Summer 2001 - UNO Alumni Association

alum
UNO
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
SUMMER
2001
www.unoalumni.org
Champs!
UNO Marches to the NCAA
Division II National Softball Title
Don’t miss
Maverick Homecoming 2001
Saturday, Oct. 6
Kids 12 & Under Free!
Been home lately? Home as in your
alma mater, that is. If not, pop in for a
stay during UNO’s Maverick
Homecoming 2001. Children 12 and
under of alumni can attend for free!
Saturday, Oct. 6
11 a.m. Pre-game picnic
1 p.m. UNO vs. Minnesota State
Amazing Arthur is back!
Attractions include:
• The Amazing Arthur and his magic, juggling
and balloon animals
• Free Moonwalk and Face Painting for the kids
• Games and Prizes
• UNO mascot Durango
• Showcase UNO singers
• A Pep talk from Mav Football Coach Pat Behrns
• Free bus rides from the Alumni Center to Al
Caniglia Field
All that for just $10 for adults, free for children 12 and under of
alumni. Price includes food, beverages and a ticket to the
game. Call now to reserve your seat!
For tickets call Sheila at (402) 554-4802
contents
Summer 2001
departments
on the cover
future alums.................................4
Champs
Most teams would call it adversity.
Having to battle through driving rain
and sloppy playing conditions.
Enduring seemingly countless weather delays. Staving off elimination
three times. Having to win back-toback games on the final day of the
season to realize their season-long
dream. But not the University of
Nebraska at Omaha softball team.
Through it all, UNO never flinched.
And never lost its composure.
Cover photo Tim Fitzgerald, UNO
PAGE 12
Chips off the old blocks.
around campus...........................5
Degrees issued to 1,000 students at
spring commencement.
association in action................6
DeFreece receives Citation; Nine
professors honored with AOTA.
class notes..................................25
Raises for everybody!
alum
UNO
SUMMER 2001
EDITOR: Anthony Flott
features
CONTRIBUTORS: Henry Cordes, Tim
Fitzgerald, Warren Francke, Rich Kaipust,
Don Kohler, Nick Schinker, Lori Rice, Craig
Sesker, Eric Stoakes.
WILD BLUE YONDER 8
Recapping 50 years of Air Force
ROTC at UNO.
TOP AFFAIRS 10
No one’s doing it better than
UNO’s College of Public Affairs
and Community Service.
THE GREAT
MIGRATION 16
Alex Trebek’s right-hand man,
1967 grad Gary Johnson.
PROSPECTS 22
Chris Cooper and Adam Wright
take their shot at the NFL.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS:
Chairman of the Board, Bruce Bisson; Past
Chairman, Kathy Olson; Chairman-elect Don
Winters; Vice Chairmen, Steve Bodner,
Margaret Lehning, Rodney Oberle, John
Wilson; Secretary, Kevin Naylor; Treasurer,
Dan Koraleski; Legal Counsel, Deb
McLarney; President & CEO, Jim Leslie.
ALUMNI STAFF: Jim Leslie, President and
CEO; Roxanne Miller, Executive Secretary;
Sue Gerding, Joyce Sheibal, Kathy Johnson
Records/Alumni Cards; Sheila King,
Activities Coordinator; Greg Trimm, Alumni
Center Manager; Joan Norman, Accountant;
Anthony Flott, Editor; Loretta Wirth,
Receptionist.
The UNO Alum is published quarterly—Spring, Summer,
Fall and Winter—by the UNO Alumni Association, W.H.
Thompson Alumni Center, UNO, Omaha, NE 681820010, (402) 554-2444, FAX (402) 554-3787 • web
address: www.unoalumni.org. • Member, Council for the
Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) • Direct
all inquiries to Editor, W.H. Thompson Alumni Center,
(402) 554-2989 • Send all changes of address to attention of Records • Views expressed through various articles within the magazine do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of the University of Nebraska at Omaha or the
UNO Alumni Association.
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
3
future alums
Sons & Daughters of UNO Alumni
Send us news of your baby—we’ll send a T-shirt and certificate and publish the
good news. Include address, baby’s name, date of birth, parents’ names and graduation year(s). Please send the announcement within one year of the birth to: Future
Alums, UNO Alumni Association, 60th & Dodge, Omaha, NE 68182. FAX (402) 5543787.
SUBMIT A FUTURE ALUM ON THE WEB: www.unoalumni.org/communications/submitfa.asp
A New Generation of UNO Mavericks
• Christina Irene Davis, daughter of Richard and
Jane (Synowicki, ’88) Davis of Omaha
• Lucas Christian Elliott, son of Noel and Kathy
(Van Diepen, ’89) Elliott of Tucson, Ariz.
• Landen Taylor Gray, son of Juli and Ryan (’00)
Gray of Omaha
• Maya UaiAnn Dykstra, daughter of Tonya and
Matthew (’00) Dykstra of Omaha
• Carter Hays Condit, son of Christian and Tiffany
(’92) Condit of Overland Park, Kansas
• Brady Thomas O’Gara, son of Chris and Christy
(’93) O’Gara of Omaha
• Samantha Charlotte Inman, daughter of Melissa
and Dan (’89) Inman of Lincoln.
• Gianna Marie Venditte, daughter of Mindy (’97)
and Tony Venditte of Omaha
• Taelen Samuel Jacob Ahl, son of Chris (’90) and
Katrina (Hess, ’90) Ahl of Omaha
• Brenna Elizabeth Frahm, daughter of Brent (’91)
and Kathy (Moore, ’93) Frahm of Omaha
• Abbey Rose Morine, daughter of Jack (’85) and
Steffenie (Brannon, ’94) Morine of Blair, Neb.
• Camden Walker Arnold, son of Brian (’00) and
Erica (Walker, ’98) Arnold of Omaha
• Ellianna Sadie Sempek, daughter of Patricia and
Mike (’98) Sempek of Omaha
• Sydney Jayne Ash, daughter of Nick and Kim
(Umshler, ’93) Ash of Omaha
• Joseph Robert Daneff, son of Joseph (’96) and
Rachel (Bowley, ’95) Daneff of Kansas City
• Marshall Timothy Healey, son of Tonja and Mike
(’91) Healey of Ada, Ohio
• Andrew Stevens Quick, son of Debbie (Smith, ’95)
and Jason (’99) Quick of Omaha
• Natalie Rose Winger, daughter of Steven and
Wendy (’00) Winger of Plattsmouth
• Alanna Kiera Henderson, daughter of Kelly and
Diana (Sieben, ’95) Henderson of Omaha
• Paul Kaleb Cech, son of Tricia (Kracl, ’92) and Paul
(’92) Cech of Omaha
• Claire Pauline Fink, daughter of Mary
(Schaffart, ’98, ’01) and Edward (’98) Fink III of Omaha
• Holly Ann Hufford, daughter of Lee Ann
(Winterfeld, ’87) and John (’87) Huffford of Denver,
granddaughter of David Huffford (’60, ’67) of Omaha,
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UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
and great-granddaughter of Gertrude Hufford (’59, ’67)
of Omaha.
• Sydney Jo Asmus, daughter of Jeffrey Asmus and
Sharon (Wordekemper, ’95, ’99) Asmus of Plattsmouth,
Neb.
• Lea Crystal Sandoval, daughter of Jameson and
Tonya (Granholm, ’00) Sandoval of Omaha.
Events & Happenings on the UNO Campus
around campus
Degrees Granted to 1,000 at
UNO Spring Commencement
Gouttierre,
dean of UNO’s
International
Studies and
Programs.
International Studies
Recognized by Group
as Importer of the Year
NO’s International Studies and
Programs received the Importer
of the Year Award from the Midwest
International Trade Association
(MITA). Charles Simpson, MITA president, presented the award to
Thomas Gouttierre, dean of International Studies and Programs, at the
group’s annual World Trade Week
Conference May 22 at the W.H.
Thompson Alumni Center. MITA is a
nonprofit organization made up of
members from many fields relating
to international trade. “We give out
two awards each year—one for
importer and one for exporter of the
year,” said Simpson, president of
Business Growth International, Inc.
“UNO could have easily fit into
either category based on their work
in international education.”
International Studies and Programs was recognized for its efforts
in bringing international students
and faculty to Omaha, and the economic and cultural input those individuals bring to Omaha. Currently,
there more than 750 international
students at UNO and 250 at the
University of Nebraska Medical
Center (UNMC), representing 83
countries. “International students
have funneled $16.5 million dollars
into the local economy,” Simpson
added. “These students have a positive impact on our community, and
we hope our community has a positive impact on them.”
U
PHOTO TIM FITZGERALD, UNO
ore than 1,000 students received degrees Saturday, May 5, during UNO’s
spring commencement at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. Robert Hemenway,
chancellor of the University of Kansas, delivered the commencement address. A 1963
Omaha University graduate, Hemenway oversees the main campus in Lawrence, the
Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, a clinical branch in Wichita, Kansas and the
Edwards campus in Overland Park, Kansas. Since he joined the university in 1995,
Hemenway has streamlined Kansas’ administration, called for a renewed emphasis on
science education and returned the university’s focus to being student-centered. He
also was presented with an honorary doctorate at commencement.
Brian Muldrew of Carter Lake, Iowa, was the student commencement speaker.
He graduated summa
cum laude with a bachelor of science degree
in political science. The
title of his commencement address was “A
Deeper Education.”
Muldrew who received
the 2001 Political
Science Honors Award,
is a member of the
Golden Key International Honor Society,
Phi Kappa Phi Honor
Society and Phi Gamma
Mu Social Sciences
Honor Society.
A number of individuals also were honored
during the commenceStudent Speaker Brian Muldrew of Carter Lake, Iowa.
ment ceremony. Robert
Campos, a longtime supporter of education and the Omaha community, received the
Order of the Tower, UNO’s highest non-academic award. It is bestowed upon community leaders whose service and/or financial support has made it possible for the
university to address the academic, cultural and economic needs of the people of
Omaha and the citizens of Nebraska.
Campos founded Campos Construction Company in 1977 and served as president
and owner until he sold the company in 2000. The company grew from his initial $500
investment to one that handles local and national multi-million-dollar contracts. Campos
is involved in many community organizations in the Omaha area. He has received
numerous awards and commendations for his volunteer efforts and business success.
Mike Milone, food services director at UNO, received the Chancellor’s Medal.
Milone came to UNO 12 years ago and has continually met the challenge of providing quality food and service to students, faculty, staff and the general public. In addition to the tireless hours he works, Milone is known for the guidance he shows the
many students who are employed in his department. The Chancellor’s Medal was
established to recognize the contributions of faculty and staff who embody the institution’s mission and values. It is bestowed only to those within the university community who have demonstrated unusual excellence.
Michael DeFreece received the Citation for Alumnus Achievement from the UNO
Alumni Association, presented to graduates who have achieved distinction in their
vocations (see story page 7).
PHOTO TIM FITZGERALD, UNO
M
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
5
association in action
Season Hockey Ticket
Drawing Set for June 30
othing’s hotter than UNO hockey.
The Mavs continue to impress in
their fourth season and next year
promises to be even better.
Here’s your chance to catch all
the action. All UNO Annual Fund
donors who submit their contributions
by June 30, 2001, will be included in a
drawing for one pair of 2001-2002 UNO
Season Hockey Tickets. That’s a value
of more than $300!
But remember, your donation must
reach us by June 30 to qualify for the
drawing.
N
We’re No. 1!
ccording to a ranking by Midlands
Business Journal, the UNO Alumni
Association is Omaha’s largest association with 32,052 members.
That ranks just ahead of the MidAmerica Council, Boy Scouts of
America (headed by UNO graduate
Lloyd Roitstein), which has 27,600
members.
The UNO Alumni Association,
which includes all alumni as members
automatically upon graduation, has
more than 34,000 members statewide
and more than 60,000 nationally. All
members receive a free lifetime subscription to the UNO Alum magazine
and are invited to various events
throughout the year, such as homecoming and Chancellor Outreaches.
Though membership is free, nearly a
third of the graduate base has made a
donation to the UNO Annual Fund in
the last decade.
A
Got E-mail? Then Post
it at unoalumni.org
ot e-mail? If so, then pass your
address on to the UNO Alumni
Association and we’ll post it on our
Web site’s UNO Alumni E-mail Locator
page (www.unoalumni.org/email).
If you’ve lost touch with former
classmates from your days at UNO,
here’s your chance to reestablish ties
over the Internet.
E-mail listings include name, year
graduated and e-mail address. No
other information is posted and only
those who volunteer their address are
listed.
Alumni can be found listed by graduation year or alpha-ordered last
names. About 1,000 grads have posted
their e-mail addresses on the site.
Don’t wait—Join the UNO alumni
online community today!
G
6
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
UNO Alumni Association News & Information
UNO Annual Fund Campaign
2001: A Giving Odyssey
T
he UNO Alumni Association
DONOR BENEFITS,
continues its UNO Annual
2001 UNO ANNUAL FUND
Fund campaign, “2001: A
ODYSSEY LEVEL—$25 or more
Giving Odyssey.”
• The UNO Alumni Card — Good for a variety of
benefits, including:
Since the Annual Fund’s incepUniversity Library access; UNO Child Care
tion in 1953, millions of dollars have
Center sign-up; Bookstore discounts; HPER
been provided for important university
membership opportunity through Campus
programs and services. That includes
Recreation; Career Center assistance;
Rental savings at the Alumni Center;
University Library support, student
Kountze Planetarium Science Store disscholarships, an extensive publications
counts; and 2 for 1 general admission to
program, alumni records management,
most Athletics events;
faculty teaching and alumni awards,
• 2001 Annual Report Mention — Your name will
be listed as one of our faithful donors in this pophomecoming, class reunions and other
ular publication.
activities, the Chancellor Outreach
• Hockey Key Chain — A custom-made key
Program, the Campus Information
chain in school colors with the 2001-02 UNO
Center and much more.
hockey schedule printed on back.
