Spring 2024 UNK Today

SPRING 2024

Tyrus

jack of all trades master of some

Lopers Part of World Record-Setting Volleyball Event at Memorial Stadium An astounding 92,003 people packed Memorial Stadium in Lincoln in August, setting a record for the most-attended women’s sporting event ever and sending a clear message to the sports world – Nebraska is THE volleyball state.

The Loper volleyball team was part of the historic Volleyball Day in Nebraska event, playing an exhibition match against Wayne State College.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers defeated the University of Nebraska at Omaha in the second match of the event, which also included a flyover, fireworks, a drone show and a postgame concert featuring country star Scotty McCreery.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNK TODAY UNK ALUM NI | SPRI NG 2024 | I SSUE 40 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 SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Mitch Johnson ’93 University of Nebraska Foundation

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PHOTOGRAPHY

DOUG KRISTENSEN TO RETIRE AS UNK CHANCELLOR AFTER 22 YEARS

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UNK Alumni Association UNK Communications and Marketing University of Nebraska Foundation UNK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEAD COUNCIL BRYCE ABBEY, PH.D., ’04, MAE ’06

ENTERTAINMENT SUPERSTAR ‘TYRUS’ MURDOCH STARTED HIS PATH TO SUCCESS AT UNK

PRESIDENT KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

HILKE (BRANDON) MEYER ’12, MBA ’19 PAST-PRESIDENT OMAHA, NEBRASKA

JADE (MEADS) BROWN ’09, MAE ’11 ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

ANITA (FRITZ) CORY, PH.D., ’90, MSE ’93 GREEK REPRESENTATIVE NORTH LIBERTY, IOWA

ERIKA (BALTZELL) FARRELL ’13

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NEBRASKA REPRESENTATIVE ELKHORN, NEBRASKA

FINDING HIS FUTURE THROUGH TECH: UNK CYBER SYSTEMS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS GAIN EXPERIENCE EARLY

MICHELLE (MARKS) KRAUSE ’02, MSE ’05 NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ROSWELL, GEORGIA

BRITTANI MOELLER, D.O., ’08

DEPARTMENTS

KEARNEY REPRESENTATIVE KEARNEY, NEBRASKA

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KATTY (PUJADO) PETAK ’96

AROUND THE TOWER

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OMAHA, NEBRASKA

22 LOUIE’S PRIDE

18 THE IMPACT OF RURAL SCHOLARSHIPS

28 LEGISLATURE UPDATE

SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: UNK TODAY / UNK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2204 UNIVERSITY DRIVE, SUITE 103 KEARNEY, NE 68845

29 FOREVER A LOPER CLASS NOTES

308-698-5271 lopers@unkalumni.org

26 LOPER ALUMNI PROFILE

As Chancellor Doug Kristensen’s tenure winds to a close at UNK, I’ve taken some time to reflect on his incredible leadership and friendship to me, personally, and to so many of our alumni. Encapsulating what he has meant to the advancement of our campus in a short letter is impossible, and, fortunately, you can read more in the pages that follow. From my view as a 22-year colleague, I’ve seen what wasn’t always visible to the public.

Chancellor Kristensen has competed on our behalf every day, vying for scarce resources to take us forward. He’s always put the best interest of the students first. He respects the processes in place and uses them to arrive at the solutions to problems and to discover new opportunities. He’s collaborative, recognizing that our strengths aligned with others’ strengths make us all better, regardless of who gets the credit. He’s led with a steady hand and long-term view — never overreacting to the drama of the day.

He’s helped us to know ourselves and to own and honor our best traits as a campus. He’s passionate about the role of higher education in our lives and has been intensely dedicated to defining UNK’s future in our state. And he deeply cares for those around him — as people and professionals.

Doug Kristensen was the absolute right man for the job at the right time for the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Working with a man whom I consider to be a truly remarkable Nebraskan has been a personal and professional privilege.

So, it is hard to say goodbye to Doug as our campus leader. No matter who leads UNK next, I’m highly confident in our future. It will be different, but the institution is bigger than any one person. We are part of something special as alumni of UNK. And we all have ways of contributing to make it even better. I say we lean into that as we celebrate what has been done, as we keep our eyes on the future and as we ask how we can play a part as alumni.

Go Lopers!

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.

LIFE 4

a MESSAGE from LUCAS DART

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UNK TODAY

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AROUNDtheTOWER

Sorority Housing Named After Distinguished Grad, Journalist Bess Furman Armstrong

News and Events Across Campus

One Day for UNK Attracts 1,864 Donors, $240K to Support Loper Students One Day for UNK was a day to celebrate the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Athletics and 59 student organizations, including First Gen Lopers.

The UNK community came together Oct. 5-6 to make 1,864 gifts totaling $240,732 to advance UNK programs, enrich campus life and create new opportunities for current and future UNK students. The number of gifts reached a new high for UNK’s annual giving event, which began in 2021, surpassing the 2022 total of 1,783 gifts.

Tim Jares, dean of the College of Business and Technology, said One Day for UNK provides funding for unique student experiences, including a recent study abroad trip to the Czech Republic.

One Day for UNK brings together alumni, parents, grandparents, the Kearney community and other UNK supporters to encourage philanthropic support for all areas of the university.

“One Day for UNK celebrates what this university represents and allows people to participate in something bigger than themselves,” said Lucas Dart, vice president of UNK alumni relations and development for the University of Nebraska Foundation. “We have been overwhelmed by the support over the past three years, and we’re grateful for donors’ investment in UNK’s students, faculty and programs.”

“One Day for UNK allows the college and campus to engage a broader audience than it typically does,” he said.

“The event provides funding to support students in ways we otherwise wouldn’t be able to.”

Gifts made during One Day for UNK supported Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, which has a goal to raise $70 million from 12,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska at Kearney. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org/ UNK.

A Danbury, Nebraska, native, Furman Armstrong attended the Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney (now UNK), where she served as the first female editor of The Antelope student newspaper before graduating in 1918.

She worked as a schoolteacher before landing her first job with a Nebraska newspaper and wrote an awardwinning report on presidential candidate Al Smith’s campaign appearance in Omaha.

That led to an Associated Press position in Washington, D.C., where she became the first female reporter regularly assigned to cover the U.S. House of Representatives by a press association.

Furman Armstrong covered the White House during five presidential administrations, as a reporter for the Associated Press from 1929 to 1936, then as a correspondent for The New York Times from 1943 to 1961. She became lifelong friends with former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and used her writing talent to champion women’s rights and influence the role of women in politics.

Alumni and other supporters provided more than $91,000 in challenge funds to encourage others to give.

Gifts were made online at givingday.unk.edu through the University of Nebraska Foundation. One Day for UNK used social media and other online communication to encourage support for the university.

During the 24-hour event, funds were raised for UNK scholarships, the university’s three colleges, Loper

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Bess Furman Armstrong

The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s new sorority housing has been named after one of the school’s most accomplished alumni. The 41,000-square-foot residence hall that opened in January on UNK’s east campus is known as Bess Furman Armstrong Hall.

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UNK TODAY

In 1961, Furman Armstrong joined the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as a public affairs assistant. She became head of the department’s press information division the following year, making her the first woman to hold a top public affairs position with a cabinet agency.

Furman Armstrong also worked for the Office of War Information during World War II, wrote a history of the U.S. Public Health Service and authored two books – “White House Profile” and her autobiography, “Washington By-line.”

She served as president of the Women’s National Press Club in 1946 and was inducted into the Nebraska Journalism Hall of Fame in 1975, six years after her death.

The new sorority housing is part of a $32.65 million project that replaces University Residence North and University Residence South. Located directly south of the sorority building, Martin Hall reopened in January 2023 following a major renovation that transformed the nearly 70-year-old residence hall into a modern living space for UNK fraternity members.

UNK’s new sorority housing is named the Bess Furman Armstrong Hall, honoring a Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney graduate and pioneering female journalist.

(Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)

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AROUND THE TOWER

Cassidy Stelling Plays Big Part in Cleveland Browns’ Pregame Tradition Just before kickoff at every Cleveland Browns home game, a celebrity with ties to the city is introduced to fire up the crowd.

They walk onto the field, open a guitar case and reveal an instrument representing the opposing team. Then the guitar is smashed over a giant amplifier, sending the fans into a frenzy.

“The atmosphere is incredible,” said Cassidy Stelling, “and I have no problem with my guitars being smashed whatsoever. I actually love it. It’s on TV. It’s in front of thousands of people. And even though they’re booing it because it’s the other team, I’m just like, ‘Oh my gosh, that’s something I created.’ It’s super badass, and people really love the experience.”

and email campaigns and provides in-game scoring updates for followers around the world.

Rural Health Complex Named in Honor of Chancellor Kristensen

Among her favorite designs are the “100th Battle of Ohio” graphic promoting Cleveland’s game against Cincinnati, “4 Days Until Kickoff” featuring quarterback Deshaun Watson, and a post announcing the team’s new “White Out” helmets and uniforms.

The Rural Health Education Complex at the University of Nebraska at Kearney has been named for UNK Chancellor Douglas Kristensen, following approval in December from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

Stelling graduated from UNK in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in visual communication and design.

Less than a month later, she was offered the paid position with the Cleveland Browns.

