Fall 2020 UNK Today

Colorful Career Jenna Pilant finds happiness as designer, social media personality

TABLE OF CONTENTS

10 COLORFUL CAREER

By Tyler Ellyson - UNK Communications Jenna Pilant finds happiness as designer, social media personality

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LARGE HOUSING PROJECT PLANNED FOR UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

TAKING HISTORY TO THE MAT

By Todd Gottula - UNK Communications

A UNK student’s migration from wrestling to research

Millennium Development leads $48M privately funded development

By Kristin Howard - University of Nebraska Foundation

DEPARTMENTS 4

AROUND THE TOWER

20 LOUIE'S PRIDE 22 UNKAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS 24 ALUMNI PROFILES 25 2020 OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD RECIPIENTS

LIFE 2

28 FOREVER A LOPER

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UNK TODAY U N K A L U M N I | FA LL 20 2 0 | IS S U E 34 VICE PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI RELATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

Lucas Dart ‘97 DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Tricia (Sunderman) Danburg ‘94 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI COMMUNICATION

Shonna Hill ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Toni (Winsor) Meyers ‘93 ART DIRECTOR

Mitch Johnson ‘94 University of Nebraska Foundation PHOTOGRAPHY

UNK Alumni Association UNK Communications and Marketing University of Nebraska Foundation

UNK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEAD COUNCIL Curt Ott ‘07

PRESIDENT KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

Angela (Reynolds) Davidson ’09, MBA ‘10 PAST PRESIDENT GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA

Hilke (Brandon) Meyer '12, MBA '19 NEBRASKA REPRESENTATIVE OMAHA, NEBRASKA

Yousef Ghamedi ‘99

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

Andy Greer ‘11

NEBRASKA REPRESENTATIVE LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

Dusty Jura ‘08, MBA ‘15 ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE AXTELL, NEBRASKA

Jack Kreman ‘04

GREEK REPRESENTATIVE NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA

Dusty Newton MSE ‘02 CAMPUS REPRESENTATIVE KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: UNK TODAY / UNK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 214 W. 39TH ST. P.O. BOX 2678 KEARNEY, NE 68848 1-308-698-5271 UNK Today is published twice a year by the UNK Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation and is the official alumni publication of the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

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a MESSAGE from LUCAS DART In 1906, the first graduating class of the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney led the establishment of our alumni association.

As stated in true 1900s-speak, the mission of the association was said “to promote in every proper way the interests of the Normal School and to foster among its members a sentiment of regard for one another and attachment to their alma mater.”

What rang so truly important to our campus 114 years ago certainly still rings true today. How could our founders have known how “fostering” would change through the years?

The reason is still the same, but the methods and media by which we all stay connected have evolved, to say the least.

Fostering connections has never been more important to our alma mater and, arguably, to everyone around us. The way we connect now, in a global pandemic, has taken on a new meaning for us, too. Email, social media and word of mouth have always been great ways to invite you to events where you could see your fellow alumni, shake hands and converse with campus leaders, and learn about what’s happening on campus. But these past several months, these media have become our primary means of engaging with you.

In many ways, the times have brought us into contact with many more of you. Life slowed down for many of us. You may have had time to reflect and time to spend on things that could pass you by when the pace was normal. I hope that you’ve found opportunities to connect to people and things that are important to you. And that includes the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

I hope that a picture you saw on our Facebook page prompted a memory of a time, which caused you to think about a professor who influenced your path or the group of friends who were the social engine of the residence hall you lived in. I hope you reached out to those people to tell them you thought of them and to share a memory about a special time and place. I hope you got online to see if your favorite night spot is still open or looked up a classmate you had not thought about for years. And I hope you smiled with pride in our alma mater as you remember the impact the place — and all the people that make up our place — have had on your life as you know it today.

We take great pride in you, your relationships with each other and the impact that UNK has had on you and the 53,000 graduates living around the world. And no matter how we have to do it, we’ll continue to foster your connection to our campus and our fellow alumni.

Hope to see you soon!

Lucas Dart Vice President of Alumni Relations & Development

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AROUNDtheTOWER

News and Events Across Campus

New learning community supports students interested in health care careers There’s a new program at UNK designed specifically for students interested in health care careers.

The Health Science Explorers Learning Community, a partnership between UNK Health Sciences and Central Nebraska Area Health Education Center, is launching in fall 2020. The one-year residential learning community allows UNK students to learn more about health care professions while receiving support and guidance as they transition to college.

“So many students aren’t aware of just how many opportunities there are in health care,” said Brandon Drozd, who is coordinating the learning community. “By exposing them to these careers at an earlier stage, we can ensure students are taking the best path to professional success.”

The learning community is designed primarily for incoming freshmen, but it’s also open to transfer students.

A declared major isn’t required to participate.

Students selected for the Health Science Explorers Learning Community will live together on a designated floor inside the Centennial Towers West residence hall, creating ready-made study groups and social connections among students with shared interests and classes. Each student will also be paired with an upperclassman mentor who lives in the learning community and studies health sciences.

During the fall semester, learning community participants will take the same “Opportunities in Health Sciences” course, allowing them to explore health care careers and pursue professional development experiences, including job shadowing, networking and career fairs. Drozd plans to bring in guest speakers from a variety of health care professions and schedule off-campus visits so students can see their work firsthand.

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Lawmakers, Lopers share university’s impact at ‘I Love NU Day’

The large crowd filled one side of the balcony overlooking the legislative chamber.

Some wore blue, others red or black, but they were all gathered at the state Capitol in Lincoln for the same reason – to show their support for the University of Nebraska.

Students, staff, faculty and alumni from across the state came together March 10 for the third annual “I Love NU Advocacy Day,” an event that highlights the university system’s impact on Nebraska and its importance to the state.

About 40 UNK representatives, including roughly two dozen students, made the four-hour round trip from Kearney to meet with state senators and encourage them to support the university system.

Former Student Body President Nicole Kent of Benkelman was impressed by the turnout.

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“It’s absolutely incredible to see the number of UNK students who are here,” said Kent, who serves as UNK’s student representative on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. “That tells me UNK students love Kearney and they love UNK. It tells me the university has made a really big impact on their lives, and I really hope our senators can see that.”

Reid Bednar, a junior from Grand Island studying middle level education, believes UNK embodies everything Nebraska values.

“That’s community and that’s being known,” he said. “All of our students are known on campus. That’s what college should feel like.

A true college experience is where students are involved, and I think UNK does a great job of making sure students are involved. We’re one cohesive body.”

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AROUND THE TOWER

Board of Regents approves indoor tennis complex

Annual food festival celebrates UNK’s international students

An indoor tennis complex planned for University Village scored another victory.

The Board of Regents approved an agreement in December that allows the University of Nebraska at Kearney and City of Kearney to build and operate the $7.5 million facility.

Under the agreement, the city will construct, own and operate the six-court tennis complex located along North Railroad Street on the south edge of UNK’s University Village development.

UNK will provide operational and maintenance support throughout the 25-year contract.

A donor-driven project, the tennis complex will be paid for primarily with private contributions and a $1.125 million grant awarded to the city by the state’s Civic and Community Center Financing Fund. Donor commitments are expected to cover about $5.5 million of the total cost.

The tennis complex will serve the entire community, with opportunities for private and public tournaments, lessons, recreation and team activities for Kearney schools and UNK. A proposed floor plan includes the six indoor courts, offices, a meeting room, lockers and reception and lobby area.

Construction of the tennis complex is expected to begin this fall, with a goal of opening the facility in 2021. Six additional outdoor courts are part of the University Village master plan, a project that’s contingent on future funding.

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The aroma of exotic cuisine greeted guests as they entered the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Health and Sports Center.

Inside the gymnasium, long rows of tables covered in white cloths showcased the smorgasbord that awaited them.

Nepalese chicken curry, Spanish paella, Japanese rice balls, Korean bulgogi, Vietnamese sweet and sour ribs. These dishes and plenty more were on the menu for the 43rd annual Scott D. Morris International Food and Cultural Festival on March 7.

Hosted by UNK’s International Student Association, the free event featured food and drink from 11 different countries, as well as cultural performances ranging

from K-pop and martial arts to traditional Mexican dances.

About 100 students contributed to the event by assisting with the planning, preparing food, performing on stage or organizing informational tables with games and educational activities.

Tim Burkink, assistant vice chancellor for international affairs at UNK, called the festival a “hallmark” event for Kearney.

“It really is a celebration of our international students and the richness they bring to our campus and community,” he said. “It’s also a reflection of how much the community values our international students by joining in the celebration.”

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Max Beal, Trey Janicek will lead UNK student body

Discovery Hall name of new $30M STEM building; August opening Discovery Hall. The name says it all.

Trey Janicek (l), Max Beal (r) Max Beal and Trey Janicek have been elected as the student body president and vice president at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. They took office April 7, succeeding current President Nicole Kent and Vice President Katie Schultis.

The NU Board of Regents approved this fitting title in April for UNK’s newest building, a 90,000-square-foot facility that will promote collaboration and innovation across numerous academic departments, allowing students and faculty to pursue ideas that keep the university and state moving forward.

Known during planning stages as the STEM building, Discovery Hall will house UNK’s construction

As student body president, Beal will represent UNK as a student regent on the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and serve as the official student body representative to the administration and public. The president also has the power to approve or veto legislation passed by the Student Senate.

