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Remembering Lois Roskens

  • published: 2023/10/20
  • contact: Brandon Bartling - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Lois G. Roskens and Ronald W. Roskens, Ph.D.

Lois G. Roskens and Ronald W. Roskens, Ph.D.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Maverick community is mourning the loss of Lois Roskens, who passed away on Oct. 12 at the age of 90.

She is preceded in death by her husband, former University of Nebraska (NU) System President and former UNO Chancellor Ronald W. Roskens, Ph.D., who passed away in Feb. 2022 at the age of 89.

Lois Roskens was a longtime supporter of UNO and the Omaha community. Following a career as a first grade teacher, she was actively engaged in nonprofit and educational organizations including the Nebraska Arts Council, Camp Fire Girls, Great Plains Girl Scout Council, Joslyn Art Museum, Uta Halee, and the Omaha Symphony Guild. She was also a founding board member of Lauritzen Gardens.

The legacy of the Roskens family lives on at the UNO campus. Roskens Hall proudly houses the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) and the future home of the STEM TRAIL Center. The couple generously gave to the university in 2013 to establish the Lois G. Roskens UNO College of Education Deanship, which was initially awarded to Nancy Edick, Ed.D., dean emeritus of CEHHS.

At the time of the gift, Lois said, “As a former teacher, I count it a special privilege to have my name associated with such an outstanding College of Education and its extraordinary leadership. The students that are a part of the UNO College of Education are learning from the best in the profession and within a college that continually strives for excellence.”

“Lois’ memory will continue to be a tremendous inspiration to all of us here in CEHHS, and to our ongoing mission of preparing the very best teachers possible,” Interim Dean Neal Grandgenett, Ph.D., said. “When we think of the model educator, and the model citizen, we think of Lois. Her kindness and pursuit of excellence, in all levels of education, is represented in everything we do, and the Roskens name on our building is a reminder of the quality of learning that we achieve.”

A private family service will be held to celebrate her life. Memorials are suggested to Lauritzen Gardens.