Reece Zutavern speaks into a mic to explain his business idea, MoniTank, a remote system to check cattle tanks. Zutavern presented his idea before a panel of reviewers and to students, staff, faculty and community members at The Big Idea event.
Reece Zutavern explains his business idea, MoniTank, a remote system to check cattle tanks. He presented to a panel of reviewers, and to students, staff, faculty and community members who attended The Big Idea event on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Zutavern placed first at the event, netting $3,000 to put toward launching his business.

There’s always a lot happening in the ɫ community — more than typically can fit into a few long articles or enewsletter blurbs. To catch you up on even more on-campus events, student successes, faculty and staff achievements and alumni accomplishments, we’re publishing more short-form content each month as a way for readers to see more of what makes ɫ amazing.

Get caught up this month on:

  • The activities of ɫ’s Entrepreneurship Department — and the winner of $3000
  • Awards presented to three ɫ education alumni
  • ɫ Performing Arts earns even more prestige

ɫ invites entrepreneurs to campus, and students to become entrepreneurs

No matter how old you are, the chance of winning $3,000 dedicated to developing your own business is an exciting prospect. That hope is what led to around 40 students — along with faculty, staff, ɫ Leadership and community members — crowding into Old Main Bar & Grill in Crete on Wednesday, Nov. 15. 

The Big Idea event was hosted by ɫ’s Entrepreneurship Department and the student-led Opportunities, Wealth and Networking (OWN) organization to foster student innovation through competition. Students were invited to develop and pitch a business idea to a panel of reviewers that included Dr. Jen Bossard, College of Business dean and professor; Derek Bierman, ɫ’s chief information officer; Paul Jarrett, founder and CEO of Bulu Box; Brian Ardinger, director of innovation at Nelnet; and Dan Hoffman, CEO of Invest Nebraska. 

“Our goal was to connect with members outside the university and bring valuable information to students,” said Zack Perez ’24, president/CEO of OWN. “However, I did not realize just how much impact this information could have. Students were excited to be able to share their very own business ideas and asked countless questions at our OWN Your Voice Speaker Series.”

Paul Jarrett, CEO of Bulu, speaks with students inside an Art/Ed classroom.
Paul Jarrett, founder and CEO of Bulu, speaks to a crowd of around 50 students for the OWN Your Voice speaker event on Oct. 26.

Along with serving as a reviewer for The Big Idea, Jarrett was one of two speakers for the OWN Your Voice event, held on Oct. 26. ɫ alumnus Matt Fredrick ’97, owner of wealth management firm, the Fredrick Group, also spoke. 

“As for next semester, we will be looking to host another OWN Your Voice Speaker Series, hopefully another fun and engaging social event, travel opportunity, as well as a Cultivate Business Challenge,” Perez said, with OWN members partnering with Lincoln business, Nelnet, as part of the challenge. 

Three students took home funding for their start-up ideas from The Big Idea. Reece Zutavern ’26 received the first-place prize of $3,000 for MoniTank, a remote system to check cattle tanks to help ranchers save time and money. 

Isabella Chappell ’24, Sabrina Renderos-Bonilla ’24 and Sydney Erickson ’24 took second, and $2,000, for their idea: KoolGrub, an app to give college students more food options, with reviews, rating and ordering. And Cole Essex ’24 won third, and $1,000, for PermaLights, exterior holiday or decorative lighting built into the gutters of homes for a one-and-done installation. 

Bulu, Nelnet and Invest Nebraska all sponsored the Big Idea, along with Union Bank & Trust, Crete Ace Hardware, ALLO Fiber, Reliant Transportation, Heath Sports, the Nebraska Enterprise Fund and Bryan Health Crete Area Medical Center. 

McIntosh receives Milken Educator Award, $25,000

Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop congratulates Leslie McIntosh and welcomes her to a national network of exceptional K-12 teachers and school leaders. Leslie's commitment to educational excellence extends beyond her classroom walls. She has helped establish a thriving professional learning community at Syracuse Middle School, where positive feedback has led to increased attendance and engagement within the network of educators.
Milken Educator Awards Vice President Stephanie Bishop congratulates Leslie McIntosh and welcomes her to a national network of exceptional K-12 teachers and school leaders. Leslie's commitment to educational excellence extends beyond her classroom walls. She has helped establish a thriving professional learning community at Syracuse Middle School, where positive feedback has led to increased attendance and engagement within the network of educators. Image: Milken Family Foundation

Leslie McIntosh ’18E, ’22E was recognized on Tuesday, Nov. 21 with one of the “Oscars of Teaching.” The Milken Educator Awards honor early to mid-career educators for their achievements and the promise of what they will accomplish, according to a press release from the Milken Family Foundation. McIntosh teaches reading and English Language Arts at Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School. She earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2018 and Master of Education in Education Leadership in 2022, both from ɫ. 

about Leslie and see videos of her surprise award presentation in Syracuse.

College of Education grad earns national teacher award

Alicia Dallman Shoemaker ’16E was recognized as the ACTFL (previously known as the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) National Language Teacher of the Year. See more in the . 

Alumni recognized by SHAPE Nebraska

Shawna Heusinkvelt ’13, who teaches physical education at Moore Middle School in Lincoln Public Schools, was named the Middle School Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the Society of Health & Physical Educators (SHAPE) of Nebraska. The annual award recognizes Nebraska educators and students for outstanding work in adapted physical education, dance, health and/or physical education.  

Seven ɫ Theatre students nominated for Irene Ryan competition

Five actors gather around a table, one standing over the table, clearly distraught. Behind them is a set made to look like the back room of a Hobby Lobby, with a tv on a stand, a sad plastic plant, bright blue employee lockers and a crafty-looking wicker basket.
A scene from ɫ Theatre's November production of "A Bright New Boise." Three of the seven students invited to compete in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship are pictured: Katie Craig (second from left), Jules Harlow (middle, standing) and Cody Lee (right).

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition is held regionally and nationally each year as part of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). Seven ɫ students have been invited to compete at the Region 5 festival, held in January. To compete, students will prepare and perform a solo monologue, a scene from a musical, and a scene from a play with a partner. 

From The Cherry Orchard: Logan Capek ’24 and Ella Zubieni ’26

From Amélie, The Musical: Persephone Earle ’24 and Logan Capek

From A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Jules McDowell ’24 and Katie Craig ’26

From A Bright New Boise: Jules Harlow ’26 and Cody Lee ’26

ɫ concert band performs at Nebraska music convention

ɫ’s concert band was one of two collegiate bands invited to perform at the Nebraska Music Education Association’s 2023 convention. The band played in the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln on the morning of Nov. 17.