But in addition to supporting
CALENDAR LEVEL—$35 or more
• The 2002 UNO Calendar — The award-winning
UNO, donors to the 2001 UNO
Annual Fund have several other incen- calendar, in its ninth year, is a must-have for any
UNO graduate to display at home or the office!
tives to contribute (see box at right).
• The UNO Alumni Card
The benefits include various
• 2001 Annual Report Mention
• Hockey Key Chain
drawings throughout the year. All
donors who submit their contributions
CENTURY CLUB—$100 or more
Donors of $100 or more receive all of the beneby June 30, 2001, will be included in
fits at the Calendar Level, as well as Century
a drawing for one pair of 2001-2002
Club Awards and invites to select events
UNO season hockey tickets.
throughout the year.
All donors from the Odyssey
Level on up also will be included in
monthly drawings. At least five lucky donors will be randomly selected each month
to receive prizes, which include UNO apparel, UNO Alumni Key Chains, a free
Alumni Center rental, alumni directories, personalized Maverick address labels, free
homecoming passes, football and volleyball game tickets, and additional copies of
the 2001 and 2002 UNO Calendars!
So what are you waiting for? Join “2001: A Giving Odyssey” with a gift to the
UNO Annual Fund! Go to our Annual Fund page at www.unoalumni.org and make
an Online Contribution!
Swinging away for scholarships
R
eady to swing away? Then sign up for the 21st annual UNO Chancellor’s
Scholarship Swing Monday, Sept. 10, at Tiburon Golf Club.
The golf tournament is the association’s biggest single fund-raiser each year for
student scholarships. That includes UNO Alumni Legacy Scholarships, instituted in
2000 at $1,000 a year for 40 children of UNO graduates.
Last year’s Scholarship Swing raised $60,000, including a $30,000 match by the
Alumni Association. Since the association began hosting the tournament five years
ago $162,000 has been raised, $81,000 in association matches.
More than 200 golfers participated in the 2000 Scholarship Swing. Numerous
businesses also contributed financial support via hole sponsorships and prize donations. To register to golf in the tournament, or to find out more information regarding
sponsorships, call Alumni Activities Coordinator Sheila King at (402) 554-4802.
PHOTO TI
UNO Alumni Association News & Information
association in action
DeFreece Receives
Citation Award
he UNO Alumni Association
bestowed its Citation for Alumnus
Achievement on Michael T. DeFreece at
the university’s spring commencement
May 5. A 1967 UNO alumnus, DeFreece
is managing partner at the Omaha
office of Arthur Andersen.
The citation, instituted in 1949, is
presented at UNO commencement ceremonies to grads who have achieved
distinction in their vocations. The highest honor presented by the association,
the citation encompasses professional
or career achievement, community service, involvement
in business and
professional associations, and fidelity to UNO.
A Spalding,
Neb., native,
DeFreece graduated from thenOmaha University
34 years ago with
a bachelor’s
Mike DeFreece
degree in accounting. That same year
he joined Arthur Andersen. In addition
to his managing partner responsibilities DeFreece has specialized in services to the healthcare and high-technology industries during his professional career. A certified public accountant, he is a fellow in the Healthcare
Financial Management Association and
a member of the Nebraska Society and
the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants.
Active in various civic endeavors,
DeFreece has participated in activities
for the Omaha Chamber of Commerce,
the Boy Scouts and the Omaha
Regional Community of the Sisters of
Mercy. He also has served as a member
of the boards of directors for both
Mercy High School and Mount Michael
High School.
DeFreece also was a longtime member of the UNO Alumni Association
Board of Directors. According to association records he served longer than
any other board member in the association’s 88-year-history, joining the board
in 1981 and serving as its treasurer. He
later became chairman of the board, in
1998, before ending his service as past
chairman in 1999.
His contributions to the association,
though, actually predate his board service. DeFreece was a longtime fundraiser for the association, first volunteering for the organization’s national
calling campaigns during the 1970s and
later coordinating the internal giving
program for UNO graduates at Arthur
Andersen.
T
Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award recipients, from left: Kevin Houser, Don
Nielsen, Cindy Melby Phaneuf, Leah R. Pietron, Gary Hartzell, Jeremy
Lipschultz, James Johnson and Barbara Weitz. Not pictured, Larry Stephens.
Another Outstanding Bunch
T
he UNO Alumni Association presented its fifth annual Alumni Outstanding
Teaching Awards in April, awarding them to nine faculty members during a ceremony at the William H. Thompson Alumni Center.
The awards, established in 1997, honor distinguished teaching in the classroom.
Since then 32 teachers have been honored.
“These awards are expressions of the alumni body’s collective recognition of the
importance and value of instruction in higher education,” said Bruce Bisson, the association’s chairman of the board. “Faculty members such as these inspire students and
make positive, meaningful differences in their lives. We’re blessed to have such outstanding teachers on our campus.”
Each recipient was chosen by a committee of peers in their college and received a
$1,000 award.
Professors receiving the 2001 Alumni Outstanding Teaching Awards:
• Gary N. Hartzell, Educational Administration and Supervision, College of
Education;
• Kevin Houser, Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering;
• James B. Johnson, Political Science, College of Arts and Sciences;
• Jeremy H. Lipschultz, Communication, College of Arts and Sciences;
• Don A. Nielsen, Economics, College of Business Administration;
• Cindy Melby Phaneuf, Acting/Directing, College of Fine Arts;
• Leah R. Pietron, Quantitative Analysis, College of Information Science and
Technology;
• Larry Stephens, Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences;
• Barbara V. Weitz, Social Work, College of Public Affairs and Community
Service.
The Alumni Outstanding Teaching Awards further the association’s mission, established upon its founding in 1913:
“To concentrate the divided efforts of the graduates into one unit in order to work
more proficiently for the upbuilding of the school and to promote, as far as possible,
the activities of the school.”
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
7
PROGRAM PROFILE
After a courtship that lasted nearly six years, the wedding of UNO and
Detachment 470 of the Air Force ROTC has flourished for 50 years. Like any
good marriage, both entities have changed with the passage of time. While
the university has grown, the AF Reserve Officers Training Corps has shrunk
in size since those early years. Yet the motivation, mission and direction
remain much the same today.
So says Lt. Col. Catherine E. Lee,
commander of Detachment 470 and
professor of aerospace studies.
“The mission of the AFROTC program is to provide leaders for the Air
Force and better citizens for
America,” Lee says. “Here at UNO,
our mission is to provide consistent,
cohesive and meaningful training
experiences through discipline, teamwork and esprit de corps.”
The core values of the ROTC program are integrity, service and excel-
The Gateway newspaper applauded the establishment of the ROTC
unit, citing the rewards of a deferment and the opportunity for grads to
serve as officers rather than as enlisted men. “Omaha University, we
think, owes these benefits to the
young men of the community,” the
paper editorialized.
The alumni publication, known
then as The Injun, said the AF unit
“represents confidence of the Federal
govern-ment in our university.”
Wolfpack,” attracts its cadets from
high school career fairs, from visits to
Offutt Air Force Base and talks with
enlisted personnel, and from 12 other
universities in the area, including
Creighton. “Creighton is one of our
biggies when it comes to supplying
cadets,” Lee says.
One of the most telling changes in
today’s ROTC program concerns
demographics. Until the early 1950s,
ROTC was a “men only” program,
until the offer of training was made to
Blue Yonder
B y
N I c k
S c h i n k e r ,
lence. “Those do not change,” Lee says.
Then-Omaha University began
wooing an AFROTC unit in 1945. The
school’s initial bid was rejected
because the campus lacked the facilities necessary for training exercises,
such as a field house for a rifle range.
The university applied again in 1948.
Again, the same answer.
It wasn’t until April, 1951, upon
completion of a field house, that OU
President Milo Bail announced with
significant fanfare that the school was
one of 62 selected from among 450
applicants, including Creighton
University. Within three months,
Detachment 470 was established and
its first commander, Lt. Col. Allen H.
Wood, a 35-year-old World War II combat veteran, was accepting applicants.
8
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
’ 7 9
By the fall of 1951, enrollment in
the AFROTC program had reached
390 young men—more than 10 percent of the university’s total day and
night school enrollment of 3,101.
Cadets were supplied uniforms,
equipment and instructors. Advanced
ROTC students were paid 90 cents
per day “for subsistence.”
Current enrollment in the ROTC
program at UNO is 71, a number
that’s remained steady for nearly five
years, Lt. Col. Lee says. “That is a
decent size considering the times.”
The AF plans a recruiting push, she
says, with the intention of boosting
enrollment at UNO to near 100. “The
Air Force has not been meeting recruiting goals. The Air Force needs people.”
Detachment 470, nicknamed “the
women seeking direct commission as
2nd and 1st Lieutenants.
At UNO, Detachment 470’s current
class of 71 cadets includes 24 women
and eight minorities.
Except for different requirements in
physical fitness testing, the training is
the same for women and men, as are
the opportunities, says Lee, who is a
graduate of the ROTC program at
Purdue University, where she served
as cadet wing commander.
“We train everyone the same,” she
says. “They aren’t treated as men or
women. Ours are all cadets.”
Of the 71 cadets at UNO, 32 are
studying on scholarship, another
incentive designed to boost ranks. “The
Air Force has been consistent about
offering financial incentives,” Lee says.
Course); orientation flights and visits
to Air Force bases; and the opportunity to delay entering active duty while
pursuing a graduate degree.
Lee says despite the benefits, there
is a high attrition rate, particularly
among freshmen.
“In the class we are commissioning
this year, only two of the 16 have
been with us all four years,” she says.
“We started last fall with 19 freshmen
and we lost eight between fall and
spring. For some, it’s a question of
academics or fitness.
“Some simply realize this is not
Lt. Col. Allen H. Wood, a 35-year-old
World War II combat veteran, was the
first commander of the university’s
Air Force ROTC program. He’s
pictured here from the cover of the
Spring 1951 issue of the UNO Alumni
Association’s Injun magazine.
“Scholarships are readily available.”
There are three options within Air
Force ROTC: a four-year program,
two-year and one year.
Cadets entering the Four-Year
Program start with the General
Military Course, where they learn the
mission and structure of the Air Force
and receive an introduction to military life. Upon completion, cadets
enter four weeks of field training.
Those who successfully complete
field training are eligible to enter the
Professional Officer Course.
The two-year program is available
to junior college transfer students,
sophomores and veterans with at
least two years of academic work
remaining. The goal of the one-year
program is to attract students major-
really what they want to do with their
life. That’s fine. Military life is not for
everyone.
“Usually, if they come to us as
juniors, they’ll stay.”
Those who do will find themselves
among a distinguished list of alumni,
which since 1970 includes at least two
colonels, six lieutenant colonels and
as many majors.
ing in fields in which the Air Force
Those are the kind of ROTC grads
has a shortage.
the detachment would love to see
Benefits include: most college
again on campus, Lee says. “We’re
tuition, textbooks, lab and incidental
always looking for guest speakers,
fees paid if on scholarship; a $200 a
particularly alumni in the military
month tax-free allowance (for scholar- who could talk about their experiship winners and cadets in the
ences and give our cadets role models
Professional Officer Course); and a
to emulate.”
stipend that will soon increase in
Through the years, the relationship
increments according to time in the
between the ROTC program and
program. Uniforms and textbooks are UNO has been extremely positive,
free. There’s also: management train- Lee says. “The university is very suping and opportunities to gain leaderportive of our events. We couldn’t ask
ship experience at participating
for a better welcome on a campus as
schools; academic credit for Air Force we have here.
ROTC classes (some schools allow a
“In turn, we help the university,
minor in aerospace studies); travel on with our scholarships. We bring stumilitary aircraft on a space-available
dents to the university.”
basis (for scholarship winners and
Soon, Lee hopes, in even greater
cadets in the Professional Officer
numbers.
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
9
COLLEGE PROFILE
The project was another feather in the cap of UNO’s
Department of Public Administration and spoke of its
growing reputation nationally in the field of public
affairs—a reputation that was recently affirmed by U.S.
News and World Report magazine.
In its annual rating of graduate schools nationwide,
U.S. News recently ranked UNO 31st among master’s
degree programs in public affairs. No other University of
Nebraska program on any of the three other campuses
ranked higher.
UNO’s ranking was based on a survey of its peers
in other public administration programs across the
country. The ranking was up 11 places from the last
time U.S. News rated programs in the field three years
earlier, reflecting the program's continuing rise in
national prominence.
B.J. Reed, dean of UNO's College of Public Affairs and
manage a state or city budget to how to manage a local
government's computer and technology department.
There’s an old saying that speaks to America’s cynicism
about the quality of work done by public employees: It’s
good enough for government work.
Just don’t say that around UNO’s department of public
administration.
"It’s not the motto around here,” said professor John
Bartle, one of eight recipients of the 2001 UNO Alumni
Outstanding Teaching Awards.
Department officials say the students they turn out
know how to manage and run government programs
under accepted business practices and up to the
highest standards.
It all started 30 years ago when two UNO political
science faculty moved into a newly created Department
of Public Administration, offering a master’s degree in
Top Affairs
B y
H e n r y
C o r d e s ,
Community Service, said the ranking is particularly
impressive considering nearly all the schools UNO is
ranked with are either major flagship state universities or
elite private institutions. Georgia State in Atlanta is the
only school that like UNO is in the class of urban universities. Georgia State shared the No. 31 ranking with UNO.