“I’m at the highest level of professional football right now, as my first out-of-the-gate experience, and that’s insane,” Stelling said. “The fact that I can showcase my skills at such a high level is incredible.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

A Kearney native and recent University of Nebraska at Kearney graduate, Stelling designs the guitars for this unique pregame activity, using digital illustration software and her artistic ability to elevate this new tradition, started in 2022 as a nod to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland.

“What I wanted to do was make the design so killer that when it’s smashed, the reaction feels even better,” she explained. “That was really the vibe I was going for.”

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The complex was named in Kristensen’s honor in recognition of his role as an ardent champion for greater Nebraska, especially in building the health sciences workforce needed to keep communities across the state vibrant. The Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex on UNK’s West Campus includes an existing building, which opened in 2015, and the Rural Health Education Building under construction.

Former University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter and current University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., recommended the complex be named for Kristensen following the wishes of the project’s lead philanthropic supporter, the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation.

Her creations have been destroyed by professional wrestler and television personality The Miz, former Cleveland Cavaliers player Daniel Gibson, All-Pro running back Nick Chubb and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, among others. Stelling has complete artistic control over the project.

As a digital design intern for the Cleveland Browns, Stelling has a hand in numerous projects that promote the NFL team and its corporate partners.

She designs graphics and ads for the website, social media and app, creates content for sweepstakes

UNK Chancellor Douglas Kristensen

“The Scott family is pleased to help recognize Doug Kristensen’s steadfast leadership and monumental contributions to UNK as well as his dedication to addressing important issues impacting Nebraska,” said John Scott, vice president of the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation.

“Doug Kristensen has dedicated his career to serving Nebraska citizens, and we believe the state is infinitely better due to his leadership.”

Cassidy Stelling

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UNK TODAY

Kristensen has served as UNK’s chancellor since July 1, 2002. He is the longest-serving chancellor in the history of the University of Nebraska. He was appointed to lead UNK following a distinguished career in the Nebraska Legislature. He was elected in 1988 to represent the 37th Legislative District and served until 2002. At the time Kristensen retired from office, he was the longest-serving speaker in the history of the Legislature.

In 2010, Kristensen launched the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP) in cooperation with UNMC to recruit and educate students who are committed to returning to rural Nebraska to practice health care. This fall, a record 56 first-year students were accepted into the KHOP program. The overall acceptance rate of UNK students to various health care professional programs was more than 93% in 2022.

Kristensen championed the development of new space for the UNMC Colleges of Nursing and Allied Health Professions in Kearney as part of the Building a Healthier Nebraska initiative. The Health Science Education Complex opened on UNK’s West Campus in 2015, allowing nursing students and allied health professional students to work together in a teamcentered approach to rural primary care.

Since 2022, Kristensen has advocated expanding the UNK-UNMC partnership and extending programming from the UNMC Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy and Public Health to Kearney.

The Rural Health Education Building, the result of a public-private partnership, is targeted for occupancy in early 2026. The $95 million facility will be located directly to the north of the existing building.

Rural Health Education Complex

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FEATURE

ENTERTAINMENT SUPERSTAR ‘TYRUS’ MURDOCH STARTED HIS PATH TO SUCCESS AT UNK

By TYLER ELLYSON - UNK Communications

When opportunity knocks, George “Tyrus” Murdoch doesn’t just open the door. He tears it off the hinges using his massive 6-foot-7, 375-pound frame.

The self-proclaimed “jack of all trades, master of some” has proven this time after time.

That’s how the former University of Nebraska at Kearney football player and current professional wrestler, actor, author, comedian and TV personality approaches life. He learned early on that nothing is guaranteed.

A Los Angeles native, Murdoch experienced a rough and unpredictable childhood. He and his brother lived in foster homes before reuniting with their young mother, who often worked up to 80 hours a week to support the family.

“You never know what your path is going to be, but if you’re able to deal with the punches in the mouth and you find a way to believe in yourself and keep working, doors will open up and success will find you,” Murdoch said.

“I’m a strong believer that hard work will always pay off – it just might not be the payoff you were expecting.”

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eye to eye, so Murdoch decided to leave the household around age 15.

He stayed with friends and coaches, even “spent a couple nights hiding in the school locker room,” he said, because he was too proud to ask for help. Sports were the most consistent and comforting part of his life.

“They kept me off the streets and gave me an opportunity,” he said. “Football saved my life. No question. I’d be in jail or dead if it wasn’t for football.

CONTINUED>>

‘FOOTBALL SAVED MY LIFE’

“We moved around a lot,” Murdoch said.

“We were never really in the same place longer than six months. She just went where the job went. There wasn’t a lot of stability.”

Things didn’t get any better when Murdoch’s stepfather entered the picture. They didn’t see

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FEATURE

<< Before he became “Tyrus,” a popular professional wrestler, actor, author, comedian and TV personality, George Murdoch played football at UNK and graduated with a degree in physical education.

(Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)

gown, so he didn’t attend the commencement ceremony.

Known for his sharp wit and wry sense of humor, Tyrus joined Fox News in 2016.

“The way Kearney is, people would have pitched in and bought me the gown.

They would have made sure I was there.

But I was always too proud to say I couldn’t do it on my own,” he said.

Also appearing on programs such as “Outnumbered,” “Fox & Friends,” “The Five” and “The Daily Briefing,” Tyrus likes to “tell people how it is,” which shouldn’t surprise his former UNK teammates or opponents.

TELLING PEOPLE HOW IT IS

“I was pretty good on the field, but the thing I was most known for is that I never shut up the entire game,” he said with a smile. “Coach Boroff was not a big fan of my trash talking, but Coach Morris encouraged it.”

After an injury ended his football career, Murdoch made ends meet by substitute teaching during the day and bouncing at clubs during the night. At one point, he worked as a bodyguard for rap icon Snoop Dogg.

“Then things just kind of started falling into place,” Murdoch said. “The weirdest little things would happen.”

UNK graduate George “Tyrus” Murdoch appears regularly on “Gutfeld!” and other Fox News programs. >>

“I got the father figures. I got accountability.

I got best friends for life. Something to fight for.

Something to strive for. Something to look forward to. Something to fear. It was just something I wanted to be a part of.

You wanted to be part of a team where everybody worked together as one. And you had to earn it.

Nothing was given to you on the football field.”

It also gave him an opportunity to pursue higher education.

After high school, Murdoch attended Antelope Valley College in California, where he was an all-conference offensive lineman. His size and physical style caught the attention of the UNK coaches, who invited him to campus for spring ball.

Initially, Murdoch wasn’t convinced a Division II school would be the right fit, but he quickly changed his mind.

“They flew me out here, and I saw Kearney had the same facilities as every DI school I looked at,” he said. “It was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

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Murdoch played two seasons for the Lopers as part of an offensive line that averaged more than 300 pounds per player. The 1994 team went 8-3, including a 13-12 victory at the University of Nebraska at Omaha that still stands out in his mind.

Along with the big wins, he also cherishes the relationships he developed at UNK and the lessons he learned from coaches like Claire Boroff, Darrell Morris and Scott Hoffman.

“They taught me how to be a man,” he said.

“I had no idea what accountability was, the importance of keeping your word. I learned the value of hard work at UNK.” Murdoch went on to play arena football, and he even had some tryouts with NFL teams.

That was one dream worth chasing.

The other was earning his degree, which is why he returned to campus to complete the remaining credits. He graduated from UNK in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, but couldn’t afford the cap and

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Among them was a bar fight involving two patrons at a California club where Murdoch was working security. He “clunked their little heads together and carried them out like a suitcase,” he said, all while cracking jokes. Professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer happened to witness this entertaining exchange and thought it’d make for great TV. In 2006, Murdoch made his pro-wrestling debut with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), competing under the moniker Brodus Clay.

He joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now Impact Wrestling) in 2014 and officially became Tyrus, now a household name in the wrestling industry.

Tyrus is the former world heavyweight champion in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and a popular Fox News personality who appears regularly on the late-night program “Gutfeld!”

That’s another weird little thing that happened.

Tyrus actually called out host Greg Gutfeld on social media, leading to some good-humored banter between the two and eventually an invitation to appear on the show, which approaches politics with a satirical spin.

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As an actor, Tyrus has been featured in TV series such as “The Purge,” “MacGyver” and “Syn,” as well as the horror film “No One Lives.” He hosts the “Tyrus and Timpf Podcast” with Kat Timpf, and his 2022 autobiography, “Just Tyrus: A Memoir,” was a New York Times bestseller.

His second book, “Nuff Said,” is scheduled to be released in November.

He’s also performing live comedy shows across the country.

That’s what brought Tyrus back to Kearney in July – his first visit since he was a student here 25 years ago.

The full-circle moment included a sold-out performance at The World Theatre, preceded by a campus tour and special meet-and-greet where Mayor Stan Clouse presented him a key to the city. He was also surprised with a Loper football helmet and that UNK diploma he never got to accept.

His wife, Ingrid Rinck, and two of his children were there to witness the emotional moment.

“The roots to all of my success stem from that piece of paper, and to finally be able to have that and show it to my children,” he said before pausing to collect himself.

“I preach to them about education all the time.

Even though my success is not necessarily my teaching degree, in terms of where my paychecks come from, it all comes from that.”

