The View - Winter 2021

Winter 2021 | Volume 42

United Soccer League Partners with Bellevue University For Love of Country Holocaust survivor gives back

A More Inclusive Culture in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program

TABLE OF

CONTENTS Cover: Thanks to a new partnership, USL players will be able to balance their professional soccer careers and pursue their goals of earning a college degree at Bellevue University.

Photo by Matt Bills Message from Mary Hawkins…. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Kim Ruengert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Jesse Ceballos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Heather Carroll… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Andrea Gaylord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 David Burd…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 I/O Pysch Program…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Milton and Marsha Kleinberg…. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 USL Partnership…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Eric Ewing…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Around Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 2021 Signature Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

GOING FOR

YOUR GOALS As a non-profit open access university, Bellevue University does more than talk about opportunity, it throws the door wide open to hard-working and deserving students from a variety of backgrounds.

Mission Statement Bellevue University provides career-oriented, cost effective, open access education through select undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.

Vision In a rapidly changing higher education environment, Bellevue University boldly adapts and innovates so our students and university can be wildly successful.

Values Student Success Integrity Value of education Innovate Care for Others

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One of the ways we reach out and connect with students from diverse backgrounds is through partnerships.

The relationships we forge with community colleges who support their students in their quest to earn a bachelor’s degree; with organizations who pay for a portion or all of their employees’ tuition; with military bases and branches; and with academic institutions that are on the other side of the globe are all very different.

But all of our partners share our approach to serving working adult learners. They develop programs with success in mind from the very beginning. You can read more about one of our newest partnerships – with the United Soccer League – starting on page 12.

Another way we welcome students and support them is through our design of academic courses and degree programs and through the individuals we hire to teach tomorrow’s leaders.

Turn to page 14 and read more about Eric Ewing, one of our adjunct professors. Eric brings a wealth of real life experience, including 20 years in the Navy, to healthcare management students, and we’re fortunate to have him as part of our faculty team.

While times continue to be uncertain, what I’m most sure about is that Bellevue University alumni and students will continue to achieve their goals and, in the process, create a brighter future for themselves, their families, their organizations and everyone in our connected world.

Dr. Mary Hawkins President, Bellevue University

Continuing her education was the answer — more specifically, continuing her education at Bellevue University.

“I had been contemplating going back to school to further my education and enhance my career. The opportunity presented itself when my employer promoted its partnership with Bellevue University,” she said. “I went to their website to see what they had to offer.

They had two different degree programs that would work with my work and life schedule; the timing was perfect, and I knew it was meant to be.”

Commencement Student Speaker Encourages Others to Embrace Change

Kim Ruengert was nervous about going back to school after 20 years, but said it was one of the most rewarding decisions of her life. As the Bellevue University 2021 Spring Commencement Student Speaker, she encouraged fellow graduates and ceremony guests to take a chance on change. Though most of us are comfortable where we are, taking on new things shows what we can be capable of, she said. Ruengert is an example of this herself, working as a medical professional during the pandemic, while also earning her Master of Health Administration (MHA).

Going Back to College After graduating from high school, Ruengert earned her bachelor’s degree in biology, followed by a bachelor’s degree in medical technology.

Since then, she’s worked in hospital laboratories, working her way up to her current position as a laboratory manager at Memorial Community Hospital and Health System in Blair, Neb. Still, she felt something was missing.

Earning a Master’s Degree, Working in Healthcare During a Pandemic Ruengert completed her master’s degree online. “My experience could not have gone any smoother,” she said. “I was able to correspond with my instructors and classmates easily. The instructors for the MHA program wanted the students to succeed and provided feedback, as necessary.”

In the midst of the pandemic, she was able to continue her program without skipping a beat.

“Earning my degree during the pandemic was a blessing in disguise,” Ruengert said. “Since all my classes were already online, the pandemic allowed me to focus more on my studies. Everything was closed, and staying home to do classwork was easier to prioritize.”

COVID-19 also brought Ruengert invaluable experiences in her professional life. “We had to revamp how we cared for patients, making sure everyone was kept safe,” she said. “At times it was stressful, and we worked tirelessly to provide the necessary care to patients. It was a dramatic and continuously changing environment. The facility that I work at did an exceptional job to address our community's needs and keep the organization functioning.”

Though balancing work and school was at times challenging, Ruengert said shuffling her focus for a short time was worth it.

“The program lasted only 18 months, and my family and friends understood

that work and school were my priorities during that time. They were very supportive of my decision to go back to school,” she said. “It was a small sacrifice to concentrate on school for the ultimate goal of earning a master's degree.”

Looking Forward to the Future A master’s degree is just the beginning of Ruengert’s efforts to seek out new challenges, starting with speaking at commencement. Program Director Dr. Mike Freel nominated her for the role.

