shared vision of what our city and region can become when we work together.

Imagination also plays a critical role in student success. The ability to envision a future for oneself – to see new possibilities, careers, and pathways – is often the first step toward achieving them. At UNO, we strive to create an environment where students are encouraged to think boldly, explore widely, and develop the confidence to turn ideas into action.

By embracing imagination, we expand what is possible for our university. Together, we are creating new opportunities, solving real-world challenges, and shaping a future that is brighter and full of possibilities.

Thank you for being part of the UNO community and for helping us imagine what comes next.

Sincerely,

Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA Chancellor

uno_chancellor The NCAA Men’s College World Series is always an exciting time for Omaha. Again thrilled that @unomaha is serving as a co-host with @Creighton1878! : @omavs

PHOTO I A hologram of Chancellor Li shares information with visitors at Mav AI Day on June 5, 2026. The event celebrated the opening of UNO College of Information & Technology’s Artificial Intelligence Center of Collaborative Outreach, Research and Education (AI-CCORE).

SUMMER 2026

I 3

4

I UNO MAGAZINE

UNOTHEATRE PRESENTS ROMEO AND JULIET “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo?”

He was at UNOTheatre’s Black Box Theatre at Weber Fine Arts Building, where love was in the air as the theatre department opened its doors for the spring semester’s final production, “Romeo and Juliet,” April 16-26.

With one of the more iconic pieces of fiction in human history, UNOTheatre put its own spin on it with a nightclub feel, iPads livestreaming the action on stage, and so much audience participation.

READ MORE AND VIEW PHOTO ALBUM

SUMMER 2026

I 5

CONTENTS SUMMER 2026

I

VOLUME 17

I

ISSUE 2

IMAGINATION

EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE BUILT HERE: INSIDE OMAHA BASEBALL This five-part mini documentary series offers a behind-the-scenes, all-access look at a season in the life of Omaha Baseball student-athletes through the eyes of team captain Jackson Trout.

Watch the series at unoalumni.org/unomagazine.

20

22

A study abroad experience sparked one UNO alumna’s artistic journey, proving imagination can flourish when we see the world through a new lens.

The path to new knowledge begins with imagination, inquiry, and a willingness to venture into the unknown.

A CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE

ANSWERS START WITH QUESTIONS

by JESSICA STENSRUD

ALUMNI PROFILES: The stories of four alumni who who use their imagination, pages 34–37.

Read the full issue and web exclusive content online at: unoalumni.org/unomagazine

by JULI OBERLANDER

24

28

Imagination comes alive through movement as dancers across generations transform ideas, emotions, and stories into shared expression.

Through creative expression and diverse perspectives, artists reveal new ways of understanding ourselves and one another.

by SUSAN HOUSTON KLAUS

by SALVADOR S. ROBLES

IN MOTION TOGETHER

6

I UNO MAGAZINE

MORE THAN ONE STORY 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, genderidentity, sex, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran’s status, marital status, religion, or political affiliation.

MANAGING EDITOR Davina Schrier ASSOCIATE EDITORS Jennifer Arnold Sam Peshek EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE At UNO’s OMA x AI conference, innovators explored how emerging technologies can help us envision new ways of learning, working, and creating. What happened and why it matters: unoalumni.org/unomagazine.

3 CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE 8 FROM THE UNIVERSITY 16 ONLY IN NEBRASKA 30 OMAHA ATHLETICS 32 FOREVER MAVERICKS 45 VOICES & VIEWS 46 BACKSTORY

ART DIRECTION/DESIGN Heidi Mihelich, cre8ivenergy CONTRIBUTORS Ben Battafarano, Jared Craig, Zoë Euteneuer, John Fey, Susan Houston Klaus, Noah Johnson, Marlo Larsen, Juli Oberlander, Salvador S. Robles, Jessica Stensrud, Kara Schweiss EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING INQUIRIES contact: 800-432-3216 or unomagazine@unoalumni.org.

ON THE COVER Imagination by Julia McGuigan I grew up in Papillion, Nebraska, and earned my BS in Education from UNO. In 2014, I studied art and Spanish at Veritas Universidad in San José, Costa Rica, an experience that broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for architecture, color, and community. Ever since, I’ve been drawn to illustrating spaces that tell stories and help people feel connected to where they live.

This illustration was inspired by my four-yearold son, Shawn. He reminds me of the power of imagination every day. I hope it invites adults to reconnect with that same sense of wonder.

A cardboard box can become a spaceship.

A stick becomes a magic wand. A cloud becomes a shark or a butterfly. Children don’t see limitations; they see possibilities.

Learn more about McGuigan’s study abroad experience on page 20.

Imagination isn’t always a solitary pursuit. The Maverick Machine uses music to collectively create an experience that builds community and strengthens Maverick pride, page 10.

EDITOR’S NOTE Imagination is the ability to see beyond what is. At UNO, it drives discovery and innovation. It is present in the questions researchers pursue, the experiences that broaden our perspectives, and the art we create. Across campus and throughout the Maverick community, imagination encourages us to see possibilities where others see limits. The stories in this issue reflect the power of imagination to deepen understanding, inspire connection, and shape what comes next.

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.

SUMMER 2026

I 7

FROM THE UNIVERSIT Y

MUCH MORE THAN A 4-YEAR JOURNEY

by MARLO LARSEN UNO Editorial and Media Relations Coordinator

Isaac Barchus’s connection with UNO began when he was just 12 years old.

When students make the big decision on where they will continue their education after high school, that’s often when their connection with their college campus begins.

The story is different, however, for University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) alum Isaac Barchus. Barchus, who graduated this spring, began his deep-rooted connection with UNO as a young boy.

Barchus was a Miracle Kid in UNO Dance Marathon’s inaugural year in 2015-2016 when he was 12. The organization raises funds for the Children’s Miracle Network, supporting kids and families who are battling chronic illnesses, including those at Children’s Nebraska.

“When I was younger, I was diagnosed with a rare autoinflammatory disease called CANDLE syndrome. It affects my joints, my muscles,” he says. “I’ve been dealing with it all my life.”

Barchus is one of about 60 people worldwide with the disease.

8

I UNO MAGAZINE

“What I remember, I think it was just the joy,” he says of his early Dance Marathon memories at UNO. “I think that is how it is for all of the kids that go through all of those different events throughout the year that they put on. It brought me friendship and connections.”

It wasn’t long before Barchus got further involved with the university.

While on the east coast receiving medical care, he learned of the non-profit Team IMPACT, which connects kids with chronic illnesses to their local university teams. As a fan of the hockey program growing up, the choice was easy.

“I figured, you know what? I already know the university well, might as well connect with the Omaha hockey team here, and we’ll see how it goes,” he says.

Barchus was signed on as an honorary captain of the 2017-2018 UNO hockey team at 13 years old.

From that point forward, he’s had a special connection with every class of hockey players at the university.

The team even created a new tradition with Barchus: hoisting him on their shoulders to sing the fight song after a big home win.

“It was really a bond moment and it’s a really cool tradition that I think no other university has. And for [the team] to be able to celebrate with the fans and talk with the fans afterwards and get to know them, it’s super cool.”

That tradition continued when Barchus became a UNO student after graduating from Omaha’s Westside High School.

“It was always UNO,” Barchus says of his decision about college.

“It was really hard not to come here. I know the programs here well, I know a lot of the staff here, too. I think I knew it was my home after I kept on going to the rink, or kept on going to Milo Bail and getting tours of the university. So, it was a dream to come here.”

Barchus knew coming to UNO as a student not only meant getting a high-quality education, but being part of something deeply meaningful to him.

“I wanted to give back. That’s kind of been my goal since day one.”

Barchus joined Dance Marathon as a committee member and volunteered with the hockey team, eventually becoming a student operations manager.

Barchus says it was UNO that gave him the opportunity to give back in real, impactful ways and to become a better person.

“My growth as a student here, and ever since I first joined the team, I think it’s been instrumental. All of it; Dance Marathon, the fraternity, hockey team, and even class itself has helped me grow as a person, and all those skills I’ve learned from every single organization can help me in the long run, especially when I graduate.”

IT WAS ALWAYS UNO. I THINK I KNEW IT WAS MY HOME AFTER I KEPT ON GOING TO THE RINK…SO, IT WAS A DREAM TO COME HERE.” After graduation, Barchus hopes to stay in the sports operations realm or become more involved in non-profit work. Extending his time on campus to get his MBA has crossed his mind, too.

Graduation is bittersweet for any student. It marks the end of a transformative few years of education, growth, self-discovery, and connection. That feeling is even deeper for a student like Barchus, who describes UNO as a family.

“I think just the culture this university provides is one of a kind,” he says. “Like, everyone I’ve met here has been super kind and genuine, and are here for the same goals, you know, obviously to graduate, but also to grow as a human.”

“I wanted to do the same things those students did for me,” he says.

“I wanted to help in any way I could and leave a lasting legacy.”

He also joined a fraternity, Delta Chi, where he became the philanthropy chairman and was able to raise more money for charities like the Ronald McDonald House and The V Foundation than the fraternity ever had before.

“It was an honor holding that position,” he says. “I care about those organizations, and I wanted to leave a lasting impact here, and I hope to carry that with me wherever I go.”

PHOTOS I At left: A young Barchus sits on the shoulders of former UNO hockey player Mason Morelli after a win in 2018. The tradition continues as Barchus sings with the team on the shoulders of former hockey player and captain Nolan Krenzen in 2025. Above: Barchus with Samantha Chase named first place homecoming royals in 2024.

SUMMER 2026

I 9

FROM THE UNIVERSIT Y

MEET THE MAVERICK MACHINE

The Soundtrack to the UNO Experience

by SAM PESHEK UNO Director of Editorial and Media Relations

At 8:00 p.m. in mid-November, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is already going dark. The sidewalks are empty, and the cold is settling in.

From the outside, Strauss Performing Arts Center looks like it’s gone to sleep, but a rehearsal space tucked away in its halls is just starting to wake up.

