{ "stories": {"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107224":{"id":"107224","title":"2027 Spring Festival Gala-Chinese New Year at UNL","description":"Join the Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) for the 2027 Spring Festival Gala! Enjoy performances, cultural showcases, and celebrate Chinese New Year together at the Nebraska Union Ballroom on February 6th at 6:30 PM.","full_article":"The Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) at the University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln invites all students to attend the 2027 Spring Festival Gala.\r\n\r\nThe Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional holiday in China. It symbolizes new beginnings, reunion, and good fortune.\r\n\r\nThis event will feature a variety of performances, including dance, music, and cultural showcases. It is a great opportunity for students to experience Chinese culture, enjoy a festive atmosphere, and connect with others on campus.\r\n\r\nEvent Details:\r\nDate: February 6th, 2027 \r\nTime: 6:30 PM \r\nLocation: Nebraska Union Ballroom \r\n\r\nThe event is open to all UNL students. We welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the Lunar New Year together!","request_publish_start":"2027-01-28 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2027-02-06 00:00:00","sponsor":"Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA)","website":"https:\/\/nvolveu.unl.edu","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"cyan5","uid_modified":"cyan5","date_submitted":"2026-03-31 00:57:17","date_modified":"2026-03-31 01:06:42","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230753.jpg":{"id":"230753","name":"Weixin Image_2026-03-31_001035_929.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"182738","use_for":"originalimage","description":"2027 Chinese New Year at UNL","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230753.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230754.jpg":{"id":"230754","name":"Weixin Image_2026-03-31_001035_929.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"14461","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"2027 Chinese New Year at UNL","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230754.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107417":{"id":"107417","title":"Seeking Seeking Speakers for Nebraska Career Catalyst | November 17, 2026","description":"This November, we will be hosting the fourth annual Nebraska Career Catalyst, a conference to assist University of Nebraska system alumni jump-start and advance their careers. We are seeking speakers who can lead a 45-minute sessions throughout the day.","full_article":"Seeking Speakers for Nebraska Career Catalyst | November 17, 2026\r\nThis November, we are thrilled to host the third annual Nebraska Career Catalyst, a conference to assist University of Nebraska system alumni jump-start and advance their careers.\r\nWe\u2019re looking to alumni leaders to make this event as valuable as possible to our attendees - preparing them for early- and mid-career success and helping them become Nebraska\u2019s next generation of community leaders.\r\nThis event is a partnership between the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha alumni associations.\r\nWhat: Nebraska Career Catalyst\r\nWhen: Thursday, November 17, 2026\r\nWhere: Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC) (2021 Transformation Dr, Lincoln, NE 68508) at the University of Nebraska Lincoln\r\nWe are seeking speakers who can lead 45-minute sessions that have interactive, unique takes on topics like:\r\n\u2022\tLeadership\r\n\u2022\tMentorship\r\n\u2022\tPersonal and professional branding\r\n\u2022\tProfessional networking\r\n\u2022\tProfessional skills\r\n\u2022\tPersonal and professional strengths\r\nYou are welcome and encouraged to submit other topics for consideration as well. Selected speakers will receive a $300 stipend per session topic. Thus, if two individuals co-present on a session topic, they will each receive $150. University of Nebraska employees must have a business tax ID and provide a W9, or the honorarium can go to the NU Foundation fund of your choice.\r\nIf you\u2019re interested in presenting at Nebraska Career Catalyst, please complete the online Request For Proposal form by June 15. For questions, please contact Nicole Sweigard at nicole.sweigard@huskeralum.org\r\nThank you for considering being a part of this event. We\u2019re grateful for engaged leaders who can provide valuable insight and guidance to those looking to launch and grow their careers.\r\n","request_publish_start":"2026-05-01 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-06-01 00:00:00","sponsor":"Nebraska Alumni Association","website":"https:\/\/www.huskeralum.org\/s\/1620\/bp23\/home.aspx","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"nsweigard2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-07 11:36:29","date_modified":"2026-04-07 11:36:29","files":[]},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107237":{"id":"107237","title":"Associate Professor Nathan Bicak Receives IDEC Teaching Excellence Award","description":"The University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln College of Architecture announced that Associate Professor Nathan Bicak has been named to an elite peerage of educators as a recipient of the 2026 Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Teaching Excellence Award.","full_article":"The University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln College of Architecture announced that Associate Professor Nathan Bicak has been named to an elite peerage of educators as a recipient of the 2026 Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) Teaching Excellence Award.\r\n\r\nBicak was recognized for his sustained commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning and transformative educational experiences that prepare students to engage meaningfully with communities and the built environment.\r\n\r\nThis marks the third time in the past five years that a UNL interior design faculty member has received the IDEC Teaching Excellence Award, with previous recipients including Associate Professor Kendra Ordia and Interior Design Program Director Lindsey Bahe.\r\n\r\nThat distinction reflects a broader culture within the program and is evident in student success. The program maintains a 95% job placement rate, and students are consistently recognized in national competitions and honors programs, including NEXT and Metropolis Future100. This year, two additional UNL students were named to the Metropolis Future100, bringing the program\u2019s total to eight recognized students since 2022.\r\n\r\nKevin G. Van Den Wymelenberg, dean of the College of Architecture, added, \u201cProfessor Bicak\u2019s collaborative spirit, inquisitive nature and passion for teaching design and creative problem-solving make him a beloved colleague and educator and represent a few of the reasons he was recognized by IDEC with their most prestigious award.\" \r\n\r\n\u201cWith Nate Bicak named the third UNL interior design faculty member since 2021 to receive the IDEC Teaching Excellence Award, our program has the highest concentration of recipients of any single program,\u201d said Lindsey Bahe, director of the interior design program. \u201cThis distinction reflects a culture where teaching is advanced through innovation, collaboration and research-informed practice. It affirms the UNL Interior Design Program as a national leader in shaping the future of design education and practice.\u201d\r\n\r\nFor more than a decade, Bicak has led an interdisciplinary collaborative studio that brings together students from interior design, architecture and landscape architecture. Through partnerships with communities across Nebraska \u2014 including Valentine, Kimball, Hastings, Omaha, Lincoln and Osmond \u2014 students engage with real-world challenges ranging from affordable housing and main street revitalization to K-12 education and early childhood design. His teaching emphasizes empathy, teamwork and the social impact of design, helping students develop solutions grounded in the unique needs of each community.\r\n\r\nBicak is also a driving force behind fabrication and material exploration within the program. His IDES 301 Material Application course immerses students in hands-on learning through prototyping with wood, plastics and fabrics, while introducing them to advanced tools such as laser cutters, CNC machines, welding equipment and 3D printers at Nebraska Innovation Studio. The course was the first in the College of Architecture to be fully taught at the facility, establishing a lasting partnership that connects design thinking with making and innovation.\r\n\r\nHis excellence in teaching has been recognized with the College of Architecture Teaching Award in 2022 and an honorable mention for the CIDA Award for Excellence in 2017. Bicak also contributes to the advancement of design education through regular presentations at national conferences, including IDEC and Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), and serves as a peer teaching mentor for tenure-track faculty within the college.\r\n\r\nBicak\u2019s teaching emphasizes community-engaged design, collaboration and material-based learning, with a focus on preparing students to address real-world challenges in the built environment.