“It was completely unexpected and an honor to be considered for such a grand opportunity,” she said. “Public speaking is outside my comfort zone, but I couldn't let my fears hold me back.”

In addition to inspiring others with her speech, she’s spreading the word about the benefits of the Bellevue University MHA program.

“I have already recommended the MHA program to one of my peers,” she said. “The cohort program was very well structured and well-paced for anyone who is working full time, raising a family and advancing their education. The tuition cost is reasonable, and reimbursement through my organization’s partnership with the University minimizes the out-of-pocket cost for a degree.”

Ruengert is looking forward to how her master’s degree will help her continue on her current career path.

“Earning my degree during the pandemic was a blessing in disguise.”

“I already hold a management position at my healthcare organization, and the MHA degree enhances my knowledge, skills and abilities so I can contribute more to administration,” she said.

With a little more time available after graduating and with pandemic restrictions eased, she’s also looking forward to getting back to bowling, knitting, camping, and riding her motorcycle.

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Student Employee Achieves Dreams, Helps Other Students Achieve Theirs Between working two jobs and earning a bachelor’s degree with a double major, Jesse Ceballos doesn’t have a lot of spare time. However, he commits fully to everything he does, which recently earned him the honor of Bellevue University Student Employee of the Year 2021.

“Juggling two jobs, being a full-time student and tending to all other family and personal obligations has been an extremely challenging task,” he said. “I like to think that I am a person who fully commits to everything I do, so I had to learn how to manage my time and prioritize tasks even when everything was important to me.”

Ceballos, a first-generation college student who worked in the University’s Scholarships & Grants Department, graduated last June with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication Studies with an emphasis in Mass Media.

“Luckily, I also had a great support system that helped me get through some hardships, encouraged me to keep going, and believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.”

A Journey Full of Challenges, Rewards Ceballos’s parents are originally from Mexico and moved to the United States seeking a better life. They were only able to complete the equivalent of an elementary-level education.

“They really stressed the importance of education as I grew up; however, It was not until now that I learned to value education, which makes this degree very important and special to me,” said Ceballos.

Being a first-generation college student was hard at first. “I was excited but scared to go to college. I had to learn the ropes by myself and did not have anyone in my family to turn to for help as I navigated the confusing roads of college admissions,” he said. “Although it was no easy task, I am proud of the experiences I have gone through and am pleased to break the cycle by being the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree.”

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“I have also set a goal for myself to pursue a graduate degree, so that will also be in the works. No matter what path I take, I know I want to help others and strengthen my community.” - Jesse Ceballos Ceballos said the faculty and staff at Bellevue University played a large part in helping him face the challenges of earning a degree. ”Everyone I worked with and encountered was very supportive and was always willing to lend a hand. I can honestly say that I would not be who I am today without all the knowledge and wisdom I have taken from everyone I met during my time at Bellevue University.”

With two quite different majors, Ceballos took a combination of online and in-person courses. “This whole college experience has been great and rewarding,” he said. “It is difficult to pinpoint my favorite experience; however, I have very much enjoyed getting to work with many instructors and staff members that helped me grow academically and professionally, and have become mentor figures in my life.”

The Scholarship Experience Comes Full Circle Ceballos chose Bellevue University because it was a smaller school that was close to home. That wasn’t the only factor, however. “Most importantly, I was offered multiple scholarships that would completely cover the cost of my degree,” he said.

Little did he know that by the time he graduated, he’d be helping students like himself who needed help covering the cost of a college degree. In his student employee role, he worked on a variety of tasks related to scholarships and grants, including handling all communications with external scholarship providers, researching opportunities and listing them online. He also helped match students with the right scholarships.

“One of my favorite tasks was executing multiple thank-you campaigns for the scholarship reviewers,” he said. “I very much enjoyed being part of a wonderful, supportive team, and as a scholarship student myself, I enjoyed learning about the work that goes on behind-thescenes.”

Looking Toward the Future Ceballos hasn’t decided exactly what his career path will look like, but with a broad education base, he will have many options.

He’s interested in helping younger students reach their potential or working at a non-profit, as well as exploring public relations and social media marketing.

Carroll Ensures Bellevue University Sets Standards

for Supporting Military Veterans

"Really anything veteran-related, we'll do," she said. " And if we don't do something right now, we'll look to connect veterans with someone who can help them."

The center handles everything from job placement to finding mental health services to ensuring that the military and military affiliated student body — more than 10 percent of Bellevue University's overall enrollment — are getting every benefit which they are entitled.

It all takes place at the 6,000 square-foot freestanding center located at the western corner of the campus.

Like so many other people in the armed services, Bellevue University's Military Veteran Services Center Manager Heather Carroll felt that enlisting was like going into the family business.

