Several School of Computing students were honored by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln at its annual Ivy Day ceremonies April 11.
The event, co-sponsored by Mortar Board and the Innocents Society, recognized outstanding contributions of students selected to serve in the two senior honorary organizations, as well as the achievements of current members and notable underclassmen and seniors.
Ceremonies took place at the Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall auditorium and concluded with the traditional planting of the ivy on the south side of Love Library by the 2026-27 presidents of the societies — Sophia Harding of Omaha for Mortar Board and Marlana Saalfeld of Lincoln for the Innocents Society.
The Innocents Society inducts 13 new members each spring, with selection based on leadership, academic achievement 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 uniquely Nebraskan.
New members of Mortar Board are tapped into the Black Masque Chapter each spring by Mortar Boarders wearing black masks and robes. The 28 new members were selected based on scholarship, leadership and service.
The following is a list by hometown of the 2026 School of Computing inductees into the Innocents Society and the Black Masque chapter of Mortar Board. Information includes each student's academic major(s) and parent names.
• Lucas Coelho, Innocents Society, computer science, Renata and Estevao Coelho.
• Sophia Harding, Mortar Board, computer science and graphic design, Matthew and Kari Harding.
• Shahd Khourshed, Mortar Board, software engineering (Raikes School), Maged Khoursid and Rasha Shewail.
• Maitreyi Purandare, Mortar Board, computer science (Raikes School), Rahul and Swapna Purandare.
• Joseph Shea, Mortar Board, computer science and data science (Raikes School), Ryan and Sara Shea.
View the full list of inductees in Nebraska Today.