A 鈥 Administration arts and management master's program
C 鈥 Counseling master's program
DE 鈥 Education doctoral program
E 鈥 Education master's and advanced degree programs
GI 鈥 Grand Island bachelor's programs
L 鈥 Lincoln bachelor's programs
O 鈥 Omaha bachelor's programs
V5 鈥 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officer training in World War II
V12 鈥 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps officer training in World War II
W 鈥 Online bachelor's programs
Graduates without a letter designation are alumni of 六九色堂's Crete campus

 

 

Half-Century News

Dr. Barbra R. Cole 鈥63
Mount Pleasant, S.C., was awarded the 六九色堂 Builder Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to alums who have distinguished themselves and 六九色堂 through outstanding achievement, professional accomplishments, community service and their relationship with the university. It is considered the highest award alumni can receive.

1970s

Gammas from the 1970s
A group of Gamma Phi Iota sorority sisters got together to share lunch: Eunice (Kemper) McArdle 鈥70 (Crete)Christine (Corallo) Chilcoat 鈥72 (Stanton)Marsha (Olson) Prior 鈥71 (Lincoln)Barbara G. Bunner 鈥72 (Boise, ID), Joann (Snitily) Couton 鈥74 (Wahoo)Edith C. Skelton 鈥74 (Lincoln)Patricia (Jestes) Pecoraro 鈥73 (Omaha)Elaine L. D鈥橝mato 鈥71 (Omaha)Beth (Jenkins) Dunker 鈥73 (Beatrice) and Jean (Larson) Hulbert 鈥72 (Lincoln)

Dr. Michael F. Rapp 鈥76
Denton, was awarded the Exceptional Service Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award recognizes an alum who has provided extraordinary service to forward the cause of 六九色堂 through their volunteer efforts.

1980s

Ginger (Frey) Pittman 鈥81, 鈥01E
Pickrell, received the Golden Apple Award for April 2024. This award is given to a deserving teacher in the local area each month of the school year. It is presented by KOLN/KGIN News and sponsored by the 六九色堂 University College of Education.

Michael W. Krantz 鈥83
was posthumously awarded the 六九色堂 Builder Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves and 六九色堂 through outstanding achievement, professional accomplishments, community service and their relationship with the university. It is considered the highest award alumni can receive.

Donald D. Partridge 鈥83
Waverly, was awarded the Honor D Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to former 六九色堂 athletes who have distinguished themselves by outstanding service in their life's work. 

Senator Thomas R. Brewer 鈥84
Murdock, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe and a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 43rd district, was honored for his involvement in several Native American initiatives. The Chief Standing Bear Project selected Senator Brewer as the recipient for its annual 鈥淧rize for Courage,鈥 presented on Indigenous People鈥檚 Day, October 9, 2023.

Wende (Beechler) Burton 鈥89
Fort Worth, Texas, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for The Family Place, which serves those affected by domestic violence. Wende serves as a nonprofit consultant for Social Impact Architects after working for more than 14 years at Communities Foundations of Texas.

Andr茅 L. Davis 鈥89
Lenexa, Kan., has been hired as vice president in the Employee Benefits Group with Alliant Insurance. In addition, Andr茅 served as the featured speaker at the Scholarship Endowment Dinner held at 六九色堂 on April 17, 2023.

1990s

Dr. Chad L. Denker 鈥93, 鈥97E, 鈥01E, 鈥14E, 鈥19DE
Bellwood, was awarded the Educator of the Year Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. This award is presented to an alum who has made outstanding contributions to the field of education and is selected with assistance from the education department.

Jon K. Drogheo 鈥94
Arvada, Colo., was awarded the Colorado EDGE Soccer Club鈥檚 Competitive Girls Coach of the Year in 2023. In addition, Jon received a nomination for Colorado State Soccer Associate Coach of the Year. Jon is assisted by his daughter, Elana, a former 六九色堂 soccer player.

Dan M. McPherson 鈥94
Aurora, Colo., was named an Educator of the Year for Cherry Creek School District for the spring of 2024. He has taught at-risk students at an alternative high school for over 20 years.

Summer (Wait) Stephens 鈥99, 鈥02E
Grand Island, has accepted the associate superintendent position with Grand Island Public Schools after serving as the Churchill County School District Superintendent in Wyoming. 

