UNK Today Alumni News Spring 2012

SUMMER 2012

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA KEARNEY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Top10 Rated

Top 10 Public Regional University – U.S.News & World Report

INSIDE Scholarship Success MIAA Mania Campus Collaborates on Cop Cars

Top10 Rated

Top 10 Public Regional University – U.S.News & World Report

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA KEARNEY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Dear Alumni & Friends, Welcome to another edition of UNK Today. As you browse through the pages, I hope you will enjoy catching up with campus news and events.

An item that has generated considerable interest throughout the state is the University’s “Building a Healthier Nebraska” initiative. Last April the Legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law the state budget package authorizing $15 million of $19 million needed to construct a nursing and allied health education complex at UNK. It will become the home of an expanded UNMC College of Nursing and a new collaborative effort between UNK and UNMC’s School of Allied Health. The initiative is a bold and far-sighted approach to improve health care in rural Nebraska by expanding nursing opportunities and delivering programs in medical-related fields at UNK. Raising the additional $4 million before construction can begin will be no easy task, but it is gratifying to see the positive momentum that this project is producing.

Another story – our national wrestling championship! – is featured on the cover and points toward the rewarding year our student athletes, coaches and staff have worked very hard to achieve. Success came in the classroom and on the field of competition. And it came by way of recognition from the NCAA when UNK was honored as the 2011-12 recipient of the Division II Community Engagement Award of Excellence for its “Lopers Under the Lights” program.

Due in large measure to the generous support of friends like you, UNK is on the move. Sincere thanks and best wishes from our faculty, staff and administration – and from our students, whose lives you touch.

DOUGLAS A. KRISTENSEN, J.D. Chancellor

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Pete Kotsiopulos ‘70, A S S O C I AT E D I R E C T O R Lucas Dart ‘97, A S S I S TA N T D I R E C T O R O F C O M M U N I C AT I O N Michelle Widger ‘90 A D M I N I S T R AT I V E A S S I S TA N T Toni Meyers ‘93 DESIGN TEAM Mitch Johnson‘93, NU Foundation Art Director Michelle Widger ‘90, Assistant Director UNK Alumni Association CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jim Rundstrom ‘64, Director Emeritus Robb Crouch, NU Foundation Colleen Fleischer, NU Foundation PHOTOGRAPHY artisansphoto.com UNK Alumni Association UNK Athletics UNK Creative Services B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S - O FFI C E R S Andrea Walton Miller ‘02 President, Bayard Brett Kuhn, Ph.D. ‘86 President-Elect, Gretna Gary Reber ‘86 Secretary, Lincoln Bryan Kuntz ‘95 Past President, Kearney Brenda Snodgrass Christensen ‘83 Trustee, Minden D I R E C T O R S ( E x p i r i n g 2012) Carol Green Ballain ‘65, Fort Collins, CO Mark Felker ‘86, Alliance Pat Kelly Hoehner ‘57 BAE ‘67 MSE ‘82, Kearney Kip Magner ‘92, Lincoln Nancy McCarthy Polk ‘73, Kearney Trina Jacobsen Rother MAE ‘00, Grand Island Bethany Spilde ‘06, Kansas City, MO Bret Walker ‘00, Brighton, CO

PO S T M A S T E R : Please send address changes to: U N K To d a y University of Nebraska Kearney Campus Box 21 Kearney, Nebraska 68849 Phone 308.865.8474 Fax 308.865.8999 E-mail: Lopers@unkalumni.org facebook.com/UNKAlumni twitter.com/LoperAlum linkedin.com/company/ university-of-nebraska-at-kearney lopers@unkalumni.org

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D I R E C T O R S ( E x p i r i n g 2013) David Bargen ‘96, Lincoln Amy Fagot Cope ‘99, Kearney Jay Dostal ‘01, Kearney Abby Losey Grenke ‘01, Aurora Robin Rubenthaler Hines ‘88, MSE ‘91, North Platte Leah Bruns Holmberg ‘94, Jordan, MN Bill Peard ‘84, Waukee, IA Gary Reber ‘86, Lincoln D I R E C T O R S ( E x p i r i n g 2014) Herman Baptiste ‘90, Olathe,KS Brette Covington Ensz ‘06, Kearney Gregg Grubaugh ‘79, Papillion Norman Lang ‘68, Mill Creek, WA Mary Buchanan Mach ‘85, Fairbury Katherine Pollock Peterson ‘79, Kearney Dennis Pool ‘70, Omaha Carolyn Wagner Snyder ‘64, Carbondale, IL Todd Van Horn ‘93, Kearney UNK Today is published twice a year by the Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska Foundation and is the official alumni publication of the University of Nebraska Kearney.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT KEARNEY

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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Summer 2012 IN THIS ISSUE 4 Bike Man Retired teacher on a mission

5 Speech Pathologist iPod technology major part of therapy

6 State Patrol Safety Joint campus effort designed trooper vehicle

8 Building A Healthier Nebraska Project includes $19 million addition to Bruner

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9 Kearney Bound First-generation students in national spotlight

10 One Room. One School.

Honoring the past, providing scholarships

12 Crowley Family Scholarship It’s all in the family

14 It’s MIAA Time Lopers face challenges of new conference

17 National Champions Wrestlers capture second title

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19 Under the Lights NCAA sees something special in community event

22 Homecoming - September 17-22 There’s no place like HOME

24 Terrific Tervel Wrestler headed to London Olympics

28 Class Notes Alumni news & updates

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The University of Nebraska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Individuals needing accommodation under ADA should contact the ADA Coordinator at UNK, 308.865.8655.

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Feature

Bike Man

Retired teacher turned hobby into a ‘mission’ Jim Rundstrom

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e may have been known as a business education teacher at Howells High School for 37 years but after he retired in 1999, Dave Eurek ’62 picked up a new name – Bike Man. That was when Eurek, always a bicycle repair man for his sons when they were growing up, began fixing bikes for others.

Early in retirement, Eurek stopped by the Norfolk Rescue Mission, about a 50-mile drive from his home in Howells, to drop off some items. He noticed a van full of broken bikes and offered to fix them for the children and adults at the center.

Once he started, Eurek couldn’t stop. Throughout the years he would take the bikes home and repair them before taking them back to the mission.

One day, 18 kids were staying at the mission’s shelter when Eurek showed up unannounced with a truckload of bikes. When he returned the next time, someone yelled, “Hey, the bike man’s here.” Eurek has been the Bike Man ever since.

“He sure brought a lot of joy to dozens of kids,” said the Rev. Will Perrigan, executive director of the mission. “If he didn’t help out, we’d have a rack full of worthless metal.”

His work caught the attention of the Omaha World-Herald, whose story, “Wheeling and healing, Retired teacher turned ‘Bike Man’ keeps things rolling for kids” a few years ago, captured the attention of people in Northeast Nebraska and helped provide a source for his fix-up project.

Eurek used to scout out fixeruppers. Not anymore. They now find him. “ I get bikes year around from all parts of the state including Omaha, Bennington, Fremont, Ainsworth, Norfolk, Columbus, Schuyler and many towns around Howells.

“Many times my wife, Janet, and I come home and find three or four bikes left by the garage in the alley.”

So, Bike Man goes to work – straightening frames, fixing spokes and brakes, replacing tire tubes, oiling rusty gears, as well as adding shiny reflectors, handle grips and cushy seats.

When he is done, he loads them onto his truck that will hold seven bikes and delivers them.

This past year between 60-70 bikes were delivered to the Sienna Francis Home in Omaha, the Columbus Mission, the Norfolk Mission and Youth For Christ Columbus Inc. Since he started his project he has repaired several hundred bikes.

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Dave Eurek ’62

Eurek said fixing bikes is mostly a solitary experience and a very rewarding one. It’s both good and bad for his wife. She always knows where he is – out back in their steel-sided garage with the bikes. But she’s also become his de facto secretary because he gets scores of calls about picking up and dropping off bikes.

“The hobby has really given me a sense of doing something good – it is a real thrill to see the happiness in the eyes of children and even adults. There’s just something special about knowing you can help somebody less fortunate.

“I think I want to keep doing this as long as I can.” n

Feature

Speech Pathologist iPad and alumnus technology major part of therapy Jim Rundstrom

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When Bugee asks indsey Bugee’s ’09, Miles how her day is MSE’11 use of going, Miles pushes a technology in her button on the iPad that work as a speech responds politely, “I’m therapist has resulted in fine, thank you.” features in the USA Today She traces letters and and KETV in Omaha. numbers on the device’s Bugee uses the iPad screen, the repetition app Proloquo2go in her helping to restore them work at the Quality Living to her memory. Miles Inc. (QLI) Rehabilitation said she hopes her life Center in Omaha. will one day be what it One of her patients is used to be. For now, every Judy Miles, a 55-year-old touch on the screen is a nurse from Sioux Falls, step forward.

South Dakota, who was hit “I feel a sense of and run over by a pickup freedom because I can do truck March 2, 2011. things that most people Her head injury was so take for granted like severe that part of her brain Lindsey Bugee’s ’09, MSE ’11 use of technology to work with stroke victims picking out my clothes had to be removed. Her has caught the attention of the national press. in the morning or even right arm and right leg were simple things like say hi to a friend,” Miles said. useless for a time. She couldn’t walk or talk.

Bugee said the use of the iPad and this particular app is Now Miles speaks through her iPad app. unique for speech communication, as past devices were bigger, “It gives me a way to talk with others. Without my iPad I bulkier and more conspicuous. “What makes the iPad unique wouldn’t be able to communicate with family, friends and QLI here is that everyone uses them, so people with brain injuries staff members,” she said. who already feel conspicuous to a degree, can communicate Bugee, one of Miles’ therapists, said, “It’s a work in progress. without feeling more conspicuous,” she said.

I’ll say something and if she agrees she’ll give me a thumbs up “This particular type of app has been useful in and if not she’ll definitely let me know.” communication with and for autistic people and those with Bugee said she helps Miles enter statements and phrases Alzheimers. We use it exclusively for people who have lost the expressing simple wants and needs – even personal information ability to speak because of brain injury.” n so she can interact with people.

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College of Business & Technology College of Fine Arts & Humanities

State Patrol Safety

UNK and state trooper design for conspicuous, covert cars

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partnership between Nebraska Safety Center at UNK and the Nebraska State Patrol will have a major role in the future of state patrol car designs and colors. That relationship involves not only the Nebraska Safety Center but the departments of art, psychology and physics and physical science.

Sherry Morrow, director of the Nebraska Safety Center, is heading the project on campus. Morrow said one of the really unusual elements about UNK’s participation is that it involves three different colleges – Business and Technology, Fine Arts and Humanities, Natural and Social Sciences – three departments, art students and faculty with one major goal in mind – to improve the safety of Nebraska State Patrol officers.

In 2009, the State Patrol’s Best Practice Committee began looking at ways to improve safety for troopers since there was very little data associated with the visibility and markings of law enforcement vehicles. It was felt it would be appropriate to research that safety issue.

“That lack of significant data provided an opportunity for the Nebraska State Patrol to partner with the Nebraska Safety Center and UNK to study and enhance the visibility of our patrol units through the use of reflective markings and vehicle color,” said UNK alumnus Col. David Sankey ’86, superintendent of the State Patrol.

It is important, he said, because “When our officers go out and begin a tour of duty for the day, they go out and get into their office, their patrol cars,” Sankey said. “They spend their shift on the road.”

In 2010, Nebraska State Patrol units were struck by other vehicles 34 times, according to Sankey. In 2011, patrol cars were struck 17 times.

With assistance from UNK, state patrol vehicles are hoping for improved safety.

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“That’s way too often,” Sankey said.

As a result, UNK departments began working on a solution.

Psychology professor William Wozniak enlisted nine students to conduct research on State Patrol vehicles.

The students completed studies assessing the visibility of many emergency vehicles.

Two students from the art department then helped to design the vehicles markings.

The goal was to make the vehicles conspicuous but allow the cars to have a level of covertness, Dr. Wozniak said.

“It wasn’t just making it look good, but working off of a pattern that would help with the safety of the officers,” art professor Rick Schuessler said.

The vehicles feature a chevron pattern on the rear of the cars and the words, “State Trooper” on the side of the cars. Six vehicles – two black, two silver and two white – are being used.

Dr. Ken Trantham, chair of the department of physics and physical sciences, will conduct field tests to determine which color of vehicle is the safest.

“All I am going to do is record traffic with a camera,” Dr. Trantham said. “I’m going to do physics video analysis to look at when do cars slow down and when do they change lanes relative to where the State Patrol is on the side of the road.”

