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Celebration of 1,000th Graduate of Goodrich Program
In August, 2005, the 1,000th Goodrich Program Graduate crossed the stage at UNO's Commencement. This video was produced as part of the celebration of this event. It recounts the history of the program and follows the stories of a few alums as they recount their experiences in the program and as they reflect upon how these experiences prepared them for their careers.
Goodrich 1000th Graduate Celebration
Video
13:01 minutes, 44,000 KB
News
Gallion-Exum's UNO degree prepares her for Yale
After clarifying her education and career goals, Kimberly Gallion-Exum returned
to UNO in 2002 as a Goodrich scholar. She had started a pre-nursing program several
years before, but hadn’t finished her degree. She left the university,
married and moved to the Washington, D.C. area.
Distance and time provided the perspective and sense of purpose
she needed. She graduated in May 2006 with a bachelor’s degree
in English and now is pursuing a graduate degree at the Yale
University School of Nursing. "It didn't take long before I realized that I did need a college
education to fulfill my goals in life," she said. Women in her family
had been midwives and Gallion-Exum had "shadowed" certified
nurse midwives while exploring career options. She knew that’s
what she wanted to become.
With her funding through the Goodrich program still available, she shifted gears
and began working toward an English degree. Why major in English? "Everyone knows
English majors go on to do everything and anything!" she says. "Every graduate student
is expected to produce some kind of scholarship, and that task is much easier if you have
some level of comfort with writing. Also, I fully intend to continue on to the doctoral
program and, obviously, writing is a fundamental skill to research."
Gallion-Exum attributes much of her achievement to the support she had in the
Goodrich program. "Their level of dedication to us, the students, is phenomenal. I always
felt like the faculty and staff really wanted me to succeed--not only in the program,
but after graduation, too."
Bobby Loud (1987/1994) was promoted to Coordinator of the Nebraska Corrections Education Connection for Metro Community College.
Kristina (Dale) Phillips (1994/1999) received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Bowling Green State University, Dec. 2005.
Desire Smith (1994/2000) received her Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Capella University, Aug. 2006.
Troy Romero (1994/1999) is working on a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and should receive it in 2008.
Miguel Gutierrez (1994/1999), now of Los Angeles, recently performed his musical show, El Mariachi, at the South Omaha Arts Institute, in Omaha, with the support of the Nebraska Arts council. Miguel sings and plays guitar in this presentation on the history and life of one of Mexico's most beloved folk art forms--Mariachi, and will be accompanied by Mariachi Luna y Sol. In addition to his UNO bachelor's, Miguel recently completed his masters in Chicano/Latino Studies at UCLA.
Nancy Forbes (1994/1999) and Frances Osugi (2001/2006) both had a Fine Arts book featured in an exhibit of handmade books from across the world and spanning several centuries in conjunction with Joslyn Art Museum and St. Cecelia's Cathedral.
Marcos Mora (1996/1999) is the founder and director of the South Omaha Arts Institute, aka Casa de la Cultura, which promotes arts for Latino youth in this facility that features Latino culture, dance, music, and sports, especially boxing. Marcos, also a talented guitarist, is the founder/director of one of Nebraska's largest and most unique ensembles Mariachi Luna y Sol (mentioned above).
Kimberly Gallion-Exum (1999/2006) will be attending Yale University this fall in the midwifery program.
Jason Hansen (2000/2003) has recently become the youngest Vice President at American National Bank in Omaha.
Several alums, who are willing to work on the formation of an initial Goodrich Alumni Association, met with Jerry Cederblom and Mike Carroll on Wed., July 19th. They included Kimberly Gallion-Exum, Janine Emmons, Lucy Garza, Mary Zeleny, Jason Hansen, Bobby Loud, and Harriette Washington. Also in attendance were current graduate assistant Jody Ludlow and long-time friend of the program Dr. Jim Ramirez. At the meeting, Jerry explained the procedure for final selection of scholars, and Mike talked about the possibility for an alumni association, including the compilation of a reasonable list of alums.