Sound bounces off the walls in room 109: a tuba bellows something low and metallic, a drumstick snaps-snapssnaps on a snare, and a bass guitar riff from Led Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” rattles the seats that slowly fill with student musicians from across campus.

As students trickle into 109 from their dorms, evening classes, and jobs, something cohesive starts to take shape.

When music majors and non-music majors alike take their seats, UNO’s Director of Bands Joshua Kearney moves to the front of the room.

He raises his hand, and fragments of sound begin to align into the fully formed songs that are synonymous with Omaha Athletics.

This is the Maverick Machine: UNO’s spirit band, the soundtrack to the university experience, and a community for students of all walks of university life.

When Kearney was hired at UNO 11 years ago, the Maverick Machine didn’t exist. Baxter Arena was still under construction and didn’t have a roof. The idea of a spirit band, one that could carry hockey, volleyball, and basketball on its back, was just an idea.

10

I UNO MAGAZINE

PART OF THE FABRIC Today, you can go to a game and you don’t just see or hear the Maverick Machine, you feel it.

Skates carve into ice, a hand connects with a volleyball, a basketball snaps through a net, and underneath it all, drums, tubas, clarinets, trumpets, and basses stitch them together. It’s the sound that tells you where you are.

“It’s become really integrated into the fabric of what it means to be a Maverick, and I know for a fact it’s made a difference,” Kearney said.

Back in Strauss, the Machine is a cross-section of campus. Music majors sit next to aviation majors. Criminal justice undergrads share stands with graduate students. They come from all corners of UNO, funneling into the room on a night when most of campus has already clocked out.

Carly Bishop, a Bennington native and a criminal justice and forensic psychology double major by day, serves as the Machine’s quartermaster. With her duties comes the responsibility for rehearsal room setup, inventory, and helping make sure her bandmates are in the right place at the right time.

Bishop got a head start at UNO through dual enrollment and could have graduated by the time she was 19. She stayed because her connection to the Machine was so strong and added depth and meaning to her campus experience thanks to the late night band practices and time spent on road trips to conference tournaments, and as of last year, UNO’s first-ever March Madness appearance in Providence, Rhode Island.

“The Maverick Machine has impacted my college experience, and I don’t think I would have enjoyed college as much as I have if I wasn’t part of the Machine,” Bishop said. “It has brought me some of my closest friends. It has brought me on these amazing trips to places I probably never would have been...on top of that, I think it’s introduced me to a lot of people that I probably never would have met...and it’s made me feel a lot more connected and made me feel like I’ve had a stronger place here at UNO. It’s given me an identity as a Maverick.”

READ MORE + WATCH A MAVERICK MACHINE VIDEO

FROM THE UNIVERSIT Y

to be part of work that is both communityminded and impactful.

CLAYTON LAB LETS STUDENTS CONDUCT GUTSY RESEARCH

by JARED CRAIG UNO Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager

For the students at the Clayton Lab at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), lab work is building a foundation for futures in medicine and science — as well as keeping Nebraskans healthy.

The Clayton Lab studies the gut microbiome, the ecosystem inside intestines that is filled with trillions of microscopic organisms and is critical to health and how the body metabolizes nutrients. The lab focuses on major questions related human health, while also taking on projects that directly support animal care, as animals, too, have microbiomes.

Jonathan Clayton, assistant professor of biology, said the lab’s two main areas of focus are the relationship between gut bacteria and mental health, and the relationship between diet, the microbiome and health outcomes such as obesity and other metabolic diseases.

Clayton said the research has real-world value beyond the lab itself. Because the team uses animal models for human disease, their work has the potential to inform future treatments for people while also improving the care of animals.

The lab has partnered with zoos and other universities on projects involving gastrointestinal illness and primate health.

That makeup made the lab a unique place for undergraduates to learn. Clayton said UNO’s research setting allowed students

For Chris Schinzel, a biology major, joining the lab started with a professor who noticed his interest in bioinformatics, a field that develops visual models to better analyze and understand data. After six months of doing research during his freshman year, that professor recommended the Clayton Lab. Schinzel met with Clayton, talked about what he enjoyed and what he wanted to pursue, and from there, as he put it, “we just took off.”

Since then, Schinzel has spent more than two years working with gut microbiome data and developing a bioinformatics pipeline for the Clayton Lab and other research labs to use for data analysis purposes. He said the experience helped prepare him for his next step: medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).

“I was accepted into UNMC, which is awesome. I credit a lot of this to my work in the lab,” he said.

Kaitlyn Oswald, a neuroscience and gerontology major, found the lab in a different way. At the beginning of her freshman year, she saw a flyer in the building inviting students interested in research to send an email. She did, met with Clayton and was placed on a project she is still working on today.

Now that she graduated in May, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Iowa, with interests in healthy aging and changes in cognition over time. Even though microbiology differs from her long-term field, she said the lab has given her skills she will carry forward.

“Microbiology is very different than neuroscience, but there’s still a lot of skills that are very applicable across fields,” she said. “Just a lot of the basic research skills, understanding the research process, being able to communicate, work in a team, be teachable, and to learn from that mentor.”

READ MORE + WATCH A CLAYTON LAB VIDEO

SUMMER 2026

I 11

FROM THE UNIVERSIT Y

I

NEWS FROM THE COLLEGES

SOLDIER, MOTHER, AND UNO GRAD

by MARLO LARSEN UNO Editorial and Media Relations Coordinator

Walking across the stage at commencement is momentous for each and every student. For Blanca Brownmiller, it’s a moment that is 10 years in the making.

After high school, Brownmiller began her education in her home state, at the University of Iowa.

“I had three jobs. I lived at home, helping my mom with my four siblings,” she said.

After her first year at Iowa, Brownmiller joined the Iowa Army National Guard. Not only did it fulfill her calling to serve the country that provided her family the opportunity to build a better future, but she knew it was a financial pathway to her degree.

For the next two years, she worked full time with the Iowa Guard while slowly chipping away at her education. During that time, she also worked toward, and received, her U.S. citizenship.

In 2019, she put her education on hold when she was deployed to Kuwait. In 2020, she returned to the U.S. and welcomed her baby girl with her fiancé in July of 2022. Just a month after giving birth, Brownmiller was back in the classroom, managing full-time school, being a mom, and working with the Iowa Guard.

12

I UNO MAGAZINE

When her fiancé, also an Iowa Army National Guard member, got a job in Council Bluffs in 2024, she transferred to the Nebraska Army National Guard. It was then that she reached out to UNO’s Military-Connected Resource Center (MCRC).

“I’ve always been into science, into some type of health and kinesiology. My focus has always been either in chemistry, biochemistry, something within the science world.”

Based on her past education, those in the MCRC were able to point her in the direction of a multidisciplinary degree with an emphasis in general science.

She says MCRC staff were always keeping her accountable and on track.

“Having that good support system outside of just family, but also in school,” she says. “That’s kind of what pushed me through.”

After graduation in May, Brownmiller began Officer Candidate School with the Nebraska Army National Guard. For this, soldiers to have at least 90 credits or a bachelor’s degree by the end of the year-long training; something Brownmiller can now finally and proudly cross off her checklist.

READ MORE ABOUT BROWNMILLER’S STORY OF PERSISTENCE

UNO’S FIRST CO-OP STUDENT

UNLOCKING CRITICAL SKILLS

by MARLO LARSEN UNO Editorial and Media Relations Coordinator

When beginning their studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), students Maya Bergstrom and Izzy Apel had no idea just how impactful hands-on research experiences would be to their education and future.

“I mean, nobody tells you when you start, you don’t feel like you know what you’re talking about,” says Bergstrom, a sophomore biology and chemistry student.

“The research process is one that was very new to me. I genuinely thought it was just the hypothesis, experiment, conclusion, discuss results. It is not that at all,” says Apel, a junior neuroscience and chemistry student.

The two students, who are also distance runners for UNO’s track & field team, had one of their first experiences with research when they joined Associate Professor Rose Strasser Ph.D.’s animal behavior lab.

For years, Strasser, who focuses on neuroscience and behavior, has studied things like pet-owner relationships, dog attachment bonds, and dog-owner hormone synchronization. Now, Strasser and her students are looking at how early life environments can influence a dog’s behavior and health. They examine dogs who came from both safe, healthy, and well-socialized backgrounds, as well as dogs who have come from adversity like hoarding, overcrowding, or neglect.

“So, how do those early life experiences change their behavior, and are there any other health consequences or behavioral consequences that exist when they come from that deprived environment early on?” Strasser explains.

As a branch of that research, students Apel and Bergstrom are hoping to learn more about if and how parenting and training styles can impact a dog’s cortisol levels, specifically cortisol stored in dog hair.

Apel, who graduated in May, says she can already see how this will impact her future education and professional career as a medical provider.

“Having the ability to think outside the box is going to be extremely valuable.”

by JARED CRAIG UNO Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager In her senior year, Darian Mitchell found herself breaking the mold of how students can use their time in college to advance their careers: by completing a co-op.

Unlike a traditional internship, the co-op, or co-operative education, allows students to divide the year between dedicated in-class instruction and full-time employment with a company in their chosen field. In some cases, students undergo several rotations of each, leading to a good amount of their college tenure in the co-op. A co-op differs from internships, which may be fewer hours per week, paid or unpaid, less structured, or only offered in the summer. Ultimately, the goal is to get the student hands-on experience working in the field before graduation.

Mitchell was already working full-time at Werner Enterprises, a trucking company based in Omaha, as a transportation manager when the opportunity was presented. Then she learned she would be the first student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) to be in a co-op.

“It was so nerve-wracking,” said Mitchell, a business administration major concentrating in supply chain management.

“The professor told me, ‘You’re the first one.’ And I was like, ‘Oh. Okay. Well, here’s my idea.’”

For her co-op, Mitchell found an opportunity for professional growth, seeking to take on more responsibility, learn more, and gain more independence in her role.

