When sophomore Trey Ruth enrolled in the College of Business from a high school in California, he continued a family legacy that began more than 60 years earlier with his grandfather, Dennis Kern, '63.
Though their experiences span different eras, both Huskers discovered direction, community and strong Husker traditions in their time at Nebraska.
Originally from Wayne, Nebraska, Kern transferred to the university after attending college in his hometown. He started as an accounting major before switching to economics.
“I wanted something broader,” Kern said. “That’s when I really started to see how everything connects.”
Kern lived in Selleck Hall with hometown friend and basketball player, Roger Denesia, who was recruited to join the Theta Xi fraternity, and Kern followed.
“When I was there, you all slept in one big room, so I would study in the quiet library stacks,” Kern said. “Now everyone has their own rooms and amenities. So much has changed, but the spirit of connection hasn’t.”
Walking the same campus decades later, Ruth feels that same sense of belonging his grandfather described.
“Alumni came to speak to me at the Nebraska Business Alumni Tailgate, and I ran into more as I walked to the game. You need that connection as a student, and those relationships will stay with me long after I graduate.”
Both recall their defining Husker moments coming during game days.
“When you come from a small town and suddenly step into Memorial Stadium, you realize this is the real world,” Kern said.
Trey Ruth shared that same feeling and how it has expanded to Husker volleyball.
"That same energy hits you the moment you walk into the Devaney Center,” Ruth said. “There’s nothing like that crowd energy."
After graduation, Kern built a successful career in California’s banking industry, serving as president of a regional bank and later acquiring others across the state. He credits Nebraska for shaping his strategic thinking and leadership.
“I live and breathe Big Red,” Kern said. “Nebraska gave me the foresight to identify what I wanted to accomplish. It was the foundation for everything I did going forward.”
He later served on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board, helping guide the college’s direction and strengthen alumni networks nationwide.
“I was quite impressed by the leadership and responsiveness to change,” he said. “Nebraska’s always been strong, but what I see now is a university that’s truly adaptive by expanding programs and preparing students for a very different future.”
As Ruth looks ahead to a career in investment banking or private equity, he shares his grandfather’s belief in focus and adaptability.
“Being a Husker means being consistent and gritty,” Ruth said. “You do a lot while balancing school, work and everything else. That’s what makes us who we are.”
For Kern, that Husker grit is exactly why giving back matters.
“Universities everywhere are facing big challenges,” he said. “But Nebraska’s handling it well, and that’s why alumni support matters more than ever. Giving back helps the next generation keep moving forward.”