“We’re competing with the big boys here, and we’re
doing very, very well,” Reed said. “Our peers nationally
are becoming more familiar with our program and faculty
and know what we’re doing.”
UNO had particularly high rankings in three speciality
fields of study within public affairs: urban affairs (20th),
public management (22nd) and management of information technology (7th).
Schools of public affairs prepare students for careers in
government administration, from how to put together and
10
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
’ 8 5
public administration.
The department quickly established a local reputation
and by the late 1970s was trying to break into the national
scene. A doctoral program was added in the late 1980s,
and the department has been rising ever since.
Department officials say there are a number of reasons
UNO is gaining prominence in the public affairs field. It
edits and publishes two different journals in public affairs
and is one of only two universities nationally that offers a
degree in public affairs on-line.
But most of the reasons for the department’s rise come
down to its faculty. Most are well-published in their field
and active in professional organizations nationally. Reed
has been active on the national association that decides
whether schools of public administration are accredited.
Projects like the Governing magazine report also do
PHOTO TIM FITZGERALD, UNO
When Governing magazine went looking for national experts to help it
grade the 50 states on how well their government functions, they didn't
call on Princeton University, the University of Michigan or even Harvard.
Three professors from UNO assisted in the evaluation of how each state
performed in everything from budgeting and accounting to how well they
maintain buildings and roads.
U.S. News & World Report
Best Graduate Schools, Public Affairs
(Master's)
Rank/School
Average reputation
score (5 = highest)
UNO CPACS Dean B.J. Reed
nothing to harm the school’s reputation among its peers.
The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
at Syracuse University, regarded as the nation’s top program in public administration, headed up the
Governing project and provided most of the manpower
for it. But it received a big assist from UNO. Of five
areas of state management studied, UNO supplied the
team leader for three: Bartle in financial management,
Carol Ebdon for management of capital assets and Reed
for information technology.
David Hinton, longtime dean and department chair in
public administration, said the U.S. News ranking is just
the latest indication of the school’s prominence.
“For 20 years we've been an active player on the
national level,” he said. “We’re real pleased with the
quality of the faculty, staff and students.”
Top 10
1. Harvard University (MA)
Syracuse University (NY)
3. Indiana University--Bloomington
4. Princeton University (NJ)
University of California--Berkeley
6. University of Georgia
7. Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
University of Michigan--Ann Arbor
University of Southern California
University of Texas--Austin
Other
31. Georgia State University
University of Arizona
University of Kentucky
University of Nebraska--Omaha
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
4.5
4.5
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.0
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.9
3.3
3.3
3.3
3.3
11
SPORTS
SALEM, Va.—Most teams would call it adversity. Having to battle through
driving rain and sloppy playing conditions. Enduring seemingly countless
weather delays. Staving off elimination three times. Having to win back-toback games on the final day of the season to realize their season-long
dream. But not the University of Nebraska at Omaha softball team. Through
it all, UNO never flinched. And never lost its composure.
Intently focused on their pursuit of winning the
school’s first NCAA Division II softball championship, the
Mavericks would let nothing distract them and nothing
stand in their way.
That’s why they returned home with the national championship trophy.
The third-ranked Mavericks capped a remarkable run to
the national title as sophomore Krista Unger fired a twohitter to boost UNO to a convincing 4-0 win over No. 8
Lewis (Ill.) in the championship game May 21 at the
Moyer Sports Complex.
“UNO’s always had a tradition of winning,” UNO
Coach Jeanne Tostenson said. “They have been to this
avenged their only loss of the tournament by beating
Humboldt State 5-1 in an elimination game in the morning May 21 before finishing off Lewis (55-13) in the finals
that afternoon.
The Mavericks, who fought through the losers’ bracket
to win the title after falling 6-2 to Humboldt in the winners’ bracket semifinals, beat Lewis for the second time in
16 hours. The Mavs blanked Lewis 3-0 on May 20.
UNO scored four first-inning runs in the championship
game, highlighted by freshman catcher Sarah Scheppers’
two-run double.
The 27-year-old Tostenson, in just her second year as
the Mavericks’ head coach, led UNO to a 52-14 record her
The Champs
B y
C r a i g
S e s k e r
tournament many times, they have just never got over the
hump of winning it. These kids had no doubt in their
mind that they could do it.
“All the hard work finally paid off. Not just the hard
work, but the belief and the confidence they had throughout the whole season. The one loss we had here they just
bounced right back. To be able to do that at this level is
unbelievable.”
The national title was UNO’s second after the 1975
Mavericks won the AIAW championship. UNO’s best finish
at the NCAA Division II tournament was second in 1996.
UNO Associate Athletic Director Cherri Mankenberg, in
her 25th year at the school, said she has been witness to
few events as special as the one she watched unfold in
Salem. “This is incredible, it’s really incredible,”
Mankenberg said, fighting back tears. “This is just tremendous for our program. We have knocked on the door several times but to get that national championship this year
is phenomenal.”
UNO capped a memorable 54-6 season by winning its
final four games of the tournament. The Mavericks
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UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
first year after succeeding long-time Coach Mary Yori. The
Mavs made four national appearances in Yori’s 11 seasons
at UNO. “Mary Yori, she deserves some credit because she
recruited those seniors,” Mankenberg said. “It’s been a
great transition from the Mary Yori era to the Jeanne
Tostenson era. It was a great hire for us to bring in Jeanne.
She took our program to the next level.”
Magnificent pitching was clearly the key for the
Mavericks. Unger, from Missouri Valley, Iowa, baffled
Lewis by relying on a devastating changeup. Unger (23-3),
pitching with a blood clot in her right arm that she plans
to have removed during the offseason, struck out five and
did not walk a batter. “I expected us to do this,” Unger
said of winning the title. “I am not really surprised, but I
am happy we did it.”
UNO senior pitcher Michelle Manthei, an All-American,
shut out Lewis in the first meeting and beat Humboldt
State to send the Mavs into the finals.
In the Mavericks’ five wins in Salem, they recorded
three shutouts and allowed a total of just two runs.
“We had total confidence in both pitchers,” UNO
UNO’s National Champs:
Kneeling, from left, Jill Peterson,
Kelli Lentz, Alissa Magistretti,
Jenny Redlinger, Kelsey
Duckworth. Second row, left,
Danielle McVicker, Beth
Abramson, Asst. Coach Michala
Lehotak, Michelle Manthei,
Tiffany Jones, Sarah Scheppers,
Jenne Averill, Erin Drinnin, Stacey
Longacre, Tracy Hortman.
Standing, left, Jon Ransom, Head
Coach Jeanne Tostenson,
Jennifer Carson, Krista Unger,
Kelly Moats, Kelleigh Warren,
Asst. Coach Cory Petermann.
“They have been to this tournament many times, they have just
never got over the hump of winning
it. These kids had no doubt in their
mind that they could do it.”
UNO Coach
Jeanne Tostenson
Pitching Coach Cory Petermann said. “They showed
why they are two of the top
pitchers in the country.”
Seeing North Central
Conference rival North
Dakota State win the 2000
national title also provided
the Mavs with some incentive this year. “Seeing them do
it, a team we had beaten three times last year, that
showed us where we could have been,” Tostenson said.
“We knew we had all the pieces in place to do it.”
"When North Dakota State won it last year, it hit us all
pretty hard,” Manthei said. “We knew that could have
been us.”
The national title was especially sweet for UNO’s Kelly
Moats and Jenne Averill, who played for the NebraskaKearney team that finished second at the 1999 NCAA
Division II meet. “This is just awesome,” Moats said. “I
can’t even put it into words how great this feels.”
Michala Lehotak, now in her fourth season as a
Maverick assistant coach, was
on the 1994 UNO team that
finished third at the NCAA
meet. “This is absolutely
indescribable,” Lehotak said.
“It is just so much fun to be
around a group of kids who
have worked so, so hard to
achieve this goal and then finally be rewarded. This is
awesome.”
UNO could be poised for another championship run
next season. The Mavericks do lose seniors in Manthei,
Averill, centerfielder Jenny Redlinger, shortstop Jill
Peterson and outfielder Beth Abramson. A reflection of
UNO’s strength is the fact that its four players who made
the all-tournament team–Unger, Scheppers, Moats and
Kelsey Duckworth—return next year. All-Americans
Tiffany Jones and Jennifer Carson also are back.
“We lose a great group of seniors,” Tostenson said. “But
we do have a great nucleus coming back, plus we have
some great recruits coming in.”
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
13
ALUM PROFILE
“I still disbelieve everything that has happened,”
Gilchrist says from her home in Evergreen, Colo. “I work in
a quiet room surrounded by stacks of books, a typewriter
and a computer. This is the writer’s life—it’s what I plan to
do with the rest of my life.”
Gilchrist, who graduated from UNO with a degree in
economics and later earned her law degree from Creighton
University, began writing in earnest in 1996 after quitting
her job as a corporate training specialist with Pacesetter
Corp. in Omaha. She then moved to Colorado with her
husband, Scott, and their son, Ian. Her motivation to begin
writing “The Good Journey” came following the death of
her 33-year-old brother Michael, who suffered fatal injuries
spent with the great commander of the Western frontier.
The Mary Bullitt letters, written on foolscap with a feather
quill, were still very much intact and provided the foundation for Gilchrist's remarkable story of love, war and
intrigue.
“After I had collected her letters it was as if Mary Bullitt
had moved right into my home,” Gilchrist says. “She occupied my thoughts. Then I began writing. After work, I went
home every night and wrote. My son became accustomed
to falling asleep to the sound of a typewriter.”
After making what she calls “a lot of false starts,”
Gilchrist began to unravel the Bullitt diaries and in 12
months had her first three chapters of “The Good Journey”
PHOTO COURTESY MICHAEL FULKS
It is appropriate that author Micaela Gilchrist settled on “The Good
Journey” as the title of her first novel, set for release this summer by New
York publishing giant Simon & Schuster. The 1984 UNO graduate always
found comfort putting pen to paper, a skill that helped get her through family tragedy and, ultimately, thrust her into an unexpected world of agent
deals, publishing rights and movie contracts.
Good Journ
B y
D o n
K o h l e r ,
’ 8 4
in an automobile accident. Three weeks prior, Gilchrist lost
her grandmother to brain cancer. “My brother was a
young, vibrant person and just like that he vanished,” she
recalls. “Within a three-week period I had lost two very
special people in my life. I decided then that I had to stop
putting those things in life off that were important to me. It
was time to stop putting my life on hold.”
The idea for “The Good Journey” began after Gilchrist, an
avid reader and history buff, stumbled upon an out-of-print
book detailing the life of General Henry Atkinson, a veteran
of the War of 1812. Gilchrist was intrigued as much by what
was left out of the book as what was in it. “There were only
a couple of lines in the book about his wife, but that was
enough for me,” Gilchrist says. “From the very beginning, I
was determined to learn more about this woman.”
Gilchrist went on a three-year scavenger hunt for information, searching the archives at local historical societies
and libraries before coming across the papers that would
change her life forever. Mary Bullitt, the niece of famed
explorer William Clark and the daughter of the richest man
in Kentucky, had penned her own telling version of years
14
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
on paper. The novel, which is based on fact and includes
the actual characters and events of the 1830s, spans the 20year marriage of Atkinson and Bullitt. The relationships
created for the story are fictional.
On a whim, Gilchrist decided to send her first draft to
Simon & Schuster. “I never thought anything would ever
come of it. The odds of getting published are a lot like winning the lottery.”
A few weeks later, Gilchrist received a call from legendary editor Michael Korda, who's edited such noted
authors as Graham Greene and Tennessee Williams. Korda
told Gilchrist he wanted to buy “The Good Journey” based
on his review of the first 60 pages.
“Getting a call from Michael Korda was surreal,” she
says. “This man has edited everyone from Kissinger to
McMurtry so, I felt incredibly fortunate, but I was also
determined to learn the craft of writing from the best editor
in the publishing industry.”
With the foolscap close at hand and a deadline to meet,
Gilchrist began to unravel the tale of a rebellious young
woman who falls in love with a highly respected man
ey
twice her age. In the novel, Bullitt decides to leave behind
a civilized life in the South to follow her husband to the
wild West, where Gen. Atkinson is charged with the mission of forcing Native Americans to leave their homes and
move west of the Mississippi River. Mary must not only
cope with the threat of attack from Indians but the unsettling truths that begin to unfold about her husband.
“Mary Bullitt was a strong woman born into the ruling
class. The men in her family were statesmen and politicians. She was determined to control her destiny,” Gilchrist
says. “She found herself involved with the politics of the
time and didn't always agree with her new husband. She
discovered devastating secrets on both a personal and a
national level.”
Within a year and under the watchful eye of Korda,
Gilchrist had put the finishing touches on “The Good
Journey” and Simon & Schuster began making plans to
publish after the final manuscript was submitted in October
2000. Gilchrist's journey took another unexpected turn
when Hollywood came calling. Agents representing Tom
Cruise and Nicole Kidman, along with Paramount Pictures
producers, telephoned Gilchrist's agent indicating that the
actors were interested in turning her novel into a movie.
“It was unbelievable,” Gilchrist admitted. “I hadn't finished the book and Tom Cruise had seen a rough draft. I
received a call from an agent saying Nicole Kidman just
loved the book. I didn't allow myself to believe it was true
and didn't tell anyone until I saw the film contract from
Paramount Studios.”
Gilchrist declined to share the details of the contract,
though the book and movie adaptation are hot topics in
popular entertainment mediums such as Variety Extra magazine, Publisher's Weekly and the New York Dailey News.
Gilchrist will conduct a whirlwind book-signing tour this
summer, including a stop in Omaha July 12 for an event at
the Bookworm at Countryside Village, 8712 Pacific Street.
