Good NUz Magazine Spring 2012

News about events, ser vices and people of interest to the University of Nebraska – Lincoln alumni and friends Spring 2012

oodNU

Nebraska LEGENDS Recruiting Young Talent to UNL

“…I propose that the University of Nebraska–Lincoln make it a high priority to increase its enrollment by an average of 3 percent over the next six years.”

– Chancellor Harvey Perlman

(from his Sept.1, 2011, State of the University address)

The bar has been raised and the goal set. Achieve student enrollment of 30,000 by 2017. In response, the Nebraska Alumni Association, the University of Nebraska Foundation and the UNL Office of Admissions have partnered on the Nebraska Legends Scholarship Campaign – so more of our best and brightest high school students can choose Nebraska. Read more about our collaborative effort on page 3.

Nebraska Alumni Association | University of Nebraska Foundation

Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Recruiting Young Talent to UNL Continued from page 1

It’s More Than a Scholarship In addition to the scholarship

UNL alumni John, ’89, ’93, and Kris Dillon Bergmeyer, ’90,

money, each Nebraska Legends Schol-

have agreed to chair the Nebraska Legends Scholarship Campaign

arship recipient will receive the following

because as John says: “We had such a great experience here.

benefits:

“We want to make sure other people have that same opportunity. It’s just been such a special part of our lives, and we want to help

• One year of free membership in the

make it a part of other folks’ lives, too,” he added.

Nebraska Alumni Association’s

student organization, Scarlet Guard.

Somewhere out there – in a small rural Nebraska classroom, a magnet school in north Omaha, or half a world away in Singapore or

• Two meetings a month with program

Malaysia – a potential UNL student is considering college options.

coordinator Chelsea Heidbrink who

One of the most influential factors in that decision is financial aid.

will help scholarship recipients plan

their class schedules and set

academic and personal goals.

The Nebraska Legends Scholarship Campaign offers additional incentive in the form of scholarship money that is provided by

• Invitations to monthly events

friends of our university. The simple act of extending this additional scholarship can be the difference between a student attending the University of Nebraska or going elsewhere.

UNL, like most public universities, is facing a decline in state re-

John and Kris Bergmeyer

Here are five potential gift options, although donors are not

sources, including support for student recruitment and scholarships.

limited to these.

We are also seeing a decreasing number of high school seniors in

One Scholarship

Nebraska. That’s why the Nebraska Legends Scholarship Campaign is crucial.

Eighty percent of the funds raised go toward student scholarships and 20 percent toward student recruitment. And that sets it apart from other scholarship programs – a portion of your gift will be

designed to help students develop

academic, social and life skills, and

get connected to UNL right away.

In a survey of this year’s Nebraska

Legends freshmen, 97 percent “strongly

A gift of $1,250 creates a $1,000 scholarship and $250 for

agree” or “agree” they are glad they are

admissions recruitment with a $1,000 scholarship match from UNL

in the scholarship program; 88 percent

to the student recipient.

Five Scholarships A gift of $6,250 creates five $1,000 scholarships and $1,250 for

used for recruiting, so we can proactively seek the best and brightest

admissions recruitment with a $1,000 scholarship match from UNL

students. Athletics has been doing this successfully for years; it’s time

to the student recipients.

to use that recruiting tactic on the academic side.

Ten Scholarships

In addition, each $1,000 Nebraska Legends Scholarship will be

“strongly like” or “like” their meetings with Chelsea, and 70 percent “strongly like” or “like” their membership in Scarlet Guard.

A gift of $12,500 creates ten $1,000 scholarships and $2,500 for

matched with an additional $1,000 scholarship from UNL to the

admissions recruitment with a $1,000 scholarship match from UNL

student.

to the student recipients.

Named Endowed Fund

“By giving to this fund, you can make a real difference in

A minimum gift of $31,250 creates an endowed scholarship

whether or not a student chooses UNL. A gift of $1,000 can have

fund of $25,000 ($1,000 scholarship annually, in perpetuity) and

a significant impact on our ability to recruit top students.”

$6,250 for admissions recruitment with a match from UNL for each

– Scholarship Campaign Co-Chairs, John and Kris Bergmeyer

$1,000 scholarship.

Named Expendable Fund

We welcome gifts of all amounts, but those of $1,250 or more

A minimum five-year pledge of $1,250 annually creates a

present special opportunities for the donor, including recognition

$1,000 scholarship (annually) and $250 for admissions recruitment

with a bronze plate on the Nebraska Alumni Association’s Life En-

(annually) with a match from UNL for each $1,000 scholarship.

dowment Wall in the Holling Garden.

Gifts are tax deductible.

To learn more, discuss other gift options, or make a gift, contact: Ben Zitek, 402-458-1241, bzitek@nufoundation.org Scholarship Campaign Committee John (’89 ’93) and Kris (’90) Bergmeyer, Lincoln, Co-chairs Lisa Boohar (’93 ’98), San Francisco Tom Burnell (’84 ’85), Lincoln Jerry Hoffman (’89), Englewood, Colo.

Angie Klein (’01), Morristown, N.J. Jim (’90 ’93) and Rochelle (’90 ’93) Mullen, Omaha Rod Penner (’87), Chicago Mike Zeleny (’94 ’96), Lincoln

Chelsea Heidbrink “It has been really helpful to have another resource to put things in perspective and give help if I need it. I also liked being able to create a new network of friends and that was available through the program.”

– Nebraska Legend Sarah Reimers “Just being with so many like-minded people has encouraged me to do better in everything I do.”

– Nebraska Legend Ben Adams “It was so helpful to be able to talk to Chelsea and know that my worries and frustrations with class were legitimate. She helped calm me down and focus. I might not even be going here next semester if it weren’t for her.”

– Nebraska Legend Katie Ziegler

SCHOLARSHIPS | Spring 2012 | 3

Nebraska Alumni Association

Mechanical and Materials Engineering • Meet new Dean Timothy Wei

Big Red Weekend Reunions and Special Events

Vol. 9, No. 1 Nebraska Alumni Association University of Nebraska Foundation

Published twice a year, in August and February, for University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni and friends.

Nebraska Alumni Association Wick Alumni Center 1520 R Street • Lincoln, NE 68508-1651 Phone: (402) 472-2841 • Toll-free: (888) 353-1874 FAX: (402) 472-4635 E-mail: alumni@huskeralum.org Website: www.huskeralum.org University of Nebraska Foundation 1010 Lincoln Mall, Suite 300 • Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 458-1100 • Toll-free: (800) 432-3216 FAX: (402) 458-1298 • E-mail: info@nufoundation.org Website: www.nufoundation.org Editor: Andrea Wood Cranford Foundation Editor: Colleen Fleischer Design: Kevin Wright

Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Mechanics.

• Learn how the new department is better equipped to compete in the Big Ten If you are interested in planning reunion activities or arranging gatherings for groups of any size, the alumni association can help.

Many activities are already in the works on which you can piggy-

Nebraska Alumni Association Contacts Diane Mendenhall, Executive Director, (402) 472-4218 Claire Abelbeck, Digital Communications, (402) 472-4209 Andrea Cranford, Publications, (402) 472-4229 Jenny Green, Student Programs, (402) 472-4220 Andy Greer, Alumni Relations, (402) 472-8915 Sarah Haskell, Alumni Relations, (402) 472-6541 Brooke Heck, Alumni Relations, (402) 472-4228 Carrie Myers, Venues, (402) 472-6435 Shannon Sherman, Communications, (402) 472-4219 Andy Washburn, Operations, (402) 472-4239 Kevin Wright, Design, (402) 472-4227 Shelley Zaborowski, Assoc. Executive Director, (402) 472-4222 University of Nebraska Foundation Development Officers Director of Development: Matt McNair, (402) 458-1230 Major and Principal Gifts: Greg Jensen, (402) 458-1181 or Bethany Throener, (402) 458-1187 College of Architecture: Connie Pejsar, (402) 458-1190 College of Arts and Sciences: Amber Antholz, (402) 458-1182, Sunny Bellows, (402) 458-1185, or Josh Egley, (402) 458-1202 College of Business Administration: Matt Boyd, (402) 458- 1189, Sandi Hansen, (402) 458-1238, or Laine Norton, (402) 458-1201 IANR: Ann Bruntz, (402) 458-1176 College of Education and Human Sciences: Jane Heany, (402) 458-1177 College of Engineering: Karen Moellering, (402) 458-1179 or Nick Shada, (402) 458-1203 Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts: Lucy Buntain Comine, (402) 458-1184 College of Journalism and Mass Communication: Joanna Nordhues, (402) 458-1178 College of Law: Angela Hohensee, (402) 458-1192 or Ben Zitek, (402) 458-1241 Libraries: Josh Egley, (402) 458-1202 Panhandle Research and Extension: Barb Schlothauer, (308) 632-1207 Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations: Eric Buchanan, (402) 458-1161 Corporations: Kaye Jesske, (402) 458-1170 Foundations: Liz Lange, (402) 458-1229

• See common research and teaching themes of recently merged

back and then add a little something special for your group. For more information, contact Shelley Zaborowski at szaborowski@ huskeralum.org, (888) 353-1874 or (402) 472-4222.

To view a schedule for the Big Red Weekend, visit www.huskeralum.org/events/alumniweekend.

Four Admirals Honored at ROTC Reunion ROTC alumni returned to campus for a reunion in NovemMake plans to attend the 2012 Big Red Weekend April 13-14.

ber. A general membership business meeting for the affiliate group

This fourth annual “spring homecoming” will feature a variety of

was followed by a Football Friday celebration and a dinner at the

activities including guided tours, events and athletic contests in-

Nebraska Champions Club featuring Congressman Doug Bereuter.

cluding the spring football game. Some groups planning reunions and special celebrations to coincide with the festivities include:

The UNL ROTC program is the only one in the country with five active-duty admirals. Four of these five outstanding alumni were honored during the reunion. Unable to attend was Rear

Alumni of Color

Adm. Michael T. Franken, ’81, who assumed command of Com-

• Fourth annual pre-game tailgate party

bined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HoA) in May 2011

• Golf outing

at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Africa.

• Formal dinner and dance • Become involved in the Alumni of Color affiliate group and support the efforts of current students.

Innocents Society • Celebration of the history of the Innocents Society • Kickoff of the new Innocents Affiliate Group (page 5) • Campus tour with the current 13 • Networking reception

Four of Nebraska’s five rear admirals were in attendance at the ROTC reunion, including (left to right): RDML David H. Lewis, RDML Sean R. Filipowski, RADM Douglas J. McAneny and RADM Robin M. Watters.

• University update from Chancellor Perlman, The other honorees were: Libraries Former Student Employees • Reception at C.Y. Thompson Library on April 13 • Networking and visiting with friends and former co-workers • Opportunity to see how the library facilities have changed

Rear Adm. Sean R. Filipowski, ’82, currently serving as the Deputy Director of Operations at U.S. Cyber Command.

Rear Adm. David H. Lewis, ’79, program executive officer for ships, where he is responsible for Navy shipbuilding for surface combatants, amphibious ships, logistics support ships, support

Love Memorial Hall Alumnae Association • 70th anniversary of the opening of Love Memorial Hall • Reminiscing and catching up with one another

craft and related foreign military sales.

Rear Adm. Douglas J. McAneny, ’78, who reported as the Commandant, National War College in January 2011.

Rear Adm. Robin M. Watters, ’77, who has been chief of staff, U.S. Pacific Command since June 30, 2010.

4 | GoodNUz | ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Innocents and DN Alumni Affiliating The Nebraska Alumni Association is proud to announce the creation of our newest affiliate groups – the Innocents Society and the Daily Nebraskan.

The NAA is working with Innocents alum Ben Zitek and members of the 107th Class of the Innocents Society to connect and empower the more than 700 living Innocents scattered across the country. The Victory Bell (from the Nebraska - Missouri exchange) has a permanent home on campus at the Wick Alumni Center, alongside the new Corn Bowl, the trophy we will now exchange with the University of Iowa’s President’s Leadership Society.

A Daily Nebraskan alumni affiliate group is also in the

and brightest students to attend UNL and scholarship recipients will receive a $1,000 match from the Office of the Chancellor (see article on page 3).

The ROTC and Military Affiliate Student Scholarship will go to upperclassmen in the ROTC program at UNL. The scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis each spring to one student from each of the branches in the program.

Donate to these funds by visiting http://community. huskeralum.org/scholarship. Follow the link and type in the name of the fund to which you wish to donate. The NU Foundation will provide receipts for gifts for income tax deduction purposes.

The NAA has more than $800,000 in chapter, affiliate group and program scholarship funds at the NU

Diane Mendenhall presents life membership certificates to the three Huskers currently playing for the Detroit Lions: left to right – Ndamukong Suh, Dominic Raiola and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Foundation.

works after a very good response from DN alumni to an online survey. Their feedback will help determine the best

NU’s Detroit Lions Become NAA Life Members

opportunities for this group to serve alumni. If you have questions or more feedback on this group, contact Brooke Heck, NAA senior director for alumni relations at bheck@ huskeralum.org.

Alumni Chapters and Groups Fund New Scholarships New scholarship funds have been established by the Siouxland Huskers and the UNL ROTC and Military Af-

With 330 Husker alumni and friends in attendance at the Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit, the NAA co-hosted “A salute to alum Ndamukong Suh” the evening before

Jack Goebel (left) and oral history subject Herb Howe.

the Husker’s football game with Michigan to thank Suh

Emeriti Oral History Interviews Continue

filiate.

The Siouxland Huskers raised $6,000 at their golf

chancellor’s staff, shared his views of university history dur-

arship. The fund will help the university recruit the best

ing a recent personal interview conducted by colleague Jack

effort of the Emeriti Association, the Nebraska Alumni Association and the University Libraries. The Howe interview will soon be available through the UNL Libraries archive.

To access other oral history interviews including Jack Goebel, Irv Omtvedt, Dale Gibbs, Delivee Wright, Howard Ottoson, Hazel Anthony, James Kendrick, Lowell Moser, Paul Olson and Rosalind Morris, click on http:// contentdm.unl.edu/cdm4/browse.php?CISOROOT=/

Guests heard from Diane Mendenhall, Chancellor Harvey Perlman, Athletic Director Tom Osborne, Ngum Suh (sister of Ndamukong and director of operations for kong Suh. Other VIPs in attendance included NU Pres-

tournament last July to establish a Husker Legends Schol-

This special oral history event was a collaborative

department.

the Ndamukong Suh Family Foundation) and Ndamu-

Herb Howe, faculty emeritus and former chief of the

Goebel before an appreciative audience.

for his generous contibutions to the university and athletic

ident J.B. Milliken, Gates Foundation President Jeff Raikes and former Huskers Tommie Frazier, Jay Foreman, Cory Schlesinger, Matt Davison, Dominic Raiola and Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Mendenhall presented the four former Huskers affiliated with the Detroit Lions – Suh, Schlesinger, Raiola and Vanden Bosch – with honorary life memberships in the NAA. The Ndamukong Suh Family Foundation and alumnus Matt Hickey, ’00, co-hosted the event, raising money for the foundation with silent and live auctions.

unlemeriti.

(Continued on page 6)

huskeralum.org

J

ASSOCIATION UPDATE | Spring 2012 | 5

So Long Bob, Hello Andy

•

More than 90 percent had a “good” (47.5 percent) or “excel-

lent” (44.2 percent) opinion of UNL.

•

62.9 percent do not have a job lined up.

•

Asked to identify their greatest concerns as alumni, 67.2

percent of the students said “career development,” followed

by “finding a job” (66 percent), “repaying student loans” (52.5

answer a call to the ministry full time.

percent), “buying or renting a home” (46.1 percent) and

Bob and his wife, Pam, have relocated

“graduate school” (40.7 percent).

to Little Rock, Ark., where they are part

•

A majority (66.9 percent) selected “career development”

opportunities when asked what they would most value from

the alumni association, followed by “point-of-contact when

returning to campus” (34.2 percent).

