UNK Today Spring 2010 by UNKAlumni

THE CHANCELLOR AT UNK: Great things are happening

On May 7 I had the privilege of presiding over my 21st commencement as Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Those 21 graduation ceremonies translate to approximately 10,000 degrees awarded and nearly eight years of working with remarkably talented students and an exceptional group of faculty and staff. How quickly time passes. And what at honor it is to serve an institution so deeply committed to educating tomorrow’s leaders. Among UNK’s exceptional faculty is Dr. Rick Miller, Professor of Psychology and Psychology Department Chair. On November 19, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Dr. Miller was honored as U.S. Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. He is the first Nebraska educator to receive Professor of the Year recognition in the nearly 30-year history of this prestigious national teaching award. It is, of course, a tremendous achievement for him personally – and the honor is reflected throughout the entire University. I say it often and I believe it wholeheartedly: UNK’s faculty is second to none. And among our remarkable students are the members of UNK’s Wind Ensemble. In late March I had the pleasure of traveling with them through Western Nebraska and to Fort Collins, Colorado. Directed by Dr. Neal Schnoor, associate professor and director of bands, the Wind Ensemble performed and held workshops in Ogallala and North Platte, and they also performed at our alumni gathering in Fort Collins. These students are enrolled at UNK from across Nebraska with hometowns that include Ashland and Aurora, Bassett and Beatrice, Kearney, Omaha, Scottsbluff and St. Libory, to name just a few. Several come from beyond our state and national borders. Without exception, they represented our campus in exemplary fashion. Every day, everywhere great things are happening at your alma mater. We welcome and encourage you to be a part of all that is UNK.

THE COVER

Dr. Rick Miller pictures provided by UNK Publications.

FROM

sychology professor Dr. Rick Miller was one of only four educators to be named a 2009 U. S. Professor of the Year Award winner. He is the first Nebraska professor to be recognized in the nearly 30 years of this prestigious national teaching award. Faculty members in his department said he is the kind of person who makes a difference. For the story on Dr. Miller see page 4.

THE

NUMBERS

5 Five students a year will be accepted into a cooperative program between UNK and UNMC that will lead to their acceptance into medical school. See page 3.

6 The six faculty members who will retire this year were honored for their years of service. See page 2.

9 Nine alumni from around the state and the country started three-year terms on the Alumni Association’s board of directors last fall. See page 18.

11 Sincerely,

UNK’s football team won a school record 11 games and won an NCAA playoff contest last fall. See page 13.

Douglas A. Kristensen, J.D. Chancellor

Herb Schimek ’62 spent 38 years lobbying for improvements for Nebraska teachers. See page 6.

38 50 Tony Blair, already a member of the 50 States Marathon Club, has his sights set on joining the Century Club by running in 100 races. See page 7. UNK Today l Spring 2010

Planetarium key part of new $14.5 million Bruner Hall of Science Jim Rundstrom Alumni Director Emeritus Editor ebraska’s newest star theater is not only located at UNK, it is also the most modern between Chicago and Phoenix. And, it’s free. It is the focal point of the campus’ new $14.5 million Bruner Hall of Science addition that opened last fall. It is used to teach physics, astronomy, earth science and teacher education courses. It is open to visiting public and school groups. It is the UNK Planetarium, a 60-seat public science theater set under a 30-foot dome that can show the sky as it would be seen from any place on earth at any time, past, present or future, including the sun, the moon, the planets and more than 7,000 stars. The new planetarium is the result of a $551,000 NASA education grant that was put in place six years ago. Dr. Jose Mena-Werth, professor of physics and physical science, said a suggestion from John Falconer, director of sponsored programs, got the ball rolling. “He suggested that we write a federal grant for a star projector to replace our 40-year old instrument. I wrote the short, two-page document making our case for a

Pictures provided by UNK Publications.

CAMPUS NEWS

STAR THEATER: Under a 30-foot dome, more than 7,000 stars, the moon, the sun and the planets can be seen in the planetarium. new planetarium,” he said. “As with all grant applications, we knew it would be a drawn out approval process.” It was a year later before we heard anything, Dr. Mena-Werth said. “Sen. Ben Nelson’s office said they were coming to visit UNK. They wanted to see the old planetarium, and they wanted us to make our case for how a new planetarium would support UNK’s educational mission. This was our first indication that our grant was still in the running.” When Senator Nelson’s staff arrived, Falconer escorted them into the basement that housed the old planetarium. They had to negotiate steep, narrow stairs to the front door of the old planetarium that was located 30 feet below the main entrance to Mary

Morse Lecture Hall. Once inside, they walked down another 10 steps before finally entering the old planetarium “With this adventure in spelunking, I think Senator Nelson’s staff was already half convinced that we needed a new planetarium. After the initial greetings, they made themselves comfortable on our green Naugahyde circular benches. I presented a mini planetarium show,” Dr. Mena-Werth said. “Ella Fitzgerald provided the sundown music with her rendition of ‘Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most.’” During the show, Dr. MenaWerth said he explained how the planetarium was used

in astronomy, earth sciences, meteorology, physics and teacher education courses. “I mentioned the visits we received from school groups and private organizations. I also emphasized the value of the planetarium as a tool for reaching out to future students and their parents. Finally, I pointed out the service we provide with public planetarium shows to the citizens of South Central Nebraska.” After what Falconer and Dr. Mena-Werth thought was a successful presentation, the next job was to wait. And wait. “For a year and half, we played a very simple game – No News is Good News,” he said. “No news meant we were still under consideration. Then, one glorious day, we received word that we had been awarded the grant. We got the award letter six months later. “Serendipitously, we received the grant at the same time that UNK was allocated funds to renovate Bruner Hall of Science. During the next three years, we built the new UNK Planetarium. For me, it is a dream come true.” Dr. Mena-Werth encourages visitors to campus to stop by and admire the new Theater of the Stars. It is located in the addition just north of Bruner Hall of Science. It is also next to Nebraska’s only Foucault pendulum. The Foucault pendulum was used in the first experiment that proved the Earth rotated on its axis.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

CAMPUS NEWS Razed building east of campus provided services since 1922 A long-sought piece of property on the east side of campus that was acquired by the university last fall has a long and varied history of businesses that served students and faculty. The parcel is comprised of the west end of the 800 block between 25th and 26th Streets. The building on the property, which was vacant, was demolished in November due to its structural problems. Built in 1922 by J. D. Saunders, the building was called the Club House. An advertisement in the 1923 Blue and Gold yearbook, detailed the original businesses. They were Club House Cafeteria – “largest and best;” Club House Grocery and market – “staple and fancy groceries and meats;” Club House School and Notion Store – “everything in school supplies;” Club House Beauty Shop – “first class equipment and service;” and Club House Barber Shop – “the sanitary shop of personal service.” Many of those businesses continued through the 1930s. Beginning in the 1940s, the

DEMOLISHED: The long-standing building just east of the campus that served a variety of businesses since it was built in 1922 was demolished last fall. Plans for the use of the area are being developed. Cozy Corner was a popular attraction. Owned and operated by Mom and Paul Porter, it was “the only place in town where K.S.T.C. students are surrounded by a friendly atmosphere while enjoying home styled foods.” The Campus Café was another popular site for home-cooked foods. It was called the Favorite ‘Coffee Pot’ - “where students and instructors associate.” The café served students through the 1960s. In the late 1940s the building

served as the home of College Cleaners - “craftsmen in keeping things new.” In the 1960s, businesses included The Book Mark, providing books, school supplies and varieties and the College Supply Shop that had college supplies and pastries. Another business was Sports-Craft Supply Store “where they sell the best in everything for sports.” During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, there were myriad businesses located in the building.

They included Hogan’s Sporting Goods and Blade’s Sports, an art supply store, a dress shop, Reiter’s Variety Store, a jewelry shop that included a watch repair service, a College Barber Shop, a pet grooming center and an armed services recruiting office. Most recently, the building housed a book store. Dr. Barbara Johnson, vice chancellor for business and finance, said plans for development in that area are in the preliminary stages.

Retiring faculty, staff honored for years of service ix faculty members have announced plans to retire during the 2010 year. Dr. Elaine Maret Batenhorst ’64, MSE’83 joined the staff in 1980 as an instructor in the Learning Skills Center. Prior to her current position in Teacher Education, she also served as interim director of the Learning Skills Center for one year and she taught in the Elementary Education Department and Professional Teacher Education Department. Prior to joining UNK, she taught at Gothenburg.

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Dr. Gary Davis joined the staff in 1990 as director of bands and assistant professor of music. He was appointed director of the Honors Program in 2003. Dr. Davis has received many honors and awards from both the Nebraska Music Educators Association and the Nebraska Bandmasters Association. He was voted professor of the year by the student body in the college of Fine Arts and Humanities and he has been inducted into the Nebraska Music Educators Hall of Fame. Dr. Richard ‘Dick’ Lebsack has been on the staff since 1976. Among his positions on campus,

he served as chair for the Business Administration /Education Department and a professional flight instructor. Lebsack has professional licenses and certifications in aviation – private, commercial, instrument and sea plane ratings. John Lillis MAE’94 began his career at UNK in 1986 as reference librarian. In 1987, he became Reference/Archives Librarian. As an adjunct faculty member, Lillis also taught UNK courses in history. Dr. Phyllis Markussen ’68, MSE’88 joined the staff as a graduate assistant in 1986 and in 1988 accepted the position of

assistant professor. She has been chair of the Department of Family Studies and Interior Design since 2001. Among her awards are the Leland Holdt Security Mutual Life Distinguished Faculty Award, College of Business and Technology and Kearney Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Teaching Award. Dr. Don Morgan has been a professor of accounting and finance since 1988. During that time he was director of the MBA program and long-time sponsor of the student organization, the Accounting Society.

CAMPUS NEWS

Two faculty recognized for their accomplishments wo faculty members, Dr. Maha Younes ’82, MSE’85 and Dr. Phyllis Markussen ’68, MSE’88 received major honors. D r . Yo u n e s , chair of the Department of Social Work, was named 2009 S o c i a l Worker of Dr. Maha Younes the Year by t h e Nebraska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. Dr. Markussen, chair of the Department of Family Studies and Interior Design, won the Innovation Development and Engagement Award. Of Dr. Younes, the presenter of the award said, “No matter the challenges or barriers that face her, any project Dr. Younes undertakes is met with dedication, persistence and commitment until the goal is reached.” In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Younes’ professional work includes more than 20 years of clinical experience working with survivors of sexual

abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders and relationship dysfunctions. Her clinical experience began at Hastings Regional Center where she worked as a psychiatric social worker. She served as a clinical social worker at South Central Behavioral Services from 1985 to 1991. She also maintained a private practice agency from 1986 to 2001. For several years, Dr. Younes has led the Nebraska Consortium of Social Work School and worked closely with policy makers and leaders from the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services to promote the professionalization of the child welfare workforce in Nebraska. Through her advocacy and leadership, she has stressed that improvements in child welfare services in Nebraska will only emerge through the professional preparation and hiring of graduates with social work degrees. “In their time of need, Nebraska’s most vulnerable children and families deserve the help of those who are most qualified and dedicated to their service,” she said. In 1999, Dr. Younes developed the International Social Work Experience Program at

UNK with the goal of promoting cultural competence and global engagement. In addition to extensive sightseeing, the study experiences that Dr. Younes creates focus on social policy and programs related to children, families, the elderly and minority groups. She has led students and professionals to destinations in Israel, the West Bank, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, China, Australia and Ireland. The study experiences have focused on health care, education, social welfare and criminal justice. She has described the international study experiences as “life-changing” and has published research on the impact of international study on college students. In 2005, Dr. Younes was one of only 14 scholars from universities across the nation selected as a Fulbright Scholar to Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). “My ultimate goal is to promote the cultural competence and global awareness of students and increase their efficacy as citizens of the global community,” Dr. Younes said. Dr. Markussen received her university-wide award that recognizes faculty members who

have extended their academic expertise beyond the boundaries of the university in ways that enriched the broader community. Under Dr. Markussen’s leadership, UNK’s Interior Design program has become one of only seven nationwide to be accredited by both the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Kitchen and Bath Association. In 2008, the program received the Outstanding Program trophy from that association. Such national recognition has made the program a regional attraction, and students who enroll consistently win national competitions and gain internship experiDr. Phyllis ence around Markussen the country. In addition, Dr. Markussen has served on numerous committees, as a consultant and as a member of the board of directors for the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and was inducted into its hall of Fame in 2004.

UNK and UNMC partner to increase rural doctors he interest in increasing the number of physicians in rural Nebraska has resulted in an agreement between UNK and the University of Nebraska Medical Center to establish the Kearney Health Opportunities Program. “One of the great benefits of being part of the university system is the opportunity to cooperate with resources from each of the campuses and work together,” Chancellor Doug Kristensen said. “Two campuses have come together in an effort to educate more physicians for service in rural Nebraska.” The program will target high school seniors interested in family medicine. Five students a year will be accepted into the program, receive a full scholar-

ship to study pre-medicine at UNK and be guaranteed admission into medical school if they fulfill the requirements of the undergraduate degree. While at UNK, students will also be expected to participate in the Health Science Club, take campus visits to UNMC and shadow professionals.

