SPRING 2021
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TODAY IS THE DAY TO STOP SAYING “SOMEDAY.” Felicia Webb, Graduate Gerontology, BMS Social Gerontology, MA University of Nebraska at Omaha My today started when I realized dreams don’t have a time limit. At 48 years old, I decided to go back to school. As soon as I reached out to the University of Nebraska at Omaha they grabbed my hand. The professors were all willing to help. Before, I thought my education was something I couldn’t attain. I was busy trying to make a living; I wasn’t smart enough. But one day I felt smart enough to try and never looked back. With my online program I felt like I was in classroom with other classmates, but from within the four walls of my home. I did my schoolwork everywhere: airports, traveling, at home. Wherever I was, I was walking into a classroom and never felt alone. The impact of the people I’ve never met face to face is just as strong as if I’d stood there and shook their hands.
150+ online programs. online.nebraska.edu
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IN EVERY ISSUE
4 Chancellor 6 Alumni Association 10
18 32
Philanthropy Matters
20 Athletics 54
Class Notes
FEATURES
14 Scenes 24 Keepin’ On
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30
Events
38 Successes
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42 Updates 46
Alumni Album
48 Archives
52 VOL. 12, NO. 1 1,000 WORDS A picture says it all, right? Almost. We still needed 1,000 words for this issue. Count away if you don’t believe us (but not the ads!). CREDITS ABOUT UNO MAGAZINE SUBMIT RECORD CHANGE
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In the Ark
SPRING 2021
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CHANCELLOR
Message from Chancellor Jeffrey Gold, who leaves his UNO post June 30.
PRESIDENTS & CHANCELLORS
DANIEL JENKINS 1909-26
W. GILBERT JAMES 1926-27
KARL WETTSTONE 1927-28
ERNEST EMERY 1928-30
WILLIAM SEALOCK 1931-35
ROWLAND HAYNES 1935-48
MILO BAIL 1948-65
LELAND TRAYWICK 1965-67
KIRK NAYLOR 1967-71
JOHN BLACKWELL 1971-72
RON ROSKENS 1972-77
DEL WEBER 1977-97
NANCY BELCK 1997-2006
JOHN CHRISTENSEN 2006-2017
JEFFREY GOLD 2017-2021
Jenkins
Roskens, Bail, Weber, Naylor
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Weber, Christensen, Gold
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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
First in the Family
2020 Alumni Citation recipient Tom Hagel
HIRING PART-TIME TEACHER ASSISTANTS
For more information call the UNO Child Care Center at 402.554.3398
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Virtual Mavs on the Move
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ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
�op o� your r�sum� with a high quality professional certificate program!
Virtual Commencement
STRATEGIC SALES MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE • Five half-day sessions • Next program begins April 9 • In-person at UNOCollege of Business Administration or via Zoom • Fee: $1,495
miniMBA CERTIFICATE
Get the UNO App
• • • •
Five full-day sessions Next program begins April 1 Virtual via Zoom Fee: $2,495
For information on certificate programs and custom leadership or business programs, visit
cba.unomaha.edu/execed
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Lee Denker departs
SHOW THE O
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PHILANTHROPY MATTERS
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS
Philanthropy supports UNO’s DHS Center of Excellence for Terrorism Prevention & Counterterrorism Research, led by Gina Ligon.
Al and Beverly Thomsen honor UNO’s past
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PHILANTHROPY MATTERS
Gifts from Mammel Foundation, Rod Rhoden, Union Pacific Foundation expand CBA’s home.
1,390 gifts
1,050 donors
$193,873 raised
The Webster legacy lives. Will yours? For 100 years, the Webster family has helped Omaha and its business community. Their positive influence on the city’s students has lasted nearly as long. In 1923, John R. Webster started a fund to help then-University of Omaha students pay for their education. The name of the school has changed, but the impact of his generosity has not. Students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha are benefitting from his fund nearly a century later. You have the same opportunity to make the same kind of impact. To find out how, visit us online at NUFoundation.org/giftplanning or call a gift planning officer at the University of Nebraska Foundation at 800-432-3216.
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SCENES
SCENES
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SCENES
GLACIER CREEK BARN
SCENES
MBSC BAXTER CHAPEL
NATIVE GARDEN
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SCENES
SCENES
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ATHLETICS
VICTORIES
Pittsburgh Penguin Jake Guentzel scores on proposal to fellow grad Natalie Johnson.
Baseball Coach Evan Porter welcomes son.
John Rosso lifts Stanley Cup with NHL Champ Tampa Bay.
ATHLETICS
FIELDS OF DREAMS
UNO opens baseball/softball complex.
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HOCKEY
ATHLETICS
MEN’S BASKETBALL
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Baxter Arena hosts all NCHC teams in 40-game season-opening pod. Mavs battle Top 10 Creighton, Kansas.
IN MEMORIAM UNO loses all-time greats Jimmy Jones (center, front), Joe Arenas.
ATHLETICS
MEN’S SWIMMING UNO adding men’s team.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Carrie Banks takes head coach reins.
