With her roots firmly planted in Nebraska, Haley Klement is …
With her roots firmly planted in Nebraska, Haley Klement is poised to cultivate a future where her passion for plants can flourish, benefiting both her community and the environment.
This fund shall be used to provide renewable scholarships for undergraduate students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
“Who majors in plants?” “You can’t get a good job with an agriculture degree.” “Plants are not even that important.” These are all responses that Haley Klement dealt with when deciding to major in plant and landscape systems with minors in landscape design and plant pathology.
Her passion for plants began in high school through her involvement in Future Farmers of America (FFA). Through FFA she participated in floral design competitions, which then led her to shadow a woman pursuing plant and landscape systems. “Originally, I thought I wanted to be an architect,” she admitted.
“But after job shadowing, I realized that landscape design combined my love for art and nature.”
Klement faced skepticism from her family when deciding on a degree. “My dad wanted me to go into agronomy, and my parents often asked if I was sure about my choice,” Klement recalls. “It is challenging to explain my major to them because people do not realize how many opportunities there are in the plant industry.”
There are limited agricultural programs in Nebraska, but Klement was determined to stay close to her family for college. “There are only three colleges in the state that offer agricultural programs, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Northeast Community College and Southeast Community College,” Klement said. “UNL stood out the most because it has an amazing horticulture program. I also thought having a four-year degree would be more beneficial for my future career.”
Klement received the Martha McKelvie Centennial Fund and the Clara S. Tillotson Memorial Scholarship through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Financial support from donors has played a crucial role in Klement’s education. “Without scholarships, I wouldn’t be able to attend UNL. My life would be vastly different if I had not attended UNL,” she said. “I wouldn’t have the same connections or opportunities. UNL offers a unique environment that fosters growth and learning.”
“Without scholarships, I wouldn’t be able to attend UNL...”
Reflecting on her freshman year, Klement appreciates the connections she has made at UNL. Alumni visits, including one from a CASNR alum who owns a flower shop in Kansas City, have shown her all the possibilities within her major.
As she continues her studies, Klement is dedicated to educating others about the importance of agriculture and horticulture. “If you like eating food, then you should consider donating to CASNR because we are the people who study how to grow food, how to produce more food, how to raise crops for cattle, which we eventually eat,” she urges. “The grass you walk on, the trees you pass by, any plant nursery you drive by, and even the garden centers at Walmart or Home Depot are important to our environment. If no one cared for our plants, we would be dealing with extreme environmental issues.”
With her roots firmly planted in Nebraska, Haley Klement is poised to cultivate a future where her passion for plants can flourish, benefiting both her community and the environment.
To see more students like Haley Klement succeed, consider making a gift of any amount to the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
“I bleed red,” said Hannah-Kate Kinney, a professional law student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her passion for her home state runs deep, and it is evident in the enthusiasm she embraces in every opportunity that comes her way.
But because Kinney has a twin brother, Jack, their family faced the challenge of financing the twins’ education. “I knew my parents would not be able to help both of us pay for college,” she said.
“The weight of that burden was lifted when I received financial aid and scholarships.”
Kinney graduated from the College of Journalism and Mass Communications with two majors: advertising and public relations, and journalism. As she was deciding what to do after graduation, she was unsure if she should apply to the College of Law because her brother had always wanted to go into the field of law since they were little.
“My brother always wanted to be a lawyer. He is one of those people who always knew what he wanted to do,” Kinney said. “I always thought being a lawyer was Jack’s thing, not a Hannah-Kate thing.”
While completing her undergraduate degrees, Kinney took a class with Richard Moberly, the dean of the College of Law. “He said being a lawyer and getting a law degree is the closest thing you can get to changing and creating a positive impact on people’s lives,” Kinney recalls. “I was sold because he said all my favorite things. I love people and I want to make a positive impact on others.”
However, the path to law school hasn’t been without its challenges. “School is expensive, and adding another degree means payments begin to pile up,” Kinney said. Law students are typically encouraged not to work during their first year due to their packed schedules. This was a huge change for Kinney, which made her feel insecure about her finances. That changed when she received the Duane W. Acklie Honor Scholarship.
Donor support is what fuels Kinney’s dedication. “It drives me to wake up early, work late and study on weekends,” she said. “I only take a four-hour break to watch Husker football.” Throughout her daily life, she finds moments of gratitude for the generosity of donors. “It’s those little moments where I can take a breath and know I have the support of someone who hasn’t met me,” Kinney said.
