University Mourns Loss of VP Van Horn

A funeral was held Oct. 19 for James C. Van Horn, University of Nebraska vice president for business and finance. Van Horn passed away at his home in Lincoln Oct. l5. He had been battling cancer.

Van Horn was appointed NU vice president for business and finance in June 1993 by then-President Martin A. Massengale. Previously, he served as associate vice president and director of finance and administrative systesm at the university, a post he was appointed to in January 1989. From 1981 to 1989 he served as vice president and manager of the Public Finance Department at FirsTier Bank of Lincoln. He served as an assistant dean and director of budgets and facilities for the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1974 to 1981, and as budget officer in the dean's office of the college from 1971 to 1974. He was a business teacher in the Scottsbluff Public Schools from 1968 to 1971.

University President L. Dennis Smith extended sympathies to Van Horn's wife, Nancy, and the couple's two children on behalf of the entire university community.

"It's difficult to find the right words to comfort those who knew and loved him. We at the University of Nebraska are fortunate to have worked with Jim since 1971 He has been a valued employee and a trusted friend to many. He brought a fresh approach to the position of vice president for business and finance and was the key architect of our efforts to create a sounder financial basis for managing the University of Nebraska. Jim led initiatives to use technology to enhance NU's business operations and to make them more effective and efficient. He was instrumental in the development of the bonding approach to resolve the critical backlog of deferred maintenance. His efforts led to the passage last year of LB1100. All future University of Nebraska students and faculty and staff will benefit greatly from his leadership on these and many other issues. He will be greatly missed."

Hewett Professorship Endowed in Chemistry

Dr. and Mrs. James and Kathryn Hewett have made a gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to fund the Hewett Distinguished Professorship of Chemistry in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Arts and Sciences.

Because the position is for a distinguished professor, the candidates for the professorship must go through a rigorous selection process before being appointed by the chancellor. The first Hewett distinguished professor will be named during the next academic year.

The chemistry department formally announced the professorship Oct. 22 during a reception honoring James Hewett. "The chemistry department is a strong department with national stature," said Brian Foster, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "This gift is a significant contribution that recognizes the distinguished faculty of this department."

After earning his bachelor's degree from NU and his master's degree and doctorate from Purdue, James Hewett worked at DuPont for the majority of his career. He said his undergraduate professors provided him with thought processes that helped him supervise development projects on products such as Lycra and Nomex high-temperature fibers. Hewett's group also developed the composition, structure and manufacturing process for the hollow filament barriers used in Permasep reverse osmosis permeators for water desalination.

"I received a great education at NU that enabled me to become a competent researcher in my field," Hewett said. "However, I received that education through the generosity of the taxpayers and the state of Nebraska. I felt that I should pay back my debt while contributing to the education of current and future students."

DCS Educators Win Three Regional Awards

The Division of Continuing Studies has won three regional awards for marketing.

The awards were presented at the University Continuing Education Association Region V conference in Omaha.

The Department of Marketing, in conjunction with the Department of Distance Education, was honored with People's Choice Awards of Excellence in these categories: Four-Color Poster (Department of Distance Education College Independent Study program), Miscellaneous Marketing Item (Division of Continuing Studies campaign) and Course Catalog (Department of Distance Education College Independent Study program). Melanie Mongar, graphic artist in the Department of Marketing, was primary designer.

UCEA, the principal professional association for continuing higher education in the United States, assists institutions of higher learning in expanding access to higher education and provides national leadership in support of policies that advance workforce and professional development.