2022 Scholarship Recipients
Stan Bond Scholarship
Jolie Peal - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jolie is an honors student and broadcasting and journalism double major who plans to graduate in May 2023. Jolie has worked for the student newspaper the Daily Nebraskan as a senior culture editor and an assistant news editor. She has also worked for Hail Varsity. She was part of a reporting team that shared a first place Eric Sevareid award this year for investigative reporting in small market radio for “State of Waste,” a podcast that examined Nebraska landfills. She also volunteers in the TeamMates program, where she mentors a middle school student.
Jolie is an honors student and broadcasting and journalism double major who plans to graduate in May 2023. Jolie has worked for the student newspaper the Daily Nebraskan as a senior culture editor and an assistant news editor. She has also worked for Hail Varsity. She was part of a reporting team that shared a first place Eric Sevareid award this year for investigative reporting in small market radio for “State of Waste,” a podcast that examined Nebraska landfills. She also volunteers in the TeamMates program, where she mentors a middle school student.
John F. Davis Scholarships
Asha Martel - Creighton University
Asha is majoring in journalism with an emphasis in public relations, advertising and news with a minor in business administration. She is a public relations and digital media intern at Sociallee PR and Digital Media. Asha has been a communications intern at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and for the Bellevue Public Schools. She has worked as a scene writer for the Creightonian. Asha is an officer in the Creighton University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and is a Media Planner for J. Blue Marketing, a student-run agency. Asha is a member of the Creighton Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fellows Program. Asha has served as a research assistant with Dr. Peggy Rupprecht for a study on student engagement in a pandemic. In 2021, Asha’s public relations team placed second in the National Organ Donor Awareness Competition.
Asha is majoring in journalism with an emphasis in public relations, advertising and news with a minor in business administration. She is a public relations and digital media intern at Sociallee PR and Digital Media. Asha has been a communications intern at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and for the Bellevue Public Schools. She has worked as a scene writer for the Creightonian. Asha is an officer in the Creighton University Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and is a Media Planner for J. Blue Marketing, a student-run agency. Asha is a member of the Creighton Arts and Sciences Dean’s Fellows Program. Asha has served as a research assistant with Dr. Peggy Rupprecht for a study on student engagement in a pandemic. In 2021, Asha’s public relations team placed second in the National Organ Donor Awareness Competition.
Gavin Struve - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Gavin is a Sports Media and Communication and Advertising and Public Relations double major graduating in May 2023. He holds a 3.85 GPA and is a four time Dean’s List student. He has been a sports reporter at the Daily Nebraskan, as well as an Omaha World-Herald Sports Reporting Fellow, where he has contributed to coverage of men’s and women’s Husker sports, including game stories on deadline, features and opinion pieces. He is a multifaceted writer, able to weave stories with statistics and data as well as bring people into meaningful moments. An example of his writing is a the tale of Westside High School’s Erin Mardi, who took the field as a varsity wide receiver. She wasn’t the first girl to take the field – there is no list – but the rarity of a female player on the field as a position player was notable. Gavin’s academic achievements and wide range of publications make him an excellent recipient of the John Davis Scholarship.
Gavin is a Sports Media and Communication and Advertising and Public Relations double major graduating in May 2023. He holds a 3.85 GPA and is a four time Dean’s List student. He has been a sports reporter at the Daily Nebraskan, as well as an Omaha World-Herald Sports Reporting Fellow, where he has contributed to coverage of men’s and women’s Husker sports, including game stories on deadline, features and opinion pieces. He is a multifaceted writer, able to weave stories with statistics and data as well as bring people into meaningful moments. An example of his writing is a the tale of Westside High School’s Erin Mardi, who took the field as a varsity wide receiver. She wasn’t the first girl to take the field – there is no list – but the rarity of a female player on the field as a position player was notable. Gavin’s academic achievements and wide range of publications make him an excellent recipient of the John Davis Scholarship.
Lexy Schulte - University of Nebraska Omaha
Lexy is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in PR and advertising at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A senior, Schulte works as an events intern at National Indemnity Company. She serves as an account executive for MaverickPR where she is editor-in-chief of CommUNO alumni magazine. She is also a member of UNO’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter. A member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, she holds a Regents Scholarship and remains on the Chancellor’s and Deans Lists. In her free time, she enjoys photography, club volleyball and traveling.