He will analyze where cars are when they slow down relative to the location of State Patrol vehicle. He will also determine where cars slow down or change lanes when a State Patrol vehicle is stopped on the side of the interstate or highway.

Dr. Trantham said he will also solicit public input.

Sankey said the study will contribute to the selection of the color of future State Patrol vehicles. n

A Portrait in Philanthropy

Doc Who Received, Gives Back Giving is a way of showing gratitude

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Over the years, we’ve supported the YMCA capital he world has been pretty kind to me. I had a good campaign, the Museum of Nebraska Art, the Merryman childhood growing up in a small town in Minnesota.

Performing Arts Center as well as the city’s parks. We’ve My dad was the town doctor. I enjoyed school. I tried to give back to Kearney. enjoyed being a surgeon for all those years in Kearney.

The university really helps make Kearney a great place I’d leave the house before daylight and get home almost after to live. We wanted to help it, too. The focus of our support dark, six days out of the week. I was doing a lot of surgeries out of has always been academics. We established the Dr. and Mrs. town. I was sure happy.

B.M. Stevenson Family Scholarship Fund. Out of that grew Money was not an object as far as I was concerned. I just the Dr. and Mrs. B.M. Stevenson Athletic Scholarship to help wanted to make enough that I could live and provide for our two support student athletes at UNK. kids and have something for retirement. I bought a few stocks Students are very appreciative of this type of help, and I over the years, investing $200 a month. Some of those stocks just would hope that if students get the opportunity, they would blossomed. I wasn’t even thinking about it until after I semithink about that in the retired in 1991. That’s future when they make when it finally dawned ‘Doc’ Stevenson, at a Kearney park tennis court. Although Doc doesn’t play tennis a contribution. on me that we had quite anymore, he loves to cheer for the Lopers’ tennis team. the scholarship fund he and his Most of my a bit of money. late wife endowed has provided more than 150 scholarships for the team’s education was paid My wife and I student-athletes over the years and in the process has helped the team flourish. for by the G.I. Bill. I’ve traveled a lot until always appreciated the she got sick about 10 fact that I got a lot of years ago. (She passed help at that point in away in February.) time, and I always felt During the final years it would be great to of her illness, I had to give back at least some be home much of the of that. When I was time to help her. That’s around 50 years old, I when I started taking started playing tennis. an interest in managing I think it’s one of the my money. She had her greatest sports. So I money; I had mine. wanted to help support Kearney has been the UNK tennis team. pretty kind to me, too.

I think giving is a My wife and I were way of showing your really small-town gratitude for having people. We came to been successful enough Kearney years ago and that you can give. Not stayed because the city everybody can. I just kept its small-town feel fortunate that I’ve feeling. You can talk to been in that position. anybody. You can argue You just hope it with anybody but you makes a difference in still can stay friends. somebody’s life. n I got involved in the community foundation when it first started.

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College of Natural & Social Sciences

Building A Healthier Nebraska

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Project includes $19 million addition to Bruner for nursing, allied health programs pproval of the ‘Building a Healthier Nebraska’ initiative by the Nebraska Legislature and Gov. Dave Heineman will have a major impact at UNK. In the 2012 legislative session, UNK was awarded $15 million from that initiative that was introduced and sponsored by Sen. Galen Hadley of Kearney. It calls for a Bruner Hall of Science complex addition that will become the home of an expanded UNMC College of Nursing and a new collaborative effort between UNK and the UNMC School of Allied Health.

UNK’s planned addition to Bruner will also allow the UNCM College of Nursing-Kearney Division and the Allied Health Professions programs to significantly increase student capacity.

In addition, the new facility will enable the UNMC School of Allied Health Professions to offer five of its allied health professional programs at UNK. Included in the 30,000 square foot addition will be a clinical simulation laboratory, anatomy and physiology laboratories, and technology for state-of-the-art distance education, all dedicated to nursing and allied health programs.

Students then will be able to complete their programs and degrees on the UNK campus. Currently, students must transfer to Omaha or elsewhere to obtain their professional degrees.

As with two other ‘Building a Healthier Nebraska’ initiatives passed by the Legislature, each of these projects also requires a commitment of private or other funds.

Chancellor Doug Kristensen said, “In UNK’s case, an additional $4 million must be raised before we can begin construction. Though raising these funds will not be an easy task, efforts are already underway. The reality is we need to raise private dollars quickly so we don’t miss this chance to improve healthcare in rural Nebraska for generations to come.”

Kristensen said the state support “provides us with the critical momentum to raise necessary private dollars and bring these programs to reality on our campus. When completed, this initiative will improve health care, especially in rural Nebraska, meet workforce needs, create high-quality jobs, expand educational opportunities for young people in our state, and attract and retain high quality students.”

Kristensen said it has been gratifying to see the positive momentum and collaborative spirit that “Building a Healthier Nebraska” has created throughout the state.

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Senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs Charlie Bicak, said, “The expansion of UNMC nursing facilities and the delivery of the UNMC PT, PA, Radiography, CLS and Sonography programs on the UNK campus demonstrate an important legislative commitment to primary care delivery in central and western Nebraska. The commitment further enhances the academic and creative opportunities on our UNK campus.”

Dr. Bicak also said the Legislature has recognized and now strongly supports the complementary nature of world class research in cancer in UNMC and the preparation of nursing and allied health professionals by UNC on the UNK campus. “We are now positioned to address the ever increasing health care needs in central and western Nebraska. In turn, the collaborative opportunities between UNK and UNMC are also greatly enhanced.”

The other two projects approved were $50 million for a cancer research tower at UNMC, part of a larger cancer center project that will position UNMC to earn prestigious Comprehensive Cancer Center designation and a commitment to pay the debt service on a $50 million bond for a new Veterinary diagnostic Center at the UNL’s Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

An economic impact analysis estimated that “Building a Healthier Nebraska” will ultimately support 4,700 jobs and have an economic impact of nearly $550 million per year. n

Campus News

Kearney Bound!

First-generation students in national spotlight

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unique program to support first-generation students at UNK and UNL has caught national attention including The Chronicle of Higher Education.

That publication featured the program in a story “To Guide First-Generation Students, University of Nebraska Reaches Into High Schools.”

Although many colleges have designed programs and devoted staff members to support first-generation students, but at UNK and UNL that help starts early – and comes with a financial guarantee.

The two campuses form partnerships with local high schools to accept promising students as early as ninth grade to intensive college-preparatory programs each year. At UNK, participants have to keep a 2.85 grade point average. If they are accepted, UNK will meet without loans any financial need not covered by federal Pell Grants and outside scholarships.

At UNK, where nearly 40 percent of students are first generation, the program draws from four high schools: Kearney Catholic, Kearney High, Lexington and North Platte. Called Kearney Bound, the programs offers tutoring, advising and other support. A counselor at each school is assigned to the participants, answering questions about private scholarships and offering personal support, such as dealing with friends and family.

“High school can be a difficult phase,” said Michelle Westerbeck, the program’s director. “We understand success has much to do with academics as it has to do without factors.”

UNK selected its first group of scholars in 2006 and the program has accepted 198 students so far. Almost all of the students who have graduated from high school chose to attend UNK – 36 out of 37. During the 2011-12 school year, 31 were still at the university -18 sophomores and 13 freshmen. About 47 seniors who graduated from high school in May have been admitted for the fall semester.

Karina Magana is a sophomore at UNK. She arrived in

Nebraska from Mexico at age 8 to join her parents, who were working at a meat-packing plant. They had never finished high school, she said, and they expected their children to strive for more.

In Magana’s freshman year of high school, her guidance counselor suggested that she apply for Kearney Bound. She met the requirements: not only residing in the state and having a valid Social Security number, but also showing academic promise and a strong motivation to participate.

“My parents always told me to do well in school,” Magana said, “so I always knew I was going to college.”

Knowing how to pay for it was another story.

“I had no idea where to start, how to get scholarships or fill out the Fafsa,” she said, now familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. She found Kearney Bound’s guidance on that front especially helpful.

The program’s counselors guide students through all the necessary steps, like applying for Pell Grants and seeking outside scholarships, beyond which UNK meets any additional need through grants financed by the university and private donations.

Thanks to several visits during high school, the students have become familiar with the campus, and once they enroll, the guidance continues. The program provides an orientation, regular meetings with counselors and career planning workshops. In the students’ first year of college, they are required to take a special course to get them accustomed to college life. It covers such topics as how to talk with your professor, how to study and how to take notes.”

“For first generation students, there is no natural support,” said Chancellor Doug Kristensen. “It leads to lack of confidence and taking fewer chances.”

Kearney Bound has an overall high-school and college retention rate of 87 percent. Among the first college class, 87 percent of the students received scholarships for the next year.

Magana has transitioned well into college life. She has maintained a high GPA and joined the Black Student Association and Asian-American Student Association, to meet new people.

“There’s a Hispanic group, but I already know all of them,” she said with a laugh. n 9

College of Education

One Room. One Teacher.

Scholarship program honors the impact of one-room teachers Jim Rundstrom

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he one-room school houses that once dotted rural Nebraska are quickly disappearing. But their legacy and the legend of the solitary teachers who taught in them will long remain.

UNK’s roots run deep in preparing not only those early rural teachers but educators of all types today.

Since opening its doors in 1905, UNK – then Nebraska State Normal School – has played a key role in educating Nebraska’s future teachers.

From 1905 to today, more than 20,000 teachers have earned their certificates (or received their education) at UNK. Many of those early educators went on to teach in Nebraska’s rural areas, often in one-room schools where they did everything. Not only were these intrepid educators the only teacher students had from kindergarten through eighth grade, they also maintained the school.

Daily, teachers gathered firewood to heat the school house before the students arrived. They fetched water from the well.

They swept floors. They helped with horses that students rode to school. They were responsible for those students, not only for their time in the school but in watching the weather and keeping them safe. They educated students from ages 5 to 20. These Nebraska teachers did it all.

Now it’s time to honor these unique, hardworking teachers.

That’s the idea behind UNK’s innovative program One Room. One Teacher.

In 2005, as UNK was preparing to celebrate its centennial, Dr. Ed Scantling, dean of the College of Education, said he and former dean Marilyn Hadley were talking about the history of the university. “We began to think about all the positive things that those teachers over the years had done and the hardships they faced,” he said.

“The impact those teachers had in those one-room schools across the state was monumental. Dr. Hadley and I thought it was really important that we find a way to memorialize their efforts and pay tribute to those teachers, those schools and the part they played in Nebraska.”

The result is One Room. One Teacher.

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One Room. One Teacher. is a scholarship program for the UNK College of Education students that will acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Nebraska’s unique rural educations and educators.

UNK is offering the opportunity for those interested, including past rural educators, family members of those rural educators, former rural students or anyone interested in rural education to make a contribution to the One Room.

One Teacher Scholarship Fund. Funds will be used to provide scholarships for current and future UNK education students and to maintain a Wall of Honor acknowledging donors.

Dr. Scantling said this program will honor all rural Nebraska educators whether they taught in one-room schools or not. Teaching graduates from institutions other than UNK can also be honored in this program as well.

Dr. Scantling said a key piece to this program is to capture the stories of these educators in their schools.

“Whether that be the former teachers telling their stories about that school houses and those experiences, or the stories that former students have about what it was like to go to that country one-room school house, that information is as valuable as a gift to the scholarship fund from a donor.”

College of Education For UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, this program is all about the impact a one-room school had on him.

“From an early age, my mother would talk to me about what she did when she was growing up. There was always a mystique about her teaching in a one-room school. It was hard to imagine that my mother taught in a one room school, but when I listened to the stories and her duties and what it did for her, that maturing, that sense of responsibility at a very young age to teach in a one-room school was inspiring,” he said.

“I’m proud to be able to support and contribute to the country school fund where we are able to remember the heritage of where education began in this state. Those country schools are one of Nebraska’s strongest traditions.” n

Giving Levels Donors who contribute $1,000 will receive a small plaque engraved with their names, or the name of someone they would like remembered, and the name of the school placed on a Wall of Honor in the UNK College of Education building.

Donors who contribute $5,000 will have their name or their honoree’s name, photo, school and graduation year placed on a plaque displayed on the Wall of Honor.

Benefactors who contribute $10,000 receive a large plaque engraved with their, or an honoree’s, name, photo, school, graduation date, and a short bio about the honoree on the Wall of Honor. Additionally, a replica plaque will be given the honoree.

Also, a short personal audio story will be placed on the UNK College of Education’s website and video collection.

To contribute to the One Room. One School Scholarship Fund. Please visit: nufoundation.org/OneRoom.OneTeacher. or contact Tracy Lungrin, NU Foundation, tlungrin@nufoundation.org - 308-698.5278.

