Nebraska Quarterly Fall 2025 Issue

You are certain to find items you agree with and even disagree with on our list of 99 Things We Love About the University of Nebraska.

Alumni help curate the “Go Big Red” exhibition on display this fall at the Sheldon Museum of

This campus store allows customers to scan a payment method upon entry, pick up items and leave.

For 70 years Selleck Quadrangle and its cafeteria (shown here in the 1960s) have been serving students.

Find Archie!

Morrill Hall’s Archie is hiding somewhere in the magazine, like only a 20,000-year-old mammoth can. Find him, email mia.everding@huskeralum.org with his location and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a fabulous Husker prize. Congratulations to Karen Phillips (’80, ’84) who found Archie looking up at Hope the giraffe on page 51 of our summer edition. Karen graduated with a Bachelor of Science from UNL and a Doctor of Medicine from UNMC. She told us she was especially thrilled to find Archie with some other four-legged friends because 2-year-old grandson Kole enjoys playing with toy zoo and farm animals.

Art.

Elijah Riley (’24) created a nonprofit aimed at teaching kids outdoor adventure skills.

WHAT WE (THE NAA STAFF) LOVE

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

See page 24 for 99 more things to love about our alma mater.

HILARY WINTER BUTLER

The North Stadium Sports Information Office where I met some of my best college friends.

KATIE MAHAR-FLOCK

My floral design class.

BAILEE GUNNERSON

Filming and editing with my best friends in Andersen Hall studios.

JENNIFER HOFFMAN

The opportunity to get my tuition provided while working full time.

JESSICA KRUSE

Study abroad opportunities.

HANNA HOFFMAN PETERSON

Being in Kappa Delta and getting to attend theme parties like Phi Delta Theta’s Woodchopper’s Ball.

GRACE MOSIER PUCCIO

The two summers I worked for New Student Enrollment.

HEATHER REMPE

The Cornhusker Marching Band.

ETHAN ROWLEY

Neihardt Hall ... in particular the Love wing where I made some of my best friends to this day ... including my wife. I always joke we were “already in Love” before we even met. Ha.

JEFF SHELDON

Hanging out at The Daily Nebraskan literally all day and much of the night.

NICOLE JOSEPHSON SWEIGARD

Tailgate memories with three generations.

KIM WHITTEMORE BROWNELL

Delta Tau Delta pledge sneak to University of Minnesota, where I was on exchange from UNK and met future hubby, Joe Brownell.

SHELLEY MOSES ZABOROWSKI

Being elected homecoming queen in 1995, a national championship year.

NEBRASKA

QUARTERLY

Fall 2025

VOLUME 121 NO. 3

Shelley Moses Zaborowski, ’96, ’00

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kirstin Swanson Wilder, ’89

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SENIOR DIRECTOR, PUBLICATIONS

Mia Everding, ’20, ’22

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Quentin Lueninghoener, ’06

Ben VanKat, ’06

MAGAZINE DESIGN, HANSCOM PARK STUDIO

Drue Wagner COVER ILLUSTRATION

NEBRASKA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF

Kim Whittemore Brownell

EXECUTIVE SPECIALIST

Hilary Winter Butler, ’11, ’18

SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Conrad Casillas

DIRECTOR OF VENUES & FACILITY OPERATIONS

Zac Franzen

ALUMNI RELATIONS & EVENTS COORDINATOR

Jordan Gonzales, ’17

SENIOR DIRECTOR, ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Bailee Gunnerson, ’22

ASSOCIATE DESIGN DIRECTOR, MULTIMEDIA

Maria Manning Muhlbach, ’09

SENIOR DIRECTOR, ALUMNI OUTREACH

Hanna Hoffman Peterson, ’16

DIRECTOR, ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Jennifer Hoffman, ’18

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF VENUES

Tyler Kruger DIRECTOR OF VENUES & MEMBER OPERATIONS

Jessica Kruse, ’25

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF VENUES

Abbi Leu, ’23

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ALUMNI RELATIONS & PROGRAMS

Katie Mahar-Flock, ’18

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Mimi Manivong, ’24

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF VENUES OPERATIONS

Grace Mosier Puccio, ’19

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI & STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Lexi Quarles, ’20 OFFICE COORDINATOR

Heather Rempe, ’03 DIRECTOR, DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

Ethan Rowley, ’03, ’13

SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEMBERSHIP

Kaitlyn Ryan, ’22

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, VENUES

Viann Schroeder ALUMNI CAMPUS TOURS

Jeff Sheldon, ’04, ’07

ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MARKETING & BUSINESS RELATIONS

Nicole Josephson Sweigard

ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT

Sharon Walling DIRECTOR OF DESIGN

CONTRIBUTORS

Nebraska Quarterly (USPS 10970) is published quarterly by the Nebraska Alumni Association, the known office of publication is 1520 R St., Lincoln NE 68508-1651. Alumni association dues are $65 annually of which $10 is for a subscription to Nebraska Quarterly. Periodicals postage is paid at Lincoln, Nebraska 68501 and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send all UAA to CFS. Requests for permission to reprint

KIRSTIN SWANSON WILDER

Kirstin Swanson Wilder (’89) experienced college life in all its 1980s glory — think big hair and Bono. Broyhill Fountain was still circular and writing assignments were hammered out on a typewriter (albeit an electric one). When she wasn’t attending journalism classes in Avery Hall, you could find her in the basement of the Student Union working on the copy desk of The Daily Nebraskan or just down R Street at the Tri Delta sorority house.

MIA EVERDING

For this issue, Mia Everding (’20, ’22) was tasked with writing the 99 blurbs about things we love about the university. Personally she loved going to Arby’s every Friday with friends to eat curly fries and debrief the previous week. They called the tradition Fryday Friday. Narrowing down to 99 great things about her alma mater was a feat, but she hopes you enjoy this list and fondly recall your days on campus.

QUENTIN LUENINGHOENER

Quentin Lueninghoener (’06) started a career in graphic design and journalism by laying out pages at The Daily Nebraskan before becoming its editor his senior year. It was there, in the basement of the Union, he discovered a fondness for Swedish Fish from the Info Desk, an ability to nap on almost any office furniture and an appreciation for collaboration with colleagues. Today he runs Hanscom Park Studio, a small design company in Omaha.

BEN VANKAT

Ben VanKat (’06) spent many long nights in the basement of the Student Union — putting to bed issues of The Daily Nebraskan — and many long afternoons on the berm at Haymarket Park, napping in the sun at Husker baseball games. These days, he works as part of the team at Hanscom Park Studio and still spends plenty of time at the ball field. He lives in Omaha with his wife and four kids.

materials and reader comments are welcome.

SEND MAIL TO: Nebraska Quarterly

Wick Alumni Center / 1520 R Street

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Phone: 402-472-2841

Toll-free: 888-353-1874

Website: huskeralum.org

Views expressed in Nebraska Quarterly do not necessarily reflect the official

position of the Nebraska Alumni Association. The alumni association does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national or ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

EDITORIAL QUERIES: Kirstin Wilder (kwilder@huskeralum.org)

ADVERTISING QUERIES: Jeff Sheldon (jsheldon@huskeralum.org)

NEW FALL BOOKS FROM YOUR UNIVERSITY PRESS

THE TEAM THAT HISTORY FORGOT

The 1960s Kansas City Chiefs

Rick Gosselin

Foreword by Andy Reid

DINOSAUR DREAMS

A FATHER AND DAUGHTER IN SEARCH OF AMERICA’S PREHISTORIC PAST

B.J. Hollars

The Life of a Basketball Prophet

A Life in Two Acts

Brad Bigelow

AMERICA TEES OFF True Tales of Golf’s Rich History

David Sowell

Slavery’s Enduring Legacy in an American Family

Leslie Stainton

MOSES MALONE

Paul Knepper

VIRGINIA FAULKNER

SCARLETT

LEARNING FROM JON CLIFTON

Q:

What inspired you during college?

A: I’ve always been inspired by the words the late Husker punter Sam Foltz kept in his locker: “Dream Big, Work Hard, Stay Humble.” Those six words capture what makes Nebraska truly special. In fact, I’ve often thought they’d make a better official motto for the university — and perhaps even our state — because they perfectly describe the spirit that unites us as Nebraskans.

That shared spirit makes for understated magic at the University of Nebraska — where dreaming big isn’t just normal, it actually feels possible. It’s the campus where Johnny Carson, Willa Cather, Warren Buffett, John J. Pershing and my grandfather Don Clifton first dared to dream — and more importantly, turned those dreams into reality.

Yet Nebraska doesn’t stop at dreaming. It also teaches us the dignity of hard work. We admire grit, resilience, and quiet persistence — no flash, no shortcuts — just the relentless commitment to doing great work. Perhaps nothing illustrates that better than Tom Osborne’s famous walk-on program: Anyone could earn a spot on the Husker roster if they were willing to grind, practice after practice, to prove themselves.

But for all our determination, there’s one more quality that truly defines the Nebraska way: staying humble — no matter what we achieve or how far we wander from the Good Life. I learned

that lesson in my second week of law school. Every student braces for the Socratic method, and I thought I was ready — until I was called on. My performance was brutal, watched by the entire class. Call it the Dunning-Kruger effect in action, but it was a harsh wake-up call: Always be prepared, not just for class but for life itself. The antidote to overconfidence? A dose of Nebraska humility.

Even halfway around the world, these lessons continue to guide me. While conducting Gallup interviews in a yurt in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, I asked a woman if she felt safe walking alone at night. She said “no,” and I hastily assumed she feared crime or poor lighting. Another interviewer gently followed up: “What are you afraid of?” Her answer — “rabid dogs” — reminded me yet again to slow down, ask better questions and never assume I know all the answers.

Experiences like these have convinced me that Sam Foltz’s words — “Dream Big, Work Hard, Stay Humble” — are what Nebraska has been teaching us all along. Our university or state may never officially adopt them, but they’re undeniably more fitting than “Nebraska: It’s Not For Everyone.” Because Nebraska’s inspiration truly is for everyone. And if future generations learn just one lesson from this place, I hope it’s that.

—Jon Clifton (’07), Gallup CEO and 2025 Alumni Master

Alumni Masters is a program where outstanding alumni return to campus to share their experiences and knowledge with students. All students are encouraged to take part in lectures, presentations and events with the Alumni Masters, who speak about ways to apply formal education to working situations and career goals. Since 1964, more than 400 alumni have participated in Alumni Masters. The selection of the Alumni Masters is competitive. Candidates are alumni who have shown great promise, success and leadership in their fields. Each spring, a committee of faculty and administrators makes recommendations to the chancellor, who chooses the participants for the program.

Jon Clifton gathering information and learning a lot along the way in a yurt in Mongolia.

FALL

Seeing Red

HUSKERS CURATE A CONVERSATIONAL, SCARLET KALEIDOSCOPE

BY MIA EVERDING (’20, ’22)

Go Big Red might be a familiar chant to Huskers’ ears, but what about as a feast for the eyes?

For a new fall exhibition, the Sheldon Museum of Art invited individuals to select and then reflect on museum pieces that feature the color red. The three-gallery exhibition features 33 pieces curated by alumni, professors, students and others. A photograph from alumnus Harold Edgerton (class of 1925), Carmehn Herrera’s acrylic Gemini, Edward Hopper’s famed oil Room in New York — red seeps through every piece, no matter the medium. For Erin Hanas, curator for academic and campus engagement at the museum, the “Go Big Red” exhibition opens doors for museumgoers to engage with art in a new way.

“It’s a fun way to look at art in the museum’s collection, and to hear new perspectives on works that have been included in previous exhibitions and might be familiar to visitors,” Hanas said. “It’s also

a way to connect with the UNL community, on campus and beyond.”

Hanas said it is important to make art accessible to a wide audience — it’s not just art history buffs who can enjoy a painting, a sculpture, a photograph. That was somewhat of a relief for Richard Moberly to hear when the museum asked him to be a collaborator on the project — the dean of the College of Law said he does not have an art background. Despite his experience perusing art galleries one summer in Europe and a challenging upper-level art course during college, he said it was “nerve-wracking” to try something outside his comfort zone. But looking at the broad red strokes of Gemini (shown above), Moberly mused on the themes of equality and equity and what their definitions mean for society at large.

“I enjoyed trying to think how to articulate this really complex area of the law by looking at this piece,” he said. “I hope (visitors) would view what it means to treat people equally.”

Nick Monk had a different approach to contemplating his piece from American cartoonist George Harriman. As director of the Center for Transformative Teaching on campus, Monk’s background as a literary critic helped him in analyzing the work from a critic’s viewpoint. But he said he loves to see collaboration between people from different professions and experiences.

“We’re so much greater than the sum of our parts,” Monk said. “If we can do things together, I think that’s wonderful … I think it gives you a real sense of identification with the institution and makes you feel part of something larger.”

Above: Carmen Herrera, Gemini, 2007, Acrylic on canvas 36 1/8 × 72 inches. Opposite page: Keith Haring, Untitled, 1985, lithograph, 37 1/2 × 30 inches

SHELDON MUSEUM OF ART

FALL

>> Moberly said viewing art can be a deeply personal experience. “There’s not a fixed meaning in art ... everybody can come in and look at art and take what they’re going to take from it,” he said. “It’s important to reflect on how it impacts you as the viewer.”

Amy (Gusso) Williams (’98), head coach of the women’s basketball team, and her daughter Kennadi, a student-athlete in basketball and softball, were inspired by Ilya Bolotowsky’s Red Tondo. The interplay between the colors and lines signified how, as a team, collaboration and adaptability are necessary for growth. They wrote that the striking red and geometric angles of the piece reflected how balance, focus and boldness can elevate art and life.

