University of Nebraska alumnus and cattleman Paul F. Engler of Amarillo, Texas, announced today a $20 million gift to support programs in agribusiness at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

“I think about myself and my age, and I still have fire in my belly,” Engler said. “We need to identify these boys and girls who have that fire in the belly when they are young and then when they come to the university, expose them to a curriculum that teaches risk—how to evaluate it and how to manage it—because if you do not take risk as an entrepreneur, you are not going to make it.”

Campaign for Nebraska seeks to raise $1.2 billion by the end of 2014. This funding would enable the university to meet high-priority opportunities and needs at UNO and the University’s other three campuses.

The Foundation has raised more than $667 million toward its goal — the most ambitious in the organization’s 73-year history — since fundraising for the campaign began in 2005.

The campaign’s top priority is to provide students across the state affordable access to the university through scholarships and financial aid provided by private support. At UNO, for example, more than 75 percent of the campus’ 15,300 students currently apply for financial assistance.

Nate Summerfield had a tough decision to make after his father died just before Nate was to enroll in college. In this video clip he talks about the weight of his decision.

As a National Hispanic Scholar in high school, Richard Cantril had his choice of a number of colleges. After visiting Nebraska and many others, the senior business major from Scottsbluff chose the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

In May Kristi Scott joined the ranks of graduates of the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In June she joined the ranks of the Peace Corps and headed to Tanzania. She credits the scholarship support received from University of Nebraska at Kearney donors with allowing her to accept the toughest job she’ll ever love.

A first generation student and Iraqi war veteran, Nickeya Chaney is a UNO senior majoring in social work. When she returned from Iraq a social worker had a profound affect on her life. And she wants to return the favor for others.

“With family medicine you get to know the whole family. I enjoy seeing the patients and developing a relationship with them…Learning all aspects of their health as compared to just seeing them one time for one problem.” Without a scholarship Natalie would have to rely more on her parents than she would like. If she had been offered scholarships elsewhere and none at UNMC, Natalie would still be at Nebraska due to its emphasis on primary care and rural medicine.

The generosity of those who understand the importance of a strong state university system was evident again this year, as the foundation ended its fiscal year on June 30, 2009, with more than $128 million raised on behalf of the University of Nebraska. Despite a global recession, donors made it the second best year in the foundation’s 73-year history.

Longtime university supporters Ruth and Bill Scott of Omaha certainly had fun with this gift! In addition to support for UNMC's state-of-the-art medical education building, the couple also provided funds for a student ice rink, which opens today in Omaha.

The public phase of a comprehensive fundraising campaign led by a prominent team of volunteers was announced today by the University of Nebraska and University of Nebraska Foundation. The Campaign for Nebraska: Unlimited Possibilities seeks to raise $1.2 billion to meet high-priority opportunities and needs for the university’s four campuses.

The University of Nebraska Foundation has announced plans for a comprehensive fundraising campaign to meet high-priority opportunities and needs for the university’s four campuses. More details, including the campaign goal and leadership, will be announced later this fall. Campaign priorities will include student scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention, research and academic program support.