Nearly 600 guests joined the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) to celebrate the university’s 100th anniversary and its future of opportunities.

Proceeds from the Centennial Gala, hosted by the University of Nebraska Foundation and the UNO Alumni Association on Feb. 21, will help fund two community fellowships at UNO. Union Pacific and the Weitz Family Foundation were the title sponsors and among 27 companies and organizations that made significant contributions to support the event and the fellowships.

Union Pacific Chairman and UNO graduate, Jim Young, leads a toast to celebrate UNO’s Centennial during a Gala held Feb. 21 at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Behind Young are members of the UNO Chamber Choir.

The gala featured noted Harvard economist Roland Fryer, Union Pacific President and UNO graduate Jim Young, UNO Chancellor and graduate John Christensen, and Ronald Roskens, University of Nebraska president and UNO chancellor emeritus.

Program highlights also included appearances by six UNO graduates who shared how the university made them central to the city — the theme of UNO’s year-long centennial celebration — and performances by UNO student groups: UNO Chamber Choir, The Moving Company and students from the department of theatre.

The Centennial Community Fellowships will help the university enhance its internship program practica and service-learning offerings in and around the city. Plans call for the fellowships to be awarded to UNO’s top graduate students who will be dedicated to significant initiatives that will reinforce community engagement, economic development and civic engagement activities.

“Nothing quite like this has ever been established before at one of the university’s campuses,” said UNO Chancellor John Christensen. “The centennial Fellowships will further strengthen UNO’s engagement with the community. It works hand in hand with our Centennial theme of the university being central to our city.”

To view the five minute video played at the UNO Centennial Gala, press the play button above.

Proud alum salutes UNO at Gala

Following are remarks made at the UNO Centennial Gala by Jim Young, chairman of Union Pacific and a 1978 graduate of UNO.

“My role tonight is to conclude this centennial celebration and comment on the significance of the institution. I really struggled with what I was going to say. Do I talk about the faculty who in my mind are second to none and a unique connection to their students and our community?

Do I talk about the leadership of the university who really share a passion that comes from the heart? Do I talk about the students who I believe represent what is great about America where hard work and education allow individuals to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. Or do I talk about the community where teamwork and partnership with the university help make Omaha a great place to work and live.

A few weeks ago I had the honor of representing Union Pacific at a celebration of President Lincoln’s 200th birthday in our nation’s capital. You may not realize that President Lincoln created the Union Pacific Railroad when he decided to start the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad on the banks of the Missouri River, right here in Omaha, and we have been here ever since.

The Transcontinental Railroad connected America, changed the culture, improved the standard of living and provided opportunity for millions of Americans. It also assured Omaha would become one of the great cities in America.

As part of President Lincoln’s Bicentennial celebration, I had a chance to see several exhibits that are on display in the Library of Congress — his handwritten draft of the Gettysburg Address, his draft of the Emancipation Proclamation which changed America forever; and his blood stained death certificate from the night he was assassinated. It was very humbling.

The next morning I sat in the Capital Rotunda and listened to President Obama talk about the opportunity that President Lincoln gave to him. Without the courage of President Lincoln, he probably wouldn’t be standing there as the 44th President of the United States of America.

The Senior Leaders of Congress also talked about President Lincoln. It wasn’t about being a Republican or a Democrat…a conservative or a liberal…the common theme was that of great opportunity. There were tears in the eyes of many who spoke.

When you think about what UNO has accomplished in the past 100 years, it’s exactly what President Lincoln envisioned — to provide equal opportunity for all Americans. UNO has provided that opportunity for thousands of graduates who live, work and give back to our community every day. There are many examples but here are a few:

• Half of the students at UNO are first-generation college students.
• 60 percent of the educators in the metro area are graduates of UNO. And our public school system is viewed as one of the best in America.
• Hundreds of military men and women, their families and veterans have taken advantage of UNO programs to improve their lives including programs offered at Offutt or online while they are deployed in active duty.
• A large percentage of Omaha police officers and firefighters are UNO grads. In fact the former and current chiefs of the Omaha Police Department and the Fire Department are UNO grads.
• Service to others is ingrained in a UNO education. Each year more than 1,700 students are involved in service learning courses throughout our community.
• UNO, working with the Department of Corrections, provides online programs for inmates while incarcerated and also assists them in furthering their education when they are released.

When you think about what UNO has accomplished in the past 100 years, it’s exactly what President Lincoln envisioned — to provide equal opportunity for all Americans. UNO has provided that opportunity for thousands of graduates who live, work and give back to our community every day. There are many examples but here are a few:

These are just a few examples of why it’s an honor and a privilege to call myself a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha.