Forty-three recent high school graduates have been selected to join the Nebraska Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln this fall. This will be the sixth group to join the academy since its founding in 2013.
“The continuous increase in the number of excellent applicants who apply to the Honors Academy each year speaks to its quality,” said Kathy Farrell, dean of the College of Business. “Those selected went through a rigorous application process and were selected based on their scholastic achievement, exceptional leadership and communication skills, and desire to become future leaders in business.”
The cohort includes students from 10 states, including all areas of Nebraska, who plan to study in eight academic majors within the College of Business. They will complete most of their core and foundation business curriculum together using an action-based learning style focused on the development of critical thinking, and technical and communication skills.
“This group brings a unique set of skills and achievements coupled with the desire to challenge themselves and find ways to positively impact the academy, the College of Business and the university as a whole,” said Erin Burnette, academy director. “Our staff is eager to help this cohort learn, grow and realize their potential as they progress through their college career.”
Academy students participate in leadership activities, competitions, internships and global immersion experiences. Students receive a $2,500 scholarship to study abroad, and current academy students are studying abroad in four continents this summer. Additionally, 30 percent of academy students are participating in paid internships in nine states.
On campus, academy students are involved in more than 120 student organizations and serve in a variety of prominent leadership roles. They are also heavily engaged in philanthropy in Lincoln, where they volunteered more than 2,000 hours in the last academic year with more than 100 local organizations. The academy’s second cohort graduated in May, and these alumni will take their talents to careers and graduate schools spanning seven states.
Applications for the 2019 cohort are accepted through Nov. 2. Learn more about the Nebraska Business Honors Academy.
The following students will join the Nebraska Business Honors Academy in fall 2018. The student’s high school is included in parentheses if it differs from the hometown.
NEBRASKA:
Denton: Grayson Wegener, international business (Lincoln Southwest)
Grand Island: Brooks Douglass, economics; Katelyn Hill, actuarial science
Gretna: Broderick Diez, actuarial science
Lincoln: Abigail Nelson, marketing (Pius X); John Kubert, finance (Lincoln East); Kaylee Arndt, accounting (Pius X); Tiana Le, accounting (Pius X)
Murdock: Michael Buehre Stackpole, accounting (Weeping Water)
Nebraska City: Chloe Higgins, economics; John Funke, business administration (Lourdes Central)
Norfolk: Clayton Spray, business administration; Ethan Carlson, business administration
Omaha: Ben King, accounting (Millard North); Eleanor Hellman, business administration (Westside); Gavin Grabill, accounting (Burke); Heidi Petersen, international business (Elkhorn); John Slagle, business administration (Creighton Prep); Joshua Thiele, actuarial science (Elkhorn); Peter Owens, economics (Creighton Prep); Sophie Newman, business administration (Elkhorn South); Thomas Hermanek, business administration (Skutt Catholic)
Papillion: Ryan Roberts, business administration (Papillion-La Vista South)
Roca: Landon Kennedy, business administration (Norris); Marcus Kennedy, finance (Norris)
Scribner: Alex Von Seggern, management (Logan View)
Shickley: Megan Grote, accounting
Springfield: Kevin Rice, actuarial science (V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic)
ELSEWHERE:
Le Mars, Iowa: Carlyn Bretey, international business (Gehlen Catholic)
Palatine, Illinois: Natalia Koval, actuarial science
Carbon, Indiana: Kennedy Johnston, actuarial science (Northview)
Goddard, Kansas: Ben Samway, finance (Bishop Carroll Catholic)
Olathe, Kansas: Abigale Stutzman, management (De Soto)
Overland Park, Kansas: Christopher Burgess, marketing (Blue Valley Northwest)
Thurmont, Maryland: Gage Randall, actuarial science (Catoctin)
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Ashley Zugay, economics
Burnsville, Minnesota: Molly Olander, actuarial science (Eastview)
Edina, Minnesota: Maria Boman, business administration
Lake Winnebago, Missouri: Samuel Stott, economics (Lee’s Summit West)
Weldon Spring, Missouri: Samantha Markus, finance (Francis Howell)
Wentzville, Missouri: Emma Rose, actuarial science
West Chester, Ohio: Alex Botkin, marketing (Lakota East)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Avery Scott, economics (Lincoln)
