By contributing to the University of Nebraska, you become part of a vibrant community dedicated to making a lasting impact. Your generosity fuels academic excellence, groundbreaking research and community engagement, all of which shape the future of Nebraska and beyond. Every donation, no matter the size, helps create opportunities for students, supports innovative programs and enhances the university’s ability to address the challenges of tomorrow. Together, we can continue to inspire, educate and lead. Your support is not just a gift—it’s an investment in the future. Let’s make a difference, one story at a time.
Janet Wendland, a Burnett Society member, established a planned gift to provide study abroad opportunities for UNK students. Read on for a Q&A about Janet’s global education that inspired her to give.
Giving back is just part of the equation for Burnett Society member Warren Luckner. He sums up the philosophy simply: “Pay it forward. Our lives have been enriched. We can help enrich the lives of others, now and after we are gone.”
UNK holds such a special spot in Jen and Chad Rutar’s history that when they began to endow a scholarship, they named it the Bleeding Blue Heart Scholarship.
Bruce Mackey is 90 years old, but you’d never guess it. He walks 3.5 miles nearly every day and studies ayurvedic wellness. He also spends time giving back.
Mary Beth and Nick Claps, Burnett Society members, share their journey from teaching to writing a book aimed at guiding the next generation toward financial literacy and a brighter future.
Teresa Lostroh’s life was transformed by scholarships, enabling her to pursue higher education and shape her career at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she now helps guide new students.
John and Mary Kaldahl, from Superior, Nebraska, are making college dreams come true with scholarships and planned gifts to support students at UNL and UNMC.
Bill Nelsen’s adventurous life led him from mapping the globe for the U.S. Department of Defense to establishing a gift annuity with UNMC in memory of his late wife, Leoni.
Burnett Society members Kaye and Jud Jesske grew up on Nebraska farms, studied at UNL, and now support agriculture students with a scholarship fund through their estate, honoring their roots and values.
Burnett Society member Jim Gutschow honors UNMC’s compassionate care, which saved his life, through the Gutschow Family Oncology Compassionate Care Awards, recognizing and inspiring compassionate healthcare professionals.
