The CourAGE to Care

Do You Have The CourAGE to Care?

The department of gerontology launched an outreach campaign to attract new and returning students to pursue an education in aging. The campaign entitled, The CourAGE to Care, will feature students, alumni and community agencies where our graduates are now working.  We want others to see what we see – The CourAGE to Care in action!  We look forward to sharing student and alumni stories with you. 

Glenda Hallberg, VP/Operations at New Cassel Retirement Center

Glenda Hallberg, VP/Operations, oversees the daily operation of New Cassel Retirement Center.  New Cassel is the largest licensed assisted living facility with 179 apartments, sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis.  New Cassel also operates the Franciscan Adult Day program available for memory care for residents and the greater community.

Glenda earned her Bachelors of Science in Urban Studies along with a Gerontology Certificate from UNO in 1976. Glenda is also a licensed Assisted Living Administrator and has completed course work in Business and Human Resources area.

Glenda has been recognized by CPACS at the Annual Alumni Awards for Excellence in Public Service for her career in aging and services.

STORY

The Gerontology program was in its very early development years, when I was accepted into the Gerontology Certificate program at UNO.  I had just transferred from completing two years at Wayne State College, and I was looking for a degree that would enhance and compliment my increasing interest in senior aging services. I took the Introduction to Gerontology class and I was hooked!  My professor, Gary Ross, encouraged me to consider the Gerontology Certificate Program that had just started at UNO.  It was the answer to what I had been looking for in the completion of my degree. 

My Practicum assignment at New Cassel Retirement Center began in the fall of 1975 and ran through May of 1976. The Director, Sr. Dorothy Tremel another Gerontology prior student,  hired me upon graduation as the Director of Activities and Programs at New Cassel.   I loved working with the seniors and at New Cassel, I was given free reign to develop new programs and services to meet the needs of the residents. Over the years, my responsibilities changed and grew and I became the Associate Administrator in 1984. New Cassel, has become a leader in the community serving independent and assisted living residents. The current campus has been totally renovated over the past years, with an expanded adult day space and a new fitness center due to be completed this summer.  The campus, which includes three separate but connected buildings, includes 179 apartments.   The Franciscan Adult Day Program was also developed in 1985 by UNO Gerontology student, Kathleen Miller and myself.  One of my favorite roles, has been to oversee the various practicum and interns from UNO over the years.

I have been married to Timothy Hallberg for 44 years we have two grown children, Sarah and Seth.  We have four granddaughters and I am looking forward to spending more time with them when I retire this fall.  My career in Gerontology has brought me many rewards personally and professionally. It has been a privilege to be a part of the mission of New Cassel and to serve our residents over the past 42 years.