FOREVER A LOPER

from Spring 2022 UNK Today

ALUMNI PROFILE

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Alumni are making an impact in their communities every single day. Please share those stories with us at lopers@unkalumni.org.

LOPER ALUMNA PROFILE

KAREN K. (Lueck) HUNT ‘61

I came to Kearney State College when my parents moved to Kearney the summer before my junior year of college, so I eagerly transferred from Hastings College. I knew KSC had more classes and offered richer learning opportunities.

When I came to KSC, I was a theater major. However, I gradually realized I probably wasn’t going to be a working actress. I decided to take several education courses to qualify for a Nebraska teaching certificate. After graduation in 1961, I was hired to teach English (speech and drama) at Columbus High School and two years later, I moved to California for similar teaching jobs. It was there that I pursed a Master of Arts in English from L.A. State College.

In 1968, I decided to leave teaching and was accepted at the University of Southern California Law School, graduating in 1973.

Meanwhile, my husband accepted a twoyear teaching stint at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He fell in love with the “frozen north” so when I graduated from USC, we all moved to Alaska.

Having been only one of 11 women in my law school class, I was prepared to be the only woman in a private law firm in Anchorage – if, of course, I could get hired! For the next 10 years, I practiced law in two private firms concentrating on civil business and professional litigation. During that time, I founded the Anchorage Association of Women Lawyers and served as the second female president of the Alaska Bar Association.

In 1984, the governor appointed me as the first woman to serve on the Superior Court in Anchorage. During that time, my community activities were recognized with many awards including the Y.M.C.A. Woman of Achievement, Chamber of Commerce Athena Society, A.C.L.U. Liberty Award and Alaska Pacific Board of Trustee Emeritus.

In 1988, I began a 31-year teaching career at the National Judicial College. I traveled to many different states and countries teaching a wide range of subjects to judges, concentrating on judicial writing. I also returned to Kearney as a mentor and guest speaker for The Gold Torch Society, a mentoring program for UNK alumnae and undergraduate women.

After I retired in 2000 I continued my community involvement, and was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame in 2013 and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2015 for community service and public education.

Looking back, I owe a lot of my success to KSC because it started me on the path of my greatest achievement — mastering and honing the ability to communicate clearly and to explain complicated ideas and concepts so others can use them for their own achievements.

My advice to students is to hang in there — it will either get better or worse — it will not stay the same! Also, remember that education is not information. Education is learning the thinking skills necessary for you to live a rich, purposeful, generous life.

Karen (Lueck) Hunt is a 1999 UNK Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

1954

Earl and JoAnn Rademacher ’72, MAE ’83 of Kearney are the 2021 Golden K Kiwanis Kiwanians for their community involvement.

1955

Marilyn (Whitney) Peterson of Cozad is the 2021 Cozad Library Foundation's Make Your Mark on Cozad award recipient.

1962

Gary and Sherry (Hemje) Alberts of Hildreth celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 31.

1963

Don and Mary Nelson of Hildreth celebrated their 60th anniversary Aug. 6.

1964

Ken Aldridge of Mansfield, Texas, published his 11th crime novel, "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow." Aldridge served 24 years as a special agent with the FBI. Irene and Alan Smith, Ph.D., of Fredericksburg, Texas, celebrated their 60th anniversary Aug. 3.

1967

Bob Whitehouse of Papillion earned the 2021-2022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association.

1968

Dan Kinney, Ph.D., MSE ’77 of Council Bluffs, Iowa, earned a Jason Award from Children’s Square U.S.A. The annual Jason Awards recognize individuals, couples, organizations and businesses that exemplify the mission to teach each child, every day, the values and life skills essential to a successful life — one full of caring and contribution.

1969

Colleen (Moreau) Nieman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was inducted into the Kearney Catholic High School Hall of Fame.

1970

Art and Debbie (Melbye) Soderholm ’71,

MAE ’81 of Johnston, Iowa, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 9. Debbie and Art are both retired from teaching.

1971

Vikki (Husmann) Deuel MSE ’76, Ed.S.

