Es posible que muchos de ustedes ya hayan oído de mi anuncio, pero para aquellos que no, me gustaría aprovechar esta oportunidad para presentarme. Soy Abel Covarrubias, Director del Nebraska College Preparatory Academy (NCPA). Aunque comencé en esta nueva posición en el otoño, no soy nuevo al programa de NCPA y el apoyo para estudiantes subrepresentados; ayudándolos a alcanzar sus sueños de asistir a la Universidad de Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
Como muchos de nuestros estudiantes de NCPA, mi viaje a UNL comenzó en el octavo grado como parte del primer grupo de NCPA en Grand Island, Nebraska. Gracias al apoyo y la orientación de mis mentores de NCPA, pude graduarme de la universidad como uno de los primeros estudiantes de la academia. Mi relación con mis mentores de NCPA me trajo de regreso a UNL como un profesional en el 2015, donde me desempeñé como reclutador y luego como Asistente Director de Diversidad y Alcance Comunitario con la Oficina de Admisiones. Estas experiencias aumentaron mi pasión por apoyar a los estudiantes subrepresentados y mi comprensión del impacto que tiene NCPA en mejorando el acceso a la educación.
En el 2019, comencé con NCPA como Sénior Director Asociado, donde mi pasión y defensa del apoyo estudiantil se solidificaron al trabajar con estudiantes increíbles de NCPA. Al reflexionar sobre estas experiencias, me siento agradecido y afortunado de decir que he sido testigo de cómo NCPA se convirtió en uno de los principales programas de la UNL.
Estoy muy entusiasmado con el futuro de NCPA y creo que este programa – que cierra las brechas entre el reclutamiento y la retención de estudiantes de primera generación y que provienen de familias de bajos ingresos – representa el futuro de la educación. NCPA es un programa que impacta directamente las vidas de muchos estudiantes y sus familias. Con su apoyo, NCPA puede continuar apoyando a los estudiantes y mejorar sus oportunidades para convertirse en graduados universitarios y futuros profesionales de primera generación.
Me siento muy honrado de haber sido seleccionado para dirigir NCPA, ayudando a este programa de primer nivel a continuar la orgullosa tradición de excelencia en educación y estableciendo el estándar para apoyar a los estudiantes subrepresentados de Nebraska.
Como líder de este programa, creo en el poder de la colaboración con profesores, la industria, alumnos y amigos como usted. Juntos, abriremos nuevas puertas, nuevas conexiones y caminos para los estudiantes de NCPA. Me gustaría invitarte a hacer una donación en apoyo de estas asociaciones y de nuestros merecedores estudiantes de NCPA. Su donación ayudará a NCPA a brindarles a nuestros estudiantes experiencias educativas para garantizar que cada estudiante de la NCPA pueda prosperar, crecer y desafiarse a sí mismos para innovar, pensar en grande y hacer lo extraordinario.
Con gratitud,
Abel Covarrubias
Director, Nebraska College Preparatory Academy
“I love the message and the work that the institute allows us to do. I get to go and consult with businesses and find what career would best fit my strengths.”
For the better part of the last decade, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business has housed the Clifton Strengths Institute, a program that teaches students about their strengths and how to maximize their potential, and encourages an in-depth look inward at one’s natural talents.
CliftonStrengths was conceived by Don Clifton, an alumnus of UNL and former professor. Clifton believed that more could be learned about oneself by understanding and maximizing one’s talents instead of solely fixing on the shortcomings.
Today, the Clifton Strengths Institute has been utilized by more than 5,800 students at the College of Business. Each first-year business student is assigned a “Student Strengths Coach,” an older member of the institute who guides first-year students through sessions designed to activate talents and teaches them to recognize their strengths.
The program focuses on the 34 CliftonStrengths that occupy what the program calls “Talent DNA.” The 34 strengths are divided into four subgroups: Strategic Thinking, Relationship Building, Executing and Influencing. These strengths cover areas of expertise that students naturally have, such as adaptability, consistency, communication and learning.
Further, the institute provides explorative career opportunities for students who choose to continue in the program past the first year. Jordan, a Junior at the institute and a Student Strengths Coach, explains, “I love the message and the work that the institute allows us to do. I get to go and consult with businesses and find what career would best fit my strengths.”
The donor-funded program has provided College of Business students with strengths-based coaching since its establishment in 2015. Since then, more than 5,800 students have received coaching, and more than 355 students have been trained as Student Strengths Coaches.
