MIDLAND 2026 ALUMNI & FRIENDS MAGAZINE
Midland Alums Help Guide Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce
OFFICE OF ALUMNI & ADVANCEMENT 900 N Clarkson Street | Fremont, NE 68025 800-642-8382 | alumni@midlandu.edu
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DR. ALY WILLIAMS President
AMBER BARTON '02 Senior Vice President Commercial Lending, Pinnacle Bank
DR. LEVI ESSES Vice President for Student Success & Belonging
REBECCA BERGMAN Retired President, Gustavus Adolphus College
LORI ETHIER '07, MBA '17 Vice President for Enrollment & Marketing
BRET GRIESS Executive Partner, Siris Capital Group
JOE HARNISCH '01 Chief Financial Officer
BRETT RICHMOND Healthcare Executive
LAURA JENSEN Vice President for Institutional Advancement
MARK SHEPARD K-12 Advisor, BVH Architecture
DR. JAMIE SIMPSON Chief Academic Officer
REV. AMY TRUHE Pastor, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church
COURTNEY THOMSEN Athletics Director
TONY URBAN '92 Principal, Tax Services, RSM ALBERT VARAS '02 Chief Executive Officer, Latino Center of the Midlands
MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS ERIC TAYLOR '92 Editor
TOM WALKER '81 Retired President, Health Care Information Systems
KIM TAYLOR '94 Designer BRENT WASENIUS '86 Writer
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UNIVERSI TY L EA DERSH I P & MAG AZ INE CO NT R IBUTO R S
DR. ALY WILLIAMS President, Midland University
In This Issue 4
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Dr. Williams updates for campus .
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Ghulam Isaczai '93
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FBLA-C STUDENT ORGANIZATION Midland's FBLA-C Tradition shapes leaders far beyond graduation.
Meet the Alumni & Advancement Team
PATHWAYS 12 PARAEDUCATOR Midland University continuing its work in meeting the needs of Nebraska educators SPOTLIGHT 14 ALUMNI Tre Brooks, MBA '18 2030 16 IMPACT Dr. Williams, campus community seek
LAURA JENSEN
ANNA O'Reilly
VP for Institutional Advancement jensen@midlandu.edu
Director of Development oreilly@midlandu.edu
continued growth for Midland's future. SPOTLIGHT 18 ALUMNI Trio of Graduates bring a Midland mindset to the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce. SPOTLIGHT 21 STUDENT Allaya Livingston, Class of 2026 DANCE PROGRAM 22 MIDLAND In its 15 years, the Midland Dance Program has established itself as one of the elite programs in the nation.
Evan Hunt
EMMA OBORNY
Director of Alumni Relations hunte@midlandu.edu
Director of the Career Studio & Business Development oborny@midlandu.edu
SPOTLIGHT 25 STUDENT AJ Walswick, Class of 2026 HOME 26 FINDING Fremont has become home for many Midland graduates. SPOTLIGHT 30 ALUMNI Will Hastreiter '21 SOCIETIES 34 GIVING Giving societies that celebrate a tradition of generosity supporting students
MANDY DAMES
CASEY UPTON
Advancement Gifts & Database Specialist dames@midlandu.edu
Annual Giving Officer upton@midlandu.edu
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LETTER from the PRESIDENT Dear Midland University Alumni and Friends, It’s hard to believe that I have wrapped up my first full academic year as President of Midland. When I wrote to you last year, I was still introducing myself, sharing the story of my roots on a grain farm in southern Illinois, and telling you “why” I chose Midland. Today, my answer to that question is no longer about what I hoped to find here, it’s a celebration of what I see in action every single day. This past year, we rolled up our sleeves and did the collective work of mapping out Midland’s future. Through extensive community conversations with our faculty, staff, students, and community partners, we looked closely at our mission statement. We realized that while we all loved Midland’s heart and the core of our mission, the wording of the statement was not clear. So, we made a few intentional tweaks to the wording. First, we changed our focus from “people” to “students”. While we care about all of the people that make up the Midland community, the university’s mission is about the student experience. Second, we explicitly added the word “serve” as an outcome. Rooted in our Lutheran heritage, we know that leadership without service is incomplete. We are called to show up for our neighbors and we are dedicated to crafting the student experience around this concept. Finally, we framed the statement by declaring, “At Midland University, we inspire…” because this mission statement doesn’t belong to a building or an administration, it belongs to all of us collectively. Our renewed mission is simple: At Midland University, we inspire students to learn, serve, and lead in the world, with purpose. You will read more about our strategic plan, Impact 2030, later in this issue. It serves as our roadmap to bring that promise to life. But, the best part of my job is seeing how our students are already living it out. It’s always a great day to be a Warrior! And throughout the year, this was in full display. We cheered our Women’s Hockey, Men’s and Women’s Powerlifting, Dance and Cheer to national championships. We celebrated those championships by ringing our newly refurbished Victory Bell, dedicated to the heritage of Midland Lutheran
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LET TER F RO M TH E PRESI DEN T
College. Our classroom excellence took center stage as our FBLA-Collegiate students placed 9th in the nation in the Outstanding Chapter category. I also had the privilege of listening to students share at our student Research Symposium. They presented their semester-long research with poise and confidence. Our future is in very good hands! We have also been working hard to give our campus community the physical home it deserves. If you step onto campus right now, you’ll see one of our strategic priorities, Campus Foundation, in action. We are installing a brand new turf practice field north of Hopkins Arena. This will be a game-changer for our student-athletes, giving them a massive new practice space, right on campus, and helping to alleviate some of the late-night practice constraints. Combine that with new LED lights shining at Heedum Field, ongoing exterior building improvements, and several classroom updates, and you can truly feel the momentum building. But, if you ask me what my absolute favorite memories of this year were, they didn’t occur in my office. My husband and I have absolutely loved opening our home to this community. We’ve hosted the President’s Society donor group, packed the house for a student Super Bowl party, and held gatherings for our Student Ambassadors and Student Senate. This spring, we also started a new tradition during our Senior Send-off, celebrating our graduates right before they walked across the commencement stage. When I wasn’t hosting on campus, I was hitting the road to meet you. From alumni gatherings in Omaha and Lincoln, to Kansas City and Minneapolis - plus so many wonderful one-on-one conversations in between - you welcomed me with open arms. I have loved listening to your stories, hearing about the faculty members who changed your lives, and witnessing your enduring love for Midland. Fifteen months ago, I was an outsider to Nebraska. Today, because of your warmth, your passion, and your shared commitment to this institution, I can proudly say that I am home. We are building a vibrant, resilient future together, and it is full of promise! With gratitude and warmth, Dr. Aly Williams Midland University President
Generosity Helps Build a Stronger Student-Athlete Experience Thanks to the generosity of our donors, several major improvements have been made, and are being made, to our athletic facilities over the past year. The turf was replaced at Heedum Field in the spring of 2025, along with a new track surface. Many of Midland's athletic programs rely on Heedum Field as their home, and a new turf has helped improve performance and safety for our student athletes. The new track allowed Midland to host the 2026 Great Plains Athletic Conference meet, the first time Midland has hosted the GPAC in nearly a decade! Over the summer, Midland is also installing a new turf practice field north of Hopkins Arena (pictured to the right). This new facility will be utilized by hundreds of athletes and will allow for more flexibility in practice hours, improve the safety of our student-athletes, and reduce the wear and tear on Heedum Field. These are just a few examples of the many ways your generosity is making the Midland Experience a memorable one for our students. Thank you, Donors! Your dollars are making a difference! M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
A Midland Education, A Global Mission: Ghulam Isaczai '93 Ghulam Mohammad Isaczai ’93, has overcome numerous trials and tribulations to serve as the head of the United Nations in Iraq and as the representative of the UN Secretary-General. Isaczai grew up in Kabul, Afghanistan. His father was a civil servant and the family’s sole breadwinner. “Kabul in those years was a cosmopolitan city, with functioning infrastructure and a culture in which women moved freely, worked and pursued education. My parents, especially my father, invested seriously in our schooling including that of my sisters. One of them today is a practicing physician in Denmark.” Isaczai’s life was turned upside down, however, by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December of 1979. At 13, he said he didn’t fully grasp what that event would mean for his life. “What followed was a sustained, U.S.- and western backed Afghan resistance that turned the country into a battlefield and drove millions into exile,” he said. “My family was among them. We scattered across the world – Denmark, the United States and Canada – each of us finding a new footing on different soil.” Isaczai fled to Peshawar, Pakistan, on the Afghan border. There he became involved with groups opposing the Soviet occupation and gradually transitioned into humanitarian work with internal Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), conducting cross-border operations inside Afghanistan.