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Philanthropy

Crowley Family Scholarship It’s all in the family for UNK scholarship to help transfer students

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ack Crowley graduated from Kearney State in 1960.

His sisters, Pat and Peggy, and his brothers, Jim and Ed, also graduated from Kearney State.

Don’t forget about Crowley’s wife, Judy, who graduated in 1960.

While we’re at it, add Pat’s husband, Allen, to the list as well as Peggy’s husband, Tex, and Jim’s wife, Judy.

In case you lost count, that’s five siblings and four spouses – a total of nine family members that graduated from Kearney State.

“The way we look at it,” Jack says, “we have our own alumni association.”

But more than 50 years later, he’s the only sibling still living.

So to honor the college that educated so many of his family Jack and Judy Crowley have established a family scholarship to help students. members – and to honor his siblings – Jack and his wife created the Crowley Family Scholarship for UNK students Candidates for the Crowley scholarship must have with a gift of $100,000. earned an associate’s degree from any campus of Central “We just felt the college was good to us,” Jack says, “and this Community College. was a way that we could give back and to remember my deceased “When we built that foundation,” Jack says, “we gave a lot family members and also help some students who want to go on of scholarships to kids coming out of high school who wanted and get a four-year degree.” to get started in college but didn’t have enough for a four-year While at Kearney State, Jack was involved with the Sigma school. My idea is that this will help them to go on and get a Nu fraternity and studied education. That’s where he met Judy, four-year degree if their desire is doing that.” who also was studying education. They married in Kearney Jack and Judy live in Hastings, Neb. They have four children in 1960 and lived there for a few years while Jack taught and and 12 grandchildren. coached at Kearney Public Schools. They moved to Columbus, Student support is one of the top priorities of the Campaign Ohio, where Jack received his master’s degree in business at Ohio for Nebraska. If you’d like to help UNK students, too, please give State University. online or contact the foundation’s Lucas Dart at 308-698-5270 Then Jack worked in management positions with the Sears or ldart@nufoundation.org company in South Dakota and Iowa. They later moved back to Jessica Sorensen, a public relations intern at the University Nebraska and had several small Crowley clothing stores. After of Nebraska Foundation, wrote this story. Sorensen is a senior retiring from the business, Jack started the Central Community in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at College Foundation.

UNL. She has studied four years of Spanish and volunteers at the The foundation reached almost $7 million when he retired.

Animal Humane Society. n Central Community College is located in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings and has learning centers in Kearney, Lexington and Holdrege.

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Philanthropy

Gifts of Giving Hennings increase access to education with forever scholarship fund Robb Crouch

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he children of Harvey and Betty Henning of Kearney have established a student scholarship in their parents’ honor to help make a college education within reach for more Nebraskans.

They established the Henning Family Scholarship Fund as a permanent endowment to provide annual financial aid forever to undergraduate students at UNK. “We believe the best way to support the priority of increasing access to higher education and encouraging more of our high school graduates to go on to college is by providing resources to make student scholarships possible,” said Tom Henning of Kearney, one of Harvey and Betty Henning’s sons.

Awarded annually by UNK’s scholarship committee and financial aid office, qualifying students will include graduates of Nebraska high schools who have a 3.0 GPA or greater and are enrolled in the college of business and technology, education or fine and performing arts. These academic areas also represent the areas where members of the Henning family studied through the years at the university.

Although the amount of the gift is undisclosed, the interest income from the permanent endowment is estimated to provide approximately 15 annual scholarships of $2,000 each.

The gift supports the University of Nebraska’s current fundraising initiative, the Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities, and its priority to increase support for student scholarships at UNK. “Our family recognizes the value of an education and how its cost has accelerated over the past number of years,” Tom Henning said. “We believe the value of support from the private sector needs to increase.”

One newer academic field the Hennings hope students may consider studying at UNK is supply chain management, a business program which is the first of its kind in Nebraska for undergraduate students. The program aligns closely with the family’s business, Cash-Wa Distributing Company, a foodservice distribution company relying on logistics and supply chain management.

“The supply chain management industry has grown very fast over the past 10 years, and there are very few institutions of higher learning that specialize in this type of coursework,” Henning said.

We believe this area is absolutely a growth area for UNK and can be an attraction for private funding for the university.”

The Henning family is proud of its ties to university and is eager to help students succeed.

“We take a great amount of pride in the university, and we look forward to the impact this gift can make on the deserving recipients, along with the growth of the departments chosen for scholarships,” Henning said.

While not alumni themselves, many of Harvey and Betty Henning’s children, including sons Tom, Gary, Greg and Steve, and their own families, are proud graduates of the University of Nebraska.

Tom Henning, attended UNK and graduated from UNL in 1971, and his wife, Mary, studied education at UNK and graduated in 1969. Their son, Chad, graduated from UNL with a business administration major.

Gary Henning, graduated from UNK in 1973 with a business administration major, and his wife, Judy, studied journalism and graduated with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Their daughter, Nicole, graduated in 2000 from UNK with a communication disorders major, and daughter, Stacy, graduated from UNL in 2006 with a math education major.

Greg Henning graduated from UNL with a business administration major, and his daughter, Kaleena, studied sociology at UNL and graduated in 2009.

Steve Henning graduated from UNL with a business marketing major and a law degree; his wife, Stacey, graduated from UNL with a journalism degree. n Harvey J. and Betty L. Henning of Kearney

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LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

It’s MIAA Time

Lopers will face new challenges in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma

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t’s MIAA time.

After 17 years as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, UNK will begin competition in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association this fall. The Lopers, who have dominated the RMAC by winning the all-sports title a record 14 times during those 17 years, will face new challenges in what many consider to be the premier NCAA Division II conference in the country.

When UNK made the announcement a year ago, Chancellor Doug Kristensen said, “The change in conference is in the best interest of our campus.

We have the opportunity to join an outstanding conference and reduce travel burdens.”

The MIAA has 14 members from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Chancellor Kristensen said that tremendous travel differences were a factor in the move. UNK’s shortest road trip in the RMAC was 346 miles to Chadron State College.

Five MIAA schools are within that radius.

“The map says it all. If you take the two longest trips in the MIAA and add them together, they’re not as long as our longest trip in the RMAC. I would rather put money into scholarships instead of gas,” he said.

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WWW.THEMIAA.COM

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Missouri Southern University Lions Joplin, MO / 486 miles Fort Hays State University Tigers Hays, KS/147 miles Missouri Western University Griffons St. Joseph, MO/270 miles Pittsburg State Gorillas Pittsburg, KS/442 miles Lincoln University Blue Tigers Jefferson City, MO 483 miles Washburn University Ichabods Topeka, KS / 296 miles Central Oklahoma University Bronchos Edmond, OK / 456 miles Truman State University Bulldogs Kirksville, MO / 432 miles

9 Northeastern State University Riverhawks Tahlequah, OK / 557 miles 10 Lindenwood University Lions St. Charles, MO / 554 miles 11 Southwest Baptist University Bearcats Bolivar, MO / 466 miles 12 Emporia State Hornets

Emporia, KS / 336 miles 13 Central Missouri University Mules Warrensburg, MO / 389 miles 14 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats Maryville, MO / 250 miles

It is not with joy that UNK is leaving the RMAC, Kristensen said. “It has good schools and good people who are like family.”

Athletic director Jon McBride added, “Our primary goal is to improve student athlete welfare by reducing burdensome travel. In addition, many people are familiar with schools in the MIAA and will be excited to renew old rivalries.”

From 1976 to 1989, UNK was a member of the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) when member schools were affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). After 1989, all of the conference schools gradually moved into the NCAA Division II. UNK was an independent until 1994 when it joined the RMAC. In the CSIC, the Lopers competed against Emporia State University, Missouri Southern State University, Fort Hays State University, Missouri Western State University, Pittsburg State University and Washburn University. All are now MIAA members along with the University of Central Missouri, Lincoln University, Southwest Baptist University, Lindenwood University, Northeastern Oklahoma State University and University of Central Oklahoma.

LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

Although travel was a significant issue in its application to the MIAA, there were other factors as well.

Chancellor Kristenson said, UNK will now be associated with similar high-quality academic state universities.

Additionally, the MIAA has a strong NCAA reputation. Like Kearney, schools are located in similar, highly supportive communities. There also is the opportunity for increased gate revenues because opponents are closer and UNK is easily accessible to their fans. For UNK supporters based in our region, it will be easier to travel to ‘away’ games. UNK’s facilities compare favorably with the best in the conference.

The move is not without significant challenges. Most MIAA institutions fund their athletic teams to a higher level than UNK. To be competitive, UNK will face major fundraising efforts for scholarships. For example, the MIAA allows 36 football scholarships while the RMAC limit was 24.

Football coach Darrell Morris said, “The MIAA is without a doubt the toughest football conference in Division II, and the Lopers will need additional scholarships to compete with the MIAA teams.”

Most other sports in the RMAC are funded at a lower level than the MIAA, too.

Men’s and women’s basketball have seven scholarships compared to the 10 awarded by most MIAA schools.

Since making the announcement to join the MIAA, football, along with other sports, have increased private fundraising to provide more scholarship money for student athletes.

McBride said the university will continue to work to improve the issue of financial support to make the Lopers competitive. “We have great coaches and there is broad support for the new conference. I think we are ready to embrace a higher level of competition in the MIAA.” The Loper Fund, a new, consolidated fundraising program has been developed in cooperation with the University of Nebraska Foundation. It will provide donors the opportunity to support the Lopers with one gift annually, while they direct support to the UNK sport or sports of their choosing.

Funds raised will mostly be used to attract the best of student-athletes to UNK through scholarships.

“We have a very supportive Kearney community, and we’ve asked for their support often. Meeting the challenge in the MIAA will require us to cast a wider net by asking athletic alumni and other friends of campus for their investment, as well,” said Lucas Dart, UNK Campaign Director.

More information about supporting Loper athletics can be found at www.nufoundation.org/loperfund. n

MIAA takes Lopers in a new direction Transforming from road warrior to road trip

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Campus News

Ties that bind

107 years of history unites four generations

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hen Cayle Jones of Omaha received her elementary education degree with an interscholastic coaching endorsement at spring graduation in May, she became a rare fourth generation graduate.

Her great grandmother, Jeanie Marie Rankin, graduated in 1915 and was a teacher after graduating at Four Points Public School in Furnas County.

Grandmother Dorothy Lockenour Jones graduated in 1951.

She, too, was a teacher having taught second grade at Loomis.

Cayle’s parents, Keith and Christine Fuller Jones, graduated in 1976 and 1978. Both earned degrees in computer science. Keith has been a computer systems programmer for Omaha Public Power District for the last 22 years.

Cayle said her plans are to be an elementary teacher in the Omaha area. The four graduated from all four names of the university’s 107-year history.

Founded in 1905, UNK was originally known as Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney. In 1921, it became Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney. The name was changed to Kearney State College in 1963. In 1991, Kearney State College became the University of Nebraska Kearney as part of the university system. n

Renovations:

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Hall updates and renewals on campus

enovations have begun on Centennial Towers West, one of the residential renewal projects, which has included building two new suite-style residence halls – Nester Hall and Antelope Hall – and renovating older residence halls.

Renovations on Centennial Towers East will begin in May 2013. Martin Hall will no longer be used as a residence hall after the towers are complete. Martin Hall will be renovated, and the Office of Admissions will relocate to the building. Conrad Hall will be razed.

New space will be developed to replace the University Place apartments. The university plans to develop property south of campus on of campus on West 22nd Stree.

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Four generations of graduates span 107 years from Jeanie Marie Rankin ’15 to Cayle Jones ’12.

A new development will replace University Heights with modern one and two bedroom units. The apartments are intended or traditional upper-class students, non-traditional students with families and incoming faculty.

The plans include restaurants and retail space. The development plan is expected to be complete this year.

Enhancing the campus landscape is another goal.

UNK plans to improve the entrance into Randall Hall and Mantor Hall. The parking lot west of Cope Fountain will be converted to green space. n

LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

National Champions Wrestlers capture second title in last four years

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or the second time in program history, the UNK wrestling team won the NCAA Division II National Championship. The Lopers tallied 107 team points and had three individual champions to capture the title in March.

They also won the championship in 2008 along with having finished in the Top 10 11 consecutive years.

Heading into the finals, UNK was tied with St. Cloud State University of Minnesota with both teams having 91 points and three wrestlers in the finals.

The Huskies lost the 133 lbs. match. UNK then won three straight national individual titles to secure the team championship.

“It was an absolute roller coaster today,” head coach Marc Bauer said. “St. Cloud had a heck of a run but our guys responded and stepped it up. It was a storybook ending for these seniors.