“This program is a great opportunity for UNK students who are interested in the field of health care. It is also a tremendous service to the citizens of the state of Nebraska, particularly rural Nebraska,” Chancellor Kristensen said. Jeff Hill, associate dean of admissions at the UNMC College of Medicine, said UNK is a perfect fit for UNMC to expand the program with its strong academics and location that allows it to pull students from a wide area of rural Nebraska. “The faculty have been extremely dedicated and demand excellence from their students, which pays off at our school,” Hill said. The new program at UNK is

an expansion of the Rural Health Opportunities Program that was started by UNMC in 1990 as a way to encourage more rural students to return to become doctors in small-town Nebraska. That program currently is in place at Wayne State College and Chadron State College. Hill said it’s important that the UNK program begin immediately because it takes an average of 11 years to produce a competent and comprehensive primary care physician. “Onethird of the rural physicians in the state are older than 55,” he said. The program will field its first class this fall. Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

FEATURE

NATIONAL PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR: Psychology professor Dr. Rick Miller has a passion for teaching and for his students sychology professor Dr. Richard Miller was one of four educators to be named a 2009 U. S. Professor of the Year Award recipient by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He is the first Nebraska professor to be recognized in the nearly 30 years of this prestigious national teaching award. As a winner, Dr. Miller received a $5,000 cash award. Dr. Miller earned the award in the Outstanding Master’s Universities and Colleges category. The 2009 winners were selected from more than 300 nominees. Judges select winners based on four criteria – impact on and involvement with undergraduate students, scholarly approach to

ONLY PROGRAM OF ITS KIND teaching and learning, contributions to undergraduate education in the institution, and current and former undergraduate students. The U. S. Professors of the Year awards program, created in 1981, is the only national initiative specifically designed to recognize excellence in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. John Lippincott, president of CASE, said the 2009 winners represent the best in undergraduate teaching and mentoring. “These professors have a passion for teaching that sparks a passion for learning in their stu4 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

dents. As great teachers, they combine a profound knowledge of their disciplines with creative teaching methods to engage students within and outside the classroom. We celebrate their achievements and contributions to teaching and student learning.” Anthony Bryk, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, said that the four national winners have shaped both the lives of their students and the well-being of their communities. “These dedicated teachers are not only leading their students to develop a deep understanding of their respective fields – geology, sociology, psychology and chemistry – but they are also mirroring examples of scholarship, citizenship and community involvement that ultimately will lead to contributions toward a better society and indeed a better world,” he said. Dr. Miller has been described as an “. . . engaging teacher who challenges his students to think critically about the material they encounter.” Dr. Miller is known for helping undergraduate students critically examine and contribute to the knowledge base in psychology. For all of his classes, he designs optional lab experiences in which small groups define and

investigate a real question that could – and often does - lead to a new discovery. Students plan and conduct all aspects of their studies, from obtaining the participants to

STUDENTS PUBLISH WORK coding and analyzing the data and structuring their papers. Many have presented and published their research results. Dr. Miller’s leadership in teaching and research helped strengthen their commitment to teaching throughout the Psychology Department which received the NU system-wide teaching excellence award. Dr. Miller said that when students investigate something they are interested in, their investment and engagement c h a n g e s because the topic is something they want to know

about. “I want students to be willing to sort of venture the work for the sake of the zest,” he said. “I want them to be intrinsically interested in discovery.” One project last semester examined whether children’s birth order affects their ability to share as adults. Another explored whether people who are more resistant to change are more likely to be unsatisfied with their marriages. See MILLER Page 5

FEATURE

‘ENGAGING TEACHER

WHO CHALLENGES HIS STUDENTS’

MILLER Cotinued from page 4 “I think the most important thing for a teacher to do is to focus on and to promote wonder in the students about the why behind the what,” Dr. Miller said.

TAKING RISKS A student in one of Dr. Miller’s classes proposed exploring how students’ risk taking during spring break might be affected if they were prompted about the consequences, specifically death. Ryan Mulligan, the student, surveyed 77 other students the day before spring break started, measuring whether they were risk takers or risk averse. He also asked some to spend a few minutes answering the question, “What happens when you die?” After the break, Mulligan found that risk-taking participants were likely to engage in even riskier behavior after contemplating their own ends, while the risk-averse participants were less likely to engage in risky behavior. Some of Mulligan’s research was eventually published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences. Dr. Miller helps about a dozen students craft serious research projects each semester. The projects usually begin as curiosity about a particular issue. He said, “My job is to turn that into a researchable question.” Students who initiate research, rather than simply assist faculty members on their projects, gain a better understanding of its value, Dr. Miller said. “We’re trying to promote them understanding the process from the get-go.” Staying on top of students’ interest can sometimes prove challenging, Dr. Miller said. One student wanted to research the effectiveness of different types of pick-up lines, so Dr. Miller read the literature to see if the student’s question could be

CLASS DISCUSSION: Dr. Miller said his job is to turn a students’ curiosity about a subject into a researchable question. “Students who initiate research, rather than simply assist faculty members on their projects, gain a better understanding of its value.” turned into useful scholarship. The effort is worth it, he said. Of the roughly 200 students he has advised in his 20 years at UNK, he estimates that at least 60 percent have presented their work at conferences or have had it published in journals.

OTHER AWARDS Dr. Miller has also received the top UNK teaching and mentoring awards – the Pratt-Heins Foundation Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Research. He has also received the university-wide Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award. Further, under his leadership, the department has not only received the university-wide Outstanding Teaching Department but the UNK

Departmental Teaching Award four times. Dr. Miller has authored, or co-authored more than 70 book chapters and journal articles, and he has co-edited two books. Members of the UNK Department of Psychology summed up Dr. Miller’s influence. “Richard Miller is both an exemplary academic citizen and outstanding scholar-teacher. He is the kind of person who makes a difference. He certainly made a difference for us.”

ABOUT THE SPONSORS The Carnegie Foundation was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an Act of Congress. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an

independent policy and research center with a primary mission “to do and perform all things necessary to encourage, uphold and dignify the profession of the teacher.” The improvement of teaching and learning is central to all of the work of the foundation. The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, serving more than 3,400 universities, colleges, schools and related organizations in 63 countries. CASE is the leading resource for professional development, information and standards in the fields of education fundraising, communications, marketing and alumni relations.

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FEATURE

Herb Schimek ’62

Nebraska teachers most ardent advocate A 38-year career spent lobbying for improvements in education Al Koontz ’76 Nebraska State Education Association erb Schimek ‘62 is, first and foremost, a teacher. He owns two college degrees in education. He taught for two years in Colorado, seven more in Nebraska. Schimek’s biggest teaching success, however, has come in

Herb Schimek

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the past 38 years, as he taught state policymakers about the need to fund, protect and improve public education. His work touched every teacher and student in Nebraska in that time, and will shape the state’s education policy for years to come. On Dec. 31, he retired as NSEA’s first – and only – director of Government Relations. He has accomplished much. In the late 1960s, he was part of a tidal surge that turned the administrator-led NSEA into a teacher-led Association. As a leader in the Hastings Education Association (HEA) at about the same time, Schimek – along with Hastings colleague and future NSEA Executive Director Jim Griess ’63, MSE’68

– led the HEA to the then-new Commission of Industrial Relations to resolve a bargaining impasse. The HEA, one of the first local associations to seek such relief from the CIR, won that case. He was a key actor in the passage of the state’s first fair dismissal law in the 1970s, and has influenced virtually every education-related bill before the Legislature since 1975. He has been relentless in pursuit of a slow, deliberate improvement of the state’s teacher retirement system. Schimek helped to elect scores of education-friendly candidates to offices from school board to governor – even president. “Herb’s advocacy for Nebraska teachers and students cannot be overlooked when considering those who have made major contributions to the state’s public schools,” said NSEA President Jess Wolf. With a smiling demeanor, a mischievous twinkle and guided by a favored idiom – Schimek says battles on behalf of teachers and public schools are fought “on the side of the angels” – he was destined for a political life. The oldest of four sons, Schimek’s father was a jobless German teacher who went to work for the railroad in North Platte in the 1930s. Before dinner, the brothers read Drew Pearson’s Washington MerryGo-Round column in The North Platte Telegraph. Dinner conversation focused on politics. After dinner, the brothers washed dishes. Father then supervised homework. His maternal grandfather was a Howard County officeholder and Republican Party stalwart. “I grew up in politics,” Schimek said. By the late 1960s, teaching at Hastings, Schimek had tried, and failed, to get on the ballot for the NSEA Board of Directors. All but three or four of 22 board members were administrators. “They had nomination boards from each NSEA District, but you could never find out when or

where those boards were to meet,” he said. A year later, Schimek wrote each history teacher in the district, seeking campaign help. He got on the ballot, and was elected. By the end of his first term, most administrators on the board had been replaced by teachers. In mid-1971, Schimek joined NSEA’s small staff as one of the first UniServ directors, and was soon involved in campaigns and elections. One of NSEA’s first efforts was to change the tenor of the State Board of Education, which had fired the commissioner of education in the midst of a meeting. NSEA candidates were victorious, bringing more balance to the board. In 1974, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that a school district could fire a teacher for any reason – or for no reason at all. That sparked NSEA to lobby the Legislature to pass a fair dismissal law. Schimek was in the middle of the lobby push that received unexpected help. “It was a tight vote in the Legislature, but it passed because some school boards that wanted to get rid of one or two teachers gave dismissal notices to their entire faculty,” he said. Schimek drove one senator to Grand Island to watch a hearing on the dismissal of the senator’s nephew. “He gave us his vote, and the bill passed with 32 (of 49) votes,” he said. That statute, still in effect, gives Nebraska teachers facing reduction-in-force or dismissal the right to a hearing to determine whether the dismissal is justified. Hundreds of teaching jobs have been saved over the years, thanks to that legislation. His personal crusade has been to improve retirement benefits.

See SCHIMEK Page 7

FEATURE

After running in all 50 states, Tony Blair ’77 has set his next goal at joining the Century Club Jim Rundstrom Alumni Director Emeritus Editor

ony Blair ’77 started running when he was a freshman in high school and he has never stopped. Inspired by his high school coach who recruited him as a freshman, he ran cross country and track for York High School for four years, and did the same the next four years at UNK. But it was marathon running that eventually caught his attention and has driven him since. Shortly after running his first 26-plus mile marathon in Lincoln in 1994, Blair decided running one in every state would be pretty cool. He became one of about 80 original members of the 50 States Marathon Club whose goal is to run a marathon in every state. That club now has nearly 2,000 members. When he told his wife, Jane, his plan, she said “That’s nice dear.” But as he got closer to achieving that goal, she said, “He’s actually going to do this. He did it and we are all happy.”

SCHIMEK continued from page 6 “I used to get calls from little old ladies who had taught for 45 years. They’d retire, and get a retirement benefit of $20 a month,” he said. “They’d be eating dog food, crying on the telephone to me. I’d be crying with them.” Taking baby steps, and a nonpartisan approach, NSEA has made a 35-year push to improve retirement benefits for teachers. With Schimek leading the battle, the state’s teacher retirement sys-

Tony Blair When he rounded the bend onto the track at Drake University during the Des Moines Marathon in October 2008 at age 53, he had the satisfaction of accomplishing that goal. That venue also reminded him of running there in the Drake Relays as a Loper track athlete. “It was like the good old days 30 years ago,” he laughed. Blair said there is a story to every marathon. He ran in the mountains in Montana. He ran along Black Hills streams, over abandoned

railroad lines. He ran atop the autumn leaves in New England. He ran through Chinatown across the Golden Gate Bridge. He ran to the finish line in the stadium of Notre Dame. He ran along the New Jersey boardwalk. He ran a ‘double’ marathon, the first in Bristol, New Hampshire on Saturday and second in Portland, Maine, on Sunday. He ran in a marathon known as the “Great Potato” in Boise, Idaho. He ran alongside the biggest

tem now provides muchimproved retirement benefits to school employees. Schimek has worked with hundreds of elected leaders over the years. Lobbying success, he said, is about relationships. “We pass bills because of relationships we build with senators,” he said. “You provide them with information, and if you don’t know the answer to a question, you tell them so, and you find the answer. If you lie to them, you might as well pack up and leave town.” Not all senators understand

the importance of public education when they walk through into the legislative chamber. “We’ve had to work with new senators to educate them about education,” he said. That is, after all, what Herb Schimek does best: teach. “Herb has also been a powerful voice for teachers with the Nebraska Legislature. One of his legacies will surely be his successful advocacy for teacher retirement benefits.” Former Lt. Gov. Maxine Moul: “The ability to move important education legislation

names in the nation like Bill Rogers. He ran just days after a bout with pneumonia. He has finished every race he started. And, he has had fun along the way. “I’ve seen a lot of the country and my family has been a big part of it. My wife Jane has accompanied on several long distance trips. We spent 10 days in Maui when I ran in Hawaii. She also went along to Alaska.” But, Blair said, “It is the people you meet and the people you train with that have made it rewarding. Plus, you have to enjoy marathon running which I do. It’s not about personal records anymore. It’s about friendship and the love of running.” Year round, Blair runs 40 to 50 miles a week. He runs four days a week in York, often with the high school track and cross country teams. He saves his longer 13 to 20 mile workouts for the weekends when he runs with a running group in Lincoln on Saturdays. For that, Blair leaves York at 4:00 a.m. to meet in Lincoln at 5:30. Blair said the routine is important because for many, after a long break, it is difficult to get back running on a regular basis. “That is one thing that keeps me doing it every day, every week.” Blair has at least one more goal – the Century Club, symbolic of 100 marathons. After a Glendale, Arizona, marathon in February and another this spring in Oklahoma, he will reach 66. The rest will come eventually, he said, 26 miles at a time. was very dependent on Herb. Because he was so trusted, he could deliver criticism of certain parts of a bill and we could work together to improve the outcomes. Having Herb help was like enlisting an entire army!” Former Governor and U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns: “Over the years, Herb snagged better lives for thousands of present and future Nebraskans. We were glad to help him do that and will miss his drive to do more.” Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

FEATURE Cassandre´ FaimonHaygood ’99 stars in her own music show in Branson, Missouri Jim Rundstrom Alumni Director Emeritus Editor or as long as she can remember, music has been part of the life of Cassandre´ Faimon-Haygood ‘99. “Growing up, we had music in our home all the time. My mom would hold us as little babies in church and sing to us. My mom and dad would sing us to sleep at night with the guitar and fun songs we liked,” she said. My parents have always supported me in wanting to sing and perform. It was never a question for me what I wanted to do. It's just part of who I am as a person.” So, it was no surprise that she started leading the singing at her church when she was eight years old. "I've

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2010

always been able to sing. My vocal gift has always been there. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with the abilities that he has, and I enjoy sharing them so much!" At Grand Island Senior High School she sang with groups and in musicals. At UNK, she sang with the Nebraskats, the Choraleers and Vocal Collegium. She played the role of Gretel in the opera Hansel and Gretel, Sandy in Grease, and Liesel in The Sound of Music. Now, she is starring in her own show. After graduating with a degree in vocal music performance, Cassandre´ headed to Branson, Missouri, where she spent nine years of headlining shows at the Silver Dollar City Opera House theatre. She became known for her beautiful voice and quick wit. That experience was rewarding, she said, but she was always interested in new career opportunities and challenges. In 2008, that opportunity became a reality. “One day I got a text message from my husband, Tim, saying, “How would you like your own show next year?” That’s exactly what she got when they acquired the 800-seat Americana Theatre in Branson. Several months later, in March 2009, the highly-acclaimed show, Cassandre´ The Voice of an Angel, opened and immediately received rave reviews. The show is now in its second season. The show features the stunning vocals and warm personality of Cassandre´, a nine-piece orchestra that plays 18 instruments along with the comedy of ‘Aunt Erma.’ The result is a personable, beautiful, funny and entertaining show that truly exemplifies the very heart beat of live music through its rich orchestrations and powerful vocals. Reviews have praised her work. One said, “Cassandre´ has a talent for connecting to her audiences from the stage, stirring emotions and nostalgic feelings.” Gary J. Groman wrote that “after listening

Cassandre´ Faimon-Haygood to this amazing vocalist sing I would simply have to say that the show’s website (www.thevoiceofanangel.com) was spot on in describing her voice, range and talent. Cassandre´ is a top-notch vocalist . . . with a voice so flawless and a performance so effortless and compelling it is no wonder that watching her sing makes for a surreal theatrical experience. She is truly an enchanting soprano whose angelic voice can scale to operatic heights, belt out Broadway hits, touch you with gospel inspiration and rework pop classics in just the right balance.” From the first notes of the opening Aria, written by her husband and producer of the show, through the numbers like Danny Boy, Zippa dee doo dah, Hakuna Matata, Amazing Grace, Downtown, Yesterday, Singin In the Rain, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and many others, she is superbly entertaining. With a voice so flawless and a performance so effortless and compelling, it is no wonder that watching her sing makes for a surreal theatrical experience. She has a very special talent that is a joy to hear. An integral part of her show is Cassandre’s alter ego, ‘Aunt Erma,’ who keeps popping up looking for ‘her peoples.’ It is a light side to the show, she said. “It lets me express my comedic side. It is a whole other part of my personality.”

