Ivy Day March 27 to Celebrate Student Service, Leadership

Students, faculty members and alumni will be honored at the annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln Ivy Day ceremonies beginning at 9:30 a.m. March 27 in the Nebraska Champions Club, 707 Stadium Drive.

The event, co-sponsored by Mortar Board and the Innocents Society, will recognize the outstanding contribution of students selected to serve in the two organizations, as well as the achievements of current members and notable underclassmen and seniors.

Honorary memberships in the Innocents Society will be conferred on Turner Gill, receivers coach for the Cornhusker football team, and Michelle R. Waite, assistant to the chancellor for community relations.

Honorary Mortar Board memberships will be presented to Dr. James Guest, UNL alumnus and Lincoln pediatrician, and Patrick McBride, associate dean of admissions and director of new student enrollment.

The keynote address will be given by Nebraska U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel.

Ceremonies will conclude with the symbolic planting of the ivy.

The Innocents Society inducts 13 new members each spring, with the selection based on leadership, scholarship and service to the university and greater community. The Innocents Society was founded in 1903 to promote the spirit of the university and is the chancellor's senior honorary. It is not affiliated with any national organization.

New members of Mortar Board are tapped into the Black Masque Chapter each spring by Mortar Boarders wearing black masks and robes. The 26 new members were selected on the basis of outstanding scholarship, leadership and service to the university and community.

Following is a list of the 2004 inductees into the Innocents Society and the Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board. Information includes the students' academic major(s) and parents' names.

NEBRASKA

Ainsworth: Katie Jan Weichman, business administration, daughter of Denton and Ann Weichman (Innocents).

Bellevue: Todd West, political science and English, son of John and Lynn West (Innocents).

Bladen: Michelle Pavelka, animal science, daughter of Stanley and Sharon Pavelka (Mortar Board).

Gothenburg: Erica Peterson, Spanish, biological sciences and pre-medicine, daughter of Steve and Ligia Peterson (Mortar Board).

Gretna: Valerie Mauler, marketing, daughter of Duane and Barbara Mauler (Innocents).

Jansen: Sarah Hermsmeier, advertising, daughter of Gary and Linda Hermsmeier (Mortar Board).

Kenesaw: William J. Troshynski, history and pre-law, son of Jim and Betti Troshynski (Innocents).

Lincoln: Brian Butler, chemistry and pre-medicine, son of Carol Butler (Innocents); Casey Collier, psychology and pre-medicine, son of Barry and Annette Collier (Mortar Board); Aaron Eske, advertising, son of Jim Eske and Deb Thomas (Mortar Board); Alexis Kramer, architecture, daughter of Sarah Pappas McCabe (Mortar Board); Maggie Pavelka, advertising, daughter of Patricia Pavelka (Mortar Board); Camilo Ramirez, international studies and Spanish, son of Marty and Connie Ramirez (Mortar Board); Sarah Elizabeth Sterns, English and history, daughter of Elizabeth Sterns and John Turner (Mortar Board).

Louisville: Stephanie Pankonin, international studies, daughter of David and Lori Pankonin (Mortar Board).

Murdock: Carrie Johnson, broadcasting, daughter of Dale Johnson (Mortar Board).

Nebraska City: Steven Mills, chemistry and pre-medicine, son of Ed and Mary Mills (Innocents).

Omaha: Christopher R. Balwanz, biochemistry and pre-medicine, son of Rayne and Cheryl Balwanz (Innocents); Nick Clatterbuck, economics, son of Gary and Debi Clatterbuck (Innocents); Andrew J. Holz, secondary education, son of Craig and Julia Holz (Innocents); Kristen Otterson, business management and marketing, daughter of Bev and Jerry Otterson (Mortar Board); Matthew Schieber, pre-dentistry and business administration, son of Ken and Connie Schieber (Mortar Board); Laura Schreier, news-editorial, broadcasting and English, daughter of Philip and Jeanne Schreier (Innocents).

Platte Center: Brandon Mueller, computer science, son of Scott and Patricia Mueller (Mortar Board).

Scotia: Curtis Wray, mathematics and chemistry, son of Gene and Mayre Wray (Mortar Board).

South Sioux City: Steve Wiltgen, mathematics and biological sciences, son of Ed and Mary Wiltgen (Mortar Board).

Tecumseh: Erin Ebeler, finance, daughter of Chuck and Kris Ebeler (Mortar Board).

Waco: Shannon Cummins, economics and international studies, daughter of Hal and Mary Cummins (Mortar Board).

Wilcox: Suzanna Adam, news-editorial and English, daughter of Mark and Grace Adam (Mortar Board); Jill Gitt, business administration, daughter of Dan and Ellen Gitt (Mortar Board).

ELSEWHERE

Blue Springs, Mo.: John Michael Wirtz, business administration, son of John and Vicky Wirtz (Innocents).

Brandon, S.D.: Omaid Zabih, history and pre-medicine, son of Asif and Zohra Zabih (Mortar Board).

Brookings, S.D.: Meghan Lyons, electrical engineering, daughter of Pat and Nancy Lyons (Mortar Board); Joshua Paula, finance, son of Steve and Rachel Paula (Innocents).

Hutchinson, Kan.: Kyle Goerl, psychology and pre-medicine, son of Vernon and Sandra Goerl (Mortar Board).

Kirkland, Wash.: Timothy Wardell, exercise science, son of David and Susan Wardell (Mortar Board).

Mulvane, Kan.: Evan Deichert, broadcasting, son of Rory and Mary Deichert (Mortar Board).

Sioux City, Iowa: Sarah Heacock, pre-physician's assistant, daughter of Suzie Heacock (Innocents).

Sioux Falls, S.D.: Heather Hubert, elementary education, daughter of Bev Hubert of Sioux Falls and Bruce Hubert of Dallas.

CONTACT: Tom Simons, University Communications, (402) 472-8514