Jasmine L. Harris
Through advocacy and reentry work, Jasmine L. Harris is preserving justice, dignity and second chances.
Through advocacy and reentry work, Jasmine L. Harris is preserving justice, dignity and second chances.
Michael Helgerson is helping the Omaha–Council Bluffs region preserve quality of life while planning what comes next.
Conservation scientist and UN Ambassador Emily Geest is changing how the world sees insects and why their preservation is essential to our own survival.
After four decades at the Getty, Jerry Podany reflects on preserving the past and what he hopes endures of his own legacy.
UNO Alumni Awards honor achievements and service.
The 2025 award recipients were recognized at the UNO Alumni Honors Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
JIM LESLIE OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS
DAVID BRISSON (BS 02, MBA 09) JULIE L. MASTERS, PH.D. (center) with UNO Alumni Association Board Chair Negil McPherson, Jr., (left)
PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
MAYOR JOHN W. EWING (BS 85, MS 87) (center) with UNO Alumni Association Board Chair Negil McPherson (left) and UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA
YOUNG ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
DAVID A. LÓPEZ (BA 08) Mary López and Rodrigo López accepted the award on behalf of their son, pictured with UNO Alumni Association Board Chair Negil McPherson, Jr., (left)
UNO’s December 2025 commencement ceremony welcomed more than 1,100 new graduates to the UNO Alumni Association and honored leadership, service and Maverick excellence. Patrick Kerrigan (BA 73), president of The Palm Beach Holding Company, Ltd., and chairman of Solid State Networks, and Colleen Williams (BA 76), NBC4 Los Angeles journalist and anchor, were recognized with the Citation for Alumni Achievement Award for their outstanding professional accomplishments and community impact.
CITATION FOR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
PATRICK KERRIGAN (BA 73), president of The Palm Beach Holding Company, Ltd., and chairman of Solid State Networks
CITATION FOR ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
COLLEEN WILLIAMS (BA 76), NBC4 Los Angeles journalist and anchor
The ceremony also featured a keynote address by Adam Wright (BS 02), Pilot CEO and former UNO football student-athlete.
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
Throughout January, the UNO Alumni Association celebrated mentors who have guided and supported Mavericks along the way.
ASK ANYTHING
Trying to figure out which skills matter most in your role? Wondering which certifications make a difference in your industry? Feeling imposter syndrome at work and unsure how to overcome it? Ask Anything is an easy way to get real advice from fellow UNO alumni without the pressure of reaching out to someone directly. You ask the question, and Maverick Network connects you with an alum who can help.
UNO ALUMNI MONTH OF SERVICE
Every April, Mavericks give back. In 2025, 245 alumni and friends donated 2,913 hours in their communities. Help us reach 3,000 hours this year by making a volunteer pledge. We’ll send a free UNO-branded item to say thank you.
Mary says that her greatest accomplishment is finishing her degree after 19 years. “Never give up on your dreams.”
Jason completed his bachelor’s degree while having a brain tumor. Recent removal has left him cured. “Anything is possible, shoot
Morgan, a management systems specialist with the Council Bluffs Police Department, helped launch a public dashboard titled Prevention Means Progress.
Emily has been named a UNA-USA Global Goal Ambassador. She is a nationally recognized expert in monarch butterfly conservation and
Jill has received a national Milken Educator Award and a $25,000 cash prize! Ridder has dedicated her career to increasing teacher
Naomi earned a Master of Science in business analytics from Creighton University in December 2025.