\r\n\r\nShareThis Article\r\nLatest News","request_publish_start":"2026-05-01 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-15 00:00:00","sponsor":"College of Architecture","website":"https:\/\/architecture.unl.edu\/news\/associate-professor-nathan-bicak-receives-idec-teaching-excellence-award\/","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"kvondrak2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-03-31 09:30:48","date_modified":"2026-03-31 09:30:48","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230765.jpg":{"id":"230765","name":"161110_Bicak_319.JPG","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"1005649","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Associate Professor Nathan Bicak Receives IDEC Teaching Excellence Award","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230765.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230768.jpg":{"id":"230768","name":"161110_Bicak_319.JPG","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"9501","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Associate Professor Nathan Bicak Receives IDEC Teaching Excellence Award","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230768.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107612":{"id":"107612","title":"UNL historian a finalist for the Plutarch Award","description":"Wakara\u2019s America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West by Max Perry Mueller has been named a finalist for the Plutarch Award, one of the most distinguished honors in the field of biography.","full_article":"Wakara\u2019s America: The Life and Legacy of a Native Founder of the American West by Max Perry Mueller has been named a finalist for the Plutarch Award, one of the most distinguished honors in the field of biography.\r\n\r\nPresented annually by the Biographers International Organization, the Plutarch Award recognizes the best biography published in English and is judged exclusively by a panel of accomplished biographers. Established in 2013 and named for the ancient Greek writer Plutarch, the award has quickly become the premier international prize dedicated solely to the craft of biography.\r\n\r\nBeing named a finalist places Wakara\u2019s America among a select group of works recognized for exceptional research, narrative power, and originality. Each year, judges evaluate roughly 200 biographies spanning a wide range of subjects and approaches, ultimately selecting a shortlist that represents the highest standards of the genre.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe Plutarch Award is unique in that it is judged by biographers themselves,\u201d said Mueller. \u201cTo be recognized by peers who understand the demands of the craft\u2014archival depth, narrative structure, and interpretive insight\u2014is an extraordinary honor.\u201d\r\n\r\nFinalists in recent years have included biographies of figures ranging from Malcolm X to Jimmy Carter and Charles Dickens, reflecting the award\u2019s breadth and its role in defining the contemporary field of life writing.\r\n\r\nOften described as the highest honor in biography judged by practitioners of the form, the Plutarch Award highlights works that combine rigorous archival scholarship with compelling storytelling and broad cultural significance.\r\n\r\nWakara\u2019s America offers a groundbreaking account of the Ute leader Wakara, reframing the history of the American West through Indigenous power, diplomacy, and resistance. By centering Native perspectives and challenging conventional narratives of western expansion, the book contributes to a growing body of scholarship reshaping the field of American history.\r\n\r\nThe winner of this year\u2019s Plutarch Award will be announced at the annual BIO Conference.","request_publish_start":"2026-05-01 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-16 00:00:00","sponsor":"Classics & Religious Studies","website":"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Wakaras-America-Legacy-Founder-American\/dp\/1541602595","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"mmueller14","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-16 08:40:22","date_modified":"2026-04-16 08:40:22","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231609.png":{"id":"231609","name":"Screenshot 2026-04-16 at 8.34.01 AM.png","type":"image\/png","size":"571768","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Finalists for the Plutarch","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231609.png"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231610.png":{"id":"231610","name":"Screenshot 2026-04-16 at 8.34.01 AM.png","type":"image\/png","size":"70078","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Finalists for the Plutarch","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231610.png"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107219":{"id":"107219","title":"Predmore retirement reception is May 6","description":"A retirement celebration for Debra Predmore, Finance Specialist with the Bureau of Sociological Research, will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. May 6 in Oldfather Hall Room 707.","full_article":"After nearly two decades of dedicated service to the University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln, Deb Predmore, finance specialist for the Bureau of Sociological Research, is retiring.\r\n\r\nPredmore joined BOSR in 2008 and became an essential part of BOSR\u2019s financial operations. Over the years, she provided expertise across a wide range of business functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, procurement, travel, budgeting, and contract management, ensuring accurate financial reporting for BOSR\u2019s many projects. In addition to her finance responsibilities at BOSR, Predmore took on tasks from the Oldfather Business Cooperative.\r\n \r\nColleagues praise Predmore for her deep institutional knowledge, calm professionalism, and unwavering commitment to supporting the entire BOSR team. She is recognized for being a friendly face in the office and for her ability to juggle complex financial responsibilities with a positive, team centered attitude. Many highlight her patience, attention to detail, and willingness to dig into complicated questions until she finds the right answer. Predmore has been indispensable to BOSR\u2019s smooth day to day operations and long term success, as well as support for BOSR\u2019s research mission. \r\n\r\nBOSR thanks Deb Predmore for her dedicated service and wishes her a fulfilling retirement.","request_publish_start":"2026-05-01 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-04 00:00:00","sponsor":"Bureau of Sociological Research","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"aganshert2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-03-30 16:25:15","date_modified":"2026-03-30 16:25:15","files":[]},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107616":{"id":"107616","title":"Artist Sara Jimenez presents Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist lecture April 30","description":"Artist Sara Jimenez will present the next Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist Lecture on Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Sheldon Art Museum\u2019s Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.","full_article":"Artist Sara Jimenez will present the next Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist Lecture on Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. in Sheldon Art Museum\u2019s Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium. The lecture is free and open to the public.\r\n\r\nJimenez\u2019s work materializes invisible histories and a kaleidoscopic connectedness she has to her ancestors and their land. She works in installation, sculpture, collage and performance to create visual metaphors through fantastical environments and otherworldly, biomorphic objects. \r\n\r\nMost of her research and inspiration comes from learning about the landscape and narratives from her genealogical roots in Southeast Asia, the Pacific and the ancient U.K. Jimenez\u2019s practice uses poetic abstraction and color to disorient and trouble dominant ideas about people, places and time. Each project or series of works is sited in a specific set of historical narrative threads. Alongside her practice of researching ancestral intersectional histories, she also creates site specific installations that grapple with the legacies and landscapes of their particular locations.\r\n\r\nJimenez received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and her Master of Fine Arts degree from Parsons the New School for Design in Fine Art. Selected solo exhibitions include Rachel Uffner Gallery, Smack Mellon and Morgan Lehman Gallery in New York City. Selected commissions include Cornell University (Ithaca, New York), Wave Hill (New York City) and MadArt Studio (Seattle). \r\n\r\nJimenez has also exhibited in exhibitions at museums including El Museo del Barrio, The Brooklyn Museum, and The Bronx Museum. Her work is part of the permanent collection of the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice. Selected awards and grants include NYFA\u2019s Canadian Women's Artist Award, multiple Canada Council for the Arts\u2019 Explore and Create and Travel Grants, and BRIC\u2019s Colene Brown Art Prize. Jimenez is represented by Chozick Family Art Galley in New York City.\r\n\r\nThe School of Art, Art History & Design\u2019s Hixson-Lied Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series brings notable artists, scholars and designers to Nebraska each semester to enhance the education of students. The series is presented in collaboration with Sheldon Museum of Art.