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Two Omaha sisters, Karen C. Olson, M.D., and Nancy D. Olson, motivated by a common desire to empower Maverick female student-athletes, have committed a combined $1.56 million to support the women’s nutrition table for Omaha Athletics.

Located in the Scott Café, the women’s nutrition table provides a place for Maverick female student-athletes to eat together and build team camaraderie while having access to healthy food options to fuel their bodies. The private benefactors made their gift commitments through the University of Nebraska Foundation.

“These incredible gifts in support of the women’s nutrition table amplify the storied tradition of Maverick women’s athletics,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell said. “Thanks to these generous donors, we are able to elevate an already impressive holistic support program, focused on fueling our female student-athletes to achieve success in the classroom and competitively as we prepare them for life after graduation.”

The Olsons’ generosity advances an Omaha Athletics initiative to support student-athletes’ development by prioritizing mental health and physical health within athletics. In 2023, a sports nutritionist was added to the athletic department’s staff to educate student-athletes and coaches on fueling and hydration strategies to promote peak performance and injury prevention.

“We are so incredibly grateful for the generous investment into women’s athletics here at UNO,” said softball student-athlete Maggie O’Brien. “These gifts not only prepare us physically to perform in our respective sports, but they support the mental and nutritional aspect of the game, which allows us to reach our full potential academically and athletically. We continually strive to compete at the highest level, and these donations help us take that extra step to do so.”

The gifts align with a recently launched initiative, Maverick HERoes, which seeks to increase philanthropic support and raise awareness for women’s athletics. The initiative aims to raise scholarship support and create holistic development programs for student-athletes, covering topics including mental health, nutrition, academic excellence and leadership skills.

“Omaha Athletics has a storied history of donor support for its female student-athletes,” said Lindsey Ekwerekwu, executive associate athletic director for student-athlete success and senior woman administrator. “Maverick HERoes has expanded on that proud tradition, and this commitment helps us build a new foundation for their present and future well-being through nutrition. On behalf of all Maverick female student-athletes, we are grateful for both donors’ unwavering support.”

In the fall semester, Omaha Athletics had 173 female student-athletes. The University of Nebraska at Omaha has nine women’s sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

The gifts to support the women’s nutrition table were 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.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a premier metropolitan university that offers a broad range of academic programs and is dedicated to providing innovative and learning-centric initiatives. With a strong commitment to digital education and student success, UNO continues to lead the way in creating impactful educational experiences.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

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 was 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.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni David Dickinson and Karen McCluskey have made a $117,650 gift to establish a permanent endowment to support the Nebraska Council on Economic Education.

The couple’s gift creates the Karen McCluskey Endowment Fund, which will generate an estimated $5,000 annually in perpetuity to support K-12 teachers in Nebraska who want to enhance their economic and personal finance expertise.

“This endowment provides a permanent source of funding to empower teachers with the means to pursue further education, thereby enabling them to transform the lives of their students,” said the couple, who live in Malcolm, Nebraska. “This aligns seamlessly with our vision and serves as a perpetual gift that will continue to make a positive impact for many generations.”

NCEE has been housed in the university’s College of Business since it was created in 1965, working to educate Nebraskans on economic and financial literacy as a nonpartisan, nonprofit entity. The council’s work focuses on teacher professional development, academic competitions, advocacy, content and standards consulting, curriculum design and in-school savings programs. Its programming is designed to encourage youth and families to take an interest in economics, increasing the likelihood that students will use economic principles to guide their lives as consumers, savers, investors and workers. The council reaches teachers and schools in all 93 Nebraska counties.

“Equipping teachers with the necessary professional development opportunities to support teaching economic and financial literacy in K-12 schools is critical to empowering future generations of Nebraska citizens with the necessary skills to make informed financial decisions,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean and professor of finance. “Investing in our teachers has a multiplier effect that will help prepare our students for lifelong success. We extend our sincere gratitude to David Dickinson and Karen McCluskey for this very generous gift that will make a lasting impact on our students and their communities.”

