President Gold Highlights Strategic Vision, Board Approves Key Initiatives and Honors at Regents Meeting

Read President Gold's April 2025 Update to the Board of Regents

The University of Nebraska (NU) System Board of Regents approved a series of academic and capital initiatives and honored several NU leaders during an April 11 meeting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) STEM TRAIL Center.

Among other projects, the board approved the first intermediate design report for Project Health, an important step toward the future academic health center at UNMC. In addition to serving as the primary academic medical center for UNMC, the facility will be a clinical learning center to educate and train the next generation of health care providers, conduct research and offer clinical trials.

“Project Health is yet another example in which the University, the state, and Nebraska’s incredible philanthropic community have partnered on a transformational project that will yield improved health outcomes, boost the ranks of skilled medical professionals, stimulate even more economic development, and improve quality of life across Nebraska for many generations to come,” said NU President Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

Utility and site work on the project — which is the largest public-private partnership in University of Nebraska history — are expected to begin over the next few months.

The board also approved Phase 3 of the Biomechanics Research Building expansion at UNO, reflecting the program’s continued growth and global impact, as well as a graduate certificate program for emergency nurse practitioners, to be offered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which will strengthen access to emergency healthcare services, especially in rural communities.

The board recognized several university leaders, students and alumni who have had a positive impact on the university and state:

• The board voted to award an honorary degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney to Jack Hoffman, a UNK student, who lost a long fight with brain cancer earlier this year. Hoffman’s memorable 69-yard touchdown run in the 2013 Husker Spring Game sparked a national movement for pediatric brain cancer research, and his legacy continues through the millions of dollars raised and lives touched by his story and his family’s advocacy.

• The board approved the naming of the Memorial Stadium broadcast booth in honor of Greg Sharpe, the voice of the Huskers from 2008 until his passing in early 2025. Dr. Gold praised Sharpe as “a storyteller, mentor, and true Husker who embodied the spirit of Nebraska.”

• The board approved the naming of the Bob Devaney Sports Center’s arena as the “John Cook Arena.” Cook, who announced his retirement in January after 25 seasons as head coach of the Husker volleyball team, is the most successful coach in collegiate volleyball history.

• The board recognized Dr. Jim McClurg, who served on the NU Board of Regents from 2002-2012, including as board chairman from 2006-2012, with Regent Emeritus status.

• The board recognized the student body presidents from each of the four NU campuses who served as student regents during the 2024-25 academic year. Those students are Sam Schroeder (UNK); Elizabeth Herbin (UNL); Pranita Devaraju (UNMC); and Ishani Adidam (UNO).

“Those being recognized today, individually and together, exemplify the odyssey that we are on, and the places that this odyssey can and will lead us,” said Dr. Gold. “They are examples of many other humble heroes across all of our campuses moving the University of Nebraska from excellent to extraordinary.”

The board also approved a new strategic plan for the university. The plan lays out five areas in which the university should aim to be extraordinary. Those areas are: teaching and learning; research and creative activity; partnerships and engagement; culture and environment; and stewardship and effectiveness.

During his remarks to the board, Dr. Gold emphasized the importance and urgency of strategic planning across the university system in the coming months and years.

“A well-defined strategic plan is essential to ensuring the University of Nebraska remains strong and resilient in the face of financial challenges, while also positioning us to maximize opportunities during times of growth,” Dr. Gold said. “This plan gives us a unified framework while allowing campuses and programs to focus on areas of strength and innovation.”

Dr. Gold also addressed the broader landscape in which the university operates, noting that recent and ongoing changes at the federal level have created uncertainty for higher education institutions across the country. University leaders, faculty, and staff have been actively assessing and responding to evolving federal regulations, he said.

At the same time, discussions around the state budget — including a previously proposed cut to the university’s state-aided appropriation — have highlighted the need for thoughtful advocacy and partnership with elected officials. Dr. Gold expressed gratitude to members of the Nebraska Legislature, particularly the Appropriations Committee and Governor’s office, for their willingness to work toward solutions that help to preserve the affordability, accessibility, and excellence of higher education in Nebraska.

“This legislature and the governor’s office team are made up of hard workers — whom I’ve come to count as colleagues and friends — who truly have the best long-term interests of Nebraskans at heart,” said Dr. Gold. “I look forward to continuing to work with them as the legislative session continues and thereafter.”

In other business, the board:

• Approved establishment of the Nebraska Children’s Justice and Legal Advocacy Center administered by the College of Law, which will partner with the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln;

• Approved establishment of an Undergraduate Certificate in Irrigation and Agricultural Water Management to be administered by the Department of Biological Systems Engineering in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln;

• Approved changes to several university bylaws and policies.