“[The Clifton Strengths Institute] is funded by donors and alumni who believe in positive psychology and the CliftonStrengths and want to bring that to campus,” continues Jordan. “I love that we get support for that program specifically.”
Donating time, resources or assistance to the University of Nebraska and its students provides brighter opportunities for the UNL community and creates a web of generational trust between past and present Huskers. Please consider making a gift today to help us provide more opportunities like these to UNL students
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The Center for Sales Excellence is designed to complement any Nebraska student’s academic path by offering, upon completion of the 15-credit program, a sales certificate.
Nestled within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Business is the Center for Sales Excellence, a program designed to produce and nurture the understanding and proficiency of sales within top students in the college.
Named a “Top University for Professional Sales Education” by the Sales Education Foundation since 2015, the Center for Sales Excellence is designed to complement any Nebraska student’s academic path by offering, upon completion of the 15-credit program, a sales certificate.
The center offers cutting-edge resources to its participants, such as the role-play lab, hosting seven role-play rooms, each equipped with recording technology. The role-play lab allows for students to role-play, record and review their sales skills. The lab also allows students to download their role-plays for review, critique and digital resumes to share with future employers.
The Center for Sales Excellence also offers experience-based learning to its students, providing opportunities to put student skills to the test in competitions around the country. During these competitions, participants demonstrate their skills in front of real-world professionals.
“A lot of it was much more detailed than anything I’ve done so far in my classes,” explains junior marketing and finance major Drew Shafer. “It felt a lot more real.”
The Center for Sales Excellence aims to provide students with an immersive, in-depth look at careers that hinge on sales proficiency, something that classes alone are unable to provide. Drew continues, “being able to take advantage of that opportunity was a big deal for me.”
Donating to the University of Nebraska and its students provides brighter opportunities for the UNL community and creates a web of generational trust between past and present Huskers. Please consider making a gift today to help us provide more opportunities like these to UNL students.
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
A gift to this fund supports the college’s student financial aid program.
The Center for Advocacy, Response & Education (CARE) is a lifeline for University of Nebraska‒Lincoln students, faculty and staff who have experienced trauma. This year’s Give to Lincoln Day on Wednesday, May 24 provides an opportunity to support UNL CARE, which offers no-cost therapy to survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking or sexual harassment.
UNL CARE provides safe, confidential, survivor-centered support; UNL community members seeking assistance are paired with an advocate to help them navigate campus and community resources. Recently, UNL CARE expanded its services by providing a trauma-informed, graduate-level therapist. Utilizing evidence-based interventions such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE), the therapist treats individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related symptoms.
There is currently a waiting list of people seeking zero-cost clinical services, and UNL CARE plans to add a second therapist this summer. Gifts to help expand the program may be made online anytime between now and May 24, here.
Give to Lincoln Day is coordinated by the Lincoln Community Foundation in partnership with local nonprofits, including the University of Nebraska Foundation. This annual giving opportunity encourages people to contribute to Lincoln and Lancaster County nonprofit organizations and helps local nonprofits tell their stories and educate the community about their positive impact.
Every contribution made during the event also increases UNL CARE’s opportunity to receive a portion of $500,000 in matching funds made available by the event’s sponsors and benefactors.
More information is at givetolincoln.com.
About the University of Nebraska Foundation
The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record 60,571 donors gave $300.6 million to the foundation to aid UNK, UNO, UNL, UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, and NCTA. The foundation raises more than $7 for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is its current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.
Plainview, Nebraska, native Bill Johnson has been selected as senior vice president of development at the University of Nebraska Foundation, where he will lead private fundraising efforts for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Johnson, who has an extensive background in higher education fundraising leadership, will work in partnership with the chancellor and other university leaders, Husker Athletics, the Nebraska Alumni Association and the foundation’s UNL development team to advance the fundraising goals of the state’s flagship university.
He is currently vice president of university advancement at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in education administration/athletic administration from UNL while playing basketball under Coach Danny Nee. He then worked as an assistant basketball coach and director of basketball operations for the Huskers for four years.
“The University of Nebraska took a kid from the reservation in northeast Nebraska, welcomed him as a student athlete and eventually an employee early in my professional life,” said Johnson, a member of the Santee Sioux Tribe. “To have the opportunity to return home and assist the foundation in leading a successful, impactful campaign is a great honor to uplift a community and state that still mean the world to me.”