“This gives me confidence, when I doubt myself.”
After grad school, Kinney wants to give back to the UNL community. She wants to be able to support someone through their journey as a Husker as someone once did for her.
“It is my biggest goal in life to give back to my community. I wear Nebraska on my sleeve. Even if you’re not wearing the red N everywhere you go, there is a radiating spirit that all Huskers have,” Kinney said. “I think I owe it to the Husker community that built me. I want to build back and give back.”
“When you’re a Husker, you’re a Husker for life. It’s not something that goes away after four years,” she concluded. “It’s when you’re at the airport and you see someone wearing a red N, you know you can call out to them. You know they are always going to say, ‘Go Big Red’ back to you.”
Countless students like Hannah-Kate Kinney want to make an impact in our community. Unfortunately, many of them are held back by the financial burden of paying for college. By supporting the College of Law, you’ll free up students to focus on learning their craft and making an impact in our communities rather than worrying about how they will make ends meet.
Please consider donating today to support the Huskers of tomorrow.
A gift to this fund provides much-needed support for student financial aid and scholarships within the college.
Gifts to the N Fund – College of Law allow the Dean unrestricted support in order to take advantage of the many opportunities for learning inside and outside of the classroom.
We all know that overcoming trials and conflict is part of what makes a good story. If you bought tickets to see a superhero movie in which the hero has no villain to fight and lives in a world where nothing ever goes wrong, you’d ask for your money back.
It turns out what makes a good story in the movies also makes a good story in real life. For University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore Marlana Saalfeld-Green, trials have been a part of her journey. But, thanks to donors, she’s been able to overcome them.
Saalfeld-Green grew up in a single-parent household and spent a lot of time with her grandparents while her mother worked two jobs. Although she is grateful for the sacrifices her family has made to put her in a position to succeed, she was still at a disadvantage.
A recent study published in the journal Education Next found that teens who lived in a single parent household were 26% less likely to graduate from college by the time they were 24 when compared with those from a two-parent household. One of the main factors was finances. According to a 2015 NYU article, “Income accounted for about half of the education disadvantage facing students from single-parent families.” Thankfully, Saalfeld-Green found financial and moral support.
Because her grandparents didn’t attend college and her mom was a non-traditional college student, their perspective was valuable in communicating to Saalfeld-Green the importance of pursuing an education after high school. “My grandparents, along with my mom, told me I needed to go to college,” Saalfeld-Green said. “They wanted me to get an education past my high school degree.”
Thanks to donors, she was able to make it happen. Scholarships through the College of Education and Human Sciences have paved the way for her to become a teacher when she graduates. “My life would be significantly different if I didn’t have support from donors,” Saalfeld-Green said. “UNL has been a place where I can spread my wings by getting involved in college activities. I feel included here.”
“My life would be significantly different if I didn’t have support from donors.”
Saalfeld-Green knew she wanted to be a secondary education teacher because she wants to promote diversity and inclusion in the school system. From previous experiences in high school, she was, at times, frustrated with how her teachers treated her. “In my classroom, I want to build a community where everybody feels respected to share their viewpoints, no matter what background they come from,” Saalfeld-Green said.
Saalfeld-Green is currently a Senator for CEHS, Vice President of the Future Teachers of Color Club, Senator of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska and a member of the Institute for Inclusive Innovation. Many of the clubs and organizations CEHS offers students are also donor funded.
Even though we will likely never write a superhero movie, we can all play a meaningful part in an ongoing real life story. Trials like the ones Marlana Saalfeld-Green faced will continue to challenge students in our communities. We can help them overcome these trials and conflicts by providing them with much needed financial relief.
To see more students like Marlana Saalfeld-Green succeed, consider making a gift of any amount to the College of Education and Human Sciences.
A gift to this fund provides much needed general support for the college to assist areas and programs of greatest need. Thank you.
This fund shall be used to promote the mission of the College of Education and Human Sciences at UNL.
This fund supports the Nebraska Alumni Association’s work to serve, unite, celebrate and create opportunities for alumni and friends around the world.
Over the last two decades, the Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network has forged a worldwide network of Husker trailblazers.
The program is one of several offered through the Nebraska Alumni Association and has been growing its network of alumnae leaders since 1999. Originally named Cather Circle, the network’s roots are tied to a group of university alumnae who sought to connect students and graduates through a small event held at the Wick Alumni Center.