’86 of Grand Island received an honorary Doctor of Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in recognition of her community service and contributions to public education. Carol (Wessels) Duncan ’75 of Lincoln earned the 2021-2022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association.

1972

Nancy and Claude Badura of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 7.

1973

Tim Aylward MAE ’77 of Lincoln was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame as a successful football and track coach.

1974

Mary and Mark Balcom of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Charles Bicak, Ph.D., of Kearney was inducted into the Kearney Catholic High School Hall of Fame.

1975

Jon Abegglen of Kearney was awarded the 2021 Friend of Kearney Award by the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce. Joe Green MSE ’77 of Minden retired after 39 years of teaching English. Al Niedbalski of Columbus earned the 20212022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association. Terry Torson of Kearney was inducted into the Kearney Catholic High School Hall of Fame.

1976

Dennis Headrick, Ph.D., of Lincoln retired with more than 30 years in teaching and higher education administration in central and southeast Nebraska.

1977

Bruce Elder of Kearney celebrated 39 years of service to University of Nebraska at Kearney. Bruce is a professor in the College of Business & Technology. Lori Potter of Kearney was inducted into the Marian Andersen Nebraska Women Journalists Hall of Fame.

1978

Alan Kegley of Kearney served as grand marshal at the Nebraska State Fair celebration parade.

1979

Becky (Davis) Faber, Ph.D., MAE ’82 of Lincoln, is an emerita member of the American Association for Employment in Education, is serving on the editorial committee for the 2022 Job Search Handbook. In 2017, she was the recipient of AAEE's Research and Publications Award. P.J. O’Neill MBA ’92 of Kearney has joined the CHI Health Good Samaritan Foundation Board of Directors. Kim (Anthony) Schipporeit of Kearney retired from UNK with 45 years of service.

1980

Dan Keyser MAE ’88 of Kearney was awarded the 2021-2022 Distinguished Service Award by the Nebraska School Activities Association. Todd and Lois (White) Thalken of Kearney retired after owning Kearney Floral for 31 years.

1981

Sandra (Thomas) Hanson MAE ’89 of Kearney wrote a book, "Let's Explore Weather Lore." The book focuses on the different type of lore associated with animal behavior and how it may or may not predict the weather. Jan (Swanson) Jones ’74, MSE ’82 of Kearney illustrated the book.

1981

Tim Higgins MAE ’97 of Grand Island was inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame as a respected and knowledgeable official.

Charles MSE and Jeanine Kelliher MSE ’90

of Kearney celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 7. Kathy (Woodman) Marble, Ed.D., MSE ’97 of Hastings earned her doctorate in education in higher education leadership from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon.

1982

Terry Galloway of Grand Island was reappointed to serve another three-year term on the Nebraska State Fair 1868 Foundation Board of Directors. Currently serving as chairman, Galloway has been on the board since 2015. Maha (Mazzauie) Younes, Ph.D., MSE of Kearney is the chief diversity officer at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

1983

Ron Baack of Kearney is a division administrator for Nutrien Ag Solutions. Kelly Kohler of Lenexa, Kansas, retired in 2020 from the FBI after 23 years of service as an intelligence analyst and financial analyst. Kohler is also a retired U.S. Army Engineer Major and Desert Storm veteran. He now works as a criminal intelligence analyst for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. Russ Rerucha of Grand Island is president of the Executive Board of Directors of the Hall County Livestock Improvement Association (Fonner Park).

1984

Robin (Beavers) Bennett MSE ’89 of Kearney wrote a children's book in honor of her late husband, Scott, titled "Go Be the Light!"

1985

Susie (Kurtenbach) Kelly of Lincoln was inducted into the Kearney Catholic High School Hall of Fame. Scott Schoneman MAE ’97 of Holdrege was awarded the 2021-2022 Distinguished Service Award by the Nebraska School Activities Association.

1986

Linda Crandall MAE ’92 of Overton earned the 2021-2022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association.

1987

Denise (Stuhr) Germann of Kalispell, Montana, retired after 34 years of government service, with 17 years each with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.

