Full Circle: The Impact of Campus Recreation at UNL

By Lily Dohmen

For many, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln feels like home.

But for one passionate individual, it represents not just an academic institution but also a personal journey that has come full circle.

Amy Lanham set foot on the UNL campus as a biology student in 1991, eager to explore the world of medicine.

To park her car conveniently on campus, she took a student job at the Campus Recreation Center. A job born out of practicality soon evolved into something greater.

Fast forward to today. Lanham serves as director of Campus Recreation at UNL, overseeing a program that serves not just students but also an entire community. The Campus Recreation Center on City Campus is a 300,000-square-foot facility with Cook Pavilion at its heart, a space that has supported both athletics and recreation for decades.

Despite its grand scale, the center is not without its challenges.

“The design of the building, crafted in the early 1980s and 1990s, no longer meets the needs of today’s diverse and evolving student population,” Lanham said. “Any opportunity we have to address current student needs, we want to take advantage of it.”

A major renovation of the Campus Recreation Center was just the beginning of an ongoing effort to better serve students. But the work doesn’t stop at Campus Recreation’s City Campus location. The vision extends to East Campus, the Recreation and Wellness Center and the outdoor spaces across the campus.

These developments are made possible through gifts to the Campus Recreation Development Fund. Through this fund, supporters play a critical role in the innovation and growth of Campus Recreation at UNL.

“The [Campus Recreation] Development Fund is really about educating alumni and students who’ve worked with us on how their gifts can help us improve the places and spaces that are so vital for current students,” Lanham said.

For Lanham, every gift — large or small — holds significant meaning.

The sense of community found within UNL’s Campus Recreation program extends beyond just students. Faculty, staff and community members benefit from Campus Recreation, helping create a diverse and welcoming environment for everyone.

The impact is felt by people of all ages and backgrounds, and the department’s reach spans the entire university experience — from freshmen to alumni.

“My vision is to have Campus Recreation be a part of every Husker story,” Lanham said. “It may look different for everyone, but the goal is to help students thrive in every part of their life.”