UNK Today l Spring 2007

Sincerely,

Douglas A. Kristensen, J.D.Chancellor

Sharing good work, good newsOn behalf of UNK's faculty, administra-tion and staff, it is my pleasure to sendgreetings to you from your alma mater.Another academic year is drawingquickly to an end, giving us the oppor-tunity to once again reflect on the workwe are doing to benefit our studentsand our community.

Our cover story - the two NCAADivision II Championships recently held at UNK - highlightsthe result of a great deal of planning and hard work by members ofour university community, particularly our Division of Athletics. Bothof the championship events earned rave reviews from Loper fans andfrom visitors and media coast-to-coast. My congratulations to AthleticDirector Jon McBride and his staff for a job extremely well done.Other stories throughout this publication highlight other accomplish-ments and give additional reasons why we are so proud of our stu-dents - past and present.

I also want to mention an exciting new partnership that UNK hasentered with North Platte and Lexington Public Schools. It is calledKearney Bound! and will result in 30 Nebraska high school studentsreceiving opportunities they never thought possible. Through theKearney Bound! program, a maximum of 15 students from each ofthese two high schools will be selected to attend UNK with full sup-port for tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Selection criteriainclude academic promise, motivation, and meeting federal govern-ment criteria for participation in TRIO programs. In addition, each stu-dent must be a Nebraska resident, have a social security number andbe a first-generation college prospect. Kearney Bound! students mustalso complete core courses necessary for admission to UNK, as wellas maintain grade point average standards. Discussions are in progressto offer Kearney Bound! opportunities to other students as well.

It is always a pleasure to share UNK's good work and good news. Inthe near future, I hope your schedule will allow time for a campus visitor participation in upcoming events. You are welcome anytime.

3 PONCA PRIDELincoln High School teacher Larry Wright Jr. isthe new chairman of the Ponca Tribe ofNebraska.

4 ROLLING ALONGAlthough Janna Guyer Peyton '70 has battledpolio and the loss of her sight she continues tokeep busy with her latest project, the TucsonSociety of the Blind.

7 HALL OF FAMEFour-time All-American and twice nationalwrestling champion Ali Elias '93, MAE'95 wasinducted into the NCAA Division II Hall ofFame during the national tournament that washeld in Kearney.

12 AROUND THE COUNTRYArizona, California, Colorado, Oregon andNebraska were sites of recent alumni gatherings.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

UNK IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHTBy hosting two national tournaments during the monthof March, UNK was the ‘Championship Center’ ofNCAA Division II. A tournament record crowd of8,685 cheered the Loper wrestlers as they claimednational titles by Trevor Charbonneau (cover) andTervel Dlagnev. The team earned the runner-up trophyfor the third time in the past five years. The other event,the Women’s Elite Eight National BasketballChampionship brought winners from eight regions tothe campus and the community to the enjoyment ofanother record crowd. Story – Page 1. Photo by stu-dent Eric M. Korth, Hastings junior

ON THE COVER

FROM THE CHANCELLOR

ExperienceKearney.

Trevor Charbonneau

Tervel Dlagnev

Hosting two nationalchampionships duringthe month of March

provided UNK with the rareopportunity to showcase thecampus and the community toschools, athletes and fans fromacross the country.

NCAA officials, team mem-bers, fans and visitors had highpraise for both tournaments.

"Our No. 1 goal in the NCAAis to make sure the student-ath-lete's experience is the best it canbe, and Kearney ensured it from

top to bottom," said TinaKrah, NCAA director ofchampionships. "The city ofKearney and the staff at theUniversity of Nebraska atKearney were fabulous."

Wrestlers took the stage thefirst of the month and theWomen's Elite Eight teamsclosed out March Madness.

With the Loper wrestling teamhaving two individual championsand earning the runner-up trophy,fans flocked to the Health andSports Center in record numbersto watch the event.

The two-day attendance of8,685 was a new Division IIrecord. The support and enthusi-asm brought accolades fromMark Bedics, the NCAA liaisonto the wrestling committee.

"The University of Nebraskaat Kearney did a wonderful job.The atmosphere was electric. Itwas packed. I thought it wasgreat, and I would love to comeback."

Bedics said the attendancewasn't the only thing that madethe tournament successful.

"The whole city of Kearneyembraced the event so well," hesaid. "From the car wash thathad 'Welcome Division IIWrestlers,' to the restaurants,everywhere you look, signs said,'Welcome Wrestlers.' "

"It was a great experience forall the student athletes."

For UNK fans, the Universityof Central Oklahoma put theonly damper on the meet, defeat-ing the Lopers for the team title.

Junior heavyweight, TervelDlagnev of Arlington, Texas,won his second straight title, and125-pound senior TrevorCharbonneau, of Green, Kansas,captured his first championship.

In addition, UNK had sixother All-Americans - 133-pound Brett Allgood,Bennington junior; 141-poundJeff Rutledge, Lincoln junior;157-pound Joe Ellenberger,Millard junior; 165 pound TaylorMay, Imperial freshman; 184

pound Matt Farrell, Omahasophomore; and 197 pound

Kelsey Empting, Ponca City,Oklahoma, freshman.

"We had a phenomenal teamand what we accomplished wasgreat. It is a testament to how

dedicated they are and what theyput into it," said coach MarcBauer.

Two weeks after hosting therecord-setting wrestling tourna-ment, UNK pulled off anothersuccess hosting eight women'sbasketball teams in the EliteEight Championships.

Attendance was strong with atotal of 16,008 at the sevengames spread over three days, anaverage of 2,287. Attendance atthe title game, which featuredthe two teams farthest fromKearney, drew 3,091. In thatgame, Southern ConnecticutUniversity defeated Florida GulfCoast University, 61-45. In con-trast, last year’s championshipgame in Hot Springs, Arkansas,drew 987.

Shawn Fairbanks, tournamentdirector, said that going into thetournament there was concernabout the attendance. "The factthat Kearney once again steppedup and came out and supportedthe event regardless of the factthat it wasn't wrestling and itwasn't volleyball, and they had agood time with it, is more satis-fying," he said.

The eight teams competingcame from across the country.The two closest, University ofNorth Dakota and DruryUniversity of Springfield,Missouri, lost in the first round.

One of the keys to the atten-dance was an elementary schooloutreach program.

UNK student-athletes visitedfifth grade classes at local ele-

mentary schools prior to thetournament to provide back-ground on the schools attendingfrom around the country.

Each Elite Eight team wasthen paired with a local elemen-tary school, which teams visitedafter arriving in Kearney. In turn,the elementary students showedup in full force to support theirdesignated team.

"The outreach program intothe elementary schools was ahuge success. Those kids reallyresponded and got excited aboutbeing involved," athletic directorJon McBride said. Sponsors paidfor a block of tickets for the stu-dents and their families.

The success was an entirecommunity effort, McBride said,with the Chamber of Commerceand the local news outlets play-ing key roles in the tournament'ssuccess.

The events provided UNKand Kearney with national tele-vision exposure with both finalstelevised nationally. TheWomen's title game was broad-cast on ESPN2 with alumnusBrenda VanLengen '88 provid-ing color analysis.

VanLengen, who played forthe Lopers from 1984 to 1987 isa regular color analyst for FoxSports Net and ESPN.

The 2008 Women'sBasketball Elite EightTournament will return to UNKand Kearney next March.

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 1

COVER STORY

NATIONAL RUNNER-UP SQUAD: Head coach Marc Bauer,Kelsey Empting, Taylor May, Jeff Rutledge, Tervel Dlagnev, JoeEllenberger, Matt Farrell, Jeff Allgood, Matt True, TrevorCharbonneau, assistant coach Ty Swarm.

FLORIDIAN: Gulf Coast All-American Kate Schrader

NCAA mascot J J Jumper

NationalHosts

NationalHosts

VW hen Lee Shackelford

'77 graduated from theNU College of

Dentistry in 1982, he envisioneda conventional career servingpeople much like himself innorthwest Missouri.

Twenty-five years later hereflected on the path his profes-sional development has taken,especially the past 14 years serv-ing in the U.S. Public HealthService Commissioned Corps.

"All I ever wanted was to be awet-fingered dentist, and theCorps has given me opportunitiesto do so much more," he said.

Capt. Shackelford recentlyserved as director of training andcareer development for theCommissioned Corps, where hispassion and focus were on devel-oping the next generation ofleaders.

"The opportunity to make animpact on thousands of officerswho will serve hundreds of thou-sands of citizens, thereby affect-ing the health of the nation, issomething the average dentistdoes not get to do," he said.

The leadership training devel-oped by Capt. Shackelford is crit-ical to the Commissioned Corps'mission of protecting, promotingand advancing the health andsafety of the nation.

"Forty-four percent of officersare eligible to retire in the nextfive years - 22 percent couldleave right now," he said. "As wetransform the CommissionedCorps, we have to build leadersfrom the bottom up."

Capt. Shackelford's talentsand efforts have been recog-nized in the form of a promo-tion to the position of execu-tive assistant to AssistantSecretary of Health (ASH)Admiral John O.Agwunobi.

In this capacity, he will assistthe ASH in coordinating respon-sibilities for overseeing theCommissioned Corps. "I'm hum-bled to have been considered forsuch a position, and am thrilledto be able to contribute to thehealth of our nation as a advisorto the assistant secretary."

Along the way, Capt.Shackelford has had his share ofadventures and a variety of heart-warming experiences.

During his tenure in theCommissioned Corps, he hasserved in the Federal Bureau ofPrisons and in Native Americancommunities, two assignmentsthat centered on providing care tounderserved communities, a hall-mark of the CommissionedCorps.

Capt. Shackelford said he isparticularly fond of his memoriesof the Navajo elders he served inthe Northern Navajo MedicalCenter in Shiprock, NewMexico.

"Following local custom, wereferred to the elders by theNavajo words for grandpa andgrandmom, which are not onlyterms of endearment, but alsoof reverence. They would comein wearing their native dress,speaking little English, and wewould tend to their oral health."

Capt. Shackelford said thatoften dentists were the first tospot signs of diabetes through thecondition of their mouths."Through our 'oral detection' wewere able to get the elders theimmediate medical treatmentthey needed," he said.

Capt. Shackelford alsohas been

deployed by the CommissionedCorps to respond to public healthemergencies, including servingas the deputy commander of afederal medical station inMeridian, Mississippi, in theaftermath of hurricane Katrina.His assignment there includedworking with a team to set up a500-bed field hospital in a navalair hanger within a very shorttimeframe of a day and a half.

In another deployment, heserved as a clinical dentist help-ing marines based at California's29 Palms prepare to deploy toIraq.

"In order for marines to bedeployed, they must have a 94percent force readiness level. Thebase didn'thave

enough dentists on staff to con-duct the oral health exams on thesoldiers and do the necessarydental work to meet readinesslevels. So, they called me andother corps dentists in to help,and together we worked in two-week rotations over severalmonths to prepare the marinesfor on-time deployment," he said.

Having grown up in a familythat prized public service - hisfather was a coast guard officer -Capt. Shackelford views hiscareer in the CommissionedCorps as an opportunity to giveback.

Capt. Shackelford, who was amember of the baseball teamwhile a student at what was thenKearney State, said, "I missedVietnam by 20 days. PresidentNixon suspended the draft three

weeks before I turned 20.While I wasn't looking for-ward to going over there,I felt that I had failed todo my part to serve mycountry. TheCommissioned Corpsfills that void in me,"he said. "When I wasin school, I didn'tknow theC o m m i s s i o n e d

Corps existed. NowI'm committed to

ensuring that studentstoday know about his

unique opportunity. It ismy personal mission to

work every day to carry onthe proud tradition that I'vebeen lucky to be part of and

empowered to make evenbetter."

FEATURE

22 ll UNKUNK TTodaoday y ll Spring 2007Spring 2007

VV

Dr. LeeShackelford ’77reflects on 25-year career

DEENNTTAALL LLEEAADDEERRSSHHIIPP

He stands before a classof ninth-graders atLincoln High School.

