By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Jack Thede had been preparing for this moment for a long time.
All four of his older siblings attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and it was finally his turn to officially become a Loper.
“It was pretty clear-cut where I was going to school,” he said with a smile. “I’ve probably known since the seventh grade.”
With assistance from a few family members, including a sister and cousin who are also current Lopers, the St. Paul native moved into his new home Friday inside Men’s Hall on the UNK campus.
The incoming freshman plans to study public health and health care management as a member of the UNK Honors Program. He also joined the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and is interested in several intramural sports.
“The whole summer I’ve been ready to move in and start meeting people,” Thede said. “I’m honestly really excited for the classes, too. I know that’s probably not a popular answer, but I enjoy learning and being able to specialize in something I’m passionate about.”
As he helped set up his son’s room, Phil Thede admitted it was a “bittersweet” day for both him and wife Chris, who teaches third grade at St. Paul Public Schools.
“I know mom was a little sad. She wanted to be here, but she had to work,” he said. “For me, as a dad, it’s nice to see my kid taking that next step and becoming self-sufficient.”
St. Paul is only an hour away, and the couple already knows all about the support their child will receive at UNK, so Phil certainly wasn’t worried. Plus, his job with the Nebraska State Patrol Carrier Enforcement Division brings him to the Kearney area regularly, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch up over lunch.
“I think the thing I’m going to miss the most is he’s always got something funny to say,” Phil said with a lighthearted laugh.
Families from across the state and country shared similar moments this week as students filled the UNK residence halls for the fall semester.
Fellow freshman Caden Jameson actually arrived a couple days earlier since he’s part of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, a partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center that prepares students to serve as health care professionals in rural communities. The Minden native is enrolled in the pre-physical therapy program.
“I’ve gone through physical therapy following an injury and seen the impact these professionals can have,” he said. “I want to help other people in the same way, allowing them to get back to 100% and healthy.”
Jameson participated in a Health Science Explorers summer camp as a high schooler, giving him a chance to check out everything UNK has to offer.
“That really solidified it for me,” he said. “I really liked the campus and the class sizes, and UNK also has great facilities.”
Now, he’s “super excited” to begin his first semester as a Loper.
“It feels like a pretty big moment,” Jameson said. “But I’ve been thinking about it for so long that, in my head, I’ve prepared myself already to start moving ahead on this journey.”
Inside the Health and Sports Center, Chancellor Neal Schnoor formally welcomed hundreds of students and their families to the campus community and larger Loper family.
“The two great bookends of your life here will be convocation, where we welcome you into this community, and graduation, where we send you off into the next phase of your life. In between, you are going to grow in truly amazing and yet-unknown ways,” he said during Friday’s high-energy event, which also featured messages from Kearney Mayor Jonathan Nikkila and UNK Student Body President Sam Schroeder along with performances by the Loper cheer team, Sapphires dance team and Pride of the Plains Marching Band.
Standing at half-court, Schnoor told the students he has high expectations for them, then promised to provide the highest level of support to help them achieve their goals. He offered some tips, too: Go to class. Go to class. Go to class.
And have fun.
“Not only will you experience new things and take part in exciting activities, you are also going to make friendships that will truly last a lifetime,” Schnoor said.
“I’m really excited to see your journey unfold and to share that with you.”
PHOTOS BY ERIKA PRITCHARD, ROBERTO BAUTISTA AND TODD GOTTULA
UNK COMMUNICATIONS