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GHUL AM I SAC Z A I ' 93
“I did this to survive while I kept looking for a way back into education,” Isaczai said. That search proved frustrating as Afghan refugees were effectively barred from Pakistani public universities and private institutions were costly. Isaczai turned his attention to the U.S. That led him to the Weber Scholarship program, sponsored by the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Afghan Studies Center with USAID funding. Its mission was to cultivate a generation of educated Afghans who could one day return and help rebuild their country. Midland participated in the program and Isaczai was one of two Afghan students to receive a scholarship. After a brief orientation at UNO in the summer of 1990, he began classes that fall in Fremont. He said the adjustment to a Midwestern town with a population just short of 24,000 was “jarring.” “But the shock faded quickly,” he said. “Faculty and staff welcomed me with genuine warmth. I was invited to speak at local churches and civic clubs about the war and life under occupation.” He bonded with his professors, especially Dr. Alcyone Scott and Dr. Marilyn Peterson. He was also introduced to his host family – Judge Dan and Margaret Beckwith. “Their generosity transformed a foreign place into something like home,” Isaczai said. “Midland in retrospect gave me exactly the foundation I needed.” Isaczai quickly got involved in campus life. He was elected
president of the International Student Association and joined the Student Senate. He also played soccer, participated in cultural events and was a regular contributor to the Midland Magazine. Isaczai graduated in three years with Magna Cum Laude distinction. He then worked in sales and marketing in Omaha. “While I was competent at it, something was consistently missing,” he said. “I didn’t want to work simply for a paycheck. The human dimension – the connection, the sense that what I was doing mattered to someone – wasn’t there.” The Afghanistan native enrolled at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston. He completed his master’s in international law in 1997 and soon after joined the United Nations. “What followed was more than three decades of work across some of the world’s most complex environments: humanitarian response in conflict zones, policy advice to governments, human rights advocacy, motivating people to become engaged citizens and diplomatic representation at the highest international levels,” he said. “It was, in every meaningful sense, the career I had been searching for.” There have been difficult challenges, including in his native country. As ambassador and permanent representative of Afghanistan, Isaczai saw his government collapse while he was representing it at the UN. He said the Taliban had taken Kabul following the conclusion of the Doha Agreement between the Taliban and U.S. government. “I found myself among the last remaining ambassadors of a country that no longer had a functioning government,” he said. “Given the time difference with Kabul, I worked nearly 20 hours a day – spending my days at the UN speaking at various meetings and advocating for humanitarian intervention to save millions of lives. My nights were (spent) responding to hundreds of calls and messages from desperate Afghans seeking a voice on the international stage. “Simultaneosly, I worked to protect Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the UN from falling into Taliban hands. It was, in every sense, a crisis without a manual.” In his current role as head of the UN in Iraq and the
“Their generosity transformed a foreign place into something like home. Midland in retrospect gave me exactly the foundation I needed.” GHUL AM ISACZAI ' 93
representative of the UN Secretary General, Isaczai leads and coordinates the activities of 25 UN agencies, funds and programs – a combined portfolio of $1.4 billion covering economic diversification and employment, social protection systems, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, governance reform, rule of law and human rights. “As humanitarian coordinator, I also direct the UN’s support to the Government in Iraq in delivering assistance to approximately one million internally displaced persons and in overseeing the repatriation of thousands of Iraqis from Syria – people who fled their country during the war against extremist groups and are now finding their way home,” he said. Isaczai said his work has been very rewarding. “What I can say in general is that I am proud of the work I have done with the United Nations across different countries and the small differences made in individual lives — whether a woman in a remote Nepali village gaining access to maternity care, a child saved from malnutrition in North Korea, or an Iraqi family repatriated from dire detention conditions to be reunited with loved ones,” he said. “Every life changed in even a modest way represents a success that no organizational chart or budget figure can capture.” He is grateful for his family’s support during his career. “Behind all of this was a strong family: my wife and three daughters, who bore the disruptions of this life — the absences, the relocations, the uncertainty — without complaint, and with more generosity than I likely deserved,” he said. “I could not have done any of this without them and I am equally proud of them.” M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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Midland's FBLA-C Tradition Shapes Leaders Far Beyond Graduation
Through building relationships, winning awards, and numerous travel opportunities, the Midland University Future Business Leaders of America-Collegiate has provided lifetime experiences for countless students. For the past 36 years, Rita Bristol, Associate Professor of Business, has been the backbone of that organization, serving as FBLA-C advisor. This 36th year was her last at Midland and although she may be departing from her role on campus, the memories of what this group has meant to her will always remain. “We’ve had so much fun and there are so many great stories and memories,” Bristol said. “It’s an important time
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FB L A- C
in their lives and it’s been exciting to see them grow into who they are going to be.” When Bristol arrived at Midland in 1991, FBLA-C (then known as Phi Beta Lambda) was a small group with less than 10 students. Those numbers have grown over the years, even reaching triple digits on some occasions, before settling into a steady number of around 40 each year. Students of all grades and majors are encouraged to participate. Bristol’s approach to her leadership role is to make the students the stars and let them dictate the significance of their involvement. “My philosophy is that you get out of
it what you put into it,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to develop leadership skills, network, or do whatever. I don’t tell them what to do, I’m just there to guide. Over the years, we have had many students step up to make this something important to them.” One of those students was Jennifer Claus (Roeber) ’10. In her time at Midland, Claus served as a two-time Nebraska State President. Over the years, she has remained heavily involved in the organization, including serving as a coach for the University of Minnesota squad, judging at state conferences, and eventually stepping in as lead state adviser for Nebraska. On a national level, she has served on a variety of committees and is in her fourth year on the national Board of Directors, currently serving as the immediate Past Chair. “FBLA allowed me the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone, try new things, and build the confidence that has carried into my career,” she said. “On a personal level, I actually met my husband through FBLA. He was serving as North Dakota state president while I was Nebraska president and we met during the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.” Now an Accounting Manager for Baxter Auto Group, Claus believes FBLA-C helped develop her as a professional, and a leader. “FBLA doesn’t just give you experiences, it transforms how you see yourself and what you believe you’re capable of,” she said. “It can change the trajectory of your life, and just as importantly, it allows you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. That kind of impact stays with you long after your time in the organization ends.” Scott Tatum ’24, is still realizing the impact FBLA-C made on him. “One of the biggest things I took away from FBLA-C was time management,” he said. “Time management is vital in any industry and you need to be able to juggle multiple things at one time. Without the
“ We’ve had so much fun and there are so many great stories and memories. It’s an important time in their lives and it’s been exciting to see them grow into who they are going to be. - RI TA BRISTOL
” skills I learned at Midland, there is no way I would be able to maintain all of the things I’m doing.” Tatum also served as a state president and those leadership roles serve him well in his current position as National Business Development Officer with Stewart Title. He also owns and operates Tatum Premier Rentals. “A large part of my role in FBLA-C was to unite people and bring in new members to both Midland, and the state of Nebraska,” he said. “I use so many of those same skills in my job and with my company. Being able to create an image in someone’s mind, or the ability to convince someone to join an organization is pure sales training.
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Brodie Arnold ’26 served as the most recent FBLA-C president at Midland. His connection to FBLA-C helped land him a spot in the graduate program at Notre Dame, where he will be continuing his education in the fall of 2026. “Through FBLA-C, I have been able to network with individuals I would have otherwise probably never spoken to,” he said. “I was able to meet a professor from Notre Dame through FBLA-C who introduced me to the graduate program. Because of FBLA-C, I’ve been able to travel, make new friends, gain leadership experience, and ultimately change my life.”
““We’ve had students who when they got into their jobs, they were willing to lead fundraising projects because they had already done them at Midland. You love to hear those stories. - R I TA B R ISTOL
” “I also learned a lot about public speaking and having those communication skills is what separates you from your peers.” Beyond the knowledge he gained, Tatum believes the greatest value of FBLA-C was the lifelong relationships and connections he built, both with fellow Midland students, and those from organizations across the country. “Some of my long-lasting memories are the fun times I had with members of FBLA-C and the late nights of preparation and studying,” he said. “I made lifelong friends because of FBLA-C and many of those people are now business partners or clients.”
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FB L A- C
Midland’s FBLA-C program is widely recognized as one of the stronger programs on both a state and national level, and there’s a trophy case full of awards to prove it. “Nebraska has had multiple years where we come back with more trophies and top finishes than any other state at the National Leadership Conference,” Bristol said. “Our students always do well, and that’s a credit to our Dunklau School of Business faculty. They do a great job of getting our students prepared.” But the organization is about so much more than just collecting accolades. They have organized various fundraising events over the years to support Midland students, including coat drives and career clothing collections, as well as helping raise money for other local organizations. They even generated their own coloring book for local students that included both English and Spanish versions. “It’s amazing to see all of the ideas that have been student-driven,” Bristol said. “They all have such creative minds. “We’ve had students who when they got into their jobs, they were willing to lead fundraising projects because they had already done them at Midland. You love to hear those stories.”
Arnold said Bristol has been the driving force of FBLA-C at Midland and her impact will be felt long after she departs. “Her advice and expertise has allowed this program to excel for many years and I can confidently say without that guidance, I would not be the student leader I am today,” Arnold said. “She knows when to hop in and help, and when to let us figure things out on our own. This has allowed members to succeed, learn, and grow within the business world.” What Bristol said she will always look back on is the growth, both personally and professionally, she witnessed from students involved in FBLA-C. “We had students who went from being quiet and shy to becoming state officers and being responsible for leading an entire organization,” she said. “You loved seeing their confidence grow and that’s what inspired me to keep doing this. I’m going to miss it.”
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 9:00-10:00 AM I Turf Ribbon Cutting M I D L A N D 11:00 AM-1:00 PM I State of the University 1:00 PM | Homecoming Campus Tour 6:00 PM | Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame 7:30 PM | All-Class Reunion Social & Food Truck
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 9:00 AM | Golden Warrior 50-Year Reunion 11:30 AM | Alumni Tailgate 1:00 PM | Homecoming Football vs. Dakota Wesleyan 4:00 PM | Football Reunion 5:00 PM | Men's Soccer vs. Briar Cliff 6:00 PM | Powerlifting 10-Year Celebration 7:00 PM | Women's Soccer vs. Briar Cliff
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 8:00 AM | Homecoming Worship 11:00 AM | Alumni & Legacy Banquet
U N I V E R S I T Y
GET YOUR HOMECOMING T-SHIRT PRE-SALES ONLY
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS, VISIT MIDLANDU.EDU/HOMECOMING
*SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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Midland University Continuing Its Work in Meeting the Needs of Educators Across the State Through its Paraeducator Pathways and continued education programs, Midland University is getting educators started in their careers, and helping them advance. Educators who need assistance in getting their careers off the ground, or those who are looking to expand their opportunities through furthering their education, are finding that Midland University is meeting their needs. “We want aspiring and current teachers to think of Midland University as the most practical, relevant, and caring institution that fosters exceptional teachers,” said Dr. Cammy Romanuck Murphy, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Strategic Partnerships. “It’s a place they can acquire tangible skills they can take into their classrooms or prepare them for future leadership roles.” Midland’s Para to Teacher Pathways (Three to Teach Program and the Teacher Career Ladder Program) are designed for para educators to complete their degree and initial teaching certification in 2 to 3 years. Candidates can enter this program with a handful of postsecondary credits
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PARAEDUCATO R PAT HWAYS
already under their belt, or they can start with no post secondary credit at all. Through partnerships with districts across the state, as well as grants from both government and private institutions, paraeducators are receiving funding to help mold, and keep, good educators in Nebraska. “Our partnerships have grown from two districts to nearly 30 in the past 18 months, and I think that speaks volumes about the outstanding collaboration we get from our district partners,” Romanuck Murphy said. “They trust us, and look at Midland as positive contributors and partners.” These pathways are just part of Midland’s attempt to bolster a need for educators across the state, both in rural and urban areas. “We are starting to see some positive results in terms of filling high-needs positions, like Special Education and Early Childhood Education, with outstanding teachers,” Romanuck Murphy said. “We still have a long way to go, but Midland is helping in a substantial way. This summer, we
have about 275 students in our paraeducator pathways and within one to three years, those educators will be filling high-area needs. We are proud to be working with districts to keep that top talent in Nebraska.”
“We want aspiring and current teachers to think of Midland University as the most practical, relevant, and caring institution that fosters exceptional teachers. It’s a place they can acquire tangible skills they can take into their classrooms or prepare them for future leadership roles.”