Beal currently serves as a student senator representing the College of Business and Technology and he’s part of the Kearney Law Opportunities Program. He maintains a 4.0 GPA while studying business administration with a public law minor.

A junior from Kenesaw, Beal is president and founder of the UNK Pre-Law Society and president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He’s also a Chancellor’s Ambassador and a member of the UNK Honors Program.

Janicek is an agribusiness major with a 3.6 GPA. A member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and Order of Omega Greek honor society, he serves as vice president of community service and philanthropy for UNK’s Interfraternity Council.

The junior from Bridgeport is also a resident assistant on campus.

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management, industrial distribution, interior and product design, aviation, cyber systems, mathematics and statistics, physics, astronomy and engineering programs.

A number of events to tour, showcase and celebrate the $30 million building’s completion were held this summer.

The building located northeast of West Center and south of Ockinga Hall on UNK’s west campus will provide a crossdisciplinary environment that links science, technology, engineering and math programs. Inside the three-story structure, lab and classroom spaces are designed to meet each program’s specific needs while maintaining a level of flexibility for collaborative projects.

Discovery Hall is the final piece of a multifaceted project that replaces the 65-year-old Otto C. Olsen building, which has been on the state’s capital construction replacement list for more than 20 years.

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AROUND THE TOWER

Tom Henning receives NU Presidential Medal of Service Kearney businessman Tom Henning was the recipient of the 2019 Presidential Medal of Service, which celebrates Nebraskans’ support and advocacy for the University of Nebraska.

Henning, president and CEO of Cash-Wa Distributing, was recognized by University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen and NU Interim President Susan Fritz in December.

The Presidential Medal is the highest honor that the NU president can bestow upon a community member.

Henning, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, has been active in civic causes in Kearney and across the state for decades. He is a member of the UNK Alumni Association, Loper Athletic Club and UNK Chancellor’s Circle. He is a past member of the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Directors and

served on the UNK committee for Campaign for Nebraska, the Foundation’s most recent comprehensive fundraising campaign.

As a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for UNK’s College of Business and Technology, Henning played a role in helping develop the college’s supply chain management emphasis – a program with a 100 percent job placement rate.

Reid selected as new College of Education dean at UNK Mark J. Reid has been selected as University of Nebraska at Kearney’s next dean of the College of Education.

The appointment was announced March 9 by Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Charlie Bicak and comes after a national search.

Reid was formerly associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services, and associate professor of secondary education, department of curriculum and instruction, at Texas A&M University-Commerce. He has a doctorate in curriculum studies from the University of Texas at Austin, his master’s in agronomy from Washington

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State University, and bachelor’s in agriculture from East Texas State University.

Reid took the position effective July 1.

“I am honored to become a Loper and ecstatic to be joining the College of Education, which has a reputation for excellence. I graduated from high school in Brookings, South Dakota, so this feels like I am coming home.”

The UNK College of Education includes the departments of Teacher Education, Kinesiology and Sport Science, Communication Disorders, Counseling and School Psychology, and Educational Administration.

Reid replaces dean Sheryl Feinstein, who retired in 2019.

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UNK Alumni Association and University of Nebraska Foundation

BY THE NUMBERS

Alumni in Nebraska Total Alumni*

53,237

32,875

Alumni in 59 Countries

4,913

Alumni Within 50 Miles of Kearney

12,997

50

59

Alumni in Kearney

93

Alumni in All 50 States

Alumni in All 93 Nebraska Counties

UNK Alumni Events (2019)

32 Events

10 States

23 Cities

* Living alumni, 2019

Scholarship Money From UNF to UNK

$2,426,947

2018-2019 UNK Academic Year

1,144

Students Receiving Aid From UNF Funds

1,771 Scholarships Awarded

Five-year Annual Fundraising Average*

$6,417,464

*Annual average for years 2015-2019

Average Number of Gifts Given Annually*

3,974

*Five-year average, 2015-2019

2019 Endowment Value

$60,500,000 Percentage of Alumni Who Have Ever Made a Gift

26.8%

FEATURE

Colorful Career

Jenna Pilant '09 finds happiness as designer, social media personality

By TYLER ELLYSON - UNK Communications Nothing about Jenna Pilant’s life is ordinary.

When the 35-year-old renovated her master bedroom, she went with purple carpet, orange and blue doors and a lime green bookcase.

For Christmas, her rainbow tree was decorated with disco ball ornaments, and she dressed her dogs in dragon costumes that matched her sparkly blue dress and cape on Halloween.

She’s not afraid to wear polka dot rompers, kneehigh, gold boots or anything in leopard print, and

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she owns a different pair of eyeglasses to match all of these outfits, which are usually accented by bright-red lipstick.

“I definitely march to the beat of my own drum,” the Gibbon native said. “I don’t like trends. I do what feels best in my creative gut.”

Pilant sees things a little differently than most.

Not only does she color outside the lines, she chooses a palette that reflects her bold personality.

The self-described “Jenna-of-many-trades” was

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UNK graduate Jenna Pilant, pictured in her home office, describes herself as a “Jenna-of-many-trades.” She’s a successful upholstery artist, interior designer and design-and-style blogger in Southern California, and she has her own home renovation show on YouTube.

displaying this creativity long before she became a successful upholstery artist, interior designer and design-and-style blogger in Southern California, where she lives with her husband Darrell and their four “fur babies.”

patterns and navy carpet.

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At Gibbon High School, the do-it-all kid from small-town central Nebraska was active in choir, band, dance, theater and cheerleading. She was president of the school’s FCCLA chapter and vice president of the student council.

Pilant’s world has been colorful since birth.

She also had big dreams.

Her parents, Mike and Carol Johannsen, brought their oldest child home from the hospital to a yellow nursery with rainbow

“I loved growing up in the Midwest and I love everything Nebraska stands for, but being a more creative person, I felt like I needed to spread my

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wings and get outside my home state to see what I’m really capable of,” Pilant said.

After graduating from high school in 2003, Pilant had her sights set on Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and its music business program.

She was accepted into the prestigious program, but decided to spend her first year of college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, which is just 15 miles from her hometown.

At UNK, Pilant quickly discovered she didn’t need to leave Nebraska to get the education she was looking for. She developed close relationships with faculty in the department of music, theatre and dance, received a scholarship and realized she could earn a degree without spending $40,000 a year.

“I felt like I could get the one-on-one attention I needed for my vocal progress and my musicianship,” Pilant said. “I don’t have one regret about deciding not to go to Nashville after that first year and staying at UNK.” Pilant participated in various choirs and theater productions at UNK, and she was also involved with Kearney Community Theatre as a performer, director and board member.

Her on-stage talent led to a position as an on-air host with the local Fox affiliate, where she worked for two years despite having no previous television experience.

“I only had my work ethic and this quirky personality,” said Pilant, who credits UNK professors Anne Foradori and Janice Fronczak with helping her land a gig she “had no business even applying for.”

To this day, Pilant considers Foradori a mentor and friend.

“She’s always been someone I can lean on and look to for advice, so I’ve been very thankful to have that relationship,” Pilant said. “There’s just something to be said about going to a university where that family dynamic exists. UNK is a big university, but I very much felt seen and heard, and I felt like I had the support I needed to succeed.”

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CALIFORNIA DREAM On Memorial Day 2009 – less than a month after graduating from UNK with bachelor’s degrees in musical theater and music business – Pilant loaded her belongings into a Honda Accord and left for the West Coast.

She joined her then-husband Thomas, a UNK graduate working for the National Association of Music Merchants, in San Diego and hit the ground running. Pilant booked a commercial with Jerome’s Furniture, a Southern California business chain, and she appeared in a Wendy’s commercial and the music video for Orianthi’s “According to You.” “I was having a lot of fun,” Pilant said.

But it was also exhausting.

Oftentimes, she would make the 120-mile commute from San Diego to Los Angeles late at night, crash on a friend’s couch, then audition for a role the next day before returning to San Diego to work whatever temp job she had at the time – receptionist at a chiropractic office, promotional model for a liquor company, merchandise unloader for a large retailer, among others.

“I was literally doing anything and everything I could just to make ends meet and get the bills paid,” Pilant said.

After spending 11 months as the special events and art foundry manager at New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad, California, where Pilant was hoping to join the acting company, she was feeling burned-out and lost.

Darrell, who she was dating at the time, asked a simple question while they were drinking wine on the sofa: “Are you happy?”

The answer was no.

Pilant quit her job, and within two months she’d launched her design-and-style blog – “Lucky Little Mustardseed” – and started a full-time upholstery business – Homebird Upholstery.

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Using the skills she learned from her seamstress mother while assisting with do-it-yourself projects at the family farmhouse as a child, Pilant was ready to take on her first client – a board member from New Village Arts Theatre with a 1969 Airstream travel trailer that needed some interior upgrades.

Or so she thought.

“If I’m going to be truthful, I remember in March 2013 standing over the upholstery project going, ‘Oh God, what have I done? Have we bitten off more than we can chew Jenna? This is a little crazy.’”

ONE-WOMAN SHOW It’s been seven years since Pilant started Homebird Upholstery, and the one-woman business is still going strong.

Pilant uses her “knack for bright colors” and love of all things vintage to turn once-tattered furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces for clients.

“It’s been quite a pinch-me moment, because people are really digging what I’m creating,” she said.

Her blog, which Pilant describes as “a mini-trip through this technicolor brain of mine,” has also taken off and she currently partners with Cabi to promote the fashion brand.

