Story 56 - Board of Directors
What allows an organization to endure for 75 years? It takes a blend of adaptability, strong leadership, a supportive culture, effective governance, a clear mission, unwavering focus, active engagement, resilience, and community-building. Throughout our program's history, dedicated community champions have applied their professional skills and expertise—whether in finance, law, or fundraising—to steer NHRI forward.
Despite several periods of financial instability, NHRI Leadership Mentoring has stayed true to its core purpose because of generations of student leaders, dedicated staff members, and the generosity of volunteers and donors. From the very beginning, NHRI has been supported by countless community members who have dedicated their time and expertise as board members.
Past president and current member, Bryce Johnson’s favorite aspect of serving on the NHRI board is seeing positive change and progress over all years and the passion of board members to help that along. Board members have opened their homes and businesses to host events and meetings over the years. NHRI remains rooted in the community it has impacted because of the reinvestment of volunteer members of the Board of Directors.
“For NHRI to have existed for 75 years, it tells me that they didn’t just preach these concepts, but they practiced them as well.”
One of NHRI’s earliest female board members, Dr. Virginia Trotter, served from 1972-74. Dr. Trotter served as vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNL before being appointed the first woman to the highest education post in the nation, as assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health Education and Welfare.
“Being a student board representative has opened my eyes to the meticulous planning and direction behind NHRI. As a member, I am surrounded by people who selflessly devote their time for the betterment of NHRI, which is a testament to how impactful the program is for all of its members. My role, alongside Rachel Arens, is to articulate the perspective of current students to help sustain its future at UNL and in the community.”
“The 75th Anniversary planning session was my first experience seeing the board as a whole. It was amazing for me to see how excited they were for the program. Their willingness to commit the time to celebrate the 75th anniversary was inspiring. They wanted to make sure it was something mentors and mentees, past and present, could enjoy.”
Thank you to every board member who served over the past 75 years! You truly are NHRI Difference Makers!
“I love going to our board meetings. We talk about serious things, but we also have a good time and really enjoy the friendship. If you like being a giver of time, you should strongly consider the board at whatever age you are. We need more people who are willing to reinvest in NHRI after their college experience, at whatever level they can contribute. They will not regret the time they invest.”
May 2024 Board Meeting at Cornhusker Bank
The NHRI Board of Directors is full of the best people you know—a group of talented individuals who treasure people and relationships. It makes reinvesting in the program not only rewarding but fun. Email Jack Ehrke to learn more about supporting the work of NHRI Leadership Mentoring.