Last fall, the University of Nebraska Foundation launched a historic campaign to encourage at least 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support all campuses of the University of Nebraska, which includes UNL, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.
Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future has three priorities: to create additional scholarships and invest in programs and modern facilities that offer hands-on learning opportunities for students; to support the university’s faculty, clinical and academic programs; and to grow the University of Nebraska as a hub of research and innovation.
“I’ve known Bill for a number of years,” said Brian F. Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “He is a respected leader in our profession and has served in leadership roles at multiple universities, including his leadership of two university foundations. Bill’s fundraising experience, leadership and coaching experience, and great appreciation for the state of Nebraska will make a tremendous difference in furthering UNL’s success.”
An interview committee appointed by Chancellor Ronnie Green assisted with the search. Committee members were: Katherine Ankerson, executive vice chancellor; Michael Zeleny, vice chancellor for business and finance; Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Richard Moberly, dean of the College of Law; and Lance Pérez, dean of the College of Engineering.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome Bill Johnson back to his alma mater,” Green said. “As a former Husker athlete and a graduate of our university, Bill knows firsthand the profound impact that a University of Nebraska education can have on a student’s future. Bill’s deep love for Nebraska will make him an excellent partner as we work together to meet the needs of our students, our university and state.”
Johnson succeeds Joe Selig, who retired from the foundation last year after serving the University of Nebraska in various capacities for 46 years.
“We are excited for Bill, with his three decades of university leadership and fundraising experience, to take on this leadership role and be an extraordinary coach, mentor and partner, advancing our collective efforts on behalf of the University of Nebraska,” said Lori Byrne, executive vice president of advancement and campaign director at the University of Nebraska Foundation.
In his current role at the University of Nevada, Reno, Johnson oversees fundraising, alumni engagement, advancement services, donor relations and other functions. He also serves as executive director of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation. Last year, Johnson served as interim athletic director while the university conducted a national search to fill the vacancy.
Previously, he served as vice president of university advancement at California State University, East Bay, and in other advancement roles at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and the University of San Francisco, where he also was an assistant men’s basketball coach. Johnson was an administrative fellow in the Harvard University Native American Program. Earlier in his career, he raised athletic funds for Georgetown University; Columbia University, where he was an assistant men’s basketball coach; and Casper College in Casper, Wyoming, where he was also head men’s basketball coach.
Johnson’s first day at the foundation will be June 5.
About the University of Nebraska Foundation
The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record 60,571 donors gave $300.6 million to the foundation to aid UNK, UNO, UNL, UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, and NCTA. The foundation raises more than $7 for every $1 it spends. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is its current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.
The Donald and Lorena Meier Foundation of Chicago is making a major gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to create four endowed student scholarship funds and to expand and permanently endow 14 existing scholarship funds. The scholarships will benefit students across the University of Nebraska system who meet the criteria of each.
This article originally appeared on Nebraska Today.
To contribute to any of these Universities and specifically CoJMC at UNL, see the links below:
An additional gift of $755,000 from the Meier Foundation will support the construction of a new television studio and newsroom at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications. It replaces an existing studio and will include a newsroom, television control area and three separate news sets. It will incorporate cutting-edge technology that supports live broadcasts or one-person productions.
A 1941 Husker alumnus, the late Donald “Don” Meier used estate planning to direct assets from his charitable foundation to provide significant support for the University of Nebraska. During their lives, Meier and his late wife, Lorena, gave regularly to the university and established 14 student scholarship funds, the first one being created in 1999.
“The generous support from Donald and Lorena Meier — during their lives and through planned giving — will help make the university even more accessible and affordable for thousands of students,” Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “Support for a new, state-of-the-art TV studio and newsroom will also offer a truly professional experience for journalism students.
“The philanthropic mark made by Don and Lorena on our students and the entire University of Nebraska system will continue for generations.”
The Donald and Lorena Meier Foundation has committed to transfer assets to the University of Nebraska Foundation over the next several years to fulfill the Meiers’ wishes of helping young people achieve their educational goals.
“Don and Lorena Meier cared deeply about Don’s alma mater and assisting students in achieving their own career success and enjoyment,” said David Shoub, president of the Donald and Lorena Meier Foundation. “Over the next 25 years, the foundation plans to provide an estimated $10 million in support of student scholarships to fulfill the charitable wishes of Don and Lorena. We’re pleased to be carrying forth their aspirations in making a University of Nebraska education possible for more promising students for generations to come.”