“Like Bolotowsky’s masterful use of space, we strive for balance between ambition and strategy,” they said. “And, like the bold red that anchors this work, we approach every challenge with unwavering intensity.”

Lawrence Chatters (’04, ’18), a former director within the Office of the Chancellor, and his daughter/current student Airalon Chatters analyzed Keith Haring’s piece, Untitled (shown on previous page). They wrote the poem Shoulders, contemplating how community infuses into one’s story.

We have never been alone,

On this journey through time.

There have been shoulders

That have set expectations high…

“So are the shoulders of our ancestors—

These beautiful seeds,

Some buried, and yet they bloom.

Planted long before us,

Shade, an intentional foundation laid.

Edgerton’s Milk Drop Coronet (pictured above) reminded Cornhusker Marching Band Drum Major Tanner Maas of music’s ability to inspire, reviving memories and teleporting listeners to a different time and place. To him, music can create a ripple effect on those around him. That same ripple effect in the photograph also reminded Maas of his role as a mentor on campus.

“This piece reminds me that even small acts can make a significant impact on others,” he said. “Overall, I think the UNL community is pretty conscious about leaving the university, organizations and communities in the best of hands for the future, and this work symbolizes that stewardship.”

Jeff Zeleny (’96), a CNN correspondent, and his brother Mike Zeleny (’93, ’96) contemplated what

“This painting evokes a simpler time that we often long for — no electronics, no phones, no distractions — but an abundance of solitude that we enjoyed as we came of age,” they said. “(Hopper’s) impressions carry a familiar feel, perhaps back to our own living room, where our dad was often reading the newspaper, while our mom was playing the piano. Those were the distinct soundtracks of our lives — a world away from Manhattan, yet so recognizable in our shared America.”

“Go Big Red” has a piece for any visitor to enjoy, whether a sports fan, a music lover or a storytelling enthusiast. No matter the background of anyone walking through the museum’s glass doors, Sheldon’s Hanas hopes the exhibition will strengthen connections in the community.

“(Art) enriches the cultural fabric of the city,” she said. “Lincoln is a vibrant place, and art helps cultivate a more inclusive, creative, thoughtful environment.”

Hopper’s Room in New York (pictured at right) said to them.

Above: Milk Drop Coronet, Harold Edgerton 1957, dye transfer photo print, 18 3/8 × 13 3/8 inches

Opposite page: Room in New York (detail), Edward Hopper, 1932, oil on canvas, 29 × 36 5/8 inches

ARCHITECTURE

VISIONARY’S GIFT CREATES ROOM FOR STUDENT FUTURES

DLR Group, a locally based global design firm, honored its former CEO and Husker alumnus William “Griff” Davenport by remodeling and renaming the college’s auditorium. A 1980 graduate of the College of Architecture, Davenport has had a profound impact on the design profession and education over his 45-year career at DLR Group. As CEO, he led the firm through a period of transformative global growth while championing the firm’s foundational values.

“Griff has been a steadfast advocate for our students, our college and the profession,” said Dean Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg. “This gift from DLR Group not only honors a visionary leader but also shares a space where students will continue to be inspired and challenged. Griff’s legacy is not only etched in this auditorium, but in the lives of every student and professional he’s uplifted.”

The remodeled auditorium, located in Architecture Hall West, increased the lecture space capacity from 90 to 140, enhancing the college’s ability to host events. Architecture Hall West, originally constructed in 1912 as the College of Law, is the fifth-oldest building on City Campus.

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND NATURAL RESOURCES

RANKING CONFIRMS BIG RED’S GLOBAL

IMPACT IN NATURAL RESOURCES

The university’s programs for agriculture and natural resources rank in the top 10% of just under 500 institutions worldwide in a newly released dataset from QS World University Rankings. UNL ranked third among Big 10 land-grant universities in the service’s Employer Reputation category, which reflects how well a university is perceived by employers in preparing graduates with desirable skills and knowledge. Overall, UNL’s programs for agriculture and natural resources placed 46th among 475 universities worldwide ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education company that produces the annual ranking.

“It’s exciting and encouraging for us to be ranked in the top 10% on a worldwide scale,” said Tiffany Heng-Moss, interim vice chancellor for the Institute

of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “This recognition affirms the meaningful work happening across IANR — in our research laboratories and statewide platforms, classrooms and experiential learning settings, extension offices, and communities.”

ARTS AND SCIENCES

INK-REDIBLE SKINS ADAPT, SENSE AND SHOW THEIR COLORS

Inspired by the color-changing abilities of cephalopods (imagine squids and octopi), researchers are developing synthetic skins that can mimic these natural transformations. Led by chemistry professor Stephen Morin and doctoral student Brennan Watts, the team has created stretchable, responsive materials that behave similarly to cephalopod chromatophores (tiny pigment organs that change color in response to stimuli). These synthetic skins are designed to operate autonomously, sensing and reacting to environmental changes without user input. The technology could enable flexible, soft machines and wearable devices that display information or sense conditions like temperature, pH and humidity. Unlike rigid, traditional screens, these materials can conform to various surfaces and operate in wet or dynamic environments. Their versatility opens new possibilities in soft robotics, environmental sensing and human-machine interfaces.

ENGINEERING

HYDROGEN HOPES RISE AS RIFT SHOWS ECONOMIC PROMISE

Some 1.1 billion years ago, the North American continent nearly split in two, leaving behind a 1,200-mile swath of volcanic rocks that may be able to produce enough natural hydrogen to yield vast amounts of clean energy. University researchers are studying the Midcontinent Rift — which runs from beneath Lake Superior through parts of Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas — to determine how best to access that hydrogen. Hydrogen is potentially a key player in the effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It produces no carbon emissions and, unlike oil and gas that can take millions of years to generate from organic deposits,

it is constantly renewing underground when water interacts with the volcanic rock.

But there is much to learn. “Our understanding of processes governing the production, migration and accumulation of evasive natural hydrogen in the continental deep subsurface is still in its infancy,” said Civil Engineering Associate Professor Seunghee Kim, one of the project’s principal investigators. To test the viability of hydrogen production in the rift, a test well was drilled in Nebraska five years ago. So far, the data is promising. Scientists believe it is possible the geomechanical and biogeochemical conditions in the rift limit the loss and consumption of this naturally generated hydrogen, which could leave trapped hydrogen “at an economically meaningful scale in the mid-continent subsurface.”

JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS

STUDENTS PULL BACK CURTAIN ON NEBRASKA’S TROUBLED PRISON SYSTEM

Journalism students published “Nebraska Behind Bars,” a project that examines the state’s overcrowded and understaffed prison system. Over the course of 16 weeks, the students of the in-depth and investigative reporting class interviewed 128 people, including current and formerly incarcerated individuals at most of Nebraska’s nine prisons. They also spoke with teenagers held at the Douglas County Youth Center, lawmakers, corrections employees, mental health professionals and family members to better understand the impacts of the state’s strained corrections system.

In addition to conducting interviews, students reviewed nearly 450 pages of research documents, including academic articles, news stories and legislative records. They filed 16 public records requests,

FIRST LOOK

Introducing Herbie’s Market, a first-of-its-kind shopping experience in the Student Union that opened during spring semester. Customers scan a payment method prior to entering the market, select their desired items and leave; Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology tracks the purchases and charges the payment method upon exiting. Lucas Novotny, executive director of housing and dining services, said the market is a demonstration of commitment to meeting students’ specific needs, keeping in mind healthier, quick options for those on the go. “This market isn’t just about convenience — it’s about care,” Novotny said. “By bringing Herbie’s Market into the heart of campus, we are reinforcing our commitment to student well-being and ensuring that every student has the resources they need to thrive.”

nine of which were denied. Many students balanced this extensive reporting work alongside jobs and other coursework, including work at The Daily Nebraskan.

The final stories spotlight the human consequences of overcrowding and understaffing in Nebraska’s prisons through investigative reporting and powerful personal narratives. Scan the QR code at right to read the series.

“This is journalism at its best,” said Dean Shari Veil. “Our students tackled a difficult and often inaccessible topic with professionalism, persistence and compassion. Their work gives voice to those directly affected by Nebraska’s prison system and demonstrates the power of investigative journalism.”

FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

EMERGING ARTIST LANDS COVETED

FX INTERNSHIP IN HOLLYWOOD

Kathryn (Paige) Christensen, an August graduate of the emerging media arts program who also was a business administration major, spent her summer in Southern California as one of 40 students selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation Internship program. The Foundation offers paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies annually to college students nationwide. “At the risk of sounding like a cliché, it is a dream come true,” Christensen said. “Ever since my sophomore year, when I was introduced to this internship program by a professor, I have hoped for an opportunity as exciting as this. Being paired with FX, which is known for bold series like Shogun and The Bear, is the perfect opportunity to learn from top industry professionals and gain hands-on experience in series development at a network.” Christensen spent the

Christensen

Scan the QR code to read the series “Nebraska Behind Bars.”

ALUMNI AND FAN EVENTS // NOVEMBER 6-9

OFFICIAL ALUMNI TRAVEL PACKAGE

Hit the road with the Big Red in Los Angeles

• Two or three-night, land-only packages

• Tour welcome event

• Santa Monica hotel

• Game day transportation

• Official Husker Huddle pre-game party

• Optional add-on game tickets

OFFICIAL HUSKER HUDDLE

To book your spot today use the QR code, visit huskerfantravel.com, or call 888-831-0858

Already planning to be in L.A.? Come to the of cial Husker Huddle pre-game party.

Saturday, November 8 // 4 Hours Before Kickoff // Brookside at the Rose Bowl

Advance registration required at huskeralum.org/Huddle-UCLA

eight-week program as The Walt Disney/FX Original Programming intern at the Fox Studio Lot in Century City, California.

“Now at the end of my college career in Lincoln, I’ve come to find that the arts are fluid, and that exposure and experimentation with different influences only strengthens creativity,” she said. “It’s a more nontraditional background than a typical film school education, and a strength it has given me in my professional experience is the ability to bring unconventional ideas to the table.”

Christensen has had a number of highlights during her time at Nebraska, including studying global filmmaking techniques at the University of Westminster in London.

EDUCATION AND HUMAN SCIENCES

MINDFULNESS TAKES ROOT IN GHANA’S HOPEFUL CLASSROOM REVOLUTION

A transformative program designed to help educators use mindfulness and reflection in their daily work is expanding its global reach. Holly Hatton, associate professor of child, youth and family studies, is collaborating with researchers in Ghana to adapt CHIME (Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators) an interactive compassion- and mindfulness-based program developed at UNL. The program will support caregivers, young children and college students in the small west African country. Hatton traveled to Accra, Ghana, where she met with more than 80 early childhood educators at the University of Ghana to conduct professional learning on mindfulness and self-compassion. “Teachers indicated to us that mindfulness and self-compassion are something they are interested in,” Hatton said. “Like American teachers, educators in Ghana are often underpaid and feel undervalued and under-appreciated. But CHIME can be uplifting; it can bring a sense of hope that resonates with teachers.”

BUSINESS FROM PLAYBOOKS TO BOARDROOMS:

STUDENTS STEP INTO ACTION

Students are gaining firsthand experience with business partners tackling real challenges. Examples from spring semester include:

• Sports management students collaborated with the Omaha Supernovas of the Pro Volleyball Federation, pitching fan engagement strategies directly to team leadership.

• A team of supply chain management majors created a tool for new site location decisions for Boss Truck Shops.

• Nebraska Business Honors Academy students served as consultants for Cornhusker Bank, delivering strategic recommendations to their executive team.

Starting this fall, all first-time business students work with corporate partners at the beginning and end of the college’s new undergraduate core curriculum. Students consult with professionals for a business competition in the first course and collaborate with C-Suite and other senior leaders on realworld issues in the capstone.

LAW

EXPANDING RURAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE, ONE CHILD AT TIME

The Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center, a new initiative focused on addressing the shortage of qualified attorneys in rural communities across the state, is underway. The new center builds upon the success of two existing programs: the Children’s Justice Clinic and the Children’s Justice Attorney Education Fellowship Program. The center will transform juvenile court advocacy by equipping attorneys with the knowledge, skills and support needed to provide high-quality, trauma-informed representation.

“This expansion positions the College of Law and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to be state and national leaders in educating law students and lawyers on how to be effective advocates for children,” said Dean Richard Moberly. “The center will serve as a model for other states faced with the challenge of access to justice in rural areas.”

Nebraska faces a stark reality that mirrors challenges across rural America. Of the state’s more than 5,500 attorneys with active licenses, only 7% practice in rural areas. The situation is particularly dire for juvenile court cases, where about 60% of abuse and neglect petitions originate from areas outside Lincoln and Omaha. Currently, 12 Nebraska counties have no attorneys, and many rural counties lack advocates with experience in child welfare.

SHARING THE VIEWPOINTS OF OUR ALUMNI, FACULTY AND STUDENTS

Piper Hall on 16th Street no longer stands, but the memories of those who lived there endure. On the other hand, Selleck Quadrangle which was built in the 1950s is still going strong.

SCOTT McDONALD REFLECTION

When Scott McDonald clocks out as a custodial manager on campus, he turns to a new environment where he transforms death into beauty with his art. McDonald is a self-taught artist who uses watercolor to explore what he calls an unavoidable aspect of human existence. Through his brush, he works to depict bodies, hands and skulls to evoke a sense of beauty and symmetry with a topic that often feels unsettling or uncomfortable. “(Death) is a part of our lives. Everyone is going to deal with it; it’s a part of life. So I like to think that I want to show it as not scary, not dark, but as something more realistic,” McDonald said when describing what he hopes to achieve with his art.