Some listen. Some whisperand tease each other as he triesto explain the role of culturaldiffusion in defining geographicplaces.

It's 1 p.m. Tuesday.Good luck."Unless you're an American

Indian, you came from some-place else," says teacher LarryWright Jr. '01, capturing stu-dents' attention, if only briefly.

“Even American Indians did-n't stay in one place forever.There was movement.”

Talk about a lesson from anexpert.

In November, Wright waselected chairman of the PoncaTribe, one of Nebraska's fourfederally recognized tribes. It isa leadership change one stateNative leader hailed as a sign ofgood things to come for thePonca.

Judi Morgan gaiashkibos,director of the NebraskaCommission on Indian Affairs,said Wright's background ineducation will serve his tribewell during his four-year term.

"I think it's an excitingopportunity for the Ponca Tribeto have the leadership Larry willbring," she said.

His tribe helped him, finan-cially, to complete his bachelor'sdegree, he said. "The PoncaTribe has a strong educationalsupport system. We fund stu-dents who have a financial needin order to get a secondary edu-cation," he said.

So five years ago, he decidedto repay the tribe by seeking andwinning a seat on the PoncaTribal Council.

When the chairman's seatopened up last year, he ran for it.

"I thought there was opportu-

nity to do things a little differ-ent," the Humphrey native said."I took that opportunity."

He is the third person to holdthe position of chairman sincethe Ponca gained federal recog-nition as a tribe in 1990.

He likened being tribal chair-man to being head of a country'slegislative and executivebranch.

It is a fitting description, con-sidering the tribe is a sovereignnation.

"You seem like you're every-thing to everybody at a time," hesaid.

He serves with an eight-member tribal council and over-sees tribal programs and the 62full-time employees who servethe tribe's 2,600 members.

He also works with stateleaders to develop policies andlaws that benefit the Ponca.

As director of theCommission on Indian Affairsand a Ponca tribal member,

gaiashkibos said she will workwith Wright and state leaders todevelop sound legislation thataffects the Ponca.

"As a leader of the PoncaTribe, Larry is going to facemany challenges," she said.

Such as trying to convincestate leaders that the Ponca - theonly tribe in Nebraska without areservation - are entitled toeverything other tribes have, shesaid.

To that end, Wright will leanon his experience as an educa-tor, he said. But he has othergoals that he hopes to accom-plish as chairman.

He wants to develop a pro-gram to preserve the Ponca lan-guage, which few tribal mem-bers can speak. He also plans tocreate jobs.

"We're not looking for hand-outs," he said. "We want to useour resources to pursue econom-ic development opportunities, toput our tribal members to work."

At Lincoln High School,Wright's new role means that asocial studies teacher who lec-tures on civics, government andpolitics now will get the chanceto provide his students with real-life examples.

Patience Johnson, 14, whosaid her father was part Sioux,said Wright has taught her a lotabout what it means to be aNative person by incorporatingNative issues into his daily les-sons.

And she'll never forget thelook on her teacher's face theday he came back with the newshe had won his tribe's highestposition.

"I think it was the happiestI've ever seen him," she said.

Story Courtesy ofLincoln Journal Star

FEATURE

CHAIRMAN: Lincoln high school teacher Larry Wright Jr. ’01was elected chairman of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.

Larry WrightJr. ’01 elected chairman ofNebraska’sPonca Tribe

PPrriiddee

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 3

J anna Guyer Peyton '70 hasnever let a little adversityget in her way.She had polio in 1949 at age

one, worked her way throughcollege in a wheelchair, lost hersight in 1987 and had post-poliosyndrome that took her back to awheelchair full time in 1999.

These health issues have"definitely made me live a chal-lenging life," she said. But theyhave not stopped her from pur-suing her passions and hercareer.

"I just keep 'rolling' along,"she joked.

After graduation, Peytonworked in Lexington as a secre-tary for the president of ReachElectronics before moving toTucson where she started withKitt Peak National Observatoryas secretary to the MercuryVenus Mars project directorwhile obtaining her Arizonateaching credentials.

"I loved teaching," she saidabout her position as a businesseducation, English and readingteacher.

During her career in educa-

tion, she earned a master'sdegree in reading at Arizonain 1976, received principalaccreditation for grades Kthrough 12 and taught part-time at Pima CommunityCollege before she wasforced to take a medicalretirement in 1985.

"It was very difficult to haveto stay at home and give up thecareer I so deeply loved," shesaid.

TWO YEARS later, afterhaving had several minor autoaccidents, Peyton had her eyeschecked and discovered she hadretinitis pigmentosa, a degenera-tion of the retina.

"The doctor said it probablywould only affect my peripheralvision so I was shocked when Iwoke up in 1999 and discoveredI had lost all my sight exceptsome light perception," she said.

"That was the beginning of anew journey that had started inmy life."

In 2003, Peyton opened asenior center for adults withvisual impairment and blindnessin the Tucson area.

"I tell myself it is myGeriatric High School since I donot have to deal with pregnantstudents, parents or attend foot-ball games every week. The

average age of the members ofthe center is 75."

Peyton said the mission ofthe Tucson Society of the Blind(TSB) is to reach out to the visu-ally impaired and blind adults inthe area with social, recreationaland educational programs toenhance their independence andquality of life.

Our motto is, "It is better tobe better than to be bitter; if youare bitter you cannot be better."

The center opened with 13but now reaches out to 135 indi-viduals.

"We have been hiking onMount Lemmon and TumamocHill, taken many field trips toplaces such as San XavierMission, Tubac, Tombstone andGreen Valley," she said. "Wemeet every Tuesday, and on thefirst and third Thursdays for acraft program."

TSB is funded by donationsand grants which Peyton writes,of course.

Peyton said looking back, "I

am so grateful for the great edu-cation I received at KSC. Itstarted me on a productive lifejourney. One of my fondestmemories from college is theday I led a group of seven inwheelchairs into the President'sOffice to express our concernthat where there were no curbcuts bumping off those curbswas dangerous. PresidentMilton Hassel listened carefullyand by next fall the curbs werecut at places we had men-tioned."

Through the years, Peytonand her husband of 35 years,David, have been active inmaintaining relationships withUNK through participation inthe Arizona alumni activities.

"The last event in Tucsonwas such fun," she said. "What asmall world connecting with afriend, Bill Crouse, the teacherat Cholla, where we had taughttogether, and then meetingArdean Hagemeister fromAurora."

FEATURE

4 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY (top): Janna Peyton’s activitiesfor Tucson Society of the Blind include events like this outing onTumamoc Hill. (right): Janna with husband, David, and grandson,Orlando David.

Janna Peyton ’70faces health issues andlife head on

By Jim RundstromEditor

‘Roll ing‘Roll ingAlong’Along’

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 5

FEATURE

T here isn't a teacher in aNebraska classroomtoday that hasn't been

touched by the work of JimGriess ’63, MSE ’68.

For more than 30 years, heworked relentlessly to improveworking conditions for educa-tion employees.

From politics to bargaining topaid health insurance, Griess hasbeen involved in everythingteachers today hold near anddear. He's fought for highersalaries; against spending lids;and to elect pro-education can-didates.

He's spent countless hours atthe state capitol, lobbying elect-ed officials for adequate andequitable funding for schoolsand for salary equity. From the'HELP' campaign to the 'NoExcuses' salary increase drive,to the twin 411/412 initiatives,Griess has been at the forefront.

In the fight to turn backspending lids in Initiatives 413and 423, Griess rolled up hissleeves and labored tirelessly.

Through it all, his ultimatefocus was to provide a top-notcheducation for Nebraska children.Griess shared with all his beliefthat great public schools are thekey to America's success. Heexplained in a column publishedin The Voice in September 2005:

"Education is more thanteaching children to survive eco-nomically. It's more than prepar-ing students to attend college. Awell-educated populace is theglue that binds this societytogether to form a great nation."

On Dec. 31, after 34 years onthe NSEA team, Griess retiredas NSEA's executive director.His term as executive director issecond longest in Associationhistory.

At Hastings High School inthe late 1960s and early 1970s,

Herb Schimek ’62 taught WorldHistory while Griess taughtAmerican History.

Schimek joined the NSEAstaff in 1971, and today is direc-tor of government relations.

"As a lobbyist, you have atendency to draw lightning. Jimhas always been good aboutbacking me up," said Schimek.

Griess, who joined NSEA in1973, has always worked withthe classroom teacher in mind.

"He's always had a vision ofwhat he thought NSEA ought tobe, and tried to do the most forthe classroom teacher that hecould," saidSchimek.

As gov-ernor from1 9 9 2 - 9 8and as aU . S .Senator forthe past 6years, BenNelson hashad greatrespect forGriess andhis work forteachers, children and publiceducation.

"Jim's leadership on educa-tion issues has been stellar. Hehas always had a deep under-standing of the issues facingeducation, a clear vision forquality education for every childand a deep desire to pushNebraska public schools tohigher levels of success," saidBen Nelson. "I respect Jim andenjoyed working with him.Nebraska schools are betterbecause of Jim's work, and wewill miss his leadership on theseimportant issues."

Born in York County andraised in Sutton, Griess' motherwas his eighth grade Englishand history teacher.

In his first teaching job inOverton in 1963 he quicklylearned of salary inequities. Hisfirst contract paid him a $200head-of-household stipend ontop of a salary of $4,100 - morethan his mother earned after 30years of teaching.

Three years later, Griess wasteaching American History atHastings, where he served as

president andchief negotiatorof the Hastings

Education Association. In 1969,shortly after the Legislature cre-ated the Commission ofIndustrial Relations, he took oneof the first cases to the CIR.

On the state level, he pushedfor creation of the NSEAPolitical Action Committee in1970, serving as the PAC's firstchairman.

In 1972, newly-married towife Polly, Griess left teachingfor his first Association job, as aUniServ director for the KansasNational Education Association.A year later, he joined the NSEAstaff as a UniServ director.

Over the past 15 years asexecutive director, Griess foughtfor pro-education legislation -he's lobbied state senators, gov-ernors, congressmen, U.S. sena-tors and presidents.

Griess built coalitions to sup-port public schools at both thestate and national levels. He wasa respected leader in theNational Council of StateExecutive Directors, andworked diligently to researchand develop programs promot-ing the elements needed to

achieve the goal of a qualitypublic school for every child.

Significant NSEA programs,such as the NSEA Children'sFund, were created because, asexecutive director, Griess hireddedicated employees and thensupported their work.

An avid historian andteacher, Griess frequently donsperiod clothing to visit class-rooms to talk to students aboutNebraska history. His researchof the Plains and NativeAmerican history will be put topaper in a book entitled "Peopleof the Flatwater."

Tying his interest in historyto his love for the outdoors, heenjoys mountain man ren-dezvous as well as collectingand trading Western Americanaand antiques at such events.

But mostly, Jim Griessenjoys his family. He and Pollyare proud of their son, Air ForceCapt. Gabe Griess; daughterRozz and her husband, JohnBeckman; and grandson Lucas.In fact, 'Grampa' may be hisfavorite role yet!

RetiringNSEA executivedirector JimGriess, ’63, MSE’68, championedclassroom teachers

EDUCATION LEADERSHIP: Jim Griessretired after 30 years with the NSEA and 44 yearsin education. LEFT: Herb Schimek ’62 and Griesstaught history together at Hastings High School.

DDeeddiiccaattiioonnto education

FOUNDATION NEWS

With a $25,000 gift, EdHerzog created the Leila S.'Miss T.' Herzog MemorialFellowship Fund to commemo-rate the life of his wife.

Leila Herzog, who earned hermaster's degree in 1982, died inApril, 2006 at age 73.

Education and children werealways important to Leila, whotaught in public schools in Iowaand Nebraska.