"My dad was a Marine, my grandfather [on her mom's side] was a Marine, my dad's grandpa was in the Army, so you could say that it was in my blood," Carroll said. When it came time for her to join, the process took the first of many unexpected turns.

"Initially I thought about going into the Navy," Carroll said.

"When I went in, the recruiter was on the phone with his girlfriend so I decided to walk next door and chat with the Air Force rep." By the time she got through talking to the recruiter, she was sold.

Carroll arrived at basic training with a guaranteed job as an air traffic controller. However, after an unfortunate accident on an obstacle course led to a torn meniscus in her knee, she had to pivot once more, this time to a position as a medic.

Carroll was responsible for on boarding and off-boarding wounded soldiers and civilians, making sure they were stabilized before sending them home or back out into the field.

"When I joined initially, it was just supposed to be for four years," Carroll said. "But I loved it so much that I ended up staying for 20."

When she retired from the service, Carroll believed she would continue to put her medical skills to good use by becoming a nurse, but years of hard work as a medic had taken their toll, making it hard for her to stand for long periods of time. That didn't stop her from wanting to help veterans heal, so she pivoted to psychology classes at Bellevue University. After splitting time between school and working for the university, Carroll took over as the Manager of the university's Military Veteran Services Center in 2019.

"It's a one-stop-shop so that they don't need to run all over town," Carroll said. "So far, we've been able to help over 5,000 veterans and that's why Bellevue University sets the standard when it comes to helping out veterans."

And both Carroll and the Military Veteran Services Center are continuing to grow. Carroll recently started her master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology.

"It takes a top-down look at an organization to see how people are working together," she said. "It ensures that everyone is in the type of situation where they work best."

In addition to helping those that walk through the door, Carroll is looking to bring a wider awareness of mental healthcare to campus.

To do so, Bellevue University is partnering with Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare — a Nebraska-based mental health organization — to offer mental health first aid classes to their staff and students.

The training, which involves two hours of online modules and five hours of in-class work, helps the participants recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, de-escalate situations with people experiencing those symptoms, and connect them with the next level of care that they are going to need.

Ideally, Carroll hopes to offer the class to 10 new people each month until the entire community has undergone the training.

"I want everyone to be able to recognize this stuff in co-workers, friends, and family. It's just a great tool to help reduce the suicide rate," Carroll said. "If we can recognize these signs in behavior it will do wonders for our community. I think the sky's the limit!"

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Bellevue University Alum Pays It Forward Through Teaching It’s no surprise that students, including college students, want a teacher they can both relate to and learn from, and Bellevue University Adjunct Professor Andrea Gaylord brings a mixture of both to the classroom. Inspired by a professor during her own educational journey, she also has a similar background to the retail employees she teaches.

A Wealth of Experience Gaylord works for Omaha Police Department and serves as a key resource for managing data for the department, officers and the National Crime Information Center. Prior to starting at OPD in 2013, she worked in retail, both in entry-level positions and in management.

These experiences serve her well teaching in the College of Continuing and Professional Education. She is an instructor for online Business Management and Business Leadership courses, guiding students who work for a national retailer as they complete a certification program for frontline supervisors.

“I think students want to see someone with professional experience in a variety of fields,” Gaylord said. “I have management experience in retail, warehouse and here at the police department.”

Gaylord chose Bellevue University when completing her bachelor’s degree in 2015. She began her bachelor’s degree after high school, but left after becoming pregnant during her first year.

“And I finally did at 30 years old. Bellevue University was perfect.” In particular, she liked the variety of learning formats available.

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“When I decided to get my master’s, they offered an accelerated online program for what I wanted to go into — organizational performance,” she said.

Making a Difference for Students Gaylord focuses on giving her students a quality experience and keeping them engaged. In their assignments and discussions, she challenges them to stretch their minds.

“My students do get graded on their quality of peer response,” she said. “Responses need to add to the conversation, ask questions and use course materials, not just give their opinions or say ‘good work’ and ‘I agree.’’

“I’ve also received emails stating that they are going to recommend to their co-workers to take the program with me as an instructor,” Gaylord said. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something right!”

“I quit college with the intention of going back later,” she said.

Gaylord took evening classes once a week, and one professor, in particular, inspired her to become the instructor she is today.

After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Business in 2017, she also chose to earn her master’s degree at Bellevue University.

Students appreciate Gaylord’s extra efforts to help them grow.

She said the best part of teaching has been “when a student emails me and says how much they loved one of the classes.”

Her Journey From Student to Teacher

She also found that Bellevue University’s small class sizes were ideal. “You really get one-on-one, direct time with your professors. Even online, the classes are small. The professors I’ve had are very attentive to their students. The experience is perfect for working professionals.”

“Professor Brian Bunce was my instructor for my bachelor’s program, and I was inspired,” she said.