In the 25 years that followed, the Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network has grown into a community showcasing the university’s best and brightest.
“That initial event kick-started what has been a worldwide program that has continued to enrich the lives of alumni and students,” said Maria Muhlbach, senior director of alumni outreach at the Nebraska Alumni Association.
Muhlbach, a 2009 graduate of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has seen the firsthand impact of the network as a student. She said many of her friends were involved in the network.
“I know several of my friends who have benefited from this program and continue to benefit from it. As an outsider, I’ve really enjoyed learning about this program. It’s really been impactful for me.”
“I know several of my friends who have benefited from this program and continue to benefit from it,” she said. “As an outsider, I’ve really enjoyed learning about this program. It’s really been impactful for me.”
The mentorship Muhlbach observed among her friends as a student has been a pillar of the network since its inception. Muhlbach said the network’s goal is to encourage organic connections between students, young alumni and seasoned mentors.
She said creating these moments of connection — whether through recruiting events, on-campus tours or lecture series — can lead to a lasting impact.
“I know women who are still very connected with their mentee, whom they met over 15 years ago,” Muhlbach said.
“Personal relationships are a critical part of what this network aims to provide.”
Thanks to donor support for the Nebraska Alumni Association, the Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network has continued to expand and will celebrate its 25th anniversary this fall. Muhlbach said the network wouldn’t be able to continue bringing together UNL’s best and brightest without this support.
“These funds help create opportunities for women to connect, especially because we are part of the alumni association,” Muhlbach said. “It’s hard to describe just how thankful we are for the generosity of these gifts.”
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.
As a young boy in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Nikolas Mainieri Mancio dreamed of studying in the U.S.
“I dreamed about studying in the United States because I wanted to pursue a better education than I could find in my home country. When I came to Nebraska, I had a cousin who was studying mechanical engineering, and it was important for me to have family around to make the transition easier,” he said. “As an international student, I did not have the opportunity to visit campus, so he showed me around through videos. I fell in love with the College of Business and its programs.”
"I fell in love with the College of business and its programs."
Earning a scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the senior decided to move and make his time at the College of Business matter — leading to a few distinct honors last spring. He was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Leadership Conference and accepted into the Innocents Society. He also became a member of the university’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for financial information students and professionals.
In February, he was named College of Business Student of the Month. Which he soon found out would come with an added perk.
But first, it’s worth mentioning that his journey hasn’t all been smooth sailing. His transition from Brazil to college life in Nebraska included many barriers, such as homesickness and cultural differences. The Brazilian Student Association provided a remedy to that problem. After joining, it gave Mancio a sense of belonging and a supportive network of individuals who shared similar experiences. Later, serving as the association’s vice president, he helped create a welcoming environment for other students from Brazil as they navigated the academic and social aspects of the university.
“I challenged myself academically by actively participating in class discussions, proactively seeking assistance when needed and forming study groups. This improved my English proficiency and fostered academic success and integration into the academic community. Regular communication with family and friends back in Brazil and establishing a routine, but also embracing the American culture as part of my own, helped me fit in and understand how to thrive in such a different environment. In retrospect, the challenges became a transformative experience. They made me step out of my comfort zone, develop resilience and embrace diversity,” he said.
"They made me step out of my comfort zone, develop resilience and embrace diversity."
While looking for opportunities to give back to the community, Mancio found the university’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The program allowed him to use his accounting skills while assisting low-income individuals with their tax returns.
“The VITA program allowed me to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. This experience not only deepened my understanding of taxation, but also heightened my sense of social responsibility. It was rewarding to witness the relief on people’s faces when they realized they could navigate the complexities of tax filing with free assistance,” Mancio said.
His involvement in these programs and experiences is part of what led to him being selected as the College of Business Student of the Month.
The additional perk of being selected is that, at the end of the year, one Student of the Month is named Student of the Year. Later in the spring, Mancio was selected to receive that honor. The award came with more than just recognition. As Student of the Year, Mancio was also awarded a scholarship from the N Fund – Business Start Something.
The N Fund – Business Start Something is a fund used for different priorities in the college each year at the dean’s discretion. The fund allows the College of Business to support students like Mancio in a multitude of ways.
Mancio is a senior this year and there is no doubt that he will go on to do great things in the world, but he won’t be the last. To help our university raise up the next Nikolas Mainieri Mancio, consider making a gift today.