Pilant has 15,000 followers on Instagram (@jennapilant) and she recently launched her new website, jennapilant.com.

As if that weren’t enough, she also has a home renovation show – “Room Bloom” – that premiered in August 2018 on YouTube.

In the self-produced show, inspired by her love for HGTV’s “Fixer Upper,” Pilant modernizes the Pauma Valley home she and Darrell purchased four years ago – room by room, project by project.

She calls it “a culmination of my constant need for creativity mixed with my lifelong obsession with colorful interiors.”

updated by her own rainbow-tastic standards?”

The YouTube show, which currently has 25 episodes, allows viewers to follow the progress as Pilant renovates the home, sharing her design and decorating tips along the way. Each episode focuses on a specific project, such as building a custom headboard, reconstructing a fireplace, adding a wall or installing wallpaper.

“I’m trying to show the nitty gritty of it and really help people see the whole process and show them it’s not as easy as one may think,” Pilant said.

“There is a lot of work that goes into it.”

Pilant, who has already revealed her new family room, master bedroom, entryway and office, estimates there’s about two years of content remaining before her dream home is complete and she shifts her focus to other houses.

The ongoing renovation project was featured in the August 2019 edition of San Diego Home/ Garden Lifestyles magazine. Her colorful creations and unique style earned Pilant the magazine cover and a 10-page, centerfold spread inside.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d have the cover of a magazine,” Pilant said. “To quote my grandmother Margaret (Dalby Fowler), I must be living right and paying the preacher, because I don’t know how that happened, but I am beyond grateful.”

Her interior design work is also featured in the current issue of Origin magazine, available at newsstands nationwide.

Although she doesn’t perform very often these days – Pilant refers to herself as a “way overtrained car and shower singer” – the UNK graduate isn’t second-guessing her decision to study music.

She believes all of those past experiences led to her current success.

“As long as I’m doing something that’s creative, I’ll be happy,” Pilant said. “That’s honestly been my main goal. I just want to be happy.”

“Plus, what woman doesn’t want her home

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FEATURE

LARGE HOUSING PROJECT PLANNED FOR UNIVERSITY VILLAGE

Millennium Development leads $48M privately funded development

By TODD GOTTULA - UNK Communications A new public-private partnership between the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a Nebraska investor will bring a $48 million housing project to the University Village development at UNK. Millennium Development and UNK jointly announced the upscale townhome and apartment project at a March 16 news conference.

The investor of the privately funded project is real estate developer Scott Rief of Grand Island. Rief’s company, Millennium Development, will build,

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own and manage the Kearney project. UNK will lease the land to Millennium.

“Partnering with the university is an opportunity you don’t get every day. When I invest in a community it’s about location, and UNK has a tremendous location,” Rief said. “I share UNK’s vision on what this space can be, and that makes this a very special and exciting partnership.”

The housing development will be built in four phases, with the first including 86 units, a

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Investor Scott Rief, middle, University of Nebraska President Ted Carter, left, and UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen discuss the Millennium Housing project being built at UNK’s University Village.

clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor gyms, carriage house, attached garages and courtyard. It will be constructed southwest of the central green space at University Village.

Rief said the development will be “especially attractive” to students, young professionals and community members looking for “trendy, upscale and urban” living.

Initial construction will include five buildings – including a mix of apartments and townhomes – and two 10-plex units.

The $14 million first phase will also include a 5,000-square-foot retail space with a restaurant planned as the anchor business.

“This is a walkable city and community-based living where people will be comfortable in both outdoor and indoor spaces,” he said. “One way you rate a property is on walkability, and this location is a win because UNK is bringing in other amenities and projects that will make University Village a destination.”

Construction is expected to begin in summer 2020 and targeted for completion in June 2021.

The housing is not just for university students, faculty and staff, but the entire Kearney community.

The overall housing development is planned in four phases over five years and will include 230 units, which will be a combination of apartments, 10-plexes and townhomes.

Millennium Development’s partnership with UNK is the largest private investment on a construction project in the university’s history.

“This announcement is significant because it demonstrates the desire of private industries and businesses in working with the university to invest in important community and business development opportunities,” said UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen. “Projects like these are the future of public universities, and are how universities will prosper and grow, thoughtfully and intentionally, through similar private partnerships.”

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The housing development is designed by Weaver Sherman Design out of Indianapolis, which was involved with a project at Purdue University similar to UNK’s University Village. Lincolnbased engineering and design firm Olsson also is involved.

University Village is a public-private development along Highway 30 south of UNK’s main campus planned as a mixed-use urban village featuring residential, retail, academic, recreation, community engagement and service industry facilities in a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood.

The 104-acre development includes Village Flats, a 99-unit, apartment-style housing complex for UNK students, staff and faculty completed in summer 2018, and UNK’s LaVonne Kopecky Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center, which opened in 2019. An indoor tennis complex and Regional Engagement and Alumni Center are also planned for construction.

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FEATURE

Taking History A UNK student’s migration from wrestling to research

Parker Witthuhn came to the University of Nebraska at Kearney to study history and political science. But most of all, he came to wrestle for the Lopers.

“Wrestling and being on a team is in my blood,” he said.

That made suffering a career-ending injury, fracturing his L5 vertebra and undergoing surgery in 2017, very difficult. Witthuhn struggled with

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the loss of his ability to compete on the mat and suddenly having “way more time on my hands,” he said.

His UNK wrestling coaches suggested this was “an opportunity to push myself academically, and

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to the Mat that I should throw myself into my schoolwork to see what I could accomplish,” Witthuhn said.

He explained his passion for learning spans many fields, but his interest is piqued most when studying history and political science.

“I love diving into topics and finding similarities to things going on in the world today or finding roots and causes of current events,” he said.

“Finding obscure facts and being able to trace the fallout from those events all the way up to today — that’s super fun.”

Parker Witthuhn

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Witthuhn sought guidance from his teacher and mentor, Jeff Wells, Ph.D., of the history department in University of Nebraska at Kearney's College of Arts and Sciences. Aware of Witthuhn’s passion for history, Wells encouraged him to get involved in UNK’s undergraduate research program.

“I hadn't considered my writing good enough for publication until then and never really considered doing research until Dr. Wells showed me all the opportunities,” Witthuhn said.

Undergraduate research is highly supported and encouraged at UNK, according to Charles Bicak, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs.

“We have a strong emphasis on students doing independent scholarly work,” he said. “It’s a distinguishing part of the UNK experience.”

Matthew Bice, Ph.D., director of undergraduate research and associate dean of graduate studies, echoed these comments, saying research projects are student-driven, allowing a project to capture the interest of the student.

“The undergraduate research experience provides transferable skills that transition into all aspects of life, making it a lifelong experience,” he said.

Under Bice’s direction, students present their research and scholarly work at UNK Undergraduate Student Research Day each spring.

Wells and Bice both encouraged Witthuhn to consider a history-writing project to present. *** Bicak was walking through the UNK union one day when he began talking with UNK alumna Carolyn (Wagner) Snyder '64. He enthusiastically told her about the campus’s annual day of student research presentations, which piqued her interest.

“During my career as a professor and librarian, I wrote a number of articles and a book related to libraries,” she said. “As I progressed, it was important to do research and writing. That importance is still present as students pursue careers, but even more so in today’s world of shortened words, sentences and text messages.”

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Already familiar with giving back to UNK — Snyder had established an endowed scholarship fund to benefit student library workers in honor of her mother, who also graduated from UNK — she decided to create the Wagner Family Writing Awards, which are given annually at the UNK Undergraduate Student Research Day, through a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation.

“Naming the award after our Wagner family was very special to me,” Snyder said. “My nephew Luke Wagner has joined me in the awarding of funds. I am so proud that it’s a family legacy that will continue through our scholarships and awards.”

The Wagner Family Writing Awards provide $750 to students who place first and $250 to students who place second.

The award draws many applicants, “which sends a signal that students see the importance of research and writing,” Snyder said. *** While he was still some time away from writing his paper for Undergraduate Student Research Day, Witthuhn had begun to get a feel for what he wanted to research.

“I have always found World War I fascinating,” he said. “2018 marked the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I, and there hadn't been much research done on the students and staff that served from Kearney State Normal School.

I decided this would be a really great topic that was relevant.”

Witthuhn began research for “WWI: Soldiers of Kearney State Normal School” with the assistance of Laurinda Weisse, archivist and assistant professor at C.T. Ryan Library, who helped him unearth documents.

“There were war letters from the students who served, newspaper articles from the Antelope student newspaper and Kearney Hub during the war, and primary documents for the project,” Witthuhn said. “I’d already be deeply engrossed in an interesting war letter or article, and Ms. Weisse would come rushing in saying she found something else new that I should see.

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“These documents, including mud- and bloodsoaked letters, hadn't been written about or analyzed fully yet and were so intriguing.

I was hooked and loved doing the research in the archives.”

Witthuhn’s dream job is to be a historian and to teach and research at a university, in large part after working with Weisse in the UNK archives. Weisse says that’s the best part of her job.

“Discovering, seeing, reading and even feeling primary source documents — there’s a lot of power in that,” she said. “I love my opportunities to work with departments and students and make our history come alive.”

Weisse helped Witthuhn connect his life as a UNK student to those here 100 years ago. “Making connections for people through history helps tell their own story,” Weisse said.

Witthuhn explained how he grew emotionally, connecting to the Kearney Normal School soldiers and their stories.

