The Family & Friends Recognition Awards (formerly known as the Parents' Recognition Award) annually recognizes faculty and staff who have made a significant difference in students' lives. The Parents Association solicits nominations asking parents, family and friends to nominate a faculty or staff member. Nominations include a short explanation of why this person was nominated.
Nomination form is open December 15, 2025 – January 18, 2026.
The Family & Friends Recognition Awards, organized by Student Life and co-sponsored by the UNL Teaching Council and the UNL Parent & Family Association, honor faculty and staff who make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. These awards give parents, family members, and friends the opportunity to recognize faculty and staff who have supported, encouraged, or inspired their Husker, while also providing positive feedback to campus partners about their impact on students and the importance of strong student–faculty/staff connections.
New this year: in lieu of an in-person banquet, certificates will be delivered directly to honorees through campus mail.
On behalf of the UNL Parent & Family Association, UNL Teaching Council, and Student Life, we look forward to celebrating every nomination and recognizing the positive impact our faculty and staff make across campus.
2025 Honorees
10-YEAR RECOGNITION
William Glider | Biological Sciences
Roger Hoy | Biological Systems Engineering
5-YEAR RECOGNITION
Elina Ibrayeva | Management
Matthew Waite | Journalism
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Hassan Almokhreq | Institute for Ethnic Studies
Peter Angeletti | Biological Sciences
Marianna Burks | Biological Sciences
John DeLong | Biological Sciences
Scott Gardner | Biological Sciences
William Glider | Biological Sciences
Kevin Gonzales | Mathematics
Kimberly Hansen | Biological Sciences
Abla Hasan | Modern Languages and Literatures
Harry Ide | Philosophy
Morgan Jacoby | Psychology
Jason Kautz | Chemistry
Stephen Lahey | Classics and Religious Studies
Errapel Mejias-Vicandi | Modern Languages and Literatures
Jacquelyn Omelian | Psychology
Morgan Palmer | Classics and Religious Studies
Erica Schauer | Modern Languages and Literatures
Michael Shambaugh-Miller | Global Integrative Studies
Matthew Van Den Broeke | Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Leah Zohner | Chemistry
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES & NATURAL RESOURCES
Georgina Bingham | Entomology
Joe Canny | PGA Golf Management
Lilyan Fulginiti | Agricultural Economics
Roger Hoy | Biological Systems Engineering
Lori Jaixen | Animal Science
Brad Lubben | Agricultural Economics
Fabio Mattos | Agricultural Economics
Sue Ellen Pegg | College Relations Director
Rosalee Swartz | Agricultural Economics
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Pedro Aguero | Management
Natalie Chisam | Marketing
Heather Clemens | Actuarial Science
Elina Ibrayeva | Management
Madeline Kobza | Recruitment
Amber Messersmith | Management
Mikki Sandin | Business Career Center
Sue Vagts | Actuarial Science
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION & HUMAN SCIENCES
Anica Brown | Teaching, Learning and Teacher Education
Terry Housh | Exercise Science
Shawna Newman | Academic Advisor
Raymond Ramirez | Academic Advisor
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Christopher Bohn | Computing
Scott Moser | Academic Advisor
Muhammad Naveed Aman | Computing
Matthew Williamson | Civil and Environmental Engineering
COLLEGE OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS
Chris Graves | Journalism
Matthew Waite | Journalism
COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Greg Ariza | Criminology and Criminal Justice
Lily Ealey | Criminology and Criminal Justice
Chris Eskridge | Criminology and Criminal Justice
HIXSON-LIED COLLEGE OF FINE & PERFORMING ARTS
Byron Anway | Art, Art History and Design
Sophie Isaak | Art, Art History and Design
Jacqueline Mattingly | Glenn Korff School of Music
Daniel Novy | Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film
Sergio Ruiz | Glenn Korff School of Music
Emily Salgado | Glenn Korff School of Music
Ash Smith | Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
HUSKER ATHLETICS
Stacey Burling | Life Skills
STUDENT LIFE
Andrew Brown | Student Leadership, Involvement & Community Engagement
Cory Densberger | Nebraska Unions
Lucas Novotny | Housing and Dining Services
Melissa Wilkerson | Center for Advocacy, Response and Education
Karen Wills | Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement
Lory Erving | Dining Services
Ty Goerke | Dining Services
Pablo Rangel | Services for Students with Disabilities
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
Joe Brownell | Military and Veteran Success Center