When she and Ed decidedthat she should return to schoolto earn her master's degree incounseling and psychology, itpresented a real financial chal-lenge for their family, Herzogsaid

"We never regretted the deci-sion and have always beengrateful for UNK's supportivefaculty."

Leila's passion for her work

and her positive experience atwhat was then Kearney StateCollege reinforced their desireto develop a fund to help gradu-ate students working toward adegree in counseling and schoolpsychology.

Students from CheyenneCounty will benefit from a giftof the George H. and EltaSpencer Thompson FoundationScholarship Fund.

The Fund will provide$5,000 each year to assist 10undergraduate students fromCheyenne County who willreceive $500 scholarships.Selection will be made by theOffice of Financial Aid.

Dr. George 'Doc' Thompsonwas a long-time dentist inSidney who lived in the commu-nity for more than 77 years,from 1925 until his death in2002 at age 102. He practiced

dentistry from 1925 until retir-ing in 1965.

During his years in Sidney,he was a respected member ofmany civic and fraternal organi-zations including the Rotary,Masons, Chamber ofCommerce, United MethodistChurch and veterans organiza-tion.

After Dr. Thompson retired,he and his wife, Elta, beganspending winters in Arizona.After her death in 1984, Dr.Thompson returned to Sidneyyear-round. Before his death, hecreated a foundation to benefitnot only college students fromCheyenne County but also thecommunity of Sidney and thesurrounding area.

Thanks to a $4,000 gift fromHoward Watkins '38 of CoosBay, Oregon, the NorthwestAlumni Association Scholarship

Fund reached the endowedlevel.

Watkins made the gift tohonor the memory of his wife,Marguerite Neustrom Watkins'38, who died in 1999. She wasan activist who is rememberedin Oregon for several things:

Her leadership in the appealto the U.S. Supreme Court thatgave the public a beach accesseasement to the high water markof all Oregon's coastline. Noother state has such access.

She was the recipient of theprestigious "Governor 'Oz' WestAward" for her work in protect-ing the Oregon coastal environ-ment.

Her support of Oregon'sLand Use Law as Land Usechair for the Coos CountyLeague of Women Voters gainedtwo decades of legal standing inuse matters for all chapters ofthe State League.

She also served as the gover-nor's only female appointee onthe advisory committee to theState Board of Forestry. 6 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

Improvements to the mes-sage board and the score-board at the Health and

Sports Center were among thebenefits of a nearly $250,000gift by Joel and Elena Wiensthat was made last fall.

At the time of the gift, thecommunity room on the thirdfloor of the Ron and Carol CopeStadium at Foster Field wasnamed the Wiens/FirsTierSpecial Events Room.

A LARGE portion of thatgift benefited the athletic reno-vation/addition at Foster Field.The remainder was used tomake scoreboard and messageboard improvements at theHealth and Sports Center.

Those message boards andscoreboards were wonderfulimprovements said JonAbegglen, University of

Nebraska Foundation vice pres-ident of development. Theywere completed in time for thenational wrestling tournamentand the national women's bas-ketball tournament that wereheld at the Health and SportsCenter in March. "We areindebted to Joel and Elena fortheir tremendous support ofUNK," Abegglen said.

Jon McBride, athletic direc-tor said, "They are a wonderfuladdition to what is one of thebest facilities in NCAA DivisionII."

Wiens is the majority ownerof FirsTier Bank, with locationsin Colorado, Nebraska andWyoming including one inKearney. He also owns FirsTierEvents Center in Kearney, theTri-City Storm hockey team andFirst Inn Gold Motel inKearney.

Improved messagesresult of Wiens’ gift

UPGRADE: The Health andSports Center received improvedmessages and scoreboards as aresult of a $250,000 gift by Joeland Elena Wiens, who were hon-ored by Chancellor DougKristensen last fall (insert).

Herzog Memorial

‘Doc’ Thompson

Howard Watkins

Scholarships

ALUMNI NEWS

By Rick BrownKearney Hub

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 7

A li Elias '93, MAE'95was one of five indi-viduals inducted into

the NCAA Division II WrestlingHall of Fame during ceremoniesat the national event held inKearney. Elias also was induct-ed into the UNK Athletic Hall ofFame in 2004, his first year ofeligibility.

"It's a dream. It's unbeliev-able," Elias said of his selection."This is the big one. Not verymany people get chosen. . . andI'm very excited about it."

Elias, who legally changedhis name from Amiri-Eliasi,won national championships at150-pounds and finished secondand third the other two yearswrestling with a torn anteriorcruciate ligament his junior yearand a ruptured pectoral majorhis senior year.

Elias dealt with the injuriesas he's dealt with life. He neversat out, making the best of what

he had avail-able.

It's beentougher forhim in life.

A Kurdwho grew upin Iran nearthe Iraqi bor-der, hefought in theI r a n - I r a qwar but spoke out against thegovernment. He then fled thecountry to Germany.

Already well-known inwrestling circles - he was a jun-ior world runner-up and a highschool world champion as wellas a five-time Iranian nationalchampion and a member of thenational team, Elias made hismark in Germany where hereached the No. 3 ranking in theworld.

While in Germany, he wasselected for a cultural exchangeteam that wrestled in America.That eventually led to his com-ing to Kearney, where he

enrolled as a 27-year-old fresh-man.

"Without wrestling, I'd bedead now," Elias said.

"Through wrestling, Iachieved my personality, myeducation, my friends. It mademe a physically and mentallytough person.

"I came from a different cul-ture. I had a lot of friends whobecame addicted to drugs. If youdon't have a goal, society isgoing to beat you. Because ofwrestling, I stayed on the rightpath. I stayed focused and didwell."

Dr. Ed Scantling, his coachsaw that focus up close.

"He had intense desire to besuccessful. It drove him to be inthe best shape of anybody I'veever been around. He wouldwork out for six hours a day.Practice was just fun for him,"Dr. Scantling said. "And he wasable to set goals for himself out-side the wrestling world. He wason a mission to get an educationand become an educated man.

He used wrestling as a vehicle toaccomplish his goals."

Since leaving UNK, Elias hasbeen a teacher and wrestlingcoach in Florida, Texas and nowMaryland.

"That's what I've alwayswanted to do. What I planned 20years ago was to be a teacherand a coach," Elias said.

He has never strayed fromteaching, something he couldn'thave done in Iran.

"His desire was to impress onthe wrestlers we had on our teamat the time the importance ofeducation. He went out of hisway to tell our wrestlers to getan education and what an oppor-tunity they had by beingAmericans, the freedoms theyenjoy and the right they had toget an education," Dr. Scantling.

"We learned as much fromAli as he ever learned fromus."

By Buck MahoneyKearney Hub Sports Editor

J

Ali Elias

NNCCAAAA HHaallll ooff FFaammee IInndduucctteeeeEElliiaass:: ‘Without wrestling, I’d be dead now’

C hris Stelling '97 knowswhat it takes to be a suc-cessful saxophone player.

"Don't give up," he said. Stelling performs with the

U.S. Air Force Heartland ofAmerica Band stationed atOffutt Air Force Base nearOmaha. He also plays with TheNoteables, a jazz band com-prised of members of theHeartland band.

For students struggling withtheir musical studies, Stellinghas some clear advice.

In addition to not giving up,Stelling said musicians shouldtry their own work.

"Nobody's going to do any-thing for you. Keep listening.Find out who you like. Try lis-tening to new musicians. Youhave to be the seeker of knowl-edge. It's not going to come toyou, you have to go to it."

Performing with theHeartland of American Bandgives Stelling the advantage ofsteady work.

"It's a good career," he said."A lot of times, symphony play-ers have to do other things onthe outside to make ends meet.This is a full-time job where Ican play music."

Stelling plays saxophone,flute and clarinet.

His influences includeDexter Gordon, Wayne Shorterand Miles Davis.

"I'm a hard bop player downthe middle," Stelling said.

AS AN extension of thebebop movement in jazz, hardbop incorporated influencesfrom rhythm and blues, gospelmusic and the blues. Hard bop isgenerally considered moreaccessible then bebop jazz.

"Being from centralNebraska, I didn't get manychances to see the big namesperform live," he said.

That hasn't kept him fromlearning about the musiciansand their styles.

"There's always something tolearn," he said. "It doesn't haveto be something from the sameinstrument I play. I can learnsomething from a vocalist or acello player."

Stelling believes anything

that moves him or inspires himis worth exploring.

AS A member of TheNoteables, Stelling gets achance to improvise within the14-member group. He mainlyplays the saxophone with TheNoteables, but on occasionbreaks out his tenor, too.

When the ensemble is play-ing together," Stelling said,"we're pretty tightly knit. Thereare open sections where mem-bers can solo. We change it up -different solos and differentinstruments. The written-outsections are pretty standard."

Stellings influences aren'tlimited to the famous names injazz. His instructors at UNK andKearney area musicians had aneffect on his career.

"Jim Payne, David Nabb,Gary Davis, Wes Hird, VerleStraatmann, Greg Tesdall, thelate Eddie Osborn - they all gotme started down the road," hesaid.

Chris Stelling ’97

SStteelllliinngg aaddvviiccee::Seek knowledge and don’t give up

One of the largest numberof faculty and staff mem-bers in many years have

announced plans to end theircareers at UNK this year. Many ofthose retiring have been on thestaff since the 1960s. They are:

Dr. Richard Barlow '62,Department of Mathematics andStatistics, has been on the staffsince 1966. Barlow was instru-mental in establishing a major instatistics, developed metric systemworkshops across the state forteachers and served as associateeditor of THE PENTAGONMATHEMATICS magazine.

Mary Ann Barton, head ofreference at the Calvin T. RyanLibrary and associate professor oflibrary science. She has been astaff member since 1997.

A. Steele Becker joined thegeography staff in January, 1964,starting a continuous career thatlasted more than 43 years. As thefaculty member with the longesttenure he has served as grand mar-shal at commencement the pastseveral years. During his career, heheld the position of assistant dean,College of Natural and SocialSciences.

Betty Bethell, health, physicaleducation, recreation and leisurestudies, who has been a facultymember since 1964. Her teachingcareer of 43 years is one of thelongest in history.

Dr. Dennis Brown has taughtcriminal justice since 1977.

Dr. Donn Carlson, physicsand physical science, joined thestaff in 1967.

Dr. Robert Cocetti, a profes-sor of communication, has been a

faculty member since 1971. Hebegan his career as an instructor inthe Department of Theater andtechnical director of theater. Afterearning his Ph.D. degree he taughtin the Speech Department.

M. Stanley Dart, chairman ofthe Department of Sociology,Geography and Earth Science,joined the faculty in 1968.

Wayne Evers has been fieldtraining specialist with theNebraska Safety Center since1991.

Robert Gerten '70, MSE'90,has been a staff member withphysics and physical science since1991.

Kern Harsbarger '66,MAE'74 has been an art facultymember since 1999 when hejoined the staff after retiring fromthe Kearney Public Schools.

Wesley Hird began his career

in 1985 as a part-time coordinatorfor piano maintenance, teachingpiano techniques. He later taughtguitar.

Darrel Jensen, director of theNebraska Safety Center, has beenat UNK since 1975.

Dr. Kenneth Nikels servedthis past year as associate vicechancellor of Academic Affairs.During his career he served aschair of the Department ofPsychology, dean of GraduateStudies and acting dean ofContinuing Education. He joinedthe staff in 1971.

Dr. Lon Pearson, a professorof modern languages, has been onthe staff since 1991. During hiscareer he served as chair of thedepartment

Susan Reiber '78, MSE'01 hasserved on the staff of the Museumof Nebraska Art since 1996.

SOLAR CELL:Research receives $770,000 federal grant

CAMPUS NEWS

8 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

A $770,000 U.S.Department of Energygrant, one of the

largest nonservice grants evermade to UNK faculty, has beenawarded to Drs. Chris Exstromand Scott Darveau in theDepartment of Chemistry.