Don and Lorena Meier had distinguished media careers that included the production of award-winning national network television shows, the most popular and long running being Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” and “Zoo Parade.”
“Wild Kingdom” was an Emmy-winning wildlife documentary program starring Marlin Perkins that aired from 1963 to 1971 on NBC, after which it entered syndication. Episodes of the program air on RFD-TV, with new and updated content across many of its digital properties.
Meier also produced “Zoo Parade,” a 1950s NBC program featuring animals from the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Prior to producing these programs, Meier served as an NBC producer for several local programs and events, including television broadcasts of Chicago Cubs and White Sox baseball games.
Don Meier’s interest in supporting student scholarships was influenced by his own experience at the University of Nebraska. During his lifetime, he considered different ways to support the university but was especially drawn to opportunities for scholarships or other projects that directly benefit students.
“I had no other dream than to go to the University of Nebraska,” he told the university in 2008 in announcing his plans for significant support of student scholarships.
Don Meier’s dream did not come easy. He worked off and on during college, sometimes taking up to a year off to work or to return home to Oshkosh, Nebraska, where he had a job as a high school librarian. He completed his college education in six years.
“I remember my own struggles to complete my college education,” he once said. “In those days, back in the 1930s, they didn’t have a lot of scholarships. I just remember how tough it was for me to make it. It became apparent to me as I pursued my own career that the main thing is not only the support, but it’s important to get kids into college, and I agree with my wife who says that all students should seek to expand their potential by seeking full development of their talent.”
Lorena Meier died June 22, 2018, at age 100, and Don Meier died July 13, 2019, at age 104.
The Donald and Lorena Meier Foundation has committed over several years to support new and existing scholarship funds that were established by Don and Lorena Meier. Students enrolled in the following colleges and areas of the University of Nebraska who meet certain scholarship criteria are eligible:
University of Nebraska–Lincoln:
University of Nebraska at Kearney:
Any University of Nebraska campus:
Husker Alex Kearns would have been a senior this year and preparing to graduate in a few weeks from the University of Nebraska‒Lincoln College of Business. Sadly, he died by suicide on June 12, 2020, after misunderstanding information he was seeing online about a financial transaction that was not what it appeared to be.
While the circumstances vary, too many young people find themselves in situations that may seem impossible. The Kearns family is doing what they can to prevent the loss of lives to suicide and helping to share the important message that there are many places to turn for available help.
Alex’s parents, Dan and Dorothy Kearns, of Naperville, Illinois, and his sister, Sydney Kearns, who’s currently a freshman at Nebraska, have established the Alex Kearns UNL Memorial Fund with a $25,000 gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation. The fund will provide expendable financial support to the Big Red Resilience & Well Being program at UNL.
Dedicated to the well-being of all Husker students, the program offers a variety of resources aimed at helping students understand emotions, manage stress, build strength, connect with others, develop grit and navigate life transitions.
“We established this fund to honor Alex’s legacy of kindness, selflessness and his desire to help others,” Dorothy Kearns said. “We want it to increase mental health awareness and provide students like Alex with the tools and mechanisms to effectively deal with the well-being challenges they face, now and in the future.”
Dan Kearns said the fund will support REACH suicide prevention training and other initiatives that support mental health and well-being, suicide prevention, and overall student wellness and connectedness.
“Treating mental health shouldn’t be taboo, yet the stigma surrounding it prevents those suffering from seeking treatment,” Dan Kearns said. “Learning the warning signs and risk factors is vital to saving lives. Suicide is preventable.”
On April 18, the Kearns family gathered on campus to present their gift to the entire support staff at Big Red Resilience & Well-Being and were joined by UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green.
“We have the Kearns family and other families in our thoughts every day as we help and serve fellow Huskers,” said Connie Boehm, director of Big Red Resilience & Well Being. “Students who need support for their mental health motivate us and remind us of the importance of our outreach, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support from the Kearns family.”
Contact Big Red Resilience and get involved at resilience.unl.edu.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for confidential support anytime.
Counseling services are available at no cost to UNL students through Counseling and Psychological Services at the Student Health Center. Information and help is at caps.unl.edu.
This post originally appears on IANR News.
