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The Joy of Giving

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A Q&A with Ruth Scott, one of the most transformational and generous donors in University of Nebraska history

At a recent foundation event, you spoke about the “joy of giving.” What gives you joy in your philanthropy, and how does that guide your decisions?

Joy is definitely the right word. My husband, Bill, was a great believer in the idea that if you follow that feeling of joy, the right things will fall into place. At our foundation (William and Ruth Scott Family Foundation), we have tried to find causes that give us joy — whether that comes from getting to know the people involved and the amazing work they do or knowing that our support will help make our community a better place to live or change someone’s life. We have always believed that wealth is best shared with others, and we’ve looked for ways that we can make a big difference for Omaha and Nebraska. And we’ve had a lot of fun giving our money away!

“Giving back is one of the greatest gifts of life. I hope the next generation gets as much joy from it as I have.”

Ruth Scott
What are a couple of your favorite stories regarding philanthropic investments you have made at the university?

There have been so many, it’s hard to choose. But I will say one that stands out was helping to build a student space at UNMC. I remember hearing from a student who said she only knew about four people from her time at UNMC, because there was no place to study or eat together. So, we helped to fund this beautiful space with an ice rink and a grove of trees where the students could all be together and get to know each other. I think that really made a difference in how students experienced their education.

Another one that stands out is at UNO, where I got to meet one of my favorite people, Dr. Nick Stergiou, who is the head of the biomechanics division. We first heard him speak at a foundation event in Palm Springs. I didn’t know anything about biomechanics, and it was fascinating to hear about the work he was doing. But he told us he could do so much more if he “just had more room!” So, in December 2011, I worked with the foundation to arrange a birthday lunch for Nick, and his birthday gift just happened to be a biomechanics building. Shortly after the building was built, biomechanics received a national grant of $10 million, and in 2024 it received another one for $11 million. When you can give somebody a building and bring in that many million dollars of federal money, that’s bang for your buck.

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From left, Bill and Ruth Scott and Chancellor Ronnie Green pose with UNL Rodeo Club members Hallie Reeves, left, and Sydney Veldhuizen and their horses. The Scotts were honored at the dedication of the George Beadle statue at the Dinsdale Learning Commons on East Campus. September 13, 2022. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication.
Biomechanics Building grand opening at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on on Sept. 5 2013, in Omaha, Neb. (UNO/Jeff Beiermann)
Ruth Scott’s great-granddaughter visiting Roskens Hall on the UNO campus. Ruth Scott and her late husband, Bill, provided the lead gift to support the redevelopment of the building.

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

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The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has one of the best entrepreneurship programs in the world. It was recently ranked No. 42 out of hundreds of schools in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe and No. 12 in the Midwest by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine.

A network of programs across the university, the entrepreneurship ecosystem has a tremendous economic impact. Over a 10-year period, graduates created more than 157 businesses, and at least $6.5 million in funding has been raised to support those businesses.

“We have an outstanding entrepreneurial ecosystem at Nebraska. Our ranking as No. 42 in the world reflects our commitment to fueling the entrepreneurial spirit across the university for all students in any major, so Nebraska graduates are prepared to create the future.”

Samuel Nelson, Ph.D. Bauermeister Family Presidential Chair in Entrepreneurship and director of the Center for Entrepreneurship
Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management

In 2008, a donation transformed what is now the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, naming it after the co-founder of the Raikes Foundation and former CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Raikes School builds future leaders in technology-driven industries through interdisciplinary education in computer science, business, entrepreneurship and innovation. With 155 current students representing 22 unique majors and 19 states, Raikes School students continue to drive innovative solutions that benefit the state of Nebraska and change the world.

Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship

Established more than 35 years ago, the Center for Entrepreneurship prepares students from across campus for entrepreneurial success. Faculty and staff serve as advisers, mentors and collaborators for thousands of students taking entrepreneurship classes and participating in workshops and competitions. They connect students with a local, national and global network from day one, whether they want to pursue their own ideas for a business, dream of owning a franchise or explore their career options. Various donors have contributed to programming and student support that allows for these impactful experiences.

Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

The late cattleman and entrepreneur Paul Engler provided a $20 million gift to create the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program to cultivate future generations of entrepreneurs and problem-solvers with the goal of growing and sustaining rural communities. The program launched in 2012 to provide experiential, community-based learning to help students build their own enterprises from the ground up. Part of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Engler program helps students discover their entrepreneurial spark and build skills to succeed in the industry and offers events to gain hands-on experiences and make lasting connections.

Clifton Builders Program

The Clifton Builders Program started in 2015 as part of a $30 million gift from Gallup and the Clifton Foundation to establish the Clifton Strengths Institute. The Builders program identifies and develops entrepreneurially minded students from across campus who aspire to change the world by building new businesses, teams or communities. Graduates of the program are now leading startup organizations or attending graduate or law school to further their education. Many are involved in consulting, finance or other aspects of the startup ecosystem.

Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts

The Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts launched in 2015 with a $20 million gift from iconic talk show host Johnny Carson, who hailed from Nebraska. Opening its doors in 2019 as part of the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, the Carson Center includes the school’s film and new media curriculum. With close faculty mentoring, students gain a foundational knowledge of storytelling, visual expression, entrepreneurship and computational media.

A Passion for Pickleball

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UNL Entrepreneurship Program Fuels Husker Student’s Business Venture

By Sara Badura

Andreas Katsaounis of Omaha was inspired to start his own business as a senior in high school because of his passion for the sport of pickleball. Those entrepreneurial dreams have flourished at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln through a program in the Center for Entrepreneurship.

“Ever since I picked up a pickleball paddle, I fell in love with the sport,” said Katsaounis, a business administration major and the owner of Alpha Omega Pickleball, which sells pickleball paddles and other merchandise. “My passion for pickleball isn’t just about playing the game. It has inspired me to dream big and start my own business.”

In fall 2024, Katsaounis and seven other students were welcomed into the second cohort of the Entrepreneurship Catalysts, a selective scholarship program for first-year students of any major.

“All the professors through the Center for Entrepreneurship are very helpful,” Katsaounis said. “If I have any questions, I can go to them. They’ll help me out with it.”

The Catalysts program, which provides participants with a $1,000 scholarship, has received generous philanthropic support from Allen Dayton of Lincoln and Jolene and Kevin Vermeer of Ashland, Nebraska.

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Dayton, a University of Nebraska Foundation Trustee, provided the initial support to launch the program. “Entrepreneurship has played a significant role in my life, and I believe strongly in supporting and building up future entrepreneurs,” he said.

 “We are thrilled to support students in the College of Business as they grow and explore what it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset,” said the Vermeers, who are both College of Business graduates. “We are invested in these aspiring entrepreneurs because we’re invested in the future of Nebraska.”

Along with scholarships, the program offers a community of like-minded peers and access to exclusive events and resources as students explore their entrepreneurial potential.

Mallory Krenk, student engagement and recruitment coordinator at the Center for Entrepreneurship, said the center brings in business founders from all over the community, so students can learn from the entrepreneurs’ experiences and expand their networks.

“We explore entrepreneurial frameworks, and students work through a lot of activity-based projects versus a more traditional lecture format,” she said. Participants learn while doing and can ask questions of the successful entrepreneurs, Krenk said.

Access to those resources has allowed Katsaounis to fine-tune his entrepreneurship skills, a key part of his entrepreneurial journey.

“It could be a connection to someone, a business owner,” Katsaounis said. “It’s really good for networking or help if you want to start a business. They’re definitely there to help you.”

Similar to tennis but played on a smaller court with paddles, pickleball is a social sport that has surged in popularity. Katsaounis named his business in honor of his father’s Greek heritage and his Christian beliefs. He continues to expand Alpha Omega Pickleball and now offers three pickleball paddles, a training paddle and clothing.