The two are working todevelop a thin-film-based solarcell that is efficient enough tomake the technology a market-competitive source of energy.

“The goal of the project is toprepare and study the world’sfirst copper indium boron dise-lenide (CIBS) thin films,” Dr.Exstrom said. “The inclusion ofboron in the material is expectedto result in films that will pos-sess record energy conversionefficiencies and yield highervoltages than any known solarcell films.”

While the grant is to UNKprofessors, the two are workingcooperatively on the projectwith two members of theUniversity of Nebraska-Lincolnelectrical engineering faculty.About one-half of the grant issubcontracted to UNL facultymembers Drs. Rodney Soukupand Natale Ianno.

To date, CIBS films have

never been fabricated due tosome unique physical propertiesof boron; however, the UNK-UNL research partnership hasdeveloped the capability ofmaking these films.

The work to produce the newfilms is divided between the twocampuses. At UNL, Drs.Soukup and Ianno combine cop-per, indium and boron usingsputtering techniques. Films

then travel to UNK, where sele-nium is added by a vapor depo-sition method.

On both campuses, the elec-trical properties, solar energyconversion performance andchemical structures of all filmsis extensively analyzed. In addi-tion to producing new knowl-edge about the structure andproperties of thin-film materials,this information will be used by

the scientists to continuallyimprove the film productionprocess.

Working with Drs. Exstromand Darveau is Dr. JiriOlejnicek, post-doctoralresearch associate, from Prague,Czech Republic.

According to Dr. JohnFalconer, UNK director ofSponsored Programs,Nebraska’s congressional dele-gation played a critical role ingetting the funding to UNK.

When asked about his sup-port for the research, U.S. Sen.Chuck Hagel said: “It is criticalfor the United States to encour-age innovation in a wide arrayof alternative energy technolo-gies.

“Further, this funding willallow UNK, UNL and the Stateof Nebraska to be at the fore-front of research into solar celltechnology,” Sen. Hagel said.“It will also provide valuableexperience for students.”

“We’re really excited to havethis financial support,” Dr.Exstrom said. “It is fantastic thatour undergraduate students alsohave the opportunity to join inthe undertaking of this national-ly prominent research.”

HOT TOPIC: Dr. Jiri Olejnicek, post-doctoral research associate,Drs. Scott Darveau and Chris Exstrom, principal investigators in thesolar cell research lab.

Sixteen to retire from faculty, staff

CAMPUS NEWS

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 9

S tudent body presidentMike Eiberger, vice presi-dent Kevin Wait and

members of the UNK StudentGovernment will leave the cam-pus with more than a memoryafter they graduate.

The students will leave thecampus with its first officialidentifier on the west edge ofcampus. The plan is to build asign identifying the westernedge of the campus at the cornerof Highway 30 and UniversityDrive.

“When you approach campusfrom the west, the sign at WestCenter is the first identifier ofthe UNK campus,” Wait said.

“Originally, we wanted to puta sign in the median just north ofCushing, but there was a con-cern that the sign would pose atraffic hazard,” Wait said. “Also,the Facilities Master Plan callsfor the area north of Otto Olsento be converted to green space.We wanted our sign to be whereit would remain for a long time.”

It took some time to settle notonly on the placement of thesign, but on the design as well.

“We wanted to be careful tocome up with something every-one liked,” Wait said. It tooksome time to come to a consen-sus on the materials that would

be used and a design that wouldfit the location.

The current plan is for an 8'4''tall by 24' long sign built out ofbrick that matches CopeStadium. The sign was designedby Ryan Swanson, associatedirector of FacilitiesManagement and Planning.

THE PLANNING for theproject, which is being financedentirely with student dollars,began last year.

“The Chancellor sent me ane-mail asking me to get involveda week before I began as interimvice chancellor for business andfinance last July,” John Lakeysaid. “It was a neat idea, and the

students were willing to putmoney up for it. I was able tocoordinate the project with stu-dents and Facilities, and I foundKevin to be a real go-getter.”

“We felt that Mr. Lakey wasinstrumental in making it hap-pen,” Wait said. “He was sup-portive from the beginning.”The project, which has been indevelopment for the past twoyears, will use dollars from thisyear’s budget and last.

“A year ago, Student SenatorMatt Sullivan wrote a bill forStudent Senate to set aside$10,000 out of last year’s budg-et for this project,” Wait said.

“While we expect the cost tobe at $21,600, we’ve budgeted a

total of $22,000.” The moneycame from student government.

“If there are funds left overafter the construction is com-pleted, we plan to use theremaining dollars to do somelandscaping around the sign,”Wait said. “Also, there is nopower to that location to lightthe sign at night. We would alsolike to get the sign lighted.”

THE SIGN is expected to becompleted by spring commence-ment.

“We hope that this will be thebeginning of a tradition and thateach year, Student Governmentwill give a gift to the campus,”he concluded.

Students give campus new west sign

Artist rendition of completed sign

The Department ofIndustrial Technologyhas become one of only

55 baccalaureate degree offeringinstitutions accredited by theNational Association ofIndustrial Technology.

And, reflecting a high techapproach to the process itself,the innovative UNK departmentis the only one to have achievedthis distinction after conductingits self-study entirely on-line.

"Programs, not institutions,are accredited," said ITECdepartment chairman Dr. KenLarson, "meaning that not allprograms in a given institutionor department may necessarilybe accredited. In the case ofUNK, all four of the programs inthe Department of IndustrialTechnology are accreditedthrough 2012. They are Aviation

Systems Management,Construction Management,Industrial Distribution andT e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n sManagement."

Two appointments havebeen made to the UNK'sadministrative staff.

BARBARA JOHNSON wasnamed vice chancellor for busi-ness and finance in February.

Johnson has a wealth ofexperience in higher education,finance and business. She hasheld positions at Florida StateUniversity, Ohio StateUniversity, Mars Hill Collegeand Carleton College.

Johnson also has extensiveexperience in consulting withuniversities nationwide on avariety of organizational chal-

lenges including disaster pre-paredness/recovery, financialmanagement, governing boardrelationships and operationaldirection. Before embarkingupon her career in higher educa-tion, Johnson held several man-agement positions with theAllstate and PrudentialInsurance companies and withthe Florida Department ofInsurance.

She has degrees fromHampton University and AtlantaUniversity.

JANET STOEGERWILKE, who has served asboth an associate dean and inter-im dean of Calvin T. RyanLibrary, has been named dean.

A member of the library staffsince 1998, Wilke joined UNKas a reference librarian afterworking at Wichita StateUniversity. She has degreesfrom Chadron State College andthe University of Wisconsin atMadison.

UNK and UNO haveteamed up to offer thefirst completely online

bachelor's degree, a bachelor ofgeneral studies (BGS), throughthe University of Nebraska. Thefirst students to enter the pro-gram are enrolled this spring.

The new online option willprepare adults, age 21 or older,for careers in management,human resources, public rela-tions, marketing and communi-cations," said Gloria Vavricka,UNK director for eCampus. Thedegree focuses on organization-al administration, with majorcourse offerings in business,organizational communicationsand sociology.

UNK, UNO combinefor online degree

Administrative staffhas two additions

Industrial technologyaccredited nationally

UNK came within onewin of a trip to theElite Eight Tournament

but lost to the third ranked teamNorth Dakota in the Finals ofthe North Central Regional heldin Grand Forks.

However, the seventh seededLopers made it to the regionalfinals for only the second timein history by upsetting third-seeded Augustana 75-68 andsixth-seeded Concordia-St. Paul92-89 in overtime. The lossended UNK's season at 22-10.

Coach Carol Russell createdas big a story as the game itself.Prior to tip, Russell gave birth toher first child, son Isaac Peter at1:40 p.m. Russell and husband,Todd Sorenson, arrived at thearena about five minutes afterthe game began. Assistant TimConnealy was head coach dur-

ing the game with Russellassisting him from the bench.

By scoring 18 points in thefinal game of her career, guardLiz Fischer of Leigh, the onlysenior starter, became only thefifth player in history to score500 points (501) in a season.The others are Darcy Stracke,Ginger Keller, JessicaKedrowski and Cathy Weir.

Fischer was named to theRMAC All-RMAC first teamafter leading the Lopers in scor-ing, three point shots made andassists.

Three other players averagedin double figures - AmyMathies, Millard North junior;Jade Meads, Elm Creek sopho-more; and Melissa Hinkley,Lincoln East junior.

10 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

When women's basket-ball coach CarolRussell walked into

the finals of the regional basket-ball tournament to support herteam, her players and assistantcoach Tim Connealy wereshocked to see her at the game.

Five hours earlier Russellgave birth to her first child,Isaac Peter.

Her decision to go to thegame had a bigger impact thanshe could ever have imagined.

It was recognized on CNN,FOX News, ESPN Radio and instories in national newspapers.She, her husband ToddSorenson, baby Isaac and sever-al members of the basketball

team appeared on ABC's GoodMorning America.

"I never thought it would turninto a media circus," she said.

Isaac was actually a few daysearly, but Russell and her hus-band were prepared when UNKwas selected to play in theNCAA North Central RegionalTournament in Grand Forks,North Dakota.

Russell did not expect to getapproval from her doctor toattend. But when she did,Russell got in touch with theGrand Forks mayor who is alsoan obstetrician.

RUSSELL LET Dr. MichaelBrown know there could be apossibility of giving birth whileshe was at the tournament so thehospital staff was ready.

And with UNK making it tothe regional finals, it meantRussell and the team spent fivedays in Grand Forks

After giving birth, Russell satin her hospital bed holding herson, not even thinking about

attending the game. The doctorsand nurses suggested it.

"Why not?" she thought.She said she had coached all

year long and the team was play-ing for a trip to the Elite Eight.She wanted to be there to lendsupport.

So Russell and her husbandleft Isaac with the hospital staff

and headed to the game.They arrived several minutes

into the game and slipped inbehind the bench. No oneexpected her.

Russell sat on the bench formost of the game, only gettingup during timeouts. "I was pret-ty exhausted at the end of thenight," she said.

LOPER SPORTS

Women’s basketball coachCarol Russelland new son make nationalnews

Liz Fischer

SUPRISE ARRIVAL: Women’s basketball coach Carol Russell,husband Todd Sorenson and son Isaac Peter made national newswhen Carol Russell attended a Loper basketball game five hoursafter giving birth.

For the latest on ALL 16UNK Sports visit

www.lopers.com

Good morning,Good morning,

America!America!

Women’s basketball: 22 wins, regional finals

A ll-American DustyJura led the Loper bas-ketball team to a 24-7

record and a spot in the semi-finals of the NCAA regionaltournament.

Jura, a 6-6 senior fromColumbus Lakeview, completedhis storied career with a trunk-load of honors on teams thatcompiled a 96-27 record thepast four years.

HE WAS twice All-American. He was twiceAcademic All-American. Hewas RMAC Player of the Year.He was all-RMAC three times.He was RMAC Freshman of theYear. He was the first player inmore than 30 years to average adouble/double, 21 points and 10rebounds. And, he is the onlyplayer to accumulate 2,000points and 1,000 rebounds inUNK history.

When UNK lost to defendingnational champion Winona Statein the regional tournament, Jurahad the second-most points(2,158) and the rebounds(1,071) in UNK history.

He trails only Eric Strand(2,173) in scoring and Paul

Collison (1,171) in rebounding.Co-head coach Kevin Lofton

said Jura was a product of hisown hard work.

"He put in hour after hour inthe gym," Lofton said. "That'sthe biggest improvement he'smade. When he got here, he was

a rugged rebounder and hecould slash to get the basket. Hebecame a much better shooterover the years."

"A lot of that was coachLofton working with me everyday," Jura said. "He wouldn't letme go a day without getting inthe gym and putting up 500shots per day. . . It's made meinto the type of player I alwayswanted to be."

