legacy-post Archives - University of Nebraska Foundation

The 24-hour giving day will support scholarships, patient care and other priorities at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.

Let’s plant something big during For the Greater Good, a 24-hour online giving event to support the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine. The giving day will be celebrated from noon to noon April 22-23.

For the Greater Good will bring together alumni, students, faculty, staff and grateful patients to invest in the health of communities and families. Every gift helps cultivate opportunity — raising critical support for scholarships, innovative programs, lifesaving research and compassionate care for patients and families.

Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why they support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay. For the Greater Good is in its fourth year. This year’s goal is to receive 2,300 gifts.

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the 2025 fiscal year, a record $416.6 million was committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, a record 60,602 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is the current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.

The new scholarships will cover at least half the cost of medical school tuition for all four years for the first class of medical students at Kearney.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center will offer scholarships to the first class of medical students to study and train in Kearney, a key initiative aimed at strengthening access to health care in rural Nebraska.

The Health Science Education Center II will open to its first class of medical students in fall 2026, and for the first time, UNMC will educate future physicians in rural Nebraska.

The new scholarships will cover at least half the cost of medical school tuition for all four years for the first class of students in Kearney. The scholarships have been made possible by generous benefactors and the UNMC College of Medicine. No state money has been used to create the scholarships.

“Improving the health of people across Nebraska is a major goal of UNMC and the College of Medicine,” said Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the College of Medicine and Stokes-Shackleford Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. “We are excited about our first cohort of medical students beginning at Kearney later this year, which is one more example of that commitment. And we are pleased, with the help of other generous donors, to be able to offer this support.”

Currently, 66 of Nebraska’s 93 counties are designated as medically underserved areas. Studies have shown students may be more likely to choose to practice in smaller communities after graduation if they are trained in rural communities.

Robert Messbarger, MD, inaugural associate dean for the UNMC College of Medicine’s regional medical school campus in Kearney, said the scholarships are indicative of the support the UNMC College of Medicine has received since it announced plans to have medical students at Kearney.

“I am grateful to these benefactors, and the college, for this wonderful effort,” Dr. Messbarger said.

With additional private support, the UNMC College of Medicine would like to extend the scholarships to subsequent classes of UNMC medical students in Kearney. Matching funds are available to support the new scholarships.

“We hope to be able to provide even more financial aid and to be able to extend these scholarships to future classes,” Dr. Britigan said. “However, additional philanthropic support will be needed to do so.”

Donors who commit a scholarship gift of $50,000 or more will have their gift matched by one-third by the College of Medicine. For example, a gift of $75,000 would be matched by the College of Medicine, with an additional $25,000 for students studying in Kearney.

Donors interested in learning more about the new scholarships may contact Brian Anderson, senior director of development for the College of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Foundation, at [email protected].

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.

“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

Lincoln, Nebraska, Feb. 12, 2026 — Husker Nation shattered the previous Glow Big Red record, raising $3,667,815 during the annual 24-hour event to support the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

During the event, 8,080 gifts were made to support priorities and causes across the university. The number of gifts and the amount raised both set records, exceeding the 2025 giving day totals: 7,241 gifts and $1,022,896 raised.

“Thank you to everyone who joined us by making a contribution during Glow Big Red,” Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson said. “Your generosity and Husker pride show the strength of our community and the power of collective action. Through your support, our campus community has access to the resources and experiences they need to flourish and achieve their incredible goals. Together, we are transforming lives and empowering the next generation of Huskers to lead boldly.”

Supporters representing each state made a gift during Glow Big Red. The areas that raised the most are Nebraska Athletics, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Law.

Alumni and donors committed $548,000 in challenge and matching funds prior to the giving day to encourage others to give during Glow Big Red.

The Cornhusker Marching Band was one of those areas, with gifts going to rebuild large instrument storage lockers in the tunnel between the Westbrook Music Building and Kimball Recital Hall.

Davin Seeger, a junior from Omaha, plays cymbals in the band, which he calls his “second home.” A music education major, he hopes to teach elementary school music or become a high school band teacher after graduating.

“The Cornhusker Marching Band has given me a strong community and a fun-centered environment,” Seeger said. “I see the same 300 people every single day. The band gives all of us a chance to perform for tens of thousands of people every year.”

Another area supported by the giving day is the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, a college access program that prepares first-generation students from income-eligible families for college and future careers.

NCPA scholar Josselyn Becerra of Omaha is a senior psychology major. A graduate of Omaha South High School, she is the first person in her family to attend college. She hopes to work as a victim advocate after graduation.

