On Oct. 30, community members, alumni, current students, faculty and staff came together to celebrate the work of the University Honors Program. With over 80 attendees, the “We’d Be Honored” dinner created an opportunity for community building, networking, and celebration.
Jamie Williams gave an inspiring speech about the importance of education. Williams is an educator, entrepreneur, and former Husker and pro football player. He is also the parent of a recent Honors graduate. He highlighted the ways in which the Honors Program makes a difference in the lives of the students involved, and his remarks resonated with students in attendance.
“Dr. Jamie William’s speech about grit and hard work is exactly what I needed to hear,” said Leah Bates, a third-year environmental studies major. “The further we get into the semester, the harder it is to find motivation to keep pushing through schoolwork,” Bates said. “His speech reminded me how fortunate I am to have this educational opportunity.”
Beyond the powerful keynote, the dinner was a chance for those involved with the Program to share memories, reflect on lessons learned, and see what the future holds.
Current Honors senior and software engineering major, Drake Hermanson, spoke to attendees, explaining the impact the Honors Program has had on his time at UNL, academically, socially, and professionally.
“I have learned so much about communication, leadership, community building, and developing others’ potential," Hermanson said. "Those teachings will follow me beyond college."
Additionally, Hermanson shared that his first internship experience, through the Intern Foundry program, a partnership between the Honors Program and The Foundry, set him up for success in subsequent internships and to be in the enviable position to have three separate full-time job offers for after he graduates in May 2026.
Individual student attendees, like Jocelynn Messersmith, a second-year journalism major, took advantage of the opportunity to build new connections.
“The dinner has been a great networking opportunity, and I connected with professionals in my field and made sure I’m on the right path,” Messersmith said.
Maggie Gessner, a third-year psychology and international business double major, echoed that sentiment.
“I learned so much talking to the guests tonight," Gessner said. "I made lifelong connections to people in the program and the dinner affirmed those connections.”
Meanwhile, alumnus Ray Nierman, reflected fondly on his time in the Honors Program.
“It was a chance for me to connect with other high-achieving students and this community gave me a chance to share my big dreams with others," Nierman said.
Community members like Topher Hansen, the recently retired CEO/President of CenterPointe, emphasized the importance of the role Honors plays in the lives of young people.
“This is important because it is catalytic for the world," Hansen said. "These are smart, motivated people and this program helps them discover their gifts and use them.”
Seeing so many successful current students, alumni, and community members come together affirmed the University Honors Program’s mission.
“For me this was a validation of what I did with the program," said Dr. Karen Lyons, emeritus associate director of the Honors Program, who worked with Honors from 1999-2016. "To see it going forward and accomplishing what it is meant to do, and I feel honored to have been a part of it."
