Wild Studio Kingdom

RIBBON-CUTTING CELEBRATES ALUMNUS’ LEGACY TO THE FUTURE OF MEDIA

Anew television studio and newsroom were unveiled last fall thanks to the Don (’51) and Lorena Meier Foundation. The studio features a news desk, conversation set, green screen and state-of-the-art equipment to support student news reporting and media creation.

The space celebrates the legacy of Don Meier and his wife, Lorena. Both had distinguished television careers and created Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. The Emmy-winning wildlife show aired nationally from 1963 to 1987.

Bob Bennett, Meier Foundation board member and nephew of Don and Lorena Meier was eager to start the project, as it aligns with the couple’s understanding of the need for hands-on learning.

“Don would advise students to gain as much experience as they can,” Bennett said. “That’s how he learned about television. There weren’t schools teaching it at that time. He learned through experience.”

Professor Barney McCoy got to know Don Meier while producing the documentary Exploring Wild Kingdom in 2008.

“I quickly learned that Don wasn’t afraid to work hard and have fun doing it — that may be the biggest lesson our students can learn from him,” McCoy said.

“Don believed that if you’re willing to pour everything into what you love doing, you’ll have a much better chance of seeing your dreams become a reality.”

It was during the development of the display that McCoy shared the college’s plans for a new television studio with the Foundation Board. The board invited Dean Shari Veil to make a pitch to the board and they agreed that the construction of the studio was something Don would have wanted.

During the ribbon cutting David Shoub, president of the Meier Foundation Board of Directors, shared some of the many experiences he had with Don and Lorena. “Don was meticulous because he was so focused on making sure students would get the help they need to pursue an education,” Shoub said.

The Nebraska Broadcasters Association was another key supporter of the project. “I can vividly remember first pitching the idea of a new studio to Jim Timm and the Nebraska Broadcaster’s Association Board in May of 2021,” Veil said. “And, with the help of the NBA and the Meier Foundation, look where we are today.”

The studio will be used by students enrolled in courses in the college and those participating in the Experience Lab, which allows students to gain hands-on experience in advertising and public relations, broadcasting, sports media and journalism from the first semester they enroll in the college.

Since 2018, the Veterans in Recovery program has met at Nebraska Innovation Studio. The program has grown to incorporate 30 veterans each month. More than 200 veterans have been helped thus far.