Nebraska Wesleyan University News

Christmas with Wesleyan returns this weekend

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:29:03 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s four choral ensembles will help usher in the holiday season with NWU’s celebration of Christmas with Wesleyan on December 3rd and 5th in Lincoln.

This year’s theme is Guide Us to Thy Perfect Light, where audiences will be treated to compelling music from several well-known composers. The NWU Choir, Jazz Choir, Chamber Singers and Unity Choir will sing a variety of carols including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Silent Night,” “We Three Kings” and “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.”

“Our hope is that the precious time we spend together experiencing Christmas with Wesleyan might remind both our singers and our audiences of what joy feels like, even in the midst of our world’s despair, and what peace feels like even in the midst of nations at war,” says Assistant Professor of Music Tom Trenny.” “We hope this program will remind everyone of the light that never fails to shine, even in the deepest darkness.”

The first performance is Sunday, December 3 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. NWU singers will be joined by Columbus High School’s Captain’s Chorale. The second performance is Tuesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. at First Plymouth Church.

Free-will donations from both performances will support the Lighthouse, an accredited after-school program in Lincoln.

Kellan Heavican Thu, 11/30/2023 - 8:29am

Former Nebraska Wesleyan Standout Trey Bardsley Set to Represent the U.S. in FIBA AmeriCup

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:24:50 +0000

USA Basketball announced Monday morning the 2023 USA Men's 3x3 AmeriCup team. This year's team includes former Nebraska Wesleyan University alumnus Trey Bardsley '16.

As a Prairie Wolf, Bardsley's four-year stint was highlighted by being named the 2016 Jostens Trophy Most Outstanding NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Player, 2015 NAIA Division II All-American Honorable Mention, and 2015 NABC Division III All-District in the Central Region.

Currently, the Beatrice native is a member of 3Ball Omaha. In 2021, he led his team to a tournament title at the 2021 Red Bull USA Basketball 3X National at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament after hitting the game-winning shot in the championship.

All four members of the 2023 men's team were named to a USA 3x3 team or have competed on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour in 2023. While Bardsley has not competed with USA Basketball teams, he contributed to the USA's qualification for the 2024 Olympics.

The 2023 USA Men's 3x3 AmeriCup will feature 12 teams. USA will start competing on December 1 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in Pool A alongside Argentina and either Uruguay, Ecuador, or Haiti, depending on the qualifying results. The top two teams in each pool will qualify for the elimination bracket, starting with the quarterfinals. The U.S. men are two-time reigning 3x3 AmeriCup champions.

Kellan Heavican Tue, 11/28/2023 - 10:24am

NWU alumna receives national teacher of the year honor

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:19:04 +0000

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has awarded a Nebraska Wesleyan University alumna with the 2024 National Language Teacher of the Year accolade.

Alicia Dallman Shoemaker (’09) is the district department chair, PLC leader and a world language educator with Elkhorn Public Schools in Elkhorn, Neb.

“I applaud her unwavering commitment to her students and the field of language education,” says Marty Abbot, ACTFL interim executive director. “I eagerly anticipate our collaboration as she takes on the significant responsibility of ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year during a pivotal time for the profession.”

The award helps elevate the language teaching profession at the state, regional and national levels by creating opportunities to recognize members of the profession. The teacher of the year becomes a national spokesperson for the language profession to demonstrate the critical importance of learning languages and cultures to the public.

Dallman Shoemaker holds an Education Specialist Degree and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Doane University, a Linguistics Specialty with Advanced Spanish and Novice German from Universidad de Cantabria in Spain, and a BA in Spanish and English Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

She is also the 2023 Central States Languages for All Teacher of the Year and the 2022 Nebraska International Language Association Teacher of the Year.

Kellan Heavican Tue, 11/21/2023 - 8:19am

NWU Brugman Pitch Contest winner exudes passion for diversity, inclusion

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:00:48 +0000

When Nat Kroll speaks, it’s evident she has a passion for cultural diversity.

“The groups on campus that I often talk about are very close friends, and we have definitely found a home here at NWU because in our classes and with our professors, we feel very open with dialogue and communication to speak from our backgrounds and learn more from people with other backgrounds.”

The senior theater major from Spencer, Iowa, tapped into that passion as the winner of the 2023 Brugman Pitch Contest. Three finalists were tasked with pitching a new mission statement for NWU.

“Since the mission statement hasn’t been revised since (1979), a lot of things have changed. There is a component of core values that focuses on diversity, but it’s only a small section, and it’s not extremely specific,” she says. “I felt that modernizing it and make it more applicable to what the school is like today was very appropriate.”

Brugman rose to the top after more than 50 students entered the contest. Each round, students received a different question and had a limited amount of time to prepare and only four minutes to present to a panel of judges. In earlier rounds, participants were asked to share an idea for renovating a space on campus and asked what could be done to improve student learning at NWU, both 90 second pitches.

“I think (our panel) thought that her approach to the question was exceptional, and I think she did a phenomenal job presenting as well,” says Steve Brugman (’89), strategic accounts manager with Oracle Corporation.