Cassandre´ Faimon-Haygood as “Aunt Erma.”

Cassandre´ credits her experiences in college as a major reason for the success she is having professionally. “Dr. Anne Foradori was my voice teacher. We had a great time. It was quite a job getting ready for my junior and senior year recitals, but so worth it. Your voice gets stronger and stronger as time goes on and it’s neat to see what you can accomplish with all of the new songs and languages that you learn.” She has praise for Dr. Annabell Zikmund who was a great instructor and brought out the energy in the Nebraskats. With Dr. David Bauer and the Choraleers, Cassandre´ was able to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Morman Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. “Those were amazing experiences. Dr. Bauer did such a great job with all of us. The songs he would select were always so different and beautiful.” Cassandre´ said that she was so impressed, and still is, with all of her music instruction at UNK. “Every single one of my instructors had a doctorate in music. That is really amazing to me. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had such a rewarding experience in college. “College rounded me out as a person, providing opportunities that I would have never gotten to do had I not been in college,” she said. “The really neat things that happen with a choir or a small group can’t be duplicated.”

FEATURE Nate Summerfield, student speaker: ‘Your support makes college possible for many’ Gary Reber ’86 University of Nebraska Foundation ate Summerfield is hard to rattle. As the UNK finance major waited to speak at a University of Nebraska Foundation event in Scottsdale, Arizona, earlier this year, he smiled and shook his head. The Wayne native’s flight from Denver was delayed, causing him to miss his connecting flight to Phoenix. He caught the redeye to Phoenix and was told his luggage would arrive the next day. It didn’t. Speaking to the group of 300, Summerfield was unflappable. “It’s a pleasure to be here and I hope to someday help students like many of you here today have done,” he said. “Someday I hope to be sitting where you are – but I would make sure the student speaking had a tee time shortly after he spoke.” Summerfield was addressing an audience of alumni and donors who were learning about the Campaign for Nebraska, a fundraising campaign to raise $1.2 billion to fund university priorities such as student scholarship, faculty recruitment, research and program support. The campaign recently surpassed the $700 million mark. Summerfield was elected student body president earlier this Spring, was president of his fraternity, completed a research project on student retention rates and has worked for the UNK Admissions Department since his freshman year. But the accomplished junior almost didn’t become a Loper.

CAMPAIGN NEBRASKA: Speaking at an Arizona event for alumni and friends of the university Nate Summerfield emphasized the importance of donating to Campaign for Nebraska, a scholarshipraising effort that recently surpassed the $700 million mark. “Since I was young I’ve known that I wanted to study business. My decision came down to finding the right undergrad program where I could feel comfortable,” Summerfield said. In January of his senior year in high school he received a call from Dr. Gary Davis who is the director of the honors program at UNK, and Dusty Newton in the Admissions Department. He had interviewed for a scholarship and they called to congratulate him on being named an Omaha World-Herald Scholar. “What a great relief for my family and what an honor for me,” he said. “It meant that I no longer had to find financing for my college career. It meant that I could relax while I was at college. And it meant that I was going to be a Loper for at least four years, so I was excited about that. Life was good.

“As soon as I got done with that phone call I picked up the phone and called my Dad. You might think that you’ve heard happiness before, but a child’s laughter has nothing on a father who knows he doesn’t have to pay for his son’s college. He was very excited.” Two weeks later Summerfield’s plans were turned upside down when his father passed away after a sudden heart attack. “It made things very tough,” he said. “My mom and I had a decision to make. I grew up in Wayne, so it was either go to UNK and take that scholarship, or stay home with my family, if that was the right decision, and go to Wayne State College. By the time of the funeral Summerfield had decided he would attend Wayne State. “As I came into the church, to

my right I think I caught a glimmer of blue and gold, because Dr. Gary Davis, Dusty Newton and Shane Stover were sitting at my father’s funeral,” he said. “It kind of hit me how genuine and how humble of a place UNK is. So I felt like there was a stamp of approval and I felt like they really cared about me.” That personal touch, coupled with the financial assistance from the World-Herald scholarship, helped Summerfield make his decision, he told the Scottsdale audience. “You may think that you’re just helping students,” he told donors, “but for many students it’s your support that even makes college a possibility.” Hear Summerfield tell the story himself, or learn more about the foundation and the Campaign for Nebraska at campaignfornebraska.org/summerfield.

Embracing the entrepreneurial spirit to open doors NK has embraced the entrepreneurial spirit through their support and sponsorship with MarketPlace: Opening Door to Success Conference. MarketPlace: Opening Doors to Success Conference is a project of the Center for Rural Affairs. It focuses on small business development in rural com-

munities through a combination of providing resources, tools and educational components that existing entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs need to build and enhance their businesses. 2010 marked the fourth year of MarketPlace with attendees representing 77 Nebraska counties and the states of Kansas, South Dakota, Maryland,

Missouri, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon and Iowa. There were 10 different learning tracks including marketing, agriculture, financing, community development, technology, business development, youth, women business owners, policy and Hispanic. Dean Tim Burkink of the College of Business and

Technology, Shawn Kaskie of the Center for Rural Research & Development and the UNK Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team led by Dr. Susan Jensen provided campus support for the year’s MarketPlace conference. Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

Award will help students to study education Scholarship to encourage future educators

FOUNDATION

Gary Reber, ’68 University of Nebraska Foundation lanche Berns often spoke to her children about the importance of an education. The lessons struck a chord, because her son Henry D. Berns and his wife Marilyn recently established a scholarship in Blanche’s memory to help future teachers attend UNK. Blanche taught at rural country schools in Webster County, after graduating from what was then Kearney State Teachers College. After seven years, she stopped teaching when she married Henry P. F. Berns. They were rural farmers in Webster County where they raised five children, but she never stopped taking an interest in education. “She always talked about the importance of going to college and how pleased she was that all five of her children all had a Regent Scholarship at the University of Nebraska,” said Marilyn. “That just made her immensely happy.”

EDUCATION: Henry and Marilyn Berns wanted to foster interest in education like their mother, Blanche Berns (lower left).

“She was very interested in all her grandchildren and their education,” Henry said. That interest will be fostered in recipients of the Blanche Kaufman Berns Scholarship Fund, which will provide $1,000 scholarships to UNK students enrolled in elementary teacher education, with preference to high school graduates who are residents of Webster County. Consideration is also given to candidates who are graduates of from any Nebraska high school. “Mother went to Kearney to become an elementary country

school teacher, so we thought it would be neat to start a scholarship there,” Henry said. “We both feel that a college degree was very helpful for us and we want to be of some help for someone else.” Dr. Ed Scantling, dean of the UNK College of Education, said, “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Berns family for establishing this scholarship for future teachers at UNK,” Scantling said. “The Blanche Kaufman Berns Scholarship will make a world of difference to its recipients and the ongoing UNK tradition of

preparing outstanding educators for Nebraska.” Henry and Marilyn, who now live in Andover, ILL., received scholarships when they attended college. “We feel that scholarships are a blessing for someone who wants to go to school,” Henry said. “If we can give people a little boost, that’s what we want to do.” The Berns family grew up on a farm near Bladen in Webster County. Henry hopes to encourage students from that area to attend college and, ideally, spark the same passion for education as his mother. Henry earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the UNL in 1961 and a master’s degree in 1963. He also earned a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Kansas State University in 1968. He worked for Deere & Co., in Moline, Ill., before retiring. Marilyn earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1977 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa.

Tenneco gift enhances Justin Duffy ’00 scholarship $5,000 gift from Joe Duffy’s employer, Tenneco of Cozad, has pushed a scholarship in memory of his son to the half-way point of being fully endowed. Justin Duffy ’00 gave up his day off to go out with his Army unit to provide a security escort for military leadership in Baghdad. They had done it a hundred times. This time a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee, killing Duffy on June 2, 2009. The Tenneco gift supports the Sgt. Justin Duffy Memorial Scholarship – a fund that benefits students attending UNK, Duffy’s alma mater. When it is fully endowed, the scholarship will exist in perpetuity at the University of Nebraska Foundation by awarding scholarships from the interest the fund earns on its principal.

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J o e D u f f y remembers the day two men in uniform walked up to the Cozad plant to give him Sgt. Justin Duffy the news of his son’s death. “It wasn’t easy,” he said. Five months later, Joe and his wife Janet finally sat down to watch a video of the military memorial service. The service in Baghdad took place five days after Justin was killed. “It was heartfelt,” he said. “The chaplain broke down in his talk about Justin. He waited and waited until he could compose himself. You can appreciate what kind of a group these people are.

They are in a strange land and they are there to fight and there to protect. It was tough to watch, but we got through it. “We didn’t realize when Justin was over there – when those guys are over there, they are a family.” Corporate officials at Tenneco spent little time debating whether or not to support the fund. “It’s important for Tenneco because we really support our employees and this was an instance that was a tragic situation and we wanted to be there to support our employees as well as the Duffys,” said Chief Davidson, plant manager. Joe Duffy, logistics manager, has worked at the plant that manufactures shock absorbers for nearly 40 years. Justin worked summers at the plant. “Justin was a really good kid,” said Jay Edwards, human resources manager at the plant. “He’d work here all day then go work the second shift at Pizza

Hut. It was funny – you’d work with him all day then he’d deliver pizza to your house that night. That’s just the way he was. He was a driven kid.” Devotion to a fallen comrade led Sgt. John Palmer to establish the fund in honor of his Army buddy and fellow member of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division. Nearly 100 gifts have been made to the fund, mostly from family and people who were in Duffy’s company. “This whole thing has been Sgt. Palmer’s brainchild,” Duffy said. “He was halfway across the world and setting this thing up. Anything we can do to support his baby.” Duffy wrote directly to Tenneco’s CEO to ask for corporate support. “They came through,” he said. “Tenneco has been really, really good to us over the years.”

CAMPUS NEWS Bringing an international focus to campus

World Affairs Conference he 2010 edition of the James E. Smith Midwest Conference on World Affairs featured a variety of programs and events for students and the Kearney community. The conference has been a featured event designed to bring internationallyrecognized dignitaries to campus since it was started in 1963. UNK students from 45 countries served their native foods, performed traditional and non-traditional dances and hosted other activities to more than 2,000 to kick off the event at the Scott and Cheryl Morris International Food Festival. Award-winning author and activist Chris Abani gave the keynote address. Abani, a Nigerian native, published his first novel, “Masters of the Board,” a political thriller about a foiled Nigerian coup, when he was 16-years-old. The story was convincing enough that the Nigerian government imprisoned him when he was 18 on grounds that he had incited a real-life coup. After serving six months in jail, Abani was released but he was later arrested and sentenced to death after writing his play, “Song of a Broken Flute.” In

INTERNATIONAL FOOD: Students from 45 countries served their native food at the international food festival, an event that kicked off the 2010 World Affairs Conference. 1991, Albani was released from prison and he lived in exile in London. When a friend was murdered there in 1999, he fled to the United States. Abani is now a professor at the University of California in Riverside and a publisher at Black Goat Press. His books have won a number of prizes. “Abani is one of the most admired novelists in the world today,” said Ann Marie Park, WAC coordinator. Park said the panel discussions, lectures, classroom presentations and group activities at the WAC give attendees exposure to a

variety of issues and the opportunity to interact with guests from all over the world. The conference is coordinated through the Office of International Education. This year’s theme was “Creating Hope: Positive

Responses to Global Challenges.” Writers, poets, activists, diplomats, scholars and entrepreneurs from Nigeria, Cuba, Oman, Russia, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, China and India participated in the event.

Sciences name new dean Dr. John La Duke has been named dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences. Dr. La Duke comes to UNK from the University of North Dakota where he was the associate dean of arts and sciences and professor of biology. He has been on

the staff at North Dakota since 1980. Dr. La Duke has an undergraduate degree in zoology and a master of science degree in botany from Texas Tech University as well as a Ph.D. in botany from Ohio State University.

