“It’s very rare – very rare – for a couple to find jobs they both love at the same university. We feel really fortunate that we were able to have jobs that we really like for all these years in the same place.” - Kenya Taylor By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Kenya Taylor took a bit of a flier when she left her native Texas for a faculty position at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The job was nearly 700 miles away from her husband William Jurma, who packed the … [Read more...]
RETIRING: Longtime criminal justice professor Kurt Siedschlaw took long road to UNK
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Kurt Siedschlaw was far from a model student when he started college. He was on academic probation twice in his first two years at the University of South Dakota and almost flunked out. “I didn’t know what I wanted,” said Siedschlaw, who was advised by his high school guidance counselor to join the military instead of attending college, but decided the university was a better first option than serving in the Vietnam War. He was told he … [Read more...]
A UNK staple for 41 years, Pam Proskocil retiring from Department of History
Name: Pam Proskocil Job Title: Office Associate, UNK Department of History Years at UNK: 41 Career Path: I started as a part-time secretary for the History Department in 1977 then added in part-time secretary for the Criminal Justice Department. In 1987 I became full time for the History Department and have remained in that position 41 years. In that time, I have worked for nine different department chairs and countless faculty. Family: Husband, Vern; Daughter Jessie Thoene and her husband, … [Read more...]
‘Mom’ to economics department, Connie Fie retiring after 39 years at UNK
“Connie is the budget officer, travel agent, event planner, recruitment officer, therapist and mom – to some of us – on top of everything else that she does.” - Frank Tenkorang, Economics Chair By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Professor Frank Tenkorang may hold the title of chair for the University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Economics, but he calls Connie Fie the “head” of the department. The longtime office associate has worn a lot of hats during her 39 years at … [Read more...]
Kathy Livingston leaves behind 38 years of memories; Retiring as UNK’s Director of Institutional Research
"With each decision I make, I try to ask myself what is best for the students and UNK." - Kathy Livingston KATHY LIVINGSTON Job Title: Assistant to senior vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs; Director of Institutional Research Years at UNK: 38 Career Path: When our youngest daughter started kindergarten in 1979 I started working half time as a management information systems assistant. As our kids got older I transitioned to full-time as the MIS director in 1985. My titles have … [Read more...]