Jura said, “Once you get thepractice and repetition down it’sjust a mental game. I think onceyou get a little confidence inyour shot it’s a lot easier andthat’s really what helped metake steps forward every year.”

Jura was one of three seniorswho played key roles for theLopers. Forward Chad Burgerand guard James Lane, bothfrom Colorado Springs, werethe only other players to startevery game. Both averagedmore than 12 points and earnedAll-RMAC honors the past twoseasons. The other senior whocompleted his career was guardTyler Fincher of Wausa.

Co-head coaches Lofton andTom Kropp were named RMACCoaches of the Year.

LOPER SPORTS

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 11

E ustis senior LancePfeiffer won his secondnational shot put title at

the NCAA IndoorChampionships. He also cap-tured the outdoor title in 2006 tobecome the second Loper maleto win two national titles.Clayton Scott won the two-mileraces in 1954 and 1955.

Two women athletes havealso won more than one nationalchampionship. Beth Stuart wonsix titles in the weights andDonna Spickelmeier has threegold medals in distance events.

Pfeiffer's winning throw of61-0.75 was just short of hisschool record of 61-2.75.

Two other athletes alsoearned All-American honors.Waco sophomore Dane Tobeycame in third in the shot with athrow of 58-2.50 and Fairburysophomore Dakota Cochranecaptured eighth in the pole

vault, clear-ing 16 feet.

B o t htrack teamsf i n i s h e dfourth in theR M A Cindoor meet.P f e i f f e r ,C o c h r a n eand Kearneyjunior Ross

Fellows won individual titles.Fellows captured the triple jumpby leaping 47-10. Pfeiffer's thirdindoor title in the shot earnedhim the 2007 RMAC Male FieldAthlete of the Year.

Franklin sophomore SamMurphy was the women's topathlete finishing second in theshot put and third in the weightthrow.

Pfeiffer captures secondnational shot put title

20th Annual Blue/GoldGolf Scramble, June 10-11

An Athletic Scholarship Fundraiser

SSuunnddaayy,, JJuunnee 1100tthh

at the Holiday Inn of KearneySocial at 5 p.m.,

Dinner and Auction followingGuest speaker: JoAn Scott ’86

Nike’s director of NCAA High School and Division I Conference Relations

MMoonnddaayy,, JJuunnee 1111tthh

Golf Scramble at 10 a.m. at bothKearney Country Club andMeadowlark Hills Golf Club

Post Golf Party

Contact UNK Athletics at308-865-8514

for more informationThe cost is $195 per person.

RECORD BREAKER: All-American senior Dusty Jura becamethe first Loper to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds.

Jura leads 24-7 Lopers

Lance Pfeiffer

PHOENIX (right): Leslie Easterbrook visits with Barb Bush,Dick Davenport and Dr. Dick Bush.

PHOENIX (below): NU Foundation director of developmentPhil Kozera, alumni association president Larry Edwards, Catherineand Arnold Leonard, and Kay Edwards

PHOENIX (above): (standing) Dan Wilcox, ChancellorEmeritus Gladys Styles Johnston, (sitting) Rena Schmidt, HelenEasterbrook and NU foundation director of development PhilKozera at Helen’s 90th birthday.

TUCSON: Sandra Zimmer, Kay Downing,and Panda Vest Jorgensen

TAZTUCSON: NanetteBrobst, Megahn Schafer,Linda Dominguez andBetty Grassmeyer

TUCSON: ArdeanHagemeister (standing)and Carol and Bill Crouse

TAZ

PAZ

ALUMNI NEWS

12 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

For 30years, give or take a few,

alumni groups around the coun-try have been getting together tostay in touch with collegefriends, meet new UNK friendsand find ways to continue tosupport the university.

Eight events in Februarygave alumni and friends myriadopportunities to reconnect withUNK.

When the SouthernCalifornia Alumni Associationhad its first gathering 32 yearsago, little did the foundingmembers know what wouldensue. At this year's luncheon,the group reflected on a number

of accomplishmentsincluding anendowed scholar-ship fund thatnow totals$131,000.

They alsohave providedsignificant finan-cial support for

the Alumni HouseCalifornia Room,

an electronic key-board laboratory and

the message center. Thisyear's special guest, pro-

fessor Ron Crocker told thoseattending that when the key-board laboratory was completedin 1994, it was state of the artquality and a boon to recruitingstudents.

At this year's event the nearly$800 proceeds from the annualraffle were donated to the emer-gency fund established to assistwith the needs of those whowere affected by the winter icestorm in the Kearney area.

The Southern Californiansalso pledged $1,000 to theChancellor's campus tree cam-paign, a project to replace treesdestroyed by the winter icestorm.

The range of alumni who

attended spanned theyears from MarjorieEggleston Anderson '34to Maria Hernandez '05.

Sue Batie '74, a long-timeSouthern California board mem-ber and the organization's treas-urer, said the relationships shehas made with other UNK alum-ni have been an important partof her involvement. "Getting tomeet many wonderful peoplewho have become friends wouldnot have happened if it weren'tfor my involvement," she said.

Judy Henggeler Spohr '63 isthe Southern California presi-dent, her second term in thatposition. Steve '70 and CathyJuelfs Knutsen '77 are presi-dents-elect.

Phoenix area alumni gath-ered for the 29th time to hearChancellor Doug Kristensenprovide an update on the cam-pus and Alumni Associationpresident Larry Edwards '64 dis-cuss the activities of theAssociation.

Arnold Leonard '46 celebrat-ed his 83rd birthday and LarryEdwards his 69th at the lunch-eon. Coordinating the event wasJane Carroll Falk '85.

Two other events were part ofthe Arizona trip.

Lanny '63 and Panda VestJorgensen hosted more than 25alumni at their home in Tucson.Former music faculty memberHelen Easterbrook was honoredat a luncheon in recognition ofher 90th birthday. Among thoseattending were chancellor emer-itus Gladys Styles Johnston andher husband Jack Kinsinger.

At their 23rd annual lunch-eon that was held in Portland,Northwest Alumni Associationmembers heard from Dr. EdScantling, dean of the College ofEducation, about changes anddevelopments in preparingteachers and education adminis-trators.

Foundation vice president

Jon Abegglen announced thegift of $4,000 from HowardWatkins '38 to the organization'sendowed scholarship funds. Thegift was made to honorMarguerite Neustrom Watkins'38 who died in 1999.

John Wolf '73 of Snohomish,Washington, is the Northwestpresident. Bud Farm of Portlandwas the event's organizer.

The Pacifica Beach Resortprovided an ocean setting for the30th annual luncheon of theNorthern California AlumniAssociation.

The group's president DuaneTucker '68 recognized WayneRhoades '49, MAE'59 and FrankMarymee '49 for their role in thehistory of the organization.

Rhoades was the primaryorganizer, first president andattended all 30 gatherings as hasFrank Marymee, who has alsoserved as president.

Steve James '77 was electedpresident and Tony Brown '03and John Schilz '88 were electedvice presidents.

Music professor Dr. NealSchnoor and the UNK WindEnsemble provided twoevenings of 'Celebrating Sousa'to alumni in Omaha andLincoln.

The program featured 40 stu-dent musicians along with facul-ty members Dr. Gary Davis, Dr.James Payne and Dr JamesCook performing some of theworks of America's 'MarchKing.'

The events were held at theOak Hills Country Club inOmaha courtesy of Vince '79and Cindy Sims Pille '79 andYankee Hill Country Club inLincoln courtesy of Ken Vergith'78 and Dave Slagle '81.

More than 40 Coloradoalumni got together in Denver aspart of UNK's participation inthe conference basketball tour-nament in Pueblo. Althoughthere was no formal gathering inPueblo, the tournament wasagain a chance for alumni andfriends in the area to catch theLopers in action at the RMACShootout.

Denver alumni have beenmeeting for 32 years. The presi-dent of the Denver alumni isErik Estes '01.

ALUMNI NEWS

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 13

DENVER (above): Kyle Gilson, Tim Skrastins, Larz Smith and PhilKozera of NU Foundation

DENVER (below): Deven Naik,Venu Nuggehalli, Erik Estes and busi-ness professor Bruce Elder

ALUMNIACROSS

THE U.S.

DCO

DENVER (above): Tom Aboodand Sue Haeberle

OMAHA: Brian Botsford ’00, a teacher atBishop Neumann High School, conductedthe UNK Wind Ensemble at an alumnievent featuring the music of John PhilipSousa.

OMAHA (below): Nick ‘76,Charlotte ‘77, Brett and StaciaKluever had the opportunityfor a reunion in Omaha whenBrett played at the SousaConcert for the UNKOrchestra.

OMAHA: Chancellor Doug Kristensen, pro-fessor emeritus Wilma Stutheit, AndresTraslavina and Lisa Boucher

LINCOLN (below): Lori Waters, Maureen Miller, Shane Stover,professor Gary Davis, Casey Foster, and Scott and Monica Ash

LINCOLN (below): Monica Ash, Barb DeFreece and Lori Pippitt

LNE

ONE

ALUMNI NEWS

14 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

OMAHA: Rod Plum andMike Fitzpatrick

ALUMNI NEWS

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (above): New presidentSteve James with vice president Tony Brown and JohnSchilz

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (below): Kevin Floth,Shanandoah Lenling,Verneel Tworek and Erich Hover

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (above): Jeanne andWayne Shada with Lucas Dart

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (below): ChancellorDoug Kristensen, Maria Hernandez, Ron Crocker andBrad Eberspacher

NCA

SCA

NW

NORTHWEST (below): Professor Ed Scantling, Bob Desch, Stacy Mattson, Bruce Lindley, Bud Farm and Bob Warren

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 15

1949Dale and Wilma Ingram celebrat-ed their 60th wedding anniversary onDecember 31. Dale was a businessprofessor at UNK from 1956 untilhis retirement in 1986.1962Vern Haefele is the city manager atGlenarden, Maryland.1963Robert Hippe of Scottsbluff willretire in April after 30 years on thebench as judge of the 12th JudicialDistrict for the State of Nebraska.He will teach at Western NebraskaCommunity College.Roger Kozisek has been promotedto vice president of the credit divi-sion of Cornhusker Bank in Lincoln.Sandra Peterson retired from herposition as director, Social ScienceLibraries and Information Services atYale University in New Haven,Connecticut in January. She now livesin Albuquerque, New Mexico.1965Terry Gillialand MSE'70 receivedthe Distinguished Service Awardfrom the Nebraska School ActivitiesAssociation. He is athletic director atMitchell High School.1970LaVonne Milbourn Smith retiredin 2006 after teaching second gradefor 27 years in Rantoul, Illinois.

Before that she taught thirdgrade for five years in BigSpring,Texas.

