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The University of Nebraska Foundation has conferred its top awards on Omaha, Nebraska, philanthropist Ruth Scott and her late husband Bill and retired University of Nebraska leader Susan M. Fritz, Ph.D.

The awards were announced Nov. 1 during a Celebration of the University of Nebraska at the Coliseum on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus.

Ruth Scott and Bill Scott, Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service

Ruth Scott and her late husband, Bill, were recognized with the Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The award is named for Perry W. Branch, the first employee and executive director of the University of Nebraska Foundation. The honor serves to commemorate the importance of volunteers to the organization.

The Scotts have been among the most transformative donors in the University of Nebraska’s history. In 2009, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents presented Ruth and Bill Scott with the Regents Medal, which honors individuals whose service to the university has provided exceptional benefits in furthering the goals and mission of the institution.

Through personal gifts and support from the William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation, the couple’s generosity has benefited students, faculty and programs on all campuses of the University of Nebraska System. Just a few examples of their giving include the Ruth and Bill Scott Student Plaza at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; the UNMC Student Life Center redevelopment and expansion; the Munroe-Meyer Institute; the College of Nursing facility in Lincoln; the Frederick F. Paustian Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center; the leadership gift for the Health Science Education Complex at the University of Nebraska at Kearney; the leadership gift for the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex (or what Bill Scott affectionately named “The Doug”); the Dreamer’s Pathway Scholarship and Project Achieve to support first-generation students, students with limited incomes and students with disabilities at the University of Nebraska at Omaha; the Jan and John Christensen Concert Hall in the redeveloped Strauss Performing Arts Center; the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center; the Biomechanics Research Building and its expansion; the Barbara Hibner Soccer Stadium in Lincoln; the Gnotobiotic Mouse Facility and the Nebraska Food for Health Center at UNL; and the Cherish Nebraska exhibit space at Morrill Hall.

Ruth and Bill are alumni of the University of Nebraska and Ashland natives. Ruth earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1951, went on to teach school and later founded the Omaha Bridge Studio. Bill graduated in 1953 from the College of Business. He joined the Buffett Partnership in 1959 and Berkshire Hathaway in 1970, where he remained until the early 1990s. Bill died in February at the age of 93.

“Ruth and the late Bill Scott are a treasure to Nebraska and its only public university,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Not only have they made projects possible through their generous giving, but, on multiple occasions, they have selflessly and voluntarily offered to give away naming rights for projects to inspire other philanthropists and community leaders to follow their lead in giving. The University of Nebraska is a different and better university today because of Ruth and Bill Scott.”

Susan M. Fritz, Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service

Susan M. Fritz received the Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service. The Noddle 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. The award 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.

Fritz was the first woman to lead the university system after being appointed in 2019. During her tenure as interim president, Fritz championed universitywide priorities of student access and success, launching a statewide partnership focused on timely graduation, advocating to elected leaders for greater investment in scholarships and presiding over gains in student diversity. She also has been actively involved in Women Investing in Nebraska, including serving as chair in 2022-23. She was instrumental in planning for the University of Nebraska’s current fundraising campaign, Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future.

Fritz also served as provost of the University of Nebraska System and as a professor of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at UNL. She retired in 2021, capping a 32-year career at the university. Fritz is a three-time graduate, receiving her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UNL. She co-owns and operates with her husband Fritz Family Farms near Crete, Nebraska, where the couple grow corn, soybeans and alfalfa and run a cow/calf operation.

“As the first woman to lead the University of Nebraska, Susan Fritz is a trailblazer,” Hastings said. “She has also been a great partner with the foundation in our relationship-building and fundraising efforts. She fundamentally understands the importance of the university to our state and its people, as well as the power of philanthropy in advancing the university. Susan was instrumental in our launch of the Only in Nebraska campaign, the largest and most impactful campaign in university history. Her longtime advocacy for public higher education and students will leave a lasting mark on the University of Nebraska.”

During the Nov. 1 celebration, the University of Nebraska Foundation also announced a new award, the Ruth and Bill Scott Medal.

The Ruth and Bill Scott Medal is named in honor of the Scotts, celebrating their generosity and vision in advancing the University of Nebraska. This award will perpetually recognize their exemplary lifetime achievements in philanthropy by honoring others who embody a philanthropic spirit.

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record $388.8 million in new funds were committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, 57,603 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 its 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.

Prairie Pines Preserve, which is owned by the University of Nebraska Foundation, will be transferred to the Wachiska Audubon Society pending an early December closing. The 140 acres, located at 112^th and Adams Streets in Lincoln, was donated to the foundation by Walt and Virginia Bagley in 1992.