Gov. Jim Pillen declared April as Financial Awareness Month in Nebraska. During a March 25 ceremony at the Nebraska State Capitol, NCEE announced its 2025 Mary Lynn Reiser Economic Educator of the Year. With support from the Karen McCluskey Endowment Fund, the recipient, Tanner Ellis, a high school business teacher from Ravenna Public Schools, received a $1,000 cash award. The endowed fund also will provide professional development stipends for Nebraska teachers.

“NCEE is overjoyed by this generous gift,” said Jennifer Davidson, NCEE president and an associate professor of practice in economics in the College of Business. “Investing in teachers pays dividends for years, even decades. The importance of having high-quality educators in the classroom cannot be overstated, as they will impact hundreds, if not thousands, of students throughout their careers. This support inspires our teachers to continue shaping the future of education, one student at a time.”

McCluskey graduated from the College of Education and Human Sciences in 1985 and taught in the David City Public and Aquinas Catholic schools. Dickinson earned a bachelor’s degree in business in 1989. He is the president of Banker’s Compliance Consulting, which he founded in 1993 after spending the early part of his career working at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and a community bank. He also serves on the NCEE board.

The Karen McCluskey Endowment Fund represents a fusion of their individual interests by investing in the College of Business and personal finance and economic education while providing resources for teachers seeking additional training.

“We envision this gift as a means of funding teachers who aspire to enhance their economic education training but lack the financial resources to do so,” the couple said.

Dickinson and McCluskey hope to inspire others to support NCEE. Gifts to the Karen McCluskey Endowment Fund may be made online.

The couple’s gift was made through the University of Nebraska Foundation. It supports Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future, 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.

By Geitner Simmons | IANR Media

Keith Heuermann, a leader in Nebraska agriculture and major supporter of the University of Nebraska, died March 29 at age 99.

The philanthropic support for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources from Heuermann and his wife, Norma, included endowments for the Heuermann Lecture series, focusing on sustainability regarding food, natural resources, renewable energy and rural communities, as well as for a professorship, the Heuermann Chair of Agronomy, focusing on advanced crop science.

Heuermann, born on April 19, 1925, in Phillips, Nebraska, was an entrepreneurial pioneer in the development of hybrid seed corn. Prairie Valley Hybrids, founded by Heuermann and his brother and father, developed some of the earliest known single cross hybrids, starting in the late 1950s.

After Prairie Valley Hybrids was sold in 1979, Heuermann turned to developing hybrid seed popcorn. His company, BKH Popcorn Inc., achieved notable sales, especially for its microwave popcorn, through an 11-year collaboration with the QVC TV channel.

“Keith Heuermann embodied the spirit of Nebraska — an innovative thinker, a bold entrepreneur, an ardent supporter of agriculture and natural resources, and an amazing friend,” said Mike Boehm, Harlan Vice Chancellor for IANR and NU vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “His life spanned — and he frankly contributed to — a century of incredible change and progress in the agriculture industry, and he continued to seek out new ideas and perspectives throughout his lifetime.

“Without a doubt, the university is a better place because of Keith and Norma’s generosity. So many of their gifts support innovation and, in the case of the Heuermann Lecture series, present an opportunity for students — and the greater community — to remain curious.  Keith’s legacy truly will be felt for generations to come.”

Heuermann’s interest in seed corn innovation took root in 1942 when he was a freshman at the University of Nebraska and helped with harvesting yield trials for the university’s corn breeding research. After Heuermann asked Thomas H. Goodding, an agronomy faculty member, about opportunities for raising seed corn privately, Heuermann purchased his foundation seed with $12 sent by his father.

“And that’s the way we got started in the hybrid seed corn business,” Heuermann said in a recorded interview at the Heuermann Lecture website.

Heuermann’s philanthropic support for the University of Nebraska included a range of additional efforts, including:

His civic involvement ranged widely at the local and state levels, including as a trustee for the University of Nebraska Foundation and leader with the Nebraska Seedsman Association and Nebraska Seed Advisory Committee.

