Skip to main content

Theatre Enthusiast and Division of Continuing Studies Alumna Named Recipient of the CPACS Alumni Award

An impressive Omaha community leader who also doubles as an actor, director, and alumna of the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) was named this year’s recipient of the CPACS Alumni Award.

image

Susan Baer Collins, an actor, director, and alumna of the Division of Continuing Studies (DCS), was named this year’s recipient of the CPACS Alumni Award.

About this Year’s Award Recipient

Susan Baer Collins is a theatre director, actor, and dialect coach. She moved to Omaha in 1983 from Atlanta, where she co-hosted a children’s television show for Turner Broadcasting Corporation for three years. In 1987, she came to the Omaha Community Playhouse where she served as Associate Artistic Director for the next 27 years. Her most recent directing credits include Marjorie Prime (2020) for the Bluebarn Theatre, Sweat (2019) for the Omaha Playhouse, and Much Ado About Nothing (2018) for Nebraska Shakespeare. Among other theatrical awards and honors, Susan was a recipient of the 2014 Nebraska Governor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Artist.

She had always regretted leaving UNL in 1973 with an unfinished bachelor’s degree. But bound and determined, 41 years later, with the encouragement of her first advisor Marti Rosen-Atherton, Susan relished being a UNO student and graduated in 2016. As always, she thanks her husband Dennis Collins for his love and support.

With much joy, we are excited to share that Susan Baer Collins is this year’s Division of Continuing Studies recipient of the CPACS Alumni Award. Her perseverance and leadership in the community is an inspiration to so many.

About the CPACS Alumni Award

The university and community leaders established the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) to ensure the university was responsive to the critical societal needs and concerns of our community and state. Critical to the mission of the new college was the provision of educational and training programs of the highest caliber that would prepare students for careers and leadership in the public service.

The individuals honored with the alumni award for excellence in public service demonstrate, through both their daily deeds and greatest achievements, the finest attributes of public and community service: integrity, stewardship, volunteerism, leadership, and a commitment to social justice and human dignity. They are a credit to their professions, their families, and our college. We congratulate them for this and all their achievements.