Nebraska

Nebraska Business Magazine

Online Edition

Message from the Dean

This fall marked our fourth anniversary in Howard L. Hawks Hall. A gift from alumni and friends that keeps on giving, the building not only raised expectations but challenged us to think differently to build a world-class college. Its cutting-edge technology allowed us to serve our students remotely from day one when needed during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also provided a place for us to safely celebrate another in-person Back to School Bash this fall to welcome students and our entire Nebraska Business community back to campus.

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The PALETTE Project Lifts Off at University Event

Students from across campus came together to paint a mural and leave their mark at Nebraska in September. Commissioned by the Center for Entrepreneurship (C4E) at the College of Business, the mural became the first venture for a new startup called The PALETTE Project, spearheaded by founder, CEO and senior management major Erika Casarin from Lincoln, Nebraska.

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Center for Entrepreneurship Helps Create the Future of Business

The Center for Entrepreneurship provides students from across the university with the tools to take their future into their own hands while also assisting businesses in the community.

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Petsick Develops Nebraska Business Startup Accelerator

From his background as an entrepreneur, Joe Petsick, executive in residence and assistant professor of practice in management, knew startup accelerators help businesses attain success.

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Nebraska Business Provides Accelerate for Student-Athletes

When Nebraska Athletics introduced #NILbraska, a University of Nebraska–Lincoln three-part initiative to prepare student-athletes to maximize the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) legislation, they did so by utilizing teamwork. Recruited to provide Accelerate, the College of Business developed the program to assist more than 650 student-athletes identify, strengthen and activate their NIL potential.

“Nebraska is leading the way in NIL and Accelerate helps prepare students by sharing our business, entrepreneurial and strengths-based education. We are leveraging our distinctive offerings at the Center for Entrepreneurship and the Clifton Strengths Institute, as well as interdisciplinary curriculum created through campus partnerships while also working on new efforts to benefit students long term,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean and professor of finance. “In addition, Accelerate showcases Nebraska as the place where strengths first started and our college as the central hub for entrepreneurship.”

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Building a Husker Venture Fund

Working with senior finance major Emily Kist from Pierre, South Dakota, and the University of Nebraska Foundation, Joe Petsick, executive in residence and assistant professor of practice in management, helped create the Husker Venture Fund (HVF), a student-led venture capital fund for early-stage startups.

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Hohensee Learns About Raising Capital for Startups

Selected for the first cohort of the Husker Venture Fund (HVF), Ben Hohensee learns how to foster relationships in the startup community and help fund homegrown innovative ideas and solutions.

Mackey Commits $1.6 Million to Make College Possible for More

Bruce E. Mackey, ’55, of Tampa, Florida, announced a $1.6 million estate gift to support students through scholarships and academic programs. His gift will especially help first-generation students, students from low-income families and others with barriers to college.

His gift creates four endowed funds at the University of Nebraska Foundation, with three funds supporting students enrolled in the College of Business. Another endowment will provide financial aid to students who complete the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy, a college access program, who then study at Nebraska.

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Graduate Certificate and Master's Programs

Nebraska Business offers graduate certificates in business analytics, financial communications, human resource management, marketing analytics, strategic marketing, supply chain analytics and supply chain management.

Christensen Takes Analytics Skills to Next Level

After graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in mathematics, Casey Christensen, ’17 & ’21, wanted to expand her analytical skills and advance her career.

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Johnston Puts Supply Chain Certificate to Work in Air Force

As an aircrew equipment flight chief in the United States Air Force, Master Sgt. Joshua Johnston ensures airmen have the supplies they need for any situation.

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Diversity and Inclusion Gathering Space Opens at College of Business

Huskers came together to celebrate the grand opening of a space dedicated to furthering diversity and inclusivity in the College of Business at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The college’s Diversity and Inclusion Gathering Space — nicknamed DIGS — serves as a hub for conversation, inclusive programs and gatherings to help all students feel they belong in the Nebraska Business community.

“One of our guiding principles established by our 2018 strategic plan is Be Inclusive. We want students, faculty, staff, alumni and business partners to genuinely feel they belong here at the College of Business. This space provides a platform for renewed collaboration where students can co-create the experiences that will help them grow as future business leaders,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean and professor of finance.

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members of the CoB community cutting the DIGS opening ribbon

Derek Branch Found Entrepreneurial Inspiration In Pre-College Builders Program

Freshman Derek Branch, a member of the Osage Nation, business administration major and Husker Football player from Lincoln, Nebraska, is working hard so he can accomplish a lifetime goal—building a business that leaves a lasting impact on his community.

Scholarship Program Prepares Inclusive Business Leaders

Twenty-four first-year students started learning how to lead and champion diversity and inclusion in a new program called Inclusive Business Leaders (IBL) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business this fall. The program assists with attracting more diverse students to Nebraska Business and helps them thrive academically and socially while supporting their career goals to cultivate a more inclusive environment.

