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:

  • ɫ hosts American Democracy Week for students, staff and faculty
  • Blood drive hosted by the Health and Medical Occupations Club

Second annual American Democracy Week held at ɫ

Election officials from Douglas, Lancaster and Saline Counties stand together in Perry Campus Center in Crete after sharing about their work and roles before, during and after elections.
Election officials from Douglas, Saline and Lancaster counties spoke with students and ɫ employees on Wednesday, Sept. 13 about their roles and responsibilities before, during and after elections.

From Sept. 11 through 14, ɫ faculty and invited guests shared insights on modern American democracy, the forces that have shaped it and threaten to unshape it. On Monday Sept. 11, Dr. Tim Hill, professor of political science, presented on “Democracy, Defined.” Dr. Andy Johnson Wysocki, assistant professor of sociology and director of the Honors Program, and Dr. Jared List, associate professor of Spanish, spoke on “The Cracks in the System” on Tuesday, Sept. 12. ɫ hosted four election officials — the election commissioners for Douglas and Lancaster counties, and the county clerk and deputy county clerk for Saline County — on Wednesday, Sept. 13. 

The week culminated in a panel conversation mediated by Hill with Laura Ebke, of the Platte Institute, and Heidi Uhing, of Civic Nebraska. 

Following each presentation, students, faculty and staff were invited to ask questions. 

Health and Medical Occupations Club holds successful blood drive in Crete

Two students, one with a yellow bandage around her elbow after donating blood, stand in front of the Nebraska Community Blood Bank's Bloodmobile outside of Perry Campus Center in Crete.
Jaiden Papik (left) poses with a friend after donating blood on Monday, Sept. 18. 

The students of the HMOC hosted the Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) bloodmobile outside of Perry Campus Center on Sept. 18. The event had the largest number of pre-registered donors of any recent NCBB events at ɫ, and had a total of 40 donors over the course of four hours, including 26 new donors.

Olivia Lohrenz gives two thumbs up after donating blood. She has a pink bandage wrapped around her elbow.
Olivia Lohrenz gives two thumbs up after donating blood.