Katsaounis said he’s learned a lot about running businesses through the Entrepreneurship Catalysts. “I’ve made some really good upperclassmen friends who own businesses,” he said, “and they teach me different things.”

His business evolves as he learns more from his time at UNL and his involvement in the Catalysts program. Last November, Katsaounis was among the winners of the 3-2-1 Quick Pitch Competition hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship.

Because of programs like the Entrepreneurship Catalysts, UNL ranks No. 42 in the world for undergraduate entrepreneurship, according to The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur Magazine.

“The Entrepreneurship Catalysts program is a great way to help students realize that Nebraska is a great place to start and grow a business,” Krenk said.

Investing in Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs

With philanthropic support, the Entrepreneurship Catalysts program aims to expand to a cohort size of 40 students, provide larger scholarships and endow the program in perpetuity. Gifts may be made through the University of Nebraska Foundation to the College of Business Catalyst Program Fund.

Sara Badura is a UNL student with a double major in journalism and advertising/public relations. She was previously a University of Nebraska Foundation intern.

100 years of Actuarial Science

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UNL Graduates Support Nebraska’s Third-Largest Industry

By Susan Houston Klaus

University of Nebraska student Otto Gross wanted to be an actuary. But in 1924, the university didn’t have an actuarial science program. So, he and some friends convinced their math professor, Floyd S. Harper, to teach them the equivalent of today’s Theory of Interest and Life Contingencies course. Their nudging gave actuarial science a jump start, not only in Nebraska but across the country. Fast forward 100 years and Gross’ name lives on in the Otto Gross Fund.

The fund, started by Gross’ son, Gary, who also became an actuary, includes a $100,000 matching gift for the Actuarial Science Program at Nebraska — $50,000 for the Otto Gross Fund for scholarships and $50,000 for the World Class Actuarial Science Fund for student and faculty support.

A century after Otto Gross and his friends convinced Harper to share his knowledge, UNL has become a valuable partner in providing actuarial science graduates to insurance companies in Nebraska. Insurance is the third-largest industry in Nebraska, with 14,000 professionals working in the home offices of the state’s insurers, according to the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Many insurance companies are domiciled in Nebraska, including local names like Assurity, Ameritas and Mutual of Omaha as well as companies like Pacific Life and Aflac.

“Our program was originally designed just to provide actuaries to feed the local companies, but then as we’ve grown, we’ve really built a strong reputation,” said Sue Vagts, director of the Actuarial Science Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “Now our students graduate and go all over the United States and, really, all over the world.”

UNL actuarial science grads lead Nebraska insurance companies, including as CEOs of Mutual of Omaha, Assurity and Ameritas. Vagts said local companies may have 50 or more UNL actuarial science alumni working for them.

UNL’s program holds an esteemed honor. It’s one of 15 in the United States with the Center of Actuarial Excellence/University Earned Credit (CAE/UEC) designation — the highest level of recognition given by the Society of Actuaries.

Otto Gross’ story is a great example of the initiative the program’s students have, Vagts said.

“That’s kind of how actuarial science students are. They’re super bright, they’re energetic, they’re engaged, and they really are the kind of students that go out and change the world.”

“That’s kind of how actuarial science students are. They’re super bright, they’re energetic, they’re engaged, and they really are the kind of students that go out and change the world.”

Sue Vagts

What is Actuarial Science?

Actuarial science uses analytical skills and knowledge in economics, finance, mathematics and statistics to manage risk and its financial consequences. As “architects of financial security,” actuaries are key players in companies that deal with risk, including insurance companies.

“Actuaries work with designing, pricing and making sure insurance companies are adequately funded to support people when bad things happen,” said Vagts. “They’ve made sure that the insurance company has set aside enough money to pay the future claims that come, so that when you have that accident, you can file your claim, be reimbursed quickly and get back on with your life as quickly as possible.”