•

45 percent are interested in being involved in an alumni

association chapter.

•

When asked how they “most prefer” to receive information,

32.9 percent selected web, followed by online newsletter (32.8

percent), Facebook/Linked In (20.8 percent) and print

publications (12.2 percent).

After more than a decade of handling Nebraska Champions Club member services, Bob Stelter has left the Nebraska Alumni Association to

of FamilyLife, a nationwide ministry dedicated to strengthening marriages and families. In recent years, Stelter also

The Nebraska Alumni Association hosted an event for NAA life members and invited guests from the NU Foundation and the NU Athletic Department that drew 60 attendees to the Nittany Lion Inn on Nov. 11, the evening before the Huskers football game with Penn State.

has worked with the association’s football

BTN Benefits NAA and UNL

ticket allocation process and with alumni chapters and groups in the areas of formation, scholarships and banking.

Here’s another opportunity to follow the Huskers online and support the Nebraska Alumni Association. Sign up for the Big Ten Digital Network and 20 percent of your purchase will go to the Nebraska Alumni Association scholarship fund. This winter, many

The alumni association will continue to evaluate these results when planning future programming for the 175 new members, as well as existing members.

Nebraska events will be streamed live at BTN.com, including men’s

A Capital Time

and women’s basketball and wrestling. In the spring, Husker baseball, softball and other Olympic sports will be featured.

BTN.com also offers exclusive behind-the-scenes video, game highlights, press conferences and more. For a complete listing of Bob Stelter (left) passes his “infamous” Nebraska Champions Club hat to Andy Greer.

Andy Greer, assistant director of alumni relations, has assumed additional responsibilities for membership services

live events, please visit http://video.btn.com/allaccess and click on the LIVE EVENTS tab. To purchase, click on SUBSCRIBE. Make sure to include the Nebraska Alumni Association code (NEBRALUM222) in the coupon text box.

In addition, the new Big Ten Network original television

and sales as well as taking on Stelter’s

series, “Impact the World,” is up and running on a weekly basis

chapter duties. A 2011 University of

throughout the winter.

Nebraska at Kearney graduate in sports

“’Impact the World’ gives regular BTN viewers a window into

administration and broadcasting and

the ground-breaking work being done on Big Ten campuses that

current UNL grad student in educational

is improving and impacting lives, both in the United States and

administration, Greer joined the staff in

around the world,” says BTN president Mark Silverman.

May 2011 as a graduate assistant for alumni relations, working primarily with chapters and membership and coordinating the Hail Varsity Society and Big Red Business Clubs. Contact Greer at agreer@huskeralum.org.

Andy Washburn, senior director of

The series is hosted by actor Dennis Haysbert and will include 24 stories from all 12 Big Ten universities. Nebraska is scheduled to be featured sometime in February.

Grad Finale Recap

operations, is now handling ticket allocations (see pages 16-17).

A record 30 percent (208 of 695) of the graduating seniors who came to the Wick Alumni Center to pick up caps and gowns for UNL’s December 2011 graduation ceremony signed up for membership in the Nebraska Alumni Association.

Before picking up their caps and gowns, students were asked to complete a survey about their student experience and future plans. Some of the key findings:

6 | GoodNUz | ASSOCIATION UPDATE

Nearly 320 alumni and fans participated in the official University of Nebraska Capital One Bowl tour, planned by the Nebraska Alumni Association in partnership with

The Cornhusker Marching Band entertained fans at the Nebraska Alumni Association Husker Huddle before the Capital One Bowl Game Jan. 2.

Huskers Athletic Fund. Travelers enjoyed accommodations at the luxurious Peabody Orlando Hotel, which was also the hotel of the Nebraska football team. NAA life members attended a private New Year’s Eve reception, mingling with UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman, Athletic Director Tom Osborne, University of Nebraska Foundation President and CEO Clarey Castner and NAA Executive Director Diane Mendenhall.

On game day, a crowd of 1,100 alumni and fans enjoyed a spirit program at the Husker Huddle. The event featured the Husker Sports Network’s pre-game broadcast with Greg Sharpe and Matt Davison, along with Osborne, former Husker Jay Foreman, NU Volleyball Coach John Cook and more. Fans also had a frontrow view of the NU Marching Band and the team as they entered the stadium.

The NAA is already working on plans for 2012 athletic travel, including trip options to UCLA, Ohio State and Northwestern.

Check HuskerAlum.org for details as they become available.

Grad Gives Back; Helps Debate Team Meet Goals a corporate acquisitions lawyer. Some went on to Harvard Law School

By Colleen Kenney Fleischer, ’88 Jere McGaffey, once a star debater at the University of Ne-

and persuaded me to go, too.

I even met my late wife through debate at the university. She was

braska–Lincoln, was pleased and impressed that the UNL forensics

a graduate assistant when I was a sophomore.

team won the Big Ten Championship.

I’m a supporter of debate. I’m not a philanthropist. I don’t have

“Northwestern has always been a strong power nationally in speech competitions,” he said. “This being the first Big Ten Cham-

some overall goal with philanthropy. I do worry that we don’t give

pionship for Nebraska in any field is particularly gratifying.”

enough emphasis to people who are going to make a huge difference in

McGaffey, who lives near Milwaukee now, went on to become a successful attorney and a major donor to UNL’s debate team. He

society. And a number of those people who have made a huge difference came out of debate.

You’ll see it if you look in their backgrounds – an awful lot of the

wanted to give back to the program because debate changed his

politicians, the lawyers, the Supreme Court justices were debaters. Ole

life.

Every successful person can point to one teacher who had a big effect on them. For McGaffey, it was Donald Olson, his old

coached the late Ted Sorensen, who became a speechwriter for JFK. He coached a lot of people who became prominent.

One of the greatest honors of my life was when Ole’s sister asked

debate coach.

And while a student at UNL, he never put into words how

me to give the eulogy at his funeral. That was 20, 30 years ago. I don’t

grateful he was to Olson.

But one sad day, many years later, he did.

From a conversation with

Speech and Debate Wins UNL’s First Big Ten Title The University of Nebraska–Lincoln

think I’d told Ole what he meant

speech and debate team became the

to me. But I did at the church that

first Nebraska team to win a Big Ten

day. I told people about all the

title with its victory at the Conference

wonderful things he did for us. It

Challenge Tournament, Oct. 8-9 at

was a chance for me to give back.

McGaffey:

Grace Kluck, (left) and Nick Herink.

I want to give back to the He was a heavyset Scandina-

debate team, too. I want to make

vian fellow with a limp – I think

sure debate continues, so I support

he had polio as a kid – and a big

it through a charitable lead trust.

Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. UNL led the field with a two-day point total of 261 points, ahead of tournament host and second-place finisher Northwestern at 138 points. In addition to the team championship in a conference

heart. Everyone called him Ole.

A charitable lead trust is a

He bragged about us debaters a

very effective way to make a gift

excellence and excellence in speech

lot. We were in the Department of

because you establish a trust that

and debate, UNL students captured

Speech and Dramatic Arts back

gives a certain amount of money

seven individual Big Ten titles. Senior

then. He didn’t think much of

every year, for a certain number of

Nick Herink of Omaha won conference

those drama students. He used to

years, and then it goes to your chil-

say they weren’t worth the powder

dren or grandchildren. It’s a way

to blow them up.

you can see in your own lifetime what good your money has done.

Ole’s office on the second floor of the Temple Building was the

And I have.

place to hang out. He taught me

I return to Lincoln sometimes

how to be organized and how to

Jere McGaffey.

outline, which is a way of organizing your thoughts. He taught me about research and analysis. He

that has a long tradition of academic

championships in prose interpretation, dramatic interpretation, and duo interpretation with partner, sophomore Grace Kluck of Lincoln.

Other students winning conference championships included senior Jimmy Simpson Jr. of Lyons in persuasive

to attend the debate team’s ban-

speaking, senior Eli Barts of Bellevue

quets. It’s nice to see young people

in informative speaking, junior Lau-

so enthusiastic. I hope my gift helps get them on the right path.

ren Schaal of Omaha in after-dinner speaking and sophomore Josh Planos

got me on the right path.

Student support is one of the top priorities of the University

My parents were teachers in Nebraska City. I figured I would become a teacher, too. I had no idea about business or law. To me, law

of Nebraska’s Campaign for Nebraska. If you’d also like to help

was “Perry Mason” and it was only TV. I came to college with a great

students, please contact the University of Nebraska Foundation at

deal of energy but no focus.

(800) 432-3216 or visit campaignfornebraska.org. If you’d like to

Debate changed my life. I attribute my academic and professional success to debate.

Ole had all these intelligent people on the squad. They became my

contribute to the UNL forensics team, please contact the Univer-

of Omaha in program oral interpretation.

“Our students worked hard to be prepared for the tournament and it was exciting to see their efforts pay off,” said team director Aaron Duncan.

“This confirms my view that in

sity of Nebraska Foundation’s Amber Antholz, Sunny Bellows or

specific academic areas we will lead in

Josh Egley at (800) 432-3216.

the Big Ten and are certainly competi-

social group and directed me along the lines my life eventually took as

tive with them,” said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman.

www.unl.edu/cs

J

BIG TEN CHAMPIONS | Spring 2012 | 7

University of Nebraska Foundation

Scholarship Honors Life by Supporting Nontraditional Engineering Students Because he was considered a nontraditional student, John E. McCue understood the challenges students face when completing their education a little later in life.

After graduating in construction engineering in 1982,

tied to the university,” said Jerri McCue, John’s wife.

he built a 22-year career with Kiewit Construction as an

Dan Wiek of Omaha is the first recipient of the schol-

engineer and area manager. Born Feb. 2, 1955, he died at

arship. He went back to college at age 36 and is striving to

home in Algonquin, Ill., on March 8, 2009, at the age of

graduate with a construction management degree.

54.

“It means a lot to me the McCue family would make In his honor, family and friends established the John

an investment like this to benefit other people,” said Wiek,

E. McCue Memorial Scholarship with gifts of nearly

who is married and helps raise his stepdaughter. “Saying

$60,000 to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Now

thank you alone does not seem sufficient. I am honored to

endowed the fund enables the College of Engineering to

be chosen for this scholarship, and maybe one day I can do

award annual scholarships forever to support nontradi-

the same for someone else.”

tional students with financial need who study construction or civil engineering.

John and Jerri McCue

The McCue family said they’re especially grateful to their friends at Kiewit who supported the scholarship. “It

“John loved the University of Nebraska, and by creating a scholarship fund in his name, it keeps him directly

The scholarship also provides support for the Cam-

was overwhelming the way the Kiewit community sup-

paign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities and its goal to

ported the fund,” Jerri McCue said.

increase private support for student scholarships.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKALINCOLN Amount Raised Toward $550 Million Campaign Goal

2005

2014

$572,287,105

CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

1 out of 3

of UNL campaign gifts are from Nebraska households/organizations.

51,326

individuals have made donations to UNL during the campaign.

45%

of new funds to the UNL campaign support student scholarships.

campaignfornebraska.org/unl

donors to UNL are first-time donors during the campaign.

16,000 UNL students receive some form of financial aid.

new funds have been established during the campaign to support academic programs at UNL.

All statistics as of November 30, 2011. The Campaign for Nebraska began in July, 2005 and will conclude in December, 2014.

8 | GoodNUz | FOUNDATION UPDATE

771

• • • • • • •

Students Faculty Global Engagement Agriculture and Life Sciences Information Technology Cancer Research Architectural Engineering and Construction • Water for Food • Early Childhood Education

The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management

Grow Lighting Up Hollywood

By Colleen Kenney Fleischer, ’88

The Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management has much to celebrate a decade after its home within the Esther L. Kauffman Academic Residential Center opened its doors.

So does alumnus Alan Grow, who returned this past fall to help the school celebrate with its biggest alumni bash yet.

He hitchhiked halfway across the country for it. Not because

who we are today. We all learned pretty quickly to take responsibility and just make stuff happen. Now that we’re all out there doing our things, we’ll have these great conversations about business and

he’s poor. He just needed to decompress after hitting it big in

technology whenever we get back together – sharing insights, plug-

Hollywood with the start-up company he co-founded, iLuminate,

ging people in to new opportunities, etc.

which is creating a buzz in the entertainment biz.

“It’s exactly what the program founders hoped and envisioned

“The past two years,” he said, “have been a pretty wild ride.”

would happen, and it’s really starting to build up a technology

Everyone who goes through

Grow, 30, co-founded iLuminate, billed as the first wear-

scene in Lincoln.”

(The Jeffrey S. Raikes

able, wireless lighting system. Stars like Christina Aguilera and

Among the school’s achievements this past decade: • The curriculum and

the Black Eyed Peas have used

School of Computer Manage-

iLuminate’s technology in their

educational experience have

ment) I think comes out the

performances. At the 2010

evolved. This year the Design

BET Awards, Chris Brown

Studio, which teams juniors

other end much better for it.

blew people away dancing in

and seniors with professionals

the dark to Michael Jackson’s

to find solutions for real-world

quickly to take responsibility

“Smooth Criminal.” Death

clients, surpassed 100 projects.

and just make stuff

• This fall’s freshman class

Cab for Cutie used iLuminate

of 30 includes eight National

technology for a video.

... We all learned pretty

happen. ... It’s exactly what

Merit Scholars, 18 Regent’s

the program founders hoped

NBC’s “America’s Got Tal-

Scholars and six who are the

and envisioned would

ent,” a team of dancers called

first in their families to go to

“Team iLuminate” wowed the

college. Seven of the 30 fresh-

happen, and it’s really

audience. Said Piers Morgan,

men are women. The average

one of the judges: “In terms of

ACT score was 33.2.

A few months ago on

creativity and originality, this is

• There’s a growing

probably the single most excit-

network of successful alumni

ing audition I have ever seen on the show.”

Microsoft and Google. Some have founded their own companies, including local ones like Hudl and Allied Strategies. More are stay-

Hollywood – straight off the set of “AGT” – to meet a friend in

ing in Lincoln because of employers like Nebraska Global.

“It was kind of mind-blowing how many people along the way

– Alan Grow

for major corporations like

had been two years since he returned to Lincoln. He flew from Portland, and together they hitchhiked to the reunion.

technology scene in Lincoln.

– almost 300 now. Some work

Alan Grow.

Grow lives in New York City, where iLuminate is based. It

started to build up a

“I really, really love that program,” Grow said. “I am so grateful for that full-ride, and for the opportunities that the program

knew about iLuminate,” he said. “People talk about the ‘reach’ of

gave me coming out of college, and not having to worry about that

television, but that’s when it finally became real for me.”

student-loan debt hanging over me.”

Grow graduated in 2003. He was a member of the school’s first entering class, when the curriculum was still coming together

Information technology is a top priority of the Campaign for

and the Kauffman Center, he said, was “just a hole in the ground.”

Nebraska, including the Raikes School in Lincoln and the Peter Kiewit

“Everyone who goes through that program I think comes out

Institute in Omaha. If you’d like to help, please contact the University

the other end much better for it,” Grow said. “For the first few

of Nebraska Foundation at (800) 432-3216 or visit

entering classes, I think blazing that trail really had an impact on

campaignfornebraska.org.

FOUNDATION UPDATE | Spring 2012 | 9

University of Nebraska State Museum

Morrill Hall Opens Renovated ‘First Peoples’ Exhibit On Sept. 30, the University of Nebraska State Museum opened its renovated Native American gallery, “First Peoples of the Plains: Traditions Shaped by Land & Sky.” The gallery, curated by Alan Osborn, contains nine new exhibits as well as backlit interpretive panels and video monitors that explore the enduring traditions of Native American cultures of the Great Plains. Contemporary Native Americans also present an introductory narrative, artwork and poetry to visitors to the gallery.

