Heather Wolf
coordinator of Student Activities, Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.839
The top eight finalists for Homecoming Royalty have been announced at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, along with the full slate of nominees.
Homecoming Week is taking place now through Saturday, Sept. 22, on the campus. Royalty will be crowned on Thursday, Sept. 20, after the Lip Sync contest, which begins at 7 p.m. in the UNK Health and Sports Center. In all, there were 13 queen candidates and 13 king candidates.
Of the 26 candidates, the top eight finalists have been selected by student vote. The Homecoming Queen finalists are Alyse Andreaseon of Genoa, Katie Elder of Paxton, Whitney Nelson of Hastings and Ellen Thomas of Omaha. The Homecoming King finalists are Michael Cooley of Morrill, Dustin Dye of Waco, Pierrie Jefferson of Lincoln and Benjamin Loschen of Wilcox. The final round of voting is taking place this week.
The candidates and finalists are listed below, alphabetically by hometown, with the queen candidates listed first followed by the king candidates:
Queen candidates
Jennifer McMurtry, a senior from Bayard, is representing UNK Rotaract. She is majoring in music business and is a fourth year Honors Program student. McMurtry is the daughter of Kirt and Judy Deaver and Timothy and Peggy McMurtry.
Angela Nicholas, a junior from Central City, is representing Men’s Hall. She is majoring in visual communication and design. She is the Men’s Hall historian, a member of Loper Legion, a Welcome Week Leader and a member of the Loper Move-In Crew. She is a desk worker in Men’s Hall and is active in UNK intramurals. Nicholas is the daughter of Tim and Marie Nicholas.
Lauren Stehlik, a senior from Crete, is representing Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She is majoring in organizational communications. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Order of Omega and was the previous vice president of programming for Panhellenic Council. Stehlik is a member of Student Government, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, Gold Torch Society, and Lambda Pi Eta Housing and Dining Chair for the 2012 Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls Conference (MACURH), UNK Admissions Office student diplomat and vice president of recruitment for Loper Liaisons. She is also a member of the mentoring program through the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Undergraduate Fellows Program and was a resident assistant in University Residence South for two years. Stehlik is the daughter of Darrel and Marcia Stehlik.
Alyse Andreasen, a senior from Genoa, is representing Student Government. She is majoring in career business education 6-12. She is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, an event programmer for Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC), secretary of Student Senate, an Intramural supervisor and a part of Loper Liaisons. Andreasen is also a member Phi Beta Lambda, the College of Business and Technology Student Advisory Board, Back to School events coordinator for UNK Student Life, a member of the Nebraska State Business Education Association, National Business Education Association and is a Dean’s List student. She is the daughter of Scotty and Jolene Andreasen
Libby Manfull, a senior from Gibbon, is representing Mantor Hall. She is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in sociology. Manfull is currently serving her second term as president of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and is the senior resident assistant in Mantor Hall. Manfull is the recognition chair for the upcoming Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH) Conference, a member of Mortar Board and is a Thompson Scholar. She is the daughter of Jim and Pat Manfull.
Whitney Nelson, a senior from Hastings, is representing Antelope/Nester Hall. She is majoring in biology with a health science and a pre-med emphasis. Nelson serves as the senior resident assistant for Nester North, is a member and officer in Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Nelson is also a senator for Student Government, actively participates in Health Science Club, and is president of Mortar Board and Phi Eta Sigma. She is the daughter of John and Marsha Nelson.
Tracey Oberhauser, a junior from Lindsay, is representing CTE. She is majoring in family studies with a minor in travel and tourism, and is a Thompson Scholar. She is currently a resident assistant in CTE. Oberhauser is an active member in Loper Legion, works at both the Antelope Bookstore and The College Store, and is active in UNK intramurals. She is the daughter of Terry and Cindi Oberhauser.
Lanisa Tafoya, a senior from Omaha, is representing Alpha Phi sorority. She is majoring in studio art, sociology and Spanish, and will be studying abroad in Peru next semester. She is a member of Alpha Phi, a dance instructor and an active participant in UNK intramurals. Tafoya is the daughter of Joanne and Mike Tafoya.
Ellen Thomas, a senior from Omaha, is representing Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She is majoring in elementary education and early childhood unified. Thomas is a member of Gamma Phi Beta, Student Government, Panhellenic Council, Student Education Association of Nebraska, Order of Omega, Loper Liaisons and Kappa Delta Pi education honor society. Previously, she was a member of the New Student Enrollment Team, has participated on the UNK Women’s Soccer Team, and has served as a volunteer at Kenwood and Central Elementary Schools. She is the daughter of Rick and Sheila Thomas.
Megan Wagman, a junior from Omaha, is representing Martin Hall. She is majoring in special education K-6 and is a student diplomat, captain of the UNK Sapphires Dance Team and is serving as a resident assistant in Martin Hall. Wagman is a member of the Honors Program, Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN), Newman Center Ministry Council and a participant of the Undergraduate Research Fellowship. She is the daughter of Ric and Liz Wagman.
Katie Elder, a senior from Paxton, is representing Loper Liaisons. She is majoring in elementary education and early childhood development. Elder is a member of Alpha Phi sorority where she is the director of Alumnae Relations and is the current president of Order of Omega. She is a member of Student Education Association of Nebraska (SEAN), the Elementary Educators Club and volunteers for the Arc of Buffalo County, Kidz Explore and various elementary schools. Elder is a student diplomat, works at Smiling Faces/Happy Hands Daycare and has held positions on Panhellenic Council and St. Jude’s Up til Dawn. Elder is the daughter of Kim and Betsy Elder.