Want to support the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program directly? Then follow this link to make a gift today!
The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has announced the recipients of scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year. The one-time scholarships will be awarded to 90 students totaling $194,000 for the ensuing academic year.
The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program was established in 2010 by a gift from the Paul and Virginia Engler Foundation. The mission of the program is to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. The program offers an academic minor while serving as an intersection in which students from a diverse array of majors and business interests can come together in pursuit of the American Dream.
Incoming Freshman Scholarship Winners:
Ainsworth: Tom Ortner, Libby Wilkins
Albion: Braden Benes, Carson Maricle, Cody Maricle
Arapahoe: Grant Taylor
Avoca: Jenna Knake
Colon: Teresa Quinn
Eddyville: Adilyn McFarland
Fremont: Adelaide Witte
Friend: Christian Weber
Kearney: Logan Greeno
Lincoln: Evan Boesen, Allison Walbrecht
Nelson: Kylie Beard
Oakland: Anna Karnopp
St Paul: Madison Hirschman
Sumner: Mattison Beattie
Wray, CO: Jaden Dodsworth
Continuing Student Scholarship Winners:
Ainsworth: Sam Wilkins, senior
Albion: Samantha Weeder, sophomore
Alliance: Madison Adam, junior
Ashland: Cinch Beetison, sophomore
Aurora: Blaine Bonifas, junior; Ellie Wanek, sophomore
Axtell: Jacob Wendell, junior
Ayr: Hunter Collins, sophomore
Bassett: Jillian Buell, sophomore; Jaya Nelson, sophomore
Berthoud, CO: Kace Thoren, sophomore
Bridgman, MI: Emma Schmidt, junior
Burwell: Emma Hoffschneider, senior
Clay Center: Sam VonSpreckelsen, sophomore
Columbus: Este Lesiak, sophomore; Carsten Loseke, junior
David City: Valerie Bohuslavsky, senior
Emmet: Chandra Spangler, senior
Firth: Daniel Oldemeyer, junior
Fordyce: Chase Lammers, junior
Fremont: Caitlyn Vyhlidal, senior
Franklin: Kristen Herrick, sophomore
Ft Lupton, CO: Dominic Gittlein, sophomore
Fullerton: James Wetovick, junior
Gilbert, AZ: Rachel Clarkson, junior
Gooding, ID: Charlotte Brockman, sophomore
Gothenburg: Heath Keiser, junior; Presley Wendelin, senior
Gresham: Chaylee Tonniges, junior
Gretna: Alexis Jansen, sophomore
Harvard: Dusty Stone, senior
Herman: Luke Mathiesen, junior
Hickman: Carter Rohrer, junior
Hooper: Taylor Ruwe, junior; Rebecca Wulf, junior
Lemoyne: Sheridan Wilson, sophomore
Lincoln: Marco Cuaran, senior
Lindsay: Preston Sueper, junior
Long Pine: Jacy Hafer, senior; Logan Hafer, sophomore
Malta, IL: Sawyer Willrett, junior
Mead: Abby Miller, junior
Minden: Kaleb Senff, sophomore
Morse Bluff: Hannah Williams, sophomore
North Platte: Celie Childears, junior; Katrina Webster, senior
Ogallala: Miah Hoppens, sophomore
Ord: Vickie Ference, sophomore; Amber Staab, junior
Osmond: Landon Stelling, junior
Otoe: Dalton Leefers, sophomore
Petersburg: Seth Wright, sophomore
Pierce: Dalton Freeman, junior
Ravenna: Kacey Dethlefs, sophomore
Saint Edward: Zane Niemann, sophomore
Sammamish, WA: Grave Weaver, senior
Seward: Emma Kuss, sophomore; Garrett Kuss, senior
Shenandoah, IA: Ty Lantz, sophomore
Stockton, KS: Caleigh Iwanski, junior
Sunbury, OH: Caleb Durheim, junior
Syracuse: Madison Kreifels, sophomore
Valentine: Dillion Muirhead, junior
Virginia: Logan Anderson, senior
Waco: Kailey Ziegler, sophomore
Wayne: Josie Thompson, senior
Wymore: Ashtyn Humphreys, junior
York: Keeley Conrad, sophomore; Cooper Koch, sophomore; Sam Otte, sophomore
Yutan: Miranda Mueller, senior
For more information, contact program director Tom Field at 402-472-5643 or [email protected].
