Not many students can say they stood on the football field at Memorial Stadium and listened to the sold out crowd cheer for them personally. For senior Emily Koopmann though, that was her reality last October when she was named UNL Homecoming Queen.

This spring Koopmann has been recognized again for her accomplishments by being featured in the UNL Go Big Red video series.
 
“For me, coming to the university opened up a world of opportunities and learning experiences. I always enjoy meeting new people, especially people who have different points of view,” she said.
 
Koopmann, who graduated from high school with 64 students in Raymond, Neb., decided to come to UNL because she felt a sense of community when she visited. Her parents, Kevin and Ann, were also both graduates.
 
An economics and marketing major, Koopmann joined the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and got involved with student government through the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN). Currently, she is the chairwoman of the Diversity Strategic Development Committee of ASUN.
 
“Being part of a sorority has been valuable because of the outstanding relationships I have made in my house and with other students in the Greek system. My involvement with ASUN and the people I met also helped me grow professionally,” she said.
 
Two summers ago, she studied abroad in Oxford, England as part of the Nebraska at Oxford Program offered through the College of Business Administration.
 
“I was able to get a global perspective and take international economics classes that correlated directly with my major of economics,” Koopmann said.
 
Aside from her courses and extracurricular opportunities, Koopmann has also gained extensive business experience through her work for the University. Her junior year she worked in the Undergraduate Programs Office.
 
“I currently am a UCARE student for the Food Processing Center on East Campus researching social media platforms. Both jobs at the University provided a creative outlet and help me gainvaluable business skills,” she said.
 
Koopmann is in the process of applying to seminary schools. She plans to earn a master of arts in Christian leadership with an emphasis in intercultural and urban studies.
 
“I have a big passion for the inner city and for the gospel, and with my business background, I will be able to do great work in these areas. I want to work with women and youth in areas where hope can be hard to find,” she said.
 
Her ultimate goal though is to bring the world of opportunity she found at UNL to those without the means to do so. Published: March 2, 2012