History of the Museum
Jewell Schock taught biology and zoology courses at Wayne State College for 31 years. While teaching and leading many field trips, his students became excited about the ecology of Nebraska. Many of his students went on to be involved in natural resource conservation projects throughout the region. Jewell’s students helped collect and prepare the bird and mammal specimens that would become the basis for the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum.
One of Jewell Schock’s students, Wayne Mollhoff, became a medical technologist. In his free time, Mollhoff studied the natural history of Nebraska, and among other things, authored The Nebraska Breeding Bird Atlas. Mollhoff also had a passion for specimen preparation. Most of the bird and mammal specimens in the museum collection today were prepared by Mollhoff. These specimens are an invaluable resource for current students and future researchers.
After Jewell Schock retired from WSC, Dr. Marian Borgmann Ingwerson directed the museum and enhanced the museum displays. Dr. Barbara Hayford assumed the directorship and developed the museum in its current location and increased the museum’s outreach. Dr. Kelly Dilliard then assumed the directorship and spearheaded the preservation and organization of valuable, older specimens. The current director of the museum is Dr. Mark Hammer.