In conjunction with the new exhibit, striking portraits of Native American children in traditional powwow regalia by award-winning photographer Don Doll, S.J. are also on display, courtesy of the Betty Strong Encounter Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

More than 200 guests including tribal, state, and university dignitaries attended a September reception celebrating the exhibit at Morrill Hall on the UNL city campus.

They enjoyed traditional Native American food with a modern spin and outdoor drum and dance performances by the St. Augustine Indian Mission (Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska) and Blackshoulder (Omaha Tribe of Nebraska).

The exhibit and gallery renovation were made possible through generous support from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Class of 1987 Fund, Dr. Anne M. Hubbard, and the Claire M. Hubbard Foundation.

Thankful for the wonderful support of these donors, the museum would particularly like to recognize the alumni who have made such a positive impact on the museum.

“The financial gift dedicated to the museum by the

class of 1987 was instrumental

opening of this exhibit and I am grateful to all of my fellow

in allowing us to renovate the

classmates who helped make it possible through their gifts.

gallery,” said Associate Director

I encourage the class of 1987 and all alumni to make time

Mark Harris. “We are thrilled

to visit the ‘First Peoples of the Plains’ gallery at Morrill

to be able to use the fund they

Hall. You will not be disappointed.”

created 25 years ago to make significant improvements to the

“First Peoples of the Plains” will be on permanent display on the third floor of Morrill Hall.

museum for future generations to enjoy.”

Dorothy Pritchard Endacott,

happenings, phone the museum at (402) 472-3779 or visit

University of Nebraska Founda-

www.museum.unl.edu. If you’d like to make a gift to support

tion Director of Communications

the museum, please contact Connie Pejsar at the University of

and 1987 alum, attended the

Nebraska Foundation at (402) 458-1190 or (800) 432-3216.

opening.

“It was really a privilege to represent the class of 1987 at the 10 | GoodNUz | MUSEUM

For further information on the exhibit or other museum

museum.unl.edu

J

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman said the latest plans are exciting and demonstrate the university’s collaboration with the state, local leaders, private industry and historic preservationists.

“I have always indicated that no one would be happier if we could find a private developer with the financing and creativity to reposition the Industrial Arts Building for a use consistent with the goals of Innovation Campus,” Perlman said. “This concept does that and is central to the

Nebraska Innovation Campus ‘food, fuel and water’ theme we have promoted for the

UNL, Nebraska Nova Save the Industrial Arts Building

By Kelly Bartling, ’86, ’08

Duncan said the renovated and repurposed IAB will

campus. I think this concept will go a long way in allowing us to attract private-sector companies to the property.”

In 2011, the Nebraska Legislature invested $25 million in development funding for Nebraska Innovation Campus – $10 million of which is intended for the renovation of the original 4-H Building. Another $15 mil-

be a research anchor and symbolic gateway building for the

lion in funding also was offered to be matched by private

unveiled a new look and usage plan for the Industrial Arts

campus. It will be directly linked to a major life sciences re-

development, targeted by the NIC corporate board for the

Building, a historic structure at the former Nebraska State

search facility that will house laboratory space for univers-

creation of the life science building. Funding for the IAB

Fair Park. A design concept approved by the Nebraska

ity and private industry researchers and startup companies.

renovation project announced today will be part of the $80

Innovation Campus Development Corp. maintains the

The life sciences building links to the former 4-H building

million investment plan announced last June.

historic footprint and external facade of the 99-year-old

– the east half of which is being renovated into a confer-

Located on 232 acres north of City Campus, the

building while enabling advanced greenhouse space to be

ence center – which in turn links to a 90,000-square-foot

former state fairgrounds came into university possession in

developed on the second floor.

companion building. The result is an initial complex of

2010, and demolition, planning and pre-development

Planners at Nebraska Innovation Campus have

Consultants and planners for Nebraska Innovation

connected buildings creating the core of Phase 1 of Innova-

Campus had recommended the brick-and-steel trapezoidal-

tion Campus. Work is ready to begin on the former

shaped 1913 structure be razed to make way for develop-

4-H building project, to be complete

ment at the campus. In response to concerns about the

by April 2013.

planned demolition expressed by historic preservationists, the university initially issued a request for proposals for the building’s redevelopment that failed to attract proposals with financing. In June, Nebraska Nova Development LLC was contracted to carry out the first phase of development for Innovation Campus. That plan included four new or renovated buildings representing an estimated $80 million in public and private investments.

The concept for the renovated IAB involves construction of a concrete floor inside the current walls at 17 feet

“This entire complex

above the current floor. This will allow the first floor to be

of more than 300,000 square feet will provide

used for greenhouse mechanical space, high bay research

space for multiple types of research and office needs,”

space needs and other functions. The second floor will

Duncan said. “Work with Nebraska Nova and multiple

house state-of-the-art greenhouse space, greenhouse sup-

architects on this project has been very satisfying. We are

have been under way since.

port space and approximately 4,000 square feet of office

excited to merge the past with the future in the complex of

The research campus will be a public-private collaboration

space.

buildings.”

that capitalizes on research growth and expertise of UNL

“This is an excellent plan that maximizes the vast

The 93,000-square foot Industrial Arts Building was

faculty to strengthen economic development in Nebraska.

openness of the interior of the IAB while maintaining the

developed as exposition space and called Agricultural Hall.

University consultants in 2009 estimated Nebraska Innova-

integrity of the historic building structure – giving the

Following World War I, the Lincoln Standard Aircraft

tion Campus could bring annual new payroll to the local

building a new, 21st-century use and respecting its connec-

Co. used the building to assemble airplanes. In 1948 it

and state economy of $267 million, including $149 mil-

tion with Nebraska history and the importance of agricul-

was renamed Industrial Arts. It was closed in 2004 when

lion in direct annual payroll and $118 million in indirect

ture to the state,” said Dan Duncan, executive director for

disrepair rendered it dangerous and useless as fair exposi-

payroll from new spin-off jobs over 25 years of phased

Nebraska Innovation Campus. “This is most definitely a

tion space.

development.

win-win.”

innovate.unl.edu

NEBRASKA INNOVATION CAMPUS | Spring 2012 | 11

A Life-changing Experience

By Colleen Kenney Fleischer, ’88 Traveling abroad when you’re young is so important, said Ashley Schmidt, founder of the World Energy Project.

It’s great, she said, that the University of Nebraska has made global engagement one of its top fund-raising priorities in its Campaign for Nebraska.

“I know that students are always really thankful when other people can help them experience things like that, because a lot of times students don’t really have the income to be able to support travel to other places in the world,” she said.

“And so it really means a lot to those students to be able to do that, especially in their undergrad career when they are really forming their career plans and life plans and making big decisions about what they want to do with their career.”

World Energy Project

UNL Students Engage Globally with World Energy Project

By Colleen Kenney Fleischer, ’88 The baby boys – twins – were born too early. Both needed oxygen, but the hospital had just one oxygen machine.

The parents had a choice: Which son would get the machine, and live, and which would not get it and die?

UNL student Ashley Schmidt witnessed this a few years ago when she worked at a hospital in Mali, West Africa. It shocked her.

It shocked her when the baby who didn’t get oxygen died a few days later.

“It was really hard to see,” she said, “and to know that there was literally nothing that I or anyone else could do.”

She saw other scenes like that during her six months in Mali,

Lieding Scholarship this past summer.

Both were technically to fund her twoweek study abroad trip to Germany to study sustainability. But, she said, they also supported her most recent trip to Africa.

Her time abroad showed her how her UNL engineering education could make a big impact in other places around the world.

“It was a really life-changing experience for me,” she said.

If you’d like to support the university’s effort to promote global engagement and help students like Schmidt change the world, please contact the University of Nebraska

into three groups: the engineering and design team that actually designs the solar panels and handles the tech side of things; the and the fund-raising team, which sets up events and calls donors.

and death.

Engineering professors advise them. Most of the students are from UNL, but some are from UNK, UNO and Creighton University.

“I am really excited with where it’s heading,” said Schmidt,

Schmidt befriended the hospital’s IT guy, a Dutch engineer,

who’s the executive director. “I think we’re gaining a lot of momen-

who ran the hospital’s energy systems. He let her go with him on

tum. It seems to be something that students here at Nebraska really

trips to village clinics, where he installed solar panels and water

identify with and get excited about.”

pumps for clean water.

After returning to Nebraska, she thought of a way she could help.

Instead of studying for a career in medicine, she decided to study biosystems engineering.

“It didn’t take me long to realize that medicine wasn’t for me,”

Experiencing Africa made a huge impact on the way she sees herself, she said, and those around her. It gave her a career path she’s passionate about, and an understanding of how she could use her education to help others.

It opened her eyes.

A typical day for a woman in that part of Africa, she said,

she said, smiling. “The first time I tried to help out with a C-sec-

means waking up with the sun and walking miles for the day’s

tion, I fainted.”

water, which often isn’t clean. It means making food from scratch

A year and a half ago, she and a core group of five or six other UNL students founded the World Energy Project. The goal of the group is to bring renewable energy resources to developing countries around the world.

The students raised money. They grew in numbers and included engineering professors as advisers.

This past summer, Schmidt and some others in the group returned to Africa. They installed solar-powered irrigation systems.

and taking four or five hours just to make one meal – usually the only meal of the day.

It means, if you’re a mom, that you often won’t name your baby for the first few months until you’re sure it’ll survive.

“It’s impossible to turn my back on that and just kind of forget that I ever saw that,” Schmidt said. “So I think that’s why I do this.”

If you’d like to help the World Energy Project, please visit their

They put together solar panels for an orphanage. They visited a

website at worldenergyproject.org or contact Ashley Schmidt at

university and made connections with faculty and other students.

ashley@worldenergyproject.org.

Next summer, they have three more projects lined up: one at a hospital in Mali, one at a girl’s school in Kenya and one in Zambia.

That hospital in Mali runs off the country’s energy grid and a

Foundation at (800) 432-3216 or visit

diesel generator. It’s expensive. It cuts into the hospital’s budget for

campaignfornebraska.org.

medicine, doctors and nurses.

12 | GoodNUz | WORLD ENERGY PROJECT

The World Energy Project now has 35 to 40 students divided

marketing-advertising-public relations team that gets the word out;

remote areas.

Gateway Scholarship and the Christian

tem so the hospital can run mostly on solar energy.

were expensive and scarce and meant the difference between life

saw the importance of energy, and how it affects healthcare in the

Schmidt received the Global

The World Energy Project team will install a 30-kilowatt sys-

where machines and things she took for granted as a kid in Omaha

She saw that life without easy access to energy was hard. She

Ashley Schmidt and other UNL students are using what they’ve learned in Lincoln to install renewable energy systems in West African villages.

UNL engineering student Ashley Schmidt, founder of the World Energy Project, says spending time in West Africa changed her career plans dramatically – and her life.

worldenergyproject.org

J

TOMMIE FRAZIER

15

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For more information, contact: TAT Enterprises / P.O. Box 22031 / Lincoln, NE 68542 E-mail: tfrazier@tommiefrazier15.com Phone: (877) 722-2515

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Spring 2012 | 13

Office of Research and Economic Development

Laser Power Creates Precise Nanostructures

By Gillian Klucas

Carbon, the ubiquitous element of life, has many special properties.

Harnessing it at the atomic level to create nanostructures promises to transform many everyday products, from computer chips to sunglasses.

Discovering fast, cost-effective ways to mass produce

Their laser-based production techniques can precisely

Now they’re studying how to join carbon nanotubes

these nanostructures is key to their practical use. It’s Yong-

control the length, diameter and properties of carbon

to make smaller, lighter wires that carry large amounts of

feng Lu’s specialty.

nanotubes. Using these highly electrically and thermally

current for use in electric cars and other products.

“Carbon nanostructures have very large potential in

conductive nanotubes, Lu’s team developed methods to

Another breakthrough process creates carbon nano-

different applications,” said Lu, Lott University Professor

improve transistors and sensors that may one day speed up

onions, spherical nanostructures resembling onion layers

of Electrical Engineering.

computers and other electrical devices, while minimizing

that have unique electrical, optical and mechanical proper-

energy consumption and heat generation.

ties. Nano-onions can store large amounts of energy on

His UNL team has developed several unique processes that use lasers to make precise carbon nanostructures.

They also discovered how to control a carbon nano-

their extensive surface area. Using nano-onions, Lu’s team

They are refining their techniques and exploring new ap-

tube’s diameter from one end to the other, which alters its

has developed supercapacitors for high-density energy

plications for their nanostructures. Since 2003, they have

characteristics. Lu envisions variable-diameter nanotubes

storage.

earned more than $14 million in research grants.

customized for specific uses.

Understanding Aquifer Recharge Key to Assessing Sustainability

By Gillian Klucas In many areas worldwide, aquifer depletion is a criti-

“If we want to achieve predictive capability about recharge in arid areas, we have to get on top of this issue

cal challenge for agricultural production. Understanding

of episodic recharge,” said Gates, an assistant professor of

how quickly aquifers are recharged is essential to assessing

earth and atmospheric sciences.

depletion risks, but it’s one of the most difficult parts of the water cycle to measure.

UNL hydrogeologist John Gates studies the world’s

In northern China, Gates works with researchers to improve the efficiency of irrigation, which relies on groundwater. Decades of heavy irrigation and increasing

aquifers to understand groundwater recharge, whether he’s

urbanization have strained the region’s aquifers, which

investigating drainage below a single irrigated field or the

recharge too slowly to sustain current use rates.

health of an entire groundwater system.

“Aquifers that receive no recharge are nonrenewable

Determining groundwater age helps Gates understand recharge rates. Using techniques such as radiocarbon dating

resources, analogous to fossil fuels,” Gates said. “By de-

of water-soluble carbon picked up as water passes through

termining the rate of groundwater renewal, we are able to

the soil, he calculates the water’s age based on changes in

assess the long-term viability of irrigated agriculture.”

isotope compositions over time. “Isotopic tracers let us

Gates primarily studies arid regions, where precipita-

unravel how long groundwater has been in an aquifer.”

tion is relatively scarce. In these areas, periodic storms can

In contrast to aquifers in northern China, most of

recharge groundwater aquifers. He and UNL meteorologist

the High Plains Aquifer in Nebraska receives sufficient

Adam Houston are teaming to study how storms affect

recharge for the time being, thanks largely to its sandy soil.

recharge.

Nano-onions also have optical limiting properties,

“We do have some hot spots of depletion around the state,” Gates said. “But Nebraska is fortunate to have naturally high recharge rates.”

14 | GoodNUz | RESEARCH

UNL hydrogeologist John Gates is surrounded by samples in his lab. He studies the world’s aquifers to understand groundwater recharge.

absorbing light as it intensifies. Lu’s research could lead to improved eye protection, optical sensors, satellites and other optical-dependent materials.

Lu’s team also developed a fast, single-step process using lasers to write graphene patterns on surfaces. A basic building block for other nanostructures, graphene resembles nanoscale chicken wire. Its electrical conductivity and transparency could be used in products such as LCD televisions and solar panels.

“Carbon is everywhere, so the future of electronics, photonics and many high-tech industries will not be limited by supplies,” Lu said.

Yongfeng Lu (left), Lott University Professor of Electrical Engineering, and some of his team in the lab.

Also pictured, from left, are: graduate students Zhiqiang Xie and Lisha Fan and post doc Prem Kumar.

D9459_7.375 x 4.75_Layout 1 12/6/11 9:21 AM Page 1

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RESEARCH | Spring 2012 | 15

Nebraska Alumni Association

Membership:

VIP Packages — Assure Yourself a Seat

Your Ticket to the 2012 Football Season

NAA members may also participate in the Nebraska Alumni Association’s VIP Football Weekend that includes

With a historic Big Ten home game slate featuring Michigan, Penn State, Minnesota and Wisconsin, this coming Husker football season may be one of the most anticipated ever.

guaranteed game tickets, a downtown hotel stay, Nebraska Champions Club passes, special tours, access and more.