1988

Joe Ruxton of Charlotte, North Carolina, is a mortgage financing advisor at Pulte Mortgage. Rod Ruybalid MAE ’02 of West Point is an ELL teacher at Schuyler Middle School.

1989

Tami (Atkins) Damian of Lincoln contributed to two books, both receiving #1 Best Seller status on the same day. The book titles are "Don’t Quit: Stories of Persistence, Courage and Faith" and "Voices of 21st Century: Bold, Brave, and Brilliant Women Who Make a Difference." Brian Tonniges MAE ’03 of York is trust department property manager at Cornerstone Bank. Tonniges recently retired as superintendent for High Plains Community School.

1990

David and Ann Bauer MAE of Kearney retired as chancel choir director and organist at First United Methodist Church after many years of service. Bill Busch Ed.S. of Lincoln is the special teams coordinator for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln football team.

1991

Lori and Bruce Clymer of Gothenburg served as the Gothenburg Chamber of Commerce grand marshals for the annual Harvest Festival. Bruce recently retired as the Gothenburg city administrator after serving the community in that role for nearly 30 years. Dan Kritenbrink of Falls Church, Virginia, is the assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Renae (Riddle) Zimmer of Kearney received her master’s degree in higher education student affairs from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is the assistant director of Student/Family Transitions and Leadership at UNK.

1992

Matt Heimes of Lincoln earned the 20212022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association. Alison (Lewandowski) Larson of Saint Paul was promoted to senior vice president, marketing director for Equitable Bank in Grand Island. Vicki (Toms) Northrop of York is the coordinator for Southeast Community College’s Learning Center.

1993

Lori Long of Gothenburg earned the 20212022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association.

1994

Jamie Tomlin of Lincoln was inducted into the Alliance High School Hall of Fame as a three-sport athlete. He played basketball at UNK.

1995

Jeanette (Heggemeyer) Maack of Olathe, Kansas, is a senior director of training and development at Annexus Health. Jennifer (Prince) Nealson of Centennial, Colorado, has been named as one of 2021's Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business by the Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce. Laura (Beam) Ryan of Heartwell is owner of four retail stores in Kearney: The Denim Bar, Olive & Sage, Post & Nickel, and Urban & Suede. Laurie (Hothem) Smith of Sumner was recognized as the 2021-22 Teacher of the Year by the National Rural Education Association. She was named the 2021 Nebraska Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Rural Community Schools Association during the annual state convention.

Ryan Williams of Olathe, Kansas, is the chief operating officer at Alphapointe.

1996

Rachel (Tomlinson) Mindrup of Omaha is an assistant professor and the Richard L. Deming, M.D., Endowed Chair in Medical Humanities at Creighton University. Thirty of her "Many Faces of Neurofibromatosis (NF)" paintings were installed at the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney from April 1 to July 31, 2021. Kurt Holliday of Seward has been named the 2020-2021 National Federation of State High School Associations and the Nebraska School Activities Association State Coach of the Year for girl’s cross country.

1997

Rob Bentley MAE ’99 of Big Rapids, Michigan, is the associate athletics director at Ferris State University. Troy Hauxwell of Imperial has been named the 2020-2021 National Federation of State High School Associations and the Nebraska School Activities Association State Coach of the Year for girl’s track and field. Nathan Lightle of Kearney is the superintendent at Pleasanton Public Schools.

1998

Stephanie King-Witt MSE ’05 of Cairo is the marketing director for Midwest Connect. Jen (Draper) McKeone of Cozad is the executive director of the Cozad Development Corporation. Matt Rogers MAE ’07 of Kearney is the principal at Kearney Catholic High School. Michelle Stevens MS ’12 of Kearney is the 2020-2021 UNK Counseling and School Psychology Outstanding Alumni. She is an elementary counselor for Gothenburg Public Schools.

