2003 - April - Sioux Empire Huskers

St. Mary's Parish Hall was decked with banners, red and white tables, and lots of Husker memorabilia on March 8, 2003. The Sioux Empire Husker Chapter held their annual Founders Day/Scholarship banquet. Social hour serving Nebraska Alumni Signature Wines began at 6:30, with a dinner catered by Old Towne catering at 7:00pm. A delicious buffet with roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, several salads, and cheesecake was enjoyed by the 40 attendees. Honored guests of the evening were Peter Larson and his father, and Marshal Gosmire and his father.		Troy Hassebroek & Nate Welch
Both of these fine young men were the recipients of the "Jim Abnor Scholarship". The recipients of the "Truman and Nancy Phelan Scholarship" were Kari Feigen, and KC Baldwin who were unable to attend. The guest speaker for the event was Troy Hassebroek, the 2002 NU Homecoming King. Troy is also a 2001 First-team Academic All-Big 12, and two time member of the Brook Berringer Citizenship team, and a receiver on the Husker football team. Troy spoke of his experiences as a walk-on, bowl games and a typical day as a football player. He discussed the coaching changes, and new recruits for the 2003 team. Troy is a senior, and is preparing for the NFL combine and draft. Our surprise speaker was an old friend, Nate Welch...better known as a Sioux Falls native and Lil' Red/Herbie Husker.
		Nate is a great speaker, and shared his many experiences as Little Red....many of them humorous, and also discussed the new Herbie image. It is always a treat to have Nate return "home". Door prizes, a silent auction, and the "Husker stuff" store made it possible for everyone to go home with a little piece of Husker heaven. Thanks to the committee that helped with the Founders Day event: Dave and Mary Fleck, Gordon and Sue Schulte, Paul Davidson, Joe Olsen, Brooke and Ryan White, Jim Lambert and Ed Kusek.

Sioux Empire Cornhuskers Scholarship Winners 2003
The scholarship committee interviewed 35 student applicants for the 2003-2004 academic school year. The committee comprised of Jim Lambert, Dave & Mary Fleck, Paul Davidson, Brooke White, and Angie Klemme. Students were interviewed from all over eastern South Dakota including, Brookings, Mitchell, Yankton, Salem, and Sioux Falls area schools. All of the students were of high caliber with exceptional talents and intelligence. This made the selection of just four very difficult.		*Mary Dick & Peter Larson*
Our scholarship winners are Kenneth Baldwin from Yankton who plans to major in Pre-Med, Kari Feigen of Dell Rapids with plans to major in Biology and Pre-Med, Peter Larson of Sioux Falls who is planning to study Biological Systems Engineering, and last but not least, Marshal Gosmire of Mitchell who plans to major in Business Administration.
Mary Dick, Marshal Gosmire & Dave Fleck	Some of the reasons these future University of Nebraska-Lincoln students have for choosing UNL are quality of academic programs and opportunities, Husker pride, warm, welcoming feeling they received at Red Letter Days, and the high quality honors program. If anyone is interested in helping with this committee, please give a member of the Executive Board a call. It requires very little time and is a great opportunity to meet some of the best students from South Dakota!

Budget Cuts at UNL

Chancellor Harvey Perlman announced recently his proposals for $7.5 million in reductions at UNL. Among the possible reductions is the Masters program in Museum Studies. This is the first academic program under consideration for elimination due to the budget cuts, but almost guaranteed to not be the last if Gov. Mike Johann’s budget plan is approved.

UNL is among the top five schools in the country which offer the Museum Studies program. Other schools in the country have already started contacting UNL students about possible transfers. Those schools include Big 12 rivals Baylor and Texas Tech. However, the drawback for many students comes in the way of credit transfers. Many students would essentially be starting their academic careers over. Many of the credits they currently have will not be accepted at other schools. UNL has promised to help all affected students find alternative routes within UNL. However, many students feel this is completely unacceptable. The students feel UNL currently does not offer any other programs remotely similar to the Museum Studies program. The majority of students who have voiced their concerns have said that they will have to look outside of UNL to continue their academic studies.

2003 Women's Gymnastics

"What a year!" Those have to be the words muttered by UNL Women's Gymnastics Coach Dan Kendig. This year's team is looking to be the best ever in school history. The 3rd ranked Husker Women are coming off a highly impressive win at the Master's Classic, held February 23rd in Lincoln. This year's meet proved to be the best yet. The team came into the meet ranked 5th and walked away with its 9th Master's Classic win in school history.

