Impacts from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Charter Week celebration continue to be felt on campus, across the Cornhusker State and around the world.
The Charter Week celebration, held Feb. 11-16, is part of a yearlong observance of the 150th anniversary of the university’s founding on Feb. 15, 1869. Other key events during the year include the N150 Nebraska Lectures, homecoming, State of the University address and commencement exercises.
Charter Week events included a performance gala at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, fireworks over Pound Hall, historic lectures, open houses, halftime hoopla at Pinnacle Bank Arena, a student-centric conversation with Sen. Ben Sasse, and Glow Big Red — a day during which Huskers near and far were encouraged to show their support by lighting, flying and wearing their Nebraska red — or by giving some green to the University of Nebraska Foundation.
“We honor the past and look to the future. Thanks to everyone involved for their commitment and excellence in a brilliant, deeply personal and meaningful N150 Charter Week celebration and for the rest of the year to come.”
Chancellor Ronnie Green
Happy N150 from the Nebraska FIRST LEGO League Championship! #NERoboticsExpo #N150 #NE4H pic.twitter.com/RKzcvZvKZL
— Nebraska 4-H (@Nebraska4H) February 16, 2019
The celebration included a proclamation by Gov. Pete Ricketts, declaring Feb. 8-15 to be Charter Week in Nebraska. The proclamation celebrated the university's mission and the more than 290,000 Huskers who have have earned degrees from Nebraska.
It's @u_nebraska Charter Week in Nebraska. Happy 150th birthday, NU! #N150 pic.twitter.com/MMHYGy11i7
— Gov. Pete Ricketts (@GovRicketts) February 15, 2019
The "Music and Milestones" gala at the Lied Center featured Jeff Zeleny, a Nebraska alumnus and senior White House correspondent for CNN, as host. Other notable participants included Nebraska natives Dick Cavett and Marg Helgenberger; alumni Roxane Gay, Willa Cather and Ted Kooser; and current Husker Karen Richards.
It was such a fun evening! And to have my family at the event made it even greater. The spirit of Willa Cather is in all Nebraskans. #N150 https://t.co/CS9pUsiD8E
— Marg Helgenberger (@MargHelgen) February 18, 2019
Click the image below to watch the entire "Music and Milestones" event, which was recorded by NET.
After the Lied event, fireworks lit up the night over Pound Hall, Sheldon Museum of Art and Love Library.
What a way to wrap up Glow Big Red. Celebrating 150 years of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. #N150 pic.twitter.com/nUyqjewkyn
— Brad Stauffer, APR, Ed.D. (@stauffcat) February 16, 2019
The weeklong celebration also spurred a number of social media posts from Nebraska alumni, fans and supporters from near and far.
Happy 150th birthday to my alma mater! So many fun memories and wonderful people! Huskers for life! GO BIG RED! #N150 #UNL pic.twitter.com/9xHhSCVS0P
— Erin M. (@homewiththeboys) February 16, 2019
We’d like to wish @UNLincoln a happy 150th birthday! Thanks for the continued partnerships in ag research, the Nebraska Corn Checkoff Presidential Chair, extension and providing us with quality interns and students to lead the future of the ag industry. #GlowBigRed #UNL #N150 pic.twitter.com/wYM4XEMu6A
— Nebraska Corn Board (@NECornBoard) February 15, 2019
#GlowBigRed From Panama to @UNLincoln @IANRGlobal ! pic.twitter.com/UDi1cmWJ4R
— Sabrina Vasquez (@Sabri_VS) February 15, 2019
Red Burns Brighter. Happy 198 days until football season!#GlowBigRed #N150 pic.twitter.com/Tr5q1Y3e38
— Husker Caturday (@HuskerCaturday) February 15, 2019
The Glow Big Red giving campaign organized by the NU Foundation ended with more than 1,500 donors contributing more than $161,000. Gifts were received from Huskers in all 50 states and across three continents.
#UNL’s 150th anniversary. We wear Red as we give back. #GlowBigRed #GlobalNebraska #UNLCUSP pic.twitter.com/5RMPhVWC9G
— Iribagiza rya Ndahiro (@LoritaNina) February 14, 2019
Other events during the week included Charter Day open houses at the Wick Alumni Center and Dairy Store; an N150 history exhibition; opening of "Cherish Nebraska" on the fourth floor of the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall; an N150 Nebraska Lecture on the history of campus architecture, delivered by Kay Logan-Peters, professor of libraries; and a Heuermann Lecture featuring Steve Cernsky, deputy secretary with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Don't fear! The #UNL charter made it home safely after its big day in the spotlight! Happy birthday, UNL! #N150 #NeitherSnowNorRain @UNLincoln @UNL_Lib pic.twitter.com/MzDOjfiuqb
— UNL Archives (@UNLarchives) February 15, 2019
Click the image below to see photos from each event held during the weeklong celebration. Links to videos featured during Charter Week are available above, at right.
