|
Outstanding Alumni Award
 Brad received a degree in music education from WSC. In 1992, he earned a master’s degree in music from the University of Wyoming. He began his instrumental music career in the Emerson-Hubbard schools in 1977 and has taught instrumental music in the Wayne Community Schools since 1986. Brad has served as an adjunct instructor of music at WSC since 1984. Throughout his career, Brad’s strongest interest has been that of teaching and providing exceptional musical experiences for all interested students at all levels of talent. He began in 1977 and continues to serve as a very active adjudicator and clinician throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Brad and his wife Deb (who is employed at WSC in the Counseling Center) are parents to three grown daughters.
 Rowan is a lifelong reside of Wayne. He attended WSC for two years prior to graduating from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1955. For many years he was associated with his grandfather and father in the funeral business. Rowan was the recipient of the Nebraska Funeral Directors Hero’s Award for saving a life. Rowan returned to WSC earning a degree in industrial education in 1983. He continued at WSC as a graduate assistant while attaining a master’s degree in industrial technology in 1986. He was an adjunct instructor in applied science at WSC and became director of Cooperative Education, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. Rowan and his wife, Twila (Heier, WSC ’67) are parents to two grown children.
ReNae graduated from WSC earning a degree in education. She received a master’s from UN-O and a doctorate from UN-L. She is currently the assistant superintendent for the department of Curriculum and Learning in the Omaha Public Schools. She is at the helm of the district action plan to raise student achievement for 85 schools. She started her career in art and social studies classrooms as a teacher for the Omaha Public Schools. Prior to her present position, ReNae served as an award winning and nationally recognized Principal at the Alice Buffett Magnet Middle School, Omaha. In 2010, she was awarded the Region VII Midwest Principal of the Year Award and her school was cited as one of the top 15 in the nation based on the school’s standardized middle grade assessment scores.
Joe graduated from WSC earning a degree in political science. He currently serves as vice president in the Office of Government Affairs. He joined Goldman Sachs in February 2010. Prior to joining the firm, Joe was senior director of federal government relations at the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America. Previously, he served as deputy assistant to Vice President Dick Cheney for legislative affairs, as assistant national field director on the 2008 Romney for President campaign and as floor assistant for Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) in the Office of the Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives. Joe was a four-year letterman in baseball at WSC. He resides in Arlington, Va.
 Pearl received a bachelor’s degree in art from WSC and taught K-12 in Brisbane, Australia following graduation. She spent a period of time backpacking before returning to study at Kansas State University where she received her M.A. in sculpture and art history. She furthered her studies at University of Nebraska, Lincoln where she received her Ph.D. with research interests in the area of art hazards. She was appointed to the position of Admiral in the Nebraska Navy, a state service award, for her services in the area of art hazards. In addition to teaching at WSC she has also served as the Division Head of Fine Arts and Department Chair for the Department of Art and Design.
 Daniel graduated from WSC earning a degree in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. While a student at Wayne State College, Dan completed a cooperative education experience with First National Bank of Omaha at locations in Omaha and Wayne. Following graduation he was hired at First National Bank of Omaha and has held several positions with the organization currently holding the title of Technology Officer for First National Information Technology in the National Business - Servicing Department. Dan serves as the First National liaison to the WSC Computer Technology and Information Systems Department and is also a member of the CTIS Advisory Board. Dan, his wife Michelle, and their daughter Joelle reside in Omaha.
 Jaim graduated from WSC earning a degree in elementary education. He has taught for ten years, currently teaching first grade in Arlington, Virginia. His teaching career started in Omaha at Millard Public Schools. It was in Omaha in 2001 when Jaim developed a passion for training teachers and future teachers and has become a national trainer. Jaim is a member of the National Education Association currently serving as the elected NEA Mid-Atlantic Caucus Director, NEA Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Caucus Director and serves on the VEA Women and Minority Concerns Committee. Jaim was invited to attend the 2011 Bullying Prevention Conference at The White House where he met with the President and First Lady in the Oval Office to discuss his work on bullying prevention in public schools.
