Young Alumni Award winners announced

Three University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni will receive the Nebraska Alumni Association's Young Alumni Award May 5 at the All-University Celebration and Salute to Alumni Achievement at the Nebraska Champions Club. The award is given annually to UNL alumni who have provided exceptional service to the university through volunteer efforts or have distinguished themselves in their career or community.

The 2006 recipients are Capt. Jeffery Baldwin, '97, of Sheppard Air Force Base near Wichita Falls, Texas; John McNally, '99, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Shane Osborn, '96, of Omaha.

Baldwin, as a maintenance officer, oversees the planning and scheduling of aircraft, missiles and associated equipment on the A/OA-10, F-16, HC-130 and HH-60 aircraft. As a munitions officer, he works with some of the most powerful and advanced weapons in the world, managing the maintenance and modification of conventional and nuclear munitions. Among the many honors he has earned are the Bronze Star Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and six devices, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Air Force ROTC Detachment 465 Alumni Hall of Fame.

McNally earned a Ph. D. in English with a creative writing specialization at UNL, one of the few schools in the country to offer the specialization at this level. In 2000, his dissertation, "Troublemakers," was published by the University of Iowa Press and won the 2001 Nebraska Book Award. His first novel, "The Book of Ralph," was published in 2004 by the Free Press, a division of Simon and Shuster, and his second novel, "America's Report Card: A Novel," is due out this summer. In addition, McNally has edited four anthologies; published more than 30 short stories in literary magazines; and written book reviews for the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post

Osborn, a Norfolk native, is the most highly decorated junior officer and naval aviator in the U.S. Navy. Recognized as the pilot who safely landed a heavily damaged EP-3 Aries II plane on the Chinese Island of Hainan in April 2001, Osborn has received the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Battle Efficiency Ribbon and Expert Pistol Shot. In 2005, Osborn retired from active duty and returned to Nebraska to work with SilverStone Group, a financial services firm in Omaha, leading their aviation risk services division. He also gives motivational speeches and raises funds for numerous charities and other nonprofit associations.

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