UNO Magazine: Winter 2010 by UNO Magazine

PREMIER ISSUE:

m ag a z i n e

winter 2010

From one leader to another Methodist Health System celebrates the strength and leadership abilities of women.

We’re leading the way in our commitment to your health by building the first and only

medical campus and hospital dedicated solely to the care of women. Our women’s hospital will feature a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the highest in west Omaha, to help alleviate the shortage of beds for at-risk babies. We have the area’s only comprehensive program for sexual assault survivors— and we’re investing in providing these services at the new women’s hospital. We’re the only health system in the metro area that embraces the educational initiatives and health-related activities of Spirit of ®

Women , a national organization that actively supports wellness for women. We’re devoted to caring for you as you continue to influence and inspire. www.bestcare.org

Methodist Women’s Hospital 192nd and West Dodge Road

the COVER in this ISSUE Alumni Association

Craig LaRotonda is an illustrator and fine artist living in Buffalo NY, where he owns and operates Revelation Studios. LaRotonda’s distinctive artwork graces the walls of famous homes, including collectors in France, Germany, Norway, Mexico and Canada, as well as a host of collectors in the United States. His award-winning art appears in three feature-length motion pictures as well as numerous publications such as Time, the Washington Post, the Village Voice, Juxtapoz and the New York Times. www.unoalumni.org/unomag

CREDITS Managing Editor

Athletics Horsing Around

winter 2010

Letter from the Editor

Letter from the Chancellor

The Colleges

16 17 18

28 Surviving Hard Times How does living through the Great Depression compare to today? UNO graduates share their thoughts and memories. Money Smarts Financial Literacy 101

30 35

Sights and Sounds Partners Get to Know

Philanthropy Matters

High Honors

He Was Just 17 Starting Up in a Slowdown More and more laidoff entrepreneurs are choosing these hard times to start their own businesses.

Stock Market Challenge

Anthony Flott associate Editors

Jennifer Arnold, Tim Kaldahl Contributors

Dave Ahlers, Becky Bohan Brown, John Fey, Tim Fitzgerald, Eric Francis, Rich Kaipust, Christine Kasel, Mary Kenny, Gary Johnson, Don Kohler, Greg Kozol, Craig LaRotonda, Tom McMahon, Beverly Newsam, Eric Olson, Lori Rice, Kalani Simpson, Scott Stewart, Terry Stickels, Wendy Townley, Jennifer Vaughn, Kevin Warneke, Jenna Zeorian UNO Magazine is published three times a year by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the UNO Alumni Association and the NU Foundation. Direct editorial inquiries to Managing Editor: UNO Alumni Association, 6705 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68182-0010. Phone: (402) 554-2444; toll-free, UNOMAV-ALUM, FAX (402) 554-3787. Email: aflott@unoalumni.org Send all changes of address to attention of Records or visit www.unoalumni.org/records Views expressed within this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the UNO Alumni Association or the NU Foundation.

Educating freshmen about debt they may accumulate during their college years.

Help for Healing Class Notes

40 43

Finding Work The Eyes of Change

48 50

Bookmarks Retrospect

56 Picture This 58 For Fun

FROM THE EDITOR

I never took philosophy, and the extent of my Greek expertise begins and ends with gyros. So when I quote from Greek philosopher Heraclitus, keep in mind that I know nothing about the man. I can only cite him because his name popped up in “Barlett’s Familiar Quotations” when I went hunting for a quote on change. Said Heraclitus: “Nothing endures but change.” Twelve years ago, I began a “From the Editor” with that same quote (though I didn’t admit not knowing Hercules, er, Heraclitus). The occasion then was changes to the UNO Alum magazine. As Alum readers can see, we’re at it again.

Reader feedback is key to everything we do. Let us know what you think of UNO Magazine and how we can make it better by emailing aflott@unoalumni.org

I’m proud to introduce UNO Magazine, published and funded cooperatively by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Nebraska Foundation and the UNO Alumni Association. UNO Magazine is dedicated to advancing the university’s institutional priorities and fostering reader commitment to the university while effectively demonstrating UNO’s successes, contributions and value to Omaha, Nebraska and beyond. It aspires to connect, inform, educate, inspire and entertain a diverse audience of more than 75,000 readers — primarily alumni, but also faculty, staff, students, friends of UNO, and business, community, government, media, opinion and educational leaders statewide. UNO Magazine will be published three times a year — February, June and October — with a fourth online-only issue in the works. We’ve worked on this magazine launch for nearly a year, conducting reader surveys, interviewing university leaders and studying other award-winning university publications and industry-best practices. We hope the result is one of the finest university publications in the country. Previous efforts haven’t always been so lofty. Back in 1998, changes to the UNO Alum were cosmetic: nicer paper, full color and a new design. This time, the changes go much deeper. We’re again providing readers with better stock (heavier and brighter) and a new design (thanks to the fabulous work of Omaha’s award-winning Emspace Group). More significantly, however, we’ve recast UNO Magazine as the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s flagship publication with a thoughtful approach to content that puts readers first. That means engaging readers with fresh, original journalism on contemporary social, political, economic, moral, ethical, health, environmental, world and other topical issues, informing those subjects with university-related scholarship, research, endeavors, insight and opinion. This will be accomplished through a core of themed stories in each issue. This first issue focuses on something we all have in common — the economy. UNO faculty, staff, students and alumni are used as resources to help make sense of where our economy has been, where it is and where it’s going. These are changing times, as Heraclitus would tell us, and we hope to help you make sense of those changes. I also hope you like the change to UNO Magazine.

Enjoy the read,

Anthony Flott Managing Editor

FROM THE CHANCELLOR Dear Alum:

UNO Magazine illustrates a renewed commitment to keep alumni in contact with their alma mater and with each other through publications. That tradition began in 1941 with the UNO Alumni Association’s first publication, the Alumni Gateway, and has continued every year since. A look at some publications of the past 69 years:

Welcome to the inaugural edition of UNO Magazine! In its pages, you will find stories to entertain, inform, educate and engage its readers in the life of our university. This publication is a collaborative effort of the University, the UNO Alumni Association and the Omaha office of the University of Nebraska Foundation and is designed to serve a broad audience of alumni, donors and prospects, the community, government, the media and opinion leaders statewide. Nothing else chronicles the amazing progress being made on campus like UNO Magazine, and I commend the talented team of writers, editors and contributors telling UNO’s story. We look to the future with anticipation and optimism. At this year’s Fall Convocation I shared my vision of where this campus could be by 2020. Of course, many factors could influence the future, but in general, I believe the following are attainable. First, by 2020, I think enrollment could reach 18,000 to 20,000 students, with about 20 percent of those students living on campus. We’ll continue to be the institution of first choice for students within our major recruiting area, and we’ll continue to provide ever-increasing access for traditional, non-traditional, first generation, underrepresented and international students. And, we aspire to retain and graduate these students at rates in the top quartile of comparable universities nationally.

Alumni Gateway, 1941 Monthly

Injun, 1950 Quarterly

UNO will serve this diverse and highly mobile population with distance education and mixed delivery course opportunities that will double current offerings. I believe by 2020, we will achieve the status of a Carnegie-classified doctoral granting institution. And that the support of scholarly activity will have external funding of at least $25 million. I envision UNO as a metropolitan university even more engaged with its community and its various partners. In order to support this engagement and continue to serve our students well, our physical capacity also must grow. A Community Engagement Center will serve as a national model for engaged scholarship, bringing together university expertise with community agencies and initiatives.

Alumni Newsletter, 1959 Bi-Monthly

Quarterly Journal, 1971 Quarterly

UNO Athletics will find a home south of Center Street on the former Chili Greens property. And Information Science and Technology will expand into the “footprint” between PKI and Mammel Hall, facilitating growth, innovation, collaboration and engagement. Ambitious? Perhaps, but I believe achievable in our lifetimes. I’d like to think that 100 years from now, history will show we took a good university and made it great. That our actions set us on a course for success, and that we left for future generations, an institution that will not only stand the test of time, but thrive in the experience. Until next time,

Alumni News, 1975 Quarterly

UNO Alum, 2009 Quarterly

Chancellor John Christensen

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Home Instead Senior Care’s Lori Hogan Receives Citation The UNO Alumni Association bestowed its Citation for Alumnus Achievement upon UNO graduate Lori Hogan, co-founder of Home Instead Senior Care, during the university’s winter commencement Dec. 18 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

Lori Hogan and Chancellor Christensen at the winter commencement.

The Citation, inaugurated in 1949, is presented at each UNO commencement. The association’s highest honor, it encompasses career achievement, community service, involvement in business and professional associations, and fidelity to the university. UNO Alumni Association President Lee Denker presented the award to Hogan, the 151st Citation recipient.

Hogan earned her UNO bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1984. With her husband, Paul, she co-founded Home Instead in 1994. It is the largest senior care company in the world with nearly 820 franchises in the United States and 16 other markets. The company’s franchise owners hire “CAREGivers” to go into the homes of seniors and help them with day-to-day living needs such as companionship, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands and shopping. “Lori’s life and career are ideal reflections of the university’s commitment to community engagement,” Denker said. “She has shown that service to others and personal success are not mutually exclusive, building an industry-leading company through business acumen, hard work, integrity and faith.”

Georgia native, Nebraska raised Born at Ft. Benning, Ga., Hogan was raised in Omaha and graduated from Omaha Burke High School before attending UNO as Lori Novicki. While a UNO student she was named Miss Nebraska USA (1982) and was elected the 1984 homecoming queen as a member of Chi Omega sorority. She also worked as a professional model. In 1994, Lori and Paul Hogan founded Home Instead, basing the company on Paul’s family experience caring for his grandmother for 12 years. The Hogans initially operated the company out of an office in Paul’s mother’s home with one desk and one computer. Today the company has a 36,000-square-foot world headquarters at 133rd and California Streets.

Leading franchisor By 1998 it had grown to 99 offices and was recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the 100 fastest-growing franchise companies in the United States. In 2000, Home Instead began international development with the start of a partner relationship in Osaka, Japan, with Duskin Corporation. In 2003 the company launched the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations specializing in projects

and programming that improve the quality of life for seniors. In May 2008 the Hogans were awarded the “E” Award by the Department of Commerce, for contributions to American exports. Today, Home Instead Senior Care franchise offices employ nearly 50,000 trained CAREGivers who provide millions of hours of elder care services annually. The company has been recognized in Franchising Times, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Family Circle magazines and in the Wall Street Journal, which in 2006 named it one of America’s top 25 high-performing franchises. It also has been featured on National Public Radio, Fox News and CNN.

Community Involvement The company’s success has been shared with the University of Nebraska. In January 2008 the Hogans announced funding toward a $10.2 million facility on the University of Nebraska Medical Center campus — the Home Instead Center for Successful Aging. The geriatrics center will create physical space for geriatric medicine and geriatric psychiatry while expanding research and patient care, improving education infrastructure and providing outreach facilities. The center will be completed this year. Lori serves on the boards of Family First Nebraska and The Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. She is co-chair of the American Heart Association Sweetheart program, a leadership program for select young women in high school. She also is a past board member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Lori was presented the 2004 Successful Business Woman Award by the Omaha Downtown Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She has mentored youth, including service as a guide for confirmation students at her church and as a sponsor for students on field trips. She has been a member of Bible Study Fellowship for 10 years, holding a leadership position for five of those years. The Hogans have been married for 23 years. They have three daughters and one son.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

New Board Members The UNO Alumni Association conducted its annual meeting Nov. 24, confirming its executive committee and electing graduates to serve on its board of directors. Kevin Munro will direct the Alumni Association as 2010-2011 chairman of the board. A 1986 UNO graduate, Munro is Omaha Market President of the Omaha District of U.S. Bank. The executive committee and newly appointed directors of the UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors:

2010-2011 UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors Executive Committee Kevin Munro ( BSBA 1986) . . . . . . . . . . . . U.S. Bank Laura Kapustka (BSBA 1984) . . . . . . . . OPPD Garrett Anderson (BSBA 1996) . . . . . . Anderson Print Group David Craft (BSBA 1990; MBA 1992) . . . Wells Fargo Dan Koraleski (BSBA 1986) . . . . . . . . . . KPMG LLP Lou Anne Rinn (BA 1977) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Union Pacific Railroad Mark Grieb (BSBA 1981) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AAA Nebraska lee denker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNO Alumni Association

Chairman of the Board First Vice Chairman Second Vice Chairman Secretary Treasurer Legal Advisor Past Chairman President & CEO

Directors (Term Expires 2013) Blake Edwards (BGS 1999) Joan Lukas (MA 1993) Cox Business Services Leslie Kline Lukas & Associates Sally Elatta (BS 1999) AndrEW Rikli (EdD 2007) Agile Transformation.com Westside Community Schools Larry Gomez (BA 1971) Brandon Steenson (BS 2001) Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Kansas City Southern Railway Jamie Herbert (BSBA 1995; MBA 2000) Union Pacific Railroad Director Appreciation Awards also were issued to outgoing board members Robert Bruckner (Westside Community Schools), Jim Garbina (Harry A. Koch Co.) and Patricia Lamberty (U.S. District Court Judge). Outgoing Past Chairman Rod Oberle received an Outstanding Service Award. He had served the board since 1992.

Denker, Byrne STEPPING UP UNO Chancellor John Christensen presented Step UP Awards to Lee Denker, UNO Alumni Association president & CEO, and Lori Byrne, vice president and UNO campus director of development at the University of Nebraska Foundation. The awards recognize individuals and groups of faculty, staff, students and community supporters who, in the last year, volunteered to take on and complete unexpected university-related work that went above and beyond the scope of their normal responsibilities. Denker and Byrne were honored for spearheading efforts that led to implementation of the UNO Integrated Advancement Agreement among the University, the UNO Alumni Association and the NU Foundation. The agreement is a systematic, integrated method of managing relationships in order to enhance UNO’s support from key outside constituents, including alumni, friends, members of the community and philanthropic entities. The new structure will utilize the strengths of all three entities as they work more collaboratively to support UNO’s mission, vision, values and priorities.

30th Scholarship Swing Set For September 13 The UNO Alumni Association will tee off for scholarships on Monday, September 13, with the 30th annual Chancellor’s Scholarship Swing at Tiburon Golf Club The UNO Alumni Association’s biggest single fundraiser each year, the Swing last year raised more than $40,000, pushing the total to nearly $550,000 raised since the association began hosting the tournament 15 years ago. The money raised supports various Association-sponsored student scholarships. Letters are being sent to business and individuals seeking participation in the tournament as sponsors. To participate, or for more information, contact Elizabeth Kraemer at (402) 554-4802 or email ekramer@unoalumni.org

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

2009 Outstanding Service Awards The UNO Alumni Association issued its Outstanding Service Awards during the organization’s annual meeting Nov. 24. Outstanding Service Awards honor faculty, staff, alumni or friends who have shown continuous, outstanding service to the association and/or university. Since the award’s institution in 1974, 107 OSAs have been issued.

2009 Alumni Scholars UNO Alumni Association members at their Annual Meeting welcomed the second class of UNO Alumni Scholars, recipients of UNO Alumni Association Scholarships. Awarded to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated leadership and involvement during high school, the $2,500 annual scholarships are renewable for up to four years total. Recipients also must have a minimum ACT composite score of 24 and either rank in the top 25 percent of their class or have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Receiving 2009 UNO Alumni Association Scholarships:

Receiving 2009 Outstanding Service Awards were Cookie Katskee, Rod Oberle and Brandeis Catering staff. “The UNO Alumni Association would not be able to effectively advance UNO without the dedication and support of outstanding volunteers like Rod Oberle and Cookie Katskee, or valued partners like Brandeis Catering,” said Lee Denker, president and CEO of the UNO Alumni Association. “These awards are small gestures compared to the service provided by our amazing recipients.” Katskee has been an integral part of the UNO Alumni Association’s annual Chancellor Scholarship Swing for 10 years and was a member of the UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors from 1998 to 2005. Oberle was chairman of the association’s Board of Directors in 2008. During his tenure the association initiated planning that led to the 2009 signing of the UNO Integrated Advancement Agreement.

Katie Gray Winside Public High School

Brady Sillman Millard South High School

Cheyenne Nelson Yutan High School

Rachel Hogan Millard South High School

The association also issues Distinguished Alumni Scholarships, Student Regent Scholarships, the Milo Bail Diamond Scholarship and the Daniel Jenkins, Stanton W. Salisbury and Glen L. Martin Memorial Scholarships. For Alumni Scholar recipient bios and other association scholarship information, visit the Association Web site at www.unoalumni.org/scholarships

Brandeis Catering, the Thompson Alumni Center’s exclusive catering partner since 1999, was recognized for its decade-long partnership with the UNO Alumni Association. For further information on these and other association award recipients, visit www.unoalumni.org/awards

When grads can’t make it home to UNO, UNO makes it to grads. That’s the idea behind Mavs on the Move, a UNO Alumni Association outreach program to graduates around the country.

mavs on the move kansas city — March 4–7

Alumni gathering in Kansas City as part of MIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. Denver — March 26 6 p.m.

Join us at the Madden Museum of Art, named in honor of UNO graduate and noted developer John Madden. Minneapolis — May 22 Tailgate 4 p.m. Game 6:10 p.m.

Join fellow graduates for the Minnesota Twins vs. Milwaukee Brewers baseball game at the new Target Field. For details visit www.unoalumni.org/mavsonmove or contact Elizabeth Kraemer toll-free at UNO-MAV-ALUM (866-628-2586) or email ekraemer@unoalumni.org

travelin’ mav Climb aboard one of three fantastic cruises offered in Fall 2010 through an exciting new UNO Alumni Association travel program taking graduates to the Rhine (Sept. 18-26), Paris (Sept. 27-Oct. 5) and Egypt (Oct. 11-22).

Romantic Rhine September 18–26

Paris to Normandy’s Landing Beaches September 27–October 5

Grand Tour of Egypt October 11–22

Also scheduled is an Islands of New England Tour Oct. 1-8 that explores New England’s charms, from the cobblestone streets of Nantucket to a traditional cranberry bog. Details are available at www.unoalumni.org/travel

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

As we celebrate a new decade in 2010, we also launch the beginning of “the next 100 years” at UNO. Last year, the campus was distinguished by extraordinary growth and change. Our diverse and talented student body soared in enrollment, the campus received national recognition for its community engagement, and building for the future transformed our campus as new parking, housing, learning and campus life facilities were completed.

Expanded Alumni Web Site Debuts When did UNO’s first alumna, Claudia Galloway, graduate? How can you register for the next Mavs on the Move outreach? Is next Tuesday available in the Thompson Alumni Center? Answers to these and many other questions can be found on the UNO Alumni Association’s newly revamped and expanded Web site, www.unoalumni.org. The site’s most powerful feature — available only to graduates — is access to an online Alumni Directory tied to the UNO Alumni Association’s records database that includes all alumni. The directory only provides a graduate’s name, initial graduation year, city and state, email address (if made available) and living status. Registered users can choose to display more information or to hide default information shown. They also can send emails to fellow graduates who have addresses on file and have given permission for their address to be linked to. Emails are sent “blind” without recipient addresses showing via a “Send Message” feature. First-time visitors must register to access the Alumni Directory and other site features.

Once logged in visitors can click “Your Directory Profile” to see their information on file with the association or make changes via a “Profile Update Form.” Registered users also can provide a Class Note, which can be displayed online and published in an upcoming issue of UNO Magazine. An archive of Class Notes can be searched by name, city and graduation year. Other site features: Detailed information on renting the Thompson Alumni Center event facility. Program descriptions for travel, insurance, scholarships and awards. Golden Circle, ROTC Alumni, Students and UNO Young Alumni information. Links to an online giving form and to benefits accorded donors. A calendar, online registration form and detailed event information. A Communications section providing UNO Magazine content and links to the association’s social media pages. For these and other features, log-in or register today at www.unoalumni.org

During his annual convocation address in October, Chancellor John Christensen articulated his vision of UNO’s future, a vision of unlimited possibilities. “We are the stewards of the future. Let it be said 100 years from now, that we took a good university, and made it great. That our actions set us on a course for success, and that we left for future generations a university that will not only stand the test of time, but thrive in the experience.” Past financial support of UNO alumni and friends to the Annual Fund has made a powerful impact on our university, creating dozens of scholarships, making possible hundreds of events and sustaining the Thompson Alumni Center. Gifts to the university are an investment in its future, and in the lives of its students. Your future support will sustain the momentum of traditional alumni programs, including exciting advancements in alumni communications, faculty recognition and scholarships, and will foster the growth of new, innovative programs, including the Young Alumni Group. Please consider joining us on this course for success as we look toward a future of unlimited possibilities. Simply complete the attached business reply envelope with your gift in any amount, or donate online at: www.unoalumni.org/give. You’ll receive a UNO Alumni Card, good for a variety of benefits, privileges and discounts across campus.

COLLEGES

UNO Center to Focus on Israel, Jewish Studies

In a country loaded with some of the world’s oldest artifacts and a wealth of modern day international political challenges comes something new — UNO’s Natan and Hannah Schwalb Center for Israel and Jewish Studies.

Dr. Guy Matalon leads the center — founded within the past year — and he sees it playing an important, growing role.

Born in Jaffa, Israel, Dr. Guy Matalon immigrated with his family to Los Angeles in 1981. Now he heads a UNO-based center that studies his native homeland.