Memorial: Scholarship to honor criminal justice professor ormer professor Jim Gilbert’s influence on his students has resulted in their efforts to create a scholarship in his memory. Dr. Gilbert was a professor of criminal justice and department chairman who died in 2008 at age 60. Nohad Maloley Curren ’06 of Alexandria, Virginia, and Tom McCarty ’06 of Lincoln are heading a group of former students that has established the James Gilbert Criminal Justice Memorial Scholarship Fund with the NU Foundation. They awarded the first scholarships this spring. McCarty said that even though he was a political science major, he took several criminal justice courses, including two criminal investigation classes. “Dr. Gilbert always encouraged all of his students,

including me, to be the best they could be in whatever they did. He generously gave his time and energy both inside and outside the

classroom. Simply put, I think if Dr. Gilbert knew his former students wished to honor him in some way, he would have chosen a

scholarship because he was always concerned with aiding others.” Maloley said, “My hope is that former students of Dr. Gilbert will donate to this scholarship in the years to come and that it will continue to grow in value to benefit students.” She said that Dr. Gilbert was selfless with his time listening attentively to all of his students concerns and aspirations. “He knew when we needed encouragement and would always lift us up with a reassuring word. Our hope is that this scholarship will allow students to achieve their dreams and to know the importance of giving back which Dr. Gilbert instilled in us. We were all blessed to have known him and with this scholarship, the hope Dr. Gilbert inspired will carry on.” Spring 2010 l UNK Today l 11

SPORTS all and winter sports teams, individuals made an impact in the RMAC and nationally

FOOTBALL The Loper football team had a banner year that included a record 11 wins, an NCAA playoff victory and an 8th place national ranking. UNK defeated Saginaw Valley State of Michigan 35-20 in the Division II first round before losing to defending national champion Minnesota-Duluth 427 in a second round game ending the season at 11-2. The win was the Loper’s first post season victory since a 9-6 victory over Mars Hill in the NAIA 1980 playoffs. Center Jack Hiett, Arvada, Colorado, was named an AFAC All-American. The 6-1, 255 lb. Heitt was tabbed the 2008 Division II Dave Rimington Award as the nation’s top center.

FALL & Winter: Seasons of Success He started all 44 games in his Loper career and was named to five Division II All-American teams. Heitt joins defensive back Mitch Johnson (1976), defensive lineman Doug Peterson (1978) and kicker Henrik Juul-Nielsen (2002) as first-team AFAC AllAmericans. Sophomore running back Rustin Dring, Kearney, set a school rushing record (1,648) breaking the mark of 1,600 by Mike Miller (2005). Dring was RMAC Offensive Player of the Year joining Justin Coleman (1999), Mike Miller (2005) and Richie Ross (2003) in winning that award. Dring was named to the NCAA all-region team as was Lexington senior safety Jake Mandelko.

VOLLEYBALL Senior middle Nikki Scott led the volleyball team to a 33-3 record, a sixth straight RMAC

DIGS: Senior defensive specialist Kelli Wemhoff played a key role in the success of the volleyball team. She finished her career second in digs with 2,042, just 16 behind Angie Usher’s record of 2,058 set in 1995.

ALL-AMERICAN CENTER: Senior Jack Hiett was named to five All-American teams and was a key component of the Loper football team that recorded a school-record 11 wins, including a first round victory over Saginaw Valley State in the NCAA playoffs. title, an 11th straight appearance in the RMAC national tournament and a 12th place D-II ranking. Scott earned All-American honors by Daktronics and the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She also was the RMAC Player of the Year. In addition, she was the RMAC Academic Player of the Year. Scott joins Jerri Walkowiak (2008), Erin Gudmundson (2004 and 2005), Kelli Brummer (1999) and Danielle Shum (1996) as Lopers to have earned AVCA first-team honors.

SOCCER

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UNK kicked off its newest sport, soccer, with a national record-breaking crowd of 3,227 in August. That mark broke the previous largest attendance of 2,004. Coach Mike Munch’s squad won that first contest, 2-1

over Wayne State. It turned out to be the team’s only win of the season for the young and inexperienced Lopers.

CROSS

COUNTRY

In cross country, the Loper men were fifth in the RMAC and the women 10th. The meet was dominated by the top two teams in the country, Adams State and Western State. At the regionals, the men were eighth among 18 teams, their highest finish since 2000. The women were 18th among 22 teams. Tanner Fruit, Ogallala junior, qualified for the national meet. He was the first Loper to qualify since Luke Garringer in 2004. Both squads were selected to the U.S. Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association National All-Academic Team. The women’s 3.64 PGA tied for sixth nationally.

SPORTS

BASKETBALL Women’s basketball coach Carol Russell resigned following an eight year career at UNK where her teams compiled a 16379 record. During her tenure the Lopers won two RMAC titles and had five NCAA Tournament appearances. This year, her young squad posted a 9-18 record with only one senior, Kim Thissen, Davenport, Iowa. Thissen averaged 9.3 points and 7.3 rebounds and was one of three Lopers to earn All-RMAC honors. Although the men’s basketball team finished 13-14, the season was not without highlights. The only senior, 6-10 Josiah Parker,

Lincoln, was chosen the RMAC Men’s Academic Player of the Year. He also became the 37th player in history to reach 1,000 career points. The Lopers defeated RMAC Tournament champion New Mexico Highlands, and the top two teams in the RMAC East, Metro State and Colorado Mines. All three teams also qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

WRESTLING The men’s wrestling team tied for third at the NCAA Championships and 174 lb. Marty Usman, Arlington, Texas, senior, captured a national title.

NATIONAL CHAMPION: Senior Marty Usman captured a national title at 174 lbs. leading the Lopers to a third place finish at the NCAA meet. Usman finished the season with a 44-1 record.

HEAVYWEIGHT: Senior Dane Tobey was national runner-up in the NCAA Indoor Championships with a shot put throw of 61-0. Tobey now has five All-American medals. Usman finished the season with a 44-1 record. He was a three-time All-American and UNK’s 12th all-time national champion. At 184 lbs, Derek Ross, St. Francis, Kansas, senior, finished third earning his second All-American honors. Three others earned AllAmerican honors. T. J. Hepburn, East Hampton, Connecticut, sophomore, was third at 149, Taylor May, Imperial senior, was sixth at 165, and sophomore Justin McKain, Sutherland, was third at 197.

TRACK Shotputter Dane Tobey, Waco senior, finished as national indoor runner-up with a throw of 61-0 to earn his fifth All-American honors. During his career, Tobey had five top four finishes, two indoor and three outdoors. He is now tied with runner Ivan Ivanov and thrower Lance

Pfeiffer for the most Division II All-American honors by a man. At the RMAC indoor meet, the Loper women finished second and the men finished third. Traditional power Adams State won both titles. Conference champions for the men were Rich Mourer, Colorado Springs senior, in the weight throw, Alex Paul, Gothenburg sophomore, in the 400, and Bryson Mahlberg, Elwood sophomore, in the heptathlon. Women champions were Tracie Chanady, Sargent senior, in the weight throw, and Sam Murphy, Franklin senior, in the shot put.

SWIMMING The Lopers other winter sport, women’s swimming and diving, finished eighth in the RMAC with a young squad. Incarnate Word of Texas, an affiliate member of the conference, claimed the title.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

SPORTS Women’s basketball coach named evin Chaney, an assistant coach at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, has been named the women’s basketball coach. He replaces Carol Russell who resigned following the season. Chaney recently completed his 16th season as an assistant coach. He has worked at two NCAA Division I schools (Nevada and SIUE), two Division II schools (Minnesota-Duluth and Lincoln

Missouri) and one junior college (Solano Community College California). Cheney is the sixth head coach Kevin Chaney since 1969. During that time the Lopers have won 670 games and made 14 national tournament appearances.

Blue / Gold Golf Nikki Scott

Blake Cover

Scott, Cover named athletes of the year enior volleyball player Nikki Scott and senior baseball player Blake Cover were named Outstanding Female and Outstanding Male Athletes of the Year. Scott was the 2009 RMAC Volleyball Player of the Year and the 2009 RMAC Academic Volleyball Player of the Year. She was a two-time AllAmerican and this year was a first team selection, just the sixth time UNK has had a first team All-American. Maintaining a 3.88 GPA as a communications disorders major, the Broken Bow native was instrumental in helping the Lopers post 126 wins the past four years and make four NCAA Tournament appearances. Scott’s father, Jerry, was Loper football player who is now

14 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

in the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame. Cover is a four-year letterman from Kearney who has shown his versatility and athletic ability by being a starter at three different positions – left field, shortstop and third base. Earlier this spring, he became UNK’s all-time leader in runs scored and should become the Lopers all-time leader in hits before the spring season concludes. A two-time All-RMAC selection going into this year, he was chosen first team all-region as a junior after tying the school record for hits with 92. Cover has been a part of two RMAC Tournament championship teams and played in four NCAA tournament games. The Kearney Catholic graduate was named the 2010 RMAC Academic Baseball Player of the Year. He is a business administration major with a 3.83 GPA.

The annual Blue-Gold Golf Scramble will be held Monday, June 14, at the Kearney Country Club and Meadowlark Hills Golf Course. The popular six-person scramble, that begins at both courses at 10 am, draws nearly 270 golfers and has traditionally been the biggest fund raiser for athletic scholarships. Advance cost is $195 per golfer or $1,170 per team. Signature corporate sponsorships are also available. Contact Shawn Fairbanks at 308-8658184 for registration information. Athletic director Jon McBride said the event will continue as a oneday activity with a 19th hole reception at the Kearney Holiday Inn following golf. McBride said the scramble combined with a separate raffle fundraiser held in the spring again generated more than $40,000 for scholarships this year. He said the athletic department plans to continue these two major events.

ALUMNI NEWS

Home, Home on the Web… UNKAlumni.org ww.unkalumni.org is the new online home for the UNK Alumni Association. Alumni, or anyone interested in UNK and the Alumni Association, now have a redesigned online venue to engage with campus and each other. “The importance of having a strong online presence, as well as the growth of electronic communication and social media, led us to the conclusion that we needed to improve our website,” said Lucas Dart, Executive Director of the UNK Alumni Association. Through the new site, alumni will have a one-stop shop for alumni event schedules and registration forms, campus and alumni association news, links to UNK and Kearney-related activities, organizations and alumni chapters. Alumni will also be able to register a username on the site and update their profile, which includes address, email and professional affiliation. In addition, the alumni association has plans to begin sending newsletters via email, which will offer news items that can’t always be included in the semi-annual

UNK Today, Alumni Magazine. “UNK Today is widely popular and welcomed by our alumni when it is published in the spring and fall, but in between issues there are so many things that alumni will be interested in. The e-news will be a nice medium to keep alumni more informed all year round,” Dart said. Connecting alumni via the social media mechanisms of Facebook and LinkedIn will continue to be developed. The growth of both has been dramatic in the past two years, and many alumni have reconnected with old friends and acquaintances this way. According to Dart, the new website plan aims to take growth of the “Loper Network” to an even higher level. “The key is to communicate with all alumni in some way that is convenient and meaningful to them. For some that is print only, for some it is print and electronic, and for others it’s strictly on a computer screen. The new website, e-news and social media venues we’ve developed certainly diversify our ability to communicate, and we hope that more and more alumni will engage with their alma mater,” Dart said.

UNK seeks specialty ‘Loper’ license plates he Alumni Association is still collecting names and email addresses of Nebraskans interested in adorning their vehicles with a UNK license plate. The Unicameral passed legislation in 2009 which allows non-profit organizations with 500 pre-paid applicants the opportunity to create a plate that recognizes their organization. The cost of the specialty plate is $70 per year. A design has yet to be finalized, but the plate will set itself apart from the standard Nebraska plate. It is a unique way for alumni to show their pride in being affiliated with UNK.

NOT ACTUAL DESIGN Interested alumni and friends are asked to send an email to LDART@nufoundation.org which includes your name and email address. There is no obligation to be on the list. Individuals on the list will receive periodic updates on the progress of the numbers and design of the plate.

Homepage of www.unkalumni.org.

Young alumni award to debut at Homecoming in October he UNK Alumni Association will be awarding the first ever “Distinguished Young Alumni Award” during UNK Homecoming Awards Banquet on October 1. The annual award will be presented to an individual who has graduated from UNK within 15 years of the award year. Nominees shall have demonstrated outstanding service to the University, their community and/or his or her profession. The young alumni award joins the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Jim Rundstrom Distinguished Alumni Service Award and Loper Athletic Hall of Fame inductions at the annu-

al awards banquet. Nominations will be accepted through June 1, 2010 for review by the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee. The nomination form can be found on the web at w w w. u n k a l u m n i . o rg . The completed form should be sent to: UNK Alumni Association, Attn: Lucas Dart, P.O. Box 21, Kearney, NE 68849 or emailed to LDART@nufoundation.org. Please email or call 308-8658474 with any questions regarding the award.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

HOMECOMING 2009

HALL OF FAME: Class of 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were Martin Segovia ’95, Jill McCaslin Timmons ’98, Danielle Shum Stowell ’97, Al Sheffield ’75 and Keith Staehr ’68. LOPER BLUE: Ty and Hall of Fame inductee Jill McCaslin Timmons, son Ethan and nephew, Caden Holm, whose parents are also alumni, prepare to ride in the Homecoming parade as honored guests of the weekend.

STUDENT ALUMNI FOUNDATION: Members Julie Wawers, Whitney Effenback and Meagan Smejdir assisted with the Homecoming banquet. SAF is an organization that has been providing student opportunities to network with alumni since 1981.

DISTINGUISHED ALUM: Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Ron Larsen ’66 and his wife Nancy, were recognized at the 29th annual Homecoming Awards Banquet. CONGRATULATIONS: Alumni director Lucas Dart congratulates Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Teresa Kowalski Porter ’80 at the Homecoming banquet.

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HOMECOMING 2009

PRIDE OF THE PLAINS: Leading the Homecoming parade is the talented UNK marching band. The 120-member band is the largest in history.

ROYALTY: Junior Sarah Nordhues of Kearney and junior Nate Summerfield of Wayne reigned as Homecoming King and Queen.

SMILES: 2008 Homecoming Queen Claire Bryan ’09, her mother Annie Bryan, Alumni Association past president Brenda Christensen ’83 and Claire’s father Paul await the beginning the Homecoming parade.

BLUE AND GOLD: Felica Goett ’97, MAE’00 of Loveland, Colorado, and her godson, Tyler Sanders of Loveland are set for the day’s activities. Tyler, son of Chi Omega alumnus Jackie Sanders ’01 is wearing Goett’s letter jacket from when she was on the track team from 1993 to 1997.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

ALUMNI

NEWS

Rutar elected president

Nine begin three-year terms Pat Hoehner

had Rutar ’97 is the newly-elected president of the UNK Alumni Association. Rutar of Omaha, a financial advisor with Renaissance Financial, was elected at the fall meeting of the board of directors. He replaces B r e n d a Snodgrass Christensen ’83 of Minden. Other officers for Chad Rutar 2009-2010 are Bryan Kuntz ’95 of Kearney, president-elect, and Andrea

Walton Miller ’02 of Scottsbluff, secretary. Nine board members were elected to three-year terms that began with the annual fall meeting during Homecoming weekend. Dr. Pat Hoehner ’57, MSE’67, EDS’82 of Kearney is an assistant professor of educational administration at UNK. Nancy McCarthy Polk ’74 of Kearney is a Media Associate Para at Emerson Public School with Kearney Public Schools. Mark Felker ’86 is president at JAM4 Creative in Alliance. Dr. Brett Kuhn ’86 of Omaha is associate professor of pediatrics at UNMC. Kip Magner ’92 of Lincoln is a reimbursement analyst at Lincoln Surgical Center.