Romanuck Murphy believes Midland’s willingness to listen to the needs of the districts has paved - D R . CAMM Y RO MANUCK MURPHY the way for building a stronger base of educators throughout the state. “We are receiving great feedback and our partners have been Behavior Intervention Specialist endorsement on a regular open for us to lean on them,” she said. “We had districts teaching certificate. asking us to find a way to help all these great people that didn’t have any credits, and Three To Teach brought that Through its Master of Education in Leadership in Teaching to life. It’s been an incredibly positive partnership between and Learning that results in a Principal Endorsement, public education and higher education.” Midland is giving teachers the opportunity to grow Midland is not only working to get more teachers into the system, but helping current educators bolster their career through its Masters and Doctorate programs, as well as offering endorsement and certificate opportunities. “We advocate for current teachers to earn their Masters degree to support their professional development,” Romanuck Murphy said. “Teachers are lifelong learners and many of them are looking to upskill in particular areas. Our Masters programs are versatile and designed through the lens of leadership and learning. Investing in a Masters puts them in position to earn substantial pay raises over time, and we want our teachers to be rewarded. It’s not only putting more tools in their kit, but investing in their career as well.” The Walker School of Education Master of Education in Leadership in Teaching and Learning is designed for educators who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to build a culture of learning, implement principles of effective instruction and leadership, and foster inclusive and equitable learning environments. The Master’s of Special Education with a Behavior Intervention Specialist Concentration has been designed to extend the expertise of educators who currently hold a teaching certificate with one or more special education endorsement(s), or who wish to earn a supplemental
and build skills that will be necessary to succeed at an administrative level. The Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation is a program designed for professionals from a range of industries who are committed to driving positive systemic change within their organizations. Students develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to identify and pose evidence-based solutions to complex organizational and societal problems. Midland also offers a variety of certificates and endorsements, including Behavior Intervention Specialist Endorsement, English as a Second Language Endorsement, High Ability Learner Endorsement, Classroom & Behavior Management Certificate, and Strength & Performance Coaching Graduate Certificate. Midland University is working tirelessly to ensure that the education field across the area will continue to grow and thrive, whether that means adding more teachers, or helping the educators currently in place hone their skills. “We want people to hear more about Midland in the education space,” she said. “We want people to know how innovative and collaborative we are, and how much we value our partnerships. I think we have a lot to highlight. “There are a lot of institutions that are doing it well, but we are doing it exceptionally well.” M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
A Passion for Community Midland alumnus Trevon Brooks is helping expand opportunity across Nebraska as CEO of Omaha 100. With an assist from Midland University, North Carolina native Trevon Brooks has found a second home in Nebraska. Brooks has been on the fast track professionally ever since he earned his Master of Business Administration from MU in 2018. In January he became the CEO of Omaha 100, the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) offering mortgage, business and other loans to underserved communities. Brooks previously served as CEO of the Omaha Innovation Connection Hub (OICH), an organization for entrepreneurship in North Omaha. Omaha 100 acquired OICH in 2026. “It is all about providing a capital platform that supports the community,” Brooks said about Omaha 100. “We partner with a lot of local banks to make sure the community has access to the products to meet its needs.” Brooks is originally from Wilmington, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Beddingfield High School in Wilson, N.C. Following graduation, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in Nebraska. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bellevue University before pursuing his MBA.
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TREVON BRO O KS , MB A ' 1 8
“At the time, Midland did a hybrid MBA so it was part time in class and part time online,” Brooks said. “It was the coolest thing ever. It was such a fun opportunity. I built good relationships with various professors who were experts in their field, but I also built strong relationships with my classmates as well, which was a ton of fun.” After earning his MBA, Brooks went to work for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED). He started as a developer in North Omaha before transitioning to Chief Strategy Officer – a job that had him looking at development and investment opportunities in the state. “It was a fun job being able to work with communities from Scottsbluff all the way to the Omaha Metro and just understanding the different things that those communities were looking for in terms of support and being able to provide it.” The experience helped him greatly on his professional journey. “I learned a lot,” Brooks said. “It got me ingrained in the economic development world pretty heavily and pretty quickly. I went to cities all across the state. I got to understand the economics in those communities, the major needs in some of those communities and worked alongside their mayors, their state senators and economic development leaders to help them be successful.” One of the projects Brooks was in charge of was the investment in North and South Omaha where dozens of small businesses and organizations received grants totalling more than $234 million. They were administered through the DED. Many took notice of Brooks’ work. He was named to the 2023 40 Under 40 by the Midlands Business Journal. The honorees included entrepreneurs, executives and professionals under the age of 40 from the Omaha, Lincoln and Council Bluffs area.
“ Hopefully during my time at Omaha
Brooks’ staff at the time submitted his name for the honor. He said that was very humbling. “It is a whole other level of support and appreciation that you feel when your teammates that see you day in and day out put you in for an award because they believe that the person they work for deserves to be recognized,” he said. “I got (the honor) from the Midlands Business Journal, but it felt like it was from my team. It was fantastic.” Brooks’ work with the DED served as a bridge to the Omaha Innovation Connection Hub and then Omaha 100. “Part of investing money is you get to see behind the scenes the needs a community has,” he said. “Opportunities opened up for me to be part of the solution. That’s kind of what I wanted to be a part of – on-theground solutions. I wanted to help make these things come together. Honestly, it was an opportunity to do it firsthand.” He said he is blessed to work with a talented 13-person team. “I have one of the best teams in the state of Nebraska at Omaha 100,” Brooks said. “We also have some fantastic partners. Our banking partners have been absolutely phenomenal. They’ve been lights out. A lot of our success that we’re seeing is due to our partners, the community and our internal team. I couldn’t be happier with our results.” One of Brooks’ professional goals is to continue to help strengthen communities. “We have one of the greatest states in the country,” he said. “Our state has a fantastic way of taking care of one another, but we have communities in our state that are still hurting. Hopefully during my time at Omaha 100 and – in general in the professional sector in Nebraska – I’ve created something that gives communities the ability to access capital to solve problems on their own because I think that is what real empowerment is.” Brooks has found his niche in the Cornhusker state.
100 I’ve created something that gives communities the ability to access capital to solve problems on their own because I think that is what real empowerment is. - T R EVO N B R O O KS , MB A ' 1 8
”
“I absolutely love North Carolina, but Nebraska has become home,” he said. “Nebraska has this funny way of giving you access to the American dream and you can really (impact) change here. If you decide that there’s a problem that you really want to latch on to and get engaged with, you really can here and that’s meaningful.”
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IMPACT 2030
Dr. Williams, Campus Community Seek Continued Growth for Midland University’s Future As she enters her second full academic year as Midland University President, Dr. Aly Williams has a keen eye on the future of the university. Midland’s new strategic plan, Impact 2030, is focused on sustaining what Midland continues to do well, while having a vision for future success. “In meeting with the campus community, I wanted to lean into finding out what we were good at, as well as understand what our challenges are,” Williams said. Impact 2030 stemmed from the idea that a longterm approach is not as feasible for higher education institutions as it once was. “You can’t make a 10-year plan in higher education today as things move too quickly and there are too many changes. We chose a four-year cycle where we could determine who we want to be, and where we want to go as an institution,” she said.
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IMPACT 2030
Staying relevant, and prosperous, are at the heart of Impact 2030. “Ultimately, we want to have a significant impact on our students, the people who work here, and the community,” Williams said. “To achieve this vision, we must ensure Midland remains both distinctively relevant to today’s world and fundamentally sound in our operations. We are working to build a thriving campus by attracting students who seek purpose and vocation. As we grow our enrollment and broaden our impact, we can establish a durable financial foundation. This isn’t just about reaching our milestones in 2030 but ensuring Midland thrives in 2050, 2060 and beyond.” Impact 2030 is broken down into two simple goals: Diversify undergraduate student enrollment and increase revenue in Graduate & Online. Williams and the Midland campus will focus on three priorities to help achieve those goals.
“While the landscape of higher education is shifting, Midland is operating from a position of opportunity. Our faculty and staff don’t want to simply watch the future happen, they want to build it. By being completely transparent about our strategic goals, we are ensuring that every member of our campus is empowered to help us achieve them.” - DR. ALY WI LLI AMS
Student Journey - This encompasses a student’s full experience from their first interaction through the fulfillment of their vocational calling.
They want our students in their spaces, and we want to find more opportunities for internships and career development for our students.”
“First and foremost, we want to focus on the student experience, and what can we do to draw them to Midland,
Campus Foundation - This entails key physical, technological, and operational infrastructures that are
and stay at Midland,” Williams said. “Enhancing the student journey means building new dynamic programs, strengthening our current offerings, and ensuring every part of our campus is invested in initiatives that prepare our students to learn, serve and lead with purpose.”
required for an exceptional student experience.
Williams would also like to see a continued emphasis on retaining current students and seeing them through until graduation. “Building a sustainable student body isn’t just about bringing in new students; we must focus on cultivating a positive, vibrant campus atmosphere that inspires students to stay,” she said. “We also want to lean deeply into a student’s vocation, helping them discover a purpose and a calling that extends far beyond a career. This is the goal of Lutheran higher education, but our goal is to make the experience so distinctive that is truly sets Midland apart.” Midland Network - These are relationships with alumni, regional communities, and partners that cultivate brand awareness and relevant learning. “We have strong connections to Fremont, but how do we expand the Midland name into Omaha and beyond?” Williams said. “We want to make ourselves more widelyknown and we can do that through partnerships and shared community initiatives.” Midland has built up great resources through business partnerships over the years, something Williams would like to see expand even more. “It’s about relationships, and we need to continue to build on those,” she said. “We’re going to need each other.
“The top priority for many people was improving facilities, as well as enhancing our systems and processes,” Williams said. “We’ve started to address some of those issues with the addition of the new practice field turf (north of Hopkins Arena), improvements to Kimmel Theatre and other classroom spaces, as well as some necessary HVAC (Heating & Air Conditioning) improvements. We will continue to search for ways to be more efficient with our day-to-day processes. These are all things that will enhance the student experience.” When it comes to new facilities, Williams knows a new Health Science building tops the list. “That has become our priority,” she said. “We did our due diligence into looking at renovating Swanson Hall, but it just isn’t cost effective. We have a strong and growing number of nursing and pre-health professional students, and we need an updated space to support their learning. This would fill a significant need for us.” It has become a campus-wide mission for each department to play a role in Impact 2030 and Williams is excited for what she believes each team is capable of accomplishing. “We know the people who work here are passionate about Midland and want to see it thrive,” she said. “While the landscape of higher education is shifting, Midland is operating from a position of opportunity. Our faculty and staff don’t want to simply watch the future happen, they want to build it. By being completely transparent about our strategic goals, we are ensuring that every member of our campus is empowered to help us achieve them.” M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Trio of Graduates Brings a Midland Mindset to Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce
Pictured left to right: Cailin Brashear, ’21, Brenda Wilberding, ’07, and Brooke Douglas, ’24
As President/CEO of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Brenda Wilberding, ’07, is often reminded of her time at Midland University as both a student and a staff member.
It’s a Midland reunion during staff meetings at the Chamber as Wilberding is joined by Cailin Brashear, ’21, and Brooke Douglas, ’24, as Midland graduates helping guide the Chamber.
Wilberding doesn’t have to look very far to find other reminders of Midland, as two of her closest co-workers can also lay claim to being proud Midland alums.
“I love having that bond among the three of us,” Wilberding said. “We talk about Midland quite a bit. We were all from different eras, but it’s cool to talk about the
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CHAMB E R O F CO MMERCE TRI O
“One of my favorite things during my time at Midland was the ability to connect with people in the community. The Chamber offered me the ability to do those same things. I have a passion for Fremont and love connecting with the people.” - BR ENDA WI LB E R D I N G ' 07
things we have in common, and also some things that are new to Midland.” Wilberding has been in her role with the Chamber for nearly three years. Prior to arriving at the Chamber, she held a variety of roles during her time at Midland, working in both the Admissions and Institutional Advancement offices, as well as serving as the Director of the Career Studio. “One of my favorite things during my time at Midland was the ability to connect with people in the community,” she said. “The Chamber offered me the ability to do those same things, and the timing was right and it felt like the right fit when I took this position. I have a passion for Fremont and love connecting with the people.” In her role as Director of the Career Studio, she connected with Brashear, who served as both a peer career coach, and worked alongside Wilberding as a Career Coach. Once Wilberding assumed her role at the Chamber, she wasted little time in offering Brashear the role as Director of Business Services & Leadership Development. “I had worked as an intern with the Chamber and with Brenda in the Career Studio,” Brashear said. “I couldn’t ask for a better mentor and boss.” Douglas also interned at the Chamber and that experience eventually turned into a full time position as Director of Marketing & Communications.
