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Best of 2015: Student Groups Celebrate Success

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Over the past year, UNO has continued making history. Whether it be in the classroom, on the field, right here in Omaha, or across the world - the students, faculty, and staff of UNO have set the bar for what it means to be a successful and engaged metropolitan university.

This story, which highlights the impressive national achievements of several of our student groups, is one of 15 that will be published through the month of December to highlight the "Best of 2015" at UNO.

Did we miss any groups or organizations that made an impact nationally? If so, please email us at unonews@unomaha.edu.

MavPRSSA Best in the Nation

MavPRSSA students pose at Atlanta conference

No, they're not chefs. The UNO Public Relations Student Society of America (MavPRSSA), took this photo after presenting at a national conference. The session was titled "Fundraising Nightmares: A Recipe for Kneaded Dough."

MavPRSSA must also have the recipe for success. On the final day of the conference, the group was named the nation's top chapter. This is the third time MavPRSSA has won the F.H. Teahan Outstanding Chapter Award in the last seven years.

Dance Team Makes Program History

The dance team poses with their trophy at Daytona Beach, FL

In spring, the UNO Dance Team returned home from sunny Florida with plenty to celebrate. The team finished third at the National Dance Alliance competition, their highest ranking in team history.

The two-day competition pitted the 22 students against dozens of other teams from across the country. UNO came in just under Towson University (First place) and the University of Missouri - Kansas City (Second place).

MavForensics Returns to National Top Five

MavForensics students celebrate their victory

UNO's forensics team, MavForensics, earned a fifth-place ranking at the American Forensics Association (AFA) national tournament as one of the best competitive speech teams in the country and was the top of three Nebraska schools in the Top 10.

This was the sixth consecutive year that UNO made it in the Top 10, which makes UNO one of the most historically successful among all collegiate forensics programs who have competed in the AFA tournament during its 40-plus-year history.

Flying Mavs Headed Back to Nationals

The Flying Mavs pose with their awards and unofficial mascot after the competition's awards banquet.

For the seventh straight year, UNO's competitive flight team has qualified for the National Intercollegiate Flying Association championships. Last spring, the team placed six students in the top 20 nationally.

After a strong regional performance this fall, the team will once again compete nationally next May.

Fraternity Earns Top Honor

August 2014 - UNO Pikes

For the third consecutive year, UNO's Delta Chi Chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was honored with the Robert Adger Smythe Award, the highest distinction a chapter can earn.

It recognizes academic success, community service and philanthropy, campus leadership and athletic excellence. This year, the chapter was recognized for collectively volunteering roughly 9,500 service hours, raising more than $90,000 for philanthropy, and attaining a 3.33 GPA.