2000s

Chad A. Gillespie 鈥00
Kearney, is one of six candidates who will run in the general election for the Kearney Public School Board of Education in November. There are three open seats on the board.

Lindy N. Quick 鈥00
Lancaster, Ohio, authored the book 鈥淪AFe(R) Coaches Handbook: Proven tips and techniques for launching and running SaFe(R) Teams, ARTs, and Portfolios in an Agile Enterprise.鈥

Jean M. Synowicki 鈥00E 
Riverton, Utah, is the new principal of St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School in Ogden, Utah.

Cheryl R. Richter 鈥01E, 鈥09E
Lincoln, retired from Fredstrom Elementary after the spring 2024 semester after serving as principal. 

Susan E. Cassata 鈥01E
Lincoln, was chosen as principal of Lincoln鈥檚 new high school, Standing Bear High, after 15 years as the principal at Lincoln East.

Jeff J. Brehm 鈥02E
Walton, retired from Calvert Elementary after the spring 2024 semester. He served as principal.

Eric L. Stearns 鈥03
Lincoln, had his Raku pottery featured in the main exhibit of the Prairie Art Center in North Platte during the 2023 holiday season. 

Scott M. Morris 鈥05
Omaha, was awarded the Platt Music Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The recipient of this award is chosen with assistance from the 六九色堂 music department and is presented to an alum for outstanding achievement in music.  

Jessica L. Alexander 鈥06
Chatsworth, Calif., was awarded the Paul Kersenbrock Humanitarian Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award is presented to 六九色堂 alumni who, in the Alumni Council's judgment, distinguish themselves by extraordinary, unselfish dedication and service to others in their work and lifestyle.

Dr. Stacey (Bachle) Brandt 鈥06 
Clatonia, expanded her physical therapy practice to include a new location in Beatrice: Beatrice Physical Therapy.

Megan (Zabrocki) Forbes 鈥06
Seward, began serving as 六九色堂's donor relations and stewardship manager in August 2023.

Amanda (Bennett) Lothrop 鈥06
Slingerlands, N.Y., serves as the Medicaid chief operating officer for the New York State Department of Health. 

Andrew R. Brabec 鈥07
Omaha, is now vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Borsheims.

Allen D. 鈥07 and Bethany (Wolfe) Gilbert 鈥10
Omaha, welcomed their daughter, Olive Katheryn, on September 24, 2023. 

Michelle L. Dutcher 鈥08E
Kearney, was appointed the principal at Kenwood Elementary for Kearney Public Schools. 

Pepper L. Papineau 鈥08L
York, was named vice president/compliance officer & assistant CRA officer for Cornerstone Bank in York.

Rudi (Molet) Wolfe 鈥08, 鈥10E, 鈥13E
Lincoln, left her role as assistant principal at Elliott Elementary School to assume the role of principal of Zeman Elementary for Lincoln Public Schools.

Clay H. Blackman 鈥09E
Stromsburg, was announced as the north central division president-elect for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). 

Linda P. Dugan 鈥09E
Tucson, Ariz., was one of 10 Tucsonans selected to serve on the Arizona Daily Star鈥檚 volunteer editorial advisory board.

Bailey (Heafer) Feit 鈥09, 鈥11E
Lincoln, was nominated by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird to fill a Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission vacancy. 

2010s

Justin R. Cox  鈥10
Omaha, and Elise Sambol were married on May 23, 2024, in Omaha.

Luke P. Henderson 鈥10
Norfolk, was named a finalist for county court judgeship in the Sixth Judicial District. Luke is an attorney at Fitzgerald, Vetter, Temple, Bartell & Henderson in Norfolk.

Michael 鈥11, 鈥14A and Sarah (Adams) Vargas 鈥10
Dublin, Ohio, welcomed their daughter, Rachel, on November 16, 2023. Rachel joins siblings Paisley (4) and Levi (2).

Derrick C. Wells 鈥10
Alliance, has been named head coach of the Bulldog wrestling program at Bridgeport Public Schools.

Danielle (Brown) Cox 鈥11GI
Grand Island, was promoted to vice-president/depositor services at Cornerstone Bank in York.

Kate A. Engel 鈥11A
Lincoln, was named the next executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation.

Jennifer L. Worthington 鈥11A, 鈥18E
Grand Island, retired after 20 years of working for Grand Island Public Schools. 