1974Nancy McCammon-Hanson iscommunity awareness manager atthe YWCA in Fort Wayne, Indiana.Her husband, Tom, is the rector atTrinity Episcopal Church.Carolyn Scheidies has releasedthree new books that deal with lovemysteries, inspirational and historicalromances, scripture and prayer. Shehas several more scheduled forrelease in 2007. For information onall of her writings, Google 'CarolynScheidies.'1975Amy Lease works in network secu-rity administration for Comcast inDenver.1977Bill Israelson MS'82 received theDistinguished Service Award fromthe Nebraska School ActivitiesAssociation.He will retire this year asathletic director at Grand IslandNorthwest High School.Earl Jamison is field operationsmanager at the General Motors -Saturn Service Parts Organization inSpring Hill,Tennessee.1979Kevin Madsen EDS'89, assistantprincipal at Kearney High School wasnamed the Region IV AssistantPrincipal of the Year by the NebraskaState Association of Secondary

School Principals.Jan Sorenson was inducted into theNebraska Softball Hall of Fame forher 43 years of involvement in GrandIsland. She is a teacher with GrandIsland Public Schools. Jan joins herfather, Bob, as the first father anddaughter team in the Hall of Fame.1980Jack Gutierrez resigned as basket-ball coach at Central CommunityCollege in Columbus after 27 years.He will continue as athletic directorand will coach softball.1981Larry Harnisch EDS received theNebraska Association of SchoolAdministrators Region IV HonorAward. He has served as superinten-dent at Wood River for 15 years.1982Dan Ernst MSE received theDistinguished Service Award fromthe Nebraska School ActivitiesAssociation. He is superintendent atWaverly.Bob Jones was selected as one ofthe assistant coaches for the 2007U.S.Army All-American Bowl footballgame played in January in SanAntonio,Texas. Bob is football coachat Aldine in Spring,Texas.1983Jerry Kane is a public informationofficer for the Nebraska Game andParks Commission. He had spent 23years in the newspaper industry andwas assistant sports editor of the Salt

Lake Tribune before moving toLincoln in October.Dr. David Lorenz is an anesthesiol-ogist in Tucson.1984Dr. Kent McLellan was selectedNebraska High School Principal ofthe Year by the Nebraska Associationof Secondary School Principals. Helives in Morrill with his family.1986Dr. Brett Kuhn has co-authored abook, "The Toddler Owner's Manual:Operating Instructions,Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice onSystem Maintenance." The book pro-vides instructions and answers tomany questions for children begin-ning at the age of 13 months.Information is available online atwww.quirkbooks.com. Brett is anassociate professor of pediatrics atUNMC and director of the behav-ioral sleep clinic at Children'sHospital in Omaha.1989Trish Bauer Jarboe is a kindergartenteacher in Allen, Texas. She and herhusband, Michael, have two children.Lisa Reese Parish is executive direc-tor of the Kearney Area United Way.1990John Noble was awarded the 200640 Under 40 Award by the MidlandsBusiness Journal honoring theaccomplishments of 40 greaterOmaha entrepreneurs, businessowners, managers and professionalsunder the age of 40.He is director ofmanufacturing for StreckLaboratories. His wife, StaceyMcCance '91, is a French teacher atBeadle Middle School in Millard.Theyhave three daughters, Michaela 12,Lizzie 11 and Cassie 7.1991Perry Mader is the Parks andRecreation Director for the city ofScottsbluff. He and his wife,Lisa,havetwo children - daughter, Regan 2 andson Landon 8.Mark McGregor is an accountexecutive with United GuarantyResidential Insurance Company inOmaha.1992Jason Lamprecht has been pro-moted to deputy director of the U.S.Department of Agriculture'sNational Agricultural StatisticsService,Arkansas Field Office in LittleRock. He and his wife, ReneeSchwanz '94, live in Conway.Theyhave three children - Dylan 14, Crew11 and Daryn Sue 5.Ritchie and Amber AdairMorrow '93, MAE'95 live inOmaha where Ritchie is the financialaid coordinator with the NebraskaCoordinating Commission forPostsecondary Education.Amber is ahealth assistant with the OmahaWestside school district at LovelandElementary. She is working on herPh.D degree in gerontology at UNO.They have a son, James 7.1993Bob Hausmann is principal atNorth Park Elementary School inColumbus, the same school heattended while growing up inColumbus. His wife, Teresa '94, is ascience teacher at Columbus MiddleSchool. They have two daughters,Molly 12 and Emily 11 who are stu-dents at Columbus Middle School,after also having attended NorthPark Elementary.

The men of Pi KappaAlpha celebrated their 20year Anniversary on

campus during the weekend ofMarch 3rd. Close to 60 alumnusmembers of the Iota Gammachapter attended the two-dayevent.

THE ACTIVE and alumnibrothers invaded the UNKAlumni House on Fridayevening for a kick-off event and

reception. The weekend contin-ued Saturday morning when 14former presidents of IotaGamma attended a breakfast andgoal setting retreat. This retreatserved to rekindle the PlatteValley Alumni Association tofurther enhance the relationshipbetween alumni and actives.

THE CHAPTER house wasthen opened up for the alumnibrothers to have lunch andsocialize. That evening, the 20thAnniversary banquet was held atthe Holiday Inn in Kearney.

Approximately 120 members ofthe fraternity gathered for din-ner, an awards presentation, anda slideshow depicting the historyand successes of the fraternity.

Pi Kappa Alpha is a Greek-let-ter, social fraternity found onover 200 campuses nationwide.The Iota Gamma chapter wasnamed UNK's Department of theMonth in June of 2005 andUNK's Community of the Yearfor 2005. The chapter has alsoreceived 6 Robert Adger Smythetrophies awarded to the top 5% ofPike chapters internationally.

Pi Kappa Alpha celebrates 20th

REUNION TIME: Members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity celebrated their 20th anniversary atKearney.

CLASS NOTES

16 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

Jeffrey Meyer is a science teacherand girls track coach in Clearwater.He and his wife, Kathy, are parents ofBrayden James 6 and Layton Scott 1.Darren Sanchez is assistant vicepresident and assistant manager ofthe Grand Island Cornerstone Banklocation.Kendra Stahl Sibbernsen '93 washonored by the Academy ofTelevision Arts and Sciences at the58th Los Angeles Area Emmy Awardsin August for her contributions tothe Emmy Award-WinningAchievement of InstructionalProgramming for "Astronomy:Observations and Theories." Kendrawas a lead academic advisor assistingin the production of the college-levelastronomy telecourse seriesreleased in 2005. She teaches physicsand astronomy at MetropolitanCommunity College in Omaha.1994Amy Nash MSE is a speech lan-guage pathologist with LakeviewGolden Living Center in Grand Island.1995Troy Schleiger has been promotedto project manager at Digital IMS inLincoln.1996Susan Colarco is employed by theDepartment of Defense, DefenseLogistics Agency as a contract andethics attorney. She lives in Arlington,Virginia.1997Dawn Kjeldgaard is director ofmarketing with EngineeringTechnologies Inc. in Lincoln.Michael Ksiazek works for BDMedical as a molding manufacturingengineer in Columbus.Tara Christensen-FischerNaprstek is the controller forSubconn, Inc., a manufacturer ofunderwater connectors, located in

Burwell.Tara is also a certified publicaccountant. She and her husband,Cody, live in Ord.1998Ryan Berlage and his wife TerriMcBride '98 have relocated fromConnecticut to Frisco, Texas, whereRyan is a senior risk analyst with GECommercial Finance.Cindi Schmidt Coulter is associ-ate art director with SwansonRussell Associates in Lincoln.Dr. Jerrid Freeman '98 and hiswife, Carie Gideon '96 live inFayetteville,Arkansas, where Jerrid isdirector of the Arkansas StudentUnion.Stephanie King-Witt MSE'05 isdirector of marketing and public rela-tions, a new department of theBosselman Corporation in GrandIsland.1999Amy Smith Bradley has been pro-moted to an analyst in the buying andmerchandising office at Wilson'sLeather headquarters in the TwinCities of Minnesota.Kathleen 'Kem' Murray Fisherlives in Omaha and teaches kinder-garten for the Omaha Public Schools.She is coaching shot put and discus atOmaha Marion. Her husband, Rob, isemployed at Qwest. They have twodaughters,Alex 7 and Allyson 2.2000Kerry Fleming is assistant dean ofstudents at Rockford College inIllinois.Alex Straatmann works as a con-stituent services representative inGrand Island for U.S. Rep. AdrianSmith of Nebraska's Third District.2001Jeff Krobot works for HearthstoneHomes in Omaha. He and his wife,Lindsay, have twin daughters, Meganand Sophia.

Gary Payne is head volley-ball coach at McCookCommunity College.2002Christy Hagler has been promotedto senior marketing manager for Yohin Philadelphia. She had been workingin advertising. In 2006, the company'sadvertising programs received sevenmarketing awards from the AmericanStaffing Association, including theCommunications Award that recog-nizes the best overall marketing pro-gram in the industry. In her new role,Christy is responsible for all aspectsof the company brand, as well astheir proposal, public relations, eventmanagement and marketing pro-grams.Matthew Rau is manager of busi-ness development for eFrameTechnologies in Omaha.2003Beth Bremer is a legislative assis-tant in Washington, D.C. on the staffof U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith ofNebraska's Third DistrictJames Dukesherer is a legislativecorrespondent in Washington, D.C.serving in constituent communica-tions on the staff of U.S. Rep.AdrianSmith of Nebraska's Third District.Deependra Rayamajhi is a webdeveloper intern with QATechnologies in Omaha.Nicole Bates Ruge teaches middleschool Family and Consumer Sciencein Evans, Georgia, where she wasnamed the Teacher of Year. She andher husband Brian, were marriedOctober 22, 2004.Justin Young is a graphic designerwith Swanson Russell Associates inLincoln.2004Erin Arnold,who has been assistantvolleyball coach at UNK this pastyear,will attend Casper College’s Fire

Science and EMT School. Her goal isto be a full-time firefighter.Marty Gutowsky has graduatedfrom the Secret Service Academyand is now working as a special agentout of the Newark, New Jersey fieldoffice. He and his wife, Rachel, live inMontclair. She is completing her sur-gical residency in Newark.Corey Schneider is an assistantmanager at Sears in Grand Island. Heand his wife,Ashley,have a son,Sean 4.2006 Lesley Crutcher is the communityrelations coordinator for theCharlotte Knights baseball team,Triple-A affiliate for the ChicagoWhite Sox.Carrie Divis is teaching in theLincoln Public Schools.Nicole Dusenbery is a marketingcoordinator for Principal FinancialGroup in Lincoln.Krystle Faust is a staff memberwith SCOOR Marketing in Kearney.Francisco Gomes Filho is a mar-keting specialist with PappasTelecasting in Omaha.Chandra Hollister Hawley andher husband, Dr. Jason, have movedto Green Bay, Wisconsin, whereChandra works at C.V.S. Pharmacy.Jason is an optometrist.Briann Horacek is a computertechnician with the College ofEducation at UNK.LeeAnn Jameson works for WestPharmaceutical Services in Kearney.Ashley More is a financial analystwith Mutual of Omaha in Omaha.Sheis also a student in the MBA programat UNL.Alicia Myers is a photographer,reporter and producer withKOLN/KGIN television station inLincoln.Jared Rawlings is a productionartist with Swanson RussellAssociates in Lincoln.Daniel Riha is a radiologic technol-ogist with Rapid City RegionalHospital in South Dakota.Cherry Stevens is a graduate stu-dent studying sculpture at EastCarolina University.

MarriagesJill Andreasen '05 and ZachFriesen '05 September 30 inHenderson.They live in Lincoln.Lisa Beckenhauer '02 and DanielPomajzl December 30 in Crete.Amy Behne '03 and Robert RezacNovember 18 in Brainard. They livein Omaha.Heidi Jo Blair '95 and GregoryKeith Green October 30 in SanAntonio. Heidi is an assistant profes-sor of government at Cy-FairCollege.Greg is a fire fighter with theHouston Fire Department. Both arepursuing doctorate degrees atWalden University.Jay and Carla Meyers CaleckDecember 1 in Omaha.Carla is a salescoordinator for Lindsay Corporation.Jay is the purchasing agent for BlueCross Blue Shield of Nebraska.Stacey Deschane '03 and JesseDoan March 24 in Lincoln.Michael Ford '05 and BrookeMarshall September 30 in Smithfield.Brooke is a registered nurse at PlatteValley Medical Clinic in Kearney.Michael teaches and coaches atBertrand Community School.

CLASS NOTES

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 17

Three members of the Jesskefamily have taught for 88 yearsJoyce Jesske Lenstrom ’51

taught 19 years at the highschool level in Holdrege,Huntley and in California. Joycenow lives in El Cerrito,California, with her husband,Daryl.

Hilda Jesske Meyer '63taught for 33 years. She taughtin elementary schools inStaplehurst, Sutherland andCampbell. She now lives withher husband, Merlyn, on a farmnear Campbell.

