Phil Kozera
director of development, University of Nebraska Foundation, 308-698-5278.
A family’s devotion to Maxine Morrison
Inaugural lecture series focuses on accomplished women
Kearney, NE, Oct. 23, 2009 – A new lecture series honoring the spirit of former Nebraska first lady, Maxine Morrison, takes place at 12:15 p.m. Sunday in the Ponderosa Room of the Nebraskan Student Union at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Frank Morrison was devoted to his wife Maxine. She was an accomplished singer, teacher, businesswoman and politician who raised a family with a successful husband who was a teacher, a lawyer and served as governor of Nebraska from 1961-67.
She was a fashion director for Golds department store in Lincoln, Neb., and – while serving as first lady of Nebraska – she chaired the National Governors Wives Association and led the first Nebraska trade mission to Europe.
Before his death in 2004, just a month after Maxine died, Frank and his daughter Jean Galloway often spoke of his devotion to Maxine.
“It was truly one of my father’s last wishes,” Galloway said. “He felt there was always so much attention on him and he had this extraordinary wife and I had this extraordinary mother. So he hoped to work to see something of value to carry her name and I think this is a perfect fit.”
The perfect fit is the Maxine Morrison Lecture Series on Oct. 25 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Created by Galloway through an initial gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation, the lecture series is a tribute to her mother and the influence of women.
“My parents were an amazing team together and my mother was a woman before her time,” Galloway said. “I think the message that will come through this lecture series is more around the power of womanhood and the tremendous influence that women can have on their communities, on society, without having to take a backseat and without having to always drive, either.”
The series is designed to bring leaders of industry, education and politics to campus to share their experience with the next generation of leaders. The speakers at this inaugural event are Galloway – herself an accomplished businesswoman and co-founder of the Galloway Group, a Denver-based communications and public relations firm – and Frances W. Owens, former first lady of Colorado when her ex-husband, Bill Owens served as governor from 1999-2007.
The women plan to bring a message of hope – a theme the lecture series will continue in future years.
“The students and the community will have an opportunity to hear over the years from some very accomplished women,” Galloway said. “I think we are inspired and motivated when we hear from people who have been successful and have a bit to share around that success – how they got there, decisions they had to make along the way, the hard work they put out there to accomplish what ultimately they accomplished. It’s more about accomplished women sharing and being that beacon for younger women.”
The University of Nebraska Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation that has raised private gifts to support the University of Nebraska for 73 years. Last year, it provided more than $130 million—the most ever—for students, faculty, academic programs, research, and for campus and building improvements on all four campuses.
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SIDEBAR 1 Speaker Bios
JEAN GALLOWAY – Throughout her professional and personal life, Jean Galloway has made relationship building a high priority. In January 2000, Jean formed Galloway Group – a Denver-based communications and public relations firm that specializes in working with both businesses and nonprofits to form mutually beneficial partnerships for strategic community investment. Prior to her career as a successful consultant to such clients as Wells Fargo, CH2MHILL and MillerCoors, Jean held the position of vice president, community relations for 9News, Gannett’s NBC affiliate in Denver. During this time, Jean established an exemplary record of achievement, working with a talented team to effectively position 9News as the community leader in Denver. Prior to joining 9News, Jean was president of the public relations firm of Galloway Vigil & Associates. Jean was named in 2008 by the City & County of Denver as one of 150 most influential citizens recognized in honor of the city’s 150th anniversary year and, in 2009, Jean was honored by a prominent Denver charity as one of five women who have “Changed the Heart of the City.” Jean’s community leadership has been recognized both locally and nationally with honors including Outstanding Woman in Business in the field of communications by the Denver Business Journal (2002), Emerging Business of the Year by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (2004) and Presenting Mentor for the 2006 Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs.
Jean is married to Dr. Ben Galloway, is a mother to two grown daughters and a grandmother to three young grandchildren. She is the daughter of Governor Frank B. and Maxine Morrison of Nebraska and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska.
FRANCES W. OWENS – Owens served as First Lady of Colorado from 1998 until 2006. Although a native of Colorado, Frances spent much of her childhood in Texas, but returned to Colorado to receive her degree in Art History from the University of Colorado at Denver. Frances will always be known by Coloradoans as one of the most engaged and beloved First Ladies in Colorado’s history. In addition to parenting three active children, Frances became and remains a champion for many worthwhile causes, particularly those dedicated to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. Frances’ ongoing work with the disabled was coupled with her involvement in literacy and child-related programs throughout Colorado. Her leadership and commitment to the community also extended to the Denver Zoo, Denver Hospice and Volunteers of America. One of Frances’ major contributions as First Lady was spearheading the privately funded, long-term project of renovating and restoring the Governor’s Executive Residence which was originally constructed in 1908. Frances’ leadership and humanity have been recognized by numerous organizations, including Easter Seals Colorado, Developmentally Disabled Resource Center, Mizel Center for Arts and Culture and the National Guard Association of the United States. In 2005, 5280 Magazine recognized Frances as the most powerful person in Denver.
In 2008, Frances joined Galloway Group – a Denver-based public relations and communications firm – where she currently serves as executive vice president, community affairs.
Audio clips available at http://stories.nufoundation.org/node/636
Media Contacts:
Phil Kozera, director of development, University of Nebraska Foundation, 308-698-5278.
Gary Reber, Communications Department, University of Nebraska Foundation, 402-4581155 or greber@nufoundation.org.