Nancy Polk

Mark Felker

Brett Kuhn

Kip Magner

Katrina Jacobsen Rother

Carol Green Ballain

Bethany Spilde

Bret Walker

Katrina Jacobsen Rother MSE’00 of Grand Island is integration specialist with the Grand Island Public Schools. Carol Green Ballain ’65 of Fort Collins, Colorado, is a retired teacher. Bethany Spilde ’06 of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is president of a company she owns, Social Buzz Media. Bret Walker ’00 of Brighton, CO, is business development manager for Westwood College.

Seven board members completed three-year terms on the board of directors. They will now serve as trustees of the association. They are Fred Arnold ’83 of Fairbury, Sue Batie ’73 of Cypress, California, Candy Fernau ’96 of Dallas, Andrew Romatzke ’01 of Omaha, Bob Warren ’64 of McMinnville, Oregon, Deb Schwenka ’76 of Minden, and Dr. Stephanie Hueftle Vogel ’89, MAE’96 of Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Meeting alumni from the other side of the world

orty Japanese graduates of UNK traveled from all over Japan last fall to gather at the historic Okura

18 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

Hotel in Tokyo to celebrate their first alumni gathering. It was a time for emotional reunions, joyous greetings and the sharing of fond memories. Guests were ELI instructor

and Japanese Student adviser Jayne Heimer, International Education Director Dr. Dallas Kenny and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development representative in

Tokyo Koji Nagasaka. After the gathering that included testimonials, shared stories and tearful farewells, the former classmates vowed to meet again next year.

ALUMNI NEWS

TRACK: Loper tracksters from the 2000s joined in on the track and cross country reunion fun at the Alumni House, and then stayed for the “after party.” More than 100 alumni from 1949 to 2009 attended. BROKEN BOW: The Alumni Association hosted a Friday evening reception in Broken Bow in March. About 25 alumni attended, including guest Nikki Scott, ’10 grad-to-be, her dad, Jerry Scott ’83 and friends Katie ’97 and Brent Custer ’97.

THETA XI: A group of previous friends from Theta Xi fraternity made Chadron State football weekend their own reunion, and attended the pregame tailgate near campus in September.

NORTHWEST: John Wolf ’73 says “Lopers Are Here” with his sign at Safeco Field during the Northwest alumni gathering.

LINCOLN: Brewsky’s in Lincoln provided the venue for alumni to gather prior to the Lopers vs. Huskers women’s basketball game in November. Pictured from the left are Elizabeth Cain ’06, Jesse Cain ’05, Chip Shield ’03 and Ryan Caldwell ’02. Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

A LUMNI N EWS

NORTHWEST: Northwest Alumni gathered at a Seattle Mariners game in April, including Howard Watkins ’38, Phil Kozera, NU Foundation director of development, Wade Heyer ’87, Bob Miller ’60, Jesse ’03 and Holly Gilbert, David Oliphant ’03, Pat ’97 and Karen Gilbert, Shelli Nemec ’91, Theren Hayes ’98 and Brenda ’89 and Brodie Hodges.

TRACK: For the fifth consecutive year, alumni and friends of the Loper track and cross country programs returned for the Charlie Foster Invitational in January. Among those attending the social at the Alumni house were Merle Horst ’70, head track coach Andy Meyer, Brad ’97 and Nicole Mailahn ’97, Jaime and Tyson Bertrand ’00 and Kyle Larsen ’97.

ARIZONA: The Alumni Association’s Arizona swing in February included a Friday evening happy hour in Chandler. Nearly 45 alumni and friends of all ages attended, including Jane Meyer ’89, alumni director emeritus Jim Rundstrom ‘64 and Sheri Jones ’89.

20 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

ALUMNI NEWS BASKETBALL: The Alumni Association hosted a pre-game reception on a snowy February night prior to the UNK-Metro State game. Pictured are Jerry and Jane Sheldon ’75, (left and right), and John ’68 and Deanna Lakey ’70 (center).

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: (Below) Sue Batie’73, Jenna Johannsen Carlson ’09 and Cathy Jeulfs Knutsen ’76 share greetings at the 35th annual Southern California luncheon in February.

TEXAS: (Above) South Texas Alumni gathered in Katy in October. Special guests to the ‘Loper Blue Jean Luncheon’ were student teachers from the area. Pictured are 2009 grads Kelsey Koch, Eric Holmes, UNK director of field experiences Ann Knipping, Bethany Chandler and Luke Luxford.

COLORADO: The Front Range of Colorado is home to nearly 1,200 Loper alumni.Among those who gathered for a happy hour in Denver in February were Amy Dix ’03, Megan Kirby Moran ’01, NU Foundation director of development Kristin Wittman Howard ’00, Erika Redfern ’04, Teresa Kowalski Porter ’80 and Sue Haeberle ’81.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

CAMPUS

NEWS

orn on January 6, 1910 in Central City, Wright Morris’ mother, Grace, died within days of his birth. During his childhood, he and his father lived in several Nebraska towns before settling in Omaha. While in Omaha, Morris spent two summers on his Uncle Harry and Aunt Clara‘s farm near Norfolk. Two decades later, he would return to this farm to take some of his most memorable photographic images. In 1924 father and son moved to Chicago. While living there, they went on a road trip to California, which would later become the basis for his first novel, My Uncle Dudley. Morris moved to California, attending Pacific Union College. After college, Morris spent a year abroad. In 1934, Morris returned to the United States, married Mary Finfrock and began to develop his interest in photography. Several years later, Mary accepted a teaching position in Connecticut. Shortly after their move, Morris decided to go on a "photo-safari," traveling through the South, Midwest and West spending the winter writing in California. During a 1938 cross-country car trip, he became enthralled with the visual beauty of the rural life and

Monday, May 24 ~ Omaha “Scrambling for Scholarships” Golf Event Champion’s Run ~ Noon Shotgun Start - $100 per player, sponsorships $150 Entry deadline is May 17 Contact: Lucas Dart at LDART@nufoundation.org or 308.865.8474 Thursday, June 3 ~ Dawson County Alumni Reception 5-7:30 p.m. at Mac’s Creek Vineyard, Lexington Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and Nebraska wine with alumni and friends Monday, June 14 ~ Kearney Blue Gold Golf Classic, Annual Loper Athletics Fundraiser 10:00 Shotgun Start at Kearney

22 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

BASKET OF COBS, THE HOME PLACE NEAR NORFOLK, NEBRASKA, 1947

Wright Morris silver print, 1975 Museum of Nebraska Art Collection Gift of Cliff Art Endowment, Carl & Jane Rohman, Mr. & Mrs. Bruce R. Lauritzen

landscape that he remembered from his youth, “I ran a high fever of enthusiasm and believed myself chosen to record this history before it was gone.” In 1942 and 1947, Morris was awarded two Guggenheim Fellowships for photography. The

Country Club and Meadowlark Hills Golf Course $195 per player Contact: Loper athletics office at 308.865.8514 Tuesday, June 15 ~ Omaha “Business After Hours” Alumni Reception 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Security National Bank, 1120 South 101st St. All alumni are invited to join fellow Loper Family members, including Chancellor Doug Kristensen, for food, drinks, networking and a rundown on what’s happening at UNK Saturday, July 17 ~ Kansas City “Loper Alumni Day at Kauffman Stadium” Pre-game alumni gathering,

money from the awards helped to fund his trips back to Nebraska which were the inspiration for his first two photo-texts, The Inhabitants and The Home Place. The Home Place is filled with photographs he took at his Uncle Harry‘s farm near Norfolk; the

followed by KC Royals vs. Oakland A’s – 6:10 p.m. Contact: Bethany Spilde ’06 at b@socialbuzzmedia.com Friday, July 23 ~ Lincoln Loper Golf Scramble Crooked Creek Golf Course 1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start, Cost is $60, includes golf, prizes and post-tournament meal Sponsorships available for $100, benefiting the Lincoln Loper Scholarship Fund Contact: Lucas Dart at 308.865.8474 or LDART@nufoundation.org Saturday, August 14 ~ Denver/Front Range “Loper Alumni Day at Coors Field” Pre-game alumni gathering, followed by Colorado Rockies vs. Milwaukee Brewers – 6:10 p.m.

photo-text combination evokes life on a plains “dirt farm.” A description of the feelings evoked through Morris‘ photographs is best conveyed in his own words: “A pattern for living, the blueprint of it, can be seen in the white stitches of the denim, the timepiece stamped like a medallion in the bib of the overalls. Between wearing something in and wearing it out the line is as vague as the receding horizon, and as hard to account for as the missing hairs of a brush.” From 1944 to 1954, Morris lived in Pennsylvania. He traveled to escape his failing marriage. In 1959 he went to Venice with Josephine Kantor, whom he married the following year. Two years later in 1963, Morris began to teach creative writing at San Francisco State College where he remained until 1975. He died in 1998. The Museum of Nebraska Art holds 130 photographs by Wright Morris – believed to be the largest number in a public institution. MONA is the official art collection of the State of Nebraska. The museum is located at 2401 Central Avenue and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and closed major holidays. Admission is free.

Saturday, September 4 ~ Omaha Football Pre-game – Lopers vs. UN-Omaha – the series finale!! Alumni tailgate party, 3:00 followed by the 6:00 kickoff at Caniglia Field Saturday, October 16 ~ Dallas/Fort Worth “Loper Blue Jean Luncheon” 11:30 a.m. Followed by the luncheon, watch the Loper football squad take on Colorado State-Pueblo via the web!

Details will be sent for events in your area. RSVP is appreciated for all events, please contact Toni Meyers at the Alumni House by calling 308.865.8474 or emailing her at TMeyers@nufoundation.org

CLASS NOTES

YOUR LINK ALUMNI!

www.unkalumni.org Facebook Group: UNK/KSC Alumni Association 1982

1989

Barbara Hurt-Simmons has been elected to the Dowington, Pennsylvania, school board.

Doris Ritzdorf Robertson has been promoted to controller and vice president – financial reporting with Union Bank & Trust Company in Lincoln. Dr. Stephanie Hueftle Vogel ’89, MAE’96 is senior director of development with the Oklahoma State University Foundation. Her husband, Dr. Jason Vogel, is an assistant professor in the OSU Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department. They have five-year-old twin daughters, Paetyn and Piper. Mark Reid has been promoted to operations manager NRG Media Kearney which has radio stations KGFW-AM, KRNY-FM and KQKY-FM. He has been with the station since 1985.

1983 Col. Bradley K. Nelson has retired from the U.S.Army after 26 years of active service. Participating in five military campaigns, he is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Kosovo Campaign, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Brad and his wife will retire in Lansing, Kansas. They have two children, Stephanie who is a senior at the University of Kansas and Phillip who is a high school senior. Russ Rerucha has been appointed to the Grand Island Education Foundation Board of Directors. He is owner and manager of Green Line Equipment Inc.

1984 Odee Ingersoll, director of the Nebraska Business Development Center at UNK, was honored at the Association of Small Business Development (ASBDC) annual meeting last fall. He was recognized as Nebraska’s STAR Performer for 2009 for his work in business exit and succession planning, and business evaluation services. This is the second time he received the award. Lori Teaford is securities and brokerage services coordinator for the Lincoln branch of Central Financial Services. Prior to joining CFS, Teaford spent 15 years with Ameritas Life Insurance Corp and nine years at Ameritas Investment Corp.

1985 David C. Nelson has joined the Omaha law firm of Gross & Welch as a director. Jana Holmes Peterson MSE’90 became the director of the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC) in Kearney in December. She had been YRTC director of programming and assistant director at the facility.

1988 Kelly S. Christensen MSE ’98, associate dean for the trades and industry department for Central Community College in Hastings, received the 26th annual Central Community College – Hastings outstanding service award for exemplary service and role in obtaining two Department of Labor Community Based Job Training grants. He is also a member of the Leadership Nebraska Class of 2010. Paul Stevens earned his Ph.D. from Kansas State University in May. He is a professor at Southeast Community College in Lincoln. He and his wife, Rebecca Czaja-Stevens ’02, have a son, Jonah Michael 1. Rebecca also works at Southeast as director of TRIO programs.

24 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

1991 Loran Paprocki has received a patent for his work on the sealing of vascular punctures. The Angio-Seal is used at the end of a cardiology procedure.The patent was part of his work with St. Jude Medical as a senior product development engineer. He is now director of manufacturing and regulatory affairs at Annex Medical in Minnetonka, Minnesota. He is also a city councilman for the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Loran said his wife, April Goerlich ’91, manages their home and home-schools three of their five children. Dan Schiefelbein MA, EDS’00 is the 7-12 principal at Doniphan-Trumbull Public School. Renae Riddle Zimmer is an account representative with Charter Business of Kearney. Her husband, Dave ’92, teaches at Sunrise Middle School and is junior varsity boy’s basketball coach at Kearney High School. They have two children, Nolan 15, and Kamryn 11.

1992 Brent Johnson is hospitality division manager with Bosselman Family of Companies in Grand Island. Kip Magner is a reimbursement analyst at Lincoln Surgical Hospital in Lincoln.

Therapy. Her husband, Keith ’98, is process improvement engineer at West Pharmaceuticals. The couple lives in Kearney with sons Jaden 6 and Blake 3. Tim Sizer is owner of Sizer Well Drilling in Arthur. He and his wife, Kimberly, have five children, Andrew Judson 6, Asa Patryk 7, adopted from Poland in 2006, Aiden Przemek 7, adopted from Poland in 2003, Amos Benton 2, and Alycia Josephine, born September 4, 2009. Robert ‘Bud’ Synhorst is executive director of Mary Lanning Hospital Foundation in Hastings.

1996 Matt Dykstra, an elementary physical education teacher with the Millard Schools, received the Nebraska State Education Association’s 2010 Teaching Excellence Award in April. Dykstra was praised for integrating technology, music, math and other disciplines into his classes. In 2009, he received the Millard Education Association’s Teacher of the Year Award. Valerie Vierk has published a new book titled, Winter of Death – Victims of the 1918-1919 Influenza Epicemic in the Ravenna, Nebraska Area. It contains the biographies of all of the victims, plus photos. Ravenna suffered a much higher death rate than any other community in Buffalo County. It was published by Lulu.Vierk is the office assistant for the departments of geography and sociology at UNK.