Ode to Piper

Brutalism, Brotherhood and Bedlam

From stolen doors to dry ice saxophones, Piper 2 was never dull

BY CORY LUENINGHOENER (’01,

’04)

Honorary Honors Student

In the fall of 1997, I moved into what would be my home for my four undergraduate years. The first wing of what would eventually be called the Neihardt Residential Center, was built in the 1930s and named after Carrie Bell Raymond, a huge figure in Lincoln’s musical history. It was a solid brick, Colonial-inspired building, with two spires on top and a portico out front. Over time, it was expanded with two more wings that shared its architecture, each with in-room sinks, dimly lit halls, and a lovely courtyard. But I didn’t live in any of those. I lived in the fourth wing, a utilitarian block of rooms that had been designed in the 1950s by somebody who had evidently never seen the rest of the building. Its architecture was more “brutalist” than “classical,” but it was nonetheless a great place to live during my time at the university.

The four wings were named after four great Nebraskan women — Carrie Raymond, Amanda Heppner, Julia Love, and Elsie Piper; or “John Neihardt’s harem,” as we uncultured students used to refer to them — and my room was near the bend in the hall on the second floor of Piper. Over the course of that first year, I met new and old friends in Raymond, Heppner and Love, but Piper was my default place to study, work on homework, and get into mischief. The resident assistant (RA) who greeted me as I walked down the hall the first time worked hard over the course of the year to build the floor into a community. He spent a lot of time introducing residents to each other, and every night he would lead a bandwagon down to the Cather/Pound/Neihardt dining hall for dinner in front of The Simpsons. Piper 2 had its share of characters that kept things lively, and I did my best to contribute to the floor’s sense of being. Like the time I hid in our RA’s closet so we could steal the door to his room when he went to class. Or the time we put part of a giant campaign

sign in our windows for the FOCUS party during one year’s ASUN elections. We quickly realized how easy it was to change the sign to something a little less wholesome. Or simply the time we called The Onion (a satirical newspaper) to ask if the media organization’s supposed origins as The Mercantile Onion had any truth to it. A saxophone full of dry ice, a bass drop that vibrated the whole wing at its resonant frequency, and riding bikes up and down the halls all played into the floor’s shenanigans at various times, too. When I walked the halls of Neihardt, other floors were generally quiet and had their doors closed, but on Piper 2, an open-door policy was the default situation, and people were always out and about with something going on.

There were always things going on outside, too. My window looked across 16th Street and down S Street, giving me a great view of several fraternity and sorority houses and the Student Union building in the distance. There was constant entertainment out that window: frat boys in flip-flops shoveling a sixinch wide path in the snow outside their house, cute girls walking to and from class, car after car being towed for ignoring the parking meters all day, and so many fire trucks responding to frequent fire alarms in Selleck Quadrangle. So many fire trucks. I don’t know what they were doing over there, but it must have involved a lot of open flames.

Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games. Sometimes I had to go to class, and that involved learning one of the most important lessons that any Neihardt resident needed to know: how to cross the street. The residence hall stretched along a block of North 16th Street, which was one-way with three southbound lanes at the time. Its front door exited in the middle of the block, and nobody had the patience to walk all the way to the end of the block to cross the street at the light. It took a careful game of Frogger to make it across Lincoln’s traffic in the middle of the block, but it was an easy game to play as long as the traffic kept moving. But when one driver, in one lane, decided to break Lincoln’s tradition and slow down for pedestrians, it would ruin the flow and the only thing you could do was step back onto the curb and wait for traffic to return to normal. I don’t recall any traffic fatalities in front of Neihardt during the time I lived there, and of the practical skills I learned at UNL, this is probably the one I still use most frequently.

Cory Lueninghoener lived in Piper Hall during his college days in the early 2000s.

A Name That Endures

For 70 years, Selleck Quadrangle has echoed one man’s lasting legacy

LINCOLN LEGACIES

This Lincoln Legacies series is a compilation of stories historian Jim McKee has written for the Lincoln Journal Star while exploring the UNL campus in its historical context. McKee has published nearly 1,500 articles on the city’s history.

BY JIM M c KEE (’63)

Since its inception in 1869, the University of Nebraska’s dormitory system has seen dramatic changes, from the Robert Knoll Residence Hall’s 2010 opening to the implosion of the Cather and Pound halls in 2017. One constant dormitory through 70 years is Selleck Quadrangle, named for 36-year veteran employee and Lincoln native John Selleck. A Lincoln High School alumnus, Selleck graduated from the university in 1912 with a bachelor’s

degree in electrical engineering. After serving in World War I, Selleck turned down his father’s offer to join his bank, saying he would have had “the intriguing prospect of starting at the top and sitting down.”

Instead, he moved to Chicago for an electrical job but later returned to Lincoln and worked in the university’s purchasing department. The following year, the chancellor transferred him to the Athletic Department.

There was a proposal to build a stadium to honor students and alumni who had died in the nation’s war and, although pledges to support the construction existed, no actual funds were available. This led to George Holmes of First Trust Co. in Lincoln guaranteeing a $300,000 loan, which allowed groundbreaking and construction in 1923.

Selleck, as business manager for athletics and student activities, became involved in fundraising to repay the loan and additionally recommended construction of a multi-purpose building for sports, events and graduation ceremonies. In May of 1925 the Board of Regents approved the construction of the Coliseum, again with a Holmes guarantee, which was completed in time for 1926 graduation

ceremonies. Selleck then “manipulated” athletic sales monies by borrowing from future ticket sales to pay off the bonds.

Due to his handling of the athletic department’s finances, the chancellor made Selleck the university’s comptroller in 1941. Selleck oversaw the construction of campus buildings and became secretary and chairman of the board of the university’s Budget and Administration Committee.

There he won favor with the faculty by increasing salaries and retirement benefits. In 1948 Selleck took over all university business operations and became secretary of the university corporation. The Board of Regents appointed Selleck as interim chancellor of the university, and he served in that role until becoming president of the University of Nebraska Foundation.

After the close of World War II and veter-

ans returning to enter the university, Selleck spearheaded hiring Lincoln architects Davis & Wilson to design a three-unit dormitory for 800 men. The area would include a dining area and other amenities to cost nearly $200,000.

The dormitory and parking lot area included over a dozen private homes, University Drug, the 14-room furnished apartments, a barber, inn, a dairy store and a coffee shop.

For his efforts in pushing the construction of the dormitory and other post-war buildings, the university named the dormitory Selleck Quadrangle upon its completion in 1954. Selleck retired at age 73 in April 1962, having completed 36 years of service to NU. The university awarded him an honorary degree as a thank you for his years at the university. He lived another 20 years, dying in 1982.

John Selleck (circa 1935) and the building’s cafeteria in the 1960s.

Big Red Winners

Blood, Sweat & Cheers

Nebraska kindness drives nation-leading blood donation victory

BY ELLEN (HIRST) WICHMAN (’12) Bleeds Husker Red

Nebraska Nice is many things. It’s saying hello to a stranger as you pass them on the sidewalk. It’s offering to share notes with a classmate when you notice they’re out sick. It’s complimenting someone on a job well done.

It’s also rolling up your sleeves to donate blood. This past football season, Nebraska Nice was put to the test with The We Give Blood Drive, a competition among all 18 Big Ten universities to see which school could inspire the most blood donations. My company — global healthcare leader Abbott

— launched this competition in response to a nationwide blood shortage at a time when some centers had less than a one-day supply of blood on hand. As an alumna of one of the smallest Big Ten schools, I didn’t necessarily expect my school to win. But win, we did.

We had great partners, including the Nebraska Community Blood Bank, which accepted the challenge of getting more people in the door to donate blood as they promoted The We Give Blood Drive. They helped alleviate shortages in the state, with a 27% year-over-year increase in donations at their centers during the campaign. Local reporters cov-

Ellen Wichman donating blood.

ered the story frequently. Abbott, the university and volleyball superstar Lexi Rodriguez (’24) promoted it on social media. And Nebraskans made sure their donations were logged for the University of Nebraska at BigTen.Org/Abbott.

After just over 10 weeks of competition, the university accepted a $1 million prize from Abbott at the Big Ten Football Championship Game in December to support student and community health. In the end, nearly 4,000 Nebraska fans, alumni and students donated blood on behalf of their university, saving up to 12,000 lives.

MY HUSKER PRIDE

The pride I feel about Nebraska’s win, having saved the most lives via blood donation, is also deeply personal.

When I gave birth to my oldest son in 2017, everything was fine until it wasn’t, as birth stories so often go. It started with a plummeting baby heart rate, then an emergency C-section, followed by a severed uterine artery. I spent hours in the postoperative holding room before a CT was ordered. I was bleeding internally and required several more surgeries to stop it. Maybe I would need a hysterectomy. Maybe interventional radiology could save me. And while it was all unfolding, nine units of blood were needed and used.

It is not lost on me that nine people — with their own busy schedules, families and lives — chose to roll up their sleeves and donate a pint of blood, ultimately on my behalf. Those pints saved my life. Those pints gave my son a mother. Those pints gave the two boys I had in the years following their lives. Unfortunately, one in 83 mothers who give birth in the U.S. require some kind of blood transfusion. Not to mention millions of cancer patients, car accident survivors, people undergoing surgery, people living with sickle cell disease and more. The need is great — and the impact of a single blood donation is nothing short of lifesaving.

It’s not often someone gets to unite the pride they have in their company with that they have for their alma mater. The opportunity to help dream up and bring to life The We Give Blood Drive, and then to watch my university come out on top, was a professional and personal experience like no other.

A WINNING COMBO

Ask anyone in the state if Nebraska Nice is real, and odds are they will agree.

There is a spirit of caring about your neighbor in Nebraska, and in my experience, it translated to university life as well. I decided to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2008 because I wanted to get away from home (but not too far; I’m originally from

a Chicago suburb), and I wanted a place that felt safe and welcoming. When I visited Nebraska, I felt precisely those things.

My experience living on campus, attending classes, playing in the orchestra and working at The Daily Nebraskan was true to form. It was a place where the conductor was happy to stay to chat about where I was struggling in a song after class, where professors were eager to help connect students with potential internship and job opportunities, and where we decorated our Daily Nebraskan office with a complete winter wonderland scene made out of construction paper and listened to Christmas music well into the early morning hours as we waited to review the final printed proofs of the paper.

I also met my husband, Derek (’12), a native of Nebraska City, and as Nebraska Nice as they come.

It’s easy for outsiders to misinterpret Nebraska Nice as being weak. A rookie assumption, of course. Nebraskans are anything but.

If it wasn’t clear to me before, it was crystallized for me during the blood drive that Nebraskans want to win. They are deeply competitive, and their loyalty to college sports is unrivaled. Most people in the state would at least casually support Nebraska athletics — but many in the state (as well as alumni around the country) are the most steadfast sort of fan.

In fact, I bet most people reading this article know that Nebraska football has enjoyed more than 400 consecutive sellouts. You probably also are aware that we broke the women’s sports attendance record at a volleyball match in 2023, with more than 92,000 fans packed into Memorial Stadium. You may have a dog named Herbie.

The bottom line is: Nebraskans take Nebraska sports and pride in their school seriously. But they also take their commitment to caring seriously. That, as it turns out, is a winning combination.

At the Big Ten Championship game in December, the university collected a $1 million check from Abbott for winning the inaugural The We Give Blood Drive. The money will be used to advance student and community health at the university.

BigTen.Org/ Abbott.

To contribute to this year’s blood drive and secure back-to-back wins for Nebraska, log blood donations through Dec. 5 at

NINE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

WRITTEN/EDITED/DESIGNED BY KIRSTIN SWANSON WILDER (’89) . MIA EVERDING (’20, ’22) QUENTIN LUENINGHOENER (’06) . BEN VANKAT (’06)

o Huskers go a little overboard when talking about how much we love the University of Nebraska? Guilty. Do we regret it? Not for a nanosecond.

This list of 99 things we love about our university is a celebration of the big moments and the little ones — from pulling an all-nighter at Love Library to walking across campus as fall leaves crunch under foot. It’s about that first “A” you didn’t think you’d get, the smell of wet earth and spring floating across Maxwell Arboretum and hearing “Go Big Red” shouted by someone wearing a red hoodie in the Union — yes, even in July.

We’re talking Andrews Hall essays, Hamilton Hall lectures, and the chemistry between you and your lab partner (academic or otherwise). It’s about finding your voice in The Daily Nebraskan newsroom, building robots in Kiewit Hall and figuring out who you are between classes in Oldfather, Hardin or the new Westbrook Music Building.

This list spans generations — from slide rules and typewriters to laptops and Canvas logins. Whether you graduated in the 1960s or just last spring, you’ll find something familiar here. And if we missed your favorite piece of Husker history? Tell us! Send your story to alumni@huskeralum.org — we want to hear it. We’ll be refreshing that email inbox like we’re waiting on bowl game news.

So here it is. A random (not ranked!) sampling of the things that make us smile, cheer and beam with Husker pride. Not in any particular order. Not a complete list. But definitely straight from the heart. Because while we love lists, we love the University of Nebraska even more.

1. SEEING CAMPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Do you remember when you stepped onto campus for your first day as a student? Was it a sweltering August morning, the sun already blazing in the sky? Do you remember how green the trees were, how scarlet the geraniums were in front of the Union? Close your eyes and imagine the smell of freshly mown grass and hear the chatter of excited students all around you. Listen for the chimes of the bell tower.

2. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

The historic Haymarket Park is host to two Husker sports. Women’s softball and men’s baseball play at Bowlin Stadium and Hawks Field, respectively. Cheer on your favorite pinstriped athletes at these noteworthy locations.

4. EAST CAMPUS ARBORETUM

The botanical garden and arboretum is a landmark site where nature enthusiasts can see the university’s dedication to exceptional outdoor spaces in action. It showcases excellence in landscape design, grounds maintenance and outdoor surfaces’ upkeep. The goal for these efforts is to show campus spaces are safe, welcoming, functional and beautiful. Look no further than these flowering azaleas that burst forth each spring to see why we love this slice of paradise so much.

