The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Finance Advisory Board awarded scholarships to Carter Mann, Matt Ligeski and Samuel Lockhart during its spring meeting in April at Hawks Hall. After deciding all three finalists were deserving, board members contributed additional funds on the spot to ensure each student received a scholarship and then challenged other advisory boards to provide similar support.

"The Finance Advisory Board started a scholarship program for deserving students in 2024 through donations to the Finance Advisory Board Fund. As a board, we appreciate the opportunity to engage with students in person at our spring meeting and select the recipient," said Shawn Radtke, '02, co-founder and partner at Tributary Resources, and past finance advisory board chair. "This year we thought all three students deserved a scholarship, so we provided additional funds right there at the meeting to help make that possible."

Mann is a junior finance and accounting major with minors in economics and mathematics from Burwell, Nebraska. Ligeski is a junior finance major in the Chartered Financial Analyst investments track with a minor in accounting from Naperville, Illinois, and Lockhart is a sophomore finance and accounting major with a minor in economics from Papillion, Nebraska.

Inspired by the moment, the board decided to challenge the other 16 advisory boards in the College of Business. They also invite boards across the university to join the effort.

"Scholarships play a vital role in easing the financial pressures of education. With these resources, students can concentrate on their studies and achieve their goals without the added worry of financial-related challenges," said David Lockwood, '02, current chair of the Finance Advisory Board and senior vice president and chief investment officer at Assurity in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lockwood noted that the three scholarship recipients exemplify the dedication and work ethic found in students that advisory boards across the university are committed to supporting.

"Each of the 17 boards at the College of Business has the power to transform lives in similar ways," he said. "Even modest contributions, when pooled together, can have meaningful impact."

That’s why the Finance Advisory Board’s challenge is more than just a fundraising ask, Lockwood shared.

"It's incredibly rewarding for our advisory board to engage directly with some of the outstanding finance students at the College of Business and get the chance to directly impact them," Lockwood said. "Now, we're encouraging other boards across campus to join us. Imagine the ripple effect if every board matched our efforts—the collective impact on students would be transformative."

Radtke added that scholarships didn't just reward hard work, they unlock potential.

"We're not just funding education, we're investing in future leaders," said Radtke. "This is our moment to unite around a common purpose and make an enduring difference."

Those wanting to invest in these specific finance scholarships can donate to the Finance Advisory Board Fund.

Those inspired to give toward general student scholarships can donate to the N Business Student Scholarships Fund.