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Most four-year-olds dread the thought of the dentist’s chair.
For Theo Krieger, it was his favorite day of the year.
Krieger, an Arlington, Texas native and current senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln said those trips to the dentist as a child sparked his interest in pursuing a career in dentistry. He said the care and attention his dentist showed toward him and his family made each visit special.
“He would always let me be my mom’s dental assistant,” Krieger said. “It wasn’t a crazy impact that I was having, but I felt like I was doing something productive.”
As he grew, Krieger saw firsthand how impactful a smile can be. Kreiger’s grandmother began experiencing tooth decay because of medication. After receiving dentures, her smile returned for the first time in years.
Now, she smiles all the time...
“Now, she smiles all the time,” Krieger said. “The impact of a smile is almost immeasurable because there are so many mental aspects that go along with it. It is so impactful.”
Krieger, a pre-dentistry student, will receive a bachelor’s degree in management this May. He hopes to combine his degree with his passion for dentistry to open his own practice. There, he hopes to fight the mental stigma associated with visiting the dentist.
“If kids have a negative first-time experience that sort of formats how they view the dentist for the rest of their life,” Krieger said. “A dentist is a vital doctor you still need to go to and visit each year.”
As a recipient of a scholarship through the College of Business, Krieger has been given the freedom to pursue his passions and focus on being a successful student.
“I want to be financially stable in my future,” he said. “This scholarship has been super beneficial because I’m actually able to pursue what I like and experience things that I enjoy rather than having to sacrifice that so I can afford to pay my bills.”
Thanks to the resources provided by the College of Business’ Business Career Center, along with advice from his professors and advisors, Krieger has a path to make that dream a reality.
“The support system at the College of Business has been so strong and I’ve had so many great experiences,” he said. “Over the last four years, I’ve learned so many invaluable experiences that I don’t think I would have had anywhere else in the country.”
These experiences wouldn’t be possible without the support of generous donors who continue to support the College of Business and its students during Glow Big Red and beyond.
The impact of their gifts can be seen just by looking at the smile on Krieger’s face as he moves closer to achieving his dreams.
“The value of your gift is almost immeasurable because you’re furthering my education farther than I ever expected,” Krieger said. “…You’re providing students like me with the opportunity to pursue our passions and grow to be the best individuals and professionals we can be.”
You’re providing students like me with the opportunity to pursue our passions and grow to be the best individuals and professionals we can be.
You can support students like Theo at the College of Business by making a contribution to the Business Start Something Fund. A gift to this fund provides much-needed general support to the college and allows the college to meet priority needs as they arise.
Dance has been a part of University of Nebraska–Lincoln student Maddie Krueger’s life since she was three years old. Nearly two decades later, Krueger is a proud member of the dance program in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, where she’s majoring in dance. Krueger is also pursuing a degree in elementary education.
Alongside her elementary education major, being a member of the dance program has allowed Krueger to pursue her passion for dance in a supportive and welcoming environment filled with people who share some of the same passion as she does. “(The UNL dance program) has helped me grow as a person and as a dancer,” Krueger explained. “I’ve developed great friendships through the program.”
In March of 2023, UNL hosted the American College Dance Association North-Central Conference. During the convention, students from Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota gathered on campus to participate in world-class performances, classes and workshops.
“I actually got to take a class from my former ballet instructor from back at home in Kearney, Nebraska,” said Krueger. “That was great.”
Donor support of the UNL dance program positively impacts the program’s students.
“I received a scholarship from a donor for being a dance major and that allowed me to purchase the dance attire and the shoes that I need for class,” said Krueger. “(Without donor support) I wouldn’t be getting a degree in dance. I wouldn’t be able to afford it at all.”
“Dance has always been part of who I am and who I want to be,” she said. “I really am so appreciative of all the experiences that we have been gifted from the generosity of our donors.”
Your support during Glow Big Red impacts the lives of students like Maddie Krueger. Thank you for making a gift to support UNL’s students, colleges and programs and for helping make this year’s Glow Big Red a success!
This expendable fund was created as a general fund to support and enhance the UNL Dance Program. The UNL Dance Program is the only one of its kind in Nebraska. Your support will provide critical funding to advance the work of our students and faculty and will ensure that we provide an environment of excellence for the current and next generation of dancers at Nebraska.
For out-of-state University of Nebraska–Lincoln students Evan Detina and Nathan Weber, their college experience includes more than academics. Detina and Weber are active members of the UNL Men’s Ice Hockey Club, a student-run Division III team playing in both the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association and nationally under the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
Weber, a junior accounting and finance student, spoke about his first impressions of the University of Nebraska, “I instantly fell in love with the city, campus and university.” Detina, a senior majoring in agricultural business, echoed Weber’s sentiments. “This is definitely what college is supposed to be like,” he said.
