Webster County natives create scholarship for area engineering students

A new scholarship for students from Webster, Adams and Kearney counties in Nebraska has been established at the University of Nebraska Foundation. Webster County natives Henry and Marilyn Berns announced a gift to the NU Foundation to provide scholarship assistance to engineering students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering.

The couple, who live in Andover, Ill., established the Henry D. and Marilyn J. Berns Scholarship Fund to provide help to students who need extra assistance in going to college. Henry Berns, an engineering graduate of the University of Nebraska, said he knows what it's like trying to get by in college.

"I was a poor student," Berns said. "I got along on peanuts, and I was glad to receive a scholarship or two. I've always thought if I ever got to where I could help someone else, I'd like to do that."

Berns said a college degree opens up a world of opportunities, so he decided to help others who want to attend the University of Nebraska.

"Anybody who has a college degree certainly is more capable of finding more employment," Berns said. "They don't just have to take a job; they can do a little picking and choosing."

Now he is able to fulfill his wish of helping current students.

The first Berns Scholarship was awarded by UNL to Ben Wademan, a sophomore industrial engineering major who is a graduate of Blue Hill High School and the son of James and Renee Wademan of Blue Hill. The scholarship is for $1,000 and is renewable for three more years.

Wademan said he is thankful to receive the first scholarship award and said it is a "big chunk to take out of tuition expenses." Wademan said he chose to attend UNL because of its engineering program, which he referred to as one of the best in the nation, and said he looks forward to where his education will take him.

"There are many things that can be done with an industrial engineering major," he said, "It is a field that manages all kinds of engineering projects."

Henry Berns graduated from the University of Nebraska with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1961 and a master's degree in 1962. He then attended Kansas State University, where he received a doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1968 before going to work for Deere and Co. in Moline, Ill.

Now retired, the Bernses have not slowed down.

"My wife and I are quite involved in volunteer work," Henry Berns said.

The couple participates in a program through the United Methodist Church called NOMADS, Nomads on a Mission Active in Divine Service. They've been involved for 10 years, and recently have volunteered at a boy's ranch in Gore, Okla., which helps troubled youths.

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.