Israel, he says, is, of course, intimately linked with U.S. foreign policy. As such, it is a rich field of research. But the expanse of Israel and Jewish studies is much broader and deeper than just political fodder. Studies also can focus on religions, history, art, medicine, law enforcement, technology and business, and more. “There’s a reason Warren Buffett bought an Israeli company and sank $4 billion into it,” Matalon says. In 2006, Berkshire Hathaway bought an 80-percent share in Iscar Metalworking Cos., an industry leader in metal-cutting tools. One of the UNO center’s namesakes, Natan Schwalb, came to the United States from Israel

more than 50 years ago as a 16-year-old. The Omaha-based businessman and UNO alum (’64) says that he and his wife, Hannah, saw a need and began working with the university to meet it several years ago. Most centers focused on Judaism and Israel are located on the coasts. “We thought in the long run it (the center) will be very beneficial,” Schwalb says. “I don’t see the need declining in the future.” The center already has hosted a visit by former U.S. ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk and a study trip to Israel will take place in the spring. Class offerings under the auspices of the center are ramping up across different disciplines — film studies, religion, history and archaeology. Matalon and Schwalb would like to see Jewish and Israeli studies become an area in which students can minor. To get there, the center will continue to expand ways to connect faculty, students and staff to counterparts around the globe. Future plans could include a formal exchange program with an Israeli university. “We have very much kept UNO’s mission in mind,” Matalon says. “We need to be studentcentered. We need to keep the community involved.” By Tim Kaldahl, University Relations

Sitting Up and Taking Notice of UNO Research Local children are sitting up and taking notice to the efforts of researchers at the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility and Munroe-Meyer Institute. The team is working to increase advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of infants with movement difficulties, especially those with moderate to severe cerebral palsy — a disability caused by brain damage near or at the time of birth.

they grow into adults,” Harbourne says. “As you can imagine, if you can’t sit, you can’t function very well.”

“It is vital to influence children’s systems while they are still ‘plastic,’” says Dr. Nick Stergiou, director of the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility at UNO.

The researchers are investigating ways to improve sitting posture through various treatments and physical therapy. By working with the children early, they also hope to eliminate the need for surgical interventions, which are often necessary for the severely disabled.

Research participants receive physical therapy intervention and assessment at the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Stergiou and his team then analyze the collected data at UNO.

Through funding from a new Nebraska Research Initiative grant, researchers are also developing the Balance-o-Gram, a portable platform to assist with data collection for balance impairment by physical therapists.

Reggie Harbourne, a pediatric physical therapist with the Munroe-Meyer Institute, is a key component of the project. With more than 30 years of experience treating children with movement and postural disorders, she is an enthusiastic advocate for the research.

Dr. Stergiou said it is important to continue this project, as statistics show three babies of every 1,000 live births are affected by cerebral palsy.

Funded by a $600,000 National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research grant, the three-year study has shown progress with the study of sitting postural development of infants. Children usually learn to sit between 5 and 8 months of age, but those who are at risk for or have the diagnosis of cerebral palsy may not sit until age 2 or later.

“I have always been driven to try and figure out what type of intervention is best for the children so they can progress and be more independent as

“The research is very important because providing interventions earlier in life translates to better motor function later on,” he says. “Sitting is the first important postural milestone babies achieve.” By Beverly Newsam, University Relations

COLLEGES

UNO Gives Life to Omaha Graffiti Scan

Making Tracks

Small steps are making a big difference in community-based cooperation among UNO’s Neighborhood Center (NC), the Center for Public Affairs Research (CPAR) and the City of Omaha. The joint effort, Omaha Graffiti Scan, was born from requests to the Neighborhood Center about cleaning up graffiti in the metro area. “Before Graffiti Scan was created a lot of time was wasted driving around looking for graffiti,” says Crystal Rhoades, assistant director at NC and a 2004 UNO graduate. “So, we came up with a better way to harness volunteers.” CPAR’s Russ Smith created the Graffiti Scan program. The Neighborhood Center provides volunteers with a GPS unit, which is used to take a photo and record the location of graffiti. Next, a graffiti scan of an area is completed with an aerial map pinpointing graffiti locations and the type of surface that needs to be cleaned. “A utility box doesn’t have an address — it’s a lot easier to see where you’re going on a map,” Rhoades says. “Thanks to graffiti scan, volunteers can go out and have the exact location for cleanup.” Since its inception the center has targeted more than 1,000 locations. Rhoades says the highest concentration of scans has been 200 locations in a 12-block radius. “We knew it was a success because of the huge response of people from the community wanting to volunteer,” Rhoades says. “It is a very powerful experience for the volunteers. I do a lot of community work in South Omaha and Midtown. They have found this to be a program where they feel like they’re getting something done.” According to Rhoades the city only has three employees dedicated to graffiti cases. They usually handle sandblasting requests. “Our volunteers work on smaller projects,” Rhoades says. “We use chemicals or paint for our cleanup.” Each volunteer receives a graffiti kit, which includes a graffiti solvent, wipes, paintbrushes, rollers and trays. The cost is $25 and is covered through grants.

You might want to call it a story of large footprints and small footprints In 1909, paleontologist Earl Douglass discovered a quarry in northeast Utah that has yielded fossil footprints of 150-million-yearold dinosaurs. Today that quarry is Dinosaur National Monument. One hundred years later, University of Nebraska at Omaha paleontologist George Engelmann came upon small mammal footprints in the same national monument. “This is very exciting stuff and these footprints had not been found in this area before,” says the 30-year teaching and research veteran of UNO’s geography-geology department. “I’ve been working at the national monument for the past four years and last summer monument paleontologist Dan Chure and I were looking at layers of rock that had once been sand dunes when we found hundreds of small footprints in the rock. “We were amazed to find these. We had been walking all over the place looking for these inter-dunes, and we went up a narrow canyon where the inter-dune layers were about one to two meters thick when we saw the tracks.” During the early Jurassic period, this area of northern Utah was comprised of massive sand dunes with wetland areas located between the dunes. Engelmann says they have found dinosaur tracks previously, but nothing like the small footprints that came from furry mammals the size of a rat or chipmunk. These early mammals, now non-existent, numbered in the hundreds and probably were out feeding at night about 190 million years ago when they walked across the moist sand dunes. When the next layer of sand blew across the dunes, the tracks were preserved between the layers. “These little guys were running up the dunes either in big numbers or maybe they were turning around and going up many times,” Engelmann says. Study of the footprint-covered site is in an early stage.

Rhoades would like to see preventive initiatives implemented, such as a mural project, mentoring and after-school programs.

“The tracks will not be excavated, but we hope they can be reproduced digitally so they can be displayed,” Engelmann says. “This is a big mystery and very much a puzzle. We will try out different ideas and see if we can find anything in the evidence that will give us a chance of either supporting or rejecting our ideas.”

More information is available at www.unomaha.edu/graffitiscan. Rhoades can be contacted at 561-7569 or crhoades@unomaha.edu

Engelmann plans to return to Dinosaur National Monument over the next two years to continue his research.

By Becky Bohan Brown, University Relations

By Tim Fitzgerald, University Relations

Nebraska has laws for children buying graffiti supplies, but it is not always enforced.

ATHLETICS

No teams were competing, but the summer of 2009 was hardly a season of inactivity for the UNO athletic department.

A Gala Event Following the initial success of its first-ever Night With The Mavs, the UNO athletic department is making the second annual event even bigger by recognizing the newest inductees into the UNO Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the night’s festivities. Football player LaRon Henderson, hockey player David Brisson and soccer player Stephanie Kirby will be recognized at the event March 31 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in LaVista, Neb. LaRon Henderson became UNO’s all-time leading rusher during his career, which spanned 1987 to 1990. He finished with 2,720 yards, now third highest in school history. His best game came in his final appearance for the Mavericks when he rushed for a then-school record 233 yards against South Dakota in 1990. That one-game total still ranks eighth in UNO history. The native of St. Joseph, Mo., was named to the all-North Central Conference second team three times. David Brisson set the school single-season and career scoring records when he played at UNO from 1999 to 2003. He finished with 65 goals and 79 assists for 144 points, a mark that is still third-best in UNO history. He had a then-school record 47 points during the 2000-01 season and is still fifth-best in that category. A native of Quebec City, Quebec, Brisson was a first-team all-Central Collegiate Hockey Association selection in 2001 and was a member of the CCHA All-Academic team as a senior. He is one of three players to play in a school-record 159 career games. Stephanie Kirby is a two-time first team All-American and a four-time member of the all-North Central Conference team. The Elkhorn, Neb., native helped lead the UNO soccer team to three NCC tournament titles and second- and third-place finishes in the NCAA Division II tournament. She was also a CoSIDA Academic AllAmerican and a member of the NCC All-Academic team three times. In addition, she was a two-time selection to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar All-American First Team. The Omaha World-Herald named her the state’s College Female Athlete of the Year in 2003. She finished her career with 25 goals and 33 assists for 83 points.

UNO Alumnus Makes Significant Gift Not long after the Methodist Announcement (see right), UNO Athletic Director Trev Alberts announced that the athletic department had received a significant financial gift from the family of David and Peggy Sokol. The gift, later revealed to be $1 million, has been earmarked for the purchase and installation of video scoreboards for both Sapp Fieldhouse and Al F. Caniglia Field. “As an institution and as a department, we are humbled by the generosity of the Sokol family,” said Alberts. “David and Peggy Sokol have such a distinguished history of giving to the greater Omaha community, and we are grateful that they have seen fit to support our mission of making UNO athletics one of the premiere programs in the country. David Sokol

The Sokols’ donation was given in honor of D.J., their late son. Sokol is a graduate of UNO and played for the UNO football team. He received the UNO Alumni Association’s highest honor, the Citation for Alumnus Achievement, in 1992.

Prior to the start of the athletic season, UNO athletic administrators and representatives of Methodist Health System announced an extensive corporate partnership that allows the university to further its commitment to its women’s teams. As part of the agreement, Methodist became the presenting sponsor of Maverick women’s athletics. The agreement has a unique twist: All babies born at Methodist are signed to a letter of intent to play for UNO in the sport of their choice beginning in 2027. The child’s parents also will receive complimentary tickets to UNO women’s athletic events. While the letter of intent is a bit of tongue-in-cheek marketing, principals on both sides of the agreement were serious about the benefits of the partnership. “Women’s athletics had its genesis at UNO back in 1968, and because of the efforts of our studentathletes, coaches and administrators such as assistant athletic director Connie Claussen, it has remained strong,” said Michele Roberts, associate athletic director/senior woman administrator. “This partnership will ensure that the work done by so many people to provide these athletic opportunities for young women will continue to flourish.” “This partnership makes great sense not only because it brings together two of Omaha’s leading employers, but also, two employers who are clearly committed to helping advance women in our community,” said Methodist Hospital President and CEO Steve Goeser. “It also provides Methodist with expanded opportunities for helping to educate the women of the region on healthcare issues important to them and their families.” In addition to ensuring a consistent stream of studentathletes well into the future, the partnership will mean that Methodist Health System has a prominent place in all UNO athletic venues, in its publications and on the official athletics’ Web site www.omavs.com.

ATHLETICS

UNO ON THE WEB UNO Finds Several Homes via Social Media The next time you’re catching up with family members and former classmates on Facebook and Twitter, consider also connecting online with UNO.

Get Your Walking Shoes On UNO athletics will celebrate the silver anniversary of the UNO/Diet Pepsi Women’s Walk on Saturday, April 17, on campus. The marquee fundraiser for women’s athletics has raised more than $3.75 million since its inception, helping to fund scholarships for UNO’s female student athletes. Rain didn’t dampen the turnout at last year’s event, which drew more than 700 walkers to Sapp Fieldhouse. Last year’s walk even exceeded its fundraising goal, bringing in more than $270,000. The 2010 Women’s Walk currently is looking for team captains to form teams for the walk. For more information, contact Women’s Walk secretary Roxie Freeman at (402) 554-2533.

Here’s a roundup of social media links for a number of UNO colleges and organizations. For direct links, visit www.unoalumni.org/links Campus Recreation

KANEKO-UNO Library

www.facebook.com/unocampusrec

www.twitter.com/kanekolib

Classical 90.7 KVNO

MavCard Services

www.twitter.com/kvno on Facebook search for “Classical 90.7 KVNO” or visit www.facebook.com/ group.php?gid=54520654578

www.facebook.com/mavcard

College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media

on Facebook search for “UNO College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media” or visit www.facebook.com/ group.php?gid=92052521573 College of Education

www.facebook.com/unocoe Criss Library

www.twitter.com/unolibrary on Facebook search for “UNO Criss Library” or visit www. facebook.com/pages/UNO-CrissLibrary/121501351516 The Gateway

Milo Bail Student Center

www.twitter.com/MiloBailSC www.facebook.com/uno.mbsc School of Public Administration

www.twitter.com/unospa www.facebook.com/unospa UNO

www.twitter.com/unomaha www.facebook.com/unomaha UNO Alumni Association

www.twitter.com/unoalumni www.facebook.com/unoalumni UNO Athletics

www.twitter.com/omavs www.facebook.com/omavs UNO Bookstore

www.facebook.com/unobookstore www.twitter.com/unogateway on Facebook search for “UNO Gateway Student Newspaper”

Just in the past year the university — along with a number of colleges, departments and on-campus organizations — have developed strong followings from current students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters in what’s becoming an easy and effective way to communicate. With just a few clicks of the mouse, Facebook and Twitter users can find online groups dedicated to the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, UNO Athletics, the Milo Bail Student Center and Classical 90.7 KVNO, to name a few. Each social media outlet can quickly and easily provide event information, campus news, honors, awards and even stories from UNO alumni. In many cases, information that was only published in printed newsletters, sent via email or featured on department Web sites is now “pushed” to users who spend time online and become fans (on Facebook) and followers (on Twitter) of UNO. Lessons about social media usage even are finding their way into campus classrooms. “We’re beginning to teach our communication students social media skills, which are now needed for media and public relations professionals,” says Dr. Jeremy Lipschultz, director of UNO’s School of Communication. “Our Online Media students this past fall used Twitter and Facebook to promote their blogs. Lipschultz isn’t just talking about social media as a way to exchange information; he’s using it on campus and in the community, as well. “I cover events using Twitter and Facebook updates,” Lipschultz says. “I’ve been told by readers that my use of iPhone photos creates the experience of being at an event.” By Wendy Townley, University Relations

SIGHTS & SOUNDS

sights Snowmaha UNO’s campus — and the rest of Omaha — was under a perpetual blanket of snow since a major storm hit campus in early December. A total of 24.6 inches of snow fell in 2009’s final month, eclipsing the December record of 19.9 inches set in 1969. Another 8 inches fell in January.

Marlin Briscoe Former Omaha University quarterback Marlin Briscoe had his jersey retired Oct. 24 at the UNO-Central Missouri football game. Briscoe, who played quarterback for Omaha University, later was later drafted by the Denver Broncos and became the first black starting quarterback in professional football.

Rake-A-Thon Maverick student-athletes lent a helping hand with leaves throughout Omaha in November. The annual UNO Rake-A-Thon took the volunteers into the community to help out homeowners unable to do yard work. Rakers included members of the UNO softball team pictured.

Commencement Nearly 950 students graduated Dec. 18 during UNO’s winter commencement ceremony at Omaha’s Civic Auditorium. Megan Schuster, an Omaha native, presented the student commencement address. She graduated summa cum laude with a BSBA. Deborah Smith-Howell, UNO’s associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies, received the Chancellor’s Medal. Lori Hogan, co-founder of Home Instead Senior Care, was honored with the Citation for Alumnus Achievement (see page 6).

Canned Food Drive Eta Sigma Gamma, a health education honorary organization at UNO, hosted the 14th Annual Bell Tower Challenge Oct. 17 at the Henningson Memorial Campanile. Teams of UNO students, faculty and staff competed to stack as many food cans as possible while the bells toll at noon. All was donated to the Omaha Food Bank.

Haunting Sounds Costumes, jack-o-lanterns, decorations, colored lights and music were found Oct 27 at the Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Halloween concert — the Haunt-cert — in UNO’s Strauss Performing Arts Center.

SIGHTS & SOUNDS

Marijuana Legalization

There is no doubt in my mind that marijuana is the gold standard of medicine and the refusal to accept this medicine is based on profiteering by the pharmaceutical companies who only want synthetic drugs that they control patents on. Steve Hager, editor-in-chief High Times magazine and proponent of marijuana legalization

When one smokes, only a small amount of cannabinoids can be expected to reach the tumor. Most pro-legalization people are not pro-counterculture, they’re not marijuana medicine people, they’re not hemp people. They want to use it as their intoxicant of choice: ‘I want to get stoned and I don’t want to get hassled about it.’ Robert M. Stutman, 25-year DEA veteran and opponent of marijuana legalization

Both spoke at “Heads vs. Feds: The Debate Over the Legalization of Marijuana” presented by Maverick productions Oct. 28 in Milo Bail Student Center. More than 500 students and others attended. Reported in Oct. 30 UNO Gateway.

I think anyone who watches these situations is going to have a visceral response from seeing the devastation. The Battle The basic facts are that 80 percent of the population of Pine Ridge are for Whiteclay considered alcoholics. Taylor Kee, Creighton University professor of business and director of Creighton’s Native American Center Spoke Nov. 10 on The Tragedy of Whiteclay, Nebraska: Alcohol and Sovereignty. Reported in Nov. 13 UNO Gateway.

UNO has a special place in my heart. I’ve always had positive experiences here at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. It changed my life. There was a time when I was actually going to drop out, but Importance I will tell you, because of the Native American studies program, that was why I stayed. That’s a fact. My grandmother, Margorie Bigfire, of Education would always tell the grandchildren, ‘You need to get your education so you don’t have to struggle.’ I took her words to heart. Maunka Morgan UNO alum (‘01) and Winnebago Tribe From his lecture The Future of Self-Determined Native Nations: A Practitioner’s Perspective, at the Nov. 2 College of Arts and Sciences Centennial Alumni Lecture Series. Reported in Nov. 6 UNO Gateway.

sounds

Stealing from UNO

I say I stole from [UNO Professor] Mike [Skau] with all due respect, and respect it is because I think that what Eliot says about poets applies to teachers. Immature poets, or teachers, borrow. Mature poets and teachers steal. Marc Manganaro UNO graduate (‘77) and dean of College of Arts and Sciences at Gonzaga University Spoke at the College of Arts & Sciences Centennial Speaker Series. Reported in Dec. 8 UNO Gateway.

Also on campus Randolph Nudo, internationally distinguished neuroscientist and director of Landon Center on Aging at University of Kansas Medical Center. Lecture: Brain Machine Interfaces for Modulating Recovery After Stroke. Zohreh Talebizadeh, director of autism research at Children’s Mercy Hospital; assistant professor in University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Lecture: Exploring New Approaches in Autism Genetic Research: Thinking Outside the Box. George McCully, author of Philanthropy Reconsidered Lecture: What’s Next for the Future of Philanthropy. Martin Indyk, former United States ambassador to Israel. Lecture: The New Administration — Making Peace in the Middle East.

PARTNERS

Conestoga Magnet Center students know about money. They understand that it takes effort, research and intelligence to make it grow. They very much know the green stuff does not fall off trees. UNO has helped with that education for more than five years.

COE student William Urban with children at Conestoga Magnet Center.

Putting Stock Into Investment Education “Students get regular economic instruction, really, starting when they first come to school in kindergarten,” says Mary Lynn Reiser, assistant director in UNO’s Center for Economic Education. “Economics and personal finance instruction continues all the way through sixth, and the students really take to it.” Reading about business and investment is one thing, doing it is another. Enter the Conestoga Capital Fund. Each grade level, first through sixth, received $20,000 from the Sherwood Foundation at the end of the 2007-08 for real-world economic education. Weitz Fund Investments manages the funds for first through third grade, and the students have instruction about what investments are, what makes a good company and why having investing goals are important. It’s far from a dismal kind of science, and the program took off in earnest during the 2008-2009 school year. Starting in fourth grade, students begin applying what they have learned and start researching individual companies with an eye toward investing the Sherwood grant money. Erin Ruis, the economic education specialist at Conestoga (who works closely with the UNO Center for Economic Education), says the students take the work seriously. A smaller set of students at each grade level — an executive group — narrows the choices to about 10 investment options. “These selected students meet and become a board of directors to research investments,” Reiser says. They get assistance, of course, from their classroom teachers, from financial curriculum, Ruis’ instruction, and from real experts from the Omaha-based Weitz Funds. After choices get further refined, the students make decisions and five stocks—each representing around $1,000 invested — are

purchased. By the end of fourth grade year, that leaves $15,000 in a Weitz Mutual Fund account. In fifth grade, the process repeats and $5,000 more is invested in individual stocks. Fifth grade ends up with $10,000 in kid-directed investments and $10,000 in the Weitz Fund. In sixth grade, the program caps out with 15 individual stocks and $5,000 left in the fund. Profits accumulated by the end of sixth grade end up buying something to benefit the school, and the initial seed money of $20,000 goes back to first grade to start the cycle over. The first cohort of fourth- through sixth-grade investments will be completed in 2010-11. At the end of last year (the first full year of the program and a lousy year for investments by any standard) the sixth-grade class actually made a $2,500 profit, and it went toward outdoor benches near the school’s flagpole. What Conestoga has is “a dream program,” said Principal David Milan. He and Ruis both say the students learn more than just economics thanks to the program. Students increase their technology skills by using the Internet for research; they improve their writing when drafting investment recommendations; public speaking gets polished, too. The children also become more aware of their world. A story Ruis likes to tell is about how a student, a boy, came up looking sad and concerned one day. “Ms. Ruis, did you watch the news last night? The Dow went down 700 points,” said the boy. “A bad day for stocks was a great day for education,” she says. “This is the reason I go to work every day,” Ruis says. “This is very exciting program for me and our students at Conestoga.” By Tim Kaldahl, University Relations

GET TO KNOW

she answered

we asked Nancy Edick College of Education Dean

My first job, and what I remember most about it: Sales clerk at Natelson’s clothing store at the Crossroads. It was right next door to Goldstein Chapmans, Nebraska Clothing Store and Youngtown. All locally owned by Omaha families before Gap, Ann Taylor, etc. even existed!

