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CLASS NOTES

UNO alumni life and career updates by class year

Amanda Belt, BA 23

Amanda will be finishing up her first full year of teaching with the “most amazing class of second graders” this May.  

Blake Higginbotham, BS 17

“Who cares about me, we made the NCAA Tournament, Baby! Go Mavs!”  Since graduation, Blake has joined a band that he is proud of but is still looking for his career. 

Dr. Porscha Jackson, BSBA 01

Dr. Porscha Jackson has authored her second book, “It’s Me, Not You: How I Survived Toxic Work Environments” available on Amazon.com. Readers will journey alongside Dr. PJ as she reflects on her contributions to her toxic work experiences and ultimately offers practical tips to handle and overcome toxic behaviors and environments. This practical guide addresses the personified toxic behaviors of the 21st-century workplace, surpassing the trivial antics of the 20th century’s Negative Norm and Chatty Cathy.  

Chris Crutchfield, BS 92, MS 96

Chris has received a three-year contract extension through the 2029-30 season. Under Crutchfield, the Mavericks won their first Summit League regular season and tournament championships and made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. “It is an honor to continue as the head men’s basketball coach at the school I care about so deeply,” Crutchfield said. “This historic season was incredibly special in unifying our institution, rallying the City of Omaha and showing fans across the country what Omaha basketball and UNO are all about. I am grateful to Chancellor (Joanne) Li and (athletic director) Adrian (Dowell) for their work on this extension and continued trust in me and our staff. The best is yet to come for Omaha men’s basketball.”

Ken Lim, BA 89

“Everywhere you go you’ll encounter life is up and down, always have positive thoughts and your dreams eventually come without you knowing it,” Ken says.

Scot Brown, BA 89,

Scott retired on September 13, 2024, after a successful 31-year career in Information Technology at Verizon. He is enjoying his time traveling and volunteering.  

Dr. Catherine E. Jameson, BA 74,

Dr. Catherine E. Jameson and her husband, Dr. John H. Jameson, have been admitted into the Oklahoma State University’s Hall of Fame. This is the highest honor bestowed by OSU, and one of many awarded to the Jamesons. Cathy has been indicted into the OSU College of Education and Human Sciences Hall of Fame and was the chairperson for the Education Associates Board. She has served on the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees and is now on its Board of Governors. She has also received the OSU Distinguished Alumni Award, is on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, was named one of the Top 25 Women in Dentistry and has received lifetime achievement awards from the Excellence in Dentistry Organization and the Academy of Dental Office Managers. She was a finalist for the Stevie Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurial Women. Beyond this, Cathy has nine books and over 1,500 articles published. She is a member of the American Association of Female Executives, The National Speaker’s Association, Academy of Dental Management Consultants and Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity.     

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Future Mavericks

MARISOL (NOVOTNY) BS 15 and JACOB ANDRESON, BA 15 welcomed their son Apollo Anderson.

MAGALY CASILLAS, BS 24 welcomed son Jaziel Campo.

KIRSTINE (PAULSEN) FORESTA, BS 15 welcomed daughter Abigail Foresta.

ASHLEY (SPURLOCK), BS 16, MBA 22 and Nick Ostransky welcomed daughter Blaire Avery Ostransky.

BAILEY (ROSECRANS), BS 16 and MICHAEL WENZL, MS 20 welcomed daughter Molly Wenzl.

Did you recently add a Future Maverick to your family?

Submit your birth announcement to be featured in a future issue of UNO Magazine (optional) and we will send you an O BABY! t-shirt!

Future Maverick Elliott Elizabeth Smoyer, daughter of GINA (HALBOM), MAE 12 and Matthew Smoyer of Omaha, proudly sports her O BABY! shirt.

In Memory

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of these graduates. Reported to the University of Nebraska Foundation June 26–Oct. 3, 2024.

1946
Wesley R. Reisser

1952
Alfred W. Petersen
Winifred I. Ravenscroft

1958
Phillip E. Bede

1960
Sharron G. Potadle

1964
Harvey R. Hornig
Marilou E. Thibault
Dale E. Jorgenson

1966
Marilyn Lamontia

1968
John M. Cann
John C. Furstenberg

1969
Judith Hanefeldt
Charles R. Johnson
Fred O. Wyant
Bruce C. Decheine

1970
Joseph G. Engelbert

1971
Alan A. Dusatko
Harvey C. Pittman

1972
Duane C. Singsaas
Barbara J. Goodrich
Gerald M. Carlstedt
Richard R. France
Jesse B. Graham

1973
Marian F. Freberg
James E. Swanson

1974
Dean C. Mueller
Paul G. Saathoff
Lycurgus C. Curry
Anita M. Ekstrom
Elizabeth A. O’Brien
Deborah A. Engler
Mac A. Johnson

1975
Marie E. Rourke
Elmer J. Crumbley
Gladys Morrow

1977
Terry G. Cox

1978
Henry C. Annis
Joseph A. Atencio

1979
Joseph A. Perina

1980
Betty Bender
Joyce L. Slaughter
Larry L. Gries

1981
Kimberly M. Ohr
Richard D. Provost
Jack D. Rose

1983
Michael A. Melhorn
Mark A. Johnson

1984
Philip A. Kass
Margaret J. Mahon
Dee A. Linse

1986
Douglas V. Horacek

1987
Nancy M. Meyers
John F. Walter

1988
Ruth R. Martens

1989
Gail L. DiDonato

1991
Stephen Shafer

1992
Zolana J. Baumel
Alessandro Sarda

1993
David A. England
Gerald R. Stehno

1994
Linda B. Schneider

1996
Ginger L. Riffel

1997
Neil D. Plugge

1998
Patrick K. Milliken

1999
Michelle M. Gerhardt
Patrick A. McCormick

2001
Keith L. Long

2006
Brian D. Glass

2012
Robert W. Schechinger