“The support provided through NCPA makes the college experience less daunting,” she said. “The scholarship support takes away one of the biggest insecurities that you can have, which is financial stress. It has allowed me to focus on educational experiences and internships.”

Glow Big Red started in 2019 in recognition of the university’s 150th anniversary. Across the university, there were more than 200 causes to support, including scholarships for students, such as Anna Hadan of Omaha, a senior mechanical engineering major.

“During days like Glow Big Red, I think it goes to show what can happen when somebody cares about you and wants to see you do well and succeed,” Hadan said. “It means a lot to me.”

Glow Big Red began at noon Feb. 11 and concluded at noon Feb. 12. Gifts were made at https://glowbigred.unl.edu.

The Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln broke ground Feb. 10 on a $35 million privately funded addition and renovation to Nebraska’s performing arts center.

Recognized at the “Building the Future” groundbreaking ceremony were the generous benefactors supporting the transformative project — Acklie Charitable Foundation, The Johnny Carson Foundation, Anabeth Hormel Cox, D F Dillon Foundation, Sid Dillon, Kelly and Virginia Holthus family, Glenn Korff Foundation, Doug and Vikki Kotil, NEBCO/Abel Foundation, Liana Sandin and The Pearle Francis Finigan Foundation, Rhonda Seacrest and Union Bank and Trust.

The Building the Future project will ensure the Lied Center remains Nebraska’s destination for the world’s most distinctive artists. Located at 12th and Q streets, the Lied Center project will include an iconic new entrance along Q Street, as well as enhanced lobbies, a new studio theater and numerous other enhancements.

“For over 35 years, the Lied Center has transformed lives and created memories that last a lifetime,” said Bill Stephan, executive director and chief artistic officer of the Lied Center. “This project ensures the Lied Center is positioned for the future so we can continue thrilling audiences, inspiring young people and serving as one of the very best places to experience the ‘Good Life’ in Nebraska.”

Construction site preparations in the area began in early February following the project’s approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Lied Center performances and programs will continue throughout construction. The project has an anticipated completion date of fall 2027.

“The Lied Center has long been a vital force in Nebraska’s artistic and cultural landscape, serving as a gathering place and a gateway to the arts for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and communities across our state,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Gold, president of the University of Nebraska system. “This groundbreaking marks an exciting new chapter — one that will elevate the Lied’s role as a hub for discovery, connection and inspiration. I’m deeply grateful to the generous supporters who are helping us build the future, and I look forward to all that lies ahead for this extraordinary institution.”

The Lied Center opened in 1990, championed by Woody Varner, Martin Massengale and E.N. “Jack” Thompson. The Lied was created with support from the Lied Foundation Trust, which selected the project as its first grant. Established through the generosity of Ernst F. Lied, the trust provided a $10 million challenge grant that was matched by the community, including gifts from more than 2,000 Nebraskans and University of Nebraska alumni nationwide.

Over the past 35 years, more than 3.5 million tickets have been sold at the Lied Center, and more than 2,500 artists have performed on the main stage. In addition, more than 1.2 million students have participated in educational or performance programs. The Lied Center serves more than 200,000 people per year at performance events, conferences and conventions and through its partnership with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra as the orchestra in residence. Attendance at the Lied Center’s annual season of curated performances has doubled over the last decade and now exceeds 100,000.

Building the Future project

The Lied Center’s current venue spaces are dedicated to season performances, rental events and special programs. The Building the Future project will strengthen the Lied Center’s connection to the community and university by creating a new studio theater ideal for K-12 and Husker student performances.

The project includes an addition and renovation:

Addition: An approximately 11,150-square-foot addition will be constructed. On the building’s north side, the addition will include a new studio theater for performances, workshops, arts education classes and rehearsals, allowing independent activities to take place even when a national touring performance is in the Lied Center’s main hall. The addition also includes a dressing room, shared foyer for the new studio theater, enhanced Lied Commons and new donor lounge. A new entry lobby with ticket office will be constructed on the south side of the building, along with the new entrance.
Renovation: About 25,250 square feet across all three levels will be updated to enhance lobbies and improve circulation and accessibility.

The Lied Center is one of the top 100 theaters in the world, according to Pollstar Magazine. It presents the greatest artists in the world, including recent appearances and collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and top touring Broadway shows. Beyond the stage, Lied Center artists work with local students to transform lives, and the Lied Center is a national leader in university student attendance and participation in programs. The Lied Center is a creator of new works, having commissioned more than 25 new pieces since 1990.

