Black Hills Energy scholarships announced at UNL

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced the award of 25 Black Hills Energy scholarships to Nebraska high school graduates studying at the College of Business Administration or College of Engineering.

Black Hills Energy, which provides natural gas service in 110 Nebraska communities, maintains the scholarship fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation to reward the academic achievement of Nebraska students.

"We're delighted to partner with UNL and these deserving students," said Dan Mechtenberg, Black Hills' Nebraska operations vice president. "We hope these business and engineering majors will stay in Nebraska after graduation and become productive citizens, and perhaps one day join the Black Hills Energy employee team."

Based in Rapid City, S.D., Black Hills operates electric and natural gas utilities serving more than 750,000 customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that has raised private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for 72 years. Last year, almost $90 million was provided for students, faculty, academic programs, research, and for campus and building improvements. More information is available at www.nufoundation.org.

The UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid awarded each of these students a $500 Black Hills Energy Scholarship for the 2008-09 school year:

Aurora: Connor T. Jensen, accounting.

Beatrice: Austin Dean Zimmerman, agricultural engineering.

Bellevue: Adriene J. Helbert, business administration; Jonathan P. Taylor, international business.

Columbus: Derek T. Prososki, mechanical engineering; Bethany M. Seipel, pre-architectural engineering.

Elkhorn: Eric T. Dreessen, chemical engineering; Emily N. Simpson, marketing.

Firth: Andrew D. Granatowicz, biological systems engineering.

Hickman: Geoffrey W. Gross, biological systems engineering.

LaVista: Tyler J. Webster, business administration.

Lincoln: Lucas G. Thomas, chemical engineering; Megan L. Voichoski, international business; Nathan J. Webb, accounting.

Madison: Jacob R. Daberkow, business administration.

Newman Grove: Jacob J. Preister, agricultural engineering.

Norfolk: Ryan C. Praeuner, computer engineering.

North Bend: Tyler J. Baumert, business administration; Adam C. Emanuel, agricultural engineering.

Papillion: Brent B. Sorensen, pre-architectural engineering.

Pierce: Gregory J. Rethwisch, business administration.

Sterling: Wade A. Hunt, chemical engineering.

Wilber: Kelsey M. Bridges, actuarial science; Ryan J. Pryor, business administration.

York: Justin R. McQuistan, marketing.