Metro High School Students Attend 2022 Chuck Hagel Symposium

Roughly 200 students gathered at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO)'s Strauss Performing Arts Center (SPAC), Tuesday, Oct. 18, for the 2022 Chuck Hagel Symposium in Public Service.

The goal of the symposium was to bring young people together for an expert discussion on public service and to introduce them to the impact and value of civic engagement, leadership and service.

The symposium began with a keynote address from former United States Secretary of Defense and Senator Chuck Hagel. After the keynote, students participated in their choice of breakout sessions, which were led by UNO faculty in the fields of international affairs, law, medicine, public policy, and many other topics related to public service.

Participating high schools included: Bryan High, Burke High, Central High, Gretna High, Millard North, Millard South, Millard West, Papillion-La Vista South, Ralston High, Roncalli Catholic, and Scotus Central Catholic.

Chuck Hagel was the 24th Secretary of Defense and the only Vietnam veteran and first enlisted combat veteran to serve as Secretary of Defense. He also served two terms in the United States Senate representing the State of Nebraska. Hagel is a 1971 UNO graduate.

For more information about the annual event, visit the Chuck Hagel Symposium page.