Lexy is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in PR and advertising at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A senior, Schulte works as an events intern at National Indemnity Company. She serves as an account executive for MaverickPR where she is editor-in-chief of CommUNO alumni magazine. She is also a member of UNO’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter. A member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, she holds a Regents Scholarship and remains on the Chancellor’s and Deans Lists. In her free time, she enjoys photography, club volleyball and traveling.
Susan Eustice Scholarship
Kathryn O’Connor - University of Nebraska Omaha
Kathryn is a journalism and media communications major with a PR and advertising concentration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A senior, O’Connor interns
at Piper & Gold Public Relations where she serves as a student coordinator. She previously served as a society engagement coordinator at Smart Gen Society. O’Connor holds leadership positions in UNO’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and its award-winning student-run firm MaverickPR. She serves as vice president of communications for PRSSA and assistant director for MaverickPR. In her free time, O’Connor enjoys creative writing and traveling.
Kathryn is a journalism and media communications major with a PR and advertising concentration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A senior, O’Connor interns
at Piper & Gold Public Relations where she serves as a student coordinator. She previously served as a society engagement coordinator at Smart Gen Society. O’Connor holds leadership positions in UNO’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and its award-winning student-run firm MaverickPR. She serves as vice president of communications for PRSSA and assistant director for MaverickPR. In her free time, O’Connor enjoys creative writing and traveling.
Mark Gautier Internship Award
Liam Fenwick - University of Nebraska Omaha
Liam is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in creative media at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He has worked a KETV for three years and has moved up from a teleprompter operator to a technical director. While finishing his undergraduate degree, he serves as an anchor for The Omaha News. He is also the reporter/producer for multiple stories including Nebraska’s Medical Marijuana Initiative, The Competitive Market of Voice Acting and Community Schools Fight to Keep Music in the Curriculum. In his free time, Fenwick enjoys powerlifting and playing guitar.
Liam is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in creative media at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He has worked a KETV for three years and has moved up from a teleprompter operator to a technical director. While finishing his undergraduate degree, he serves as an anchor for The Omaha News. He is also the reporter/producer for multiple stories including Nebraska’s Medical Marijuana Initiative, The Competitive Market of Voice Acting and Community Schools Fight to Keep Music in the Curriculum. In his free time, Fenwick enjoys powerlifting and playing guitar.
Judy Horan Scholarship
Valeria Uribe - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A double major in AD/PR and graphic design with a 3.95 GPA, Valeria is set to graduate in 2024. She is a social media marketing intern for ProDenco Group
Dental, Sioux City, Iowa. Her previous assignments have included work for Blue Earth Marketing, also of Sioux City, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc., Winnebago, Nebraska; and Buoy, the student advertising agency in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at UNL. She has served as a student ambassador for the college and is the vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Public Relations Student Society of America at UNL. Her strengths in advertising and public relations as well as graphic design make her eminently suitable for the Judy Horan Scholarship as she is a highly promising student. Her work samples of the brochures and the website she created for the White Cane Foundation are exemplary. She will honor the legacy of the late Judy Horan, a talented public relations and marketing professional.
A double major in AD/PR and graphic design with a 3.95 GPA, Valeria is set to graduate in 2024. She is a social media marketing intern for ProDenco Group
Dental, Sioux City, Iowa. Her previous assignments have included work for Blue Earth Marketing, also of Sioux City, a subsidiary of Ho-Chunk Inc., Winnebago, Nebraska; and Buoy, the student advertising agency in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at UNL. She has served as a student ambassador for the college and is the vice president of diversity and inclusion for the Public Relations Student Society of America at UNL. Her strengths in advertising and public relations as well as graphic design make her eminently suitable for the Judy Horan Scholarship as she is a highly promising student. Her work samples of the brochures and the website she created for the White Cane Foundation are exemplary. She will honor the legacy of the late Judy Horan, a talented public relations and marketing professional.
Floyd Kalber Scholarship
Derek Shadle - University of Nebraska OmahaDerek is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in creative media at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. His passion for journalism is evident in his writing and audio production for the college radio station, MavRadio.FM He has also worked as video technician for MECA (Charles Schwab Park and CHI Health Center). Shadle says his desire to tell stories is personal. It started with his father’s diagnosis of colon cancer and subsequent crusade as “Fight Colorectal Cancer” ambassador. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, watching movies and photography.