It was an amazing weekend for us. I’ll never forget this. It’s unbelievable.”

At 141 lbs., top ranked Dalton Jensen, Missouri Valley, Iowa, senior, won in a fall at 4:18 over B.J. Young of Newberry. Winning 20 of his last 21 matches, Jensen finished his senior year season 30-4.

The second individual championship was won by Raufeon Stots, Houston, Texas, junior. Stots defeated John Hagerty of Maryville Missouri in the 149 lbs. finals 5-4. After medically redshirting last year and competing unattached first semester, Stotts closed out his year with a 30-8 record.

After losing a heartbreaker last year, getting taken down in the closing seconds, T. J. Hepburn, East Hampton, Connecticut, senior, finished one of the best careers in school history by pinning Jarrod Shaw of Wet Liberty State of West Virginia at 2:17 to win the 157 lbs. national title.

“I knew if I got the pin, that sealed the title. That’s what I was fired up about. The whole night it was ‘I have to win for the team to win,’” Hepburn said.

A three-time All-American, Hepburn went 36-3 as a senior, ending on a 26 match win streak. He finished his career with a 118-16 mark. To reach the finals, Hepburn needed overtime to beat top-ranked and undefeated Dillon Bera of Wisconsin-Parkside, 4-2.

UNK had four other All-Americans in Ross Brunkhardt, Merino, Colorado, senior, who was third at 184 lbs., Joey Wilson, Half Moon Bay, California, senior, who was fourth at 165 lbs., Mark Fiala, Seward sophomore, who finished eighth at 174 lbs., and Kevin Barrett, Boys Town red-shirt freshman, who was fourth at 285 lbs.

Bauer had high praise for all his wrestlers.

Wilson, for example, ruptured a bursa sack in his knee after the regional.

“He led this group,” Bauer said. “Everyone was looking at him going, ‘how is he doing this on a bum knee, we have two good knees and we can keep up with him.’”

UNK advanced seven out of eight wrestlers through the first round and had six of those seven moved into the semifinals.

“Getting off to a great start kept our spirits high. . . . They knew this could be their time and I think that was the key,” Bauer said.

The Lopers hadn’t been ranked higher than No. 3 throughout the year, so Bauer wasn’t that optimistic heading into the national meet.

“I knew we had a talented group of young men and I knew where we were in the brackets and we had some tough second and third round matches. It was a matter of getting through them,” he said.

When the Lopers did that and survived Top Ranked St. Cloud’s surge in the consolation matches, Bauer’s confidence grew, and he had plenty of confidence entering the champion matches.

“They’re three of our best guys and they were favored in all three matches,” Bauer said. “Dalton started us off . . . . That’s what started that whole ripple effect.” n

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LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

Loper National Track Champions MEN: NAIA

Clayton Scott – two-mile – 1954, 1955 Hyke van Der wal – steeplechase – 1962 Dennis Dukesherer – pole vault – 1967 Jim Sobieszczyk – high jump – 1971 Two-mile relay – Tim Enck, Nate Butler, Wayne Phipps,

Rich Molczyk – 1970

NCAA

Ivan Ivanov – steeplechase – 1996 Lance Pfeiffer – shot put – 2006, 2007 Dane Tobey – shot put – 2010

WOMEN: AIAW

Jill Stenwall - shot put – 1980

NAIA

Beth Stuart – shot put – shot put – 1984, 1985, 1987

(indoor and outdoor), discus – 1985, 1987 Donna Spickelmier – 1500 and 3000 – 1989 Two-mile relay team – Donna Spickelmier, Deb Spickelmier,

Becky Muma, Barb Herbek – 1986 NCAA Janet Boetcher – weight throw – 1999, hammer throw – 2000 Lesley Crutcher – high jump – 2006 Amber Tiedeman – shot put - 2006

Winter Sports

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enior Allen Osborn of Chadron became the fourth Loper to win an individual national title at the Division II level when he captured the 60 hurdle title at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

Osborn, who had broken the school record multiple times this year in the hurdles, set another mark with a 7.83 in the prelims. He then ran 7.78 to capture the title. It was his fourth All-American award. He joins Ivan Ivanov (steeplechase), Lance Pfeiffer (shot put) and Dane Tobey (shot put) as Lopers with NCAA individual titles.

UNK had four other All-Americans in senior Marty Molina of Kearney (triple jump), senior Matt Shipp of Bertrand (800), junior Paul Pape of Lincoln (800) and senior Jenna Isaacson of Holdrege (pentathlon).

The Lopers had runner-up finishes in the RMAC Indoor Championships. Molina, who won the triple jump (49.85) and the long jump (23-03) was named the RMAC Indoor Male Athlete of the Meet. Head coach Brady Bonsall was named men’s and women’s Coach of the Year.

Other conference champions were Osborn (55 hurdles), senior Brandon Karlin of Phillipsburg, Kansas,(weight throw), redshirt freshman Dillon Schrodt of Lincoln (heptathlon),

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National Champion Hurdler Allen Osborn

junior Jackie Ziemke (shot put) and the men’s 4x400 relay team of Shipp, Pape, junior Cornell Lefler of Lincoln and junior Scott Nannen of York.

A loss in the semi-final game of the RMAC Basketball Tournament ended the men’s basketball season at 16-12. The Lopers exit the conference with a 261-103 record against RMAC foes. Sophomore Mike Dentlinger of Millard, who missed the last eight games with a knee injury, still made the RMAC first team. As a freshman, he was the league’s Freshman of the Year. Junior Jon Henderson of Salt Lake City was a third team selection.

The Loper women went 8-19 including an 8-14 RMAC record. Senior Venessa Leeper Jones of Colorado Springs was named to the RMAC second team along with being a Capitol One First Team All-American. Senior Debi Johnson of Elsie was named to the RMAC third team. Both played in all 111 UNK games played during their four-year careers.

The women’s swimming team finished ninth in the RMAC. Freshman Shelby Laramore of Edmond, Oklahoma, and sophomore Cassie Bonds of Wichita, set school records in the 100 free and the 100 fly. n

LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

Lopers under The Lights Community event wins NCAA Award of Excellence

UNK

was honored when ‘Lopers Under the Lights’ was recognized as the 201112 winner to the NCAA Division II Community Award of Excellence.

The award honors a school whose program or event builds the most effective bridges among athletics, the school and the community.

‘Lopers Under the Lights’ is an annual communityengagement campaign that serves as a kickoff event for each new season of UNK athletics.

Held during ‘Welcome Back Week,’ the event has grown in popularity with the general student body and the Kearney community. It was begun in 2005.

‘Lopers Under the Lights’ takes place at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium. Each Loper athletic team is required to come up with an interactive game or contest related to its sport. For example, baseball conducts a ‘Guess Your Pitch’ contest.

Administrators then match up sponsors with teams to provide participation prizes for those who play. Prizes range from free pizza to a gift bag with merchandise inside. Sponsors also provide a grand prize that is presented to the random winner at a pep rally at the end of the program.

UNK received a trophy and a $500 prize for winning the award. n

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LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

Team of Distinction 1987 Women’s basketball squad reached final 16

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he 1987 women’s basketball team was honored as the 12th Team of Distinction in January. That team was the only squad to qualify for the NAIA National Tournament.

Coached by Dan Wurtz, the Lopers won three post season games after capturing the Nebraska College Conference title during the season. They opened the playoffs with a 99-66 win over Concordia. They then upset defending district champion Midland 68-66 in the district finals. In the bi-district, the Lopers beat Northern Montana 74-69 to reach the final 16 at the national tournament in Kansas City.

Playing Southwestern Oklahoma State, the eventual national champion, UNK almost pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament. A basket by Roseland senior Brenda VanLengen sent the game into overtime, but the Lady Bulldogs held on for a 74-69 win. The loss ended the season at 21-9.Wurtz was Central States Intercollegiate Conference tri-Coach of the Year.

VanLengen and LaNell Cox were named to the all-district team.

Volleyball Venue One of nation’s top atmospheres heralded

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n its July 2012 issue, Volleyball Magazine featured an article about attendance at college matches. In a section titled, FIVE ATMOSPHERES WORTH CHECKING OUT, one of those five is UNK.

Teams of Distinction have been recognized by the athletic department since 2003. Other teams honored have been 1967 baseball, 1930 football, 1941 football, 1956 football, 1963 football, 1964 bowling, 1978 men’s basketball, 1982 men’s basketball, 1975 volleyball, 1987 softball and 1959 cross country. n

The 1987 women’s basketball team was honored at the 12th Team of Distinction in January.

“The home of the Lopers at the University of NebraskaKearney has been at the top in Division II attendance in all but three years since 1996. Opponents dread a horseshoe configuration during the regular season since it puts the court in close proximity to fans and narrows the serving areas in the end zones.”

The other five atmospheres worth checking out were University of Nebraska – Coliseum; University of Hawaii – Stan Sheriff Center; University of Texas – Gregory Gym; and Rivalry Games – Take your pick on the location – when the visiting rival shows up, you know the home fans will bring a little extra. n

Spring Sports

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oth Loper tennis teams advanced to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 after capturing the Central Region tournaments.

To qualify, the women defeated Western New Mexico and the men beat Metro State.

At that national event in Kentucky, the women lost to seven-time national champion BYU-Hawaii and the men were defeated by twotime national champion West Florida. Both BYUH and UWF went on to finish as national runners up.

Both UNK teams had only one senior. For the men, Josh Raymond, Elkhorn, is among the top players in Loper history. He was a four-year starter at both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. Last fall, he teamed with Yeswarth Nodella, India sophomore, to finish runnerup in the national duals tournament. The women lose only Nickola Messbarger, Kearney, a four-time all-RMAC pick in doubles.

Colorado School of Mines defeated UNK baseball in the RMAC tournament to end the Lopers season at 18-33. The game was UNK’s final event in any sport.

Junior outfielder Brian Wuest, Prosper, Texas, was named third-team All-America, only the third UNK baseball player to earn All-American honors at the Division II level.

He led the team in most offensive categories, finishing at .394 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI’s.

Catcher Chandler Klute, Kearney junior, joined Wuest on several all-region teams and also was named to the RMAC’s first-team after batting .317 with five home runs and 36 RBI’s. Klute was the lone returning starter from the 2011 team that was runner-up in the NCAA regional tournament.

Klute was a second team RMAC selection in 2011 and the conference freshman of the year in 2010.

The Loper softball team posted a 26-24 record, finishing fifth in the RMAC and going 2-2 in the post season tournament.

LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

Second baseman Ali Seberger, Lexington senior, was named to the Daktronics All-Central Region team after hitting a team best .414 with nine home runs and 52 RBIs. She also led the Lopers in five other offensive categories. She also was a second team all-RMAC selection.

Pitcher Kirstie Hiatt, McCook senior, was named to the RMAC third team. She posted a 13-10 record and finished her career among the Lopers all-time leaders in wins, innings pitched, appearances and strikeouts.

The men’s golf team wrapped up the season by placing 19th at the West/Central Regional in Arizona. The men were selected after finishing sixth in the RMAC. The Lopers will lose only Garrett Goldsberry, Fremont senior, off this year’s squad.

The women’s golf team finished the season by placing fifth in the RMAC. Stephanie Moorberg, Keller, Texas, sophomore, was the squad’s top performer, placing fourth at the conference meet. For the year, Nicole Erwin, Norfolk senior, led the team with a 85.27 stroke average.

At the RMAC Outdoor Track and Field meet, the Loper men finished second and the women fourth. Adams State won both titles.

Adams State edged UNK 226-5 to 200.5.

Individually, Marty Molina, Kearney junior, won two events, the triple jump (48-4) and the long jump (22-7.75). The long jump title was his third straight title in that event. The other UNK winners were Andrea Howe, Beatrice sophomore, in the discus (152-4) and Courtney Fegter, Holdrege freshman, in the pole vault (11-8), and Bryson Mahlberg, Elwood senior, in the decathlon with 6,224 points.

Molina and Paul Pape, Lincoln sophomore, earned AllAmerican honors at the national meet. Molina captured his third AllAmerican award by finishing seventh in the triple jump with a career best 50-4.75. In less than ideal conditions, Pape was seventh in the 800 with a time of 1:54.54. His prelim time was 1:51.54. n

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Homecoming 2012

Five inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame

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ive former athletes will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during ceremonies at Homecoming September 21-22. They are Janet Pokorny Boettcher ’01 of Ord, Bob Brindamour ’94 of Elkhorn, Randy Cipriano ’79 of Garland, Carla Dobchuk Odnokon ’01, MAE’03 of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and Jeff Stenslokken ’82 of Omaha.