One thing about me not everyone knows: I am the first one in my family to graduate from college. My favorite childhood TV program: I didn’t watch a lot of TV, but I remember watching Disney and the Ed Sullivan Show with my cousins when we gathered at my grandma’s EVERY Sunday night. My favorite weekend hangout: Or a great day — Spending the day boating with my family, a late afternoon round of golf, dinner on the deck while watching the sunset over the lake where we live. The secret to happiness is: Remembering that it’s all about your family and relationships. You’ve got to balance that with your work.

we asked

What was your first job and what do you remember most about it?

My first job was detasselling. All I know is that I hated it! Up at 5 a.m., cold wet corn stalks that seemed about 8-feet tall. Add a long, monotonous day of mind-numbing removal of tassels that included rising temperatures in the low 90’s and you had the combination of wet, hot and blistered extremities! Not fun, and all for $5.25 per hour! But it built character and I learned a lot about what I could take physically, as well as mentally, and I think in the end served me well. I think all young people should be required to detassel corn.

answered Trev Alberts UNO Athletic Director

My first real job was as a sales associate at Fashion Bug. I loved helping the diverse customers who shopped there and the employee discount definitely helped me get my start in building a fun wardrobe!

answered

Elizabeth Kraemer UNO Alumni Association Programs Coordinator

My first job was detasselling corn at the age of 12. The day I remember most was walking an 8-foot tall field of corn and having bugs get in my clothes, because the corn was so much larger than I was. It was the most trying job I’ve ever had to do in my life.

answered

Gina Halbom Student Regent Vice President

My first job was a summer job where I would umpire baseball games. The most memorable part of the job was that it was my first job and I was basically my own boss. I umpired the games by myself and the person assigning the games didn’t make contact other than by phone.

answered

Joseph Kaminski Campus Recreation Director

My first job was working on my family farm in northeast Nebraska, where we grew crops and raised animals. Most memorable to me is the life lessons it taught me – the value of hard work, perseverance, and humbleness.

answered

Dr. Michael McGinnis Peter Kiewit Institute Director

PHILANTHROPY MATTERS

UNO Chancellor John Christensen, left, and Union Pacific CEO Jim Young

Campaign for Nebraska By Jennifer Arnold, University of Nebraska Foundation

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest Benjamin Franklin 1706-1790

The words of Benjamin Franklin remind us of the promise education holds for every individual. But imagine if investing in education had the potential to create even greater dividends — to strengthen a community’s economic prosperity or move scientists closer to curing the most deadly diseases. This past October University of Nebraska and University of Nebraska Foundation officials announced a comprehensive fundraising campaign they believe has the ability to do just that. The Campaign for Nebraska seeks to raise $1.2 billion by the end of 2014. This funding would enable the university to meet high-priority opportunities and needs at UNO and the University’s other three campuses. The Foundation has raised more than $670 million toward its goal — the most ambitious in the organization’s 73-year history — since fundraising for the campaign began in 2005. NU President James B. Milliken said the university is one of the most important resources in the state. A primary goal of the campaign is to enhance the university’s ability to serve Nebraskans.

PHILANTHROPY MATTERS “We want the University of Nebraska to be the best public university in America in terms of the impact we have on the people we serve,” he says. “That’s what motivates us, and it’s what we’re working to achieve.” The campaign’s top priority is to provide students across the state affordable access to the university through scholarships and financial aid provided by private support. At UNO, for example, more than 75 percent of the campus’ 15,300 students currently apply for financial assistance. The university also seeks to expand student opportunities for global engagement. “We believe in a shrinking world and a global economy. Whatever happens around the globe has great consequences not only in this country but in Nebraska,” Milliken says. “We need to offer our students the opportunities that they would have in global capitals. We need to offer our students the opportunity to study abroad — to have an advantage as they go into the workplace — but also to prepare them for citizenship, to make decisions with knowledge about the world.” Additionally, the campaign focuses on priority areas where the university has potential to excel. These areas include early childhood education, cancer research and treatment, information technology, architectural engineering and construction, agriculture and life sciences, and water and natural resources. “The priorities for the campaign are areas that will matter to the future of Nebraska,” Milliken says. “They are also areas in which

It has been said that in order to attract the best, you have to be the best. For the University of Nebraska, this means having the highest quality educators — and to have the highest quality educators means there must be faculty support. University of Nebraska at Omaha psychology Professor Joseph Brown (pictured right), who holds an endowed position, knows the importance of faculty support. Brown says that donors’ support of UNO’s faculty helps make the university “remarkable” and helps produce outstanding teachers and researchers, which ultimately benefits students. Awarded the James R. Schumacher Chair of Ethics in 2009, Brown has used part of the stipend annually provided by the endowment fund to conduct research and data analysis of ethical issues, as well as attend conferences to receive formal ethics training — all of which, he says, would otherwise not be possible.

the university has traditionally excelled, and in which we believe we can have a global impact.” For UNO alumnus Jim Young, CEO of Union Pacific and chair of the UNO campaign committee, the campaign is a tremendous opportunity for UNO and Omaha. “In my view Campaign for Nebraska is about the opportunity to continue to call this community a great place to live in America,” he says. “Education is such an important part of that. And when you think about what UNO does for this community today, it is significant.” Young went on to site two examples he believes illustrate UNO’s influence on Omaha: more than 60 percent of educators in the metropolitan area are graduates of UNO; and approximately 50 percent of UNO’s current students are the first in their families to attend college. The campaign priorities developed for UNO are intended to directly influence the university as well as provide maximum benefit to the Omaha community and state. Three key funding areas: Building an educated work force for the future: UNO

exists to educate students, helping them develop the skills needed for success in their careers. This influences the community’s ability to recruit businesses, sustain economic growth and address future work force needs. Increasing first generation and need-based scholarships is a top campaign priority. Being able to recruit and

stipend provides funding for these projects as well as a $500 scholarship for each student who is admitted into the seminar. “This seminar offers students an education that can’t be given just in a classroom,” Brown says. “It puts them in contact with people who are different from themselves, which is critical in applying ethics. “I’m able to offer this style of class that is more typical of small, expensive colleges, not public universities, because of the Schumacher Chair.” Through the university and foundation’s previous campaign, Campaign Nebraska, 95 endowed faculty positions were created at the university. Now ranked among the top 30 public universities in research and development, and with increasing student enrollment, an even greater demand for faculty support at the university exists. “Faculty support is a top priority for every UNO college through the Campaign for Nebraska,” says Terry Hynes, UNO senior vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs. “Increased funding for endowed chairs, as well as professorships and graduate positions, is crucial to the university’s ability to competitively attract and retain outstanding faculty — those who are teaching tomorrow’s leaders.

The Schumacher Chair, established in 2007 through the estate of UNO alumnus James Schumacher, also is used to directly benefit students through the Schumacher Seminar, a multidisciplinary class taught by Brown. The class offers students a chance to learn about ethics in a traditional classroom setting and to apply that knowledge through service- “An investment in faculty today not only is an investment in our learning projects with local nonprofit organizations. The chair students but in the future of our communities.”

Faculty SUPPORT

PHILANTHROPY MATTERS retain outstanding faculty, leading educators in their fields, also is critical. UNO seeks funding to create endowed faculty positions. Engaging the community: As a metropolitan university UNO has numerous partnerships in the community’s education, business, nonprofit and social service sectors. Private funding would allow UNO to establish a Community Engagement Center on campus that supports new and existing community partnerships. Funding also is needed for the redevelopment and expansion of the College of Education with special emphasis on early childhood education, literacy and educator preparation.

Student SUPPORT By Jenna Zeorian

When asked to rank the importance of student support on a scale of one to 10, Koua Moua (pictured above), a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, replies without hesitation: “10.” Private support for student scholarship and other assistance funds is instrumental in changing many students’ dreams of attending college into reality — and Moua is one of those students. Moua, a pre-med sophomore majoring in psychology and neuroscience, received the Susan Thompson Buffet Scholarship. The scholarship was established in honor of William H. Thompson, who was a professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Omaha University, which became UNO. It awards up to $3,200 for tuition and $400 for books per semester and is renewable for up to five years or until graduation. For Moua, who is among approximately 75 percent of UNO’s 15,300 students who apply for financial aid, receiving a scholarship made a college education possible. “I started out basically with nothing. No education, no English speaking background, a big family, little money and a life of struggles,” says Moua, whose family came to the United States from Thailand in 1994 to escape conflict left from the Vietnam War. “This scholarship symbolizes success, an accomplishment that means a great deal to my family who has sacrificed so much.” One of the highest priorities in the Campaign for Nebraska is to make the university accessible to students across the state by increasing private support for student assistance, both for students with financial need and those who achieve great merit. UNO, in particular, is focused on increasing first generation and need-based scholarships. Student support is the key to keeping Nebraska’s finest students, like Moua, in the state regardless of their financial situation. “Just knowing there are kind people out there who are willing to help me out and who see the potential in me is a big relief,” he says.

Enriching campus and community life: UNO is addressing recreational,

arts and cultural opportunities and urban development. These objectives will influence the university’s potential to recruit students and the community’s attractiveness to new businesses, citizens and visitors. Philanthropic gifts would support development of athletic facilities near campus and south of Center Street. They also would allow for the expansion of the Strauss Performing Arts Center and the Weber Fine Arts building. These priorities, among others, are necessary as UNO seeks new and better ways to serve its students, provide leadership in the community and reflect the momentum and vitality of the metro area, says UNO Chancellor John Christensen in describing the unlimited possibilities the campaign provides for UNO. “The challenges are too many and the significance too great,” he says. “We can’t afford to be a good institution. We need to be great. That is what the Campaign for Nebraska is going to help us do.” Learn more about the Campaign for Nebraska at campaignfornebraska.org or call Lori Byrne of the University of Nebraska Foundation at 402-502-4920 or lbyrne@nufoundation.org

Community Engagement Center Plans are underway to build a new facility in the heart of campus that reflects UNO’s commitment to its mission as a metropolitan university. The proposed $23 million Community Engagement Center will be prominently located between the Strauss Performing Arts Center and the Criss Library, serving as an attractive front door to the campus and as UNO’s signature outreach venue. The 60,000-square-foot facility also will serve as a national model for engaged scholarship. For a metropolitan university, community engagement refers to the collaboration between the university and local, regional, national and global communities for the exchange of knowledge and resources. While community engagement is evident throughout UNO — especially through the numerous service-learning offerings and community partnerships — UNO Chancellor John Christensen has suggested that “the time has come to raise the proverbial bar.”

“If engagement is to become a core institutional practice at UNO, I believe as do many others that a home for these activities is essential,” he said during the campus’ annual Convocation last fall. The new center will support and allow for expansion of university-community partnerships, help meet growing demands for community meeting and planning space and extend the campus’ logistical resources to its community partners. Specifically, the facility will house: the Service Learning Academy; American Humanics, the Civic Participation Project, nonprofit incubator and collaborative space, the Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium (MOEC) and Building Bright Futures initiatives related to preschool to 12th grade educational outreach and truancy abatement. The new facility is among UNO’s top campaign priorities, and fundraising is currently underway. For more information contact Lori Byrne at the University of Nebraska Foundation, 402-502-4920 or lbryne@nufoundation.org

HIGH HONORS

Good Neighbor

UNO Rakes in the Honors in 2009 Based on recent news coming from the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities, UNO would be the kind of neighbor Mr. Rogers would have liked. Why so? In October the CUMU named the University of Nebraska at Omaha one of the nation’s top 25 “best neighbor” colleges and universities. The honor was one of many UNO received in 2009 (more on pages 22-23). Evan Dobelle, president of Westfield State College, announced the “Best Neighbor” honor during a presentation titled “Saviors of Our Cities: A Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships.” Among his points was that the current state of the U.S. economy makes the economic relationship between institutions of higher education and their local communities “more important than ever.” The University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California tied for the list’s top spot. UNO ranked 25th (see full list at www.wsc.ma.edu/top25saviors). The list’s 25 academic institutions were selected because of their positive impact on their urban communities, including commercial and residential activities such as revitalization, cultural renewal, economics, and community service and development. An honor roll included 100 other institutions. “I believe UNO is among the nation’s distinguished universities, serving as a national prototype for innovative interactions within our community,” said UNO Chancellor John Christensen. UNO’s inclusion mentioned that “Community engagement is one of three overarching strategic goals included in UNO’s strategic plan.” That commitment is reflected in the university’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service, home to Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Public Administration and nationally recognized for preparing students and professionals for careers in public service. The university also was cited for partnerships through the Metropolitan Omaha Education Consortium and the Nebraska Business Development Center and for its “extraordinary servicelearning offerings.” UNO’s Service Learning Academy and faculty coordinate community engagement projects in over 110 courses that enroll almost 2,000 students each year. Also in October, the UNO-administered Neighborhood Center, a community-based, neighborhood-driven organization, was recognized for its positive influence throughout the metropolitan area with the 2009 Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) Regional Service Award.

UNO Neighbors UNO neighbor Dave Van Metre lives a few blocks north of the UNO campus, which he walks every day with his dog, Tilly. Van Metre, a UNO Athletics booster, is retired from the securities business. He also was a co-owner of Travel and Transport. Dave and Tilly, a 9-and-a-half-year-old West Highland Terrier, walk every day along Dodge and through the campus. If there are activities at Caniglia Field (such as football practice) they will visit the field and the sidelines. Following their sideline visit, they will stop in the Fieldhouse for a drink of water (for both Dave and Tilly), then off towards home.

HIGH HONORS

Service With a Smile The Corporation for National and Community Service in February placed UNO on its President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for exemplary service efforts and service to America’s communities. Launched in 2006, the Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition a school can achieve for its commitment to service-learning and civic engagement. Awardees were chosen based on a series of selection factors, including scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic servicelearning courses. UNO service learning brings the talents and energy of UNO students into the service of the Omaha community. “Students not only address community needs but also enrich their own education by experiencing the real-world application of academic subjects and developing the habit of active citizenship,” said Paul Sather, director of UNO’s Service Learning Academy.

CHAPTERRIFIC The Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) in November named the UNO PRSSA an Outstanding Chapter at the 2009 National Conference in San Diego.

mojo risin’

Major: Minor:

Communications voice Using my outdoor

Get loud and proud at

UNO Recruitment Services hasn’t lost any of its “mojo.” The department’s Maverick Mojo student recruiting campaign developed by Ervin & Smith Advertising and Public Relations received several awards throughout 2009. Maverick Mojo was launched in 2006 and continues today. And it keeps getting honors. The Higher Education Marketing Report’s 24th annual Admissions Advertising Awards presented UNO and the Maverick MOJO campaign with two Silver awards, two Bronze awards and one Award of Merit in a variety of categories.

The annual awards program recognizes the outstanding achievements of the 284 PRSSA chapters across the nation. To earn Outstanding Chapter, PRSSA recognizes the chapter’s efforts in leadership, community and university service, professional development and internships.

We are so proud of PRSSA and Maverick PR, their accomplishments and adviser Karen Weber. This award highlights the great work done by all of our students and faculty. Dr. Jeremy Lipschultz director of the School of Communication

UNO PRSSA also earned first place in the 2009 National Plank Center Ethics Advocacy Awards, earning a $1,000 cash prize for the chapter and $250 for its faculty adviser, Karen Weber. The chapter presented “Ethics & Bad Behavior: It’s All About Choices,” a roundtable discussion on ethics with 14 corporate and nonprofit professionals from the metropolitan area as part of its entry. The ethics team, led by Stephanie Bonnett, a senior speech major and Maverick PR vice president of operations, partnered with the Greater Omaha Alliance for Business Ethics. Other team members were senior journalism majors Andrea Ciurej and Shannon Stawniak.

HIGH HONORS

Full of Bright Students UNO in October found itself among the nation’s top producers of student Fulbright winners, receiving a top-50 ranking by the Chronicle of Higher Education. In the tier of schools with master’s programs for the 20092010 academic year, the program awarded Fulbrights to two UNO students: Clayton Miller, a mechanical engineering major from McCook, Neb., studying in Singapore; and Josh Noonan, an international relations major from Humphrey, Neb.,studying in Azerbaijan.

Military Friendly — Twice Over UNO got a salute from the military twice in 2009. In August, G.I. Jobs magazine named UNO one of its top Military Friendly Schools for 2010, putting it among the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools nationwide to receive the honor recognizing an embrace of America’s veterans as students. In November, Military Advanced Education magazine listed UNO as a military-friendly educational institution in its third annual “Guide to America’s Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities.” The magazine is distributed to every retiring and departing Air Force member and has a circulation of about 25,000 readers. “We want military, veterans and their families to know that UNO is here to help them meet their educational goals, even amid the many demands they face serving our country,” said Hayley Patton, manager of Offutt and Off-Campus Programs at UNO At UNO, military focused offerings and programs include: An office on Offutt Air Force Base providing most UNO student services; Online degree programs; A Veterans Services office on campus to assist with GI Bill and other veteran education benefits; F lexible deployment policy; and, A Bachelor of General Studies degree featuring more than 45 areas of concentration, many of which are specifically designed to meet the career needs of military personnel. The degree recognizes previous college and some military credit, and gives 10 credit hours for at least one year of active duty service. UNO has more than 500 students enrolled as active and veteran military personnel. “There are some organizations that reach out to support war fighters, and UNO is one of those organizations,” said active duty UNO student and Air Force Tech Sgt. Jason Morse. “UNO has given me a chance to succeed and have opportunities that I would not be able to enjoy otherwise.” The United States Air Force initiated the Bootstrap Program in 1951 to encourage members of the military to “lift themselves by the bootstraps” by earning a college degree. UNO, then Omaha University, was one of only a handful of institutions nationwide to participate. Under the program, more than 12,000 individuals received degrees.

Each year the Fulbright program sends students and faculty around the globe to research and teach. It is a highly competitive program recognized around the world in higher education and international education. Under the Fulbright program, 1,559 American students in more than 100 fields of study teach English and conduct research in more than 125 countries throughout the world. More than 570 colleges and universities participated in this year’s program.

Student Earns Prestigious, Historic NIH Grant UNO doctoral student Sara Myers in November became the first doctoral student from a UNO research laboratory ever to receive a National Institutes of Health grant. Myers works in the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility and studies the gait functions of individuals with age-related diseases and disabilities. She was awarded an $86,000 research training award from the NIH. Myers’ research examines how patients experience pain and cramping while walking because of reduced blood flow throughout their circulatory system — known as Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). Adults as young as 40 suffer from this condition, and up to 30 percent of people older than 65 suffer from PAD. Myers has research participants of all ages walk for three minutes in UNO’s gait lab, located inside the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility. The participants then wear a cuff around their lower legs for three minutes. When the tightened cuff is removed, the participants then attempt to walk in the wake of reduced blood flow to their legs. The grant will allow her research to continue until her expected graduation from the University of Nebraska Medical Center this August. Myers, a native of Hampton, Neb., is working under the mentorship of Dr. Nick Stergiou, director of the Nebraska Biomechanics Core Facility. “Less than one percent of researchers across the country ever receive funding from the National Institutes of Health,” said Dr. Stergiou. Myers received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise science from UNO. She also played basketball for the Mavericks from 2001 to 2005.

Photo page 25: UNO Equestrians MeMe Palmquist, Natalie Watson, Annie Widdershoven and Virginia Stevenson. Photos by Tim Fitzgerald, University Relations

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UNO has an equestrian team?

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Horsing Around Intercollegiate Horse Show Association

By Rich Kaipust

Annie Widdershoven had been horse riding since she was 8, started teaching a horse camp at 16 and was working for an Omaha tack shop during her freshman year at UNO.

“At first, I had no idea how the ISHA program really worked,” says UNO junior Virginia Stevenson. “So we all kind of learned about it together. It was a really, really good experience as we went along.”

Horses already were a big part of her life when she realized another opportunity was out there for her.

The baton has been passed from Sara Miller to McDonald to Widdershoven as president of a program that started with a halfdozen riders. Stevenson is currently the treasurer.

Mary McDonald, a fellow employee at The Paddock, told Widdershoven about the UNO Equestrian Team. McDonald was president two years ago when the club was trying to go from a walk to a trot. “I had heard about teams at other schools, but I didn’t know UNO had one,” Widdershoven recalls. That might sum up the existence of the UNO Equestrian Team, which goes on promoting itself, growing ever so slowly and hoping to maybe someday become something bigger. Just don’t go looking for stables on campus. Or the team bus leaving for a meet. Or for coaches parked in offices in the UNO athletic department. The group of 18 riders survives on $45 dues per semester, its own money for lessons, some fundraising and a little allocation from the university. They travel in their own cars to events. Efforts are made to keep it cost-friendly. And “friendly” extends to the competition, because the 4-year-old club that is part of UNO’s Campus Recreation Department invites riders of all skill levels — even those who have never before ridden. “How much we practice is based on personal discretion, but we do require that you take at least one lesson the week prior to a show,” says Widdershoven, now a junior. “Other than that, some people go once a week, twice a week, once a month.” The UNO team competes in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association events against nine schools in its region. Among them are the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Technical College of Agriculture. The IHSA was established in 1967, and currently more than 8,300 students representing nearly 400 colleges and universities compete under its umbrella.

