Huskers everywhere encouraged to Glow Big Red

On Feb. 14, Huskers can Glow Big Red for the 150th birthday of Nebraska’s land-grant university. Everyone who loves the University of Nebraska-Lincoln can show their support by lighting, flying and wearing their Nebraska red — or giving some green.

The steering committee for the N150 celebration wanted to find a way for all Huskers, near and far, to participate in the celebration. After working with state officials to have the Capitol lit red for Charter Day, the idea grew.

“We’re encouraging everyone to engage how they want to engage — light it, fly it, wear it, give it,” Diane Mendenhall, associate to the chancellor for external engagement and member of the committee, said. “Huskers love to show their spirit, so we’re hoping for a red-out in the state and to see a lot of red globally.”

Along with the state capitol, many buildings on both campuses, including Memorial Stadium, will glow red beginning Feb. 14, through the weekend. Huskers are encouraged to join in the red-out by lighting their businesses and homes, flying their Husker flags and wearing their red Feb. 14 and 15, as well.

Students are invited to kickoffs on both City and East campuses. The kickoffs will include cookies, photo opportunities, and the chance to engage in the Husker Civic Challenge, which is sponsored by the Center for Civic Engagement, by writing thank you messages to troops and donors. The party will be in the Nebraska Union noon to 2 p.m. and Nebraska East Union 5 to 7 p.m.

Any person who posts pictures of their participation to social media using #GlowBigRed, or who emails their photos to social@unl.edu, will be entered into drawings for prizes taking place at Charter Day events Feb. 15.

Huskers can also show their pride through philanthropy. The university, in partnership with the University of Nebraska Foundation, is holding the first Glow Big Red: 24 Hours of Husker Giving to build the next 150 years of excellence.

From noon Feb. 14 through noon Feb. 15, those who wish to support the university financially can give to the area of their choice quickly and easily through the dedicated website, huskersgive.unl.edu. There will be giving challenges throughout the 24 hours that will be announced on the website and by social media.

The university will announce how much was raised over the 24-hour period on Feb. 15. Kristi Pease, campus director for marketing and annual campaigns, said this Glow Big Red is the inauguration of an annual Day of Giving dedicated to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.