He says the contest provides a real-world scenario for students to quickly think on their feet. “They’re having to put these pitches together very quickly and research very quickly. That’s the world today. You have to critically think and organize your thoughts in a coherent way. Those are skills you use in business and in life.”

Other finalists included: Chance Hergott & Zach Weis (2nd) and Aniaya Reed & Trenan Wilson (3rd). Kroll received $1,000 with second place receiving $750 and third place $500.

Winners of the 2023 Brugman Pitch Contest: (L-R) Bill Busch, Elizabeth Brugman, Nat Kroll, Zach Weis, Chance Hergott, Trenan Wilson, Aniaya Reed, Steve Brugman, Beth Gonzales-Mensinger and Rod Markin.

Judges in the final round included:

Steve Brugman (’89) – Oracle Corporation – Strategic Accounts
Elizabeth Brugman – lives in Sun City West, Arizona (former parent)
Rod Markin (’77) – Associate Vice Chancellor for Business Development and Executive Director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bill Busch (’88) – Radio Host/Football Coach
Beth Gonzales Mensinger (’89) – Talent/Acquisition Specialist

Other judges who are NWU alumni were: Anna Castner Wightman – Vice President of External Affairs at FNBO, Suzanne Sughroue – Associate Vice President of Development at The Madonna Foundation, Charlie Colon – Owner and Operator of Chick-fil-A at SouthPointe, Phil Haussler – Chief Product Officer at Quantum Workplace, John Batcher – Co-Founder/Director of Strategy and Operations at Symphony Workforce, Carly Carlson – Chief Revenue Officer at Midwest Barrel Company, Michaela Johanns Young – Vice President, MJO Consulting LLC, Jess Loeseke – Co-Founder and CEO at Midwest Barrel Company and Mark Schulze – Vice President of Operations BNSF.

Kellan Heavican Thu, 11/16/2023 - 3:00pm

NWU Theatre bucks national trend of declining audience attendance with sold-out shows

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:01:22 +0000

The Nebraska Wesleyan University Theatre has sold out all performances of Elf the Musical marking the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that it’s reached the milestone.

“It’s incredible,” says senior Antonio Loya from Colorado who is playing Buddy The Elf. “When you’re a little kid you dream about performing for sold-out houses all the time. It is so awesome that this is the first time that I’m going to do it in my entire life.”

All 10 showings from November 30 to December 10 have been sold out. Ryan Kathman, the performance’s director, says theater audiences have been declining nationally, but this musical is different. “To have a show with this brand awareness, the name recognition of a beloved modern classic film, I’m fairly confident that has helped a lot with an excited populous and turnout with the popularity of seeing this show.”

A Survey of Public Participation in the Arts revealed that just 48 percent of adults reported attending at least one arts event from July 2021 to July 2022. The survey has been administered by the Census Bureau roughly every five years since 1982. The results represent a six-point drop from the most recent survey in 2017. Adults who reported seeing a musical theater production fell from about 17 percent to 10 percent during that five-year span.

The musical is based on the 2003 hit holiday film, Elf, where misfits are the largest family of all. "The movie itself had this great aesthetic that reminded people of the Rankin/Bass and stop motion of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer type of films. This story, the characters and general vibe of this harkens back to this nostalgic feeling,” Kathman says.

Loya, who hopes to pursue acting and singing in the Chicago-area after graduation, says he’s eager to harness the unbridled joy that Buddy The Elf displays. “It’s overflowing from every pore of his body. It’s just so happy, and it’s so much fun to try and explore that and the depths of that, and then him discovering what it’s like not being happy all the time.”

Proceeds from ticket sales will help fund future performances for the department.

More than 60 students are involved in the production. “I’m very, very proud of the work we’ve done. I’m very proud of everything that’s happening. It’s been so awesome, and this is a great opportunity,” Loya says.

Kellan Heavican Thu, 11/16/2023 - 11:01am

Northeast creates new educational partnership with Nebraska Wesleyan University

Kellan Heavican — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 16:42:09 +0000

Northeast Community College students will have another choice where they may obtain their bachelor's degree with an easy transition after completing their Northeast studies in a related field.

On Thursday (Nov. 16), Nebraska Wesleyan University and Northeast officials signed an articulation agreement, bringing Northeast in as the latest partner in the Pathways Partner Program.

The Pathways Partner Program partners Nebraska Wesleyan with community colleges in an effort to open more doors to bachelor’s degree completion. The program provides pathways to degree completion at Nebraska Wesleyan with financial benefits, including a $22,000 scholarship to every Northeast student admitted to NWU’s traditional undergraduate program. Phi Theta Kappa scholars may receive a $29,000 scholarship.

Students transferring directly from Northeast and who complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at Northeast are eligible for NWU admission and the Pathways Scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for up to eight semesters.. Northeast is the seventh community college to partner with Nebraska Wesleyan.

“We are thrilled to have this agreement and the opportunities it presents to our students,” said Amanda Nipp, Northeast vice president of student services.