“Keith Heuermann felt a responsibility to give back to the University of Nebraska, recognizing how profoundly it impacted his life’s work,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “I’m grateful for the 35 years Keith served as a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee. He understood the importance of the university’s agriculture research to producers and the state’s economy and philanthropically supported this important work. Though Keith spent his entire life in Hamilton County, the impact of his professional and philanthropic contributions can be found across Nebraska and beyond.”

For his contributions in agriculture, business and philanthropy, he was honored with awards, including the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association’s Premier Seed Grower (1968) and Distinguished Service Award (1993), UNL College of Business Entrepreneur of the Year (1998), Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame (1999), Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement (2000), and NEBRASKAland Foundation Award (2016).

A committed Cornhusker fan, he attended almost every home football game for more than 50 years. In his early years, he enjoyed racing motorcycles and later pursued aviation, owning and flying his own plane.

The Heuermann Lecture series began in 2011. Topics over the years have included agricultural and natural resources research and education; global food security; biotechnology; energy diversification; rural development; agricultural technology; and international trade.

Heuermann said he appreciated how the lecture series encompassed such a range of issues important for the future. “All those things fit together very well,” he said.

The next Heuermann Lecture, titled “Nourishing a Healthy Future: The Role of Irrigation in a Changing World,” is scheduled April 29.

Harkamal Walia, an expert in plant breeding and genetics, is the current Heuermann Chair of Agronomy.

Heuermann died in Grand Island a few weeks before his 100th birthday.

In his recorded interview at the Heuermann Lecture website, he described his memories of the Depression era, when immense clouds of dust swept north into Nebraska from the southern Plains. Tumbleweeds blew against fence lines, the dust accumulated in heavy snow-like drifts, and the fences leaned forward under the pressure, he recalled.

Looking back over his lifetime in agriculture, he said, “I never saw a year in crop production that sometime during that year there wasn’t something trying to take that crop away from you. It was either climate, insects, storms or something trying to get part of that crop from you.”

Urban residents can benefit by learning about the complexities and challenges of modern agriculture, he said.

“I don’t think a lot of people understand,” he said, “how tough farming can be.”

The One Room, One Teacher scholarship program pays tribute to pioneering Nebraska educators like Nora Van Pelt Lindner, who attended a one-room school as a young girl and spent nearly 40 years as a teacher.

“I credit my love of teaching and my success as a teacher to many of my experiences in one-room, one-teacher schools,” said Lindner of Central City, Nebraska, who is among the educators to be honored through the One Room, One Teacher program. “I learned so many attributes necessary to succeed as an educator.” 

Nora Van Pelt Lindner

The program recognizes Nebraska educators who served in one-room schools or other rural schools while raising scholarship funds for College of Education students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Honorees’ names are placed on a plaque on the One Room, One Teacher Wall of Honor in the UNK College of Education Atrium. The deadline for submissions for the 2025 honorees is May 15.

 

“The One Room, One Teacher Wall of Honor is a testament to the dedication, resilience and impact of those who shaped young minds in rural schools across Nebraska,” UNK Interim Chancellor Charlie Bicak said. “This program holds deep personal significance for me, as my mother, Iris, was one of these remarkable educators. At just 18, she embraced the challenge of teaching in a one-room schoolhouse, fostering not only academic growth but also a love for learning and community. Her story, like so many honored on this wall, is a reminder of the profound influence teachers have, often in the humblest of settings. UNK is proud to celebrate and preserve their legacy.”

Family, friends and former students may make a gift to recognize a teacher through the One Room, One Teacher program. There are three giving levels: $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000. The honored educators do not need to be UNK graduates; honorees may be living or recognized posthumously.

College of Education Dean Mark Reid is pictured in front of the One Room, One Teacher Wall of Honor in the College of Education Atrium at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. (Erika Pritchard/UNK Communications and Marketing)

“The program honors the legacy of rural schoolteachers in Nebraska,” UNK College of Education Dean Mark Reid said. “The rural school spirit lives on through the many scholarships awarded each year.”

To submit a nomination for the One Room, One Teacher Wall of Honor, click here. For more information, email Kristin Howard at  [email protected] or call the University of Nebraska Foundation at 308-698-5276 or 800-432-3216 (toll free).

