What an exciting time for our more than 650 May graduates! It was my honor to hand them their diplomas and celebrate their readiness to lead the future of business. They take their Husker Power to exciting roles such as commodity trading for Cargill, teaching marketing at Virginia Tech and serving as a Salesforce administrator for Nelnet.

As our graduates start their new chapters as alumni, we are starting a new chapter of our own at Nebraska Business. We recently announced a new partnership between Lincoln Public Schools and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln – more specifically Standing Bear High School and the College of Business. Together we are creating the Nebraska Business at Standing Bear program in which we'll offer innovative experiences that enable high school students to explore pathways in business. You can learn more about the partnership in this story. Our faculty are eager to participate in the program, and we plan to continue to look for additional opportunities to partner in meaningful ways.

Another way we are furthering our impact in the local community is through our Center for Executive and Professional Development. One of their most popular programs is the Nebraska Tax Institute, which has offered continuing education for tax professionals for more than 65 years. Building upon that success, this year the center launches the Nebraska Nonprofit Management Institute. The institute's non-degree executive certificate programs will help nonprofit leaders make a larger and lasting impact on the people and the communities they serve. The three programs offered as part of the institute this fall focus on best practices in nonprofit management, finance and fundraising. The center is leveraging our faculty experts and secured national nonprofit leaders to come lead sessions in the programs. I hope you'll help us spread the word about these great new programs.

Earlier this month, we also celebrated amazing alumni and organizations for their outstanding accomplishments in Nebraska and beyond at our annual College of Business Advisory Board Awards. The luncheon was our largest event hosted in Hawks Hall thus far after our grand opening event in 2017. This speaks to the desire of our Nebraska Business community to come together again as well as to the caliber of individuals and organizations honored. Read more about our award winners.

Additionally, we recently recognized business faculty and staff at the college's Awards and Retirement Celebration. With 10 award winners, 5 retirements and a record-breaking 18 faculty promotions to celebrate, it was wonderful to thank them for the work they do to advance our mission.

In reflecting upon the spring semester, I think our focus on our students, partnerships and community impact are well highlighted in the feature stories in this month's newsletter. Inspired by the pandemic, Ananth Venkatachalam started his journey into finance where he found many opportunities to apply his skills outside of his classes in clubs, competitions and more. Utilizing her research, Amy Bartels, assistant professor of management, ’07 & ’10, shared key takeaways about how we can use emotions to enhance leadership ability and performance. A phenomenal partner and advocate for us in entrepreneurship, Paul Hogan, '85, played a pivotal role in bringing back a franchising focus at Nebraska and shared his story with students in the Nebraska Franchise Club.

Because of the engagement and support of alumni like Paul, we are able to do big things. We also welcome our newest graduates into our Nebraska Business community, joining more than 38,950 alumni, including the Oracle of Omaha – Warren Buffett, '51. Please save the date for our Nebraska Business Alumni Tailgate on Saturday, October 1.

Once a Husker, always a Husker. Go Big Red!

Dean Kathy Farrell