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“Central Nebraska is home to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live, work and raise our family. It has been a great privilege to be part of a community that cares so deeply about UNK and the University of Nebraska’s mission to educate the people of our state.”

FEATURE

- Chancellor Doug Kristensen

Doug Kristensen To Retire as UNK Chancellor After 22 Years

By TYLER ELLYSON - UNK Communications University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen, a native Nebraskan, lifelong public servant and the longest-serving chancellor in the history of the University of Nebraska, announced in December that he will be stepping away after 22 years in the role.

Kristensen will step down from the chancellor’s role at the end of the current academic year, providing the University of Nebraska President a runway to determine the next steps for UNK leadership. Kristensen will take a one-year professional development leave, after which he intends to remain engaged on strategic projects within the university community.

“Central Nebraska is home to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live, work and raise our family,” Kristensen said. “It has been a great privilege to be part of a community that cares so deeply about UNK and the University of Nebraska’s mission to educate the people of our state.

“The faculty and staff of UNK are as talented as they come, and students are at the heart of

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everything they do. UNK has a strong future ahead because of them. This is not an easy decision for me, but in talking with my family, we believe now is the right time for me to step away and allow a new leader to carry on UNK’s vital work in providing education and economic development for central and western Nebraska.”

Since his appointment in July 2002, Kristensen has built a record of strong and passionate advocacy for UNK and rural Nebraska, including a focus on access and affordability that has yielded consistently high rankings for UNK in quality and value.

He has also overseen a dramatic renewal of the Kearney campus. Perhaps most notably, in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and public and private partners across the state, Kristensen has played the lead role in the development of what will become the largest rural health education center in the country: the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, named in his honor following the board of regent's approval in December. The first facility in the complex, the Health Science Education

UNK TODAY

Complex, opened in 2015 and brought UNMC nursing and allied health programs to UNK. Student cohorts filled quickly, and 85 percent of graduates so far have started their careers in rural Nebraska, advancing the project’s goal to grow the rural health care workforce.

great friend and adviser to me and is a beloved leader to the campus and community. I have tremendous admiration for his loyalty and deep understanding of our state and university system.

This is a well-earned decision for Doug, Terri and their family.”

A second, 110,000-square-foot rural health education facility will bring programs in medicine, pharmacy, allied health, nursing, public health and behavioral health services to Kearney when it opens in 2026. That facility also represents a public-private partnership.

Kristensen became UNK’s chancellor following a distinguished 14-year career in the Nebraska Legislature. At the time of his retirement from the Legislature, he was the longest-serving speaker in history. He was one of the sponsors of the legislation that brought then-Kearney State College into the University of Nebraska System.

At the time he held political office, Kristensen was a partner at a law firm in Minden. He earned his law degree from Drake University and bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

The health facilities follow Kristensen’s launch in 2010 of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, a partnership with UNMC to recruit and educate students who want to return to rural Nebraska to practice health care. The acceptance rate of UNK students to various health care professional programs is now more than 93 percent.

Kristensen also led the planning and launch of University Village, a 107-acre urban village with academic and community spaces including Village Flats student apartments; the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center; Ernest Grundy Tennis Center; Element 30 residences and retail complex; and a Nebraska Medicine cancer treatment center and the Regional Engagement Center, which are under construction.

In addition to being the longest-serving chancellor in NU history, Kristensen also is the longest currently serving leader of any higher education institution in Nebraska.

Kristensen and his wife, District Court Judge Terri S. Harder, have multiple University of Nebraska degrees. Both of their daughters have bachelor’s degrees from UNK, with Paige earning an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Morgan a master’s degree in public health from UNMC and a law degree from UNL.

Those major developments come on top of more than $360 million in new construction and major renovation that Kristensen has overseen at UNK, including the 90,000-square-foot STEM education building Discovery Hall; Greek housing; renovation or new construction of every residence hall; athletics and student wellness facilities; improvements to the Nebraskan Student Union and campus dining facilities; renovations to the Bruner Hall of Science, Calvin T. Ryan Library and Warner Hall; a new central utilities plant and more.

University of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek is leading a process to identify the next leader for UNK.

“There is no better champion for UNK and rural Nebraska than Doug Kristensen.

His selfless leadership and relentless dedication to UNK’s mission will benefit students and Nebraskans for generations to come,” said former University of Nebraska President Ted Carter.

“This news is bittersweet. Doug has been a

“Especially as we bring our rural health education facilities to full operation and move forward with our goals to grow enrollment and excellence, we can’t afford to lose momentum. It will be crucial that we find someone who can seamlessly pick up where Chancellor Kristensen will leave off.”

UNK TODAY

“Chancellor Kristensen is a great leader, friend and champion for UNK and higher education.

We are a better university because of his leadership and his commitment to students and rural Nebraska,” Kabourek said. “Our entire state, and our rural communities in particular, depend on a strong and thriving UNK and University of Nebraska.

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Trey Svatos, a junior computer science major at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, credits cyber systems faculty like Angela Hollman, Ph.D., with helping him find his footing early on.

FEATURE

the fundamentals and then building on those skills by helping students gain knowledge of the latest advancements.

“I want to be around the area to give back to the communities that raised me, that helped me out.”

Job opportunities for cyber systems students continue to grow exponentially, said UNK Associate Professor Angela Hollman, Ph.D. “For example," she said, "the job market for cybersecurity openings is at 5,000 in the state of Nebraska alone. And many of these jobs are not in the eastern urban areas in Nebraska, but in our own hometowns.”

In an industry known for its blink-and-you’llmiss-it evolution, UNK faculty stay up to date on what’s happening in the field by seeking recertifications and participating in externships, and by nurturing relationships with the business community, said Hollman.

-Trey Svatos

FINDING HIS FUTURE THROUGH TECH

UNK cyber systems program helps students gain experience early

By Susan Houston Klaus

As a kid, Trey Svatos spent his fair share of time playing video games. But more than reaching the next level of his favorite games, he was intrigued about the technology that lay beyond the controller and console. The Neligh, Nebraska, native had heard people say it was about ones and zeros and switches, and he wanted to know more.

So, he dug in. He learned how games were built.

He read articles about the latest innovations. He wrote papers in high school on how technology was evolving.

“I had a friend that kind of taught me the very basics of coding, and I found it pretty intriguing,” Svatos said. “It was kind of like a puzzle. It was a

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lot of problem-solving and trying to think outside the box with the tools you have.”

When it came time to choose a major at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Svatos decided on computer science.

“I’ve loved it ever since,” he said.

The UNK Cyber Systems Department offers a wide range of majors for students like Svatos who are interested in a tech career, including cybersecurity operations, computer science, information technology and business intelligence. Each major focuses on providing

UNK TODAY

“We’re really closely connected to local companies. We bring them into the classroom regularly so students can hear directly from them what’s changing or what’s the new thing that’s going on.”

Class sizes are smaller at UNK than at larger schools, Hollman added, which helps students from rural communities in particular feel more connected in the classroom. Those connections along with donor support from Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University's Future will help students succeed in cyber technology and become leaders in their fields.

“Scholarships are an important part of helping attract students into the cyber majors,” Hollman said. “Continued investment will help us provide our students with current technology equipment in the mini data center in Discovery Hall. It can also help to fund competition travel for the cyber student group, which remains an important extracurricular activity that helps connect students to other peers and recruiters in the field.”

Svatos, a junior who’s also in the UNK Honors Program, said having access to faculty like Hollman helped him get his footing early on.

UNK TODAY

“That helped quite a bit my freshman year,” he said. “I’ve gone in when I’ve had questions, whether it be about cyber systems itself or who I can ask to go to for advice for a coding language or if I just have general questions about how things function around UNK.” Support through scholarships also has helped ease financial concerns for Svatos and allowed him to concentrate on his coursework. He has received a Board of Regents Scholarship, Honors Program Room Waiver, Jean Sullivan Rawson and Richard Rawson Scholarship, and B. M. Stevenson Family Endowment Scholarship. Without this financial support, Svatos said he wouldn’t have been able to focus nearly as much on his studies as he can now.

“Really, a large portion of my success in and understanding of my studies is due to all that support,” he said.

Pairing his major with minors in mathematics and psychology, Svatos looks forward to seeing where a career in software coding or application development can take him.

Initially, he said he was unsure about how much he could help people by working in software.

“I like kind of making life a little bit easier for people, taking stress and weight off their shoulders,” Svatos said. “But just by making a simple time-off application or learning the ins and outs of how web development can help people, I’m more invested in making sure I contribute to Nebraska and to all companies around it.”

After graduation, Svatos plans to stay in Nebraska. His experiences through the cyber systems department have opened his eyes to the need for people who are well versed in computer science and tech in general.

“I want to be around the area to give back to the communities that raised me, that helped me out,” he said.

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Katie Powers, with fiancé Joshua Cox

FEATURE “My rural community is greatly in need of early childhood educators,” she said. “We have teachers who are hoping to retire in the next few years, and we also lack a child care center, and I would love to change that. My fiancé and I are hoping to buy a house in the area and start our family here in McPherson County.

THE IMPACT OF RURAL SCHOLARSHIPS

“I will always be grateful to UNK and look forward to the future!”

During the fall of her sophomore year at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, education major Katie Powers received heartbreaking news.