In her spare time this summer, Gilchrist plans to keep
busy doing what she loves most—writing. Work is under
way on her second novel, a Civil War-era piece entitled
“Out of the North.”
“It has been a phenomenal journey for me and one that I
plan to continue.”
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
15
ALUM PROFILE
The Great Migration began in the late 1960s. They left the Ouampi Room
in the Milo Bail Student Center and headed for California. Here, as Omaha
U. became UNO, they were “The Group,” the English majors with their own
corner of the cafeteria. There, they were writers, penning punch lines for
Paul Lind on “Hollywood Squares” or peddling scripts for prime-time drama.
Their only jeopardy was the danger of “going commercial,” deferring dreams
of writing the Great American Novel. Some returned. Blake Lund came home
to sell insurance. Phil Hargrove’s an insurance exec in Kansas City. Harold
Schneider moved north to teach in Sacramento. But Gary and Michele
Johnson stayed. Both have won Emmys for writing. More than 30 years after
heading west, Gary produces “Jeopardy!,” the popular game show hosted by
Alex Trebek. Michele, who began writing for “Jeopardy!” before her husband
joined the staff, is editor of the Topanga Messenger, a bi-weekly serving residents of the hills and canyons of the Santa Monica mountains.
The Great
B y
W a r r e n
F r a n c k e ,
A few weeks ago Gary Johnson was
in Las Vegas doing “Celebrity
Jeopardy” with such motley contestants as Martha Stewart and Charles
Barkley. (Yes, the ones who couldn’t
name the home of Henry Doorly Zoo,
despite the subtle clue that it was
located in Nebraska’s largest city.)
Michele worked at the Messenger, saving virgin forests from developers
and seeing daughter Samantha, 15, off
to Pacific Palisades High School,
where they sing, “Pali Hi, I hear you
calling,” a familiar tune to Gary who
played Emile Debec, the Frenchman,
in “South Pacific.” If he hadn’t been
one of the foursome that made up the
16
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
’ 6 0 ,
’ 6 6
Omaha University College Bowl team
in 1967, Gary, and Michele, would be
best-remembered on campus for their
starring roles in university theater—
from his rendition of “Some
Enchanted Evening” opposite Sue
Perkins as nurse Nellie to Michele’s
award-winning Mrs. Willie Lohman
in “The Death of a Salesman” and her
title role in “The Madwoman of
Chaillot.” (See box, Page 20.)
Grads of Central High and Marian,
respectively, they met on campus at a
Reader’s Theatre audition for “Spoon
River Anthology.” They married
when Gary graduated in 1967 and
started a family while he worked as a
journalist for the Sun Newspapers of
Omaha. Then Michele earned her
degree and got a job as a social worker, so Gary quit the Sun to write the
Great American Novel. A natural progression from “The Bobbsey Twins at
Niagara Falls,” whose first two chapters he wrote in third grade.
But the Great Migration was
already underway.
One of the Ouampi Room group of
English majors, Phil Hargrove, had a
Hollywood connection. His brother
Dean Hargrove moved from writing
for “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” to
producing prime-time TV, and if he
couldn’t open all the doors, could
The Answer Man: More than 30
years after tossing out answers for
Omaha University’s College Bowl
team, Johnson now sets them up
for Trebek on “Jeopardy!”
when Hargrove’s young wife couldn’t deal with sharing her digs. The
Omaha family bunked briefly with
Lund and Schneider, who opened
wide their no-bedroom converted
garage in Beverly Hills.
If the posh Hills didn’t fit their
California dreams, Venice would.
They unhooked the U-Haul and
hunted up an apartment on the
canals of Venice, the home of the farout, described then by Sara Davidson
in her book “Real Property” as “like
living in a camp for semi-demented
adults” divided into two groups,
those who work and those who don’t.
“The latter includes senior citizens,
drifters, drug addicts, hopeful
moviemakers and aging hippies and
surfers who have made a cult of idleness and pleasure. At every hour day
and night, there are people playing
Migration
point the way. Lund, meanwhile,
headed for San Francisco, where three
young woman from their campus
crowd—Susan Borchman, Helen Katz
and Dede Sokolof—had settled. Then
he joined Schneider in Los Angeles,
where they co-wrote a “Name of the
Game” script, which aired with Jose
Ferrer in a starring role.
So it came to pass in 1970 that Gary
and Michele Johnson loaded their
belongings into a U-Haul pulled by a
pink 1962 Dodge station wagon and
set off for La-La Land with Eric, their
18-month-old son.
They’d read “The Grapes of
Wrath,” but weren’t yet haunted by
“National Lampoon’s Family
Vacation.” No grandma strapped on
the luggage rack, no dog dragging
from the rear bumper. Still, “Our
friends were betting we wouldn’t
even make it out of town,” Michele
recalled.
They made it out of Nebraska but
almost didn’t get past “the Heart of
the Panhandle,” Dalhart, Texas.
Service wasn’t self in those days, and
the gas station guy drawled, “Ya got
water in ya erl; might have a cracked
block.” A friendly bystander spared
them the oil scam by suggesting an
alternative to buying a new motor,
and they made it all the way west.
But their anticipated haven for the
first night in California vanished
volleyball, running, rolling on skates,
riding bikes, skateboards, surfboards,
flying kites, drinking milk, eating
quiche lorraine.”
So the Johnsons of Omaha met the
street life of Venice, the closest place
to downtown LA where one could
live by the water and see people outside cars. “We were hippies at heart,”
Michele admits, “but wore polyester.”
Near their door, a man idling by
the canal might offer to share his beverage. “What struck me as an Omaha
person,” Michelle said, was looking
out and seeing “police in the bushes
with guns drawn. Everybody was so
poor, anything left outside would be
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
17
The Brain Trust: Eight writers
and eight researchers bring
Trebek seven questions on each
topic category. For Final
Jeopardy!, the writers play
“stump the head writer,” tossing prospective puzzlers at
Johnson. “If I can’t get them,”
it takes some convincing or
they’re thrown out.”
stolen,” but they still have friends
there today.
To make a 30-year-story short, they
left the canals of Venice for the hills
and canyons of Topanga. Eric was
joined by Ben and Samantha, but not
shortly. Eric, 32, runs “Jeopardy
Online"; collegian Ben, 23, majors in
communication, and Sam sings in the
Pali Hi choir and played Portia in
Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”
last summer at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. As they near 34 years
of marriage, Gary’s asked, “to the same
person?” and Michele hears “to the
same husband?” when they note the
age gaps between the children.
When Michele stayed home with
her pre-schoolers, she freelanced for
the “Jeopardy!” sidelines—box games,
electronic and classroom “Jeopardy!”
—and wrote as a stringer for the
Messenger before agreeing to edit the
community newspaper. It wasn’t all
humdrum domesticity. Soon after
arriving in Venice, they landed roles as
an anti-war Quaker couple in
“Punishment Park,” an independent
film that won some buzz at film festivals. Rolling Stone magazine made it a
top-10 pick, and their photo appeared
in Newsweek.
That was Gary’s last acting role.
You’ll see him on the TV screen now
only when Alex Trebek “wants to pick
on me,” he says. Michele did some
Strindberg, Chekhov and original
musicals with repertory companies
and the Santa Monica Playhouse. “She
can put up with it,” Gary said, referring to the “grueling” side of acting,
including calls “when a billion people
show up.”
So Gary wrote for “Hollywood
Squares,” his first good writing job, “a
18
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
great job,” in what “has kind of
become the grand old time of television.” Peter Marshall presided over the
nine squares with Paul Lind of
“Laugh-In” fame anchoring in the middle. “Lind was the most fun to write
for,” Johnson says. “He really knew
how to deliver lines.” There were the
other regulars, old Charlie Weaver,
Lonesome George Gobel and more,
distant memories in the day of a
revived show with Whoopi Goldberg
in Lind’s role. Guests filled other
squares, including one where a wellknown movie star passed out and
Marshall tried to rouse him. “We taped
on Stage 3 at NBC when Stage 1 was
Johnny Carson. There was a lot of
intermingling, and we taped at night
because the stars were available. Back
in those days, the liquor flowed freely.”
These days “Jeopardy!” tapes at
noon on the old MGM lot in Culver
City. Three shows, a lunch break, then
tape two more and a week’s work is in
the can. He heads from their home,
high above Malibu, down to the Pacific
and cruises south on the coastal highway. Gary hasn’t replaced the pink
Dodge wagon with a pink Porsche or a
red Navigator, but commutes in a drab
Honda Accord.
He makes the 40-minute drive by
9:30, when he sits down with Alex
Trebek, two other writers and Harry
Friedman, executive producer of the
two top-rated shows in TV syndication—“Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of
Fortune.” Friedman graduated from
Central High in 1964, a year after
Johnson, but they weren’t buddies
there. “I saw him do ‘Fiorello’,” the
stage musical at Central, Gary said.
They worked together at Hollywood
Squares, and when Friedman went to
“Jeopardy!” in 1997, “I really needed to
bring in Gary as head writer, the one
person I knew I could turn to do the
job and do it right.”
A staffer recently snapped a digital
photo that shows Alex in jeans and
gray t-shirt at one end of a conference
table, Friedman at the opposite end
with Johnson in the middle facing
other writers. Gary’s a bit more formal
with his blue button-down shirt under
a Navy blazer.
They listen to any problems Trebek
has with the questions. The Canadianborn host is “very bright,” Johnson
notes, “something I’ve admired right
from the get-go.” If a contestant called
the German composer Wagner, Alex
would simply say, “Yes, Ricard
Vagner,” with the correct pronunciation. (Regis Philbin wagged it on his
show.) Alex questioned a term from
Finland, prompting a researcher’s call
to the embassy. “He’s the one who has
to say it,” Gary reminds. Or the congenial host may complain that a question’s too easy or a final jeopardy puzzler’s “too damn hard.”
Trebek bet that contestants wouldn’t
answer one about the Morris dance,
despite Johnson’s claim that a
Moorish reference in the clue would
be a tip-off. When all three players
looked befuddled, Alex stomped over
to Gary at the next break and collected
his dollar.
“We don’t want to stump people,”
Johnson explained. On the international competition aired mid-February
in Omaha, no one followed the final
clue to “Fatima,” the Portugal city
connected to a miraculous vision. For
those final questions, the writers play
“stump the head writer,” tossing
prospective puzzlers at Johnson. “If I
can’t get them,” it takes some convincing or they’re thrown out.
Eight writers and eight researchers,
in a “Jeopardy!” staff of about 50, bring
him seven questions on each topic category, with five selected for airing plus
one extra in case of technical problems.
They’re arranged from easiest ($100) to
most difficult ($500), or double in the
second round. Then the researchers dig
into their library or get on the phone.
If that sounds simple enough, consider
the time a contestant guessed “quark
star” for a clue about the building
blocks of matter. The expected answer
was neutron star, but Gary phoned
down to the library where the staff
was watching and put them to work
checking out quark star.
"It ended up there is such a thing,
theoretical for many years, and then an
Israeli astronomer proved they existed.
It was someting so esoteric,” but before
“Final Jeopardy!” the score was corrected. (“Jeopardy!” folks like to tell
about the researcher who called for
information from the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, where their secretary swears they
take breaks to watch the show…obviously the opportune time to invade.)
For fans who wonder about those
production assistants hovering as the
final question nears, they’re touching
up makeup and then checking the
bet and answer to prepare Alex for
the outcome.
Winning contestants, such as the
blind man named Eddie or Robin
Carroll who represented USA in the
global competition, can be “terrific,”
even to a game show veteran like Gary
Johnson. The losers, though, sometimes “grow horns” when they walk
off beaten.
As for those celebrities mocked as
know-nothings in “Saturday Night
Live” parodies, Gary ranks sports figures among the best celebrity players.
Sportscaster Bob Costas does well, and
a man twice his height, Kareem Abdul
Jabbar, “could compete with the regular players.”
Read the resumes of Michele and
Gary Johnson, and game shows—
rarely in prime-time until the recent
success of “Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire?"—seem more plentiful
than most viewers might imagine.
After staying home with her second
baby while Gary continued his 12year stint with “Hollywood Squares,”
Michele took a research job on a shortlived reality show, “That’s My Line”
(not to be confused with the earlier
“What’s My Line?") in the late 1970s.
Then both wrote for three shows that
sound like a freaky new dance step:
“Boggle", “Jumble” and “Shuffle.”
That’s not to mention the likes of
“Bumper Stumper,” “Sale of the
Century,” “Trivial Pursuit” and
“Whew!"—far from the full list of
their credits as writers and producers.
Michele wrote advance material when
an effort was made to revive the old
Art Fleming-hosted “Jeopardy!” created by Merv Griffin. That effort failed
Trebek bet that contestants
wouldn’t answer one about the
Morris dance, despite
Johnson’s claim that a Moorish
reference in the clue would be
a tip-off. When all three players
looked befuddled, Alex
stomped over to Gary at the
next break and collected his
dollar.
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
19
Caption: OU’s “General Electric College Bowl” team, from left: Craig Reisser, Wesley Webster, Marcia
Cohen and Johnson. The squad fell to Texas 375 to 125, returning with a $500 scholarship grant.
Tomahawk Chops
F
lip through the Tomahawks from 1965 to 1968
and you’ll see these yearbook images of Gary and
Michele Vaughn Johnson on the campus:
There’s Gary in both tuxedo and camouflage fatigues
as the brave Frenchman in "South Pacific," in costume
hat and robe with the University Players and uncostumed in a Phi Eta Sigma shot with Dean Don Pflasterer
and others.
