Happy UNO donor makes students feel the same
Miss Betty Jean Haupt studied English, Spanish and social studies at Omaha U – now UNO – and earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1946.
Miss Betty Jean Haupt must have had a lot of fun at Omaha U.
In each old newspaper photo, she’s smiling:
There she is as a contestant in the school’s annual beauty contest, sitting in the front row. Of the 10 young women, she’s definitely one of the most beautiful.
There she is as rush chairman for her sorority, Kappa Psi Delta, sitting with other rush chairmen in front of a fireplace.
Miss Betty Jean Haupt studied English, Spanish and social studies at Omaha U – now UNO – and earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1946. She earned a master’s degree from UNL in 1947 and taught history and served as a counselor at South High in Omaha.
She left Omaha a few years later after marrying Theodore Andreskowski, a man she met on a double date. A friend thought they’d hit it off. The foursome went to a rodeo. He worked for Wilson Meat Packing Co.
She followed his career to Argentina, Chicago and eventually to Oklahoma City, where they lived for years in a close-knit community.
But she stayed close with her friends from those Omaha days until the day she died, Nov. 11, 2010. In her will, she left her alma mater a gift that will create scholarships.
The scholarships will be need- and merit-based.
At UNO, more than 80 percent of students seek financial help to attend college.
UNO Chancellor John Christensen praises her compassion for students and her generosity. He says she showed foresight by remembering UNO in her estate plans.
“Support from private donors like her is critically important to ensuring that all students have access to an affordable education,” he says. “These scholarships will help UNO attract the best and brightest students, and those in need of financial assistance, to attend college.”
And, most likely, her gift to students will help make their years at UNO a lot more fun.
“She never forgot Omaha and her life there,” says Barbara Ozinga, a friend. “With her generous bequest to the Omaha campus to fund scholarships, I believe she is truly at home.”
Student support is a priority of the Campaign for Nebraska and for UNO. If you also would like to help UNO students, consider giving online or contact the foundation’s Lori Byrne at 800-432-3216.