Caleb T. Hock 鈥12
Scottsdale, Ariz., is the owner of Glory Gains Gym, a top-of-the-line private personal training facility. 

Natalie (Kramer) Oborny 鈥12 
Hays, Kan., and her spouse, John, welcomed their third son, Levi Thomas, on August 29, 2023. Levi joins brothers Ian and Issac.

Anthony W. 鈥12 and Kelsey (Wildeman) Odem 鈥13
Lincoln, welcomed their son, August Henry, on December 20, 2023. August joins his older siblings, Margo and Archer.

Victoria 鈥淭ori鈥 (Renken) Colwin 鈥12, 鈥17E
Omaha, and her spouse, Matt, welcomed their daughter, Sophie, on August 2, 2023. Sophie joins her older sister, Evie.

Travis J. 鈥13, 鈥18E and Stacy (Hahn) Brewer 鈥14 
Omaha, welcomed their daughter, Lucy Jo, on April 10, 2024.

Brijesh 鈥淏J鈥 S. Lawrence 鈥13 
Omaha, was inducted into the Omaha Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nicole (Tegtmeier) Lawson 鈥13
Omaha, was awarded the Young Alumni Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award honors 六九色堂 graduates 35 years of age or younger for demonstration of and lasting commitment to the highest ideals and models of excellence exemplified by 六九色堂.

Tonya D. O鈥橬eel 鈥13L
Lincoln, was awarded the Exceptional Service Award at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Banquet on October 1, 2023. The award recognizes alumni who have provided extraordinary service to forward the cause of 六九色堂 through their volunteer efforts. 

Valerie J. Vandenberg 鈥13E
David City, received the Golden Apple Award for February 2024. This award is given to a deserving teacher in the local area each month of the school year. It is presented by KOLN/KGIN News and sponsored by the 六九色堂 University College of Education.

Preston R. 鈥14 and Lacey (Wright) Hild 鈥15, 鈥21E
Lawrence, welcomed their daughter, Elise Marie, on April 22, 2024. 

Reed W. Hitz 鈥14 
York, and his spouse, Rachel, welcomed their son, Rigley William, on October 27, 2023.

Augustine 鈥淎ugie鈥 M. Sanchez 鈥14, 鈥19A
Kearney, is the director of community standards and student conduct at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Jed E. 鈥15 and Allison (Bennett) Derr 鈥15, 鈥18E
Omaha, welcomed their daughter, Mia Kate, on April 10, 2024.

Alika E.K.K. 鈥15 and Julie (Jirovec) McNicoll 鈥16
Ewa Beach, Hawaii, welcomed their son, Cru Charles K.K., on December 8, 2023.

Stephanie J. McNichols 鈥15C
Lincoln, has accepted a job offer at Stepping Stones as a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Emily C. Wiebeck 鈥15E, 鈥19E
Lincoln, was named the new principal at Hill Elementary with Lincoln Public Schools for the 2024-25 academic year.

Bianca D. Ayala 鈥16E, 鈥24E
Grand Island, was named the new principal at Gates Elementary within the Grand Island Public School district. 

Megan M. Goplin 鈥16GI
Grand Island, was introduced as a new member of the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation's Board of Directors.

Blake A. 鈥16, 19E and Michelle (Hachtel) Bunner 鈥16  
Harvard, welcomed their daughter, Norah Raelee, on October 12, 2023. 

Dana (Murray) Jackson 鈥16L
Great Bend, Kan., is a certified physician assistant and recently accepted a position with the orthopedics, physical therapy, and sports medicine care team at The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend.

Lindsey T. Jurgens 鈥16GI
Grand Island, has been named executive director of the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity. Lindsey previously served for three years as program coordinator for Leadership Unlimited.

Brianna (Oropeza) Eaves 鈥16
Ashland, and her spouse, James, welcomed their daughter, Aurora Sue, on January 6, 2024.

Scott A. Phillips 鈥16E
Aurora, a seventh-grade math teacher at Aurora Middle School, was named the 2024 Nebraska State Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes the contributions of exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled classroom teachers who can inspire students of all backgrounds and skills to learn.

Alicia (Dallman) Shoemaker 鈥16E, 鈥21E
Omaha, received the American Council on The Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Teacher of the Year award. This award elevates the status of the language teaching profession at the state, regional, and national levels by creating opportunities for recognizing the most accomplished members of the profession. The Teacher of the Year becomes a national spokesperson for the language profession to further demonstrate the critical importance of learning languages and cultures to the general public.