Her aunt had unexpectedly passed away. It was the week before Thanksgiving, and the close-knit family from Tryon, Nebraska, was devastated.

Katie’s parents made the decision to take in her 13-year-old cousin and have since adopted her.

Katie Powers and family

After Katie finished up her sophomore year, she made a big decision to move home to Tryon.

The Hardesty Scholarship honors Carol (Weaver) Hardesty, who graduated from Kearney State College in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and Larry Hardesty, who graduated magna cum laude from Kearney State College in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education and in 1971 with a Master of Science in Education.

Carol majored in elementary education with a minor in art.

Larry had a combined major in history and political science.

Carol grew up on a farm in Adams County, Nebraska, and was a 1966 graduate of Hastings High School. Larry grew up on a ranch in McPherson County. He was born in Hyannis, attended elementary school in Hooker County, and was a 1965 graduate and valedictorian of Stapleton High School. Larry went on to earn a Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1974, a Master of Science in Education in Instructional Systems Technology in 1978 from Indiana University Bloomington, and a doctorate in Library and Information Science from Indiana University Bloomington in 1982. Carol earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from DePauw University in 1979. They both highly valued the benefits of higher education.

“I felt like I was missing out on so much while I was gone, and I needed to be there for my family, as we’d all suffered a great loss,” she said.

The following semester, Katie began taking her classes online and today is finishing her degree in the Early Childhood Inclusive Program.

She is also a recipient of the Carol and Larry Hardesty Scholarship, which is unique in that first preference is given to students who graduated from Stapleton, McPherson County, Arthur County, Mullen, Hyannis and Thedford high schools. Katie is a graduate of McPherson County High School. The scholarship was established as part of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University's Future.

“Thanks to the Carol and Larry Hardesty Scholarship,” Katie said, “my financial burden has been lightened, which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. I hope one day that I will also be able to help struggling students reach their goals in higher education by assisting them in the same way the Hardestys helped me.”

After graduating in spring of 2024, Katie has goals and plans for her next chapter in life.

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THE HARDESTY SCHOLARSHIP

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FEATURE

LASTING LEGACY AT UNK:

GENEROSITY LEADS TO SUCCESS

YOUR IMPACT ON GENERATIONS Ever wonder how to leave a mark beyond your lifetime?

At UNK, your planned gift becomes a vibrant legacy, shaping the lives of countless students like Treece Hines, a sophomore biology student and recipient of the John F. and Anita A. Hertner Biology Scholarship.

Treece expresses his gratitude in this way: “Receiving this scholarship has not only allowed me to connect with incredible mentors, but has also provided invaluable insights into the world of biology. I am eternally grateful for the Hertner family’s generosity.”

and after a successful teaching career in California, she retired to Burbank. In retirement, Judy felt she wanted to help students at UNK in a direct way. She especially wanted to help Omaha South students, in the hope that they’d have as good a UNK experience as she did.

Melissa Cartagena

Melissa Cartagena, an Omaha native, is a University of Nebraska at Kearney sophomore studying interior design and construction management. “I love everything about UNK. My professors are kind and helpful, and the campus and Kearney are big enough but have a small-town feel,” she said. “I’m so happy I ended up here.”

When visiting UNK, Melissa said she “instantly felt at home” on campus. “I could see myself living and studying here,” she said. While on the tour, Melissa learned that Judy also provides scholarships for Omaha South graduates, organized through the Omaha South High School Alumni Association.

Judy’s scholarships for Omaha South students are among the many funds benefiting UNK that she has supported over the years.

“It’s truly a joy to give back to UNK and help students achieve their dreams, just as I did, in Kearney,” said Judy. “The Omaha South Alumni Association and staff, UNK admissions, all of us work together to showcase the top-notch school that UNK continues to be.”

When Melissa was preparing to graduate from Omaha South High School, she was unsure of her path. As a first-generation student and the oldest of her four siblings, “I didn’t have the footsteps to follow into higher education,” she said.

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Learn more: nufoundation.org/giftplanning

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Enter Sam Bojanski ’97 MAE, an Omaha South High School teacher and former Educators Rising sponsor. Sam encouraged Melissa to visit UNK, courtesy of a bus that makes an annual trip from Omaha South to UNK, encouraging students to further their education and consider UNK as an option. The annual trip, sponsored in part by Judy Spohr, is a chance for students to see a school outside the metro areas of Omaha and Lincoln.

Judy is a graduate of Omaha South High School and a 1963 Kearney State College graduate.

She followed her dream of becoming a teacher,

For Treece, the Hertner scholarship has created more opportunities for him at UNK. Through their estate plans, this scholarship will ensure the same impact for future generations. Join us: Your impact is destined to endure.

• No minimums • No fees • Exclusive UNK Visa® Debit Card

Judy Spohr

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Proud to be an Official Bank of UNK Athletics. /unk Member FDIC

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LOUIE’S PRIDE

The former assistant professor was also a founding member of the Loper Cats group, which cares for the feral cat population on campus. So it’s no surprise when she says, “Cats and cars are my hobby.”

“I went down there to look at a couple cars, convertibles specifically, because that’s what I was collecting,” Morrow said.

“I had a friend who had a ’67 GTO convertible that we cruised around and had a lot of fun in,” Morrow explained. “And I thought, ‘I want to get a convertible.’”

“What’s that?” Morrow said. She didn’t even know Corvair motorhomes existed, but she was willing to check it out.

Morrow purchased her first Corvair convertible in 1993 and later added four more. She also owns a Corvair station wagon and rampside pickup.

I N S I DE LO PER AT HLET ICS

A superfan’s Ultra Van

“I’m not like a gearhead where I spend a lot of time working on them,” she said. “I bought them because I want to have fun and enjoy them.”

Sherry Morrow Turns Rare Motorhome into Loper-themed Tailgate Machine

By TYLER ELLYSON - UNK Communications Bumper stickers. Window decals. License plate holders.

That brings us back to the 1968 Ultra Van — a vehicle she said she “really wasn’t looking for.”

Morrow was vacationing in Hawaii when she received multiple phone calls from people who knew she’d be interested in an upcoming estate sale. Raymond Massey, a Corvair collector from Holbrook, Nebraksa, had died the previous year, and his family was selling the vehicles.

Sherry Morrow’s 1968 Corvair Ultra Van is a tribute to Kearney State College and UNK, where she attended school and later worked for 38 years.

When it comes to vehicles, that’s how most fans show support for their favorite school or sports team.

Then Massey’s brother mentioned the Ultra Van.

“I took one look at it and said, ‘I’m going to own this,’” she recalled.

Morrow wasn’t able to attend the auction, so she called ahead and made sure she could bid by phone. The final price was $4,500 — "a really good deal for this rarity," she said.

The Ultra Van is the brainchild of David Peterson, a professional aircraft designer and outdoor enthusiast looking for a way to bring his boat and travel trailer on the same trips in the early 1960s. He considered the idea of motorizing the travel trailer and towing the boat before a new Chevrolet model inspired him to build his own vehicle — a full-size motorhome weighing about 3,000 pounds and powered by an air-cooled Corvair engine mounted in the rear. The motorhome is built like an airplane, with aluminum ribs riveted to an aluminum and fiberglass body.

“It’s very lightweight,” Morrow said. “I mean, it really flies down the road. All you have to do is put wings on it and you’d be taking off.”

The Kearney State College graduate and former University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty member definitely isn’t afraid to display her Loper pride.

Despite its ahead-of-the-times design, the Ultra Van was a commercial failure, largely because it cost nearly $10,000. Fewer than 400 were produced until 1970, with most of them coming from a plant in Hutchinson, Kansas.

With a blue-and-gold paint scheme and graphics celebrating two different eras of her alma mater, her 1968 Corvair Ultra Van certainly turns heads around town.

“This is the only one in Nebraska that we’re aware of,” said Morrow, a member of the Corvair Society of America.

“A lot of people’s reaction is, ‘What is this?’ That’s exactly the way they say it,” Morrow explained while conveying a combination of excitement and intrigue. “When I’m driving down the street, I always have people waving or giving a thumbs-up.”

Often referred to as a “whale,” the Ultra Van features a queen-size bed, bathroom/shower, three-burner stove, sink, refrigerator, folding table and plenty of storage, making it perfect for long trips into the wilderness.

The 22-foot-long motorhome is easily one of the most recognizable vehicles in Kearney, but that wasn’t necessarily her intention when Morrow purchased this classic cruiser in 2005.

Or other purposes.

Of course, none of them stand out like Sherry Morrow.

“First of all, you’ve got to understand, I don’t like camping,” Morrow said. “So I didn’t buy it to camp. I didn’t know what I was going to use it for, but I didn’t buy it to camp.”

‘WHALE’ OF A DEAL

STADIUM ATTRACTION

An Ainsworth, Nebraska, native, Morrow came to Kearney State in 1971 to study teacher education. That led to a 38-year career with the Nebraska Safety Center and UNK Industrial Technology Department, where she trained driver education instructors and taught other safety courses.

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Tailgating. It’d be a fun vehicle to use for tailgating. That’s the idea Morrow came up with.

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“Then I decided I needed to go blue and gold,” she said.

A local body shop repainted the motorhome in 2006 — it was originally a yellowish-gray with blond trim — and added the logos. One side represents Kearney State College, the school’s name from 1963 to 1991, and the other is UNK. “When I repainted it, I did get permission to use the logos,” Morrow said with a smile.

