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Mavericks Make Their Mark in Lincoln During “I Love NU Day”

UNO students and leadership joined their NU System peers for a day of advocacy at the State Capitol Building.

  • published: 2023/04/05
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu

Students, faculty, and staff from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and their peers from Kearney, Lincoln, and the Medical Center had a simple but powerful message to share with lawmakers on Wednesday: public higher education is central to Nebraska’s future success.

The demonstration of the University of Nebraska System’s (NU) value to the state was part of “I Love NU” Day – an official of advocacy on behalf of the System at the State Capitol Building. Dozens of Mavericks made the trip to Lincoln to interact with their NU System counterparts and communicate the university’s impact to legislators.

“There isn’t anything that happens in the state of Nebraska that we are not somehow deeply involved in or touching, and certainly influence,” Carter said. And at the end of the day, it’s about our students. It’s about this talent for the future that is going to take that mantle of leadership in all different kinds of disciplines.”

Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, and Student Body President/Regent Tori Sims led UNO’s delegation.

"Our state's leaders frequently hear about our university system's positive impact on the state, but seeing our faculty and staff, along with the students who are the future of Nebraska and feeling their passion to make a difference, makes today so powerful," Li said. "Every Maverick who made the journey here today played an important part in advocating for our community and I thank them tremendously.”

Sims, who helped organize student transportation to the Capitol, underscored the importance of the annual event.

“Every student has a powerful story of how their university has changed their life,” Sims said. “Today was an amazing opportunity to share those stories and inspire others to support UNO in its mission to transform lives and make a difference in Nebraska.”

"I Love NU" Week

Wednesday’s events are part of the broader I Love NU Week, which celebrates each NU System campus from April 3-8. A special event celebrating UNO will be held in the Milo Bail Student Center Atrium on Friday, April 7, from 12 to 3 P.M. This will be an opportunity for all Mavericks to celebrate what you love most about UNO. Enjoy fun activities, UNO themed snacks, great giveaways, and take some photos in the photo booth.

Other Ways to Show Your Support

Along with the in-person events on April 5 and April 7, supporters are encouraged to participate on social media during the week of April 3-8. A complete schedule of events is available on the “I Love NU” Week webpage and additional updates will be provided in an “I Love NU” Day event page on Facebook.

Members of the university community can also show their support by:

  • Reaching out to state senators via email or phone to share their stories and discuss the importance of higher education.
  • Signing up to be an NU Advocate to be among the first to know about legislative developments that impact the university and learn about how and when to get engaged; and
Following the University of Nebraska on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for news and updates and using the #NUforNE hashtag when sharing stories of the university’s impact on social media.