Rhonda White, a senior from St. Libory, is representing Conrad Hall. She is majoring in nursing and chemistry and is a Dean’s List student. White participates in United Campus Ministry, is the service chair of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Organization, IMPACT for poverty awareness and was a Mock Disaster Drill participant. She is the daughter of Linda Bogus.
Katie Sladek, a senior from Valley, is representing Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC). She is majoring in 7-12 social studies education. Sladek is an active member and secretary of LPAC, a member of the Honors Program, Phi Eta Sigma and has been a Zone Leader for the Big Event. She is involved in Women’s Chorus and Choraleers. Sladek is the daughter of Barry and Kristi Sladek.
King Candidates
Travis Arnold, a senior from Beaver Crossing, is representing CTE. He is majoring in business administration with an accounting emphasis and a management/marketing minor. Arnold is a third year resident assistant and vice president of the Resident Assistant Council. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, UNK Habitat, a gold tier volunteer for Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH) and last year was named the male RA of the Year. Arnold is the son of Bob and Sue Arnold.
Brandon Drozd, a junior from Genoa, is representing Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC). He is majoring in organizational communication. He is the president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and is a Chancellor’s Ambassador. Drozd is a member of LPAC, the Newman Center, Honors Program, Lambda Pi Eta the communications honor society, National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and the Undergraduate Research-Summer Student Research Program. He is a National American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year runner-up and a National American Legion Baseball Player of the Year. Drozd is the son of Edward and Janice Drozd.
Evan Petit, a junior from Gering, is representing UNK Rotaract. He is majoring in elementary education with an emphasis in special education and ESL with a minor in Spanish. Petit is the vice president of Rotaract, co-leader of Stand Up Ministry, active in Overflow, Christian Student Fellowship, UNK intramurals and benefit 5K’s. He is the son of Brett Petit and Justine Bassen.
Brock Drudik, a junior from Hastings, is representing Student Government. He is majoring in industrial distribution and is the current UNK Student Body vice president and president of the Industrial Distribution Organization. Drudik has also served as recruitment chair and historian for Sigma Phi Epsilon and is a member of Epsilon Pi Tau. He is the son of Ron and Janet Drudik.
Pierrie Jefferson, a senior from Lincoln, is representing Antelope/Nester Hall. He is majoring in family studies and is the president of Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC). He is a re-founding father of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, a peer mentor for Student Support Services and a Loper Legion executive board member. Jefferson has been a member of Ex-Officio, the student advisory board to the dean of Student Affairs, an Aspiring Student Affairs Professionals, was the 2012 student coordinator for Blue/Gold Welcome Week and works at the Welcome Desk in the Nebraskan Student Union. He is the son of Joyce Jefferson.
Austin Fletcher, a junior from Maxwell, is representing Randall Hall. He is majoring in health science/pre-chiropractic and is a second year resident assistant. Fletcher is active in UNK intramurals, Community Assembly Night (CAN) and is a staff member for the Mid-West Affiliates of University and Residential Housing (MACURH) Conference. He is also a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and has received a bronze pin from the Residence Hall Association (RHA) president for service to the organization. Fletcher is the son of Mike and Annette Fletcher.
Michael Cooley, a senior from Morrill, is representing Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and is majoring in sports management. Cooley is a Student Diplomat, New Student Enrollment Leader and vice president of the Sports Administration Majors (SAM) club. Cooley is involved in the Students in Mass Media (SIMM) honorary society, a Dean’s List student, Loper Programming and Activities Council (LPAC) and director of media relations for Student Government. He is a former member of the UNK football team. Cooley is the son of Tammy and Charles Cooley.
Ryan Brown, a junior from North Platte, is representing Mantor Hall. He is majoring in sports administration and marketing. Brown is a resident assistant in Mantor Hall, a Thompson Scholar and member of the Honors Program. He is a re-founding father of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, an active member of Loper Legion and active in UNK intramurals. Brown is the son of Derwyn and Carolyn Brown.
Justin Vogel, a senior from Scottsbluff, is representing the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and minors in music and entrepreneurship. Vogel is a member of Phi Gamma Delta, the Residence Hall Association (RHA), National Resident Hall Honorary (NRHH), Mortar Board, UNK Habitat for Humanity and the Honors Program. He has served as a two-time RHA president and as the Scholarship and Standards Board chairman for Phi Gamma Delta. Vogel is a current member of the Midwest Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH) Regional Board of Directors as the MACURH 2012 Conference Chair. He is the son of Kendall and Donna Vogel.
Dustin Dye, a senior from Waco, is representing Loper Liasons. He is majoring in travel and tourism and is the president of Alpha Tau Omega. Dye is a member of the Travel and Tourism Club, UNK intramurals, and volunteers for the Arc of Buffalo County and the Great Platte River Road Archway. He has received involvement awards for Most Involved Freshman, for involvement within Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and has also served as Louie the Loper for three years. Dye is the son of Keven and Tracy Dye.
Cory Foote, a junior from Wayne, is representing Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He is majoring in sports administration. He is the treasurer of Pi Kappa Alpha, a member of the Honors Program and the Sports Administration Majors Club. Foote is the vice president of social programming for the Interfraternity Council and works in the Student Life office. He is the son of Tammy and Brian Foote.
Benjamin Loschen, a junior from Wilcox, is representing Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He is majoring in philosophy and exercise science. Loschen is the captain of the UNK Drum and Cymbal Line, an Honors Student, an active member in Campus Ministries and a member of the local band “We are This.” He is a systems specialist at OsteoStrong. Loschen is the son of Steven and Cari Loschen.
Colorado
Jacob Newth, a senior from Julesburg, Colo., is representing Men’s Hall. He is majoring in Wildlife Biology and is a resident assistant in Men’s Hall. He is a member of the Wildlife Society, Resident Assistant Council and an active participant in UNK intramurals. Newth is the son of Gayle and Machelle Newth.