1999

Regan Anson of Lincoln is the assistant vice president of communications and media relations at the EducationQuest Foundation. Martonia Gaskill, Ph.D., MSE of Kearney was recognized with the Pratt-Heins Faculty Award for Service, which recognizes the honoree’s contributions to the university, community, and education. She is an associate professor in teacher education and is the director of the instructional technology master’s program. LeAnn (Kring) Jochum of Axtell is the deputy director of the South Central Economic Development District. Neal Randel MAE of Sedalia, Colorado, formerly from Beatrice, was awarded the 2021-2022 Distinguished Service Award by the Nebraska School Activities Association. Rick Simonson MS of Kearney celebrated 22 years of service to University of Nebraska at Kearney. He is a lecturer in the biology department.

2000

Chad Thompson of Elkhorn was inducted into the Alliance High School Hall of Fame as a three-sport athlete. He played football at UNK.

2001

Adam Bonesteel of Lincoln earned the 20212022 Outstanding Service Award from the Nebraska School Activities Association. Travis Hollman MBA ’17 of Gibbon received the 2020-2021 College of Business and Technology Outstanding Faculty Award. Brad Kjar MAE ’07, Ed.S. ’17 of Ravenna is the superintendent of Ravenna Public Schools. Gabe Kowalek of Kearney has been promoted to lieutenant with the Kearney Police Department and will serve as the commander of the criminal investigations bureau and special services unit. Josh Long of Norfolk is the head girl’s track and field coach at Norfolk High School. Long has taught for 20 years and coached for 19 years at NHS. Chris Lyons of Omaha is the vice president of sales for Valmont Utility. He also volunteers as a University of Nebraska at Omaha CBA Scholars Academy coach. Travis Stec of New Castle, Colorado, is an appraiser for Garfield County.

2002

Kimberly (Adam) Keller MBA ’03 of Lincoln is the chief financial officer at Hausmann Construction.

2003

Travis Payne of Papillion is a business development manager for Pixel Fire Marketing. Janel Walton, Ed.D., MSE ’06 of Kearney graduated from Arizona State University with a doctorate in leadership and innovation and is the dean of enrollment management for Central Community College. Steve Zimmerman of Kearney is general manager for the Engine Mobile Aftermarket Division of Parker Hannifin.

2004

Tim Hanley of Kearney is a senior accessibility analyst at Level Access. Abby (Brunt) Jones of Kearney received a Nebraska Award of Excellence and was a finalist for the Nebraska Teacher of the Year Award.

2005

Maria Hernandez of San Diego is a program manager II at Amazon. Stacy (Spilker) Olsen MAE of Lincoln is a kindergarten teacher with Lincoln Public Schools.

2006

Clint Edwards MAE of Kearney is the Nebraska Association of Secondary School Principals Region IV Principal of the Year. Jenna (Lehman) Grenier MBA ’07 of Grand Island is a tax shareholder at Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm. Crystal (Baker) Hinrichs MSE ’08 of Kearney is a lecturer and clinical educator with the UNK Department of Communication Disorders. Ed Klimek of Grand Island was active duty in the Navy for eight years, has been a Navy reservist for 20 years and voluntarily serves as part of the funeral details for Navy veterans in Nebraska. Klimek is the plans examiner for the City of Grand Island Building Department. Tom Schlund of Algona, Iowa, is an admissions officer at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

2007

Jason Borchers MBA ’08 of Kearney is a division marketing manager at Parker Hannifin.

2007

Brandon Luedtke, Ph.D., of Hamburg, New Jersey, is a principal scientist at Novartis. Lawnie (Woolsey) Luedtke of Hamburg, New Jersey, was promoted to staff quality engineer at Becton Dickinson.

2008

Jarrod Holz of Kearney works in facility management and construction for Younes Hospitality. Cami (Barner) O'Brien of Overland Park, Kansas, earned her financial planning and analysis certification and works at Water One in Lenexa.

2009

AshLea (Millsap) Allberry MBA ’15 of Lincoln is chief operating officer at Maptician. Ben Allemann of Nashville, Tennessee, is a vice president of sales development strategy at National Research Corporation. Tervel Dlagnev of Omaha is an assistant wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Kelsey (Beckenbach) English of Tempe, Arizona, is membership coordinator for the Mesa Arts Center. Jake Klabenes MBA ’10 of Hastings is audit director for Lutz.

