Linda Pawlenty, BA 06, MA 15

Linda earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UNO, along with a certificate in writing creative nonfiction. She has published her first book, Clutch: An Education at Work. After earning her BA in 2006, she attended a local truck driving school—a decision that has shaped her work and education ever since.

Clutch is the result of her time as a Ph.D. student and full-time concrete mixer truck driver in Lincoln, Nebraska. A work of nonfiction, it explores the tension between the “highly educated” and the “working class,” asking what it means to hold both a Ph.D. and a CDL—and to love both.

Share This Story

MORE LIKE THIS

Hallie Krypel-Noonan, BS 25

Hallie has been accepted into her top-choice nursing school and is proud that her hard work has paid off.

Derek Blanton, BMS 25

Derek and his wife recently purchased a home. He also began his master’s degree program this spring.

Abner Rodriguez, BS 24

Abner was offered a position with the Department of Defense as a logistics management specialist, focusing on foreign trade with international partners. He has worked with countries in the Centcom and Indo-Pacom regions, including Jordan, Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Mongolia. His role ensures partner nations are equipped to avoid deploying