From Rural Roots to Remarkable Careers

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Donors Give Back to University that Gave Them Their Start

By Robyn Murray

Gail and Jim Anderson’s story begins on small farms in rural Nebraska. Gail grew up in the village of Shelton, near Kearney, and Jim was raised in Coleridge, a village in the northeast corner of the state. On those farms, the couple, who are Burnett Society members, gained a strong work ethic that helped them succeed not only at the university, but later in life as they traveled across the country and built successful careers at large companies. Gail excelled in major hospitals, while Jim thrived at Hughes Aircraft, an aerospace engineering giant founded by the legendary aviator Howard Hughes.

Their journey was shaped by the values they learned on the farm and the rigorous education they received at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Jim, the first in his family to attend college, faced a significant adjustment moving from a class of just 23 students to the large classrooms at UNL.

“It was either sink or swim,” Jim recalled. “You either decided you had to buckle down and study or you had to drop out and do something else.”

Jim’s determination and work ethic saw him through while others struggled. He shared a dorm with two roommates from small towns, one of whom was so homesick he dropped out. But Jim persevered and focused on his studies.

“I felt like I had to study every possible minute because I was way behind the kids from Lincoln and Omaha,” he said. “Everything was new to me, but I got through because of my work ethic. I just kept my head down and studied.”

His perseverance paid off, leading to a successful career in satellite communications and ground radar systems, including roles at Hughes Aircraft Company and The Aerospace Corporation.

“We feel like Nebraska had a major role in getting us from where we were at in high school academically to prepare us for our careers.”

Jim Anderson

Gail, having seen her brother attend the university first, had a better sense of what to expect. She pursued nursing, finding the experience both challenging and rewarding, academically and socially. Living in the dorms, she formed a close-knit group of friends with whom she remains in contact. It helped that she knew she was on the right path.

“I wanted to be a nurse from the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper,” Gail said.

After graduation, Gail worked in medical-surgical nursing, nursing education, nursing informatics and quality assurance and case management at multiple hospitals, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center and Adventist Health Glendale. She also taught nursing at a community college in Los Angeles.

A significant influence in Gail’s life was her aunt, Lydia Mae Fetherston Swinford, affectionately known as Aunt Fethers. Aunt Fethers put herself through nursing school in Grand Island and was the first in the family to establish a fund to support the university through the University of Nebraska Foundation. The Lydia Mae Fethers Swinford Scholarship Fund continues to support nursing students at UNMC.

Inspired by Aunt Fethers, Gail and Jim have created two endowed professorships — one supporting the College of Nursing at UNMC and another supporting the College of Engineering at UNL. Their contributions, both outright and through their estate, aim to recruit and retain top faculty members, ensuring the continued excellence of these programs.

Gail and Jim say they wanted to give back partly because of the university’s efforts to support students from small towns and encourage them to work in Nebraska.

“The students that come out of the university that grew up in small towns have a great work ethic,” Jim said, “and they do well transitioning into major roles.”

That was their experience, and they want to ensure others have the same.

“We feel like Nebraska had a major role in getting us from where we were at in high school academically to prepare us for our careers,” Jim said. “We earned advanced degrees out here [in California], but we retained our love for Nebraska and the university.”

A Love of Science, Grandfather’s Influence Inspire PKF Engineering Academy Student

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By Ed Rider

Jamie Krab has always loved science. Growing up in Ogallala, Nebraska, surrounded by agriculture, plant sciences were all around her. This exposure helped her develop an innate interest in environmental issues.

A member of the 2023-24 cohort of the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering, Krab originally was interested in environmental engineering. But after a conversation with a UNL chemistry instructor while on a campus tour, she decided to pursue a chemical engineering degree in energy.

“I have always wanted to work to make the world more sustainable while also helping the local community,” Krab said. “In energy, both of these goals can be accomplished.”

Krab’s interest in engineering was inspired by her grandfather, 1972 UNL graduate Bill McBride, who worked as a mechanical engineer at a Nebraska Public Power District plant near Sutherland, Nebraska. She was introduced to the Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy by Jennifer Jones, her high school chemistry teacher.