“Given that Darian was our pilot — she not only took initiative but helped us navigate and improve the structure of the experience for those to come,” said Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles, a professor of management at the UNO College of Business Administration.

For students considering a co-op, Mitchell believes the experience is especially valuable for those who already understand their workplace and want to grow within it.

“This was the perfect chance to push myself,” she says. “It wasn’t just about doing my job. It was about making it better.”

READ MORE ABOUT MITCHELL’S CO-OP EXPERIENCE SUMMER 2026

I 13

FROM THE UNIVERSIT Y

I

NEWS FROM THE COLLEGES

NCITE LEADS CONGRESSIONAL WORKSHOP ON “JAILBROKEN” AI RISKS

by BEN BATTAFARANO NCITE Communications Manager

On April 22, the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) took to Capitol Hill, giving members of Congress a live look at how “jailbroken” AI can be exploited.

and Joel Elson, director of IS&T research initiatives, led the session, while NCITE students and Congress members prompted uncensored models with scenarios involving attacks, explosives, and other violent activity.

NCITE put the spotlight on how uncensored large language models (LLMs) can generate harmful outputs when safeguards are removed and featured live demonstrations led by NCITE researchers and students.

“In my 20 years as an academic and practitioner, I don’t think I’ve had a more impactful experience than this trip, Hunter said. “We had a chance as researchers to put science into practice and came through in that moment. I’m so proud of this team.”

As uncensored AI tools rapidly become more accessible, so do the risks. Lawmakers are grappling with how to regulate emerging technologies that can be misused by – and even tailored to – bad actors.

The models responded with detailed answers – without the safety refusals built into mainstream AI platforms. The demonstration highlighted how easily these tools can be accessed and manipulated.

NCITE researchers Sam Hunter, NCITE senior scientist and director of academic research,

“This is how research that informs national security is supposed to work – government,

HUMANITIES IN ACTION

by SAM PESHEK UNO Director of Editorial and Media Relations

UNO was awarded a Mellon Foundation grant in March 2026 to launch Humanities in Action: The Maverick Internship Program, a cross-college initiative designed to expand access to paid, creditbearing internship opportunities for humanities majors.

With the grant, UNO’s College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Communication, Fine Arts, and Media will design, implement, and scale a coordinated internship program that allows humanities students to apply classroom learning in professional, civic, and public-sector contexts. The program will integrate career preparation directly into the curriculum through new and revised internship 14 I

UNO MAGAZINE

courses, professional development workshops, and public events connecting students with community partners.

“UNO’s humanities programs prepare students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage ethically, skills that are essential and increasingly important in professional life,” said Dr. Melanie Bloom, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and principal investigator for the project.

Dr. Tanushree Ghosh, co-principal investigator and Chair of the Department of English, adds “We hope that these humanities internships show students how the skills honed in the humanities classroom translate directly into

academia, and industry coming together to address today’s emerging issues and solve complex challenges collaboratively,” Elson said.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, asked one large language model how to kidnap a member of Congress. “It spit out an answer in under three seconds…ways to find them, where to look for them…the best spots to do it,” he said.

“What’s extraordinary about this presentation is how most of [the AI tools] are readily off-the-shelf and easy to access,” Rep. Andrew Ogles, Chair of the Cyber Subcommittee, said. “That just increases the probability that the wrong person gets their hands on this.”

real-world problem solving, professional collaboration, and meaningful impact beyond the university.”

Humanities in Action will build partnerships with organizations such as the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands and the Nebraska Business Development Center to develop a wide range of internship placements. “The Humanities in Action grant is an excellent articulation of UNO’s urban, metropolitan mission,” said Dr. Julie Dierberger, co-principal investigator and Paul Sather Distinguished Director of the Office of Engagement. “We know this will expand learning, increase partner capacity, and strengthen students’ connection to Omaha.”

Interested in partnering with UNO’s Humanities in Action Internship GETthe TICKETS Program? Connect with HIA FOR THE NEXT PRODUCTION Internship Coordinator Michael GutierrezROMEO & JULIET: Madrigal at mmadrigal@unomaha.edu or AN IMMERSIVE 402.554.4995.

EXPERIENCE APRIL 16–26, 2026

JUMPING INTO THE CLASSROOM

by JARED CRAIG UNO Social Media and Digital Engagement Manager

Emma Klein is made one final jump as a track and field athlete before graduating and setting a high standard for the students she will soon teach.

The standout University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) track and field athlete and elementary education major was among the May graduates of the Class of 2026 and has already accepted a firstgrade teaching job near her hometown at St. Joseph, Missouri.

“Emma is truly one of the most incredible people I have had the pleasure to work alongside during my coaching career,” said Clifton Cisar, head coach of Omaha Track and Field. “Daily, she brings intentionality to her training and work alongside an infectious attitude of truly enjoying the sport she has chosen to compete in.”

Her love for teaching is rooted in her life of competition as an athlete. Before track and field, she was a gymnast for 12 years, the sport she credits for excelling at the triple jump category. At age 15, Klein began coaching gymnastics — something she still does — and discovered she loved helping kids grow.

Her senior high school English teacher noticed that spark and encouraged her to pursue education as a career.

“She told me, ‘We really need people like you.’ And that made the biggest impact on me,” Klein said.

SHE TOLD ME, ‘WE REALLY NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU.’ AND THAT MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON ME.” That sense of purpose deepened during her semester of studentteaching at Gateway Elementary in Omaha Public Schools.

Meanwhile, Klein was still living under the demanding schedule of a Division I athlete.

Her days often started around 5:00 a.m. She had weights at 6:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, got to school by 8:00 a.m., taught through the afternoon, then drove back to campus for practice.

On the hardest days, the challenge was not just the schedule, but the switch. After hours of teaching, Klein still had to show up ready to train. She remembers one especially chaotic day when unexpected absences left her with about 30 children in the room by herself. By the end of the day, all she wanted to do was sleep.

Instead, she leaned on the goals she had set for her season.

“My goal was to be mindful about what future Emma would be thinking about this moment,” she said. “I told myself, ‘What would future Emma want me to do?’ And I know it’s to lock in.”

READ MORE ABOUT KLEIN’S JOURNEY TO GRADUATION

SUMMER 2026

I 15

ONLY IN NEBRASK A

HELPING STUDENTS DISCOVER THEIR PASSIONS

by NOAH JOHNSON

Amy Millicent Morris, Ph.D., sees the world through art.

For her, a single painting, drawing or sculpture sheds light on the human experience. It can reveal the artistic aims of an individual or the beliefs of an entire civilization.

“What I love about art history is that it has so many disciplines wrapped together,” Dr. Morris, director of the School of the Arts at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said. “Learning about history, philosophy and society through the lens of visual objects is what really drew me into this field.”

Today, Dr. Morris, student interns and Rebecca Norris, Ph.D., UNO Art Gallery director, are reviewing a gift of works and documents related to Bill Hammon, a prominent artist in the Nebraska art scene. Hammon is best known for his sculptures and other public works located in Lincoln and Omaha, including the 760,000-tile mosaic that adorned the Pershing Auditorium facade in Lincoln from 1957 until 2022. (Work is underway to reinstall the mural in Lincoln’s Wyuka Park.)

The gallery and students’ exploration of Hammon is fueled by a $1 million pledge from art enthusiast Michael B. Jones, M.D. The gift, made through the University of Nebraska Foundation, established the Michael Bruce Jones, M.D., Chair in the School of the Arts at UNO. In 2024, Dr. Morris was named the position’s inaugural recipient.

‘ART DEFINES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN’ “Art defines what it means to be human in many ways,” Dr. Jones said, following the announcement of his pledge in 2024. “Humanities bring joy to life. Art is just one of those but one that I find most enriching and exciting. I think that art is a way of defining our humanity.”

In addition to the gift, Dr. Jones facilitated the donation of hundreds of pieces of Hammon’s art to the university by his brother. The collection included everything from early career paintings and watercolors to sketches and preparatory drawings and everything in between.

Select works from the donation will be included in a Hammon exhibition in the UNO Art Gallery this fall.

ONLY IN NEBRASK A

HUMANITIES BRING JOY TO LIFE. ART IS JUST ONE OF THOSE BUT ONE THAT I FIND MOST ENRICHING AND EXCITING. I THINK THAT ART IS A WAY OF DEFINING OUR HUMANITY.”

FALL 2025

I 17

ONLY IN NEBRASK A

Dr. Morris said the donated works provide a deeper look into the artist’s command of different media and artistic development.

The collection also offers a unique opportunity for students to interview individuals who maintained a close relationship with Hammon.

“I think for a student to have firsthand access to original objects and primary documents and to learn about their art and life by talking to people like Dr. Jones, who actually knew the person, is such an incredible opportunity,” Dr. Morris said. “We can experience his works firsthand. It’s such a special gift.”

A UNIQUE STUDENT EXPERIENCE Ray Christensen, a recent UNO graduate, experienced that gift through his own research when he was a student intern in UNO’s art history program.

Christensen had been heavily involved in reviewing the Hammon donation while pursuing a bachelor of arts in art history. Before embarking on his research, Christensen hardly knew anything about Hammon. However, he slowly became enthralled by the Nebraska artist’s body of work. He made Hammon’s art the topic of his senior thesis.

“It’s certainly the most comprehensive and unique compilation of research that I put together for my undergraduate career,” he said last spring. “It’s really interesting just how much is out there that hasn’t been collected.”

Christensen added that the support he received from Dr. Morris and other faculty within UNO’s art history program allowed him to succeed.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a more supportive faculty and staff available to me,” he said. “[Dr. Morris] is just really, really active 18 I

UNO MAGAZINE

and very good at what she does. She just really cares about her students.”

Dr. Morris said the opportunity to realize the vision of Dr. Jones through her position as chair has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I can honestly say this was the greatest honor I’ve ever experienced in my professional and academic career,” she said.

“To have someone like Dr. Jones have the confidence in me to push this forward is incredible.”

