Dear Alumni and Friends,
This fall, we marked the beginning of our 40th anniversary celebrations by welcoming our largest-ever entering class. A total of 830 new students began their Honors journey. This next generation of scholars also heard from some of our outstanding alumni, who returned to share academic, career, and personal advice during a panel.
Reflecting on our history, it is remarkable to see how far we have come. What began with an inaugural class of fewer than 100 students has now grown into a vibrant community of thousands. Our recent "We'd Be Honored" 40th Anniversary Banquet brought together alumni from across four decades, and a common theme emerged: Honors provided both a challenging academic experience and a lasting sense of community.
We hope to see you at our upcoming Smartypants & Pints Alumni Trivia Night as we continue our celebrations. It is perhaps the only exam you'll ever need to take again! Gather your old Honors friends and pit yourself against current Honors students!
Thank you for being part of the Honors community. If you're interested in getting more involved, please don't hesitate to reach out. We'd love to hear from you.
Go Big Red!
Tyler R. White, PhD
Faculty Director, University Honors Program
Honors Dinner
Honors Celebrates 40 Years of Legacy at Banquet
Alumni, students, faculty, and community members came together to celebrate the University Honors Program's 40th anniversary during the annual “We’d Be Honored” banquet. Speakers from across the Honors' history highlighted the tremendous growth of the program, its role in fostering learning, and the strength of community. Along with sharing memories, the banquet gave the community a chance to imagine the future of Honors. Leah Bates, a fourth-year environmental and sustainability studies major, said “Every year this Honors event motivates me to do my best and I leave it with more inspiration about why I do what I do.”
Healing Nebraska
Honors and UNMC Spotlight Behavioral Health Careers
About 200 students and professionals explored the most pressing behavioral health issues facing Nebraska. The event, Healing Nebraska: Talent Meets Need, spotlighted nine Honors students who interned with partner organizations serving vital roles in mental healthcare across the state. These internships were sponsored by grant from Abbott that was awarded to the University in the inaugural We Give Blood competition in 2024. Professor Ali DeLizza of the University of Nebraska Medical Center delivered a keynote address focused on the place that young people have in addressing Nebraska's greatest workforce needs, especially in mental health, psychology, and education.
The 2026 Abbott Blood Drive is on-going. You can contribute today!
Alumni Panel
Honors Alumni Offer Advice to First-Years
Four alumni—Anne Madison ’94, Erica Lewis ’18, Zach Wendling ‘23, and Drake Hermanson ’26—returned to campus to share the valuable lessons they have learned with students who are just beginning their college careers. Over 250 new Honors students listened attentively while the panelists discussed taking advantage of campus opportunities like internships, study aboard, and undergraduate research. Throughout the panel, the alumni emphasized the importance of trying new things and practicing gratitude.
Trivia
You're Invited: Honors Trivia Night
Put your trivia knowledge to the test! Jacob Schlange '12, will serve as host for our Smartypants and Pints Trivia night this fall at HopCat in Lincoln's Haymarket! This free event is open to all Honors alumni and friends of the program. The first trivia night will be on Sunday, November 8 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The first 50 people to RSVP get one free drink ticket. We hope to see you there!
UCARE
Share Your Honors Story with UCARE Research Team
As the Honors Program celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year, three current Honors students are engaged in a documentary project through the Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experience (UCARE) program. The documentary will feature interviews with past and present Honors students, faculty, and staff.
We would love to hear your unique story of your time in the Honors Program! Please consider the opportunity to be interviewed by the UCARE students. We have scheduled interview times in 1-hour increments from now until Thanksgiving, allowing ample time to hear about your memories from and experiences in the Honors Program. While in-person interviews are preferred, a Zoom option is possible for those who live at a distance from Lincoln. If you are interested, please use this link to schedule an interview time. If none of the times work with your schedule, please contact Dr. Joann Ross at jross9@unl.edu to coordinate a time.
We will screen the finished documentary in April. Watch for detail of that event in our next alumni newsletter in January!
Honors Students
Honors Students Make Headlines
Across the University, Honors students stand out. Check out their stories here!
Study abroad trip broadens Heacock’s view of healthcare
Emma Heacock explored healthcare through an international lens with Honors study abroad.
McGee finds calling through personal experience, hands-on research
Avery McGee's personal experiences have inspired her to pursue research and serving others.
A chance stop on campus led to life-changing Husker journey
Meredith Fontana's happened on to the University's campus. It led to a becoming a lifelong Husker.
For Ockander, a new semester feels like coming home
Korben Ockander finds belonging and community connections on campus.
Pena Ibanez turns personal mental health experience into advocacy
Alexander Pena Ibanez transformed individual experiences into advocacy for mental health.