Gotschall family of Atkinson to receive Alumni Family Tree Award

The Nebraska Alumni Association will present the Alumni Family Tree Award May 5 to the Ernest J. and Jayne Gotschall family of Atkinson during the All-University Celebration and Salute to Alumni Achievement at the Nebraska Champions Club.

The Alumni Family Tree Award honors a family that has a tradition of attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The recipient family must include a minimum of three generations of graduates. At least two of the family members must have records of outstanding service to the university, the alumni association, their community or their profession.

For more than 50 years, the university has been an integral part of the Gotschall family. To date 11 members of the family have earned 11 bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees and three doctoral degrees from the NU system. Ernest Gotschall was president of the Nebraska Association for School Boards and three of his sons have served on local boards of education. The Gottschalls' six children have found careers as teachers, a physician, an attorney and a community college president. The children's spouses have earned degrees from UNL, an additional master's degree, two associate degrees and five bachelor's degrees. Ernest and Jayne received their degrees in 1950 and 1952 respectively, and five members of the third generation have or are attending UNL.

Reservations for the All-University Celebration and Salute to Alumni Achievement may be made by calling the Nebraska Alumni Association, (888) 353-1874 or (402) 472-4250. The cost is $25 per person and the deadline for registrations is April 28.

CONTACT: Marti Paquette, Nebraska Alumni Association, (402) 472-4250