“Brenda has set the bar very high for me in my first grown-up job,” Douglas said. “I love the office and love the people I work with.” Brashear, originally from California, and Douglas, originally from Missouri, would never have thought that remaining in Nebraska for their post-college careers would be an option when they arrived on the Midland campus. “Being an intern with the Chamber showed me there was more to Fremont than just Midland,” Brashear said. “Through my work, I have met with local businesses and business professionals. Fremont is my home now, and I’ve found a community I might not have found elsewhere.” Douglas didn’t anticipate staying in Fremont after graduation, but soon found a home, and a life, through her work with the Chamber. “After my internship, I was able to spread my wings and get out of my bubble,” she said. “I love the people in this community and it really is a one-of-a-kind place.” The trio's connection with Midland remains as strong as ever, thanks to many partnerships through both entities. Through joint efforts like Leadership Midland and the Midland Mentor programs, the trio often finds themselves interacting with Midland students, faculty, and staff. “Midland does a great job of connecting students with the community and Leadership Midland helps them
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understand the options that exist in Fremont,” Wilberding said. “They get to know these businesses, which can often lead to internships and employment opportunities.” Brashear jokes that in many ways, she hasn’t fully left Midland’s campus. “I still live in the same house I did when I went to Midland, so it’s literally in my backyard,” she said. “I’m on campus a lot judging FBLA-C competitions and doing mock interviews for classes. It feels like I’ve never left, but in a good way.” That strong connection has not only led to internships and employment opportunities for Midland students at the Chamber, but throughout the Fremont area. “We are biased toward Midland students and even if it doesn’t work out for them to be at the Chamber, we want to connect them with other businesses in Fremont,” Wilberding said. “I’ve seen the work ethic of Midland students, and how they balance busy schedules and life. We want to let other businesses know we have good relationships with Midland students and keep good talent in Fremont.” Brashear takes her Midland recruitment one step further, encouraging high school students to take their talents to campus. “I work with high school leadership groups and I tell those students they will thrive at Midland,” she said. “Midland has given students the opportunity to grow and become amazing professionals.” All three of them look back on their Midland experience as helping them grow as both professionals and people, and carry many of those characteristics with them today.
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CHAMB ER O F CO MMERCE TRI O
“I learned so much at Midland about networking and to further your knowledge by getting to know people and asking questions,” Douglas said. “At first, I was annoyed with how much networking Midland made us do, but that has paid off in so many ways. Midland has allowed students to experience real-life situations.” Wilderding believes skills she acquired at Midland have served her well in her leadership role with the Chamber. “I came to Midland as a journalism student and someone who wanted to stay behind the scenes and write and take photos,” she said. “I was also an Arts student, so I had to learn to be out front when the lights came on, and I hadn’t done that in several years. I’m glad I listened to the professors who convinced me to get outside of my comfort zone. In my role, I love connecting with others and creating that sense of belonging. “Midland had a big impact on my life and even though so many things have changed from when I was a student, it still feels like home.” Through their Midland history and their current working relationship, Wilberding and her team have built a strong core of leadership that is making Fremont a better place. “I trust my team to get done what needs to be done,” she said. “We serve over 600 organizations and have more than 2,500 people in our contact list, so I don’t have time to hold their hands. I have confidence in my team to get things done. “I’ve also joked with them that they aren’t allowed to leave.”
CLASS OF 2026 SPOTLIGHT
ALLAYA LIVINGSTON
MAJOR: Criminal Justice, Minor in Sociology, Coaching Certificate HOMETOWN: Houston, Texas CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Women’s Flag Football, Phi Gamma MU Honor Society, Student Hall Director WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND MIDLAND? Midland felt like home right away. The environment was welcoming, and it felt more like a family than just a school. I knew it was a place where I would be supported and could grow both academically and personally. HOW HAS MIDLAND CHANGED YOU? Midland has helped me become a better person. It pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. Through my experiences, I have grown more confident and accomplished things I never thought I could. It has helped shape me into who I am today. WHAT MEMORIES OF MIDLAND WILL YOU CARRY WITH YOU? I will always carry the memories I made as a Resident Assistant and Student Hall Director, as well as the time spent with my team. The relationships I built and the people I met at Midland mean a lot to me, and those moments will stay with me forever. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION? I plan to pursue a career in the criminal justice field while continuing to coach and mentor. I’m excited to start my internship with the Houston Texans Foundation's flag football program, where I’ll gain experience working with youth and supporting the community, with the goal of earning a full-time position and continuing to grow within the organization.
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Midland Dance Program Continues to Live up to Lofty Standards In its 15 years, the Midland Dance Program has established itself as one of the elite programs in the nation.
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MIDL AND DA N C E PRO G RA M
As both an athlete and a coach, Erin Sibbald, ’15, understands and appreciates the reputation that is attached to the Midland University Dance program. In its 15 years as a program, Midland has established itself as one of the elite programs in the nation. The list of accomplishments includes national titles, conference titles, and coach of the year honors. Since the NAIA championships were instituted in 2017, Midland has finished no lower than fifth as a program. “We remember all the hard work it took for the program to get to this point, and that has pushed us to continue to get better,” Sibbald, who has served as Director of Dance/Competitive Dance Coach since 2022, said. “We have to keep rising because of that pressure. There’s no reset button, we just keep moving forward.” Sibbald (then Erin Markham) entered the Midland dance program in its early stages under coach Trish Cristiano (Ryan). She quickly realized that the program was headed in the right direction.
“I remember my first year on the team and we took first at regionals when we weren’t expected to win. That’s when I got a glimpse of what this program can do,” Sibbald said. “It all goes back to Trish and the vision she had. She had the skill to recruit dancers and get them to buy into the vision of what could happen. She brought in a great work ethic, and dancers wanted to be a part of that. I’ve learned so much from her and the traditions she built.” Cristiano would guide the Warriors to their first NAIA national title in 2017 (the inaugural season for the NAIA Championships) and under Coach Katie Speicher, Midland would earn another national title in 2019. When Sibbald took over in 2022, she knew the pressure that came with the job. “The first competition I coached was a home meet and we hosted an alumni event,” she said. “That was probably the most nervous I have ever been as a coach. You have big shoes to fill and there is a standard of excellence you are wanting to uphold. I’m so thankful to have received so much support from our alumni, and they all have a deep passion for this program.” In her four years at the helm, Sibbald has more than honored the long-standing tradition of the program. She guided the Wildfire Dance team to a national title in 2024, earning NAIA Coach of the Year honors in the process. Midland has earned three consecutive GPAC titles over the past three years, with Sibbald earning GPAC Coach of the Year honor each time. Midland added to its resume this past spring by capturing titles in the Pom and Team Performance divisions of the National Dance Association Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was Midland’s first time competing in the NDAs in a decade. “It was really special for us to go back there and compete,” Sibbald said. “I love the competitive realm of the NAIA, but it was fun to compete somewhere where people didn’t know who Midland dance is. There were no expectations, or history, so it was fun for our athletes to go somewhere as a fresh face. I think competing like we did reflects on their work ethic and talent.” Jesse Cortney is a senior Arts Management major who is entering his fourth season on the Wildfire dance squad. He believes the success of the team goes well beyond their talent level.
“The team dynamic is very important and every member of the team has to be on the same page of how we are going to reach our goals,” he said. “A team that puts in the hard work will beat talent any day.” Sibbald views the team concept as the backbone of the program, and what can separate them from other competitors across the country. “A huge part of this group is the culture and seeing them work together,” she said. “There is competition amongst them because they are fighting for spots, but everything they do is for the goal of the team. You don’t see any egos or working against each other. They all want what’s best for the team. “As a coach, you want your athletes to know that wins won’t define them, but it sure is special to see them do well and feel validated.” The program has also seen several dancers excel beyond Midland as a handful of team members have made their way into the professional ranks. Christina Remijio, ’18, was M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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“
The team dynamic is very important and every member of the team has to be on the same page of how we are going to reach our goals. A team that puts in the hard work will beat talent any day. - JE S S E CO RT N EY, C L AS S O F 2027
”
a member of the Los Angeles Clippers dance squad while Maddy Fauver, ’25, is also currently in the NBA as part of the Sacramento Kings dance team. Paige Riley, ’25, is in the NFL, dancing with the Jacksonville Jaguars squad. “It’s been very special to see them dance at the highest level,” Sibbald said. “Even though Midland might not have the biggest arena or stadium for them to perform, they are getting the training they need to perform in front of thousands of people.” Along with the Wildfire competitive team, which has a roster of nearly 20 dancers, Midland also offers the Gameday dance squad, which will perform during various sporting events throughout the year. “We have dancers who aren’t able to make the commitment to be on the competitive team and we are happy we can provide the Gameday opportunity for them,” Sibbald said. Midland also offers the Premier Dance Company, which doesn’t perform, but instead works with dancers to become the next generation of instructors. “We are training dancers to be leaders in the industry and give
them an outlet in the dance world if they choose to pursue one after graduation,” Sibbald said. The experience of being part of the dance program has made a lasting impression on Cortney. “This team has fulfilled my dream of dancing at the collegiate level,” he said. “It has been such a fun environment to be a part of. We are all here because of our love for dance, but the friendships I have made along the way are irreplaceable.” As both a competitor and leading the program, Sibbald has nearly a decade of commitment to the Midland dance program. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “I love the sport, but the biggest part for me is that I love Midland and wouldn’t want to coach anywhere else,” she said. “My coaches and teammates have remained a huge part of my life, and I want these athletes to have that same experience. Their teammates will mean the same thing to them that my teammates did to me.”
GO WARRIORS! Join the BOOSTER CLUB today and help Midland University student-athletes succeed in competition, in the classroom, and beyond. alumni.midlandu.edu/booster-club
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MIDL AND DA N CE PRO G RA M
CLASS OF 2026 SPOTLIGHT
AJ WALSWICK
MAJORS: Accounting and Business Intelligence & Technology HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma CAMPUS ACTIVITIES: Vice President of FBLA-C (State and University), Admissions Ambassador Leader, Aksarben Foundation Campus Ambassador, Leadership Midland WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO ATTEND MIDLAND? When I was looking at higher education, I knew I wanted a smaller campus, and as I was touring all these colleges, the one that stood out to me the most was Midland. I loved the way everyone knew each other, supported each other, and how it felt like everyone wanted me to join them on campus. HOW HAS MIDLAND CHANGED YOU? Midland has helped shape me into a better version of myself. It has given me the confidence to be who I am, while also preparing me for my future and career. Through my experiences, leadership opportunities, and the people I’ve met, Midland has challenged me to grow both personally and professionally. WHAT MEMORIES OF MIDLAND WILL YOU CARRY WITH YOU? I will always remember my first summer away from home, when I decided for myself that I was going to find a job on campus and stay in Fremont, working on campus. There, I met some of the most amazing people, and the person who became my future wife. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATION? I will be working in Omaha as a Staff Accountant at Lutz in their Client Advisory Services division, which I’m really looking forward to after my multiple internship experiences there. I’m excited to continue developing my skills and contributing to client work in a full-time role. I also plan to begin studying for the CPA exam and work toward passing all sections.
