Magnusson, Irby win Spirit of Nebraska awards

Annie Magnusson of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Office of Admissions, and Kelly Irby, a UNL senior from Columbus, were honored with rings and Spirit of Nebraska awards by the Nebraska Alumni Association.

They were recognized April 14 during the association's fifth-annual Nebraska Ring ceremony where UNL students who had purchased them received their official Nebraska rings.

The Spirit of Nebraska award is given annually to alumni and students who go above and beyond their job requirements to improve the quality of student life, display selfless service to the university, and foster or improve a campus tradition.

Magnusson, '97, develops and organizes all events targeting prospective university honors students, including the Honors Colloquium, Distinguished Scholars Day, Omaha World-Herald dinner, and the Honors Overnight. She is a three-time recipient of the Parents Association Recognition for Contribution to Students Award and a 2003 and 2004 recipient of the Black Masque Chapter of Mortar Board People Who Inspire Award. Magnusson recently accepted a graduate assistantship with the Office of Admissions and will be working with football recruitment in the fall and New Student Enrollment in the spring, allowing her to attend graduate school full time next year with the goal of graduating in May 2007.

Irby, a member of the University Honors program and a secondary education major, was 2005-06 secretary of the Student Alumni Association board of directors and will serve as the group's president for the coming year. This summer she will work as a New Student Enrollment leader. During the school year, she gives campus tours for Red Letter Days, plans the Chancellor's Leadership Class and Pepsi Scholars Spring Game tailgate, and serves as chair of the Homecoming Karaoke Contest as a member of the University Ambassadors. Off campus, Irby is a teaching assistant for the Southeast Community College G.E.D. and Adult Basic Education Program, and she works at the University of Nebraska Technology Park as the event-planning intern.

CONTACT: Anna Pressler, Coordinator of Student Programs, Alumni Assoc., (402) 472-3342