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Trustee Awards

The University of Nebraska Foundation presents its highest honors to individuals who have exemplified extraordinary service.

The Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service commemorates the importance of volunteers to the organization. The award is named for Perry W. Branch, the first employee and executive director of the University of Nebraska Foundation.

The Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service is given to a university or foundation employee who provides exemplary service in development while demonstrating the values of initiative, honesty, integrity, compassion, commitment, foresight, tolerance and diligence. The award is named in honor of Harlan J. Noddle, a longtime University of Nebraska advocate and former chair of the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Current Award Recipients

Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service

Tom and Mary Henning

Tom and Mary Henning of Kearney, Nebraska, have generously served as volunteers with the University of Nebraska and the University of Nebraska Foundation for decades. They have been foundation trustees since 1992 and during that time have been part of three comprehensive campaigns, including the current Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, where they serve on both the University of Nebraska at Kearney and the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine committees. Tom has served on numerous university committees, the foundation board and several of its committees. He received NU’s Medal of Service in 2019. Mary served on the foundation’s Grants and Governance Committees and is currently a member of Women Investing in Nebraska. Tom graduated from UNL and is the CEO of Cash-Wa Distributing Co. Mary graduated from UNK and taught at schools in Lincoln and Kearney.

Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service

Galen and Marilyn Hadley

Galen Hadley, Ph.D., and Marilyn Hadley, Ed.D., of Kearney, Nebraska, have been longtime advocates of the University of Nebraska. Galen served as mayor of Kearney from 2004 to 2006 and as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 2009 to 2017, including two years as speaker. Previously, he was dean of UNK’s College of Business and Technology. Marilyn spent 28 years in higher education, including as dean of UNK’s College of Education. The Hadleys have been foundation trustees since 2017. In 2018, they received NU’s inaugural Presidential Medal of Service for their advocacy of the university and higher education. The Hadleys both earned multiple degrees from UNL: Galen, a bachelor’s and doctorate, and Marilyn, a bachelor’s and master’s. Her doctoral degree is from the University of South Dakota.

Measure your life by the difference you’ve made in someone else’s.

Past Recipients of the Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service

2024 Ruth Scott and Bill Scott (posthumously), Omaha

2021 JoAnn Martin, Lincoln (posthumously)

2020 Kathryn R. LeBaron and Marc LeBaron, Lincoln

2019 Kelly Holthus, York and Jeff and Tricia Raikes, Seattle, Washington

2018 Tonn M. and Holly A. Ostergard, Lincoln

2017 Peter J. Whitted, M.D., Omaha

2016 Dr. Gail and Mr. Michael Yanney, Omaha

2015 Nancy Keegan, Los Angeles, California

2013 John E. Gottschalk, Omaha

2012 Harley Bergmeyer, DeWitt and James Young, Omaha

2011 Robert B. Harris, Denver, Colorado and Thomas E. Henning, Lincoln

2010 Carl G. Mammel, Omaha

2008 Catherine Schmoker, Edina, Minnesota and Duane Acklie, Lincoln

2006 Harlan J. Noddle, Omaha (posthumously) and Maryanne Harry, Denver, Colorado

2005 John C. Goldner, Omaha

2004 Leland and Dorothy Olson, Omaha

2003 Winston Wade, Denver, Colorado

2002 Larry Arth, Lincoln and Frank Hilsabeck, Lincoln 

2001 Jeffrey Orr, Kearney

2000 James P. Abel, Lincoln

1999 Jack Maddux, Wauneta

1998 Corwin Moore, Lincoln, Ed Perry, Lincoln and Robert Perry, Harlingen, Texas

1997 Ken Power, Omaha and Ron and Carol Cope, Kearney

1996 J.B. Coffman, Houston, Texas, Lester Krogh, St. Paul, Minnesota, Tom Thomsen, New Hope, Pennsylvania and Dale Tinstman, Lincoln

1995 Edward J. Hirsch, Lincoln

1994 Edson L. Bridges II, Omaha

1993 Cliff Hillegass, Lincoln

1992 William C. Smith, Lincoln

1991 John Hay, Sacramento, California, Otto Kotouc, Humboldt and Glenn LeDioyt, Omaha

1990 Eugene Conley, Omaha and Warren “Bud” Johnson, Lincoln 

1989 Margre Durham, Omaha, W.W. Marshall Jr., Grand Island (posthumously) and Walter Scott Jr., Omaha

1988 Gladys and Otto Baumann, Glendora, California and George Abel, Lincoln

1987 Harold and Marian Andersen, Omaha

1986 Durwood “Woody” and Paula Varner, Lincoln

1985 Barney Oldfield, Los Angeles, California, Dale TeKolste, Elkhorn, E.N. Thompson, Lincoln and Flavel Wright, Lincoln

1984 Gale E. Davis, Omaha, Charlotte Eaton, Grand Island and S. Burnham Yates, Lincoln

1983 Richard Armstrong, Minden, Emil Reutzel, Norfolk and Paul C. Schorr III, Lincoln

1982 Henry Pascale, Sea Bright, New Jersey, E.J. Faulkner, Lincoln and Gene Tallman, Lincoln 

1981 Dana Cole, Lincoln and Joe W. Seacrest, Lincoln (posthumously)

1980 George B. Cook, Lincoln and W.A. Strauss, Omaha

1979 Latta Branch, Scottsdale, Arizona and John K. Selleck, Lincoln

Past Recipients of the Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service

2024 Susan M. Fritz, Ph.D., Crete

2023 John and Jan Christensen, Omaha

2020 Roger Jones, Minden

2019 Nancy and Tom Osborne, Lincoln and Paula and Woody Varner, Lincoln (posthumously)

2018 James B. Milliken and Nana G. H. Smith, Austin, Texas

2017 Michael F. Sorrell, M.D., Omaha

2016 Donde Ashmos Plowman, Lincoln and Daniel H. Morin, Lincoln (posthumously)

2015 Kenneth H. Cowan, M.D., Omaha

2013 Paul W. Sather, Bellevue

2012 Peter J. Longo, Kearney

2011 Harold M. Maurer, Omaha and John A. Niemann, Omaha

2008 Terry L. Fairfield, Lincoln