“Obtaining a four-year degree is the right pathway for a significant number of our graduates, and having an outstanding institution like Nebraska Wesleyan University on board opens new doors. And with Nebraska Wesleyan offering tuition assistance for qualified students, it presents a more affordable approach to obtain a bachelor’s degree. It also serves as a wonderful example of our focus on guided pathways in meeting our mission of helping graduates in several program areas achieve their college completion goals,” Nipp said.

Since 2017, 126 students have transferred more than 1,737 Northeast credits toward completing their NWU degree. In addition to the Pathways and PTK Scholarships, NWU offers the Access NWU Scholarship in which all Pell-eligible students pay $0 in tuition at NWU. Students who’ve applied credits from Northeast to their degree have an impressive 3.44 average GPA at NWU.

“We’re very proud to partner with (Northeast) and to offer the scholarships that make achieving a bachelor’s degree most affordable,” said Bill Motzer, Nebraska Wesleyan University vice president for enrollment management.

One of the most exciting parts of the agreement is the continuity it offers Northeast graduates. Nebraska Wesleyan, which was named Nebraska’s No.1 independent regional university by the most recent U.S. News & World Report, is known for small classes with personal attention. NWU offers Northeast graduates more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs, including business and nursing.Nipp said education continues to evolve, and students each have their own individual pathways to obtain their education goals. While transferring to a private college from a community college at one time might have been the road less traveled, it is now becoming relatively common.

Among the private colleges that have articulation agreements with Northeast are Doane College, Bellevue University, Concordia College, College of Saint Mary, Midland Lutheran College, Hastings College and York College.

Charlene Widener, Northeast vice president of educational services, said Northeast is fortunate to have so many colleges willing to work together to try and come up with the best path forward for students.

“We’re pleased because our students are able to receive financial, academic and professional support,” Widener said. “All these educational institutions play a vital role in helping Nebraskans on their way to their educational goals.”

Kellan Heavican Thu, 11/16/2023 - 10:42am

NWU alumnus awarded 2023 Nebraska History Teacher of the Year

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 20:54:41 +0000

A Nebraska Wesleyan University graduate and middle school teacher has been recognized for his outstanding work in the classroom.

Jason Krueger (’04) was named the 2023 State History Teacher of The Year, an award sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Krueger rose to the top in Nebraska after nearly 7,000 nationwide nominations from parents, students, teachers and administrators. Krueger teaches history at Park Middle School in Lincoln, Neb.

“Krueger is driven by a desire to instill in his students historical thinking skills like inquiry, research, multiple perspectives, and synthesis to create and tell the stories they have found,” the Nebraska Department of Education says. “Krueger requires each of his students to dive deeper into the nation’s past to find understanding and knowledge through accurate and reliable sources from differing perspectives.”

Krueger will receive a $1,000 award, and Park Middle School will become a Gilder Lehrman Affiliate School, receiving history books and educational materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Krueger is also a finalist for the $10,000 National History Teacher of the Year Award.

The History Teacher of the Year Award highlights the crucial importance of history education by honoring exceptional American history teachers from elementary through high school. The award honors one exceptional K-12 teacher from each state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and U.S. territories.

Kellan Heavican Tue, 11/14/2023 - 2:54pm

Nursing Ceremony Celebrates Students

Kellan Heavican — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:13:41 +0000

Nursing students at Nebraska Wesleyan University officially embarked on their journey into the medical profession and celebrated accomplishments at an annual White Coat Ceremony last Friday.

“The ceremony honors them and recognizes not only the nursing profession, but a rite of passage into the profession,” said Nursing Department Chair Brittany Fritzinger. “It demonstrates that we’re getting them ready to enter the clinical setting and help them remember why they chose this profession.”

Beginning in the spring semester, these 27 students start clinical rotations at several Lincoln health systems.

She says the ceremony showcases the qualities that many nursing students embody, “kindness, compassion, competence and humanity.”

When it comes to setting NWU’s nursing program apart Fritzinger says, “Our cohort is smaller. We’re able to give individualized, one-on-one attention. They also have a high number of lab simulation and clinical hours.”

Last year, 100 percent of NWU students passed the NCLEX exam, compared to the national average of 87 percent. The National Council Licensure Examination is required to become a licensed registered nurse.

Kellan Heavican Tue, 11/07/2023 - 1:13pm

Photographer Benjamin Rasmussen's works to be exhibited at Elder Gallery

Stephanie Mackeprang — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 15:40:55 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan's Elder Gallery will showcase the work of photographer Benjamin Rasmussen in the exhibition, The Good Citizen. This exhibit asks the questions, "Who was freely invited into this space and who wasn’t? In what ways are the ripples of our past seen in our present? How can we engage more honestly with our history?"

The Good Citizen explores how American society came to be what it is today. Over a period of eight years, photographer Benjamin Rasmussen traveled to 43 states and photographed over 500 people as he investigated the impact of the country’s complex history on contemporary society.

In the book version of The Good Citizen, Rasmussen’s photographs are combined with essays by Frank H. Wu and collectively they seek to provoke thought and conversation around the complicated nature of American identity.

