Matt Rhule was hired as Nebraska's 31st head coach on Nov. 26, 2022. Rhule brings 10 years of head coaching experience into his first season at Nebraska, having previously served as head coach of the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League with successful collegiate stints leading the programs at Baylor and Temple.
The 2023 season will mark Rhule's 11th season as a head coach and his 26th season as a full-time coach. Highly regarded as a program builder and player developer, Rhule brings a proven track record of collegiate success to Lincoln.
The 47-year-old Rhule orchestrated quick rebuilds at both Baylor and Temple. Temple won only two games in Rhule's first season but in year three, the Owls set a school record for victories and played in the conference championship game. After leading Temple to a conference title the next season, Rhule moved on to Baylor with similar success. The Bears won only one game in Rhule's first season but in his third year, Baylor won a school-record 11 games and played in the Big 12 Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl.
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, Rotarians Klaus Hartmann, Jennifer Williams, Brett Neely, and Eric Drumheller planted trees at Habitat for Humanity Homes. The project was made possible through a District Rotary grant with funds donated by Rotarians. Thank you to all our volunteers and to Past President Eric Drumheller, who wrote and managed the grant for our club. Here are some photos of our hardworking Rotarians with their family and friends.
Recently, Past President Mailani Veney, her family, with President John Gessert hosted a "fiesta" brunch as they celebrated different cultures featuring inbound Rotary Youth Exchange Dario Gomis and his parents visiting from Alicante, Spain. Below are pictures of the fun gathering.
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