She added that support from donors like Dr. Jones can resonate throughout programs, providing opportunities to advance careers and help students discover their own passions.

“I really think the most important thing is the student experience,” Dr. Morris said. “It gives them the opportunity to study a contemporary artist and primary documents, all while being supported the whole time. Dr. Jones’ generosity has just been absolutely amazing.”

This gift was made as part of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, a multi-year initiative to raise $300 million in support of student access and success, faculty and academic excellence and transformational research and innovation at UNO.

PHOTOS I Previous page: Amy Millicent Morris, Ph.D., Director, School of the Arts, Michael Bruce Jones M.D. Chair School of the Arts. Above: Rebecca Norris, Ph.D., UNO Art Gallery director, and Ray Christensen reviewing a gift of works and materials related to Bill Hammon, a Nebraska-based artist.

REIMAGINING THE STUDENTATHLETE EXPERIENCE. LIKE ONLY UNO CAN.

Omaha Athletics is on the rise, and UNO is investing boldly in the future of its student-athletes.

A new, privately funded training facility and baseball and softball clubhouse are planned.

Together, they represent a $67.5 million investment to elevate competition, performance and the student-athlete experience.

Learn more at OnlyinNebraska.org/UNO.

20

I UNO MAGAZINE

e g n Cha

A in Perspective Studying abroad shaped one UNO alumna’s artistic inspiration and creative path.

by Juli Oberlander

Local artist and UNO alumna Julia McGuigan, known for her watercolor and pen illustrations of Omaha life, credits her time in Costa Rica with informing her work today.

At UNO, McGuigan decided to study abroad after befriending international students and desiring a similar experience. After speaking with the team at UNO’s Education Abroad Office, McGuigan chose Costa Rica due to its biodiversity and artistic culture. She studied art and Spanish at Universidad Veritas in San José for four months, where she lived with a host family, sketched, and journaled about her adventures.

“I’d take a stool, sit out in my neighborhood and just draw on the sidewalk,” McGuigan says. “I’m sure people thought that was a little odd, but I didn’t really care. I was just trying to capture the things that I saw.”

In San José, McGuigan learned about public art, participated in a mural restoration project, and displayed her work at a local café.

She also discovered artists such as Priscilla Aguirre, whose vibrant prints featuring Costa Rican architecture and daily life continue to influence the illustrations she now sells at Omaha farmer’s markets.

“I feel really thankful for the opportunity to go on that trip,” McGuigan says, “because it did teach me so much and inspired me so much. I probably wouldn’t have a small business like this if I didn’t go on that trip. Had I not seen the artwork that I saw, I don’t know if that spark would have happened elsewhere.”

“Students are so much more resilient when they come back from their study abroad experiences,” Markham says. “They also tend to be more adaptable and flexible. I know that for myself personally, I just gained so much confidence during my study abroad.”

Markham says UNO Education Abroad helps students customize programs based on their majors, finances, schedules and goals.

Programs range from 10 days to a year, and students can travel internationally or within the United States through the National Student Exchange. Financial aid opportunities are also available.

Although going overseas can feel intimidating, Markham says students can rely on the Education Abroad team for support.

“It’s such a life-changing experience,” Markham says, “and I would say if you are able to, go for as long as you possibly can because the longer that you’re over there, the more your experience is enriching.”

McGuigan says global learning helped her become more adaptable and comfortable navigating unfamiliar situations.

She encourages students to pursue similar experiences for both personal and professional growth.

“I just think it’s so important that everyone should go somewhere,” McGuigan says, “because it does get you out of your comfort zone, and it can be really eye-opening.”

Along with inspiring passions, Melia Markham, UNO Education Abroad’s Global Course Coordinator, says studying internationally can help students gain a stronger sense of self. Markham, who studied in France, Canada and India, speaks French fluently because of her travels. She recommends study abroad as a way to develop nuanced, creative thinking and broaden perspectives.

PHOTOS I Left: Illustration by Julia McGuigan created in collaboration with UNO for the UNO Gateway 2019 Back to School edition, available for purchase at juliamillustrates.com.

Top: Julia McGuigan (BS 14). Photo by Kara Quinn Photography.

Right: Sketches (detail) by McGuigan while studving abroad.

SUMMER 2026

I 21

UNO researchers use imagination, curiosity, and persistence to explore what isn’t yet known.

by JESSICA STENSRUD

The published paper. The new technology. The breakthrough.

In the College of Information Science and Technology, imagination is tied to innovation.

We see the polished outcome of research, not the messy uncertainty that comes first. But at UNO, that’s where the real work — and imagination — begins.

“We don’t develop technology in a vacuum,” said Robin Gandhi, Ph.D., UNO associate dean for research, technology, and facilities. “Technology has to be integrated and used in a given context.”

Through the Office of Research and Creative Activity (ORCA), graduate and undergraduate students from each of UNO’s six colleges, alongside faculty mentors, ask questions, explore possibilities, and pursue ideas before outcomes are certain.

Many of UNO’s most promising research directions emerge through collaboration. Faculty connect through research initiatives, grant programs, and industry partnerships, combining expertise across disciplines. A project involving AI and human movement, for example, may bring together experts in computing, biomechanics, data security, and data analytics to answer questions no single field could solve alone.

“Research is inherently the generation of new knowledge,” said Sara Myers, Ph.D., UNO associate vice chancellor for research and creative activity and professor of biomechanics.

“It’s an intentional process of figuring out how things work.”

That process begins with curiosity. Researchers identify gaps in what’s known, imagine possibilities that haven’t yet been tested, and then design ways to explore them. Sometimes that means developing new technologies.

Other times, it means applying existing ideas in new contexts or bringing together different perspectives to solve complex problems.

22 I

UNO MAGAZINE

That collaborative spirit extends into research labs across campus.

For Ryan Wong, Ph.D., director of UNO’s Animal Care and Use Program, a childhood fascination with animal behavior evolved into a career studying why individuals respond differently to stress. His lab uses zebrafish to investigate how the brain, genetics, and hormones influence behavior. These findings may provide insights into stress-related mental health in humans.

Some of his lab’s research directions began with simple questions.

even if it “failed” or didn’t support the original hypothesis.”

After identifying differences in genes related to brain plasticity and metabolism, Wong wondered whether those same differences could influence learning, memory, or how cells respond to stress. Those questions became the foundation for new research initiatives that later received support through major federal grants.

This philosophy shapes students’ experiences, too. Sydney Klucas first joined Wong’s lab in 2020 after seeking new research opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She went on to develop an independent project exploring how caffeine affects stress in the brain. Even after graduating and beginning a Ph.D. program at the University of Washington, she continued refining the work until it culminated in a peer-reviewed publication with her as lead author.

Research, he says, is rarely a straight line.

“The published paper you read or scientific talk you hear is typically the result of years of work and thousands of person-hours,” Wong said.

“Things rarely work out on the first try.”

Students spend much of that time refining questions, testing methods, and troubleshooting experiments. When things don’t go as planned, researchers often return to the drawing board.

Rather than seeing uncertainty as a setback, Wong sees it as a strength.

“You’re asking questions that no one knows the answer to,” said Wong. “The knowledge gained from these experiments is valuable,

At its heart, imagination in research isn’t about dreaming up the next big discovery. It’s about having the curiosity to ask questions, the patience to embrace uncertainty, and the persistence to follow an idea wherever it leads.

PHOTOS I Left: UNO student conducts research in Dr. Ryan Wong’s lab. Top: Illustration by Mason Hatfield, UNO Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Below: Robot demonstrates technology at Mav AI Day, the grand opening of UNO’s AI-CCORE Center.

SUMMER 2026 I

23

IN MOTION

24

I UNO MAGAZINE

TOG TOGETHER With its intergenerational membership, The Moving Company celebrates the art of dance for all ages.

by SUSAN HOUSTON KLAUS

In 2013, Ben Cass already had a variety of dance experience. Over about eight years, he’d become skilled in Lindy Hop, swing, and Charleston. But he was looking to expand his repertoire, and he was ready to try a different discipline: modern dance.

“This is something I really love and enjoy, and I had taken all the classes. I was thinking, ‘How do I get better at dancing?’” Cass said.

His older brother had been involved with The Moving Company at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The organization, a performing modern dance group under the auspices of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences and the School of Health and Kinesiology, dates to 1935.

Over the years, the company has earned a respected reputation as a source of dance education, and for bringing imagination to life through its troupe of skilled performers and collaborative partnerships in the community.

Cass took a figurative, and literal, leap and auditioned. He didn’t make it the first time, but he was encouraged to enroll in a beginning ballet class. He was eventually accepted as an apprentice in 2014 and became a member of the company the following year. This spring, he made his debut as a choreographer, crafting a piece performed at the group’s annual showcase.

Cass’ experience is just what The Moving Company aims to provide to its members, said Director Danielle Laurion.

“We really want to give opportunities for people who want to move and want to have that connection but maybe don’t have as much of the skill level that some of the other people in the company have,” she said. “It’s an SUMMER 2026

I 25

opportunity to build those skills and to build that community.

We have some people like Ben who have come from other styles of dance into modern.”

Members include recent high school graduates to 60- and 70-plusyear-olds who have been members for decades. Every Sunday, the 40-member group holds weekly practices on campus.

The intergenerational model nurtures a special kind of collaboration among members.

“The wealth of knowledge that is created within the company is amazing to witness. It’s great to see the mentorship that starts to happen within the company because of that and within the greater community as well,” Laurion said.

The Moving Company regularly brings dance to the Omaha community to enjoy, through its annual Thriller performance at Halloween at the Durham Museum and its spring showcase held at UNO. The group also has performed at nontraditional venues around the city, including dancing across the Bob Kerrey Bridge for National Water Dance Day and on the steps of the Omaha Public Library.

To help members gain different perspectives in dance — and maybe to nudge them a little outside of their comfort zones and to rely on their imaginations to become more effective, confident, and connected storytellers — Laurion brings in different teachers to work with the company.