A love of education

Lindner’s love for education began in the one-room school she attended with her eight siblings. After graduating from high school, she received a 40-hour teaching certificate from the then-Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney. She then taught in District 24, a K-8 country school near Archer, Nebraska, in Merrick County. At just 20 years old, she was the school’s sole employee. She arrived at school by 7 a.m. and came home after dark. She taught and graded papers for a dozen students in different grades, and, because there wasn’t a janitor, Lindner also cleaned the schoolhouse. She credits the students and parents for the school’s success.

“One thing about farm kids, they’re pretty creative and catch on pretty fast,” she said. “They knew how to work, and they had discipline. Their parents supported me 100%. There’s a great camaraderie among the people in a country school.”

Lindner went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kearney State College and dedicated herself to a teaching career that also included serving in schools in Loveland, Colorado, and Grand Island and Palmer, Nebraska. The retired teacher said the most rewarding part of her career has been watching her former students succeed. She still encounters former students who share her impact on their lives.

“I loved my job,” she said. “There was never a day that I got up and said, ‘I don’t want to go to school.’”

Homecoming Week ceremony

The 2025 One Room, One Teacher honorees will be recognized during a Homecoming Week ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the College of Education Atrium. Honorees do not need to be present to be recognized.

Through the One Room, One Teacher Fund, more than 70 scholarships have been awarded since the program started in 2012. Abigail Bauerle, who graduated from UNK in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, is one of the scholarship recipients. She said the scholarship helped pay her tuition when the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from going to her tutoring job. Today, Bauerle is a fifth-grade English language arts teacher in the Chase County elementary school she once attended.

“My heart bursts with pride and happiness when I see the lightbulb turn on after a student has been working so hard on a concept,” she said. “Donors’ support helps teachers like me who have a love and passion for teaching.”

Gifts to the One Room, One Teacher scholarship program support Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. Student scholarships are the campaign’s top priority.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

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.

The 2025 For the Greater Good, a giving day to support the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine, was celebrated March 26-27, inspiring generous support from across Nebraska and beyond. Over 24 hours, 2,135 gifts were made, raising $475,997 to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska. The number of gifts set a record for the third annual giving day.

“The health and wellness of our fellow Nebraskans is at the heart of everything we do at UNMC,” said H. Dele Davies, MD, UNMC’s interim chancellor. “That’s why the response to this year’s For the Greater Good campaign is so humbling. The Nebraska philanthropic community’s continued strong support of UNMC and Nebraska Medicine is something the entire medical center takes pride in and is thankful for. We appreciate their support, and we pledge to continue our efforts to create healthier futures for the people of Nebraska and beyond.”

Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “I am grateful for everyone’s generosity in the For the Greater Good campaign. Each contribution, large or small, supports every part of the Nebraska Medicine and UNMC mission. Your support for health education, research and clinical care truly contributes to the greater good of our community.”

Supporters committed more than $200,000 for challenges and matching gifts to inspire others to give during the third annual giving day. Dr. Linder made a $50,000 match gift to the Healing Stethoscope Sculptures Fund to bring “Healing” sculptures to UNMC’s Kearney and Lincoln campuses. Because of the generosity of Dr. Linder and his wife, Karen, the “Healing” stethoscope sculpture has served as a landmark on UNMC’s Omaha campus since 2014.

The giving day included 131 areas to support, including departmental funds within Nebraska Medicine, patient care, research, nearly 50 recognized student organizations at UNMC and student scholarships. UNMC’s education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in Nebraska.

“The financial support has allowed me to focus on school and not have to worry about how I am going to pay for things,” said scholarship recipient Alyssa Empfield of Grand Island, Nebraska, who is in her first year in UNMC’s dental hygiene program. “Any contribution to scholarships, big or small, really goes a long way.”

Nolan Parks of Elkhorn, Nebraska, a senior in the UNMC College of Nursing, expressed appreciation for the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship. He plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation.

