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Archives for March 27, 2025

Investing in the Future: Strengthening UNK’s College of Education

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By Anika Keese

The College of Education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is working toward creating a better and brighter future for learners.

The college’s five departments improve lives through learning. Dean Mark Reid, Ph.D., is deeply committed to upholding a core goal of the college: fostering community growth and development through the power of education.

“My vision for the college is that we will continue to be an important entity in central Nebraska and beyond, holistically supporting all aspects that improve the quality of life for our constituents,” he said.

Reid has fostered a strong sense of community between faculty and students. The College of Education’s Area of Greatest Need Fund has helped make that possible. For example, it made possible the school’s annual spring cookout.

“Last year’s COE spring cookout provided several benefits at one of the busiest and most stressful parts of the academic year,” Scott Benson, director of Human Resources, said. 

On top of events like the spring cookout, funding for research projects, conferences and various essential hands-on experience programs through the fund play a vital role in enhancing the quality of learning.

Miechelle McKelvey, Ph.D., associate dean for COE, said the fund supports the next generation of educators in more ways than you might think at first glance.

“It indirectly supports faculty research with those travel funds, and that gets your name out there,” McKelvey said. “So, the fund is critical in not only community building but also articulating what is going on in the UNK campus to the rest of the world, and especially to our state.”

Reid said the continued support of Loper Nation has been immense. Gifts toward the College of Education Area of Greatest Need Fund have continued to play a critical role in helping advance its mission.  

“We in the College of Education are proud of the fact that we make the quality of life better for everyone in the central Nebraska region,” he said. “From a mental health standpoint, from a physical aspect, from a communication aspect and from aspects of education, both as teachers and as administrators.”

To continue fostering a strong community and ensuring the success of our future educators at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, please consider making a gift to the College of Education Area of Greatest Need Fund today.

Support UNK Fund – College of Education Area of Greatest Need

A gift to this unrestricted fund enables the college to take advantage of special opportunities as they arise or lend a hand where students and faculty need it most.

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“It indirectly supports faculty research with those travel funds, and that gets your name out there. So, the fund is critical in not only community building but also articulating what is going on in the UNK campus to the rest of the world, and especially to our state.”

Miechelle McKelvey, Ph.D.

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Empowering Lifelong Learning at UNO

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By Anika Keese

The Division of Continuing Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha helps learners of all ages and stages in life pursue their educational goals and aspirations.

Often, nontraditional students can be overlooked when we think of the path to pursuing a college degree. Continuing Studies strives to be a central resource for these learners, helping no matter where they are in their educational journey. 

“We always have wanted to meet learners where they are and then help them start or finish what they started,” Katie Sup Rezac, senior associate director of advising, outreach and engagement, said. “Our vision is to strive to do as much as we can for our learners, for the university, for the community by serving as a program of choice for adult learners.” 

Every learner should get the same opportunity for success, no matter their aspirations. Through Continuing Studies, students meet with advisors to aid them in finding the best pathway to match their schedule.  

Sup Rezac highlighted the diverse goals students have and the validity of everyone’s ambitions. She added that the goals of students within Continuing Studies often fall into different buckets, ranging from pursuing a degree or certification to simply pursuing knowledge and new skills.

“Both buckets are in lifelong learning and understand the value of education and what it means to them,” Sup Rezac said. “It’s just their end goal might be a little bit different.” 

It can be intimidating to come back to college, but the Division of Continuing Studies strives to ease each student into it. That is why the division attempts to connect with the local community.  

“[Our students] are our workforce in Omaha, and of course we have students all over the world, but the majority of students come from the Omaha area,” Sup Rezac said. “We engage with them to talk about what their needs are for employees, what they’re seeing with their current employees and maybe what degree programs we are missing or what our learners aren’t getting.” 

 The Division of Continuing Studies Fund for Excellence enables a greater impact on students by providing scholarships that offer the extra support needed for their success. Without this fund, meeting each student’s individual needs would be much more challenging. 

“We are helping them pay down a balance or pay off a balance so they can start taking classes again,” Sup Rezac said. “A lot of times that’s the reason why students have to drop out is because they’re either not eligible for financial aid or they’ve met their max in financial aid, or they don’t take enough classes to qualify.”  

UNO Division of Continuing Studies Fund for Excellence

Gifts to this fund provide scholarship support for our general studies students, which includes adult education and our large military student presence.

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“We call it FOIP: It’s fulfilling our institutional promise. We have a strong belief that when we admit students to UNO, we are promising them that they'll graduate, and we're going to help them get to the end.”

Katie Sup Rezac

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Shaping Tomorrow’s Sound: The Impact of Jazz at UNO

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By Lily Dohmen

For 25 years, Pete Madsen has shaped jazz studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

As area coordinator for jazz studies within the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, he has nurtured the talents of countless young musicians and expanded the jazz program into a nationally recognized organization.

“My goal has always been to create opportunities for students and bring world-class jazz to Omaha,” Madsen said. “I want students to experience the same excitement I felt when I was their age.”

One highlight of the jazz studies program is its annual Jazz Festival. The festival, which debuted in 1973, has grown into one of the premier educational jazz events in the country.

This year, 56 bands from Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota and Missouri participated in the festival. Students had the opportunity to perform and receive expert feedback from top jazz educators and performers. The festival also featured professional musicians from New York, Los Angeles, Israel, Portugal, Poland and Australia.

Donors play a vital role in the program’s success. The UNO Jazz Area Support Fund has allowed the festival to grow by bringing world-class talent to Omaha.

Recently, a generous philanthropic gift enabled the UNO Jazz Band to perform in Uruguay, leading to an invitation to play in Miami, Florida, with flutist José Valentino.