“I always saw [improvisation] as being something that dancers were terrified of, so I realized we needed experience with it,” Laurion said. “We needed to see that it wasn’t so scary — that it

was a way to not only understand ourselves better and see what creativity, what imagination was living inside our own bodies but also to see how that helps connect and interact with other bodies in the space. It’s been amazing to see the transformation in the company members.”

Nicole Kropatsch has been a guest teacher for The Moving Company. Two years ago, she moved to Omaha from St. Louis, where she had a long career as a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director.

In her instruction, Kropatsch said she aims to tap into the playful whimsy that imagination sparks and explore the depth of how imagination feels in one’s body. As she gets to know people in the company, she’s appreciating the varied experiences each member brings.

“It might be young people who are still kind of exploring dance in a new way, in a very technical way. It could be people that are kind of using dance as exploring their next step within a professional career. Or there are people there that are older, and dance was a huge part of what they did and they’re just trying to keep moving their bodies. When you’re coming from very different walks of life and having had dance in your life in different capacities for different lengths, you bring a different depth to it,” she said.

When Cass had the opportunity to choreograph his first piece, he was able to bring to the experience his previous dance knowledge coupled with a new set of skills he’d developed with The Moving Company.

His process started with a list of words representing a four-part dance: creation and imagination; grief, obsession and escapism; coping with loss and hope; acceptance and sacrifice.

While Cass had a vision for the steps and movement, he was open to seeing how the dancers interpreted his material in their auditions. Soon, the process became a collaboration.

“I was really willing to let it inform me,” he said. “I took a video of it and to see what movement ideas that they generated. It inspired some things for me.”

That inspiration, coupled with his original imagination, guided Cass through the entire experience, as he learned about making artistic choices to benefit not only his dancers but also the audience who would be seeing his creation.

“I do feel that was a really great sense of coming full circle and seeing the payoff — just having that trust in my dancers before the show and then seeing that really get paid back in that way,” he said. “I really just felt an enormous amount of gratitude.”

26 I

UNO MAGAZINE

SUMMER 2026

I 27

MORE THAN ArteLatinX highlights the complexity of identity through art, community, and evolving perspectives.

28 I

UNO MAGAZINE

ONE STORY

by SALVADOR S. ROBLES

Through painting, sculpture, collage, and ceramics, artist and educator Bart Vargas explores the stories that shape who we are, while imagining who we might become. His work reflects a belief that no single narrative can define the Latinx experience, a perspective that also shapes ArteLatinX, the biennial exhibition organized by UNO’s Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS), now marking its 10th anniversary.

“The Latinx identity is so complex,” Vargas said. “I can only represent my story through my work, so I always try to put my best foot forward.”

From Sept. 18 through Oct. 16, El Museo Latino will host ArteLatinX 2026. For Vargas, a longtime participant in the exhibition, it represents a space where artists can challenge assumptions about Latinx identity.

Growing up in Bellevue, Nebraska, Vargas discovered his passion for art at an early age.

“My mother told me that I was always making drawings everywhere,” Vargas said.

After serving in the military, Vargas enrolled in college to study art. Encouraged by professors, he continued his education, eventually earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Today, Vargas serves as a professor and chair of the Art Department at Iowa Western Community College.

For Adrian Duran, art professor at UNO and chair of the ArteLatinX committee, the exhibition’s success reflects the collaborative spirit that gives Omaha’s unique flair and what sets it apart nationally.

“Dr. Lourdes Govea had this great idea to bring Omaha artists together, and now, 10 years later, artists from all over the Midwest and surrounding areas want to participate in this exhibition or know something about it,” Duran said.

This year’s programming includes a keynote presentation by nationally recognized cartoonist and cultural commentator Lalo Alcaraz, a lecture by Dr. Rose Salseda, a floral workshop with Herrera Bouquets, and a community art talk and tour with Clover 24. ArteLatinX 2026 will not be confined to one venue and instead will take place across Omaha at multiple sites.

As ArteLatinX celebrates its 10th anniversary under the theme Aquí Estamos y No Nos Vamos — “Here we are, and we’re not going anywhere” — the exhibition stands as both a celebration and a promise: that art will continue to connect generations, strengthen communities, and inspire new ways of seeing the world.

His work sometimes includes themes of identity and his own Latino experience, yet Vargas resists the notion that there is a single way to define Latino art. That idea echoes one of the lasting impacts of ArteLatinX. “At the beginning, people thought Latino art was defined as one thing through Latino motifs and Día de los Muertos themes,” said Ana Diaz-Orozco, community engagement coordinator with OLLAS. “ArteLatinX has opened people’s imagination to see beyond perceived notions and how multifaceted artists can be when given the opportunity.”

Since its founding in 2015, ArteLatinX has helped create safe spaces for thoughtful conversations about cultural identity through art.

ArteLatinX is one part of OLLAS’ broader work connecting students to Latinx and Latin American cultures through coursework, research and community engagement. From classroom learning to exhibitions and scholarship opportunities, OLLAS encourages students to engage with new perspectives and apply them beyond the university.

PHOTOS I Left center: Bart Vargas (BFA 07). Photo by Chris Holtmeier. All other photos: ArteLatinx exhibitions, courtesy of OLLAS. SUMMER 2026

I 29

OMAHA ATHLETICS

A GRAND SLAM

Image courtesy of Visit Omaha.

Amplified by UNO’s role as co-host, the Men’s College World Series fuels Omaha’s economy and shapes its identity.

by JOHN FEY

The college baseball season comes to a climax with the Men’s College World Series, when all eyes turn to Omaha. Since moving to Omaha in 1950, the MCWS has become the longest-running NCAA championship event held at the same site and a defining part of the city’s summer rhythm and identity.

UNO plays a prominent role as co-host alongside Creighton University.

The Mavericks bring a strong postseason history to that role, highlighted by 16 national tournament appearances and the program’s first-ever NCAA Division I Baseball Championship berth in 2019.

While the nation tunes in and thousands of visitors come to Omaha for the MCWS, the university’s presence will be felt downtown as UNO enters its second year as a co-host.

So how did UNO become involved? It started last year with the announcement of the partnership with College World Series of Omaha, Inc., and the NCAA, while also celebrating the 75th anniversary of “The Greatest Show on Dirt” in Omaha.

As part of the partnership, the iconic ‘O’ logo is prominently displayed on the right-center field wall of Charles Schwab Field 30

I UNO MAGAZINE

Omaha, providing UNO a new national footprint across ESPN Networks and beyond.

UNO’s role as co-host extends behind the scenes, with the university supporting the MCWS across communications, game management, athletic training, and facilities. Tal Anderson Field serves as the primary practice facility for the eight participating teams.

“Serving as a co-host is an example of UNO living out its mission as Omaha’s metropolitan university,” Li said. “It strengthens our visibility and reinforces the role we play in shaping the future of this city. When UNO is at the table as co-host, it sends a clear message to the community that we are invested in our partnerships and Omaha’s long-term success.”

Adrian Dowell, vice chancellor/director of athletics, said serving as MCWS co-host gives UNO an additional chance to increase its nationwide presence.

“The NCAA Men’s College World Series is the mecca of college baseball,” Dowell said. “Serving as co-host of the CWS provides an invaluable yield for UNO’s brand.”

The impact is also measurable. A 2026 report from College World Series of Omaha, Inc. showed a record $147.6 million economic

OMAHA ATHLETICS impact for the metropolitan area and $136.4 million for the state of Nebraska.

Those stunning numbers aren’t lost on Omaha mayor John Ewing, Jr. “The College World Series is a grand slam for economic impact, proving that if you build it, sustain it, support it, and welcome it, they will come,” Ewing said. “Omaha has been home base for the Greatest Show on Dirt for 76 years, and its history is an important part of Omaha identity. The event brings people together, whether you’re in the stands, downtown or just in spirit. We roll out the welcome mat for visitors and fans, and we celebrate the joy that comes from such a fun, competitive summer event.”

The influx of visitors supports local businesses, fills hotels, and energizes neighborhoods, underscoring how deeply the event is woven into the region’s economic and cultural fabric.

THE NCAA MEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES IS THE MECCA OF COLLEGE BASEBALL. SERVING AS CO-HOST OF THE CWS PROVIDES AN INVALUABLE YIELD FOR UNO’S BRAND.” Chancellor Li pointed to the overall boost the university gets on such a large national stage.

OMAHA ATHLETICS TRAINING FACILITY AND BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL CLUBHOUSE PREVIEW The University of Nebraska System Board of Regents has approved the next phase of the Athletics Campus Masterplan located south of Center Street, which includes the development of two transformative projects that will be privately funded, modernizing the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s athletic facilities and elevating Omaha Athletics as a rising national power among NCAA Division I programs. The projects — a state-of-the-art Omaha Athletics Training Facility and a new Omaha Athletics Baseball and Softball Clubhouse — represent a fully philanthropic, $67.5 million investment in the holistic student-athlete experience.

“The impact is significant across several areas of UNO,” she said. “It helps strengthen our reputation as a collaborative, forward-thinking institution. That visibility supports everything from student recruitment to partnerships and philanthropic engagement.”

UNO’s role also includes innovation. The university’s Pitching Lab has been featured during the MCWS, using advanced technology and analysis to help athletes refine their mechanics.

“It also creates more opportunities for our learners,” said Li. “Whether it’s through networking, internships, or research connections, students benefit when UNO is actively engaged in major community conversations and initiatives. This kind of partnership opens doors for new collaborations and aligns directly with our strategic priorities around workforce development and community engagement.”

Now that’s a grand slam — for Omaha and UNO.

WATCH PREVIEW VIDEO

SUMMER 2026

I 31

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION NEWS

GRATITUDE DAY An annual campus-wide celebration of gratitude, giving, and the people who make the Maverick experience possible!

At the second annual UNO Gratitude Day, students wrote handwritten notes or recorded video messages thanking the UNO community for supporting for their scholarships, colleges, student organizations, student emergency assistance, and wellness programs.

• 435 STUDENTS • 376 THANK YOU CARDS • 20 THANK YOU VIDEOS • 20 VOLUNTEERS • 1,000+ SCOOPS OF ICE CREAM! UNO Gratitude Day is co-hosted by the University of Nebraska Foundation and the UNO Alumni Association and made possible by student volunteers and campus partners: the Office of Engagement, the Durango Advancement and Support Hub (DASH), Spirit and Tradition, Campus Rec and Wellbeing, Student Leadership and Involvement (SLI), and MavVideo.

Follow our Facebook and Instagram @unoalumni to for Gratitude Mondays, where we share a thank you note, video, or ways share gratitude!

APRIL 3–10, 2027 Celebrating 50 Years of the SCCJ London Study Abroad Experience Since 1977, UNO students have traveled to London to explore the UK legal system and gain a broader understanding of justice beyond the classroom. This special alumni trip honors that legacy while inviting the broader Maverick community to experience London together. All UNO alumni and friends are invited; no prior connection to the London program is required.

VIEW THE FULL ITINERARY AND RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2026.

SPOTS ARE LIMITED AND EXPECTED TO FILL QUICKLY.

32

I UNO MAGAZINE

FOREVER MAVERICKS 1

MAVERICK LEADERSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENT The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s May 2026 commencement ceremonies at Baxter Arena welcomed new graduates to the UNO Alumni Association and honored leadership, service, and Maverick pride. Dr. Vincent F. Miscia (EMBA 92), founder of Pacemaker Fund; Jamie Nollette (MS 98), co-founder and executive director of Pipeline Worldwide; and Billy McGuigan (BGS 99), owner and creative director of Rave On Productions, were recognized with the Citation for Alumni Achievement Award for their outstanding professional accomplishments and community impact.

CITATION FOR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 1. DR. VINCENT F. MISCIA (EMBA 92), founder of Pacemaker Fund (center)

2

3

2. JAMIE NOLLETTE (MS 98), cofounder and executive director of Pipeline Worldwide (center) 3. BILLY MCGUIGAN (BGS 99), owner and creative director of Rave On Productions (center) LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD RECIPIENTS

K

GI

VE

CK

WE

SAVE THE DATE GIVING DAY 20 26 OCTOBER 7-8 BL A RUNO A

B AC

NOON TO NOON

UNO’s seventh-annual giving day, WEAR BLACK, GIVE BACK, will be held from noon on Oct. 7 until noon Oct. 8.

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.

HONORING EDUCATORS ON TEACHER TUESDAYS Help us celebrate the educators who shaped your journey!

Launched on National Teacher Appreciation Day, Teacher Tuesday is our way of honoring those who’ve made a lasting impact.

NOMINATE A TEACHER WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE.

SUMMER 2026

I 33

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

ALUMNI PROFILES

by KARA SCHWEISS

The stories of four alumni who use their imagination.

BRENTON GOMEZ Brenton Gomez is a modern-day Renaissance man, with talents and interests ranging from music to skateboarding to advocacy and global cultures. He graduated with honors in 2017, earning a degree in international and global studies while balancing his studies, employment and creative pursuits, including producing music solo or with a group called M34N STR33T. “It was kind of hectic back then. The university’s kind of been a launch pad for me for a lot of things, and then also just kind of been in proximity while I’ve been doing the things that I love,” he said. “I never thought I’d end up at a science center.”

Gomez serves in a community engagement role at the Kiewit Luminarium, an interactive science center located along the RiverFront in downtown Omaha. Since 2023, the facility has offered more than 100 hands-on exhibits for learners of all ages. Despite never having envisioned himself in a science center, Gomez’s work developing original programming that connects STEM to people has proven to be a strong fit.

“I never stopped imagining how I want the world to be, or my community to be,” Gomez said. “Someone saw the work I was doing in the community and thought it’d be good for me to step into a programming role to bring the community into the science center.”

“ IF WE ALL COULD HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE IMAGINATION IN ANY TYPE OF WORK OR DISCIPLINE, WE’D PROBABLY ALL BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER OFF.”

Hired shortly before the Luminarium opened, Gomez was given the freedom to develop original programming. One project connected his passions for skateboarding and public spaces. He’s president of the Nebraska Public Skate Park Council and has helped develop skate spaces throughout Omaha, including Lynch Park and the RiverFront’s skate plaza. Gomez also hosts a Nebraska Public Media podcast on Midwest skateboarding culture called “Center of Gravity.”

“I think that imagination and curiosity is a big reason why innovators are the way that they are,” he said. “If we all could have a little bit more imagination in any type of work or discipline, we’d probably all be a little bit better off.”

Gomez said one particularly impactful experience was studying abroad in Peru after learning about Latin American history and politics in his advanced classes.

The experience provided context for classroom content about how countries were developed and colonized as well as contemporary issues related to international relations. “(It) has really been important for me as an individual to be able to navigate this world in every realm,” he said.

He added that he appreciated the opportunity to share the experience with peers who had similar curiosity about the world.

“At the back end of my degree, I started getting in classes with people who were just as energized about some of this stuff as I was, and these folks are still friends of mine to the day,” he said. “One of the most important parts of the university is finding community. You’re around a bunch of people that care about the same thing you do with the same amount of intentionality.”

34 I

UNO MAGAZINE

VIDYA BOMMANAPALLY Vidya Bommanapally, who earned her master’s degree from UNO, is completing her Ph.D. in computing and information science this summer and has already established herself as a visionary.

In March, she was named Nebraska Tech Innovator of the Year at the 2026 Women in Tech Annual Summit organized by the Aksarben Foundation’s Nebraska Tech Collaborative.

The award — described by Women in Tech as honoring creativity and ingenuity leading to groundbreaking technologies that solve complex problems and drive meaningful progress in the honoree’s field — recognized Bommanapally’s research spanning health AI, education and materials science and validated the extraordinary promise she has demonstrated early in her career.

For Bommanapally, imagination is not limited to artistic endeavors. It serves as a driving force behind scientific discovery, enabling researchers to explore new ideas, challenge existing assumptions and create novel solutions.

“Imagination is like a bridge from what you know to what you create,” she said. “‘Imagination is more important than knowledge,’ because it takes you beyond what already exists,” she said, referencing a favorite quote from Albert Einstein.

That mindset has guided Bommanapally’s interdisciplinary work in artificial intelligence. Her research applies AI across a diverse range of fields, from medical imaging to biomaterials to education — each requiring new ways of thinking and connecting ideas across disciplines.

“We have to look at the problem from different perspectives, and we have to get inspiration from different fields and connect the ideas and the knowledge we have from across the fields,” she said. “My imagination, I think, starts with the question, ‘What if?’ ‘What if I do this?’ ‘What if I apply this algorithm to my data set?’ ‘How does it work/how would it work?’” she said, adding that the answers to those questions also “take inspiration from the actual biology of human brain.”

Bommanapally also helped develop a game called Quantum to teach students complex concepts in quantum computing while making the subject engaging and understandable — an example of imagination translating abstract theory into accessible learning. The challenge was finding a way to make a highly abstract subject both engaging and comprehensible.

“ MY IMAGINATION, I THINK, STARTS WITH THE QUESTION, ‘WHAT IF?’”

“We needed some kind of imagination to convert the concept so that it can be available in the game, and the students will be able to play it,” she said. The award-winning project later incorporated AI to adapt to individual learners.

Her UNO experience has been key to her success, said Bommanapally, a native of India.

“I’m very grateful that I came here, and for all the opportunities that I got,” she said. “I have all these collaborations with different universities that I can work on (with) different problems, and I think UNO itself is also supportive with things like travel funds or research-related support, where I could go around and present my work in different conferences.”

Bommanapally said she plans to continue advancing AI research while staying open to new possibilities.

“I’m pretty much open to new directions or new challenges, whatever comes my way,” she said. “Most of the work that I’m doing has been because I’ve been open to work on different things, so I’m excited to see where it goes and what I’ll be working on next.”

SUMMER 2026

I 35

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

ALUMNI PROFILES

OSCAR BIESANZ Still early in his career path, Oscar Biesanz prefers an imaginative new way to describe what previous generations learning the ropes called “fake it ‘til you make it” or framed as imposter syndrome.

His approach draws from something playful and creative: live-action role play, or LARP. “You have to LARP everything, constantly,” he said.

“You need to just pretend that you’re about to be a professional, maybe tomorrow, and move in that exact way. ‘Soon-to-be qualified expert’ is the perfect LARP.” For Biesanz, imagination is more than a mindset — it’s a tool for growth, helping him step confidently into new roles before he fully feels ready.

A 2024 UNO graduate, Biesanz earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology with minors in chemistry and studio art. He embraces a wide range of experiences, speaking as enthusiastically about past work driving a forklift at Costco or mowing grass along highways as he does about his current role as a research technologist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

“I’m pretty pleased with my experience so far,” he said. “Everything’s scary at first, but then if you just start to do it, the faster it becomes a lot more accessible in your mind. And the next thing you know, it’s like second nature.”

36 I

UNO MAGAZINE

will touch up his figures for him in Adobe Illustrator for grant applications and publication submissions and things like that.”

Biesanz emphasizes that he genuinely enjoys the work. Using both emerging technologies and artistic techniques, he creates visuals that make complex biological processes more accessible — sometimes turning them into imaginative, approachable representations.

He describes his work as producing “cartoon versions of the proteins beating the crap out of each other, or whatever the particular dynamic may be.”

He is also occasionally tasked with creating cover illustrations for documents.

“That has been a really interesting challenge,” he said.

Outside the lab, Biesanz continues to channel his creativity and leadership through Launch Leadership, a Nebraska-based nonprofit focused on youth development through summer camps, workshops, retreats and consulting for schools and communities. Once a participant himself, he now volunteers in multiple roles, including graphic design, video production and DJing events.

