University of Nebraska Foundation announces new board members
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 new and re-elected board members will serve three-year 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.
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.