LaDonna Meyer Jesske '64taught for 36 years in ruralschools in Franklin, Adams andWebster counties. She taught inelementary schools in Ayr, BlueHill and Trinity Lutheran inHastings. The last 18 years ofteaching was in K-12 specialeducation for Educational

Service Unit #9 in Hastings.Ladonna lives on the family farm

at Blue Hill. Her husband,Howard, is deceased.

CAREER EDUCATORS: Joyce Lenstrom, Hilda Meyer andLaDonna Jesske contributed 88 years to the teaching profession.

Justin Goodwin '04 and AmandaSchoenefeld ’05 August 5 in GrandIsland.Erin Hacker '00, MSE'02 andGregory Feather December 16 inGothenburg.Kila Haller '99 and BryanStrasburger August 12 in Omaha.They live in Indianapolis.Melissa Hewgley '03 and Kevin'K.C.' Foote November 25 in NorthPlatte.Jason Keeshan '97 and Becki HalteJanuary 27 in Cabo San Lucas,Mexico.Clint Kirschner '02 and TinaMcMillan September 30 in Kearney.Bonnie Kruse '03 and LindleyThompson '01 October 14 inKearney. Lindley is vice president ofthe Bank of Paxton. Bonnie is a mar-keting coordinator for ProphetSystems Innovations in Ogallala.Theylive in Paxton.Susan McKain '78 and John BlairDecember 12. They live in NorthHills, California.Amanda Meyer '02 and Joe PottsDecember 16 in Hartington.Amanda is an operations managerfor Crescent Electric SupplyCompany.Amy Miller and Frank Kuchera '03July 8 in Sidney.

Janelle Miratsky '98 and LorenHoskins September 2005 in Sandy,Oregon. Janelle is the U.S. Equipmentand Licensed Apparel SampleManager for Nike. Loren is an actor,writer and co-creator of the all agesrock bank, 'Captain Bogg and Salty.'Jason Paulk '02 and MichelleBruning March 24 in Bruning.Dusty Reynolds '04 and JuliaBatenhorst March 10 in Omaha.Sarah Roth '01 and Joe Mlnarik July15 in Omaha. Sarah teaches historyat Creighton Preparatory School.Jenny Ruskamp '01 and JasonKeller October 14 in Lincoln. Theylive in Kansas City.Jason Schmidt '97 and ChristyMiller December 23 in Fremont.Jason is a teacher with Cedar BluffsPublic School. Christy is a pre-schoolteacher.Becky Schneider '04 and MichaelHoltje December 29 in Grand Island.Alison Slaughter '99 and RyanBeieler July 1 in Denver.Amy Tubbs '03 and MatthewEigenberg '00 July 29 in Kearney.Doug Van Pelt '04 and DonnetteCarlson January 6 in Central City.Bothteach for Central City Public Schools.Jessica Vasa '05 and Kyle George'05 October 14 in Gering.They livein Fort Collins,Colorado,where Kyleworks for Centex Homes and Jessicais a substitute teacher.

BirthsJean and Scott Anderson '96 ofKearney are parents of a son, DevinKeating, born December 14.Brett and Theresa Stwalley Araujo'04 of Overton are parents of a son,Jordan William, born January 8.John and Hilarie ScantlingBartling '01 of Fort Collins are par-ents of a daughter, Izabella Fereira,born October 28.James and Jenna Sterner Berlie '01of Kearney are parents of a daughter,Miley Jean, born November 11.Ben '98 and Kiley GlantzBertrand '98, MAE'03 of Kearneyare parents of a son, TurnerHutchinson, born December 12.Jaime and Tyson Bertrand '00 ofOmaha are parents of a son, ReeseCole, born November 6.Tyler '03 and Kate NaberBombeck '00 of Kearney are par-ents of a daughter, Ann Marie, bornFebruary 5.Bobbi and Keith Bond '95 ofBelton,Missouri, are parents of a son,Blake Isaac, born February 4.Jolie and Bronson Bosshamer '01of Kearney are parents of a daughter,Jenna J., born November 17. Bronsonis manager of Culligan WaterConditioning.Bret andAngie Neubert Brasfield'98 of Bellevue are parents of adaughter,Avery Lauren, born June 13,2006. They also have a daughterEmily.Angie is a kindergarten teacherwith the Bellevue Public Schools.Rex and Sharon StrothkampBrown '97 of Omaha are parents ofa daughter, Grace, born August 24.They also have a son, Bence.Jake '00 and Heather GoldenButterbaugh '01 of Overland Park,Kansas, are parents of a daughter,Hannah Novella, born November 26.Corey '98 and Crystal MillerCampbell '98 of Kearney are par-ents of a daughter, Sophia Lolita, bornDecember 17.Nathan '00 and Kim Felton-Canfield '02 of Wood River are par-ents of a son, Johnathan Krysan, bornMarch 24, 2006.David '95 and Julie MandinCarskadon '94 of Glen Burnie,Maryland, are parents of a daughter,Anna Rose, born November 30.Elizabeth and Kevin Classen '98 ofLittleton, Colorado, are parents of adaughter, Katherine, born December5. Kevin is senior vice president withFirstBank of Denver.Whitney and LeAnn KringClausen '99 of Omaha are parentsof a son, Fletcher Wayde, bornNovember 13. They also have adaughter, Madelynn.Shannon and Eric Cooksley '01 ofChaska, Minnesota, are parents oftwins, Brayden Paul and ChloeElizabeth, born January 13. They alsohave a son, Dylan James 3. Eric is anoutside sales engineer with Molex, Inc.Brent '97 and KatieBeckenhauer Custer '97 ofBroken Bow are parents of twindaughters, Molly Caroline and BrynnSophia, born January 12.Shane and Chalee Ash Fernau '06of Kearney are parents of a son,ColeTrevor Dean, born February 8.Nicolas '03, MS'05 and MeganRiessland '03, MS'06 of Kearneyare parents of a daughter, PaigeMarie, born November 17.Dallas '94 and Jami Beitler Garey'01 of Arapahoe are parents of a daugh-ter,Haiden Elise, born February 13.

John '96 and Kristin Mack Gibson'97 of Fremont are parents of a son,Zachary Ryan,born December 10.Johnis training director at ConAgra andKristin is a product manager at FirstData.Lisa and Jeremy Goebel '02 ofTonganoxie, Kansas, are parents of adaughter,Addison Jo, born February 9,2006.Christopher and KimberlyNiemants Guyer '94 of Omaha areparents of a daughter, Emily Kate, bornMarch 27,2006.They also have a daugh-ter, Sarah Elizabeth 6.Denny and Bridget Bohl Hamilton'94 of Jefferson City, Missouri, are par-ents of a daughter, Flynn Irene, bornDecember 13. They have two otherdaughters.Bradlee and Renelle Moore Hartzog'05 of Holdrege are parents of a son,Landon Barrett,born February 9.Becky and Dale Herl '95 of Burrton,Kansas,are parents of a daughter,JaydenFaith, born August 3. Dale is superin-tendent of schools for the BurrtonSchool District.

UNK Today, official alumni publication of theUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney is pub-lished three times a year by the AlumniAssociation, Kearney, Nebraska 68849. Thirdclass postage paid, Kearney, NE 68847.

Phone: (308) 865-8474 FAX: (308) 865-8999 E-mmail: jrundstrom@nufoundation.orgInternet: http://www.unk.edu/alumni

BOARD OFDIRECTORS OFFICERSLarry Edwards ’64, President - Fort Collins, COMaureen Nickels ’74, President-elect - ChapmanBrenda Christensen ’83, Secretary - Minden

DIRECTORSTERM EXPIRING 2007Ronald Cropp ’65 - KearneyErik Estes ’01 - Highlands Ranch, COLarry Feather ’66 - Grand Junction, COShane Jensen ’96 - KearneyKeith Jorgensen ’50 - Mission Viejo, CATeresa Thomsen Paper ’84 - Iola, KSLee Ann Hogins ’82 - KearneyRich Rehnberg ’71 - HoldregeKen Vergith ’78 - Lincoln

TERM EXPIRING 2008Tammy Adelson Hayden ’90 - KearneyGreg Shea ’89 - KearneyMarsha Rodehorst-Wilkerson ’90 - KearneyJudy Johnson Hall ’64 - LincolnBill O’Neill ’95 - OmahaJerry Stine ’67, MSE ’76 - BertrandMary Howington ’62 - Fort Worth, TXShelly Marks ’02, MSE ’05 - Atlanta, GAChrista Boroff Spencer ’88 - Overland Park, KS

EXPIRING 2009Fred Arnold ’83 - FairburySue Batie ’73 - Cypress, CACandy Fernau ’96 - Dallas, TXAndy Romatzke, J.D. ’01 - KearneyChad Rutar ’97 - OmahaDeb Schwenka ’76 - MindenBob Warren ’64 - McMinnville, ORStephanie Hueftle Vogel ’89 - Lincoln

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFFJim Rundstrom ’64 - Executive Director and Editor Michelle Widger ‘90 - Assistant Director and Assistant EditorSuzanne Exstrom - Office Associate

CLASS NOTES

18 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

MOVING?MOVING?Don’t missyour next

UNK Today!

If you’re moving, please attachyour old mailing label to the right.Provide yournew informationbelow andreturn to:UNK AlumniAssociation Campus Box 21Kearney, NE68849-6120.

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Andy '95 and MelindaHogeland '96 of Kearneyare parents of son, WilliamJanssen, born November 28.Amy and Craig Holcomb '95 ofGibbon are parents of a daughter,Madelyn Rae, born December 15.Trey '93 and Stephanie EbelHorton '93 of Castle Rock are par-ents of a son, Jacob Andrew, bornNovember 3. Trey is a CPA anddirector of CBIZ.Stephanie is a storemanager for Walgreens.Roan '02, MAE'06 and KristinWittman Howard '00 of Kearneyare parents of a daughter, ChloeLouise, born March 30. Roan is ateacher for Horizon Middle School andKristin is the NU Foundation directorof annual campaigns in Kearney. Theyalso have a daughter,Anna 4.Dr.Aaron and Elissa Bosley Hurd’98 of Knoxville,Tennessee, are par-ents of a son, Aaron Lucas, bornAugust 7, 2006. Aaron is completingis surgery residency at UT MedicalCenter.Melanie and Mitchell Ivey '05 ofKearney are parents of a son,Kamran Josef, born November 15.Mike and Kelli Hasselbalch Jaixen'93 of Omaha are parents of adaughter, Rachael Claire, bornNovember 13.Geri and Kelly Jasnoch '05 ofNorth Platte are parents of a daugh-ter,Alaina Rae, born January 9.Julie and Casey Jensen '92 ofKearney are parents of a daughter,Kaylee Sue, born October 9.Blake and Renee Rohren Johnson'96 of Holdrege are parents of a son,Garrett Michael, born November 20.Renee is director of cardiac rehabilita-tion at Phelps Memorial Health Center.Jason and Vatisha Kuehn '02 ofHeartwell are parents of a son,Herman Henry, born March 5. Theyhave three other children, Alexas,Brianna and Daulton.Johnie '99 and Buffi NelsonKamery '99 of Minden are parentsof a daughter, Mattie Marie, bornJanuary 26.They also have a daughter,Maylee.Shannon and Craig Kenton '98 ofKansas City are parents of a daugh-ter, Aubrey Placke, born November30. Craig is a financial adviser forHighpoint Financial.Shawn '93 and AmandaSchaffnitt King '98 of Kearney areparents of a daughter, SophiaMackenzie, born November 18.Theyhave three other children, Zachary 8,Grace 5 and Chloe 3.Eric '99 and Tracy ShermanKrelle '00 of Omaha are parents ofa daughter, Elizabeth Gertrude, bornJuly 2, 2006.Brian and Kristy Griess Lukert'92,MS'95 of Hebron are parents ofa son,Adam Brian, born October 29.They also have a daughter, Megan 3.Kristy teaches math at ThayerCentral High School.Anthony '03 and Kelly KenyonMaeser '03 of Omaha are parentsof a son, Jackson Robert, bornNovember 28.Scott and Angela PoukMarquardt '98 of Kearney are par-ents of a son, Zachary Joe, bornFebruary 14.Trent '01 and Stephanie SegerMcConnell '02 of Shelton are par-ents of a daughter, Mallory Nicole,born December 8.Tari and Brett McCracken '03 ofKearney are parents of a daughter,Rubi Kay, born February 14.

