AGP Executive Report

Campus Culture: UNL’s University Program Council is teaming up with Lincoln jeweler Charmed by Chels for a free custom-charm event today; the first 200 students can make a bracelet or necklace. Student Arts: The Sheldon Student Advisory Board has doubled to eight members and is now an official student organization, building on its exhibition about the museum’s iconic Torn Notebook sculpture. Local Food: UNL’s Husker Produce Farm harvested about 15,000 pounds of produce in its first commercial season, connecting student learning with fresh food for the community. Rural Life: Near Sutton, Jenny Thorson’s small dairy centers on attentive animal care, grazing and close relationships with customers. Omaha Heritage: A former Czech immigrant dance hall in Little Bohemia has found new life as the Bohemian Gardens event venue. Nature Finds: A 6-year-old from Eagle discovered a rare, hundreds-of-millions-of-years-old conulariid fossil at Schramm Park. Community Landscape: A Nebraska Rural Poll found 63% of rural respondents noticed fewer trees in their area over the past five years.

Omaha Heritage: A Czech immigrant dance hall in Little Bohemia has found new life as The Bohemian Gardens, a venue for weddings and events. North Platte native Jeff Pappas and his partners bought the historic grounds in 2021. A Rare Gretna Find: Six-year-old Leo Youngdahl discovered a conulariid fossil at Schramm Park—an ancient marine animal that lived in the region millions of years ago. College Aid: Nebraska’s 2027-28 FAFSA is open, and EducationQuest is offering 75 high school seniors $1,000 scholarships for filing and applying. Rural Education: UNK ranked No. 10 in Washington Monthly’s first Top 100 Rural Colleges list; 66% of its graduates stay in Nebraska to live and work. Community Connections: Kearney’s Faith and Blue event brought hundreds of families together with police, firefighters, EMS crews and local churches for hands-on activities.

Fall Fun: Gretna’s Vala’s Pumpkin Patch has added pirate-themed attractions, a new mini-golf course and more than 10 menu items for the season. Nebraska Roots: Kool-Aid began with Hastings entrepreneur Edwin Perkins, who turned bottled Fruit Smack into a powder to cut shipping costs and broken bottles. Campus Culture: University of Nebraska–Lincoln journalism students won nine national audio awards, including three best-of-show honors. Food & Flavor: Valentina-spiked mayonnaise is rolling out at select Walmart stores in Nebraska and 10 other states. Career Paths: More than 800 students from 34 Nebraska schools are expected in Kearney on Oct. 14 to explore careers through hands-on activities and conversations with employers.

Community & Care: UNK graduate Brianna Wood is building a healthcare career close to her Hordville roots, drawing blood and caring for patients at Merrick Medical Center in Central City. Student Futures: More than 800 students from 34 Nebraska schools are expected in Kearney on Oct. 14 for hands-on career exploration with local employers and colleges. Arts & Stories: Lincoln’s Loft Gallery is showing new work by artist Tammy Miller through Oct. 31, while a recent book launch highlights the experiences of immigrants and refugees in the city. Nebraska Roots: Sister Thomasita Homan, a Benedictine educator and writer, has died at 88; she was born in Pawnee City and traveled widely, experiences that influenced her writing.

Lincoln Arts: The Loft Gallery is showing new work by Tammy Miller through Oct. 31. The freelance artist, part of the Burkholder Project, has also created a poster for Lincoln’s America 250 celebration. Rural Health: Nebraska officials say more than $177 million of the state’s $218.5 million in first-year federal rural health funding has been awarded to local initiatives. Omaha Voices: Omaha-born actor Yolonda Ross returns Wednesday to headline Girls Inc. of Omaha’s annual fundraiser, focused on girls’ opportunities and success. Education & Careers: UNK leaders highlighted growing health-science programs, a new aviation program and efforts to connect students with employers. A national counselor survey also found schools lag in recognizing career and trade pathways, despite rising student interest. Outdoor Life: Nebraska National Forest offers nearly 400 miles of trails for hiking, camping and exploring the state’s less-traveled landscapes.

Arts & Community: Omaha-born actor Yolonda Ross is returning home to headline Girls Inc. of Omaha’s annual luncheon, celebrating women’s success and opportunities for girls. Campus & Careers: UNK leaders told the Board of Regents about programs in aviation, health sciences, education and business designed to prepare students for Nebraska jobs. Outdoor Life: Nebraska National Forest offers nearly 380 miles of trails, with room for hiking, camping and exploring the state’s quieter landscapes. Local Finds: York County’s Wild Trail Safari won a small-business pitch contest; the drive-through attraction plans to use the prize for enclosure upgrades and marketing. Culture & Heritage: Nebraska stories this week also spotlighted UNL archives preserving state history and a Lincoln book launch sharing immigrant and refugee experiences.

