College helps celebrate the university's 150th anniversary

The UNL Symphony Orchestra performs during "Music and Milestones" Feb. 15. Photo by Craig Chandler.
The UNL Symphony Orchestra performs during "Music and Milestones" Feb. 15. Photo by Craig Chandler.

Red burned bright Feb. 15 as the University of Nebraska–Lincoln concluded a Charter Week celebration with music and reflection on the Lied Center for Performing Arts stage, followed by fireworks over Pound Hall and Love Library.

Events during the week (Feb. 11-15) honored the Feb. 15, 1869 passage of the legislative act that formed the university's charter as a land-grant institution.

"Music and Milestones" on Feb. 15 at the Lied Center featured live performances and multimedia entertainment and was presented by the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, Lied Center for Performing Arts and Office of the Chancellor.

More than 300 artists united to perform, including the UNL Symphony Orchestra, UNL Opera, UNL Dance, Chamber Singers, University Singers, Varsity Singers and the Cornhusker Marching Band.

Actress and Hixson-Lied Board Member Marg Helgenberger read selections from Willa Cather's "O Pioneers!"

Dick Cavett, in a video, read "So This Is Nebraska," a poem by Ted Kooser.

Carson School of Theatre and Film senior Karen Richards read "Dress Like a Woman" by Roxane Gay.

Alumnus Jeff Zeleny, senior White House correspondent for CNN, was the evening's emcee.

The event also featured the premiere of two new commissioned new works by Nebraska alums and Glenn Korff School of Music faculty members David von Kampen and Garrett Hope.

"The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts was thrilled to showcase our students, faculty, alumni and friends in this special Music and Milestones event,” said Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts Endowed Dean Chuck O’Connor. "My thanks to creator Andy Park and Director William Shomos and all of the faculty, students, alumni and friends who participated in this monumental event."

To view more photos from the event, visit https://go.unl.edu/idbz.

A video of the event, recorded by NET, is available on YouTube: https://go.unl.edu/milestones.

The event was made possible with support from Christina M. Hixson and the Hixson-Lied Endowment. Additional support for the University's N|150 Celebration was provided by Rhonda Seacrest and Earl and Patricia Scudder.