Robert McMorris Scholarship
Max Fritsch - Creighton University
Max is majoring in journalism with an emphasis in news and public relations. He is minoring in German. Max has worked for the campus newspaper, the Creightonian, for the past five semesters. He currently serves as the sports editor for the Creightonian. Max recently traveled to Texas to cover the Creighton men’s basketball team as they participated in the NCAA March Madness tournament. He has also served as a writer for the Omaha Sports Commission and for USA Curling. Max covered the U.S. Olympic Trials for curling in November. He currently has an internship with the Creighton Athletic Department Sports Information Office. He is a recipient of the Joella Cohen Scholarship.
Max is majoring in journalism with an emphasis in news and public relations. He is minoring in German. Max has worked for the campus newspaper, the Creightonian, for the past five semesters. He currently serves as the sports editor for the Creightonian. Max recently traveled to Texas to cover the Creighton men’s basketball team as they participated in the NCAA March Madness tournament. He has also served as a writer for the Omaha Sports Commission and for USA Curling. Max covered the U.S. Olympic Trials for curling in November. He currently has an internship with the Creighton Athletic Department Sports Information Office. He is a recipient of the Joella Cohen Scholarship.
Nebraska Broadcasters Association Scholarship
Pauline Dulang - University of Nebraska Omaha
Pauline is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in creative media at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She serves as a social media and video intern at Union Pacific Railroad and an administrative and PR assistant for the nonprofit, Together We Achieve Miracles Inc. At UNO, she is the social media and promotions director for the college radio station, MavRadio.FM. She also serves as anchor/reporter for The Omaha News. Dulang was among the team of storytellers recognized for their broadcasts of Haunted Heartland, College Radio Day and The Omaha News. The news teams earned four Eric Sevareid at the Midwest Journalism Conference in April. In her free time, she enjoys sharing her creative skills through volunteer work at her church.
Pauline is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in creative media at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She serves as a social media and video intern at Union Pacific Railroad and an administrative and PR assistant for the nonprofit, Together We Achieve Miracles Inc. At UNO, she is the social media and promotions director for the college radio station, MavRadio.FM. She also serves as anchor/reporter for The Omaha News. Dulang was among the team of storytellers recognized for their broadcasts of Haunted Heartland, College Radio Day and The Omaha News. The news teams earned four Eric Sevareid at the Midwest Journalism Conference in April. In her free time, she enjoys sharing her creative skills through volunteer work at her church.
Panko-Roberts Scholarships
Gabrielle Dammkoehler - Creighton University
Gabrielle is majoring in journalism with an emphasis in advertising and public relation. She is also pursuing a minor in graphic design and economics. Gabrielle is a graphic designer for Corsano Academy and a creative director for J Blue Marketing, a student-run agency. She has served as a social media coordinator for the Moyer District Library and for VC Photography. Gabrielle was also a researcher and writer with Global Treks and Adventure LLC. She is a member of Creighton’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Gabrielle is a member of Creighton’s Global Scholars program. For the past two years, she has also participated in the National Student Advertising Competition.
Gabrielle is majoring in journalism with an emphasis in advertising and public relation. She is also pursuing a minor in graphic design and economics. Gabrielle is a graphic designer for Corsano Academy and a creative director for J Blue Marketing, a student-run agency. She has served as a social media coordinator for the Moyer District Library and for VC Photography. Gabrielle was also a researcher and writer with Global Treks and Adventure LLC. She is a member of Creighton’s Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. Gabrielle is a member of Creighton’s Global Scholars program. For the past two years, she has also participated in the National Student Advertising Competition.
Emma Krab - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Emma is an honors student and journalism major who will graduate in May 2023. Krab is an award-winning journalist who has shown talent on all platforms: writing, audio and visuals. She has interned for the Platte Basin Timelapse project and has worked at the student newspaper the Daily Nebraskan. She was part of a team that shared a first place Eric Sevareid award this year for investigative reporting in small market radio for “State of Waste,” a podcast that examined Nebraska landfills. Emma’s team examined lithium battery disposal.