2010

Isaac Lind of Holdrege is employed with Barney Insurance. Travis Steinhoff MAE ’20 of Schuyler is the activities and athletic director of Schuyler Central High School.

2011

Rustin Dring of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a vice-president at Markforged. Brad Green MS ’15 of Kearney is an enrollment services consultant for Encoura. Matthew Tomjack of Lincoln is a marketing manager for Hudl. Amy Windsheimer MAE of Fort Morgan, Colorado, is a middle school physical education teacher at Brush Middle School.

2012

Jordan German of Omaha is head public event relations and sales for MiningStore and Aurum Capital Ventures, Inc. James Keating MS ’15 of Emporia, Kansas, is the assistant director of student advising and adjunct faculty in international relations at Emporia State University. Tom Knott MS ’15 of Kearney is a career consultant at Medical Solutions. Kyle McBride of Littleton, Colorado, is a mid-market account manager at Brist Manufacturing. Sam Schneider of Lafayette, Colorado, is executive director of high school education at Adams County School District 14. Amanda Ziegenbein of Pleasanton is a personal and residential loan officer at Cornerstone Bank in Grand Island.

2013

Megan (Meier) Axmann of Kearney was the recipient of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce 2021 Small Business of the Year Award as one of the owners of Divas at Kearney Floral. Ryan Grossnicklaus of Aurora is a senior audit manager at KPMG. Aliese Hoffman MSE ’19 of Kearney was honored with the annual Outstanding Entrepreneurship Service award during the Nebraska Entrepreneurship Best Practices Summit. Audrie (Muller) Woldt MAE ’18 of Minden teaches third grade at Minden Public Schools.

2014

Cory Foote of Omaha is talent acquisition manager at Buildertrend.

2015

Brock Ehler MA of Scottsbluff has been named the 2020-2021 National Federation of State High School Associations and the Nebraska School Activities Association State Coach of the Year for Girls Golf. Danielle Kluver of Kearney is a media specialist for National University.

2016

Andrew Hanson of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is the associate director of development for the College of Business Administration at Marquette University. Katelin Koch of Norton, Kansas, is the human resources director of Natoma Manufacturing, LLC. Zach Widger of Omaha is a senior quality assurance engineer at Hudl.

2017

Lindsie (Woolley) Breazeale of Kearney is the director of marketing and business development at GROW Nebraska. Kristin Kramer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a manager of corporate partnerships at Union Dubuque F.C., an Open Division men's soccer club playing in the United Premier Soccer League. She is also an Iowa Prep Girls Hoops scout at Prep Network and assistant camp director at Breakthrough Basketball.

2018

Quinten Dawes MBA ’20 of Kearney is a sourcing manager at Airxcel. Logan Hansen of Kearney performed the National Anthem at UNK's summer 2021 commencement. Edwin Hooper of Renton, Washington, is a digital & social content specialist at Seattle Seahawks. Kendra Peters of Fort Collins, Colorado, is an account executive with Lemonlight. Erin Sorahan of Alda is the childcare director of the Grand Island YMCA. Marilyn Synek of Lincoln is a communications specialist for Nebraska Family Alliance in Lincoln.

2019

Logan Krejdl of Kearney is an academic and career adviser at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Taylor Janicek of Bridgeport is assistant director of sorority life and leadership at Creighton University. Hannah (Wick) Maupin of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is the communication and design coordinator at Opportunity Partners.

Michelle Setlik MA of Grand Island is the associate dean of business and entrepreneurship for the Central Community College’s Grand Island and Columbus campuses. Samantha Stock of Boulder, Colorado, is an associate studio manager at Orangetheory Fitness.

2020

Alex (Alber) Jenn of Holdrege is manager of marketing, promotions, and ticketing for the UNK Athletic Department. Miranda Niemeier of Omaha is the music teacher at Wilcox-Hildreth Public Schools. Carlos Vargas of Grand Island is the band director at Gibbon High School.

