New Innocents Society, Mortar Board members to be inducted at Ivy Day

            Students, faculty members and alumni will be honored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at its annual Ivy Day ceremonies on March 30.

            The event, co-sponsored by Mortar Board and the Innocents Society, recognizes the outstanding contribution of students selected to serve in the two organizations, as well as the achievements of current members and notable underclassmen and seniors.

            Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. at the Nebraska Champions Club, 707 Stadium Drive, and conclude with the traditional planting of the ivy by the 2013-14 presidents of the societies, Kevin Brodersen of Lincoln for the Mortar Board and Carl Post of Lincoln for the Innocents Society.

            Jane Hirt, managing editor and vice president of the Chicago Tribune, will give the keynote address. Hirt is a 1989 graduate of UNL with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

            Honorary memberships in the Innocents Society will be presented to Ronnie Green, vice president of the University of Nebraska and Harlan vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL; Ann Koopman, academic adviser in the University Honors Program; and Madhavan Soundararajan, professor of biochemistry and assistant director of the University Honors Program.

            Honorary Mortar Board memberships will be presented to Tim Alvarez, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs; and Ron Hanson, Neal E. Harlan professor of agribusiness.

            The Innocents Society inducts 13 new members each spring, with selection based on leadership, scholarship and service to the university and greater community. The Innocents Society was founded in 1903 to promote the spirit of the university and is the chancellor's senior honorary. It is not affiliated with any national organization.

            New members of Mortar Board are tapped into the Black Masque Chapter each spring by Mortar Boarders wearing black masks and robes. The 31 new members were selected on the basis of outstanding scholarship, leadership and service to the university and community.

            Following is a list by hometown of the 2012 inductees into the Innocents Society and the Black Masque chapter of Mortar Board. Information includes the student's academic major(s) and parent names.

NEBRASKA

            Ainsworth: Kayla Klammer, Mortar Board, theatre performance and dance, daughter of Joel and Kathy Klammer; Jordyn Lechtenberg, Mortar Board, agribusiness, daughter of Roger and Rhonda Lechtenberg.

            Beemer: Joshua Meaike, Mortar Board, nutrition and health sciences, son of Lyle and Traci Meaike.

            Bennington: Hannah Krick, Mortar Board, biological sciences, daughter of Dave and Carol Krick.

            Chadron: Kiya Stack, Mortar Board, entrepreneurship, pre-dentistry, daughter of Rob and Jill Stack.

            Colon: Brandon Chapek, Mortar Board, biological sciences (pre-dentistry), son of Larry and Nancy Chapek.

            Diller: Janelle Rickstrew, Innocents, accounting and pre-law, daughter of Ron and Shana Rickstrew.

            Gothenburg: Alexandra Abramson, Mortar Board, marketing, daughter of Tom Abramson.

            Grand Island: Abigail Jameson, Mortar Board, nutrition sciences (pre-medicine), daughter of Mary Jameson of Clarks and Daniel Dryer of Grand Island.

            Gresham: John Bader, Mortar Board, biological systems engineering, son of Gary and Dolores Bader.

            Hickman: Melissa Siefert, Mortar Board, business administration, daughter of Bill and Pam Siefert.

            Holdrege: Jonathan Larson, Mortar Board, political science, son of Bradley and Beth Larson.

            Juniata: Morgan Jacobi, Mortar Board, nutrition science (pre-medicine), daughter of Mark and Tami Jacobi.

            Kearney: Lindsay Connely, Innocents, speech pathology, daughter of Tom and Colleen Connely.

            Liberty: Colby Argo, Innocents, biological sciences (pre-medicine) and political science, son of Doug and Janet Argo.

            Lincoln: Sarah Barnes, Mortar Board, nutrition science, daughter of Ann Chang and Paul Barnes; Kevin Brodersen, Mortar Board, biological sciences, son of Bruce and Joan Brodersen; Kate Brungardt, Mortar Board, psychology, daughter of Rodney and Debra Brungardt; Jared Mar, Mortar Board, secondary Spanish education, son of Stanley and Tammy Mar; Ellen Muehling, Innocents, international business, global studies, psychology and Latin American studies, daughter of Brad and Linda Muehling; Carl Post, Innocents, biochemistry, son of Julie Poykko-Post and Greg and Sherla Post; Adam Salistean, Innocents, economics and finance, son of John and Kim Salistean; Madeline Shomos, Mortar Board, French and English, daughter of Mary Beth and Bill Shomos; Lindsey Von Seggern, Mortar Board, architecture, daughter of Doug and LeeAnne Von Seggern; Grant Weber, Mortar Board, advertising and public relations, son of Scott and Carie Weber; Jamie Zillig, Mortar Board, biological sciences, daughter of Paul and Janet Zillig.

            Omaha: Walter Bircher, Innocents, mechanical engineering, son of Mary and Craig Bircher; Peter Bock, Innocents, management-entrepreneurship and marketing, son of Andrew and Kathleen Bock; Grant Fehr, Mortar Board, secondary business education and marketing, son of Kent and Lori Fehr; Eric Reznicek, Mortar Board, marketing and finance, son of Mark and Patty Reznicek; Qianli Wang, Innocents, biological sciences, son of Xingqi Wang and Jinhui Zhao.

            Scotia: Debra Wray, Mortar Board, agribusiness, daughter of James and Carole Wray.

            Tekamah: Anders Olson, Innocents, agribusiness, son of Randy and Patty Olson.

            Wahoo: Nathaniel Kavan, Mortar Board, psychology and sociology (pre-medicine), son of David and Janine Kavan.

            Wauneta: Alex Wach, Mortar Board, agricultural journalism, son of Loran and Nancy Wach.

            Wilber: Shelby Pflanz, Mortar Board, secondary English education, daughter of Rich and Stacy Pflanz.

ELSEWHERE

            Aurora, Colo.: Margo Berends, Mortar Board, economics and political science, daughter of Cindy and Gary Berends.

            Lenexa, Kan.: Emily Miller, Mortar Board, industrial engineering, daughter of Jeannie and John Miller.

            Los Alamos, N.M.: Shelby Courtright, Mortar Board, dietetics, daughter of John and Geniece Courtright.

            Mitchell, S.D.: Ashley Thelen, Mortar Board, biochemistry and microbiology, daughter of Corey and Lisa Thelen.

            Overland Park, Kan.: Emily Phillips, Mortar Board, actuarial science, daughter of Beth and Andrew Phillips.

            Princeton, Mo.: Sarah Cast, Innocents, actuarial science, daughter of Wayne and Lisa Cast.

            St. Louis, Mo.: Patricia Malinowski, Innocents, biochemistry, daughter of Eric and Margie Malinowski.

            Sioux City, Iowa: Kate Kollars, Innocents, anthropology and biological sciences, daughter of Brad and Mary Kay Kollars.

Writer: Tom Simons