Benjamin Rasmussen was raised in the Philippines by an American mother and a Danish father. His practice looks at community identity, and specifically how it can be disrupted by factors such as civil unrest, war and natural disaster. Previous projects have centered on Syrian refugee communities in Jordan, the aftermath of a typhoon in the Philippines and his own childhood split between three continents. Now based in the U.S., he works with Time, The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, among other publishers.

The exhibition opens November 3 with a reception held from 5–7 p.m. in Elder Gallery located inside the Rogers Center for Fine Arts at 50th Street and Huntington Ave. Rasmussen will also host an artist talk November 2 at 5:30 p.m. in Lucas Hall, room 206. Gallery hours are Tuesdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays 1–6 p.m., Thursdays noon–4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 1–5 p.m. The last day for the exhibition is December 16, 2023.

Stephanie Mackeprang Wed, 11/01/2023 - 10:40am

NWU receives $1.9 million federal grant for LPS partnership

Stephanie Mackeprang — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:00:08 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan University has received a $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to partner with Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) on efforts to improve academic opportunities for underserved students in the areas of American history, civics and geography.

The federal grant provides funding for a 36-month partnership to improve the persistence and success of students in LPS secondary social studies honors courses at the middle and high school levels. These high school courses typically allow students to earn college credit through Wesleyan Honors Academy and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

The grant project is titled, “Providing Rigor and Opportunity: Meaningful Instruction for Success for Every Student (PROMISES).” Highlights of the program include:

60 LPS middle and high school teachers can apply to take 18 graduate credit hours designed and taught by NWU faculty at no cost. NWU courses will help prepare LPS teachers to meet the needs of all LPS students enrolled in social studies honors courses. Teachers selected to participate will enroll in classes at NWU beginning next summer;
Most teachers who successfully complete the program will be eligible to teach in Wesleyan Honors Academy, a dual credit program for high school students;
NWU will host LPS high school students for AP exam prep sessions on Saturdays each spring semester;
LPS students can sign up to take AP exams in United States history, human geography and American government at no cost.

“The project embodies our core values of diversity and community and aligns wonderfully with Nebraska Wesleyan’s efforts to improve college accessibility,” said Nebraska Wesleyan University President Darrin Good. “We’re grateful and excited for the opportunity to implement a project that will significantly impact two outstanding educational institutions in Lincoln.”

“This grant will allow us to increase access and eliminate barriers by supporting our teachers and students,” said LPS Superintendent Paul Gausman. “Our continued collaboration with Nebraska Wesleyan will help us achieve our goals of increasing participation in our honors courses and providing opportunities for rigorous coursework for all students as outlined in our All Means All Action Plan. Community partnerships like this with Nebraska Wesleyan will help all our students become college, career and civic ready.”

Kevin Bower, Nebraska Wesleyan University professor of history, will lead the project.

“This is an ideal partnership that draws upon Lincoln Public Schools’ commitment to the notion that all means all when it comes to making sure every student in Lincoln has the opportunity to reach their full academic potential,” said Bower. “This project combines the shared values of public education and higher education to make ours a community of opportunity for every young person.”

Jaclyn Kellison, K-12 social studies curriculum specialist and project lead for LPS added, “This project will remove barriers by providing funding for students to take Advanced Placement exams in these specific courses, no matter their economic situation. This will also bring teachers together to both draw upon their own experiences and learn from scholars to deliver a classroom experience that meets the needs of every student in middle and high school social studies courses."

The grant is the largest competitive federal grant that Nebraska Wesleyan has received in a decade. Nebraska Wesleyan is among 25 recipients from across the country to receive a U.S. Department of Education grant focused on American history and civics education activities.

Stephanie Mackeprang Mon, 10/09/2023 - 11:00am

NWU hosts expert panel on public health

Stephanie Mackeprang — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 18:57:14 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan University announced its newest major in public health this fall. To help launch the important new program, the university is hosting an expert panel on Monday, October 2 at 2 p.m. in Olin B, just west of the Smith-Curtis Building.

A panel of physicians and epidemiologists will speak on careers in public health, and lessons learned in the pandemic. Their presentation will be relevant to students interested in the public health major, as well as pre-health students and those pursuing careers in research or allied health fields. The public is also welcome at this free event. A social reception will follow the hourlong discussion.

Dr. Ali Khan is dean and professor of epidemiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health. He specializes in issues of emerging infectious diseases, bioterrorism and global health security.

Dr. Alison Keyser Metobo is the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ vaccine preventable disease epidemiologist. She analyzes, interprets and communicates data on preventable diseases to stakeholders and policymakers in their shared efforts to protect public health.

Dr. Ron Stock is a retired geriatrician, family physician, educator and clinical health services researcher. He dedicated his work to improving the quality of care among vulnerable populations with complex needs.

Stephanie Mackeprang Thu, 09/21/2023 - 1:57pm

NWU named Nebraska's top independent Midwest university

Stephanie Mackeprang — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 19:47:28 +0000

U.S. News & World Report named Nebraska Wesleyan University a top regional university.