The Ultra Van still has the original green-andgold interior, but Morrow replaced the shag

appearances in the UNK Homecoming Parade.

It’s one of five vehicles from Morrow featured in the event, in downtown Kearney.

“It does have to be toward the front of the parade because all of the Corvairs are air-cooled, so the air has to keep going through to keep the motor cool,” she noted.

Although she retired from UNK in 2018, giving her more time to travel, Morrow doesn’t make many trips with the motorhome. Friends have taken it camping a few times, and Morrow drove it to Ainsworth for a class reunion.

PROVIDING STUDENT ACCESS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. LIKE ONLY NEBRASKA CAN.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is making strides toward its goal of providing student access and success. That starts with scholarships, like the Harold and Bernice carpet with wood and added custom blue-andgold curtains. There’s a Kearney State spare tire cover, too.

When it’s parked, two vintage flags are attached to the sides and the UNK chairs come out.

Morrow also has Kearney State beanbag chairs, old photos and other treasures that came from garage sales and friends over the years.

For most home football games, she can be found on the east side of Ron & Carol Cope Stadium, near the Nebraskan Student Union. That’s been her preferred tailgate spot for years.

“It’s always an attraction for the visiting fans,” Morrow said of her mobile museum. “They come over and want to know about it, and that’s always fun. Little kids really love it when they see it.”

Resembling the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile “without the hot dog sticking out of both ends,” Marrow said, the Ultra Van also makes regular

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Since she lives about two blocks from the UNK campus, she’s only put about 8,000 miles on the vehicle, taking the odometer to 68,200. She replaced the 140-horsepower, flat-six engine last year, but other than that, “I really haven’t had a lot of issues with it,” she said.

And Loper fans young and old still love it.

Morrow, who also volunteers as a scoreboard operator during UNK volleyball and basketball games, was parked outside Cope Stadium recently when an assistant football coach stopped by after practice.

Weaver Scholarship created in this campaign. This scholarship is giving student Katelyn Cecrle, an art education major, the ability to focus on her goals, which include student teaching this semester. Ultimately, she will be helping address Nebraska’s teacher shortage. “This scholarship will allow me to work harder to be the best I can be for my future students,” said Cecrle. “I hope that I will be able to provide an opportunity for someone else in the future just like has been done for me.”

Creating the future our students deserve. Only in Nebraska.

“I saw it out the window, and I had to come down and take a look,” he said. “This thing is awesome.”

The proud Kearney State alumna responded the same way she always does: “Come on in, look around. You’re welcome to.”

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LEARN MORE AT

LOPER ALUMNI PROFILE:

KEVIN STUKENHOLTZ ’76 As I was preparing to graduate from Nebraska City Senior High School in 1972, academics and athletics played a big part in my decision-making process when choosing a college. I was looking for a place where I could pursue a criminal justice degree and that also had a good football program. Kearney State College checked both of those boxes.

While I was at KSC, I learned the importance mentorship plays in the life of a student, which is a lesson I’ve taken with me throughout my life. When I was a student-athlete, football coaches Claire Boroff and Terry Renner had a tremendous impact on my life. During my junior year, I injured my knee during a game and tried to continue playing. Renner advised me that even if I made All-American, years later people would forget about it, but I would have to walk on that knee for the rest of my life. I am forever grateful for his thoughtful advice, because it saved not only my knee but also my future career in

Kevin Stukenholtz (right) with Arnold Schwarzenegger incredible impact of mentorship. I have been a TeamMates mentor for more than 20 years, currently serving as a board member in our area. The TeamMates Mentoring program has been a blessing in my life and an opportunity for me to give back.

law enforcement. Immediately following graduation from Kearney State College, I joined the Nebraska State Patrol. During my career with the patrol, I took on numerous roles such as traffic, drug division, executive protection and administrative leadership.

During this time, I worked with Govs. Bob Kerrey, Kay Orr and Ben Nelson. As you can imagine, this role provided me with many memorable experiences, including the opportunity to meet four U.S. presidents and many world leaders. We travelled to Korea, Thailand, China, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt and more. Growing up in Nebraska City and living in Wahoo, I never dreamed that I would have a job where I would be standing next to the president of the United States – not to mention Arnold Schwarzenegger!

If I could give one piece of advice to current students, it would be that relationships matter. Treat everyone with kindness and respect, and find ways to help others. At the end of the day, it’s the relationships you have that will make the However, I think the most memorable “full circle” moment of my career came while I was leading executive protection for Nelson.

We had a special event to present Maj. Gen. John “Jack” Ramey with a General Star honor. Ramey was my linebacker coach and was also a teacher and wrestling coach at Kearney State College.

biggest difference in your life. Cultivate and care for those relationships.

Prior to the presentation, I met with Ramey, and we reminisced about our time together and shared experiences at Kearney State.

Even though the event was to honor Ramey, it was a very proud moment for me, too.

While everyone else called him Major General, he told me to call him Coach Ramey.

After 27 years on the state patrol, I retired as captain. Shortly after, I was elected Saunders County sheriff for the following 16 years. During my time as sheriff, I was able to leverage the connections and relationships I formed in my first career to enhance our department and make a difference in the communities we served.

I’m now happily semi-retired, living in Wahoo with my wife, Judy (Kacere), who is also a fellow KSC graduate. Throughout my career, I always circled back to the

Kevin ’76 and Judy (Kacere) Stukenholtz ‘76

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Kevin Stukenholtz with President Ronald Reagan

UNK TODAY

Judy (Kacere) and Kevin Stukenholtz

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY ALUMNI

FOREVER A LOPER During this process, we will be in ongoing conversations with members of the legislature, the Appropriations Committee and the governor.

There will be significant pressure to cut state spending in 2025, which will have a direct impact on our budget. The University of Nebraska’s operating budget, which supports paying university faculty and staff and keeping the lights on, relies largely on state support and tuition. Sixty-two percent is funded by the state; the difference is funded primarily by tuition. Strong state support helps keep our tuition low, making UNK affordable for Nebraskans.

Together, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to the Nebraska Legislature that Nebraskans believe in our university's ability to make a difference.

April marked the last month of Nebraska’s 108th Legislature, 2nd Session. After the final day of the session, the University of Nebraska turns its gaze on the 2025 legislative session, which will set the biennial budget for the university and its four campuses — including the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

We are grateful for the university priorities that passed in 2024 thanks to our partnership with the Nebraska Legislature. We are also grateful that the university did not receive a mid-biennium cut, which puts us in a good position until the 2025 legislative session.

There are several milestones ahead of us.

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will approve the university’s 2025-2027 budget in August, which sets guidelines for our legislative budget request. The university turns in its budget submission to the state this fall for consideration. Gov. Jim Pillen will put his budget recommendations out in January 2025, including his recommendation for the university. An agency hearing for our institution with the Appropriations Committee gives us an opportunity to publicly discuss our budget ask.

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To help support a strong future for UNK, it’s more important than ever for Lopers to engage with our state legislators. Write or email your state senator and tell them how UNK has made a difference in your life.

You can also become a member of the NU Advocates — a group of people who are amplifying the conversation around making an investment in the University of Nebraska — at nebraska.edu/advocates.

Together, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to the Nebraska Legislature that Nebraskans believe in our university's ability to make a difference.

Get your team together for

SCRAMBLING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS June 24, 2024

Platteview Golf Club, Bellevue

unkalumni.org/special-events

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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.

1951

1977

1985

Ernie Matuschka, Ph.D., of Sun Lakes, Arizona, published a book, “An Occidental Tourist’s One Hundred Haiku & Other Poems.” This volume offers a brief history of haiku and a primer for those wanting to try their hand at this Japanese art form. He was a professor of psychology at UNK for 20 years. He died at the age of 94.

Gene Ulmer of Grand Island plays the trumpet and does vocals for the band BD and the Boys.

Karen (Guthrie) Myers of Axtell was awarded the UNK Staff Award for Excellence.

1957 Patricia (Kelly) Hoehner, Ed.D., MSE ’67, Ed.S. ’82 of Kearney received the Leland Holdt/Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award. She is a professor of education administration at UNK.

1964 Ken Aldridge of Mansfield, Texas, has published his 13th crime novel, “The ’Curious’ Death of Whiskey Jack.”

1965 Loel and Joan (Else) Kugler of Eagle celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

1972 Loy Olson of Lincoln is on the board of directors for the Country Club of Lincoln.

1973 Dan Holtz, Ph.D., of Nebraska City, Garreth Zalud MAE ’81 of Vermillion, South Dakota, Tim ‘88 and Lora (Heinrichs) Howard ’83 of Fremont are members of the band Flatwater Reunion. Their music features songs and tales of Nebraska history.

Rob Wennstedt MSE ’74 of Omaha was inducted into the Millard South High School Hall of Fame as a swim coach. He is also a member of the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame.

1974 Maureen “Mo” (Gaffney) Nickels MAE ’78 of Grand Island was recognized as the College of Education Distinguished Educator of the Year during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

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1979 Doug Demmel of Thornton, Colorado, retired after more than 40 years in technology services and sales in Omaha, Chicago and Denver.

Gretchen Petersen of Phoenix, Arizona, retired from Siemens Healthineers after 40 years of service in the medical technology and health care diagnostics industry.

