By HEIDI KNAKE
UNK Online
KEARNEY – There was no mistake made Friday when the name “Heidelk” was read back to back at the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s winter commencement.
Eva and Jenna Heidelk of Grand Island both earned their bachelor’s degree in business administration, crossing the same stage just moments apart.
The sisters didn’t start their educational journey at the same time – or even at the same institution – but they were still able to reach the finish line together.
The Journey
“I joke that Jenna was always going to graduate before me,” said Eva, the older of the two.
Eva began her undergraduate career in 2017 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an education major. After the COVID-19 pandemic, she reevaluated her path and transferred to UNK’s online business administration program with a minor in education.
As a full-time employee and mother, with another baby on the way, she found the flexibility of online learning to be a perfect fit.
“It’s honestly why I chose to be an online student,” Eva said. “I work full time. My fiancé works weird hours. Managing that and child care has really been nice because I can do assignments throughout the week, listen to lectures or be able to read the material at my own pace.”
Her younger sister was sold on UNK’s business administration program after a single campus visit.
“During that tour, they just talked about how good the business program was,” Jenna said. “The teacher-to-student ratio was perfect. I didn’t want to be in a class where my professor didn’t know who I was and didn’t care. At UNK, they do care.”
Jenna started at UNK in person but made the switch to online classes after seeing how well it worked for Eva.
“I work part time and it’s nice because my boyfriend golfs at Hastings College, so that allowed me to support him throughout his journey,” she said. “Plus, it was nice to go on vacation but still be able to do my online classes. People that do in person wouldn’t be able to do stuff like that.”
The Inspiration
Business runs deep in the Heidelk family. And the two found inspiration very close to home.
“I would definitely say my dad inspired me to go into business,” Jenna said.
Their father, Jerry, is CEO of Performance Plus Liquids in Grand Island and serves on the Fonner Park Executive Board of Directors.
“Seeing him succeed was very cool as his daughter,” Jenna said. “I want to be like him and do my own thing with business.”
Jenna, who minored in marketing and management, already manages social media for several small businesses and hopes to operate her own business one day.
Eva also is looking toward entrepreneurship, with a purpose close to home.
As a busy mother, she knows how difficult it can be to stay connected with friends, especially when those friends also have children.
“I want to open up a play café in Grand Island,” she said.
A play café is a concept popular in larger cities, where parents can enjoy coffee and conversation while their children play in a safe environment. Eva believes this addition to the growing city could help other parents feel less disconnected and allow families to find community.
“It helps parents come back to reality and touch base with their friends,” she said.
The Finish Line
As commencement approached, the sisters reflected on the commitment it took to reach that moment – and the rare opportunity to celebrate it side by side.
“It’s exciting because we have worked so hard for this,” Jenna said. “I think it’s pretty cool that we’re graduating together.”
Along the way, the two have taken many of the same classes and leaned on each other for support. They also credit UNK’s professors and resources with helping them reach their goals.
“It’s honestly been the best choice,” Jenna said. “You see kids at other schools who don’t have the resources like we do. The professors are awesome – they want to know you and see you succeed.”
“Definitely,” Eva agreed.
As for who technically graduated first?
That honor goes to older sister Eva, alphabetically speaking. Because, as Eva reminded her sister, “E comes before J.”