He remains committed to the organization because of the impact it had on him growing up.

His position at UNMC allows him to blend scientific knowledge with creative thinking — a combination that reflects both sides of his education.

“I got so inspired,” he said. “It built my confidence so much.”

“It’s kind of complicated. I do all the experiments my boss asks me to, and order all the stuff,” he said. “I’m his only employee, so I keep track of everything and the rules for UNMC facilities. I also

“They directly cite me all the time as their inspiration to get started and lead others,” he said. “At this point in my life, it’s probably the most fulfilling thing that I do.”

Now, he sees that influence come full circle as former participants join him as volunteers.

“ WHEN YOU HELP BRING A VISITOR OR AN EVENT TO OMAHA, YOU’RE SUPPORTING THE CITY IN MORE WAYS THAN YOU REALIZE.”

JASMYN GOODWIN As executive director of Visit Omaha, the city’s official tourism authority and convention and visitors bureau, Jasmyn Goodwin taps into her imagination every day.

But her work isn’t about building attractions, it’s about reimagining what already exists.

graduated from UNO with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications. She eventually served as social media manager, director of marketing-content, and vice president of marketing and communications before being named to the top position in 2025.

“I promote a product I don’t control,” she explained. “I can’t say, ‘okay, I need an amusement park’ and it gets built.

That’s not what my job empowers me to do, so we have to be creative in how we sell it, so we take the product and what we have and we package it differently based off of the interests of the target audience.”

She has amassed some fun stories over the years.

In 2014, Goodwin posted a Visit Omaha tweet, “We certainly appreciate all the love from #PeytonManning :) #OmahaOmaha,” referencing then-Denver Bronco’s quarterback Peyton Manning’s pre-snap audible call.

Goodwin’s team considers a broad spectrum of happenings, from major annual sporting events like the NCAA Men’s College World Series to periodic competitions like the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials and the FEI World Cup Finals, and from major international business meetings like the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting to regional conferences like the ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference.

They work with meeting planners, sports organizers and other groups to bring large-scale events and conferences to the city. They also market Omaha’s local attractions, restaurants and hotels, and products from Runzas to local craft beers year-round. In every case, the challenge is the same: creatively reframing Omaha for people who haven’t yet experienced it.

“I will tell you, you have to get very creative when you do that,” she said.

One of her greatest advantages is knowing the business inside and out. Goodwin joined Visit Omaha (known as the Omaha Convention and Visitors Bureau until November 2008) as a marketing assistant in 2007, the same year she

“I thought it would just be funny to send that tweet. It was a Sunday night, and things kept picking up — growing, growing, growing — and I kept getting all these alerts, so I texted my boss. I’m like, ‘Hey, I’m fairly certain we’re going viral,” she said, adding that the tweet was shared thousands of times. “My phone is hot from getting all these alerts, and sure enough, the next day, everything just blew up, and it took off.”

Hailing from a military family, Goodwin came to UNO for in-state tuition when her father chose to retire in the Omaha area. She’s embraced her adoptive home city, serving on various past and present boards and advisory groups for community-focused organizations such as Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha Sister Cities, City of Omaha Mayor’s Office, Greater Omaha Chamber and All About Omaha. She’s also raising her young children here.

Goodwin emphasized that citizens shouldn’t keep the city’s unique offerings to themselves.

“When you help bring a visitor or an event to Omaha, you’re supporting the city in more ways than you realize,” she said.

SUMMER 2026

I 37

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

CLASS NOTES

TODD SCHMADERER, BS 94

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer has been recognized by the Omaha Press Club as the 185th Face on the Barroom Floor. The honor comes as Schmaderer recently marked 30 years in law enforcement.

Schmaderer joined the Omaha Police Department in 1996 and has served as chief since 2012, making him the longest-serving police chief among all major cities.

He leads a department of more than 1,200 employees, including 906 sworn officers. Schmaderer’s numerous awards include: UNO Alumni Award for Excellence (2013 and 2017); UNO College of Community and Public Affairs Lifetime Achievement Award (2024); Special Achievement Award (2022), Metropolitan Chiefs Association; Distinguished Service Award (2022), Omaha Police Foundation; Omahan of the Year Award (2023), Suburban Rotary of Omaha; and Law Enforcement Champion Award (2024), Special Olympics.

38

I UNO MAGAZINE

WILLIAM WAKEFIELD, BA 65, MA 68 says his family is a Maverick family now and forever, with four generations of Wakefields having attended UNO.

Pictured are Alex Wakefield, MS 18; Bill Wakefield Jr, PhD, professor emeritus in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; and Bill Wakefield III, who attended UNO in the 1980s.

Alex holds Barret Wakefield, born September 2025.

For those of you who remember me, you know that I thought with my last name that I was Irish,” she says. “I had my DNA done and found out I am less than 1% Irish and 34% British.”

KATHLEEN MCGUIRE, BS 66 retired

after 20 years.

She has visited Ireland but not Great Britain, so last September she toured England, Scotland and Wales. “It was difficult walking over those cobblestone sidewalks at age 81, but I did it,” she says.

McGuire continues to play piano at church, sing in two choirs, and care for her dog, Kezi. She plans to travel to Taipei later this month. mcguireka@peoplepc.com

WARD SCHUMAKER, BA 66 is now represented by Modernism, an art gallery in San Francisco. His first show there features 20 years of his paintings.

Schumaker is a San Francisco-based artist and illustrator whose work includes mixed-media painting, works on paper, books, and ceramics. His work is held in collections including the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, Crocker Art Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Letterform Archive, and the Zimmerli Art Museum, among others.

JAMES BAILEY, BGS 72 sold his business after 29 years and retired near the ocean and a golf course. He has not returned to campus since graduating in 1972 but remembers it fondly.

131wvbailey@gmail.com

Image courtesy of Omaha Press Club.

Photo by Gary Willis.

SUMMER 2026

I 39

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

CLASS NOTES

COLLEEN SCHINKER, BGS 91 became the first president of Women in Technology of the Heartland in March 2025. She helped found the organization in 2012; it was incorporated as a nonprofit in 2025 and now has 2,500 members.

audio and newsletter formats. The show has been supported by organizations including Crayola and Ripley’s Believe It or Not and is scheduled to be featured on National Geographic StoryMaps and at the Tribeca Film Festival. danandrachel@audienceindustries.com

PHIL SPRICK, MBA 92 earned his Doctor of Education from Vanderbilt University.

He graduated in May 2026 at age 69.

After retiring from Service Corporation International in Houston three years ago, he began doctoral studies a week later. He now plans to do consulting work and pursue a college adjunct role.

AIMEE NOEL, BS 94 is retiring after 32 years of teaching. aimeenoel@cox.net

GEORGE PEEK, BA 97 is an equity shareholder with von Briesen & Roper SC in Milwaukee. His practice focuses on estate and business succession planning, corporate and nonprofit transactions, and real estate. He also serves on several nonprofit boards. Peek and his wife, Laura Grace, are raising four children: William, 17; Margaret, 14; Henry, 12; and Louis, 7. He credits UNO with helping him develop critical thinking skills that guide his career and life. george.peek@vonbriesen.com

DANIEL MORRIS, BA 96 won Best History

Podcast at the NYC Podcast Awards. His podcast, Tracing the Path, explores 20th-century history through storytelling that highlights connections between influential people, places, and events. Episodes are released monthly in

SHIRLEY TIPLER, BS 99, MS 00 completed her 27th year of teaching. Her son is graduating from high school and plans to pursue a degree in education.

Strengthen your CAREER your ORGANIZATION!

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity.

40

I UNO MAGAZINE

Our Executive Education programs help professionals gain the knowledge and credentials to stand out, step up, and succeed.

Whether you are leading teams, preparing for certification, or building business acumen, we’ll help you reach your next milestone.

For more information, please visit cba.unomaha.edu/epdp

IN MEMORY We extend our condolences to the family and friends of these graduates. Reported to the University of Nebraska Foundation February 11 to June 3, 2026.

1951 Rogene P. Foy 1953 James A. Lastovica Millicent J. Long 1956 Gloria A. Storch 1958 Roman H. Uhing Ramon F. Pred 1963 Russell W. Swigart Charles P. Zaloumis 1964 Gerald J. Coniglio Ronald M. Doan 1965 Larry L. Dlugosh Daniel E. Fellows Diane L. Hansen Scott Sipherd Judith A. Gustafson 1966 Larry G. Hansen 1967 Donna J. Autenrieth Donald R. Kavalec John L. Rynes 1968 Carroll D. Roland 1969 William A. Gordon 1970 James W. Belmont John A. Corder 1971 Dennis D. Jorgensen John H. O’Connor DeeAnn Thompson Richard West 1972 Astrid I. Ferony Lynn B. Angell Michael R. Jones Robert L. Miller Michael W. Zahm James J. Zbylut Nicholas D. Kimble Carol F. Rossiter 1974 Charles Aitkenhead Joan M. Rogers 1975 Charles W. Swesey William D. Kerakos

1976 Marilyn H. Ehline Harvey L. Russell David G. Woods John T. Rhoten 1977 Richard G. Cummings Beverly J. Elgan Bradley Speer 1978 Gina R. Gangel Angelo J. DeSanto Jean M. Burke Paul V. Shirley John P. Cahill 1979 Leon J. Goode Kimberly L. Kurth Gale L. Richardson Mark W. Siepker 1980 Donald C. Scott Diana K. Dorf 1981 John A. Pasieniuk Cynthia J. Waterhouse 1982 Robert F. Bechtel Frederick D. Schreiber 1984 James H. Anderson Gary W. Overfield Lorna Rollag 1985 Shari Brooks 1986 William L. Kvasnicka Robert C. McFarland 1987 John E. Vejvoda 1988 Marjorie M. Garabrandt 1989 Sherrilyn K. Hort Bobby E. Thornton 1991 J. T. Haney Steven P. Scott 1992 Deborah K. Armentrout Marilyn E. Koch Barbara L. Vierk 1993 Francis X. McGough Greg P. Bogard Patricia A. Welker

1995 Cheryl L. Quigley Sempek Marjorie C. Nabity Mary E. Vondra 1996 Pamela K. Ciulla Donald J. Harrer Stephanie J. Elting 1998 Suzanne L. Arkfeld 1999 David R. Buse Philip M. Milone 2000 Michael D. Leary 2004 Kenton B. Anderson Kyle A. Loftis 2006 Matthew P. Shearman 2012 Gerald D. Parriott 2016 Joseph D. McGuire 2018 John J. Zak 2022 Michael P. Kiger

JAMES JOSEPH “JIM” ZBYLUT, BS 72 , a UNO

alumnus and U.S. Air Force veteran, passed away May 9, 2026, at age 77. Zbylut participated in ROTC at UNO, was a longtime member of the Air Force ROTC affiliate community, and built a 34year career with Omaha’s Metropolitan Utilities District.