The foundation has been leasing the property to the University of Nebraska, and the property has been managed by the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) for agricultural and forestry-related research projects.

IANR notified the University of Nebraska Foundation of its plans to cease programming at Prairie Pines this summer. The foundation then began conversations with the Wachiska Audubon Society, named in the fund agreement by the Bagleys as a potential successor organization if the university ever ceased programming on the property.

Women Investing in Nebraska (WIN) announced grants totaling $244,752 to two Nebraska initiatives during its annual awards ceremony Oct. 7 in Omaha. Grants were awarded to develop new training for the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing and expand the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska’s Mobile Closet program.

Each organization will receive a $122,376 grant from WIN, whose membership is comprised of women in and outside of Nebraska who, through their collective giving, address issues of importance to Nebraskans. WIN members contributed personally to make the grants possible.

“I greatly appreciate the commitment of the more than 300 WIN members from Nebraska and beyond who make these grants possible,” said WIN Chair Meg Lauerman. “Over the past 13 years, we have awarded grants to 26 Nebraska projects. That’s a bold statement about the power of collective philanthropy and the impact of our grant-making.”

WIN Grants Chair Jaci Lindburg, Ph.D., said that this grant cycle, the organization received 117 grant applications, the highest number in its 13-year history. “We are thrilled to see such incredible projects from across the state of Nebraska seeking support for their efforts,” she said. “The UNMC College of Nursing and the Foster Care Closet are moving the needle on important issues in Nebraska. WIN is honored to provide support that will help take these projects to the next level.”

UNMC College of Nursing

Currently, Nebraska has no fellowships or academic programs offering emergency training for nurse practitioners. According to a survey by the UNMC College of Nursing, 22 of 23 responding health care facilities across the state have experienced provider shortages in their emergency room settings and utilized nurse practitioners to fill the gap. Although nurse practitioners have filled this need, formal emergency nurse practitioner training will equip them to contribute at a much higher level. The WIN grant will support the development of the new training initiative and provide simulation equipment and learning resources.

“I am deeply honored to receive this grant from Women Investing in Nebraska, which will play a pivotal role in addressing a critical need for the state,” said Haley Hays, clinical assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing – West Nebraska Division in Scottsbluff. “This support is not just an investment in our academic institution, but also the future of Nebraska health care. It enables us to equip the next generation of emergency nurse practitioners with the specialized skills they need to provide high-quality care in critical situations.”

Foster Care Closet of Nebraska, Mobile Closet program

With funding from the WIN grant, the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska will purchase a vehicle and expand its Mobile Closet services around the state. For the estimated 4,000 Nebraska youths in foster care, the need for new clothing is urgent and ongoing. The Mobile Closet program was created to help reach the nearly 3,400 foster care youth across the state who may not be able to conveniently travel to the organization’s physical location in Lincoln. Children often enter foster care with only the clothes they’re wearing. Clothing from the Foster Care Closet can give youth comfort and confidence as they face the many challenges of life in foster care.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to Women Investing in Nebraska for its decision to help us restore dignity to youth in crisis through new clothing,” said Tim Balzer, executive director of the Foster Care Closet of Nebraska. “Because of WIN, we will now be able to serve an additional 400 or more youth with new clothing across Nebraska in 2025. Additionally, with the WIN grant funds, we will be able to upgrade our Mobile Closet equipment. With the new equipment, we will be able to restore dignity to more youth in communities in need of our services.”

Since WIN was formed in 2011, the organization has grown from 20 members to 302 members and has awarded more than $2 million in grants to 26 organizations.

About Women Investing in Nebraska

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 addressing important issues in Nebraska. For information on becoming a WIN member, contact WIN Director Morgan Holen at 402-458-1254 or 800-432-3216, or visit womeninvestinginnebraska.org.

The Lienemann family has a long tradition of involvement with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, one that spans multiple generations. In recognition of that history, the Lienemann Charitable Foundation has pledged $1.5 million to create a presidential chair in accounting and to support the Center for Entrepreneurship.

The gift honors the accounting career and legacy of the late Delmar “Del” Lienemann Sr. of Lincoln, who graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1941.

“The Delmar A. Lienemann Sr. Presidential Chair of Accounting is a way to honor our father and assist the College of Business dean in creating a permanently endowed senior faculty position for a top scholar,” said Doug Lienemann, president of the Lienemann Charitable Foundation, Husker alumnus and University of Nebraska Foundation trustee. “Del Sr. often credited the University of Nebraska with his personal success throughout his life. We believe he would also have been supportive of the excellent Center for Entrepreneurship to assist students in their future business paths. Our gift will assist in keeping this vital program available to students.”