“It’s hard to imagine that students my age were leaving our campus to go to war. One soldier in particular, Clarence Olsen, became very real to me,” he said. “Clarence’s brother, Henry, was also a student at Kearney Normal but was not sent to fight. Henry received many letters from Clarence while he fought in France during the final phase of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.”

Witthuhn details in his research paper how Clarence Olsen, hours after penning a letter to Henry on Oct. 28, 1918, was hit by an exploding artillery shell and a gas grenade while going over his trench to advance toward the German line.

The incident shattered Olsen’s legs, and the gas infected his wounds and caused partial paralysis in his arms.

“Clarence’s injuries caused both of his legs to be amputated in the field evacuation hospital before he was moved to Base Hospital No. 49,” Witthuhn said. “That hospital was actually nicknamed ‘Nebraska’s Hospital’ because it was created and staffed by members of the University of Nebraska’s Medical College at Omaha.

encouraged to do became a passion that I pursued with earnest.”

Witthuhn completed his research and paper, submitted his final copy for consideration for the Wagner Family Writing Awards, and then presented it last spring at UNK Undergraduate Student Research Day. “It was an amazing opportunity and one that helped me grow incredibly as a researcher and writer,” he said. “While at the awards ceremony, the winners of the Wagner Family Writing Awards were being announced. I noted to myself how great that $250 second-place prize money would be. Little did I know my name would be announced as the winner of the award and a cash prize of $750.”

Snyder had the opportunity to read Witthuhn’s paper and was impressed.

“He had such a well-researched and captivating paper,” she said. “From utilizing the archives and library, to solid writing — it is what this award is all about.”

Witthuhn acknowledged that his experience opened his mind to his potential for creating scholarly writing and conducting research.

“The history department, the archivist, Carolyn Wagner Snyder — so many contributed to my growth and accomplishment,” he said.

And further, the award money paid for his books for the upcoming semester. “For that and more, I am really grateful,” Witthuhn said.

Witthuhn’s paper may be found at: openspaces.unk.edu/ undergraduate-research-journal/ vol23/iss1/12/

“The interesting and intriguing facts just kept coming. What started out as a project I was

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LOUIE'S PRIDE

I N S I DE LO PER AT HLET ICS

For senior Mikayla Frei, athletics and academics made UNK ‘a special place’ Mikayla Frei was coming off one of her best performances as a Loper golfer.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney senior carded a 163 over 36 holes to tie for 21st place at the Southwest Minnesota State Spring Invite. UNK finished second in the seven-team event, posting the third-lowest 36-hole score (614) in school history and tying the fifth-best 18-hole performance (304).

“I was really excited for this spring because I thought I was going to have more opportunities to play, and I thought we were going to have a really good team,” Frei said. “I thought we were going to be able to do some pretty special things this

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spring, but obviously that didn’t happen.”

That tournament, played March 9-10 at The Wigwam resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona, would be the first and last of the season for the Lopers. Two days later, the NCAA announced its decision to cancel all remaining winter and spring championships because of health concerns related to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

UNK head women’s golf coach Shawn Rodehorst called an emotional team meeting that Friday to discuss the situation.

“Obviously, it was tough,” he said. “There were tears shed by everyone, but especially the seniors.”

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For Frei, one of two seniors on the UNK roster along with Brandi Lemek, it was an unexpected end to her collegiate golf career.

She was shocked, upset, sad and disappointed all at once.

“I really do think that had we had a spring season, we would have been able to do some things that UNK hasn’t been able to do before,” said Frei, a three-time Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Academic Honor Roll selection.

LOPER PROFILE

Her head coach agrees.

“We were prepared to do big things this spring, but I know all of them are also prepared to do great things moving forward in their lives,” Rodehorst said.

That’s the position Frei now finds herself in.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES A native of St. George, Utah, Frei committed to UNK after visiting Kearney just once.

“When we left, I told my parents that’s where I want to go. I just fell in love with the campus,” said Frei, who received an athletic scholarship and a Blue and Gold academic scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition for non-Nebraska residents attending UNK. Frei, who posted an 85.44 career scoring average over 18 rounds, called the past four years “an amazing ride.”

“Golf brought me out here to UNK for me to get my education, and I don’t know that I would have gotten a better education anywhere else,” she said. “I honestly think our athletic training program is one of the best in the country.”

A double major in athletic training and psychology, Frei gained hands-on experience by working directly with other UNK student-athletes. She assisted the football, women’s basketball, track, cross country and wrestling teams, and completed internships with Kearney High School’s athletic programs and New West Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery.

Frei, who maintains a 3.62 GPA, also worked part time at Kearney Regional Medical Center.

“The last 18 months have completely opened my eyes and really broadened what I want to do with my career,” said Frei, who plans to attend graduate school after the coronavirus crisis subsides.

The UNK senior moved back to her family’s farm in southwest Utah, where she finished the semester remotely before graduating in May. Although she’s now 1,000 miles from the campus she loves, Frei is just as proud to be a Loper.

HALEY SIMENTAL Class: Graduate student Position: Point guard Major: Physical education with sports administration emphasis GPA: 4.0 Undergraduate degrees: Psychology and communication Family: Parents, Tanya and David. Father played basketball at Central Wyoming College and Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. Brother, David Joseph, is a redshirt sophomore on the men’s basketball team at Colorado State UniversityPueblo. Sister, Hannah, is a senior at Pueblo West High School who is committed to the University of Northern Colorado women’s basketball team.

“UNK is a special place, and I’m just so grateful that I was able to come here,” she said.

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UNKAA DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS The 40th Annual University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize alumni for their outstanding professional, civic, cultural, or charitable accomplishments. The recipients will be celebrated during UNK homecoming weekend festivities.

Distinguished Alumni Awards Phil Gaffney (1972) Phil is from Evans, Georgia, and is the president of Gaffney Management Services LLC. He was a supply chain executive for various companies upon graduation and is now semiretired providing senior executive level business consulting for global manufacturing firms.

Phil is an active volunteer and has served on numerous organizational boards.

Mary (Kuk) Rosenthal (1988) Mary, from Omaha, Nebraska, is the owner of Rosenthal Consulting and is a Realtor with NP Dodge. Mary is a volunteer for the First Responders Foundation, serving as the vice president of the board of directors and liaison to the Omaha Fire Department.

Alan L. Smith, Ph.D. (1964) Alan resides in Fredericksburg, Texas. He enjoyed a successful career as an environmental consultant and owned his own company, Global Environments Inc., in Houston, Texas, for the last 20 years of his career, retiring in 2007. Alan continues to serve on several professional and community boards and committees.

Robert Whitehouse (1967) Bob is from Papillion, Nebraska, and enjoyed a 47-year career in the Omaha Public Schools system as a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal. He has served in various roles for professional and community organizations, including the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, and is currently the assistant director of the Nebraska School Activities Association Track & Field Championships. Bob is a member of the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame.

Distinguished Young Alumna Award Brooke McGee (2008, 2011 MA) Brooke resides in the Washington, D.C., metro area and is an attorney advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review, Arlington Immigration Court.

After completing her master’s degree and earning a Juris Doctor degree, Brooke was selected as a judicial law clerk through the Attorney General’s Honors Program.

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Distinguished International Alumnus Award Thomas Crowther (1998)

Thomas is from Frisco, Texas, and is a native of Freeport, the Bahamas. He worked for 20 years in general construction before creating and opening his own general construction firm, The Crowther Group, in 2017. Thomas is a member of several professional organizations and is a volunteer for many nonprofit organizations in the Dallas area.

Jim Rundstrom Distinguished Service Award Lanny Jorgensen (1963) and Panda Vest

Lanny and Panda reside in Oro Valley, Arizona. Lanny is retired after careers in loan appraising, downtown development and affordable housing development.

Panda was a real estate broker for 40 years and is now a semiretired Realtor.

Lanny and Panda have been longtime volunteers for the UNK Alumni Association, hosting numerous alumni gatherings in their home and with Lanny serving on the association’s board of directors.

College of Education Distinguished Educator of Year Patricia (Morrison) Timm (1969)

Patricia is from Beatrice, Nebraska, and has spent her career in education. She was a teacher at Friend Public Schools, the executive director of the Family Resource Center Coalition of Nebraska in Beatrice and has been involved in many boards and committees. She is retired and currently serves as the president of the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumna Emily Balcetis, Ph.D. (2001)

Emily resides in New York City, and is an associate professor of psychology at New York University and has authored a book and numerous scientific publications.

She also plays saxophone in classical, jazz and popular settings. While at UNK, Emily earned a bachelor's degree with a double major in music performance and psychology.

College of Business and Technology Distinguished Alumnus Terry Peterson (1975)

Terry, from Omaha, Nebraska, is the owner and president of Omaha Track. Terry had a successful 10-year career in the food and beverage industry prior to purchasing the Tie Yard of Omaha in 1983. The small, local business evolved and became Omaha Track Inc., and has facilities in nine states. Terry is an active volunteer, and his family foundation supports philanthropic activities in Nebraska and surrounding states.

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ALUMNI PROFILES

Rod Howe '77 believes in the importance of maintaining valuable connections and relationships.

My primary reason for choosing Kearney State College was following the legacy of my older brothers who had attended. After graduating with a degree in journalism education, I taught both English and journalism for 32 years.

The most rewarding aspect of being a teacher is your relationships with students. I keep in touch with several former students and consider many of them friends and colleagues. Three years ago, I reached out to a couple of them when I was struggling to deal with my youngest brother dying of brain cancer, which helped me emotionally.