1980 Gara (Dorn) Hansen MAE ’87 of Minden teaches special education at Axtell Community School.

Randy Waldman of Hiram, Georgia, retired from Lintech International.

Jane Ziebarth-Bovill, Ph.D., MAE ’83 of Kearney retired from UNK as a professor of teacher education.

1982 Mark Powell of Van Buren Township, Michigan, retired with 38 years of service to DXC Technologies as a database administrator.

Ann (Schutte) Purdy MSE ’86 of Boelus retired from teaching and coaching with 41 years of service at Columbus Scotus, Giltner and Grand Island Northwest high schools.

She coached girls basketball, volleyball and boys soccer.

1983 Tom Bednar of Omaha retired from Grand Island Physical Therapy with more than 30 years of service.

1984 Tim Carman of Hyattsville, Maryland, was recognized as a distinguished alumnus at the UNKAA Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

Tim Schlattmann of Los Angeles, California, was recognized as a distinguished alumnus at the UNKAA Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

Lonna Weiss of Holdrege retired after 45 years of service to UNK as an administrative associate.

1986 Christine (May) Johnson MA ’16 of Kearney has been nominated for the Nebraska High School Press Association Distinguished Advisor of the Year award. This distinguished recognition underscores her exceptional dedication and contribution to the field of high school journalism.

Greg Kealey of Deerfield Beach, Florida, wrote and voiced an e-book entitled “I’ll Alert the Media,” a how-to guide for garnering an organization positive publicity.

He started Benfrankliv!, a health care marketing and communications company.

Becky (Eckwert) O’Connell MSE of Kearney retired as the swim coach at UNK.

1988 Cindy (Graves) Duncan MAE ’97 of Broken Bow received the Nebraska Community College Association Governor’s Award. She serves on the Mid-Plains Community College Board.

Nico Pronk MAE of Bruce, Wisconsin, was recognized as a distinguished alumnus at the Davis & Elkins College Homecoming celebration. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Davis & Elkins College in 1986.

Diane (Moravec) Simard of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, wrote a second book, “Heal Forward: Transform Emotional Scars into Impact.”

1989 Jay Helberg of McCook will be inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024 as

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FOREVER A LOPER a coach. He teaches high school general science, physical science, chemistry and physics at Southwest Public Schools.

1990 Wendy (Going) McCarty MAE of Grand Island retired after 21 years of service to the teacher education department at UNK. For the past 12 years, she directed the transitional certification program.

1991 Kevin Sladovnik of Parker, Colorado, is a vice president and business development director for HKS, a global design firm. He will lead the firm’s health care business development for the mountain region.

Jody (Miller) Thulin of Holdrege is a talent acquisition manager for Embecta.

1992 Kim (Smith) Carlson, Ph.D., MSE ’94 of Kearney is the assistant vice chancellor of research and creative activity at UNK. Lori (Witte) Druse of Lincoln is a board member of the University of Nebraska Foundation Trustees.

Alison (Lewandowski) Larson of St. Paul is the executive director of the Grand Island Children’s Museum.

Dennis "D.J." Vokolek of Lincoln is a defensive assistant coach at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Lexi (Tice) Wellman of Papillion was recognized as the College of Business and Technology Distinguished Alumna at the UNKAA Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon during UNK’s homecoming.

1993 Brian Buhlke, D.O., F.A.A.F.P., of Central City was honored as a distinguished alumnus at the UNKAA Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon during UNK’s homecoming.

William Clarke, Ph.D., of Kearney has been inducted into the Kearney Public Schools Foundation’s Hall of Fame. He is the director of point-of-care testing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Christie (Mowrey) Hinrichs of Boulder, Colorado retired as president and CEO of Tabitha Health Care Services.

FOREVER A LOPER Jenn Jennings, Ph.D., of Columbia, Missouri, was selected as a member of the 2024 class of The Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge, a year-long professional development program. She is the senior director-advancement gift planning for the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Tracy Lungrin MSE ’01 of Lincoln is the director of workforce development and career services at Wayne State College.

1998

1999 Lisa (Graff) Timmins of Omaha was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

2000

Pat Larson of St. Paul completed the Strategic Data Project Fellowship with the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. He is a data analyst for Grand Island Public Schools.

Brenda (Kring) Jochum of Kearney was presented the UNK Staff Award for Excellence. She is the associate director of student development in the College of Business and Technology Career Center.

Bryan Wempen of Sante Fe, New Mexico, is the chief revenue officer at Remble, a digital mental health company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and published his fourth nonfiction work, "F**K My Demons Redefining Normal: A Journey to Find Spirit."

Angela Mercer of Kearney is a career specialist in the Academic Advising and Career Development office at UNK. Brian Peterson MS ’02 of Kearney celebrated 20 years of service to UNK and is a distance education coordinator in biology.

1994 Cynthia (Schug) Bahler of Lamar earned a master’s degree in leadership from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is in her 29th year of teaching, including her 10th year of teaching kindergarten in Holyoke, Colorado.

William “Bill” Murphy MAE of Kearney was inducted into the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers Hall of Fame. He is the associate athletic director – sports medicine for UNK Athletics.

1995 Kirstin (Ritola) Cowan of Orlando, Florida, is an education outreach coordinator for Authentic Exploration Matters.

Nancy (Lowe) Sinnett of Ashland is the vice president of corporate accounting at Mutual of Omaha.

1996 Connie Hansen of Minden teaches special education at Wilcox-Hildreth Public School.

1997 Jason Davis, Ed.D., of Hastings is the associate dean of community and workforce education at Central Community College in Hastings.

Felica "Fe" Goett MAE ’00 of Bradenton Beach, Florida, was awarded the Ian Prosser Mentorship through Florida State Florists’ Association International. She owns Blooms by the Beach.

Tennille (Gifford) Allison MSE ’10 Tennille (Gifford) Allison MSE ’10 of Kearney is an assistant principal/career technical education director at Kearney High School.

Casey Foster of Lincoln received the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Excellence in Leadership award. He has 25 years of service with the NDA. Jen (Knispel) Harvey MAE ’05 of Kearney was awarded the UNK Staff Award for Inclusive Excellence.

Rashawn Harvey MS ’16 of Kearney received the KUDOS award from the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in recognition of his efforts to help students as the assistant director of TRIO Student Support Services at UNK. Michael "Todd" Jensen MS ’12 of Kearney celebrated 25 years of service and is the web services & engagement librarian at UNK. Stephanie King MSE ’05 of Kearney is the community affairs manager for Black Hills Energy.

Brian Sybrandts of Grand Island will be inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024 as a coach. He is the head coach at Grand Island Northwest High School and teaches in alternative education.

2001 Sara Kuebler of Omaha and Andrew Bradshaw married July 27.

Heather Hamilton-Hawke of Bennington is a family support counselor and certified child life specialist with 3H Consulting.

She recently co-wrote a children’s book about organ donation, "My Generous Sister Lexi."

Michelle (Beezley) Worm of Kearney is the safety and receiving administrator at KAAPA Ethanol Holdings LLC.

2002 Christy (Hagler) Rose of San Antonio, Texas, is the vice president of marketing for Heartbeat Health.

Hayley (Oman) Ryan MAE ’10 of Overton was named to the 2023 Girls High School Region Coaches of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches

Randy Mendyk of Phillips plays the drums and is a vocalist for the band BD and the Boys.

Ryan Tworek of Mission Viejo, California, was honored with the UNKAA Jim Rundstrom Distinguished Alumni Service Award at the UNKAA Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon during UNK’s homecoming.

Association, as well as the 2023-2024 Nebraska Coaches Association Hudl Volleyball Coach of the Year. She is the head volleyball coach at Overton High School.

Leah (Lewis) Stade, O.T.D., M.H.P.T.T., O.T.R./L., of Minden is the academic fieldwork coordinator and an assistant professor in the occupational therapy program at UNMC. She was also a recipient of the UNK 50th Anniversary Title IX Trailblazer Award for her contributions to women’s track and field.

2003 Holly Fuhr MSE ’05 of York was announced as a 2022-2023 National Federation of State High School Association and the Nebraska School Activities Association State Coach of the Year for bowling. She coaches at York High School.

Amanda (Ruzicka) Gehrt of Chadron is a deputy forest supervisor at Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands.

2004 Bryce Abbey, Ph.D., MAE ’06 of Kearney has been honored as a 2022-2023 National Federation of State High School Associations NSAA Official of the Year.

Angela (Brown) Blank of Kearney teaches high school math and serves as the freshman class sponsor at Axtell Community School.

Robin Burton MAE ’09 of Oakland is a secondary social studies teacher at LyonsDecatur Northeast Schools.

Jason Calahan of Kearney is the Windy Hills Elementary School principal.

Greg Yochum of Kearney teaches art and serves as the eighth-grade class sponsor at Wilcox-Hildreth Public School.

2005 Victoria du Preez of Kearney is a lactation consultant and child passenger safety technician at Kearney Regional Medical Center.

Cynthia (Waskowiak) Holthaus of Topeka, Kansas, is the chief of staff and director of government relations at Washburn University.

William “Mike” Miller of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

Mandi (Little) Mollring of Storm Lake, Iowa, is the assistant dean of student success and campus engagement at Buena Vista University.