6. ADVENTURE AWAITS

The Outdoor Adventures Center offers exercise options for even the most thrill-seeking souls. The facilities boast indoor and outdoor climbing, as well as gear rental for a variety of sports. The facility is also home to the Outdoor Adventures program, where students can take trips mountain biking or canoeing, backpacking or camping. Jordan Messerer (’92, ’98), assistant director of Outdoor Adventures, said students make connections and grow personally through the program. “Our vision at Outdoor Adventures is to cultivate spaces where individuals of any identity are empowered to take risks and find value in the unknown,” he said. “This is only possible by creating programs where everyone is welcome.”

3. 1:4

That’s the approximate ratio of Nebraska students who identify as the first in their family to attend a four-year university. Navigating the university experience without a blueprint plan from family members can prove a daunting task for first-generation students. Two campus entities are lending a helping hand — the FirstGeneration Student Organization and First Husker Program work to alleviate some of the pressures first-gen students face.

5. “N” THE KNOW

The bronze N statue has only been adjacent the Wick Alumni Center for five years, but it has quickly become a favorite spot for selfies and graduation photos. Whether covered in snow or petals, The Value of N has shone as a backdrop for the next generation of Husker alumni. Fun fact: The statue lights up red at night.

7. CULTURAL CUISINE

Students can explore the world in a culinary tour during Cultural Cuisine Nights, hosted in the Cather Dining Complex. Throughout the year, the dining hall offers themed dinners in celebration of specific cultures. The events often include an educational presentation or performance while diners enjoy an authentic meal. Whether it’s savoring the spices of jerk chicken during a celebration of Afro-Caribbean flavors or the smooth tang of tzatziki sauce as a nod to the Mediterranean, diners have access to other parts of the world while their feet stay planted in Nebraska.

10. TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE

Do you know what’s going on in the bee world? The Bee Lab on East Campus can answer any question you might have. The lab works to research, train and educate beekeepers, landowners and homeowners with the end goal of supporting and sustaining a healthy bee population.

9. ICE TO MEET YOU

The university’s first indoor ice-skating rink opened its doors ten years ago with the installation of the Breslow Ice Hockey Center. Sports clubs and intramural leagues take advantage of the space, and the general public enjoys recreational skating times, too.

8. THE CORNHUSKERS

Nebraska hasn’t always been the home of the Cornhuskers and the Cornhuskers haven’t always just been from Nebraska. Near the beginning of the 20th century, Nebraska’s sports teams were known as the Bugeaters, and Iowa athletes were the Cornhuskers. Lincoln sports editor Charles Sherman, an Iowan, started referring to the Bugeaters as the Cornhuskers in his columns in 1899, and the name stuck. The rest is Cornhusker history.

11. SELLOUT STREAK

Since 1962, when John F. Kennedy was president, every home football game has been sold out. That number should hit 410 consecutive games by the end of this season. There are no college football fans more loyal than those who have packed into Memorial Stadium, come rain, snow, sleet, frost, sunshine, sweat or tears.

12. BOOZY BREWS

If biting into a watery, boozy tomato at 8 a.m. sounds appealing, there’s a drink for you. Red beer — a light domestic beer plus tomato juice — is the Midwest’s answer to a classic michelada sans the spice. The drink is a staple for those raring to go for an early morning game. Zipline’s Dear Ol’ Nebraska Brew works well for this concoction. The official beer of the Nebraska Alumni Association makes its Memorial Stadium debut this season with the addition of beer sales on game day.

13. THIS LITTLE PIGGY WENT TO MARKET

Less than a mile from City Campus lies the historic Haymarket area, home to such classics as The Mill, Lazlo’s Brewery and Ivanna Cone. On a summer Saturday morning, you can stroll through and enjoy the Farmers’ Market. Take the historic Haymarket tour and brush up on your local Lincoln history — you may even find the hidden speakeasy.

14. HITTING THE HIGH NOTES

What do piano keys and cats have in common? At first glance, not much — unless you’re talking a cappella at UNL. Red Keys, Pitch Please, Boots and Cats, Take Note, and Bathtub Dogs make up the university’s vibrant vocal scene. Boots and Cats, and Take Note are two treble-voice ensembles, while Red Keys and Pitch Please are all-gender groups. Bathtub Dogs, featuring tenor, baritone, and bass voices, is the longest-running a cappella group on campus, founded in 2002. Nathan Ray, a supply chain management major and president of Bathtub Dogs, says the camaraderie among the groups is part of what makes the community special. “We’re all fans of each other,” he said. “Good a cappella in one group makes the rest of us better. What we have at UNL is pretty unique.”

15. ON THE RIGHT TRACTOR FOR SUCCESS

The United States’ officially designated tractor testing station found its home in Nebraska when it founded the University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory in 1920. Since then, all tractors sold in the United States must be tested on East Campus. The laboratory employs 25-30 part-time students, mostly majoring in agricultural engineering or mechanized systems management.

16. CORN-TASTIC

What’s sweeter than Nebraska corn? Not much. We cheer in foam corn heads, rock corn gloves on game day, and devour grilled corn on the cob at Cornstock. Corn fuels our economy, fills our popcorn cartons at Husker games, and yes, it’s basically running through our veins. Plus it brings cash directly back into the state and creates jobs. Around here, corn isn’t just a crop, it’s also a way of life.

17. SCHOLARSHIPS THAT CHANGE LIVES

There is ample financial power to achieve your academic goals. To wit, 97% of fulltime undergraduate students beginning their higher education journey received financial aid, according to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The Presidential Scholars Program, freshly minted in 2024, is one such scholarship helping out in a big way. The goal is to keep the state’s best students close to home with a compelling full-ride scholarship covering all expenses, plus an additional $5,000 stipend.

18. IT’S NUTS OVER HERE

Step foot onto campus and you’re sure to immediately spot one of our furry friends rooting through the trash, sunbathing on a bench or perched on a tree branch, chittering away at students walking to class. Squirrels are so well known on campus, there’s even a Recognized Student Organization dedicated to the protection and betterment of these beloved rodents’ lives on campus. The name of that group?

NUTS: Nebraskans for the Upgraded Treatment of Squirrels.

19. THE VAULT

One of the newer fixtures in the Husker sports sphere, The Vault (aka Pinnacle Bank Arena) holds a mass of student fans cheering on their basketball heroes taking center court.

21. 40 NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

20. LOVE IS IN THE AIR

College is a pivotal time in our lives. We all fall in love with something or someone. Maybe it is the color red. Perhaps a vegetarian comes to appreciate a grass-fed steak or a carnivore falls in love with the perfect salad. Frequently it is a person. However, when Jackie Ostrowicki (’98, ’22) pivoted from her declared college major, she fell in love with the University of Nebraska, so much so that she now works at her alma mater. See Love Story, page 64.

A neighbor to the Student Union, the Wick Alumni Center is nestled right in the heart of City Campus at 16th and R streets. Home to the Nebraska Alumni Association, the Wick celebrates its 40th birthday this year. Fun fact: The updated Holling Garden is a great spot to watch the annual Homecoming Parade.

22. INTRAMURALS

Take your pick of soccer, spikeball, wrestling, chess — at Campus Recreation, you’re sure to always find a game in progress. The intramural sports program provides students with opportunities to engage and connect with their community. Plus, a little sweat, tears, failure and victory never hurt anyone.

. POUR ME A CUP

23. BIG RED WELCOME

We welcome our freshmen with open arms. In the days prior to the start of the fall semester, students participate in a myriad of activities: a street festival, sand volleyball tournaments, a party at the Student Union and a chancellor’s barbecue. It culminates with the tunnel walk and students forming a giant N on the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium to create their class photo.

25. GIDDY UP THERE, COWBOY

The Nebraska College Rodeo Program boasts a nearly 70-year history at the university, draw ing in students interested in the sport. The program is a collabo ration between the University of Nebraska Rodeo Association and the official rodeo team.

The scent of espresso beans, the hiss of the milk steamer, the cushion against your back — there’s no shortage of familiar comforts inside The Coffee House’s downtown café. The “CoHo” is a staple to the university community, serving zippy brews and their signature cromelette, a creation between a croissant and an omelet, since 1987.

UBER FAMOUS ALUMNI

Almost too famous to mention, but we just had to brag again. Willa Cather (1894), Johnny Carson (1949) and Warren Buffett (1951) are just some of our most well-known alumni.

27. BROYHILL FOUNTAIN

With crystal clear water lapping across granite slabs, Broyhill Fountain has provided moments of calm and reflection to the campus community since the 1960s. Lynn Diann Broyhill, a student who died in 1966, is the namesake of the fountain located just north of the Student Union. The original was dedicated in Broyhill’s honor in 1969, but with renovations to the Student Union some 30 years later, it was destroyed and reconstructed with a new design in 1999. Since 2015, the fountain’s lights glow red every spring during a special memorial ceremony to honor students who have died during the academic year.

29. EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT

The Daily Nebraskan has been a staple since its inception in 1871 when it started publishing under the moniker Monthly Hesperian Student. The student-produced publication has undergone changes over its lifetime, from being a daily print publication to launching a website. Notable student journalists include Nebraska author Willa Cather, who was the managing editor during her time on campus. Fun fact: Warren Buffett’s parents met at The Daily Nebraskan in the 1920s.

28. HUSKER OLYMPIANS

More than 120 Nebraska athletes have competed in Olympic games during the years, dating back to Lewis Anderson, who ran track in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. Sprinter Merlene Ottey (’84) is the most decorated Olympian, having won nine medals over seven Olympic Games from the 1980s to the 2004 Athens games. Ottey is also the Huskers’ first woman to win an Olympic medal. The most recent? The powerhouse trio of Justine Wong-Orantes (’16), Jordan Larson (’08) and Kelsey (Robinson) Cook (’13), who brought home the silver in indoor volleyball in 2024.

31. LAVENDER GRADUATION

CAMPUS GHOST LORE

Does a ghostly carpenter steal tools in the Temple building? Did you hear strange noises in the nowshuttered Neihardt Residence Hall? How much do we believe in these urban legends on campus? Enough to send a shiver down our spine and tell a good story come spooky season.

Held each spring, the 2025 Lavender Graduation marked the 16th celebration of LGBTQA+ students and their allies at UNL. The event honors both undergraduate and graduate students achievements within the calendar year. The tradition began at the University of Michigan in 1995 and was introduced at Nebraska in 2009.

32. SPARE ME A SECOND TO BRAG

The most successful collegiate program in NCAA women’s bowling history, the Huskers are the only team to have qualified for all 21 NCAA Bowling Championships since 2004. Oh, and we won six of those titles, too. In addition, 39 past and present bowlers have been named NCAA AllAmericans.

34. DRUMBEAT

Nearly a century ago, the Cornhusker Marching Band introduced a giant drum to be used at its performances. The drum and two glockenspiels were first used during a home basketball game in 1932. It was used consistently at campus events including the 1941 Tournament of Roses Parade and bowl game. Then the drum faded from public view. The drum’s return marked the introduction of the university’s first baton twirler: Joyce (Burns) Thimgan (’65). As the drum rolled across the turf of Memorial Stadium on Sept. 23, 1961, Burns burst forth from it (via a false, paper drumhead) and started to perform. Burns’ appearance marked the start of the Cornhusker Marching Band using baton twirlers in performances — a tradition that continues today (sadly, without them bursting from drumheads). After retirement, it became a part of the Nebraska Alumni Association’s collection and is now on display for visitors to enjoy. In 2019, to mark the university’s 150th anniversary, the drumhead was revitalized and is now showcased during the homecoming parade.

33. THE ‘OF’ IN OUR NAME

Have you ever paused on the smallest word in “University of Nebraska”? Of — a quiet preposition. It doesn’t shout, but it binds. It tells a story of belonging, of place, of purpose. To say “of Nebraska” is to claim the soil, the sky, the spirit. It’s wind through the grass, sun on red brick, voices rising in unison. It’s a whisper of pride, a thread of place, woven into who we are — every time we speak our name.

35. PLANTING THE IVY

Every spring since 1889, students have been inducted into two prestigious honor societies: Mortar Board and Innocents Society. Both groups recognize students’ outstanding contributions in leadership, academic achievement and service to the community. They are selected to serve as spokespeople for the groups during the students’ last year of college. After the ceremony, the two incoming presidents of both groups plant the iconic ivy outside Love Library.

36. CAKES AND PIES AND CONVERSATIONS, OH MY!

The Cather Dining Center boasts a mouthwatering display of baked goods, with options to satisfy nearly every craving. But it’s not just cookies, cake pops, macarons and other sweet treats the dining center offers. With the desserts situated behind a glass case, guests must interact with staff in order to choose which sweet to eat. The hope is to increase meaningful connections between students and staff — call it the cherry on top.

37. HELP IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

It can be hard to be a student juggling classes, work, social events, clubs, etc. Whether the university experience feels overwhelming or not, the Center for Academic Success and Transition aims to help students succeed, no matter someone’s background or situation. One-on-one coaching sessions help students with academic tools, like lessons in time management, study strategies and motivation. Robert Russell, CAST director, said he wants students leaving the office to feel empowered. “No matter where you’re at, we’re here to provide support without judgment and help you move forward,” he said.

39. SUNRISE OVER CAMPUS

38. MODERN MAJORS

Space law, emerging media arts, career development and planning, data science — all these are programs and curriculum the university has created in recent years to keep up with the times. As you know, they are a-changin’.