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FINDING HOME
They Came From Far Away, but Fremont has Become a Home for Many Midland Graduates 26
FINDING H O ME
When making plans for his future, Canyon Ferris, ’21, was blunt with his girlfriend when it came to planning where they were going to live. “I told her to not get too attached (to Fremont) because in my head, I was always going back home to Arizona,” Ferris said. “Next thing I know, we’re engaged, I’m starting a job in Fremont, and we’re buying a home.” Ferris is one of many Midland alumni who arrived at Midland from far away, but chose to make Fremont a home. It’s not unusual for Midland students to come from far and wide and converge on Fremont. During the 2025-26 school year, Midland’s undergraduate studentbase represented 44 different states and 32 different countries.
Students have a multitude of reasons to attend Midland, but staying in Fremont to make a career, and a life, might not be on their radar when they hit campus. The allure of being part of the shotgun sports program was Ferris’s motivation to leave Tucson and attend Midland, as well as observing a family rule his father made him adhere to. “My dad had a rule that you had to go out-of-state for college because he wanted us to see new things and meet new people,” he said. “My sister went four hours away to New Mexico, and I decided to go 20 hours away to Midland. I had a couple opportunities for scholarships and I had some older buddies who were part of the team at Midland and they kept telling me how much they liked it here. I don’t think my dad ever thought it would become my permanent home.” Like Ferris, Ben Hutton, ’15, traveled a long distance to attend Midland, even crossing an ocean to do so. Hutton arrived at Midland from Kirkcudbright, Scotland, wanting the opportunity to continue his soccer career. “One day during a career class in high school, I began Googling soccer scholarships and the first thing that came up was FirstPoint USA (a website dedicated to helping find soccer scholarships),” he said. “You would submit information about yourself and that’s how many of us got connected with schools all over the country. I came here with three other players from Scotland and one from Wales.” Hutton had been to the states for vacations in Florida, California, and Hawaii, but the Midwest was something entirely new to him. “I remember getting here and the captain of the soccer team (Paul Cox), who was from England, picked us up at the airport,” he said. “I remember riding back to Fremont and thinking about how surreal this all was. For the first few weeks, it just felt like a vacation because classes hadn’t started yet and all we were doing was playing soccer.” Hutton envisioned himself playing soccer, earning a degree, then returning home to Scotland. “I thought I’d
“I thought I’d be here for four years, go back home, and it would be a cool experience to talk about. But the longer I stayed, the more opportunities, both personally and professionally, I was given.” - BEN HUT TO N ' 15
be here for four years, go back home, and it would be a cool experience to talk about,” he said. “But the longer I stayed, the more opportunities, both personally and professionally, I was given.” One of those personal opportunities was meeting his future wife, Amanda (Pieper), ‘17, who was a member of the Midland volleyball team. Originally from Fremont, Amanda married Ben in 2018 and the couple now have a four-year old daughter and a one-year old son. Hutton recently was granted U.S. citizenship. Unlike Hutton and Ferris, Shea Brashear, a San Diego native, had the benefit of knowing a little about Midland, and Nebraska, before her arrival on campus in 2015. “My brother-in-law is a Midland graduate and my older sister attended Creighton,” she said. “We came to Nebraska on a visit and they encouraged me to tour Midland as I was trying to figure out what I was going to do next. On my visit, I was given an opportunity to audition for the Midland choir. I was offered a scholarship and decided I loved the close-knit community, and committed that next semester. I think I had the same stereotypes about Nebraska as other people, but I loved how friendly the people were and how the pace of life was so much slower than the San Diego hustle and bustle I was used to.” All three individuals were heavily involved during their time at Midland. Ferris was a four-year member of the shotgun sports team, Hutton played both soccer and M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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golf and later served as an assistant coach for soccer, while Brashear was a part of the arts family at Midland. Ferris began working at S2 Rolloff & Refuse during his senior year at Midland. That began a five-year working relationship with the company before he recently took a new position as Sales Project Manager with American Underground Supply. “I kept moving up at S2 and they convinced me to “One day I looked around and found get my Master’s degree, which I it hard to believe I would want to did at Midland,” leave this place. The hustle and bustle he said. “After of San Diego was replaced with graduation, I smiling faces, strangers saying hello, started meeting more business and kind-hearted neighbors willing professionals to lend a hand.” across town and it really changed - SHEA BRASHEAR ' 19 my perspective on Fremont. The community does a great job of having each other’s backs, and encourages people to stay in Fremont.” His fiancee, Emily Overturf, ’21 (also a member of the shotgun sports team), works as a nurse at Methodist Fremont Health. The couple is planning an October wedding. “Looking back, I probably had zero clue I’d get a job, get married, and buy a house here, but Fremont has a way of drawing you in,” Ferris said. “After graduation, I don’t think either of us was sure this was where we were going to stay, but it felt like the right place to put roots down and make it our home when we start our family.” He has worked hard to ingrain himself into both the Fremont, and Midland, communities. He supports Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce events and serves on the United Way board, Dodge County Fair board, and works with the GOLD Club (Graduates of Last Decade) at Midland. He was recognized as an inaugural 10-Under-10 Award winner in 2025 by the GOLD Club. “I like to stay involved and one of my favorite things is coming back to the Career & Internship Fair to talk to Midland students,” he said. “I especially like talking to students who, like me, came from far away, and I’m always curious what brought them here.”
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FINDING H O ME
Hutton serves as a Business Insurance Advisor for Marsh Agency in Fremont and has been with the company since 2023. While finishing up his soccer career at Midland as both a player and coach, he earned a Master’s degree. His first job after Midland was working with the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, which he says planted the seed to build relationships across the city. “I was the Membership Director, which meant I got to meet decision makers at businesses across Fremont,” he said. “That started me on building a network of people, and got me a job with S2, where I worked for 4 ½ years. “Mitchell Walker, ’16, (Vice President/Producer at Marsh) and I golfed together at Midland and he is one of my best friends, and I also got to know Randy Eikmeier, ’82 (former CEO at Marsh) very well and we would always discuss how cool it would be for all of us to work together. The timing of coming here worked out well for me and I was able to learn under Randy’s leadership for two years before he retired.”
Did You
Know?
Midland makes an annual estimated $50 million economic impact on Fremont along with another $1.7 million total tax impact.
Hutton has integrated himself into the community as well, serving on the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce board, Fremont Health Foundation board, and Fremont Golf Club board, where he is a past president. “There’s the business side of being involved where you network and build relationships, but more importantly, there’s the part of being a good steward and wanting to help your community,” he said. Midland felt like home almost immediately for Brashear, and was a big reason why her thoughts of staying in Fremont began to grow over the years. “Midland welcomed me with open arms and kind smiles and I was welcomed into the 'arts family’ from the first day,” she said. “Over the next couple of years, I made connections in the community by working part-time at local businesses, babysitting for families, and finding a church. One day I looked around and found it hard to believe I would want to leave this place. The hustle and bustle of San Diego was replaced with smiling faces, strangers saying hello, and kind-hearted neighbors willing to lend a hand.” She began student teaching at Bell Field Elementary School in Fremont during her senior year. After serving as a full-time substitute teacher following graduation, she began what is now a six-year run as a kindergarten teacher at the school. “Bell started to feel like home and I found a superb team of co-teachers with whom I work with very well,” she said. “My longstanding co-teacher Shelley (Caskey) has been with me through student teaching, subbing, and now six years of teaching. I wouldn’t want to teach with anyone else next door.” In her time as an educator, Brashear has developed a bond with her students and their families. “I can’t go anywhere in Fremont without seeing Bell Field families in the community, and my family jokes that I’m a local
celebrity,” she said. “Growing up in San Diego, I would see thousands of faces that I’d never seen before, and probably wouldn’t see again. Fremont is different. You see the same baristas at the coffee shop, and the same cashiers ringing up your groceries. You also see families from your school walking in the evenings, or playing at the neighborhood parks. There’s a sense of familiarity and community that I guess I was yearning for.” Fremont has become more than just a brief stop in the timeline of many graduates, and the impact of Midland on the Fremont community is felt in many avenues. A 2023 study done by the Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation (CINCF) showed that Midland makes an estimated $50 million economic impact on Fremont along with another $1.7 million total tax impact. Life may have taken a different turn than expected for Hutton, Brashear, and Ferris, but they, like many others, are glad the road led them to Midland. “People may joke about Nebraska, but it has been a great place to live, start a family, and have a career,” Hutton said. “Being here has provided me with opportunities I would never have thought of. I’m very grateful for the way things have turned out.”
GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Club aims to engage young Midland alumni through various networking events as well as build a culture of philanthropy among alumni through giving of time, talent, and treasures to support Midland students. Your gift, your choice! Young alumni can make a gift to any area of the university and be recognized in multiple giving societies, including GOLD Club. Grow your network and give back all at the same time!
TO LEARN MORE VISIT ALUMNI.MIDLANDU.EDU/ GOLDCLUB
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Broadway Debut a Defining Moment in the Young Career of Will Hastreiter ’21
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WILL HASTREI T ER ' 21
A New Year’s resolution provided a driving force in Will Hastreiter ’21, reaching a milestone in his young career. Hastreiter made his Broadway debut on March 27, 2026, playing the role of Paul Holden in the Tony Award winning musical The Outsiders at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City. In its third season on Broadway, The Outsiders is a musical set in 1960s Tulsa, Oklahoma, and follows the conflict between two rival gangs divided by their socioeconomic status. One of his motivations behind his Broadway debut was rewarding the support of his grandmother. “My grandma turns 95 this year and she has been one of my biggest supporters,” Hastreiter said. “In 2025, I made a New Year’s resolution to get on a Broadway stage for her to see me. She was able to attend the show and afterward, she was beaming with pride. She gave me a hug and wouldn’t let go.” He has been serving on swing coverage for The Outsiders for various parts of the summer, which consists of filling in for a vacationing cast member. As part of swing coverage, Hastreiter has to be prepared to play four different roles and provide off-stage coverage if needed. Off-stage coverage could include being needed in the middle of a show or providing vocal support.