Emma is an honors student and journalism major who will graduate in May 2023. Krab is an award-winning journalist who has shown talent on all platforms: writing, audio and visuals. She has interned for the Platte Basin Timelapse project and has worked at the student newspaper the Daily Nebraskan. She was part of a team that shared a first place Eric Sevareid award this year for investigative reporting in small market radio for “State of Waste,” a podcast that examined Nebraska landfills. Emma’s team examined lithium battery disposal.
Riley Smith - University of Nebraska OmahaRiley is a journalism and media communication major with a concentration in PR and advertising at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A senior, Smith works as a student marketeer and sales support intern for Red Bull. Now in her second semester working for MaverickPR, she serves as assistant event coordinator for the Genius of Warren Buffett course, the Berkshire System Summit and the Value Investor Conference. Smith also serves as social media manager for the nationally recognized MavForensics competitive speech team. As a competitor for MavForensics, she has earned numerous awards. In addition, Smith serves as president for Alpha Xi Delta sorority. In her free time. Smith enjoys playing intramural sports and exploring new food scenes.
Paul N. Scholarships
Marin Grehan - Creighton University
Marin is in majoring in journalism with an emphasis in public relations. She is also pursuing a minor in business administration. Marin is an event assistant for Planit Inc. She has served as a scene editor for the Creightonian. Marin is also an officer in Creighton’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She has served as a volunteer at the Siena Francis House. Marin is also a member of Creighton’s chapter of Love Your Melon.
Marin is in majoring in journalism with an emphasis in public relations. She is also pursuing a minor in business administration. Marin is an event assistant for Planit Inc. She has served as a scene editor for the Creightonian. Marin is also an officer in Creighton’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. She has served as a volunteer at the Siena Francis House. Marin is also a member of Creighton’s chapter of Love Your Melon.
Evelyn Mejia - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Evelyn is a double major in broadcasting and Spanish who is set to graduate in 2024. She is a news intern at the Lincoln Journal Star whose contributions include stories to the “Being Black in Lincoln” series. She is a talented writer who has the ability to weave a great narrative about her subjects, among them the story of Terry Rupert, named “Black Businessman Forges Own Path” and a story about Nebraska Senator Tony Vargas, “Nebraska State Senator a fascinating illustration of ‘American Dream.’” She previously has won the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, the Nebraska Emerging Leaders scholarship and the Nebraska Press Association scholarship.
Evelyn is a double major in broadcasting and Spanish who is set to graduate in 2024. She is a news intern at the Lincoln Journal Star whose contributions include stories to the “Being Black in Lincoln” series. She is a talented writer who has the ability to weave a great narrative about her subjects, among them the story of Terry Rupert, named “Black Businessman Forges Own Path” and a story about Nebraska Senator Tony Vargas, “Nebraska State Senator a fascinating illustration of ‘American Dream.’” She previously has won the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, the Nebraska Emerging Leaders scholarship and the Nebraska Press Association scholarship.
Geiler Damian - University of Nebraska at Omaha
Geiler is a journalism and media communication major with a journalism concentration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A junior, Damian has been on the Dean’s List for the past two years. He works as an editorial intern at El Perico newspaper where he enjoys writing sports stories. Among his articles are features on the Venezuela men’s softball team; Alex Saucedo, a former WBO International Light Welter Weight champion; and Ricky Menchaca, the 2019 Golden Glove runner up. In his free time, Damian enjoys playing soccer and watching comedy shows.
Geiler is a journalism and media communication major with a journalism concentration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A junior, Damian has been on the Dean’s List for the past two years. He works as an editorial intern at El Perico newspaper where he enjoys writing sports stories. Among his articles are features on the Venezuela men’s softball team; Alex Saucedo, a former WBO International Light Welter Weight champion; and Ricky Menchaca, the 2019 Golden Glove runner up. In his free time, Damian enjoys playing soccer and watching comedy shows.
Edward Zorinsky Scholarship
Jacob Thimjon - University of Nebraska Omaha
Jacob is a graduate student working on his master of arts in communication at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the journalism and media communication Capstone courses. Thimjon also a play-by-play broadcaster for UNO athletics. He earned a first-place award for Best Promotional Announcement from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association for “Self-Destruct in Five Seconds.” In his free time, he enjoys exercise, sports and hiking.
