‘Now It’s My Turn to Give’

Jennifer Jennings, Ph.D., has established a planned gift to support scholarships and experiential learning opportunities for students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. A UNK graduate, Jennifer made the gifts in honor of her favorite professors who had a significant impact on her life and career. Burnett Letter provided these questions to Jennifer in January: 

What was the first job you ever had?

Outside of babysitting jobs in my neighborhood, the first real job I landed was at a hot dog stand in the Hilltop Mall in Kearney. I landed the job the day before my 16th birthday and was so eager to begin working that I offered to start the next day. My boss scheduled my first day for the day after my birthday. I learned about hard work and interfacing with the public. I was so proud to be earning my own money.

What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Dan Wells, longtime principal at Bertrand Community School, gave me a bit of advice that I still revisit when needed. Mr. Wells hired me, an enthusiastic, newly minted teacher, right after my graduation from UNK. I can’t remember the specifics, but at one point, I was upset with some challenge that was negatively impacting my classroom and was beyond my professional control. I do remember that whatever it was, I was really stewing about it. Mr. Wells saw my frustration and pulled me aside. He was concerned that I might burn myself out. With great care, he said, “When you put your head on the pillow at night, ask yourself one question — ‘Did I do the best I could with what I had?’ If you can honestly answer yes, chalk the day up as a win, let it go, get a good night’s sleep, then get up and get back in your classroom.” I’m no longer in a classroom, but “get up and get back to the office” substitutes just fine.

What is your favorite question to be asked?

“Where are you going next?” Whether it’s a quick day trip or an adventure overseas, I usually have something on the schedule. Travel and talking about travel have an amazing way of connecting people.

Who has influenced your life most positively?

Some of the most influential forces in my life were my professors at UNK, specifically Dr. Kate Benzel, Dr. Liz Peck, Dr. Chuck Peek and Dr. Peter Longo. I cannot thank them enough for the positive impact they’ve had on me. Through the content of their courses, I learned about literature, fiction writing, the English language and political thought. Through the content of their character, I learned respect, creativity, compassion and encouragement. All cultivated a lifelong love of learning in me. All challenged me to make the world a better place. All had delicious senses of humor. All were inclusive and made me want to come to class. This is what it means to stand on the shoulders of giants.

In their honor, I’ve established the Benzel-Peck-Peek Endowed Scholarship to support students pursuing English majors and English education credentials and the Peter Longo Endowed Fund to provide support for experiential learning programs for political science students.

Why do you plan to leave a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation in your estate?

It’s my turn to give back. UNK gave me so much … a formal education, habits of an inquisitive mind, rich extracurricular experiences and the opportunity to meet many who have become lifelong friends. UNK is home. I was a first-gen college student with no clue what I was doing when I came to campus as a freshman. Encouraging and patient professors provided opportunities (and a few second chances) for me to grow academically, personally and professionally. I am forever grateful for their guidance. My successes are rooted in their influences.

In a way, I find giving to the University of Nebraska Foundation to be a very democratic, patriotic act. A well-educated, active citizenry is necessary for a thriving democracy. Others gave so that I was able to secure a well-rounded education, earn my degree and effectively engage in society. Now it’s my turn, my opportunity and my responsibility to participate — to give so that others may benefit like I did.