\r\n\r\nUnderwritten by the Hixson-Lied Endowment with additional support from other sources, the series enriches the culture of the state by providing a way for Nebraskans to interact with luminaries in the fields of art, art history and design. Each visiting artist or scholar spends one to three days on campus to meet with classes, participate in critiques and give demonstrations. \r\n\r\nFor more information on the series, contact the School of Art, Art History & Design at (402) 472-5522 or e-mail schoolaahd@unl.edu. \r\n","request_publish_start":"2026-04-27 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-30 00:00:00","sponsor":"Hixson-Lied Fine & Performing Arts","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"kandersen1","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-16 09:20:08","date_modified":"2026-04-16 09:20:08","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231617.jpg":{"id":"231617","name":"Jimenez-Image.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"1023849","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Left: Sara Jimenez. Right: Sara Jimenez, \u201cAllegory of Continents\u201d (solo exhibition), 2025, textiles, cement, steel, ceramic, dimensions variable.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231617.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231618.jpg":{"id":"231618","name":"Jimenez-Image.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"10616","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Left: Sara Jimenez. Right: Sara Jimenez, \u201cAllegory of Continents\u201d (solo exhibition), 2025, textiles, cement, steel, ceramic, dimensions variable.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231618.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107542":{"id":"107542","title":"PlantNebraska to Host Spring Plant Sales","description":"PlantNebraska will host more than a dozen plant sales this spring in various locations around Nebraska. Native and well-adapted perennials for sun and shade, plus grasses, herbs, trees and shrubs will be available for sale.","full_article":"PlantNebraska will host more than a dozen plant sales this spring in various locations around Nebraska. Native and well-adapted perennials for sun and shade, plus grasses, herbs, trees and shrubs will be available for sale. \r\n\r\nCurrent members of PlantNebraska receive a 15% discount at all spring plant sales. PlantNebraska accepts credit and debit cards and checks; no cash, please. \r\n\r\nSales are held at PlantNebraska\u2019s greenhouses, located at 2150 N. 38th Street, Lincoln (on UNL\u2019s East Campus), except where otherwise noted. \r\n\r\nThursday, April 30\r\nPlantNebraska Members Only Plant Sale\r\n4-7 p.m.\r\n\r\nLincoln Plant Sales\r\nFridays, May 1, 15, 22 & 29 and June 12 & 26 \r\n12:30 - 4:30 p.m. \r\n\r\nSaturdays, May 2, 16, 23 & 30 and June 13 & 27\r\n\r\nOmaha Plant Sale\r\nSaturday, May 9\r\nDouglas-Sarpy County Extension Office\r\n8015 West Center Road, Omaha\r\n9 a.m. - 12 noon\r\n\r\nWildflower Week Plant Sales\r\nThursday, June 4\r\nMari Sandoz Heritage Center\r\n1000 Main St., Chadron\r\n9 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m. \r\n\r\nSaturday, June 6\r\nCommunity Ever Green House\r\n1210 Overland Trails Rd., Gering\r\n8:30 \u2013 11:30 a.m.\r\n\r\nPlant Sale at Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue\r\nSaturday, June 20\r\nNature Center \r\n1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue\r\n9 a.m. - 12 noon\r\n\r\nPollinator Party Mini Plant Sale at Schramm Education Center\r\nSaturday, June 20\r\n21502 NE-31, Gretna\r\n10 a.m. - 2 p.m.\r\n\r\nFor more information about PlantNebraska\u2019s spring greenhouse and special event plant sales, visit plantnebraska.org\/plantsales. \r\n","request_publish_start":"2026-04-22 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-29 00:00:00","sponsor":"Nebraska Statewide Arboretum - NFS","website":"https:\/\/plantnebraska.org","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"mderusha2","uid_modified":"mderusha2","date_submitted":"2026-04-14 09:09:16","date_modified":"2026-04-15 09:01:49","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231451.jpg":{"id":"231451","name":"20250501_163210 (1).jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"908781","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Two shoppers browse for plants at a PlantNebraska greenhouse sale. ","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231451.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231455.jpg":{"id":"231455","name":"20250501_163210 (1).jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"15520","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Two shoppers browse for plants at a PlantNebraska greenhouse sale. ","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231455.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107488":{"id":"107488","title":"HealthierU Invites UNL Employees to a GLP-1 Webinar","description":"Join HealthierU Associate Director, Annalisa Davenport, and Nebraska Medicine professionals Sarah Keegan, RD and Dr. Heather Eberspacher, MD for an informative webinar exploring GLP-1 medications on April 29, 2026 at 2:30-2:30 p.m. CDT. ","full_article":"During the webinar, our presenters will discuss what GLP-1 medications are and how they work in the body, as well as address common misconceptions surrounding their use. They will also highlight key differences between using GLP-1s for diabetes care versus weight management, helping participants better understand their intended purposes and outcomes. \r\n\r\nIn addition, the session will cover important nutrition strategies to support success along with safe practices and considerations for those currently using or considering GLP-1 medications. \r\n\r\nWhether you are curious about these medications or looking to better support your health, this webinar will provide practical, trustworthy guidance. \r\n\r\nTo register for this webinar, visit the HealthierU Events webpage. ","request_publish_start":"2026-04-21 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-28 00:00:00","sponsor":"Campus Recreation","website":"https:\/\/healthieru.unl.edu\/healthieru-events\/","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"adavenport5","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-10 11:14:46","date_modified":"2026-04-10 11:14:46","files":[]},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107282":{"id":"107282","title":"Student Life Celebrates Student Leadership and Service","description":"On April 17, Student Life hosted the annual Student Luminary Awards reception at the Willa Cather Dining Complex. A total of twelve University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln students \u2014 nine undergraduates and three graduate students \u2014 were recognized in three award categories.","full_article":"On April 17, Student Life hosted the annual Student Luminary Awards reception at the Willa Cather Dining Complex. A total of twelve University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln students \u2014 nine undergraduates and three graduate students \u2014 were recognized in three award categories. Ten students received the Student Luminary Award in recognition of exceptional leadership and extraordinary commitment to the campus or community. One student was honored with the Alex Kearns Memorial HOPE Award in recognition of exceptional leadership and extraordinary commitment to mental health and suicide prevention. One student received the inaugural Vice Chancellor\u2019s Pinnacle Award for Student Leadership, which recognizes exceptional leadership that elevates and inspires the campus community. Each student was nominated by a faculty or staff member on campus and received $1,000.\r\n\r\n\u201cEvery year, the Student Luminary Awards give us a chance to celebrate students who lead with heart, purpose, and a commitment to making a difference,\u201d said Vice Chancellor for Student Life Dr. Dee Dee Anderson. \u201cThese honorees are not just excelling, but they are also helping build a stronger, more connected campus community. We are proud to recognize their impact and the ways they inspire others around them.\u201d\r\n\r\nOne staff member was also awarded the James V. Griesen Exemplary Service to Students Award. Established in 1986, this award recognizes faculty or staff members who go beyond the performance of their assigned work, devoting extra time and effort to serving the needs of students. The award includes a $1,500 stipend. The award is named for Dr. James V. Griesen, who served for 20 years as the University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln\u2019s Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.