Janet Pokorny Boettcher was a track and field thrower who captured two national championships and was second in the same events twice. She captured the 1999 weight throw and the 2000 hammer throw. She was runner-up in the weight throw and the hammer throw in 2001. During her career, she earned a schoolrecord 10 All-American honors.

Boettcher is the UNK record holder in both the weight throw (59-11½) and the hammer throw (194-7½). She also set the RMAC record for both events. Also a shot putter, Boettcher is also second in the UNK record book in that event (49-7¾).

Bob Brindamour was a four-time All-American in cross country and track for the Lopers. As a sophomore, he placed 14th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and led UNK to a national runner-up finish. As a junior, he placed 13th at the national meet and the UNK team was third. As a senior, Brindamour finished 23rd and the Loper team finished fourth at the meet hosted by UNK. Those highly-successful teams were coached by Lyle Claussen.

One of the top distance runners on the track team, Brindamour is currently third in the indoor record book in the 5,000 meters (14:43.02), ninth at two miles (9:32.87) and 10th at 3,000 meters (8:49.38). Outdoors, he is the school record holder at 10,000 meters (30:08.87) and fourth at 5,000 meters (14:54.60).

Carla Dobchuk Odnokon was the Lopers most highlysuccessful golfer. During her career, Odnokon finished third at the NCAA Tournament as a senior, fourth at the national

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tournament as a junior and 13th as a sophomore. Those accomplishments made her a rare three-time All-American. In 37 career tournaments for UNK, Odnokon placed in the top five 33 times. She won 13 tournaments and finished second in eight tournaments.

Randy Cipriano was a key player on successful basketball teams from 1975 to 1979. A four-year letterman, Cipriano was the point guard on UNK’s national runner-up team of 1978. At that national championship, Cipriano was awarded the prestigious Hustle Award and named to the first team All-Tournament team.

He was a first team selection in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) as a junior and a senior. As a senior, he set the UNK record for assists in a season – 150.

As team captain in 1978 and 1979, Cipriano was a member of teams that posted back to back 25-win seasons.

Jeff Stenslokken was a four-year letterman in football where he excelled as a defensive lineman. Stenslokken was a first-team NAIA All-America and honorable mention NAIA All-American along with being named to the CSIC first team.

After graduating, Stenslokken was a member of four professional teams, the NFL Kansas City Chiefs in 1982, the Denver Gold in the United States Football League in 1983, the NFL Miami Dolphins in 1983 and the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers in 1984.

Stenslokken played on teams that compiled a 30-8-2 record.

The Lopers were NAIA District 11 champions or co-champions of the CSIC three of those four years. They finished ranked in the NAIA Top 10 in 1978, 1979 and 1980. In 1979, the Lopers competed in the NAIA quarterfinals losing to Central Oklahoma University 42-22. In 1980, they defeated Mars Hill, North Carolina, 9-6, before losing to Northeastern Oklahoma 14-0 in the national semi-final game. n

Join us for 2012 UNK HOMECOMING AND FAMILY DAY MAKE IT A LOPER WEEKEND! Visit your alma mater for many activities for your mind, your entertainment, for the memories and for the chance to see old friends!

More details can be found at::

www.unkalumni.org

Schedule for the week of September 17-22 Monday, September 17 BLUE OUT AROUND CAMPUS (wear your blue all day) 7:00 pm - KICK-OFF CONCERT featuring American Idol contestant, Jackie Tohn - Campus Green Tuesday, September 18 7:00 pm - BATTLE OF THE BRAINS & SPIRIT COMPETITION Health and Sports Center Wednesday, September 19 7: 00 pm - CANNED FOOD BUILD - Cope Memorial Fountain Thursday, September 20 7:00 pm - LIP SYNC - Health and Sports Center Friday, September 21 6:00 pm - ALUMNI AWARDS BANQUET - Social & Dinner - Student Union 7:00 pm - ADVENTURE/AMAZING RACE - Bell Tower Plaza 7:00 & 8:00 pm - UNK Planetarium Show “There’s No Place Like Home” Saturday, September 22: 9:00 am - Greek Alumni Golf Tournament - Kearney Country Club 10:00 am - UNK Homecoming and Band Day Parade - Central Ave, 28th St to campus

Nebraska’s Largest Homecoming Parade! Featuring over 100 entries.

11:00 am - 2:00 pm - CAMPUS TOURS UNK Admissions - MSAB Admissions Office 11:30 am - 1:30 pm “Loper Luncheon” Beer & Brats - Alumni House 1:30 p.m. – “Loperville” Pre-Game Tailgate on campus 3:40 pm - Pregame Show 4:00 pm - UNK Homecoming Football game vs Northwest Missouri State

Cope Stadium/Foster Field Halftime Royalty Crowning 6:30 pm - Post-game gathering- Legacy 272 inside Holiday Inn with short program 6:30-7:30 pm - Dinner in the Market at 27th

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LOPER ATHLETICS lopers.com

Heading to London Olympic Trials victory validates Tervel as a contender

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eavyweight wrestler Tervel Dlagnev ’09 wrote another chapter in his amazing career by winning the 2012 Olympic Trials at 264.5 lbs. in April to capture a spot on the Olympic Team that will compete in London in August.

Dlagnev, now of Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Kirsten, was a two-time NCAA Division II national champion for the Lopers and has had a successful national and international career since graduating. He made the World Team in 2009 and won a bronze medal at the international event. He also made the World Team in 2011, placing fifth at the World Championships. But, he said, his Olympic Trials victory validates even more the long hours he put in.

It was his high school coach, Henry Harmoney ’82 who interested him in wrestling at Arlington, Texas, High School when Dlagnev was described as a pudgy sophomore barely getting by.

Dlagnev’s family moved from Bulgaria when he was four years old, and he became a U.S. citizen a few years later. Dlagnev was going through the motions in high school when coach Harmoney off-handedly asked one of the coaches about possible talent in the PE classes. Dlagnev’s name came up.

Dlagnev was sold the minute Harmoney brought up the idea of wrestling, though his mom had to be convinced.

“I wasn’t happy,” his mother Igrena said. “I, in my mind, thought of all those huge guys I watched many years ago. I thought, ‘Oh, my goodness, he will be (crushed).’ I wanted him to slim down, so I wanted him to join some sport, but I never thought of wrestling.

“Then, I saw what he did. He lost weight. He raised his grades.

I couldn’t believe it. I am really grateful to that sport because this

sport makes him what he is.” Dlagnev began eating, sleeping and breathing wrestling. His grades prevented him from competing until his junior year, when he finished fourth in the 2002 Texas state tournament. He was third as a senior.

Harmoney helped get Dlagnev to his alma mater where he not only focused on wrestling but also his academic program. He earned a bachelor of science degree with a comprehensive biology major. On the wrestling mat, he went 10-8 as a freshman before breaking his foot and getting a medical redshirt.

Dlagnev gained 20 pounds before the next season and placed sixth in the NCAA Division II tournament in 2005 as a heavyweight. He was second in 2006 losing 1-0 to Les Sigman of UNO in the finals. It was his old foe Sigman who Dlagnev defeated to win the Olympic Trials.

The next two years he captured the national championship and led the Lopers to its first team title in 2008. Dlagnev’s 167 career victories are a school record. UNK coach Marc Bauer said that what was amazing is how rapidly Dlagnev did it.

“All the kids start wrestling when they can walk, little-bitty kids. He didn’t start until he was a sophomore in high school . . . .

The thing you find with those kids that start later in life is they’re so much more driven and so much more passionate about learning and wanting to improve, because deep inside they know they didn’t get the early start. They have to push themselves even a little bit harder to catch up. That’s why he is where he is today.”

Dlagnev, who has beaten two-time Olympic champion Artus Taymazov of Uzbekistan, said he doesn’t want to just be an Olympian. “I want to be an Olympic champion.” n

The only other Loper to compete in the Olympics was Curtis Harry ’88, MBA’93 who was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago 2-man bobsled team in the 1994 and 1998 Winter Olympics.

24

us Class of 1962 take time out of their camp MENS HALL: The Golden Anniversary Marge Harouff, Lynn eter, Schlu nne Maria eter, Schlu Gene tour for a picture. They are s, Jerri Marcy, Mervyn Harms, Margene Phare McBride, Dewey Harouff, Doug Marcy, s Harm ia Patric Berg, Anita Sue Clement, Keith Bob Phares, Rod Clement, Kathy Berg, and David Karre.

Golden Anniversary Class of 1962

opulos ’70 UNK Alumni Executive Director Pete Kotsi and former became reaquainted with longtime friend n AnniverGolde the g durin s, Harm ia babysitter, Patric Mervyn and, husb her sary in May. Patricia came with ’62.

MSE & Harms, ’55

n “Beanie” Lawrence’62, Lucas Dart ’97, Vince Bramer ’62, Merli nt John Payne’62 take a Rege NU r forme and 2 eter’6 Schlu Gene n Anniversary BBQ. Golde the at moment out of reminiscing

legends

Dr. Ron Tuttle Named College Educator of the year by the AIM Institute Dr. Ron Tuttle, professor of industrial technology was named College Educator of the Year by the AIM Institute.

The award is presented to a post-secondary educator who has risen to the top of the profession as an outstanding technology educator.

Among other things, Dr. Tuttle was instrumental in the development of the original telecommunications management degree at UNK in the 1980s.

The AIM Institute is a not-forprofit membership organization which is designed to empower communities, organizations and individuals through information technology. The organization collaborated with government officials to help citizens in Nebraska, and the surrounding region, develop the skills needed in an information economy and to prosper through the application of information technology. n

25

Graduation 647 welcomed as alumni

UNK awarded a record number of graduate degrees at spring commencement – 167, four more than the 163 graduate degrees awarded in the summer of 1991. The total number of undergraduate students receiving degrees was 647, just one short of the largest class which was 648 in 1992.

Commencement speaker Mike Flood of Norfolk, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, encouraged graduates to participate in the public process and to focus on giving back. “Challenge public officials, ask your neighbors to join you, reinvent your community and make it more attractive to those behind you.”

Tom Henning, CEO of Cash-Wa Distributing Co., was presented the Ron and Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award. The honor is presented to people who have provided significant service, support and promotion of UNK, the greater Kearney area, and the state or higher education.

At winter commencement ceremonies in December, 386 received degrees. Of those, 269 were undergraduate degrees and 117 were graduate degrees.

Commencement speaker Bob Phares ’62 of North Platte, chairman of the NU Board of Regents, told the graduates to continue to grow academically and to continue to support their alma mater. n

’12 Brett Miller awers ’12, W lie . u n J , o ti rs embe ssocia undation m K Alumni A nt Alumni Fo their entry into the UN e d tu S r e Form brate ilde ’12, cele and Dana H

Loper Happenings Alumni Events Near and Far

anization) udent org st F A (S them on a undation ngratulate 50.

Alumni Fo t co n e to d rs tu io S n ester nce at 1 uating se Each sem rd attenda co n for grad o re ti d ra e b w le o hosts a ce . This semester sh one job well d

tion Board Dave Bargen ’96 and Bill Peard ’84 of the UNK Alumni Associa it? do you Can loper.” “the do also learned how to

Several alumni came together to support the Phi Delta Thetas recolonization. David Haith, Tim Shada ’81, and Kim Lewis ’90 support the efforts of CAB Chairman Marc Bailey ’85 as he pins one of the new student members.

26

Nine retire Saying good-bye to the school-year and staff an ’05 ohling Krem M a ss ri Lo d ’04 an dianapolis.

9 and Jack thering in In helmeier ’0 a ic g i B n e m n e lu g a u n E at a Loper Pride show their

Lindsay Luxford ’10, Jenny Reed, Chris Debban ’10 and on.

Mallory Paulsen ’10 at the South Texas Loper Alumni Lunche

zlaff ’85 Jane Peterson Tiff ’85, Stan Rat , TX. ston Hou in and Mike Kennedy ’74

Nine long-time staff members retired during the 2012 Year.

Dr. Teara Archwamety began his career in 1977 as assistant professor of education in the School of Education and continued in the Departments of Professional Teacher Education and Counseling and School Psychology.

Dr. Paul Bishop joined the staff in 1974 as a physical education teacher and head athletic trainer. Since 1980, he has been involved with physical education teacher education and Master Teacher of Physical Education program.

Cecelia (Cel) Davis has worked as an office associate for 23 years in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology.

Dr. John Hertner began his career as assistant professor in the Biology Department in 1974. He served as department chairman from 2004 to 2011.

Anita Kucera worked a total of 34 years at UNK. She is associate director for residence life.

Dr. C. Trecia Markes began her career as assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Physical Science in 1992.

Dr. Mark Markes has been an assistant professor in the Department of Physics and Physical Science. He joined the staff in 1999.

Peggy Nyffeler began her career as a part-time staff nurse in 1985. She continued in that position until becoming a full-time staff nurse, then assistant director of Student Health and interim director of Student Health.

Dr. Ed Walker joined the staff in 1979 as chair of the Department of Elementary Education. He also served as assistant chair of Teacher Education. n

27

Class Notes

1955 Dr. Marilyn Whitney Peterson MAE’63 of Cozad has been elected to serve on the advisory council, Nebraska Educational Television/PBS. Marilyn is chair for an exhibit “Journey Stories,” National Smithsonian Exhibit. It will open in Cozad at the 100th Meridian Museum on August 30, with a five-week showing. The theme is “how and why people immigrated to America.” In addition, Cozad will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Union Pacific Railroad.

1957 Carol Ruby is retired and living in Aurora, Colorado.

1958 Richard Peterson of Cozad was inducted into the Fremont High School Athletic Hall of Fame in February for being the golf coach who won the state Class A meet in 1972.

1962 David Eurek retired in 1999 from teaching business education at Howells High School. He is president of the Nebraska Licensed Beverage Association for the past four years. He has been a town board member for the past six years.

1964 Ken Aldridge released his novel, Triage of Troubles, a story of suspense dealing with three major crimes, three minor crimes and three different women vying for the affection of the chief of police in a small Texas town. The book follows the chief as he attempts to solve the mysteries surrounding the kidnapping of a young girl, and a probation violator and drug pushers arrest for a traffic violation. Information is available on the publisher’s website: http://SBPRA.com/Ken Aldridge or at www.amazon.com. It is also in eBook format. Aldridge, who is now retired, was a special agent with the FBI for 23 years. He lives in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Phyllis Rockefeller is a retired teacher living in Lincoln. She also worked in retail and as a seamstress. She has two children and four grandchildren.

1970 Bill Burns is retired from managing Lake Maloney Golf Course in North Platte and now lives in Kearney with his wife, Barbara.

Lanny Kizer ’66 and Sharon Wilson Kizer ’70, MAE’02 of Loup City were selected as Grand Marshals of the 2011 Nebraska State Fair parade in Grand island. Lanny was selected to the Loup City School’s ‘Wall of Fame’ for his influence on young people and 32 years of service.

1971 Frank ’72 and Gail Chapman ’71 are both retired from teaching and are now selling real estate for Woods Bros. in York.

Dr. Mary Molt, assistant director, housing and dining services, at Kansas State University received the esteemed Gold Plate Award at 28

the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration in May. Tom Yaussi and his wife, Patti, of Lincoln own Datapeak, a company that specializes bulk mailing and variable laser printing.

1972 Jan R. Frye was appointed by President Obama to serve a three-year term on the U.S. Ability One Commission. He currently serves as the deputy assistant secretary of acquisition and logistics, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

1973 Bill Dunn, Grand Island Independent editor, swept the editorial cartooning awards at the Omaha Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism awards competition.

He won first, second and third. It is the third consecutive year Dunn has won the award.

Alfred Moreau of Arlington, Virginia, has been awarded the Superior Civilian Service medal from the Judge Advocate General of the Army.

He practiced law for more than 35 years with the Department of Army, working at posts including Rock Island, Illinois; Ft. Belvoir, Virginia and the Pentagon. A specialist in federal government contract law and contract provisions relating to labor laws, he served as the Army Labor Advisor and was a frequent speaker on labor issues in connection with government contracts. Recently retired from federal service, Fred remains vice-chair of the American Bar Association Public Contracts Section Employment Safety and Labor Committee.

1974 Dr. Charlie Bicak, senior vice chancellor at UNK, has been inducted into the Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association 2012 Bio Nebraska Board of Directors. Bio Nebraska serves as an advocate and resource for the Nebraska biosciences industry.

1975 Dr. Marie Hink Patterson MSE’75, EDS’79 of Wichita was honored in October with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kansas Association of School Psychologists.

1976 Dr. Dennis Headrick, vice president for instruction at Southeast Community College, was the recipient of an Instructional Leadership Award sponsored by National Council of Instructional Administrators.

1980 Denise Strother Christensen is director of Merryman Performing Arts Center in Kearney. The center was transformed from a school auditorium at Central Elementary School to a facility for the arts in 2003.

Steve Hartman coaches boys’ basketball at Doniphan-Trumbull High School.

1982 Bob Jones is the new head football coach at his alma mater, Lexington High School. Jones had been head coach at Fort Worth Dunbar High

School, Aldine High School and Sheperd High School in Houston.

Michael Sicord is vice president of sales for M. Brett Painting Co., Inc. in Lyme, Connecticut.

1984 Doug Long was inducted into the Nebraska State Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame in March.

Long was the first and youngest Certified Athletic Trainer at Chadron State College from 1985 to 1989.

He then returned to North Platte and his current position at Great Plains Regional Medical Center to start one of the first clinical athletic training programs in state and created access to athletic training services for 13 educational entities in the North Platte area. Long was the first athletic trainer to receive the Caring Kind Award from the Nebraska Hospital Association for exemplary customer and patient care.

Dr. Teresa Paper MSE’90 has been named president of Scott Community College in Kansas.

Dr. Paper had served as interim president during the past school year. Prior to that, she had served as dean of the college since 2005.

1987 Kevin Gizinski is a college admissions representative for IBMC Institute of Business and Medical Careers in Longmont, Colorado.

Dean Tickle MAE’98, EDS’10 is superintendent at Elm Creek Public Schools. He had been Lexington Middle School principal.

1988 Brad Nelson has been promoted to senior vice president and chief credit officer at Union Bank & Trust in Lincoln.

Carol Rempp has had a chapter titled “Generosity, Fortitude, Respect, Wisdom: Using Popular Culture To Teach Traditional Culture” included in the book Voices of Native American Indian Educators: Integrating History, Culture, and Language to Improve Learning Outcomes for Native American Indian Students that was published in December 2011. Carol is program coordinator of multicultural education at the Nebraska Department of Education.

Diane Harding Stamm is a writer and sports photographer at the Wauneta Breeze newspaper.

1989 David Hoyt MS’11 works in out-patient therapy at Family Resources of Greater Nebraska.

1990 Dr. Terry Murrell is president of Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City. He joined Western Iowa Tech in 2007 as vice president of instruction and was promoted to executive vice president in 2009.

1991 Wade Behlen is director of retirement plans at Feltz Wealth Plan in Omaha.

2012 UNK HOMECOMING AND FAMILY DAY

unkalumni.org

Class Notes

1992 Joni Reisinger MBA, MS’11 is chief operating officer of Family Resources of Greater Nebraska.

1993 Jeffrey Spain has been named vice president, agency development for Assurity Life Insurance Company in Omaha. He will oversee the Assurity Agency Group, a company subsidiary.

1994 Nicole Schnell Berner is secretary for the Nebraska P.E.O. executive board. She is vice president of commercial lending at U.S. Bank in Sioux City.

Todd Hilyard MAE’98 was selected as the Nebraska State Association of Secondary Principals recipient of the Distinguished Service Award. He is superintendent for Holdrege Public Schools.

Ginger Keller Marx of Seibert, Colorado, is among those being inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Foundation Hall of Fame in October. An outstanding basketball player at Gibbon High School, Marx set the UNK scoring and rebounding records. She was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Brian Sucha has been promoted to vice president of finance for Orthman Manufacturing in Lexington.

1995 Brian Diedrichsen is vice president of First National Bank of Omaha.

Deb Loseke Walton has been promoted vice president of marketing and communication services at Physicians Mutual in Omaha. She and her husband, Andrew have a son, Drew 9, and a daughter, Brooklyn 4.

1996 David Bargen has been added as a partner with the law firm Rembolt Ludtke LLP in Lincoln.

Bargen’s practice is concentrated in the areas of municipal law, water law, civil litigation, administrative law and government regulations.

Detective Derek Bees has been recognized by both the Bellevue community and the Nebraska Attorney General’s office for outstanding police work. He is a 15-year veteran of the Bellevue Police Department.

Timothy Daly has been appointed theater manager at Ritenour High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He had been theater manager for St. Louis Community College from 2007 to 2011.

Rebecca Smith Kyle has been promoted to human resources director at Colliers International in Omaha.

J J Nelson is executive director of Indiana at Delta Dental of Michigan.

1998 Nikki Bleacher Edeal MAE’03 is principal at Sandoz Elementary School in Lexington.

Doug Hampton has been promoted to business manager with Orthman Manufacturing.

John Ritchie MA’00 was named Secondary Teacher of the Year for Washburn Rural High School, Topeka, Kansas.

1999 Jessica Wilson Galles of Omaha graduated from nursing school and became a registered nurse in 2012. She works at Meadows Rehab & Care Center.

Sheri Hink is managing editor of the Wauneta Breeze newspaper.

John Phillips has been promoted to cashier at Town and Country Bank in Ravenna.

2000 Aaron Flaugh has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Seldin Co. in Omaha.

Bradley Wallin owns and operates Brad Wallin Property Services, LLC in Longmont, Colorado.

2001 Jenny Smits Nichol MBA’02 is an accountant with Allen Capital Group in Grand Island.

2002 Amber Shenk Ackerson is human resources manager at Orthman Manufacturing in Lexington.

T. J. Isaacs is a major gifts officer for the Sun Devil Club with Arizona State University athletics.

Ty Swarm MAE’09 is wrestling coach and physical education teacher at Kearney High School.

Amy Gusso Williams MAE’02 is women’s basketball coach at University of South Dakota.

2003 Richie Berggren has worked as a graphic designer for ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut for the past eight years. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Bristol.

Jennifer Berthiaume of Murphy, Texas, was named to ENR’s Texas & Louisiana Top 20 Under 40 for her outstanding work in an engineering firm. She works with ARCADIS teams in water resources, environment and infrastructure to find new ways to collect data and implement geospatial solutions in their projects.

2004 Matt Jochum is assistant manager of Scheels in Omaha. His wife, Amanda is a registered dietitian at Hy-Vee Omaha. They have a son, Austin 2.

Scott Jorgensen will be teaching and coaching at Central City this fall. Jorgensen has been as assistant track coach at UNK the past two years.

Michelle Bower Scianna is Medicare and retirement sales director with UnitedHealthcare in Omaha.

Tiffany Ward is director of marketing for McKay Landscape Lighting in Omaha.

2005 Shannon Busch MBA’09 is office and human resource manager for SCORR Marketing in Kearney.

2007 Charlene Debacker Falmlen is resource development director for Good Samaritan Society-

unkalumni.org

Communities at St. John’s, St. Luke’s and Prairie View Gardens in Kearney.

Kevin Hervert is director of copywriting at SCORR Marketing in Kearney.

2008 Kylee Gardner is an occupational therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

Brian Kimmins is a 1st Lieutenant in the USMC stationed in Kingsville, Texas. He received his wings as a jet pilot in March.

Peter Spirk is a sales associate with Century 21 Midlands in Kearney.

2009 Kelsey Beckenbach has moved from Ventura County California to the Inland Empire area working for the Angels minor league baseball team.

Angela Reynolds MBA’10 of Wood River is human resources generalist at Central Community College.

Theodore Stein received his master of science degree in sports management with concentration of sports administration from American Public University in February. He lives in Miles City, Montana.

2010 Jordan Sorensen is office manager at NP Realty in Kearney.

2011 Scott Bacon is an AAA Nebraska insurance sales and service agent in the Kearney area.

Jenny Gierhan is marketing director for the Buffalo County Fairgrounds office.

2012 Kali Anderson is teaching math at Widefield High School in Colorado Springs.

Kay Babl is an interior designer with Babl Kitchen & Bath.

Beau Baker is a police officer in Lexington.

Sam Bates is a graphic designer at News Link in Lincoln.

John Bettles works for Intellicom in Kearney.

Mackenzie Bohl will be a student this fall in the educational psychology PhD program at the University of Utah. She will be researching and specializing in autism spectrum disorders.

Kyle Brandyberry is a graduate student at UNK in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

Brooke Brown is a graduate student in occupational therapy at Creighton University.

Emily Burkey will be a graduate student at UNL this fall studying for a master of social work.

Samuel Dailey works at Waddell and Reed in Kearney.

Taylor Davidson works at Valley Bank and Trust Co. in Gering in loan reviews.

Chris Deans will be a medical student this fall at UNMC. Hillary Drake works for Rensenhouse Electric Supply in Kansas City.

Max Froehlich is an associate sales engineer with Molex in Lisle, Illinois.

29

Class Notes

Christopher Gugel is a graduate student studying music at Kansas State University.

