At the Nebraska College of Business, we see the impact of our work in the students who come to the university to study business and our graduates who make a difference in their careers and communities. We also see it in entrepreneurs from majors across campus who turned ideas into action.
This fall, we’re celebrating 40 years of Nebraska’s Center for Entrepreneurship. Established in 1986, the center was one of the first of its kind in the nation. Its impact can be seen through the founders of many businesses including DigitalSky, Hurrdat, Nobl, Pawlytics, Stahla Services.
All alumni and friends are invited to the Nebraska Business Alumni Tailgate on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Howard L. Hawks Hall, to reconnect and celebrate. We'll recognize alumni marking graduation anniversaries in five-year increments, from the Class of 2021 to the Class of 1961. Registration includes food and three drink tickets, with a portion of each registration fee supporting the N Business Start Something Fund to advance the college’s priority needs. We look forward to welcoming everyone back including those who helped shape the center’s legacy by launching a business, taking an entrepreneurship class, competing, giving, mentoring students or serving as a judge. I hope you’ll join us to celebrate.
To build on that legacy, Paul, '85, and Lori Hogan established the Hogan Franchise Leadership Program at Nebraska earlier this month. Open to students of all majors across the university, the program expands the center’s reach through franchise courses, experiential learning, internships and the Husker Franchise Club.
The Hogans created the program to prepare students to meet franchisors’ growing expectations and lead in the industry. As Paul shared, “We want students to know if they want to understand franchising, or become great franchise leaders, there is no better place than Nebraska.” Their generosity will help students build the knowledge, relationships and experience to become franchise leaders.
That commitment to expanding opportunities extends across Nebraska Business. This fall, we welcomed 958 freshmen, marking our third consecutive year with a freshman class of more than 900. Their interest reflects the value students see in a Nebraska Business education and our commitment to helping them explore business, build relationships and gain real-world experience from day one. We also awarded a record $1.75 million-plus in scholarships for this academic year, thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends.
That momentum is also reflected in our national rankings. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Nebraska No. 36 among public undergraduate business programs and No. 58 overall, making ours the only undergraduate business program in Nebraska ranked among the nation’s top 80.
Nebraska Business also serves professionals who want to strengthen their expertise through our Center for Executive and Professional Development. Now in its 72nd year, the Federal and State Income Tax Institute offers six in-person and three livestream two-day sessions from Oct. 26 through Dec. 8. The Tax Institute includes updates on federal and state tax rulings, regulations and developments ahead of tax season. Early-bird registration is available through Friday, Oct. 23.
Whether we’re preparing students to lead, helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses or equipping professionals to better serve their clients and advance their careers, our work is strengthened by the people who believe in Nebraska Business. Thank you for being part of that and helping us build on 40 years of entrepreneurial impact while preparing the next generation of business leaders.
Together, we build business leaders like only Nebraska can.
Dean Kathy Farrell