The connections and relationships you make are so valuable. That’s why I volunteer for the alumni association. I enjoy the alumni events in Omaha, and it’s fun to host and get to know other alumni beyond my little circle. I encourage current students to make the most of your time as a college student in Kearney, both socially and academically. Those connections, if you maintain them, will be a positive influence on you for the rest of your life.

Rod is a retired English and journalism teacher.

He is pictured with his wife, Jana, who is also an alumni association volunteer. The Howes live in Omaha.

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Shelby (Maloley) Shipp '14 shares her experience as a nurse working through a pandemic and the importance of community support.

This is a complicated time for health care workers. It is a time of high stress and uncertainty, how we care for our patients changes daily, and going forward, health care will not be the same. COVID-19 is indiscriminate; it can affect all ages. Having a foundation as an ICU nurse, I have been somewhat prepared to deal with difficult times, but not of this magnitude.

It is difficult not allowing family members into the hospital to be with their loved ones. As nurses, we try our best to come up with innovative ways to communicate with family members and console our patients on a daily basis. It's so rewarding witnessing patients being able to breathe on their own without the support of any machines and FaceTime with their families for the first time in weeks. Seeing the joy and appreciation in their faces reminds me why I chose the nursing profession.

I have also witnessed hospital employees from various departments coming together and uniting as one to adapt and overcome obstacles in order to provide that highest level of patient care. We have received an outpouring of support and encouragement from Kearney and the surrounding communities. The camaraderie and innovativeness both in the community and at the hospital have been motivating and inspiring and will truly never be forgotten.

Shelby is an RN at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. She is pictured with her husband, Matt '12.

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2020 Outstanding Senior Award Recipients The University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni Association Outstanding Senior award recognizes seniors for excellence in scholarship and leadership, as well as involvement and dedication to UNK and the Kearney community. This year's recipients were selected by a panel of UNK alumni.

More information on these outstanding Lopers can be found at unkalumni.org.

Austin Jacobsen, son of Lee and Angie Jacobsen of Kearney and a Sidney High School graduate. Austin received his degree in sports communication and exercise science in May. He accepted a position with KRVN Radio in Lexington as a news reporter and sports broadcaster following graduation.

Madison Parshall, daughter of Shane and Sheryl Parshall of

Plattsmouth. Madison graduated in May with a degree in social work. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work at the University of Nebraska at Omaha this fall.

Paige Kristensen, daughter of Doug Kristensen and Terri

Harder of Minden. Paige will graduate in December with degrees in business administration and sports management. She plans to pursue an MBA at UNK or the University of Nebraska–Lincoln following graduation.

Grace Magill, daughter of Jack and Dru Magill of Arnold.

Grace graduated in May with a degree in business administration with a marketing emphasis and a minor in visual communications and design. Grace plans to pursue an MBA at UNK this fall.

Haley Pierce, daughter of Lynn and Maggie Pierce of West Point. Haley graduated in May with a degree in journalism with minors in political science, women’s and gender studies, and media production. Haley will be pursuing a master’s degree in political communications at Indiana University this fall.

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Member FDIC

GAME DAY GEAR. For the card-carrying fan: your card.

All you need to show your Loper pride is any FNBO Checking Account. Visit any branch or fnbo.com/lopers to get the ball rolling on your free UNK VisaÂŽ Debit Card today.

/lopers 2223 Second Ave | Kearney, NE | 308.234.0606

Homecoming is always a special time for Loper alumni and is just that, a time to come home. While we hope we will be able to safely gather and celebrate, a decision will be made soon regarding in-person homecoming events.

Please check unkalumni.org, University of Nebraska at Kearny Alumni Association social media and your email for updates on our homecoming events.

Campus events during homecoming week will be streamed live at unk.edu/homecoming.

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UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY ALUMNI

FOREVER A LOPER

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 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

by Heather Stauffer

Helen (Winter) Stauffer '64, MSE '68

led an extraordinary life with a vibrant career. In 1943, Helen became one of the nearly 70,000 women to enlist in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II, teaching aerial gunnery at Naval Air Station Alameda in California. In 1944, Helen married Mike Stauffer and they lived in San Francisco for the remainder of the war before moving to Nebraska.

When her youngest daughter, Melody, started kindergarten in 1962, Helen enrolled in classes at Kearney State College. She shared her educational milestones with her children. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Kearney State College in 1964, the same year her oldest daughter graduated from high school. While continuing with classes, she taught at Grand Island High School from 1964-1967. She completed her master’s degree in English from Kearney State College in 1968, the same year her son graduated high school. She began her career as an English professor at KSC in 1968, all the while continuing her graduate studies. In 1974, the Stauffers not only celebrated Melody’s graduation from high school, but also Helen’s completion of her Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Helen is the author of the most comprehensive biography of the Nebraska author Mari Sandoz, “Mari Sandoz: Story Catcher of the Plains” (1982), and editor of a book of correspondences, “Letters of Mari Sandoz” (1992).

Helen served on the board of directors of the Great Plants Chautauqua; Nebraska Humanities Council; Sandoz Heritage Society; and Western Literature Association, which she also served as president. She was a member of the Willa Cather Foundation, Modern Language Association and National Education Association, among others.

She became professor emerita at KSC in 1990.

She and Mike traveled the globe, and Helen never lost her love of reading. Her husband died in 2014, the year of their 70th wedding anniversary. Helen moved to Lincoln in 2016, bringing along hundreds of her favorite books, which she sometimes referred to as “friends.”

Helen died on Nov. 21, 2019, at the age of 97.

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FOREVER A LOPER 1951

1975

1985

Elinor (Cook) Hardin of Kearney celebrated her 90th birthday Aug. 3.

Jon Abegglen of Kearney has been elected to the board of directors of the Platte Institute. The board is responsible for overseeing the Platte Institute's mission to remove barriers to growth and opportunity in Nebraska.

John Hoggatt of Kearney is market president of Pinnacle Bank's loan production office in Kearney.

Raymond Kolbo of Callaway celebrated his 90th birthday July 31.

1956 Charlotte (Fisher) Reicks of Grand Junction, Colorado, was honored by the Huntington’s Disease Society of America for bicycling 20 years, traveling 20,000 miles and raising nearly $750,000 as part of Bike for the Cure.

1959 Claire and Ellen (Raymond) Boroff '60 of Kearney celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Dec. 27.

Cliff Lowell MSE '62 of Seward celebrated his 90th birthday March 15.

1964 Ken Aldridge of Mansfield, Texas, published his ninth crime novel, "The Demise of Henry Schultz." Aldridge served 24 years as a special agent with the FBI.

1969 Catherine (Gancos) Bals of Elm Creek celebrated her 90th birthday Feb. 14.

Vernelle and Don Pettijohn MSE of Axtell celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary Aug. 22.

1970 Marilyn (Atkins) MSE '76 and Larry Jensen MSE '76, Ed.S. '81 of Bennet celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 19.

1971 Eldon and Vickie (Fletcher) Johnson '84, MAE '06 of Minden celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Dec. 28.

Les Livingston was inducted into the Kearney High Hall of Fame as tennis coach in August.

1974 Scott Maul Ed.S. '88 of Georgetown, Texas, is a volunteer with the Rotary Club and the Devil Dog Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force.

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Gary Cooper MSE, MAE '88, Ed.S '94 of Thedford is interim superintendent for the 2020-21 school year at Gering Public Schools.

Dan Simmons of Kearney was inducted into the Nebraska Softball Hall of Fame for his pitching career.

Terry Torson of Kearney retired as principal of Kearney Catholic High School after 33 years of service.

1977 Brian Bode of Kansas City, Missouri, is vice president of facilities at Park University.

Imogene and Harold Johnson of Lakewood, Colorado, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 2.

Jerome Skrdla MSE '83 of Gretna will be inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in October for his success coaching girls basketball at Kearney Catholic, Fort Calhoun and Gretna high schools.

1980 Janis (Talley) Dymacek retired after 39 years of teaching, 38 of those years at WilberClatonia Elementary. She and her husband, Jim '72, MSE '78, live in Waverly. Jim retired after 35 years in education in 2007, the last 14 years as a counselor at Lincoln East High School.

Carl Streeter of Ord is the 2020 Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Hall of Fame wrestling official.

1981 Tim Marshall of Malcom has been named CEO/general manager of the Rural Radio Network.

1982 David Brandt of Kearney retired from UNK Jan. 30. David had worked in the Disability Services for Students office since 2002.

1987 Brett Wall of Dana Point, California, is executive vice president for the restorative therapies group of Medtronic.

Ray and Jolene (Spohn) Ward of Kearney celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary March 10.

1988 Daniel Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., of Omaha has been named chief of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Internal Medicine. He also is a member of the physician leadership team for Nebraska Medicine's Heart and Vascular Center clinical program.

Julie (Mears) Saalfeld of Kearney retired from UNK in February. Julie worked at UNK for 41 years.

1990 Jolene (Johnson) Berg of Kearney was presented with a UNK Staff Award for Excellence at fall convocation for outstanding service to students, the university and education. Jolene is a student accounts manager in the Finance Office.

Jill (Yost) Clevenger MAE '95 of Kearney was named the Nebraska Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals.

Michelle (Thompson) Widger of Kearney is a senior lecturer at UNK.

1991 Mark Webber of San Ramon, California, is a Google for Startups advisor in residence in Silicon Valley. Mark is also the co-founder of many startups.