“She was someone who always believed in me and worked hard to prepare me for my future. I am so glad she did,” Krab said.

The Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy annually recruits a cohort of 40 scholars who are committed to supporting and advancing women in engineering in Nebraska. The program provides students who have financial needs with the resources and support to pursue careers in engineering, computing and construction. Students are empowered to make a positive impact in their field through exclusive seminar courses, dedicated success coaching and support from a faculty fellows’ network.

Academy students receive a scholarship that covers full tuition and fees, plus student housing and meals for up to five years in a university housing residence. Academy students live together in a scholar community during their first two years in the program, enroll in cohort-specific first-year and second-year seminars and receive success coaching from dedicated program staff. Students also receive a book stipend to the university bookstore and a laptop for their studies.

“Peter Kiewit Foundation offers a scholarship and professional guidance, but most importantly it offers a community of peers. These peers have become my closest friends, and together, we have made fantastic memories,” Krab said. “This allowed me to start college with a peer support group and access to plenty of resources. I truly feel empowered and motivated to succeed in engineering and to give back to the community that built me up.”

The academy’s programming is based on The Complete Engineer ® program, a College of Engineering initiative developed to ensure students participate in hands-on learning while gaining the technical expertise a Big Ten degree provides. Beyond developing students individually, the academy nurtures an environment in the engineering community to increase the number of women in the workforce and a sense of belonging in engineering, computing and construction.

In addition to peer support, Krab said she appreciates the coaching, mentoring and professional networking opportunities made possible by the program. She said she has received great advice and has been able to build a professional network while still in college. She used those networking opportunities to secure a summer internship at the NPPD hydroelectric generating facility in North Platte, Nebraska. In addition, through the student organization Engineers Without Borders USA, Krab will travel to Madagascar this summer to help install solar panels she helped design.

“Jamie is an all-around wonderful human being to know and work with,” said Casey Leimser, Peter Kiewit Foundation Engineering Academy scholar programs coordinator. “She is not only very talented and intelligent, but compassionate as well. She creates a community everywhere she goes. She’s a student who leads by example and we are lucky to have her as a role model in the academy.”

Krab said she is indebted to the academy’s staff and the program for helping smooth her transition from a small town in western Nebraska to Lincoln.

“This program changed my college experience for the better and will continue to open doors for women in engineering like me,” she said.

Filed Under: UNL

Future Teacher Overcomes the Odds with Help from Donors

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By Lily Dohmen

We all know that overcoming trials and conflict is part of what makes a good story. If you bought tickets to see a superhero movie in which the hero has no villain to fight and lives in a world where nothing ever goes wrong, you’d ask for your money back.

It turns out what makes a good story in the movies also makes a good story in real life. For University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore Marlana Saalfeld-Green, trials have been a part of her journey. But, thanks to donors, she’s been able to overcome them.

Saalfeld-Green grew up in a single-parent household and spent a lot of time with her grandparents while her mother worked two jobs. Although she is grateful for the sacrifices her family has made to put her in a position to succeed, she was still at a disadvantage.

A recent study published in the journal Education Next found that teens who lived in a single parent household were 26% less likely to graduate from college by the time they were 24 when compared with those from a two-parent household. One of the main factors was finances. Thankfully, Saalfeld-Green found financial and moral support.

Because her grandparents didn’t attend college and her mom was a non-traditional college student, their perspective was valuable in communicating to Saalfeld-Green the importance of pursuing an education after high school. “My grandparents, along with my mom, told me I needed to go to college,” Saalfeld-Green said. “They wanted me to get an education past my high school degree.”

Thanks to donors, she was able to make it happen. Scholarships through the College of Education and Human Sciences have paved the way for her to become a teacher when she graduates. “My life would be significantly different if I didn’t have support from donors,” Saalfeld-Green said. “UNL has been a place where I can spread my wings by getting involved in college activities. I feel included here.”