The UNO Equestrian Team coaches are not affiliated with the university. Carine Stava, the Hunt Seat coach, owns The Farm at Butterflat Creek. Brandi Shirley, the Western coach, is at the American Legacy Complex. UNO riders pay them lesson fees and, in turn, use their horses. “They’re very instrumental,” Stevenson says, “because we rely on their knowledge to help us become better riders.” As with other meets, riders draw a random horse rather than having or bringing their own — and proceed to make it obey with jumps, stops and turns. “It’s actually improved my riding, because you get on a horse you don’t know and you have to be able to get it to do what you want,” Widdershoven says. UNO usually tries to spread its competitors out in the four classes so they’re not all going against each other. Andrea Milne last year made the climb from regionals to zones to nationals. “We were definitely very excited,” Widdershoven says. The UNO team doesn’t have the fancy matching uniforms like Texas, a giant among the equestrian programs nationally. The Maverick riders either own their own required boots, breeches, coats and helmets — or lend among each other for events spaced out between September and May. Varsity status? For now, these riders will keep their horses taking one step at a time — and further establish a program for future Mavericks. “There are plenty of younger girls that are into showing,’’ Widdershoven says. “We’ve talked to a couple parents and kids — maybe they’re in high school or junior high — and they’re happy to hear that UNO has a team.”

Talk about a guy who’s wise beyond his years.

Most students are just starting into the meat of their bachelor’s degree programs when they’re 19.

he was just By Eric Olson

Austin Jones just finished his master’s degree at 19.

Jones received his MBA, with a minor in economics, in December, four years after he left his home in western Africa to further his education in the United States. Jones just shrugs when told that he’s the youngest person ever to receive a master’s degree at UNO. The people around him, however, are quite impressed. “It just blows me away to think about the courage he has,” says a classmate, 52-year-old Judy Sorenson. “He’s doing this on his own. This young man is over here from a foreign country, and for him to craft papers and interact with his peers, considering where some of them work, can be very intimidating. He takes it all in and lets it wash all over him.” Don’t get the idea that Jones is some nerdy wunderkind. As MBA Director Lex Kaczmarek says, he’s not a reincarnation of “Doogie Howser,” that precocious teenage physician from that early 1990s television show. Jones didn’t go through school with straight A’s, either, though he did have a solid GPA. He’s a well-rounded guy who rather than stealing away to the library would just as soon be playing racquetball in the basement of the HPER Building or video games on his Xbox 360 with his roommates. He didn’t set out to set records for accelerated educational achievement. “It was something I did,” he says, “because I could. I had the opportunity. It just happened.” As might be suspected, though, there’s much more to his story. Jones comes from a family where getting the best education possible is of paramount importance. Living a prosperous life depends on it, especially in his homeland of The Gambia, a developing country bordered on three sides by Senegal and by the Atlantic Ocean on the west. The country has a population almost identical to Nebraska’s, at about 1.8 million people. Fishing and tourism are the big economic drivers.

lived with a friend of his father. He transferred after one semester to Strayer University in the Washington, D.C., area, where he lived with an aunt and uncle. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in two years, getting on the fast track because he passed out of introductory classes through the College-Level Examination Program. As he neared graduation at Strayer, at age 17, he had to decide between going back to The Gambia or going to graduate school. “I wasn’t ready for the job market at that time,” he says. “An MBA seemed like a broad enough degree that it could be applicable to about any area of life.”

Photo by Tim Fitzgerald, University Relations

Jones says he chose UNO because it has a distinguished MBA program and is located in what he regards as a safe city.

Austin Jones

Only 40 percent of Gambians older than 15 are literate, compared with 99 percent in the United States, and the typical Gambian attends school for just seven years. Jones’ father, also named Austin, says he and Austin’s mother, Sally, pushed their son to excel in school. The elder Jones is a Coca-Cola distributor who formerly worked as an administrator and consultant in The Gambia’s fishing industry. Sally is an office worker for the World Health Organization. “We can provide for our children, but not forever,” Austin Sr. says. “We could pass on at any time. If we leave them with an education, they can be independent and stand on their own two feet.” The younger Jones attended a private primary school and, because he was so strong academically, finished in four years rather than the standard six. He went on to an international high school in the capital city of Banjul for five years, graduating at age 15. Jones came to the United States in August 2005 and attended Johnson County Community College in Olathe, Kansas, where he

Kaczmarek says no faculty member ever mentioned Jones’ age. Rather, they saw him as a strong student with exceptional organizational skills. Age was not an issue with fellow students, either, some of whom were twice his age or more. Sorenson says she worked on several projects with Jones, and though he initially would be reserved in group settings, he was eager to voice his opinion when it was time. Though Jones misses his homeland, he has grown accustomed to the United States. The fact there was no language barrier — English is the official language of The Gambia — has been a big help. He has been active in campus life, serving as president of UNO’s Pan African Student Organization and as an officer in UNO’s MBA Association. He also worked for the Center for Faculty Development and the Service Learning Academy. The fanfare he’s received from classmates and instructors for being a youthful MBA recipient has come as a surprise. Now that he’s finished with his master’s, it’s time to start looking for a job. As an international student, he is allowed to stay in the United States for a year after graduation to participate in Optional Practical Training, a program where the recent graduate gains work experience. He is not set on a specific career path but hopes to get hired in Omaha, though the economic downturn has made it tough to land a job. Kaczmarek says Jones’ youth likely will make prospective employers look at him much the same way they would a person with an undergraduate degree. Once Jones finds a job, Kaczmarek predicts, he’ll advance rapidly because of his master’s degree. Sorenson says Jones is so sharp, he’ll end up doing anything he wants, whether he stays in the United States or returns to The Gambia. “I’ll have to watch for his name in the newspapers,” she says. “He could end up being the president of his country. He has that in him.”

Starting Up in a Slowdown By Kalani Simpson

Crisis can breed opportunity. When business is bad, the right business can be really, really good.

Grant Stanley and Tadd Wood, founders and partners in the recession-baby startup Contemporary Analysis, may live by the code “Stay paranoid, 24-7.”

Contemporary Analysis with Wood as CFO and Stanley, the head handshaker, as CEO.

But afraid? No, they are not afraid.

What they and their team work in is called econometrics, a “really smart” blend of economics, statistics and math — basically proof, prediction and analysis. In business, what they do is help you “avoid surprises.” They help eliminate unknowns and — using clients’ own data — help businesses save money.

After all, as Wood, the master of numbers, put it, it is 90 percent of unprepared businesses that go under. They, on the other hand, have done their homework. Theirs was a business launched not just in the recession, but for the recession. And they are not alone. More and more laid off or similarly inspired entrepreneurs are choosing these hard times to take similar plunges. If they make it, they’ll be in good company: FedEx, General Electric, HP, Burger King — all started during down economic periods.

Which is how you make money. Especially now.

Says Silicon Prairie News “lead evangelist and promoter” Jeff Slobotski (UNO ’02), you are no longer limited by your old horizons “when the road is not completely paved.”

It was in a meeting that one of their clients said that Contemporary Analysis’ methods were the “Penicillin of the recession.”

Hitting on a partnership Wood first saw Stanley on campus at UNO — he thought Stanley was hitting on a girl, and striking out. Rather, Stanley was “interviewing” her and others. It wasn’t long before he found Wood, too, and started firing away. Wood is “really smart,” Stanley says, exhaling the words and shaking his head. Wood is about to earn a triple degree in finance and one in economics and already is working on his master’s at UNO. At last, Stanley (2008) had found the person with whom he’d launch

“The great thing about the recession,” Wood says, “is it brought (to light) all these little problems in everybody’s business.” Some of which have become bigger problems.

The problem, Wood and Stanley say, often is to get their clients and potential clients to go along with their findings, to believe in a new way of doing things. That, says Robert E. Bernier, Ph.D., assistant dean of UNO’s College of Business Administration and state director of the Nebraska Business Development Center, is a key to success in any business, no matter the economic climate: You have to believe in what you’re doing. The best type of business to get into during an economic slowdown? The same type you should get into in good times or any time, Bernier says: “The kind of business you will be motivated to work in.”

lysis; y Ana r a r o mp Conte s. ley of a busines n a t y S h h t p t a n i r a w g r hoto nd G to go up cis P eft, a e F ra n ood, l e best tim y Er ic W b d d to h a t T Ph o e y b a ot, s ight Fear n economy m n w o ad

Advice On Starting UP in a Down Economy By Kalani Simpson So, how do you start a business in a slow economy? Here’s advice from Grant Stanley and Tadd Wood of Contemporary Analysis, Jeff Slobotski of Silicon Prairie News and Robert Bernier, assistant dean of UNO’s College of Business Administration: Prepare to launch Do your prep work first. Don’t be so quick to

To put it another way, Contemporary Analysis will or won’t be successful not because it has happened upon the “Penicillin of the recession.” It will or won’t be because Stanley and Wood live and breathe econometrics, because they believe it, and they are committed to it. As Wood says, he thinks everyone should get a degree in economics, even if it is one of the hardest degrees to get. Economics, he says, “Helps you understand how the world works in and out.” That’s the guy you want crunching your numbers. You can see why he and Stanley felt they had to make the leap.

Taking the leap That leap may be daunting, Bernier says. But for those who are motivated, who have done their homework, who are hard working, who can make others believe, the odds are not as bad as you may have heard. There are no reliable statistics, Bernier says. Not on the total number of businesses, not on how many of them succeed or fail. The old line is that 80 percent of small businesses go under, but does that include someone who does sewing from home one year and then doesn’t the next? Who knows. Besides, Bernier says, many of the people pumping up those doomsday statistics are small-business owners themselves. Why? “It makes them look like a superhero,” Bernier says. No doubt, it is tough to make a new business work. You’d better cover your bases first. Stanley prepped for a year before putting any money into CA, interviewing fellow UNO students and meeting with CEOs around town to ask for advice. Slotbotski, of Silicon Prairie (think Silicon Valley, but, here), deals in inspiration, in spreading the word, in showing examples. He loves chronicling the rise of Omaha’s “creative class.” But he also helps entrepreneurs connect with each other in order to find and share resources. One of his mottoes is, “You guys should meet.” At Silicon Prairie, Slobotski works with entrepreneurs who are launching mostly Web-based businesses without storefronts. They do a lot of freelance projects and use social media to spread the word. He sees some excited about leaping, and others who have no other choice. In this era there is less risk than there used to be, Slobotski says, in striking out on your own. But as always, it’s imperative to be committed, driven and smart. NBDC’s Bernier says would-be business owners need not limit themselves to the digital model. And rather than do a complete start-up from scratch, why not earn equity in an existing business and eventually own it outright? Nebraska needs small businesses, Bernier says. He thinks Mom and Pop stores can compete even with the likes of Wal-Mart — if only Mom and Pop weren’t past the point in their lives where they wanted or needed to. Bernier is hoping to help a new generation of entrepreneurs take the reins.

quit your job. Slobotski says the best time to start on your next venture is 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Have a business plan And stick to it. And work on it. And revise

as necessary. It doesn’t have to be pretty, or even well written. But it’s important. Stanley says he devotes a full day per week to working on CA’s business plan. Get a good accountant, and have that accountant at least set up your books “Don’t count on QuickBooks to

do it for you,” Bernier says. “QuickBooks is a tool. It only helps if you understand the underlying principles.” Focus Says Stanley: “Don’t give yourself an option to get out.” By the same token, “Partner with someone who is very comfortable with entrepreneurship.” Know the rules, and follow them “You are not going to

succeed if you just set up shop and ignore the rules,” Bernier says. Fill out the right paperwork. Make sure everything is legal and by the book. Know the tax deadlines and guidelines. “One of the real tragedies in this office,” Bernier says, is seeing people fail because they didn’t do this. Make sure you have the right personality You need not be a young genius, like Wood and Stanley, but you must be pretty smart. Hardworking/motivated is a big one, too. But most of all, Bernier says, you must be affable. Never forget, he says, “If you’re starting a business, you are the chief salesman.” Have a good relationship with your banker

Don’t just get your loan approved and never see him again. “Talk to him,” Stanley says. Go in for a visit, and explain how things are going. When you start up, everything’s fine, but if you need cash, it helps to have a connection. “I’ve seen businesses go under because the banker relationship wasn’t there,” Bernier says. Envision “competition” in a broader sense Go beyond

brands or price. What can you uniquely offer? What is your niche? “Provide independent services … provide alternatives for the customer,” Bernier says. Says Slobotski, “Brand yourself.” Make it bigger than yourself Allow yourself a down moment or two and allow others to invest emotionally in it. Stanley used to own Grant Stanley Lawn Service. Every client wanted his or her lawn mowed by Grant Stanley himself. He knew his next business would keep going, even if he had a day off. Network, network, network Make connections, and learn from everyone you can. Wood grew up talking business with his grandfather. He still does. Beware of scams There is no grant program to start your own

business, Bernier says. Likewise, stay on top of your credit rating. You can launch with few assets, but a poor credit rating is too much to overcome.

To make that great leap.

Control what you can, and manage risk Likewise, have

“We were scraping by on no cash flow,” Stanley says, “but we did it.”

a stable environment to ground yourself in. For some, it could be marriage and family. For Wood and Stanley, it was UNO.

They built, got their systems set up, and scraped by. A story about them in the Omaha World-Herald helped give them their big break.

Take a leap of faith “People are paralyzed by fear of failure,”

They are doing it. In a slowdown, they are speeding up.

Be married to someone with health insurance

Slobotski says. “But really, that’s just the next step.”

The snow often piled up inside Duane Sprick’s bedroom. With no heat in the upstairs of the Sprick home, young Duane relied on a horse blanket for warmth. Snow sometimes found its way inside during the night.

Patricia Sabine tells a similar story. Her father often had to take whatever his clients could offer to pay him for legal work. “My mother always said we didn’t have a lot of money, but no one else did either. We just didn’t talk about it.”

Cold winter mornings are among the memories that remain of life growing up in rural Fort Calhoun, Neb., during the heart of the Great Depression.

Dick Holland remembers neighbors stopping by the Holland home and asking for food. Drifters also stopped by the Holland’s childhood home in the Ak-Sar-Ben area, which was situated not far from railroad tracks. “Mom would feed them, too.”

“Everyone was poor, but they didn’t know any better,” says Sprick, 77, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel.

surviving hard times

Great Lessons By Kevin Warneke As decades pass, the Great Depression becomes more distant for those who didn’t live through it. For those who did, their memories of the 1930s remain vivid — as strong as the lessons they learned. For Dr. Mark Wohar, the 110 months that came to be known as one of the greatest financial catastrophes in history are fodder for students in his economics classes at UNO. Recessions came and went during the past century, Wohar says, but this financial crisis was like no other. A stock market crash felt throughout the world was followed by a banking collapse and unemployment, says Wohar, UNO College of Business Administration distinguished professor. “All these things worked together to start a global downturn that caught the world up in its vertical spiral downward.” Unemployment rates reached 25 percent, although Wohar called that estimate an understatement. Nine-thousand banks failed. “Why did the Federal Reserve let banks fail?” Wohar asks. “The Fed didn’t understand the linkage in the system and thought it was just bad bank management. The Federal Reserve could have injected liquidity into the system, like it did in the current recession. “Basically, the Fed gets failing grades for the Depression.”

Dick Holland outside his Aksarben-area childhood home where, during the Depression neighbors, and drifters would stop and ask for food.

Photo by Eric Francis Photography

Five University of Nebraska at Omaha graduates, all in their 70s or 80s, talked about living in the Great Depression and the many recessions that have followed. Mostly, the five talked about the Depression, which they said stands out because of the devastating effect it had on themselves and their country. They shared the lessons they learned from that difficult time, and how they try to apply them today.

We lived off canned food, mostly canned salmon, for a long time. I still don’t like salmon. Patricia Sabine UNO graduate 1969

As does Don Chase. His memories of the Great Depression are of being able to come and go as he pleased — at age 3 — throughout the town of Cook, Neb. His father served as superintendent of schools for the Otoe County community. His was a carefree childhood, Chase recalled. “At that point, they needed schools. They needed a superintendent of schools. My dad always had a job. I don’t remember us being deprived.” That feeling of security followed the family to Omaha, where Chase’s father worked as the shop teacher at Omaha North High School. His mother eventually worked as a substitute teacher, which left young Don in his grandmother’s care.

“Tough times made you tougher,” says the 1955 Omaha University graduate.

Throughout these difficult times, Sprick recalls, his parents remained upbeat. If anything, Sprick says, his parents worried about their children rather than themselves.

And it’s probably why Frost, a 1954 Omaha University graduate and a longtime public servant, considers himself fortunate.

Sprick remembers that his father, a carpenter, often was out of work. His grandparents lost the family farm. Sprick’s younger siblings wore his handme-down clothes.

Farmers burned corn for heat instead of trying to sell it after harvest, Sprick says, because prices were so low. His mother grew nearly everything they had to eat. “We had Victory Gardens out of necessity, before they were fashionable.”

“My dad worked ridiculous hours,” Frost recalls. “That’s probably why he did so well.”

No true definition exists to describe a financial depression. If he must produce one, Wohar says, he defines a depression as a year in which real gross domestic product falls 20 percent or more. The textbook definition of a recession, he says, is two consecutive quarters of negative real gross domestic product growth.

Tough times make you tougher

Jack Frost considers himself among the lucky ones. While the country was teetering on financial ruin, Frost moved with his parents to a new home on Chicago Street. His father, an attorney, earned an annual salary of $10,000. “We were upper middle class. We had a judge living on one side of us and a doctor on the other.

A History of Recessions Financial crises in the United States — and there have been many during the past century — typically are caused by excesses. “Monetary excesses,” says Dr. Paul Wohar, UNO College of Business Adminstration distinguished professor, “lead to a boom, and an inevitable bust.” The country’s current financial crisis, which began in December 2007 and is in slow recovery, was started by the collapse of the housing market. Real estate became a dead market, followed by bank collapses, Wohar says. Students in Wohar’s economics classes learn of the many recessions — and one famous depression — that occurred during the 1900s.

In Omaha, Chase still had freedom to roam from the family home near 30th and Larimore streets. He says he was especially proud that he could cross Ames Avenue on his own. On Saturdays, he ended up at the local theater. His parents gave him a quarter, which covered the cost of admission to the movie with enough left over for popcorn. “I was in hog heaven.”

Canned salmon and bridge Sabine’s childhood wasn’t as simple and carefree. Yes, her father was an attorney in

The Panic of 1907-08

Recession of 1926

This first U.S. financial crisis in the 1900s was caused by a run on the Knickerbocker Trust Co., which led to a monetary contraction.

(October 1926-November 1927) A strike by British coal miners, followed by a general strike. “Remember, what goes on overseas also affects the U.S.”

1918-1921 Post-World War I Recession

Severe hyperinflation in Europe spread to North America. Lost production following the war, coupled with an influx of labor caused by returning soldiers drove up unemployment.

Don’t expect to find

Beloit, Kan., but few clients could afford to pay cash for his services during the Depression. Sabine, a 1969 graduate of UNO, recalled that one client, who was charged with murder, paid his debt with roast beef. Another client, a grocery store owner, told her father he could take whatever was left in the store after his bankruptcy hearing. Her father was skilled at playing bridge, she recalls, and would supplement his income by stopping by the pool hall on the way home from work to play cards. Often, he would come home with $1 in winnings, which he promptly handed over to Sabine’s mother. “He was a very good bridge player. A dollar was a lot of money at that time. It was hard cash money. My mother could stretch it a mile,” says Sabine, 86, a community volunteer, writer and painter in Arizona. The Christmas season weighed on her father, Sabine recalls. He avoided asking his clients for the money they owed him until the final days before the holidays, remaining hopeful they would pay — with cash — without having to be reminded. When he finished collecting what he could, her father would head to the store to buy Christmas presents for his children — only to find the shelves mostly bare. “We all pretended the presents were the best thing we ever got.” Dick Holland was 8 years old when the Depression hit. His father, advertising director for a furniture store, saw his salary cut in half. The younger Holland and his two brothers were expected to find work to supplement the family coffers.

obvious connections with the country’s many financial crises during the past 100 years and the hardships faced

UNO in tough times

by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and its predecessor, Omaha University. First, trends — financial or otherwise — seem to lag when emerging in the Midwest, says UNO archivist Les Valentine.

Although Valentine says he can find no obvious

Next, the university seemed to always be in a financial crisis, he says. “We were in bad shape all the time. We had financial challenges from the start.”

“The aura of the university changed,” he says.