Gifts to the Building the Future project were made through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The renovation and expansion are a priority of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, a historic effort to engage 150,000 unique benefactors to raise $3 billion to support the University of Nebraska.

HDR is the architect for the Building the Future project, and the construction manager is the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Project consultants are Theatre Projects and Threshold.

What others are saying

“The Lied Center is Nebraska’s home for the arts, and this project allows us to reimagine how our campus and community experience live performance. These upgrades will expand opportunities for students and artists, create more welcoming and functional spaces for audiences and ensure the Lied continues to inspire, uplift and bring people together for generations to come. We are grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this bold investment in creativity, connection and excellence possible.” — Katherine S. Ankerson, interim chancellor, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

“As a priority of the Only in Nebraska campaign, the Lied Center project invests in a Nebraska treasure, ensuring it can thrive as a premier performing arts destination well into the future. The Lied Center will continue to welcome the world’s greatest artists while inspiring students to learn and grow. This vision is made possible through the generosity of our incredible benefactors.” — Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO, University of Nebraska Foundation

“The Lied Center is one of the top performing arts centers in the nation. Each year, the Lied presents programs that can only be experienced in Lincoln, Nebraska — from collaborations with organizations such as American Ballet Theatre and the St. Louis Symphony to world-premiere works by artists like Danny Elfman, Philip Glass and emerging voices. This project supports the continued growth of distinctive, one-of-a-kind programming for Nebraska.” — Brent Korte, president, Lied Center Statewide Advisory Board

Get ready to celebrate Dear Old Nebraska U! The eighth annual Glow Big Red will begin at noon CT Feb. 11 and conclude at noon Feb. 12.

Over 24 hours, Huskers from around the world are invited to come together to raise money for scholarships, colleges and departments, student programming, Nebraska Athletics, the UNL Bands and various programs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. There are more than 200 areas to support.

Alumni, faculty, staff, students and the Husker community can show their love for the university by making a gift at glowbigred.unl.edu. Husker Nation is encouraged to spread the word about the giving day on social media using the hashtag #GlowBigRed.

“Glow Big Red is our chance to rally around students, faculty and staff in support of their success and the impact they have on our state and beyond,” Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson said. “Every gift strengthens the programs, opportunities and experiences that help Huskers thrive. Our time is now — and this day shows what we can accomplish together.”

From Memorial Stadium to Love Library, to the Coliseum to the Lied Center for Performing Arts, landmarks around campus will be lit up in red Feb. 11 to celebrate Glow Big Red — 24 Hours of Husker Giving.

One of the causes donors can support is the UNL Bands. Donations will go toward rebuilding large instrument storage lockers located in the tunnel between the Westbrook Music Building and Kimball Recital Hall. The lockers store sousaphones and drumline instruments for the Cornhusker Marching Band and the Big Red Express pep band.

“The University of Nebraska loves its band, which is a wonderful, wonderful thing,” said Carolyn Barber, Ron and Carol Cope Professor of Music and director of bands. “The nickname of the Cornhusker Marching Band is ‘The Pride of All Nebraska,’ and it really is. People all around the state know about and appreciate the marching band.

“This is an opportunity to support the band where there is a very concrete goal and that goal is to keep those instruments in great shape.”

Alumni and donors have committed more than $500,000 in challenges and matching gifts to encourage others to give. Donors can maximize their gifts by supporting one of these funds.

One such fund is the College of Arts and Sciences Cares Fund, which was established to help the college’s students through short-term financial challenges that might inhibit their ability to complete their education.

“Without donors’ support, I would have had to choose between feeding myself and paying my rent,” said JC Andrews, a graduate student in English. “Your support is truly appreciated and necessary. Without it, many students would not have the option to continue their education.

Other challenges and matches support the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, a college-access program that’s celebrating its 20th anniversary of helping first-generation students prepare for college and their future careers; and the UNL Counseling and Psychological Services, which provides mental health resources for students.

A priority for Glow Big Red is to raise funds for student scholarships that make it possible for Husker students to pursue their academic goals and get involved on campus.

“As a first-generation student from a blue-collar family, I was worried about the financial feasibility of an undergraduate degree,” said student Madeline Splichal, an economics and mathematics major from Lincoln. “Through the generosity of donors, I was able to put my fear aside and focus entirely on my education.”

Every donor who gives $75 or more will receive a Husker tote bag as a thank-you gift.