Saalfeld-Green knew she wanted to be a secondary education teacher because she wants to promote a welcoming environment for all students. From previous experiences in high school, she was, at times, frustrated with how her teachers treated her. “In my classroom, I want to build a community where everybody feels respected to share their viewpoints, no matter what background they come from,” Saalfeld-Green said.

Saalfeld-Green is currently a Senator for CEHS, Vice President of the Future Teachers of Color Club, Senator of the Association of Students of the University of Nebraska and a member of the Institute for Inclusive Innovation. Many of the clubs and organizations CEHS offers students are also donor funded.

Even though we will likely never write a superhero movie, we can all play a meaningful part in an ongoing real life story. Trials like the ones Marlana Saalfeld-Green faced will continue to challenge students in our communities. We can help them overcome these trials and conflicts by providing them with much needed financial relief.

To see more students like Marlana Saalfeld-Green succeed, consider making a gift of any amount to the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Support the College of Education and Human Sciences

A gift to this fund provides much needed general support for the college to assist areas and programs of greatest need.

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Support Education & Human Sciences Scholarships/ Fellowships

This fund shall be used to promote the mission of the College of Education and Human Sciences at UNL.

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My life would be significantly different if I didn’t have support from donors.

Marlana Saalfeld-Green

Powerful Partnership Results in Launch of Engler Enterprise Financing Program

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By Lexi Bodlak, Public Relations Storyteller, Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program

Good people, good drinks and the good life. Abby Miller, a recent University of Nebraska–Lincoln graduate, found her passion and purpose in bringing these three things together.

Miller, who grew up in Mead, Nebraska, enrolled as a freshman in Engler 101, the introductory course in the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program. During a class pitch competition, she realized she could make memories and a profit through her love of bringing people together. Her business idea: convert a 1950s Chevrolet into a mobile tap truck serving Nebraska.

She received mentoring and guidance from Engler staff and financial support for her business venture from the recently created Engler Enterprise Financing Program, launched in cooperation with Union Bank & Trust (UBT) and Farm Credit Services of America.

Miller spent $3,000 to pay for half of the truck, lovingly named Pat, and her dad loaned her the rest of the funds. She went right to work giving Pat a facelift. As you can imagine, the pickup (found in a shed with no roof) had a few dings. After many late nights and a lot of elbow grease, Pat was fully restored and ready for service.

Shortly thereafter, Miller launched Pat on Tap. Ever since, Miller and her vintage Chevrolet have traveled around eastern Nebraska serving drinks and bringing people together at weddings, parties and other special events. “I didn’t do this alone,” she said, citing the Engler Enterprise Financing Program (also known as the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Loan Program).

“For many of us, our only financial backing comes from family savings — if that,” said Miller, who graduated from UNL in May 2024. “As students, we don’t have collateral to secure traditional small business loans.”

That’s where the loan program comes in. With the support of a $25,000 loan, Miller is positioned to scale her business beyond what she thought possible. She has two vehicles in her fleet and will soon have a third. At just 23 years old, she plans to expand her business into western Nebraska and beyond the state’s borders to other Midwestern cities.

Miller was the first recipient of a loan from the new program. It’s designed to provide start-up funding for Engler students, offering low-interest loans to students who might not otherwise be able to obtain them.

Before applying, Engler students first participate in an education and training program to learn about business management and the loan application process. Through the Engler Enterprise Financing Program, students gain real-world experience in securing funding, said Brennan Costello, the Engler program’s chief business relations officer. Because of close collaboration between students and staff, he’s confident the loan repayment rate will be high. As recipients pay back their loans, the funds will be used to support other student-entrepreneurs’ business ideas.

The financing program is administered in partnership with UBT, providing low-interest business loans ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 and repayment terms of one to three years.

“UBT is proud to support the Engler program and its efforts to assist students in starting and growing their businesses. Many times, businesses can’t get off the ground as they have no access to resources, whether that be financial or a support system,” said Stephanie Dinger, vice president of small business at UBT. “We feel this is a wonderful partnership as we not only can provide financial support regarding a low-interest loan, but we also provide financial literacy and a point of contact for students as they grow and have additional needs.”