Support the Strive to Thrive program, its students and Lincoln nonprofits who benefit from the project by making a contribution to the Strive to Thrive Lincoln Excellence Fund.
Naree Philavanh knows firsthand the life-changing impact philanthropy can have on a person’s life.
Philavanh, a Lincoln native, grew up with dreams of attending college in her hometown. Her parents, both immigrants from Laos, had already established roots of their own within the city. They owned a business in Lincoln — a local store named Jung’s Oriental Food that catered toward immigrants in the city for the last two decades.
“I knew I always wanted to come here because it was the Huskers,” she said. “My dad loved the university, and it was just the perfect match for me.”
Growing up, the expectation was for Philavanh to pursue higher education, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln was always at the front of her mind. However, those plans derailed during her freshman year of high school.
That year, Philavanh’s mother was seriously injured in a four-car accident. The accident left lifelong injuries and prevented her mother from continuing to work at the family business. Between the sudden transition to a single-income household, along with medical and legal expenses, Philavanh’s family was forced to sell their business and file for bankruptcy.
Philavanh’s dreams of attending UNL suddenly seemed out of reach as she entered her final two years of high school.
“That’s when college, which seemed within reach growing up, didn’t seem possible because of my circumstances,” she said.
Thanks to her hard work as a student at Lincoln East High School, Philavanh was awarded the Susan T. Buffett scholarship as well as a scholarship through the Inclusive Business Leaders program through UNL’s College of Business.
Thanks to these scholarships, Philavanh was able to make her dream of attending UNL a reality. Now, she is a junior business marketing and management double major who is already making a positive impact in the Lincoln community.
This spring, Philavanh participated in the Strive to Thrive Lincoln project offered through the College of Business’ Philanthropy and Leadership course. Strive to Thrive Lincoln provides students with a firsthand look into the nonprofit world and grant-awarding process.
Philavanh, who currently serves on the board of directors for the nonprofit organization Leadership Lincoln, said she was able to take the information from the course and project and directly apply it to her work.
“It wasn’t until Strive to Thrive that I actually learned how a 501(c)(3) is formed. There’s just so many things that Strive to Thrive teaches you.”
“It wasn’t until Strive to Thrive that I actually learned how a 501(c)(3) is formed,” she said. “There’s just so many things that Strive to Thrive teaches you.”
The project culminated in an award ceremony in May where two nonprofits — Camp Kesem at the University of Nebraska and Mourning Hope Grief Center — each received a $5,000 grant.
“I saw how passionate everybody was for all of these organizations, especially Camp Kesem and Mourning Hope,” Philavanh said. “It was kind of like a full circle moment for me.”
Camp Kesem’s UNL chapter provides free summer camps and resources for youth and adolescents with parents battling cancer. Mourning Hope of Lincoln provides children, adults and families who have experienced death or serious illness with grief support.
“To be able to propel these programs forward and help give back to them was really meaningful to me,” Philavanh said.
“It all hit things within my heart.”
Gifts made to the Strive to Thrive Lincoln Excellence Fund directly fund each semester’s grant award. Additionally, these gifts serve as a hands-on teaching tool that provides valuable service and leadership experience for students.
“Every donation to Strive to Thrive Lincoln is a gift to students like me,” Philavanh said. “When you make a gift, it supports nonprofit organizations, the people they serve and the students who participate in the class. It’s an investment in the future.”
Support the next generation of student journalists at the Daily Nebraskan by making a contribution to the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Support Fund. This fund supports the salaries of students who work at the Daily Nebraskan. It serves as the primary endowment fund for the Daily Nebraskan student newspaper and ensures student salaries will be paid forever.
Larry Sparks’s Saturday mornings in the fall at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln were spent tucked away in the Daily Nebraskan’s office in the basement of the Nebraska Union.
It was quieter compared to the frenzied atmosphere that took over the city’s campus during Husker game days. He spent those mornings watching student reporters trickle in and out of the office, occasionally interrupted by wandering alumni from the DN’s past.
“Inevitably, there would be some guy who came in while I was trying to work who appeared to be 150, which is probably how old I am now, and would tell me about how he worked at the DN back in 1902,” Sparks said, laughing.
Fast forward 40 years and the DN’s office carries the same frenetic energy that has been a mainstay for the independently run student publication for the last 123 years.