While interest was high in the early 1900s for forming a university in Omaha, financial support didn’t follow. Several attempts to raise necessary funds fell short before the University of Omaha was founded in 1908 under the auspice of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Omaha.

had a positive tone. “They talked about how fun it was

The university’s financial challenges continued during the next two decades, even during the 1920s — a time of prosperity in the United States. “We’re not making it,” Valentine says. “The city is going to have to vote — and hopefully take us over.”

links between the Depression and cutbacks at the university, the institution no doubt faced challenges. Still, Valentine says, conversations with alums who attended the university during the Depression always to attend,” he says. “They focused on the good times.” During the next three decades, the city failed to provide adequate funding for the university. The university was forced to rely on student tuition to provide the brunt of its budget. Failed attempts to increase the tax levy in 1963 and again in 1966 eventually led to the University of Omaha becoming part of the University of Nebraska system. Although the university’s financial challenges

In 1929, the university’s Board of Trustees decided the school could not continue as a private institution. The board voted to turn the university over to the City of Omaha — provided it would take the institution.

weren’t permanently removed when the institution

A yearlong publicity campaign included messages that parents would save money by sending their children to a local school, and the city would benefit financially because of student spending and from the new residents the university would attract to the community.

ultimately had positive effects on the university.

In 1930, Omahans voted to turn the private institution into a public one. Still, the University of Omaha’s financial challenges didn’t go away as the country entered into the Great Depression.

became part of the University of Nebraska, the move did bring stability, Valentine says. Valentine says two of the country’s financial crises The institution, during the late stages of the Great Depression, received a $414,000 grant from the Public Works Administration that paid for nearly one-half of the university’s first building on its new West Dodge location. The 1970s oil crisis led to a new focus on energy conservation. “All of a sudden, the university was encouraging students to car pool to save gas,” Valentine says.

The Great Depression

Recession of 1945

The Recession of 1953

(August 1929-June 1938) Stock market crashes followed by a banking collapse: 9,000 banks failed; unemployment hit 25 percent. “It was a devastating time that, hopefully, we’ll never see again.”

(February 1945- October 1945) Mild downturn following World War II. Returning soldiers boosted the unemployment rate.

(July 1953-May 1954) False highs, in the form of a large inflationary period, came crashing down as the Korean War came to a close.

Late 1940s Recession

Late 1950s Recession

(November 1948-October 1949) “When the Federal Reserve fails to maintain the delicate balance that exists between the money supply, interest rates and inflation, the result is a recession.”

(August 1957-April 1958) High unemployment rates and failing businesses were caused by a tightened monetary policy by the Federal Reserve.

Three things are important to remember: Consumer confidence is crucial for a recession to end, no two recessions are exactly alike and recessions will happen.

The 1930s left Holland with one overarching revelation: Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the greatest president in his lifetime. Roosevelt realized that Americans needed their government to intervene with aid. Holland is quick to point out that among Roosevelt’s legacy was the New Deal Public Works Administration, which provided funding for UNO’s first building (now known as Arts and Sciences Hall) on its current campus. “That did a lot for university morale and allowed the university to attract great teachers.” World War II pulled the nation out of the Great Depression, and Americans had a new distraction. The country came together with a common focus. Sprick’s father found work as a carpenter in a bomber plant at Offutt Air Force Base. He drove to work each day in an old Model A. Sabine found part-time work at her local weekly newspaper, before heading to Washington to work as a secretary for the Cavalry Division at the War College. Holland went to war.

hard work. Perhaps, he’s spoiled them. “They’re living too high on the hog. They don’t have values.” He explains that he worked several jobs to put himself through college. “I have some grades that will substantiate my employment.”

Holland, 88 and a 1948 OU graduate, did his part by running a lawn service and an ice house — providing ice to households that were without refrigerators. He recalls the news stories of the day, which were befitting of the difficult times: People forcing an Iowa judge from his courtroom to prevent him from ruling on a farm foreclosure; and people hijacking milk trucks, and threatening to dump the product in the streets in an effort to force prices up.

Dr. Mark Wohar UNO professor College of Business Administration

Lessons learned The many financial recessions that followed during the next 70 years may have had an impact, but the five UNO alumni always moved on. Times may have been difficult, they say, but nothing compares to life in the 1930s. They still draw on the lessons they learned. Sprick worries that his children’s generation and his grandchildren’s generation don’t understand the value of

Sabine worries about her grandchildren, recent college graduates who are having difficulty finding work. Two nephews, who work in the newspaper industry, have lost their jobs, while her daughter works for the Oakland (Calif.) Tribune, which has had staff cuts. “I think I just could never be extravagant with money,” she says. “I always thought there’s not going to be enough money. I know how hard it is to get.” Holland, who along with his late wife, Mary, has supported many local charities, says the lessons he learned start with work ethic. “There’s no substitute for working hard. You can’t get by just on your brains. There’s no such thing as easing your way through life.” The second lesson is for his country. The Great Depression forced a revolution in the way the U.S. government cares for its people. Until that time, government let its people mostly fend for themselves, he says. Roosevelt changed all that. He say that lesson is being applied to the current economic downtown. “We’re handling this recession far better because we’ve recognized it’s far better to shorten the recession with government aid,” Holland says. “If you don’t, you’re going to face the same realities of the last depression, or even worse.”

The Recession of 1960

1970s Oil Crisis

1980s Recession

Early 2000s Recession

(April 1960-Febrary 1961) High unemployment rates, high inflation rates and a poor Gross National Product rating caused this recession.

(November 1973-March 1975) Quadrupled oil prices by OPEC, coupled with increased government spending for the Vietnam War led to severe stagflation. The OPEC oil embargo in October 1973 caused gas prices to increase from 25 cents a gallon to more than $1 in just a few months.

(January 1980-November 1982) Iran’s revolution in 1979 caused a sharp increase in oil prices, resulting in an energy crisis.

(March 2001-November 2001) This recession was defined by the collapse of the dot.com bubble, corporate scandals (Enron and Worldcom) and the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

The Late ’60s Recession

(December 1969-November 1970) Unemployment and unhealthy amounts of inflation are to blame for this 11-month recession.

1990s Recession

(July 1990-March 1991): Black Monday (October 1987) caused a stock market collapse. The economy bounced back, but resulted in long-term challenges, including savings and loans collapses.

MONEY SMARTS

By John Fey

Heidi Hess’ story is not uncommon — especially for today’s graduates who fail to get a grip on their finances before moving into the full-time workforce.

When Heidi Hess left UNO a few years ago armed with a master’s degree in communications, she felt ready to take the real world head-on. She started a well-paying job with a bright future on the horizon. Then came a real-world reality check: a high student loan balance and mounting credit card debt. Worse, she eventually became unemployed and was drowning in bills. “I was paying my student loans, moved to Dallas, traveled around the world, ran up credit card debt, lived a good lifestyle and saved not a dime of my income,” Hess says, remembering the good times. But after the good times turned sour, Hess failed to make payments on her student loans and faced possible garnishment of her wages. She later was able to right her financial ship and to this day continues to work toward becoming debt-free. Her words of wisdom? “Do not ignore your student loans,” she says. “Call them. Talk to them. Don’t force them to get to the point they are going to file to garnish your wages. At that point, there is not a whole lot they can do to help you.” For more information on the Nebraska Financial Education Coalition, go to: www.nebraskafinancialeducation.org or contact Mary Lynn Reiser at mreiser@unomaha.edu

UNO students now have the advantage over Hess with the start two years ago of the Nebraska Financial Education Coalition. Mary Lynn Reiser, associate director for the UNO Center for Economic Education, participated in the birth of the statewide nonprofit coalition and sees it as a vehicle to improve students’ financial literacy. For the second straight year, NFEC in November offered a series of more than 200 seminars throughout the state as part of Money Smart Nebraska Week. UNO conducted nine seminars focusing on finances. The seminars and ongoing education are important for the current college student who needs to be able to deal with the myriad choices when it comes to spending money. It’s easy for them to fall into a financial trap, Reiser says. “When we were young,” she says, “we didn’t have as many options as they do. We had a checking account, and the only thing that was offered was a passbook savings account. We didn’t have as much access to the stock market. “Now with technology, you can sit at your desktop and invest in the stock market and pick various banks that are totally online. So you can search the whole country for the best interest rates.” That’s the good side of this wireless world. Reiser points to a hazardous side, too. “You have to be disciplined when you have this many options,” she says. “You have to say, ‘No, I don’t have income to spend on that right now.’ Credit cards are not bad. They are wonderful. They make our lives very easy.” But, she adds, consumers need to realize a credit card is totally different from a debit card. “I think sometimes we ought to call them loan cards, not credit cards,” she says. “Because what you’re doing is taking out an unsecured loan, and you’re promising to pay them back. And you’re paying a pretty high interest rate to do that.” Reiser advises anyone using a credit card to try paying the balance in one or two payments rather than just paying the minimum. And how about student loans? One recent study shows that the average student loan balance after graduation is more than $21,000. Reiser believes that, like credit cards, student loans aren’t necessarily bad, just something students need to keep a handle on. “That’s a good way to go to school,” she says. “Again, you should not borrow more money than you need. Don’t take out as much as they’ll offer you at the beginning of the semester. That’s where people get into trouble. They spend it on other things.” It’s good advice for students — and all graduates. “I always say to adults one of the things you’re lifelong learning is financial education.”

The countdown begins, a huddle forms and voices begin counting in unison, eyes glancing at the three large screens in front of them. A bell sounds and the room erupts.

“Trader! Trader!” “Sell it now!” Floor traders move in and out of the crowd, taking trades and passing along hot tips. In 60 seconds the day is done, trades are finalized and a new day begins. A scene from the New York Stock Exchange, perhaps?

Nope.

UNO

Stock Market Challenge By Lori Rice The event, held in November at the Scoular building, simulates a day in the life at the NYSE. More than 100 area high school students with the Boys and Girls Club competed on teams, trading $500,000 in mock equities during a two-month timeframe played out in 60-second days. Members of the winning team were awarded four $1,000 UNO College of Business Administration scholarships. More than 40 UNO finance students acted as floor traders for the event. The fast-paced event was launched in 2008 after Laura Schabloske, chief development officer for the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands, encountered the idea at a national event. She brought it back to Omaha as the first of its kind in the area. “It was fabulous,” says Jonna Holland, CBA associate professor of marketing, who helped to coordinate UNO’s support of the Challenge. “We are hoping that these students think of the Boys and Girls Club as a place to help with their future, not just a place to have fun,” Holland says.

The week prior to the Stock Market Challenge, the Boys and Girls Club participants took a tour of UNO’s campus and attended overview sessions on the stock market, personal finance management classes. They also learned how to play the game. “An event like this is incredible,” says Micaela Olmer, a junior at UNO and vice president of UNO’s Maverick Investment Club. “For high school students it gives them a chance to experience Wall Street and to interact with people in college and in their profession, and gives them motivation for what they are working toward.” After trailing in the initial trading days, team RockUrStocksOff (Westside Club) closed the first month of trading in first place and held onto the lead at the closing bell. They finished with an overall growth of 135 percent during the 60 trading days to finish with a net worth of $1,175,237. Tyler Sims, Aaron Gallagher, Scott Klusaw, and Taylor Uleman each received a $1,000 scholarship. Rounding out the top three teams were Yellow Jackets and Mold’Em & Trade’Em. “I thought it was pretty cool to reenact the stock market,” Gallagher says. “Our strategy was to be calm, use tokens wisely for updates and to buy low and sell high. I was really surprised we won.” The many UNO students who took part as floor traders for the event used this opportunity to expand their knowledge of the stock market and to take advantage of the Wall Street experience. “I think it’s interesting because we are actually taking part in something that’s just like the NYSE,” says Andy May, a UNO senior and president of the Maverick Investment Club. “That’s something a lot of people don’t get to experience.” UNO’s Maverick Investment Club, which has 80 student members, provided many of the UNO student participants. The Maverick Investment club manages the $400,000 Col. Guy M. Cloud portfolio, which was established in Cloud’s name after the UNO alum donated $250,000 in 2001 to create a student-managed investment program. One of the goals of the club has been to outperform the S&P 500, a feat it has managed to do every year since the club’s inception. The Stock Market Challenge concluded with an evening fundraiser comprised of 56 teams from local businesses, as well as a student team from UNO and a team of UNO faculty members. All donated money for a chance to compete. For the second year in a row “The Energizers,” from Tenaska took first prize with the largest portfolio at the closing bell. The UNO faculty team took the top spot for highest percent of growth. The event raised more than $135,000 to benefit the Midland’s Boys and Girls Club. “We are very happy with the way the event turned out,” says Paul Haskell, marketing and public relations coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands. “This is our second year that we’ve held it, and we think it’s a fantastic event on both sides, from what it does for the kids and what it does for the club as a whole from a fundraising standpoint.” In a year that has demonstrated the unpredictability of today’s rebounding economy, the Stock Market Challenge is one way UNO is helping prepare not only its own students, but future college students for the economic challenges that lie ahead. “I think things are headed up,” Holland says. “I think we still have some challenges in the market; it will continue to be volatile, but I think it’s looking positive.”

“The UNO students were really excited to be involved in a community event that also tied in with their interest in the stock market and investing. They saw how they could become part of something that contributed to the community, as well as allow them to have fun and network at the same time.”

Jonna Holland CBA associate professor of marketing

stock tips In the whirlwind that is today’s market, average investors are more wont to make decisions on a knee-jerk reaction or out of fear. Some might pull out of the market and stash the cash under the bed. But there’s still money to be made in the market. Leaving your money in stocks, says Andy May, a UNO senior and president of the Maverick Investment Club, is what most seasoned investors would recommend. “You want to ride it out,” May says. “Even in the last couple months, the market improved significantly and has made good returns.” While there may never be the perfect time to invest or the perfect product to invest in, there are some general guidelines to help you along the way. David Volkman, associate professor and chair of the department of finance, banking and law at UNO, says the key is that the stock market will always lead the economy. It is a promising indicator that the economy should improve sometime in the next two years. “What you want to look for is growth in the overall economy and growth in the overall industry and company,” Volkman says. “You should also diversify internationally. “I’d recommend looking for stocks at a low value, with high potential growth.”

Financial Literacy 101: Intro to the Pitfalls of Debt By Tom McMahon

Fred Freshman arrives on the UNO campus in late August. The anticipation of being a college freshman is heightened by all the activity — students moving into apartments, rock bands playing in front of the student center, tables filled with free food and the buzz generated by hundreds of students reacquainting with old friends and making new ones. In the midst of Welcome Week events, Fred also is confronted with some possible financial pitfalls that could affect his college career — and beyond. Next to the free food, bank representatives offer free Maverick T-shirts to students who sign up for a credit card. Fred completes the application, not giving it much thought. The T-shirt is awesome and it would be nice to have a credit card since he now lives on his own. Fortunately for Fred, his next stop is inside the student center for what might be one of the most important courses he takes — Financial Literacy 101. The seminar is led by Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Nebraska (CCCS) to educate freshmen about credit cards, living away from home, and the educational or other debt they may accumulate during their college years. The free advice inside the student center has become as commonplace as the fun outside. CCCS and UNO have partnered since 2004 to provide financial literacy education to new students and their parents.

Two-time UNO graduate Don Leu (’75 BS; ’77 MPA), CCCS president and CEO, leads the effort. In addition to presenting Financial Literacy 101, Leu and his staff also counsel students who encounter financial problems.

Avoiding Financial Quicksand “Students experience a lifestyle change going from high school to college,” Leu says. “Many are living on their own for the first time. They often experience peer pressure to buy expensive name brands and live high on the hog. At the same time, they have many opportunities to get credit cards.” CCCS cautions students to use credit wisely and watch their spending. Leu notes the holidays can be an especially dangerous time, with students overextending their credit to make Christmas merry for loved ones. During orientation, CCCS presents the same financial information to parents. Leu says they are key in helping students keep their debt under control.

Photo by Eric Francis Photography

“They need to have a one-on-one conversation with their children about how much credit they can afford.”

Wads of Wisdom

David Cicotello, UNO interim assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, says college students’ circumstances can create financial quicksand.

Don Leu, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Nebraska Inc. president and CEO, says students away from home for the first time may be tempted to go wild, signing up for pre-approved credit cards and running up thousands of dollars in debt. He cautions to be aware that the clock is already ticking on your financial future. Some tips:

Financial tips for students, graduates and other consumers

“If a student is on his or her own, rent, tuition and car payments can add up to a perfect storm of crisis. We insert the CCCS piece at the start of orientation to build consciousness.”

Limit the number of credit cards you use to one or two.

Do your homework! Shop for the lowest annual fee and interest rate.

If you use credit, be careful and be sure you can pay it off in a few months.

Keep track of where and how much you spend on your credit card.

The UNO-CCCS partnership began with an Omaha Community Foundation grant. Cicotello says the foundation was looking for an educational partner to promote financial literacy.

Graduating with credit card debt is a burden you should not have to bear. Carrying debts after college can impact your ability to rent an apartment, buy a car or even get a job. Plan ahead and get help if you get into trouble.

Check your credit report annually.

If you have a joint account with your spouse, be sure to communicate with each other so you know the entire impact of your purchases.

During the orientation, CCCS informs its audience about their office’s credit counseling services should debt overwhelm them. “For new students, the debt management piece is critical,” Cicotello says. “But at the end of the day, when are they ready to listen? Some will not be until they hit bottom.”

Adult debt Leu says by the time the average CCCS client comes for help they have accumulated $17,000 in credit card debt. Pulling out of that debt takes discipline and is usually about an 18-month process, he says.

CCCS staff works with students to “I was thrilled to include this resource reduce credit card payments over a longer 8 Avoid late payments and make your payments ahead of time to allow in our orientation program. Students face period at a lower interest rate. Customers for processing. many challenges, one of which is money must also take scissors to plastic and adopt a cash-only budget. management. With the number of credit card offers, students can be easily drawn into that kind of debt.” Leu says his office provides free budget and debt counseling and charges $25

By the numbers A 2009 Sallie Mae study supports Cicotello’s point. Among its findings: 1

Half of all college students have four or more major credit cards.

The average balance on a student’s card is $3,173.

Seniors graduate with an average credit card debt of $4,100.

Students knew they could not afford to pay back 40 percent of the items they charged.

Leu says debt accumulation by college students has become a nationwide issue. But the seeds of financial irresponsibility are sown early, he adds. “A lot of us are spoiled,” Leu says. “We go shopping with our parents at a young age and see a toy we want. When we’re a little older, we want the more expensive designer clothing.” How parents respond to these teachable moments goes a long way in determining their children’s spending mentality.

per month to help clients develop a debt management program. Creditors also contribute to CCCS’ funding, seeing the agency as a means to recoup money it has lent to its credit card holders. Consumers are more fearful since the nation’s economic decline last year, Leu says. Graduating students with student loans and credit card debt may have difficulty finding the job they had hoped for. “The ‘enjoy now, pay later mentality’ catches up with them,” Leu says. He notes the debt age demographic has lowered in recent years, while the amount of debt has increased. The 40- to 55-year-old CCCS client age range five years ago is now 25 to 55, while the average debt has increased by several thousand dollars, Leu says. Cicotello’s office sees students whose finances are on a downward spiral. He says it is too soon to know what impact the current economic downturn will have. The university provides financial aid and also has a limited emergency loan program for students whose circumstances warrant assistance.

That is the primary reason CCCS presents Financial Literacy 101 to both students and parents, says Leu.

“We had a student this fall who had his books stolen,” Cicotello says. “We loaned him money to purchase new ones. It is a short-term remedy to a specific set of circumstances.”

Leu says that while lifestyle purchases usually provide the tipping point to serious debt, college costs also can add to the problem.

He says the university’s counseling office is usually the first stop for financially troubled students, but counselors refer many to CCCS.

According to information provided by Cicotello’s office, 48 percent of UNO 2008 graduates left school with debt. This compares to 70 percent at UNK and 61 percent at UNL. UNO’s lower figures are likely the result of more students working during their college years and more living with their parents, he says.

If new graduates don’t get that job they planned on, Leu suggests discussing their financial situation with their parents.

The average debt on all three campuses is close to $19,000.

He advises students to use one or two credit cards to build a credit record, but to pay off the cards each month. He adds it is also important to shop for the best interest rate and to keep track of credit card expenditures.

Leu notes the impact of a rise in tuition. In 1971, when he would have been a freshman, tuition was $18 per credit hour. With inflation, that would come to about $96 today. But Leu’s son, who is currently enrolled, pays about $170 per credit hour.

But, the window for students to secure a credit card is closing. The 2009 Credit CARD Act takes affect in February 2010 and requires those under 21 to have a cosigner or show proof of income in order to open a credit account.

While the University and CCCS work to educate students and parents during Financial Literacy 101, both realize the effort isn’t always successful.

That may force some of those one-on-one parent-student communication sessions Leu recommends.

b o j e b m i o j t l a l My fuis looking for

FINDINGWORK By Christine Kasel Adam Schaal had his professional future set in concrete — a “dedicated career path.” His ultimate goal: teach structural engineering at UNO or UNL. “I had my whole life mapped out,” says the 24-year-old. Academically and professionally, he did everything right. Unfortunately, he didn’t plan for a recession. “Now my full-time job is looking for a job.” Schaal rode a full scholarship to his undergraduate degree at UNO in 2008. He secured a full-time position at an Omaha engineering firm where he planned to work for two years while working on his master’s degree at UNO’s Peter Kiewit Institute. Then it would be off to Penn State for his Ph.D. in engineering, work in the field for another two years to gain experience and his professional license, before, hopefully, returning to Nebraska to teach. But as the economy slumped, developers pulled out of planned projects and the engineering firm lost a lot of work. Then, three months before his May 2009 graduation, Schaal lost his position at the company. Now he’s well educated, highly motivated — and jobless.