Glow Big Red started in 2019 in recognition of the university’s 150th anniversary. Since its inception, more than $3.8 million has been raised to support the university. To learn more and track the event’s progress, visit glowbigred.unl.edu.

A generous gift from the Aidan O’Neil Foundation will support gene and cellular therapy research at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

By Connie White

Aidan O’Neil was a child like any other, though perhaps a bit more rambunctious. She could be ornery and spirited, but she was also big-hearted, playing with other children who were left out on the playground.

At 9 years old, Aidan’s life was cut short by Burkitt Lymphoma.

The devastating loss left her parents, Rob and Sara O’Neil of Papillion, with unanswered questions. What was the cause of the rare and aggressive form of cancer that took Aidan’s life and would years later afflict her older brother, Patrick? Could scientists uncover its causes, sparing other children from the ordeal experienced by Aidan, who passed away in 1992, just 11 months after her diagnosis?

Their search for answers became Aidan’s legacy, leading to the formation of the Aidan O’Neil Foundation for the Prevention of Childhood Cancer. The O’Neils said its mission was to understand the risk factors for childhood cancer.

The foundation received many generous donations from family members, friends and community leaders. Recently, the O’Neils decided to sunset the Aidan O’Neil Foundation and transfer its assets — which had grown to $4.2 million over the past 33 years — to the University of Nebraska Foundation. Nearly all of the gift will support gene and cellular therapy research at UNMC.

The gift will create two endowed chairs at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center — named in honor of the physicians who treated Aidan and Patrick — and establish the Aidan O’Neil Gene and Cellular Therapy Research Fund.

“We’re thrilled to be establishing those endowed chairs, which will be permanent fixtures to attract the best of the best scientists and doctors who are dedicated to understanding causes and developing cures,” Rob O’Neil said.

The O’Neils want the gift to lead to a deeper understanding of lymphoma, driving the development of new treatments and cancer prevention research. They also want the gift to support gene and cellular therapy research to improve treatments for other diseases as well.

World-class treatments

That will indeed happen, according to Matthew Lunning, DO, interim chief of the UNMC Division of Hematology and a hematologist/oncologist specializing in CAR T-cell therapy. Since the 2010s, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine have used CAR-T cell therapy to treat patients with lymphoma and leukemia. Now, CAR-T is being tested in clinical trials for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, myositis and multiple sclerosis.

Unlike traditional CAR-T cell therapies, which use a patient’s own cells (autologous), new allogeneic therapies use donor T-cells that are genetically modified to target and destroy harmful immune cells that contribute to the autoimmune attack on the patient’s own body.

In 2024, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine treated a mother of two with lupus using CAR T-cell therapy, with excellent results, Dr. Lunning said. Last summer, a patient became the first in the world to receive a new allogeneic CAR-T cell therapy for multiple sclerosis.

The infrastructure required to deliver these world-class therapies is substantial, he said, and the O’Neils’ gift will help to expand access.

“As we try to raise up the next generation of CAR-T cell therapy, this investment will help not only bring the research, but it will also bring the support around it that is necessary to ensure that this research is successful,” said Dr. Lunning, who holds the James O. Armitage, MD, Chair of Hematological Malignancies.

UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, expressed gratitude for the gift.

“We are very grateful to the O’Neil family for choosing to honor Aidan’s memory through this exceptional gift that will help reduce the burden of cancer and impact the lives of multiple future generations of children,” Dr. Davies said. “They are helping to write the next chapter in UNMC’s long and proud legacy of advancing cancer research and treating and improving the lives of those who are touched by cancer and other diseases.”

The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is Nebraska’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and one of only 73 in the country.

Honoring three physicians

The O’Neils’ gift is an expression of gratitude for the care received by Aidan and her older brother, Patrick, who was diagnosed with the same rare form of cancer in 2000. Patrick learned he had Burkitt Lymphoma as a senior in college. He recovered, and today he is department chair and a professor of history at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He and his wife, Gina, have a son, Aidan, named after Patrick’s late sister.

Both chairs will be awarded to researchers with expertise in gene and cellular therapy.

The Aidan O’Neil and Drs. Coccia/Warkentin Distinguished Chair in Gene and Cellular Therapy Research is named for Peter F. Coccia, MD, Emeritus Ittner Professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and vice chair of the pediatrics department, and Phyllis I. Warkentin, MD, professor of pediatrics and pathology/microbiology. In 1987, Drs. Coccia and Warkentin brought a team of physicians to UNMC and developed the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation program. They were members of Aidan’s care team, and Dr. Coccia served on the Aidan O’Neil Foundation’s board of directors.