VOLLEYBALL January start with hopes of April Summit championship.
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KEEPIN’ ON
KEEPIN’ O
THROUGH CO
ON
OVID
KEEPIN’ ON
TESTING
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KEEPIN’ ON
TEACHING
LEARNING
KEEPIN’ ON
SERVING
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THIS IS UNO
There’s no belltower, but this is UNO — the 525-acre Glacier Creek Preserve northwest of Omaha.
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EVENTS
MOVE-IN DAY
EVENTS
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Meals for quarantined students
Durango Days — distanced
Postelection student broadcast, UNO TV studio
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EVENTS
A “GREASY” AUGUST RETURN TO
NIGH
THE DR
EVENTS
SCHOOL WITH DRIVE-IN AT BAXTER
HT AT
RIVE-IN
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EVENTS
New city buses include campus stop.
AFROTC raises flag flown over U.S. Capitol; march during 24-hour POW/MIA vigil.
EVENTS
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NU Regent Jack Stark tours campus, rides Maverick shuttle.
Union Pacific employees discuss railroad real estate with students near Golden Spike Monument in Iowa.
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EVENTS
POW Wow Dancers, Elmwood Park
EVENTS
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Maverick Landing Mural
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SUCCESSES
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
SUCCESSES
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Chuck Hagel forum has brought notable faces to UNO, including Joe Biden, John Kerrey.
Despite pandemic, UNO served its largest student body in nearly 30 years.
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SUCCESSES
MAVERICK IN THE MAKING SCHOLARSHIPS
CFAM musical “Songs For A New World” produced, streamed by students/faculty/staff.
SUCCESSES
Omaha Magical Society donates 1,000+ books to Criss Library.
Internationally celebrated Samuel Bak to provide 500+ pieces to establish UNO museum for study and discussion of human rights.
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UPDATES
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Statue of UNO founding President Daniel Jenkins erected.
Paul Davis’ Urban Health Opportunities Program looks to crack the mold from which most physicians emerge.
UPDATES
What once was the College of Education now is the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
ROSKENS
LEADERSHIP CHANGES New roles for, (from left) EMILY HASSENSTAB (interim director, International Programs); MICHELLE TRAWICK (dean, CBA); HESHAM ALI (IS&T dean, retiring); CECIL HICKS (associate VC of Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion); JANE MEZA (interim director, Office of Health Security)
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UPDATES
CRISS LIBRARY
CARES Act funds NBDC programs to help state businesses such as Russ Finch of Chadron’s Greenhouse in the Snow.
UPDATES
UNO stayed safely open in 2020 so students could open a book at the library or grab a bite to eat at the Maverick Den.
Union Pacific once put universitybranded placemats in its dining cars. Today, a new program helps its employees earn a degree.
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ALUMNI ALBUM
ALUMNI ROI
Betsy Thomas (’12) featured on “TODAY” for videos for students at Lincoln’s Kooser Elementary.
Rodrigo (’96) and Mary Lopez: United Way of the Midlands Citizens of the Year.
Caleb Ross, Sally Elatta, Waverle Monroe and other alumni show their return on investment from their UNO education. Beth McGill Presser (’07) and family raise $57,000+ for Feeding America.
ALUMNI ALBUM
HANDS-ON COMMUNICATION UNO offers the only sign language interpreter program in Nebraska, a critical skill during COVID-19 updates from signers including grad Pamela Duncan.
Brent Hassenstab (’12), heart and vascular unit nurse at Nebraska Medicine, was among first to get covid vaccination.
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ARCHIVES
Class of 1923
Redick Hall — UNO’s first home
Milo Bail, far right, planning 1950s campus.
Chemistry Class 1939
ARCHIVES
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YWCA Reading Room 1928 OU Orchestra 1929
50th anniversary celebration
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ARCHIVES
Cheerleaders, 1967
“The Temporaries”
Homecoming, 1960s
Engineering cornerstone laid, 1959
President Rowland Haynes at ASH site, 1937
ARCHIVES
RFK visits, 1960
Student Center Pinball, 1970s
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Showing the O, 1960s
Registration, 1970s
1980s
First parking meter, 1955
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CLASS IN THE NOTES ARK
IN THE ARK
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CLASS NOTES
’70
Betty Rose Howell
’72
Pat Anderson
’73
William Steinkamp
’74
Mathia Sanders
’75
Ross Goode
’77
Beverly Jean Elgan
’80
Paul Yochum
’83
Paula Lukowski
’85
Kent Austin
’90
David Craft
’90
David Jahr
’96
Sharon Martin
’97
Chris Loofe
’98
Anthony Tracek-King
’01
Jennifer Lynn
’03
Jeff Miller
’08
Scott Herrig
’11
Matt and Megan Nelson
’11
Geno Rodregus Vaughn
’12
Colby Jensen
’14
Quinn Eaton
’16
Nick Beaulieu
’70
Brandon McDermott
’20
Bob Morris
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