In company with no company Nationally, he has plenty of company. There are an estimated 2 million recent graduates without a job, says UNO Career Center Director Michelle Perone.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2009 Student Survey, less than 20 percent (19.7) of the 2009 graduating seniors seeking a job had one lined up at the time of graduation, compared with 26 percent in 2008, and 50 percent in 2007. Despite Schaal’s experience, Perone says that UNO students do tend to fare better than most. “Our students tend to work a lot during their tenure at UNO,” she says, often with firms related to their industry, “and many stay with that company after graduation.” Schaal may be going through a tough time on his chosen career path, but his plan on how to achieve his goal is still a good example of how to secure a job in your chosen field. Even students who worked at companies not related to their degree are wary of leaving their guaranteed current positions. Many are holding on to their non-field jobs until the employment situation improves, says Perone. That may be a while. Companies nationwide expect to hire 22 percent fewer graduates than in previous years. Department of Labor statistics project that the employment environment will improve, but it may take a while for a full recovery. Until then, students and alumni will have to be patient, persistent, and perhaps explore options they hadn’t previously considered. One of the greatest things about a liberal arts degree, says Perone, is that it is easily translatable into a variety of fields. A liberal

arts major has picked up good oral and written communication skills. They are capable of analytical thinking and decision making — these are skills sought after by a wide variety of employers. “In this tough economy, sometimes you have to leave your options open,” Perone says, “and look in all sorts of places you might not have thought about.” For example, a communication major who originally may have intended to work in print publications may look at a financial organization. “There still might be a place in their marketing department,” she says. Schaal has considered the possibility that it could take longer to accomplish his goals, and that he may need to think outside the career box. In that case, “I’d move into something similar, like teaching math, or

K CAREER CORNER The most important piece of advice for alumni and students is to use the full range of services offered by the Career Center, says director Michelle Perone. Those who do are significantly more successful in finding a job than those who don’t. Alumni who have graduated within the previous 12 months have access to the full range of Career Center services, including resumé and cover letter reviews and mock interviews. Many of its resources are available to alumni who have been away from campus for years. In addition to career searches, staff members also can assist in helping in the transition to graduate school. Network, network, network

Photo by Eric Francis Photography

tutoring,” he says. But he would continually try to work his way back into engineering and his calling to teach.

Career Center One of the best things a UNO student or graduate can do in his or her career efforts is to utilize the services of the Career Center. Research shows that students who take full advantage of their career center are significantly more successful in finding a job than those who don’t, or who use only the basic services such as job postings. Help from the Career Center is not limited to recent graduates and students, however. The full range of services is available to students and alumni who have graduated in the previous 12 months. However, Perone says the Center is eager to help alumni who choose to transition into graduate school, as well as those who have been away from campus for any number of years. Numerous resources are available to under- and unemployed alumni and students, including mock interviews, resume resources, online training videos, and Maverick HireWire, the Center’s job listing service. All alumni

These days, it may indeed be who you know that helps you locate, if not land, a job. Networking is absolutely the most powerful search engine you’ve got, says Perone. Networking can be conducted formally, through professional events and channels, or informally. Let friends and family members know that you’re looking for a job. Work the social circuit; don’t be shy about introducing the subject into your conversations. Remember — everyone you encounter is a potential contact. Stand out Human resource staff often have to deal with

hundreds of applications received via email, or through their company Web sites. “The key is to stand out,” says Perone. If there is a phone number or email address on the application, make contact with that person. Ask them for more details about the job. Register with Maverick HireWire The Career Center’s comprehensive job posting system, HireWire houses student and employer profiles, student resumes, job listings, oncampus interview schedules, career event schedules, and other employment information. Take advantage of the Career Fairs held on

the UNO campus each spring and fall. These events are free for students and alumni alike. The 2009 Spring Job Fair will be held March 10 at the Milo Bail Student Center. Information will be posted on the Web site in late February. A Virtual Job Fair will be held on the Maverick HireWire April 1-30; details will be posted on the Web site by late March.

and students are invited to the UNO job fairs held each spring and fall. The 2010 Job Fair will be held Wednesday, March 10, in the Milo Bail Student Center. Details on participating companies will be on the Center’s Web site in late February. The Career Center will also hold a virtual job fair this spring on HireWire between April 1 and April 30. Details on the event will be available on the Web site by the end of March. Perone’s advice to Schaal and others frustrated by a derailed, specific career plan is “don’t get frustrated with the process, especially in this economy. Sometimes it just takes time.” For those who don’t mind branching outside their field of interest “there are other options, especially outside of what you expected. Discover all your opportunities. And, of course, be patient.” Schaal remains patient, persistent, and adamant about his career goal. “My calling is really to teach at the university, and I’m doing it the best way I can,” he says. But holding a PhD is not enough; experience working in the industry is an essential component of teaching at that level. For that, he needs to find a job in his field. “I can still do it, it’s not out of the question.”

hot jobs We’ve had enough bad news over the past couple years. Let’s get to the good news: The Department of Labor expects employment through 2018 to exceed by 7.4 percent the growth experienced 1998-2008. More than one-third of the total job openings will be those that typically require a postsecondary education. Where will UNO graduates find those jobs? According to the Department of Labor Employment Predictions 2009-18 released in December, the major industries with the most expected growth include professional and business services, and health care and social assistance. More than half will be found in professional and service occupations, followed by health care and social assistance. (Good news for Adam Schaal and others who plan on working in some aspect of construction, that industry also will see an increase of 1.3 million jobs.) For more information on employment forecasts call the UNO Career Center, (402) 554-3672. The top 10 fastest-growing occupations requiring a bachelors or masters degree, through 2018: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Biomedical engineer Network systems and data communications analyst Financial examiner Athletic trainer Computer software engineers, application Environmental engineer Survey researcher Personal financial advisor BACHELOR’S MASTER’S Physical therapist Physician assistant

in TRANSITION

Photo by Tim Fitzgerald, University Relations

John Fey (pictured above) is another UNO grad who, thanks to the economy, found himself looking for a job. But Fey’s situation is slightly different than that of Schaal and his fellow 2009 graduates. Fey graduated from UNO with a degree in communication in 1977. Fey was let go from the Omaha World-Herald in 2008 after a 20year career. The writer picked up freelance work (including a story in this UNO Magazine), and had a couple interviews for full-time jobs, but nothing worked out. In the meantime, the four-time marathon runner increased his weekly workouts (though thanks to ACL replacement now strictly as a walker) and remained involved with the Omaha Running Club, sitting on the board and editing its newsletter. While helping with a September 2009 race, Mike Ewoldt, the owner of Peak Performance sporting goods store, approached Fey about a sales position. “I’ve never thought about it,” Fey says, “but now that you mention it I will.” Shortly after, Fey accepted the offer. “It’s a huge cut in pay, and I’m working on hourly wages for the first time since college,” says Fey, “but it’s a job that I thoroughly enjoy. And I’m having fairly good success at it.” Fey wanted a low-stress position, “since I’m now 57 and closing in on Social Security, hard as that is for me to believe. I like the flexible hours, and these are good people to work for and with.” Fey doubts that he will ever return to print journalism. It can be a highly stressful work environment, and the shifts hard to work around. “I would have to rethink working shifts that end at 1:30 in the morning,” he says. “My latest shift with Peak Performance ends at 8 p.m.” Fey emphasizes that he did not chose his present career path. This career chose him. “This just seemed like the right move for me in my life,” he says, “and I believe I can be very successful at it.” He’s now among the company’s highest sellers. And a good example of what happens when you keep your options open, no matter when you graduated.

It’s not likely that many CEOs begin their days happily distributing hugs to staff members and customers. But Jay Davidson does. Photos By Michael Clevenger

By Don Kohler “It is amazing. I will pull into the parking lot in the morning and before I get two steps out of my car I am getting a big bear hug from someone,” says Davidson, founder and CEO of the Healing Place in Louisville, Ky.

It was during my treatment when my career path really came into focus. Only in hindsight could I see all the ups and downs would prepare me for what I am doing today. Jay Davidson UNO graduate 1971

Established in 1993, the Healing Place shelter and recovery center serves more than 4,000 people annually and boasts 2,500 alumni of its residential recovery program, which incorporates a 12-step model and peer mentoring. “Time and time again I hear ‘Thank God for the Healing Place. It has saved my life,’” says Davidson. “That makes getting up and going to work much easier every day.” A 1971 UNO graduate, Davidson could have tossed out the alarm clock and enjoyed retirement following a distinguished career in the U.S. Army. Instead, he chose to battle homelessness, alcoholism and addiction. And his efforts are earning him stars. The unique social model recovery program Davidson developed has spread to 10 other cities and could go international. It was a program innovative enough to earn him a Purpose Prize, issued to innovators 60 and older by Civic Ventures, a national think tank on boomers, work and social purpose. “I could have stayed retired, but my passion was to heal the addicted and help people,” Davidson says. Like Pam Scott, a Healing Place graduate and now women’s program director at the shelter. “First let me say that Jay gives the best hugs I have ever had,” Scott says. “Jay is one of those people that make an impact on every person he meets. He is a man of great humanity and integrity who has had the vision to see a hopeless woman like me turn around, then reach back to help countless others and make the world a better place. Not only is he my mentor, he is family to me. He has been my mentor and my friend for almost 14 years. “Jay believed in me when I did not believe in myself.”

Fighting his battles Like so many of the people he counsels today, Davidson needed his own confidante to help steer him away from a life of alcohol abuse. Davidson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and halfway through basic training was re-stationed to officer’s training school. In 1966 he became a second lieutenant and served in Vietnam as a platoon leader and company commander from 1967 to 1968. In June 1968 he was named company commander at Fort Benning, Ga. Soon after he began the academic stage of his life, moving to Omaha and pursuing a bachelor’s degree through UNO’s Bootstrapper program. UNO in the early 1950s was one of the nation’s first schools to establish such a program, which gave enlisted military personnel credit for their service experience, easing the path to a diploma. UNO’s Bootstrapper program became the nation’s biggest and principal such program with a peak of 1,200 “Boots” on campus from 1968 through 1971. Davidson completed his bachelor of general studies degree in 1971. “There were a lot of other places I could have gone for my education, but I grew up in Colorado and UNO was close to home,” Davidson says. “I fell in love with Omaha while I was there. Omaha is a very family-oriented community and a fantastic place for community outreach.”

With a successful military career in place and his educational goals attained, Davidson thought his life was on the right course. Quietly, however, he was straying because of a daily struggle with alcoholism. Davidson drank heavily at nights then spent the ensuing days attempting to remain a top-notch soldier.

The model has worked so well that The Healing Place has broadened its reach to 10 other cities including Richmond, Va., Raleigh, N.C., Washington, D.C., and Chicago.

“There were plenty of times when I drank 20 beers before midnight and then had to be at physical training formation at 5 a.m.,” Davidson says. “I was getting to be sloppy in my calisthenics and running and was not a good soldier. I had all the successes of getting promoted and being in the top of my class, and at the same time I was abusing alcohol to the max.”

In 2008 Davidson was among 15 individuals to receive a Purpose Prize award, a six-year, $17 million program for people older than 60 who are taking on societal challenges. The award came with $10,000.

Alcohol abuse took its toll on Davidson’s personal life, too. During an active duty stint, his first wife left and took their two children.

“My dream one day is to go international with this program,” he says.

“The message for me was that you are never too old to share your experience, strength and hope with others in need,” Davidson says. Or to share a hug.

Davidson says his life-changing event came during a conversation with an unlikely source — a persistent brigadier general named Ike Smith. “He called me in and told me that if I did not get a handle on my alcoholism he would kick me out of the Army in 45 days,” Davidson recalls. “There is no doubt about it that I would have been dead in a year had I not stopped. Fortunately, he thought I was worth saving.” Davidson immediately began a long recovery process with the help of his current wife, Shirley, whom he married in 1974. “She is my angel,” he says. Davidson successfully completed a 12-step program and stopped drinking in 1983.

A higher calling After retiring from the Army in 1986, Davidson yearned to get back on the streets to help those struggling with alcoholism and addiction. He earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Louisville in 1991 and soon after began working at a homeless recovery center, the Jefferson County Medical Society Outreach Program, which was owned and operated by a group of local physicians. “I knew that my higher power wanted me to come back and work with people,” Davidson says. In 1991, Davidson was named executive director of what is now the Healing Place. During his community service outreach at the shelter, Davidson saw firsthand how most people couldn’t break the cycle of homelessness without first breaking their addictions to drugs and alcohol. As a result, in 1993 he created a unique social model recovery program for men and women in which participants live together for nine months, go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings together, and ultimately stay and work as peer mentors upon graduation. Of the more than 50 staff members, 80 percent are graduates of the program. According to Davidson, 65 percent of the people who check into the Healing Place remain sober in their first year without relapse. “Peer mentors are really the ones that make this program work,” Davidson says. “These are clean and sober folks that are pouring their hearts out to others. It is all in the power of the model.”

HELP for the addicted Based on firsthand experience, Jay Davidson does not mince words when offering advice to those in need of help from addiction. “All options other than treatment need to be closed,” says the founder and CEO of the Healing Place. “Generally, an intervention needs to occur. That could be one-on-one with a significant influence or a group intervention. The goal is to tell the alcoholic/drug addict that they need help based on the facts of their behavior and that all support will stop unless they go for help.” Davidson said this approach may appear harsh, but getting someone into treatment is a major step to what can be a successful outcome. “Generally this is difficult for family members until they get tired of supporting the alcoholic/addict or the money for all the other treatment attempts runs out,” he says. Davidson said there is plenty of helpful information through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which offers a Web site (www.samhsa.gov) and an on-line catalog of all of the significant treatment programs/facilities in every major city in the United States.

They are not the eyes of a child. The bodies are small and the limbs wiry, but the eyes of the new arrivals have a blank stare that seem fixed on something in the distance. They are eyes of resignation.

EYESchange of

By Greg Kozol “They’re just kind of dull,” Ed Weniger says. “There’s not a lot of joy radiating from them.” Winston doing arts and crafts at the Rafiki school.

Weniger saw them plenty enough beginning in 2007 when he and his wife, Dottie, started a two-year stint as missionaries in Ghana and Liberia. The 2005 UNO graduate wasn’t thinking of the tropics of West Africa while working toward his master’s degree in education. He had always wanted to be a teacher, but that career was sidetracked by 21 years in the U.S. Air Force, a master’s degree in meteorology and work as a defense contractor. His degree, however, facilitated not just a career change, but helped him answer a higher calling. The Wenigers joined Rafiki, a Christian organization that addresses the needs of orphan children in 10 African nations. “We Americans have a very limited understanding of what Africa is all about,” says Weniger, 58. “They try to live their beliefs. It’s a shame what has gone on.” At an age when some Americans are thinking about retirement, Ed and Dottie Weniger found themselves in the heat of an orphan village outside Accra, the capital of Ghana. Ken Long, a Rafiki spokesman in Florida, tries his best to explain such a radical shift in life.

“This is where you get into the mystery of God,” Long says. “It truly is a calling. I don’t think we would want a missionary who didn’t have the passion.”

Friends Rafiki, which means “friend” in Swahili, seeks to turn orphaned children into “Godly contributors” to their countries. It provides housing, schooling and three meals a day.

They learned that children, even those with heartbreaking backgrounds, are remarkably resilient. One 6-year-old girl showed up having never gone to school. She was responsible for caring for her uncle’s five children. Another, a 4-year-old boy, came to the village because his grandmother simply couldn’t care for him.

The children live in a specially constructed village, isolated outside an urban area, along with missionaries and local women who act as mothers for the orphans.

“Shortly after he arrived, he made a comment, ‘I’m not going back to my village because I like it here,’” Weniger says. “It was pretty amazing to see the change in demeanor.”

“It was like an island community,” Weniger says. “You get a sense you’re in the bush. It’s pretty much green all around you.”

In July, the couple returned to the Omaha area and discovered a need to live a simple life — like the children they encountered.

The Wenigers spent 18 months in Ghana and six months in Liberia. Both countries have high rates of poverty and HIV, but Liberia’s infrastructure is in worse shape after years of civil war.

“I find it hard to go out to dinner now, to spend money on a moderately priced meal,” Weniger says.

Weniger served as education director, and his wife was childcare director.

Looking back, it’s easy to get discouraged at the problems facing Africa. But Weniger knows he and his wife made a difference for nearly 80 orphans.

A friend once asked Antoinette Koomson if she encounters lions on the streets. Others ask about sick children or unpaved roads. Koomson and fellow UNO student Isaac Arthur witnessed dismal poverty while growing up in Ghana, a nation of 23 million people on Africa’s west coast. Koomson’s family has felt the impact of the continent’s AIDS epidemic. But there is another side of Africa — one that has nothing to do with refugee camps. Koomson, who is studying communication, recalls reading John Grisham’s novels in a five-bedroom house with coconut trees in the yard. Arthur, a chemistry and computer science major, remembers playing soccer with friends. The mood was hardly one of despair. “Everyone comes together. Everyone is happy,” he says. Ghana is stable and democratic, but shortcomings in the education system prompted Koomson and Arthur to study abroad.

Weniger with Rafiki mother (Luvenia) (l), Winston, and relatives at Tarrtown.

The proof, he believes, comes not in the sights but in the sounds of the bush. Close your eyes in the middle of the village and you’re likely to hear swamp noises — reptiles and croaking frogs. But the village comes alive with something else. “You hear children laughing and playing,” Weniger says. “It’s fun to hear that. I don’t think they had a lot of fun experiences from where they came.”

Americans think Africa is a war zone. I tell people Africa is not as terrible as people see on TV.

Africa’s other side

Photos courtesy Ed Weniger

Antoinette Koomson UNO graduate student Arthur had difficulty getting locals to understand his United Kingdom English (lorry instead of truck.) And after years of washing clothes by hand, Koomson welcomed American conveniences. “I love it in terms of food,” she says. “You just go to the store and get it.” Arthur, who hopes to become a pharmacist, feels obligated to return. “Over there, medication is very hard to come by and very expensive,” he says. Koomson wants to start a business and raise funds for impoverished Ghanaians. “I’d love to go back and take what I’ve learned here to help,” she says. In Ghana, 28 percent of the population lives in poverty and children can be seen begging on the streets of Accra, the capital. Koomson says Accra is like Omaha in that poverty is not present in all areas. And, like Omaha, there are no lions roaming free.

BOOKMARKS

Giving Circles

Research introduces new voluntary associations into philanthropic circles changing picture by becoming “professors of philanthropy” instead of advocates for individual charities, Eikenberry says, quoting colleague George McCully at the Catalogue for Philanthropy in Massachusetts.

bachelor’s in international studies in 1993. She says her research, which began with her dissertation on giving circles, would have been more difficult to complete at any other institution.

With most giving circle money going to support smaller organizations, larger nonprofits should look at giving circles as a long-term investment in building relationships with donors.

“As a student, I think I got a lot of great mentoring and guidance along the way that I might not have gotten otherwise because it was such an accessible community,” she says. “UNO is one of those places where, if you’re someone who wants to take advantage of opportunities, there are a lot of opportunities, but you have to go out there and get them.”

“Look at it more as a donor-education tool than a fundraising tool,” Eikenberry says. “I think nonprofits in general need to look at giving circles that way.” Giving circles are not only changing the way donors interact with nonprofits but also who can become an influential donor. The idea is analogous to a mutual fund or investment club where resources are pooled to increase the group’s buying power while providing opportunities to make more strategic giving decisions.

Eikenberry’s new book provides a broader context for giving circles, including their history, the impact they have and why people participate in them, says Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, communication director of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers.

Omaha is well known for philanthropy with generous donors like Bill and Ruth Scott, Walter and Suzanne Scott, Dick Holland, Peter Kiewit and Warren Buffett.

“The real value for these giving circles,” Eikenberry said, “is that they are essentially self-help groups for philanthropists or wantto-be philanthropists.”

But thanks to a UNO researcher, the city one day may be more famous for the charitable giving of entities like the Omaha Venture Group.

Donors in giving circles generally want to have immediate, on-the-ground impact, says Jessica Bearman, an independent consultant who has collaborated on research with Eikenberry. Members often make strategic choices about giving.

“Her book provides a little bit of a different perspective on giving circles and what it means to roll up your sleeves and be involved with others,” Beaudoin-Schwartz says. “I think it’s definitely unique.”

Angela Eikenberry, an assistant professor of public administration, recently published Giving Circles: Philanthropy, Voluntary Association, and Democracy, in which she presents three years of research as one of the leading experts in developing philanthropic practices. Giving circles are groups of individuals who pool their funds and other resources to donate, enabling gifts to have greater impact and donors to have more leverage with the nonprofit organizations they assist. Emerging in earnest only in the last five years, giving circles – such as the Omaha Venture Group – are rapidly becoming an important component in what is being called the “new philanthropy.” Fundraisers need to adapt to this

“Giving circles are a way to target the change you want to make in your community,” Bearman says. Eikenberry graduated from UNO with her Ph.D. in 2005, after earning her master’s in public administration in 1998 and a

What is most valuable of Eikenberry’s research, Bearman says, is that it demonstrates and explains the value of giving circles in the context of trends in philanthropy and community engagement. “A lot of her work has gone into raising the credibility of giving circles as a philanthropic vehicle,” Bearman says. “She’s able to put them in context and show that they’re part and parcel with the ways that philanthropy has been changing.” By Scott Stewart, University Relations

UNO is one of those places where, if you’re someone who wants to take advantage of opportunities, there are a lot of opportunities.

says

Angela Eikenberry UNO assistant professor or public administration

BOOKMARKS Author Dean Olson Class of 1985 Book Perfect Enemy The Law Enforcement Manual of Islamist Terrorism, Charles C. Thomas Publishing, 474 pages Synopsis The publisher notes that the book is meant to explain “… the underlying politico-religious motivations that drives Islamist terrorism.” Olson is former commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department in Omaha, including the department’s participation in the regional Joint Terrorism Task Force. He retired in 2008 after 30 years of law enforcement service.