“He made class fun. He taught me so much that I decided I wanted to inspire students like he does.”

In her rare spare time, Gaylord loves to travel, ride her motorcycle and spend time with her wife, teenage daughter, three dogs and two cats.

ANDREA GAYLORD As an Adjunct Professor, she brings a variety of real life work experiences in retail and law enforcement into her online classrooms, where she teaches Business Management and Business Leadership

Master’s Degree Helps Burd Achieve CEO Goal David Burd has dedicated his entire career to the healthcare field, after discovering it was the right fit during a college internship. “I have always felt ‘at home’ in the healthcare industry,” he said. “What other industry allows you to make a difference in people’s lives regardless of whether you are in a clinical or non-clinical position?”

After more than a decade in a senior administrative position, he set his sights on a new goal: CEO. Since earning his Master of Health Administration (MHA) at Bellevue University in 2016, he’s achieved that goal. In fact, he stepped into the role of President and CEO of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in July 2020.

The Path to CEO Burd knew that an MHA would be essential to reaching the CEO level. “As I advanced through my career and began to have aspirations of being a hospital CEO, I recognized the need to obtain a MHA in order to achieve my goal,” he said.

“The professors at Bellevue University are very knowledgeable, with extensive handson experience. Even in an online program, you really get to know your fellow students, as you share several classes together.”

As he began researching schools, Bellevue University’s program fit all his criteria. “At the time, I was employed at the Nebraska Hospital Association, which has a strong partnership with Bellevue University,” he said. “In addition, I was searching for an affordable and high-quality program that was provided online with the ability to obtain my degree quickly.”

The Online MHA Experience Earning a master’s degree online was quite different from the experience Burd had obtaining his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. However, he said, despite the different mode of learning, he made strong connections.

“I had a great experience at Bellevue University and really enjoyed and valued the many interactions with my professors and fellow students,” he said. “The professors at Bellevue University are very

knowledgeable, with extensive hands-on experience. Even in an online program, you really get to know your fellow students, as you share several classes together.”

Burd said the experience would be a great one for anyone interested in an MHA. “I would recommend the MHA program at Bellevue University for several reasons, including the well-rounded curriculum, talented and experienced professors, affordability, and overall commitment to students’ success,” he said.

Ready to Lead Burd feels his MHA prepared him well to lead Jennie Edmundson, a 230-bed regional healthcare center serving about 250,000 residents in western Iowa and employing over 560 full-time and part-time employees, as well as a medical staff of nearly 170 physicians.

“In today’s competitive workplace, most executive level positions require a master’s degree, as did my new role,” he said. “In addition to meeting the educational requirement of the position, obtaining an MHA through Bellevue University ensured that I was well-rounded from both an educational and experience perspective.”

As a CEO, Burd looks forward to making an impact for the hospital, its patients and the area at large. “I have had the opportunity to work with some awesome people, that are incredibly talented and passionate about what they do, that have had a significant impact on my career path,” he said.

“My journey toward healthcare administration has been guided by the desire to truly have a positive impact on the lives of patients and staff and on the entire community.”

DAVID BURD “As I advanced through my career and began to have aspirations of being a hospital CEO, I recognized the need to obtain a MHA in order to achieve my goal.”

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Goracke Builds Master’s Program Around Inclusive Culture “Diversity ensures all perspectives are incorporated in the discussion of solutions and approaches, and it ultimately produces the best end product, whatever that might be.”

JoDee Goracke is passionate about the field of industrial and organizational psychology, and believes that extending the field to a wide variety of individuals can only make it better.

As an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Bellevue University Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology since its beginnings in 2015, inclusion and diversity are at the center of her efforts to build a one-of-kind degree program.

“In my experience, higher education, and graduate school in particular, can be incredibly exclusive,” said Goracke, who holds a bachelor’s degree in cognitive psychology and a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology, otherwise known as I/O. “I felt that Bellevue University had a genuine mission to extend rigorous academic programs in an inclusive way. I am passionate about opening the field of I/O to individuals to participate and grow this area of knowledge and practice.”

Unique Program Applies to Countless Roles, Cultures Because I/O studies employee behavior in the workplace, its graduates serve in a wide variety of roles and industries. ”The career path is really varied, as the way I/O prepares you is incredibly applicable in any department, but some common careers we see are jobs in human resources, leadership development, training, external consulting, and data analysis.”

Goracke herself worked in data science and analysis at a Fortune 500 company and various academic research centers prior to joining the university.

“We cover all required content for master’s programs in I/O as outlined by The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, like selection, leadership, motivation, and psychometrics, but where I think the program is unique is that we facilitate two major applied projects, which the students are able to design individual topics and methods around,” Goracke said.