For someone who has been chasing his dream since his time at Midland University, getting the word he was going to be part of a Broadway show was overwhelming. “I have been pursuing this for over a year,” he said. “I was preparing to go on tour with RENT in Concert when I got a call from my agent telling me I needed to cancel because I was needed as a vacation swing for The Outsiders. I had just woken up when she called, so I needed to clear my head to make sure I heard her correctly. I was elated.” While he was more than prepared for his debut, Hastreiter said it was a surreal moment when he stepped on the biggest stage of his career. “I looked around before I got on stage and convinced myself that I was here for a reason,” he said. “About 30 seconds before we got on stage, it sort of hit me that this was go time. But once I got out there and did my first dance move, I felt very comfortable. “One thing a lot of people told me before the show was that I needed to be sure to take a moment and look out at the audience and just scan the surroundings. So every scene, I made sure to take a look and realize that this is my life now. “The debut was something I will never forget. There was so much energy and I had a great crew to rally and support
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me. After the show, it was so overwhelming and exciting to be signing autographs and meeting with people.” Hastreiter’s supporting cast of nearly 20 people that night included several members of his family as well as Dan Hays (recently retired Director of Theatre Activities at Midland), and Dan’s wife, Kathy. “I’ve been blessed with a great support system both here and at home,” he said. Dan Hays has been in Hastreiter’s corner since his time at Midland. When Hastreiter was at a crossroads in his life, Hays was there to provide a career-changing opportunity. “I was ready to earn my undergraduate degree and I was talking with Dan and telling him that I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life,” Hastreiter said. “I was wanting to perform, but wasn’t sure I was ready for the big stage. Dan offered me a chance to be his Graduate Assistant while I worked toward my Masters. Those two years really helped me mature both mentally and professionally, and after I graduated, I knew I was ready to start chasing work on the big stage.
“I owe one of the biggest thanks of my career to Dan. I love him, appreciate him, and am thankful for the opportunities he has placed in my lap. He has given so much to me, and I want to pay him back with the highest respect I can.”
“I owe one of the biggest thanks of my career to Dan. I love him, appreciate him, and am thankful for the opportunities he has placed in my lap. He has given so much to me, and I want to pay him back with the highest respect I can.”
months because there are people who have been here for years and have yet to get their foot in the door.
As he embarked on a professional career, he went to regional auditions and landed roles in various performances across the country, including some local theatre. As he began building his resumé, his professional dream was closer to becoming a reality. With some encouragement from Hays and Sammi Cannold, a film and theater director, he made the decision to pursue his dream even further and move to New York City. The road to Broadway hasn’t always been easy, but Hastreiter has taken the highs and lows in stride. “Living the dream can be uncomfortable,” he said. “There are times I come back from my day job and have conversations with Claire (Wilkinson, his fiancée) about trying to become a full time artist. I’ve been fortunate to get a gig within six
- WILL HASTREITER ' 21
“I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life and with each job, there’s always been a little bit of self-doubt about whether or not I’m good enough for this job. But when I’m singing, dancing, and acting, that’s when I feel most at home and when I know I’m in the right place. As much as things can wear on you, one week on Broadway lifts me up and keeps me going.” There is more work ahead for Hastreiter, who had several weeks of swing coverage for The Outsiders and was also taking part in a traveling show of the production in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “As we get closer to the fall, audition season will ramp up again and I’ll see what’s available,” he said. “Having a Broadway credit is going to pay off for me. The first audition I walked into after earning a Broadway credit, I had a different head on my shoulders.”
MIDLAND UNIVERSITY
Performing Arts Society At Midland University, every student deserves the opportunity to experience the arts. Together, we can help make that possible. Join the PAS today at midlandu.edu/pas
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WILL HAST REI T ER ' 21
Thank you to all of our Midland University alumni, friends, business partners, and donors who supported us in the 20252026 fiscal year! Your continued support through our annual fund, major gifts, scholarships, pledges, and planned gifts have a tremendous impact on our university, and on our students. From all of us at Midland, thank you for your generosity!
$9,598,387
6,027
TOTAL # OF GIFTS
TOTAL # OF DONORS Scholarships 36.1%
TOTAL RAISED
3,888
$782,780
Gen 17.5%
ATHLETICS/BOOSTER CLUB
$1,650,554 $406,547
Endowment 1.8%
$177,246 ENDOWMENT
$42,692
PERFORMING ARTS
Academic 4.2%
PLANNED GIFTS
TOTAL RAISED
Capital 17.2%
$1,400,000
SCHOLARSHIPS
Planned Gifts 14.6%
ACADEMIC & STUDENT PROGRAMS
$3,466,240
$9.6 M
CAPITAL
Athletics 8.2%
$1,672,328
GENERAL/UNRESTRICTED SUPPORT
777
388
93
$2,469
TOTAL ALUMNI DONORS
FIRST-TIME DONORS
FIRST-TIME ALUMNI DONORS
AVERAGE GIFT
17
16
97
NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS
NEW NAMED DONOR SCHOLARSHIPS
NEW PRESIDENT'S SOCIETY DONORS
PR
ET
O C H RISTO
ECCLESI
A
For questions, contact the Office of Advancement at 402-941-6523.
MIDLAND UNIVERSITY
FOUNTAIN SOCIETY NAVY CIRCLE
(3-5 YEARS GIVING)
Brett Adkins Margeann Ahnquist David Allen Susan Allen Anonymous Dr. Melissa Baker '15 Steve Barr Scott '00 & Bridget '01 Bear Allen Beermann '62 Susan Bender '72 Bergan Catholic School Kathy Berkshire '74 Dr. Brett Bieber '04 & Sarah Gacke JJ '95 & Jennifer '97 Bixby Blair Horner Realty, LLC Larry Blanke '69 Blazer Manufacturing Company Ryan '00 & Cindy '01 Bojanski Chandra & Dan Bombeck Ned Bork '78 & Dr. Marci Bauman-Bork '79 Donald Bowen Leon Bracker Linda Branch '80 Aaron '04 & Shelly Brondum Carter & Karen Burnside Steven '79 & Karen Calta Kristina Cammarano Children's Hospital & Medical Center CJE Financial Services, LLC CL Werner Foundation Jill Claussen '89 Cooper Foundation Cornhusker Auto Wash/Express Lube Eric & Nicole Crouch Peggy Cunningham '73 D&T Shirtified Mandy Dames '25 Sandra Dames '95 Darlene M. and Reuben T. Swanson Foundation TaraLea & Tim Davis Tanner DeKock '22 Lisa '92 & Don 92 DeVries Chase & Sammy Dillon Dodge County Head Start Kevin & Nichol Dolezal Beth Dorsey Wade Dosch & Mary Meierhenry Jeff '70 & Bev '71 Draemel Duncan Chiropractic Health Center, LLC Katie '09 & Oscar Duran Ryan Eddie '95 Donna Elvik '60 Pam England Richard* '69 & Ellen* Erwin Brian '82 & Lori '82 Essen Jay '79 & Sheri '79 Feala First United Methodist Church
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FOUNTAIN SO CI ETY
The Fountain Society celebrates donors who commit to making a difference year after year, representing the heart of Midland's donor base. The society recognizes alumni, friends, and businesses who make consecutive charitable gifts in any amount for over 3 years. Thank you to all of our Fountain Society donors for their continued support in our 2025-26 fiscal year! *Denotes deceased within the 2025-26 fiscal year
Devon '76 & Denise '78 Fischer Janet Florick Julie '82 & Craig Frederick Fremont & Dodge County Convention & Visitors Bureau Fremont Area Art Association Fremont Family Dentistry Andrew Frisque Thomas Galas Eugene '85 & Brenda Garrelts Willie Garrett '93 Drs. Gerry & Rhonda Gdowski Gesell Enterprises, LLC Les '74 & Jo '74 Giddens Mary '84 & Kevin '84 Giesselmann Rikkel Glosser Bret & Brenda Griess Russ '84 & Jane Gronewold Mike & Jan Guilliatt Scott & Stephanie Haag Melissa Hapke Patricia Hart '79 Doug & Kathleen Hartmann Libby Havenridge Caitie Hays Kelly '84 & Jill '85 Hedlund Robert '75 & Brenda '75 Hemje Linda Hogan Ron Holt, Jr. Dustin Hood Evan '21 & Lauren Hunt Immanuel Laura & Ryan Jensen Linda Jensen '70 The Rev. Mark '74 & Mary '73 Johns The Rev. Carl '60 & Donna '69 Johnson Joel Johnston Sara Kidwell '70 Kiel's Barber Shop Dawn Koehlmoos '86 K. Kent Koolen '65 Joan Korte Linda Lair '70 Roger Lambourn '72 Adam '04 & Jill '04 Lamprecht Amy Larsen Marge Leeper Jake '04 & Chelsea Lentfer Leonard Nielsen Memorial Fund Maggie '21 & Chase '22 Lipsys Michael Ludvigsen Christine E. Lund '78 Brett '06 & Danielle Malchow Ruth Marcus-Compton Terry & Linda McClain David McDonald Denyse McDonald '15 The Rev. Clint* '60 & Rosita '61 McDonald Joan McIntire Drs. Thomas & Evelyn McKnight Sean '96 & Beth '99 McMahon