40. RANDOM HUSKER ENCOUNTERS

As executive director of the Nebraska Alumni Association, Shelley (Moses) Zaborowski (’96, ’00) discovers Huskers wherever she goes. One noteworthy moment happened when she and husband Keith (’99) got lost in Savannah, Georgia. The two were sightseeing in a downtown church, but after exiting through a different door than the one they’d entered, they walked into a residential neighborhood. Lost and a little disoriented, the two pulled out a map but soon looked up to see a group walking their way. One person had a Husker N on his shirt prompting Zaborowski to call out, “Go Big Red!” The group echoed back and Scott Vilter turned around, recognizing Zaborowski from an ROTC affiliation they had in common. They chatted for a few minutes and went their separate ways. She said she frequently finds other Huskers traveling. “It’s fun to make those connections, hear people’s stories, see where they’re from,” she said. “I’ve never felt any reservation about approaching someone who’s wearing the N and striking up a conversation. I’ll do that gladly and comfortably.”

41. 156 YEARS OF HISTORY

Literis Dedicata et Omnibus Artibus — that’s the motto that has carried the university to greatness over the past 156 years. “Dedicated to letters and all the arts” can become your next chant when Feb. 15, the university’s founder’s day, comes around. It doesn’t quite roll off the tongue like “Go Big Red,” but we could give it a try.

42. EYE-POPPING ROI

The return on investment at the university is staggering. For every $1 invested by the state of Nebraska in the university system, the state economy receives $10. Zoom out from that perspective, turn up the dial and you’ll see the university system driving the state’s economy. During a recent Board of Regents meeting, an economic development report showed a $6.4 billion annual impact. It’s no small feat to invest in the university, but the necessity is clear: “The University of Nebraska creates opportunities, fuels innovation and creates ripples that positively impact communities and people all across the state,” said NU System President Jeffrey Gold.

44. FRIENDS FOR LIFE

A 50-year friendship started when Teeni (Charbonneau) Hinkle (’72) met Kathy (Roshone) French (’72) on campus in the fall of 1968. As physical education majors and members of the field hockey team, they spent countless hours studying, reading, sweating and laughing together — they even lived together their junior year, until Hinkle got married and “had to move in” with her husband. They were drawn to each others’ pursuit of fun; they’d organize parties, write and perform skits for their fellow students and get up to all kinds of antics together in French’s grabber blue Mustang. Fast forward into their burgeoning adult years and the two stayed in touch, as well as with their cohort of phys ed graduates. The whole group stayed close, throwing a 10-year class reunion and the same for years 15, 20, etc. Hinkle was proud of her coined phrase for their 50-year celebration: the Class of ’72 turns 72. Through careers blossoming and moves across the country, marriages and children, the class of ’72 stayed close. “It was the university that really brought us all together,” French said, “And from that, the friendships really were strong and so supportive.”

From horse and buggies to electric bikes, Huskers have always traveled in style. The earliest days saw students traveling between campuses with horses who’d board for the day before transporting students back home when classes were done. Now, bikes and scooters, cars and buses take students wherever they need to go. Or just text an Uber.

45. OUR ICONIC

Walk toward the Student Union and you’ll see it on the twin pillars. See it hanging above the East Campus Union and emblazoned on banners as you stroll to the Dairy Store. You’ll find it on the elevator buttons of the Wick Center and the 50-yard line of Memorial Stadium. It is everywhere.

43. CAMPUS CRUISING

46. SNOW DAYS

Remember how good it felt to wake up to a snowstorm outside your window and know you didn’t have to go to class? Snow days on campus include student traditions like snowball fights and snow angels. The more adventurous (or foolhardy) hook up sleds (or just plain cardboard) behind their trucks and zip down Greek row.

47. LONG COMMITMENT TO WOMEN

As written in 1869, the University of Nebraska charter established an institution open to all inhabitants of the state — not just men. This view — that the university “shall be to afford to the inhabitants of the state the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of literature, science and the arts” — broadened the scope of the Morrill Act, making the University of Nebraska open to all regardless of age, sex, color or nationality. From the very first day of classes, women have been enrolled along with men.

48. VOLLEYBALL IN DEVANEY

49: OUR VETERANS

We’ve honored and supported our military per sonnel throughout our history. Rewind the tape two centuries to when Gen. John J. Pershing taught classes and earned his law degree in 1893. Today the Military and Veteran Success Center is ded icated to helping military dependents, veterans, active duty, guard and reserve students accom plish their academic goals. The center is led by Col. Kenneth (Joe) Brownell (’89), who said the staff advocates for the 1,600-plus military-con nected students enrolled in any given semester. On campus you’ll find a newly created Veterans’ Tribute running along Memorial Mall outside the Pershing Military and Naval Science building. This area serves as a tribute to those willing to sacrifice for something larger than themselves and a space to reflect on all that their courage affords us.

The home to several sports including volleyball, swimming, diving and gymnastics, the Bob Devaney Sports Center opened its doors in 1976. For 37 years, both basketball programs played at the Devaney before relocating to Pinnacle Bank Arena. The volleyball team has its own sellout streak going, aiming to hit the 350-mark this season. Since 2013, Nebraska has led the nation in home game attendance, averaging more than 8,000 fans per match.

WEAR US ACROSS YOUR CHEST

Supporting over 600 student-athletes across 24 sports is no small undertaking, but the university trusts its student-athletes to promote the Husker brand of excellence in the classroom and on the field. The athletic academic unit provides personal and academic support to student athletes, guaranteeing their time as Huskers will be a fulfilling experience. It also shows a dedication to seeing student-athletes succeed in their future careers.

51. BRONZE BEAUTY

Archie the mammoth has only been standing guard on campus since the 1990s, but he’s a campus staple all the same. Students passing by the statue, situated in front of Morrill Hall, will reach up to touch his massive front foot — he’s rumored to bestow good luck to those heading to exams. For those not on campus, never fear: you can find a sketch of Archie hidden somewhere in the pages of this magazine.

52. STUDENT GENEROSITY

Huskers consistently give back, supporting a wide range of philanthropies and service projects across campus and the community. Two major events that began in the early 2000s highlight this spirit: Dance Marathon, which raises funds for the children’s hospital in Omaha, and The Big Event, UNL’s largest one-day, student-run service project, where students assist local residents and nonprofits. Throughout the year, student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and campus partners unite to fundraise, volunteer, and make a lasting impact — showing what it truly means to be part of the Husker community.

53. THROW ME A BONE HERE

It’s not a football Saturday in Lincoln without the roar of the crowds reverberating from Memorial Stadium. Look to the student section (aka The Boneyard) and you’ll see several game day traditions, like throwing the bones when the Blackshirts come onto the field, sporting red-striped overalls and lifting up a shoe during kick-off. While confusing to the outsider, these traditions have been

54. FINDING HUSKER BARS EVERYWHERE

Finding a Husker game on TV is pretty easy at bars across the country. From Studio City, California, (shown here) to Miami, Husker fans flock to cheer on their team with other fans. You can even walk into the Peanut Farm in Anchorage, Alaska, on game day and you’ll find the Nebraska game projected on the big screen. Travis Block, the bar’s general manager, said the Peanut Farm has shown Huskers games since the 1990s. There are even Huskers banners strung up on the bar ceiling so adventurous alumni and fans can find each other and cheer on their favorite team together.

55. CALLING ALL FOOD TRUCKS ENTHUSIASTS

More often than not, you can find a food truck parked somewhere on campus. Menus in the past have included comfort food, shaved ice, grilled cheese and ice cream. Harper’s Smokehouse, the first food truck based on campus, slings pork carnitas tacos, burnt end sandwiches and smoked pork belly slices to hungry crowds.

56. FOUR SUBLIME SEASONS

57. DORM LIFE

Memories run deep when alumni think back to where they lived on campus. Those buildings hold deep secrets and fond memories for those who called the dorms home. Read Cory Lueninghoener’s (’01, ’04) story about living in Harper Hall and the hijinks that ensued. See story, page 19.

58. CLASSROOMS WORLDWIDE

The Global Experiences office provides support to thrill-seeking students wanting to study abroad. Last year, the office supported over 730 students on credit-bearing experiences abroad, according to Marnie Nelson, director of the Global Experiences Office. Faculty-led programs, many of them summer trips, deposit students across the globe to study wildlife conservation in South Africa, educational perspectives in Costa Rica or engineering in Japan. There’s no shortage of ways students can experience something new; semester- or yearlong exchange programs and volunteer opportunities are valuable ways students grow a more global perspective. Want to hear about two students’ experience in Oxford? Flip over to page 46 to read more.

59. PASSIONATE FANS

60. A HISTORY OF COMING HOME

It’s not every day that beloved Husker athletes return to their alma mater, but we cheer when they do. Following John Cook’s retirementthis year, Dani Busboom Kelly (’08) returned to Lincoln to take over the reins of the volleyball team. Will Bolt (’03, ’06) leads the baseball team, Paul Klempa (’94) the bowling team and Rhonda Revelle (’84) the softball team. Both men’s and women’s gymnastics squads have alumni at their helm: Chuck Chmelka (’82) and Heather Brink (’01), respectively.

Nothing screams game day traditions like a good old-fashioned tailgate. Parking lots near Memorial Stadium transform overnight into pre-game party central, complete with coolers of beverages and classic snacks like chips and salsa, hot dogs, burgers, etc. Don’t forget to bring along your red solo cups for serving any surreptitious adult beverages — it’s still a dry

62. HUSKER ROAD TRIPS

It was a wild idea that prompted Anne (Greff) Conley (’19) to hop in her mom’s minivan and drive 12 hours to Utah during one spring break. With the van stuffed full of camping equipment, Conley traveled through Arches and Zion national parks with Rachel Kleist (’19), Samantha Turco (’19) and Anna (Broderson) Meluch (’19), the four having met through the Nebraska Business Honors Academy. The group did typical national park activities: hiking, sleeping in tents and cooking campfire meals — a necessity on their college budgets. Highlights included chili and cinnamon rolls, nachos over the campfire and chicken curry. Between Arches and Zion, Conley said the group drove straight into a white-out blizzard that lasted hours, all to make a story

64. AMBITIOUS SPIRIT

Dani Gibson takes her job seriously. As a New Student Enrollment leader, she said her main job is to welcome the incoming freshman class and get them excited about attending the university. She said all of her coworkers share the same passion for the university. “We bleed Nebraska scarlet,” she said. A Utah native, Gibson was split between universities when making her choice of school, but ultimately, UNL won her over. “Nebraska is kind of everywhere,” she said. “Everyone is so behind this team and this spirit.”

63. GRAD PHOTOS WITH FACULTY

Your graduation ceremony likely took place at the Coliseum, Pershing Auditorium, Bob Devaney Center, Pinnacle Bank Arena or even Memorial Stadium. Ceremony photos are a given — but the ultimate shot? A big smile alongside a favorite professor. That’s the one you’ll treasure most.

65. WE ALL SCREAM ...

An East Campus staple, the Dairy Store has been operating since 1917 when it served all-you-can-drink milk for a nickel to those who brought cups. Today the store sells premium handmade products, including ice cream, cheese and meats. Fun fact: when the creamery first opened it was named The Varsity Dairy.

66. CHEERLEADERS

Cheerleaders first showed up at sporting events on campus in 1903 (as an all-male squad) and since then more than 800 students have been members of the cheer team. In 1917, UNL had the first female cheerleaders of any university in the country. In 1963 the famed red and white striped sweater was introduced, but was shelved after the 1977-78 season. In 2007 the striped uniforms returned and now they are only worn on special occasions like Homecoming. When cheerleaders graduate, they are gifted that sweater as a remembrance of their time on the squad.

68. BREAKING RECORDS

When more than 92,000 fans filled Memorial Stadium one Wednesday night, they didn’t know they’d be setting a world record. After months of planning and coordination, Volleyball Day in Nebraska saw the Huskers beating the Omaha Mavericks in August 2023. The fans broke the attendance record for a women’s sporting event in collegiate sports, U.S. history and world history. In a post-match interview, former coach John Cook said the event showed just how special volleyball is to Nebraskans. “It feels like a great accomplishment for this sport called ‘volleyball’ played by the women in Nebraska,” he said. “It’s a state treasure and we just proved it.”

science for 45 years. One notable invention was his technological breakthrough allowing for meat to be formed into different shapes — think dinosaur chicken nuggets and McRibs. Fun fact: the original form for the McRib was a pork chop.

70. HUSKER REUNIONS

Whether it’s to reminisce about late-night study sessions in the dining room of your fraternity or to remember the panic of a pop quiz in Economics 101, what’s better than reuniting on campus with all your old friends? Nothing.

71. SECRET WALKWAYS

Sometimes the best part about a place are also its best-kept secrets. Did you know there’s an underground tunnel connecting Harper, Schramm and Smith residence halls? That’s right: students sheltering from the cold Nebraska wind can walk the tunnel connecting the residence halls. There’s even a competition every year for students to design and paint murals on the tunnel walls. A more visible walkway is the Scott Engineering Center that links Nebraska Hall to Othmer Hall. On the other side of campus, there’s an elevated walkway that connects Burnett Hall to Oldfather Hall, and if you keep walking north, you’ll find another link to Bessey Hall. Because sometimes the best stories are hidden in plain sight.

72. THE FUTURE OF (LASERS) IS HERE

A giant laser is housed on campus in the Behlen Laboratory. The tool, the first of its kind in the country, is changing how manufacturing works and making bigger projects possible. The Diocles laser is 10 million times brighter than the sun and can “see through” 10-inch-thick steel.