Some things have changed since Sparks’ time as a student. The DN’s home moved across the hall to occupy a larger section of the union’s basement and Sparks isn’t quite 150 years old, yet.
However, he does carry decades worth of success in the field of journalism and communications that are only possible thanks to the opportunities he received at the DN.
“I’ve always told people that the College of Journalism taught me the commas and everything that goes with actually writing and editing, but the DN taught me to be a journalist,” he said. “It really taught me how to deal with people and the public. I learned so much from that.”
Sparks began working as a sports reporter for the DN as a freshman in 1980. Just a semester later, he became sports editor, holding that position through his sophomore year before being named editor-in-chief as a junior in 1983.
Growing up in the village of Nehawka in eastern Nebraska and attending Conestoga High School, Sparks had limited access to classes that fostered his interest in journalism. As a freshman in college, Sparks said the support he received from upperclassmen at the DN helped him find a second home at the student newspaper.
“I was a 19-year-old kid from a farm in Cass County, and all of a sudden I was here with over 20,000 students. It helped me grow up a lot. I was a little bit of an introvert coming into college, but the DN helped me make a lot of friendships.”
“I was a 19-year-old kid from a farm in Cass County, and all of a sudden I was here with over 20,000 students,” he said. “It helped me grow up a lot. I was a little bit of an introvert coming into college, but the DN helped me make a lot of friendships.”
Sparks graduated from UNL in 1984. From there, he began a 30-year editorial career at the Omaha World-Herald before transitioning into the technical writing and communications field in 2017.
Beyond learning the basics around writing and editing, Sparks said the DN taught him the intangible skills that are necessary for success for anybody with a desire to pursue a career in journalism.
“In all of these positions, there are skills like time management, being able to deal with crises or being able to adjust to changes on the fly that are so valuable,” he said.
As the DN approaches its 123rd birthday celebration June 13, Sparks hopes to ensure that future generations of student reporters will have the opportunity to call the student publication their home.
Sparks will leave an estate gift to support the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Support Fund. It will represent the single largest donation on record to support the long-running student publication.
“I know the experience is vastly different than what I’ve had because journalism has changed so much, but I want the students of today and tomorrow to have the same great memories I had,” he said.
“I just want the DN and journalism in general to live on.”
Throughout his time at UNL, the DN was a full-time job, classroom and second home for Sparks. His experience is representative of countless students who have worked at the publication since its first issue was published June 13, 1901.
“This is your chance to give back to a place that meant a lot to you,” he said. “It was the core of your friendships. It taught you journalism. It taught you life.”
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.
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.”
“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.”
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.
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.”
“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.”
“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!
For students like Whitney Schwisow at the University of Nebraska– Lincoln, academics go hand in hand with extracurricular activities. Schwisow, a senior majoring in actuarial science, is an active member of the UNL Fast Pitch Softball Club, a thriving part of the university’s athletic culture.
Schwisow’s journey to the university was guided by both academic and financial considerations. “Nebraska has one of the top actuarial science programs in the country,” Schwisow explained. “Scholarships made it a lot more affordable than any other options.”
Outside of the classroom, Schwisow is the president of the UNL Fast Pitch Softball Club. “I went from playing competitive sports my whole life to just being a student. … As a very competitively driven person, having this outlet has been awesome,” Schwisow said. “It gets me away from the books and away from my laptop, it’s good for both my mental and physical health.”
However, sustaining a club team comes with financial challenges. “Donor support goes directly towards the cost of games such as umpires and travels,” Schwisow emphasized. Fundraising efforts have enabled the team to undertake initiatives like participating in a spring training tournament in Florida as well as expanding its reach and opportunities.
Looking ahead, Schwisow sees continued donor support as crucial for the team’s growth and success. “With donors’ support, getting to do more tournaments, like going to Florida, gives us a chance to play against different teams,” Schwisow explained. “It motivates players to practice harder and reach higher levels.”
Because of donor support, the club softball team is more accessible to students. “We’ve never had costs prohibit players from participating,” she said. “If there’s somebody who is struggling to meet the dues that we have for this semester, we have never forced them out of play. We’ve always been able to find funding to cover those costs.”
“We’re just a group of girls that love to have fun together and play the sport,” said Schwisow. “The community we foster is super important to freshmen coming to campus and that’ll be a community they’ll have for the next four years.”
Your support during Glow Big Red impacts the lives of students like Whitney Schwisow. 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.
