Friends of the NU State Museum announces 2013 board

            The Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum of Natural History has announced its 2013 board of directors. The Friends of the Museum support, promote, and advocate for the museum, which includes the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Morrill Hall and Mueller Planetarium, Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, and the Trailside Museum of Natural History at Fort Robinson State Park.

            New board members include, Rod Bates, Nebraska Educational Telecommunications; Ed Schmidt, retired, UNL Department of Physics and Astronomy; Georgianne Mastera, retired, Nebraska Wesleyan University; and Erin Colonna, freelance designer and exhibits specialist.

            Officers include Art Zygielbaum, president, UNL School of Natural Resources; Diane Pratt, vice president, Tern and Plover Conservation Partnership; Mel Thornton, treasurer, retired, UNL Department of Mathematics; and Mark Brohman, secretary, Nebraska Environmental Trust.

            The board also re-elected Lois Mayo, retired, Lincoln Public Schools. Continuing board members include: Kelli Bacon, Nebraska State Historical Society; Eileen Cunningham, OneCert Inc.; Gary Gabelhouse, Fairfield Research; Marcia Hollestelle, volunteer; David Rowe, Kinsey Rowe Becker & Kistler, LLP; and Natasha Vavra, child care specialist.

            Established in 1983, this nonprofit group donates its dollars, time and talents to refurbish, revitalize, educate, expand and fund projects to help enrich the lives of all who are exposed to the museum. Recent projects include research awards for UNL graduate students studying vertebrate paleontology, parasitology and zoology, and renovations to Morrill Hall's acoustics and carpeting.

            Friends of the Museum membership includes free admission throughout the year, along with many other benefits. To learn more, visit http://www.friendsofthemuseum.org or phone 402-472-3779.

Writer: Dana Ludvik