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Chancellor Emeritus Named AKSARBEN Ball Court of Honor Inductee

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OMAHA - The AKSARBEN Coronation Ball Committee has selected the 2017 Court of Honor recipients.

The Court of Honor is one of AKSARBEN’s most prestigious awards. The recognition is given annually to individuals who have excelled in one of the following categories: Agriculture, Arts, Business and Industry, Community Service, Education, Philanthropy, Professions, Public Service, Sports or Service to Youth.

This year, Chancellor Emeritus John E. Christensen will be honored for his contribution to the community in the field of education.

Other honorees include:

  • Betsy and Robert “Bob” Reed, Physicians Mutual (Category: Business & Industry)
  • Dr. Jack Stark, Psychologist and Consultant (Category: Sports)
  • Carol (posthumously) and Dave Van Metre, Community Volunteers (Category: Service to Youth)

The honorees will be celebrated at the AKSARBEN Coronation and Scholarship Ball on October 28, 2017, at UNO’s Baxter Arena.

"This year's AKSARBEN Court of Honor recipients represent the best of what the Heartland has to offer in service to education, business and industry, sports and support to youth," Women's Ball Committee Chairman Karen Nelsen said. "As individuals, our 2017 honorees have been exemplar in service, leadership and giving. As a group, you can see how fortunate we are to live in such a generous and engaged community."

Jennifer Zatechka is the 2017 Court of Honor Chairman for the Women’s Ball Committee.

In addition to celebrating area families who help build the Heartland, the AKSARBEN Coronation and Scholarship Ball is a fundraising event for two AKSARBEN Foundation scholarship programs, operated in partnership with the Horatio Alger Association. The scholarships are dedicated to talented Heartland youth with financial need: the longstanding 4-year scholarship, AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger State Scholarship Program, and the new 2-year scholarship, AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarship Program, with a vision of annually funding 1,000 scholarships for students seeking careers in high-skill, high-demand occupations.

AKSARBEN Foundation scholarship programs have generated $10 million in philanthropy in the past decade and the foundation events have generated $200 million in direct economic impact.

For more information on the AKSARBEN Scholars program, please visit www.aksarben.org