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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.

Keep your toes warm and show your love for the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine during the 2025 Give With Your Heart campaign.

In recognition of Giving Tuesday on Dec. 2, alumni, friends, grateful patients, faculty and staff are invited to make a positive impact on UNMC and Nebraska Medicine while donning the shield in style. Anyone who makes a gift of $75 or more will receive a pair of UNMC/Nebraska Medicine socks created just for the event. Give early because there are a limited number of socks available.

Supporters may give as their hearts desire — whether that’s to support students, patients and their families, cancer research, the Munroe-Meyer Institute or another priority. Learn more at fundraise.nufoundation.org/givewithyourheart2025.

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.

Husker Nation is invited to show its support for University of Nebraska–Lincoln students during the 2025 Husker Head to Toe campaign, an effort aimed at generating funds for scholarships and other student needs.

During the campaign, anyone who donates $75 or more will receive a pair of exclusive Husker-branded socks.

This year, gifts made through the University of Nebraska Foundation will support:

Support from these funds helps to ease students’ financial stress, allowing them to stay focused on their higher education and future goals. Gifts to the Husker Head to Toe campaign may be made through Dec. 2 (Giving Tuesday).

Loper supporters from near and far came together to raise a record $389,737 during the 2025 One Day for UNK. Over 24 hours, 2,170 gifts were received from 1,352 donors to support causes and priorities at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

One Day for UNK, which is celebrating its fifth year, was held from noon Wednesday to noon Thursday. Full results are available online at givingday.unk.edu.

“To every donor, advocate and supporter – thank you,” Chancellor Neal Schnoor, Ph.D., said. “Your generosity sends a powerful message to our students: that you believe in them, their potential and the future we’re building together at UNK. Watching this day unfold reminded me how much pride, purpose and unity define this university, and how truly powerful we are when we come together as a community.”

The giving day raised funds to support numerous priorities, including scholarships, Loper Athletics, UNK’s three colleges, the library, the Loper Pantry and emergency assistance for students facing an unexpected financial crisis.

The goal for One Day for UNK was to receive 2,100 gifts. The number of gifts, as well as the amount raised, set new records. More than 300 UNK faculty and staff made a gift, also setting a new record. Alumni and donors pledged more than $240,000 in challenge and matching funds to encourage others to give.

One of those challenges supported the Kearney Law Opportunities Program (KLOP) Fund, which supports scholarships and experiential learning opportunities for KLOP students. KLOP was created eight years ago to help address the shortage of attorneys in rural Nebraska.

UNK Student Regent and Student Body President Sam Schroeder is a member of the KLOP program. He hopes to attend the University of Nebraska College of Law and eventually return to rural Nebraska to work as an attorney.

“The rigorous coursework, international study abroad and networking opportunities with leaders in Nebraska’s legal community have greatly prepared me for law school,” said Schroeder, a senior from Seward, Nebraska.

He expressed gratitude to donors. “Thank you for your generous gifts during One Day for UNK! Your contributions will have a significant impact on the ability of UNK to serve students, the Kearney community and the state of Nebraska. Go Lopers!”

One Day for UNK generated enthusiasm across campus. Chancellor Schnoor, who previously served as a director of bands at UNK, and his wife, Teresa, offered a challenge to support the UNK Bands program.

Duane Bierman, Ph.D., director of bands, said One Day for UNK raises funds to support equipment upkeep and travel, including an overseas trip every four years for the Pride of the Plains Marching Band, Wind Ensemble tours of Nebraska and surrounding states, and trips to perform in parades around Nebraska.

“Students in the UNK Band program make lifelong friends and benefit from being a part of a community where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” Bierman said. “Our alumni consistently note that participation in the UNK Band Program was one of the highlights of their experience at UNK. Support allows us to continue to provide these rich experiences for our students.”

UNK freshman Brie Murdoch of Prairie Village, Kansas, is actively involved on campus, serving as a member of the Loper swim team and the Alpha Phi sorority. Both organizations received support through One Day for UNK, assisting with the swim team’s upcoming training trip to Florida and her sorority’s educational and leadership activities. She is also a scholarship recipient.

“I’m so thankful for donors’ support during One Day for UNK. People can do big things, no matter the size of their gift,” said Murdoch, who is majoring in exercise science. “I get to participate in the sport I like. I get the opportunity for a great education at UNK. I can focus on getting my degree and athletics without having to hold an outside job.”

During 2024, One Day for UNK received 2,029 gifts to raise $289,568.

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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