Dr. Amber Messersmith
assistant professor of communication, 308.865.8966 or messersmitas@unk.edu
Twenty-four University of Nebraska at Kearney students have been selected for membership in Mortar Board, the national honor society for outstanding seniors, according to Dr. Amber Messersmith, UNK Mortar Board adviser.
The formal induction of the new members will be held on Sunday, April 15. Students are selected for membership based on their academic achievements and their demonstrated leadership.
The new members are listed below, alphabetically, by hometown.
Alma – Hilke Brandon, daughter of Gary and Doris Brandon of Alma, has a double major in sports and business administration. She is the president of the Alpha Phi sorority, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, Student Diplomat, a member of the Order of Omega a Greek honor society, the Gold Torch Society, a mentor for the Honors Program, secretary of the Sports Administration Majors Club, and a member of the Cross Country and Track teams. Brandon is also a Regent’s Scholar, Honors Program Cook Scholar and a Dean’s List student. She is the recipient of several awards including the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Academic All-Conference Honorable Mention for Cross Country and the Outstanding Chapter Leader- Honorable Mention.
Bennington – Katie Pearson, daughter of Chuck and Kathy Pearson of Bennington, is a business administration major with an emphasis in accounting. She is the vice president of administration for Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, vice president of administration for Panhellenic Council and a member of the Order of Omega, a Greek honor society. Pearson’s academic achievements include the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society, Alpha Omicron Pi highest freshman GPA, UNK Chancellor’s Scholarship, Ed & Betty Cook Scholarship and Recruitment Counselor for Sorority Greek Life.
Cozad – Kyle Gibbens, son of Tom and Denise Gibbens of Cozad, is a biology major with a health science emphasis. He is the undergraduate coordinator of the Campus Kitchen Project, scholarship chair for Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, vice president of Health Science Club, Chemistry Club treasurer, member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), Model United Nation and participated in the Student Summer Research Project. Gibbens’ other achievements include the Dean’s List, National Organization of the Month winner for November 2011 for Campus Kitchen, Honors Program and Phi Eta Sigma national honor society.
Elkhorn – Samantha Seina, daughter of Shirene and Michael Seina of Elkhorn, is a business administration and marketing major. She is the vice president of chapter operations for the Alpha Phi sorority, a member of the Lopers Programming and Activities Council (LPAC) and the American Marketing Association. Seina is also a Dean’s List student.
Ericson – Katie Swett, daughter of Robert and Sharon Swett of Ericson, is majoring in organizational communication. She is a Student Diplomat, the vice president of Loper Liaisons, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, a New Student Enrollment Team leader and a member of the UNK Newman Center Student Ministry Council. Swett’s other achievements include the Dean’s List, recipient of the Thompson Scholar scholarship, 2011 UNK Homecoming Queen and 2011 Outstanding Sophomore of the Year.
Fremont – Marissa Niday, daughter of Tony and Marsha Niday of Fremont, is a business administration major. Her involvement at UNK includes the UNK soccer team, president of the Society for Human Resource Management, UNK Gold Torch Society, Honors Program, Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Phi Eta Sigma national honor society. Niday has also been a Dean’s List student for five semesters, a recipient of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Academic All Conference first team, and winner of the Business and Technology Dean’s Academic Excellence Award for five semesters.
Fullerton – Miranda Stanczyk, daughter of Paul and Eileen Stanczyk of Fullerton, is an elementary education and special education major. She is the president of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, the Elementary Education Club treasurer, secretary of the Order of Omega and a member of the Pride of the Plains Marching Band Color Guard. Stanczyk is also a member of the Honors Program, Phi Eta Sigma national honor society, a UNK Chancellor’s Scholarship recipient and was the recruitment counselor for Greek Life in 2011.
Gering – Adam Peters, son of BJ and Alynn Peters of Gering, is a psychobiology major with an emphasis in pre-medicine. Peters is the president of the Health and Sciences Club, a Chancellor’s Student Ambassador, member of the Honors Program and a member of the Glass and Sculpture Club. He is also the recipient of a Board of Regents Scholarship and has been a Dean’s List student for four semesters.
Gibbon – Libby Manfull, daughter of Jim and Pat Manfull of Gibbon, is a business administration major with an emphasis in marketing. She is a Mantor Hall resident assistant, the president of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), the Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH) Regional Recognition Committee member and 2012 MACURH Conference recognition chair. Manfull is also a Gold Torch Society member, an Outstanding Junior Marketing Student, a Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society member for business and a member of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society.
Hastings – Whitney Nelson, daughter of John and Marsha Nelson of Hastings, is a biology and health science major. She is a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), Phi Eta Sigma national honor society, Health Science Club, Order of Omega and was a resident assistant. Nelson has also received recognition as a board member of the year, 2010-2011; UNK Female Resident Assistant of the Year, 2010-2011; UNK Student of the Month, September 2011; and is a Dean’s List student.