2021

Sydney Dierks of Ayr teaches English and journalism at Minden Public Schools. Grace Lueders of Blair teaches music for Grand Island Public Schools at Shoemaker Elementary. Evan Neben of Elwood is a substitute teacher with Kearney Public Schools. Cassie Pokorney of Kearney is a third-grade teacher at Wilcox-Hildreth Public Schools. Maddie Squiers of Kearney is playing professional volleyball in Klagenfurt, Austria.

Loper Unions

Colten Eberle ’20 and Hallie Grimes ’20 of Holdrege married June 26. Colton is a supply chain analyst at Cash-Wa Distributing and Hallie is a fourth-grade teacher at Holdrege Public Schools. Andrew Hanson ’16 and Molly Sheehan ’18 of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, married April 17. Sarah Houston and Dylan Munson ’17 of Lincoln were married June 12. Kayli Hooper and Nick White ’16 of Lincoln married Nov. 27.

Loper Legacies

Wyatt ’17 and Mattison (Peterson) Anderson ’18, MSE ’20 of Arapahoe are parents of a son, Burke Allen, born July 1. Brian ’14 and Morgan (Behle) Bird ’13 of Kearney are parents of a son, Deacon Brooks, born Dec. 25. Garrett and Ahnika (Lutz) Bradley ’18 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Charlotte, born Sept. 4. Jesse ’05 and Elizabeth (Obermeier) Cain ’06 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Callum Glenn, born Oct. 13. Tahnee Cook ’20 and Hunter King ’20 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Halsie Jade, born Aug. 6. She has a sister, Onyx. Chris and Angela (Reynolds) Davidson ’09, MBA ’10 of Grand Island are parents of a daughter, Ashlyn Rey, born Sept. 12. She has a sister, Brooklyn. Brad ’11, MS ’15 and Stefanie (Skrdla) Green MAE ’19 of Kearney are parents of a son, Graham John Scott, born Nov. 18. He has a sister, Evelyn. Andy ’11 and Janae (Nienhueser) Greer, DPT, ’10 of Lincoln are parents of a daughter, Addison Joy, born Aug. 13. Kris and Joni (Colburn) Kaczanowski ’14 of Broken Bow are parents of a daughter, Kayla Grace, born Aug. 28. Kurt and Morgan (Pillen) Kapels ’09, ME ’11 of Columbus are parents of a son, Kip, born Nov. 22. Kip has a brother, Henry. Chelsie and Brandon Kopf ’14 of Lexington are parents of a son, Walter Alan, born May 11. Rylan ’09 and Kayla (Cochnar) Little ’11 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Tinslee AnnaGrace, born Aug. 17. She has two brothers, Treyton and Talan. Tony ’12 and Stephanie (Holtman) Lopez ’14, MAE ’17, of Des Moines, Iowa, are parents of a son, Lleyton John, born Sept. 2. Anthony ’11, MAE ’18 and Brittany (Davidson) McPhillips ’09, MA ’13 of Central City are parents of a son, Beckett Anthony, born July 7. Beckett has two sisters, Olivia and Ella. Logan ’16 and Joee (Beckman) Muhlbach ’16, MAE ’21 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Maren Jade, born Aug. 16. Mikki and Kyle Schellpeper ’01 of Pender are parents of a son, William Jo, born Oct. 14. Nick and Sara (Ritzdorf) Schram ’15 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Eva Lynn, born Oct. 21. Dan ’09 and Bergan (Carr) Schumacher J.D. ’11 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kennedi Joy, born Nov. 3. Jenna and Blake Sloan ’09 of Denton are parents of a son, Camden Lee, born Aug. 15. He has a sister, Ella. Chevy ’14 and Becky (Berven) Smith ’12, MAE ’20 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Bella Rose, born Aug. 19. She has sisters, Lyla and Kia, and a brother, Owen. Nathan ’05 and Abbey (McFarland) Thies ’06 of Firth are adoptive parents of a daughter, Loren Mae, born Nov. 8. Harrison and Kelsi (Haines) Trampe ’12, MS ’15 of Amherst are parents of a son, Tate Scott, born Sept. 13. He has two sisters, Neeli and Remi. Bailey and Mark Van Zee ’05 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Morgan Allen, born Sept. 17. Trevor ’13 and Carly (Havener) Williams ’13 of Aurora are parents of a daughter, Scout Augustine, born Oct. 27. She has a brother, Sawyer, and a sister, Celia.