Doug '98 and Megan AdenMitchell '98 of Kearney are parentsof a daughter, MaKinley Manette,born February 9. They also have adaughter,Addison.Honor and Troy Nelson '91,MA'01 of Falls City are parents of ason, Connor Joshua, born November17.Troy is a counselor with Falls CityPublic Schools.Lauren and Brian Niemann '91 ofFlower Mound,Texas, are parents of adaughter, Lillian Rayne, bornNovember 27.Leonard and Melanie MyersOgomo '06 of Kearney are parentsof a son, Tayshaun Dre, bornNovember 11.Nathan '01 and Jami MitchellOlson '01 of David City are parentsof a son, Neil Edan, born November23.They also have a daughter,Valori 2.Mary and Billy Peters '05 ofKearney are parents of a daughter,Lily Catherine, born January 18.Deloris and Daren Pittman '89 ofMartell are parents of a daughter,Brianna Helene, born December 11.They also have a son, Zachery James.Aaron and Jamie Gardner Reitz'99 of Kearney are parents of a son,Landon Jonas, born January 15.Cody '01 and Heidi EricksonRiessland '04 of Pleasanton are par-ents of a daughter, Kailin Jo, bornJanuary 9.Ben and Julie Schemper Schamp'96 of Jackson are parents of a son,Connor Savage, born January 10. Julieis a senior sales representative for EliLilly and Company.They also have adaughter,Alyssa 2.Todd and Julie Frese Schmieding'95 of Omaha are parents of a daugh-ter,Parker,born November 27. Julie isa territory sales manager for StateChemical Company. Todd is a sales-man for Voda One/Westcon Group.Michael and Jennie SmithSchuster '06 of Kearney are par-ents of daughter, Grace Patienceborn March 5. They also have twosons Henry and Patrick.Kevin and Brenda JedlickaSchroeder '99 of Ravenna are par-ents of a son, Noah Jay, bornNovember 30.Carly and Matt Stahn '99 of WestDes Moines, Iowa, are parents of adaughter, Emmerson Grace, bornFebruary 27. Matt is an ag territorymanager for Omaha-based John DayCompany serving the agriculturaland industrial sectors.Mike and Chris Shudak Stern '93of Omaha are parent of a daughter,Taryn Grace, born September 28.They also have a daughter, Taylor 7,and a son,Tanner 4.Robert and Tammy EmoryStevenson '92 of Lincoln are par-ents of a daughter, Maya Mi-Sion,born August 13 in Suwon, SouthKorea.Mike '03 and Angela Stokes '95 ofLiberty, Missouri, are parents of adaughter, Delaney Grace, bornDecember 18.They also have a son,Jobey.Kyle and Carissa Howell Stritt '04of Kearney are parents of a daughter,Avery Paige, born December 8.

Spring 2007 l UNK Today l 19

CLASS NOTES

First Name Middle Initial Last Name Maiden Name

Street City State Zip+4

Phone

Date of Birth E-Mail Address

Grad Month & Year Major/Minor

Employer Name Occupation

Spouse Name Is he/she a grad of UNK UNL UNO UNMC Year

News

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK TEAM REUNION: Teammembers met for Darren Barker’s wedding in August atMcCool Junction. Front row: Tom Schutz, Bob Brindamour,Darren Barker, Coach Lyle Claussen, Kurt Holliday and JoeSchumm. Middle row: Erich Whitemore, Chad Cuda, DanNielsen, Tom Magnuson, Bryan Danburg and Jim Ballinger.Back row: Todd Fuelberth,Assistant Coach Rick Meyer,TomGardner and Mitch Alloway. Not Pictured: Brad Sherman

Alumni Update

Send your update for UNK Today to: UNKAlumni Association, Campus Box 21,Kearney NE 68849-6120 or “sign” our onlineguestbook at http://www.unk.edu/alumni

What’s happening?

Jeff '97 and Angie SybrantThompson '97 of Kearney are par-ents of a daughter,Amaya Jean, bornMarch 2.Jason '99 and Holly PohlmannThyne '96 of Kearney are parents ofa son,Ethan Edward,born January 15.They have two other children, Blakeand Austin.Darren and Paige NewmanVanWinkle MAE'04 of Kearneyare parents of a daughter,Ava Alison,born June 16.Chris and Amy HughesWahlmeier '02 of Hastings are par-ents of a son, Kaleb Patrick, bornSeptember 4.Rich '97, MS'03 and AmyHavranek Walters '99 of Kearneyare parents of a daughter, KamrynKarsyn, born January 30. Rich worksas a wildlife biologist for the NebraskaGame and Parks Commission.Julie and Christian Wilbeck '99 ofLincoln are parents of a son, OwenChristian, born December 3.David '98 and Angela SuingWright '99, MAE'05 of Kearneyare parents of a son, Karson Waine,born December 6.Eric and Becca Davis Zimbelman'02 of Kearney are parents of adaughter,Carlie Marie, born March 6.They also have a daughter,Alana.

DeathsDaniel Abernethy '72 ofScottsbluff died December 15. Heowned and operated his own con-struction and real estate business.Hewas 57. Memorials have been estab-lished with the UNK AlumniAssociation.

Norma Ahrendts of Kearney diedJanuary 2. She was 88. Memorials aresuggested to the Harold L.AhrendtsScholarship at UNK.Bonita 'Bonnie' Artz '70,MAE'79 of Alma died February 22.She was 78.Jerald 'Jerry' Beltz '51 of Omahadied March 10.Jan Marie Benson ’86 of Lincolndied March 13. She was 43.Michael Carruthers 'MSE'95 ofMinden died January 11. He was 54.Donald Churchill '35 of Bemidji,Minnesota, died December 28. Hewas a professional educator whoretired from Bemidji State Universityin 1978. He was 94.Charlotte Arlette Parson Claussof Lincoln died January 12.She was 53.Charles Davies '83 of RepublicanCity died December 28. He is a for-mer UNK faculty member.He was 56.Susan Kincaid DeJesus of Naples,Florida,died December 12.She was 61.Marian Ehresman '68 of Ord diedFebruary 5. She was 90.Dickie Foster '61 of Denton,Texas,died January 9. He was 71.Eunice Fritz '55, MAE'58 ofBladen died December 3. She was 97.Dennis Golus of Grand Island diedJanuary 23. He was 59.Roger Harpham '64 of Kenesawdied January 13. He taught speechand English for 34 years at SewardHigh School before retiring in 2001.He was 64.Marlene Younguist Hansen ofHoldrege died January 12.She was 74.Paul Hassett of Grand Island diedJanuary 13. He was 59.Michael Herbison of Sheridan,

Wyoming, died March 29. He wasdirector of the Calvin T. Ryan Libraryfrom 1993 to 2003. He was 65.Robert House of Dallas,Texas, diedFebruary 2. During his 45 years ofteaching music, he was band directorat UNK and a cellist with theKearney Symphony. He was 86.Duane Hutchinson '53 of Lincolndied March 5. He was a retired

Methodist minister and professionalstory-teller.He was 77.Michael W. 'Spoiler' Johnson '71of Kearney died December 25. Hewas 59.Sarah L. 'Sally' Kirschbaum '88 ofSt. Paul died January 25. She was 76.Stephanie Karraker ’65,MSE ’76of Kearney, a former professor ofEnglish, died March 21. She was 79.Rosa Marrow '41 of Kearney diedFebruary 2. She was 88.Allen Burris Meirath '71 of GrandIsland died November 30.She was 84.Nancy Stokes Muehlhausen '70,MSE'84 of Davey died December 9.She was a counselor for 29 years inthe Grand Island Public Schools andLincoln Public School System. Shewas 58.Norden Nutter '51 of Gibbon diedMarch 15. He was 80Bradley Ohlman of Hastings diedFebruary 12. He was 32.Ronald Ritterbush, Jr. '64 ofCozad died February 15. He was 65.Dr. Otto Ruff '38 of Denver diedFebruary 19. He was director ofteacher education and certificationfor the Colorado Department ofEducation. He was 94.Kathleen Schott of Silver Creekdied March 2. She was 83.Fern Trosper '78 of Fullerton diedJanuary 14. She was 85.Mary Elaine Wallace-House '40of Dallas died January 12. She was aprofessor of voice and served asexecutive director of the NationalOpera Association. She was a recipi-ent of the Distinguished AlumniAward the first year it was presentedin 1980. She also received the GaryThomas Award for outstandingmusic alumni. She was 88.Richard Welker '58 of Riverside,California, died December 15. Hewas a retired Perris Valley MiddleSchool teacher and a board memberof the Southern California AlumniAssociation. He was 76.Roy Wilson '32 of Gillette,Wyoming,died February 13. He was 97.Clara Woracek '72 of Sargent diedMarch 12. She was 71.

Plan NOW for

Homecoming 2007

WHEN: WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 6TH

PARADE

FOOTBALL VS.WESTERN STATE

LOPER LUNCHEON TAILGATE

REUNIONS & GATHERINGS

If the Alumni Association can be of anyassistance with your plans, call us at

308-865-8474 or email us at jrundstrom@nufoundation.org

For $50, you will love our beautiful jacquardwoven UNK afghan featuring full color designon a cloudy blue background. Afghans meas-ure approximately 50” x 60”, are machinewashable, 100% cotton, made in the U.S.A.and fringed all around. Add $7 for shippingand handling.

Order your UNK afghan today!

Call 308-865-8474, go online atwww.unk.edu/alumni, or

send a check for the amount withinstructions where to send it.

20 l UNK Today l Spring 2007

CLASS NOTES

NOW AVAILABLE!UNK Afghans for sale

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T he pottery of JacquieStevens, Nebraska nativeand Winnebago Indian,

ranges from works reflective oftraditional tribal methods tothose that find simple inspirationin "line, form, and shadow," asthe artist states.

Raised by her grandparentson the Winnebago Reservationin Nebraska, Stevens was intro-duced to clay at an early age. Inher backyard along the MissouriRiver, clay was prevalent andshe repeatedly used it to create.

Her introduction to NativeAmerican art forms came laterwhen she studied anthropologyat the University of Colorado atBoulder. Then, in 1975, sheenrolled at the Institute ofAmerican Indian Art in SantaFe, New Mexico and studiedwith Otellie Loloma, well-known Hopi potter and teacher.Stevens has continued to createpots since the mid 1970s.

The Museum of Nebraska Arthas recently acquired its first

piece by Stevens. Untitled (blackwith pink dots) is a simple formwith wonderful craftsmanship. Aminimalist work, the pot is creat-ed out of white earthen clayemphasizing asymmetry yet bal-anced with a formidable pres-ence.

Stevens was one of the firstIndian potters to coil large, off-round vessel shapes, andMONA's artwork is an excellentexample of this technique.Untitled (black with pink dots) isincluded in the exhibitionCeramic Selections fromMONA's Collection which alsofeatures a work by UNK profes-sor of ceramics Jake Jacobson,among others. The exhibition ison view until September 9, 2007.

MONA is the official art col-lection of the State of Nebraska.The Museum is located at 2401Central Avenue and open to thepublic Tuesday throughSaturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.,and closed major holidays.

UNTITLED (BLACK WITH PINK DOTS)JACQUIE STEVENS (B. 1949)

pottery

Museum of Nebraska Art CollectionMuseum Purchase made possible by MONA Guild

MONA Gallery