Farm Credit Services of America made a $35,000 gift through the University of Nebraska Foundation to prototype the financing program.

“We created the initial gift because the project provides hands-on learning for Engler students to build their business plans and engage with a lender to access a loan for their business,” said Bob Campbell, senior vice president of lending with Farm Credit Services of America/Frontier Farm Credit. “We believe that business owners need to be able to communicate the strategic vision of their company and demonstrate the business acumen needed to obtain financing or equity partners.”

As the Engler program continues to grow, the number of students who want to expand their business ventures is also growing. To support the student-entrepreneurs, philanthropic support is requested to expand the Engler Enterprise Financing Program.

When the late Paul Engler founded the Engler program in 2010, his vision was to provide students with the experience and support they need to return to their communities inspired to build sustainable businesses. The Engler program provides students with the academic, emotional and financial support to make their dreams a reality.

Without the Engler loan, Miller said she may have needed to take out a traditional loan, with a higher interest rate and risk not having the collateral to support it. “It might be the only way some of these ventures can exist,” she said.

She credits Engler staff for helping her sort through her business ideas, particularly Director Tom Field, Chief Learning Officer Dave Lambe and Costello.

“The Engler community has been my biggest champion,” Miller said. “They push me to dream bigger and give me the resources to make it happen.”

Engler Enterprise Financing Program
  • The Engler Enterprise Financing Program provides Engler students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with access to low-interest loans to transform their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. To learn more about the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, go to englerjourney.com.
  • To learn more about supporting the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Loan Program Fund, contact Justin Swanson, senior director of development for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska Foundation, at [email protected].

Missouri Native Becomes a Husker Fan

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By Susan Houston Klaus

Paul Garnett has been a loyal Husker Athletics fan ever since he moved to Nebraska from his home state of Missouri nearly 49 years ago.

A Burnett Society member, Paul believes so strongly in the combination of athletics and education, he’s giving back to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the form of an athletic scholarship in his name. He’s made a planned gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to benefit the Husker Athletics program.

Playing sports, Paul said, has always been an important part of his life.

“I had an older cousin who was a good athlete, so we did backyard competitions about anything and everything,” he said. “Just naturally, I guess, I gravitated toward sports — Little League baseball and flag football, and track, basketball and baseball in high school.”

Paul’s athletic talent earned him a college basketball and baseball scholarship, giving him an opportunity he says he otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford.

“I grew up on a small farm in central Missouri, and we didn’t have a lot of financial wherewithal as a family,” he said. “I doubt that I would have been able to financially go to college if it wasn’t for an athletic scholarship.”

Paul earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education at Truman State University. He was working toward a master’s degree — with plans of being a coach — when his father passed away. Family responsibilities came first, and he left school to help his mom run the family’s farm for about a year and a half.

Paul returned to school after that, but he changed his area of study to finance and economics. It was a move, he said, that would alter his life trajectory. He got a job as a salesperson with brokerage firm Edward Jones, and in 1976 he was scouting communities where he could open a new office. A few Nebraska towns were open to talking with him. So, he came to see the southeast part of the state and a few days later chose Beatrice as his new home — starting his life over from scratch “and not knowing a person,” he said.

Today, Paul has four decades of experience in the finance industry. He’s the co-owner, with his daughter, Traci Garnett-Froscheiser, of Garnett Investment Strategies. For 12 years, the company has managed assets for nonprofit organizations as a registered investment adviser, or RIA.

As an entrepreneur, Paul has been involved in more than 20 private equity companies, including ag, tech, medical emergency evacuation, and health and dietary startups. For example, his management company operates the second-largest egg producer in the United States.

Paul became involved with Husker Athletics during the early 1980s, when each sport had a booster club with a board of directors. Serving on those boards, he got to know men’s basketball head coach Danny Nee and, later, coach Doc Sadler and former Athletic Director Bill Byrne. Paul has been a loyal Husker fan and often attends games with his family.