1992 Brian Moore of Kearney is senior vice president at Pinnacle Bank's loan production office in Kearney.

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FOREVER A LOPER Jed True of Kearney is associate vice president and credit manager at Heartland Bank in Kearney.

1993 Robyn (Adam) Jackson of Kearney is vice president, portfolio manager, at Pinnacle Bank's loan production office in Kearney.

2002

Kristi (Skala) Milks of Gibbon is an administrative associate for the College of Arts and Sciences on campus. Kristi is in her 29th year at UNK.

Julie (Schultz) Everett MAE of Kearney received the State Distinguished Educator award from the Nebraska State Literacy Association. Julie teaches first grade at Meadowlark Elementary in Kearney.

1994

Torri (Walford) Janecek, D.O., of Lincoln is an OB/GYN at Bryan Women's Care Physicians.

Andrea (Riggins) Childress MBA '98 of Kearney is assistant vice president and CIO for Information Technology Services at UNK. Trish (Sunderman) Danburg of Axtell is the director of alumni engagement at the UNK Alumni Association.

Randy Jackson of Kearney is vice president, agricultural lender, at Pinnacle Bank's loan production office in Kearney.

Lisa (Dusatko) Plummer of Kearney was presented with a UNK Staff Award for Excellence for outstanding service to students, the university and education.

Lisa is the business manager for UNK Student Health and Counseling.

Brenda (Seier) Eschenbrenner, Ph.D., of Kearney received the Pratt-Heins Award for Scholarship and Research. Brenda is an associate professor of accounting at UNK. Bill Murphy MAE of Kearney is the associate athletic director – sports medicine at UNK.

1995 Doug Koster of Kearney was inducted into the Kearney High School Hall of Fame for basketball.

1996 Jeremy Hansen of Smithfield opened the Jeremy Hansen Gallery at The Herald in Bertrand.

1997 Gary Brandt MBA of Kearney is chief executive officer of Cooperative Producers Inc., headquartered in Hastings.

2003 Jodi Hoos, J.D. ('97) Jodi Hoos, J.D., of Glasford, Illinois, has been named the Peoria County state's attorney. Hoos has been a judge in the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in Peoria County.

1998 Carrie and Lupe Martinez of Riverdale celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 12.

Matt Rogers MAE '07 is principal of Kearney Catholic High School.

Hope (Wagner) Shuler of Aurora, Colorado, is associate commissioner/senior woman administrator for the Western Athletic Conference.

1999 Chris Mortenson MA of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, received the 2019 American Book Fest Best Book Award in the History: United States category for the book “Daily Life of U.S. Soldiers: From the American Revolution to the Iraq War,” which Mortenson co-edited.

Chris is the chair of the Ouachita Baptist University department of history.

2001 Holly (Waller) Carnes of Kearney is co-head coach for the Kearney High School softball team for the 2020 fall season.

Joe Johnson of Kearney is business consultant leader for the Nebraska region with Olsson.

Travis Payne of Papillion is director of marketing and community relations at Neemann & Sons.

2004 Brenda (Buker) Petersen, Ph.D., of North Platte opened Cervelle Academic Consulting & Tutoring Services in Kearney. She has another office in North Platte.

Jamie (Anderson) Vetter of Kearney is the executive director of the Family Advocacy Network.

2005 Kirsti (Prouty) Schack of Kearney is the retail manager at First National Bank of Omaha Kearney branch and the co-treasurer for the GROW Nebraska Board.

2006 Kristi (Andrews) Gargan of Kearney is marketing director at Buzz’s Marine and a director on the GROW Nebraska Board.

Cola Svec of Omaha is the soul train conductor at Soul & Swag.

2007 Jenna Derr, M.D., of Kearney is a family medicine physician at Platte Valley Medical Group.

Curt Ott of Kearney is vice president at Pinnacle Bank's loan production office in Kearney.

Ray Longoria of Kearney is program manager at Kearney Family YMCA.

Dustin Snyder of Papillion is senior account manager at Black Hills Energy.

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FOREVER A LOPER Seth and Karah Maschmeier of Kearney opened Gambino’s Pizza.

Evie Sintek of Sherman, Texas, is a fifthgrade teacher in Denison.

Brandon Brill of Cozad was inducted into the Kearney High School Hall of Fame for wrestling.

Jess McHargue of Lexington was awarded the United Soccer Coaches "Small School" Coach of the Year for the state of Nebraska.

Kyle Stohs MBA '18 of Odell is controller for Nebraska Cattlemen.

Gv “Shane” Freeman of Saint Louis, Missouri, founded the nonprofit Software Field Manual.

Velta Napolean-Fanis MS of Victoria, Texas, completed her Ph.D. in mathematics and science education, with an emphasis in biological science education.

2008

Monica (Fuentes) Mueller ME '11 of Kearney is a mental health therapist with the Center for Psychological Services.

Matt Serbousek, D.M.D., of Grand Island is the Nebraska Academy of General Dentistry president. He currently practices at Island View Dental in Grand Island.

Heather (Korte) Wolf MS '13 of Overland Park, Kansas, is a recruiter for Farmers Insurance.

2009 Kassandra Montag of Omaha published "After the Flood." The novel will be translated into 17 languages and has been optioned for television by Chernin Entertainment.

2010 Amy (Drake) Bettles of Kearney has been named to a three-year term on the Sales Assistant Advisory Board of Securities of America Inc. Erica (Burson) Brockmoller of Lexington is the recipient of the 2019 Nebraska High School Press Association Distinguished Adviser Award.

Dawn (Lamberson) Darling of Kearney has been named the 2019 Social Worker of the Year by the Nebraska chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Mark Porter of Grand Island is an insurance agent with Farmers Insurance.

2012 Stephanie (Burchess) Dannehl MS of Bertrand has become the first Nebraskan to receive the nationwide I Love My Librarian Award. Dannehl is school librarian/tech integration specialist at Bertrand Community School.

Jenna (Rouzee) Jones of Lincoln is head volleyball coach at Doane University.

Jackie Keithley of Omaha is a soul mixologist at Soul & Swag.

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Brad Rediger MBA '14 of Austin, Texas, is senior sales development representative at Medallia.

2014 Andy Hoffman of Omaha is a football coach at Midland University.

Mannie Reinsch MAE '16 of Kearney is associate athletic director for external relations and development at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

2015 Ashley Whitley of Kearney has been named volunteer of the month by Kearney/Buffalo County CASA for her advocacy for abused and neglected children

2016 Andrew Hanson of Kearney is associate development officer at the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association.

Alyssa Sobotka of Worthington, Minnesota, is a digital content specialist at Bedford Industries.

Tiffany Tarvestad MBA of Kearney is a merchandising administrative assistant at Bass Pro Shops.

Sydney (Seberger) Wagner MSE '18 of Kearney is a speech-language pathologist for Alpha Rehab and Physical Therapy.

Nick White of Lincoln is a client success specialist at GolfStatus.

2017 Holly Green of Kearney is the outreach and communications coordinator for Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever of Nebraska.

Miranda Heeren of Topeka, Kansas, is the office manager for Mammoth Sports Construction in Meriden.

2018 Austin Hibberd of Kearney is an officer with Kearney Police Department.

Jonah Peterson of Central City is an IT support specialist for Sandhills Publishing in Lincoln.

Ivy Prater of Washington, D.C., received the 2020 Judy Schneider Fellowship from Women in Government Relations. Prater works for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) as their coalition and grassroots associate.

McKenzie Smith of Kearney is a sales associate with Farm Bureau Insurance.

2019 Tyler Cretacci of Kearney works for USA Communications.

Ted Degner of North Platte is a high school science teacher at North Platte Public Schools.

Aubrey Fisher of Grand Island is a licensed Realtor for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Real Estate.

Kyle Glandt of Seward is attending graduate school at Kansas State University.

James Kramer of Portland, Oregon, is a project engineer for Howard S. Wright company.

Lacie Lindner of Kearney is an officer with Kearney Police Department.

Loper Unions Haley Allen '15 of Omaha married Joe Mendick June 8, 2019.

Brooke Butterfield and Daniel Anderson '16 of Kearney married Sept. 22, 2019.

Matt Harms and Jordyn Bartels '18 of Kearney married April 4.

Jason Bott and Julia (McDonald) Beckstrand '03, MS '09 of Kearney married in December.

Jensyn Meyer and Connor Beranek '18 of Kearney married March 28.

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FOREVER A LOPER Tim Brayton '06 of Lexington and Brenda Tincher '01 of Kearney married July 13, 2019.

Kiya Marie, born Sept. 5, 2019. She has twin sisters, Kenley and Skylar.

T.J. Burbach '18 and Courtney Hayden '17 of Kearney married July 27, 2019.

Jordan '14 and Ariane (Aten) Arensdorf '13, MBA '19 of Kearney are parents of a son, Ace Alexander, born April 5.

Mike Carper '82 and Jennifer Wolford '92 of Kearney married Jan. 4.

Jordan Cox '18 and Regan Fisher '18 of Kearney married July 13, 2019.

Brett Delehant '06 and Kylee Weber of Kearney married July 20, 2019.

Michael Dulitz '95 and Melinda Holcomb '91, MSE '95 of Kearney married Nov. 28, 2019.

Taylor Kitzelman and Austin Edghill '16 of Kearney married Nov. 10, 2018.

Tayler Fruit '15 of Kearney and Daniel Johns married Nov. 30, 2019.