Just pack your red, get to Lincoln and we’ll take care of the rest. For more information visit HuskerAlum.org or

Through the annual association ticket lottery, VIP program and the Hail Varsity Society, NAA membership could be your key to a great seat in the Sea of Red when the 2012 season kicks off.

Not a Member? Not a Problem!

If you want in on the gridiron action and aren’t currently a member, you can join on the request form or online at

Our ticket system is based on membership status, involvement

Huskeralum.org before May 1. If you really want to enhance your

If you’re not already a NAA member,

and giving. The more involved you are with the alumni association,

chances of getting tickets to a top-tier game, join as a life member

you may join at the time of your VIP

the better chance you have of receiving single-game tickets of your

purchase.

and consider making a 100 percent tax-deductible gift on top of

choice.

your life membership. In addition to your game tickets, you’ll

call Sarah Haskell at (888) 353-1874.

Football Season Tickets Available to Hail Varsity Society If one game just isn’t enough, a limited number of season tickets will be made available to members of the Hail

If You Are Already a Member…

enjoy member benefits such as discounts, publications like the members-only Nebraska Magazine, special event invitations and

For current members, it couldn’t be easier – simply return the

more. New Life Members will also have their names engraved on

Football Ticket Request form ranking the games that interest you.

a bronze plaque for the Life Endowment Wall in the garden at the

If the association has tickets available for a game you ranked and

Wick Alumni Center.

your membership is active, tickets will be awarded to you. You also have the opportunity to make a new 100 percent tax-deductible

Varsity Society. For a $4,000 annual

gift or upgrade your membership on the ticketform – doing so

donation, society members get access

moves you up the priority list.

Another Opportunity Occasionally, tickets become available at the last minute for home and away football games and home basketball and volleyball

to purchase up to four 2012 season

games. Life members of the NAA are eligible to purchase these

tickets and four Nebraska Champions

tickets by joining the Husker Hotlist. Once your name is on the

Club passes, and the ability to request surplus tickets for away football games, volleyball, basketball and Olympic sports. Society membership is extremely limited. For more information or to join the Hail Varsity Society, contact Andrew Greer at (402) 472-8915.

Chapter/Affiliate Group Seating Group seating is available for chapter and affiliate group members.

At least 10 chapter or group members must request and receive tickets to any given game to be seated together, based on availability. Chapter and group leaders will work with members to determine the group’s preferred games.

Please note, any individual member is free to deviate from the chapter/group preference, if he/she has interest in other games. Contact your chapter or group leader for more information.

16 | GoodNUz | MEMBERSHIP

hotlist, you’ll receive e-mail notification when tickets become available. To join the list, check the box on the form on page 17, or

update your HuskerAlum user profile by selecting “yes” next to the option for the Husker Hotlist.

REQUEST FORM

2012FOOTBALLTICKET

PROCEDURE AND DEADLINES Please complete the form below by May 1, 2012 to be included in the football ticket lottery. Tickets are limited to one game and two tickets per household, with priority going to life members with donations, then life members, then annual members of the Nebraska Alumni Association. Involvement and service moves you to the top of your group.

TICKET REQUESTS Mark your preferences for home and away games on the form below. If your name is drawn to receive tickets, your credit card will charged and you will receive mail or e-mail confirmation by mid-June. The actual per ticket price will match university single-game tickets prices. Home tickets will be available for pickup at the Wick Alumni Center, at “Football Friday” the week of the game, or at the stadium will-call window on game day beginning three hours prior to kickoff. Away game tickets may be picked up at our pre-game event(s) where applicable or via FedEx for a $25 charge.

2012 Football ticket request form

Non-Members Complete This Section

Name______________________________________________________________________________ Address_____________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_______________________________________________________________________ Telephone (home)_______________________________ (work)_______________________________ E-mail Address ______________________________________________________________________ Enroll me in the Husker Hot List (must be a life member) Please charge my credit card:

AmEx

Discover

MasterCard

VISA (No checks please)

Credit card #________________________________________________________________________ Exp. date____________________________ V-Code____________ Membership/Giving Status: Life Member + Donor

Life Member

Paying Life Member

Annual Member

Member ID # (See your magazine mailing label – directly across from your name)____________________ Affiliate/Chapter Name (if applicable)______________________________________________________ Additional Tax-Deductible Gift to Elevate Priority $___________________________________________

2012 NEBRASKA FOOTBALL TICKET REQUEST FORM Indicate quantity (maximum of two tickets) and rank your game preferences with 1 being your top choice: Home games in boldface.

Quantity Price Game

Rank

Date

_____

1 or

2

TBD

Southern Miss

Sat., Sept. 1

_____

1 or

2

TBD

@ UCLA

Sat., Sept. 8

_____

1 or

2

TBD

Arkansas State

Sat., Sept. 15

_____

1 or

2

TBD

Opponent TBD

Sat., Sept. 22

_____

1 or

2

TBD Wisconsin (Life Members Only) Sat., Sept. 29

_____

1 or

2

TBD

1 or

2

TBD Michigan (Life Members Only) Sat., Oct. 27

1 or

2

TBD

1 or

2

TBD Penn State

1 or

2

TBD Minnesota

1 or

2

TBD

_____ _____

_____ _____ _____

@ Northwestern

Sat., Oct. 20

@ Michigan State

@ Iowa

Sat., Nov. 3 Sat., Nov. 10

Sat., Nov. 17 Fri., Nov. 23

Games not shown are sold out, although tickets may still be available as part of a travel package.

Check “Tickets and Travel” at HuskerAlum.org for details.

Life Membership Paid-in-Full No reminder notices, no annual dues. Add your name to the Life Endowment Wall. n Individual $1000 n Joint $1250 Life Membership 5-Year Plan Makes life membership easier to afford by billing you annually. n Individual $230/year n Joint $290/year Senior Life Membership For our alumni and friends over 65 years old. n Individual $450 n Joint $550 Annual Membership Less than a dollar per week. n Individual $50 n Joint $60 Recent Graduate Membership For our newest alumni less than three years out of college. n Individual $15 n Joint $20

INVOLVEMENT and Service (if any) Postcards of Pride Volunteer Huskers for Higher Education Cather Circle Affiliate/Chapter Member Alumni Awards Committee Alumni Advisory Council Travel Program Participant Husker Rewards Card Holder Former Board Member Reunion Attendee Other__________________________________ Other__________________________________ Other__________________________________ Other__________________________________ Send form with credit card info (no checks please), postmarked by May 1, to: Nebraska Alumni Association, Attn.: Football Tickets, 1520 R Street, Lincoln, NE 68508-1651

For Office Use Only: 4NAA12•TIX MEMBERSHIP | Spring 2012 | 17

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

USDA Grant Supports New E. coli Research

By Daniel R. Moser University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists are taking their battle against foodborne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 into the belly of the beast, as it were – hoping to figure out what is in the gut of some livestock that makes them so-called “supershedders” of pathogens.

The research team, headed by food microbiologist Andy Benson, received a five-year, $2.35 million grant from the U.S. Depart-

The goal is to try to associate organisms in the cattle’s gastrointestinal tract with genes in the animals to see if some of those interactions are causing certain animals to become supershedders of the E. coli pathogen, while others that may have E. coli present do not shed it in unusual numbers.

If those relationships can be understood, it may be possible to develop breeding and genetic programs to reduce the number of animals that shed high levels of E. coli O157:H7, salmonella, campylobacter and other pathogens.

ment of Agriculture last summer. The project will build on earlier work done with lab mice by Benson and his collaborators.

E. coli O157:H7 long has been known to colonize the bovine

UNL scientists will do so in partnership with USDA’s Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center and Geneseek, a private, Lincoln-based company that specializes in genotyping.

“It’s really a Nebraska-centric project,” Benson said, noting that all of the important pieces to the research exist in the state.

The goal is to try to associate organisms in the cattle’s gastro-

gut. Although it causes no disease symptoms in the animals, it can

intestinal tract with genes in the animals to see if some of those

be transmitted to humans through improperly cooked beef, among

interactions are causing certain animals to become supershedders of

other ways.

the E. coli pathogen, while others that may have E. coli present do

Pre-harvest E. coli research has focused primarily on the

not shed it in unusual numbers.

epidemiology of the disease, along with field-level and management

If those relationships can be understood, it may be possible

factors that affect transmission from animal to animal, Benson said.

to develop breeding and genetic programs to reduce the number

“More recently, studies looking at animal-level factors have

of animals that shed high levels of E. coli O157:H7, salmonella,

shown that while many animals may be carriers of the organism, a small portion of animals shedding the organism at very high levels

campylobacter and other pathogens.

“While epidemiologically oriented approaches have provided

may account for much of the transmission risk,” added Benson, the

extensive information about the transmission patterns of the organ-

W. W. Marshall Professor of Biotechnology in UNL’s Department

ism, they have essentially failed to come up with meaningful and

of Food Science and Technology.

effective pre-harvest interventions that work in beef production,”

Those animals are referred to as “supershedders.”

Benson said. “On the other hand, breeding strategies, which have

E. coli research so far has yielded disease-fighting interventions

heretofore never been considered as an approach, could be imple-

primarily at slaughter and post-slaughter stages of production, Ben-

mented as a relatively simple intervention with potentially huge

son said. With the newly funded research, scientists hope to devise

payoffs, ultimately reducing numbers of ‘supershedders’ that are

some intervention strategies against the disease much earlier in the

released into feeding operations.”

production process.

Previous research at UNL by a large team led by Benson used mice to show that genetic makeup of vertebrate hosts is a key factor

Benson said producers would be eager for such a breakthrough.

“Many producers are already using sophisticated approaches to

in controlling the levels of individual organisms within the entire

manage their breeding programs. For them, it would be yet another

microbiota carried in the gut. This work, funded by the National

gene and another trait on their list of things that want to breed for

Institutes of Health, combines quantitative genetics and micro-

or breed against,” he said.

biota analysis across different mouse populations. Collaborators in

MARC will provide about 1,500 animals for the research, and

this research include Stephen Kachman, a UNL statistics scientist;

its bovine gene mapping group, including Larry Keuhn and War-

Etsuko Moriyama, a UNL genomics and bioinformatics scientist;

ren Snelling, will be involved, as will USDA microbiologists Jim

and Daniel Pomp, a mouse geneticist formerly of UNL and now of

Wells and Jim Bono. Geneseek will handle the genotypic studies.

the University of North Carolina.

Benson said the team’s research has documented a strong association of several gut organisms with 13 different genetic loca-

UNL’s Gut Function Initiative and Core for Applied Genomics and Ecology also will be involved in the research.

Benson said the MARC-UNL partnership was “greatly facili-

tions in the mouse, with more still being discovered as the work

tated” by John Pollak, director of MARC, and Rolando Flores,

progresses.

head of UNL’s Department of Food Science and Technology.

“It wasn’t a big leap to think, ‘you know, this hasn’t really been looked at in food animals,’” Benson said. The new USDA grant 18 | GoodNUz | IANR

will enable Benson and other scientists to do just that.

The USDA grant was part of the Food Safety Foundational Awards from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Heuermann Lectures Address Coming Agricultural Challenges The critical battle to feed a growing world in the future will be fought everywhere from the labs and fields of land-grant universities such as the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to the front lines of growing populations in India and elsewhere.

‘Backyard Farmer’ Maintains Popularity After 60 Years

By Sandi Alswager Karstens, ’01, ’07 Now in its 60th year of production, “Backyard Farmer” has something in

Speakers from both fronts set the tone last fall for the Institute

The world must find ways to sustain natural resources and

addition to an anniversary to celebrate.

of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ new Heuermann Lecture

produce renewable energy even as people talk of global climate

Ratings for the popular garden show

series.

change and its potential effects on animals, land and people, Green

reached an all-time high last year.

Ronnie Green, Harlan vice chancellor of IANR, said the

continued, adding there’s also a need to secure the sustainability

lectures, to be held monthly during the school year, will help frame

of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and

the issues around the challenges ahead for agriculture.

renewable energy occurs.

“Predictions are that in the next 40 years, the world’s popula-

“Ways we can provide security – and by that I mean

tion will require a doubling of food production globally, where at

enough to sustain us all, all around the world – in the areas of

least 70 percent must come from efficiency improving technology,”

food, natural resources, renewable energy, communities and people,

said Green, who also is University of Nebraska vice president for

are the focus of this lecture series,” Green said.

agriculture and natural resources.

“How we’ll produce that increased food supply affects everyone. People need sound information to make thoughtful, well-informed decisions on what they’ll support, and why. The

May 2011 sweeps reached 23,500 Nebraska households, which was about a 46 percent increase in audience, said Backyard Farmer Producer Brad Mills.

The show had averaged 14,000 households since 2007.

“I think people are getting a lot more serious about growing their own food and

The second speaker in the series, UNL small grains breeder P.

they want to know how to do that,” Mills

Stephen Baenziger, put it this way: “Failure cannot be an option –

said. “We’ve been concentrating on get-

unless you’re willing to accept starvation.”

ting people back to their own backyards

The first speaker in the series was the world’s first World

Heuermann Lectures are a wonderful gift to the state of Nebraska

Food Prize laureate, M.S. Swaminathan of India, a world leader in

to bring world leaders in the conversation about the security and

sustainable food security, and the catalyst of the green revolution

safety of our food supply and natural resources to UNL on an

movement in India from 1960-1982 that moved the country from

ongoing basis for many years to come.”

having the world’s largest food deficit to producing enough grain to feed its people.

and getting the most out of their home gardens.”

Mills also attributes the ratings to younger people who are buying homes for the first time and then want answers on how to make their surroundings look better.

The show also received a bumper crop of e-mails, letters, samples and phone calls, Mills said.

It is the most downloaded UNL program, said EdMedia’s Mark Hendricks. In addition, the show has made a splash on iTunes U and YouTube, consistently being in the Top 10 of the science category on iTunes and No. 17 overall on iTunes U – a distribution system for everything from lectures to language sessions, films to labs, audio books to tours and a way to get educational content into the hands of students and others.

The show also receives thousands of hits on its YouTube channel. (http://www. youtube.com/user/bucslim).

“It’s not just Nebraska anymore, it’s going across the country,” Mills said.

Archived shows, clips and other information about “Backyard Farmer” can be found on its website, http://www.byf. unl.edu, or by liking it on Facebook.

(From left) Norma and B. Keith Heuermann visit with M.S. Swaminathan and NU President J.B. Milliken.

ianr.unl.edu

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Undergrad Experiences Pave Career Paths

By Cheryl Alberts Irwin, ’96, ’00

Kai Schafer loves camping and the outdoors. So when he hiked 325 mountainous miles to collect hair samples from grizzly bears, he says he “had the time of my life” while working toward career goals.

Ashley Bernstein’s healthier confections, and the family farm roots of Alissa Doerr and Courtney Spilker, all move them toward their career goals, as well.

Schafer and Doerr are among College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources students gaining career footholds through internships, while Bernstein and Spilker

lobbying and agricultural policies, and has gained multiple professional contacts.

The student ambassador and future attorney is

are among the 425 UCARE (Undergraduate Creative

president of the Nebraska chapter of the National Agri-

Activities Research Experiences) students at the University

marketing Association. Doerr said she hopes to practice

of Nebraska–Lincoln.

agricultural law in the Midwest, allowing her to retain her

Schafer, a fisheries and wildlife student from St. Edward, had a 2011 summer internship on the Cabinet-

rural roots.

Bernstein, a food science and technology senior from

Yaak Grizzly Bear Project, a cooperative venture of the U.S.

