2 faculty participate in Future Husker University

Left:  Jen Landis helps students create logos in “Logo Mania.” Right: Michelle Harvey works with a group to help turn their idea into a short play in her “Storytelling on Stage” class at Future Husker University.
Left: Jen Landis helps students create logos in “Logo Mania.” Right: Michelle Harvey works with a group to help turn their idea into a short play in her “Storytelling on Stage” class at Future Husker University.

Two Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts faculty participated in the Nebraska Alumni Association’s Future Husker University on July 14.

Future Husker University is an immersive and interactive Husker experience on campus for any future Husker, ages 7-13, and their families. The Nebraska Alumni Association has welcomed Nebraska alumni and fans through this experience since 2018.

Participants take part in classroom activities led by the university’s departments, eat in a student dining hall, tour campus landmarks, and more. At the end of experience, the participants conclude with a graduation ceremony.

Assistant Professor of Practice in Graphic Design Jen Landis offered the class “Logo Mania.” In this class, students learned the basics of creating their very own logo. They learned about the elements of design, like color, shape and typography, and how to use them to create a logo.

“Teaching logo design at Future Husker University was so inspiring,” Landis said. “The young students showed great enthusiasm, and turned their business ideas into creative visual identities. Being part of Future Husker University further proves how education can truly shape a brighter, more imaginative future.”

Assistant Professor of Lighting Michelle Harvey taught “Storytelling on Stage.” Every TV show, movie, TikTok or play you watch starts as an idea in someone’s head. Harvey taught participants how one idea can be made into a full story that’s designed to be acted out and told on the theatre stage.

“As a UNL alum, I love teaching Future Huskers and sharing our amazing University with the next generation,” Harvey said. “We explored storytelling with live performance this year, and the students were incredible. We saw a Wizard help an Astronaut stuck on Mars, a Cowboy rescue a family in the Desert, an Opera Singer get saved by a Chef. It was a great day of imagination using performance alongside scenic, lighting and costume design. I hope the students think about stories in a new way.”