The gift commitment, made through the University of Nebraska Foundation, provides support for:

“We are grateful for the longtime support of Del Lienemann and his family,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean in the College of Business. “The presidential chair helps us better compete with our Big Ten peers for the best and most innovative faculty who prepare our students to lead the future of accounting. The gift to the Center for Entrepreneurship will benefit students across campus as they explore the many resources available and pursue the numerous entrepreneurial opportunities offered through the center at Nebraska.”

The Lienemann Charitable Foundation was established in 1967 by Del Lienemann Sr. and his wife, Charlotte. Del Sr. often credited his University of Nebraska education for preparing him to be a successful certified public accountant, real-estate developer, retailer, investor and civic leader. Lienemann served as president and CEO of the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation and was at one time Nebraska’s oldest active CPA. He died in 2018 at age 98. Charlotte Lienemann died in 1995.

The family’s ties to the University of Nebraska run deep as six of Del and Charlotte’s children are Husker alumni, with three sons also being College of Business graduates. The Lienemann and Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundations also made gifts to support the construction of Howard L. Hawks Hall, which opened in 2017 as the home of the College of Business.

This most recent gift was made as part of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The campaign is a historic effort to engage 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support University of Nebraska students; faculty; academic and clinical programs; and research to address the needs of the state.

Maverick supporters, thank you for being bullish on the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

UNO backers, near and far, came together to support Omaha’s metropolitan university during Wear Black, Give Back, Oct. 8-9, 2024. Over 24 hours, 6,242 gifts were made to raise a record-setting $907,396.

The results exceeded the target of 5,000 gifts to support UNO’s colleges and programs, scholarships, student groups and activities, Omaha Athletics and other priorities.

Gifts were made online at givingday.unomaha.edu. Participants were encouraged to wear their UNO apparel with pride and share on social media why they give back, using the hashtag #WearBlackGiveBack.

“Wear Black, Give Back is more than just a celebration of Omaha’s metropolitan university; it’s an opportunity for our entire community to come together in support of our Maverick students,” UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, said. “I am incredibly grateful to our Maverick supporters for another record-setting giving day. Their generosity and commitment to UNO’s mission ensure that we continue to provide transformative experiences and opportunities for every student who walks through our doors.”

On a picture-perfect fall day in Omaha, the campus came alive Tuesday with Maverick spirit. As a deejay played music, volunteers handed out hotdogs, and Chancellor Li greeted students near the Henningson Memorial Campanile.

Collectively, 80 participating student organizations raised more than $79,000 in the 2024 Wear Black, Give Back. Many set up tables around the bell tower to share information about their organizations, including the UNO Club Hockey Team. The club is self-funded by players and through sponsorships, so members asked for donors’ support to pay for charter buses, flights, hotels, team uniforms and extra ice time.

UNO freshman Rocco DiSpirito said joining the club has helped him get involved on campus. “Hockey is a fun sport to play,” he said. “It’s a fun sport to watch, too.”

Alumni and donors pledged more than $515,000 in challenge and matching funds to encourage others to give during the event. Chancellor Li established a $10,000 challenge for UNO student scholarships. Another match supported the UNO Student Parents. Gracyn Little, the group’s president, said she’s juggling her pre-medicine studies with parenting two young children while expecting a third child. UNO Student Parents provides support and a connection to campus resources as student parents work to complete their degrees.

She and her husband are UNO students, and Little recalled taking her baby to organic chemistry lectures. “It takes a lot of work,” Little said. “It takes a lot of support from campus and my loved ones.”

The UNO College of Business Administration Scholars Academy is another campus priority to receive support during Wear Black, Give Back. In the academy, students visit local businesses, connect with other business students and travel abroad during their junior year. Through a mentorship program, students gain practical advice from professionals with real-world experience while expanding their networks.

“What has probably been the most impactful for students is the mentor program,” said Bethany Hughes, director of the CBA Scholars Academy. “Every student is matched with a mentor from the business community, and we have expanded it. They will meet with their mentor six times throughout the academic year.”

Todd Cooper, general manager of UNO’s student newspaper, the Gateway, said Wear Black, Give Back lets the UNO community see the many great groups and worthy causes on campus.