Elkhorn, worked with Michael Zeece for her first UCARE

Geological Survey and the University of Montana.

project, researching and developing apple-pie caramels

The UNL senior collected hair samples from grizzlies after they rubbed and scratched themselves against trees.

Samples were analyzed to determine bear gender and num-

made with real apples. She also made a healthy caramel with honey, brown rice syrup and low-fat evaporated milk.

Her second UCARE project, working with pilot plant

bers, helping indicate bear population trends in the 2.4 million-acre

(Above) While collecting hair for the Cabinet-Yaak Grizzly Bear Project, Kai Schafer hiked 325 miles in northwest Montana and northeast Idaho.

(Left) Ashley Bernstein makes healthier confections, such as low-fat, low-sugar caramels and frozen kefir, in the Food Processing Center laboratory.

study area in northwest Montana and northeast Idaho.

Schafer said his experiences were a career “stepping stone many people don’t have.” He

aspires to “make food safe, healthy and affordable for

next hopes to be a grizzly project

everyone.”

Plant biology sophomore Courtney Spilker’s summer

biotechnician, planning routes to

UCARE focus was switchgrass/greenbug interactions,

collect wildlife samples.

a project started earlier in the laboratory of entomology

Out on the East Coast, Alissa

professor Tiffany Heng-Moss.

Doerr found she needn’t have

Spilker ground grass samples for protein, analyzed

been apprehensive about living in the nation’s capital while she

data and took careful measurements – long, repetitive

interned with the National Corn

laboratory tasks that taught her the value of patience. The

Growers Association.

Beatrice native also is a plant science teaching assistant and was a Dean’s Scholar in Experiential Leadership freshman.

“I was shocked I fit in so

Spilker said she gains energy being surrounded by

well,” said Doerr, an agricultural economics junior from Creighton.

She took notes during Congressional meetings and hearings on the Korea, Panama and Columbia North

manager Laurie Keeler, is frozen kefir that is healthier than

young women who are “super motivated. The more experi-

traditional ice cream, Bernstein said.

ences you have the more you know what you want in life.”

Her experiments in the Food Science and Technology

Heng-Moss, she added, has shown her the many diverse

American Free Trade Agreements, and topics such as bio-

laboratory include working with edible glitter and hand-

occupations that can be held with a CASNR degree. Grad-

technology, ethanol, water quality, pesticides and food aid.

pulling taffy, learning ingredients and perfecting their com-

uate school might be in her future, and possibly teaching.

In her spare time she kayaked the Potomac River.

binations for the marketplace. The Honors student and

Doerr now better understands the federal government,

20 | GoodNUz | Colleges

CASNR ambassador is contemplating graduate school and

casnr.unl.edu

“Nebraska is my home, and I want to make it a better place,” Spilker said.

College of Architecture

Summer Studies Take Students to Italy, Ecuador

Villagers and students posed in Ecuador.

By Sabrina Tockook and Megan Brincks Studying abroad impacts students personally, socially, educationally and professionally, whether the student travels for a year, a semester or a few weeks. The College of Archi-

Italian architectural sketches.

Students used headlamps to work at night.

sign student. “It’s different than the other study abroad trips,

The trip began in Rome and moved through Florence,

I think, because it is the reality of a developing country

Siena, Venezia, Vicenze Verona, Mantova, Como and Milan.

smacking you in the face.”

The beginning of the trip was not what the students antici-

Daily interaction with and feedback from the villagers

pated, however.

tecture offers short summer excursions to Ecuador and Italy

involved the students in the community. Andrea Koerner,

“We arrived in Rome without any of our luggage,” said

for students to enrich their experiences abroad.

sixth-year architecture graduate student, said, “You had to

Kelly Hiskey, sixth-year architecture graduate student. “We

listen to them. We didn’t just come in and tell them what to

spent four days walking around in the pouring rain without

of the Amazon, the students encounter amazing, life-

do; they were involved in every step of the process.” Koerner

clean clothes, umbrellas, etc. That did not stop me from

changing experiences. While these summer trips are altered

found Ecuador the most beautiful and unique of the 13

having a good time. All I could think was, ‘I am in Italy!’”

slightly each year, improving personal skills in stunning

countries she has visited.

From the ancient elegance of Italy to the tropical lands

environments is still guaranteed.

roundings they would not stop for lunch, using every Galapagos 2011

Ecuador 2010 The Ecuador trip presents a completely different

Sometimes the group was so enthralled by their sur-

The 2011 Galapagos trip followed the same structure as Ecuador. “Go with the flow and see what happens, you

moment to explore the city. The students spent a few hours at each destination where they produced a series of sketches and writings.

adventure from other study abroad countries. Professor Kim

never know how it will turn out,” Wilson said. Students

Wilson, landscape architecture and community and regional

again worked in teams, gained service knowledge and

constantly surrounded by brilliant architecture, beautiful

planning program director, wanted students to leave the

impacted communities as well as themselves, leaving with an

materials and a wonderful culture.”

comfort of United States suburbs and explore a much more

eye-opening experience.

developing area.

The trip began with a few days in the city of Kito. The

Hiskey said the experience was “amazing! We were

“It was the best thing I have ever done. We’ve learned about all the buildings and the architectural periods, but

group then traveled to their Galapagos destination for ten

to experience them was awesome,” said Archie Carpenter,

to the Amazon of Ecuador for 15 days. The students worked

days of work and ended the trip with a few days in Baños in

sixth-year architecture graduate student.

directly with the village as the community changed its focus

the Andes Mountains. This gave the students a look at three

from agriculture to eco-tourism. The goal was to develop

entirely different environments in a short amount of time.

During the summer of 2010, Wilson took 12 students

a new master layout plan for the village, establishing both short and long term development schedules. Wilson’s goal for her students was to “condition them as much as possible.”

Italy and Ecuador excursions allow for unique opportunities for College of Architecture students. From working in

Italy 2010 Summer 2010 was the first trip to Italy for a drawing

a third-world country, to sketching the ancient architecture of Italy, both are open to students of all levels and disci-

and sketching class. The idea for the trip came from the

plines in the college and produce new friendships in new

seminar presented by Hyde Chair of Excellence Professor

work environments. Architecture students are encouraged

”You impact individuals as well as yourself, even if there are

Brian Andrews during the spring of 2010. Students read and

to sign up, pack their bags and prepare for the summer of a

no physical results within those three weeks.”

discussed Italian architects and architecture, and many of the

lifetime.

“It is stressful, but a learning opportunity,” Wilson said.

“The overall experience was really life changing, and it

Hyde chair students wanted to experience what was taught

makes me see how we live back in the states in a completely

in class, which sparked the idea for a trip to Italy. Ten stu-

different way,” said Kristen Bender, third-year interior de-

dents traveled throughout the country learning and drawing.

archweb.unl.edu

J

College of Arts and Sciences

UNL Chemist Winner of NSF Innovation Grant Hospital, an internationally recognized pediatric treatment and

By Jean Ortiz Jones A potentially life-saving innovation developed by a University of Nebraska–Lincoln chemist is among 21 concepts across the

and DiMagno complete the final step in making the radioactive

country selected to receive support through a new National Science

compounds. That’s necessary because the compounds only have a

Foundation program that aims to guide promising scientific discov-

half-life of 110 minutes, meaning to be effective they must be used

eries toward commercialization.

immediately or they disappear.

Professor Stephen DiMagno and his entrepreneurial team are among the inaugural recipients of NSF’s Innovation Corps award, also known as the I-Corps. Winners were announced this past fall.

“This award confirms the importance of the four years of work

– Professor Stephen DiMagno

Working to develop the technology has been rewarding to say the least, Neumann said.

“I think a lot of people see chemistry as this esoteric thing that nobody really knows about and it’s all sort of voodoo magic,” Neu-

that went into helping to develop the technology,” DiMagno said.

mann said. “But it’s nice to see what you develop at the benchtop

“The selection process also helps validate the value of the technol-

translate into impacting children’s well-being.”

With its team format, the I-Corps program is structured to

ogy for translation into clinically important medicines.”

“Our research program allows us to create imaging agents that previously were very difficult to synthesize or were unknown. Such compounds will allow us to understand each person’s specific disease process better and apply optimum therapies on a patient-bypatient basis.”

research facility based in Memphis, Tenn. It’s there that Neumann

train the next generation

Each recipient team received $50,000 to begin

of entrepreneurs to look

assessing the viability of the

at all aspects of high-tech

technology for a new start-

business development,

up enterprise, specialized

DiMagno said.

“The goal is that the

training, and an opportunity to present their products

student eventually will lead

to venture capitalists at

a company or have the

the end of the six-month

training necessary to start

program. NSF specifically

his own company in the

sought out discoveries that

future,” he said.

Besides Neumann,

offer near-term benefits to

DiMagno’s team includes

society or the economy.

Allan Green, a physician,

With support from a

research scientist and law-

previous NSF grant, DiMagno developed a new way to make imaging agents

Professor Stephen DiMagno and graduate student Kiel Neumann (right) share a lighter moment while conducting research.

ence in the pharmaceutical industry, including the

for staging and managing certain cancers, including pediatric cancers and cardiac disease, as well as various neurological disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and

launch of imaging products. Green will serve as a mentor.

In his quest toward commercialization, DiMagno also has worked closely with NUtech Ventures, a nonprofit affiliate of the

Parkinson’s disease.

“Our research program allows us to create imaging agents

University of Nebraska that connects university researchers with

that previously were very difficult to synthesize or were unknown,”

the private sector. NUtech staff has helped manage the technology,

DiMagno said. “Such compounds will allow us to understand each

filed patents to protect the technology, and offered advice about

person’s specific disease process better and apply optimum therapies

how best to proceed with establishing a viable business enterprise

on a patient-by-patient basis.”

around the technology.

He said he got the initial idea to pursue this research as he

DiMagno said he is happy about the progress made to date

contemplated how to get back to the reason he chose to become a

and with the NSF grant in hand, is confident about the potential

chemist: to have a positive impact on people’s lives through science.

surrounding his discovery.

“I’d like to think we have arrived at the cutting edge of mo-

“It sounds trite, but it’s true,” he said.

DiMagno had the help of Kiel Neumann, a graduate student

22 | GoodNUz | COLLEGES

yer with extensive experi-

lecular imaging, starting from nothing, in four years,” DiMagno

from O’Neill who is pursuing a doctorate in organic chemistry.

said. “And that is really a testament to the amount of support we

Neumann has been involved with the project from its infancy and

get from the people of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska–

helped establish a collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research

Lincoln.”

ascweb.unl.edu

College of Business Administration

Senior Peter Sam Thrives at CBA

SIFE Wins True Hero Grant

By Sheri Irwin-Gish

By Roger Simonsen

When Peter Sam moved to Gothenburg, Neb., from Los Angeles in 2005, he experienced culture shock. A sophomore in high school at the time, Sam liked to blend into the crowd.

“I was shy and it was tough meeting people.

However, everyone was nice in Gothenburg and introduced themselves, so it was much easier to get to know people,” Sam said.

The UNL Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) group has received a $3,000 grant from True Hero Inc., a nonprofit organization that awards grants to youth and student groups whose community projects garner outside support. True Hero’s goal is to raise money and awareness for heroic efforts in a fun way by using social networking, cash awards, and popular voting. The SIFE team was Peter Sam

His parents, Kit and Lan Sam, moved to Nebraska to open

awarded first place in the college project

“At Schripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego, I was right next

category with 1,234 votes, mainly due

a restaurant. Both were born in Guangzhu, China, and did not

to the doctor while he was in surgery. I got to see everything while

to support from the UNL College of

speak fluent English. Peter greeted patrons, dealt with the business

they explained step-by-step what they were doing. One doctor

Business Administration and the Lincoln

paperwork, trained new employees, helped with advertising and

taught me how to look at a cardiogram of a heart,” he said.

translated for his parents.

“I learned a lot about running a business and developed an entrepreneurship mind,” Sam said.

When it was time to select a college, he wanted to stay in state to make tuition affordable.

“Visiting was the deciding factor for me in choosing the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The people I met provided valuable insight about UNL, the College of Business Administration and

He was one of 60 students selected from all over the country to be part of the summer Medical and Dental Education Program offered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

“This program prepared us for medical school. People from all over the world were there and it wasn’t all about studying. It really

community.

“The True Hero grant awarded to the UNL SIFE team highlights the talents and abilities of our students,” said Sam Nelson, SIFE Adviser. “The UNL SIFE team consists of a diverse group of very bright individuals from multiple colleges

broke down the stereotypes related to these professions and solidi-

within UNL, yet they all share a passion

fied that I want to be a doctor,” he said.

to improve the world around them.”

While at UNL, Sam has been very active in the Students in

With the grant money, SIFE plans

the city of Lincoln. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part

Free Enterprise (SIFE). SIFE is an international non-profit organi-

to help promote self-sufficiency among

of something big,” Sam said.

zation that works with leaders in business and higher education to

residents in the Pine Ridge community

Now a senior at the UNL College of Business, Sam plans to be an interventional cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in the catheter-based treatment of structural heart diseases. He decided

mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities.

“SIFE is a great organization and I have gained so much life

to major in management because he also wants to own his own

experience and improved my leadership skills in the process. I’m

practice.

helping people with projects and building my resume at the same

Sam has already shadowed nurses and doctors at three hospitals in Nebraska and one in San Diego.

time,” he said.

in southwest South Dakota by providing opportunities to succeed. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the United States.

The grant money will help establish grant writing education in Reservation

This fall, Peter received the Alvin Rohrs Servant Leadership

high school classrooms and entrepre-

Scholarship and the Paul Hogan Entrepreneurial Scholarship.

neurial programs encouraging the growth

The Rohrs award recognizes a SIFE student who had the greatest

of small businesses. The hope is that

impact improving their team as servant leader. The Hogan award

Pine Ridge students will use their writing

honors a CBA student for academic excellence and a desire to start his or her own business following graduation.

“I was honored and am extremely grateful for both awards.

They have made my senior year less stressful,” said Sam, who no longer wants to blend into the crowd. He will take the MCAT this spring and apply for early admission to the University of Nebraska Medical School.

cba.unl.edu

J

skills to influence their community with their ideas.

Students of all majors interested in making a difference can e-mail unlsife@ yahoo.com to see how to get involved with SIFE.

College of Education and Human Sciences

Susan Swearer Looks for Ways to Prevent Bullying In March at a conference in the White House, UNL professor

Swearer Joined by Others at Workshop

Susan Swearer joined a panel of researchers to stress the need to put research to practice when looking for ways to prevent bullying.

“There is a big gap between research and practice,” she said

Susan Swearer

later. “We know from two decades of research what works and what

“Sadly, many schools are doing things we know don’t work.

pre-performance workshop on “Practical

doesn’t work. We don’t have all the answers, but we have a lot of the

Yet, they do it and spend a lot of money doing it,” Swearer said.

Ways to Deal with Bullying Inside and

answers.”

Researchers know, for example, that one-time large assemblies or

Joining Dr. Susan Swearer in her

Outside the Classroom” on Nov. 5 was RESPECT 2 of Omaha.

RESPECT 2 is an educational resource organization that uses theater and plays to address issues of bullying and harassment. The group performed and conducted role-playing activities with participants at the workshop.

The two Lincoln performances

In November back home in Nebraska, Swearer took part in a series of events that demonstrated her commitment to narrowing

good prevention programs are available, she said, many others are

that gap between research and practice. She led a teacher workshop

ineffective and not grounded in research.

and met with middle school students who had just seen the play,

is focused on the transfer of research to practice, helping schools

Theatre of Vancouver, British Columbia, in the Johnny Carson The-

to collect data on bullying that will inform strategies and inform

ater at UNL’s Lied Center for Performing Arts.

practice,” Swearer said. Research makes it possible for intervention

An estimated 400 middle and high school students and teachers attended the play, which is based on the real-life story of a Canadian

Theatre of Vancouver, British Columbia,

girl, Reena Virk, 14, who was murdered by teen attackers in 1997.

from the Lincoln Community Foundation with support from Dr. Phillip Engen, an anesthesiologist in Wheatridge, Colo.