“Donor support creates a domino effect,” Madsen said. “It opens doors for our students and elevates our program.”

Beyond performances, donations also help fund scholarships, which are crucial for attracting top talent.

Madsen has big goals for the program, including getting the UNO Jazz Band to be selected for the prestigious Jazz Education Network Conference.

“Attending the conference would be a major milestone for us,” Madsen said. “It would show how far we’ve come and continue to raise our profile.”

Through his passion for jazz and dedication to his students, Madsen has built a thriving program at UNO. His students continue to pursue music careers, ensuring that the legacy of UNO Jazz will live on for years to come.

“When I see former students out in the world making music, it reminds me why I do this,” Madsen said. “This program changes lives.”

UNO Jazz Area Support Fund

Support the next generation of jazz musicians at UNO by making a gift to the UNO Jazz Area Support Fund today.

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“We compete with other universities for the best students, and scholarships make a difference. We’ve been fortunate, but we still need more support to remain competitive.”

Pete Madeson

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Filed Under: UNO

Investing in the next generation through the World Class Actuarial Science Fund

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By Lily Dohmen

Sue Vagts’ journey into actuarial science began at a dinner with professionals when she was a junior in high school.

“I mentioned my love for math, and someone said, ‘You should be an actuary.’ That moment changed everything,” Vagts said.   

Years later, Vagts followed that advice by pursuing an education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in actuarial science and business.

That education set her on a path to professional success. After eight years in the industry, Vagts paused her career to raise her children. A chance encounter at a grocery store with a former professor led her back to the university’s actuarial science program to teach a class.   

That single class turned into a full-time role as program director. Passionate about education, she works to ensure students receive both academic and professional support.  

The World Class Actuarial Science Fund has been instrumental in supporting students. Through the fund, Vagts said she works to prioritize equitable financial assistance.   

“We want to help as many students as possible, not just a select few,” she said. “These students are working hard to pass rigorous exams, and financial support can make all the difference.”  

Thanks to donor support, students in the program’s first two preparatory courses receive full coverage of their actuarial exams.   

Beyond exam materials, the World Class Actuarial Science Fund assists in covering student travel and professional development. Campaigns help reimburse travel costs for conferences.  

“These experiences are invaluable for students’s growth” Vagts said. “Attending conferences and meeting industry leaders open doors to new opportunities. One student told me: ‘Attending this conference changed my entire perspective on what I can do in my career.’ That’s the kind of impact we want to make on our students.”  

Vagts said she is driven by seeing the impact support from the World Class Actuarial Science Fund has on students.  As the program grows, Vagts encouraged donors to continue their support of the World Class Actuarial Science Fund.   

“Every donation honors UNL’s actuarial legacy and invests in the next generation,” she said. “It’s more than just a program; it’s a community that continues to grow and thrive.”  

Support the World Class Actuarial Science Fund

A gift to the World Class Actuarial Science Fund goes toward the Actuarial Science Campaign to improve support for faculty and students, ensure the program attracts and retains top talent, and provide a world-class education in actuarial science.

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“I thought it would be temporary, but I fell in love with teaching. There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping students find their path.”

Sue Vagts

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Filed Under: UNL

A Lifeline for Huskers: The Impact of the Husker Pantry

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By Anika Keese

Being a college student is hard, no matter the circumstances.  

Between difficult coursework and balancing other life responsibilities, it is a time that can feel overwhelming for many.  

Kenji Madison, director of the Husker Pantry, is familiar with this feeling and works to alleviate one of the most basic needs. Since 2017, the Husker Pantry has operated with one simple mission: to ensure no Husker student ever goes hungry. 

“[The Husker Pantry] is a free resource to ensure that students have what they need in terms of daily staples, personal items, all the way to foodstuffs,” Madison said. “It ensures that the last thing that they’re worried about here on campus is where they can get something to eat.” 

In its nine years of operating on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus, the pantry has made a remarkable impact on students’ path to a brighter future. This resource is crucial to many people’s success and ability to continue attending college and pursuing a higher education.  In fall 2024, the pantry saw more than 3,500 visitors and distributed more than 34,000 items, according to Madison.

“All of those things that we were able to do in the fall translated directly into students’ overall sense of personal well-being, but also their ability to be able to complete their academic studies,” he said. 

An important aspect of the Husker Pantry is its accessibility to all students no matter what their needs may be. The pantry is designed to be flexible and adapt to the diverse needs of everyone. 

“Students join our campus in varied dispositions in their lives, but also in their responsibilities,” Madison said. “The pantry is an opportunity for students. No matter where you’re at on that scale of need, the pantry is there to help you with that need.” 

The Husker Pantry relies heavily on its donors and has been able to make significant strides in its work with the support received. 

The impact donors have on the pantry is undeniable. It supports Madison’s vision to expand the pantry’s reach on campus. The generosity of the community has a concrete and lasting effect on the pantry’s operations.  

“It is important that [donors] understand if you choose to give toward the pantry that this is what your funds are used for,” Madison said. “It’s not just sitting somewhere and we’re trying to think of things to do, but those monies come in and they serve an immediate impact to the thousands of students who utilize this service.” 

To ensure that every Husker has the resources to thrive and further their education, please consider donating to the UNL Food Pantry Fund today.  

UNL Food Pantry Fund

The Husker Pantry provides basic food items and other things like toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, shampoo and toilet paper to UNL students at no cost.

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“I cannot even stress the importance of the foundation funding and all those funds that come in from our giving campaigns. That is what fuels the pantry and allows us to be able to do what we do on a daily, weekly, monthly, semester basis. Without that, it would almost be impossible to do the work that we are doing there. That's how significant, how necessary that foundation funding is for us and for our operations.”

Kenji Madison

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