Jose Gutierrez works of Advance Auto Parts in Kearney.

Amy Hostler works in loan operations at Platte Valley State Bank in Grand Island.

Kyle-Lynn Hughes is a kitchen and bath designer at Builder’s Warehouse in Kearney.

Matthew Jensen is a chemistry graduate student at the University of Minnesota.

Nick Kizzire is a student at Northwestern Health Sciences University pursuing a doctorate of chiropractic degree.

Tessa Kreutzer is a nursing student at UNMC College of Nursing.

Victoria Kuhlman is a graduate student at the University of Denver studying for a master of social work.

Kyle and Kasey McBride live in Edwardsville, Illinois, where Kyle is a graduate assistant with the athletic department and the tennis team. He is working on a master’s degree in public administration.

Brittany McWhirter is a graduate student in speech pathology at UNL. Paloma Mena-Werth is band director at Sunrise Middle School in Kearney.

Austin Muench works for Kiewit Building Group in Omaha.

Destinee Nelson is attending graduate school in Springfield, Missouri at the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.

Teresa O’Brien is a teacher at C L Jones Middle School in Minden.

Rebecca Olsen works at Region II Human Services as an emergency support care coordinator in Cozad.

Rachel Renzelman is a universal banker with US Bank in Lincoln.

Trevor Roenfeldt is employed by SherwinWilliams in their management training program.

Robert Roth will attend Kansas State University this fall to pursue a master of music degree in composition.

Elizabeth Sandberg is a Catholic missionary with FOCUS. Sam Schneider is working on a master of education degree at the University of Notre Dame.

It involves summer graduate coursework and teaching during the school year at an underfunded Catholic school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Charles J. Sepers is student in the PhD/ MPH program in behavioral psychology at the University of Kansas. Specifically, he will be examining community-level efforts combating childhood obesity as part of the National Healthy Communities Study, a 30,000 child sample study that has been awarded $23 million in research funding from NIH, CDC, NCI and private funders.

Kylee Stoppkotte is a kindergarten teacher at Emerson Elementary School in Kearney.

Marni Stuart is an athletic trainer with Lexington Public Schools.

30

Amanda Teter is an athletic training graduate student at Northern State University.

Zach Tracy is a technician at Intellicom in Kearney.

Danielle Tuepker is teaching second grade at Jefferson Elementary School in North Platte.

Alysha Urbanec is a medical technology student at UNMC. Leslie Van Winkle is a graduate student at the University of Iowa working on a master’s degree in speech pathology.

Jillian Welty is a nanny in Connecticut.

Abby Whitmore is an art teacher with Axtell schools.

McKenzie Wiese is working on her doctorate of occupational therapy degree at Creighton University.

Heather Wolf is a K-12 librarian and high school language arts instructor with Brady Public Schools.

Cong Xiao is a graduate student at the University of Delaware studying organizational effectiveness, development and change.

Marriages Dustin Beerman ’08 and Laura Peter June 18, 2011 in Kearney where they live.

Jill Bishop ’04 and Torey Hadwiger March 24 in Kearney.

Christi Booher ’96 and Ken Galloway June 9 in Gibbon.

Heather Bolin ’06 and Luke Estes ’08, ME’11 May 5 in Kearney.

Benjamin Dennis ’08 and Jennifer Rothenberger November 5 in Kearney. They live in York.

Morgan Farrell ’09 and Nick Eckert April 28 in Kearney.

Kiley Figgner ’11 and Nathan Wrage ’09 March 24 in Kearney.

Kerry Fleming ’00 and Brent Soller in Columbus, Ohio, in November. Kerry is the director of residence life at Ohio Dominican University and Brent is a portfolio manager with PNC Institutional Investments. They live in Columbus.

Brian Friehe ’10 and Tiffany Regier June 9 in Kearney.

Rebekah Gerrard ’10 and Jeff Eckhout April 21 in Kearney.

Luke Gronewoller ’07 and Megan Bly, May 12 in Tyler, Minnesota.

Sarah Hille ’11 and Derek Yendra January 21 in Kearney.

Ashley Hubbard ’08 and Jared Kral June 30 in Kearney.

Jeanne Hubl ’07 and Christopher Holz ’05 April 14 in Lawrence.

Cassandra Keller ’11 and Luke Spivey ’10 March 24 in Kearney.

Emilee Lonowski ’11 and Carter Pratt ’11 May 26 in Hastings.

Andrea Madsen ’02 and Troy Potthoff December 16 in Kearney.

unkalumni.org

Shelly Marks ’02, MSE’05 and Jamie Krause ’05 April 14 in Roswell, Georgia.

Jacqueline Maucher ’08, MAE’10 and Ryan Mraz ’01, MAE’08 May 26 in Sutherland.

Mallory Mawby ’10 and Alexander Asay March 10 in Kearney.

Ashley Miller ’03 and Dave Klein April 28 in Elkhorn.

Caprice Miner ’09 and James Meis May 5 in Kearney.

Aaron Mitchell ’11 and Megan Larson June 9 in Kearney.

Mindy Norblade ’98 and Matthew Marx May 20 at Castle Unicorn near Glenwood, Iowa.

Laura Peter ’06 and Dustin Beerman ’08 June 18, 2011 in O’Neill.

Kari Rider ’04 and Christopher McElligot March 24. Kari is a first grade teacher with Omaha Public Schools.

Kailey Rock ’08 and Keith Smith June 1 in Grand Island.

Kristi Rollen ’10 and Preston Gehle May 26, 2012 in Grand Island. They have a daughter, Kinsley Marie, born March 23, 2011. They live in Kearney.

Shannon Ryan ’07 and Michael Sands ’05 December 10 in Omaha.

Allison Sass ’11 and Taylor Dvorak ’11 May 19 in Kearney.

Whitney Schneider ’03, MSE’05 and Aaron Cline June 23 in Kearney.

Justin Spaulding ’10 and Allison Thelen April 21 in Lincoln.

Kristina Slater ’07 and James Craft Jr. April 21 in Houston.

Jeremy Starzec ’09 and Wendy Collins May 26 in Kearney.

Mark Weissert ’09 and Katy Meline April 28 in Campbell.

Megan Wenz ’09 and William Herron ’09 April 21 in Kearney.

Births Seth and Kelly Liss Anson ’03 of Ewing are parents of a son, Jett Charles, born January 22.

Jesse ’04 and Kelli McBride Arens ’04 of Kearney are parents of a son, Zachary Leo, born December 13. They also have a son, Dane, 2.

Mitchell and Michele Davis Arnold ’00, MBA’03 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Bentley Faith, born March 7. They also have three sons, Logan, Huston and Bronson.

Stefanie and Nate Balcom ‘MAE’10 of Grand Island are parents of a daughter, Claire Patrice, born February 7.

Darin and Alicia Hall Beavers ’04 of Elm Creek are parents of a son, Branson Gavin, born February 18.

Mitch and Tiffany Redel Benjamin ’01 of Holdrege are parents of a son, Denny Khalil, born December 23.

Randy ’04 and Jamie Friedel Bentz ’01 of Kearney are parents of a son, Crew James, born December 1.

Class Notes

Aileen and James Beyer ’99 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Ellise Jo, born April 30.

Blake and Brittney Potter Biskup ’01, MSE’04, MSE’10 are parents of a daughter, Layne Ellisyn, born April 19.

Tyler ’03 and Kate Naber Bombeck ’00, MBA’05 of Kearney are parents of a son, Charles Vaughn, born May 7. They have two children, Louis and Anne also.

Jake and Molly Warnke Bomberger ’04, MSE’09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Jacy Renee, born November 16.

Jonathan ’08 and Lacey Strasburg Bouc ’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Landon Ray, born January 20.

Isabelle and Travis Boyll ’04 of Kearney are parents of a son, Leo Dean, born April 8.

Kasey and Tara Freeze Brandt ’08 of Kearney are parents of a son, Lane Ashton, born February 6.

Brandon and Kelli Kastens Brueggemann ’05 of Gibbon are parents of a daughter, Madison Ann, born November 23.

Scott ’99 and Shannon Peterson Bruha ’00 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Jordyn Avery, born April 1.

Alan ’04 and Timmari Lotter Byrn ’05 of Kearney are parents of a son, Kaid Robert, born December 7.

Chris and Allison Keller Caddy ’06 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Shaelyn Ruth, born October 4.

Jesse ’98 and Abby Bostock Carman MBA’05 of Shelton are parents of a son, Colton Lee, born February 26, 2011. Jesse is co-owner of CD Ag and CD Farms and also works for Crop Production Services. Abby works in credit administration at Exchange Bank.

Whitney and LeAnn King Clausen ’99 of Omaha are parents of a son, Oscar Whitney born November 21. They also have a daughter, Madelynn, and a son, Fletcher.

Corey ’08 and Christy Sweet Cronin ’99 of Gibbon are parents of a daughter, Chloey Coleen, born January 16.

James and Tiffany Young Davis ’97 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Eleanor Pearl, born March 16.

Justin and Amber Muirhead DeBrie ’97 of Gibbon are parents of a son, Barrett William, born May 12.

Matt ’00 and Amy Tubbs Eigenberg MSE’05 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Alexis Kay, born September 30, 2011. Amy is a mental health therapist. Matt is employed by Kearney as a landfill attendant.

Aaron ’04, MSE’06 and Kara DeKok Estes ’04 of Kearney are parents of a son, Jack Sampson, born January 15.

Patrick and Sara Gawecki Ferguson ’00 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Stella Josephine, born April 5. They have a son, Noah.

Kristina and Gary Frank ’03 of Kearney are parents of a son, Taylor Grayson, born May 7.

Delroy and Melinda Ziemba Fischer ’96 of

Pleasanton are parents of a son, Derik Albert, born February 29.

Darby ’01 and Erica Rodehorst Flansburg ’01 of Ogallala are parents of a daughter, Addlie Hannah, born May 15.

Zachary and Kelli Leisinger Fries ’99 of Gibbon are parents of a daughter, Nora Kay, born March 13.

Nic ’03, MS’95 and Megan Riessland Fryda ’03, MSE’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Hudson Dale, born October 28. They also have a daughter, Page.

Luke ’06 and Amanda Broadfoot Garringer ’07 of Kearney are parents of a son, Noah John, born March 9.

Dustin and Michelle Harrison Greeley ’88 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Tehnlea Jean, born January 25.

Jeff and Gretchen Garrelts Greene ’98 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Abigail Leigh, born March 12.

Mike and Wendi Sheffield Hadley ’00 of Holdrege are parents of a son, Cruz Cary, born April 29.

Thomas and Maci Schneider Haney ’01 of Kearney are parents of a son, Tate J. born December 23. They also have a son, Bryan.

Josh ’08 and Alisha Schnackenberg Hanshaw ’06 of Kearney are parents of twins, Jonah Matthew and Avah Marie, born October 28. Josh is cancer center communications manager at Good

Samaritan Hospital and Alisha is senior assistant director for undergraduate research at UNK. Rashawn ’98 and Jennifer Knispel Harvey ’98, MAE’05 of Kearney are parents of twin daughters, Jolissa Jean and Janessa Layne born January 4.

Jaime and Eric Hellriegel ’99 of Elm Creek are parents of a daughter, Easton Marie, born October 5.

Ross and Brooke Malcom Huxoll ’07, MA’09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Briony Ross, born March 14.

Joshua and Kristy Lavington Just ’02 of Funk are parents of a daughter, Jemma Lily, born May 8.

Brian ’01, MA’09 and Dana McCracken Kaslon ’97 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Madisyn Briana, born May 17. They also have McKaleigh, 5 and Mariah, 3.

Dave ’90 and Trish Kimball Johnson ’98 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Amelia Elyse, born February 23.

Matthew ’04 and Casey Parr Kenny ’04, MSE’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Camden Matthew, born February 3.

Mindy and Nathan Klinginsmith ’01 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Arielle Christina, born October 16.

Joe and Becky Brekel Klute ’03 of Kearney are parents of a son, Ryder William, born May 3. They also have a son, A.J.

KPS Retirees 29 were UNK graduates

When Kearney Public Schools announced those retiring this year, 29 of the 45 had earned degrees from UNK. Their years of service with the system ranged from 10 years to 42 years.

