December 4, 2003

Jones appointed assistant to Chancellor

Chancellor Harvey Perlman is placing a stronger emphasis on the recruitment and development of people of color for faculty and staff positions by creating a temporary position in his office.

M. Colleen Jones, assistant professor of management in the College of Business Administration, will be reassigned to spend half time in the position of special assistant to the chancellor for organizational development. Jones will work with deans and academic and administrative departments on diversity strategies. In her role with the chancellor's office, Jones will research and help to implement best practices in diversity recruitment and staff development in collaboration with the Office of Equity, Access and Diversity.

"We are fortunate to be able to use Professor Jones' substantial management skills in this important area. It is imperative that we as a university continue to make progress in the area of minority faculty and staff recruitment," Perlman said.

"It is an honor for Chancellor Perlman to have asked me to collaborate with him to more actively work toward fulfilling his vision for UNL," Jones said. "In an environment where budget concerns have seemed to restrict our opportunities, I look forward to this new role as an indication of Chancellor Perlman's commitment to a diverse university. I hope to be able to bring energy and creativity to our awareness and use of best practices toward diversity and look forward to UNL evolving into a more forward-thinking affirmative and inclusive institution."

Jones, who assumed her new responsibilities Dec. 3, will also continue to teach in the College of Business Administration, where she has taught classes in the Department of Management since 1996.

For more information, call M. Colleen Jones at 472-3001.

Firm to help with presidential search approved

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents has chosen Korn/Ferry International as the search firm to provide consulting in the recruitment of the next president of the university. The principal consultant representing the firm during the search process will be R. William Funk.

A $75,000 fee, plus fixed direct expenses of $9,000 and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, will be paid to the firm.

NU President L. Dennis Smith will retire from that position on June 30, 2004, and will teach at the UNL School of Biological Sciences beginning in the fall of 2005.

Stevens receives Hildreth achievement award

Georgia L. Stevens, professor and extension family and community specialist for diversity in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, has received the R.J. Hildreth Award for Distinguished Career Achievement in Public Policy Education.

Stevens' 30-year career as an educator has been focused on the development and sustainability of children, youth and families. She began her professional interest studying the extent of involvement of citizens in public affairs efforts initially with a grass roots coalition for consumer action in Nebraska.

Stevens has degrees in home economics education and family economics/management from UNL, and a doctorate in curriculum development/evaluation/consumer affairs/law from the University of Maryland.

Stevens was one of the key people initiating the project to develop national resource materials on public issues education through the project Public Issues Education: Increasing Competence in Resolving Public Issues. This publication, known as The Primer, brought curriculum materials and content together for extension educators nationwide.

Stevens has assisted local coalitions in dealing with the ramifications of school-age child care, impacting private and public sector work and family policy issues, and the family and community changes as new immigrants and refugees move to the Midwest. She has secured extensive grant funding for outreach education, evaluated the impact of these projects and published the results for both the citizens at the grassroots level and professionals. Steven's ongoing research with coalition building has led her to the educational programs she is now developing with cross-cultural methodologies.

Obituaries

R.B. 'Dick' Warren

R.B. "Dick" Warren, professor emeritus of animal science, died Oct. 12 in Guymon, Okla. He was 78 years old.

Warren received his bachelor of science degree from Kansas State University in 1948 and his master of science degree from Oklahoma State University in 1949. He came to the University of Nebraska in 1956, where he taught, coached the livestock-judging team and managed the state 4-H horse shows. He retired in 1990 and competed in a number of National Senior Pro Rodeo Association events. Despite the loss of an arm when he was 2 years old, Warren continued to ride horses and rope calves until the time of his death.

Warren received the Award of Merit by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award, the University of Nebraska Distinguished Teaching Award, and the University of Nebraska Livestock Service Award.

Warren established the R.B. Warren 4-H Horse Scholarship Fund for UNL freshmen and sophomores. He served as adviser to the UNL Block & Bridle Club, Rodeo Association, Farmers Fair Board and Agriculture Executive Board.

Survivors include his wife, Doris, of Lincoln, six children, and eight grandchildren.

Services were Oct. 17 in Lincoln. Memorials may be made to the R.B. Warren 4-H scholarship or the University of Nebraska Foundation judging team fund.

Donald B. Hudson

Donald B. Hudson, who served as University of Nebraska extension and research veterinarian in North Platte for more than 20 years, died July 30 at the Dundy County Hospital in Benkelman. He was 71.

Hudson received a bachelor of science degree in animal husbandry in 1954 and a degree in veterinary medicine in 1960, both from Colorado State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. He owned a veterinary practice in Benkelman from 1960 until 1976, when he joined the University of Nebraska. He received a master's degree in clinical sciences from Colorado State University in 1987 and retired from UNL in 1997.

Hudson was a member of the Society for Theriogenology, the National Bovine Association, the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association and served on the Nebraska Board of Veterinary Examiners. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Nebraskaland Days Board of Directors, Rotary and also helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity.

Survivors include his wife, LaVonne Hudson of North Platte, one daughter, one son, three sisters, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Services were Aug. 2 at the United Methodist Church in Benkelman. Arrangements were directed by Forch Funeral Chapel in Benkelman.