“UNMC means the world to me,” Parks said. “The faculty, the students and all my peers here have been incredible in my learning journey. Fortunately, I’ll be able to continue my career across the street at Nebraska Medicine. I wouldn’t want to leave this place; I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

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About the University of Nebraska Foundation

 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.

The March 26-27 giving day will raise critical funds for UNMC and Nebraska Medicine

University of Nebraska Medical Center nursing student Nolan Parks knows firsthand the difference a scholarship can make.

He works part time as a certified nursing assistant at Nebraska Medicine and lives with his parents in Elkhorn to save money. Still, he was worried he would need to take out student loans to finish his Bachelor of Science in Nursing. So, he was incredibly grateful to learn he was the recipient of the Sharon Bonham Holyoke Nursing Scholarship.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for providing me with the means to finish college,” said Parks, a senior who plans to work in the Nebraska Medicine ICU after graduation. “This is a gift which I will never forget, one which I will remember each time I clock in and every time I receive that heartwarming feeling of discharging a patient who has made a full recovery.”

Raising funds for student scholarships is one of the many priorities of For the Greater Good, a 24-hour giving day to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. From noon-to-noon March 26-27, 2025, gifts may be made online at greatergoodgivingday.org to fuel the future of health care in Nebraska.

“Giving, no matter the amount, has the power to transform lives,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “Every dollar an individual gives during For the Greater Good supports scholarships, student groups, patient care and groundbreaking research that shapes the future in the areas about which they are most passionate. This is our chance to make a difference, and I invite everyone to be part of something truly meaningful.”

Nebraska Medicine CEO James Linder, MD, said, “We are surrounded by examples of how our generous supporters have made positive impacts on the care we provide and the research we conduct. Even relatively small donations add up quickly and help people feel even more connected to that important work.”

Supporters have committed more than $200,000 for challenges and matching gifts to encourage others to give. Donors can maximize their gifts by supporting these funds.

One of the challenges was established by College of Nursing alumna Sharon Bonham Holyoke of Omaha, a 1966 graduate and retired longtime nursing faculty member. If 250 donors give to the College of Nursing, $25,000 will be unlocked to support nursing scholarships. Two other challenges support the Nebraska Medicine Newborn Intensive Care Unit, which has been providing specialized care to infants and their families since 1968.

The goal of the 2025 giving day is 2,100 gifts. Anyone who makes a gift totaling $75 or more will receive a UNMC and Nebraska Medicine custom hat. Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are important to them, using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay.

Several other important causes will benefit from the third annual day of giving, including:

Learn more and track the giving day’s progress at greatergoodgivingday.org.

The 2006 graduate played fullback for the Husker football team and now is a Lincoln orthopedic surgeon and serves as a team physician

University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumnus and former Husker football player Dane Todd, M.D., of Lincoln, Nebraska, has always been grateful to his former genetics professor, Alan Christensen, for his guidance and helpful advice. He also never lost sight of the importance of his undergraduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences in preparing him for medical school and now, his practice as a Lincoln orthopedic surgeon.

Todd decided to give back after learning of the need to update the equipment in the Genetics, Cellular & Molecular Biology Lab in the School of Biological Sciences. He made a $17,000 gift to purchase new lab equipment through the University of Nebraska Foundation.

“Dr. Christensen’s love for teaching and energy is infectious,” Todd said. “Giving back to the university that gave so much to me is great, but giving back to my mentor and friend is even better.”

The lab now features a GelDoc Go, used for imaging protein and DNA separation gels, and a Bio-Rad Trans-Blot Turbo, which transfers proteins from a gel to a membrane in just seven minutes—eliminating the need for an overnight process. Both instruments also reduce hazardous chemical waste, enhancing lab safety and sustainability.

Alan Christensen (center-left) and Assistant Professor Rebecca Varney (center-right) use the GelDoc Go machine with students to view the results of an experiment. The machine was purchased through a gift from alum and former Husker football player Dane Todd, M.D. (Jordan Opp/University Communications)

In the course, students use gels to separate proteins from plant cells, then transfer them onto a paper membrane. By applying specific markers, they stain the proteins to determine their cellular location—whether in the mitochondria, nucleus or chloroplast. This method, known as Western blotting, is widely used in medical diagnostics for its high sensitivity in detecting viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis C and Lyme disease.