Outdoor Nebraska: Nebraska National Forest is drawing attention for its nearly 380 miles of trails, camping and quieter Great Plains scenery. York County Small Business: Polk’s Wild Trail Safari won a local pitch contest, earning funds to improve animal enclosures and promote its drive-through safari and petting zoo. Campus Culture: UNO’s Salsa Club brought students together for a dance lesson and social event during Hispanic Heritage Month. Local Flavor: Butter Brickle, the nostalgic ice cream flavor inspired by an Omaha-made candy, is getting a fresh look as fans call for its return. Student Achievement: Ten Grand Island Senior High students earned Nebraska’s Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing proficiency in English and another language. Community Care: Society of St. Vincent de Paul Omaha is distributing free winter coats to local families, with no income requirements.

Local Experiences: Polk’s Wild Trail Safari, a drive-through attraction and petting zoo with ties to 4-H, won York County’s small-business pitch contest. Owners plan to use the prize for enclosure upgrades and marketing. Cultural Heritage: The International Gurung Buddhism Council, founded in Omaha in 2024, wrapped its second global conference in Kathmandu. The group works to preserve Gurung traditions, language and identity. Arts & Events: Omaha’s Heartwood Park hosts its Fall Festival this weekend, followed by a kite festival Oct. 17–18. At UNO, Salsa Club members led a dance lesson and social event for Hispanic Heritage Month. Schools & Community: Ten Grand Island Senior High students earned Nebraska’s Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing proficiency in English and another language. State farm-to-school resources also invite schools to celebrate local and Indigenous foods during National Farm to School Month.

Omaha Community: Ukrainian advocates and lawmakers met in Omaha as more than 100,000 Ukrainians across the U.S. face uncertainty over expiring temporary protected status. Fall in Omaha: Heartwood Park’s Fall Festival brings pumpkin carving, bingo and a giant hay sculpture this weekend, followed by a kite festival Oct. 17–18. Culture on Campus: UNO’s Salsa Club led a Hispanic Heritage Month dance and lunch event, while Grand Island Senior High students celebrated earning Nebraska’s Seal of Biliteracy. Neighbors Helping Neighbors: St. Vincent de Paul Omaha is giving away free winter coats at Assumption Church, with no income requirements; Lincoln’s U.G.L.Y. Quilters have made more than 500 quilts for people experiencing homelessness. Arts and Heritage: Lincoln’s Cathedral of the Risen Christ plans an international World Mission Sunday Mass Oct. 18, with cultural attire encouraged and international choirs invited. Farm to School: Nebraska educators are highlighting local and Indigenous foods this month through tastings, lessons and school meals.

Student Achievement: Ten Grand Island Senior High students earned Nebraska’s Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing proficiency in English and another language. Community Care: Omaha’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul will give away free coats Saturday at Assumption Church; there are no income requirements. Food & Culture: Nebraska schools can mark National Farm to School Month with local foods, farm visits and lessons that highlight Indigenous foods. Indigenous Community: People in Lincoln joined others in wearing orange to remember children affected by boarding schools, while jingle dress dance offers a path to healing. Arts & Heritage: Pius X High School brings its original “Alice in Wonderland” adaptation to North Star High School Oct. 15–18. UNK’s archives are also inviting Nebraskans to explore collections preserving campus and regional history. Faith & Fellowship: Lincoln’s Cathedral of the Risen Christ will mark World Mission Sunday Oct. 18 with international choirs and an invitation to wear cultural attire.

Community & Culture: Lincoln’s Asian Community and Cultural Center’s monthly Mahjong Club is welcoming newcomers and experienced players alike, using the traditional game to bring people together offline. Music Education: Jazz great Wynton Marsalis visited Lincoln and spoke about how music nurtures students, as school programs face rising costs and budget cuts. Great Plains History: Rob Bozel, the first recipient of the Rippeteau Prize, will discuss Sandhills archaeology at Morrill Hall on Oct. 13. Onstage: Lincoln-area theaters have a busy October lineup, including Nebraska Wesleyan’s “Underdog: The Other Other Brontë,” with performances through Oct. 11. Immigrant Stories: A new collection, “The Lives of Immigrants and Refugees,” brings together 31 essays about migration and finding home in Nebraska; contributor Phanomvan Pongdara summed up the book’s welcome: “Listening is welcoming.”