Olson, who also earned a master’s degree in public administration from UNO and an MA in Homeland Defense and Security from the Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, is researching his second book, Tactical Counter-terrorism. Author Jim Bard Jr. Class of 1969 (with Linda Rios Bromley, Frank T. Hayes) Book We Served with Honor – Memories of the Men Who Served the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, McDowell Publications, 457 pages Synopsis Bard, who lives in Westminster, Md., can take orders for the book

through his email at JimBardJr@comcast.net

alumni authors Are you a UNO faculty, staff or alum who recently has published a book? If so, send details to Editor Anthony Flott at aflott@unoalumni.org for consideration in Bookmarks.

Author Bruce Johansen Kayser Research Professor of Communication and Native American Studies Book Encyclopedia of

Global Warming Science and Technology, Greenwood Publishing Group, 738 pages. Synopsis The two-volume set is described in Google Books as appropriate “for students of all levels and for general readers.” It includes some 300 articles on the subject of climate change.

Campus copies

Author Sangeeta Badal Adjunct instructor Book Gender, Social Structure and Empowerment, Rawat Publications, 217 pages Synopsis: Explanation of

regional variations in the status of women in India through linear regression analysis of the combined effects of structural factors, such as patriarchy, kinship patterns, developmental levels, agricultural practices, and social stratification in all of India’s 25 states and seven union territories.

Authors John Bartle Professor and director of the School of Public Administration; Deniz Leuenberger, UNO alum 1998 Book Sustainable Development for Public Administration, M.E. Sharpe, 148 pages Synopsis The text focuses on the application of sustainability and sustainable development theories to public administration practice. It is designed to guide planning, resource management and outcomes measurement for future and current nonprofit and public managers.

Editor David E. Corbin

Professor of health education in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Book A Strategic Plan to Strengthen and Transform Public Health in Nebraska: A Revision. Synopsis The 141-page document is online at www.dhhs.ne.gov/puh/oph/

RETROSPECT

snapshot

For Omaha University, that meant three fighter planes — a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (pictured), a Fairchild PT-19 and the remains of a Stearman PT-17. Veterans and other students used the planes in aircraft and mechanics classes. The P-47, which originally cost $50,000, was purchased from the WAA for $150 plus ferrying and insurance charges. It was a gift to OU’s Division of Technical Institutes from T.L. Combs and Sons, Jewelers. Then-OU student Dick Leed (’48), a former P-38 pilot with the 13th Air Force in the Philippines, flew the P-47 fighter plane from Altus, Okla., to the Omaha airport in 1946. The two-hour, 500-mile trek was the easy part. Getting it the last 10 miles to campus was another matter. Omaha’s Police Department gave the university permission to tow the plane on Dodge Street — at 3 a.m. on a Sunday. With three motorcycle policemen running interference and Dodge traffic diverted to Douglas Street, the plane left the airport and journeyed up Carter Lake Boulevard to 16th and Dodge. From there it was on to Elmwood Park Drive leading to the university. Then came some nifty maneuvering, the P-47’s 40-foot wingspan requiring wiggling to and fro to dodge the numerous Elmwood Park trees.

The end of World War II was a boon to many universities not just in surplus students, but also in surplus goods, courtesy the War Assets Administration.

Getting the PT-19 to campus was an easier affair. Also donated, the plane was flown from Lincoln to a flying field owned by OU instructor William Durand — Durand’s Sky Ranch at 84th and McKinley Streets. The plane was then dismantled and transported from the field to the University by truck. Enrollment in the training courses peaked immediately after the war when many veterans desired mechanic instruction to obtain civilian aircraft jobs. Three to four fulltime instructors were employed to teach the quarterly classes of from 50 to 75 students. But the training ended in 1949, and the planes had a rough go from then on. In 1952 the Fairchild caught fire during an OU football game, likely started by a cigarette. By the end of its campus stay the P-47 housed a nest of robins in the air duct under its fuselage. The planes were scrapped in 1953.

A look at notable individuals who have visited campus — and what they had to say.

they were here John Neihardt Jan. 28, 1935

Robert Kennedy September 23, 1960

Steve Martin September 16, 1976

Poet Laureate in Perpetuity of Nebraska and author of Black Elk Speaks, Neihardt began 11 days of lectures at Omaha University that were cut short when he received news of his mother’s death. Asked by Gateway writer Martin K. Speckter about a course in reading, Neihardt said: “Begin with the Greeks. There’s corking stuff there. Homer’s ‘Odyssey,’ the ‘Illiad,’ Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes. They had a way of looking at things. Those old fellows give you something you can’t learn any other way — taste. They’re good because they’re good, not because we’ve put them on pedestals. Read Socrates and Plato. Can you limit the time of the Greeks? Are not their fundamental truths as true today as they ever were? It’s masculine writing. You must learn from some of the greatest spirits that have passed through the world.”

Kennedy came to Omaha to campaign for his brother during the 1960 presidential race. On the medical aid to the aged bill, he said: “If an older person bumped his knee as Nixon did and had the same treatment with the same doctors it would cost him around $1,200, which is more than they make all year.” Kennedy said that whether or not we provide this type of medical insurance, which he said is not socialized medicine, would be the “test of a civilized nation.” On foreign affairs, Kennedy said that the U.S. has lost prestige in the world. “I don’t think we are going to accept this as status quo and I don’t think we have to.” The U.S., he said, was once looked towards for leadership by the other countries of the world. “Now many countries are looking towards Russia for leadership.”

Martin performed in the UNO Student Center. “The only thing I’ve done that is not meaningless is that I accomplished the ability to stand in front of people for an hour. Believe me, it’s not easy but I think it’s the only significant thing I’ve done. My humor is intuitive. I think people don’t know why they are laughing sometimes. My personal taste of humor is probably a little bit more left field than most people because I’m into comedy so much that it takes a little extra to get me to laugh. philosophy is basically an existentialist outlook. You are what you eat. You are what you do. And … actions are the most important thing. You can talk and talk and talk and talk but until you do something it’s meaningless.”

Photo courtesy the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site

Photo courtesy Criss Library Archives

Photo by Jim Summaria

CLASS NOTES

LARRY FARGHER (BSBA)

was awarded the Austen Warburton Community Service Award by the Mission City Community Fund. He served as Santa Clara mayor and as a city council member and chaired the first Santa Clara Citizens Advisory Committee and was vice president of the Santa Clara Intercity Council. He also has served the Santa Clara University Presidents Club’s Bronco Bench, which raises scholarships for student-athletes, the Kenna Club and the Saint Lawrence Elementary Board of Education. After the death of his wife, Camille, to Alzheimer’s disease, Fargher became a “Top Producer” for the Alzheimer’s Association in northern California-Nevada every year since 1995, raising more than $20,000 each year. He has received numerous awards and honors.

J. PAUL CHERLING (BS) is

retired after working as an engineering editor for Lockheed. He retired to California and was a county planning commissioner and owner/editor of Quill & Scroll Publications.

ROBERT HEMENWAY (BA) retired in June after

serving for 14 years as the 16th Chancellor of Kansas University. The Kansas Board of Regents has approved naming KU’s Kansas Life Sciences Innovation Center in Kansas City, Kansas, for Hemenway. The Robert E. Hemenway Life Sciences Innovation Center, located on KU’s Medical Center campus, is a 200,000-square-foot facility that houses 300 people and 129 research projects worth more than $109 million in total funding. It is 3 years old and cost $57.2 million. Research at the center focuses on liver disease, reproductive sciences, neuroscience, diabetes and proteomics, among other topics. “It is a fitting honor that this state-of-the-art facility bear his name,” said KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little in a release. “During his tenure, the university grew in national stature, more than doubling its research activity to almost $300 million in annual

expenditures and underwent an unprecedented expansion and remodeling of campus facilities to attract top students and faculty.” As chancellor, Hemenway was dedicated to improving KU’s research profile and in particular ensured that KU was a key partner in Kansas City’s bi-state effort to make the region a bioscience hub. He also launched KU’s ongoing quest for Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute for the KU Cancer Center. The life science center was designed to foster collaboration and recruit top researchers, both key components in obtaining National Cancer Institute designation. Hemenway is on sabbatical leave this academic year to work on a book about intercollegiate athletics and American values. A scholar of American literature, he will return to teaching and scholarly research at KU in fall 2010. WALTER A. PROFT (BGE) lives

in Saint Paul, Minn., and is retired after serving with the U.S. Army Air Corp/U.S. Air Force from 1943 to 1963. He also worked at the Aid Association for Lutherans (now Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) from 1963 to 1990 and for the U.S. Census Bureau from 1992 to 1997. He has been married to his wife, Donna, for 63 years and has seven children, 18 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. “God is good,” he writes.

CARLEN W. FORINASH (BGE) lives in San Antonio. He

retired from the U S Air Force in 1979 as a Lt. Col. after almost 26 years service. Forinash then worked as a senior human resource professional and consultant for a number of major organizations in San Antonio from 1979 to 2002. He was voluntary chairman of the board for a not-for-profit housing management company for seven years. He also volunteered as a professional consultant for the Executive Service Corps of San Antonio and as a board member for six years and has prepared income tax returns for the elderly and low-income individuals for the past eight years in the IRS/AARP program.. He has completed 10K walks in all 50 state capitals and Washington, D.C., culminating with a walk in the 50th state (Hawaii) on his 50th wedding anniversary in 2007. “I have visited 56

Is that your FINAL ANSWER? MATT SWANSON (BFA) in November was a contestant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” winning $50,000 for knowing that Nancy Pelosi’s brother and father served as mayor of Baltimore. His three potential “Phone A Friends” for the show all lived in Omaha: his father (Ted Swanson, retired), his stepson (Greg Christensen, a computer programmer) and a friend (Mario Toland). Swanson is a jigsaw puzzle maker who lives in Omaha. He and his wife of 19 years, Sharon, design and manufacture custom puzzles out of their living room via Home-Grown Jigsaws. The Swansons make puzzles from pictures. He made one of “Millionaire” host Meredith Vieira that he brought with him to the show. Swanson, who also works part-time as an usher at Qwest Center Omaha, also is known for his colorful collection of sneakers. The Omaha World-Herald featured Swanson just prior to the first show on which Swanson appeared, noting that though he graduated in 2008 he had been taking classes for 30 years. He had been trying to get onto the show for a decade. He had worked for Qwest Communications but was laid off a year ago. His $50,000 “Millionaire” take came after he declined to answer the question, “Who is P.B.S. Pinchback?” (The first black governor in the United States, of Louisiana.)

foreign countries and continue extensive travels, completing 10K walks wherever I go,” he writes, “including the Great Wall of China, Korea, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong — walking about 800 miles a year for the past 15 years. I have taken eight grandkids on ocean cruises on their graduation from high school — two more to go. I have bowled in the same bowling league for the past 36 years and continue with an active lifestyle. And I still have fond memories of my time at the University of Omaha.” cwforinash@yahoo.com

GERALD D. FLOWERS (BGS) lives in Del Rey Oaks,

Calif. A former Bootstrapper at UNO, he served 23 years in the U.S. Army, holding various assignments as an operations and signal

officer. “I am proud to say that 12 years, more than half of my service time, was overseas in Asia,” Flowers writes. “Following my retirement from the army, I used my GI Bill and Veterans Affairs benefits to gain a master’s degree in education from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. I was a teacher and vice principal of a Catholic boy’s high school in Salinas, Calif., for 32 years. Since 2005 I am fully retired. Tokiko, my wife of 40 years, went on to eternal rest in July 2005 as a result of a nine-year battle with cancer. I have two daughters who live in this part of California. I now do volunteer work at the Community Hospital of Monterey, for the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto and at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.” gdflowers@aol.com

CLASS NOTES

WILLIAM DENMAN (BGS)

lives in Burley, Wash., and since graduating from UNO has earned master’s degrees in business management, education and Christian counseling and Ph.D.s in Christian counseling and Christian education. He also has published two books: Mediation — A Scriptural and Christian Perspective and A Look at Christian Home School Co-op Groups. He writes: “I am fully retired now and work around the house and yard and enjoying the grandchildren.”

professor at UNO and at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He also has been named co-chair of President Barack Obama’s Intelligence Advisory Board. He is the author of the recently published America: Our Next Chapter, a straightforward examination of the current state of our nation that provides substantial proposals for the challenges of the 21st century.

RICHARD D. BROWN (BS; MS, 1975) lives in Omaha

and is the new speech team and Congressional debate bfdenman65@msn.com coach at Omaha Creighton Prep. Brown, a RUTH PAKIESER 36-year advanced placement social studies and speech communication MACNAMARA (MS) was appointed teacher/coach at Millard South, took an early retirement contract buyout in 2009. assistant dean of He also is an adjunct history and political the new University science instructor for Metropolitan of Nebraska Community College and a senior Medical Center contributing writer for the Midlands College of Nursing Business Journal. Northern Division in Norfolk. She is the rdanfordbrown@aol.com founding and transitional dean and is to identify a permanent assistant dean CHARLES J. NEUMANN (BS) writes, by January 2011.The facility, named the “I received the Albert Gallatin Award for J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh College Government Service from the Department of Nursing, is scheduled to open in of the Treasury last year. I have since 2010 and will house nursing programs retired after 35 years working in the Air of UNMC and Northeast Community Force and the IRS and I am enjoying life in College. Macnamara has served as the Omaha area.” cjneum2@yahoo.com an associate professor and clinical instructor in mental health nursing MARY ANN VACCARO since 2007 and in the last year has been (BFA) was featured in the laying the groundwork for UNMC’s new November 2008 Metro division that will serve the northeast Magazine Monthly in Omaha region of Nebraska. This is her second with a product she developed through her stint with the UNMC College of Nursing. couture clothing design business. She She previously served as director of developed The Invisible Apron, a the UNMC College of Nursing Learning decorative, see-through apron. See more Resource Center from 1988 to 1996. She at www.invisibleapron.com also served as assistant professor in the RAYMOND C. MORRIS UNMC School of Allied Health Professions (BS) received a silver medal from 1988 to 1996. and the Branson Stars and CHUCK HAGEL (BGS) was Flags Book Award one of six individuals during the Military nationwide recently named as Writers Society of General Directors to the PBS America 2009 Book Board of Directors. The PBS Board of Awards in Directors is responsible for governing and September. An setting policy for PBS and includes both Apollo Beach, Fla., professional directors, who are station resident, Morris was leaders, and general directors, who honored for his nonfiction Vietnam-era represent the general public. All PBS book, The Ether Zone, U.S. Army Special Board members serve three-year terms, Forces Detachment B-52, Project Delta. A without pay. The former U.S. Senator retired lieutenant colonel with 26 years of from Nebraska is a distinguished service, the majority of those with U.S.

Army Special Forces, Morris in 2005 was commissioned by the surviving Project Delta members to write their story. SHERRY WRIGHT (BS; MS, 1981)

has published Somethin’s in My Water, a book of poetry that “describes an ongoing life experience as we become involved in different relationships,” writes Wright. It is her second book of poetry. Wright, who also earned a master’s degree from UNO in urban studies, is a clerk for the U.S. Postal Service. She has been a community volunteer and political advocate and served as Omaha Housing Authority commissioner.

REBECCA S. FAHRLANDER (MA) is an

adjunct professor at UNO and last August was the focus of an article in the Bellevue Leader newspaper that detailed her travels around the world. Also, her photographs were featured in an art exhibit n August at Bellevue University.

RICHARD B. ULMER JR. (BS) in June was appointed by

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to a judgeship in the San Francisco County Superior Court. Ulmer, 55, has been a partner with Latham and Watkins since 1995, practicing in intellectual property litigation in the firm’s Silicon Valley office. He also chairs the office’s pro bono committee. Recently, he was named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” in San Francisco Magazine. In 2006 Ulmer was honored as an Attorney of the Year by California Lawyer magazine in the public interest category. The honor came after he had personally billed more than 900 pro bono hours while working on a 2002 lawsuit brought by the Prison Law Office and Disability Rights Advocates that challenged conditions in the state’s juvenile justice system. As a result, the California Youth Authority reformed how justice and punishment are meted out to youthful offenders. Ulmer earned his UNO degree in journalism. He was an award-winning journalist for 10 years before entering Stanford University Law School, where he earned a JD in 1986. LANE PLUGGE (MS) was named chief

administrator for the newly-created Green Hills Area Education Agency (AEA), noted the Council Bluffs Nonpareil. AEAs are

regional support agencies created by the Iowa legislature in 1974 to provide service and support to local school systems. The Green Hills AEA will include 51 school districts. Plugge had been superintendent of the Iowa City Public School District since 1999.

ROBIN (HALSEY) WISE (BS) was elected vice chair of

the Colorado Lottery Commission. Wise has been president and CEO of Junior Achievement – Rocky Mountain Inc. for 18 years. She is a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council for the University of Northern Colorado Monfort College of Business and has been honored for her work by the Denver Business Journal and the Girl Scouts Mile Hi Council. She also serves on the Workforce Development Council.

ROBERT JAMES SHAND (BS; MS, 1986) lives in

Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and writes, “Hola, from beautiful Mexico. Carolyn and I retired here two years ago and love it.” tamaulipas19602@gmail.com

JOHN RIDDLE (BA) was appointed branch sales manager for Bankers Life & Casualty Company in Fairview Height, Ill. His appointment follows 15 years of service with New England Financial (NEF), a subsidiary of MetLife, where Riddle most recently served as regional vice president for MetLife Investors. At NEF Riddle was the first, four-time, recipient of the national Brokerage Manager of the Year award. He is married to Sherry R. LeMaster and resides in Defiance, Mo. He has two children and five grandchildren, all living in Omaha. He enjoys international travel and languages and recently has served on a missionary team to benefit underprivileged children and orphans in Russia.

john.riddle@bankerslife.com

RAYMOND M. BROUSSARD JR. (BGS)

lives in Shelbyville, Ky., and writes, “Due to injuries suffered in the U.S. Army in RVN in the

CLASS NOTES summer of 1969, I am medically retired from the Army. My wife, Rebecca, and two children, Samuel, 15, and Olivia, 12, have lived in Kentucky for the past 12 years. When I had to quit working, I was a systems analyst for SAS products. My last position was as a systems consultant with Computer Horizons in Cincinnati. In December 2009 I earned my masters of American History-Pacific Rim from the University of Louisville. The “Pacific Rim” part of my studies allowed me to take history courses covering China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. In the process I also learned to speak, read, and write Chinese and Japanese. After I complete my second year of Chinese in May 2010, I will study Chinese in Beijing for six weeks, allowing me to earn state certification to teach Chinese at the secondary high school level. Once Japanese is part of the language program in Kentucky, I can earn my certification in Japanese; I have had three years of Japanese. If anyone remembers me, please write!” sunyatsen@insightbb.com

JONATHAN B. SMITH (MS) lives in Indiana, Pa., and

is an associate professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In spring 2009 he received the university’s distinguished faculty award for service. He has served the IUP Senate in various roles, including five years as its chair. He also has chaired the academic computing policy and advisory committee. Smith annually organizes several major YMCA and high school swimming competitions, including the IUP Kickoff Classic, Indiana High School Invitational and YMCA Christmas Tree Invitational. He has worked with Aging Services of Indian County since 2006 to implement and instruct a senior citizen aquatic fitness program. jbsmith@iup.edu

KARIN HJERPSTEDT (MS) lives in Omaha and

writes, “My first book, CAT-LOGUES I, is on sale through www.rosedogbookstore.com. It is children’s fiction. This historical fantasy is set in 16th century Florida and has a surprise ending. For teachers: There are great possibilities for history and language arts spin-offs.” khjerps@cox.net

MALLORY PRUCHA RISHOI (BA), lives in Eau Claire, Wisc., and won an international contest for the design of a .999 pure silver “Green Coin” from the Westminster Mint of Minneapolis, earning the grand prize of $2,009, the first coin off the press and the hand sculpts created by world-renowned sculptor Caesar Ruffo. One side of Rishoi’s coin features the Sun with rays transitioning into the wind and an electric plug, an ear of corn extending into a gasoline nozzle, wind turbines, and a hydroelectric dam. It also includes the wording “Renewable Resources,” “Solar-Wind-Bio-Fuel,” and “Hydro-Electric.” The coin’s obverse features a pair of hands holding a globe with arrows. An outline of the atmosphere bounces several arrows back to the Earth’s surface, representing global warming and human impact, as the Sun highlights the edge of space. This design is encircled by the words “Green Coin,” “The Future Is in Our Hands,” and “2009.” Currently, Rishoi teaches courses in Theatre Appreciation, Stage Make-Up and Stage Costuming. In her spare time, she works as a freelance costume designer and artist.

SHARON RUSSELL LODHI (BSED) lives in

Willowbrook, Ill., and is a history teacher for the College Preparatory School of America.