The next year, 1966, Michele shows up in black plus
string of pearls in a large chorus group, and Gary dons
foppish white knickers with ruffles, cape and walking
stick in "She Stoops to Conquer." He’s grainy as Edward
in Eugene O’Neill’s "Long Days Journey Into Night."
In 1967, as British rockers visit campus to sing, "You
Turn Me On," Gary’s seen on the College Bowl team, as
chairman of the "Grain of Sand" literary booklet, as
bearded "ghost" in "The Enchanted" and clean-shaven in
his senior photo. Michelle appears with arms out-
as Griffin pushed to “make it a lot easier,” thinking audiences had regressed, she explained. But when others
picked up the franchise in the mid-1980s with Alex
Trebek as host, she vied with 40 or so contenders and
landed one of the five writing jobs. She’d later win a
writing Emmy there to book-end with Gary’s earlier
statue won writing for “Hollywood Squares.”
Meanwhile, after the “Squares” went dark, Gary
supervised writing for “Sale of the Century” and then
produced a seven-year run of “Scrabble” before moving
to other productions, primarily in the same genre.
Michele wrote for “Jeopardy!” at home when daughter
Samantha needed more of her time, and could afford
the much lower-paying community newspaper job
when Gary became the show’s producer in 1997.
Somewhere in there, while Boston their black lab
guarded the Topanga hilltop, Gary finished the Great
American Novel, “The Golden Fleece.” Subject: a week
in the life of a college boy in Omaha.
And “The Group,” those Ouampi Room friends who
20
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
stretched as the title countess in "The Madwoman of
Chaillot," on a tall stool for Shakespeare readings and in
white-faced mime makeup.
The 1968 Tomahawk, including some scenes from the
previous year, features Gary just inside the cover, striding
across campus, cigarette dangling, hand reaching for his
shirt pocket. Michele as Mrs. Zero in "The Adding
Machine" wears nightgown and nightcap as she sits
before a vanity, removing her socks.
She’s also Mrs. Lohman in "Death of a Salesman," huddled with her two "sons," played by Dick Johnson (now
Christie) and Kent Hanon, later a high school drama
teacher. She’s seen again with Gary in "John Brown’s
Body," where he’s Abraham Lincoln, tall and bearded, all
in black from boots on up.
Then Gary shows up on the staff of "The Lone
Haranguer," with copy noting, "The underground rag’s
financial difficulties halted its publication—whether it will
appear again is yet to be seen."
It didn’t reappear. Before long, the yearbooks were
gone, too, but not to California.
took part in The Great Migration? They keep in touch
on a group vine Web site, “Omahans Older But Not
Necessarily Wiser.” The Migration continued with at
least two more UNO Johnsons, Dick who acted in
“Death of a Salesman” with Michele on campus, then
changed his name to Dick Christie, and John Henry
Johnson, a familiar face playing bad guys. Both, no relation to Gary, have done well in Hollywood.
As for Gary’s first spot on national television back in
1967, the Omaha University team lost to Texas. But Gary
and Michele made it past Texas a few years later and, if
the hot tub on their deck counts, beat California.
They returned to Omaha last Christmas, visiting
Gary’s mom Mildred Johnson and his two sisters, and
meeting Blake Lund for lunch. The Vaughn family
moved from Nebraska, leaving only Michele’s brother
Mike, who farms near Funk.
If the celebrities don’t know Omaha, forget them
answering “What is Funk?” Even Kareem couldn’t skyhook that one.
PROGRAM PROFILE
As recent UNO graduate Clint Rushing prepares to enter the real-world
job market, he goes forward with extra confidence after participating in
UNO’s first-ever student-managed investment fund. The fund, made possible by a $500,000 gift commitment by UNO alum Col. Guy M. Cloud, has
made it possible for UNO students to invest real money and gain experience managing investments.
CBA Professor
Dave Volkman,
left, and
recent Alum
Clint Rushing.
PHOTO TIM FITZGERALD, UNO
Rushing, who graduated this May with a bachelor’s in
finance and banking, was one of six students who took
part in a semester-long independent study class that analyzed and selected the stocks for half of the $500,000 gift.
The remaining $250,000 will be invested this fall.
“It makes you think a little bit harder when it’s real
money," said Rushing, who served as the club’s first president.
The Maverick Investment Club, open to any UNO student, was formed to bring students together from all areas
of the college to learn more about the techniques of
investing.
“Students can join the club as a freshman, be in it for
four to five years and not only have the opportunity to
make actual stock selections, but to see it through for a
number of years,” said Jeff Dempsey, associate director of
development, University of Nebraska Foundation.
Cloud, a retired officer with the U.S. Marine Corps,
received his bachelor of science degree in military science
at UNO in 1963. With more than 50 years of investment
experience, Cloud wanted to share his success in the
investment arena with the next generation of investment
professionals.
“It’s my hope that this fund will give students the realworld experience they need for success after graduation,”
said Cloud. In addition to the club, UNO will launch its
first portfolio management class this fall in conjunction
with the Colonel Guy M. Cloud, Junior and Patricia
Cloud Student Managed Investment Fund. Students will
study diversification, asset allocation, hedging procedures
and investment strategies.
Those in the course will work directly with the fund
and the fund’s management team will be selected from
students in the class. Members of the Maverick
Investment Club will analyze the performance of the fund
and make recommendations, but the final decisions will
rest with the fund’s management team. Professor David
Volkman, chair of the finance, banking and law department at UNO, will teach the class.
“It’s one thing to learn about investing and it’s quite
another to have actual dollars to spend,” said Volkman.
“Students will actually contact the investment banker and
get the real world experience of investing. It’s going to
mean more to them and they are going to learn more.”
Any profits from the fund will go to three different
Stocked
B y
L o r i
R i c e , ’ 9 7
sources: A portion will be funneled back into the portfolio
so that the investment continues to grow; another portion
will be used for scholarships for CBA students at UNO;
and a third will go establishing the Col. Guy M. Cloud Jr.
and Patricia Cloud Professor of Investment Sciences. The
hope is that the money will continue to grow so that in
future years the students will have more money to invest
than the current students.
Volkman also sees the fund as a steppingstone to develop additional curriculum that will bolster student’s attractiveness to employers.
“I want to see the department develop a Charter
Financial Analyst (CFA) track which will help students
prepare for the first of three CFA exams,” said Volkman.
“My goal is to make UNO the premier Midwest institution offering investment management and aiding students
in the preparation for the CFA exam.”
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
21
ATHLETICS FEATURE
They’re not hard to miss during a UNO football practice. They usually
stick out in their slacks and golf shirts with NFL team logos on the chest.
They’re maybe scribbling down a note or two or checking a stopwatch.
They’re minding their own business, but still can’t go unnoticed. They’re
National Football League scouts looking at draft hopefuls. And they have
reason to believe now that they’ll find one or two every year on the
University of Nebraska at Omaha roster.
UNO has sent players to the NFL
before, but never this many in such a
short time.
“It is a little unbelievable, considering we're a Division II school,”
Cooper said. “But that just shows you
Players like MarTay Jenkins, Chris
Bober, Chris Cooper and Adam
Wright are glad they’ve stopped by.
Cooper and Wright hope to join
Jenkins and Bober, their two former
UNO teammates in the NFL next sea-
that there are good players everywhere, and they're going to find you
wherever you are."
Both Cooper and Wright credit
Jenkins for helping bring the scouts
in. Starting back in 1996, NFL clubs
Mav Prospe
B y
R i c h
K a i p u s t ,
son. Thanks to a resurgence in
Maverick football, they're getting
their chance.
“I think we do have good players here," UNO Coach Pat Behrns
said. “Year in and year out we're
going to have guys who are
going to make it.”
Cooper, a defensive end,
became the second UNO player
to be drafted in a three-year span
when the Oakland Raiders made
him a sixth-round pick in April.
Jenkins was a sixth-round pick in
1999 by Dallas and now plays
receiver and returns kicks for
Arizona.
Later on draft day, Wright
signed a free-agent contract with
the New York Giants. The running back will reunite with
Bober, who was a rookie offensive lineman with the Giants last
season after also signing as a free
agent.
22
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
’ 8 8
Caption: Cooper,
a 280-pound
defenesive end,
was the anchor
of UNO’s NCCchampionship
defense.
started coming around consistently to see Jenkins
because of his good size and
amazing speed.
“Adam and I were pretty
young back then, but you
think, ‘I hope those guys will
be coming back,’ Cooper
said. “Because of MarTay
they came back to see Bober,
and because of Bober they
came back to see us, and
hopefully because of us
they’ll come back to see some
of those other guys.”
Behrns has no problem
with the frequent stops.
While some Division I powers can afford to keep scouts
out of practices or limit their
access around the football
offices, Behrns knows the
Mavs need to cater to them.
That might mean spending
some extra time during the
cts
day to talk or show film. It also means
putting up with a possible distraction
during practice. “We put absolutely
no restrictions on them,” Behrns said.
Behrns said Jenkins has drawn the
most interest of any UNO player. But
Cooper kept them on a steady schedule last fall during an All-American
season. “At some point in a season,
when we have a guy like Coop or
Chris or MarTay, I think every team is
here at one point or another,” Behrns
said. “I can't think of a team that has
not been through here. Now the last
two weeks, we’ve had one or two or
more calls a day asking for information on our guys for next year. Prior
to MarTay, we didn't have that.
“I think the biggest thing, the first
thing, is to have someone go make it.
Everyone, at one time or another, has
prospects. We needed someone to go
make it. That got it started.”
Cooper wants to make it. So does
Wright. With Oakland, Cooper is a
Caption: Wright
finished his
career as UNO’s
all-time leading
rusher with
more than 4,000
yards.
280-pound defensive end who likely
will be moved to defensive tackle.
The former Lincoln Southeast player
said he likes his chances of making
the Raider roster. “I got some pretty
positive feedback during mini-camp,”
said Cooper, UNO’s all-time leader
for quarterback sacks in a season and
a career. “I don't think they would
draft me and work on getting me up
to 300 pounds only to cut me.”
Wright, UNO’s all-time leading
rusher, is willing to do whatever it
takes with the Giants. The former
Omaha North star will play fullback
instead of tailback, and likely will
have to prove he can be an effective
special teams player to have any
chance of sticking around.
“You know, I went to camp thinking everybody was going to be so
much bigger and faster than me,”
Wright said. “But I really felt like I
matched up well and did OK.”
Cooper and Wright reported to
their respective teams again in midMay to work out for about a month.
NFL camps open in July.
Prior to Jenkins, no former UNO
player had appeared in an NFL game
since the late Brad Beckman in 1989.
Joe Arenas, Marlin Briscoe, Gerald
Allen and Rod Kush are among the
most successful former UNO grads
in pro football, and current Athletic
Director Bob Danenhauer even had
a short career as a Seattle Seahawks
lineman.
Down the line, Behrns said UNO
players like defensive end Buck
Rasmussen, cornerback Tyree
Kellogg and linebackers Abrian
Stovall and Ryan Hoffman might get
an opportunity. “I think our guys
know that if they're a prospect,
they're not going to be missed,”
Behrns said. “That’s a myth in
Division II football. One thing about
those pro scouts, they do their homework. It is an amazing process.”
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
23
NEW GRAD PROFILE
Under the circumstance, this unusual graduation definitely deserved some
pomp. On her 100th birthday Wednesday, former teacher Myrtle Thomas
received her bachelor of education degree from the University of Nebraska
at Omaha. It was neither an honorary degree nor a gift. As the saying goes,
she got it the old-fashioned way—she earned it.
Reprinted with permission by Omaha World-Herald
“This is the real McCoy,” said John Christensen, dean
of the UNO College of Education. “This is terrific.”
Actually, the new graduate hadn't attended class since
the 1970-71 school year, when she was a girl of 69. But a
recent check of records showed that she had completed
all the requirements.
So Christensen gladly drove 25 miles north of Omaha
to Missouri Valley, Iowa, for the ceremony. At the
Longview Nursing Home, he donned his academic robe
and beret to present the centenarian her diploma.
“Oh, that's wonderful,” she said, accepting his congratulations before about 40 relatives, friends and nursinghome staffers.
Myrtle Mae Currie Thomas has lived a most interesting
life, which has included travel across the United States as
well as to Canada, Austria, England, France, Germany,
Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Japan.
And she has never stopped learning.
If it seems that she took a long time to earn her college
degree, well, Myrtle was no turtle. Just very busy.
She was born in Underwood, Iowa, in the first year of
the 20th century and graduated from Missouri Valley
High School in 1919. She outlived her husband, Chester,
who died in 1963, and three of their six children.
She taught school from 1919 to 1923, and then raised
her family on a farm. She returned to teaching in 1955,
and to college in 1963, focusing on special-education
courses.
After retiring, she stayed active in various organizations, including garden clubs. She became a judge in
flower arranging.
On Mother’s Day this year, with her 100th birthday
approaching, family members were talking about her
wonderful life and wondering whether she had any
regrets.
Well, just one. She always kind of regretted not getting
a college degree. She had been so close.
Great-grandson Chad Rotolo, who graduated from
UNO last year in electronics engineering, looked into it.
Administrators soon realized that she lacked only the six
credit-hours earned through student teaching.
But in her career, she had taught for about 20 years. The
university didn't have to make an exception, Dean
Christensen said, to count her teaching experience toward
that requirement. Today, that would easily be worked out
24
24
UNOALUM
ALUM
UNO
SUMMER 2001
2001
SUMMER
UNO College of
Education Dean
John Christensen
presented Myrtle
Thomas with her
bachelor’s
degree—and a
quarter.
100 Roses
B y
M i c h a e l
K e l l y
for a student.
UNO awarded degrees this month to about 1,000 grads.