73. EVERY CORNER COVERED

Our footprint extends far beyond Lincoln. Across the state, the university’s work is woven into communities, supporting Nebraskans where they live and grow. At the Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff, researchers tackle challenges facing farmers and ranchers, while near Lake McConaughy, water scientists study groundwater in a massive underground facility to protect this critical resource. The university’s reach also includes Ashfall Fossil Beds in northeast Nebraska, where students and researchers uncover prehistoric secrets while inspiring thousands of visitors each year. At Cedar Point Biological Station near Ogallala, students immerse themselves in field courses and research projects, gaining direct experience in ecology and the natural sciences. Through Nebraska Extension, the university serves all 93 counties, bringing research-based resources to families, farmers, ranchers and businesses to strengthen communities and grow Nebraska’s economy.

74. INNOVATION CAMPUS

Interactive opportunities are what many students look for in an educational setting and Nebraska Innovation Campus meets that need in an exciting way. The campus bridges the connection between the university and private businesses, fueling collaboration, ideation and execution. Located northeast of City Campus, Innovation Campus sits atop the former state fairgrounds, where Lincolnites gathered to celebrate the diversity of farm and city living until 2010 when the State Fair moved to Grand Island. A studio on the campus boasts a makerspace where students, faculty and the public have access to a metal and wood shop, art studio, ceramics and textiles equipment and more to make their ideas a reality.

75. BROADENING YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF THE WORLD

The summer program at Oxford University is a four-week study abroad opportunity like no other. For Yamen Seanwan (’25), who studied at Oxford in 2023, it was the experience of a lifetime and one he’d repeat. Deric Goldenstein (’25), who studied in 2024, said taking part in UNL’s longest-running study abroad challenged him to try new things. “There are so many cultures and ideas and perspectives,” he said. “The world is a lot bigger than a lot of people realize, and I have gained a lot from deepening my understanding of that.” Punting down the river, drinking high tea, sharing a beer with his professors at Jesus College and talking about American and British culture, Goldenstein said studying abroad played a huge part in his learning experience. “I can’t say enough good things about the program.”

76. STUDENT-RUN THEATER

Theater students need look no further than Theatrix for an immersive experience during their time on campus.

Theatrix is an entirely student-run theater company that highlights student collaboration and creation, according to Samantha Odens (’25).

The recent alumna and former artistic director said the company opens up opportunities that students wouldn’t get at other repertories.

Theatrix provides an experimental space for students to collaborate and grow together, creatively and personally. Something she’s taking from her experience as a leader and student is that empathy and connection matter. “Kindness and effort go a long way, and putting in the effort got me to where I am,” she said. “The best way to lead others is by listening to them and understanding them before you make yourself understood.”

77. SPOTTING YOUR PROFESSOR AS AN EXPERT IN THE NEWS

From lauded scientific journals to national news publications like Business Insider and CNN, professors take center stage in national media stories reaching an audience of millions. In 2024, various publications featured more than 100 professors, according to Public Affairs Director Leslie (Boellstorff ) Reed (’83).

78. DOWNTOWN BAR SCENE

The steamy air condensing against the brick walls, music pulsing from the stage tucked away in the corner, a sweaty beer clutched in your hands. Remember the sights and sounds of a Friday night on O Street? Student favorites include O’Rourke’s, Zoo Bar, Brass Rail and Duffy’s, the latter two which each boast more than 90 years of service to Lincoln nightlife. Fun fact: Alumni have owned or managed Zoo Bar (Pete Watters, ’00), Brass Rail (Thomas Mausbach, ’99) and Duffy’s Tavern (Scott Hatfield, ’93) since the 1990s.

79. ART WALKS

A stroll through City Campus will act as both campus tour and art walk as you observe the sculptures dotting the campus green. Torn Notebook greets visitors from its place on the south ern tip of campus and Old Glory, the abstract red mix of I-beams and metal, sits outside Love Library. In the sculpture garden adjacent Sheldon Museum of Art, you’ll find strik ing pieces in ceramic — Jun Kaneko’s Untitled with its cobalt blue face — and bronze — a woman curled up inside a box in SANDY: in Defined Space from artist Richard McDermott Miller. Fun fact: The Wick Alumni Center’s Holling Garden is home to Robert Wick’s Prairie Wind, an abstract bronze statue dedicated to his father, Milton Wick, namesake of the alumni center.

80. BABY HUSKERS

81. ALUMNI CHAPTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY

Chicagoans for Nebraskans is an alumni group based in the Windy City. Dan Hennings, group president since 2021, said the mission of the group is to forge connections and make the big city feel a little smaller. For sporting events, the group hosts watch parties that attract 400-500 attendees who crowd into Kirkwood, one bar a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan. Hennings (’03) said the group fundraises for scholarships that help Chicago-area students pursue their dreams of becoming Huskers. Additionally, the group hosts professional development sessions. In all they do, Chicagoans for Nebraska is a recollection of The Good Life. “For some, going to school is simply about getting an education and moving on,” Hennings said. “At UNL, it’s something lasting. It carries forward and transcends the classroom, becoming much more than just an educational experience.” Dozens of similar alumni chapters are also working to build Husker communities in their respective locales.

82. CAMPUS BATHED IN RED

Glow Big Red, a 24-hour marathon of Husker giving each February, got its start in 2019 during UNL’s 150th anniversary. This year, the fund-raising effort raised more than $1 million. The athletic department received the most individual donors at a whopping 1,044 and the small but mighty Center for Academic Success & Transition had six donors contribute $285.

84. CLUBBING IT

83. FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS

We always welcome help, especially if it comes covered in curly brown fur. Meet Jonas, a certified therapy dog who recently celebrated his fourth birthday. Jonas and owner Kenneth Pyle work in the School of Natural Resources, where they bring fun and comfort to students and staff alike on East Campus. Fun fact: The UNL Police Department recently retired one of its K-9s. Layla, a Labrador-German shepherd mix, served the university for eight years.

The university boasts 508 Recognized Student Organizations, with inter ests ranging from stargazing, swing dancing and equestrian sports to suicide prevention, sustainability and statistics. According to a February survey sent to a random sample of 5,000 students, 75% of respondents said they were a member of at least one club. Through their involvement, 94% of respondents said they met individuals with simi lar interests from their own. 92% said they met individuals with different interests from their own. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find a place to fit in. Not only will you find your community, but you’ll help it as well. Veronica Riepe, director of Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement, said that during the 2023-24 academic year students contributed 105 volunteer hours for an economic impact of more than $9 million.

85. MENTORS WHO REACH BACK AND HELP OUT

Students turn to leaders for a helping hand at the university. Jill O’Donnell, the director of the Clayton Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance, has students singing her praise in advocating for them and pushing them to embrace career opportunities. Patrick Baker (’22) said O’Donnell wrote him letters of recommendation and checked in with him as he looked for a job postgraduation. Her input for a paper Baker wrote was key in his development as a professional. “That was the first time I had ever gotten real, hard, critical feedback on not only my writing style but just conceptionally,” he said. “That helped me think critically.” O’Donnell’s influence on students falls right in line with a core belief at the university: every person and every interaction matters.

87. THE KISSING COLUMNS

For 86 years, granite columns formed a colonnade to the east of Memorial Stadium, standing tall in the background of countless graduation and fan photos. Lore swirls around the salmon-hued pillars, with one legend claiming they will crumble if a student graduates without having been kissed. Many couples met there for trysts between classes or after dark, contributing to the pillars’ colloquial nickname, the “kissing columns.” They’ve been in storage since 2021, but rumor has it they will soon be installed in a new location on campus.

88. & 89. LIL’ RED AND HERBIE HUSKER

Created in 1993 to bring a wider appeal to a younger audience, Lil’ Red has been a Husker fan favorite ever since. He was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2007 and shares the stage (or sideline) with Herbie Husker, the official mascot of the Cornhuskers since 1977. Herbie and Lil’ Red are not related, per the university, but are described as best friends and often appear at sporting events together.

90. MEAT ME ON EAST CAMPUS

Located on East Campus, the Loeffel Meat Lab is a USDA-inspected retail meat sales operation that has sold fresh and frozen meat, as well as fresh egg since the 1960s. Former professor William J. Loeffel was the first meat scientist at the university and is the namesake for the establishment. Livestock are harvested and processed for sale in the Loeffel Meat Laboratory with assistance from Nebraska students in the department. Students gain experience by learning how to process, package and sell the products in addition to playing a role in developing new products to sell in the shop.

91. MEMORIAL STADIUM FLYOVERS

As the last notes of the The StarSpangled Banner echo across the sea of red on game day, aircraft from the Nebraska Air National Guard zip by overhead. The pregame stadium flyover is a tradition dating back years and often ROTC students help with the event, coordinating from the stadium’s roof. Talk about a view.

92. CONNECTIONS

With the Lied Center for Performing Arts right on campus, it only makes sense that visiting artists also connect with students — a tradition that’s continued for more than 30 years. The Lied works with agents to organize about 80 student engagement opportunities each year, including workshops, Q&As and master classes. When Moulin Rouge came to Lincoln, stage management students got a behind-the-scenes look by shadowing crew members during a live performance. “It was amazing to sit backstage with the assistant stage manager and watch how it all unfolds in real time,” said student Eden Wilder. “I even got contact info for future job searches.” Earlier in the year, voice major Elise Anderson was cast in Rent in Concert at the Lied. “This was definitely the biggest performance I’ve ever done,” she said. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid.”

93. GO GREEK

Greek life on campus dates back 150 years to when Phi Delta Theta staked its claim as the first fraternity on campus in 1875. Kappa Kappa Gamma became the first sorority in 1884. Today, 23% of the undergraduate population participates in Greek life. They contribute to the vibrancy of campus and city life in a big way: from the silly (Pi Kappa Alpha’s Suds n’ Studs semi-naked car wash) to the serious (Chi Omega and Alpha Gamma Rho’s Wings for Wishes benefiting the local Make-A-Wish chapter), Greeks make a positive impact in their communities. For a touch of the bizarre, check out Phi Delta Theta’s Nightmare on R Street, where the fraternity house transforms into a haunted house for a special Halloween event.

94. HOMECOMING DISPLAYS

95. WEDDINGS FILLED WITH HUSKERS

Wick Alumni Center, Sheldon Museum of Art, Newman Center: what better place to get married than right on campus? And with a guest list and bridal party filled with Huskers, it doesn’t get better than that.

96. A NOOK, A HAMMOCK, A CORNER IN THE STACKS

Study places are plentiful on campus, whether you’re jamming a late-night session in a dorm study room or a bleary-eyed morning stop at a coffee shop before your final at the testing center. We have some of the best spots to hit the books before acing that exam.

97. HUSKER STORIES

Huskers can always be trusted to find the best stories wherever life takes them — on campus, across the globe, or just down the street. Share the bizarre, the laughout-loud, the tear-jerking, the heartwarming, the unexpected, the inspirational — we want to hear them all. Your story could inspire others or spark a memory for a fellow alum. Connect with us at alumni@huskeralum.org.

98. SEW INTERESTING

Remember the sculptures on page 47? Another Sheldon piece can be seen over on East Campus. Linda Fleming’s Reverie stands in front of the International Quilt Museum, which holds the world’s largest public collection of quilts. The museum displays pieces from more than 65 countries, spanning from the 1600s to present day, with a mission statement of representing the international quiltmaking community. Fun fact: American filmmaker Ken Burns showcased 28 never-before-displayed quilts from his personal collection in 2018.

99. NOT TO BRAG, BUT ...

Have you met us? We know, it’s a bit much to say we love the Nebraska Alumni Association, but we do. From our Alumni Masters program, where experts return to campus each spring, to our Alumni of Color and Pride Alumni Networks, where connection and inclusivity thrive, there’s a lot to feel good about. And let’s not forget Future Husker University each July, where kids get a taste of campus life (and dining hall desserts) before their own mini graduation — complete with red mortar boards flying through the air. We may be biased, but there are plenty of reasons to appreciate what your alumni association has built alongside of you.

And the 100th Thing We Love about UNL? YOU!

YOU’RE THE LIVING, BREATHING LEGACY OF DEAR OLD NEBRASKA U.

We’ve gushed about the University and the campus in this fall edition of Nebraska Quarterly. But, none of it means as much without you. Alumni are part of what makes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln unforgettable. The memories you made here? Priceless. But the impact you can still make? Immeasurable.

Joining the Nebraska Alumni Association isn’t just about perks — though we’ve got plenty as far as exclusive bene ts, discounts, and more. It’s about keeping that Husker spark alive — not only in your own life — but for future generations of students making their own memories on the very same campus you did.

Our university’s next chapter is being written — and we need you to be a part of it. We need proud alumni. We need you. Right now.

Over 24,000 Huskers have already made it o cial and joined the Nebraska Alumni Association family as a member. Come write the next great Nebraska story with us to share the Husker love for many generations to come. You’ve always belonged here. And you always will.

JOIN YOUR NEBRASKA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION TODAY.

Scan the QR code or visit HUSKERALUM.ORG/JOIN

FISHERMAN

Elijah Riley shares his passion for the outdoors with the next generation.

58

CLASS QUOTES

61

MYSTERY PHOTO

Help us ID these collegians dismantling a homecoming lawn display in 1966.

LOVE STORY

What was the best advice a professor or academic adviser gave to you? 64

Jackie Ostrowicki found her passion at the university that now employs her.

BULLETIN

EVENTS

OCT. 3-4

LINCOLN

Golden Husker

Reunion

Reunite and relive the glory days of your time as a student in this special celebration for the Class of 1975.

Enjoy a weekend filled with nostalgia, Husker spirit and the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni and friends.

NOV. 8

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA

Nebraska vs. UCLA

Join us for a Husker Huddle in balmy Pasadena, California, prior to kickoff between the Huskers and UCLA.

The Southern Arizonans for Nebraska alumni chapter hosted its annual golf event in Oro Valley, Arizona, in May. The Keith Bauman (’57) Memorial Desert Scramble has been held since 2002. At its core, the event is a fundraiser to bestow scholarships on local teens attending UNL. The organization boasts 150 household members and hosts football and volleyball watch parties in the Tucson area. In a kickoff to the college football season, the chapter joins other Big Ten clubs of Southern Arizona in hosting an event to raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona. Pictured at right is Betsy Apking (’88), the scholarship chairperson for the chapter.