\r\n\r\nThis year\u2019s award honorees are:\r\n\r\nStudent Luminary Awards<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAmisha Subedi<\/strong>\r\nJunior | Omaha, Nebraska\r\nCollege of Arts and Sciences\r\nPolitical Science Major | Criminal Justice and Communication Studies Minors\r\n\r\n\r\nBrittani Perez<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Scottsbluff, Nebraska\r\nArts and Sciences\/Public Affairs and Community Service\r\nEnglish and Criminology and Criminal Justice Majors | Indigenous Studies and Spanish Minors\r\n\r\n\r\nCarla Cardenas<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Fallbrook, California\r\nCollege of Education and Human Sciences\r\nElementary Education Major\r\n\r\n\r\nDrake Hermanson<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Atlanta, Nebraska\r\nCollege of Engineering\r\nSoftware Engineering Major\r\n\r\n\r\nKatelyn Billups<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Topeka, Kansas\r\nCollege of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources\r\nBiochemistry Major | Anthropology Minor\r\n\r\n\r\nLaila Doyle<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Edmond, Oklahoma\r\nCollege of Education and Human Sciences\r\nNutrition and Health Sciences Major | Humanities in Medicine Minor\r\n\r\n\r\nLilly Brown<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Omaha, Nebraska\r\nCollege of Arts & Sciences\r\nCommunication Studies Major | Anthropology Minor\r\n\r\n\r\nMaathir Basi<\/strong>\r\nJunior | Lincoln, Nebraska\r\nCollege of Arts and Sciences\r\nPsychology Major | Positive Psychology & Wellbeing Minor\r\n\r\n\r\nJacob Abaare<\/strong>\r\nGraduate Student | Tamale, Ghana\r\nCollege of Engineering\r\nElectrical Engineering\r\n\r\n\r\nJerome Okojokwu-Idu<\/strong>\r\nGraduate Student | Lincoln, Nebraska\r\nCollege of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources\r\nClimate Assessment and Impact\r\n\r\n\r\nAlex Kearns Memorial HOPE Award<\/strong>\r\n\r\nJace Meunier<\/strong>\r\nGraduate Student | Lincoln, NE\r\nCollege of Education & Human Sciences\r\nEducational Psychology\r\n\r\n\r\nVice Chancellor\u2019s Pinnacle Award for Student Leadership<\/strong>\r\n\r\nLibby Wilkins<\/strong>\r\nSenior | Ainsworth, Nebraska\r\nCollege of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources\r\nAgricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication Major | Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Minor\r\n\r\n\r\nJames V. Griesen Award for Exemplary Service to Students Award<\/strong>\r\n\r\nSelma De Anda Gallegos<\/strong>\r\nAcademic Navigator, Undergraduate Education & Student Success","request_publish_start":"2026-04-20 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-24 00:00:00","sponsor":"Student Life Marketing & Comm","website":"https:\/\/studentlife.unl.edu\/awards\/","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"dkohler2","uid_modified":"dkohler2","date_submitted":"2026-04-01 16:14:37","date_modified":"2026-04-02 16:01:24","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230874.jpg":{"id":"230874","name":"Luminary-Awards.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"695090","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Student Luminary Awards are displayed during the annual Student Luminary Awards reception on April 17 at the Willa Cather Dining Complex.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230874.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230875.jpg":{"id":"230875","name":"Luminary-Awards.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"11934","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Student Luminary Awards are displayed during the annual Student Luminary Awards reception on April 17 at the Willa Cather Dining Complex.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file230875.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107433":{"id":"107433","title":"Red Memorial is May 1st","description":"The Red Memorial, an annual University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln remembrance for the lives of students who died during the current academic year, will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 1st, 2026. ","full_article":"The Red Memorial, an annual University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln remembrance for the lives of students who died during the current academic year, will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Friday, May 1st, 2026. \r\n\r\nThree students will be honored during the memorial, which is to be in the Nebraska Union Platte River Room South. It is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by April 27th at go.unl.edu\/redmemorial2026. \r\n\r\nThe ceremony will include brief remarks from T.J. McDowell, assistant vice chancellor\/dean of students; individual recognition of the students lost this year, and a moment of reflection led by a member of the Association of Campus Religious Workers. \r\n\r\nLight refreshments will be provided after the formal program. \r\n\r\nLater in the evening, Broyhill Fountain in the Nebraska Union Memorial Plaza will be illuminated red in memory of the students. \r\n\r\nRed Memorial began in 2015 at the request of deceased student Keaton Klein\u2019s family, who had a long-standing wish to turn the fountains and Plaza red, to honor his memory. \r\n\r\nFor more information on the Red Memorial, contact Allie Woolworth, allie.woolworth@unl.edu. ","request_publish_start":"2026-04-20 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-24 00:00:00","sponsor":"Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Life","website":"https:\/\/go.unl.edu\/redmemorial2026","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"evietz2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-07 13:37:11","date_modified":"2026-04-07 13:37:11","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231217.jpg":{"id":"231217","name":"Red Fountains.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"523391","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Lights illuminate the Broyhill Fountain red in honor of late UNL student, Keaton Klein.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231217.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231219.jpg":{"id":"231219","name":"Red Fountains.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"9404","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Lights illuminate the Broyhill Fountain red in honor of late UNL student, Keaton Klein.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231219.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107594":{"id":"107594","title":"Digitization Efforts Underway at the Japanese Hall ","description":"Donna D. Anderson and the CDRH will lead digitization efforts to chronicle Japanese American histories of Nebraska at the Japanese Hall in Gering, NE, from June 3-6, 2026.","full_article":"Donna D. Anderson, research assistant professor of History at UNL and Japanese Hall and History Project Advisory Council member, will be at the Japanese Hall at the Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, NE, from June 3-6, 2026, to scan photographs, documents, and books related to the tri-state Japanese American community for an open-access digital archive. Hosted and supported by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln\u2019s Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, the digital archive enables community members and the public alike to explore Asian American histories of the Midwest and Great Plains, helping preserve and raise awareness of these histories. \r\n\r\nThe two years since the Japanese Hall\u2019s opening have introduced hundreds of visitors to the histories of the Japanese Americans in the Valley and surrounding areas. Digitization opens opportunities to extend engagement with the Hall\u2019s materials and relieves the demand on docents and volunteers for additional context. Perhaps most importantly, it adds a safeguard to the Hall\u2019s materials by ensuring digital copies are kept safe in case of item deterioration, natural disaster, or theft. \r\n\r\nIn addition to digitizing materials, Anderson plans to conduct oral history interviews of the sansei (third-generation) or any other Japanese American community members to be added to the digital archive. The digital archive will launch to the public in June 2028 at the Japanese Hall\u2019s 100th-anniversary celebration. \r\n\r\nThe digitization project builds on Anderson\u2019s existing research documenting, archiving, and analyzing histories of Asian American communities across the Midwest and Great Plains. Last fall, Anderson organized and hosted a co-sponsored event with the Center for Great Plains Studies and Nebraska Public Media titled \u201c\u2018Rescuing\u2019 Japanese American Histories of Nebraska,\u201d to highlight this community\u2019s history. The event drew a crowd of over a hundred, further highlighting the demand and desire to chronicle Asian American histories of the heartland. \r\n\r\nFor parties interested in contributing materials to scan, recording an oral history interview, or volunteering with the digitization efforts, please reach out to Donna D. Anderson directly at danderson79@nebraska.edu by May 15, 2026. ","request_publish_start":"2026-04-20 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-06-06 00:00:00","sponsor":"History","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"danderson79","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-15 15:19:30","date_modified":"2026-04-15 15:19:30","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231596.jpg":{"id":"231596","name":"grand-opening-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"168159","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Visitors at the Japanese Hall during the grand opening, June 2024. Photograph by Anthony Essau, Upland Exhibits.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231596.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231597.jpg":{"id":"231597","name":"grand-opening-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"12945","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Visitors at the Japanese Hall during the grand opening, June 2024. Photograph by Anthony Essau, Upland Exhibits.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231597.