Julie Geiger '04 of Kearney married Dominick Boysen Oct. 5, 2019.

Kolten Harshbarger '18 of Kearney and Stephanie Slayden '18 of Emporia, Kansas, were married Aug. 9, 2019.

Andrea Hesterman '15 of Overland Park, Kansas, married Matt Simianer Sept. 22, 2018.

Breanna Hiner '19 of Kearney married Dillon Rose Oct. 19, 2019.

Jayme Houdek '12 of Columbus married Shawn Santee Oct. 19, 2019.

Blake Johnson '15 and Brook Wiemers '15 of Kearney married Aug. 17, 2019.

Lauren Kennedy '15 of Elm Creek married Luke Ourada Nov. 24, 2019.

Ryan Larsen '10 and Brandi Brummer '14 of Omaha married Aug. 17, 2019.

Lori Sierra and Travis Rodgers '95 of Brule married Feb. 14.

Seth Hodges and Suzzan Trambly '15 of Kearney married Aug. 31, 2019.

Shyann Cochrane and Colton Walker '18 of Kearney married July 9, 2019.

Breanna Wolfe '15 and Spencer Mills of Kearney married Sept. 14, 2019.

Madison Yeutter '19 of Kearney married Michael Forsman of Aurora Oct. 26, 2019.

Loper Legacies Cody '14 and Katie (Sokolowski) Anthony '14 of Lincoln are parents of a daughter,

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Ryan '16 and Ashlee (Bruntz) Bauer '15 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Caleb Ryan, born Sept. 3, 2019. He has a sister, Eloise.

Scott MBA '09 and Abbie (Weidner) Benson '10, MS '16 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Fiona Abigail, born July 21, 2019.

Matt '15 and Hannah (DeWitt) Bowman '14 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Hadley Rae, born March 9.

Lance '09 and Alicia (Mueller) Burmood '06 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Franklin Michael, born Feb. 11.

Robin '04, MAE '09 and Michelle (McGeorge) Burton '05, MA '12 of Schuyler are parents of a daughter, Bridget Kay, Oct. 7, 2019.

Charley and Kylie (Keller) Corkern '07 of Eustis are parents of a daughter, Adalyn Jo, born Dec. 23, 2019.

Blake '12 and Sarah (Nordhues) Cover '11 of Central City are parents of a daughter, Clare Marie, born October 20, 2019. She has brothers Jacob, Luke and Micah.

Andy '07 and Katie (Willman) Craig '06 of Minden are parents of a daughter, Isabel Hope, born Sept. 12, 2019.

Cade '11, '12 and Michelle (Hermesch) Craig '11 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Eliza Jane, born Nov. 28, 2019.

She has a big brother, Asher.

Andi '13 and Katie (Swett) Diediker '13 of Wayne are parents of a daughter, Emersen (Emmy) Lynn, born July 10, 2019.

Keenan and Kristin (Severance) Dobish '18 of Ord are parents of a daughter, Everly Marie, born July 21, 2019. She has a brother, Greyson.

Mason '09 and Lauren (Swertzic) Doughty '12 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Bryer Adam, born Aug. 25, 2019.

Taylor and Austin Edghill '16 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Winry Louise, born Dec. 2, 2019.

Sebastian '10 and Emma (Fahrlander) Edwards '10 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Stella Lou, born Sept. 3, 2019.

Nikelle and Lucuas Gerdes '08 of Elm Creek are parents of a daughter, Lillian Kathleen, born Feb. 21.

Mike and Becky (Schneider) Holtje '04 of Arlington, Virginia, are parents of a daughter, Edith Audrey, born Nov. 7, 2019.

Charlie and Kiley (Moncrief) Isaac '09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Isabella Jean, born Sept. 7, 2019. She has two brothers, Brayden and Braxton.

Elizabeth and Daniel Johnson '13 of Holdrege are parents of a son, Axel William, born July 19, 2019.

Taylor and Faron Klingelhoefer MA '14 of Amherst are parents of a daughter, Kamrie Ann, born Jan. 6.

Jared and Ashley (Hubbard) Kral '08 of Holstein are parents of a daughter, Georgia Rose, born Dec. 30, 2019. She has a brother, Owen, and a sister, Hattie.

Jamie '05 and Michelle (Marks) Krause '02, MSE '05 of Roswell, Georgia, are parents of a son, James Ronald, born Nov. 15, 2019. He has a big brother, Samuel.

Jared '05 and Marissa (Schleiger) Kruse '12 of Kearney are parents of a son, Wyatt R. John, born Dec. 31, 2019. He has a sister, Alla.

Tricia and Ryan Lieske '96 of Ravenna are parents of a son, Ryker Joel, born Aug. 28, 2019. He has sisters, Ava and Hailey.

Brandon '07 and Lawnie (Woolsey) Luedtke '07 of Axtell are parents of a son, Odell Eugene, born Aug. 12, 2019. He has two sisters, Carsen and Lincoln.

Kyle '12 and Kasey (Nansel) McBride '12 of Littleton, Colorado, are parents of a daughter, Kaileia Ann, born Sept. 10, 2019.

Ryan and Samantha (Watts) Meichtry '13 of Franklin are parents of a son, Wesley John, born Aug. 10, 2019. He has a brother, Kennedy, and a sister, Scarlett.

Preston '15 and Lindsay (English) Meier '13, MA '16 of Elm Creek are parents of a son, Thayer Dean, born Nov. 19, 2019. He has a brother, Tyce.

Brandon Seitz and Madison Messersmith '18 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Huntley Maun, born Aug. 20, 2019.

Jenna and Jacob Olmstead '16 of Overton are parents of a daughter, Macie Lynn, born Oct. 31, 2019. She has a brother, Owen.

Rachel and Dalton Peterson '14 of Bertrand are parents of a daughter, Macy Grace, born Nov. 26, 2019. She has a brother, Clay.

Kyle and Jenna (James) Pritchard '11 of Pleasanton are parents of a son, Hayes Todd,

UNK TODAY

FOREVER A LOPER born March 16. He has brothers, Rykan and Waylon, and a sister, Sawyer.

Dennis Andariese '70 of Fredericksburg, Virginia, died Jan. 8. He was 70.

Carl Cornelius Jr. '80 of Sidney died March 19. He was 93.

Alex '17 and Elizabeth (Spellman) Quintana '16 of Kearney, Missouri, are parents of a son, Beau Ryan, born July 22, 2019.

Carol (Armstrong) Bartels '71 of Franklin died Nov. 23, 2019. She was 88.

Greg Craig '75 of Minden died Aug. 13, 2019.

He was 67.

Gary Barth '71 of Culbertson died July 11, 2019. He was 71.

Nancy (Jeffery) Cunningham '75 of Miller died Nov. 14, 2019. She was 66.

Marjorie (Hanson) Baxter '94 of Kearney died Feb. 24. She was 73.

James Daily '56 of Lake Forest, California, died Oct. 14, 2018. He was 87.

Jerry Becker '68 of Kearney died Sept. 3, 2019. He was 78.

James Damm '74 of Apollo Beach, Florida, died March 22. He was 71.

Lois (Moody) Bellinger '71 of Gothenburg died March 3. She was 91.

S. Wayne Daugherty '70, MSE '71 of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, died Oct. 1, 2019. He was 75.

Justin and Katrina (Prellwitz) Ronning ‘13 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Ree Anne, born Feb. 29. She has a sister, Renn.

Emily and Trey Shafto '13 of Ravenna are parents of a daughter, Quincy Kay, born March 14.

Allison and Justin Spaulding '10 of Kearney are parents of a son, Reed Allen, born April 14.

Derek and Katie (Turek) Story '17 of Kearney are parents of a son, Greyson Lee, born Jan. 18.

Heath Stukenholtz '03 and Christina Calkins of Lincoln are parents of a daughter, Frankie Lu, born Dec. 28, 2019.

Josephine Bissell '55 of Kearney died Aug. 22, 2019. She was 95.

Barbara Ann (Viren) Blackburn '57, MS '74, Ed.S. '90 of Holdrege died Sept. 22, 2019. She was 83.

Richard “Rich” Dostal '68 of Beatrice died March 13. He was 76.

Frances (Johnston) Ebmeier '64 of Bertrand died March 11. She was 83.

Glen Blobaum '74 of Fairbury died Feb. 24.

He was 68.

Dennis Einspahr '69 of Fremont died April 9.

He was 75.

James Trambly ‘06 and Olimpia LeiteTrambly MS '09 are parents of a daughter, Jasmine Victoria, born July 11, 2019. She has a brother, Tiago, and a sister, Elizabella.

Glenda (Koester) Booker '65 of Wayne died Nov. 21, 2019. She was 77.

Richard Einspahr MAE '87, EdS '01 of Elwood died Jan. 29. He was 63.

Alan Brecht '67 of Kearney died Jan. 8.

He was 74.

Phillip Fahrlander MSE '68 of Minden died Jan. 15. He was 85.

Harrison and Kelsi (Haines) Trampe '12, MS '15 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Remi Kae, born March 27.

She has a sister, Neeli.

Delbert "Jack" Bridge '65 of Kearney died April 24. He was 79.

Donald “Don” Felton '78 of Lincoln died Jan. 27. He was 65.

David Brink '56 of Omaha died Jan. 1.

He was 85.

William Foster '62 of Gibbon died Jan. 8.

He was 86.

Carol (Loostrom) Brown '61 of Lexington died March 20. She was 81.