1997 Carol Money is pursuing on a doctor of arts degree in vocal performance with a secondary emphasis in opera directing at the University of Northern Colorado. She recently played the role of Romilda in Handel’s Serse and Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi.

1997 Dr. Candace Thompson Walton was the winner of the 2010 Belbas-Larson Award for Excellence in Teaching at the University of South Dakota in the tenure track category. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Contemporary Media and Journalism in the College of Arts and Sciences.

1998 Mark Michaelis is a teacher with Omaha Public Schools. He and his wife, Maria, have two daughters, Lexi 5 and Laini 2. Kari Lidgett is a public relations counselor for Swanson Russell in Omaha.

2000 Jaylene Dutton Eilenstine is director of marketing at All Makes Office Equipment in Omaha. She and her husband, Matt ’00 have a daughter, Reece 1. Kurt Kisker is an agricultural loan officer with State Bank of Riverdale. Jessica Mueller Eidem is a science teacher at Sunrise Middle School. Nathan ’03, recently earned a Ph.D. in Geography from Oregon State University. They live in Kearney and have a daughter, Julia Anne, 3 months. Kerry Fleming is director of residence life at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio.

2001 Tara Heil is a copy editor at the Kearney Hub newspaper. She has been an editor at the Hub for eight years. Lanny Lautenschlager is a manager with ECG Management Consultants, a consultancy for healthcare providers in their St. Louis office. ECG has four other offices in Seattle, San Diego, Washington D.C. and Boston.

Alumni are am ong UNK’s b est recruiters the university and could use yo ur assistance . There are man y ways you ca n assist in attr ing prospectiv acte Lopers. Make a p oint to visit w ith students an friends about d your experie nce at UNK and encourage them to give us a look Encourage them to check us out on the web at www .unk.edu Send the ir name school inform s, addresses and high ation to the admissions office

1993 Bryan Lindgreen is an account representative with Charter Business of Kearney. Dr. Jason Miller MA’00 is an assistant professor of English at North Carolina State University where he directs the English Teacher Education Program and teaches American poetry.

1994 Jennifer Mandin Ford is director of corporate benefits for InfoGroup in Omaha.

1995 Jan Skourup Rodehorst is executive director of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce. Jana Satterly Seier MSE’97 is a speech pathologist at Family Physical

1-800-KEAR NEY admissionsu g@unk.edu

Help Them – EXPERIENC E KEAR

NEY

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E-network! Please send your emails to TMeyers@nufoundation.org. Be sure to provide your name, address and year of graduation!

1927 Zetha Hendrickson Warren celebrated her 100th birthday on July 31, 2009. She lives in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

1956 Don Straney of Lakewood, Colorado, who excelled as a track athlete when in college, is back competing. After 54 years of not competing in track, he is training for the Rocky Mountain Senior Games that will be held in Greeley, Colorado, in June.

1964 Bill McGahan MSE’68, EDS’91, superintendent of North Platte Catholic Schools, has announced that he will retire following the 2010-2011 school year. McGahan has been on staff since 1966. He has taught music and English, served as principal at McDaid Elementary and principal at St. Pats High School. In 1974, he was named superintendent.

is also sports director of the two North Platte stations – KRNP-FM and KZTLFM. He is chairman of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and in 2007 he was honored by the Nebraska High School Activities Directors Association with their Outstanding Service Award, the sixth radio broadcaster to be honored in the 40-year history of the association.

1973 LaNelle Wegner Oney retired in May 2009 after 32 years of educating special needs adults and secondary students in Ohio, California and Nebraska including the last 27 years at Wabaunsee High School in Alma, Kansas. She and her husband, Keith, have two children, Brian and his wife Stacey and Kayla. They have one granddaughter, Sophia Aislinn.

1974 Denny Hill owns Strategic Resources West, Inc. (SRW) in Castle Rock,

Colorado. SRW is a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, educational specifications, facility master planning and demographics, working primarily with K12 school districts. Prior to establishing SRW 13 years ago, he was the planning director for Douglas County School District in Colorado when it was the fastest growing district in the nation. He has been a consultant to both private industry and public sector entities as well as an education instructor at Kansas State University. Denny is also active in Kiwanis where he has served in a number of offices and in his church. His email is dennyh@strategicwest.com. SRW’s website is www.strategicwest.com. Dr. Paul Paulman, professor of family medicine and dean of clinical skills at UNMC, received the Outstanding Teaching and Creativity Award from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Paulman received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1996.

1975 Paul Younes was named the Friend of Kearney at the 91st annual Kearney Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in March. The award goes to a person who goes out of his or her way to improve Kearney. Younes is president of Heartland Hospitality of Kearney. He owns four hotels in Kearney and has been a leader in the community for the past 35 years.

1976 Diane Eastman Krajicek received the American Advertising Federation Lincoln 2010 Silver Medal at the annual Nebraska ADDY Awards Show and Banquet. She is director of strategic planning at Bailey Lauerman. Krajicek has more than 30

CLASS NOTES years of experience in the advertising industry in research, branding, media and strategic planning. She joined Bailey Lauerman in 2000.

1979 Karen Kilgarin has been named director of government relations and public affairs with the Nebraska State Education Association of which she has been director of communications for 15 years. In addition, she will also continue her communications duties. Formerly she served as state senator, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Ben Nelson and director of the state’s Department of Administrative Services. Kevin O’Connor MAE’90 recorded his 500th basketball win at North Platte Community College during the 20092010 year. He has a 25-year career record of 505-283. This year’s team captured the Region IX junior college tournament and qualified for the national tournament while compiling a 29-6 record.

1980 Steve Wickham MAE, EDS’86 has announced his retirement from Kearney Public Schools where he has been high school principal since 2005. Prior to that he was assistant principal. Wickham has worked in education for 34 years, 31 with Kearney Public Schools.

1981 Kyle Hoehner MAE’95 will be the principal at Lexington High School beginning in the fall. He has been activities director since 2007. Prior to that, he was a teacher and basketball coach at Kearney High School.

1968 Lee Jacobsen is executive vice president of Pathway Bank at its Cairo location. Joe McFarland was inducted into the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in January. He was head baseball coach for 20 years at Norwalk. His career coaching record was 313-196 with 11 conference championships , four district championships and a state title in 1982 when his team posted a 23-3 record. He spent 40 years as a coach retiring in 1998. At UNK, McFarland lettered four years in track and football where he was a first team all NCC back in 1956 and a twotime conference pole vault champion.

Alpha Tau Omega

1971 Wilma Quelle of Mesa, Arizona, has authored a book of Navajo biographies. During the course of these biographies, the reader travels 250 years through Navajo Tribal history. This easy-to-read book becomes a good tour guide of the Reservation with colored photos and informative reading for both students and adults. The book is published by Publishamerica.com. “Steps to Navajo History” has been chosen as a submission of Publishamerica Publishing Companies manuscripts for the ‘Oprah’s Book Club’ selection.

1972 Tim O’Dea retired as administrator from the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center (YRTC) in Kearney in December. O’Dea began his career there in 1970 as a recreation aide, teacher, counselor, caseworker and recreation director. He was a counselor and principal at Pleasanton Public School from 1978 to 1988. He returned to YRTC in 1998 and later was named facility director. Chuck Schwartz is an account representative with Hometown Family Radio – North Platte. He has been designated by the Radio Advertising Bureau as a certified radio marketing consultant. Schwartz

REUNION TIME: The ATO “Bucket List” Reunion was a huge success. Nearly 100 brothers attended the reunion, which was held September 18 - 20 in Kearney. Friday night a mixer was held at Bico’s, bringing back many fond memories. Saturday morning they had a golf scramble at Buffalo Ridge Golf Course. Saturday afternoon and evening a BBQ, catered by Skeeter Barnes, was held at the home of Tom and Jan Paxson in rural Gibbon. Several slide/powerpoint presentations were made, including one honoring those brothers who have died. Those invited were members of the 1966 Charter Class when the local Phi Tau Gamma fraternity was initiated into Alpha Tau Omega. Also invited were brothers initiated into ATO up to 1972. The fraternity also raised around $4,000 which will be distributed into the three scholarships the fraternity supports – the Don Briggs ATO Scholarship, the Landmesser/Murphy Scholarship, and the Phi Tau Gamma Scholarship. Spring 2010 l UNK Today l 23

CLASS NOTES

2003

What’s happening?

SOUTH AMERICANS: Faculty members Stephen and Barbara Amundson hosted the first South American alumni gathering at the Pavilion Hotel in Bogota, Colombia, in October. The alumni who attended shared their stories of UNK and served as ambassadors for two new UNK students. In the photo with the Amundsons are Ana Maria Ordonez, Jamie Cabra, Monica Arana, Claudia Marcela, Ospino, Carlos Vivas, Angela Forero, Maritza Ronoconco, Liarco Navarro, Andres Traslavina, Catherine Felizzola, Lina Traslavina and Miguel Royas. All alumni are reminded to share their contact information with the Alumni Association and the alumni coordinator in the Office of International Education. The email is intladmin@unk.edu.

Alumni Update First Name

Send your update for UNK Today to: UNK Alumni Association, Campus Box 21, Kearney NE 68849-6120 or email us your updates to MWidger@nufoundation.org

Middle Initial

Street

City

Last Name

Maiden Name

State

Zip+4

Phone Date of Birth

E-Mail Address

Grad Month & Year Employer Name Spouse Name News

Dr. Molly Brost is assistant professor of English at the University of Southern Indiana. She joined the staff in August 2009 following a one-year teaching appointment in the English department at Northwest Missouri State University. She teaches composition and Introduction to Literature at USI. Dr. Brost received her Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University in August 2008. Her dissertation examines issues of gender and authenticity in the country music biopic. She also holds a master of arts degree in English from Colorado State University. Lindsey Hackel of Omaha, NE recently graduated from the Nebraska LEAD Program as a member of Group XXVIII. The Nebraska LEAD Program is a two year leadership development program designed to develop the future decision makers, problem solvers, and spokespersons for Nebraska agriculture. Brandi Cruise Riley is kindergarten teacher at Pleasanton Elementary. Her husband, Kenny, is manager of the Runza north store. The couple lives in Kearney with daughter, Brittany, and son, Grady Michael, born March 13. Grant Mollring has joined the staff of Doane College as offensive coordinator. He had been wide receiver’s coach at UNK. Marc Zavala is a sports reporter with the Grand Island Independent.

2004 Allison Kruger has been named head women’s basketball coach at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. She had been an assistant at the University of South Dakota the past two years.

2005 Jenny Lea Connery is a teacher at Plattsmouth Community School District. Ashley Scantling graduated in May 2009 from Oklahoma College of Optometry. She is in practice in Emporia, Kansas, at Flint Hills Eye Care. Dr. Cole Spresser graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center in May 2009. He is in residency at the University of Kansas medical Center in the Internal Medicine program. Matthew Stark works for Great Plains Communications in Sutherland. He worked for Intellicom in Kearney from 2005 until 2007. He and Cassi Allen were married in May 2009.They live in North Platte.

2006

Major/Minor Occupation

Is he/she a grad of UNK UNL UNO UNMC

Year

Heather Bolin is a retail account representative with the Kearney Hub advertising department. Josh Borowski is a senior accountant with the certified public accounting firm of Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth in Grand Island. Samantha Harvey has been named volleyball coach at College of Saint Mary in Omaha. She had been coaching and teaching at Lexington High School. Noah Howard is warehouse manager at Johnstone Supply in Kearney. Noah’s wife, Skye, is pursuing a nursing degree and stays home with their daughters Avery 4 and Ellie 1. Heather Pennell lives in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where she works with autistic children as a line therapist with the Wisconsin Early Autism Project. Tom Schlund is a residence hall coordinator with the Department of Residential Life at the University of Missouri.

2007 Heidi Neighbors Fessler earned her master’s degree in school counseling from Chadron State College in May 2009. She is a guidance counselor at Adams Middle School in North Platte. She had been a language arts teacher at North Platte High School. Josie McCune is a physical therapist at

Grand Island Physical Therapy’s Balance and Mobility Center. She received her doctorate in physical therapy from UNMC in 2009. Josh Rowan is sports editor of the Lexington Clipper.

2008 Jen Bochart is advocate and MDT coordinator at the Child Advocacy Center in Grand Island. She lives in Loup City. Lisa Elson is executive administrative assistant to the managing director of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s International Games Department at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Colleen McMickell is a respiratory therapist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney. Matt Rieckman is a retail account representative with the Kearney Hub advertising department.

2009 Michelle Foley is a speech pathology graduate student at the University of Kansas. She will receive her master’s degree in May 2011. Cammeron Premer works at Behaven Day Center, a day care for children with behavioral problems in Lincoln. Jeremy Starzec is a graduate student in the community counseling program at UNK.