Alumni Profile Casting a Future

Big Gumdrop Outdoors

reels in kids with nature fun

BY KEVIN WARNEKE (’85, ’12)

Seven-year-old Sama Sebaq caught her first fish the other day — a big moment for her and for Elijah Riley (’24). It got even better for Riley when he learned Sama had asked her father if she could go fishing again.

“This is what we hope happens,” Riley said. “We’re trying to foster an environment for kids to safely learn about the outdoors and then explore.”

Riley wants to pass on his love for the outdoors to youngsters who might not otherwise have the opportunity through his nonprofit organization, Big Gumdrop Outdoors (BGO). Riley acquired his outdoor passion during his own childhood on fishing trips with his father.

Through BGO, Sama learned how to cast using a rod twice her size, how to tie fishing knots and about the different types of fish in Nebraska’s waterways.

Then, she cast a line in Lincoln’s Holmes Lake, where she made her big catch. “She was a little discouraged when her brother caught three fish before she did,” said her father, Mohamed Sebaq. “She was so excited when she caught hers. She asked if we could go back.”

The young girl’s fish story is what Riley hopes to hear. The first-grader and 65 other youngsters participated in a fishing clinic conducted this spring by the Nebraska Walleye Association and BGO. At the end of the day, each young angler received a fishing rod and reel.

Riley’s love for everything outdoors started at age 3 when he began tagging along on his father’s weekend fishing outings. Riley, his father and his sister would fish private ponds and public lakes for bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. “We weren’t picky.”

Often, they camped (his mom joined on camp-

ing trips) and set lines to check in the mornings. Inevitably, they would wake and find fish on their lines. Riley’s father turned those into teaching moments. “I always remember vividly my dad saying, ‘Oh yeah, look at the groceries we have.’ He taught us about sustainability.”

Riley also credits his Scout leader, Eric Fowler, for sparking his love for the outdoors. Fowler, a writer and photographer for Nebraskaland magazine, took Riley to summer camp. They fished, kayaked and camped. Fowler temporarily lost touch with Riley until they met recently at a local sporting goods store.

“I was humbled that he gives me credit,” Fowler said. “I had no idea I was influencing him in that way. It just shows that anything you can do to help kids pursue hunting, fishing, camping, building campfires — you never know where it’s going to end up.”

Riley’s passion for the outdoors went dormant when the distractions of high school — and especially sports — emerged. Injuries shelved athletics and Riley returned to his first passion.

He stayed in Lincoln for college and enrolled in UNL’s Engler Program, which focuses on entrepreneurship and business ownership. Riley shared an idea with Dave Lambe, Engler’s chief learning officer: creating a program to get youngsters off their phones and away from technology by introducing them to the outdoors. Lambe said he routinely challenged Riley to defend his plan.

“He wouldn’t give up on his idea, his goal to get kids in nature,” Lambe said. “I don’t know if you would call it his ‘true north,’ but this is his goal.

Elijah Riley, center, is a passionate advocate for connection and conservation.

That’s why he keeps going. And he backs it up with action.”

Riley said creating a name and brand for his nonprofit was the easy part. Back in high school, he and some friends in math class took turns giving one another nicknames. “It came to me, and they said, ‘Gumdrop,’ and I was like, ‘Cool, that works.’”

At first, Riley created content about the outdoors, which he published on social media. He realized he needed to take a more aggressive approach than storytelling to get youngsters outdoors: He needed to develop youth outdoor programs, which meant he also needed sponsors and community partners.

He approached the Malone Community Center with his program ideas and went from there. In addition to the late spring fishing clinic, Big Gumdrop Outdoors’ scheduled summer activities included a kayaking clinic (with the Lincoln Paddle Company) in June, a Cops and Bobbers fishing outing with local conservation and law enforcement officers in July, and a third annual community lake day in August.

Riley said he looks forward to when he can devote all his time to building up Big Gumdrop

Outdoors, and he wants to replicate BGO in communities throughout the Midwest. Until then, he continues to devote his spare time to the nonprofit and relies on a core of volunteers, including his girlfriend, Kyndal Hudson (’24), who directs BGO’s operations.

His full-time job is as a regional youth engagement coordinator for Ducks Unlimited, a wetland waterfowl conservation organization. He sees the similarities in his role with Ducks Unlimited and Big Gumdrop Outdoors: “It’s the reason I started BGO — to make kids who look like me feel comfortable and confident that the outdoors are a space where they can explore and where they can exist.”

Lambe and Fowler said they have no doubt Riley will continue to build Big Gumdrop Outdoors. Riley is passionate about the organization’s mission and committed to seeing it grow, they said.

“I hope to turn Big Gumdrop Outdoors into an organization that allows me to travel to new places, meet new people,” Riley said, “and experience different types of nature and learn the stories that exist within. Then, be able to tell those stories.”

Riley runs various programs that engage youth on a variety of outdoor experiences.

A LEGACY ENGINEERED FOR THE FUTURE

Don Chamberlain didn’t take a traditional path to college, but the University of Nebraska–Lincoln changed his life. After a successful engineering career, he returned to campus and was inspired by the hands-on learning at Kiewit Hall.

“I’m really impressed with what I saw and the whole direction of the engineering college,” he said. “I hope they carry on the good work.”

To support future engineers, Don has established a future gift in his will — simple, flexible and deeply meaningful.

THREE DEGREES, ONE BOND

For most, attending college means leaving home behind. But for the Ferguson triplets, home was brought to campus. While Drew, Josh and Paige found their own interests in sports, finance and medicine, respectively, the triplets stayed connected through friendships and shared experiences. In May they crossed the graduation stage just as they came into this world — together.

How did you all choose to attend UNL?

DREW: The college decision was pretty easy for us. I have always known that I wanted to attend the University of Nebraska because of my love for the Huskers, and it is close to home.

3 ALUMNI ASK

JOSH: Growing up going to Nebraska football games, we all knew we wanted to be Huskers from day one. Our oldest sister, Haley, went to UNO, and our older brother, Jess, attended UNL just three years ahead of us. Based on Jess’ experience in his fraternity, I knew that Lincoln was the place for me. I looked up to Jess for that decision. We never made it clear to each other that we wanted to attend the university together, but we knew it was an option. I think that UNL was just a place where we all felt at home, and having all three of us together would make it feel even more special.

PAIGE: I think we can all confidently say that was the best decision for all of us.

Do you have any memories growing up a Husker fan?

DREW: My first memories are at block parties with my family and going to Husker football games with our dad. It’s cool to know that I will be a Husker for life now that I’ve reached alumni status.

WITHthe Fergusons

JOSH: Every Saturday we went somewhere to watch the football game. The best part was having so many kids our age in the neighborhood, so we would play our own games of football in the yard while watching the Huskers on the screen.

How did having your siblings by your side impact your college experience?

DREW: Similar to most college students, it was difficult being away from home for the first time. Having Josh in the same fraternity with me helped a lot, and seeing Paige on the weekends was always nice too.

JOSH: It was more of a seamless transition. Especially joining the same fraternity as Drew, that pledge process was so much more fun and comfortable having him by my side.

PAIGE: Navigating to Lincoln was scary; we were entering a new chapter of life. From the first year of college to now, I still see the boys at least once a week, so in a way, it felt like I never left home.

From left, Josh Ferguson was a finance major, Paige Ferguson a nutrition, exercise and health science major, and Drew Ferguson a sports media and communication major. Paige holds a childhood photo of the triplets.

Class Quotes

QUESTION

What was the best advice a professor or academic adviser gave

you?

1960s

As a senior dentistry student, I was pleased with my success involving oral surgery procedures. William Wallace Webster III, the department chair, noticed my state of mind and assigned me a rather unconventional and arduous surgical procedure for a patient. As I was finishing the record notes, he said to me: ‘Thomsen, you have been doing well in my surgery department, but you don’t know it all. One of these days you are going to be someplace where I can’t help you, so you need to learn it from me now, when I can help.’”

Allen Thomsen (’64, ’69) practiced dentistry for the U.S. Army for three years, including one year in the medical company of a combat infantry unit in Vietnam. He then practiced dentistry in Omaha for 49 years before retiring in 2022. He and his wife, Paulette (’92), have three sons, each with two degrees from Nebraska. Their three daughters-in-law also are Nebraska alumni as are five grandchildren. Two other grandsons are attending UNL — and two granddaughters will attend soon.

1970s

‘Please, please, please, Mr. Broad. Proof, proof, proof everything you write,’ journalism professor Jim Patten implored. It was 1966 and he subtracted points for every typo. After despairing because my class grade was so poor, I took his advice. I will never forget, when he was handing out final assignment grades, he gave me a slight smile.”

Thomas Broad (’72, ’77) retired in 2016 after 30 years working in marketing and commu-

nications for the Memorial Hermann Health Care System in Houston. In retirement, he is chair of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority. He and his husband, John Denton, call Kingwood, Texas, home.

Our conversation was brief, but it changed my life. It was spring 1972 and I asked my adviser (Paul Landolt in physiology) whether I should apply to medical school as a junior. If so, where? Dr. Landolt replied: ‘Apply to Washington University in St. Louis.’ I did so and was accepted. My future wife was in my class. Ten years after receiving his advice, I finished my training and joined a practice in Orlando, Florida (recruited by a Hastings, Nebraska, native and UNMC graduate). My University of Nebraska pennant hung in my office until I retired.”

Scott Greenwood (’74) practiced cardiology for 40 years in Florida. In retirement, he and his wife, Pam Freeman, remain in Orlando where he volunteers and she still practices rheumatology. They have three children.

Photojournalism professor George

Tuck had just started his long career when I arrived at UNL. What inspired me was his genuine kindness and interest in his students. When you are young, it can be important to have an instructor in your corner. He was always in mine.”

Mark Gordon (’75) earned the gold award in the wildlife category in the annual reFocus Awards 2025 Black and White worldwide photo contest. He was awarded the top prize among nonprofessionals for his photograph of a hummingbird. Gordon, who is retired, was a longtime member of the Illinois Senate staff and also served as director of economic development for Springfield, Illinois.

I had just received my first graduate school critique from my three ceramics faculty. I remember feeling insecure and like an imposter. Art professor Eddie Dominguez, after the others had left, patted my shoulder and said, ‘You’ll be fine.’ It was simple advice, but I think about that moment often, especially during times when I’m unsure of myself or my work.”

Maxwell Henderson (’23) recently was one of 20 artists selected from nearly 700 applicants as Ceramics Monthly’s Emerging Artists. He and the other finalists were featured in the May issue of Ceramics Monthly magazine. Henderson

1980s

Agricultural economics professor James Kendrick encouraged me to be open to new experiences. He also gave my name to a Cargill recruiter, which led to an interview, job offer and 30-plus-year career in the United States, South America and southeast Asia. Good advice, indeed.”

Jim Reimer (’80) received the 2025 Dr. William P. Sexton Award, which recognizes a non-alumni who embodies the spirit of the University of Notre Dame through outstanding service. Reimer served as director of Notre Dame’s Bon Sel Initiative from 2012 to 2024, spearheading efforts in Haiti to combat lymphatic filariasis and prevent iodine deficiency disorders. Prior to his work with BSI, he held leadership positions at Cargill. He and his wife, Portia, live in Grosse Pointe, Michigan.

What college class would you take over again and why?

To be featured in the winter issue, email your answer to kwilder@huskeralum.org.

Journalism professor Richard Streckfuss encouraged me to always be curious and ask questions relentlessly. That’s how to get the best stories — and how to strengthen stories when editing them.”

Pam Alward Thomas (’87) was a copy editor at the Omaha World-Herald for 33 years, ultimately becoming national news editor. She now freelances. She and her husband, Doug, live in Omaha and have three children and one grandchild.

Jeffrey Lauber, director of Campus Activities and Programs and my University Program Council adviser, coached me in situational leadership and taught me to regularly assess how my words and actions affected my UPC teams. These lessons in self-awareness, adaptability and communication stayed with me and guided my approach to leadership during my professional career.”

Paul Rohlfing (’87) retired in 2024 after a 37-year career in process development and regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical industry. During 31 years at Pfizer, he played a pivotal role in the development, manufacturing scale-up and global registration of major vaccines, including the pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar 13. He also led a global team that secured worldwide approvals for four groundbreaking vaccines in four years, including Comirnaty, the first approved Covid-19 vaccine. He and his wife, Gail Thurber Rohlfing (’87, ’93), divide their time between Greensboro, North Carolina, and Lincoln. They have two adult children.

1990s

I remember the feeling my instructors instilled in me about how to hold my own. That foundation stayed with me through law school, consulting and now writing and publishing my first book.”

Sejal Bhasker Patel (’93) launched Rainmaker Unleashed at a book party in Omaha in July. It is a strategic, storydriven guide for professionals look-

ing to build authentic client relationships. Patel, an attorney and former strategist, founded Sage Ivy, a consulting firm based in New York City where she lives.

2010s

My academic success coach, Ann Callies, changed my college experience. I struggled my first semester. Then, I met Callies. I met with her bi-weekly, like clockwork, from dead week of my first semester of college to my graduation. She gave me countless words of wisdom, but the one that kept me going was when she would remind me that I am doing much better than I thought I was.”

Katie Mahar-Flock (’18) was recently named the assistant director for alumni engagement at the Nebraska Alumni Association. In this role, Mahar-Flock works with alumni volunteers for commencement and the alumni association’s affinity groups. She lives in Avoca, Nebraska, with her husband, Dylan.