Counseling Rights: Christian counselors have sued Lincoln over an ordinance they say restricts therapy for minors seeking comfort with their biological sex or help with unwanted same-sex attraction. Childcare: Norfolk’s new childcare center is awaiting its final license; it plans to serve up to 71 children, from infants through kindergarten. Health Access: Medicaid changes that took effect Oct. 1 affect about 1,000 Nebraska refugees and asylum-seekers, according to state officials; advocates warn losing coverage could deepen health care barriers. Student Life: More than 100 students from eight Nebraska schools competed in a land-judging contest near Ord, with winning teams advancing to the state competition Oct. 14. Local Culture: Lincoln community radio station KZUM is set to join the new downtown library.

Campus Life: UNL’s student government approved a Halloween tailgate booth offering alcohol-safety tips, snacks and an interactive impairment demonstration before the Oct. 31 game. Arts & Culture: Lincoln’s Ross Media Arts Center is screening horror favorites through Oct. 25, while a sensory-focused exhibit at Omaha’s KANEKO invites visitors to experience the world in different ways. UNO students also contributed artwork to a Nebraskans for Palestine fundraiser for medical relief. Community & Culture: Lincoln radio station KZUM plans to move into the city’s new downtown library, expected to open by 2028. In Omaha, a care team helped Rose Blumkin Jewish Home resident Mary Kaiman fulfill her wish to attend the symphony. Higher Education: Southeast Community College set a fall enrollment record of 11,591 students, its seventh straight annual increase.

Campus Life: UNL groups marked Oct. 7 in different ways: Students for Justice in Palestine displayed a flag memorial, while Jewish students gathered privately to mourn the Hamas attacks. Community Health: Antelope Memorial Hospital has launched a free four-week series in Neligh, helping residents build sustainable habits around nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Giving Back: Grand Island’s St. Leo’s Church will hold its annual coat giveaway Oct. 22, with children’s mittens and hats especially needed. Arts & Aging: Omaha’s Dreamweaver Foundation helped Rose Blumkin Jewish Home resident Mary Kaiman return to the Omaha Symphony, a favorite she once enjoyed with her late husband. Nature & Recreation: Gibbon’s Rowe Sanctuary offers year-round bird and wildflower walks, story times and event space alongside its famous sandhill crane season. Youth Opportunities: Nebraska’s second Governor’s Youth Summit brought more than 640 people to Kearney, connecting students with employers, colleges, scholarships and career paths. Conservation: Lincoln photographer Joel Sartore’s Photo Ark has documented more than 18,500 animal species, using portraits to inspire wildlife protection.

Grand Island Rally: Thousands turned out for President Donald Trump’s Nebraska campaign visit, while protesters gathered nearby. His remarks suggesting Iran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego drew swift condemnation. Campus Climate: UNL says its protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity remain in place despite changes to federal Title IX rules. Omaha Civic Life: Faith leaders launched the “Vote is Sacred” bus tour at the Tri-Faith Initiative, promoting voter education and turnout. UNO students also tested their Constitution knowledge for cupcakes at a campus event. 4-H Community: Custer County clubs marked National 4-H Week with a hay-bale decorating contest; displays are up through Oct. 10. Heritage: Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15, celebrating communities with roots across Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean—and identities that span generations.

Politics & Community Safety: President Trump’s Grand Island rally drew national backlash after he suggested Iran could “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, with California leaders calling the remarks dangerous and disqualifying and Democrats and Harris branding him a “tyrant.” Local Civic Life: Omaha hosted the “Vote is Sacred Bus Tour,” bringing faith leaders together to push ballot education, poll safety, and Election Day turnout. Education & Workforce: Western Nebraska Community College will end its Lifelong Learning Department effective Jan. 1, 2027, while Central Community College honored career and workforce leaders at the Nebraska Community College Association awards. Disability & Employment: Nebraska VR recognized partners and a champion for inclusive hiring and disability employment at the Nebraska State Capitol. Culture & Entertainment: Anime NebrasKon keeps growing as a community-centered convention, and HBO’s “Lanterns” finale sparked talk about its DCU future. Sports & Campus: Omaha swept Rockhurst in swimming and diving, while Penn State’s coaching shakeup continues to fuel college football debate.