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107556":{"id":"107556","title":"Nebraska Scientists Advance New Vaccine Strategy to Protect Cattle from H5N1","description":"Researchers at the University of Nebraska Lincoln have developed a new vaccine approach to fight H5N1 bird flu which has recently spread in dairy cattle across the United States. This vaccine is designed to protect against many versions of the virus and works in both the bloodstream and the respirat","full_article":"This is just an example of a preferred article:\r\n\r\nResearchers at the University of Nebraska Lincoln are helping lead the response to H5N1 influenza which has emerged as a serious threat to dairy cattle and agricultural systems across the United States. The virus has already caused significant economic losses and raised concerns about transmission beyond livestock.\r\n\r\nThe team developed a novel vaccine designed to provide broad protection against multiple strains of H5N1. By combining advanced genetic design with a dual delivery strategy administered both intramuscularly and intranasally the vaccine generates strong immune responses throughout the body including in the respiratory tract where infection often begins.\r\n\r\nThe vaccine was evaluated in both mice and dairy calves and produced strong immune responses with complete protection from severe disease in preclinical models. These findings suggest that the approach could translate into meaningful protection for livestock especially since there are currently no licensed H5N1 vaccines for cattle.\r\n\r\nThis research is especially important for Nebraska where agriculture plays a central role in the state\u2019s economy. Protecting cattle from H5N1 helps reduce economic losses for producers while also limiting the potential for the virus to adapt and spread to humans. Reducing infection in cattle could also decrease the risk of future outbreaks that impact both animal and human health.\r\n\r\nThe work highlights the leadership of the University of Nebraska Lincoln in addressing emerging infectious diseases through a One Health approach that connects animal health human health and agricultural systems. As diseases continue to cross species barriers research like this will play a key role in protecting Nebraska and the broader global community.","request_publish_start":"2026-04-20 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-20 00:00:00","sponsor":"Nebraska Center for Virology and School of Biological Sciences","website":"https:\/\/virology.unl.edu\/","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"eweaver2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-14 10:39:27","date_modified":"2026-04-14 10:39:27","files":[]},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107458":{"id":"107458","title":"Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual meeting and Maiben Lecture","description":"The 136th Annual meeting of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences will be held on Friday, April 24th, 2026 from 8 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Original research abstracts have been submitted over 10 scientific disciplines from Faculty, Undergraduate and Graduate Students from across the state. ","full_article":"The 136th Annual meeting of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences will be held on Friday, April 24th, 2026 from 8 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Original research abstracts have been submitted over 10 scientific disciplines from Faculty, Undergraduate and Graduate Students from across the state. Watch fees for this event are $20 a person. The Annual Maiben Lecture, which is free and open to the public, will feature State Climatologist Dr. Deb Bathke, a Research Associate Professor at UNL, and Nebraska's State Climatologist. ","request_publish_start":"2026-04-17 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-20 00:00:00","sponsor":"University Museum","website":"https:\/\/neacadsci.org","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"kschnase-berge2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-08 19:29:50","date_modified":"2026-04-08 19:29:50","files":[]},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107587":{"id":"107587","title":"Archival materials inspire new music","description":"On April 7, 11 composition students from the Glenn Korff School of Music found inspiration in the collections of the Archives & Special Collections of the University of Nebraska \u2013 Lincoln Libraries. Their goal \u2014 to compose new music.","full_article":"[Note to Troy or Deann -- video from Nix coming & images from McCue]\r\n\r\n\r\nInspiration can come from anywhere. On April 7, 11 composition students from the Glenn Korff School of Music found inspiration in the collections of the Archives & Special Collections of the University of Nebraska \u2013 Lincoln Libraries. Their goal \u2014 to compose new music inspired by scrapbooks, artists\u2019 books, photo albums, journals, and even core samples from the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The students composed music for specific instruments that would be played by fellow student performers.\r\n\r\nCyrus Zgud, a music education major with an emphasis on voice and composition, had this vision to create a music collaboration between University Libraries and Glenn Korf School of Music. As the University Libraries celebrated five major anniversaries throughout a year-long celebration, Glenn Korff School of Music moved into their newly renovated building. Zgud wanted to honor these milestones through music inspired by what he found in Archives & Special Collections during his summer working for them.\r\n\r\n\u201cI encountered the abundant resources that could provide inspiration to me and my fellow student composers,\u201d explained Zgud.\r\n\r\nZgud pitched his idea to Kathryn Hardgrave, a graduate TA for Composition and Theory and co-director of the Flyover New Music Concert Series in which students compose and perform 90-second pieces of new music. \r\n\u201cThe Flyover Satellite concerts are open to anyone who wants to submit a composition, and the student composer is partnered with a performer that will interpret their work,\u201d explained Hardgrave. The composition students were paired with 8 performers.\r\n\r\nMelanie Griffin, chair of the Archives & Special Collections and Traci Robison, outreach archivist met with Hardgrave and Zgud to plan student engagement in the Archives and the concert. Robison and Griffin selected a variety of materials from the Archives and coordinated with Zgud to finalize an array of items that told a unique story or were connected to Nebraska\u2019s history. \r\n\r\n\u201cOne of the most important roles of the Archives & Special Collections is to make the primary resources that we steward accessible to researchers, students, and learners. We are excited that students will create new musical compositions inspired by the historical record,\u201d explained Griffin.\r\n\r\nNate Buettner, one of the other student composers, sat with The Purple Journal, by artist and writer Karen Blessen. Buettner focused on the words written by the artist, \u201cHarbor the seed of passionate desire to create beauty and kindness in the garden of one\u2019s making.\u201d\r\n\r\nBuettner found inspiration through the passion conveyed in Blessen\u2019s journal, especially Blessen\u2019s analogy of a garden. \r\n\r\n\u201cAll the extra passion that one has goes into a journal. Passion can be ugly sometimes with too much anger or sadness. What an artist does is turn that passion into something beautiful,\u201d enthused Buettner.\r\nBuettner partnered with flute player, Zgud, resulting in a music composition characterized by fast motions and quick rising rhythm.\r\n\r\nThe Flyover Satellite Concert on April 13 marked the successful culmination of collaboration, creativity, and celebration in front of an audience of family, friends, and University community members. \r\n\r\n\u201cThe satellite flyover concerts are really fulfilling for us to apply the theory that we learn and to create something new,\u201d explained Zgud. \r\n","request_publish_start":"2026-04-17 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-08 00:00:00","sponsor":"University Libraries","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"jbarnes3","uid_modified":"jbarnes3","date_submitted":"2026-04-15 10:58:01","date_modified":"2026-04-15 10:58:46","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231575.png":{"id":"231575","name":"260413 Flyover Concert 7636.png","type":"image\/png","size":"957725","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Cyrus Zgud performs Nate Buettner's composition at the Flyover Satellite Concert. (Image by Liz McCue)","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231575.png"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231576.png":{"id":"231576","name":"260413 Flyover Concert 7636.png","type":"image\/png","size":"89305","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Cyrus Zgud performs Nate Buettner's composition at the Flyover Satellite Concert. ","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231576.png"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107592":{"id":"107592","title":"CYFS launches Kindred Media","description":"The Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools has launched Kindred Media, a full-service creative team dedicated to providing communications and media services to individuals and organizations working to make a positive difference in people\u2019s lives.","full_article":"In a time of information overload, clear communication cuts through the noise and connects with audiences. Sharing an effective message across all platforms is no longer a luxury \u2014 it\u2019s a necessity. \r\n \r\nTo help meet that need, the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (https:\/\/cyfs.unl.edu\/) has launched Kindred Media (https:\/\/kindred.unl.edu\/). \r\n \r\nKindred Media is a creative team dedicated to providing communications and media services to individuals and organizations working to make a positive difference in people\u2019s lives. The team collaborates with educators, researchers, nonprofits, and other public and private organizations in Nebraska and beyond to understand their needs, shape their messages and bring their work to life in ways that create lasting impact. \r\n \r\nFrom classrooms to communities, Kindred Media provides strategic thinking, creative solutions and evidence-based insights to reach audiences, elevate brands and achieve clients\u2019 goals. \r\n \r\nThe team has an expansive portfolio supporting research, education and community-centered initiatives, including early childhood development, pre-K-12 and postsecondary education, child, youth and family services, community engagement, and health and well-being. \r\n\r\nKindred Media allows the center to expand its reach, said Sue Sheridan, CYFS founding director. \r\n \r\n\u201cNow more than ever, strong communication is essential for connecting people to the ideas, programs and resources that support children, youth, families, schools, agencies and communities,\u201d Sheridan said. \u201cKindred Media strengthens our ability to partner with those doing meaningful work and to ensure their efforts are accessible, visible and positioned to make a lasting impact.