JoAnna has been named a USA Today Woman of the Year. The award is meant to recognize women who have made an impact in their community as well as nationally. As executive director of the Malcom X Memorial Foundation, JoAnna is tasked with carrying forward the missions of two Black leaders; the foundation’s namesake, civil rights leader Malcom X, and the nonprofit’s founder, Rowena Moore. Under her tenure, the foundation’s longtime goal of getting Malcom X inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame was realized.  

Kenny was recognized by Congressman Don Bacon this Black History Month as a dedicated community servant. A proud North Omaha Native, McMorris has been serving the Omaha community throughout his life. As the CEO of Charles Drew Health, Inc. for over 15 years, he has continuously worked to advance health care equity in disenfranchised communities. Is unwavering commitment to public service continues to make a lasting impact. McMorris was honored by Bacon at a reception at the Revive Center in Omaha. Bacon called McMorris a visionary leader and steadfast advocate for health equity.  

“My beautiful wife and I met in our Undergrad Psych 2 class, in a huge lecture hall, with 150 students. I just happened to take the seat one row above this really cute redhead, dressed in all black, arms crossed, grumpy that we all had to walk up front to sign a sign-in sheet. I never would have guessed that, years later, I’d be thanking that sign-in sheet of Dr. Brown’s for making me the happiest Maverick around. Years later, I’m a Maverick again, pursuing my MS, and she’s still beside me, rings shining on our fingers and love shining in our eyes. Too cheesy? Thought so. Anyway, because of UNO, I’m both a Maverick and a husband. Couldn’t be more grateful.” 

“Some love stories take time to unfold, and ours is one of them. Jaron Collins and I first met as teenagers at Omaha Northwest High School, but life took us on separate journeys before bringing us back together years later. Now, we are thrilled to share that we are getting married this August! Our love for each other is deeply rooted in community, family, and a shared commitment to giving back. As a proud graduate of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, I know firsthand how education can change lives—and I wouldn’t have made it through undergrad without the unwavering support of my grandparents, Lee A. Cheatham and Ethel Louise Cheatham. When life got tough, they took me in, made sure I had everything I needed, and reminded me that if they had it, I did too. Their generosity and belief in education shaped my future, and now, Jaron and I are honored to pay it forward. To continue the legacy of our grandparents, we established two scholarships at UNO, the Lee and Louise Promise Scholarship and the Raymond and Helen Collins Hope Scholarship. These scholarships are designed for students majoring in social work and Black studies who have taken at least one course through the Urban League of Nebraska under the North Omaha Initiative. By supporting first-generation and low-income students, our goal is to help others overcome barriers, just as our grandparents helped us. But we’re not stopping there. We are actively fundraising to make these scholarships full-ride and renewable, ensuring long-term support for students who need it most. Our hope is to create lasting opportunities for future Mavericks while continuing the legacy of love, generosity, and education that was instilled in us. UNO played a vital role in my journey, and I am grateful to celebrate this new chapter of life—both in love and giving back to the next generation of Mavericks!”

Patrick published a book entitled “K-State’s Wrestling Legacy” detailing the history of Kansas State University’s wrestling program that was dropped fifty years ago. It is endorsed by Mike Denney, former UNO coach, whose program met a similar fate.