Linda Burt, ’73, and Ralph Castner, ’85, were inducted into the School of Accountancy Hall of Fame at the Celebration of Excellence. Both received praise for their service and integrity during their careers at the event sponsored by BKD, Deloitte, KPMG, Labenz and Associates, RSM and Seim Johnson.

Dr. Aaron Crabtree welcomed guests to the festivities at the Champions Club. He asked Sheri Andrews, ’76, a 2003 inductee into the Hall of Fame, to share her thoughts on the significance of the honor.

“It’s like getting an A+ or passing the CPA exam for the first time,” Andrews said. “However, getting inducted is even more special because this is something you accomplish that you can share with everybody. We are fortunate to have two inductees tonight who have had fabulous careers and done so much for the community.” The presenters for both Burt and Castner emphasized their significant contributions to Nebraska business in their careers.

John Fraser, retired president of the Nebraska Methodist Health System (NMHS), inspired Burt to return to her home state after her career took her to Illinois, Indiana and California. He needed Burt’s expertise when he became CEO of NMHS in 2007.
“Our financial system and support structure was 20 years behind the times,” Fraser said. “Linda became our CFO in 2008 and very quickly built an effective team. She rebuilt our financial structure brick-by-brick over five years, turning it into a state-of-the-art system.”

Burt, who worked for more than 40 years in healthcare finance, was named to the 2015 edition of Becker’s Hospital Review list of “150 Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know,” and as one of the “Top 130 Women Health System/Hospital Leaders to Know”.

“I found my niche in the accounting classes here at Nebraska,” Burt said. “I liked the combination of math and logic I discovered. The education and confidence I received here launched me into the world of accounting and finance.”

Rick Bettger, owner of Omaha Car Care, recalled Castner’s spirit of giving to help others.

“Ralph and I have been close friends for 40 years,” Bettger said. “He cares deeply about our state and university, and no matter what direction he chooses to go, he continues to impact everything we do here in Nebraska.”

Castner, president of Rush Creek Advisors, serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the College of Business. He previously served as CFO for Bass Pro Shops and as chairman of the board of World’s Foremost Bank, a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of Cabela’s. “We have outstanding faculty at Nebraska,” Castner said. “My business law professor, Terry Shaw, utilized an unconventional teaching style I used during my career. Another great aspect of Nebraska is students who push others to work harder and do better.”