\u201d \r\n \r\nKindred Media\u2019s services include: \r\n \r\n\u2022\tBranding \r\n\u2022\tGraphic design \r\n\u2022\tStrategic communication \r\n\u2022\tWeb design and development \r\n\u2022\tApplication development and data support \r\n\u2022\tVideo and audio production \r\n\u2022\tInteractive learning \r\n\u2022\tSocial media \r\n \r\nAll communications products are designed to meet federal accessibility standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title II requirements. \r\n \r\nTo learn more about Kindred Media and its services, or to discuss how the team can support your work, visit kindred.unl.edu (https:\/\/kindred.unl.edu\/) or email kindredmedia@unl.edu (kindredmedia@unl.edu). \r\n\r\n\r\n** VIDEO: Learn more about Kindred Media. https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1169597742","request_publish_start":"2026-04-16 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-30 00:00:00","sponsor":"NE Ctr Rsrch on Youth,Fam & School","website":"https:\/\/cyfs.unl.edu\/news\/?p=8085 ","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"cgreen11","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-15 13:19:15","date_modified":"2026-04-15 13:19:15","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231587.jpg":{"id":"231587","name":"260414-Kindred Media 2-NebToday.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"247114","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Kindred Media provides communications and media services in Nebraska and beyond. (Kyleigh Skaggs, CYFS)","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231587.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231589.jpg":{"id":"231589","name":"260414-Kindred Media 2-NebToday.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"9497","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Kindred Media provides communications and media services in Nebraska and beyond. (Kyleigh Skaggs, CYFS)","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231589.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107568":{"id":"107568","title":"UNL Horticulture Club's Annual Spring Bedding Sale","description":"UNL Horticulture Club's Spring Bedding Plant Sale! April 30th and May 1st from 9 am - 4 pm in Teaching Greenhouse West (3850 Center St., Lincoln, NE). We look forward to seeing you there! ","full_article":"Come check out UNL Horticulture Club's Annual Spring Bedding Plant Sale! We will be in Teaching Greenhouse West (3850 Center St., Lincoln, NE) on April 30th and May 1st from 9 am - 4 pm! We have all sorts of flowering annuals, herbs, and vegetables! We hope to see you there!","request_publish_start":"2026-04-16 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-02 00:00:00","sponsor":"UO Landscape Services","website":"https:\/\/agronomy.unl.edu\/academic-programs\/student-clubs-and-teams\/horticulture-club\/","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"hklement2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-14 12:51:19","date_modified":"2026-04-14 12:51:19","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231519.jpg":{"id":"231519","name":"Springsale2026unlhortclub.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"1042619","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Horticulture Club's Spring Bedding Sale Poster ","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231519.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231520.jpg":{"id":"231520","name":"Springsale2026unlhortclub.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"19347","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Horticulture Club's Spring Bedding Sale Poster ","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231520.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107589":{"id":"107589","title":"Jabbar Embarks on Semester Abroad in Japan ","description":"MJ Jabbar felt drawn to Saitama, Japan when he first visited for a summer class two years ago. Today, he\u2019s participating in a new program that\u2019s fully immersing him in the culture, language and academics of the region. ","full_article":"Caption \r\n\r\nJabbar, a senior global studies student from Lincoln, stands in front of a sculpture on the Saitama University campus. The sculpture represents the \u201cflight\u201d of students out into the world after graduation. \r\n\r\nCopy \r\n\r\nIt's safe to say that when Jabbar first visited Saitama, Japan two years ago, it left a major impression. In fact, he\u2019s been working nonstop ever since to find a way back. \r\n\r\n\u201cI first visited Saitama through a two-week nutrition exercise summer class with Professor Takahashi, whose hometown is Saitama,\u201d he explained. \u201cWe got to visit an Olympic training facility, learn about their work and meet with local students, but more so we just got a taste of what the city was like. The whole time, I just couldn\u2019t stop thinking about how cool this place was.\u201d \r\n\r\nA new, five-month exchange program through Saitama University presented the perfect opportunity for Jabbar to immerse himself more fully in their culture. \r\n\r\n\u201cThe program is called STEPS (Short-Term Exchange Program) through Saitama University, about 40 minutes from Tokyo. It's a brand-new program, and myself and one other student are the first to attend from Nebraska.\u201d \r\n\r\nThe program, which began last month, will have Jabbar taking language and global studies courses while getting to explore a city he\u2019s become even more interested in since his first visit. \r\n\r\n \u201cBefore this new program even began, I met some students from Saitama University who were at Nebraska for an internship through the International Quilt Museum. We became friends and started this language exchange where I\u2019d help them with English and they\u2019d help me with Japanese,\u201d he said. \u201cI really value cultural and language exchange like that, and it\u2019s a big reason I want to do this program.\u201d \r\n\r\nAs a global studies student, Jabbar sees this opportunity to live and study in Saitama as a possible test run for his future goals. \r\n\r\n\u201cI know I want to work internationally during my career, so I see experience as kind of my trial period. I ultimately want to work in Japan, so getting this chance to spend six months living there is an incredible opportunity.\u201d ","request_publish_start":"2026-04-15 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-15 00:00:00","sponsor":"Office of University Communication","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"mstrasburger2","uid_modified":"mstrasburger2","date_submitted":"2026-04-15 11:57:47","date_modified":"2026-04-16 10:33:31","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231579.jpg":{"id":"231579","name":"260416_MJJabbar_001.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"964779","use_for":"originalimage","description":"MJ Jabbar in front of a sculpture on the Saitama University Campus.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231579.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231580.jpg":{"id":"231580","name":"260416_MJJabbar_001.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"14455","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"MJ Jabbar in front of a sculpture on the Saitama University Campus.","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231580.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107371":{"id":"107371","title":"Clinton\u2019s final faculty recital is April 21","description":"Glenn Korff School of Music Professor of Piano Mark Clinton will perform his final faculty recital, titled \u201cFire and Whispers: Two Visions of Passion,\u201d on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Recital Hall. ","full_article":"Glenn Korff School of Music Professor of Piano Mark Clinton will perform his final faculty recital, titled \u201cFire and Whispers: Two Visions of Passion,\u201d on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Recital Hall. \r\n\r\nThe concert is free and open to the public. The concert will also be live webcasted. Visit https:\/\/go.unl.edu\/gksomwebcasts the day of the performance for the link.