April 25, 2023, is the Nebraskan of the Year celebration for 2023 Nebraskan of the Year RHONDA SEACREST, at Cornhusker Marriott. If you have registered, you will be receiving an email indicating your table number at the luncheon.
Rhonda Seacrest grew up in North Platte. The work ethic and the culture of a rural, pioneer town helped to set her character and her focus. Hard work is part of being in Nebraska. There were pioneers that traveled on and there were those who stayed. You do a thing, because it needs doing. You see a problem, and you solve it. These are among Rhonda’s guiding tenets.
Many years ago, Rhonda found a passion for supporting children and youth in our communities investing in backpack and shelter programs acknowledging that hungry children find it difficult to grow and learn. In that same vein, she is committed to the arts, “because they build ideas and vision for the future, “while inspiring children and helping them fuel their minds. Her goal is to make sure that all young people in Nebraska have the opportunity to be encouraged, successful, and make their communities better. Included in her support is Sheldon Statewide, which since 1987 has shared artworks from the Sheldon Museum of Art’s collection with thousands throughout the state. She and her late husband, James, have supported opera events and education throughout Nebraska via the James C. and Rhonda Seacrest Tour Nebraska Opera Fund. Likewise, the University of Nebraska—Lincoln College of Business benefits from the Seacrest Teaching Fellows program, as well as the funding of a popular course on philanthropy management.
Seacrest serves on boards for the Lincoln City Libraries, Mid-American Arts Alliance, and Public Art Lincoln. Since the pandemic, Seacrest has added food scarcity as a priority through the Food Bank of Lincoln. She has served on the Lied Center Performing Arts Statewide Advisory Board and supports several programs, especially symphony and classical music. Additionally, the Seacrest family are benefactors of the Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Sidney, North Platte and Lexington community foundations. Whether providing arts opportunities throughout western Nebraska or filling backpacks with food for students that need it, or teaching UNL students about how best to give back to their communities, Rhonda Seacrest lives the Rotary ideal of “Service of Above Self” in quiet ways that are fundamental in making sure that all of our youth have the opportunity to be successful.
We are so very proud to recognize Rhonda Seacrest as the 2023 Nebraskan of the Year.
Click here to purchase your Nebraskan of the Year ticket luncheon.
Recently, Hunter Traynor was introduced by Regina Werum on behalf of Dianne Mendenhall. Hunter Traynor is an attorney at Rembolt Ludtke LLP, where his practice focuses on estate planning, business services, and real estate. He’s originally from Elkhorn, NE. Hunter received a degree in political science from UNL, where he was heavily involved as an undergraduate. He graduated with the highest distinction from the University of Nebraska College of Law. Hunter loves travel, books, exercise, and music.
Hunter Traynor with Regina Werum and President John Gessert
Despite winter temperatures this past weekend, the Spring Rotary Roadside Clean-up was a success! Big thanks to all the volunteers: Doyle Hulme, Susan Dinsmore, Bill Waddell, Terry Wittler, Ken Koop, Christine Krueger with her son Tyson and granddaughter Olivia, Jennifer Williams, and Pat Birch. Special thanks to Project Chair Pat Birch. Here are some photos of Rotarians in Action.
The Rotary Dictionary Literacy Project was recently concluded with Rotarians distributing the dictionaries to Lincoln Public Schools. Thank you to all Rotarians who attended the Dictionary Labeling Party and distributed the dictionaries to the schools. Special thanks to Project Chair Christie Weston. Here are some photos:
Allen Beermann and Fred Ohles at Roper Elementary School
Tom Allman, Jr., Mahendra K. Bansal, Landon Bartel, Geoffrey Cline, Lori Cook-Benjamin, Nick Cusick, Erin Dobesh, Ryan Dobesh, Ryan Foor, Glenn Friendt, Lisa Froehlich, John Gessert, Jim Griesen, Josh Hanshaw, Priscilla Henkelmann, Courtney Hillebrecht, Scott Holechek, Chris Hove, Katie King, Jess Kinser, Art Knox, Shawntell Kroese, Mari Lane Gewecke, Scott Larson, Pat Leach, Lisa Lee, Mitch Lee.
Thanks to their generosity, Club 14 projects and partnerships will flourish. The Gathering Place will have continued volunteers; scholarships will be funded, the Rotary 14 Foundation will grow its endowment and children at Everett Elementary School will have more adults who care about them. These fellow Rotarians provide credence to the value of Club 14’s mission to serve this community and beyond.
The Rotary Foundation (International Foundation) has consistently received 4 stars out of 4 Star Rating by Charity Navigator. So you can donate with absolute confidence! Click here to donate online to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) of Rotary International (RI). Our goal this year for both the Annual Fund and PolioPlus is $32,000. So far, we have met $14,524. We still need to raise $17,476.00. We need your help. Your donation comes back to us in three years in the form of Global and District grants to spend on our projects. Thank you to those who have donated so far this year. The following are our YTD 2022-2023 Rotary International Foundation Donors as of January 8, 2023.
Here's the unedited live capture video of President John Gessert's rendition of Come Together Right Now, Rotary! The performance earned President John Gessert and his Rotary band a standing ovation from fellow Rotarians.
Club Information
Connect with Rotary 14
Rotary 14 is the place to be.
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
Talon Room
230 N 12th Street, Suite 1
Lincoln, NE 68508 United States of America
The Rotary Club of Lincoln is meeting in a hybrid format. Join us at the Talon Room or on Zoom using the following information:
To join the meeting virtually, use this link: https://bit.ly/3YosV2W
Meeting ID: 849 7976 2224
Password: 661910