Engen is the brother of Nancy EngenWedin, who is in charge of education and grant programs for the Lied Center for Performing Arts and is a lecturer in the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences.

Swearer also spoke Nov. 14 at a one-day symposium on the use and misuse of social networking at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. The symposium, “Identity, Connectedness, and Threat in Social Networks: Adolescent and Young Adult Use and Misuse of New Media,” was sponsored by Rutgers and the Tyler Clementi Foundation. Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, jumped to his death from the George Washington

“We have moved beyond increasing awareness. My work now

“Shape of a Girl,” presented Nov. 7 by the Canadian Green Thumb

of “Shape of a Girl” by Green Thumb Canada, were made possible by a grant

motivational speakers “do not provide lasting change.” While many

“Quality performances like this bring issues to life and help

programs to be tailored to the specific needs of a given school, based on data collected at that school.

She also is looking at mechanisms that underlie bullying to better understand what allows kids to morally disengage and be mean

kids and adults think about issues from multiple perspectives,” said

and how they rationalize and justify their behavior. “Many kids who

Swearer, a licensed psychologist and a professor in the Department

bully others are popular and have high social standing, at the top

of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human

of the heap. Others see that and think it’s the way to popularity, to

Sciences. She said the students she met with at Irving and Mickle

higher social standing. We need to understand the reality of our soci-

Middle Schools in Lincoln had a great deal to say about the circum-

ety and culture that makes this behavior acceptable in some circles,”

stances revealed in the play, were engaged in the discussion, and

she said.

In March Swearer shared her research on peer victimization

asked thoughtful questions.

“The students were very interested in the play and the true story

and the psychological causes and consequences of bullying with

behind the play, and that helped them think about the issue of bul-

President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and participants at a

lying in a deeper way,” Swearer said.

White House conference on bullying prevention. While taking part

“Bullying is a complex phenomenon,” she said. “This play

in the conference was a rare opportunity to bring national attention

illustrates the complexities of the phenomenon, and it illustrates

to prevention, particularly noteworthy to Swearer was the fact that

what we know from research.” The playwright was inspired by

researchers were invited.

researcher Shelley Hymel of the University of British Columbia, who

“It was an important opportunity to bring research findings

coordinates the Bullying Research Network with Swearer. Hymel’s

to the forefront. Of the 120 people at the conference, seven were

research, in addition to the true story, informed the play’s content

researchers. Researchers were in the room; we had a voice,” she said.

and story line.

Another significant outcome of the conference was creation of www.

Swearer said researchers need to be involved in translating com-

stopbullying.gov, a website managed by the U.S. Department of

Bridge in 2010 after an intimate encoun-

plex issues for the public so that presentations are true to research

Health and Human Services in partnership with the Department of

ter was streamed live on the Internet.

findings, accurate, and not sensationalized. As far as anti-bullying

Education and the Department of Justice.

programs in schools, she said, too often evidence-based research is

ence in the East Room of the White House. Also speaking were

overlooked.

24 | GoodNUz | COLLEGES

Both President Obama and Mrs. Obama spoke at the confer-

School administrators are inundated with anti-violence, anti-

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Secre-

bullying programs, and many implement these programs based on

tary of Education Arne Duncan. Attending were students, parents,

a friend’s recommendation or slick promotional materials without

educators, school psychologists, school administrators, political

regard for whether the program is based on empirical evidence ob-

leaders, representatives of social media networks, and online safety

tained through careful research, she said.

consumer groups.

cehs.unl.edu

College of Engineering

A Wing and Some Software Computer Engineers Led by UNL’s Vuran Shape Crane Tracker to Help Birds Survive and Thrive

By Carole Wilbeck Two figures emerge from the mist of an early morning alongside a river in the upper Midwest. A five-foot-tall Eastern Greater Sandhill Crane on spindly legs unfolds

Tracker systems by Vuran’s team cost a fraction of that

ment in his thesis for a master’s degree in engineering. The

amount, and 96-99 percent of the data is received within a

project has expanded his engineering skills – from the basics

day.

of how to design a device that’s waterproof yet power-effiIn summer 2011 Vuran and two CSE graduate stu-

cient, all the way to software refinements for gaining better data – and challenged him to be more insightful.

powerful wings that fly it thousands of miles in migration

dents, Dave Anthony and Paul Bennett, conducted initial

each year, unhindered by a wallet-sized electronic package

tests on Siberian Cranes at ICF’s captive breeding grounds

recently strapped to its body behind the wings. The other

in Baraboo. Their Crane Trackers were harnessed to the

adapted the tracker work for undergraduate research, apply-

figure – a human form, though he’s barely awake enough

birds using a backpack design. During tests, the cranes were

ing it to study pheasants with Extension faculty at UNL’s

yet to grasp this fact – holds a receptor for gathering data

also monitored by a video camera to observe the birds’ reac-

East Campus.

wirelessly from the bird-mounted sensing equipment.

tions to their new backpacks, while the trackers recorded

Derek Homan, a computer engineering senior, has

What’s next for this technology? With the birds “tweet-

their locations and movements and wirelessly conveyed this

ing” their locations and activities, will there be family plans

crane conducts its morning forage and Mehmet Can Vuran,

information (including device voltage, ambient tempera-

for the cranes? Can ecologists communicate with their

UNL assistant professor of computer science and engineer-

ture, and the bird’s horizontal and vertical acceleration,

trackers? On the horizon is more research, Vuran said, to

ing, collects information on the crane’s movements.

directional heading, pitch and roll).

make the trackers smaller, self-sufficient, dependable and

It’s a successful “fishing trip” for all involved, as the

Back in Lincoln, Vuran leads the Cyber-Physical

“The initial tests with captive cranes had very prom-

more powerful; the ICF scientists want to reprogram and reuse these “flying labs.”

Networking Laboratory in UNL’s June and Paul Schorr III

ising results for the tracking device and the backpack

Center for Computer Science and Engineering, stream-

technique,” Vuran said. Motivated by this success, the team

Vuran said the possibilities are exciting: to “try new

lining embedded systems for remote data gathering in

harnessed a Crane Tracker to “JB,” a male Eastern Greater

ways to decode the birds’ movements – their ‘onboard com-

challenging environments from Nebraska’s underground to the frozen Canadian tundra. He especially enjoys when his work comes to life in the wilds of Wisconsin, home of the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo.

With CSE colleagues Matt Dwyer and Sebastian Elbaum, and ICF ecologists Anne Lacy and Mike Engels, Vuran and students are developing Crane Tracker: an adaptive sensor network to monitor migratory birds throughout the continent.

“The idea incubated in one of our sensor networks courses,” Vuran said. “Several UNL undergraduate and graduate students helped build some of the components” as

(Above Left) Wearing its Crane Tracker backpack developed with UNL computer engineers, an Eastern Greater Sandhill Crane chick flies unhindered near the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin during testing in early fall 2011. (Middle) A tracker on a Sandhill Crane.

(Right) UNL and ICF Teams: Dan McElwee (ICF), Eloise Lachance (ICF), Derek Homan (Undergraduate UNL), Anne Lacy (ICF), Paul Bennett (M.S. candidate UNL), Molly Stewart, Can Vuran (UNL), Andy Gossens (ICF).

part of their learning through the years in that curriculum

Sandhill Crane, for two weeks of testing in the wild. The

pass.’” Lacy agreed: “As the human impact on the landscape

and also in embedded systems courses.

initial field data helped the team improve Crane Tracker

increases, Crane Tracker will help us find out how these

capabilities, and the Nebraska engineers continue to moni-

birds successfully adapt.”

The sensor system developed at UNL uses solar-

In the last week of the summer tests at Baraboo, the

powered electronic devices that wirelessly provide real-

tor the sensing, communication and energy consumption

time information about birds’ locations and movements

profile of the trackers, with next-stage testing on reintro-

Crane Tracker on one bird already showed ICF scientists a

during migration – a feat that previously involved immense

duced Whooping Cranes migrating between Wisconsin and

new discovery: a nearby roosting area they hadn’t realized

amounts of scientists’ time and resources.

Florida.

was so popular with the birds.

ICF has conducted traditional banding, with a field

“The Crane Tracker data is very, very accurate,” said

ecologist following the birds only at their breeding grounds.

ICF’s Lacy. “We get the detailed information we want and

VHF transmitters have been used to follow migrating birds,

(with Crane Tracker) it’s much cheaper.” Her hope is that

but the receiver must be within a few miles of the bird.

behavioral information gathered via Crane Tracker will,

More recently, technology included satellite transmitters

over time, layer into even more robust measurement.

to record birds’ locations via ranging techniques – costing

Bennett, who grew up in Grand Island near the Platte

thousands of dollars per device, plus satellite data fees, and

River where half a million cranes gather each spring, said he

the disadvantage of data delayed up to 56 hours. Crane

feels “a lot of motivation” for this work, which he’ll docu-

engineering.unl.edu

“There’s always something we can’t predict,” Bennett said. “That’s what makes it a great learning experience.”

Learn more about ICF work at savingcranes.org.

The phenomenon of crane migration season is a highlight of late winter and early spring in central Nebraska. For viewing locations and timeframes, visit nebraskaflyway.com.

techniques used to write comedy, which he later effectively used in television through his Tonight Show monologues.

Carson also served as master of ceremonies for the male dramatic society Kosmet Klub shows from 19471949, and he once dressed in drag to become the first male to ever emcee the female Co-Ed Follies Show in 1948.

Both John and his brother, Dick (‘51), were members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. John Carson starred in the Fiji’s Kosmet Klub skits. The fraternity won first place in the 1947 Kosmet Klub fall revue for their skit, “She Was Only a Pharaoh’s Daughter, But She Never Became a Mummy,” which featured Carson as Cleopatra.

While at the University of Nebraska, Carson perChancellor Harvey Perlman shakes hands with Jeff Sotzing as Larry Witzer waves to the crowd during a second quarter time out at the Nov. 5 Husker football game. Sotzing and Witzer are with the John W. Carson Foundation. Photo by Craig Chandler of University Communications.

Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts

formed locally at the American Legion, VFW and local clubs in Lincoln at night, practicing the skills he learned during the day in the Temple Building. Carson also wrote and did shows for KFAB radio in Lincoln.

Carson Foundation Donates $1 Million for Scholarships

He hosted The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years, from 1962 to 1992. Carson earned six Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 and received Kennedy Center Honors in 1993.

In 2004, Carson donated $5.3 million to the Universi-

By Kathe Andersen Heeeeere’s ... Johnny!

ty of Nebraska Foundation to support theater and film pro-

And yet another generous gift for his alma mater.

grams in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing

This past November at UNL’s Temple Building, where

Arts and to renovate and expand the Temple Building, at 12th and R streets, home to the theater program and where

legendary comedian Johnny Carson once honed his skills, people from the John W. Carson Foundation announced a $1 million gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation.

The gift creates the Johnny Carson Opportunity Schol-

John W. Carson Foundation Board Members Larry Witzer (left) and Jeff Sotzing in the lobby of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film. Photo

by Kathe Andersen, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

Carson studied radio. In 2005, the university received an additional $5 million gift from the estate of Carson for endowed support of programs in theater, film and broadcasting, following Carson’s death on Jan. 23, 2005.

arship Fund in honor of Carson, who died in 2005. The scholarships will help students in the Hixson-Lied College

announcement in Howell Theatre in the Temple Building

of Fine and Performing Arts who – like Carson – graduated

on UNL’s city campus.

from high schools in Nebraska. Preference will be given to

“Johnny Carson began his career right here in the

students in the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.

Temple Building at the University of Nebraska,” said Paul

The university’s Department of Theatre Arts was renamed the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film in 2005.

With this recent gift, Carson’s support for the Univer-

Steger, director of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre

sity of Nebraska totals more than $12 million. Terry Fair-

onstrates the continued support of Johnny Carson to his

and Film. “One of his enduring legacies was helping others

field, vice chair of the University of Nebraska Foundation,

home state of Nebraska.

achieve their dreams by giving them their big break by ap-

said Carson’s gifts have transformed the department.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman said this latest gift dem-

“Once again, Johnny Carson’s legacy lives on at the University of Nebraska,” Perlman said. “He has demon-

pearing on The Tonight Show.”

Carson was born in Corning, Iowa, on Oct. 23, 1925,

“The generosity of Johnny Carson forever changed the future of the theater and film programs,” Fairfield said.

strated time and time again his love for his home state,

and grew up in Norfolk, Neb. He served in World War II in

“This new permanently endowed scholarship continues his

and we are grateful to the Carson Foundation Board for

the Navy as an ensign before enrolling at the University of

commitment to students and his legacy at the University of

this generous gift to help our students with much-needed

Nebraska in 1947. He received a bachelor of arts degree in

Nebraska.”

scholarship support.”

radio and speech with a minor in physics in 1949.

His 1949 senior thesis was entitled “How to Write

Support for students like those in the Hixson-Lied College

Carson Lecture presented by “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker.

Comedy for Radio,” which he recorded on a reel-to-reel

of Fine and Performing Arts is a top priority of the Campaign

Two members of the John W. Carson Foundation Board –

tape. The 50-minute recording was a scholarly examination

for Nebraska. If you’d like to help students, too, please contact

Jeff Sotzing, the president of Carson Entertainment Group

of the techniques and devices that radio comedy writ-

the University of Nebraska Foundation at (800) 432-3216 or

and nephew of Johnny Carson; and Larry Witzer, president

ers used to construct the jokes and gags in comedy radio

visit campaignfornebraska.org.

of Gettleson, Witzer & Co., Lexington Financial Manage-

shows. Using bits from several well-known comedians, such

ment LLC in Beverly Hills, Calif. – were present for the

as Jack Benny and Bob Hope, Carson illustrated the various

The gift was announced on Nov. 4 following the

26 | GoodNUz | COLLEGES

www.unl.edu/finearts

J

College of Journalism and Mass Communications

Summer Study Trip Explored Mobile, New Media In Russia

By Teresa Lostroh

New media is a global phenomenon, and CoJMC students have seen firsthand how journalism and advertising professionals are working to embrace the change across the Atlantic.

Seventeen students from the College of Journalism and

unified Russia, an image of the Olympics logo and a video

Mass Communications traveled to Moscow and Sochi, Rus-

from national sponsor Russian Railways to show – rather

sia, in May to learn about and analyze mobile media’s popu-

than simply tell – what Sochi was up to.

larity and applications, especially as the country prepares for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

Although Russia has been slower than the United States to accept platforms such as blogs, Twitter and Storify as legitimate outlets for news and advertising, the students

Another set of students used text, Tweets, photos, videos and a blog excerpt to describe the bond between Sochi and sports. (After the Olympics, Sochi will host the Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix and the 2018 World Cup.) The third group told the story of the city’s pre-Olym-

quickly learned that digital tools are a growing force even in

pics makeover using text, photos, links, website excerpts,

a country with an altogether different media climate.

videos, Tweets and Facebook posts.

“New media has hit there, definitely,” said Pat Radigan, a senior news-editorial major from Sioux Falls, S.D. “Media outlets have to use these new platforms to stay ahead. They make their content and then push it through all these new channels.”

But, he said, “the way people view the things they’re

Students also used Storify individually to document their cultural experiences.

Of course, in accordance with the trip’s theme, students used mobile devices to execute the assignments.