Marriages Sara Bechenhauer ’05, MSE’07 and David Hageman ’03 October 17 in Amelia Island, Florida. Rachel Dankert ’05 and Patrick Schiley ’98 June 13, 2009 in Grand Island. Christy Hagler ’02 and Kevin Rose October 3 in Cherry Hills, New Jersey. Christy is director of marketing communications, for Yoh, a division of Day & Zimmermann. Kevin is a business analyst for Equity Settlement Services, Inc.They live in Philadelphia. Allison Hoffman ’09 and Adam Beckstrom June 6 in Grand Island. Nadine Keizer ’04, MSE’06 and Jackson Hagen September 6 in Custer State Park, South Dakota. They live in Turtle Lake, North Dakota. James Kelley ’06 and Elizabeth Kocol February 27 in Antigua. Elizabeth Magill ’08 and Mark Davis ’08 December 12 in Kearney. Gwen Maliszewski ’05 and Adam Rathman ’08 August 29 in Kearney. Lindsey Meier ’09 and Trenton Lilienthal August 1 in Grand Island. Lindsey is a service manager for Wells Fargo Bank. Samantha Oerter ’03 and George Smith June 5 in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Emily Pfeifer MSE’04 and James Anson September 26 in Grand Island. Matthew Rau ’02 and Amy McCullough August 22 in Lincoln. Matt is an account rep for Modern Banking Systems and Amy is a medical assistant for Dermatology Surgery Center.They live in Omaha. MacKenzie Rauert ’06 and Nicholas Pacifico ’06 January 16. They live in Denver. Meggan Roeder ’98 and Curt Coghill May 9, 2009 in Kearney. Michelle Roggasch ’81, MAE’03 and Bruce Carlson October 10 in Kearney. Ashley Rubesh ’09 and Daniel Hake January 23 in St. Paul. Max Simonson ’04 and Maggi McDermott August 29 in Grand Island. Kristin Steinbeck ’03, MSE’06 and Brian Chamness September 19 in Kearney.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

CLASS NOTES

UNK Today ~ Spring 2010 ~ Vol. 37, No. 1 UNK Today, official alumni publication of the EXPIRING 2011 University of Nebraska at Kearney is pubBarb Lehmkuhl Estes ’74 - Kearney lished two times a year by the Alumni Dean Jindra ’85 - Papillion Association, Kearney, Nebraska 68849. Third DeeDee Schutte Kitzelman ’90 - Kearney class postage paid, Kearney, NE 68847. Andrea Walton Miller ’02 - Scottsbluff Ben Rowe ’03 - Kearney Phone: (308) 865-8474 Ryan Samuelson ’02 - Phoenix, AZ FAX: (308) 865-8999 Troy Schleiger ’95 - Lincoln E-mail: LDART@nufoundation.org Candy Thompson Walton, Ph.D. ’97 - Vermillion, SD Internet: www.unkalumni.org Ryan Tworek ’98 - Newport Beach, CA BOARD OF EXPIRING 2012 DIRECTORS Carol Green Ballain ’65 - Fort Collins, CO OFFICERS Mark Felker ’86 - Alliance Chad Rutar ’97, President - Omaha Pat Kelly Hoehner ’57 BAE, ’67 MSE, ’82 - Kearney Bryan Kuntz ’95, President-elect - Kearney Brett R. Kuhn, PhD ’86 - Gretna Andrea Walton Miller ’02, Secretary - Scottsbluff Brenda Christensen ’83, Past-President - Minden Kip Magner ’92 - Lincoln Nancy McCarthy Polk ’73 - Kearney Larry Feather ’66, Trustee - Grand Junction, CO Trina Rother MAE ’00 - Grand Island Bethany A. Spilde ’06 - Kansas City, MO DIRECTORS Bret Walker ’00 - Brighton, CO EXPIRING 2010 Cynthia Schug Bahler ’94 - Lamar ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF Doug Burritt ’95 - Osceola Lucas Dart ’97 Denise Strother Christensen ’80 - Kearney Executive Director Steve James ’77 - Danville, CA Michelle Widger ’90 Lanny Jorgensen ’63 - Tucson, AZ Assistant Director and Layout Editor Bryan Kuntz ’95 - Kearney Toni Meyers ’93 - Office Associate Holly Nikels ’93 - Bettendorf, IA Jim Rundstrom ’64 - Editor & Director Emeritus Nancy Yurges Osterbuhr ’95 - Minden Lacey Strasburg ’06 and Jonathan Bouc October 24 in Kearney. Erin Tracy ’05 and Joseph Hassler ’05 January 16 in Omaha. Ashley Zinnel ’08 and Jesse Hilton October 3 in Kearney.

Births Nick ‘06, MBA’10 and Sarah Abegglen ’06, MSE’09 of Kearney are parents of a son, Jayden Nicholas, born September 27. Brian and Annette Turek Axmann ’02 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Olivia Anne, born January 4. They also have a son, Owen 3. Dr. Chris ’97 and Dayna Banning of Leawood, KS are the parents of a boy, Grady Porter, born March 3. James and Jenna Sterner Berlie ’01 of Kearney are parents of a son,Will Michael, born January 12. Steven and Lindsey Stevens Berry ’03 of Evansville, Indiana, are parents of a son, Tyler Dale, born January 9. Marshall ’93 and Angie Biddlecome of Kearney are the parents of a son, Beckett Keith, born on March 12. They also have daughters, Brynn, Barlen and Megan. Kerri and Jason M. Boruch ’06 of Killeen, Texas, are parents of a daughter, Kinsey Rae, born October 28. Jason is an army specialist.

26 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

Jonathan ’03 and Mimi Klingelhoefer Brandt ’02 of Kearney are parents of a son, Jonathan Jonas Burton, born January 19. Jonathan is an attorney with Anderson, Klein, Swan and Brewster. Mimi is marketing director with Nebraska Life magazine. Leslie and Matt Burkey ’99 of Houston are parents of a daughter, Emily Louise, born January 15. Dean ’97 and Jennifer Vogel Buse ’99 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Madelyn Marie, born December 30. They also have Alison, Jarad and Katelyn. Natalie and Jason Christoffersen ’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Julian Daniel, born October 29. Ryan ’03 and Rachel Conner of Friend are parents of a son, Ryder Jeremiah, born March 19. They also have a son, Riley. Greg ’05 and Denise Kring Davis ’05 of Shelton are parents of a daughter, Aubrey DeAnn, born December 29. Denise is a social worker for St. John’s Nursing Home in Kearney. Tony ’97 and Lindsey Gregg Deitering ’97 of Sidney are parents of twin daughters, Lillian Jane and Lucille Anne, born June 4, 2009.Tony is an attorney for Cabela’s. Dr. Brian ’04 and Erin Riedel Dunagan ’07 of Grand Island are parents of a daughter, Avery Grace, born February 5. Travis and Nikki Beachler Edeal ’98, MAE’04 of Lexington are parents of a son, Drexton Cole, born September 20.

Nikki teaches at the Lexington Public Schools. Tanner ’03 and Cassandra Engel ’03 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Landry Jaxon, born November 16. Tanner is a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol. Cassandra is a pharmacist with Walgreens. Kyle and Wanda Pfeiffer Fedorchik ’01 of Kearney are parents of a son, Carter Lloyd, born March 31. Dan ’05 and Lauren Cole Ferguson ’03 of Lincoln are parents of a daughter, Kamryn Lyn, born July 2, 2009. They also have a son, Owen. Scott ’06 and Bridget Martin Fitzke ’09 of Kearney are parents of a son, Logan Dean, born January 17. Leonard and Karen Bostic Frederick ’02 of Minden are parents of a son, Kellis Lawrence, born January 24. Jeremy and Jessica Lacey Frink ’99 of Lincoln are parents of a daughter Elliet Lynette, born June 18, 2009. Robert and Glenda Mertens Gant ’00 of Hastings are parents of a daughter, Reagan Kay, born November 6. Kyle ’05 and Jessica Vasa George ’05 of Fort Collins, Colorado, are parents of a son, Landon David, born September 30. Mike ’01 and Wendy Sheffield Hadley ’00 of Holdrege are parents of a daughter, Emerson Elle, born February 1. Deedra and Justin Holl ’00 of Hampstead, North Carolina, are parents of a daughter, Kenadie Milan, born January 4. Ryan ’03 and Patricia Marshall Hellriegel ’05 of Elm Creek are parents of a daughter,Ashlyn Rose, born March 20. Jim ’94 and Tina McCaslin Holm ’00 of Mason City are parents of a daughter, Alison Emma, born October 12. Jay ’09 and Krista Peterson Howland ’00 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Reese Emma, born December 26. Mike and Kelli Hasselbalch Jaixen ’93 of Omaha are parents of a son, Zachery Michael, born April 29, 2009. They also have a daughter, Rachael Claire. Ross D. ’09, MSA ’09 and Brooke A. Malcom ’06 Huxoll of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Brenleigh Brooke, born November 27. Ross is an adjunct professor of history at UNK and Brooke is a physicians assistant for Dr. Sean Denney at Platte Valley Medical Group. Jason and Rubia Duarte Hyatt ’03 of Sugar Land, Texas, are parents of a boy, Jonathan, born May 10, 2009. Rubia has been nominated for the Texas Association of Secondary School Principal of the Year. They also have a daughter Adrianna 3. Adam and Valerie Aspen Jameson ’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Noah Adien, born February 15. Valerie is a Medical Technologist and Clinical Laboratory Scientist with Family Practice Associates. Jonathan ’03 and Janelle Larson Jaworski ’05 of Elkhorn are parents of a daughter, Lillian Elizabeth, born June 12, 2009. They also have a son, Emmett 3. Blake and Renee Rohren Johnson ’96 of Holdrege are parents of twins, Lucas and Gracie, born November 1. They have two other children, Garret and Lauren. Joseph ’01 and Tara Coughlin Johnson ’02 of South Sioux City are parents of a son, Alexander Michael, born March 30, 2009.They also have a son,Will. Seth and Lynn Nordby Killion ’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Karter Allen, born January 26. Mark ’01 and Melissa Evans Klabunde ’08 of Minden are parents of a son, Zachary Joseph, born Janaury 21. Jake ’97 and Janae Slingsby Knoell ’95 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Peyton Jae, born February 8. Jeffrey ’05 and Sandra Znamenacek Koll ’06 of Wilber are parents of a daughter, Matilda Jane, born December 2.

Scott ’92 and Sue Reineke Kutschkau ’01 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Alayna Grace, born February 11. Sue is a director of development in the NU Foundation’s Omaha office. S. John III and Gerri Johnson Lawson ’98 of Shawnee, Kansas, are parents of twins, Max Robert and Madeline Ray, born September 4. They also have a daughter, Natalie. Darby ’91 and Annette Line of Miller are parents of a son, Braxton Douglas born March 13. They also have boys Travis, Dillon, Jason and Creyton. Chris ’96 and Julie Leahy Lingbloom ’00 of Gretna are parents of a son, Colin Edward, born February 3. Amy and Scott Lowery ’03 of Kearney are parents of a son, Colton Robert, born February 23.

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Two win book awards ristine Tynan Gerber ’88 and UNK journalism professor Keith Terry won Nebraska Book Awards awarded to the best works by Nebraska authors, publishers and/or books about Nebraska for 2009. The Nebraska Book Festival is sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Humanities Council, Nebraska Library Commission and the Nebraska State Historical Society. Gerber’s award was a design award for BVH Architects: Forty Years; Terry’s award was a nonfiction award for Nebraska’s Cowboy Trail.

Anthony ’03 and Kelly Kenyon Maeser ’03 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Grace Ann, born December 28. They also have a son, Jackson 3. Jimmy ’93 and Sarah Mahlin Feckner ’94 of Citrus Heights, California, are parents of a daughter, Kailey Lorraine, born September 11. They also have a son, Christopher 2. Ben ’03 and Mindy Warner Matheny ’03 of Elkhorn are parents of a daughter, Aubrey Valli, born January 11. Thomas and Kelley Sparks Maxwell ’96 of Castle Rock, Colorado, are parents of a son, Luke Thomas, born April 2, 2009. They also have a daughter, Sidney. John and Jodi Boughtin Meyer ’95 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Kaylin Grace, born June 14, 2009. They also have a daughter, Alaina 3. Hannah and Rick Mollard ’08 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kinley Emma, born March 26. Richard and Kari Sorensen Mulroney ’97, MBA’00 of Kearney are parents of a son, Maxwell Evan, born August 18. Bradley ’03 and Paula Sieczkowski Musil ’03 of Shawnee, Kansas, are parents of a son, Jack Bradley, born December 19. Tony ’04 and Suzanne Young Neels ’04 of Sidney are parents of a son, Bryson Donald, born July 2, 2009. They also have a son, Caden 3. Thomas and Traci Knudsen Neuberger ’01 of Snoqualmie,Washington, are parents of a daughter, Morgan Claire, born February 12, 2009.They also have a son, Jackson. Diana and Clay Nolte ’94 of Omaha are parents of a son, Cole Jennings, born August 8. David ’03 and Adrienne Oliphant of Sammamish, Washington are parents of a daughter, Makena Lorene, born March 25, 2010. They also have a son, Estes. Scott and Jennipher Olson ’02 of Kearney are parents of a son, Ryley Stephen, born October 20. Amy and Brad Parker ’96 of Kenesaw are parents of a son, Kylan Joseph, born February 6. Tim and Angela Wiens Petersen ’02 of Omaha are parents of a son, Drake Wesley, born January 19.

Andrea and Jared Pierce ’03 of Miller are parents of a son, Everett Dana, born December 9. Trevor ’02 and Heather Fries Pierce ’03 of Berthoud, Colorado, are parents of a son, Hazen Layne, born October 19. Trevor is a designer for Wall Street on Demand in Boulder. Nathan ’99 and Jana Farnsworth Piper MSE’00 of Kearney are parents of a son, Brendan Michael, born January 18. They also have a son, Ian, 3. Brad and Sonya Wagoner Rasmussen ’05 of Hazard are parents of a son, Bryce Wendell, born September 12. Sonya is a special education/early childhood teacher with Ravenna Public Schools. Chris and Sara Koperski Rector ’02 of Gibbon are parents of a son, Sterling Paul, born March 27. Laura and Bryce Rose ’96 of Ravenna are parents of a son, Bryce Thomas, born January 30. David ’07 and Dawn Petty Salyer ’07 of St. Louis, Missouri, are parents of a son, Haven Ezekiel, born July 15, 2009. Grady ’07 and Marian Carr Schake ’05 of Omaha are parents of a son, Chase Roger, born December 25. Sonja and Jonathan Schilling ’06 of Holdrege are parents of a daughter, Mina Ciriaca, born October 14. Erin and Austin Schindler ’04 of Central City are parents of a daughter, Journi Ashley, born November 12. Tim and Shanna Bardsley Schulte ’00 of Pleasanton are parents of a son, Roman Joseph, born February 10. Shanna is an Admissions Representative for Joseph’s College of Beauty. Stacy and Ben Seim ’97 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Danielle Judith, born December 30, 2008. Ben is an adjuster for Shelter Insurance. Rob and Beth Proskocil Sheets ’00 of North Platte are parents of a daughter, Becca Marie, born October 23. They also

have a son, Brody 4. Megan and Jacob Smith ’05 of Omaha are parents of a son, Caleb David, born October 8. Timothy and Casey Lewis Smith ’01 of Kearney are parents of a son, Sawyer Rock. They also have a son, Haydan. Michael and Jennie Smith Schuster ’06 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Faith Bella Skye, born September 1. They also have a daughter, Grace, and a son, Henry. Adam and Kelly Ondrak Sortino ’98 of Omaha are parents of a daughter, Stella Rae, born April 2. Jerod ’02 and Michelle Troyer Spahr ’02 of DeWitt are parents of a son, Cade Michael, born April 14. They also have a son, Cole, 3. Cassie and Nate ’97 Stephens of Kearney are the parents of a son, Hunter John Wayne born February 27. They also have a son, Maximus. Bill ’99 and Jena Lautenschlager Stroud ’06 of Kearney are parents of a son, Landon Kyle, born November 7. Stacy MSE’02 and Brian Sybrandts ’99 of Grand Island are parents of a daughter, Katelyn Elizabeth, born March 2. Tobian ’08 and Heather Petersen Tool ’00, MAE’08 of Elm Creek are parents of a daughter, Emerson Bea, born January 15. Joshua and Johanna Vance ’07 of Port Royal, South Carolina, are parents of a son,Atticus Jonathon, born June 4. Johanna is a first grade teacher in Beaufort County School District. Joshua is a petty officer in the U.S. Navy. Doug ’04 and Donnette Ohlman Van Pelt MSE’09 of Central City are parents of a daughter, Karsyn Renee, born May 30, 2009. Doug is a social studies teacher and head girls basketball coach. Donnette is a reading specialist and response intervention coordinator. They have six other sons, Josh Van Pelt 30, Jake Van Pelt 24,

World-wide wedding

The wedding of Sylvia Mihalik ’06 and Brett Chloupek ‘05 in Roznava, Slovakia, in January provided college friends Fred Spiess, Janka Hudakova Speiss, Jeff Kenney, Katie Kugler, Aaron Veleba, Rhonda Mogee Veleba, Brette Covington and Jeff Ensz a wonderful opportunity to share in the special ceremony.The group traveled half way around the world to attend the traditional Slovak wedding. It started at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 2 and did not end until Sunday, January 3. As part of the ceremony, Brett and the unmarried men had to chop down a tree. Sylvia and the unmarried women had to decorate. Sylvia and Brett had three different outfits during the wedding. Brett is a past student body president, student regent and Chancellor’s Ambassador. Sylvia was a resident assistant, Chancellor’s Ambassador and worked at the Welcome Desk.

