“Our donors want to share the beauty of this museum and our collection with the world. Our doors wouldn’t be open without the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters.”
A gift to this fund provides the museum with much-needed general support and is available immediately for the museum’s areas of greatest need.
History is part of the fabric of Lincoln, Nebraska.
Located on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s East Campus, the International Quilt Museum has become a worldwide hub celebrating the history and artistry of quilt making. IQM is home to the world’s largest collection of quilts, holding more than 10,000 quilts and other objects from over 65 different countries.
The collection, which includes objects from the 1600s through today’s contemporary quilt making, emphasizes a shared history of our world in a way that no other medium can, said Leslie Levy, Ardis and Robert James Executive Director of IQM.
“We are stewarding people’s lives, history, artistry and talent,” Levy said. “We oftentimes say that quilts are the textile pages of our shared history.”
Showcasing that shared history has been the mission for IQM since its establishment. IQM first opened its doors in 1997 as the International Quilt Study Center along with a collection of nearly 1,000 donated quilts from Nebraska natives Ardis and Robert James.
IQM has continued to expand and evolve since its establishment over two decades ago. With an extensive collection of antique and contemporary quilts, IQM curates a variety of rotating and traveling exhibitions to educate the museum’s diverse audience.
“We have six gallery spaces that we’re programming, and our exhibitions change every three to four months on a rotating basis. This encourages people to visit frequently because there is always something exciting to see,” Levy said.
That excitement begins with the museum’s curators, according to Levy.
“We love our curators, and they love to research what is in our collection,” she said. “Our curators enjoy researching and pulling those themes and concepts together to help educate our visitors.”
Each year, IQM welcomes visitors from all 50 states, along with international visitors from over 40 countries. With such a robust audience, Levy said IQM is able to provide a deeper understanding about the cultural and historical impact of quilt making.
“Something we love to hear from our guests when walking through the museum is ‘You call that a quilt?’ The genre and world of quilting is much broader than the traditional connotation of the word ‘quilt’. Our curators strive to highlight new developments in contemporary quilt making as well as putting the historical and international anthology of quilts into context for our visitors,” Levy said.
These interactions and opportunities to showcase the significance of quilt making is a central mission of IQM. Levy said donor support has been critical for the museum as it continues to steward its growing collection of quilts and other historical objects for the next generation.
“Donor dollars fund us every single day,” Levy said. “When I’m visiting with donors, it sounds almost cliché, but their support keeps this museum running every single day.”
At the heart of that donor support is a shared passion and desire to showcase the past, present and future of quilt making found within IQM.
“They want to share the beauty of this museum and our collection with the world,” Levy said. “Our doors wouldn’t be open without the incredible generosity of our donors and supporters.”
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a non-credit program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that offers educational opportunities for adults 50 and older.
OLLI needs your support to advance the organization and successfully meet the growing demands today and tomorrow.
After people retire from their careers, approximately 50% of individuals over the age of 60 are at risk of social isolation and one-third will experience some degree of loneliness later in life, according to BMC Public Health. It is essential to discover a sense of purpose to maintain a fulfilling life.
Thankfully the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute provides a chance for individuals to do just that. OLLI is a non-credit program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln that offers educational opportunities for adults 50 and older.
“Shortly into my retirement, it seemed natural that joining OLLI would be enjoyable and help fulfill my passion for learning,” said Mary Casner. “I agree with two statements I found on the OLLI webpage: ‘Curiosity never retires’ and ‘OLLI is for the love of learning.’”
Bob Michl, Director of OLLI, encountered a similar challenge when he realized he hadn’t planned for life after retirement. Yet, as a former high school principal, he already had a deep passion for learning, which is why he knows, based upon firsthand experience, how beneficial this opportunity is to its members.
“The reality is that research says, if you're going to improve your quality or maintain the quality of life as a senior, you have to stay physically active, mentally active and socially active.”
“That’s why we think OLLI is such an important component in people’s lives because we can offer all of these types of things,” said Michl.
With the help of over 300 volunteers and nine curriculum teams, OLLI can provide a wide variety of experiences and curriculum for its members to learn in a personalized way.
“When each new course catalog is posted, my first thought is that I wish I could enroll in nearly all of the class offerings,” said Casner.
Not only does the program provide general educational classes, but it also allows members to be active, travel and socialize.
“We teach people how to kayak and paddleboard, rock climb and we go on hikes and all these different types of things, just really creating a more balanced approach,” said Michl.
With a community of over 1,600 members, the strong connections foster a supportive environment where individuals can find the connection and camaraderie they seek. This sense of community and shared curiosity is at the heart of what makes their experiences meaningful.
“Many members want to get together and just go out to eat and have lunch and socialize…we have a lot of people that show up on Zoom before class starts, or even in person before class starts, just to talk to other people,” Michl said.
“That's important for us, we do have that sense of belonging here.”
Thanks to donor support, OLLI can continue offering the valuable experience of learning to all of its members, no matter what circumstance they may be in. OLLI is funded through the OLLI Development Fund, which is used for scholarships, volunteer appreciation gifts and recruiting events.
“Our focus with using those funds is to provide scholarships for people who are low income or on a fixed income and may not otherwise get a chance to belong to the organization,” said Michl.
Through the development fund, OLLI has goals to expand the organization and ensure that it is not a secret to the Lincoln community.
“In order to serve everybody the way we want to serve them, every donation is greatly appreciated,” Michl said.
To support ongoing educational opportunities for members at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, please consider donating to the OLLI Development Fund today.
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.”
