State of the University Address 2015-2016 - Introduction

Delivered September 30, 2015

It has been my custom of inviting students from the School of Music to perform at these events to symbolize for us the privilege we share of working with such extraordinary young talent. Of course, talent extends beyond music and today I am pleased to introduce nine first-year students who enrolled at UNL this fall. All of these students earned perfect scores on the ACT or SAT.

  • Alex Eitzman, a computer engineering major from Lake Elmo, Minnesota;
  • Nicholas Leyden, a math major from Shawnee, Kansas;
  • Ryder Mays, an English major from Ayer, Nebraska;
  • Naomi Samuel, who is exploring her major selection, from Omaha, Neb.;
  • Zach Warneke, a math major from Omaha, Neb.;
  • Dylan Gray, an actuarial science major from Okemos, Michigan;
  • Lambros Karkazis, a computer science major from Western Spring, Illinois;
  • Cooper Knaak, a computer science from Plainview, Neb.; and,
  • Henry Harrison, a computer science major from Omaha, Neb., who in seventh grade was awarded the Regents Scholarship for earning a perfect score on the reading section of the ACT.

On behalf of all faculty and staff, I welcome you to campus and wish you the best in your academic endeavors.

I didn’t want to deprive you of music. So please welcome the University Chorale from the Glen Korff School of Music. This is a campus vocal ensemble that performs a varied repertoire. Students from throughout the university are encouraged to participate. They have been invited to sing for state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association of Music Education. The selection they will sing is “ Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around,” a freedom song from the civil rights movement.