Goracke’s dynamic career experience has given her crucial insight into what her students will need to succeed after graduating. “I understand how the applied and academic

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knowledge needs to be coupled to be successful right out of graduate school,” she said. “I was also a non-traditional graduate student.”

“Knowing that they (students) are taking time away from family, hobbies and work, etc., pushed me to be incredibly passionate about creating a curriculum and learning experience that sets our students up to be competitive I/O graduates.”

Diversity’s Role in I/O Goracke said diversity is critical to any field or study, but in the past I/O programs at the graduate level have not proven to be very diverse.

“While I/O curriculum touches on diversity as a topic, I felt that generally the field of I/O and graduate school access has not been inclusive, which is part of why I joined Bellevue University; I wanted to be part of the change.”

The Bellevue University I/O program incorporates diverse and inclusive practices throughout the student’s progress, starting with items like admissions, orientation and access to faculty, etc.

“We acknowledge that our students have a variety of academic backgrounds and we invest a lot of time upfront with students to make them feel prepared and supported to tackle graduatelevel coursework,” Goracke said.

Renea Gernant, Assistant Dean of the Bellevue University College of Arts and Sciences, said “Our program is deliberately and unapologetically committed to diversity. Our program not only teaches about diversity issues, but JoDee and her faculty support and encourage a very diverse student population.”

Goracke also continues to grow her own experiences and perspectives. Goracke has been working with Opportunity Education, an innovative high school based on the Bellevue University campus, and also created a design thinking course that has been offered both at Bellevue University and in Tanzania for more than five years.

Goracke was recently named the chair of a subcommittee of The Women’s Inclusion Network for Mentoring, which operates under the Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She has been working with the committee for almost three years, recently launching an online seminar series of expert sessions and mentor pairings.

Engaging Students to Help Them Succeed Goracke said what really makes the MIOP program stand out is the support every student receives from the beginning of his or her program to the end. “We provide direct access and communication with all instructors in the program and peers through Slack, which truly has created a community and support system for our students,” she said.

In addition to the I/O community on Slack, Goracke provides a live orientation meeting with every new student cohort. During these sessions, she meets those who join, and then continues the new student discussion and support via Slack as they navigate their first courses.

“I really think where I see the biggest success in engagement for students is in their connection with one another as a cohort,” Goracke said. “Students will create study groups, talk with one another outside of their course channels, and there have been so many times that I have heard from students that their peers are what has kept them going, which is what I hoped to facilitate for students.”

MIOP adjunct professor Dr. Leslie Stager agrees that the culture of Bellevue University and the program itself set students up for success in a unique way.

“We give everyone an opportunity to learn,” she said. “There is a very real sense of collaboration, support and camaraderie between faculty and students. The students come first – they drive everything we do.”

MIOP Graduates Lead Through Action Jeremy Wright of Irving, Texas, is currently studying in the MIOP program, with an expected graduation in spring 2022.

He previously received his bachelor’s and MBA degrees at Bellevue University.

“As an alumnus, I know what to expect and have gotten a great investment return with my bachelor’s and MBA degrees. In my experience, the programs are catered to working individuals with busy lives; this is important to me as I work full-time with a demanding job,” he said.

Wright said he chose the MIOP because he wanted practical learning he could directly apply, as opposed to a researchbased program. ”I have learned more about myself with every assignment,” he said.

To help other interested students make informed decisions, Wright has been sharing about his I/O journey on his YouTube channel.

Gernant said that the leadership skills and diversity woven throughout the MIOP program go hand in hand. “Professionals in I/O psychology are often the individuals in an organization who are given responsibility for training colleagues and helping leadership in an organization promote diversity,” she added.

“In the workplace, they are often tasked with anti-racism, sexism, and ageism initiatives. Our students leave this program not only able to talk about diversity, but with a diverse network of colleagues who can help them to better understand the lived experiences of their peers who come from backgrounds different than their own.”

Like Wright and Gernant, Stager agrees that the MIOP experience helps students long after they’ve graduated. “We understand that they must compete for jobs and we want them to be prepared,” she said. “We also give them opportunities to interact with professionals as part of their program. MIOP emphasizes activities to build relationships with professionals in the field so that they are prepared with a network and support system upon graduation.”

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“This program is for you if you are looking to understand people-related issues at work, and learn how to craft effective research-based solutions.

I would encourage people to enroll if they want to differentiate themselves within the broad field of human resources or even as an organizational leader.”

– Jeremy Wright, MIOP Student

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Love of Country, Education, Inspires Gift to Support Students Holocaust Survivor and Wife Give Back to Others in Appreciation of ‘Good Life’ They Have Built Bellevue University undergraduates have a new source of scholarships and other need-based financial assistance, thanks to the generosity of Milton and Marsha Kleinberg of Omaha. Their love of America, “the greatest country on the face of the globe,” and their belief in education’s power to transform lives and society, inspired the Kleinbergs to establish The Marsha and Milton Mendel Kleinberg Endowed Student Support Fund.

