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Dr. Larry D. Winkler Memorial Scholarship established

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Omaha – The Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) is honored and proud to announce the establishment of the Dr. Larry D. Winkler Memorial Scholarship. At the time of his death in August 2016, Winkler served as a part-time academic advisor for the DCS office located at the Offutt Air Force Base. Beginning in 1981, Winkler served as director of academic programs in the now defunct UNO College of Continuing Studies (CCS). In 2003, he retired from CCS as assistant dean emeritus.

Higher education administration was not Winkler’s first career, and his doctorate in administrative education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was not his first graduate degree. He applied his love of learning to every phase of his life. At the age of 16, he was the youngest virtuoso clarinetist in the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. He pursued his passion for music by earning both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in music education at Wichita State University (Kansas). For over 30 years, he sang in the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska, where he also played his clarinet on occasion.

Winkler’s childhood dream was to fly. True to his love of learning, he became a pilot in the United States Air Force, where he served from 1957 to 1979. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel. He lived his passion for the outdoors through activities such as golfing, fishing, and boating. He served as commodore of the Omaha Yacht Club from 1986 to 1987.

Most who knew Winkler saw a strong, talented, entertaining man with a gregarious personality and clever wit. He generously shared his love of learning with student advisees at UNO, positively influencing countless lives during his time there. Winkler played an integral role in the transition from the College of Continuing Studies to the Division of Continuing Studies, always advocating for students, their success, and the Bachelor of General Studies.

The Dr. Larry D. Winkler Memorial Scholarship commemorates Winkler’s meaningful contributions to UNO. His legacy of embracing life with passion, faith, humor, kindness, and a love of learning continues to inspire and warm the hearts of many.

If you would like to contribute to the Dr. Larry D. Winkler Memorial Scholarship Fund in support of Bachelor of General Studies Degree students, please visit the University of Nebraska Foundation website or contact Tessa Barney, director of development, at 402.502.4103 or tessa.barney@nufoundation.org.

Dr. Larry D. Winkler’s Mission*

I will do my best to insure that I fulfill the following objectives for the rest of my life on beautiful Plant Earth:

To glorify and praise GOD each and every day.

To live by discipline and principles that have stood the test of time.

To control my passions and my tongue so that others will not suffer.

To be positive in outlook and in deed so that I may contribute to the positive vibrations of the human race.

To love all living things with an understanding found only in the depths of the mind GOD gave me.

To learn and rejoice in the ability to learn new knowledge each and every day GOD grants me.

To love and honor my closest friends--my wife, children, son-in-law, daughters-in-law, and my grandchildren.

To be helpful, kind and caring to all those with whom I come in contact.

To keep myself physically fit, mentally alert and morally straight through thought, word and deed each day of my life.

*Discovered on Winkler’s cell phone by Granddaughter Mindy