“The new equipment has changed the course’s reputation among students, making it feel like ‘real science,’” said Assistant Professor Rebecca Varney. “I’ve seen a noticeable increase in their excitement and sense of ownership over their experiments. I know they will leave with a stronger understanding of genetics and how science forms the foundation of medicine.”

Christensen added, “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Todd, whose own undergraduate experience inspired him to support the next generation. This modernized equipment enhances the course and improves experimental outcomes, giving students a deeper grasp of scientific techniques and their real-world applications.”

In 2006, Todd, a Lincoln native, earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences at the university, where he played fullback for the Huskers as a decorated student-athlete. He earned a medical degree from Emory University and practices at the Nebraska Orthopaedic Center, specializing in the treatment of sports injuries of the knee, hip and shoulder as well as shoulder replacements and general fracture care. He also serves as a team physician for Nebraska Athletics.

Todd first met Christensen when he took a general genetics course from him as an undergraduate and then served as his teaching assistant for two years. The two get together regularly to talk about Nebraska sports, education and life. During one of those conversations, Todd learned of Christensen’s desire to update the genetics lab.

“I left that conversation thinking about the decades that Dr. Christensen has put into education, the thousands of hours he has worked to understand his field and pass on that knowledge and the time he has spent helping me accomplish my goals over the years,” Todd said. “The next time we met, I told Dr. Christensen that I would donate the money he needs for the genetics lab so that he can leave a lasting impact on the department long after he retires.”

Todd’s 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.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

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.

The third annual giving day will support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine

Mark your calendars now for the third annual giving day to support the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine. For the Greater Good will be celebrated from noon to noon March 26-27, 2025.

For the Greater Good is a 24-hour online giving event during which alumni, students, faculty, staff and grateful patients come together to raise money for scholarships, programs, student groups, patient care and other critical resources.

Gifts may be made online at greatergoodgivingday.org. Supporters who make gifts totaling $75 or more will receive a UNMC/Nebraska Medicine custom hat.

The 2025 goal is to receive 2,100 gifts. Supporters are encouraged to share on social media why they support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine using the hashtag #GreaterGoodGivingDay.

During the 2024 giving day, 2,062 gifts were made, raising $767,919 to support UNMC and Nebraska Medicine.

Learn more and track the giving day’s progress at greatergoodgivingday.org.

About the University of Nebraska Foundation

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.

Olsson, a national engineering and design firm based in Lincoln, has pledged $1 million to establish an endowed chair for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering.

The Olsson Chair of Engineering will be awarded based on teaching and research ability, with a preference for a faculty member in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The endowed chair will support an annual salary stipend and provide funds for scholarly research. Olsson is the first corporation to establish and fully fund a chair in the college.

“We are proud to partner with the College of Engineering to build Nebraska’s engineering workforce,” said Brad Strittmatter, president and chief executive officer of Olsson. “Olsson was founded in Lincoln in 1956, and because we care deeply about Nebraska’s future, Olsson wants to ensure the University of Nebraska remains a destination for exceptional engineering faculty who engage in transformational research and offer the best possible learning environment for the next generation of Nebraska engineers.”

Strittmatter is a 1997 civil engineering graduate from Nebraska and is on the college’s advisory board. He and his wife, Lisa, serve as University of Nebraska Foundation trustees and are volunteer co-chairs of the college’s campaign committee for Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future.

Olsson’s gift was made as part of the Only in Nebraska campaign, a historic effort to engage 150,000 unique benefactors to raise $3 billion to support the University of Nebraska. A key campaign priority for the College of Engineering is to create endowed professorships and chairs to support collaborative research and competitive salaries to help recruit and retain exceptional faculty. The gift commitment was made through the University of Nebraska Foundation.