Lopers in Memoriam

We share our condolences with the following Lopers' families and friends.

1949 Harriette (Bloom) Ericson

Axtell

Bob Hauver

Kearney

Joan (Hardy) Morthole

Fort Collins, Colorado

1952 Helen Kappas

Plattsmouth, NE

Donald Nelson

Kansas City, Missouri

1955 June (Nama) Murty

Seal Beach, California

Marilyn (Whitney) Peterson

Cozad

1956 Joan (Landquist) Towers

New Canaan, Connecticut

1957 Marilyn (Ricketts) Winkler

Loomis

1958 Gene Armstrong Ph.D., Ed.S. ’92

Grand Island

Everett "Bud" Hopkinson

Bellevue

Doris (Pedersen) Maurer

Kearney

Kearney

Bob Whitehouse ‘67 spent 47 years as a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal in the Omaha Public Schools system. He served on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, was a member of the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame and was a UNK Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. Bob died Jan. 22.

Loper Faculty and Sta Notes

Betty Lou Bethell of Kearney, who taught music, theatre, and dance at UNK from 1964 until her retirement in 2007, died Jan. 17. Brady Bonsall is the 2021 MIAA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. He is UNK’s head cross country and track and field coach. Larry Carstenson, professor of accounting, finance, and economics, celebrated 31 years with UNK. James Cook, Ph.D., professor of music, theatre, and dance, celebrated 36 years with UNK. Liaquat Hossain Ph.D., chair of UNK’s department of cyber systems, is recognized as Tech Educator of the Year by the AIM Institute. He has also been named the inaugural Nebraska Healthcare Collaborative Chair of Population Health and will lead a partnership with CyncHealth and the Nebraska Healthcare Collaborative aimed at improving the health of Nebraskans and building the state’s healthcare workforce. Jean Jacobson, collection coordinator at the Museum of Nebraska Art, celebrated 28 years with UNK. Tom Jacobson, Ph.D., of Omaha died Jan. 10. He was a professor of graduate studies at UNK. Tim Jares, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business and Technology at UNK, earned the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Colonels "Doing Business" award. Peter Longo, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor of academic and student affairs and professor of political science, was recognized with the Pratt-Heins Faculty Award for excellence in teaching, service and scholarship and research. Claude Louishomme, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, celebrated 21 years with UNK. Kyle Luthans, Ph.D., chair of the business management department and professor of management at UNK, was honored with the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award. Josh Lynn, head football coach at UNK, is the 2021 MIAA Football Coach of the Year. Tami Moore, Ph.D., family science professor, celebrated 26 years with UNK. Marvin Spracklen, Ph.D., of Rapid City, South Dakota, died on April 17, 2021. He was a professor in the UNK Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology from 1965 to 1991. Allen Thomas, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, received the Pratt-Heins Award for Scholarship and Research.

Leave a Lasting Loper Legacy

e name might have changed, but for more than 115 years the mission has not: provide students with the education they need to help our state and our nation grow and prosper. With a planned gift to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, you can be a signi cant part of the next 115 years and beyond. To nd out how to include UNK in your future plans, visit us online at nufoundation.org/giftplanning. Or you may email gift.planning@nufoundation.org or call a gift planning o cer at the University of Nebraska Foundation at 800-432-3216.

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ALUMNI PROFILE

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

LOPER ALUMNA PROFILE

KAREN K. (Lueck) HUNT ‘61

Karen (Lueck) Hunt is a 1999 UNK Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.

1954

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Art and Debbie (Melbye) Soderholm ’71,

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Vikki (Husmann) Deuel MSE ’76, Ed.S.

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Charles MSE and Jeanine Kelliher MSE ’90

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Loper Unions

Loper Legacies

Lopers in Memoriam

1949 Harriette (Bloom) Ericson

Bob Hauver

Joan (Hardy) Morthole

1952 Helen Kappas

Donald Nelson

1955 June (Nama) Murty