“We were using iPads to produce text and video,” Radigan said. “We were using cell phones to upload stuff to

creating is still in the traditional way. If something’s coming

Twitter as we were at places; we were checking in on four-

from a newspaper, they still read it like a newspaper story.

square. We got to see how it worked to actually do some-

If it’s from a television station, it’s understood as a TV

thing using digital platforms instead of just conceptualizing

broadcast.”

a mobile project.”

There was nothing traditional, however, about the way the CoJMC students approached mobile media. They

The students shared four Droid smartphones and two iPad2s provided by the journalism college.

(Top) The UNL group toured Red Square where they posed for a photo in front of Saint Basil’s Cathedral. (Above) Dean Gary Kebbel (white turtleneck on the right) and Alexander Zolotarev (left). In the background are two graduate assistants of the journalism program who answered questions, translated, and chaperoned the UNL group in Moscow. Zolotarev, a member of Moscow State University, taught a multimedia workshop during the first leg of the trip, facilitated the UNL group’s itinerary and assisted with translation during the classroom work. He was the J school’s first Innovator in Residence and visited Lincoln last summer through the program launched by Dean Kebbel to expand UNL’s international presence.

maybe a different attitude toward school. They saw the American students as perhaps more energetic, more innovative in their thinking, more real-world, hands-on.”

The trip included eight nights in Sochi and seven in

As a result of the trip, UNL and Moscow State have an

allows users to write original content and drag and drop in

Moscow. In Sochi, the group toured under-construction

exchange partnership that will allow Russian professors and

information, Tweets, photos and videos from other sites to

Olympic sites and spoke with officials about the city’s transi-

students to come to Lincoln and vice versa. The college is

form one cohesive story.

tion from mid-size resort city to world-class sports host.

trying to arrange a month-long visit from a Moscow State

completed assignments using Storify, a digital tool that

“They had a chance to see how they might tell a story

At Moscow State University, they heard from MSU and

professor next year, Dean Gary Kebbel said.

Radigan said he is considering enrolling at Moscow

using elements of social media in addition to their own

UNL faculty and local digital reporters about the history

reporting,” said Amy Struthers, an assistant advertising

and structure of Russia’s press, its current evolution, website

State or Sochi State University in the future. But for now,

professor. Struthers and advertising lecturers Adam Wagler

promotion and social media best practices. They also toured

he’s working on mastering the language.

and Luis Peon-Casanova led the Russia study trip. “They got

TV news network RT (formerly called Russia Today) and

to practice shooting and editing their own videos, shooting

advertising agency McCann Erickson Russia.

their own photos and uploading it all to the web,” Struthers added.

Three group projects focused on the changing face of Sochi in anticipation of the Olympics.

The UNL group worked closely with Moscow State University students, swapping experiences and observations about culture and media.

“The (Nebraska) students really got an idea of what life

He is taking Russian courses this fall at UNL so that he can return to Sochi in a few years and volunteer during the Olympics.

“I always used to say Russians seemed cold and brusque, just kind of guarded,” Radigan said, “But I realized they aren’t, and the country was actually more expressive

is like for a Russian ad, PR or journalism student,” Struthers

than Paris and Rome. (Russians) want to get rid of the idea

mestically and abroad. Text explained Sochi’s strategy, but

said. “They formed some really strong friendships in a very

that they’re cold and stagnant. It’s lively and exciting, and I

the group pulled in a Russian advertisement promoting a

short time. From us, I think the Russian students learned

want to go back.”

One examined how the city was marketing itself do-

journalism.unl.edu

College of Law

Nebraska Law Grads Have What It Takes to be Presidential The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program has been matching outstanding graduate students – including several

forcement and Intelligence. In 2010, Holtje converted to full-time

from Nebraska – with federal opportunities since 1977. Although

civil service when his two-year fellowship expired. He continues to

not law-specific, PMF is looking for individuals with strong ana-

serve as the action officer for Intelligence Policy with the Depart-

lytic, leadership and writing skills – the skills students are develop-

ment of State.

ing during their time at Nebraska Law. The goal of the two-year fellowship experience from the fed-

Michael Holtje

State’s Legal Advisor’s Office, where he served in office of Law En-

Amber Charlesworth was selected as a presidential management fellow upon her graduation from the LL.M. program in

eral agency’s perspective is to provide the training and development

Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law in May 2011. As a re-

necessary to create a new generation of leaders. Even so, there is no

sult of that selection, Charlesworth now works for the U.S. Depart-

requirement that fellows stay with the federal government follow-

ment of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental

ing their service.

and Scientific Affairs, the Office of Space and Advanced Technol-

Whether prospective fellows want to stay in public service or

ogy (OES/SAT). OES/SAT has primary responsibility for U.S.

choose to move on to the private sector after the completion of the

representation to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful

program, there is no doubt that fellows are provided a great foun-

Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS), where a wide range of space

dation on which to build their career.

policy issues are addressed. Most recently, UNCOPUOS has been a vital forum for U.S. efforts

The PMF program has a rigorous and lengthy application process. As a result, Nebraska Law is extremely proud of its recent alumni selected as fellows.

“PMFs perform valuable service to the American people while jump-starting their careers,” according to the Amber Charlesworth

program’s website. Michael

to develop new international

The Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program has been matching outstanding graduate students – including several from Nebraska – with federal opportunities since 1977. Although not law-specific, PMF is looking for individuals with strong analytic, leadership and writing skills – the skills students are developing during their time at Nebraska Law.

guidelines on emerging issues such as minimizing the generation of orbital debris and ensuring safe space operations and sustainable access to space. Charlesworth works on space policy issues for OES/ SAT as a result of that office’s connection to UNCOPUOS.

Holtje, ’08, and member of the Presidential Management Fellow Class of 2008, said this is

selected as a presidential management fellow upon his graduation

an accurate description of the experience. Holtje visited the Law

as well. As a result of that selection, Nelson works for the United

College in early September to share his experiences with current

States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Of-

students and meet with prospective applicants. Holtje had nothing

fice of Development Credit (ODC). The mission of the ODC is

but positive comments to share about his experience as a fellow and

to mobilize private investment within developing countries. This

commented, “In my opinion, the PMF program is the best way to

is done by providing partial loan guarantees in order to incentivize

enter federal service directly from graduate school.”

private banks and investors in these countries to lend to creditwor-

Originally Holtje’s focus was on public domestic policy, but

thy entities that would otherwise not be approved for credit due

as he progressed in his education he was drawn to international

to extremely conservative lending standards and loan terms. These

policy. This change in focus was in part based on his belief that he

guarantees many times spawn subsequent assistance-free investment.

might better contribute to effectuating change in the international

Nelson works as a risk analyst, protecting aid money from

and national security domains.

In fall 2008, Holtje joined the Department of State’s Bureau Mark Nelson

Mark Nelson, ’11, was

of Intelligence and Research where he served as the action officer

being subject to loss, and he will get the opportunity to travel and do on-site assessments of financial institutions and borrowers in developing countries all over the world.

for Intelligence Policy and Foreign Partnerships. PMFs are allowed to take part in rotations with other federal agencies, so although Holtje was assigned to the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, he completed rotations with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as well as the Department of

28 | GoodNUz | COLLEGES

law.unl.edu

J

Spring 2012 Husker Athletics Schedules * Indicates conference game/meet; home games in RED. Photos courtesy of Nebraska Media Relations.

Baseball Feb. 17 Gonzaga at Peoria, Ariz., 8 p.m.

Feb. 18 Gonzaga at Peoria, Ariz., 8 p.m.

Feb. 19 Gonzaga at Peoria, Ariz., 1 p.m.

Feb. 24 Utah at Corpus Christi, Texas, 2 p.m.

Feb. 25 Utah at Corpus Christi, Texas, 3 p.m.

Feb. 25 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Corpus Christi, Texas, 7 p.m.

Feb. 26 UNLV at Corpus Christi, Texas, 11 a.m.

March 02 West Virginia at Minneapolis, 12:15 p.m.

March 03 New Mexico State at Minneapolis, 12:05 p.m.

March 04 Minnesota at Minneapolis, 3:05 p.m.

March 06 Kansas State, Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

March 07 Nebraska-Kearney, Hawks Field, 1:35 p.m.

March 09 Cal, Hawks Field, 1:35 p.m.

March 10 Cal, Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

March 11 Cal, Hawks Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 12 Cal, Hawks Field, 12:05 p.m.

March 13 South Dakota State, Hawks Field, 1:35 p.m.

March 15 Louisiana Tech, Hawks Field, 3:05 p.m.

March 16 Louisiana Tech, Hawks Field, 1:35 p.m.

March 17 Louisiana Tech, Hawks Field, 1:35 p.m.

March 18 Louisiana Tech, Hawks Field, 11:05 a.m.

March 20 Northern Colorado, Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

March 21 Northern Colorado, Hawks Field, 1:35 p.m.

March 23 Illinois* Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

March 24 Illinois* Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

March 25 Illinois* Hawks Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 27 Kansas State, Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

March 30 Northwestern* at Evanston, Ill., 3 p.m.

March 31 Northwestern* at Evanston, Ill., 1 p.m.

April 01 Northwestern* at Evanston, Ill., 1 p.m.

April 03 Kansas State at Manhattan, Kan., 6:35 p.m.

April 06 Iowa* Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

April 07 Iowa* Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

April 08 Iowa* Hawks Field, 1:05 p.m.

April 10 Creighton, Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

April 13 Ohio State* at Columbus, Ohio, 5:35 p.m.

April 14 Ohio State* at Columbus, Ohio, 2:05 p.m.

April 15 Ohio State* at Columbus, Ohio, 12:05 p.m.

April 20 Purdue* Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

April 21 Purdue* Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

April 22 Purdue* Hawks Field, 1:05 p.m.

April 24 Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park, 6:30 p.m.

April 27 CSU Bakersfield, Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

April 28 CSU Bakersfield, Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

April 29 CSU Bakersfield, Hawks Field, 1:05 p.m.

May 05 Indiana* at Bloomington, Ind., Noon May 06 Indiana* at Bloomington, Ind., Noon May 07 Indiana* at Bloomington, Ind., Noon May 08 Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park, 7 p.m.

May 11 Minnesota* Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

May 12 Minnesota* (Parent’s Day), Hawks Field, 2:05 p.m.

May 13 Minnesota* (Senior Day), Hawks Field, 1:05 p.m.

May 15 Wichita State, Hawks Field, 6:35 p.m.

May 17 Michigan* at Ann Arbor, Mich., 5:05 p.m.

May 18 Michigan* at Ann Arbor, Mich., 5:05 p.m.

May 19 Michigan* at Ann Arbor, Mich., 12:05 p.m.

May 23-27 Big Ten Tournament* at Columbus, Ohio (Huntington Park), TBA June 01-04 NCAA Regionals, Campus Sites, TBA June 08-11 NCAA Super Regionals, Campus Sites, TBA June 15 College World Series at Omaha, Neb., TBA BOWLING Feb. 17-19 Morgan State Invitational at Baltimore, All Day March 16-18 Music City Classic at Nashville, All Day April 12-14 NCAA Championships at Cleveland, Ohio, All Day Football - Spring Game April 14, Memorial Stadium, 1 p.m.

Men’s Golf Feb. 25-26 Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate at Palm

Desert, Calif. (Classic Club), TBA March 12-13 Jackrabbit Invitational at Primm, Nev.

(Primm Valley Golf Club), TBA March 23-25 Denver Desert Shootout at Goodyear, Ariz.

(Palm Valley Golf Course), TBA April 09-10 C.O.G. Mizzou Intercollegiate at

Columbia, Mo. (The Club at Old Hawthorne), TBA April 14-15 Hawkeye-Taylor Made Invitational at Iowa City, Iowa

(Finkbine Golf Course), TBA

April 27-29 Big Ten Championship* at French Lick, Ind.

(Pete Dye Golf Course), TBA May 17-19 NCAA Regionals at TBA May 29 - June 03 NCAA Championship at Pacific Palisades, Calif.

(Riviera Country Club), TBA Women’s Golf Feb. 12-14 Lady Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Grande,

P.R., 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 26-27 Westbrook Spring Invitational at Peoria, Ariz.

(Westbrook Village GC), 9:30 a.m.

March 19-20 BYU Entrada Classic, St. George, Utah,

9:30 a.m.

March 23-24 Mountain View Collegiate at Tucson, Ariz.,

9:30 a.m.

April 21-22 Ohio State Spring Invitational at Columbus, Ohio

(Scarlet Course), 7:30 a.m.

April 27-29 Big Ten Championships* at French Lick, Ind.

(D. Ross GC) 7:30 a.m.

May 10-12 NCAA Regionals at Columbus, Ohio, University Park, Pa.,

Erie, Colo., TBA May 23-26 NCAA Championship at Franklin, Tenn., TBA Men’s Gymnastics Feb. 18 Minnesota* at Minneapolis, 1 p.m.

March 04 Arizona State, Bob Devaney Sports Center,

2 p.m.

March 11 Minnesota, Illinois* Bob Devaney Sports

Center, 1 p.m.

March 17 Oklahoma, Air Force at Norman, Okla., 7 p.m.

March 24 Iowa* Bob Devaney Sports Center, 7 p.m.

April 06 Big Ten Championships Team Competition* at Iowa City, Iowa,

7 p.m.

April 07 Big Ten Championships Individual Competition* at Iowa City, Iowa,

7 p.m.

April 19 NCAA Championships Team Qualifier at Norman, Okla., All Day April 20 NCAA Championships Team & All-Around Finals at Norman,

Okla., 7 p.m.

April 21 NCAA Championships Individual Event Finals at Norman, Okla.,

7 p.m.

WOMen’s Gymnastics Feb. 18 Minnesota* at Minneapolis, 6 p.m.

Feb. 24 Arkansas at Fayetteville, Ark., 7 p.m.

March 04 Florida, Lincoln, Neb., 2 p.m.

March 09 Utah at Salt Lake City, Utah, 8 p.m.

March 16 Iowa State, Lincoln, Neb., 7 p.m.

March 24 Big Ten Championships* at Iowa City, Iowa April 07 NCAA Regionals at TBA April 20-22 NCAA Championships at Duluth, Ga., TBA Softball Feb. 17 Feb. 17 Feb. 18 Feb. 18 Feb. 19 Feb. 24 Feb. 25 Feb. 25 Feb. 26 Feb. 26 March 02 March 02 March 03 March 03 March 04 March 09 March 09 March 10 March 10 March 11 March 13 March 20 March 23 March 24 March 28 March 31 April 01 April 06 April 07 April 11 April 14 April 15 April 18

Colorado State at Las Cruces, N.M., 3 p.m. (Central) New Mexico State at Las Cruces, N.M., 5 p.m. (Central) Weber State at Las Cruces, N.M., 12:30 p.m. (Central) Stephen F. Austin at Las Cruces, N.M., 10:30 a.m. (Central) New Mexico State at Las Cruces, N.M., 10 a.m. (Central) Oregon at Cathedral City, Calif., 12:30 p.m. (Central) Cal Poly at Cathedral City, Calif., 2 p.m. (Central) Missouri at Cathedral City, Calif., 4:30 p.m. (Central) Texas at Cathedral City, Calif., 11 a.m. (Central) Washington at Cathedral City, Calif., 1 p.m. (Central) Houston at College Station, Texas, 12:15 p.m.

Texas A&M at College Station, Texas, 3 p.m.

Texas State at College Station, Texas, 10 a.m.

Texas A&M at College Station, Texas, 5:15 p.m.

Texas State at College Station, Texas, 10 a.m.

Arkansas Pine-Bluff at Stillwater, Okla., 1:30 p.m.

Oklahoma State at Stillwater, Okla., 7 p.m.

Bracket Play at Stillwater, Okla., 4:30 p.m. or 7 p.m.

Loyola-Chicago at Stillwater, Okla., 11 a.m.

Bracket Play at Stillwater, Okla., 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.

South Dakota, Bowlin Stadium, 5 p.m.

