Forty-three incoming first-year students have been selected to join the Nebraska Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln this fall. This group will be the sixth cohort to join the Nebraska Business Honors Academy after its founding year in 2013.
 
Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean, said, “The continuous increase in the number of excellent applicants who apply to the Honors Academy each year speaks to its quality. Those selected went through a rigorous application process and were selected based on their scholastic achievement, exceptional leadership and communication skills, and desire to become future leaders in business.”
 
The incoming cohort hails from ten states and across Nebraska and plans to study in eight academic majors within the College of Business. They will complete most of their core and foundation business curriculum together as a cohort using an action-based learning style focused on the development of critical thinking, technical skills and communication skills.
 
The new students will have the opportunity to participate in leadership activities and compete in student competitions across the country to enhance their professional communication. Additionally, they partake in internships and study abroad experiences to learn valuable lessons and prepare them to make an impact in the business world after graduation.
 
This summer, current academy students are studying abroad across four continents and 30 percent of academy students are participating in paid internships in nine states. On campus, they are involved in more than 120 student organizations and serve in a variety of prominent leadership roles. Academy students are also heavily engaged in philanthropy within the Lincoln community, where they have partnered with more than 100 local agencies and volunteered over 2,000 hours within the last academic year. The academy graduated its second cohort in 2018 with alumni taking their talents to careers and graduate schools spanning seven states.
 
“We’re very excited to welcome our sixth cohort to the academy. This group brings a unique set of skills and achievements coupled with the desire to challenge themselves and find ways to positively impact the academy, the College of Business and the university as a whole. Our staff is eager to help this cohort learn, grow and realize their potential as they progress through their college career,” said Erin Burnette, director of the academy.
 
The following students will join the fall 2018 cohort of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy (the student's high school is included in parentheses if it differs from the hometown):
 
NEBRASKA
Denton:Grayson Wegener, international business (Lincoln Southwest)
Grand Island: Brooks Douglass, economics (Grand Island Senior); Katelyn Hill, actuarial science (Grand Island Senior)
Gretna:Broderick Diez, actuarial science
Lincoln:Abigail Nelson, marketing (Pius X); John Kubert, finance (Lincoln East); Kaylee Arndt, accounting (Pius X); Tiana Le, accounting (Pius X)
Murdock: Michael Buehre Stackpole, accounting (Weeping Water)
Nebraska City: Chloe Higgins, economics (Nebraska City); John Funke, business administration (Lourdes Central)
Norfolk: Clayton Spray, business administration; Ethan Carlson, business administration
Omaha:Ben King, accounting (Millard North); Eleanor Hellman, business administration (Westside); Gavin Grabill, accounting (Burke); Heidi Petersen, international business (Elkhorn); John Slagle, business administration (Creighton Preparatory); Joshua Thiele, actuarial science (Elkhorn); Peter Owens, economics (Creighton Preparatory); Sophie Newman, business administration (Elkhorn South); Thomas Hermanek, business administration (V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic)
Papillion:Ryan Roberts, business administration (Papillion-La Vista South)
Roca: Landon Kennedy, business administration (Norris); Marcus Kennedy, finance (Norris)
Scribner: Alex Von Seggern, management (Logan View)
Shickley:Megan Grote, accounting
Springfield:Kevin Rice, actuarial science (V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic)
 
ELSEWHERE
LeMars, Iowa: Carlyn Bretey, international business (Gehlen Catholic)
Palatine, Illinois:Natalia Koval, actuarial science
Carbon, Indiana: Kennedy Johnston, actuarial science (Northview)
Goddard, Kansas:  Ben Samway, finance (Bishop Carroll Catholic)
Olathe, Kansas: Abigale Stutzman, management (De Soto)
Overland Park, Kansas: Christopher Burgess, marketing (Blue Valley Northwest)
Thurmont, Maryland: Gage Randall, actuarial science (Catoctin)
Ann Arbor, Michigan:Ashley Zugay, economics
Burnsville, Minnesota:Molly Olander, actuarial science (Eastview)
Edina, Minnesota: Maria Boman, business administration
Lake Winnebago, Missouri: Samuel Stott, economics (Lees Summit West)
Weldon Spring, Missouri:Samantha Markus, finance (Francis Howell)
Wentzville, Missouri: Emma Rose, actuarial science
West Chester, Ohio: Alex Botkin, marketing (Lakota East)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Avery Scott, economics (Lincoln)  Published: May 31, 2018