SUMMER 2026

I 41

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

CLASS NOTES

RACHEL WALKER, BS 99 has been

appointed director of customer service at WoodmenLife, where she leads efforts to strengthen customer insight and improve organizational alignment. She brings more than 20 years of experience in customer experience leadership, including prior roles at Cox Communications.

AMBER BURGE, MBA 02 has joined

the Nebraska Community Foundation as affiliated fund development coordinator for southwest Nebraska, supporting local funds and volunteers. Previously, she spent 30 years in marketing and strategy roles with organizations including Valmont Industries and State Farm and served as vice president of marketing at Flatwater Bank. She is active in community leadership and currently serves as board president of L2 for Kids Gothenburg.

SAMANTHA MOSSER, MBA 02

became CEO and president of Bankers Trust on July 1, 2026. Previously the bank’s Nebraska market president, she was named president in July 2025. She brings 28 years of banking experience to the role.

CRYSTALLE COTTON, BS 04 received two honors from Marquis Who’s Who: Emerging Leaders and induction recognition. She credits her education from UNO’s College of Information Science and Technology for her success.

JAIME DAMKROGER, BS 04, BS 04, MBA 08 is a co-author of When People

Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy, released on April 21, 2026. In her chapter, Damkroger emphasizes that “people decisions are business decisions,” focusing on how leaders and HR teams can collaborate earlier and more effectively to build trust and drive stronger outcomes. Her work reflects her passion for helping leadership teams improve decisionmaking and organizational success.

JARED HIGLEY, BS 05 accepted a position as senior product analyst with Tyler Technologies Inc. after nearly a decade in local government property tax administration.

Omaha, this is your signal.

the1982offspring@yahoo.com

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

REBECCA SHIVELY, BA 06, MA 09, PHD 14 was selected as a TEDxOmaha speaker for fall 2025, and her talk, “If organizational change was like shark week”, has since been published.

BONNIE J. PERRY ADAMS, EDD 08 is enjoying retirement and celebrating her daughter Sascha E. Quartey, PhD, who recently defended her dissertation. blackdowl@gmail.com

SARA ROBERTS, MA 09, PHD 12 AND AMY MCFEELY, PHD 15

NebraskaPublicMedia.org/Omaha

42 I

UNO MAGAZINE

celebrated the 10-year anniversary of their firm, Category One Consulting. Founded after being laid off from ConAgra Foods, the firm now serves nearly 200 organizations and focuses on strategy, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. www.category1consulting.com sararoberts@category1consulting.com

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

2

3

4

1 RYDER Son of Courtney (Ryder) and Brett Malsam, and grandson of CRAIG MALSAM, BS 93 2 C ATHERINE MAE Daughter of Stephanie (Schumann) and BREN VANDER WEIL, MS 21, and granddaughter of SHERRI SCHUMANN, MS 02 3 OLIVER WILLIAM Son of COLLEEN (HACKER), BS 18, MA 22, and Douglas Veys, grandson of CONNIE HACKER, BS 82, MBA 94 4 JOHN Son of LAURANNE (BECKWITH), BA 12, MBA 18, and JOSHUA LYONS, BA 12, MBA 18, and grandson of COLLEEN NEE BECKWITH, BS 71, and WILLIAM BECKWITH, BS 71

SUMMER 2026

I 43

FOREVER MAVERICKS

I

CLASS NOTES

QUINN EATON, BS 14 was promoted to senior counsel at Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP. His practice focuses on employment litigation and counsel. qeaton@grsm.com

ANNA TATELMAN, MFA 19 organized Scrib Fest, a conference for Pacific Northwest performance writers, June 20–21 in Seattle. artatelman@gmail.com

DIANA RAMIREZ, BS 22 is a bilingual liaison for Omaha Public Schools and serves on the board of For All Counseling, a nonprofit that provides immigration evaluations to low-income individuals.

CHAD S.A. GIBBS, MA 16 is an assistant professor and endowed chair in Holocaust studies at the College of Charleston. His book, Survival at Treblinka: Geography, Gender, and Social Networks in Jewish Resistance, published in April 2026.

CHANDLER HUNTER, BS 16 earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from UNMC in May 2025, passed the NCLEX exam in June and became a registered nurse in July. She will complete her residency program this summer.

KELLY MOSEMAN, BS 16, BA 16 is a treatment director working with clients with autism. She recently celebrated her third wedding anniversary and welcomed her first child in April.

A first-generation immigrant from a rural town in Mexico, Ramirez moved to the United States at age 16. As a former ESL student in Omaha Public Schools, she overcame significant challenges while pursuing her education. She earned an associate degree from Metropolitan Community College in 2020 before completing her bachelor’s degree in social work at UNO in 2022. She is now pursuing a Master of Social Work at UNO and holds an active social work license in Nebraska.

Ramirez has professional experience across medical, legal, and nonprofit sectors and is passionate about advocating for underserved communities. In her current role, she supports ESL students and their families, helping them navigate educational systems with compassion and dedication.

LOGAN HAUSCHILD, BGS 25 is celebrating his first year with Green Peaks Planning and is preparing to take the Certified Financial Planner exam in November. He is also training for a half marathon. logan.hauschild@icloud.com

OVER 100 YEARS OF BAKING EXCELLENCE!

44 I

UNO MAGAZINE

rotellasbakery.com

VOICES & VIEWS

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE UNO TRADITION OR EXPERIENCE.

Beating the Nebraska volleyball team in Lincoln! 1986” ALLIE (NUZUM) MAJERUS, BS 88 OMAHA VOLLEYBALL ALUMNA

Winning a 2001 softball national championship and meeting some of the best life long friends!”

JEN REDLINGER, BS 02 OMAHA SOFTBALL ALUMNA

Above: Omaha Softball 2001 National Champions. Lower: Omaha Softball alumni and Coach Connie Claussen celebrate 25-year anniversary of National Championship at pre-game party on April 18, 2026.

My wife, Diane Gress Lausterer (BS 93), and I met in the UNO Criss Library on October 14, 1992. Our first date included attending the performance of “Our Town” at the newly constructed Weber Fine Arts Building. We have been married for 31 years and have enjoyed attending many fine arts programs and sporting events at UNO during that time. Our daughter was in the music program at UNO and our son graduated from UNO with an engineering degree in 2024. We are proud UNO alums and will be forever grateful we met each other at UNO!” KRIS LAUSTERER, BS 85

Left: Diane and Kris celebrating their 30th anniversary of meeting at Criss Library. Right: Lausterer family of Mavericks

Flying fish after the first goal.”

JENN CZUBA, BS 13

Jon Martin started Omaha hockey’s first-goal tradition — throwing fish on the ice.

The hockey team singing the UNO fight song in the Baxter lobby after a win!”

SHIRLEY FEY RETIRED UNO STAFF

YOUR VOICE AND VIEW CAN BE FEATURED IN THE FALL 2026 ISSUE OF UNO MAGAZINE! WHAT’S THE MOST ICONIC PLACE ON CAMPUS AND WHY? Submit your answer and a photo (optional) at stories.unoalumni.org/voices-views.

SUMMER 2026

I 45

BACKSTORY In collaboration with Criss Library and UNO Archives and Special Collections

TAKING SHAPE

UNO is a platform for creative expression and turning imagination into reality.

Across classes, clubs, and generations of students, ideas have taken shape through experimentation and making.

Environmental material becomes art as imagination extends beyond the classroom.

Drawing inspiration from a live figure, observation becomes interpretation.

Traditional presses and modern tools work side by side to make books, expanding how creative work is realized.

Studio spaces support exploration across mediums, where technical skill and artistic vision evolve together.

Through creation and revision, large-scale work explores structure and abstraction in three dimensions.

Clay transforms on the wheel; a tactile practice rooted in process and material.

46 I

UNO MAGAZINE

EXPLORE MORE IMAGES OF UNO’S HISTORY IN THE UNIVERSITY’S ONLINE ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

HELPING STUDENTS DISCOVER WHAT’S POSSIBLE. ONLY IN NEBRASKA .

Barbara Keating believes education opens doors and that students deserve the chance to walk through them.

As a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Barbara experienced how learning beyond the classroom can fuel possibility. Today, her support helps UNO sociology students attend academic and professional conferences that broaden perspectives, build confidence and shape futures.

For Barbara, giving back is simply an expression of who she is and what she values. It’s her way of ensuring students have access to the kinds of opportunities that can change a person’s direction and expand what feels possible.

Many alumni share that same belief. When education matters to you, supporting students becomes a natural extension of your story.

Begin shaping your legacy by downloading our free estate planning kit at nufoundation.org/kit.

gift.planning@nufoundation.org | 800-432-3216

University of Nebraska Omaha 6001 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68182-0510

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #301 OMAHA, NE

UNO Magazine is the flagship publication of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is published three times a year. It is mailed to all UNO graduates and to community leaders in and out of Nebraska. Please share your copy with anyone who might benefit from the work of our great university.

UNOALUMNI.ORG/UNOMAGAZINE