 Amy graduated from WSC earning a degree in psychology/sociology/human services counseling. After earning master’s and doctorate degrees in industrial/organizational psychology at Kansas State University, she worked with the Strategy and Process Planning team at Ford Motor Company in Michigan. In 1997 Amy joined the IDEA Center in Manhattan, Kansas as their associate director working on program assessment for Kansas State University. When the Center became a non-profit organization in 2001, Amy became the vice president for integrative client services and now serves as vice president for knowledge management and special projects. She is actively involved in her community, serves on various committees at the Amanda Arnold Elementary School , and is a member of the Kansas State University Psychology Department Advisory Council.
Lynn studied art and industrial education
at Wayne State, specializing in sculpture. By
the time he graduated from college, Lynn
had designed an organ that he then built
during the year following his graduation.
Exposure to the organ and its music first
came through his sister, a church organist
and working for an organ service company
during his college years. Lynn founded
Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd., in 1974,
near his home in Lake City, Iowa. He and
his firm have built an impressive reputation
by completing more than 89 organs and 35
restorations. Lynn serves as president and artistic director.
Laurie attended WSC as a nontraditional
graduate student and attained
a master’s degree while working with the
State of Nebraska as a protection and
safety supervisor, a position she held for
14 years. After receiving her master’s
degree, she served as a therapist for
Health & Human Services. Laurie started
Good Life Counseling & Support, LLC, in
1999 in Norfolk, where she is a licensed
professional counselor and independent
mental health practitioner. Her firm
has provided internships and licensure
supervision for WSC undergrads in Human Services Counseling.
Beverly received a bachelor’s degree in business education from
WSC; earning a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
in 1978. She is employed at the Nebraska
Department of Education as the career
field specialist for communications and
information systems, providing leadership
in curriculum development for Nebraska
business and information technology
instructors. She has facilitated numerous
workshops and curriculum writing teams. As
a secondary business education instructor
for 21 years, Beverly has received numerous
teaching awards and remains active in
professional organizations.
Dean earned a degree in biology, with minors in earth
science and art. After graduation he worked at WSC as an assistant
to the President, before moving on to
Purina Mills and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
He left corporate America to pursue
a traveling adventure, covering 28
countries. Photography became a
natural expression of the journey for
him as he documented and verified the
common ground of humanity. When
not traveling he lives in Fremont and
keeps busy as a newspaper columnist,
photojournalist and keynote presenter
across the country.
Ingrum graduated with a speech communication major and a physical education minor. He was a
wide receiver for the Wildcats football team. Ingrum moved to Littleton, Colo., in 1981, where he
embarked on a career in the roller skating industry. He owns six roller skating rinks in Colorado
Springs, Denver and Kansas City. He started the Skating Rink Inline Hockey Association in 1997,
which has more than 5,000 players and is the largest private inline hockey organization in the
nation. Ingrum’s other business enterprises: Ingrum Printing; Ingrum Skate Supply; and Ingrum
Sports Production Network, which was honored with a Telly Award in March 2009.
Heller graduated with honors from WSC with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She holds her CPA
certificate and is a graduate of various bank programs. She is the chief financial officer for Omaha
Financial Holdings, Inc., and its banking subsidiary, Mutual of Omaha Bank. Heller is a member of
the bank’s Board of Directors. She started her career in banking in 1978 and has a broad base of
banking knowledge. She has been a part-time accounting instructor for Metropolitan Community
College in Omaha and sits on various area boards. Prior to her current role, she was chief financial
officer and executive vice president at American National Bank, Omaha.
Rector received a specialist degree in education from WSC in 2001. He earned a bachelor's (’76)
and master’s (’80) degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He began his career in educational
administration in 1982. Rector was hired as the high school principal in 1982 in South
Sioux City, a position he held for twelve years. He became assistant superintendent at South Sioux
City in 1996. Rector was selected to his current position, Superintendent of Schools for the South
Sioux City Community School Dist., in 1999. He has served as president of the Greater Nebraska
Superintendents Association and was selected as Region III Superintendent of the Year.
Stecher received his bachelor's degree from WSC and moved to the family’s farm home (purchased
in 1878) near Hooper. After graduation, he was employed by the Hormel Company and engaged in
farming. He received a jurist doctoral degree in 1984. He has worked as a private attorney, Dodge
County attorney and was assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Nebraska. Stecher was appointed U.S.
Attorney, District of Nebraska in 2007; this position is the one of the highest-profile presidential
appointments in the state. He has received several awards, including a director’s award in 2005
from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Omaha for “superior performance” as assistant U.S. attorney.
|