Jacob is a graduate student working on his master of arts in communication at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He serves as a graduate teaching assistant in the journalism and media communication Capstone courses. Thimjon also a play-by-play broadcaster for UNO athletics. He earned a first-place award for Best Promotional Announcement from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association for “Self-Destruct in Five Seconds.” In his free time, he enjoys exercise, sports and hiking.
2022 Award Recipients
Career Achievement Award
Allen Beermann - Nebraska Press Association
Allen’s career is synonymous with civic engagement and public service. After six terms as Secretary of State, he served as executive director of the Nebraska Press Association for 24 years before his retirement
in 2019. Raised on a Dakota County farm, Beermann graduated from Midland University and Creighton University School of Law. He served two years as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State and 18 years on the Federal Election Commission advisory panel. A retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, he served on the board of the Omaha Press Club for many years. Awards and recognitions he has received include the Ike Friedman Community Leadership Award from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, Nebraskan of the Year by the combined Rotary Clubs, Distinguished NebraskaLANDER, and the First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Award for lifetime achievement in volunteer service. He holds a Meritorious Service Medallion from the national secretaries of state, received the federal Voting Assistance Award from Defense Secretary William Perry, and received the Nebraska Diplomats’ highest honor - Ambassador Plenipotentiary. The Republic of China awarded Beermann its Foreign Service Medallion in 2001.
Allen’s career is synonymous with civic engagement and public service. After six terms as Secretary of State, he served as executive director of the Nebraska Press Association for 24 years before his retirement
in 2019. Raised on a Dakota County farm, Beermann graduated from Midland University and Creighton University School of Law. He served two years as president of the National Association of Secretaries of State and 18 years on the Federal Election Commission advisory panel. A retired Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, he served on the board of the Omaha Press Club for many years. Awards and recognitions he has received include the Ike Friedman Community Leadership Award from the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, Nebraskan of the Year by the combined Rotary Clubs, Distinguished NebraskaLANDER, and the First Lady’s Outstanding Community Service Award for lifetime achievement in volunteer service. He holds a Meritorious Service Medallion from the national secretaries of state, received the federal Voting Assistance Award from Defense Secretary William Perry, and received the Nebraska Diplomats’ highest honor - Ambassador Plenipotentiary. The Republic of China awarded Beermann its Foreign Service Medallion in 2001.
Journalism Educator Award
Tim Guthrie, MFA - Creighton University
Tim is a professor of graphic design and film in Creighton’s Department of Computer Science, Design and Journalism. During his 20 years with the school, Tim has worked with hundreds of students and proven his talents across a variety of mediums. He currently serves as program director for graphic design and film and serves as a mentor for the new film club. He has served as a facilitator for the school’s Backpack Journalism program, which has taken students to report in Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Alaska. An accomplished documentary film producer and photographer, he recently traveled with two students to New Zealand to produce a documentary film related to the Anthropocene. His resulting documentary won the award for Best Short Documentary at the Omaha Film Festival. He was also a TEDx speaker, which focused on one of his films and the topic of loss and grief. His past film work has been awarded a Humanitarian Award (GIFA) and numerous Best Documentary and Juror’s Choice awards, and shown internationally in dozens of countries, as well as shown on Public Television. Tim’s latest project is a book about cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, and disinformation.
Tim is a professor of graphic design and film in Creighton’s Department of Computer Science, Design and Journalism. During his 20 years with the school, Tim has worked with hundreds of students and proven his talents across a variety of mediums. He currently serves as program director for graphic design and film and serves as a mentor for the new film club. He has served as a facilitator for the school’s Backpack Journalism program, which has taken students to report in Uganda, the Dominican Republic, and Alaska. An accomplished documentary film producer and photographer, he recently traveled with two students to New Zealand to produce a documentary film related to the Anthropocene. His resulting documentary won the award for Best Short Documentary at the Omaha Film Festival. He was also a TEDx speaker, which focused on one of his films and the topic of loss and grief. His past film work has been awarded a Humanitarian Award (GIFA) and numerous Best Documentary and Juror’s Choice awards, and shown internationally in dozens of countries, as well as shown on Public Television. Tim’s latest project is a book about cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, and disinformation.