Milton was CEO of Senior Market Sales, Inc. (SMS), and Marsha was office manager when they moved to Omaha from Milwaukee in 1990 to grow the company into a premier insurance marketing organization in the senior market. The company, which they sold last year, has more than 320 Omaha employees, and offers life and

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health coverage for senior citizens through a nationwide network of 65,000 independent agents.

The Kleinbergs initially learned about Bellevue University at one of the University’s annual Signature Event programs several years ago. Attracted by the event’s positive portrayal of America’s tenets and history, they became regular attenders at the fall speaker programs, which feature nationally known thought leaders from the realm of politics, civic affairs, and the media. “In America, anyone who dares to dream big can achieve it with perseverance and education,” says Kleinberg, “Winston Churchill’s comment on democracy is also apt for America. We may not be the perfect nation, except when you compare us to all the other nations.”

Milton’s patriotism is born, in part, from his own firsthand perspective as a Polish Jew and Holocaust survivor who emigrated to the U.S. with his family after World War II ended. For decades, he did not talk much about his wartime experiences. But questions from his grandchildren and great grandchildren in Israel, where school field trips include visits to former concentration camps in Poland, changed that, he said. “They wanted to know more about how their grandfather survived the war.”

So, in 2010, Milton self-published a hardcover biographical book “Memories of My Childhood During and After the Holocaust 1937-1951,” printing only 500 copies in English and 200 in Hebrew for friends and family. However, the story resonated with many others, and in 2015, the Director of Holocaust Education in

Omaha asked him to reprint the book for use as a 9th grade manual for Holocaust education. The revised book, titled, “Bread or Death,” is a detailed memoir chronicling events with names, dates, numbers, places, photos, and his own still-vivid memories.

His story is highlighted below: Born Mendel Dawidowicz in Pabianice, Poland, Milton and his family were caught up in the torrent of World War II, narrowly escaping the Nazi genocide after Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. They spent the war years in Arkhangelsk, a Soviet forced-labor camp in Russia, and Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in Central Asia.

During the war, Milton’s biological father abandoned the family, and his two younger brothers, Hershel and Velvel, died from the harsh conditions, disease and malnutrition. By the time 9-year-old Mendel and his mother, Fajga Dawidowicz, returned home to Pabianice in 1945, six million Pols (one-fifth of Poland’s pre-war population) were dead. Most were civilians, including three million of the country’s 3.3 million Jews, many dying in Nazi extermination and work camps. “All our relatives who had remained in Pabianice perished…It was as though the slate had been wiped clean of Jews. There was not a recognizable Jewish face,” Milton recalled, “and we were not completely welcome.”

Mendel and Fajga spent several years in post-war displacedperson camps, during which she divorced her first husband, eventually meeting Aron Kleinberg, a Polish Jew who also had spent the war in Soviet work camps, losing his wife and two daughters in the Holocaust. Aron and Faiga married, adding two daughters, Basha and Golda, to the family by the time they emigrated to the U.S. in spring 1951 when Mendel was 14. They settled in Milwaukee, where their son Eugene was born. “We’re all that’s left,” Aron prayed during his new family’s first Passover meal in the U.S., determined they would put the past behind them and go forward.

“Arriving in Milwaukee was the first good day of the rest of our lives. And a good life has followed ever since.” – Milton M. Kleinberg (MMK) With help from a dedicated Polish-American tutor and other teachers, Mendel learned English and got up to speed in high school, excelling in athletics and earning a B+ average, with high marks in math. He decided to change his name to Milton Mendel Kleinberg and focus on the future. “I wanted to be good at something. I wanted to be successful,” he recalled. A school convocation presentation by Olympic Decathlon gold medalist Bob Mathias helped inspire Milton’s career and life motto: “Successful people do those things that failures refuse to do.”

After high school, Milton joined in the U.S. Army in 1955, serving in Korea. He and Marsha met when he was home on a furlough. A year after being honorably discharged from the military in 1958, He became a naturalized American citizen.

After factory work, house painting, running a small business,

working in a lumberyard, and direct sales jobs, Milton tried the insurance business at a small Milwaukee agency in 1964, later landing a sales position with Prudential.

“One of my most important accomplishments was becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States of America.” - MMK With vestiges of fascism emerging on American soil, Milton helped to organize Concerned Jewish Citizens of Wisconsin, proactively countering anti-Semitic demonstrations there and in Illinois. Along the way, the Kleinbergs, who married in 1960, became “educators,” in their own right, at one point sponsoring and cohosting a weekly Milwaukee radio broadcast about their Jewish heritage and community news and events.