Nebraska-Omaha at Omaha, Neb., 3 p.m.

Northwestern* Bowlin Stadium, 5 p.m.

Northwestern (DH)* Bowlin Stadium, 1 & 3 p.m.

South Dakota State (DH), Bowlin Stadium, 3 & 5 p.m.

Minnesota (DH)* at Minneapolis, Noon & 2 p.m.

Minnesota* at Minneapolis, Noon Illinois (DH)* Bowlin Stadium, 4 & 6 p.m.

Illinois* Bowlin Stadium, Noon Creighton, Bowlin Stadium, 6 p.m.

Iowa (DH)* at Iowa City, Iowa, 2 & 4 p.m.

Iowa* at Iowa City, Iowa, 1 p.m.

Nebraska-Omaha, Bowlin Stadium, 6 p.m.

April 21 April 22 April 25 April 28 April 29 May 05 May 06 May 11 May 12 May 17-20 May 24-27

Ohio State (DH)* at Columbus, Ohio, 4 & 6 p.m. (Central) Ohio State* at Columbus, Ohio, 1 p.m. (Central) Creighton at Omaha, Neb., 6 p.m.

Michigan State (DH)* Bowlin Stadium, 1 & 3 p.m.

Michigan State* Bowlin Stadium, Noon Indiana (DH)* at Bloomington, Ind., 1 & 3 p.m. (Central) Indiana* at Bloomington, Ind., Noon (Central) Wisconsin (DH)* Bowlin Stadium, 5 & 7 p.m.

Wisconsin* Bowlin Stadium, 1 p.m.

NCAA Regional, at Campus Site, TBA NCAA Super Regional, at Campus Site, TBA

TRACK AND FIELD Feb. 17 Nebraska Tune-Up, Devaney Center Indoor Track, 12:30 p.m.

Feb. 24-25 Big Ten Indoor Championships* Devaney Center Indoor Track,

10 a.m./10 a.m.

March 03 Iowa State NCAA Qualifier at Ames, Iowa, TBA March 09-10 NCAA Indoor Championships at Boise, Idaho, TBA March 23-24 Arizona State Invitational at Tempe, Ariz., TBA March 31 Arkansas Spring Invitational at Fayetteville, Ark., TBA April 06-07 Sun Angel Classic at Tempe, Ariz., TBA April 13-14 K.T. Woodman Classic at Wichita, Kan., TBA April 19-21 Kansas Relays at Lawrence, Kan., TBA April 19-21 Mt. SAC Relays at Walnut, Calif., TBA April 25 Nebraska Mini-Meet, Ed Weir Stadium, TBA April 26-28 Penn Relays at Philadelphia, TBA April 26-28 Drake Relays at Des Moines, Iowa, TBA May 05 Nebraska Invitational, Ed Weir Stadium, TBA May 11-13 Big Ten Outdoor Championships* at Madison,

Wis., TBA May 24-26 NCAA West Preliminary Round at Austin,

Texas, TBA June 06-09 NCAA Outdoor Championships at Des Moines, Iowa, TBA Men’s Tennis Feb. 17 Drake, Nebraska Tennis Center, 6 p.m.

Feb. 19 Idaho, Nebraska Tennis Center, 9 a.m.

Feb. 25 VCU at Richmond, Va., TBA Feb. 26 William & Mary at Williamsburg, Va., TBA March 02 Illinois* Nebraska Tennis Center, 3 p.m.

March 18 Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, Calif., 2 p.m.

March 20 Pepperdine at Malibu, Calif., 3 p.m.

March 25 Northwestern* Lincoln, Neb., Noon March 30 Ohio State* at Columbus, Ohio, TBA April 01 Penn State* at University Park, Pa., 10 a.m.

April 04 Iowa* at Iowa City, Iowa, 2 p.m.

April 06 Purdue* Lincoln, Neb., 3 p.m.

April 08 Indiana* Lincoln, Neb., Noon April 14 Michigan* at Ann Arbor, Mich., Noon April 15 Michigan State* at East Lansing, Mich., TBA April 20 Minnesota* at Minneapolis, TBA April 22 Wisconsin* Lincoln, Neb., Noon April 27-29 Big Ten Championships* at Chicago, All Day WOMen’s Tennis Feb. 17 Washington State, Nebraska Tennis Center, 12:30 p.m.

Feb. 19 Miami (Ohio), Nebraska Tennis Center, 1 p.m.

Feb. 24 Wichita State, Nebraska Tennis Center, 5 p.m.

Feb. 26 Colorado State, Nebraska Tennis Center, 10 a.m.

Feb. 29 Kansas State, Nebraska Tennis Center, 4 p.m.

March 02 St. Louis, Nebraska Tennis Center, 7 p.m.

March 04 Colorado, Nebraska Tennis Center, Noon March 09 Iowa* Nebraska Tennis Center, 5 p.m.

March 11 Tulsa, Nebraska Tennis Center, 11:30 a.m.

March 20 Long Beach State at Long Beach, Calif., 2 p.m.

March 24 Illinois* at Urbana, Ill., Noon March 25 Northwestern* at Evanston, Ill., 11 a.m.

March 30 Ohio State* Nebraska Tennis Center, 5 p.m.

April 01 Penn State* Nebraska Tennis Center, 11 a.m.

April 07 Purdue* at West Lafayette, Ind., Noon April 08 Indiana* at Bloomington, Ind., 11 a.m.

April 13 Michigan* Nebraska Tennis Center, 3 p.m.

April 15 Michigan State* Nebraska Tennis Center, Noon April 20 Minnesota* Nebraska Tennis Center, 2 p.m.

April 22 Wisconsin* at Madison, Wis., 11 a.m.

April 26-29 Big Ten Championships* at Columbus, Ohio, TBA May 10-13 NCAA Tournament Regionals at TBA May 19-24 NCAA Tournament Championships at

Stanford, Calif.

ATHLETICS | Spring 2012 | 29

Athletics – Women’s Basketball

City Slicker, Country Girl Inspire Each Other

By Randy York, ’71 They’re a year apart, but always together. Each knows what the other one is thinking and they laugh at punch lines before they’re even delivered. They’re roommates, teammates, best friends and push each other hard to improve on a daily basis.

Lindsey Moore has no official designation as an assistant coach, but everyone around Nebraska’s No. 15-ranked (the week of Jan. 9) women’s basketball program knows the junior point guard plays a big role in the rapid rise and development of sophomore forward Jordan Hooper, the Big Ten Conference’s leading rebounder and second-lead-

Jordan Hooper grew up on a ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills. Photo by Matt Miller, Omaha World-Herald.

ing scorer. Moore pushes every button in Hooper’s head.

compared to where she grew up. It’s neat when two kids

She’s a confidante who spurs confidence. Moore is the city

love the game so much that they connect in other ways.”

slicker from suburban Seattle, and Hooper is the country

Moore says her Nebraska ranch experience “was awe-

girl whose home base of Alliance, Neb., is 36 miles from

some. It was really cool to see how Hooper grew up,” she

the ranch she grew up on in Sheridan County.

said. “It’s fun to see another environment and how people

In her third year as a starting point guard, Moore was

live and work. I’m not even close to anything like that. The

dealing the cards as a freshman to a veteran team that won

great part about going to Alliance and the ranch, you can

32 of 34 games and made the NCAA Sweet 16. A year

tell why she’s so excited and why she thinks that town is so

later, she helped guide Hooper through an adventuresome

awesome.”

but losing freshman season, and Nebraska Coach Con-

Let the record show that this dynamic Husker duo

nie Yori now gives Moore credit for helping mold Hooper

– Moore the 5-foot-9 guard and Hooper the 6-foot-2 for-

into the toughest scoring/rebounding threat in the Big Ten

ward – played one game last Easter weekend on the slab of

Conference.

concrete on the Hooper ranch – a court that’s wider than it

“Lindsey had a very mature basketball IQ when she

is long and has the full range and circumference

came here,” Yori said. “You talk about somebody that can

to accommodate 3-point shooting. The one-on-one battle

pick things up. She’s one of those kids where you tell them

went down to the wire. Final score: Country Girl 21, City

once, and she does it right 10 straight times. That’s rare,

Slicker 20. “Home-court advantage,” Hooper said. “We

and we’re really happy with the way she’s taken Jordan

didn’t play another game. We were both too tired.

under her wing.

Of Hooper, Yori says: “She wants to do the right

“I love playing against Lindsey,” Hooper said. “She helps me every day, on the floor and off. We live together,

Lindsey Moore drives against Indiana.

think. But Moore is a persuasive leader, even convincing Hooper to take on the pressure of great expectations, so she could help the Huskers develop a championship mindset.

thing. She’s extremely coachable. If you tell her something,

so she never misses a chance to boost my confidence. At

she’s going to try to do it. She has a really good mind and

the beginning of this year, I didn’t have any confidence

sure – from Alliance and everywhere else,” Hooper said.

picks things up quickly, and I said that from the day she

shooting the ball. I’d shoot it and not know if it was going

“Now I can say it. I wanted to impress people every game.

walked on campus. She didn’t have the advantage of play-

in or out. I remember one night when I told her I didn’t

I still carry some of that pressure with me, but Lindsey’s

ing club basketball and knowing how much faster the game

have any confidence. She sat me right down, looked me in

helped me take it on. She’s helped me grow.”

would be played, so she was a little overwhelmed when she

the eye and said: ‘You need to have confidence in yourself

first got here.

“Here’s a kid from (suburban) Seattle and another from Alliance,” Yori added, “and they’ve developed a good friendship, on and off the court. Lindsey even went out to Jordan’s ranch, and that’s a whole different world out there, 30 | GoodNUz | ATHLETICS

“I never wanted to tell people that I felt so much pres-

When a city slicker shares her vast basketball experi-

because I have all the confidence in the world in you.’

ences with an equally self-driven country girl, they end up

Hearing her say that and mean that was a big help. It

pushing each other, supporting each other and challenging

changed my mindset.”

each other.

A city slicker telling a country girl how to stay positive kind of goes against the grain of the way most Nebraskans

Athletics – Football

Shields NU’s 15th College Hall-of-Famer recruited by Nebraska, become a part of its tradition and

By Randy York, ’71 For Will Shields, Tuesday, Dec. 6, was a clear day, and

play under the leadership of (head coach) Tom Osborne and

he could see forever. The Husker All-American, Outland

(offensive line assistants) Milt Tenopir and (the late) Dan

Trophy winner, 12-time All-Pro, NFL Man-of-the-Year and

Young. “They gave me the chance to blossom as a young

new Hall-of-Famer looked back, enjoyed the moment and

man. The University of Nebraska is a great place for a kid to

saw the landscape of his entire career flash before his eyes.

go grow and prosper and mature.

“It’s a very special day, and we were informed that we

“A lot of memories reach out and grab you but Kenny

are .0002 percent of the qualified players to be in the Hall

Walker was one I’ll never forget. He was deaf and couldn’t

of Fame,” Shields said before the National Football Founda-

hear on Senior Day. So instead of clapping for him, our fans

tion’s Annual Awards Dinner at New York City’s Waldorf

did a hand wave. It was amazing to be there and know that

a great opportunity to build a bridge between the university

Astoria Hotel, where he became Nebraska’s 15th player

the whole stadium was silent. All you could see were their

and the community and then become a professional athlete

inducted into College Football’s Hall of Fame.

hands waving. It was something unique and something that

and have the opportunity it provided for my family.”

Four important thoughts kept racing through Shields’ mind amidst all the hoopla surrounding this historic day: 1) Nebraska was his springboard to blossom as a

you still carry with you because those were the guys that al-

College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Will Shields.

Shields credits Nebraska alum Dave Redding for the

ways made you better and helped you become who you are.

mindset he endorsed almost daily. “He was my strength

They’re woven into Nebraska’s tradition just like you are.”

coach with the (Kansas City) Chiefs,” Shields said of Red-

Then, Shields brought up something that remains part

ding, “and his favorite expression was ‘Always remember,

2) Silence is still golden.

of his DNA: “I’ll always remember volunteering to become

they’re paying you to play a game you love.’ It helped me

3) Lincoln helped him learn the value of giving back.

a TeamMate and helping someone in need,” he said. “For

think about opportunity, history and pure love of the game.

4) Getting paid to play a game you love is the rarest of

me, it was the beginning of realizing how you could go out

It also helped me understand how the game can change

and help your community and how you can become a part

your life because you have the opportunity to go out there

“Being an offensive lineman, it’s unbelievable to be a

of a whole social network. The simple fact of already having

every single day and represent the values of the University of

part of this group,” Shields said. “I was so fortunate to be

a coach there doing that was inspiration enough. It was also

Nebraska.”

student, an athlete and a man.

opportunities.

HUSKER ALUMNI Shop the UNL Bookstore for the best selection of alumni apparel and gifts.

The 13th Annual Nebraska Magazine Writing Contest We’re looking for a few good writers.

Whether you’re an ardent alumnus, nostalgic Nebraskan, prolific professor or student scribe, here’s your chance. Show us your work.

There are two categories, with prizes awarded in each category, along with a byline in Nebraska Magazine.

Category One: Alumni Profiles Write about a Nebraska grad with an interesting hobby or career, or do a “where are they now?” piece on an alumnus who was well known during his/her student days.

Category Two: Nostalgia Pieces Tell us about a memorable student activity when you were at NU, or write about a favorite professor.

Prizes: Three prizes will be awarded in each category.

In addition, the winning articles will be published in future issues of Nebraska Magazine.

1st Prize - $500 2nd Prize - $250 3rd Prize - $100 Entry Details Articles must be 750 to 1,000 words in length and typewritten. Enter as many articles as you wish. Entry deadline is April 15, 2012.

Submit entries, along with the author’s name, address and phone number to: Magazine Writing Contest, Wick Alumni Center, 1520 R St., Lincoln, NE 68508-1651, FAX: (402) 472-9289, E-mail: nebmag@huskeralum.org

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Alumni Association of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln

From left: Brooke Delano (Bellevue), Jordan Wilberger (Scottsbluff) and Brigette Root (Grand Island) were the captains for Nebraska’s Big Ten Conference volleyball champions – the school’s first athletic team title in the nation’s oldest conference.

Athletics – Volleyball

School’s First Big Ten Title Has Nebraska Roots

By Randy York, ’71 Sometimes, it’s tougher to win a conference championship than a national championship. Ask Alabama’s football team, which didn’t even play in the SEC championship game, yet won the 2011 national title over conference rival LSU. Big Ten volleyball is equally grueling, and the welcome mat wasn’t exactly thrown out for a newcomer which claimed only one

gave Big Red volleyball fans across the country a chance to stand up and cheer as they followed their favorite team on multiple national telecasts.

“To be the first Nebraska team to win an outright Big Ten championship is tough to do in any sport,” Cook said. “We had to go through a lot of mousetraps to get there.”

For the first time under Cook, the Huskers beat a No. 1-ranked

of the league’s five consecutive national championships entering the

team in Illinois. They also beat seven other Big Ten teams which

2011 season.

qualified for the NCAA Tournament en route to their own first No.

Unfortunately, UCLA ended the Big Ten’s streak, upsetting Illinois in the NCAA championship match.

That left only time and perspective to frame Nebraska’s accom-

1 rating in four years. Despite a No. 2 overall seed in the national tournament, Nebraska’s dream season ended in its own regional.

Still, the school’s first Big Ten title was worthy of the high

plishment. Somehow, the tradition-rich Huskers and their legendary

standards set by the team’s three senior captains – Brooke Delano,

coach, John Cook, found a way to end Penn State’s historic run of

Jordan Wilberger and Brigette Root. “Brook, Jordan and Brigette

eight consecutive Big Ten volleyball championships.

were great captains and great leaders,” Cook said. “They helped us

Nebraska’s surprising 25-5 season and 15-1 record at home

make history.”