Kelley '89 & Royce Menke Craig Miller Marilyn Miller '62 Shelly '79 & Jim Mintken Mohair Hills Angoras Lawrence '64 & Judith '62 Mosner Larry Munn '64 Rico '93 & Kay Munn Deda & Chris Myhre Stan Myhre Kathryn Nadlman '77 Steven Nast '70 NELNET Sharon '67 & Nelson Newman Bradley '86 & Shawn '86 Nick Ronda & Todd Niehaus Vickie Novak '80 Anna '18 & Matt O'Reilly Emma Oborny '19 Emma '23 & Vince '24 Ongtangco Joseph '72 & Patricia Onstott Dawn Osness P.E.O. Sisterhood - Chapter GH Shelli Panning '79 John '67 & Angela Patram Charles* '55 & Lois '55 Peterson Brooke Phillips '19 Lee '76 & Brenda '78 Phillips Dr. Amy Pinkall '93 Sara Pirtle '75 Greg Rankin Brett & Heidi Richmond David '93 & Kari '00 Ridder John Rinde '77 Julie '74 & Robert Robinson Patricia Rolf Cammy Romanuck Murphy Jeff Russell S2 Roll Offs, LLC Renen '16 & Molly Sahr Joe Sajevic Susan '78 & Robert Sandstrom Jenni '01 & Mitchell Schmidt Stevan Schneider '80 & Dr. Lori Moseman '74 Lynn '89 & Eric Schnoor Marge '68 & Ron Schultz Brooke Schwanke Kate Schwarz '13 Brittany Scully Larry '72 & Linda Shepard Shiny & Dry, LLC Myles Shonsey '19 Lucas '09 & Kendra Simons Sinai Lutheran Church Beth Singleton Ian Slama '13 Matthew '92 & Julie '93 Sleister Cindy Slykhuis Judy '67 & Al Swanson Michael Sweigart Courtney & Brandon Thomsen
Eileen & Bob Thornburg Michelle '93 & Jeff Thornburg Amanda Timmerman Amy '24 & Eddie Tritsch Eileen Troy '76 Tony '92 & Micki '95 Urban Joy M. Valine '70 Dr. Tara Baum '99 & Chad Valla Victor Outdoor Advertising Bill & Joan Vobejda Kenneth '69 & Judith '68 VonSeggern Cheryl Walden Deborah '90 & Wes Walling David '71 & Phyllis Wennstedt Gina '03 & Jeffrey '04 Wiitanen Dr. Courtney Wilder Brodi Willard '15 Jennifer & Chris Williams Dr. Danielle Wooldrik '08 The Rev. Helmut* '73 & Jodeen '73 Yurk Joan Zanders '67 Janeal Zechman
ORANGE CIRCLE (6-10 YEARS GIVING)
Kay Andersen '59 Anonymous Shirley Asmussen '73 The Rev. Dean Bard '67 Robert '85 & Linda Bendig Gary & Denise Bolton Deborah Brester '12 Brian '87 & Pamela '88 Brodd Randal & Sue Burns Dr. Lawrence '02 & Katie Chatters Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation Donna Cousino '59 Matt Dean '16 Stephen Deets Jeff '84 & Marcy Droge Eide Bailly LLP Lynn Embury The Rev. Philip '58 & Dee '58 Erlander Myrna Esluer '66 Chuck Farraj Theresa & Mark Ferg First Community Bank Jamie & Craig Folkers Virginia Follstad '54 Fresh Ideas Management, LLC Janice '82 & Darrell Gerdes Peter Gotsch & Dr. Jana French Kimberly '81 & David Guinn Rev. Peggy Hall David '72 & Mary '74 Hamblen Rev. Dr. Carl Hansen Lucille E. Hansen '64 Joe '01 & Sherri '02 Harnisch Kathy & Dan Hays Paul '92 & Kathryn '92 Heineman David '74 & Polly '74 Hendee Donna Hintz '69 Butch '71 & Caroline '67 Hug Ideal Images Sandra Jech '61 Taylor '12 & Madeline '11 Jeppesen C. William Joe '68 Caryl & Chuck Johannsen Curt Johnson '70 & Esther Streed-Johnson Gerald '62 & Arlene '61 Johnson Dr. J. Ronald Johnson Juice Stop Keep Fremont Beautiful, Inc. Doug & Julie Kirby
Alex Knobbe '12 Adam Knowlton Tracy '80 & Kevin Kochenderfer Sherry Koehler '87 Keaton '18 & Faye '17 Kreikemeier Kay Kruse '64 Carolyn Lack Lynn '77 & Cynthia '78 Lamprecht Trudy Lans '71 Dr. Lois Linden '72 & Dr. MJ Petersen Lund-Ross Constructors, Inc Janet '79 Madsen Joyce Madsen '61 Richard & Carol McGill Karen McMahon Mendlik Audiology, LLC Drs. Elliott '69 & Susan '70 Moeser Donald Munson '70 Dr. Jennifer Murnane-Rainey John '64 & Linda Nelson Norine Nieman '68 Richard Nothwehr '82 Jill Nyquist '79 Darrell & Kirsten Olson Lon '76 & Wendy '78 Olson Janet '66 & Leroy Ostransky Sheri Paden '77 Jon '90 & Karen '87 Peppmuller Gary '70 & Carol '72 Perkins Evelyn Perry '63 Cecelia Peterson Richard Peterson '65 & Helene Olson Peterson Mary '78 & William Piernot Dr. Bob '73 & Sue Roesch Craig Ronhovde '82 Beth Rosenquist '78 The Rev. Martin '86 & Lori Russell Dan '82 & Connie '84 Schnoes Michaela '18 & Weston '19 Shepard Ronald '67 & Marjorie Slegl Rev. Dr. Carlyle '54 & Sharon Smith Robert Steed Debra '79 & Kevin Stripling Mary Suhr '66 Paul '68 & Donna '68 Suhr Mary Syre '62 Dyann '69 & The Rev. Dr. Walter '69 Taylor Eric '92 & Kim '94 Taylor Jeffrey '68 & Barbara Taylor Dale & Cindy Tranmer Carol Trower '72 Colonel Tom '63 & Beverly '64 Vitamvas Tammy '88 & Monty Vonasek Kendra L. Voss '97 Emily '93 & Ward Wageman Mitchell '16 & Sydney Walker Ronald & Cindy Weaklend Debra Welk '72 Joan D. Wellensiek '72 Jason White Daniel '80 & Kathy Wiesen Lois '76 & Royce Wilken Kerry Williams Dr. Linda Winkler '76 Kari '83 & Brad '84 Wragge
WARRIOR CIRCLE
(11-15 YEARS GIVING)
Jayne Boeck '71 Carol '68 & Lonnie Bohling Dr. Werner & Suzanne Boos Marilyn Brei '73 David & Cynthia Christensen Sheri Ebers '69
Clint '04 & Ashley Eikmeier Stuart '75 & Denise Essman Lori '07 & Jay Ethier Dr. Lynette Exum '94 Janice Feye-Stukas '65 Fremont Electric Inc. Fremont Kiwanis Club Gene Steffy's Chrysler Scott & Judy Getzschman Donald Hessenflow '64 & Cathy Dawson Jody & Blair Horner Becky & Steve Hotovy Jessica Janssen Wolford '14 & Eric Wolford Dr. Norman '57 & Lori Jensen Don '80 & Roxanne Kluthe John Konecky '85 Sieg & Brenda Krueger Methodist Fremont Health David Millar Richard & Joyce Myers Raymond '54 & Ruth Nelson Megan Nielsen Joan Nordstrom '58 Julieta Payan '72 Shane Perrien '15 Joanne Prauner '68 Peggy '78 & Steve Pribnow Vicki Ramsay '75 Dr. Kris Roberts '91 Matt '98 & Julie Rossow Ron Rossow Dr. Nick '11 & Katie '12 Schreck Dr. Jamie Simpson St. Timothy Lutheran Church John '85 & Terri Steyer Don & Ann Studier Carol Taylor '62 Drs. Connie & Steven Taylor Richard Toftness '66 Trinity Lutheran Church Rachel '09 & JP Wachter Robert '73 & Judi Walker Cdr. Laurel & Lynn Wessman Susan Wieland '75 Brenda '07 & Brian '09 Wilberding Doris Wobken '76
UNIVERSITY CIRCLE (16-19 YEARS GIVING)
Dr. Marcia Anderson '64 Anonymous Robin Berger '85 Carol Brandert '63 Mary Ann Brennan '78 Rita & David Bristol Fred & Kay Brown Kris & Dan Dvorak Erickson & Brooks Ronald '67 & Rita Freeman Elizabeth Hoffman-Carlson '90 Janis Jordan '07 Kathleen Judd Jess '00 & Jeremy Knoell Dr. Henry Krusiewicz & Janice Pemberton Dr. Chintamani & Bhaswati Manish Del* '61 & LaRue Roberts Dr. David Rohlfing '69 Runza National LaVonne Stewart '06 Colonel Todd '85 & Lucy Tillman Jason '96 & Roberta Tonjes Matt '05 & Ashley Turner Douglas & Linda Watson Beth '78 & Lindell '79 Whitney
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MIDLAND UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENT'S SOCIETY Midland’s President’s Society encourages a culture of annual giving to support the continued mission and work of the university. The society recognizes alumni, friends, and businesses who make an annual contribution of $1,000 or more to Midland. Thank you to all of our President’s Society donors for their support in 2025-26! *Denotes deceased within the 2025-26 fiscal year
$100,000+
Compass Group (Fresh Ideas Management) Donald Dau Charitable Trust Tom & Kim Dinsdale Rupert Dunklau Foundation LTC Russell Flora & Donna LovelaceFlora Roger '70 & Cathy Heedum Immanuel Vision Foundation Richard P. Kimmel & Laurine Kimmel Foundation Don '80 & Roxanne Kluthe Lozier Foundation Richard & Joyce Myers Tom '81 & Laura Walker
$50,000-$99,999
Leon Bracker Marilyn Brei '73 Steven '76 & Corinne Feye Nebraska Department of Economic Development RVR Bank Ryzer, LLC Tony '92 & Micki '95 Urban
$25,000-$49,999
Anonymous Anonymous Dr. Ron '59 & Patsy '59 Braun Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation Dr. David Creech ELCA Foundation Dr. Larry '57 & Laurel Erickson
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PRESIDEN T ' S SO CI ETY
Health Care Information Systems Kenesaw Motor Co. (Jon & Tracy Denkert) Maiwand Jazails Fund Drs. Jim '60 & Joyce Nielsen Gary '70 & Carol '72 Perkins Pinnacle Bank Jason '96 & Roberta Tonjes CL Werner Foundation Wolf Pack Family Giving Fund (Craig Wolf)
$10,000-$24,999
Dr. Marcia Anderson '64 Anonymous Jennifer '97 & JJ '95 Bixby Pat & Judy Booth Lloyd '73 & Betty* Brooks C-R Menn Concrete Mark & Debra Classen Cooper Foundation Cornhusker Auto Wash/Express Lube Stan & Sandy Dopheide Michael '68 & Pam Draemel EducationQuest Foundation Clint '04 & Ashley Eikmeier (CJE Financial Services) Richard* '69 & Ellen* Erwin Fremont & Dodge County Convention & Visitors Bureau Peter Gotsch & Dr. Jana French Ideal Images Immanuel Communities C. William Joe '68 Randy '76 & Janet '75 Koski Roger* '71 & Carol Lewis
Terry & Linda McClain Charlotte '61 & John McConkie Methodist Fremont Health MidwayUSA Foundation Marilyn Miller '62 Dave & Shelia Monke Lawrence '64 & Judith '62 Mosner Nebraska Synod ELCA Drs. Winifred & Lewis Pinch David '68 & Kathleen Pinkall PlantNebraska Dr. Harold Rhea '57 Dr. David Rohlfing '69 Sandhills Global, Inc Susan Schmidt '70 Sid Dillon Chevrolet Mary Syre '62 Richard Toftness '66 Dr. F. Thomas Waring
$5,000-$9,999
Anonymous Shawn '92 & Jeanine Arkfeld Ash Grove Charitable Foundation Blair Horner Realty, LLC Marlin & Marla '75 Brabec Ron & Jeanie Carson Charles Schwab David & Cynthia Christensen Barbara Clement '60 Sherie Ebers '69 Randy '82 & Shelly '83 Eikmeier Erickson & Brooks Fremont Kiwanis Club Bret & Brenda Griess Loren '69 & Dianne Havekost
Justin '03 & Meghan Hope Joel '81 & Patty Knudson Lynn '77 & Cynthia '78 Lamprecht Lou's Sporting Goods John '73 & Nancy '74 Marty Gaylord '75 & Vali '76 Mussman (State Farm Insurance) William C. Nelsen '63 Steven '93 & Julie '92 Oliver John Rinde '77 Del* '61 & LaRue Roberts Dr. David '79 & Marla Schmidt Doug & Carol Shull Lucas '09 & Kendra Simons Darlene M. and Reuben T. Swanson Foundation Roger '81 & Karen Thompson Varsity Spirit Lester Walker Foundation Daniel & Cara Whitney Wilson Foundation - Terry O'Reilly
