KEARNEY – Derek Pfeifer and Jenna Rauert are the 2025-26 Fraternity and Sorority Members of the Year at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
They were recognized Thursday evening during the annual Fraternity and Sorority Life awards banquet at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney.
Pfeifer is a junior pre-dentistry student from Central City. He’s held various leadership positions within Delta Tau Delta fraternity and served two terms on the UNK Interfraternity Council. He’s also served as a Health Science Ambassador and mentor in the Kearney Health Opportunities Program.
A member of the UNK Honors Program, Pfeifer is described as a natural leader who’s respected by his peers.
“His dedication to strengthening the Fraternity and Sorority Life community as a whole is superior,” his nomination stated. “By supporting fellow chapters, promoting collaboration, attending AFLV to bring back new ideas for FSL and leading by example, his influence can be seen throughout our community.”
In addition to this honor, Pfeifer received the Transcending Leader Award during last month’s Applauding Excellence ceremony at UNK.
Rauert is a senior from Wood River who graduates summa cum laude next week with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders. She’s served two terms on the executive board for Gamma Phi Beta sorority and was president of Greeks Advocating for Healthy Lifestyles. She also served as a Panhellenic recruitment leader, Loper Leader and UNK student liaison for the Nebraska Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
“Jenna is a well-rounded member who has a unique ability to balance her leadership roles, campus involvement and academic responsibilities effortlessly,” her nomination stated. “She is a sister who will always show up for others and can make those around her feel valued and included with her kindness and authenticity. Throughout her time as a sorority member, she has continuously gone above and beyond to support her chapter, the FSL community and UNK’s campus.”
Rauert is a member of the UNK Honors Program, Chancellor’s Ambassadors, Kearney Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association and Order of Omega and Mortar Board honor societies. She was selected as UNK’s homecoming queen last fall.