Holdrege – Jena Isaacson, daughter of Jim and Janice Isaacson of Holdrege, is a psychobiology major with an emphasis in pre-occupational therapy. She is a member of the volleyball team and was the Track and Field team captain from 2010-2012. Isaacson is also the leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative. She has also received All-Academic Awards for track and field in the 2010-2011 seasons, the All-American award in pentathlon for track in 2012 and has been a Dean’s List student for seven semesters.
Humphrey – Laura Brockhaus, daughter of Mark and Jeanne Brockhaus of Humphrey, is an elementary education and early childhood unified major. She is involved in Kappa Delta Pi, the Newman Center Student Ministry, the Honors Program, Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and studied abroad in the Netherlands through the Honors Program. Brockhaus is also a Dean’s List student, a participant in Summer Student Research and a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class.
Kearney – Ariane Aten, daughter of Luke and Vicki Aten of Kearney, is a business administration major. She has held several positions in the Alpha Phi Sorority including president, vice president, director of scholarship and director of continuous open recruitment. Aten was also the Homecoming Chair of the Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC), a member of the Honors Student Advisory Board and a Dean’s List student.
Kearney – Joshua Englund, son of Steve and Jeanette Englund of Kearney, is majoring in athletic training and pre-physical therapy. He is the president of the UNK Athletic Training Student Association and a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Englund is also a Resident Assistant and has been a Dean’s List student for five semesters.
Kearney – Jordan Moncrief, son of Robert and Sandi Moncrief of Kearney, is an exercise science major. He is the director of policy and counsel to the president for the UNK Student Government Executive Branch, an executive board member of the Health Science Club, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the Interfraternity Council and coaches youth football. Moncrief is also an Omaha World-Herald/Kearney Hub Scholar and the recipient of the Richard Serbousek Scholarship.
Lincoln – Brianna Nelsen, daughter of Ryan and Anita Nelsen of Lincoln, is a psychobiology major with a pre-physician assistant emphasis. She has held several offices in the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, is a member of the swim team, treasurer of the Order of Omega, Greek Week administrative chair and a peer health educator. Nelsen is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society, the Psi Chi psychology honor society and the recipient of a Board of Regents Scholarship.
Pierce – Kathy Venteicher, daughter of Lyle and Denise Venteicher of Pierce, is majoring in secondary education with endorsements in Spanish and ESL. She is a member of the Newman Center Council, vice president of public relations for the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), member of the Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN) and the UNK Habitat for Humanity Secretary. Venteicher is also a member of the Honors Program, Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and the Kappa Delta Pi National Education Honor Society. Venteicher was a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class and the 2012 Peru Semester Abroad Program. She is also the recipient of the Executive Board Member of the Month.
Roca – Alyx Lingenfelter, daughter of Gale and Leslie Lingenfelter of Roca, is majoring in wildlife biology. She is a resident assistant, a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, a Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls Conference staff member, the president of Habitat for Humanity, treasurer of the Wildlife Society and a member of the Biology Club. Lingenfelter is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and the Honors Program. She is also the recipient of the Diane Poh Ling Safari Club $3,000 Scholarship and the Outstanding Student Leadership Award.
Scottsbluff – Justin Vogel, son of Kendall and Donna Vogel of Scottsbluff, is a business administration major with an emphasis in marketing. He is the Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Hall (MACURH) 2012 board of directors conference chair, president of the Residence Hall Association, the standards board chairman of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary. Vogel is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and the Honors Program. Vogel is also a recipient of the MACURH three-year service award with Academic distinction, was the Outstanding Junior Marketing Student in 2011 and received the MACURH Bronze Pin award.
St. Libory – Kira Putscher, daughter of Tim and Penny Putscher of St. Libory, is majoring in nursing. She is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, the treasurer of the Student Nurses Association, a member of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and the Honors Program. Putscher is also a Dean’s List student.
St. Paul – Krista Scheer, daughter of Tim and Amy Scheer of St. Paul, is an athletic training major. She is a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, the UNK Honors Program and the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society. Scheer is also a Dean’s List student.
Valley – Luke Conrad, son of George and Nancy Conrad of Valley, is a business administration major with an emphasis in management. He is the president of the Interfraternity Council, a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Honors Program. Conrad has been a Dean’s List student for five consecutive semesters and is the recipient of the Oldfather Family Scholarship.
Iowa
Council Bluffs – Allison Palmer, daughter of Gary and Jean Palmer of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is a family studies major. She is the president of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, a member of the Sapphires Dance Team and a Student Diplomat. Palmer is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma national honor society, the Gold Torch Society, the Honors Program and is a Dean’s List student.
Wisconsin
Waupaca – Morgan Abert, daughter of James and Connie Abert of Waupaca, Wis., is a biology major with an emphasis in health science. She is a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, the captain of the women’s soccer team, a Health Science Club member and the Order of Omega Greek honor society. Abert is also a participant in undergraduate research in the genetics laboratory, an Academic All-American, a recipient of the Alpha Phi scholarship and has been a Dean’s List Student for three years.