When Myrtle Thomas' family inquired about her degree
status, the process was fast-tracked—officials at Iowa
State and Dana College, where she also had attended
classes, quickly provided verification of credits.
Word of the “old grad” quickly spread at UNO.
“Everyone on campus knows about this,” Christensen
said, “including the chancellor, the vice chancellor and the
registrar.”
With 100 roses from her family behind the graduate and
the College of Education’s light-blue tassel on her academic cap, Thomas accepted the dean’s congratulations.
He thanked her for her years as a teacher and quipped:
“We have a teacher shortage in Omaha, and I want to talk
to you about coming back.”
With a smile, the honoree told the dean that 30 years
ago, she had bet a former UNO dean a 25-cent candy bar
that she would live to 100.
Christensen paid off with a quarter. He didn’t have a
candy bar, but the moment was just as sweet.
class notes
SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE ON THE WEB
www.unoalumni.org/communications/submitcn.asp
SUMMER 2001
1942
John W. Peterson, assoc., is
retired and lives in Omaha. Send
him an e-mail at
jopeter@radiks.net.
1943
Marjorie Winter, assoc., writes
from her home in Glenwood,
Iowa, that “I taught a one-room
school in Iowa and then graduated
from St. Paul Bible Institute in
Minnesota in 1948. Moved to
Colorado—did missionary work
and taught school in the high
Rocky Mountains for 26 years.
Attended Western State College in
Gunnison, Colo., summers and got
BA degree 1962. Taught first grade
in Leadville, Colo., until 1974.
Moved back to Iowa to help my
parents and worked in library at
Grace College of Bible—now
Grace University, 1974 to 1983.
Retired and worked full time at
home with my parents. My dad
died in 1980 and mother died
nearly a year ago at age 105, 1
month and 10 days. I was glad I
could care for her here at home
until the end of her life. I will live
on our farm and in our home as
long as I can. I am the only one left
in our family. I have cousins nearby who are helpful.”
1949
Beverly M. Bush Smith, BA,
e-mails from her home in Lake
Forest, Calif., that “mainly wanted
you to add my e-mail address to
your Web site. Still writing books
(five published), still skiing (long
coffee breaks).” Send her e-mail at
b2smith@pacbell.net
1950
Robert Wetherbee, BS, is
retired and lives in Long Key, Fla.
Send him e-mail at
bhw74@aol.com
1951
William S. Glickfield, BA, is
self-employed as an attorney and
lives in Brooksville, Fla., Send emails to
wffield@hotmail.com
Merger—July 1, 1968
From the 1968 Alumni Newsletter
he Municipal
University of
Omaha officially
became the University
of Nebraska at Omaha
on July 1, 1968.
There were two
days of ceremonies.
The first was on
Sunday, June 30, 1968,
at which time the citizens of Omaha were
invited to a “Lawn
Party” in front of the
Administration Building.
The next morning,
July 1, there were symbolic ceremonies on
the steps in front of the
Administration Building.
From the 1969 Tomahawk yearbook.
Robert Spire, ’47, president
of the University of Omaha Regents, presided. Among those seated were the
other Regents of the University of Omaha, Regents of the University of Nebraska,
Governor Norbert Tiemann, President Emeritus Milo Bail, Chancellor Clifford
Hardin, President Kirk E. Naylor, Randy Owens, president of the Student Senate,
and D. Nick Caporale, president of the University of Omaha Alumni Association.
The actual transfer of deeds and other necessary papers took place at
2 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Building where the Regents of the
University of Nebraska had a meeting which was televised over the Nebraska
Educational TV Network.
During the morning ceremonies, Mr. Caporale gave a short talk which succinctly stated the role of the alumni in the merger. His remarks follow:
“We commemorate today a happy event. The University of Omaha has not
ended its existence except in a bare legal sense. We mark only the beginning of
a new phase in its continuing life. A university is not only a creation of law, it is
perhaps first and foremost an attitude. For sixty years the attitude of this campus has been one of sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs, the hopes and
the aspirations of the place in which it sits.
“Because its roots are deeply embedded in Omaha soil, it will remain cognizant of the needs of those people as well as the needs of the people in the
entire state which it now serves. Because of its merger, its horizons and its facilities will have been broadened. Its scope of service has been immeasurably
enlarged. Because the future of any human institution must, in part, at least, be
measured in the terms of its history, those of us who are a part of the past owe
the obligation of continued support in the future.
“We owe the future of the University of Nebraska at Omaha a deep conviction
in its desire and in its ability to serve us. We owe it the financial and moral support that all human institutions which have served well in the past deserve.
“And we owe it the obligation to let it show us and our children the way to a
fuller and richer life through higher education.
To these things, then, the alumni of the past dedicate their efforts of the
future.”
T
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
25
class notes
“Hoping to find some of my old friends. I’m still on my feet and
‘mogating.’”
Ray F. Bloom, 1964
1955
Freeman R. Smith, BGE, is
retired after serving as an air pollution meteorologist. He lives in
Carmichael, Calif., and takes email at freemanrsmith@cs.com
1956
Francis E. Poast, BS, lives in
Livingston, Texas and takes his email at post9870@aol.com
Marianne Bowley Kessler,
BS, is retired from Omaha Public
Schools. Send her e-mail at
fmkess@prodigy.net
1957
Terry J. Bowman, BS, is president and owner of Terry Bowman
Warehousing and lives in Laguna
Niguel, Calif. Send him e-mail at
tjb10@ix.netcom.com
Arthur (Ted) Cajacob, BS, is
retired after becoming vice president and general manager of St.
Paul Fire and Marine Insurance
Co. He lives in Whitney, Texas,
and takes e-mail at
atediii@whitneytx.net
Frank L. Kessler Jr., BS, is
retired and lives in Omaha. Send
him e-mail at fmkess@prodigy.net
1958
James P. Plaster, BS, is retired
and lives in Kearny, Ariz., where
he takes e-mail at
jmyeso@yahoo.com
Nelda M. Sprague Tesar, BS,
is staff training coordinator at
Opportunity Village in Clear
Lake, Iowa. Send her e-mail at
tesarna@rconnect.com
1959
Thomas George Bockes, BA,
is retired and reports his title as
“Happy.” He lives in Omaha and
takes his e-mail at
tbleadfoot@yahoo.com
Fred P. Schoning, BFA, is
retired after being a curriculum
specialist with Omaha Public
Schools. He also has a bachelor’s
degree in education and a master’s degree in English from UNO.
Send him e-mail at
26
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
schoning@mac.com
bestyearyet@aol.com
1960
Ralph Keill, BA, recently retired
after seven years as hospital medical director and 22 years as a general surgeon. “Enjoying life with
wife of 38 years, Linda.” Send
Ralph an e-mail at lrkeill@got.net
Rod Hiddleston, BA, is a principal scientist with SAIC and lives
in Escondido, Calif. Send him email at rodhilleston@home.com
1961
David L. Belden, BGS, received
the Outstanding Association
Executives Award from the New
York Society of Association
Executives, that organization’s
most prestigious recognition, for
significant contributions to the
association management profession. Since 1987 Belden has been
executive director of the 125,000member American Society of
Mechanical Engineers. He is
responsible for the overall operational management of the society's
funds and programs, conferences
publications, member affairs, education, research, codes and standards development and public
affairs. He also oversees its 400person staff operation in 10 offices
throughout the United States.
Prior to joining the organization
Belden was executive director and
member of the Board of Trustees
of the Institute of Industrial
Engineers.
1962
Russell R. Czerwinski, BS, is
retired and lives in Waynesboro,
Va. Send him e-mail at
russcz@aol.com
Leanna E. Haar Skarnulis,
BA, is self-employed as a writer
living in Temple, Texas. Send her
e-mail at leanna@skarnulis.com
1962
Arlene E. Hirsh, BS, is an elementary school teacher with
Omaha Public Schools. Send her
e-mail at donald1933@yahoo.com
Anna M. Smith, BS, is a librarian in St. Paul, Neb. Send her email at annamary@cornhusker.net
Jinny (Virginia) Anderson
Ditzler, BA, is a writer and lives
in Aspen, Colo. Send her e-mail at
1964
Marlyn L. Taylor, BFA, is
retired and lives in Cornville,
Ariz. Send her e-mail at
marlyntaylor@earthlink.net
Ray F. Bloom, BGE, e-mails
from home in White House, Tenn.:
“Just reading Spring 2001 editor’s
article about Paul Needham. I
thought it was an excellent article
and I thought about all my ‘Pen
and Sword’ buddies of 1964. In
1995 I retired from supervisor of
learning disabilities in Ross
County, Ohio. I did my M.Ed. at
Ohio University, Athens, plus a lot
of postgraduate work. Hoping to
find some of my old friends.
Especially Gene and Margaret
Hitchcock. Gene was a fellow
Bootstrapper with me. We were in
Alconbury R.A.F. base in England
together. After having three heart
attacks and one stroke within the
past four years, I’m still on my
feet and ‘mogating.’”
1965
John S. Brockington, BS, emails that “John Brockington lives
in Columbia, S.C. with his wife,
Anne, of 46 years. In 1973 he
retired as a Lt Col. from the Army
with 27 years service. He later
retired from Citizens & Southern
National Bank of SC where he
was vice president in the
Investment Department. Thanks
UNO.” Send him e-mail at
brockj0115@aol.com
Fred S. Tanner, BGE, lives in
East Greenwich, R.I., and takes email at Fred.T@Train-Depot.com
1966
Donald Hirsh, BGS, is an operational planning specialist at
Enron. He lives in Omaha and
takes e-mail at
donald1933@yahoo.com
Cheryl Bird Richardson, BS,
is an ESL resource teacher with
Omaha Public Schools. She takes
e-mail at
cherylrichardson@tconl.com
James D. Ochsner, MS, is
“semi-retired” as an independent
contractor. Send him e-mail at
jdoch4455@aol.com
Alice L. Hewitt Scobey, BA,
lives in Bellevue and takes her email at hewittashtonboyle@
hotmail.com
1967
Robert F. Wayman, BGS, lives
in Orangevale, Calif., and writes
that “Since graduation, I have
written and published three
books: ‘Please Remind Me I am
The Presence of Love,’ ‘Real
Feelings,’ and ‘Pregnant Angels
Can't Fly.’ My wife and I enjoy
ballroom dancing. We are still taking lessons and dance at least
three times a week. We also practice each day in our modified
garage. Who says retired people
can't have fun?!” Send Robert email at
mrpeaceful@sprintmail.com
Jennifer (Par) Malewski, BA,
lives in Kansas City and writes
that she was “recently appointed
to a three-year term as Kansas
State Representative for the
Association of Professional
Chaplains, overseeing four other
state leaders and 60-plus APC
chaplains in Kansas.” She is
responsible for seeing the certification process, educational
enhancement, membership promotion and chaplain advocacy are
carried out. She also is starting
her 12th year as staff chaplain at
the University of Kansas Hospital
in Kansas City.
1968
Carol Spencer Cardwell,
BGS, is retired as a Lt. Col. with
the U.S. Army. He lives in
Marietta, Ga., and takes e-mail at
scard78055@aol.com
1969
Jihad A. Shakir, BA, lives in
Houston, Texas, and writes that
“When I attended UNO my name
was Ernie Byron Wilson. In 1976 I
class notes
“This is my 30th year as a teacher and coach in Florida. UNO will
always be No. 1.”
John Castelamare, 1971
legally changed my name to Jihad
Akil Shakir. The university has
official documentation of my
name change and reissued a
diploma in my current legal name
in the early 1990s. Please forgive
me for not contacting you sooner.
I want to continue to be a part of
the UNO family.” He is a licensed
professional counselor and chemical dependency counselor. He currently is the director of the Anger
Management Program at Positive
Adult Living, Inc., and a contract
therapist with the Employee
Assistance Center. He earned a
master’s degree in clinical sociology from Texas Southern
University. He also is a veteran of
the U.S. Air Force and a member
of the American Counseling
Association.
Gordon W. Anderson, BGS,
lives in Williamsburg, Va., and is
retired after becoming a Lt. Col.,
with the U.S. Army. Send him email at gordonwanderson@
earthlink.net
Gene Kathol, BS, lives in
Omaha and takes e-mail at
kathol@tconl.com
Bill E. Tempelmeyer, MS, is
retired and lives in Marshalltown,
Iowa. He writes that “Since retiring as superintendent of school in
Bleak, Neb., in 1989, Doris and I
spend countless hours ENJOYING, not going, to football games,
basketball games, volleyball
games, school plays, musicals,
Christmas plays, art displays,
board meetings, athletic banquets,
speech contest, FFA suppers,
Home Ec-style shows, band concerts, parent teachers conferences,
conference dinners, etc. During
my professional career I did try to
turn one of those recreational centers, called high school, into an
educational institution but could
not get permission from my board
to use badly needed athletic funds
to buy text books or lab supplies.
Retirement has been great. Just
returned home from another winter on Padre Island.” Send him email at
wtempelmeyer@hotmail.com
Darwin D. Heinitz, BGS, is
retied and lives in Bismarck, N.D.
Send him e-mail at
darwind@email.msn.com
1970
John A. Hover, BS, is the zone
financial services manager for
Isuzu Motor Acceptance Corp. He
lives in Bellevue and takes e-mail
at nuadmiral@hotmail.com
David Clark, BGS, is retired, for
the second time. He first retired in
1970 as a meteorologist with the
U.S. Air Force. In 2000 he retired
as a physical scientist for the
National Weather Service. He
lives in Ellicott City, Md., and
takes e-mail at dandj@home.com
1971
John Castelamare, BS, writes
from Port Richey, Fla.: “This is my
30th year as a teacher and coach
in Florida. I’ve been teaching P.E.
and coaching football since my
graduation from college. I’m
presently a P.E. teacher and head
football coach at Wesley Chapel
High School in Wesley Chapel,
Fla. I have four BS degrees now
and a master’s in education. My
wife is a teacher and coach, also.