“We have more than a dozen journalists who are fact-finders and storytellers in a world that desperately needs both,” he said of the Gateway. “They are heartened to see how many people support journalism and journalists.”

This is the fifth year for Wear Black, Give Back. During 2023, the giving day received 4,967 gifts totaling $761,285 for causes and programs across UNO.

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record $388.8 million in new funds were committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, 57,603 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 its 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.

For University of Nebraska at Omaha student Johnnah Bailey, an internship with a local nonprofit allowed her to put into practice what she’s learning in the classroom. She developed leadership skills, such as how to effectively conduct a meeting, as she gained on-the-job experience in marketing and social media.

Bailey’s internship with The Wellbeing Partners, a nonprofit focused on community wellness, was arranged through the Student Service and Leadership Collaborative at UNO. The program seeks to develop students into servant leaders through paid internships at local nonprofit organizations and local and national leadership experiences.

“The internship program taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life,” said Bailey, a senior majoring in business administration.

The Student Service and Leadership Collaborative is one of the many UNO causes that donors can support during the 2024 Wear Black, Give Back, a 24-hour day of giving to begin at noon on Oct. 8 and conclude at noon on Oct. 9.

UNO’s fifth annual giving day will bring together Maverick supporters to provide needed resources for student scholarships, UNO’s colleges and programs, Omaha Athletics, UNO Jazz, the Maverick Food Pantry and other priorities. More than 60 student organizations and clubs are registered to participate in Wear Black, Give Back.

“Wear Black, Give Back is a powerful reminder of how Mavericks support one another,” said UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA. “It’s not always the size of the contribution that matters — it’s the collective impact of each gift, no matter how small, that truly makes a difference. Every dollar fuels opportunities that help students grow into leaders who will shape the future of our Omaha community.”

This year’s goal is to receive 5,000 gifts of $5 or more. Any donor who gives $75 or more will receive a bonus UNO knit hat.

Alumni and donors have pledged more than $500,000 in challenge and matching funds to encourage others to give during the event. These gifts will only be unlocked if certain giving goals are achieved. The largest challenge will support student leadership and professional development opportunities provided through the Student Service and Leadership Collaborative. If 50 donors give $5 or more, John and Dianne Scott of Valley, Nebraska, have pledged to make a $100,000 gift.

Events will be held on campus to celebrate the 2024 Wear Black, Give Back.

The Wear Black, Give Back festival will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 8 around the Henningson Memorial Campanile with food, desserts, games and entertainment. Numerous student organizations that receive support through Wear Black, Give Back will have tables at the event.
A livestream will begin at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 8 in the UNO TV studio featuring UNO broadcasting students. The livestream can be viewed on the Wear Black, Give Back website. Mav Radio and KVNO will also provide updates throughout the giving day.

In 2023, Wear Black, Give Back received a record-setting 4,967 gifts totaling $761,285 for causes and programs across UNO.

Learn more about Wear Black, Give Back and track the event’s progress at givingday.unomaha.edu.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

The University of Nebraska at Kearney will host its fourth annual giving day, One Day for UNK, Nov. 13-14, 2024.

The event, in its fourth year, provides an opportunity for Lopers to contribute to the university’s continued success and growth.

“More than just a fundraising event, One Day for UNK is a celebration of our community. It demonstrates the incredible impact we can achieve when we unite in support of UNK,” said UNK Interim Chancellor Charles Bicak.

One Day for UNK will leverage social media and other online platforms to drive philanthropic support across all areas of the university. Donations can be made at givingday.unk.edu, where participants can choose from a variety of options to support the university and track the event’s progress.

Last year’s One Day for UNK raised more than $240,000, benefiting scholarships, academic programs, Loper athletics, student organizations and other initiatives that enhance educational opportunities at UNK. Since its inception in 2021, the event has garnered more than $750,000 in contributions.

Gifts to One Day for UNK can be made beginning Oct. 14. Participants are encouraged to use the hashtag #OneDayforUNK on social media to share why the university is important to them.

The University of Nebraska Foundation Trustees have elected Susan K. Wilkinson of Lincoln and Douglas B. Waggoner of Palm Beach, Florida, to serve on the foundation’s Board of Directors. The new board members were announced during the foundation’s Sept. 25 annual meeting of trustees.

“I am incredibly grateful to our newest members and all who serve on the foundation’s Board of Directors,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “These are unpaid volunteer roles, and they have a fiduciary responsibility associated with overseeing the business and property of the University of Nebraska Foundation, including an endowment of over $2 billion. As community and business leaders, Susan Wilkinson and Douglas Waggoner will bring unique skills and experiences to the University of Nebraska Foundation.”

