UNL Masters return to campus Nov. 1-4 to share with students

Released on 10/24/2006, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, through Nov. 4, 2006

WHERE: Various sites, UNL campus

Lincoln, Neb., October 24th, 2006 —
Kent Andersen
Kent Andersen
Chris Greene
Chris Greene
John Hoerner
John Hoerner
Patricia Peterson
Patricia Peterson
Bob Reeder
Bob Reeder

Five distinguished University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni return to campus Nov. 1-4 for Masters Week, an annual event that connects university graduates with students.

This year's UNL Masters are: Kent Andersen, executive vice president of the North American Limousin Foundation; Chris Greene, professor of physics at the University of Colorado and chair of the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics; John Hoerner, chief executive of Central European Clothing for Tesco, the United Kingdom's largest retailer; Patricia "Patti" Peterson, attorney and partner with Kutak Rock in Omaha; and Rob Reeder, manager of advertising for Hallmark and Hallmark Gold Crown Stores.

UNL faculty nominate alumni each winter for the next year's program. Masters are selected by a committee appointed by the chancellor. Masters Week is sponsored by the Chancellor's office, the Student Alumni Association, Innocents Society and Mortar Board. The program brings successful alumni into contact with students through class visitations, campus tours, and meetings with clubs and organizations.

The schedules of each Master's activities on campus is listed on the Nebraska alumni Web site at www.huskeralum.com/programs/masters/index.htm. Events will include receptions with the Mortar Board, Innocents Society and Student Alumni Association, dinners and a pre-game event Nov. 4, and numerous college and department visits with the Master's host college.

Andersen, originally from Lexington, is the executive vice president for the North American Limousin Foundation in Englewood, Colo., an organization dedicated to the promotion of the Limousin breed of cattle. During his tenure at the foundation, he has been active in various beef industry organizations, including the Beef Improvement Federation, National Pedigreed Livestock Council, U.S. Beef Breeds Council and International Limousin Council. He began his work with the foundation in 1990 as the director of education and research. Andersen graduated from UNL in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree, and earned his master's and Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1987 and 1990. He remains active in his family's cow-calf operation in Nebraska.

Greene, originally from Ashland, is a professor of physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder and a fellow and chair of the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, a world-renowned research institute. He graduated with high distinction from UNL in 1976, and earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago in 1976 and 1980. After a postdoctoral appointment at Stanford University, he joined the faculty at Louisiana State University where he held an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship and earned the Presidential Young Investigator Award. Greene also received the inaugural I.I. Rabi Prize of the American Physical Society and has been published countless times. He is lauded for his commitment to and compassion for students, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Hoerner is chief executive of Central European Clothing for Tesco, the United Kingdom's largest retailer. A Lincoln native, Hoerner graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1961 and was active on campus as a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity and the Innocents Society senior honorary and was a Daily Nebraskan columnist. Hoerner has had a distinguished retail business career, holding numerous executive-level posts in stores and chains in the United States and since 1987 in the United Kingdom. He has been active in each of the communities where he has lived, and has a special interest in dogs and horses. Hoerner is also a pilot and an active member of the U.K. Air Squadron.

Peterson, originally from Loup City, is an attorney and partner with Kutak Rock in Omaha, practicing in the area of municipal finance and serving as bond council for several state housing finance agencies. She earned her B.A. from the University of Nebraska in 1976 and graduated with distinction from the UNL College of Law in 1979. Peterson is a member of the Robert J. Kutak Foundation and the Governor's Affordable Housing Committee, a graduate of Leadership Omaha and president of the Loveland Community Club. She is also a member of the Nebraska Alumni Association's Cather Circle where she mentors collegiate women.

Reeder, originally of Lincoln, is the manager of advertising for Hallmark and Hallmark Gold Crown Stores, managing national advertising for one of the most prominent and recognizable brands in America. After earning his B.J. from UNL in 1986, Reeder accepted his first position as assistant director of communications for the Nebraska Alumni Association. He left to pursue a master of advertising degree from Northwestern University, which he received in 1991. Reeder worked for Valentine-Radford advertising agency in Kansas City and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar media and advertising department before accepting a post at Hallmark. As an undergraduate, Reeder was a member of the Scarlet and Cream Singers. Today he devotes some of his free time to Shawnee Mission Community Theater, teaches aerobics and volunteers with the Kansas City Free Health Clinic.

UNL Master's week was founded in 1964 by Chancellor Clifford Hardin. More than 200 alumni have returned to campus as Masters since the program's inception.

CONTACT: Annette Wetzel, University Communications, (402) 472-8524