We have two children: Brittany
and Brooke. UNO will always be
No. 1.”
Philip J. Adelman, BGS, works
at DeVry Institute of Technology
as a senior professor of business.
He currently has a 2001 textbook
published by Prentice Hall,
“Entrepreneurial Finance, Finance
for Small Business,” Second
Edition, ISBN 0-13-085968-0. “My
wife, Hannah, and I have lived in
Phoenix since retiring from the
Air Force in 1981.” Send him email at adelman@home.com
Neil Simon, BA, is vice president of Eggers Consulting in
Omaha. He lives in Phoenix and
takes e-mail at
neilsimon1@home.com
1972
Craig B. Forney, BS, is the new
planned giving director of the
American Heart Association,
Texas affiliate. He lives in Cedar
Park, Texas, and takes e-mail at
craig.forney@heart.org
Richard P. Washburn, BGS, is
a staff appraiser with the Army
Corps of Engineers. he lives in
Texas City, Texas, and takes e-mail
at
SMPT:richard.p.washburn@swg02
.usace.army.mil
1973
David J. Weiler, BGS, lives in
Omaha and is self-employed.
Send him e-mail at manadj@
attglobal.net
John M. Basford, BSBA, writes
that “I am living in Flemington,
N.J., with my wife and three children, two of which are in college.
My youngest is a sophomore in
high school and is quite the basketball player. I work at Weichert
Realtors as their corporate controller. Weichert is the largest individually owned real estate firm in
the country. Last year we were
involved with asset transactions
valued at approximately $25 billion.” Send him e-mail at
johnbasford@yahoo.com
1974
Ronda S. Suvalsky
Thompson, BS, lives in
Scottsdale, Ariz., and takes e-mail
at QueenieRT@aol.com
Darrel VanDyke, BGS, is director of E-business for Compaq
Corporation. He lives in Coppell,
Texas, and takes e-mail at
darrel.vandyke@compaq.com
Gavin D. Watt, BA, is the information tech manager for the
University of Minnesota. He lives
in Minneapolis and takes e-mail at
gdw@umn.edu
William D. Houck, BS, lives in
Woodbridge, Va., and writes that
he is “the project director for the
Army's Medical Research
Information Technology System
(MeRITS). I am with Irving Burton
Associates of Falls Church, Va. He
retired from the Army in 1994 following a four-year assignment as
professor of Acquisition
Management, with the Defense
Systems Management College.
Send him e-mail at
bills_alt_cp@hotmail.com
Joe Parsons, BGS, is national
sales manager with Apego, Inc., in
Lawrenceville, Ga. Send e-mails to
jcp3@gtemail.net
1975
Art Chernak, BM, lives in
Yukon, Okla., and writes that he
has been promoted to region manager responsible for Oklahoma for
Dollar General Co., the fastest
growing retailer in the United
States with over 5,000 stores open
and adding nearly 700 each year.
He started with Dollar General in
1990 as a district manager in
Texas. He and his wife, Kathy,
have one son at home, one daughter a junior at the University of
Oklahoma, and another son living
on his own. “I still miss Omaha
and the great people I knew
there.” Send him e-mail at
a1chernak@aol.com
Clifford L. Herd, BS, is CEO of
Nexadental in Omaha. Send email his way at cherd@
nexadental.com
Stan Misiorski, BS, is the
senior intelligence specialist with
HQDA Security Services. He lives
in Dale City, Va., and can be sent
e-mail at simiz@home.com
William R. Moninger, BS, lives
in Cordova, Tenn., and takes email at aa0ba@ix.netcom.com
1976
Terri J. Beck, BS, writes from
her new home in Crete, Ill., that
she is “looking forward to retirement from the U.S. Department of
Justice in five years.”
1977
Paul S. McKibben Sr., BGS, is
the resident manager of Valley
Forge Apartments in Coralville,
Iowa. Send e-mails to
psm-usmc-iacity-ia@
worldnet.att.net
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
27
class notes
“Was appointed senior inspector with the U.S. Customs at Dulles
International Airport in Washington, D.C.”
James Qualitero, 1987
1978
Sandra K. Francis, BS, is the
human resources manager for
Wells’ Dairy, Inc., in LeMars,
Iowa. She lives in South Sioux
City, Neb., and takes e-mail at
san.fran@gateway.net
Douglas E. Baker, BA, is the
legal editor for the State Bar of
Wisconsin. He lives in Madison,
Wisc., and takes e-mail at
DBaker@wisbar.org
Sharon K. Olsen, BA, is the
depreciation clerk for Union
Pacific Railroad in Omaha. Send
her e-mail at skolsen@radiks.net
Larry M. Bredin, BSBA, is
manager of Dynegy and lives in
Houston. Send him e-mail at
larry.bredin@dynegy.com
1982
James G. Perry, BGS, lives in
Oceanside, Calif. Send him e-mail
at jperry1@ix.netcom.com
John L. Freeman, BS, is manager of gas control with Northern
Plains Natural Gas. Send him email at john.freeman@enron.com
Linda D. Pedersen, BS, is a
security supervisor at her alma
mater—UNO. Send e-mail to her
at Linda_Pedersen@unomaha.edu
1979
Michael E. Laws, assoc., is a
lieutenant with the Overland
Police Department in Overland,
Mo. Send him e-mail at
mmlaws@swbell.net
1983
Curtis E. Krause, BA, lives in
Lubbock, Texas. Send him e-mail
at ckrause@nts-online.net
Kristja J. Norman Falvo, BS,
lives in LaVista, Neb., and takes email at Kristja2@aol.com
Karen J. Resh, BGS, is field
project development coordinator
with Delta-T Corp., in
Williamsburg, Va. Send e-mail to
her at kjresh@aol.com
Hubert J. Reuss, BS, is a general superintendent with Kiewit
Construction Company. He lives
in Littleton, Colo., and takes email at jk12andhjr@aol.com
Carrie P. Sorensen, BS, is a
professor at Saginaw Valley State
University. She lives in Saginaw,
Mich. Send e-mails to
cps@svsu.edu
1980
James M. Falvo, MA, is director of learning resources with the
University of Nebraska Medical
Center. He lives in LaVista, Neb.,
and takes e-mail at
jfalvo@unmc.edu
Larry Burkholder, BS, is the
senior project manager for Beers
Heyward & Lee and lives in
Midlothian, Va. His e-mail
address is
lburkholder@beerscc.com
1984
Bryan Chapman, BSBA, is vice
president of supply chain management at Midcom, Inc., in
Watertown, S.D. Send him e-mail
at bcha139554@aol.com
1981
Margareta Knopik, BSBA, is
chair of the business division with
College of Saint Mary in Omaha.
Send her e-mail at knopik@
worldnet.att.net
Michelle Hill, BGS, writes from
Omaha that she “has been flying
for United Airlines since 3/90.
Upgraded to Captain on the
Boeing 737 May of 1999. Recently
divorced and returning to maiden
name, Michelle M. Carter. One
daughter, Sarah Hill, age 16, a
junior at Marian High School.”
Send her e-mail at
Missyshellhill@cs.com
Bob Ursdevenicz, BS, is owner
of National Sound in Omaha.
Send him e-mail at sound@
inetnebr.com
Greg Nieto, BS, is a special
agent with the Food and Drug
Administration. He lives in
Omaha and takes e-mail at
28
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
gnieto@zmavericks.com
1985
Ken Sibilia, MBA, was elected
to assistant vice president, sales
support, at Physicians Mutual
Insurance Company in Omaha.
Richard A. Cornell, BSBA, is
director of manufacturing for
Nycomed Amersham. He lives in
Woodstock, Ill, and takes e-mail at
rick@b-goat.com
Charles Randall Wilson, BS,
lives in Red Oak, Iowa, and takes
e-mail at RandallWilson@
Wilsonconcrete.com
1986
Thomas J. McGrath, BGS, is
an insurance broker for Marsh
and McLennan. He is a competitive runner and is the president of
the Las Vegas Track Club. Send
him e-mail at
thomas.j.mcgrath@seabury.com
Lori A. Broda Fanning, BA, is
an attorney with Miller Faucher
and Cafferty LLP. She lives in
Chicago. Send her e-mail at
LFanning@millerfaucher.com
1987
Lorene D. Kaufmann
Wolverton, BS, lives in Harlan,
Iowa.
Debora D. McDonald
Walters, BSCJ, is a lab technician with WalMart and is selfemployed. She lives in LaVista,
Neb., and takes e-mail at
dakotagold1@home.com
James Qualitero, BGS, lives in
Centreville, Va., where he writes
that he recently was appointed
senior inspector with the U.S.
Customs at Dulles International
Airport in Washington, D.C. Send
e-mail to him at
jimbaseball@earthlink.net
1988
Jerrine A. McCaffrey, MA,
lives in Carroll, Iowa, and writes
that she teaches writing and literature for Des Moines Area
Community College. She received
her doctorate in English from the
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
in 1996. Send her e-mail at
jerrie@netins.net
Guy O. Duncan, BA, is vice
president of Internet Product
Development for Election Systems
and Solutions in Omaha. Send
him e-mail at
godunean@eggvote.com
Michael J. Roe, MBA, joined
ExxonMobil Corp. as a technical
support engineer in August 2000.
He is working for Lubricants and
Petroleum Specialties Group.
Married in December 2000, he
lives in Houston. Send him e-mail
at mjroe@excite.com
Andrew S. Fox, MBA, is sales
and marketing manager for
Southern Container Corp. He
lives in Manlius, N.Y. Send e-mail
to boxgm@aol.com
1989
Diana Dowling, BSBA, is an
account manager with Merrill
Lynch in Englewood, Colo. She
lives in Parker, Colo., and takes email at ddowling@na2.us.ml.com
Stephen A. Coppi, BA, is an
instructor navigator for Lockheed
Martin. He lives in Little Rock,
Ark., and takes e-mail at
coppis65@anaxis.net
1990
Cliffton D. Shelton, BS, is the
regional retail sales manager for
Sprint PCS in Addison, Texas. He
lives in Dallas and takes e-mail at
cshel01@earthlink.net
Linda Jean Cohen Levin,
MPA, is retired and lives in San
Diego. Sendher e-mail at
ljcl@san.rr.com
Mace A. Brown, BSBA, is general manager of Meridian
Advertising in Omaha. Her e-mail
is mace_brown@lycos.com
Vicki L. Victor Bray, BSBA, is
a homemaker living in Overland
Park, Kansas.
class notes
“Thank you, UNO, namely Dr. John Hafer!”
Kristi Gacke, 1992
John E. Sedlacek, BGS, is
alarm services supervisor for
Pamida in Omaha. Send e-mail to
jesams2@worldnet.att.net
Griswold Community Schools in
Iowa. She lives in Red Oak, Iowa
and takes e-mail at kflippin@
griswold.k12.ia.us
1991
V. Gene Harris, BGS, is selfemployed and lives in Bellevue,
Neb. Send him e-mail at
harrispg@juno.com
Michael N. Suder, BS, is selfemployed as president and CEO
of EWEB Strategies, Inc. He lives
in Arlington, Va. Send him e-mail
at
michael.suder@mindspring.com
Jeffery D. Hurst, BA, is vice
president of Finance and
Administration for World
Telehealth Corp. He lives in
Maitland, Fla. Send him e-mail at
jeffhurst@earthlink.net
Debra S. Ladwig DeHerrera,
BS, is operations manager with
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc., She
lives in Northglenn, Colo.
Sean R. Gray (Jeff Griffith),
BGS, lives in Omaha.
Barbara J. Gipe, BS, is a manager with Sprint PCS and lives in
Urbandale, Iowa. Send e-mails to
bjog14@aol.com
1992
Melissa Money-Beecher, BS,
is research director of the
Downtown Lincoln Association.
Her e-mail address is
mbeecher@downtownlincoln.org
Kristi Gacke, BSBA, writes
from home in Bellevue, Neb., that
“Six months prior to graduating
from UNO I obtained a sales manager position at the Residence Inn
by Marriott off of Dodge Street.
Thanks to the knowledge I
obtained attending UNO, along
with determination and ability to
set and obtain goals, I am now in
my third year of self-employment.
I travel weekly as an independent
consultant to the hospitality
industry. My career takes me all
over the country and affords me
the opportunity to own a home, to
live debt-free and to meet interesting individuals from all walks of
life. Thank you, UNO, namely Dr.
John Hafer!” Send her e-mail at
innfocusconsults@aol.com
Kelly J. Cornelison Flippin,
BS, is a K-5 resource teacher with
Brett R. Ford, BS, is a park
ranger with Pottawattamie
County Conservation. He lives in
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Send him email at
pottcoranger@earthlink.net
David J. Sylvester, BGS, lives
in Washington, D.C. and takes email at dsylvester@mwcog.org
Gene E. Hobart, Ed.S., is assistant principal with Fremon Public
Schools.
1993
Larry Scott Blankenship, BS,
lives in Omaha and takes e-mail
at sblankenship@hotmail.com
Michael T. Nowak, MA, is the
lead field engineer with SER
Solutions, Inc. He lives in Baton
Rouge, La., and takes e-mail at
michael.nowak@ser.com
Curt Bohn, MA, lives in Omaha
and “works for American Express
Financial Advisors helping people
achieve their financial goals.”