Ruth (Nicholas) Fowler '64 of Kearney died April 26. She was 98.

Kristin and Kevin Wait '07 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, are parents of a daughter, Aubrey Mae, born Sept. 9, 2019. She has a big sister, Finley.

Ralph Brumbaugh MSE '69 of York died Jan. 8. He was 77.

Donald Frey '75 of Kearney died April 4.

He was 71.

Larry Butler '73 of Kearney died Dec. 2, 2019.

He was 69.

Ann (Leiding) Fuerst '66 of Holdrege died Sept. 27, 2019. She was 84.

Seth '12 and Krystal (Nunnenkamp) Webster '12 of Minden are parents of a son, Eli James, born Oct. 22, 2019.

Elsie (Shuck) Cafferty '69, MSE '71 of Kearney died Oct. 18, 2019. She was 85.

David Gilbert '63 of Cozad died Jan. 20.

He was 79.

William Campbell II '90 of Omaha died Jan. 3. He was 86.

Jacobi Goodell '14 of Omaha died Sept. 12, 2019. She was 27.

Tom Carman '71 of Omaha died July 9, 2019.

He was 70.

Virginia (Duncan) Gosda '55 of Livingston, Montana, died Jan. 17. She was 85.

Lyle Casper '63 of Omaha died Feb. 1.

He was 81.

Wanda (Axmann) Haber '68 of Leesburg, Florida, died March 12. She was 74.

Marlene (Petersen) Chamberlain '81 of Sutherland died Dec. 5, 2019. She was 81.

Norris Haring '48 of Edmonds, Washington, died June 27, 2019. He was 95.

Ed Chramosta Jr. '67 of Ravenna died Oct. 8, 2019. He was 74.

Shirley (Boisen) Harkness '41 of Cozad died Sept. 14, 2019. She was 99.

Lee Christensen '69 of Orleans died Jan. 23.

He was 73.

Pamela Hickenbottom '84 of Broken Bow died Sept. 30, 2019. She was 57.

Kevin Clemens '00 of Scottsbluff died Feb. 15.

He was 61.

Helen Hinz '91 of Culbertson died July 29, 2019. She was 51.

Tanner and Kristina (Epke) Tool MA '09 of Elm Creek are parents of a son, Carden Donald, born Feb. 2. He has a brother, Cavan.

Lopers In Memoriam Lois (Zwiebel) Adams '49 of Bozeman, Montana, died Jan. 20. She was 95.

Barbara “Barb” (Luth) Akert '75 of Monument, Colorado, died Feb. 10.

She was 67.

Dewaine Alcorn '56, MAE '59 of Omaha died Feb. 11. He was 87.

Audrey (Holcomb) Allbright '66 of Lexington died Feb. 29. She was 88.

Bryan Allen '88 of Kearney died Jan. 4.

He was 59.

UNK TODAY

33

FOREVER A LOPER Richard "Dick" Hoffman '59 of Lincoln died April 5. He was 86.

Doris (Bleck) Murray '68 of Axtell died March 7. She was 98.

Jim Stalker '59 of Bellevue died March 17.

He was 83.

Sandra (Schroer) Huber '65, MSE '70 of Missouri Valley, Iowa, died Jan. 25.

She was 78.

Bill Nelson '69 of Kearney died Aug. 16, 2019.

He was 72.

Helen (Winter) Stauffer '64, MSE '68 of Lincoln died Nov. 21, 2019. She was 97.

Dr. Stauffer is an author and was an English professor at UNK.

Cheryl (Abresch) Jack '72 of Glenwood, Iowa, died April 6. She was 69.

Larry Jacobsen '62 of Omaha died Sept. 19, 2019. He was 81.

Sara (Swanson) Jacobsen '63 of Palatine, Illinois, died Dec. 6, 2019. She was 78.

Morten Johnson '65 of Pleasanton died March 13. He was 77.

Robert “Bob” Nielsen '63 of Pasadena, California, died Oct. 20, 2019. He was 73.

Darold Nielsen '60, MSE '65 of Kearney died Apr. 23. He was 86.

Doug Nutter '69 of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, died Oct. 27, 2019. He was 76.

Carolyn O'Brien '64 of Kearney died Dec. 28, 2019. She was 76

Stanley Johnson MSE '71 of Buffalo, Minnesota, died Dec. 30, 2019. He was 75.

Joan (Johnson) Ostrander '81 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Aug. 12, 2019.

She was 88.

Gerald Jordan '57, MSE '64 of Lincoln died Jan. 24. He was 84.

Sharon (Hoback) Peterson '58 of Kearney died July 20, 2019. She was 80.

Deanna (Bruning) Jurgens '61 of Lincoln died Dec. 23, 2019. She was 79.

Bernie Phillips '67 of Kearney died Oct. 4, 2019. He was 74.

Charles Kelly '60 of Omaha died Jan. 27.

He was 85.

Dale Poore '57 of McCook died Feb. 21.

He was 88.

Marian (Nisley) Kline MSE '66 of Fremont died March 7. She was 98.

Gayla (Thomsen) Probasco '71 of Arapahoe died Nov. 13, 2019. She was 70.

Fay (Spansberg) Larson '50 of Lincoln died Dec. 30, 2019. She was 90.

Margaret "Peg" Quinlan '78 of Omaha died March 29. She was 63.

Kay (Marrow) Leonard '75 of Madison, Alabama, died Dec. 21, 2019. She was 65.

Robert "Bob" Rademacher '57 of Fort Collins, Colorado, died April 9. He was 84.

Kent Lilly '73 of Kearney died Aug. 25, 2019.

He was 72.

Marion "Jeanne" (English) Raimondo '01 of Columbus died July 5, 2019. She was 79.

Robyn (Robison) Lind '85 of Kearney died Feb. 28. She was 60.

Linda Rasmussen '88 of Elba died July 11, 2019. She was 64.

Darrel Lloyd '55 of Hastings died Nov. 28, 2019. He was 85.

Michael Ratliff '81 of McKinney, Texas, died Aug. 8, 2019. He was 61.

Alex Long '13 of Anna, Texas, died Jan. 1.

He was 37.

Rosemary (Meysenburg) Reiter '71, MSE '87 of Holdrege died Nov. 27, 2019. She was 87.

Dorothy (Drake) Manning '64 of Broken Bow, died Feb. 9. She was 92.

Henry Rice '71 of Columbus died Feb. 16.

He was 78.

Rae Matlock-Graham '90 of Omaha died July 14, 2019. She was 52.

Bonita "Mitch" (Buckhammer) Robinson '65 of Manning, Iowa, died Oct. 30, 2019.

She was 76.

Dean McConnell MAE '60 of Norfolk died July 25, 2019. He was 94.

Kay (Nelson) McGill '58 of Solana Beach, California, died Jan. 26. She was 83.

Wayne McKinney '48 of Kearney died July 30, 2019. He was 94.

Jim Mitchell '70 of Elm Creek died Sept. 15, 2019. He was 71.

Willie “Bill” Morrison Jr. MBA '94 of Omaha died March 26. He was 83.

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Eric Stelk '74 of Grand Island died July 1, 2019. He was 67.

Colleen (Johnson) Street '75 of Grand Island died July 4, 2019. She was 64.

Walter Sturtevant '67 of Beaver City died March 4. He was 81.

Agnes “Nessie” (Miller) Swedlund '69 of Plattsmouth died Jan. 25. She was 73.

JoAnn (Chalupa) Switzer '75 of Gretna died Jan. 4. She was 86.

Robert “Rob” Tesdahl MBA '00 of Norwalk, Iowa, died Oct. 16, 2019. He was 48.

Dennis Thomas '76 of Omaha died March 9.

He was 65.

Arlys (Saathoff) Torrey '68, MSE '74 of Kearney died Aug. 20, 2019. She was 91.

Dan Traudt '69 of Grand Island died June 29, 2019. He was 72.

Stanley Urwiller '58 of Grand Island died Jan. 6. He was 83.

Randall Vinzant '72 of Lincoln died Feb. 5.

He was 70.

John Wenburg '62 of The Villages, Florida, died Nov. 27, 2019. He was 78.

Sandi (Reinke) Wendell '79, '00, MAE '88 of Axtell died Feb. 3. She was 62.

Margaret Joan (Phelps) Yentes '59 of Holdrege died Feb. 11. She was 91.

Mary (Weber) Scamehorn '76 of Kearney died Feb. 13. She was 96.

Linda (Stocks) Schafer '71 of Lincoln died Dec. 11, 2019. She was 70.

Shirley (Blythe) Scoville '73 of Elm Creek died Dec. 4, 2019. She was 85.

Jeff Seitzinger '87 of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida, died March 4. He was 56.

Claire (Bauer) Sharpe '76 of Lincoln died July 2, 2019. She was 66.

UNK TODAY

ONLINE MASTER’S PROGRAMS TO FIT YOUR SCHEDULE. Joanna Utecht Science/Math Education, MS Ed University of Nebraska at Kearney I knew I was on the right path when I realized I could get my master’s degree online and on my own terms. I knew I wanted to go back to school, but I didn’t want classes to interfere with my work as a teacher and, living in a rural area, I knew I couldn’t be on campus every day. At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, I created a schedule that worked for me and I learned both subject-area knowledge and teaching techniques that I could immediately apply in my classroom.

Most of all, I loved the challenge — and I loved learning that I can do a lot more than I thought I could.

150+ online programs. online.nebraska.edu

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