Nathan Sudbeck, Psy.D., of Elkhorn earned his board certification in clinical psychology.

He and his wife, Jada (Bilau) Sudbeck '04, are the owners of TRUE Counseling and Psychological Services LLC in Omaha.

Tyson Thomas of Rockingham, Virginia, is the head coach of the women’s tennis program at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Jillian (Tangeman), Ph.D., MA ’06 and Chris Wenburg, D.D.S., of Kansas City, Missouri, are parents of a son, Miles John, born June 11.

Kevin Witte MA of Kearney was inducted into the Academy for Teacher Education Excellence at UNK for 2023.

Justin Zeleski, Ed.D., of Omaha was honored as the Dr. Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumnus during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

2006 Elizabeth "Beth" (Zackery) Geiger of Lincoln teaches third grade at Destinations Career Academy of New Mexico.

Ruth (Udey) Harding, Ph.D., of Livermore, California, was honored with the Dr. Donald E. Fox Distinguished Chemistry Alumna Award during UNK’s homecoming weekend.

Frank “Luke” Kucera of Litchfield will be inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024 as a wrestler. He wrestled for Rock County High School, Kearney High School and UNK. Yly Rock of Aurora, Colorado, and Riley Newcomer ’12, MA ’14 of Littleton, Colorado, coach football at Kent Denver School in Englewood.

Matthew Sullivan of Madison, Wisconsin, is the vice president for student development at Edgewood College.

2007 Nathan Blazek of Hutto, Texas, is a software development manager for Amazon.

Katy Bodenhamer of North Hollywood, California, is the executive producer of and an actress in the movie “Desperation Road.”

Melissa (Huffman) Bucher of Axtell is a central region industrial salesperson for Wesco.

Hayley (Oman) Ryan MAE ’10

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UNK TODAY

UNK TODAY

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FOREVER A LOPER Chelsey Karlin of Lincoln is a grants manager at EducationQuest Foundation.

Jenn (Jameson) True MA ’12 of Kearney is the principal at Buffalo Hills Elementary.

2008 Brianne (Stevenson) Berres of Hastings is an eligibility and enrollment program manager II at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Josh Hanshaw of Lincoln is the planning and development manager at Lincoln Housing Authority.

Tyler Haussler, M.D., of Kearney practices internal medicine at Platte Valley Medical Clinic in Kearney.

Kristan (Barleen) Poast of Papillion started her business, Cardinal HR LLC. Cardinal HR partners with business leaders, owners and entrepreneurs to provide professional human resources support.

2009 Lauren (Mollard) Brandt of Kearney is the manager of the Kearney SportsPlex.

Megan (Dobmeier) Hooper MS ’12 of Tampa, Florida, married Chris Bucalos on June 3.

Angela (Reynolds) Davidson MBA ’10 of Grand Island is a lecturer in the management department at UNK, in addition to being the human resources benefits manager at Central Community College. Angela and her husband, Chris, are parents of a daughter, Raelyn Alana, born Aug. 7. Her sisters are Brooklyn and Ashlyn.

Damon Day MAE of Kearney is the baseball coach at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha.

FOREVER A LOPER University of Colorado Boulder. He recently traveled to Ghent, Belgium, to present on “Bruce Wayne and the Adoption of Tim Drake” at the Comics, the Children and Childishness Conference. His research focuses on the representation of orphans and vulnerable children in superhero comics.

2010 Elizabeth (Chrisp) Klingelhoefer of Amherst was awarded the Rising Star Award at the Nebraska Defense Counsel Association’s annual meeting. The Rising Star Award honors an attorney who has made major contributions to defense law by trying or settling a case of great significance within the past year and who has been practicing law for 15 years or less.

Tyler and Emilie (Ross) Macke of Crestwood, Kentucky, are parents of a son, Matthew Levi, born May 23. He has three brothers, Landon, Logan and Lucas. Tyler is an OEM sales manager with Rockwell Automation. Emilie is an onboarding specialist with ServiceReef and Cause Machine.

Scott Phillips of Aurora is a seventh-grade math teacher at Aurora Middle School and was named the 2024 Nebraska Teacher of the Year by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Jeff Schwartz MAE ’17 of Albion is the superintendent at Boone Central Schools.

Kellen Skarka of Grapevine, Texas, is an operations officer at Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) International Airport.

Joel Thurman of Greeley, Colorado, is a media studies doctoral student at the

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2016

Adam Dickey and Micah Stall ’17 of Kearney married May 27.

Alexandria "Alex" Kentner of Hastings is a customer solutions consultant at Fastenal Co.

Jordan Gonzales of Omaha was recognized by the Lincoln Young Professionals Group and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce as the 2023 Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year.

Elaine Arehart of Kearney teaches music, including band, choir and general music, and serves as the marching band director and freshman class sponsor at Wilcox-Hildreth Public School.

Blake and Miranda (Kreikemeier) Holtmeier of West Des Moines, Iowa, are parents of a son, Brooks Blake, born Nov. 13.

Erin Lempka of Minden teaches fourth grade and is the eighth-grade volleyball coach for Minden Public Schools.

Luis Olivas of Kearney is the director of intercultural engagement and leadership at UNK.

Samantha Moss of Wood River is the communications and events coordinator at the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ivy Prater of Arlington, Virginia, is the program manager of grassroots technology for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA).

Craig Trampe of Arcadia will be inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2024 as a wrestler. He wrestled for Ord High School and is now the superintendent at Arcadia Public Schools.

Steve Stutzman of Kearney is a CNS specialty sales representative II at AbbVie.

2013 Andi and Katie (Swett) Diediker of Wayne are parents of a daughter, Ava Charlotte, born Oct. 29. She has a sister, Emmy, and a brother, Brooks.

Chris Everson of Savannah, Georgia, is the senior category manager for Parker’s Kitchen.

Lauren Stehlik of Elkhorn married Alex Hines on Nov. 3 in Lincoln.

Carrie (Prososki) Stallbaumer of Lexington teaches at Lexington Middle School and is an assistant volleyball coach at the high school.

Cory Foote of Omaha is a talent sourcer at Milan Laser Hair Removal.

Andy Hoffman of Elkhorn is the culture and talent manager at Northwestern Mutual.

Patrick "Dillon" Schrodt MA ’16 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, teaches grades 9-12 at The Village High School in Academy School District 20.

2015

Jessica Gorecki of Ravenna is a laboratory and instrument technician in the chemistry department at UNK.

Dusty Birge of Kearney was honored with the UNKAA Distinguished Young Alumnus Award at the UNKAA Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon during UNK’s homecoming.

Billie (Kunzman) Hottovy of Omaha is the learning and development manager at Medical Solutions.

Betsy Olson ME ’16 teaches sixth-grade social studies and language arts at Minden Public Schools.

Joee (Beckman) Muhlbach MAE ’21 of Kearney is the assistant principal at WilcoxHildreth Public School.

Kayli and Nick White of Hanahan, South Carolina, are parents of a daughter, Hattie Ray, born Oct. 19.

Sara (McMillan) Bennett MBA ’15 of Gibbon is the director of UNK’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Rural Development.

Shelby and Eric Miller of Wallace are parents of a son, River Michael, born Oct. 21.

Holly Groteluschen, M.D., of Kearney is a primary care physician at CHI Health Clinic.

Alan Taylor of Warr Acres, Oklahoma, is a lawyer with Palmer Law PLC.

2011

Cale Holscher MA ’13 of Imperial teaches physical education and body conditioning at Chase County Schools.

Taylor and Austin Edghill of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Evie Rae, born on Dec. 26. She has a big sister, Winry.

2014

John Gibbs MSE ’17 of Kearney is the director of academic advising and career development at UNK.

Ann (Thurin) Carlson of Geneva is an HR manager at Universal Pure.

Damon Day MAE

2012

Brock Persson of Valentine was a member of The Band Directors Marching Band in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. He is a music teacher at Todd County High School in South Dakota.

Brian Riley of Louisburg, North Carolina, is the senior director of global operations at West Pharmaceutical Services.

Nick and Sara (Ritzdorf) Schram of Omaha are parents of a son, Tate Lee, born Oct. 30.

He has a sister, Ava.

UNK TODAY

2017 Soren Brunken of Kearney is a business intelligence program manager at The Buckle.

Sergio Ceja of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is an assistant director for multicultural recruitment and the admissions recruiter for Nebraska at the University of Alabama.

Alex and Lydia (Payne) Hobelmann ’21 of Smith Center, Kansas, are parents of a son, Harrison Dean. He has a big brother, Karsten.

David Squiers of Holdrege is the physical education teacher and activities director at Loomis Public Schools.

Rachel Stauffer of West Fargo, North Dakota, is the e-commerce manager at Aimbridge Hospitality.

2018 Samantha Baumert of Omaha is a licensed independent mental health practitioner with Capstone Behavioral Health in Omaha.

Timothy “TJ” and Courtney (Hayden) Burbach ’17 of Kearney are parents of a son, Crew Scott, born Sept. 28. Courtney was awarded the Young Nebraskans Leadership and Professional Development award and is the program director at the Kearney Family YMCA. TJ is a respiratory therapist at Kearney Regional Medical Center.