NWU is the top ranked Nebraska independent university named to the Best Regional Universities, Midwest category in the annual college rankings released September 18. NWU is also named a Best Value School and a Top Performer on Social Mobility in the category.

U.S. News & World Report ranks universities on a variety of indicators including student outcomes such as rates of graduation and retention, assessment by academic peers, faculty resources, overall financial resources, ACT/SAT scores, high school class standing, and alumni giving.

Washington Monthly ranked Nebraska Wesleyan as a best Master’s University. To make the ranking, universities must award master’s degrees but few or no doctoral degrees. NWU was ranked as the best independent university in Nebraska. Washington Monthly ranks four-year schools based upon their contributions to social mobility, research and providing opportunities for public service.

Stephanie Mackeprang Mon, 09/18/2023 - 2:47pm

Visions and Ventures features local leader who inspires youth to design their future

Stephanie Mackeprang — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:02:58 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan University's annual Visions and Ventures Symposium will host inspirational leader and Lincoln local Mike Smith on Wednesday, September 20. Mike Smith is the founder of The Bay and Skate for Change and has dedicated his life to empowering youth to design their futures. He is also a Stanford-certified Design Your Life Coach with a knack for helping people chart their unique path towards living a fulfilling life of purpose and impact.

This year's symposium is entitled, “Designing Your Future”. Smith will spend the day at NWU helping attendees to use design tools and to envision the future of their dreams.

Visions and Ventures schedule Wednesday, September 20, 2023

9:30-11 a.m. – Workshop with Mike Smith: What do You Want to Make?
O’Donnell Auditorium
This workshop helps you define what you want to make—and dream about how to get there.
11 a.m.-noon – Yoga with Yoga Club and Karla Jensen
Abel Commons
Karla Jensen and the NWU Yoga Club invite you to an all-levels yoga practice to explore the mind-body connection. No mat—no worries! We have about 20 mats to share. All are welcome.
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Keynote Address by Mike Smith: What’s Next?
O’Donnell Auditorium
Mike Smith will share his unique journey and how design tools are helping him shape “what’s next” in his story. This community conversation is an opportunity for students, staff and faculty to dream big, experiment with wild ideas, and work on practical action plans.
2-3 p.m. – Workshop with Mike Smith: What’s Your Story?
O’Donnell Auditorium
This workshop is focused on helping you shape your story and design your future. You’ll have the freedom to chart out multiple versions of your life to see which path feels the most like you.
3:30-5 p.m. – Community Gathering
Abel Commons
Gathering of NWU Community in Abel Commons with some tasty treats!

Stephanie Mackeprang Thu, 09/14/2023 - 10:02am

NWU welcomes 523 new students

Stephanie Mackeprang — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 14:55:40 +0000

This fall, Nebraska Wesleyan University enrolls its third largest class in school history, welcoming 439 first year and 84 transfer students.

New first-year students hail from 23 states and 10 countries, representing 74 high schools in Nebraska. The number of international students is at a 10-year high, with 47 on campus this fall. Underrepresented students make up 30% of this class.

The university celebrates a record number of transfer students. These 84 students come from 21 states, five countries and 27% are from underrepresented groups. NWU’s strong scholarship partnership with Nebraska community colleges led to nearly half of transfer students coming from two-year institutions.

“Overall, students and their families value and respect the highly personalized, challenging education that Nebraska Wesleyan provides,” said Bill Motzer, vice president for enrollment management. “They also know that Lincoln is a city of opportunity with more access to internships and jobs…which ultimately leads to career success.”

Other NWU news for the 2023-2024 academic year:

New Major: NWU adds a public health major to address the growing need to prevent illness and promote healthy lifestyles in individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Last year, NWU added additional high-demand degrees in financial planning, digital marketing, data analytics and project management.

Graduate programs: NWU’s Master of Business Administration moved fully online this fall, exceeding enrollment goals. The MBA, Master of Athletic Training and Master of Social Work are all designed to allow undergraduates to transition straight into their master’s degree and complete it within one additional year.

NWU offers these popular graduate programs:

Athletic Success: NWU is 12th in the nation in NCAA Academic All-Americans among all divisions, and 7th in NCAA post graduate scholars. This past year, two more NWU students earned NCAA postgraduate scholarships.

“Nebraska Wesleyan is experiencing great momentum,” said President Darrin Good. “From a large class of new students to a new campus green space to renovations in Elder Theatre Center to breaking ground on new softball and baseball fields, we’re in an excellent position to thrive well into the future.”

Stephanie Mackeprang Tue, 08/29/2023 - 9:55am

NWU breaks ground on baseball and softball complex

Stephanie Mackeprang — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:06:33 +0000

Community leaders gathered Tuesday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony at the highly anticipated Sandhills Global Youth Complex: the new home for Nebraska Wesleyan baseball and softball.

The ceremony marks the official start of the construction of the baseball and softball complex near Oak Lake Park. Nebraska Wesleyan University President Darrin Good said during his remarks, "This new home for Prairie Wolves baseball and softball will match the excellence that we exude in our academics and in our campus life—including our fantastic athletic programs."