\r\n\r\nClinton is retiring from the University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln at the end of the academic year after 31 years of service. \r\n\r\n\u201cAfter 31 years of teaching at the University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln, it is difficult to capture in a few words what this place, and the people who fill it, have meant to me,\u201d Clinton writes in the program notes. \u201cWhen I arrived here in 1995, I could not have imagined the depth of fulfillment, challenge, joy and growth that would shape the next three decades of my life. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve on this faculty and to work alongside colleagues whose dedication to the arts continually inspires me.\u201d\r\n\r\nHis program includes two pieces, Ludwig van Beethoven\u2019s \u201cSonata in F minor, Op. 57\u201d (\u201cAppassionata\u201d) and Robert Schumann\u2019s \u201cFantasie in C major, Op. 17.\u201d \r\n\r\n\u201cBeethoven\u2019s Sonata in F minor, Op. 57 (\u2018Appassionata\u2019) and Robert Schumann\u2019s Fantasie in C major, Op. 17 both stand as towering musical statements of passion, and yet they embody profoundly different emotional worlds,\u201d Clinton writes in the program notes. \u201cWhile both works are saturated with intensity, they each channel that passion through distinct expressive, structural and psychological lenses.\u201d\r\n\r\nClinton, who is a Steinway artist, has received accolades for his performances in venues around the world, from Paris to Sydney to New York. His concert activities as a soloist, chamber musician and a collaborative artist reflect his commitment to musical diversity and to a wide range of performing experiences.\r\n\r\nClinton is also in great demand as an adjudicator at major national and international piano competitions, and he frequently works in masterclasses with outstanding young pianists from around the world. \r\n\r\nFor more on Clinton, visit https:\/\/go.unl.edu\/clinton. \r\n","request_publish_start":"2026-04-15 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-21 00:00:00","sponsor":"Hixson-Lied Fine & Performing Arts","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"kandersen1","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-06 09:15:00","date_modified":"2026-04-06 09:15:00","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231051.jpg":{"id":"231051","name":"Mark_Clinton.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"363773","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Mark Clinton","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231051.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231054.jpg":{"id":"231054","name":"Mark_Clinton.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"12597","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Mark Clinton","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231054.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107558":{"id":"107558","title":"Your finals week game plan: Stay focused, fueled and supported","description":"Preparing for finals week isn\u2019t just about studying. It\u2019s also about having a plan to stay focused, manage stress and care for your body. Find practical tips from the University Health Center to help you stay balanced and focused.","full_article":"Preparing for finals week isn\u2019t just about studying. It\u2019s also about having a plan to stay focused, manage stress and care for your body. Find practical tips from the University Health Center to help you stay balanced and focused.","request_publish_start":"2026-04-15 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-29 00:00:00","sponsor":"University Health Center","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"nabegglen2","uid_modified":"erezamartinez2","date_submitted":"2026-04-14 11:44:27","date_modified":"2026-04-15 10:06:58","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231569.jpg":{"id":"231569","name":"FInals.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"695861","use_for":"originalimage","description":"A cluttered wooden table with papers, notebooks, a calculator, pens, an orange, a bowl of nuts, a glass of water, a green mug, and a book titled \u201cChaos.\u201d","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231569.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231570.jpg":{"id":"231570","name":"FInals.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"3293","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"A cluttered wooden table with papers, notebooks, a calculator, pens, an orange, a bowl of nuts, a glass of water, a green mug, and a book titled \u201cChaos.\u201d","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231570.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231571.jpg":{"id":"231571","name":"FInals.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"19426","use_for":"556_wide","description":"A cluttered wooden table with papers, notebooks, a calculator, pens, an orange, a bowl of nuts, a glass of water, a green mug, and a book titled \u201cChaos.\u201d","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231571.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231602.jpg":{"id":"231602","name":"FInals.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"8157","use_for":"273_wide","description":"A cluttered wooden table with papers, notebooks, a calculator, pens, an orange, a bowl of nuts, a glass of water, a green mug, and a book titled \u201cChaos.\u201d","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231602.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107593":{"id":"107593","title":"Nebraska scientist proposes bold new definition of what counts as soil","description":"Nebraska's Aaron Lee M. Daigh is rethinking how soil is defined, proposing a broader, process-based framework that includes early-stage soils and even ice-based \u201cp\u00e1gousols\u201d on other worlds. The approach could expand soil science and open new paths for research on Earth and beyond.","full_article":"by Fran tenBensel Benne | Agronomy and Horticulture Communication<\/em>\r\n\r\nHow should soil and the field that studies it be defined? Experts disagree on what should be called soil, reflecting the tension between long-standing traditions and the field\u2019s changing frontiers.\r\n\r\n\u201cSoil science has enormous, untapped potential,\u201d Nebraska\u2019s Aaron Lee M. Daigh<\/a> said. \u201cIf we define our subject too narrowly, we artificially limit our science.\u201d\r\n\r\n\u201cI propose to redefine soil,\u201d Daigh said. \u201cIn a nutshell, the changes would tremendously expand what counts as soil \u2014 it starts much younger, goes much deeper and exists much farther out in the universe, literally, than scientists have previously thought or given credit for.\u201d \r\n\r\nOver the past decade, newly proposed definitions have offered valuable viewpoints. But they still draw on past traditions and often leave aspects of what qualifies as soil open to interpretation. Each viewpoint \u2014 historical, societal and fundamental \u2014 contributes to refining the definition of soil.\r\n\r\nWhat if the frozen surface of a distant comet, icy moon or dwarf planet qualified as soil? And what if icy worlds like these turn out to be the most common type of soil in the universe? \r\n\r\nDaigh is an associate professor of Vadose Zone Science in the Departments of Agronomy and Horticulture and Biological Systems Engineering, and the 2026 president of the Soil Science Society of America \u2014 the 90th person to hold the position. His new article<\/a> raises these questions and introduces three new approaches for redefining soil and the field that studies it.\r\n\r\n\u201cDefining Soil: Proposals of Zero-states, Active Layer, and P\u00e1gousols (From Ice Parent Materials) to Fundamentally Expand Soil Science,\u201d<\/a> was first published March 14, 2026, in the Soil Science Society of America Journal. \r\n\r\nDaigh proposes three new ideas. First, recognize soil\u2019s starting point in a consistent manner, which he calls \u201czero states.\u201d At that moment, all the forces that will shape it \u2014 climate, living things, landforms, underlying material and time \u2014 are just beginning to act. This first proposal acknowledges that in many areas, soils are barely developed and may not show the classic layering that will eventually evolve. For example, fresh volcanic ash deposited on a hillside or sediment newly laid down by a flooding river represents a real-world zero-state. The clock of soil formation has just begun, even before any plants or organisms are present. \r\n\r\n\u201cI argue that soil formation should be recognized even when one or more of these factors, such as organisms and even time, are absent,\u201d Daigh said. \u201cA sterile sediment immediately exposed to changing forces at its surface can qualify as soil from its very first moment of existence \u2014 it does not need to wait until those forces have built up distinct layers within it.\u201d\r\n\r\nSecond, avoid assigning soil a fixed depth, since any single cutoff is difficult to defend scientifically. Instead, define soil\u2019s lower boundary by the depth to which those changing forces at its surface cause mass and energy to shift and move over time. \r\n\r\n\u201cRather than setting a one-size-fits-all depth limit, such as six feet, the bottom of the root zone or looking for visual cues, I propose defining soil\u2019s lower boundary by the extent of the active flux layer \u2014 the depths where surface-driven exchanges of water, energy, gases and dissolved chemicals actively occur. Below this zone, fluxes stabilize and soil-forming processes effectively cease. This depth marks the boundary between soil and the deeper materials that are unaffected as forces shift and change at its surface.