Send him e-mail at
curtis.l.bohn@aexp.com
Tracy Scott-Gleason, BFA, is
network administrator/office
manager for Gerald M. Bradshaw
PC CPA in Kiowa, Colo. Her email address is tracarts@earthlink.net
Marc Bauer, BSED, is a physical education teacher and the
head wrestling coach at Kearney
Public Schools and UNK. Send
him e-mail at
mebauer@gateway.net
Andrew Wetjen, BS, is an environmental/safety specialist with
John Day Company in Omaha.
His e-mail address is
andy@wetjen.com
Christina M. Twohig Burns,
BA, is with the sales department
with Newark Electronics in
Nickerson, Neb.
1994
Jason W. Drews, BSED, is a
scheduler/formulator with Bunge
SPD in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He
lives in Glenwood, Iowa. Send
him e-mail at
nigilnickerson@juno.com
Lucas Gwyther, BSBA, is international project leader for
Compaq Computer Corporation.
He lives in Omaha. His e-mail
address is lucas_34@hotmail.com
Traci Bosen Kudron, BS, lives
in Phoenix and recently remarried. Send her e-mail at
aztraci@hotmail.com
1995
Chad J. McClellan, BS, is a
physician assistant at the
Nebraska Spine Center in Omaha.
Send him e-mail at
chadmcclellan@hotmail.com
Sybrina L. Thompson, MPA,
is a UNIX test engineer with
Matrix Resources in Arlington,
Texas. Send e-mails to
sybrinat@yahoo.com
Michael Rohrbach, BSBA,
lives in Omaha and takes e-mail
at michael_rohrbach@yahoo.com
Jose L. De la Vega, BA, is
self-employed in real estate in
Omaha. His e-mail address is
luisdelavega@home.com
Brian A. Fontana, BS, is a
physician assistant at Methodist
Hospital in Omaha. Send him email at bafontana@yahoo.com
Elizabeth S. Robbins, BSBA,
is patent administrator for
Qualcomm, Inc. in San Diego.
Send her e-mail at
brobbins@qualcomm.com
Paul M. Vaccaro, BSBA, is a
senior fraud audit specialist work-
ing with Medicare. “I work at
Mutual of Omaha. The job is very
interesting and takes me all over
the United States. I get to work
with the United States Attorney's,
FBI, and Postal Inspectors across
the country. I am also a member
of the Association of Certified
Fraud Examiner's and am currently serving as Chapter Training
Director. This role has me recruiting student members and making
sure our educational needs for our
chapter are met.” Send Paul email at Vaccaro@tconl.com
1996
Diane M. Richwine
Osborne, BS, is executive assistant at Council Bluffs Convention
and Visitors Bureau. Send her email at lockup73@yahoo.com
Kent J. McNeill, BSED, is with
sales at Bike Masters in Omaha.
Send him e-mail at obccoachmgg@cs.com
Chad Shepherd, BSBA, is an
Internet working integration engineer at MSI Systems Integrators in
Overland Park, Kansas. He lives
in Lenexa, Kansas, and takes email at
chad.shepherd@bigfoot.com
Lisa L. Frank, MS, lives in
Elkhorn, Neb.
Darrell Rison, MS, is a psychologist with United Behavioral
Health. He lives in San Diego and
takes e-mail at
accessmedicaid_10@yahoo.com
Kevin R. Frimodt, BSCJ, lives
in Omaha and takes e-mail at
kfrimodt@yahoo.com
Kathryn Westphal, BSED, is
corporate training coordinator
with Kirkham Michael &
Associates in Omaha. Send her email at
Kathryn_westphal@hotmail.com
1997
Patrick J. Egger, BS, is a
physician assistant at Kansas
University Medical Center in
Kansas City, Kansas. Send him email at pegger55@hotmail.com
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
29
class notes
“I am in search of anyone who has a video recording of the August
2000 graduation ceremony.”
Donna R. Fajardo Boston, 2000
Karen D. Spradlin, MSW, lives
in Mannford, Okla., and takes emails at K_Spradlin@msn.com
Thomas L. Smith II, ASET, is
an estimator and project manager
with Rupert Construction and
NCDC in Omaha. Send him email at thms1169@cs.com
Christine Saitta, MS, lives in
Omaha and takes e-mail at
christinesaitta@hotmail.com
Brent D. Neben, BS, is a staff
scientist at Miller Brooks
Envrionmental, Inc., in
Huntington Beach, Calif. He lives
in Garden Grove, Calif., and takes
e-mail at
brentneben@millerbrooksenv.com
Nancy Julian, BS, is a quality
assurance chemist with SevernTrent Laboratories. She lives in St.
Charles, Mo., and takes e-mail at
nkjulian1@home.com
Nozomi Hope Kawabata,
MA, moved recently to Pasadena,
Calif. Send e-mail to
hopekawabata@yahoo.com
Venesa Torres, BS, writes
from home in Murphy, Texas, that
she is a clinical dietitian and now
manager of nutrition at the
Bariatric Care Centers of Texas.
“She is happy to be settled in
warm and sunny Dallas, Texas,
with her hubby, Steve, and her
three children, Aja, Ziggy and
Shelby (all Yorshire terriers!).“
You can e-mail her at
venesatorres@aol.com
1998
Mary O’Riley, BS, lives in
Omaha and takes e-mail at
boriley@hotmail.com
Tyler W. Morton, BGS, is a 1st
Lt. with the U.S. Air Force and is
based in Washington, D.C. Send emails to
uksooner@thefreeinternet.co.uk
Sandra L. Steinke Fina,
BSED, is marketing coordinator
for Orthodontic Centers of
America. She lives in St.
30
UNO ALUM
SUMMER 2001
Augustine, Fla.
Tiffany L. Lehn Morato, BA,
is a program advisor with CEA in
Tempe, Ariz. Send e-mails to
tlehn@yahoo.com
Christopher A. Gordon, BS,
works for WOWT-TV in Omaha
as a director. Send him e-mail at
gordo92@hotmail.com
Jennifer D. Rasmusson,
BSBA, is a financial planner with
Rasmusson Financial in Omaha.
Send her e-mail at
Jrasmus441@home.com
1999
Suzanne C. Stargel, BSED, is
a teacher with Omaha Public
Schools. Send e-mails to
suzanne_stargel@hotmail.com
Judith A. Wightman, MA, is a
test development associate with
ACT in Iowa City, Iowa. She lives
in Coralville, Iowa. Send e-mails
to wightmanja@excite.com
him e-mail at
jfarrell33@hotmail.com
Judith A. Condon
Wightman, MA, is a test development associate with ACT in
Coralville, Iowa. Send her e-mail
at wightmanja@excite.com
Jennifer M. Rohr, BS, is a lab
manager/research technician with
the University of Nebraska at
Lincoln School of Biological
Sciences. She lives in Crete, Neb.,
and takes e-mail at
jmrohr@hotmail.com
Jennifer S. Stolz, BSBA, is a
teacher with Omaha Public
Schools. Send e-mail at
jennifer_stolz@hotmail.com
2000
Phil D. Brammer, BS, recently
joined ConAgra Frozen Food's IT
department as a programmer. He
lives in Omaha and takes e-mail
at brammp@home.com
Andrea L. Bell, BSED, lives in
Raymore, Mo.
John G. McCoy, BSBA, is a
sales engineer with High
Technology Sales. He lives in
Overland Park, Kansas, and takes
e-mail at mccoyj@swbell.net
Margaret C. Beach, BASA,
lives in Beaverton, Ore., and takes
e-mail at beachmc@hotmail.com
Steven R. Kelly, MS, lives in
Omaha and is a student at
Creighton Medical School. Send
him e-mail at steven@radiks.net
Anna L. Phillips Todd, BS, is a
teacher with Brevard Schools in
Florida. Send e-mails to
annatodd@cfl.rr.com
Dorothy Panovicz, BGS, is a
staff assistant at the University of
Nebraska Medical Center. her email address is dorpano@aol.com
Donna R. Fajardo Boston,
BS, is attending the family science
graduate program at UNL and
working as a teaching/research
assistant at UNO. “I recently started by own retail business
(www.bbgiftshop.com). I am also
in search of anyone who has a
video recording of the August
2000 graduation ceremony.” Send
her e-mail at
bostonfamily@home.com
Colleen (Hunter) Ruvalcaba,
BA, is self-employed as a team
leader with Mary Kay Cosmetics.
She lives in Omaha and takes email at colhunter28@yahoo.com
Patrick A. Tribulato, BA, is a
part-time helper with United
Parcel Service in Omaha. Send
him e-mail at
Tribulano@home.com
Jason P. Farrell, BSBA, is a
financial specialist with Union
Pacific Distribution Services. Send
Frankie H. Black Coleman,
BA, is director of student activities
for the College of Saint Mary. She
lives in Bellevue and takes e-mail
at fc43531@alltel.net
Todd D. Richardson, BGS, is
working toward his master’s
degree in English. He lives in
Omaha and takes e-mail at
toddrichardson@tconl.com
Gretchen L. Ballard, BSBA, is
in sales with J.C. Penney at the
Oakview Mall in Omaha. Send
her e-mail at
gretchenballard@yahoo.com
Samuel R. Packard, BS, is an
associate application developer
with Union Pacific Railroad. He
lives in Omaha and his e-mail
address is uncle_sid@hotmail.com
Margaret A. Hobza, BGS, is
manager of Echo and Vascular
labs with Nebraska Health
System. She lives in Bellevue.
Send her e-mail at
mhobza@nhsnet.org
Jacqueline Petersen, BSBA,
is a marketing specialist with
Mutual of Omaha. Send her email at lafemme3000@aol.com
Becky Scherbring, BSED, is a
prekindergarten teacher in the
Millard Public School District. She
has four classes, each with 20 students. “It’s a challenge, and those
anxious minds and faces keep me
loving the job!” she writes. Send
her e-mail at
littlebeck8199@yahoo.com
Omer Sagheer, BSBA, lives in
Omaha and takes e-mail at
osagheer@yahoo.com
Paul R. Coate, BADA, is a sales
associate with Heartland Scenic
Studio in Omaha. Send e-mails to
crockettandtubbs@hotmail.com
Joni L. Renken, MS, is an elementary schools counselor with
Lincoln Public Schools in
Nebraska. Send e-mails to
jrenken@lps.org
Kelli K. Sweet, MA, is a senior
representative for retirement
accounts at Ameritrade in
Bellevue, Neb. Send e-mails to
sweetkelli@hotmail.com
class notes
Eugene D. Armfield, BGS, is selfemployed as a consultant with Calkala
Finance in Omaha. Send e-mails to
gene2d@hotmail.com
Genelle A. Wilson, BA, is an HR generalist with Advantage Receivable Solutions in
Omaha. Send an e-mail to
gbug@gateway.net
Meadow M. Scott, MSW, is a patient
program coordinator with Nebraska Health
System in Omaha. Send an e-mail to
cmscott_l@msn.com
Amy E. Belina, BSBA, is executive search
consultant with Adams, Inc., in Omaha.
Send an e-mail to aebelina@hotmail.com
Jarrett Lee, BGS, is an intelligence officer
with the U.S. Air Force. He lives on Good
Fellow Air Force Base, Texas. Send him an email at jarrettslee@hotmail.com
Sheila D. Garrett, MSW, is a school
social worker with Vermillion Association
for Special Education in Champaign, Ill.
Send e-mails her way at
sheilamg_62@yahoo.com
In Memoriam
1933
1935
1950
1951
1953
1954
1957
1958
1961
1963
1969
1974
1976
1979
1989
Thyrma Organ
Myrl McKean
John Schuchart
Lloyd Fouser
Billie C. Poncelow
Carol Cohen
Wilda Reiff
Russell Skavaril
Lela Lillethorup
Phoebe Jamison Rosch
Jack Metcalf
Paul J. Blazevich
Warren Borg
Kathleen Fietz
Andrew Michaud
Maureen Hogan
John M. Moeller
Deborah A. Flesher
CLASS NOTES
Submit your class note over the web at www.unoalumni.org.
What have you been doing since graduating from UNO? Your fellow
alumni would like to know! Give us an update by filling out the form
below. We'll publish the news in the next available issue of the UNO
Alum. Send the news to Class Notes Editor, UNO Alum, 67th & Dodge,
Omaha, NE 68182-0010, or FAX to (402) 554-3787.
Name
Address
City, State, Zip
New Address?
Phone
Year Graduated/Degree
E-mail
News
Correction:
Ruthann Irvin Barritt was incorrectly listed
under “In Memoriam” in a recent issue of
the UNO Alum. She lives in Shoreview,
Minn. The UNO Alumni Association regrets
the error.
SUMMER 2001
UNO ALUM
31
The UNO Century Club
C
C
W
hen the UNO Alumni
Association started the first
Century Club in 1973, the
group of UNO supporters
consisted of just 38 charter
members. Membership since
has grown to more than 2,500
individuals, all of whom
share a common bond —
their commitment to UNO.
Platinum
$2,500 or more
Diamond
$1,000-$2,499
Through their generosity,
Century Club members support
various alumni association programs and services that make for
a stronger, more vibrant university. These include the Alumni
Outstanding Teaching Awards,
Bronze
UNO Alumni Legacy
$100-$249
Scholarships, Chancellor
Outreaches and more. Close to 70 percent of all UNO
Annual Fund donors are Century Club members.
With their gift, Century Club donors receive one of five
personalized mementos (above), special recognition in an
annual report and invitations to select events throughout
the year. They also receive the benefits listed on the
enclosed brochure.
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Alumni Association
W.H. Thompson Alumni Center
Omaha, NE 68182-0010
Golden
$500-$999
Silver
$250-$499
Join the UNO Century Club today
— just fill out the form on the
enclosed envelope —
detach it and mail it.
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #301
OMAHA, NE