Nebraska Wesleyan's championship stadiums will have covered seating, batting cages, lights, artificial turf fields and will be used exclusively by NWU during the spring baseball and softball seasons beginning Spring 2025. Sandhills Global Youth Complex will have eight turfed baseball/softball fields in total. The project also includes 750 parking stalls and overflow parking to accommodate visitors.

A short program was followed by the groundbreaking ceremony. Notable speakers at the ceremony included Darin Erstad, former professional baseball player, Leirion Gaylor Baird, mayor of Lincoln, and Darrin Good, president of Nebraska Wesleyan University.

As part of the project, NWU baseball and softball teams will partner with local community organizations to provide programming that will introduce baseball and softball to youth who have not had exposure or access to the sport.

"Service is a core part of our ethos at Nebraska Wesleyan—it’s in our DNA," said Good. "So, we can’t wait to teach fundamental skills and build an athletic pathway for youth. Just like we create impactful experiences for our students at Nebraska Wesleyan, we will create impactful experiences for local youth that go beyond the ball game and instill skills that will serve them for a lifetime."

"I’m happy to share that we’re beginning these connections now," Good continued. "We’re not waiting for bricks and mortar or the fencing and turf to be installed. We are exploring community partnerships that will take our student-athletes to various youth facilities in Lincoln to offer clinics and instruction. Once Sandhills Global Youth Complex is complete, we will continue the program right here and introduce baseball and softball to youth who do not have access to these experiences."

Nebraska Wesleyan University is grateful to the numerous donors and corporations who have contributed thus far to the project. If you are interested in learning more about the project or how you can get involved, visit our information webpage.

Stephanie Mackeprang Tue, 08/22/2023 - 10:06am

Elder Gallery features artist Andrew Falkowski

Stephanie Mackeprang — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 20:39:35 +0000

NWU's Elder Gallery will showcase the work of Andrew Falkowski in the "Wheel of Life/Tondos" exhibit August 22 through October 15. The exhibit will feature his "Wheel of Life" paintings and the "Skin Deep" Tondo Series. A reception will be held September 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Always moving and always turning, Andrew Falkowski’s Tondo paintings have a restless variety of visual, tactile and material inquiry. His "Wheel of Life" paintings play with modernist abstraction, Thanka paintings of the eastern steppes and ancient Greek kylix cups. Their bas relief diagrammatic surfaces have compositions and colors that loosely function as allegorical descriptions of the forces that direct one’s perception.

In the ‘Skin Deep’ Tondo Series, the artwork appears to be discarded tondos casually wrapped in various types of plastic bags, nominally held together by a janky array of adhesive tape. They are, in fact, paintings. Acrylic paint is painstakingly cast and pigmented to be an indexical mirror of common place material surfaces. The 'Skin Deep' series slides between punk rock disenfranchisement, trompe l’oeil fastidiousness and sculptural simulacrum. In addition, Falkowski will present tondo sculptures made from hand-made and assembled plaster chain links. Functioning as an installation, the chain tondos activate the space, exploring how perceptual attention is directed.

Falkowski lives and works in Chicago. His work has been included in exhibitions at the St. Louis Contemporary Museum, in Illinois, California, Missouri and New York and at the Andrew Rafacz Gallery, Chicago; Mixed Greens, NY; The Suburban, Oak Park, IL; and at Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago. He has exhibited with Rosamund Felsen Gallery since 2004. He earned his B.A. at the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1995; his M.A. at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1999; and his M.F.A. at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA in 2003.

The Elder Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 1 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Elder Gallery is located inside Rogers Center for Fine Arts, 50th Street and Huntington Ave.

Stephanie Mackeprang Tue, 08/15/2023 - 3:39pm

Spring academic honors lists announced

Hunter Reeves — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:53:10 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan University announces its 2023 spring semester academic honors list for students enrolled in traditional and adult undergraduate programs.

Traditional undergraduates

Students earning at least a 3.75 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale) while completing a full-time course load of at least 12 credit hours of graded work (pass/fail courses are not included) are eligible.

Traditional undergraduate academic honors list154.04 KB

Adult undergraduates

Undergraduate students earning at least a 3.75 grade point average while completing 6 or more hours of graded work (pass/fail courses are not included) are eligible.

Adult undergraduate academic honors list89.87 KB

Hunter Reeves Mon, 07/24/2023 - 1:53pm

Western Nebraska Community College joins NWU's Pathways Scholarship Program

Hunter Reeves — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:22:53 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan University added Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff as its newest partner in the Pathways Scholarship Program.

Nebraska Wesleyan University Vice President for Enrollment Management Bill Motzer and Western Nebraska Community College Executive Vice President of Educational & Student Services Grant Wilson have signed a formal agreement for the program.

The Pathways Scholarship Program partners NWU with community colleges in an effort to open more doors to bachelor’s degree completion.

