The Board of Regents is pleased to recognize a group of employees that Chancellor Kristensen and the University of Nebraska at Kearney community have named Campus Heroes. This group is represented today by six individuals: Tyler Ellyson, Communications and Marketing; Brenda Marker, Facilities Planning and Management; George Holman, Residence Life; Jim Davis, Police and Parking Services; Ted Eichholz, Emergency Operations; Michael Fleming, Sodexo Dining Services and Cyndi Gloodt, Regional Manager for Food Services.
July was a difficult month for the City of Kearney and its neighboring communities, due to unprecedented flooding and the damages that resulted. Difficult times, however, can bring out the best in people, and that is the case for these individuals and the groups they represent. Scores of Kearney residents and travelers at local hotels found themselves stranded and evacuated with virtually no notice. UNK鈥檚 Communications team, Residence Hall staff, Facilities staff, Police force, Sodexo Dining Service, and Emergency Operations team helped meet the challenges. They invested hours of time and energy, in many cases leaving their own homes and families, to make it possible for more than 300 people (and their pets) to take refuge in residence halls for several days while flood waters receded. Businesses struggled, too, and again with the efforts of the Campus Heroes, UNK provided relief where and how it could. Wedding receptions were rescheduled to campus venues. When hotel lobbies were under water, hotel staffs desperate to contact in-coming reservations were provided temporary office space. 鈥淟ooking back,鈥 Chancellor Kristensen says, 鈥淚 could not be more proud of my colleagues for their community spirit, their genuine kindness, and for representing UNK so well.鈥 They are modest, however. They say they did what Nebraskans do; they helped those who needed it.
Congratulations to UNK鈥檚 Campus Heroes. The Board of Regents is proud to present this KUDOS Award in recognition of their commitment and excellence, far beyond the ordinary.
Interim President Fritz; Ted Eichholz, Emergency Operations; Brenda Marker, Facilities Planning and Management; Tyler Ellyson, Communications and Marketing; Jim Davis, Police and Parking Services; Chancellor Kristensen; George Holman, Residence Life; Cyndi Gloodt, Regional Manager for Food Services; Regent Kenney; Michael Fleming, Sodexo Dining Services; Jon Watts, Vice Chancellor Business and Finance.