For both Weber and Detina, the team quickly grew to be more than just an athletic outlet. Being part of the team instantly gave Weber a home away from home and contributed to his mental well-being. “I remember I came to practice the first day, no expectations and I made 30 instant friends,” said Weber.
Detina, the team treasurer, pointed out the valuable skills members can gain beyond the rink. “We get to do so much in terms of management, communication, budgeting… it’s not just a sports environment, but also a management environment,” he said.
“My favorite memory has to be nationals my freshman year. We went in and upset a conference rival, and it was just one of the most memorable wins in my entire hockey career,” said Detina.
As a club team, the Men’s Ice Hockey Club is mostly player-funded, with team members paying over $2,000 a year to play the sport they love. This financial weight can bar students from being able to participate in the club “I can name a few people who have had to stop participating because of that burden,” said Weber. “If we want to keep the club alive, we kind of have to find a way to eliminate those costs.”
Ongoing Donor support is one important way the UNL Men’s Ice Hockey Club can take their skillset to the next level. “The more support we get from donors, the more opportunities we have,” said Detina.
The team travels to the ACHA National Tournament yearly to compete against teams from across the country. “Some of the donations definitely go toward that trip,” Detina said. “So having that burden lifted a little bit is a huge help to our program.”
Thanks to generous donations, the UNL Men’s Ice Hockey Club continues to compete and get students involved while creating a community for students.
Donor support for the hockey club does not stop at helping the team. The team is an active philanthropic body, dedicating certain nights during their season to the Wounded Warrior Project and the American Cancer Society. “It’s cool that we’re able to use our platform to do that philanthropy and charity work as well,” said Weber.
Your support during Glow Big Red impacts the lives of students like Evan Detina and Nathan Weber. Thank you for making a gift to support UNL’s students and helping make this year’s Glow Big Red a success!
A gift to this fund supports students by providing scholarships recognizing academic excellence and financial need. The scholarships are awarded through UNL’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
“I’ve always known that whatever I do, I want to end up in a career where I’m helping people maintain an active lifestyle.”
Nathan Hochstein is a second-year student with junior standing at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). A native of Seward, he chose UNL based on its esteemed academic standards, the scholarships awarded to him and the vibrant Catholic community at the Newman Center.
From an early age, Hochstein had a clear aspiration to pursue a career in medicine. After completing pre-med and pre-diabetes classes he is now studying nutrition science. Coming from a sizable family with limited financial means to support his collegiate endeavors, Hochstein relies on the generosity of donors. This support is instrumental in affording him the time required to dedicate himself to academic pursuits and extracurricular activities.
Characterized by his affinity for the outdoors, Hochstein aspires to specialize in either sports orthopedics or rheumatology upon graduation. “I’ve always known that whatever I do, I want to end up in a career where I’m helping people maintain an active lifestyle,” he said. His overarching goal is to contribute to the preservation of individuals’ mobility and active lifestyles, making a positive impact on their overall well-being.
Thanks to the financial assistance provided by donors, Hochstein could dedicate his attention early in his collegiate journey to securing an internship that aligns with his values. Hochstein is an active participant in the Future Healers Honors Cohort at UNL, an exclusive experiential learning track accessible through a competitive application process. As part of this program, he had the privilege of connecting with an innovative startup called Wound Pic.
“Wound Pic is going to be an app where you can scan nonhealing wounds like a diabetic ulcer, and that will send information to a cloud where it can give measurements based on diameter, depth and different textures within the wound. It will then use that as a process of communicating with physicians,” Hochstein said. This venture has evoked a sense of purpose from Hochstein, who acknowledges that such opportunities may not have materialized without the crucial support from alumni.
In addition, Hochstein has had the privilege of participating in workshops and seminars facilitated by his honors cohort. These sessions are specifically tailored to provide valuable insights and guidance to undergraduate students pursuing a premedical track, aiming to enhance their comprehension of the intricacies involved in the medical school application process.
Hochstein expresses profound gratitude for the financial support extended to him by both university donors and alumni. He advocates for the importance of alumni, who have successfully established themselves in their respective careers, contributing to the university’s philanthropic initiatives. “I think that finances making someone pursuing their dreams impossible is heartbreaking,” he said. “And if I could do anything to change that, I would.”
Hochstein’s journey at UNL stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy as he navigates his academic and career pursuits with unwavering determination. His gratitude toward donors and alumni is not only a personal acknowledgment but also a call to action, emphasizing the vital role financial support plays in enabling students to aspire toward their dreams. Hochstein continues to excel in his studies, engage in innovative projects and contribute to the Future Healers Honors Cohort. And his story continues to be a testament to the impact of community support on individual success.
A gift to this fund supports students by providing scholarships recognizing academic excellence and financial need. The scholarships are awarded through UNL’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