The program provides pathways to degree completion at Nebraska Wesleyan with financial benefits, including a $20,000 scholarship to every admitted WNCC student to NWU’s traditional undergraduate program.

Students transferring directly from WNCC and who complete a minimum of 12 credit hours at WNCC are eligible for consideration of admission and the Pathways Scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for up to six semesters at NWU.

This marks the sixth such partnership between NWU and Nebraska community colleges. Other colleges in the partnership include Central Community College, Iowa Western Community College, Metropolitan Community College, Mid-Plains Community College, and Southeast Community College.

Learn more about the partnership.

Hunter Reeves Mon, 07/24/2023 - 1:22pm

Political science and history grad receives Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship

Hunter Reeves — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 19:43:36 +0000

Jacob Mason ('23) was recently awarded an $8,500 fellowship by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Mason is one of 62 recipients nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship.

Mason earned a bachelor's degree in political science and history from NWU. As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, Mason will pursue a master's degree in divinity, theology at Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Since its creation in 1932, the Fellowship Program has become one of the Society's most visible and financially well-supported endeavors, allocating $649,000 annually to outstanding students for first-year graduate or professional study. This year’s program awarded two awards at $35,000 each, the 1897 Fellowship and the Sherrill Carlson Fellowship; six $20,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowships, named for the Society’s founder; and 54 fellowships of $8,500 each.

The selection process for a fellowship is based on the applicant's evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance in an approved graduate or professional program.

Phi Kappa Phi Fellowships are part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives $1.3 million each year to outstanding members and students on chapter campuses through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To see the complete list of 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2023Fellowships.

Hunter Reeves Wed, 07/19/2023 - 2:43pm

Public health major comes to Nebraska Wesleyan

Hunter Reeves — Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:28:41 +0000

Nebraska Wesleyan will offer a new major in public health beginning fall 2023.

The public health major will feature the traditional Nebraska Wesleyan experience with select online courses taught by national experts. Online courses will be offered through NWU's membership in a consortium of independent colleges.

The public health major is designed to address the health of populations locally, nationally and globally through an interdisciplinary education program. Students will gain a diverse range of knowledge, skills and values necessary to advance in the field of public health as practitioners, researchers and leaders.

"The recent COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the need for public health experts who can plan and respond to health emergencies. Experts in this field can also educate policymakers and the public enhancing the health and wellbeing of our communities," said NWU Provost Graciela Caneiro-Livingston. "This is a high-demand field and Nebraska Wesleyan is well positioned to meet the need." In fact, jobs in public health are expected to grow by 9.3% over the next 10 years, according to The Burning Glass Institute.

Last fall, NWU added four new majors in partnership with the consortium, which include data analytics, digital marketing, financial planning and project management.

Interested in learning more about Nebraska Wesleyan and our programs? Visit: https://slate.nebrwesleyan.edu/register/inquire

Hunter Reeves Tue, 07/11/2023 - 10:28am

Supreme Court decision ends affirmative action

Hunter Reeves — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:09:54 +0000

Dear Students,

Thursday’s decision by the Supreme Court to end affirmative action in college admissions was significant news for higher education. Some of you may be wondering, how will this impact Nebraska Wesleyan University? The decision has no direct impact on Nebraska Wesleyan’s admission or scholarship policies. This is because we have had great success accepting a diverse pool of applicants using a holistic method of evaluating applicants without using race as a criterion. This will, however, have a dramatic effect on a number of colleges and universities and cause a significant, negative impact on millions of students from historically marginalized groups.

Our student body includes 20% who are students of color. This compares to 22.5% of people of color in the state of Nebraska. Currently, our incoming first-year class has approximately 28% students of color.

The Supreme Court’s decision will primarily impact the very highly selective liberal arts colleges and those flagship public universities that have significant constraints on the number of students they accept.

We know some of you have found the Supreme Court’s ruling painful, and we stand alongside of you. Quoting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, “…deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life…”

We embrace a holistic admissions process at Nebraska Wesleyan and have made great progress in increasing the number of underrepresented students who are admitted and ultimately enroll here. For example, our Access Scholarship, which provides significant financial assistance to first-time, first-year students who qualify for the federal Pell Grant, has made a Nebraska Wesleyan education more accessible to low-income students no matter their race.

I cannot overstate how diversity is an essential part of the Nebraska Wesleyan experience — or any college’s experience. Research has repeatedly proven that a diverse campus community has a demonstrable benefit to the student experience and learning outcomes. I often share my personal story of growing up in a very homogenous town in Illinois. My college experience at a school very similar to NWU had a profound impact on how I learned to confront my own biases and develop greater sensitivity and empathy for those different than me. Exposure to diverse perspectives, identities and cultures is critical at Nebraska Wesleyan as we prepare each of you - our students - to graduate and enter the workforce where you will undoubtedly face a multitude of diverse people and experiences.

I am proud of our intentional work to recruit, enroll, support and graduate students of all backgrounds and identities, and we will remain committed to ensuring that Nebraska Wesleyan University is an accessible and welcoming community. Our community will be one that engages in courageous dialogue across differences. We will continue to do so with civility, openness, and empathy.