Wilkinson is president and chief operating officer of Ameritas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business. She has been a trustee since 2015 and has served on the foundation’s Finance Committee since 2021. Prior to her current service on the foundation’s Finance Committee, she served six years (2015-2021) on the foundation’s Audit Committee. She’s also a previous member of the UNL School of Accountancy Advisory Board and a previous member of the UNL College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board.

Waggoner served as managing director of BlackRock and founded Castle International Asset Management, among other positions during his career. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the UNL College of Business. Waggoner has been a trustee since 2019 and has served on the foundation’s Investment Committee since 2020. He also serves on the UNL College of Business Finance Advisory Board, and Douglas and his wife, Karin, serve on the College of Business Campaign Committee for Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The couple also provided philanthropic funding to establish the Investors With Purpose program in the College of Business, a wealth management course that brings together high-achieving students with global investment professionals for a unique learning experience.

Board members Julie Jacobson of North Platte, Nebraska, and William Lester of Lincoln were reelected to second terms.

The board meets three times a year to oversee the foundation’s business affairs. Here’s a link to the entire list of volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors or one of its committees.

The University of Nebraska Foundation announced the election of 46 new trustees during the foundation’s Sept. 25 annual meeting of trustees.

Through the dedicated efforts and generosity of its trustees, the foundation is committed to providing a measure of excellence at the University of Nebraska not possible with public funding alone. Trustees live across the United States and represent a wide array of disciplines. They offer invaluable leadership, professional skills, networking abilities and personal philanthropic support that contribute to the foundation’s mission.

“I’m pleased to welcome the newest University of Nebraska Foundation trustees,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Trustees founded the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1936 and have continued to provide leadership and advocacy for the University of Nebraska over the last 88 years. Their philanthropic leadership is central to the success of Nebraska’s only public university.”

Future physicians will train at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex

KEARNEY — Nebraska native William Northwall, MD, has created a full cost-of-attendance scholarship for a Nebraska student who studies medicine at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Dr. Northwall, a former Kearney radiologist, pledged the gift through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The William H. Northwall, MD, Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student from greater Nebraska. The scholarship will cover the student’s full cost of medical school attendance at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The current cost is approximately $65,000 a year, including tuition, books, fees and living expenses.

He said he established the scholarship because he believes the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex is important to rural Nebraska’s future.

“I believe in the future of the Kearney medical community and its tradition of excellence, and this scholarship is me paying it forward,” said Dr. Northwall, a 1967 graduate of the UNMC College of Medicine and a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee.

The Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex addresses a critical need for additional health care professionals in rural communities by allowing more students to study and train in central Nebraska. Through a UNK-UNMC partnership, UNMC will, for the first time, educate physicians, pharmacists and public health professionals in rural Nebraska as well as expand the current nursing and allied health professions programs offered on the UNK campus.

The first medical school students will begin classes on the UNK campus in fall 2026 after the completion of a second building in the Rural Health Education Complex. Dr. Northwall’s scholarship will be awarded to a student in the inaugural medical school class in Kearney.

“On behalf of the UNMC College of Medicine, I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Northwall for his remarkable generosity in establishing the first full cost-of-attendance scholarship for a student attending our new medical campus in Kearney, Nebraska,” said Bradley Britigan, MD, dean of the College of Medicine. “This pioneering gift sets a transformative precedent, ensuring that a future physician can pursue their education without financial barriers. Dr. Northwall’s commitment not only honors our students but also strengthens the future of health care in our state. We are deeply thankful for his visionary support.”

Dr. Northwall said he hopes the scholarship will assist future physicians while also inspiring other donors to support a new generation of 21^st-century health care professionals. He said many students graduate deeply in debt, and he wants the profession to continue to attract the best and the brightest. The average medical school student graduates from UNMC with $185,000-$200,000 in debt.

“We need both more and better doctors going forward,” he said. “The feeling from helping people who are in medical need is a wonderful reward.”

Dr. Northwall practiced radiology from 1972 to 1998 at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney. He remains devoted to UNMC and its mission and previously made a gift to create the William H. Northwall, MD, Plaza, which serves as the entryway to the Wigton Heritage Center on the UNMC campus in Omaha.

Dr. Northwall’s scholarship gift was made as part of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The campaign is a historic effort to engage 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support University of Nebraska students, faculty, academic and clinical programs and research to address the needs of the state. Scholarships are a top priority of the campaign.

Future physicians will train at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex

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