Arik A. Todd 鈥16
Greenwood, owns and operates Windy Hill Farm and Beef. Arik and his spouse Nicholle (Vernon) Todd 鈥15 are the proud parents of son August Frank. Nicholle is a special education coordinator/administrator for Lincoln Public Schools.

Kacie (Roberts) Wise 鈥16L
Lincoln, has been promoted to database specialist at Nebraska Community Foundation.

Tyler N. Chapa 鈥17
Forest City, Iowa, will be the next head coach of the Waldorf Warriors Football team. 

Jordan (Buttermore) Coburn 鈥17
Sanford, N.C., and her spouse, Jordan, welcomed their daughter, Cassidy Rose, on August 5, 2023. 

Samantha A. Valadez-Haralabidis '17
Lincoln, married Yiannis Haralabidis '20 on February 26, 2022. In late 2023, Samantha was announced as the associate head coach of 六九色堂 Tiger Softball.

Colten D. 鈥17 and Alix (Bryant) Mach 鈥17, 鈥20E
Crete, welcomed their son, Beckett Dean, on April 10, 2024. He joins his siblings Rhyker Jo and Cason James.

Abigail (Bills) Martin 鈥18GI
Grand Island, has been named communications and marketing director of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

Amy L. Clark 鈥18E, 鈥21DE
Lincoln, has been hired as the director of continuous improvement at Lincoln Public Schools.

Leslie A. McIntosh 鈥18E, 鈥22E
Syracuse, was awarded the prestigious national Milken Education Award in November 2023. This is considered the 鈥淥scar of Teaching鈥 award. The intent of the award is to celebrate the K-12 profession and inspire young people to pursue teaching as a career. 

Chase A. 鈥18 and Julia (Reed) Stone 鈥18, 鈥20E
Lincoln, welcomed their son, Thomas Alan, on April 9, 2024.

Lucas C. Antholz 鈥19
Urbandale, Iowa, and Audrey Wilhelm were married on October 14, 2023. 

Haileigh R. Arthur-Tardiff 鈥19
Marysville, Calif., and Jordan Georgeson were married on November 4, 2023.

Amy (Horner) Carnie 鈥19E
Roca, principal at Hill Elementary School, is looking forward to returning to a critical position as a school psychologist within Lincoln Public Schools to further support students.

Holly A. David 鈥19E
Lincoln, has been promoted within Lincoln Public Schools to principal at Maxey Elementary after serving as assistant principal at McPhee Elementary.

Matthew C. 鈥19 and Lauren (Schmidt) Gilg 鈥19 
Lincoln, welcomed their son, Silas Henry, on April 18, 2024.

Brysen C. 鈥18 and Maddie (Kucera) Mach 鈥19
Crete, welcomed their son, Rennon Charles, on November 2, 2023. He joins his older brother, Myles.

Tazia J. Simpson 鈥19 
Gering, and her partner, Dominic Romo, welcomed their daughter, Leilani Jo Lucina Marie, on February 10, 2024.  

2020s

Tanner B. Harsin 鈥20 and Alexandra 鈥淎llie鈥 L. Binder  鈥22
Colorado Springs, Colo., were married on August 19, 2023.

Jennifer Kuncl Parker 鈥20, 鈥23E
Crete, and her spouse, Shane, welcomed their son, Asher, on July 29, 2023.

Roger D. Sack 鈥20
Lincoln, accepted a position at Cline Williams Wright Johnson & Oldfather, LLP Law Firm.

Katie (Bohrer) Shipp 鈥20O 
Omaha, was awarded the 2023 National Alliance Outstanding Customer Service Representative of the Year award. The award is the most prestigious honor available to insurance customer service representatives. Katie is the commercial account manager for Dodge Partners Insurance in Omaha.

Wyatt M. 鈥21 and Ashley (Jacobson) Bodfield 鈥21
Crete, were married on April 13, 2024.

Michael J. Gillotti 鈥21DE
Lincoln, was announced as the next associate superintendent for educational services with Lincoln Public Schools after serving as principal at Scott Middle School.

Erin N. Skinner 鈥21叠
Madison, S.D., accepted a position at Dakota State as the new head coach of the women's softball team. 

