Omaha World-Herald Names Chancellor Christensen 2016 Midlander of the Year
The Omaha World-Herald has selected UNO Chancellor John Christensen as the 2016 Midlander of the Year.
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"People may be tired of hearing this, but I’m the luckiest guy in the world," said Chancellor Christensen during his final State of the University Address in November 2016.
Chancellor Christensen confers degrees at December Commencement.
Chancellor Christensen congratulates a student at December Commencement.
Chancellor Christensen helps judge costumes during the Great Skate and Halloween Costume Contest.
During Homecoming, the UNO Athletics Department honored Chancellor Christensen.
Chancellor Christensen speaks during the 17th annual Engagement Scholarship Consortium conference, which was hosted by UNO.
In October, Collective For Youth honored Chancellor Christensen for his service to the community.
Chancellor Christensen announced his retirement in September 2016.
Chancellor John Christensen and Archbishop George Lucas chat during a tour of the St. John Paul II Newman Center, which opened in August 2016.
President Barack Obama shakes Chancellor Christensen's hand after the President's speech at Baxter Arena in January 2016.
The son of a drywall construction contractor, John Christensen didn’t expect to go to college, get a doctorate, become a professor, then lead the biggest university in his hometown.
Christensen, an average student at Benson High School who was unmotivated to study and excel, was transformed through nudges and experience.
Now Christensen is in his final year of a decade as chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. At 68, he announced he would step down in mid-2017 to spend more time with family, especially his seven grandchildren.
Christensen has overseen big changes at UNO. He regained campus and community trust with his everyman demeanor. He increased programs, improved retention and graduation rates, and added campus facilities. He expanded UNO’s presence south of Pacific Street.
Today The World-Herald honors Christensen, an Omaha native who achieved excellence in academia, as its Midlander of the Year.