Sincerely,

President Good

Hunter Reeves Mon, 07/03/2023 - 8:09am

JET Program sends two alums to Japan

Hunter Reeves — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 14:42:45 +0000

Two recent Nebraska Wesleyan alums, Josh Williams ('23) and Maria Bartak ('19), will spend the next year in Japan.

Both were accepted to the prestigious Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. The program, now in its 35th year, promotes cultural exchange between Japan and other nations. JET is managed by the government of Japan and offers participants the opportunity to live and work in the country. Those accepted into the program work in Japanese communities facilitating international exchange activities or teaching English in Japanese schools.

Williams, a biochemistry and molecular biology major with a minor in language literacy: Japanese, has dreamed of traveling abroad since he his first year at Nebraska Wesleyan, "After taking my first Japanese language course, I immediately began the process of planning to study abroad." However, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly put a halt on Williams' plans.

Williams used the time when he couldn't go abroad to explore Japanese culture, meet with STEM professionals and teachers in Japan, and prepare his JET Program application. "I want to see how STEM education is taught in Japan compared to my own experiences," stated Williams. "I am excited to learn more about Japanese culture. I will also take this experience back with me at the end of my program as I pursue a graduate degree and reflect on my year abroad."

Bartak was not available for comment. She was a communication studies major with a minor in modern language literacy: Japanese.

Congratulations, Josh and Maria!

Hunter Reeves Wed, 06/21/2023 - 9:42am

Transfer student receives PTK-NWU full-tuition scholarship

Hunter Reeves — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:24:07 +0000

Aung (Alex) Thura Min was named this year's winner of NWU's full-tuition Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship.

Nebraska Wesleyan awards one competitive full-tuition PTK-NWU Scholarship a year, which provides the cost of tuition up to three years. PTK is an honor society of two-year colleges, including community colleges whose students excel academically.

Min is transferring to NWU after recently graduating with an Associate of Science in social work from Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, Indiana. At Nebraska Wesleyan, he plans to study business administration.

An international student from Burma, Min was heavily involved in public health, youth empowerment and community service in his home country. He currently interns with the American Red Cross as an administrative assistant and volunteers at Translators Without Borders where he helps Burmese refugees and immigrants worldwide.

Min is passionate about helping fellow international students navigate higher education, especially those displaced or with limited resources due to war and political conflicts. He hopes to further pursue this passion during his time at NWU.

Congratulations, Alex!

Hunter Reeves Fri, 06/16/2023 - 9:24am

Religion professor receives Faculty Scholar Award

Hunter Reeves — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 19:33:38 +0000

Professor of Religion Rita Lester was awarded Nebraska Wesleyan's Faculty Scholar Award. The award recognizes a faculty member who has distinguished themself through research, scholarly work, and/or creative projects.

Lester was recognized by more than one nominator for her research and commitment to students, “We are lucky to have her, as her work puts our school right at the center of major scholarly and pedagogical discourse."

Another colleague stated, "Rita’s scholarship grapples with counter-intuitive ideas; she conveys complexities in ways that students not only understand and benefit from, but that they can research, present and publish alongside her."

Lester published four peer-reviewed articles during the 2022-23 academic year on teaching religion and religious literacy.

The Nebraska Wesleyan's Faculty Development Committee established the award in 2013.

Congratulations, Rita!

Hunter Reeves Thu, 06/15/2023 - 2:33pm

Gilman Scholarship takes junior to Rwanda

Hunter Reeves — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 16:30:57 +0000

Lilly Frields was selected as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipient to study abroad.

Frields will spend nearly a month in Rwanda completing research with the guidance of Amy Spears, associate professor of music. Their project seeks to better understand how Rwandan music teachers are integrating music into the healing process of individuals living with HIV.

"Due to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a large number of Rwandan citizens are now HIV positive," said Frields. "A prevalent force working with genocide survivors - and helping to facilitate our research - is Musicians Without Borders." Musicians Without Borders is a nonprofit based in The Netherlands which uses music to inact social change. The organization works with individuals and communities that have been impacted by war, conflict and displacement.

"Many individuals need to travel to the capitol city to receive HIV treatment, requiring them to take off work, leave their children, and interrupt the normalcy of their daily lives," Frields stated. "Musicians Without Borders aims to make their journeys even more valuable by offering music classes." Frields hopes to gain a deeper understanding of music's power to build community and aid in the healing process through her participation in music classes and interviews with music teachers and genocide survivors.

The Gilman Scholarship is a nationally competitive program that assists students with study abroad expenses. The program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go. The scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Frields is one of 64 NWU students to receive the Gilman Scholarship since the program began in 2001.

"In my future career, I plan to conduct psychological research while exploring music as a method of healing; specifically, I'd like to explore how music can be a complimentary medicine to battle Alzheimer’s, a disease which has personally impacted my family."

Frields is a junior psychology major with minors in music and biology. She is a graduate of Nebraska City High School.

Hunter Reeves Thu, 06/08/2023 - 11:30am