Those retiring were Tom McCann MAE’84 – 42 years; Carol Peterson Zapata ’72 – 40 years; Tom Shield ’70, MAE’75 – 39 years; Steve Larson ’73 – 39 years; Farah Buesing ’64, MAE’00 – 38 years; Craig Lathrop ’71, MSE’77 – 38 years; Vicki Vetter Zikmund ’74, 36 years; Kevin Sullivan ’75 – 36 years; Steve Lydiatt ’71, MSE’72 – 36 years; Marilyn Lammers ’75 – 36 years; Shari Kimple ’77 – 35 years; Rosemary Felt Miller ’68, MSE’90 – 34 years; Joyce Wortman Knapp MSE’82 – 33 years; Jeanne Friesen McClemens ’77, MAE’81 – 33 years; Jeanine Kealy Goedert ’78 – 33 years; Dennis Miller ’72 – 29 years; Marilyn Velazquez Wiederspan ’76 -28 years; Dennis Hartner MAE’78 – 26 years; Wanda Rasmussen Cox ’72 – 25.5 years; Kerry Krueger Marlatt ’80, MAE’88 – 25 years; Jan Schmidt Wymore MAE’91 – 24 years; Debra Beerman ’75 – 23 years; Lorie Berndt ’84, MAE’92 – 22 years; Judy Davis Carranza ’77 – 21 years; Linda Johnson Romatzke ’71 – 20 years; Mel Shoemaker ’68, MAE’77 – 18 years; Sue Grove ’68 – 15 years; Jeanne Benekeser Bergsten ’72, MAE’98 – 12 years and Chris Wegner ’77 – 10 years. •

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Class Notes

Jeremy ’00 and Kimberly Daake Knajdl ’03 of Ravenna are parents of a daughter, Gretchen Leigh, born April 11.

Tora and Ryan Knaus ’06 of Hildreth are parents of a son, Dax Ryan, born February 22.

Sean ’04 and Kelly Spiegel Korgel ’09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Anslee LeeAnn, born December 8.

Carter and Diana Lavington Kotas ’02 of Aurora are parents of a son, Derek Dean, born November 15.

Ben ’03 and Nichole Griffiths Larson ’01 are parents of a daughter, Avery Lauren, born April 10.

Michael and Angela Fredericksen Lierman ’09 of Kearney are parents of a son, Cooper Warren, born December 28. They also have a daughter, Bailey Mae. Mark ’01 and Jennifer Jezbera Liljehorn ’01 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Lauren Jane, born January 17.

Nolan ’05 and Laura Emmerich Little ’05 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Leela Raylynn, born March 19.

Mark and Lori Berndt Loseke ’93 of Minden are parents of a daughter, Laci Brooke, born March 22.

Matt and Ashley Fox Luther ’10 of Overton are parents of a daughter, Abree Nicole, born December 26.

Doug and Laura Thomas Marshall ’08 of Broken Bow are parents of a daughter, Ella Jean, born March 17.

Walter and Jennifer Vincent Martin ’00 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Ruby Skye, born Mary 20.

Melisa and Kaine McClelland ’04 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Max Kaden, born March 17.

Todd McElhinny and Hilary Reichert ’04 of Kearney are parents of a son, Nate Alan, born March 30.

Seth ’03, MAE’05 and Dora Herrera McFarland ’07 of Lexington are parents of a daughter, Elena Ines, born November 17.

Tony ’02 and Missy Stones McGowan ’00 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Callie Elizabeth, born February 27.

Adam and Kelley Kinney Messenger ’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Adler Steven, born March 19.

John and Jodi Boughtin Meyer ’95 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Elisabeth Carol, born July 21, 2011. They have two other daughters, Alaina 5 and Kaylin 2.

Mitch and Lisa Ryan Mitchell ’08 of Sutherland are parents of a son, Easton Nicholas, born October 25.

Logan and Shari Anderson Mohr ’00 of Minden are parents of a son, Boone Ellis, born December 14. They were married March 12, 2011.

Hannah and Rick Mollard ’08 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Ella Mae, born April 24.

Matt and Erica Hemphill Morey ’05 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kinsey Grace, born March 24.

Rebekah and Brian Moritz ’00 of Omaha are parents of a son, Hayden Carl, born March 31.

Matt and Stacey Mostek ’05, MSE’08 of Kearney are parents of a son, Eli Paul, born March 27.

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Jennifer and David Murrish ’06 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Ellie Reese, born April 3.

Shane and Jacki Riessland Nordby ’03 of Kearney are parents of a son, Kylar James, born May 1.

Scott ’01, MBA’02 and Jennipher Weatherly Olson ’02 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Joslyn Ann, born April 4.

Daniel and Laura Simpkins Pasbrig ’02 of Minden are parents of a son, Jaxson Daniel, born April 13.

Shannon and Travis Patrick ’03 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Allie SueAnn, born November 9. They also have a son, Keegan James.

Travis and Christina Lewis Pawley ’07 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Lucy Elise, born April 21.

Jon and Sarah Benson Pesek ’05 of Kearney are parents of a son, Conner Jonathon, born September 25, 2011.

Julie and Ryan Pierce ’01 of Layton, Utah, are parents of triplets, Aubrie Sage, Brennan Charles and Keenan Stratton, born January 25.

Mark ’07 and Beth Maryott Porter ’04 of Pender are parents of a daughter, Leighton, born August 31, 2011. They also have a daughter, Sydney 5.

Mark is elementary principal at Wisner-Pilger Schools. Beth is staff accountant for Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership in Pender.

Amy and Andrew Prochaska ’06 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Josie Elizabeth, born June 2.

Rusty and Hailey Greening Rhynalds ’09 of Minden are parents of a daughter, Rozlyn Rae, born December 27.

Timothy and Courtney Ashbaugh Roland ’01 of Elm Creek are parents of a son, Jaxson Earl, born March 10.

Noah and Lerrin Currie Rowe ’11 of Elm Creek are parents of a daughter, Styla Nicole, born June 1.

Brenda and Lee Rowedder ’95 of Kearney are parents of a son, Hudson Reed, born September 22.

Grady ’07 and Marian Carr Schake ’05 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Haiden Nicole, born December 6. Marian is a dietitian for EZ Nutrition Consulting. Grady is operations manager for South Central Pool Supply. They also have a son, Chase 2.

Tyler and Joelle Thompson Scherr ’08 of Omaha are parents of a son, Jaxton Charles, born April 28.

Scott and Hope Wagner Shuler ’98 of Aurora, Colorado, are parents of a daughter, Everly Heidi, born October 21, 2010.

Luke ’07 and Lillian Younes Simpson ’07 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Alexis Alyse, born March 12.

Alan and Beth Jorgensen Sparrow ’95 of Stromsburg are parents of a daughter, Atalissa Rose, born January 11.

Jason ’02 and Amanda Nunley Stark ’02 of Hazard are parents of a son, Ryker Allen, born November 1.

Craig and Sarah Davis Sleicher ’03 of Amherst are parents of a daughter, Jocelyn Gail, born December 11.

David and Anne Marie Peterka Stott ’06, EDS’10 of Kearney are parents of a son, Trevor

unkalumni.org

Michael, born February 23.

Kevin and Amber Gregg Swartz ’05, MAE’10 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Riah Joleen, born October 25. Amber is a teacher with the Lexington Public Schools.

Gilles and Brooke Terzi ’05 of Gibbon are parents of a son, Christian Joseph, born May 11.

Luke and Ashton Sandy Thorell ’09 of Holdrege are parents of a son, Holden Michael, born February 26.

Greg ’04 and Jill Lawson Trautman ’07 of Gering are parents of a son, Brendan Gregory, born August 8, 2010.

Jed ’01 and Jenny Jameson True ’07 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Teagan Tre, born May 9.

Leland and Krisha Niemoth Uden MSE’97 of Kenesaw are parents of a son, Darius Lee, born October 2, 2010. They also have a daughter, Abigail.

Beckie and John Uelman ‘MA’00 of Kearney are parents of a son, Blake William, born July 27, 2011.

They have two other children, Kade and Whitney.

Kim and Mark Vavra ’08 of Des Moines, Iowa, are parents of a daughter, Ava Ann, born May 16.

Matt and Sara Carmoney Wells ‘MAE’08 of Axtell are parents of a daughter, Adelyn Ann, born November 26.

Russ ’00 and Mandy Cover Wemhoff ’02 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kaylee Ann, born January 15. Kaylee is a registered nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital. Russ is employed at Novo-Norrodisk. They have a son, Keaton 4 and a daughter, Kinley 2.

Andrew and Tiffany Robinson Wernke ’05 of Kearney are parents of twin daughter, Kamree Ray and Preslee Elisabeth, born December 8.

Pat and Tracy Halliwell Williams ‘98 of Andover, Kansas, are parents of a son, Kyson Jacob, born January 19.

Jackie and Kevin Witte MA’05 of Kearney are parents of a son, Blake Christopher, born January 29.

Shane ’06 and Rajean Marvin Vance ’03 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kiara Rose, born March 5.

Joseph MBA ’01 and Allison Merriman Victoria ’99 of Kearney are parents of a son, Keo William, born January 18.

Quincy and Darcy Kissel Week ’03 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Riley Jo, born March 4.

Nate and Ginger Iwan Weides ’02 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Callie Mae, born January 11.

Kenton ’04 and Sally Buttermore Young ’08 of Kearney are parents of a son, Everett Francis, born December 14.

Sara and Tom Zikmund ’01 of Alma are parents of a son, Cole Thomas, born March 13.

Deaths Keith Ames ’59, MSE’67 of Casper, Wyoming, died April 29. He was 76.

Wesley Boggs ’56 of Sterling died January 23.

Class Notes

He was 81.

Don Brewer ’58, MSE’64 of Kearney died February 17. He was 87.

Edward Ely ’47 of Laguna Woods, California, died August 30, 2011. He was 89.

Earl Fickenscher ’65, MAE’88, EDS’91 of Hastings died February 18. He was 68.

Carol Fisher ’84 of North Platte died April 28. She was 49.

Sharon Copple Harlan ’81 of Bloomfield, Colorado, formerly of Elm Creek, died March 29.

She was 72.

Matthew Hillebrandt ’01 of Omaha died March 23. He was 33.

Kathryn ‘Kay’ Laura Kahla MSE’79 of Lincoln died January 4. She was 67.

Michael Lynch ‘’82, MAE’88 of Elkhorn died June 4. He was a teacher, coach and administrator.

He was 53.

Lyle J. ‘Jim’ McKay of Kearney died June 9.

He had worked for the athletic department as an employee and volunteer for 48 years. He was 82. Memorials have been established to UNK Athletics at the NU Foundation.

Robert McMahon ’55 of San Diego, California, died October 12. He was 82.

Helen Lockhart Meyer ’41 of Walnut Creek,

California, died January 23. She was 91.

Genevieve McGuire Miller ’41 of Arcadia, California, died January 14. She was 93.

Gary F. Olson of Wichita died February 2. He was associate dean of instruction from 1967 to 1970 and vice president of UNK from 1970 to 1976.

He was 73.

Alvie Payne ’39 of Kearney died April 7. Longtime owner of Payne-Larson Furniture, he was an active community and UNK supporter. He received the Kearney State College Distinguished Service Award and a number of other Kearney community recognitions. He was a past president of the UNK Alumni Association. He was 99. Memorials have been established with the NU Foundation for the Payne Family Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Mildred Kennicutt Porath ’62 of Mullen died March 3. She had taught in rural schools and Mullen Elementary and Dunning Elementary schools. She was 99.

Jacquelyn ‘Jackie’ Rosenlof MAE’80 of Kearney died June 4. She was a former director of career services and active in community affairs. She was 81. Memorials have been established with the NU Foundation for the Robert and Jackie Rosenlof UNK Honors Scholarship Fund.

Lynn Robinson Rundstrom ’70 of Kearney died

January 20 in Sun City, Arizona. She was a former UNK employee, past president of UNK Faculty Wives and wife of alumni director emeritus Jim Rundstrom. She was 64. Memorials have been established with the NU Foundation for the Jim and Lynn Rundstrom Service Award at UNK. Gary ‘Shubie’ Shubert ’62 of Lexington died May 21. A track and cross country athlete in college, he was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007. He was 75.

Mildred Coufal Spellmeyer ’37 of Stayton, Oregon, died April 1. She was 97.

Roger Wakelin ’62 of Kearney died May 21. He was a longtime businessman in Iowa, Oklahoma and Kearney. He was 69.

Dean Wallace of Sun City, Arizona, died April 17. He was an Omaha attorney before retiring. He was 87.

Janet Yost ’82 of Colorado Springs, formerly of Kearney, died April 10. She was 81.

Bruce Zobel ’63, EDS’90 of Hildreth died March 11. He was 71.

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Nonprofit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 14 University of Nebraska at Kearney

Tervel Dlagnev, who has beaten two-time Olympic champion Artus Taymazov of Uzbekistan, said he doesn’t want to just be an Olympian.

Kearney, Nebraska 68849-6120

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University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni Association

“I want to be an Olympic champion.”