Marsha earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology and was a speech pathologist in the Milwaukee Public Schools for many years. She eventually left speech pathology to assist her husband, working as office manager of their growing insurance agency.

Milton, who did not earn a college degree, has consulted Congress and industry leaders on insurance and healthcare issues. He also has spearheaded humanitarian efforts to combat anti-semitism and promote tolerance and education programs to shed light on the Holocaust.

“If there is anything that I have learned about life, it is that family is everything.

Relationships are everything.”

In 2008, interested in learning more about his family, Milton reached out to half-siblings born to his biological father, Chaskiel Dawidowicz, and Dawidowicz’s second wife, Zlata.

Both now deceased, they had emigrated to Israel after the war and eventually had four daughters and two sons, the youngest of whom disappeared in an Israeli hospital at one year of age.

Bellevue University and its students are not the only beneficiaries of the Kleinbergs’ generosity. Throughout their marriage of 60 years and counting, the Kleinberg have leveraged their business success to benefit people, causes and organizations like the Jewish Federation of Omaha, Chabad House of Nebraska, The Salvation Army, Beth Israel Synagogue, the Omaha Public Library, and the Omaha Food Bank.

Milton and Marsha Kleinberg‘s daughter Cindy lives in Israel with her husband, six children, and 16 grandchildren. Their son, Hershel, lives with his wife in Virginia, where he has a satellite office for Senior Market Sales. At 84, Milton continues to tell his family’s story in schools, colleges, and other venues, including the SMS corporate website, often in collaboration with the non-profit Institute for Holocaust Education.

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Earlier this year, The United Soccer League (USL) announced a multi-year partnership with Bellevue University, which becomes the first Official Education Partner of the USL in the organization’s history.

As part of the partnership, Bellevue University will grant a full scholarship to each USL Championship and League One team annually to be awarded to a player to pursue their undergraduate or graduate degrees. Additionally, during year one, the USL, the USL Black Player’s Alliance and Bellevue University will work collaboratively to award a scholarship to a non-profit that benefits minority youth.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Bellevue University and provide these life-changing opportunities across the USL,” said USL Sr. Vice President of Corporate Partnerships & Development, Josh Keller. “So many of our players put their academic careers on hold to chase their dreams on the pitch, and at some point, they will need to start on a new path. Bellevue University’s flexible environment will allow our players to get a jump start at preparing for life after soccer in an incredibly meaningful and impactful way.”

Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is one of the country’s top 20 online universities and has nearly 60,000 graduates worldwide. In addition to providing full scholarships annually to Championship and League One clubs, Bellevue University will offer tuition assistance across the entire USL ecosystem to club and league employees, as well as family members of staff, coaches, and players.

United Soccer League Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Bellevue University The League’s Official Education Partner Will Provide Scholarships for USL players and Collaborate on Community-Focused Initiatives 12 | The View Winter 2021

“Bellevue University is honored to partner with the USL to bring innovative educational opportunities to the League clubs and to USL communities across the country,” said Bellevue University President Dr. Mary Hawkins. “As the USL’s Official Education Partner, Bellevue University will help players who are balancing careers and real life demands to achieve their goals of earning a college degree by providing access to the education and support they need to be successful.”

The United Soccer League will also be working with Bellevue University on coursework and curriculum integrations, providing USL guest speakers in the classroom, and exploring mentoring, and league-based internship opportunities. Additionally, the two parties plan to collaborate on a number of community-focused initiatives aimed at uplifting underserved individuals and groups.

“We look forward to collaborating with Bellevue University to help enhance the student experience and curriculum and doing our part to help mold the next generation of executives in the sports industry and beyond,” added Keller.

The league-wide deal expands upon Bellevue University’s existing local partnership with League One club Union Omaha that focuses on providing player and front office educational opportunities and community engagement initiatives.

Josh Keller, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for the USL; Mary Hawkins, President, Bellevue University; and Martie Cordaro, President of Union Omaha, a USL League One franchise commemorate the new partnership during halftime of a Union Omaha soccer match. Photos by Matt Bills

Winter 2021 The View | 13

BU Professor Passionate About Serving, Preserving History Eric L. Ewing has dedicated his life to service — family, country, and community into his full-time role at the Great Plains Black History Museum.

Serving as the museum’s executive director for nearly four years, Ewing rolls up his sleeves daily to raise funds, develop exhibits, andact as a resource for the city and surrounding region.

Raised in North Omaha, Ewing is personally invested and dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of African Americans with the community.

The Omaha native served 20 years in the Navy, caring for sick sailors and traveling the world, before planting roots back in his hometown.

“I joke and say I would have stayed forever if I could take my family members on deployment with me,” says Ewing, a husband and father of three adult children.

Fortunately, Ewing’s military experiences have served him well in the years since his retirement.

