By Drs. Jeffrey P. Gold, Rodney D. Bennett, Joanne Li, Charlie Bicak and H. Dele Davies
Graduation at our University of Nebraska campuses provides a moment of well-earned celebration for students and their families. Our faculty and staff join in the celebration as we welcome our campuses’ opportunity to help young people build their future.
Their talents will take our newly minted graduates into new opportunities as professionals in many venues — in the high school classroom and the business office, the medical clinic and the construction site, the laboratory and the ranch.
Graduation also highlights the University’s role as a dynamic contributor to Nebraska’s economy through workforce development. Each year, our public university system graduates more than 11,000 students — demonstrating the University’s role as an essential generator of new entrants into the workforce.
In all, NU’s annual economic impact adds up to $6.4 billion annually, supporting 52,000 jobs across Nebraska and driving economic development in every corner of the state.
Each of our campuses provide countless inspiring graduation stories. Here is just a sampling, tied to overall themes relating to the University’s mission.
- Student innovation and community engagement. At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, graduating seniors in the College of Engineering participated in the annual spring Senior Design Showcase. The students displayed a range of innovative products and devices, many of which have direct value for the public.
As an example, guardrail sensors can improve emergency response times for rural vehicular accidents in remote areas. A predictive modeling system can help the manufacturing, construction and warehouse sectors reduce the chances of workplace injuries. And adaptive devices, such as a simulator with “batting screen” to replicate the experience of a baseball game, can help people with disabilities participate in sports. - The University’s generations-long educational tradition. Last December, Ian Rich received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and became a third generation UNMC College of Nursing graduate. His aunt Lisa Kerr Johnson received her degree in 1975 and his grandmother Dixie Kerr (Scott) in 1951.
“I know my family members have provided great care for their patients, so it is important for me to follow their lead and continue providing exceptional care for my patients as well,” Ian said. - Educational flexibility to meet students’ individual needs. Braden Trosper, a Grand Island native, was working full-time as a deputy with the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office but wanted to complete his studies at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Because the criminal justice program is offered both online and on campus, he was able to easily transition to remote classes in spring 2024.
He credits the faculty for how it incorporates case studies and interactive activities into the instruction. The criminal investigation instruction allows students to see what the job is really like, he said. In graduating this spring, Braden is following a family legacy: His late grandfather Larry served nearly 40 years with the Grand Island Police Department. - Opportunities for personal and educational growth. Mary Palafox, a senior at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, immigrated from the Philippines in 2019 and found a strong support system and leadership opportunities through UNO programs such as Project Achieve and the Thompson Learning Community. She persevered after losing her father during college, channeling her resilience into health care research as a biology major.
Her work through UNO’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program helped eliminate post-laboratory fees for living kidney donors at UNMC. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology and minors in chemistry and psychology, Mary plans to attend medical school.
To all our new graduates, we extend our strongest congratulations. Completing one’s studies for a degree stands as a landmark achievement. We look forward eagerly to your future contributions to our communities, state and nation.
Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., is the president of the University of Nebraska System. Rodney D. Bennett, Ed.D., is the chancellor of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, is the chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Charlie Bicak, Ph.D., is the interim chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and H. Dele Davies, M.D., is the interim chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.