This story originally appeared on the UNL website.
“The department’s faculty and staff share a passion for positively impacting the lives of others, and they are a model of excellence and collaboration in preparing students to become engaged citizens and leaders.”
University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter announced today that the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is the recipient of the 2022 University-wide Departmental Teaching Award.
The UDTA, one of the President’s Excellence Awards, is the NU system’s most prestigious honor for departmental excellence in teaching. Since 1993, the UDTA has recognized departments or units within the university system that have made unique and significant contributions to NU’s teaching efforts and demonstrated outstanding commitment to the education of students at the undergraduate, graduate or professional levels.
Honored departments, selected by a committee of faculty members from across the university system, receive $25,000. The Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies will be celebrated at an event hosted by Carter this spring.
“Our fundamental responsibility at the University of Nebraska is to provide outstanding education to our students. The UNL Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies brings that commitment to life every day,” Carter said. “The department’s faculty and staff share a passion for positively impacting the lives of others, and they are a model of excellence and collaboration in preparing students to become engaged citizens and leaders.
“Our university, our communities and our state are stronger thanks to the extraordinary work of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies.”
Chaired by Michael Merten, G.A. Newkirk Professor of Leadership, the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies works to enhance the well-being of children, youth, adults and families in the state, nation and world and improve the environments in which people live and learn. The department is home to 430 undergraduate majors, almost 100 graduate majors and 33 faculty members. Through faculty outreach and Nebraska Extension, the department’s programs reach all 93 Nebraska counties.
Its achievements include:
Want to learn how to support CYAF and the rest of the College of Education and Human Sciences? Then follow this link to make an impact.
This article was originally written by Kerry McCullough-Vondrak | Architecture
Busting at the seams with record enrollment and design studios over capacity for years, the College of Architecture has finally begun its long-awaited building renovation and expansion project.
Phase one of this project will add 12 new design studios, a wellness room, spray booth and work areas, critique spaces, new Americans with Disabilities Act compliant restrooms and a new 2,490 square-foot library with student common and collaboration areas — all by spring of 2023. Renovations will be done in both Architecture Hall East and Architecture Hall West.
Phase two, yet to be approved by the Board of Regents, will involve an expansion project that will add 14 new studios and a renovation of eight studios in the Architecture Hall West building among other changes.
Phase one includes moving the Architecture Hall Library from the north wing of Architecture Hall East and relocating it to the first floor of Architecture Hall West, providing ground floor access for the newly remodeled library. All three floors of Architecture Hall East’s north wing, where the library once stood, will now be renovated into needed studio space.
“We are excited about the start of this highly anticipated remodel project,” said Sharon Kuska, interim dean of the College of Architecture. “With a 17% enrollment growth over the last 10 years, it has pushed us over building capacity. This project is essential for accommodating our enrollment goals, creating a contemporary learning environment to attract potential students and providing our students with the best learning environment possible.”
The university’s historic exterior of Architecture Hall will remain the same, however the interior will have a complete transformation.
In order to meet capacity needs, the college has had to use space in Brace Hall, Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts, Old City Hall and locations in the Haymarket. The college also had to transform non-traditional learning spaces into design studios to meet enrollment needs.
The project is being led by Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company and Nebraska University Facilities, Planning and Capital Programs.
If approved, the second phase of the project will begin in the fall with the demolition of the “stacks,” a 1957 addition, and replaced with the addition of 14 new studios. Other phase two changes include the remodel of student studios, additional student collaboration areas, classrooms, a materials library, a virtual reality lab, a spray booth, maker spaces, more faculty offices and the relocation of the Geographic Information System (GIS) Lab to the first floor. If the phase two proposal is accepted, the project will be completed a year later in the fall of 2023.
The last time the College of Architecture underwent a major remodel or construction project was in 1987 with the creation of the glass atrium Link building which connected two existing buildings: Architecture Hall East and Architecture Hall West (which served as the university’s original College of Law).
The college complex houses two of the oldest buildings at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Architecture Hall East was put into service in 1895 as the old university library with 10,000 volumes and is the oldest building in the university system. This building was also placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Special accommodations are being made to ensure the building’s historical integrity. Architecture Hall West was built in 1912. It is the fifth oldest building on City Campus.
Want to support the College of Architecture during this renovation? Then follow this link to learn more about how to give.