“Olsson and the Olsson Family Foundation, which is supported by the founder’s family, are vital partners in the success of the College of Engineering,” said Lance C. Pérez, Fred Hunzeker Dean of Engineering. “This gift will help us recruit and retain distinguished faculty who are committed to educating the next generation of engineers and who conduct research that drives economic development in the state and region while solving problems of global importance.”

Olsson, founded in Lincoln by the late John E. Olsson in 1956, is one of the 75 largest engineering and design firms in the nation. The company employs more than 2,000 people and operates out of 35 offices throughout the United States.

Olsson and the Olsson family have long supported the College of Engineering, the only engineering college in Nebraska. Nearly 100 engineering students have received scholarships supported by the company or through the Olsson Family Foundation. Olsson provided philanthropic support for Kiewit Hall, a privately funded $115 million premier engineering education facility that opened for classes in January 2024. The company also supports numerous student engineering organizations and offers internship, mentoring and professional opportunities to College of Engineering students and graduates. Olsson employs 250 graduates of the college.

Record 7,241 gifts were made to support University of Nebraska–Lincoln

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln felt the love as Husker Nation came together in a record-setting way during the 2025 Glow Big Red — 24 Hours of Husker Giving.

Over 24 hours, 7,241 gifts were made, raising $1,022,896 to support priorities and causes across the university. It is the first time that the fundraising campaign has eclipsed $1 million. Both the number of gifts made and the amount donated set records for the seventh annual event. Supporters representing every state made a gift during Glow Big Red.

“Thank you, Huskers. Your generosity during Glow Big Red has filled our hearts and made a tremendous impact,” said Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett. “Because of you, we can continue to provide an exceptional education and opportunities for our students. Your contributions help ensure that a University of Nebraska–Lincoln education is affordable and achievable to every student.”

Glow Big Red began at noon Feb. 12 and concluded at noon Feb. 13. The giving day raises funds for such things as scholarships, student organizations and Greek chapters, Nebraska Athletics and the university’s academic colleges. Alumni and donors committed more than $850,000 in challenge and matching funds to encourage others to give during Glow Big Red. Those funds were unlocked when certain giving goals were achieved.

The Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board was one of the 142 student organizations to receive philanthropic support through Glow Big Red. Donor support unlocked a $1,000 challenge gift from an anonymous benefactor. Mortar Board, which is celebrating its 120th anniversary, is a national honor society that recognizes seniors for their academic achievements and service to the university community while providing opportunities for students’ continued leadership development.

Senior Naomi Delkamiller, the group’s social media chair, said the funds raised during Glow Big Red will support events put on by Mortar Board, including Ivy Day, Professor of the Month and the People Who Inspire Banquet. She expressed gratitude for donors’ support.

“I would just say thank you, because this helps us continue what was started 120 years ago,” Delkamiller said. “These traditions that promote scholarship, leadership and service on campus are seen by people beyond our group. Even if they’re not involved, they know of Mortar Board and what we stand for.”

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications posted a video on Instagram featuring interviews with student journalists Ruth Bailey and Livia Ziskey, co-leads of the Nebraska News Service — part of the college’s Experience Lab.

The two students encouraged donors to support scholarships to prepare the next generation of storytellers, journalists and communicators.

“Scholarship support relieves some of the stress and burden about how I’m going to pay for my education or how I am going to balance school, work and life,” said Bailey, a journalism and political science major. “The scholarship has allowed me to focus on my education and getting real-world journalism experience.”

Junior Brett Johnson of Portage, Wisconsin, is president of the Nebraska Curling Club. The club, which practices at the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center, seeks to promote a love of curling across Nebraska. The club participated in Glow Big Red to raise funds to travel to bonspiels at other Midwest universities. He said he enjoys competing with and getting to know other Husker students who share his passion for the sport.

“Curling is really big in Wisconsin,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine not doing it.”

Johnson, a software engineering major, said curling also provides a much-needed break from his academic studies.

“For me, it’s certainly a great distraction,” he said. “It’s great to go hang out with people who have the same interests and not be overstressed about schoolwork.”

In 2024, the Husker community raised $823,041 to expand opportunities for students. The giving day started in 2019 in recognition of the university’s 150th anniversary.