BRIAN J. NASTASE (BA)

now lives in Midland, Mich., with his wife, Colleen, and their three boys. He was hired as the scout executive/CEP of the Lake Huron Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. “We will all miss Omaha but look forward to our new adventure in the beautiful state of Michigan,” he writes. Brian.Nastase@Scouting.org

SUSAN RUSSELL TOOHEY (MS) in July became head of school for Omaha’s Marian High School. The position combines the duties of principal and president. She previously spent 20 years with Omaha Public Schools. “It feels as if I am coming home since I am a graduate of Marian,” she writes. susanrusselltoohey@gmail.com

GREGORY FANT (Ph.D.)

was promoted to supervisory health scientist with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He also earned professional recognition in epidemiology and applied statistics and is an adjunct associate professor at George Mason

University in the department of public and international affairs, where he teaches courses in research methods and applied statistics.

TUGBA KALAFATOGLU (BA) was named a 2009 JCI

Outstanding Young Person of the World (http://www.jci.cc/ en) in the category of political, legal and/ or governmental affairs. At age 29, Kalafatoglu was the youngest person ever to sit as vice chairman of a major Turkish party. She is founder of Tugba Kalafatoglu & Associates (www. tugbakalafatoglu.com), a global management and public affairs consulting firm providing strategic public relations, government relations, communication, marketing and lobbying services. She also is founder and president of VOTE Women in Politics (www.votewomeninpolitics.com), an international organization dedicated to help women to run for office and to be elected around the world. VOTE is a non-partisan organization, and all training and programs are FREE to the women candidates around the world. ELIZABETH A. (HUFF) MULKERRIN (MS) became a member

of the board of directors of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest professional organization

in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning. She joins a 13-member board that oversees NSTA’s finances, policies and procedures, and strategic planning. Mulkerrin is director of education for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. Prior to that she was a biology and zoology teacher at Burke High School. E. HUGHES SHANKS (MPA) lives in Lincoln, Neb., and works for the City of Lincoln in Public Health EmergencyResponse. He presented a paper, Three Response Communities’ Abilities to Respond to Pandemic Influenza at the 32nd annual Global Studies Conference in October at UNO. He also gave an address to the International Fulbright Scholars at the University of NebraskaLincoln in October, Federalism and Media Influence on Public Opinion. shanks@ lincoln.ne.gov

PAUL THOMPSON JR. (BGS) sent an email in

September from Camp Victory in Iraq for he and fellow UNO

graduate BRUCE GRAGERT (BS, 1992), just before Gragert left the base in July. Thompson was expected to leave in October. The two graduates served together in the Multi-National Corps, Iraq Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Gragert is an active duty Navy judge

CLASS NOTES advocate. He is married with two children and lives in Virginia Beach, Va. Bruce was awarded the Bronze Star. Thompson is a member of the Army Reserve currently serving as an Operational Law Attorney. He and his wife, Niki Cung, live in Fayetteville, Ark., where he is a member of Bassett Law Firm LLP and practices environmental and agricultural law and litigation. pethompsonjr@yahoo.com

J. STEVE SHIN (MS) is a consultant

for Deliveron Consulting Services, an IT consulting company that focuses on business-driven, project-based solutions.

REG CHAPMAN (BS) in

May joined WCCO-TV, a CBA affiliate in Minneapolis. He previously was a reporter for WNBC -TV in New York City where he covered an array of stories for the station. Prior to that he was a reporter at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, WHIO-TV in Dayton, Ohio, WOWT-TV in Omaha and KTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa. He has been recognized for his work throughout his career, including an Edward R. Murrow award for investigative reporting, several Associated Press awards and honors from the Society of Professional Journalists. He has also been nominated for several regional Emmy Awards from the National Television Academy for investigative reporting. Chapman volunteers with the Urban League, NAACP and the YMCA, which has honored him as a Black Achiever. He was also selected as one of Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest for his work in the community. He is a member of the local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He also is a Gulf War veteran and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. KELSEY ARCHER (BS) was accredited in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA). Archer, assistant director of marketing and public relations at Clarkson College, becomes one of about 4,500 professionals to hold that designation. Approximately 25 percent of the PRSA

Nebraska chapter hold the APR distinction. The accreditation program aims to improve the practice of public relations by assessing competence in 60 areas of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the profession. The examination is designed for public relations professionals with five to seven years job experience and/or a bachelor’s degree in a communication field. Candidates who successfully complete the rigorous process, including presenting their portfolio to a Readiness Review panel of three peers and sitting for a computer-based examination, are granted the APR. She is pursuing her master’s degree in communication at UNO with a research emphasis on organizational communication and change. In addition to her membership in PRSA Nebraska, Archer serves on the PRSA Nebraska Board of Directors, and is actively involved in the Junior League and Girls Inc. of Omaha.

JEREMY BALL (Ph.D.)

lives in Boise, Idaho, and is an associate professor of criminal justice at Boise State University. He received tenure and promotion in 2009. He has published seven articles in multiple journals, a few book chapters, and several encyclopedia entries. He is also the chair of the University Curriculum Committee and is the faculty advisor of the local chapter for Lambda Alpha Epsilon. He and his wife, Marcy, celebrated 13 years of marriage in August. Their son, Jackson, is 3. jeremyball@boisestate.edu

FAMILY affair TREVOR O’REILLY (MS) joined a family of fellow UNO graduates upon receiving his master’s degree in secondary education at summer commencement 2009. Pictured, from left, are his grandparents, Dr. Robert C. O’Reilly (UNO professor emeritus) and Marjorie Newell O’Reilly (1980, MS), and his parents, Daniel O’Reilly (1977, BA; 1982, MS) and Debora Cramer O’Reilly (1980, BS). His uncle Timothy O’Reilly (1987, BS) also is a UNO graduate.

he has been a lecturer in the College of Pharmacy in pharmacy management and drug information courses and has been the site preceptor for the managed care clinical clerkship. Handke developed the Medical Center Managed Care Pharmacy Residency Program, which is jointly sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and UNMC. He serves on the board of the Wellness Councils of the Midlands (WELCOM) and the Nothing But Net Foundation. In 2006, he was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Omahans by the Omaha Jaycees and was a member of Leadership Omaha Class 30.

LEE HANDKE (MBA) was among six

individuals honored for contributions to their respective professions during the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Alumni Reunion. Handke graduated from the UNMC College of Pharmacy in 1999 with distinction. He completed a residency in managed care pharmacy at Walgreens Health Initiatives in Deerfield, Ill., then earned his UNO MBA. He is vice president of health network services for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. Since 2000 Handke also has been an adjunct faculty and preceptor at UNMC, where

AMY LUSSETTO (MBA)

was given the Outstanding Student-Authored Case Award by the North American Case Research Association at its annual meeting in October. She presented her business case, Abbot Laboratories: Hero or Villain in the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic, at the meeting. It focused on Abbott’s tiered pricing of HIV/AIDS drugs in 2007. Lussetto studied the case while working on her master’s in business administration at UNO. She graduated in May. She became the second UNO student to receive the association’s case award and made UNO the only school to have more than one winner of the award.

in memoriam 1935 1938 1938 1940

Alice D. Hillstrom Edward J. Dulacki Raymond Brown Pauline Guss (Rosenbaum) Julia Salyards Owen 1941 Chamberlin C. Meade 1943 John W. Johannaber 1944 Jane Griffith Lindsey 1946 Frank LaMantia 1946 Geraldine Frances (Dallinger) Vasholz 1948 Donald K. Nielsen Bobbie Lee Elliott Peggy J. Biersmith 1949 John D. Burg Kathleen Dempsey Birk Roland Wayne Yeaton Burton Bradford Petersen 1950 Robert A. Dow Phillip Laing Stageman 1951 Othol Peel White Don F. Nelsen 1952 Karl Dankof Crystal M. Warrior Mayo 1954 Richard Stanton McCord Roger Orr 1955 Stanley Flentje 1956 Richard B. “Dick” Tannahill Mary M. (Hill) Wooley 1957 Camille Wells Slights Ronald Howell 1958 Robert F. “Popsicle” Pospichal 1959 John J. Schmidt Frank Sam Diblasi Sr.

CLASS NOTES Richard “Dick” Campbell Jorge Ortiz Milton Sheely Eleanor Marie Stroebele Rudy Vlcek 1961 Kennet S. Fielding 1962 Monard Weems Roger Evans Deitrick 1963 William F, M.D. Gust 1964 Frederick E. Schwab Joseph Mondzak Delmar G. Worsech Leslie C. Tripp Frank F. Pospishil Max C. Jones 1965 Charles Schmid Philip Arnold Pfenninger Johnny Edward Clark 1966 Joel Myers Oliver O. Over 1967 Edward W. Wild Robert L. Faulhaber Duane S. Wiechelman Thomas John Lauvetz 1968 Goldie M. Ladner Barbara Jean Blue 1969 Pierce L. Reese 1970 Robert Poshard Carol M. Murray David D. Kidd Max Miller Gere Dell Karr Mary Margaret Lenz Louis Basilico 1971 Norman Marcellus Sandin 1972 Penny R. Jones Louis L. Bouault Maurine M. Fitzsimmons McManamy 1973 Ralph R. Palumbo 1976 Arnold Jones 1977 William Bernard “Bill” Watson 1978 Hershel I. Shulman Leah D. Cross 1979 Elene W. Bugg Donna L. Hunter Kathleen Slattery 1981 Mark A. Carter LeRoy Paul McKenna 1982 Eric Whitneer 1985 Tal Anderson 1986 Jacquelyn B. Cairns Susan Kay Weber 1994 Aimee J. Haley 1995 JoAnne Gumm 1996 Carla A. Rasmussen 2000 Evajon Sperling 2006 Crystal Reid 2009 Anjuman Ara Changez FACULTY Charles Gildersleeve Dale Gaeddert

future ALUM Grace Marie Bearinger ,

daughter of Erin and Aaron Bearinger (’05) of Omaha. Callum Daniel Bilder , son

of Kimberly and Chris Bilder (’94) of Lincoln. Violet Olivia Christen, daughter of Jennifer (Feregrino’00; ’07) and Blaine Christen of Omaha. Michael David Coleman III, son

of M. David Coleman Jr. and Kristen Vogel (’01) of Bryan, Texas, and grandson of Nancy (’87) and Harlan (’91; ’94) of Omaha. Adelaide Lily Degn, daughter of

Jason and Becky Dierks (’03) of Omaha. Christine Hope Harner ,

daughter of Liz (Hope, ’96) and Brad Harner of Coral Springs, Fla. Baron Emmanuel Henderson,

son of Diana (Sieben, ’95) and Kelly Henderson of Kennewick, Wash.

CLASS NOTES

Submit the Class Notes form below along with a birth announcement (within 1 year of birth) and we’ll send you a certificate and an Ador-A-Bull T-shirt. Also include baby’s name, date of birth, parents’ or grandparents’ names and graduation year(s). Maria Regan Hensley,

Jenna Cecilia Ottens, daughter of

daughter of Laura (Jacobsen, ’96) and David Hensley (’98) of Omaha and granddaughter of Maria Rotella-Jacobsen (’73) and Dean Jacobsen (’74) of Omaha.

Kelly (Moyer, ’99) and Jeff Ottens of Omaha. Noah James Parks, son of Lindsay

Liam Timothy Heyen, son of Beth (McIvor, ’98) and Eric Heyen of Seward, Neb., and grandson of Chris McIvor (’08) of Omaha.

Cameron Grace Reeves, daughter of Stephanie (Lewis, ’03) and Joshua Reeves (’04) of Papillion, Neb.

Mackinlee Dawn Hizer ,

daughter of Melissa (Tschauner, ’97) and Jeff Hizer (’99) of Omaha. Kiera Mary Houston, daughter

(Kemnitz, ’02) and Derek Parks (’06) of Omaha.

Peyton Marie Riddle, granddaughter of John Riddle (’92) of Defiance, Mo. Charles Randall Schreck ,

of Michelle (Hanson, ’00) and Dana Houston of Mobile, Ala.

son of Ryan and Michele (Muhlbauer’01) Schreck of Carroll, Iowa, and grandson of Richard Muhlbauer (’74) of Carroll, Ia.

Andrew Dale Kloeckner , son of Carla (Scheer, ’03) and Andrew Kloeckner of Ralston, Neb.

Leighton James Thompson, son of Tiffanie (Petersen, ’02) and Ben Thompson (’97) of Omaha.

Lauren Michelle Lammers, daughter of Robyn (Aerni, ’99) and Ross Lammers (’03) of Fort Calhoun, Neb.

Owen Ryder Williams, son

Richard (RJ) Dana Martell III,

son of and Celeste (Johnson ‘01) and Richard Martell of Margate, Fla.

of Stephanie (Dye, ’07) and Brendan Williams of Papillion, Neb., and grandson of David Dye (’80) of Council Bluffs, IA. Lucy Marie Zednik , daughter of

Amber and Ladislav Zednik (’07) of Omaha.

What have you been doing since graduating from UNO? Your fellow alumni would like to know! We welcome personal and professional updates and photographs for Class Notes. Send your news to Class Notes Editor, UNO Magazine, 67th & Dodge Streets, Omaha, NE 68182-0010; fax to (402) 554-3787; submit over the web at www.unoalumni.org/classnote

Last name while a student:

May we post your email address in the next UNO Magazine?

Class Year:

Yes

Name:

Address: City/State/Zip: E-mail: News:

Degree: Phone:

PICTURE THIS The Milo Bail Student Center had a mini-United Nations gathering in its lobby last November as 68 students from 24 different countries gathered for UNO Magazine’s inaugural Picture This photo. The get-together came just prior to UNO’s International Education Week Celebration and before another honor accorded the university’s International Studies & Programs. For the sixth consecutive year UNO remained a leader among America’s master’s degree-granting institutions in total number of international students enrolled. The Institute of International Education’s Report on International Educational Exchange ranked UNO 33rd with 739 students. UNO is the only institution in Nebraska with a national ranking. That number is expected to grow — the University of Nebraska system recently announced several university-wide objectives focused on global engagement, including a goal of doubling international student enrollment. Estimates for 2008-2009 show that international participants at UNO have an economic impact of more than $30 million to the metropolitan area economy.

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Below are identifications of the 68 students and their native countries:

1. Dhananjay Nawandar, India 2. Tomohide Nagayama, Japan 3. Ahmed Alghamdi, Saudi Arabia 4. Abhishek Karpate, India

5. Sharmila Raman, India 6. Maya Yoshida, Japan 7. Zenah

Chepkwony, Kenya 8. Sandra Espinosa, Columbia 9. Hyun-Ji Lee, South Korea 10. Dahui Seo, South Korea 11. Wei-Hsiang Wang, Taiwan 12. Yongho Jung, South Korea 13. Uday Bhanu Chirravuri, India 14. Mohit Bharadwaj, India 15. Kanad Sharma, India 16. Prashant Paymal, India 17. Prateek Kansal, India 18. Himanshu Mani, India 19. Xin Liu, China 20. Jihong Chun, South Korea 21. Lisa Soecknick, Austria 22. Littus Joel D’souza, India 23. Sushrut Kamerkar, India 24. Aditya Kulkarni, India 25. Utsav Pokharel, Nepal 26. Juna Balla, Nepal 27. Sibei Jiang, China 28. Keqin Liu, China 29. Adel Alamry, Saudi Arabia 30. Veronika Horn, Austria 31. Natalie Hatfield, U.S. 32. Prudence Assogba, Benin 33. Abdulrahman Almassary, Saudi Arabia 34. Lokesh Kalekar, India 35. Ashish Kayastha, Nepal 36. Waleed Alanazi, Saudi Arabia 37. Ali Alkhamis, Saudi Arabia 38. Jing Zhao, China 39. Ashwathy Ashokan, India 40. Mai Tran, Vietnam 41. Danielle Hoechner, U.S. 42. Khaled Almassar, Saudi Arabia 43. Stefan Betz, Germany 44. Hasan Tufan, Norway 45. Michael Higgins, Jamaica 46. Lulu A- Ferdous, Bangladesh 47. Gracia Matoto Kwete, DR Congo 48. Yousif Al-Eliwi, Saudi Arabia 49. Alicia Jitaru, Moldova 50. Peng Li, China 51. Onesemo Moala, Australia 52. Ghazei Almaimooni, Saudi Arabia 53. Gabriela Mendes Earl, Brazil 54. Yunlong Gao, China 55. Muayad Alhassan, Saudi Arabia 56. Qianqian Chen, China 57. Sola Ajala, Nigeria 58. Larissa Domingues, Brazil 59. Rassam Alamry, Saudi Arabia 60. Ahmed Alshammary, Saudi Arabia 61. Abdoul Traore, Burkina Faso 62. Nasser Hamad Almutairi, Saudi Arabia 63. Hakem Alanazi, Saudi Arabia 64. Hassan Almokhreq, Saudi Arabia 65. Kazumi Mori, Japan 66. Taarek Yahya, Libya 67. Veronika Zangerle, Austria 68. Xin Shao, China

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Visit www.unoalumni.org/international to hear a recorded introduction from each student in their native tongue.

PICTURE THIS

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FOR FUN

Sticklers

Visual Scrambled Word Puzzle: Below are two 9-letter words (one an anagram of the other). What are the two words?

You’re a UNO graduate, so it’s a given that you’re out-of-this-world smart, right? Test your brainpower with these puzzles created by UNO graduate Terry Stickels (’76). An author and speaker best known for his puzzles, FRAME GAMES, published by USA Weekend magazine and in 600 newspapers, including London’s largest newspaper, the Guardian. For more information on Stickels, or to order any of his books, visit www.terrystickels.com

Mathematics Eight people decided to invest in a new computer device. If there had been 6 more initial investors, the expense for each person would have been $1,500 less. What was the initial cost per person?

Logic Five retired major league ballplayers were meeting for a team reunion. From the clues below, you can find the name, the year they came into the league, position played and current profession for each. The ballplayers came into the league on consecutive years, starting in 1968. No two ballplayers came into the league in the same year. The TV Commentator came into the league in 1971.

The Astrophysicist came into the league the year before Andy Hawks.

Stymie Wilson, the left fielder, came into the league a year later than the ballplayer who is now a neurosurgeon.

The pitcher, who wasn’t in the league in 1970, isn’t Mark Juniper, who is now an Attorney.

The shortstop, who is a Columnist, is not Bobby Jones and came into the league the year after the pitcher.

The third baseman, who entered the league in 1969, isn’t Andy Hawks or Mark Juniper.

There was a catcher but not John Brown, who was an infielder.

Either the catcher or the Astrophysicist came into the league in 1968.

John Brown and the pitcher came into the league in consecutive years.

Puzzles taken from “the Big Brain Puzzle Book,” created by Terry Stickels for the Alzheimer’s Association. ANSWERS — Mathematics: $3,500. Logic: 1. Mark Juniper—1968— Catcher—Attorney 2. John Brown—1972—Shortstop—Columnist 3. Andy Hawks— 1971—Pitcher–TV Commentator 4. Stymie Wilson—1970—Left Field—Astrophysicist 5. Bobby Jones—1969—Third Base—Neurosurgeon. Visual: Catalogue, Coagulate

Submissions What person of note can you photograph reading UNO Magazine? A famous actor or singer? An athlete? The president or Pope? Send your photos to Managing Editor Anthony Flott at aflott@unoalumni.org. Include your name, contact information and year of graduation, plus text explaining your relationship with the person photographed. We’ll select the best of the bunch and publish them in the next issue of UNO Magazine.

WHO’S READING UNO MAGAZINE?

Photo courtesy David Irete, associate director of Jeopardy!

Try Alex Trebec, host of “Jeopardy!” Trebec’s not a UNO graduate, but he works with one — longtime “Jeopardy!” writer and Emmy Awardwinning Supervising Producer Gary Johnson. A 1967 UNO graduate, Johnson asked Trebec to pose with UNO Magazine to kick off the “Look Who’s Reading UNO Magazine” department. One catch — since this is the inaugural issue of the magazine, no printed piece was ready for Trebec to hold. Instead, he held a blank magazine, which designers later superimposed with this issue’s cover image. Kudos to the man with all the answers for being such a good sport.

Something New Productions

The Thompson Center at UNO Omaha’s most unique setting for outdoor weddings, elegant receptions and memories to last a lifetime • • • •

Beautiful décor and design with a country club atmosphere Landscaped grounds with a canopy of trees forming an “outdoor cathedral” Special spaces to meet every wedding need Centrally located, free parking, easy to find

• • •

Delicious fare and outstanding service from Brandeis Catering Professional event staff to make your wedding day remembered forever Affordable rates (Friday and Sunday discounts available)

For more information or to make a reservation, contact: Thompson Center Manager Greg Trimm (402) 554-3368 • gtrimm@unoalumni.org

Thompson Alumni Center 67th & Dodge • 554-3368 www.thethompsoncenter.org

UNO alum Roberta Williams has given to the UNO Annual Fund for the last 34 years. But she’s not counting, she’s just giving back to the university that has given her so much. “I graduated from Omaha University in 1968 and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1976. The excellent education I received has helped me achieve my goal of being a successful teacher for 30 years.” Roberta is just one of hundreds of UNO alumni and friends who make yearly contributions to the university. And you can join them. Please consider making a gift to the UNO Annual Fund. Your gift helps support scholarships, alumni programs and communications. Your generosity makes a valuable and immediate difference to UNO.

To learn more, or to contribute, go to unoalumni.org/give. Or contact Mary Kenny, mkenny@nufoundation.org, 402-502-4924.

6001 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68182 Address Service Requested

inside 28

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Starting Up in a Slowdown Crisis can breed opportunity. When business is bad, the right business can be really, really good.

Surviving Hard Times

UNO grads look back at living through the Great Depression.

Finding Work

When looking for a job is your new full-time job.

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