Dr. Kenya Taylor
Mortar Board adviser, 308.865.8843
Mortar Board, a national senior honor society, has initiated 22 University of Nebraska at Kearney juniors into membership for the coming academic year.
“Mortar Board is a national senior honor society that recognizes college seniors for their achievements in scholarship, leadership and service,” said Dr. Kenya Taylor, Mortar Board adviser. “It provides opportunities for continued leadership development, promotes service to colleges and universities, and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community.”
“The selection of Mortar Board members is based on honoring the best of the best,” Dr. Taylor said, adding that the UNK chapter promotes projects that support the organization’s national project, “Reading is Leading” literacy initiative. The chapter has also participated in projects with the Habitat for Humanity and Campus Kitchen.
Selection of new members is based on the students’ campus involvement throughout their college years. Students who are selected for membership must maintain at least a 3.2 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale, be recognized as campus leaders, and have an active history of service to the university and community.
The chapter also sponsors a “Last Lecture” each spring. This year, Dr. Gene Wubbels, UNK professor of chemistry, was selected to present the annual Mortar Board “Last Lecture.” Mortar Board members choose a faculty member based on that faculty member’s teaching and participation with students. The lectures may be based on a faculty member’s professional or personal life.
Mortar Board initiates are listed below, alphabetically by hometown:
Aurora – John Lawless, a business administration comprehensive major with a minor in political science, is the son of Sandy and Jack Lawless.
Aurora – Ryan Grossnicklaus, a business administration major, is the son of Karen and Kelly Goodin. He will serve as treasurer for Mortar Board.
Blue Hill – Rachel Hall, a biology comprehensive major, is the daughter of Lori and Douglas Hall.
Fairmont – Phillip Boon, a business administration major with a minor in management, is the son of Melanie and Sam Boon.
Filley – McKenzie Wiese, an exercise science major with a minor in health science, is the daughter of Sheryl and Alan Wiese.
Grand Island – Viridiana Almanza Zavala, a history and political science major, is the daughter of Angelica Zavala and Martin Almanza.
Hartington – Wesley Thoene, an organization communication comprehensive major with a minor in psychology, is the son of Lauren and Robert Thoene.
Hastings – Stephen Goodin, a chemistry major, is the son of Dora and Rod Goodin.
Kearney – Sarah Abels, an elementary education major, is the daughter of Ann and Arlee Abels. She will serve as chair of alumni relations for Mortar Board.
Kearney – Mackenzie Bohl, a psychology major with a minor in special education, is the daughter of Karen and Larry Bohl. She will serve Mortar Board as the membership chair.
Kearney – Matthew Jensen, a chemistry comprehensive major, is the son of Elisa and Jerry Jensen. He will serve as the Mortar Board secretary for next year.
Kearney – Paloma Mena-Werth, a music education major, is the daughter of Jane and Jose Mena-Werth. She will serve as the Mortar Board vice president.
McCook – Emily Geschwentner, an art education K-12 major, is the daughter of Kristi and Terry Geschwentner.
Ogallala – Caitlin Foy, a communication disorders major, is the daughter of Mary Kay and Paul Foy. She will serve as the historian for Mortar Board next year.
Omaha – Julie Wawers, a secondary English and history education major, is the daughter of Kathy and Brett Wawers.
O’Neill – Bergan Carr, a criminal justice comprehensive major, is the daughter of Brad Carr. She will serve as president of Mortar Board for the coming year.
Petersburg – Megan Faust, a business administration comprehensive major with a minor in entrepreneurship, is the daughter of Patty and Alan Faust.
Pleasanton – Kevin Ripp, a business administration major with minors in health science, chemistry and Spanish, is the son of Janece and Don Ripp.
Scottsbluff – Brooke Brown, a psychology and pre-occupational therapy major with a minor in music, is the daughter of Julie and Pat Brown.
Valentine – Caitlin Jacquot, a speech communication and biology major, will serve as the communication chair. She is the daughter of Tisha Fischer.
West Point – Mikayla Brune, a psychobiology and pre-med major, is the daughter of Shelley and Steve Brune.
KANSAS
Phillipsburg – Kady Malmberg, an elementary and early childhood education major, is the daughter of Michele and Bud Malmberg.
