By Jackson Taylor, News Editor
As the school year winds down, it’s that time again when degrees are issued and a final goodbye is said to seniors.
More than 1,900 students will be graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha this weekend on May 8 and May 9.
Convocation ceremonies for each of UNO’s six colleges, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Engineering, will be held. Each convocation ceremony is open to family members, friends and other supports. No registration or tickets are required.
UNO Chancellor John Christensen will hand out the official degrees at Sapp Fieldhouse on May 8. At the official conferral of degrees ceremony, two student speakers will reflect on their time at UNO and give ad-vice to their peers about the future. A reception will be held in the Milo Bail Student Center following the ceremony.
Undergraduate Speaker: James Horn
James Horn will be receiving a bachelor of general studies with a focus areas in biology, psychology, and business. Horn currently works for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and has plans to become an environmental scientist.
Graduate Speaker: Alicia Bower
Alicia Bower will be receiving a doctorate of philosophy and has received a master of arts in psychology in 2010. Her plan is to pursue a career as a professor.The ceremony on Friday will also include the presentation of the Citation for Alumni Achievement and the Chancellor’s Medal.
Citation for Alumni Achievement: Pete Festersen
Pete Festersen graduated from UNO in 1999, earning a master of public administration. He was elected to the Omaha City Council a decade later and now serves as council president. Festersen also owns his own company, Strategic Business Development, and has held positions at the Peter Kiewit Foundation, The Greater Oma-ha Chamber of
Commerce and Alegent Health.
Chancellor’s Medal: David Nielsen
The Chancellor’s Medal is given annually to the UNO employee who best reflects extraordinary service to their profession and commit-ment to the university. This year’s recipient is David Nielsen, Director of Operations for the UNO College of Business Administration. Nielsen has been a UNO employee since 1992.
