‘Thank you. Thank you.’

Recent grad thanks donors, UNL for getting her off to such a good start.

There weren’t any fireworks, and there wasn’t a Tunnel Walk.

But Molly Gruener had just heard that her UNL Equestrian Team had qualified for nationals. And in that moment, she says, she really felt what it meant to be a Husker.

“The announcer finally announced that we were qualified, and we made it,” she said. “We were so excited, jumping up and down.”

It’s one year later and she’s a recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a major in management and minor in marketing.

“I’m excited to go out into the professional world and use the skills that the university has given me.”

Gruener grew up in in Doniphan, Nebraska, a town of less than 1,000 people. Since her high school years, she has volunteered with equestrian groups and has been a 4-H adviser. As an adviser, she mentors children on how to prevent animal cruelty and teaches them how to prepare cattle, sheep and horses for county and state fairs.

At UNL, she not only continued her passion for equestrian, but was also involved in the American Marketing Association and was promoted to the group’s executive board. She believes the mentor program “helps community members find their niche.”

“This is great opportunity to go out and find speakers in the community that are willing to come in and talk to our members about the great opportunities out there.”

One thing she liked most about her time at UNL was the renovation to Love Library – the new Adele Coryell Hall Learning Commons – that was completed before she graduated. She could warm up comfortably by the fireplace, find a quiet place to meet with a group or study by herself in a study room where she can write on the new white boards.

“I’m a visual learner, so I love to have that opportunity to write out the notes that I’m getting.”

Gruener has just accepted a position at Kidglov as a marketing coordinator.

She said she appreciates everyone who’s given back to the University of Nebraska.

“The last four years have been an amazing experience, and I can’t thank you (donors) enough for the support that you have been able to give me. Thank you. Thank you.”

Molly is just one example of how the University of Nebraska’s Our Students, Our Future fundraising initiative will help make better futures for us all. The two-year, $200 million initiative runs through 2017. If you would like to help promising students like her, please contact the University of Nebraska Foundation at 800-432-3216.

This story was written by foundation intern Jennifer Rooney, who is studying journalism and English at UNL.