They collectively scored a 198.025. This was a school record like no other. They are only the third team this year to score above 198 in the entire nation. Only UCLA and Arizona State can claim this same level of superiority. It was also a new Big 12 Conference record. The win also increased the team's home winning streak to 48.

The team is being led by Junior, Richelle Simpson from Toronto, Ontario. Richelle won the all around title in the Master's Classic, as well as, set a new school record. Her score of 39.8 has put her in a tie for the highest all-around score this season within the entire nation. She holds this honor with Onnie Willis of UCLA. In addition, Richelle was named the Big 12 Gymnast of the Week for the second week running. This was the fourth time this season Richelle was given this honor.

Other impressive Husker Women include Seniors, A.J. Lamb from Lincoln, NE and Jessica Wertz from Lebanon, OH. A.J. was named the Big 12 Gymnast of the Week on January 28th. While Jessica was selected as one of 26 new members of the Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society.

UNL will play host to the 2003 NCAA Division I Women's Gymnastics Championships on April 24-26. Show your support for this winning tradition! Check out www.huskers.com for ticket information.

PRESIDENT'S NOTES

Check out the Sioux Empire Cornhuskers website at www.sehuskers.com
A thank you to the Scholarship Selection Committee: Dave and Mary Fleck, Jim Lambert, Brooke White, Angie Klemme, and Paul Davidson.
Check out ESPN.com to find out the latest on the bill before the Nebraska legislature to pay a stipend to football players...interesting proposal.
MARK YOUR CALENDERS:
- Annual summer picnic at Sertoma Park August 7th.
- Annual football bus trip NU vs. Penn State September 13th. Contact Mary Dick if you have any immediate questions.
- Annual UNL Volunteer Conference October 18th.

Perceptions about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from several Sioux Empire Cornhusker scholarship applicants interviewed this year:

After touring UNL, I realized the programs, faculty, research and many other opportunities the University offers is exactly what I am looking for.
Everyone that I have met who is currently at UNL or has graduated from UNL
loves the school!
I want UNL to be my college experience.
I loved the campus and the people there make me feel they really want me to go to UNL.
I have learned UNL has the best program for dentistry. I know many dentists and orthodontists who are UNL graduates and they are all very good.
I decided that I want to attend Nebraska because it has a large, diverse campus and a welcoming environment.
UNL has a great reputation of past graduates succeeding and I am confident that Nebraska offers one of the best places to get an education.
I think attending this school will be academically challenging and rewarding.
Lincoln is far enough south, so it won't get too cold during the winter!
I am a huge Cornhusker fan and love to watch their football games.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has some of the best academic programs in the nation.
When I went to visit Lincoln, it had the charm and appeal that I was looking for in a school.
I feel I would be able to receive a rewarding and fulfilling education at UNL.
Nebraska is a school with a lot of prestige.
I believe UNL would maximize by potential and allow me to thrive as a student and young adult.
Lincoln is a beautiful city!

I was extremely impressed with my visit to UNL and with the contact the University has kept with me since my visit.
I appreciate the extensive variety of services, educational opportunities and scholarship opportunities UNL has to offer.
Nebraska will help me continue my pursuit to better my life through a solid education and allow me to grow as an individual.
When I went to UNL for a visit, I felt so welcomed and very much at home.
The faculty seems very approachable.
I know the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will challenge me. I know the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will allow me to challenge myself in ways I have never thought possible.
I am looking forward to participating in the marching band and being part of the UNL traditions.
A little Husker pride is not a bad thing!

Sioux Empire Huskers Help Warm a Cold Night....

With the culinary talents of Dave and Mary Fleck, Brooke and Ryan White, Gordie Schulte and Paul Davis, 45 people enjoyed a warm dinner of meatballs, baked potatoes, corn, green beans and pumpkin pie at the St. Francis House on February 23. Others that helped pack lunches, serve, and clean were Jim Lambert, Angie Nelson, and Mary Dick.

The St. Francis House is a homeless shelter that provides a warm meal, bed, shower, and temporary housing for families, and individuals.

The Sioux Empire Huskers have helped out at the St. Francis house before with a personal hygiene product drive at the fall picnic, and have served meals there before. It is a very worthy cause, and rewarding experience for anyone involved. We will continue to support this cause.

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