Editor's Note — This is an op-ed written by Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson and published in the Lincoln Journal Star on Feb. 13.
Every February, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln pauses to celebrate Charter Day, a moment when we honor the vision that founded our university and recommit ourselves to the people we serve. First celebrated on February 15, 1877, Charter Day has long been a public acknowledgment of the unique partnership between UNL and the state of Nebraska—a partnership that extends to all 93 counties and remains rooted in the idea of a university of, by and for Nebraskans.
This year, Charter Day resonates with even deeper meaning for me as I begin my tenure as interim chancellor. I accepted this role without hesitation because I believe profoundly in how this institution lives its land-grant mission in both spirit and practice. UNL inspires and equips learners, leaders and scholars who are prepared to make a difference—here at home and around the world.
Nebraska has always been a place where people rely on one another. We are resilient, collaborative, and community-minded, and those shared values guide UNL’s work every day. Our impact is seen in thousands of ways across the state: in Extension educators working alongside rural and urban communities; in graduates strengthening Nebraska’s workforce across fields from health care to engineering; and in research that protects our natural resources, expands access to health care, and supports thriving communities.
Yet the reach of UNL today is broader and more dynamic than ever.
Our researchers are probing the basic mechanisms of disease, advancing discoveries that save and extend lives. Our scholars in creative engagement and cultural heritage are helping preserve the stories, artistry, and traditions that define who we are. Scientists and engineers across campus are shaping the future through breakthroughs in material sciences, energy, robotics, and autonomous technologies—fields that position Nebraska to compete and lead on a global stage. And our experts in social, behavioral, educational, and prevention sciences are strengthening communities, informing policy, and improving well-being across diverse populations.
These strengths are interwoven with cross-cutting areas—artificial intelligence, data management and preservation, ethics and public policy, high-performance computing, economics and business, and STEM learning—that reflect the richness of a comprehensive research institution. They also reflect something deeply Nebraskan: that innovation is most powerful when it serves the public good.
The path ahead is not without challenges. Like many major institutions, we face financial and demographic headwinds that require thoughtful stewardship and careful decision-making. Still, our commitment to delivering value for Nebraska has never wavered.
Charter Day reminds us that while we honor our history, we must also step boldly into the future. The opportunities before us—strengthening economic vitality, developing the workforce, advancing health and well-being, ensuring sustainability—call for visionary leadership and collective action.
UNL is uniquely positioned to help solve tomorrow’s problems today. Our university brings together expertise from across disciplines to translate knowledge into impact. And we do this work not in isolation but through strong partnerships with communities, businesses, and industries across the state. Partnerships are the engine of our shared future, sparking innovation and driving progress in ways that none of us could achieve alone.
As we celebrate Charter Day, I invite all Nebraskans to imagine the future we can create—one defined by courage, collaboration, and purpose. By harnessing the strengths of our people and embracing creativity and discovery, we can build a more prosperous and vibrant Nebraska.
Together, we will empower generations to lead boldly, courageously and with purpose greater than ourselves. That is what our university has always done, and it is the promise that will guide us forward.