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FitzSimmons Supports Student Needs at Nebraska Business

When Bob FitzSimmons decided to support the Teaching and Learning Center at the College of Business, he wanted to ensure business students needing assistance received free personalized tutoring services. In addition, the innovative way Nebraska planned to grow and expand the services appealed to his entrepreneurial side.

“The impression of most colleges is that students either sink or swim, and they don’t get a lot of help. At the College of Business though, it wasn’t just ‘we’ll find you a tutor.’ It was much more to help individuals be successful. It was different, and I wanted to be a part of it,” said FitzSimmons.

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Lan Wins Chan Hahn Best Paper Award

With rising health care costs affecting the lives of many in the U.S., Yingchao Lan, assistant professor of supply chain management and analytics, researches ways to streamline health care delivery and create a more effective system to help lower costs.

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Head Start, the Public Preschool Program, More Than Pays for Itself

Early education from Head Start, a federally funded preschool program for disadvantaged kids, greatly improves the likelihood they obtain financial self-sufficiency in adulthood, according to an unusually large study of its long-term effects.

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Hiring Dark Personalities Often Intentional

Propensity for unethical behavior may be a desirable trait for accounting executives or even the reason the company hired them in the first place. Ling Harris, assistant professor of accountancy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, examined the role dark personality traits play in the accounting executive hiring process.

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Waggoner Partners to Launch Investors with Purpose Program

Launched in 2020, a new program in wealth management brings together high-achieving students with global investment professionals for a one-of-a-kind learning experience at the College of Business. Doug Waggoner, ’75 and ’77, envisioned the Investors with Purpose program and pitched the idea to the College of Business, based on trying new things during his own successful career in finance and investment management.

Waggoner’s desire to impact the future of his field inspired him to join forces with his alma mater, where he served in various capacities, including as a member of the Department of Finance Advisory Board at the college. He also helped make the new program possible through funding on behalf of the Douglas and Karin Waggoner Family Foundation.

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Connie Rath Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Building a career around studying the success of individuals in their jobs and environments, Connie Rath, ’70 & ’71, received an honorary Doctor of Commerce at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln morning Commencement, May 8.

“Why the College of Business for the CSI? Because it’s a Start Something college,” Rath said. “We want the institute to be a hub, lab and model for students to map their futures. It’s the biggest investment for our foundation, which also includes Gallup.”

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Shoemaker Gives Back Through Sales Scholarship

Ryan Shoemaker, ’17, utilizes the work ethic honed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to achieve success in his sales career after graduation.
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Lockhart Prepared for Harvard Law School

As a recent Harvard Law graduate, Phoebe Lockhart, ’18, reflects on how her time in the Nebraska Business Honors Academy prepared her for life in law school and beyond.

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Cohort-Based Nebraska Business Honors Academy Attracts High-Ability Students

First started in the fall of 2013, the Nebraska Business Honors Academy attracts high-ability students who want to experience a four-year, cohort-based enhanced business education program. On average, 26% of academy graduates attend graduate programs while the others work in selected fields earning $10,000 more than other graduating seniors.

“Our students bring exceptional 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,” said Erin Burnette, director of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy. “Participating in the academy enhances their Nebraska experience and contributes to their academic growth in the classroom, leadership exploration in student organizations and campus activities, and deep individual discovery. Each year, I continue to be pleasantly surprised by our students’ willingness to be inquisitive about both themselves and the world around them. They are eager to learn how they can be the best version of themselves and use those skills to create positive change in the communities they will serve as a person and professional in their future careers.”

Students' Communication Skills Bolstered by Accounting Improv Course

Research and Communication in Accounting (ACCT 455) merges the worlds of business and theater to prepare future accountants to adapt to an ever-changing industry.

Aaron Crabtree Tribute Scholarship Established for Students

Honored at the School of Accountancy’s Celebration for Excellence in October, Aaron Crabtree served as director for the School of Accountancy for seven years prior to becoming the associate dean of master’s programs and executive development this summer. The accounting community came together to show their appreciation and established the Aaron Crabtree Tribute Scholarship for accounting students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

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Thank You to Our Donors

Thank you to our countless donors and supporters who made gifts to the College of Business this past year. The College of Business lives out its mission to drive discovery, create opportunity and empower individuals to lead the future of business because of our donors.

Donor List Support

Glow Big Red

February 16-17, 2022

Glow Big Red is the university’s annual 24-hour day of giving to raise money for scholarships, programs, student organizations and more. The entire Nebraska community comes together – students, alumni, faculty, staff and business partners – to ignite the kind of power only generated when Husker Nation unites.

The Nebraska Business
Development Team

Joey Felici, ’14, Director of Development, 402-458-1282, joe.felici@nufoundation.org
Amy Kloefkorn, ’08, Senior Director of Development, 402-458-1175, amy.kloefkorn@nufoundation.org
Justin Swanson, ’11, Director of Development, 402-458-1280, justin.swanson@nufoundation.org