The Aidan O’Neil and Dr. Armitage Distinguished Chair in Gene and Cellular Therapy Research is named for James O. Armitage, MD, who holds the Joe Shapiro Chair for the Study of Oncology and Clinical Research and University of Nebraska Distinguished Cancer Research Professorship. He developed the bone marrow transplantation program at UNMC and in 1982 founded the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group. Dr. Armitage is considered one of the world’s foremost experts in lymphoma and blood cancers; he was a member of Patrick’s care team.

‘Little fire’

Rob and Sara O’Neil say they decided to invest in UNMC’s research given the family’s long-standing relationship and trust in the institution.

“We couldn’t imagine giving it to anyone else,” Sara O’Neil said. “UNMC supported us like crazy.”

Rob O’Neil said he hopes the gift from the Aidan O’Neil Foundation will be a “happy new beginning.”

“We thank you, UNMC doctors and scientists, for what you will accomplish in the future,” he said.

The couple says Aidan’s memory lives on in her three siblings, Patrick, Elise and David, and the couple’s four grandchildren.

“I wish you could have known Aidan,” Rob O’Neil said. “She was remarkable. The name Aidan means ‘little fire,’ and that says it all. She was a spunky, challenging, difficult and delightful child.”

What they are saying

“The gift from the Aidan O’Neil Foundation for the Prevention of Childhood Cancer is going to enable us to do the next great thing in cellular and gene therapy. Their gift will enable us to hire the physician-scientists who are going to imagine, create and develop novel gene and cellular therapies that will literally save the lives of patients.”

Joann B. Sweasy, PhD, Robert F. and Myrna L. Krohn Chair in Cancer Research; director, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center; director, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases

“Dr. Warkentin and I are honored to be recognized by Rob and Sara O’Neil with a named chair. When Aidan was diagnosed and treated, Burkitt Lymphoma was fatal in most cases when widespread at diagnosis. While Aidan responded initially, her lymphoma rapidly recurred, and a planned stem cell transplant was not possible. Over the next few years, treatment regimens were modified, with higher doses of chemotherapy given over only a few months, and cure rates improved dramatically. Patrick and most patients certainly benefited from the change, and the cure rates today are over 90% in children, adolescents and young adults. The cell and gene therapy research and the recruitment of outstanding investigators made possible by this extraordinary gift will likely result in similar progress in other malignancies and immune disorders.”

Peter F. Coccia, MD, Emeritus Ittner Professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, vice chair of UNMC Department of Pediatrics

“Thank you to the Aidan O’Neil Foundation for the Prevention of Childhood Cancer for its amazing generosity. This is really meaningful to me because 25 years ago, our team treated Patrick for Burkitt Lymphoma, the fastest-growing human cancer. He received a very intensive regimen that was certainly not easy, but he achieved a complete remission. Now, 25 years later, he is well. The gift of this endowed chair will allow a future clinical scientist to carry out research that will, hopefully, cure more patients.”

James O. Armitage, MD, Joe Shapiro Chair for the Study of Oncology and Clinical Research, University of Nebraska Distinguished Cancer Research Professor

How to support gene and cellular therapy research

Gifts to support the Aidan O’Neil Gene and Cellular Therapy Research Fund can be made through the University of Nebraska Foundation at the following link. To learn more, contact Erin Dahms, director of development for the University of Nebraska Foundation, at [email protected]

Husker Nation will unite Feb. 11-12 for the eighth annual Glow Big Red, a 24-hour celebration of giving to support the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Glow Big Red — 24 Hours of Husker Giving brings together Huskers from around the world to raise money for critical causes and needs that touch every part of the university, including student scholarships, colleges, programs and Husker Athletics. Learn more at glowbigred.unl.edu.

Glow Big Red will begin at noon CT Feb. 11 and continue through noon CT Feb. 12, with the campus lit up in red to celebrate the giving day.

Across the university, there are more than 200 important causes for donors to support during the 2026 giving day. Glow Big Red started in 2019 in recognition of the university’s 150th anniversary.

Musician, sound engineer and University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumnus J. E. Van Horne, Jr. has made a $500,000 gift to create a scholarship for South Dakota high school students who want to attend UNL. The J. E. Van Horne Jr. South Dakota Scholarship will be awarded to graduates of South Dakota high schools who are in good academic standing and enroll in the Nebraska College of Business.