“We go to a lot of games,” he said. “We’ve got eight football tickets and four basketball tickets, and we go to all the football games and almost all of the basketball games.”

Occasionally, he attends a volleyball match and also enjoys watching Husker Baseball.

Paul feels confident having the University of Nebraska Foundation manage the assets he’s leaving to the university.

“I’m a big fan of the foundation,” he said. “I have watched their investment policy statements and how well they diversify and manage the returns that are out there. I feel very comfortable that the assets I leave behind will be managed well for many, many generations to come to support Nebraska scholarships and Nebraska facilities.”

Paul said his success is “maybe the result of some hard work, and maybe a lot of luck along the way.” He’s a believer in donating his time and resources to things he has a passion for.

“I guess I’m in the business where I understand that we’re all mortal,” he said, “and if I have some kind of financial assets left behind, you look at family, you look at God, you look at the passions that you support.”

As Paul reflects on the success he’s had, he knows young people just need an opportunity.

“I think it’s beneficial to help kids find their way to get to higher education,” he said. “So I want to make sure the facilities are good. I want to make sure that there’s scholarship money. I want to pass it on.”

Maximizing Our Strengths

by

By Robyn Murray

“What will happen when we think about what is right with people rather than fixating on what is wrong with them?”

That question was posed by Don Clifton, a psychologist, University of Nebraska–Lincoln professor, chair of the consulting firm Gallup and creator of the CliftonStrengths assessment, a psychological test used all over the world. Clifton, who died in 2003, was considered “the father of strengths-based psychology and the grandfather of positive psychology,” by the American Psychological Association.

Today, the Clifton Strengths Institute at UNL continues Clifton’s work. Tim Hodges, Ph.D., executive director of the institute and Joan Heiser Endowed Presidential Chair, said focusing on strengths helps students realize their potential.

“A lot of people lead by imitation, where they follow someone in a role and want to be like that person, and that’s OK,” Hodges said. “But it’s better if you figure out who are you when you’re at your best, what’s your potential, and how can you lean into that potential and really grow and develop over time?”

To understand how that works, we took a closer look at Hodges’ top five Clifton Strengths. Find yours here.

Maximizer

“Maximizers like to take something that’s working and see how much better they can make it,” Hodges said. “In many of our programs, we sort through students who apply to be coaches or Clifton Builders, and we choose students who have a lot of potential and desire to leverage the talents that they have. It’s a joy to invest in them and help them lean into their potential. It’s taking an A and seeing if you can make it an A-plus.”

Hodges’ Maximizer strength relates most to the impact of the presidential chair, a $2 million gift that provides annual revenue for the program. “The donors’ generosity has created a long-term view of what we’re doing,” Hodges said. “We’ve got that level of support that will last forever, and it creates a little more room for us to be creative and to be able to say yes to things.”

Relator

“Relators like a close circle of friends that they can really go deep with, and I love that,” Hodges said. “In my Clifton Builders classes, I have the same students for two semesters, so we get to know each other well through a lot of one-on-one and small-group interaction. Building those deeper relationships with a few is exciting for me.”

Belief

“Belief is my passion theme,” Hodges said. “Belief is the theme that causes me to say, ‘Does this really matter? Does it align with my values?’ One of my core beliefs is helping people see their potential and grow and learn. It’s not just transferring the content, but it’s helping unlock who the person can be into their future.”

Woo

“Woo is about winning others over,” Hodges said. “I love the first day of school when I walk into a lecture hall with hundreds of students and help them feel welcome, and be a little bit charming if I can, and help them feel a part of what we’re about here at the university. Almost every student in this building, at some point, has had my class, and so walking around the hall and knowing that we’ve had at least some kind of a connection is exciting, right?”

Positivity

“Positivity is a lot about bringing energy to a situation,” Hodges said. “I love to walk into a room and see if I can pep things up a bit. Students rarely fall asleep in class when I’m leading the class, and if they do, we have a little bit of fun with them, and then they probably don’t fall asleep again.”

We are stronger
together.

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