Michael A. Schommer 鈥22W
Omaha, is a commercial lender at Union Bank and Trust in Omaha.

Allison K. Skala 鈥22
Crete, and Shane Renner welcomed their son, Hendrix Scott, on October 11, 2023.

Madisyn J. Warrelmann 鈥22, 鈥24E and Johann D. Ott 鈥23
Eagle, were married on June 24, 2023.

Jason D. Jensen 鈥23
Imperial, is currently teaching K, 5-6 grades physical education and is the assistant junior high football coach at Chase County Schools.

Elizabeth J. Lewandowski 鈥23 and John P. 鈥淛ack鈥 Krejci 鈥23
Lincoln, were married on September 23, 2023.

Monique R. Ruiz 鈥23E
Lincoln, is principal at Norwood Park Elementary with Lincoln Public Schools.

In Memoriam

Frances 鈥淔ran鈥 (Ruzicka) Gilliland 鈥43
Haxtum, Colo., July 6, 2023

Paula (Minnick) Knapple 鈥47
Lexington, February 22, 2024 

Rosetta (Grefe) Nystrom 鈥48
Portland, Ore., September 25, 2023

Lois (Duffy) Quimby 鈥48
Nebraska City, May 16, 2024

Norma (Finnell) Ernst 鈥49
Brooklyn Park, Minn., January 26, 2024

Fran (Jones) Bell 鈥52
Bloomington, Ind., January 14, 2024

Lucy (Moyer) Smith 鈥54
Lynchburg, Va., April 22, 2024

Helen "Nadine" Petersen 鈥55
Northbrook, Ill., November 29, 2023

Richard C. "Rick" Gibson 鈥57
Council Bluffs, Iowa, July 26, 2024

Richard C. "Rick" Vasak 鈥57  
Santa Monica, Calif., January 31, 2024

Harold L. 鈥淪wede鈥 Graff 鈥58
Aurora, Colo., June 27, 2023

Donald L. Jelinek 鈥60
Omaha, January 28, 2024

Darrel F. Husa 鈥62
Kohler, Wis., March 11, 2024

John D. Morgan 鈥62
Lincoln, October 16, 2023

Thomas B. Songster 鈥62
Arlington, Va., December 22, 2023

Vincent L. Horky 鈥63
Lincoln, July 19, 2023

Rennie W. Brantz 鈥64
Boone, N.C., October 9, 2023

Dr. Barry L. Johnson 鈥65
Rushton, La., August 9, 2023

Trudy (Sonday) Beachler 鈥66
Plymouth, Minn., July 26, 2023

Virginia (Long) Kunc 鈥68
Lincoln, May 30, 2024

John R. Lothrop 鈥68
Slingerlands, N.Y., May 4, 2024

Susan (Pierson) Hoppel 鈥69
Lincoln, July 27, 2023

John F. Aman 鈥70
Lincoln, August 9, 2023

JoAnn (Weber) Betts 鈥70
Omaha, December 6, 2023

Peter W. Coburn 鈥71
Missouri City, Texas, July 27, 2023

Paul E. Pearson 鈥71
Lincoln, June 17, 2024

Linda (Simpson) Morton 鈥72  
Bennington, August 20, 2023

Steven C. Haller 鈥72
Sioux City, Iowa, November 4, 2023

Debra (Farster) Uarich 鈥78 
Omaha, September 7, 2023

Donald E. Johnson 鈥80
Euless, Texas, December 30, 2023

Duane L. Broeker 鈥81
Seward, August 11, 2023

Terry W. Schuman 鈥82
Denver, Colo., August 30, 2023

Mary M. Corder 鈥86L
Lincoln, July 4, 2023

Mark R. Woolard 鈥88
Table Rock, December 23, 2023

Bradley J. Feeken 鈥98, 鈥05E
Gretna, December 30, 2023

Erin M. Schmit 鈥00L
Lincoln, October 11, 2023

Joshua K. Wright 鈥00
Ashland, April 13, 2024

Ann Marie Lawton 鈥01L
Pleasant Dale, December 20, 2023

Matthew J. Hofts 鈥03
Lincoln, December 12, 2023

John E. Stout 鈥13L, 鈥17A
Louisville, November 21, 2023

Stephen C. Loftis 鈥15A
Lincoln, November 3, 2023