Van Horne, a 1975 graduate of the College of Business, credits his time at UNL for preparing him for a career in the music and entertainment industry. His career was an adventure, as he worked with prominent entertainers across all genres of music.

“If you have a business background, you’re going to be able to make it,” Van Horne said. “My University of Nebraska education gave me all the tools I needed to succeed. You have to treat the music/entertainment business as a business.”

The J. E. Van Horne Jr. South Dakota Scholarship Fund was created through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The fund will be a permanent endowment, providing support for College of Business students in perpetuity. Beginning in fall 2026, the scholarship will be awarded annually, ultimately benefiting an average of six South Dakota students each year with $3,000 awards. The Van Horne scholarship can be combined with other merit-based scholarships, creating a scholarship package comparable to in-state tuition at South Dakota universities.

“The J. E. Van Horne Jr. South Dakota Scholarship will make a meaningful difference for students who may have thought a Nebraska Business education was out of reach,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “Thanks to this generous endowment, South Dakota students will receive support for generations to come.”

As a professional drummer, Van Horne opened for big entertainers like AC/DC and Pat Benatar. He was also a sound engineer, working with Chubby Checker, The Judds, John Denver, Steppenwolf, The Bangles, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride and many others. He earned a 3M Visionary Award for engineering the Boyz II Men song “The Birth of Christ” for the CD “A Very Special Christmas II” in 1992.

Born in Kansas, Van Horne moved to Nebraska at age 8. His family has worked in the banking/financial business for more than 140 years, and his grandmother graduated from Nebraska in the early 1900s, followed by his father, aunts, uncles and many cousins. Van Horne also worked in banking, serving for a time as a consultant for a South Dakota-based bank.

“I want to help the state of Nebraska and the state of South Dakota,” he said. “I’m a firm believer in the importance of higher education.”

Van Horne and his wife, Amy, live in Omaha. They are longtime generous supporters of the College of Business. Van Horne is a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee, and Amy serves as an honorary trustee.

“I believe in the University of Nebraska. I love this university,” he said. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world because I’ve gotten to do so much.”

Van Horne’s gift supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, a historic effort to engage 150,000 unique benefactors to raise $3 billion to support the University of Nebraska. Student access and success is the campaign’s top priority.

South Dakota students can apply for the scholarship by completing the supplemental scholarship application located in their MyRED account. Applications are due Feb. 1. Additional information is available on the College of Business Scholarships and Aid web page.

Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN) is now accepting funding ideas for its 2026 grant awards. University of Nebraska programs and Nebraska nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.

Grants are awarded based on the critical needs being addressed, the people the project serves and the impact made on Nebraskans. Grant seekers are asked to submit an online letter of inquiry by Feb. 5, 2026, at womeninvestinginnebraska.org/grants/letter-of-inquiry/.

Based on submissions, WIN will invite 12 to 16 grant seekers to provide formal grant proposals. Grant seekers must be a part of the University of Nebraska System or a Nebraska nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity.

“WIN is proud to partner each year with organizations that are tackling important issues that matter to Nebraskans, and we’re pleased to again request ideas for funding as we enter our 15th year of philanthropic service to the state,” WIN Grants Committee Chair Halley Kruse said.

The amount granted will be based on the total gifts received in 2026 from WIN members. WIN will announce its grant awards in fall 2026.

WIN awarded a total of $295,818 to two programs for its 2025 grants season. Grants were awarded to expand the Trauma-Capable Schools training program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and to launch the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative’s Child Care Center Licensing Toolkit.

A total of 387 WIN members contributed personally to make the grants possible. Committee members reviewed proposals in a four-step process, culminating in a membership vote to select the two recipients. WIN’s membership is comprised of women in and outside Nebraska who, through their collective giving, address issues that matter to Nebraskans.

WIN operates in partnership with the University of Nebraska Foundation and the UNF Charitable Gift Fund to support women philanthropists. The UNF Charitable Gift Fund is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the University of Nebraska Foundation. It provides options for donors to support the University of Nebraska as well as other worthwhile charitable causes in their community or across the country. For information on becoming a WIN member, contact WIN Director Reyna Asheim at 402-502-4720 or 800-432-3216, or visit womeninvestinginnebraska.org.

The new scholarships will cover at least half the cost of medical school tuition for all four years for the first class of medical students at Kearney.

Omaha philanthropist died Feb. 14 at age of 92.

A generous gift from the Aidan O’Neil Foundation will support gene and cellular therapy research at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

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