\u201d\r\n\r\nThis science-based approach replaces judgment-based visual indicators and blanket depth cutoffs with measurable, real-world processes. Overall, Daigh\u2019s proposed approach means that most soils go much deeper than previously acknowledged.\r\n\r\nThird, include icy soils on Earth and other celestial bodies, which Daigh coins as \u201cp\u00e1gousols\u201d \u2014 a new term for this novel category of soil. These p\u00e1gousols are made directly from grains of ice, such as snowpacks, and may occur on any size of celestial body, provided they don\u2019t violate the prior two proposals.\r\n\r\nThe word comes from the Greek p\u00e1gos, ice mass, and the Latin sol, soil. P\u00e1gousols are soils made from ices \u2014 frozen chemical compounds such as water ice, nitrogen ice, methane ice and carbon monoxide ice.\r\n\r\nExisting terms like cryosols and gelisols exist, but those describe rocky soils altered by cold and frost. They do not capture soils that come from ice itself as the starting material. So, Daigh coined the new term to reflect the basic difference.\r\n\r\n\u201cIcy moons like Europa, Enceladus, Titan and Triton, along with dwarf planets like Pluto and objects in the Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud, all become candidates for soil science study under this definition,\u201d Daigh said. \u201cSeasonal and permanent snowpacks here on Earth would also qualify.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe solar system alone may contain tens of billions to trillions of icy celestial bodies, leading to Daigh\u2019s prediction that p\u00e1gousols are likely the most abundant type of soil in the universe.\r\n\r\nDaigh is not proposing that practical definitions of soil used in agriculture, land management and policy be replaced. Rather, he supports the centuries-long tradition of maintaining two complementary definitions. The first is a broader scientific definition that keeps pace with new discoveries. The second is a practical, easy-to-use one for government agencies and policymakers.\r\n\r\nDaigh first presented these ideas at CANVAS 2025, the annual meeting of the Soil Science Society of America, held jointly with the American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society of America, Nov. 9\u201312 in Salt Lake City, Utah. A recording of the presentation, titled \u201cIce Worlds: Fundamental Questions of Ice Vadose Zones and Astropedology\u201d<\/a> is publicly available.\r\n\r\nHe contends that these changes make the definition of soil more precise and open new research areas. This work matters because clear definitions help scientists better study Earth and other worlds. They support practical efforts like environmental stewardship and food production, as well as broader frontiers such as the study of life beyond Earth and space exploration.\r\n\r\nDaigh, a vadose zone hydrologist and soil physicist, has research spanning water quality, remediation, fundamental and applied soil science and engineering. He is also a member of the U.S. National Committee for Soil Sciences at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.","request_publish_start":"2026-04-15 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-05-30 00:00:00","sponsor":"Agronomy & Horticulture","website":"https:\/\/go.unl.edu\/8me9","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"fbenne2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-15 13:19:58","date_modified":"2026-04-15 13:19:58","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231588.jpg":{"id":"231588","name":"AaronDaigh-GreatSandDunesNP2026_2000x1125.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"918388","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Aaron Lee M. Daigh stands near a soil profile in January 2026 at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Courtesy Photo","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231588.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231590.jpg":{"id":"231590","name":"AaronDaigh-GreatSandDunesNP2026_2000x1125.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"17140","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Aaron Lee M. Daigh stands near a soil profile in January 2026 at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Courtesy Photo","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231590.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231591.jpg":{"id":"231591","name":"AaronDaigh-GreatSandDunesNP2026_2000x1125.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"58942","use_for":"556_wide","description":"Aaron Lee M. Daigh stands near a soil profile in January 2026 at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. Courtesy Photo","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231591.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107498":{"id":"107498","title":"Spring Caregiver Support Event: Navigating Caregiving with Purpose","description":"Caregiving often begins unexpectedly and can quickly become overwhelming. This presentation shares a personal journey into caregiving, the challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities, and the lessons learned along the way. ","full_article":"The Employee Assistance Program is offering a speaker presentation on caregiving by Natalie Leon from 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Thursday, May 7 in the Nebraska Union, Heritage Room.\r\n\r\nNatalie brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare, beginning her career as a CNA and Medication Aide supporting individuals living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other forms of dementia. Those early experiences shaped her deep compassion for older adults and ignited a lifelong commitment to supporting both seniors and the families who love them.\r\n\r\nShe earned her bachelor\u2019s degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a master\u2019s degree in health care administration. Her background includes helping to start an assisted living and memory care community and working with the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, where she provided education and support to those navigating memory loss. Natalie also serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of Nebraska\u2013Lincoln, teaching Introduction to Gerontology and mentoring future healthcare professionals.\r\n\r\nNatalie is a strong advocate for aging in place and believes older adults thrive in the comfort of home. She is the owner of Visiting Angels, a home care agency that provides personal care, companionship, and assistance with daily activities, helping older adults remain safe and independent at home. Through a relationship-centered approach, Natalie and her team deliver compassionate, individualized care with dignity.\r\n\r\nParticipants can register on Bridge at https:\/\/nebraska.bridgeapp.com\/learner\/training\/83d11bc0\/enroll\r\nor by email at eap@unl.edu. \r\n\r\n\r\n","request_publish_start":"2026-04-14 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-17 00:00:00","sponsor":"Human Resources","website":"https:\/\/hr.unl.edu\/eap\/","presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"dlawrence2","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-10 14:36:44","date_modified":"2026-04-10 14:36:44","files":{"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231367.jpg":{"id":"231367","name":"Headshot_Natalie(1).jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"177360","use_for":"originalimage","description":"Natalie Leon","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231367.jpg"},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231368.jpg":{"id":"231368","name":"Headshot_Natalie(1).jpg","type":"image\/jpeg","size":"7424","use_for":"thumbnail","description":"Natalie Leon","url":"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/files\/file231368.jpg"}}},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107523":{"id":"107523","title":"Czech & Slovak Studies Workshop 2026","description":"Join the Harris center for Judaic Studies for the 26th Annual Czech & Slovak Studies Workshop, hosted by UNL.","full_article":"The CSSW was established in 2000 and is now sponsored by the Czechoslovak Studies Association as well as the Slovak Studies Association. The Czech and Slovak Studies Workshop aims to bring together researchers, scientists, faculty members and advanced graduate students to exchange their experiences, research results, and ideas.\r\n\r\nThe workshop will be held April 23-25 at UNL, mostly in Burnett Hall and the Union. You can see the schedule and read more about featured speakers, events, and activities on the workshop website<\/a>.","request_publish_start":"2026-04-14 00:00:00","request_publish_end":"2026-04-21 00:00:00","sponsor":"English","website":null,"presentation_id":"1","uid_created":"s-klacey3","uid_modified":null,"date_submitted":"2026-04-13 14:28:34","date_modified":"2026-04-13 14:28:34","files":[]},"https:\/\/newsroom.unl.edu\/announce\/stories\/107518":{"id":"107518","title":"Faculty and staff honors announced by the executive vice chancellor\u2019s office","description":"Awards coordinated by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor have been announced for 2026. These honor faculty and staff who advance the missions of the university in teaching, research, and service. ","full_article":"Awards coordinated by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor have been announced for 2026. These honor faculty and staff who advance the missions of the university in teaching, research, and service. \r\n\r\nCollege Distinguished Teaching Awards<\/a> recognize faculty with excellence in teaching. \r\n\r\n