Armed with a medical background, teaching skills, and rock-solid work ethic, Ewing received a job offer from Bellevue University within hours of returning home.

“I thought it was some of my friends calling me from Washington joking around,” he says.

filling an open position. Through the years, he’s taught leadership and healthcare management.

Currently, Ewing teaches undergraduatelevel healthcare management. The most rewarding part, he says, is helping students reach their goals, find hope, and achieve upward mobility. Another tool in Ewing’s portfolio is a graduate certificate in life coaching, also from Bellevue University.

The certificate fits perfectly with his personality and appetite for learning, Ewing says. “It went along with who I am as a person as far as liking to coach people and helping others reach their goals.”

Realizing the offer was real, Ewing accepted, officially joining BU’s academic advising team. This February, he will celebrate 14 years at the university.

Outside the classroom, Ewing volunteers his time mentoring young men and women, as well as sitting on several boards, including At Ease USA, 100 Black Men of Omaha, and Men Against Domestic Violence Action Coalition, among others.

While advancing in his advising role, Ewing jumped at the chance to continue his education, eventually earning a master’s degree in management.

As soon as he finished his degree, Ewing found himself in the front of a classroom,

“I feel that you’re either part of the problem or you’re part of the solution,” he says. “I want to be part of the solution.”

Ewing emphasizes that community engagement is key. To that end, he spends most of his time pouring himself

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To commemorate Veterans Day in 2020, he organized a military exhibit to honor African American veterans.

The exhibit pays special homage to the 17 Nebraskans who were among the first black military aviators, known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

Other recent exhibits include Night at the Dreamland Ballroom, located above the museum in the historic Jewell Building; Hate and Hope; Black Citizenship in the Age of Jim Crow; and 24th and Glory.

For Ewing, his role as curator has proved “very eye opening” and even “a little disappointing,” he says. “The things that I’m leaving now are things that I feel should have been part of my education when I was in the K-12 system.”

Ewing has worked tirelessly to change that. Amid the pandemic and in response to nationwide conversations surrounding social injustice, Ewing offered the museum as a resource.

In response, virtual traffic has soared along with attendance records.

The museum has reached hundreds of students from Hawaii to Maine. Ewing has also initiated virtual luncheon tours for teams and organizations.

Looking toward the future, Ewing hopes to continue expanding the museum’s local and national footprint while ensuring these vital parts of American history are preserved for generations to come.

AROUND CAMPUS

The lab has 24 fully-equipped student workstations, configured in pairs for collaboration.

Using technology like 3D printers, students will gain exposure to Internet of Things (IoT) systems.

TAK E

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Bellevue University leaders and representatives from the Harper Family Foundation cut the ribbon and officially opened the new Harper Family Foundation Integrated Technologies Lab, which will serve as a creative space for students to explore, design and create the latest technological advancements.

New student housing, consisting of fully renovated two- and three-bedroom units with modern amenities, has opened on the south side of the University’s main campus.

The newly refurbished Lloyd Street apartments give students the opportunity to live close to campus, where they can easily access classes, the Student Center, the Dining Halls, the Library and more.

Winter 2021 The View | 15

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GARY SINISE

H E A D L I N E S 2 0 2 1 S I G N AT U R E E V E N T Actor, humanitarian and author Gary Sinise was the featured guest at Bellevue University’s annual Signature Event on Monday, Sept. 27.

More than 900 attendees enjoyed the evening program that focused on engaged and responsible citizens and acknowledged the sacrifice and service of military personnel, first responders and defenders. Among the audience members were “Gold Star” families who have lost relatives and loved ones who died while serving.

Bellevue University also unveiled a new Military Hall of Fame and made a posthumous presentation of the hall’s first Brooks Award to William V. Brooks. Brooks was a Marine fighter pilot, Bellevue businessman and the principal founder of the University.

Sinise, who portrayed Lt. Dan Taylor in the landmark film Forrest Gump, is widely known for his tireless crusade of support, service and gratitude for all those who protect our freedom and serve our

16 | The View Winter 2021

country. In 2011, he established the Gary Sinise Foundation to expand upon his individual efforts.

During a conversation moderated by Mike Cassling, former Bellevue University board chairman, Sinise provided perspective on “scenes” from his life. He reviewed and discussed multiple photos, recalling specific names, dates and places. Images that were featured included a photo of he and his family attending a candlelight vigil just days after the 9/11 attacks and Gary holding up an American flag; Gary visiting seriously injured American soldiers in the ICU and in battlefield medical tents; Gary and other volunteers distributing school supplies to Afghan children; and more.

“The event aligned wonderfully with Bellevue University’s commitment to educating military service members and their families and serving military veterans. Sinise’s heartfelt stories and passionate support of our military touched all of us,” said Bellevue University President Dr. Mary Hawkins.