$2,500-$4,999
Ginny Allen Anonymous Artisan Roofing Dorothy '61 & Frank Bay Donna Bright '75 BWWS, Inc. (Steve & Brandi Goldapp) Steven '79 & Karen Calta Larry '61 & Sandee Collier DNL Garage Door Systems Katherine Dodge Denny '64 & Judy Dumler Eide Bailly LLP Enterprise Holdings Foundation Stu '75 & Denise Essman Ronald '67 & Rita Freeman Gene Steffy's Chrysler Heider Family Foundation Jody & Blair Horner Butch '71 & Caroline '67 Hug Fred Ladehoff '90 Doug '80 & Kris Lanik Lincoln Community Foundation Dr. Lois Linden '72 & Dr. MJ Petersen Joyce Madsen '61 Marsh McLennan Agency Chris McGregor Drs. Elliott '69 & Sue '70 Moeser Stan Myhre Nelnet Foundation Leonard Nielsen Memorial Fund Lon '76 & Wendy '78 Olson Steve & Peggy '78 Pribnow Raising Cane's David '93 & Kari '00 Ridder Eric '02 & Traci Riewer Bob '73 & Sue Roesch Runza National Wanda Samson '72 Karen '63 & Ray Stevens, Jr. Paul '68 & Donna '68 Suhr Trinity Lutheran Church Bill & Joan Vobejda Kenneth '69 & Judy '68 VonSeggern Rick '64 & Carol Zeidler
$1,000-$2,499
Josie & Jason Abboud Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Bell Bank Jodi '99 & Jeff Benjamin Kathy Bergstrom Lisa Bliss Carol '68 & Lonnie Bohling Brainard Chiropractic (Dr. Troy '90 & Christine Brainard) Rev. Daniel Breunsbach '55 Aaron '04 & Shelly Brondum Randal & Sue Burns Carter & Karen Burnside Mary Chester Sandra Clymer Peggy Cunningham '73 Robert Denton '89 Mike & Andrea Dickey Wade Dosch & Mary Meierhenry Dr. Kent '63 & Janice Eakins Ryan Eddie '95 Lori '07 & Jay Ethier Dr. Lynette Exum '94 Ronald '68 & Deborah Ferguson First Community Bank Devon '76 & Denise '78 Fischer Five-0-Five Brewing Company (Gesell Enterprises LLC) FNBO Virginia Follstad '54 Fremont Area Community Foundation Fremont Electric, Inc Fremont Family Dentistry Andrew Frisque Thomas & Patricia Galas Jeremy '98 & Jamie Gilfry Thad '96 & Courtney Gossett Lonnie '90 & Stacey Graver Nathan Groninga Polly '68 & Theodore Hagerty Rev. Peggy Hall Rev. Dr. Carl L. Hansen Lucy Hansen '64 Dr. Nancy Harms & Gerhart Wehrbein Joseph '01 & Sherri '02 Harnisch Doug '84 & Kelly Heaton David '74 & Polly '74 Hendee Donald Hessenflow '64 & Cathy Dawson Humanities Nebraska Steven '65 & Sherry Jacobsen Laura & Ryan Jensen Jim's Roofing & Contracting, Inc. Janet Johnson '64 Dr. J. Ronald Johnson Mic & Nancy Johnston Kathleen Judd David Keniston '60 Richard Knapp Bryan Knaus Alex Knobbe '12 John Konecky '85 K. Kent Koolen '65 Keith '87 & Lisa '87 Kramme Kara Krejci-Reed '02
Kay Kruse '64 Carolyn Lack Janet Lack '83 Roger '72 & Melissa Lambourn Adam '04 & Jill '04 Lamprecht Roger '64 & Eileen '64 Larsen Marilyn Larson '70 Donnie, Jr. '07 & Kristin '06 Laughlin Jacob '04 & Chelsea Lentfer Ruth Marcus-Compton Jeffrey Measel Dr. David '69 & Dora Meyer Michalski Lawn Care, LLC Lt. Col. Reynold '86 & Susie '86 Mosier Rico '93 & Kay Munn Steve '77 & Julie Navarrette Nelson Produce Joan Nordstrom '58 Richard Nothwehr '82 Kyron & Kristina O'Brien Anna '18 & Matt O'Reilly Sheri Paden '77 Jean Pavela '60 Jon '90 & Karen '87 Peppmuller Edward Powers Mark '90 & Ann '91 Prince Alex Rasmussen Randall Reeve Trudy Reeves* '49 Brett & Heidi Richmond Gregory '94 & Karen '95 Roberg S2 Roll-offs & Refuse Ormal Saathoff '56 Renen '16 & Molly Sahr Dan Sanchez Susan '78 & Robert Sandstrom Randy & Jill Schreck Ron & Marge '68 Schultz Scooter's Coffee Shiny & Dry, LLC (Tommy's Express) Dr. Jamie Simpson Mike '85 & Susan '84 Sindelar Roland Smith Stephanie Stanton Rick Starks '70 John '85 & Terri Steyer Mary Suhr Kenneth '68 & Miriam '68 Sukraw Robert Tappouras Carol Trower '72 Eileen Troy '76 Trusted Wealth Partners Jeromy Vauble Rachel '09 & JP Wachter Robert '73 & Judi Walker Douglas & Linda Watson Judy Weddle '66 Cdr. Laurel & Mr. Lynn Wessman Beth '78 & Lindell '79 Whitney Lois Wilken '76 Sandra Williams Peggy Winegar Dr. Linda A. Winkler '76 Lynn Wood '76 Dr. Todd Wragge '92
M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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Midland’s Victory Society recognizes and celebrates alumni and friends who have left a legacy gift to Midland through a bequest or other planned gift through their estate. Donors are recognized, with permission, in the Victory Society during their lifetimes. We are grateful to these donors for their support of Midland’s students for generations to come. *Denotes deceased
Hanna Alger Rev. Dr. Russell & Frances Anderson Dr. Marcia Anderson '64 Milo '73 & Cheri Anderson Steve Bartek '82 JJ '95 & Jennifer '97 Bixby Patricia Bjorling Dr. Ron '59 & Patsy '59 Braun Clarence Brei Lloyd '73 & Betty* Brooks Phyllis Carlson Herbert Clauson '52 Larry '61 & Sandee Collier Floyd Devereaux '90 Michael '68 & Pam Draemel Sherie Ebers '69 LuAnn Ehmcke '82 Nicolas Engel '68 Dr. Larry '57 & Laurel Erickson Steve '76 & Corinne Feye Janice Feye-Stukas '65 Fred '85 & Tracy '85 Halvin Lucy Hansen '64 Kirk & Rhonda Hanson Dr. Nancy Harms & Gerhart Wehrbein Donald Hessenflow '64 Peter Hines '71 Jody & Blair Horner Dr. Norm '57 & Lori Jensen Jerry '62 & Arlene '61 Johnson The Rev. Scott Alan & Dn. Kristin Johnson Keith '87 & Lisa '87 Kramme Kay Williamson Kruse '64
LEAVE A LEGACY
Carolyn Lack Janet Lack '83 Roger Lampe '81 Lynn '77 & Cindi '78 Lamprecht Roger* '71 & Carol Lewis Dr. Lois Linden '72 Thomas Loseke '77 Sidney Montague '72 Richard '68 & Marsha* '70 Myers William Nelsen '63 Gary* '74 & Kathy '74 Overfield Jon '90 & Karen '87 Peppmuller Fred Pyle Dr. Bob '73 & Sue Roesch Dr. David '69 & Karen* '69 Rohlfing Dennis Russell & Gail Watson Russell Rev. Martin Russell '86 Wanda Samson '72 Susan Schmidt '70 Steve Schneider '80 & Dr. Lori Moseman '74 Rev. Joel '75 & Nancy '75 Schroeder Ron & Marge '68 Schultz Rev. Bill & Jane Shaner Byron* & Kathy Swanson Dean Thompson '84 Joe Vance '54 Tom '81 & Laura Walker Doug & Linda Watson Judy Weddle '66 JoAnn Wer Joseph & Jennifer Wiegand Lynn Wood '76
By including Midland University in your estate through a planned gift or by providing a perpetual gift, you can maximize the impact of your assets and do much more than you ever dreamed possible, often leaving an equal amount to your heirs and extending this gift to support Midland University. alumni.midlandu.edu/planned-giving
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VICTORY SO C I ETY
MIDLAND UNIVERSITY
LIFETIME SOCIETY The Lifetime Society honors Midland's strongest and most loyal donors. Lifetime Society members include donors who have given for 20 or more consecutive years, or whose total giving to the university is $500,000 or more. Donors are recognized in perpetuity. Thank you to our loyal Lifetime Society donors for their impactful support to Midland University! J.C. Anderson* Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Marvin Bartling* Dorothy '61 & Frank Bay Jodi '99 & Jeff Benjamin Rev. Drell & Adeline Bernhardson* Joanne Bowman* Dr. Troy '90 & Stacey Bracker Dr. Ron '59 & Patsy '59 Braun Gray Bream* '36 Clarence Brei Donna Bright '75 Lloyd '73 & Betty* Brooks Herbert Carlson* Phyllis Carlson Susan Chilcott* '65 Dr. Julius Christensen* '32 Larry '61 & Sandee Collier Warren Cooke '68 Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation T. Eugene '49 & Carol J. Dahlgren Trust Donald E. Dau Charitable Trust Sid Dillon, Sr. Michael '68 & Pam Draemel Rupert & Ruth Dunklau* Rupert Dunklau Foundation EducationQuest Foundation Randy '82 & Shelly '83 Eikmeier ELCA Foundation Dr. Larry '57 & Laurel Erickson Steve '76 & Corinne Feye
FNBO Fremont Area Community Foundation Fresh Ideas Management, LLC William & Berniece Grewcock* Polly '68 & Theodore Hagerty Health Care Information Systems Roger '71 & Cathy Heedum Immanuel Vision Foundation INSPRO Insurance / Marsh McLennan Agency Steven '65 & Sherry Jacobsen Clifford Johnson* Anna Juckniess* Richard P. Kimmel & Laurine Kimmel Foundation Sedona Knapp* Joel '81 & Patty Knudson Martin* '59 & Jacqueline Koolen Randy '76 & Janet '75 Koski Keith '87 & Lisa '87 Kramme Kresge Foundation Janet Lack '83 Frederick Ladehoff '90 Marilyn '62 & Leon Langemeier* Doug '80 & Kris Lanik Roger* '71 & Carol Lewis Denise Magnuson '78 Donna '66 & James '52 Miller* Conley Moeller '71 Merlin Mortinson* Jon & Diana Moxness Steve '77 & Julie Navarrette Nebraska Synod ELCA
William Nelsen '63 Ruby J. Nielsen* Dale Olson Bertha Pankratz* Jean Pavela '60 David '68 & Kathleen Pinkall Pinnacle Bank Michael Pirtle '75 & Kimberly Knoll Mark '90 & Ann '91 Prince Pastor Roland Renkel* Jerry '88 & Jodi Rinne Joyce Robatcek '72 Helen Roeske* '41 RVR Bank Ormal Saathoff '56 Wanda Samson '72 John & Jo Sanborn Schilke Midland Hockey Endowment Trust (Brad, Lisa, & Nick Novak) Susan Schmidt '70 Donald E. Sjogren* '51 Harry & Jean Snyder* Rick '76 & Mary Jo Spalding Rick Starks '70 Kenneth '68 & Miriam '68 Sukraw Joseph '72 & Mignon '69 Vojtech Randall Wade '74 Tom '81 & Laura Walker Dr. F. Thomas Waring Judy Weddle '66 David '71 & Phyllis Wennstedt Marty Wikert Lynn Wood '76 Dr. Susan Wood
*Denotes deceased M ID L AND M AG AZ INE [ 2026 ]
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