CLASS NOTES Logan Carlson 15, Micah Carlson 13, Noah Carlson 10 and Kaden Van Pelt 2. Simon and Mandi Puttergill Wagoner ’99 of Shelton are parents of a daughter, Kenna Jo, born October 24. They also have Gracie 5 and Taylon 3. Dana and Shelley Schroeder Waldron ’93 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Blake David, born January 29. Bryan and Kila Haller Strasburger ’99 of Lombard, Illinois, are parents of a daughter, Alexis Grace, born November 5. Matthew ’01 and Heather Juel Walters ’02 of Whitmore Lake, Michigan, are parents of a daughter, Audrey Grace, born January 28. Heather is Project Manager for the University of Michigan Medical Center. Mandy and Russ Wemhoff ’00 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Kinley Jo, born October 28. Jeff and Erica Hough Westbrook ’96 of Benton Harbor, Michigan, are parents of a son, Luke Asher, born August 26. Erica is assistant director of education at the Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, Michigan. Eric ’06 and Danell Pickett Will ’08 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Ruby Lee, born February 28. Danell works at the Good Samaritan Society in Gibbon as the activity and social services director. Eric works at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney as the supervisor of environmental services. Jake ’06 and Nicolle Williams, ’04, MAE’09 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Makena Rae, born September 9. Laron K. ’03 and Amanda Kamler Williams ’03 of Lubbock, Texas are parents of a son, Andrew Ryan, born July 2. Laron is an assistant professor of Texas Tech University. Justin ’08 and Heather Korte Wolf ’08 of Kearney are parents of a son, Alex J, born January 23. Ken and Tamara Paben Wolinski ’95 of Aurora are parents of a son, Brayden Gregory, born October 20.They also have a daughter,Alexandra 6 and a son Tyson 5. Tamara is the kindergarten teacher and the Continuous Improvement Director at Hampton Public School. Travys ’06 and Briana Hernandez Woodside ’04 of Kearney are parents of a son, Brigham Anthony, born March 1. Eric and Rebecca Davis Zimbelman ’02 of Kearney are parents of a son, Kaden John, born January 18. Rebecca is a Certified Kitchen Designer with Showcase 1 Dutton Lainson Company. Steve ’03 and Anne Boerner Zimmerman ’06 of Kearney are parents of a daughter, Isabella Rose, born April 1. Mark and Angie Link Zmarzly ’99 of Lincoln are parents of a son, Jude Willem, born October 5. They also have a daughter, Margot 2.

Deaths M. Joan Bailey of Kearney died January 15. She was a faculty member and coach at UNK from 1963 until her retirement in 1997. She was the first women’s swimming coach when that was the only sport for women. For her work in swimming and diving she was NAIA Swim Coach of the Year in 1989. She was also the first softball coach. Bailey was inducted into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. She was 81. Lynda Otto Biehl MSE’02 of Lexington died February 4. She was 60.

Spring 2010 l UNK Today l

CLASS NOTES wo alumni received the Nebraska Optometric Association’s (NOA) top awards. Dr. Jerry Vaughan ’73 OD of Kearney was named the Optometrist of the Year. Dr. Corey Langford ’97 OD of Omaha was honored with Young Optometrist of the Year Award for 2009.

Dr. Vaughan’s award is given annually to a NOA member who, during the past year, has contributed time and talent in the most outstanding manner for the betterment of the visual health and welfare of the public, and to the profession. He was honored for his extraordinary service on the State’s Technical Review Ora Brawner ’53 of Riverside, California, died April 16. He was 78. Ron Brooks ’77 of Lincoln died November 8. He was 71. Jerry Byrnes ’67 of York died April 11. He was 65. Patty Cacak ’76 of Bainbridge Island, Washington, died January 5. She was 55. Dr. Kathy Carpenter ’75, MSE’77 of Kearney died November 7. In 1975, she joined the UNK faculty as director of the Learning Center and tutor program coordinator. She retired in 2001. She was 67. Dr. Donn Carlson of Kearney died February 25. He was a science professor at UNK from 1967 until his retirement in 2006. He was the recipient of UNK PrattHeins Award for outstanding teacher of the year during his career. He was 68. Dr. Donald Dahlin of Lincoln died April 11. He was a UNK professor of education administration and supervisor to student teachers from 1997 until retiring in 1992. He continued to supervise student teachers for several years after retiring. He was 88. Paula Deisley MAE’05 of Arapahoe died December 31. She was 37. Roger ‘Butch’ Dillon of Omaha died October 20. He was 65. Wayne Evers ’63 of Hildreth died January 6. He taught high school and at the UNK Safety Center before retiring in 2006. He was 68. Heather Harman Gideon ’97 of Wood River after battling cancer died February 27. She was 35. Aaron Grow ’92, MSE’00 of Hill City, South Dakota, died January 23. He was 42. Gerald Hensley ’58, MSE’62 of Wood River died October 9. He spend 33 years as an educator at Wood River Public Schools. He was 79. Josephine Hill MSE’74 of Blue Hill died Janaury 24. She was 96. Doris B. Hoyle of Martinez, California, died November 29. She was 83. James R. Hunt ’58 of Merna died December 26. He was 77. Keith Jorgensen ’50, MAE’58 of Mission Viejo, California, died April 22. He was a retired mathematics professor at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. He also was on the staff at UNK as a chemistry profes-

28 l UNK Today l Spring 2010

Optometrists receive state awards Committee for NOA’s scope of practice enhancement. He has given extensively to the association Dr. Jerry Vaughan during the last 30 years, and previously won the award in 1991. He was also awarded the NOA Distinguished Service Award in 1999. Dr. Vaughan received his Optometric training from Illinois College of Optometry in 1977. He was president of the NOA in 1989. The Young Optometrist of the

Year award is presented to a Nebraska optometrist who has been licensed for ten years or less and has contributed his time and talent in the most outstanding manner for the betterment of the visual health and welfare of the public and to the profession of optometry. During the three years Dr. Langford has served on the NOA board of directors, he has been instrumental in membership recruiting, reten-

tion and development. He serves as the NOA ‘Master Mentor’ in the new member mentor program, not only acting as a mentor to several newer licenses, but also filling in as needed to host a new member or student at an event, and helping to coordinate the entire mentoring program. He started the NOA Facebook group as one of his many board duties. Dr. Langford graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2001. He has served as secretary/treasurer for the NOA board for the past two years. He is a participant in InfantSEE, See To Learn and a Hope Medical Outreach provider. He also regularly donates to Optometry Giving Sight and volunteers for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes screenings.

sor, director of allied health programs and director of records and statistics. He was a former Alumni Association board member and president of the Southern California Alumni Association. He was 82. Jay Kenney ’88 of Manhattan, Kansas, died November 23 as a result of injuries in an automobile accident. He was 46. Karen Gronewold Kinnaman ’73 of Bloomington, Illinois, died April 13. She was 66. Karen Seevers Kirkpatrick ’89 of Broken Bow died November 18. She was 44. Ronald F. Kokes ’68 of Bend, Oregon died May 31, 2008. He was 73. Francis Kolar ’47 of Wolbach died January 9. He was 85. Betty Krubeck ’41 of Kearney, widow of professor emeritus Dr. Floyd Krubeck, died March 14. She is a former Alumni Association board member. She was 87. Lawrence ‘Lou’ Lacher ’65 of St. George, Utah, died October 22. He was 66. Patrick LaGreca ’84 of New York City died January 24. He was 47. Audrey Lockenour ’51 of Lincoln died February 20. She was 83. John G. ‘Shot’ Lowe III of Kearney died March 17, 2009. He attended UNK from 1949 to 1951 and was a long-time Kearney businessman. He was instrumental in starting Loper Supporters and in helping his fraternity, Caledonia, become Sigma Phi Epsilon. He also served on the State College Board of Trustees. He was 77. Edwin Marsh ’48 of Ravenna died December 18. He was 97. William Kent Mattson ‘66 and Jane Landmesser Mattson ’68 of Kearney and Kenai, Alaska, died as a result of injuries in an automobile accident November 8.They were professional educators who had retired from teaching after 20 years in Kenai. Kent was 66. Jane was 63. Memorials are suggested to the Landmesser-Murphy Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund or the Mattson Family Scholarship Fund at the NU Foundation. John Markussen ’65 of Wood River died January 13. He retired from Markussen Bookkeeping in 2005. He was 66. Harry Mills ’50 of Wakefield died November 19. He was 86. Neva Nielsen ’70 of Manhattan, Kansas, died February 28. She began her teaching career in 1936 after attending Nebraska

State Teachers College in Kearney and finished her career from 1970 to 1982 as an elementary teacher in Superior. Memorials are suggested to the Neva Nielsen Elementary Education Fund at the NU Foundation. She was 93. Lester Piper MAE’74 of Burwell died March 20. He was 74. Rodney Plum ’69 of Omaha died October 23. He was a long-time accountant and served as coordinator of a number of UNK alumni events in eastern Nebraska. He was 68. Joy Weinman Potter ’63 of Kearney died October 9. She was 88. Elvera ‘Jim’ Rohrs of Kearney, wife of professor emeritus John Rohrs, died February 27. She was 82. Vera Collison Smith ’55 of Athens, Ohio, died May 29, 2009. She had retired

from Athens City Schools after more than 30 years as choral director. She was 74. Milton Steinkruger of Colorado Springs died December 10. He worked in the funeral business from 1963 until retiring in 2003. He was 70. Dr. Gary Thomas ’55 of Sun City West, Arizona, died March 13, 2009. He was UNK faculty member for 37 years and chairman of the Music Department for 34 years before retiring in 1993. In 1997, the Music Department established the Dr. Gary Thomas Distinguished Alumni Award in Music which is awarded at Homecoming. Dr. Thomas was the first recipient. He was 77. Robert VanAmburg EDS’02 of Litchfield died Febuary 15. He was 59. Margaret Woodruff ’75 of Grand Island died October 28. She was 87.

Dr. Corey Langford

Touring Talent

ON TOUR: The UNK Choraleers, under the direction of Dr. David Bauer, toured and performed in the South American countries of Argentina and Uruguay in 2009.

PAID

PERMIT NO. 14 KEARNEY, NE 68847

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

Monday, September 27 4:00 p.m. Window Display Judging, Across Campus 7:30 p.m. Concert on the Platte, Fine Arts Recital Hall Tuesday, September 28 4:00 p.m. Battle of the Brains and Spirit Competition, Health & Sports Center Wednesday, September 29 7:00 p.m. NCAA Volleyball – Lopers vs. Hastings College, Health & Sports Center Thursday, September 30 7:00 p.m. Lip Sync Competition and Royalty Crowning, Health & Sports Center Friday, October 1 All Day National Association of Teachers Singing – State Competition, Fine Arts Building & Nebraskan Student Union All Day NCAA Tennis ~ Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Tournament, Harmon Park Courts 12:00 p.m. Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Teacher Award Luncheon, Nebraskan Student Union Limited space available by calling 308.865.8618 3:00 p.m. College of Education Reception for 2010 Award Honorees, Atrium, College of Education Building 4:00 p.m. Trike Race, Bell Tower Plaza 6:00 p.m. Alumni Awards Social Hour & Banquet Recognition of Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees, Ponderosa Room, Nebraskan Student Union $25 ~ Tickets can be purchased from the UNK Alumni Association by calling 308.865.8474. Ticket includes wine & cheese social and served dinner 7:00 p.m. Planetarium Show, Bruner Hall of Science

University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni Association Kearney, NE 68849-6120

UNK TODAY

Saturday, October 2 All Day NCAA Tennis ITA Tournament, Harmon Park Courts 10:00 a.m. Homecoming Parade, Central Avenue, 28th Street west to campus 11:30 a.m. Loper Luncheon – Beer & Brats ($5 per person), Alumni House, 2222 9th Avenue 1:00 p.m. Loper Football vs. Adams State, Cope Stadium at Foster Field Tickets available for pre-purchase at www.pickmytickets.com or 308.865.1563 4 - 8:00 p.m. Alumni Party in the Parking Lot, Downtown Kearney, Parking lot north at 25th Street & Central Avenue north of MONA Sunday, October 3 All Day NCAA Tennis ITA Tournament, Harmon Park Courts 1:00 p.m. NCAA Women’s Soccer ~ Lopers vs. Metro State College, Cope Stadium at Foster Field 3:00 p.m. UNK Choirs Concert (Choraleers, Collegium and Men's & Women's Choruses), Fine Arts Recital Hall Other activities and programs through the week include…. Special academic presentations across the campus, which are open to the public Museum of Nebraska Art Displays “The Saturday Evening Post: Holiday Images” and “McKenney and Hall’s History of the Indian Tribes of North America” …and other events in the works!! 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