2020s

Ora Paul Haar, associate professor of saxophone, didn’t just encourage me to become a jazz educator, he taught me how to develop the mental toughness needed to take on whatever challenges came my way.”

The advice I received that influenced me the most: It is better to admit you don’t understand something and ask a question rather than pretend to understand and remain ignorant. This has allowed me to become more educated, build stronger communication skills and have the confidence to admit when I don’t know something.”

Jennifer Hoffman (’18) is the new assistant director of venues for the Nebraska Alumni Association. In this role, Hoffman is responsible for events at the Nebraska Innovation Campus conference center. She lives in Lincoln with her husband, Andy.

Runkun Li (’20) has been promoted to associate professor with tenure at the Sichuan Conservatory of Popular Music in Sichuan, China. Li is the only tenured jazz saxophone associate professor throughout China who holds a doctoral degree — which he earned at UNL. He lives in Chengdu, China, with his wife, Xinwei Liu (’21) and two children.

During my senior year, I confessed to Kristin Malek, associate professor of nutrition and health sciences, about feeling unqualified for the jobs I wanted. She reminded me that it is common for people to underestimate their abilities. Apply anyway — even if I didn’t meet every requirement. That advice helped me believe in the value of my experiences and taught me that taking risks can lead to unexpected opportunities.”

Jessica Kruse (’25) recently joined the Nebraska Alumni Association as an assistant director of venue operations. In this role, Kruse is responsible for the Nebraska Innovation Campus conference center scheduling and operations. Only two weeks prior to joining the alumni association, she earned her degree in hospitality, restaurant and tourism management.

NEBRASKA Authors

FEATURED BOOKS BY NEBRASKA

ALUMNI, FACULTY AND STAFF

The Power of Believing in God And Other Stories to Stimulate Your Imagination

Robert Darrol Shanks Jr., Ph.D. (’67, ’87)

An active exploration into the author’s Christian faith. Not a pastor, but an everyday American who has written his personal witness and testimony to the power of believing in God and prayer.

Available at Amazon

The Scientist and the Serial Killer

Lise Olsen (’88)

Investigative journalist Lise Olsen immerses readers in the lives of teens hunted by a 1970s killer. This book follows the quest of a forensic anthropologist who would nally give his unknown victims back their names and dignity. Available at The Bookworm (Omaha), penguinrandomhouse.com

Last Nightlight

A Dan Trix Mystery

Rodney Romig (’66, ’68, ’75)

Dan Trix ies to Warsaw, Poland, to discover the man who desperately sent for him is dead. Trying to determine if it was murder, Trix stumbles upon a complex scheme to erode American democracy and replace it with repressive autocracy. Or maybe not.

Available at Amazon

Stride for Stride

A Physical Therapist’s Playbook for Runners

Chance Unger (’12)

A blueprint for runners providing needed skills to run at your best. Akin to having a “PT in your Stride for Stride addresses every component needed to help you apply concrete skills and knowledge that empower any runner at any skill level.

Available at RunStrideForStride.com

Recruited for his combination of size and speed, George Mills had the potential to become an outstanding college football player — but it never happened. A View From the Bench reveals the reality behind the glamour of college football and the tough experiences in the life of a benchwarmer. As an honest re ection of the experiences of so many overlooked players, it will be meaningful to anyone who has watched or played competitive sports.

Available at Amazon

A View From the Bench

George R. Mills (’77)

1972

Kristine Stelzer (’93, ’99) spied her uncle Mark Stelzer (’74, ‘77) sitting on the steps with his Beta Sigma Psi letter jacket. Mark guessed the photo was taken on the steps of Burnett Hall where he said he took many French classes. He said this group was planning to live in France on a study abroad trip. From left, Jane (Stevens) Shaneyfelt (’74), Sonia Schone-Tonelli (’74, ’77), Stelzer, Barbara (Brown) Brownsmith (’73), Lynn Melson (’77, ’83), Jill (Howard) Redwine (’74), Sandy (Hille) Weisman (’76, ’78) and Steven Drickey (’74). The photo was taken in April 1972 and all of them, minus Brownsmith, studied in Bourdeaux for an academic year.

PHOTO

Homecoming mid-1960s

University Libraries Archives & Special Collections has many photos that could be enhanced with more information about who, what, when, where or why the photograph was taken. We’re hoping you will help us play detective. Do you recognize any of these students from the 1960s? If so, help us fill in the details of this mystery photograph. We’ll publish our findings in the winter edition of Nebraska Quarterly

LET US KNOW

Email your educated guesses or concrete identifications to mia.everding@huskeralum.org.

Obituaries

1940s

Norman Veta (’44) Denver, March 14; Ava Bromwich Hastert (’46) Lawrence, Kan., April 14; Margaret Lyon Spray (’48) Lincoln, April 17; Russell Eisenhart (’49) McCook, March 11; Robert Jerauld (’49) Yuba City, Calif., May 11; Frederick Ware (’49) Omaha, May 7

1950s

Lloyd McBeth (’50) Stockton, Calif., May 8; Donald Carlyon (’51) Bay City, Mich., May 26; Keith Heuermann (’53) Phillips, March 29; Charles Battey (’54) Prairie Village, Kan., April 29; Alison Faulkner Chapman (’55) New Haven, Conn., March 9; Donald Rohren (’55) Pleasanton, Calif., April 16; Glenna Berry Luschei (’56) Mission Viejo, Calif., April 16; John Musgrave (’56) Hebron, April 30; Doran Post (’56)

1931-2025

Kenneth Frank

Kenneth Dale Frank, 93, associate professor emeritus of agronomy and horticulture, died May 31, in West Des Moines, Iowa. His 31-year career in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, and with Nebraska Extension was spent working in soil fertility and management. Born in Stanton, Nebraska, Frank enlisted in the United States Navy and served during the Korean War. After four years of active duty, Frank joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired after nearly 40 years of service. He earned two agronomy degrees from Nebraska: a bachelor of science in 1960 and a master’s in 1963. While studying on campus he met his future wife, Mary Uehling, whom he married in August 1959.

Kearney, April 29; Ralph Stump (’56) Beatrice, June 6; Carl Vondra (’56) Las Cruces, N.M., March 12; Wayne Hays (’57) Pacific Palisades, Calif., March 26; Gary Kelley (’57) Scottsbluff, May 11; Richard James (’58) Walnut Creek, Calif., April 10; Ronald Smith (’58) Cedar Crest, N.M., March 10; Carl Weber (’58) Kearney, May 23; Cecil Crowe (’59) Pueblo, Colo., Aug. 18; Wayne Gundersen (’59) Reno, Nev., March 15; Nancy Campbell Hammond (’59) Lincoln, Mass., April 23; Barbara

Mace Otaki (’59) Salt Lake City, March 6

1960s

Lavonne Rogers Jackson (’60) Lake Forest, Ill., May 26; Robert Klein (’60) Grand Island, March 22; Shirley Koch Schneider (’60) West Valley City, Utah, May 27; Katherine Gilroy Stuckey (’60) Omaha, March 20; Raymond Bieber (’63) Seward, Dec. 27; Larry Donovan (’64) Blaine, Wash., April 13; Ralph Tolman (’64) Savannah, Ga., May 4; Gilbert Brown (’65) Beaumont, Texas, March 18; Robert Helm (’65) Lincoln,

March 27; Nancy Schmerdtmann (’65) Grand Island, Feb. 28; Robert Seidell (’65) Mequon, Wis., March 18; Janeth Rogers Wahl (’65) Lincoln, April 13; Jennifer Inman Pansing (’66) Omaha, May 20; Douglas Curry (’67) Lincoln, April 26; Judith Palmerton Mahlstedt (’67) Walcott, N.D., Feb. 24; Adrian Snyder (’67) Greenville, N.C., March 31; Bernard Trausch (’67) Omaha, March 27; Larry Boyer (’68) North Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 17; Timothy Rickard (’68) Woodland Hills, Calif.,

Dec. 2; William Nelson (’69) Omaha, June 2

1970s

Susan Deitemeyer (’70) St. Paul, Minn., March 18; Amaryllis Barber Holloway Gerber (’70) Lincoln, Feb. 21; Clarence Planer (’70) Newton, Iowa, Sept. 23; Beverly Backencamp Benes (’71) Lincoln, March 11; Sandra Wegener Black (’71) Lincoln, June 5; Barbara Knapp Brandt (’71) Unadilla, May 1; Bruce Broberg (’71) West Des Moines, Iowa, April 15; George Horst (’71) Omaha, April 12; David

Steiniche (’71) Cameron, Mo., June 4; Jack Armitage (’72) Omaha, April 13; Donald Cass (’72) Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 30; Gordon Kissel (’72) Lincoln, March 20; Stephen Paschang (’72) Omaha, March 15; Marietta Smith Schernikau (’72) Lincoln, April 28; David Zalewski (’72) Lincoln, April 26; Richard Hansher (’73) Colorado Springs, Colo., May 17; Gerald Menke (’73) Kearney, May 24; Dennis O’Kelly (’74) Ashland, April 28; Theresa Petr (’74) Columbus, March 22; Mary Miller Flanagan (’75) Omaha, April 3; Janette Hahne Deck (’76) Sioux City, Iowa, May 20; Terry Rinke (’76) Buhler, Kan., March 24; Lillian Gamble Tidball (’76) Marana, Ariz., April 15; Steven Remmenga (’77) Adams, May 3; Donald Wesely (’77) Lincoln, March 18; Vanvilai

Katkanant (’79) Burbank, Calif., March 6

1980s

Kathryn Jones Bellman (’81) Lincoln, Dec. 26; Timothy Hedberg (’81) Lincoln, April 22; Clayton Heinrich (’81) Lincoln, March 29; David Ochsner (’81) Nelson, May 10; George Ditmore (’83) Trinity, Fla., April 17; Gerald Huismann (’83) Grand Island, March 13; Amy Cox Schmid (’83) Kansas City, Mo., May 3; Lois Johnston Watts (’86) Lincoln, May 27

1990s

Zoran Kilibarda (’94) Valparaiso, Ind., Oct. 23; Kurt Brumbaugh (’95) Morgantown, W.Va., April 9; Kevin Lee (’97) Lincoln, April 14

2000s

Barbara Albright Hanssen (’00) Lincoln, April 11; Grant Crawford (’07) Jasper, Minn., March 27

Love Story

A Love Story, Written in Red

Nebraska turned her academic pivot into a lifelong passion

BY JACKIE OSTROWICKI (’98, ’22)

Ifell in love with the University of Nebraska the way you fall for someone you didn’t know you needed — quietly, over time, and when I least expected it.

In 1995, I was adrift. I was studying nursing at a private college at my mother’s urging. She believed I’d be a good nurse, and I wanted to believe it too. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t built for catheters and IVs. I was built for stories. So I tried to have it both ways, juggling biology and pharmacology with creative writing classes, clinging to the hope that passion could coexist with practicality.

the quiet pull of something unfinished. Eventually, I returned — not as a student, but as the university’s head of marketing communications. My job was to tell its story. It didn’t feel like work; it felt like home.

One spring afternoon, after yet another shift at the hospital, I walked out into the sunlight and felt a quiet certainty. It was time to make a change. I admired the profession, but I knew my path lay elsewhere — where I could use words, not medical tools, to help others. I was terrified to pivot so late in the game, but storytelling wouldn’t let me go.

I started shadowing ad agency professionals and met with professors at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The first class I took there felt like breathing for the first time. I had found my people and my purpose.

It took me three more years to earn that bachelor’s degree, but when I crossed the stage, I knew it had all been worth it. Public education gave me more than a diploma; it gave me a voice. And I knew I wanted to use that voice to amplify others, to tell the stories that too often go unheard.

For nearly two decades, I worked in the private sector, sharpening my skills, chasing deadlines, collecting lessons. I learned how to listen, how to adapt, how to make words work hard. But Nebraska kept calling me back — not with urgency, but with

I didn’t stop there. While working, I earned my master’s in educational administration, began a doctorate, and deepened my belief that education changes lives. It changed mine.

I love this university not just for what it gave me, but for what it gives everyone. It teaches students to think critically, solve problems, and engage with the world. It creates research that heals, innovation that builds, art that inspires. It shapes the workforce, supports the economy, and enriches our culture in ways that ripple outward.

And every morning, I wake up grateful to be part of it.

When I tell people I work at the place that shaped me, they often pause, as if thinking about the places that shaped them too. For me, it’s more than a job — it’s a full-circle love story. One I never saw coming, but now can’t imagine my life without.

The University of Nebraska took me in when I didn’t know who I was and helped me become who I wanted to be. It still does that, every day, for students who walk through its doors.

I was one of them. And, as an alumna, I always will be.

“We have an outstanding entrepreneurial ecosystem at Nebraska. Our ranking as No. 42 in the world reflects our commitment to fueling the entrepreneurial spirit across the university for all students in any major, so Nebraska graduates are prepared to create the future.”

Bauermeister Family Presidential Chair in Entrepreneurship and director of the UNL Center for Entrepreneurship

Students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are ambitious, forward-thinking leaders, many of whom have a passion for entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, graduates have launched more than 150 businesses and raised over $6.5 million to support them.

Through Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, UNL is developing the state’s next entrepreneurial leaders and equipping Huskers to change the world.

Bolstering Innovation. Like Only Nebraska Does.

Learn more at OnlyinNebraska.org/UNL

- Samuel Nelson, Ph.D.,

- Samuel Nelson, Ph.D.,

ONE FOR THE FANS.

The NEW Husker Visa® Debit Card.

Being a Nebraska fan doesn’t stop when the game ends. It’s every day, all day home or away. Show your pride every time you pay with the new Husker Visa® Debit Card, only at FNBO, The Bank of Husker Nation. New design. Raised detail. Premium finish. /huskers