Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Academic & Career Development Center
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center
  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2022
  4. 08
  5. Celebrating August 2022 UNO Graduates

Celebrating August 2022 UNO Graduates

More than 550 Mavericks from 27 countries and eight states received degrees during Summer Commencement ceremonies Friday at Baxter Arena.

  • published: 2022/08/13
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • commencement
  • alumni
  • graduation
  • first generation

The 2021-2022 academic year concluded in a celebratory fashion Friday as the University of Nebraska at Omaha celebrated the newest class of Maverick graduates at Baxter Arena during August Commencement ceremonies.

“Wherever your path may lead after today, remember to lift others up along the way,” UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, said during her commencement remarks. “Be the person who makes a difference in the life of someone who is walking a path like yours. Lead by example in every aspect of your lives.”

Of the more than 550 Mavericks who graduated Friday, 332 received their undergraduate degrees, 256 received master’s degrees, three received doctoral degrees, and 14 were recognized with certificates. Graduates from the August 2022 class also represented 27 U.S. states and eight countries, and included 132 students who became the first member of their family to achieve a college degree.

Taking part in the celebration of the newly minted Maverick alumni were six University of Nebraska System regents and NU System President Ted Carter.

Chancellor Li took a moment during the ceremony to recognize graduates who went the extra mile on their academic journeys.

“Many of our graduates had to wear multiple hats while being a student at UNO. You found work through campus jobs, internships, and part-time jobs outside of the university or maybe even worked full-time and took care of your families while still completing your classes,” Li said. “This requires so much dedication and is not an easy feat. However, you did it and it has made you stronger.”

Student speaker Maria Mendes Pinto – Master of Political Science graduate who immigrated from Lisbon, Portugal to Omaha in 2013 – recounted her journey to fellow graduates, and encouraged them to be a force for good in their communities after graduation.

“I am so deeply thankful for the warm reception I encountered on this campus and challenge you to go forth in the world with that same mindset,” Pinto said. “Look around you and choose to act with love: spreading kindness, navigating your mistakes with grace and patience, listening to the experiences of others, and advocating for those who stand voiceless and most need your allyship.”

There is no one definition of what a “Maverick” is, but there is a uniting Maverick spirit that guides each member of the Class of 2022.

    • AUGUST 2022 STUDENT COMMENCEMENT STORIES
    • AUGUST 2022 COMMENCEMENT PHOTO GALLERY

Special Recognitions

During the ceremony, Chancellor Li recognized individuals whose achievements and contributions advanced the university.

Howard and Rhonda Hawks received the Order of the Tower for their philanthropic support of the university and were thanked via video. Julie Dierberger received the Chancellor’s Medal for her leadership of UNO’s Service-Learning Academy.

“Even when faced with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Dr. Dierberger worked with faculty, staff, and students to embrace new methods of connecting with the community,” Li told the Baxter Arena audience. “Because of this Maverick thinking, UNO not only maintained its ability to serve the community, but in fact was able to grow its offerings, and serve more partners than ever before.”

The Order of the Tower

Howard and Rhonda Hawks

Howard and Rhonda Hawks work through The Hawks Foundation to address philanthropic support of education and socioeconomic issues such as mental health, substance use and homelessness support as well as support to Christian ministry and the arts.

Howard Hawks is Chairman of The Hawks Foundation and co-founded Tenaska in 1987. He served as Chairman and CEO of Tenaska until 2010 and has continued to serve as Chairman. Under his leadership, Tenaska grew from a small operation in Omaha, to one of the largest privately held companies in the U.S. Since 1987, the company has raised more than $18 billion for its projects through various combinations of commercial banks, capital markets and company-partnership equity.

Hawks has served on a number of boards, including Creighton University, University of Nebraska, Joslyn Art Museum, Heritage Services, Boys & Girls Clubs and Omaha Zoo Foundation.

Rhonda Hawks is President of The Hawks Foundation and responsible for daily management of The Hawks Foundation. She is a co-founder of the Behavioral Health Support Foundation, which subsequently created a public/private partnership to advocate for implementation of behavioral health reform and supplied funding for the renovation of Lasting Hope Recovery Center.

She has served on a number of boards including Project Harmony and Omaha Performing Arts.

The Chancellor's Medal

Julie Dierberger, Ph.D., Paul Sather Distinguished Director of UNO's Service Learning Academy

Dierberger has provided leadership in service-learning, community engagement and development, and student leadership development in public and private higher education institutions for the past 20 years. She created training for P-12 teachers and UNO faculty members to learn and apply best practices in service learning teaching. Dierberger serves on the SXSW (South by Southwest) EDU Advisory Board, is President of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and the Vice President of the Aksarben-Elmwood Park Neighborhood Association.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

  • News Sections:
  • UNO News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events
SHARE

News Sections

  • News Center
  • Maverick Daily
  • The Bullseye
  • Campus Events

Featured Stories

  • Social Mobility, Experiential Learning Focus of Interview with UNO Chancellor Li
  • UNO Students Graduate as Community Engaged Scholars
  • The Semester Guide
  • More Than 4,800 UNO Students Named to Dean's, Chancellor's Lists in Fall 2022

Contact Us

If you have a story idea, news tip, or other question, please email the UNO News team at unonews@unomaha.edu.

About University Communications

  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page