UNK TODAY

Carl Zuege MA of Imperial was announced as a 2022-2023 National Federation of State High School Association and the Nebraska School Activities Association State Coach of the Year for boys track and field. He coaches at Chase County High School and teaches social studies.

Tanya Woodward MA of Lincoln is the winner of the UNK’s 2022 Most Outstanding Thesis for Humanities/Fine Arts. She currently is a secondary English teacher in the Czech Republic.

2019

2023

Ryan Clark and Paige Kristensen ’20 of Lawrence, Kansas, married Dec. 2.

Adelaide (Maxwell) Fisher of Imperial teaches third grade at Chase County Schools.

Tristan Crook of Kearney is the owner and a financial planner at 308 Financial, serving early- to mid-career medical professionals.

Kiersten Lubke of Minden teaches Spanish and serves as freshman class sponsor at Wilcox-Hildreth Public School.

2020

Brie Meyer of Campbell teaches second grade and is the head volleyball coach and assistant basketball coach at Wilcox-Hildreth Public School.

Kaylei Becker of Cozad received the Rookie Teacher of the Year award from the Nebraska State Business Education Association.

She teaches business, marketing and information technology at Kearney High School.

Gail (Shaffer) Blankenau MA of Lincoln published a book, “Journey to Freedom: Uncovering the Grayson Sisters' Escape from Nebraska Territory.”

Valeria Lozano MSE ’23 of Kearney is an academic advising specialist with UNK. Adam Spanier of Kearney is a lecturer with cyber systems at UNK.

2021 Preeti Timalsina of Omaha is the IT manager at Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska.

2022 Chandra (Daffer) Essex, Ed.S., of Hastings is a social emotional behavioral learning specialist at UNL. Evan Fisher of Imperial is an equipment sales consultant at Titan Machinery.

Jennifer Nava of Lexington teaches at Sandoz Elementary School and is an assistant volleyball coach at the high school.

Emily Palmer of Lincoln is a curatorial assistant at the Museum of Nebraska Art. Raegen Stabenow of Holdrege is a client relationship coordinator at Barney Financial Services.

Cassidy Stelling of Kearney is a digital design intern for the Cleveland Browns NFL football team.

Tatum Vondra of Milford is the coordinator of building operations at Sphere Entertainment Co. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Lopers in Memoriam 1948 Alice (Campbell) Hock Kearney 1950 Violet Peterson Bertrand

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FOREVER A LOPER 1953 Lou (Casey) Mitchell Elm Creek

1965 Peggy (Rogers) Miller MSE ’69 Kearney

1954 Lois (Wurst) Nicholson Lincoln

Francis Osentowski Garland, Texas

1955 Marion (Auble) Mirehouse Kearney 1957 Louise (Shultz) Bauer Kearney Larry Collison Kearney Marci (Nicodemus) Lambert Allen, Texas James Mitchell Bozeman, Montana Dayne Smith Lone Tree, Colorado 1958 Glenwood "Glen" Einspahr Boonville, Missouri James "Jim" Hurt Kearney Leroy Sprague Lincoln, California 1961 Paul Norblade MSE ’65 Papillion Dale Smidt Hastings 1962 Margery (Kindvall) Harouff, Ed.D. Lincoln Gust Rakes Omaha Charles "Chuck" Wooley Jr. Omaha 1963 Jacque (Wittfoth) Paxson Beaver Crossing Marjorie (Forman) Verplank Sidney 1964 Nancy (Luther) Neubauer Missouri Valley, Iowa Alan "Al" Smith, Ph.D. Fredericksburg, Texas Stanley Spomer McCook

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Marion Sather Bennington Thomas Vincent MSE Springfield 1966 Bill Bridges MAE Fremont 1967 Rex Kroeger Sioux City, Iowa Terry Loschen Prairie Village, Kansas Caryl Hultquist MSE Omaha 1968 Walter "Wally" Beck MAE Hastings Jim Buck Grand Island Audre (Butenschoen) DeVries Cambridge Mary (Chelewski) Fletcher Frahm Amelia Charlotte (Layton) Harper Lincoln Lewis Miller Omaha Shirley (Sprague) Smets Lexington 1969 Larry Arehart Lincoln Woody Dillman Omaha Richard "Dick" Helvey Johnson Lake Don Pettijohn MSE Axtell Ruth (Reiter) Slominski Kearney 1970 Marlene (Higby) Coe Alma Michael Dusenbery Beatrice

FOREVER A LOPER James Flynn MAE Louisville Cheryln Libal Lexington Clyde Swanson Holdrege 1971 Francine (Braner) Bahm Kearney Gary Bergsten MBA ’92 Holdrege Emma (Bush) Weeks Crawford Arapahoe Ronald "Ron" Hudson Shelton Eldon Johnson Minden

1979 Jane Grabenstein-Chandler Lincoln 1980 David Battiato Lincoln Dennis "Denny" Lewis Kearney 1981 Linda (Parker) Cumming MAE Lincoln Glenda (Leetch) Kahler Grand Island Lori Weber Omaha

Marilyn (Spilker) Peck Scottsbluff

1974 Larry Austin Inverness, Florida 1975 Doug Metzger Lincoln Hughes Morris Jr. MSE Lincoln 1977 John "Jack" Garlock Jr. Waterloo Sarah "Sally" (Olsson) O’Neill MSE Lincoln Gordon "Tom" Svarvari Deer Creek, Minnesota Virginia "Diane" (Skiles) Yenny Grand Island

Ashli (Holsten) Hoos Grand Island Brenda Taylor Gibbon 1994 Norman Cady Odessa

2007 Katharine "Katie" (Harms) Sisson MS ’09 Arapahoe

1972 Thomas Aitken Jr. Falls City

Carlene (Jacobson) Waldron Lincoln

1993 Joan (Toro) Davis MAE North Platte

2001 Christopher "Chris" Larsen Kearney

Duane "Mike" Schmidt Kearney

Thomas Tumbleson Lincoln

1992 Diana Ridgley MBA Kearney

1995 Russell Smith Omaha

1986

Lynn Menagh Norton, Kansas

1973 Gregg Hanna Burwell

Betty (Casper) Swallow Grand Island

Gary Reber, of Lincoln, was a past member of the UNK Alumni Association Board of Directors, serving a term as president.

He died Jan. 3.

1987 Mary (Becker) Pribyl Milligan Jolene (Spohn) Ward Kearney 1988 Marilyn McNeal Kearney Larry "Newk" Newcomb Minden 1989 Michael Crone Omaha Nancy Rupp MAE Kearney Kristie (Ostrom) Spencer Abilene, Kansas 1990 Jayne (Brunke) Keen Ed.S. Kearney

UNK TODAY

Toni Hill, Ph.D., was recognized with the Faculty Award for Inclusive Excellence.

She serves as a professor and chair in the department of counseling, school psychology and family science.

Beth Hinga, Ph.D., assistant to the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs, has been selected by the American Association of State College and Universities for its 2023 Becoming a Provost Academy.

Dawn Mollenkopf, Ph.D., was recognized with the Pratt-Heins Award for Teaching.

She serves as a professor and co-chair in the department of teacher education and as program chair for the early childhood inclusive endorsement.

Julie Shaffer, Ph.D., is the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Kyle Trelka is the head swimming and diving coach at UNK.

2009 Cody Lambotte Rossville, Kansas

Loper Faculty and Staff Notes

Loper Faculty and Staff Service Anniversaries

Greg Benson, Ed.D., was recognized with the Pratt-Heins Award for Service. He is a professor and coordinator of the supply chain management program.

10 years Laurinda Weisse, associate professor and archivist, Calvin T. Ryan Library

Julie Campbell, Ph.D., was selected by the honors program students as the 20222023 Honors Program Teacher of the Year.

Haishi Cao, Ph.D., was recognized with the Pratt-Heins Award for Scholarship and Research. He is a professor in the department of chemistry.

Dawn Cromer received the Staff Award for Excellence. She serves as the business manager in UNK Communications and Marketing.

Suzanne Exstrom is a senior academic advising specialist.

UNK TODAY

Joseph “Joe” Springer, Eastsound, Washington, professor of biology from 1979-2015

Trista Lefler, formerly the assistant registrar of transfer systems, is now the associate university registrar.

David Vail, Ph.D., is an associate professor of history and is the inaugural recipient of the Excellence in Teaching General Studies Award presented by the UNK General Studies Council.

Derek Boeckner, Ph.D., an associate professor and chair in the department of math and statistics, received the David Stevenson Faculty Senate Distinguished Service Award.

Duane Osmanski, Kearney, Aqualopers dive coach from 1997-2017

20 years: Suzanne Hayes, Ph.D., professor, accounting, finance, and economics 30 years: Jean Jacobson, collection coordinator, Museum of Nebraska Art

Loper Faculty and Staff Deaths Rick Miller, Ph.D., Lincoln, professor of psychology from 1990-2014

We’ve Moved!

Come see us at our new location in University Village.

Regional Engagement Center 2204 University Drive, Suite 103 Kearney, NE 68845 Phone number: 308-698-5271 Email: Lopers@unkalumni.org

Otto Lohrenz, Ph.D., Omaha, professor of history from 1966-1990 Doug Lund, Ph.D., Lincoln, professor of biology from 1962-1999 Virgy Lund, Kearney, curator of the G. W. Frank Museum from 1990-2004

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