University of Nebraska community mourns passing of Mike Yanney

Mike Yanney was just 11 years old and the youngest of nine children when his dad died in Kearney, Nebraska. His mother turned to raising and selling vegetables, so that became Mike’s first job — selling vegetables to the local grocery store. He also detasseled corn, shined shoes and walked along the railroad tracks, looking for coal that had fallen from trains so his mother could make a fire. He even worked as a disc jockey, though he said he was terrible at that. But he and his family made it through the Great Depression.

Yanney told the University of Nebraska Foundation he remembered happiness during his early years, and he knew money didn’t buy that. You’re going to be successful, his mother told him. But true success will be measured by what you give of yourself to your community and your country.

By that measure and many others, Mike Yanney, who died Feb. 14 at the age of 92, was truly successful.

His early years shaped a lifelong desire to give back. Yanney supported campuses across the University of Nebraska System — the University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska at Kearney. He served as a trusted adviser to numerous chancellors and university leaders, always ready to strategize how to further university projects.

“Mike Yanney cared deeply about family and community, and to him, the University of Nebraska was both,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Over the years, he and his wife, Gail Walling Yanney, M.D., gave generously to the university, reflecting their profound care for those around them through support of initiatives that advance public health and enhance quality of life. Mike was equally generous with his time and ideas, always able to envision what was possible when passionate people came together. I was lucky to call him a friend, and I believe our state and our university are stronger because of his leadership, generosity and compassion.”

Mike and Gail Yanney made a leadership gift that led to the formation of the Healing Arts Program at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, which opened in 2017. Nebraska Medicine and UNMC named the facility’s Yanney Conference Room to honor the couple for their unwavering support of the project. He championed major capital projects at UNMC, including the Durham Research Towers, College of Public Health building, Munroe-Meyer Institute and Davis Global Center, lending advice, engaging the community and participating in fundraising initiatives.

Yanney was devoted to his wife, Gail. He established the Dr. Gail Walling Yanney Endowed Professorship in Anesthesiology and created a scholarship for College of Medicine students in her honor. A conference room holds her name in the Durham Research Tower on campus, and Mike also donated a Jun Kaneko sculpture for the front entrance of the Wigton Heritage Center in honor of Gail’s birthday.

In addition, the couple funded numerous scholarships and supported students through mentoring.

Yanney was a 1955 graduate of the Nebraska State Teachers College in Kearney (now UNK). In 1984, he founded what is now Burlington Capital, a company which manages public investment funds. He served as chairman emeritus.

Aside from his philanthropy, Yanney served the university by sharing his wisdom and business acumen. He served as a member of the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Board of Directors and as a foundation trustee. Mike and Gail received the foundation’s Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 2016.  He served on two comprehensive campaigns to benefit the university: Campaign for Nebraska, from 2005-2014, and Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, which began in 2018. Mike, along with Gail, was serving on the campaign executive committee for Only in Nebraska at the time of his passing. UNK granted him an honorary doctorate in 1988. He and Gail received the Regents Medal, the University of Nebraska’s highest award, in 2013.

What others are saying

“Mike Yanney was a man who made a difference in his community. At UNMC and Nebraska Medicine alone, his impact included support of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the Lauritzen Outpatient Center and countless other initiatives that benefited his fellow Nebraskans and many others. He was a humble and giving man, and for me, a mentor and personal friend. This is a great loss for Omaha and Nebraska, and we at the medical center send our condolences to Gail, Lisa and the rest of the Yanney family.” — H. Dele Davies, MD, interim chancellor, UNMC

“Mike believed in the power of education to transform lives and communities because he experienced it firsthand. He often shared how his mother insisted he would go to college and find a way to pay for it himself. Kearney State became the game changer that launched his extraordinary career. He never forgot that beginning. Through scholarships and steadfast support for UNK, he helped ensure that other students could find their own path. The Peterson-Yanney Memorial Bell Tower stands at the heart of our campus as a lasting symbol of his love for this university and for Kearney. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of Lopers.” — Neal Schnoor, Ph.D., chancellor, UNK

“Mike Yanney’s generosity extended beyond campus buildings and programs — it reached the hearts and minds of countless students whose lives he touched. Through scholarships, mentoring and his unwavering belief in education, he inspired generations of Huskers to dream bigger, work harder and give back to their communities. His legacy will be felt in the success of our students for decades to come.” — Katherine S. Ankerson, interim chancellor, UNL

“Michael Yanney believed in lifting others as he climbed, and he lived that belief every day. His life was a powerful testament to paying it forward. He showed Omaha, Nebraska, and the world that determination and selfless service can uplift entire communities. Because of his generosity and unwavering commitment to others, our university and our city will benefit for generations to come. His legacy challenges all of us to lead with purpose, serve with humility and invest in people.” — Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, chancellor, UNO

“The University of Nebraska Foundation mourns the loss of longtime volunteer, fundraising adviser and campaign volunteer leader, Mike Yanney. Mike was a mentor and partner to many University of Nebraska presidents and chancellors and a trusted philanthropic adviser for many University of Nebraska Foundation executives and development leaders over the years. He was a true American hero — a self-made, successful business leader; a selfless community volunteer; an advocate for those in need and a tireless champion for education and health care. When presenting Mike and Gail with our Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 2016, I commented that the Yanneys had set a standard for volunteer leadership that was truly exemplary and among the most impressive and impactful I had ever experienced in my career. Through his business, philanthropic and volunteer efforts, Mike had a profound impact on his community, state and country. We share our heartfelt condolences with his wife Gail, daughter Lisa and the extended Yanney family.” — Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO, University of Nebraska Foundation