Recent achievements for the campus community were earned by Amy Burnett, Theresa Catalano, Abigail Herzfeld, Ufuk Kilic, Ben Lennander, Barney McCoy, Charles Murrieta, Jessica Petersen, Lisa PytlikZillig, Petronela Radu, Rob Simon, David Steffen, Ashley Votruba, Marilyn Wolf, John Woollam, the Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship, the College of Business and the College of Law.
Honors
The Women Lead conference, a collaboration between the College of Business and the College of Law, received international recognition with a Silver 2025 Circle of Excellence Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The prestigious competition drew more than 4,400 entries from 640 institutions in 33 countries, recognizing top work in advancement, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing.
Amy Burnett, emerita professor of history, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Zurich. She was honored for her pioneering research on the international impact of the Zurich Reformation in the 16th century. Burnett was recognized at the institution’s 192nd anniversary celebration at the Irchel Campus in May.
Theresa Catalano, professor in teaching, learning and teacher education, received a Fulbright Specialist Program award from the U.S. Department of State. The program enables U.S. academics and professionals to engage in two- to six-week, project-based exchanges at host institutions across the globe. Catalano will conduct work in communications and journalism at the Indonesia University of Education in Bandung, Indonesia.
Ashley Votruba, assistant professor of psychology; Lisa PytlikZillig, research associate professor in the Nebraska Public Policy Center and faculty ombuds; and Abigail Herzfeld, graduate student in the Law-Psychology program, received the Best Paper Award (2023-2025) from the Journal of Trust Research, where it is published. The paper, available online, is titled "How does trust in multiple trustees influence disclosure of workplace conflict? Testing the perceived influence model of trust."
Ufuk Kilic, research assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, received the 2025 Paul Drude Award at the 10th International Conference on Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. The award, sponsored by AIP Publishing, recognizes a young scientist for exceptional contributions to the development and application of spectroscopic ellipsometry. Kilic was recognized for his work on unambiguous structural and optical relationships for chiral and achiral nanostructured metamaterials using computational engineering, nanostructure material preparation and spectroscopic ellipsometry.
"Running Towards the Fire – A War Correspondent's Story" will receive the Sigma Delta Chi Television Documentary, Small Market Station Award from the Society of Professional Journalists this fall in Washington, D.C. "Running Towards the Fire" is a co-production between Painted Rock Productions, Nebraska Public Media and the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Barney McCoy, Gilbert and Martha Hitchcock Professor of Journalism, produced and directed the film. Christine Lesiak was the project's script consultant. Learn more about the film and the honor here.
Charles Murrieta, lecturer in forensic science, was named the 2025 Campus Lab Champion of the Year by Science Interactive. The honor, part of the Golden Goggles awards program, recognizes innovative approaches to laboratory learning. Murrieta was selected for his leadership in experiential science education. Across nearly two decades of lab and teaching experience, his courses in toxicology, chemistry and lab safety prioritize hands-on learning, real-world relevance and student career readiness.
Jessica Petersen, associate professor of animal science, received the Continuing Service Award from the Beef Improvement Federation. The award recognizes major contributions to the federation, including serving on the board of directors, speaking at conventions, working on BIF Guidelines and more. Petersen, an expert in animal genetics and genomics, volunteers to maintain and update the BIF Guidelines related to genetic defects to ensure the industry has access to the most current information.
Rob Simon, associate professor of practice in marketing, was inducted into the American Marketing Association Lincoln Chapter Hall of Fame at the group’s 2025 Prism Awards ceremony May 8. He was honored for his longstanding commitment to AMA’s mission and values, as well as his contributions to the marketing profession in Lincoln and the student chapter on campus. Beyond Simon’s individual honor, the university received other honors at the event:
- The Nebraska Center for Entrepreneurship received an AMA Prism Award in the Direct Marketing-Print category for its 2023-24 annual report.
- The College of Business and College of Law won two AMA Prism Awards for the continuously sold-out Women Lead conference in the Best Event (Nonprofit) and Best of Show categories.
David Steffen, professor in the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, received the Pioneer Award from the Beef Improvement Federation. The award recognizes individuals who have made long-lasting contributions to the improvement of beef cattle and honors those who have had a major role in acceptance of performance reporting and documentation as the primary means to make genetic change in beef cattle. Steffen is considered a national expert in genetic disorders in beef cattle, and his research has contributed to the commercial testing of nearly 70% of known genetic disorders in beef cattle. He received the award June 12 during the federation’s annual research symposium in Amarillo, Texas.
Marilyn Wolf, Elmer E. Koch Professor of computing, received the 2025 Marie R. Pistilli Women in Electronic Design Award. The award recognizes individuals who have visibly helped advance women in electronic design. It is named for the late Marie R. Pistilli, former organizer of the Design Automation Conference, who placed a high value on equality, diversity and acceptance. Wolf received the award at the 62nd annual DAC, held June 22-25 in San Francisco.
John Woollam, professor of electrical and computer engineering, received the Hans Mueller Memorial Award at the 10th International Conference on Spectroscopic Ellipsometry. Sponsored by AIP Publishing and J.A. Woollam Co. Inc., the award honors senior community members for pioneering, lifetime achievements in the ellipsometry field. Woollam was recognized for his exceptional contributions to development, application, dissemination and education in the field of spectroscopic ellipsometry.
Appointments
Ben Lennander has been named the assistant vice chancellor for human resources and chief people officer. The appointment was announced July 14 by Mike Zeleny, vice chancellor for business and finance. The newly expanded role includes the chief people officer designation, reflecting the university's commitment to creating an exceptional culture and work environment that empowers employees to successfully carry out the mission of the university. In this capacity, Lennander will continue providing executive leadership for the institution's human resource operations spanning seven specialized departments.
Petronela Radu, professor and chair of mathematics, was selected as a fellow in the National Science Foundation-funded Advancing Research Impact in Society program. Radu and the other fellows will present projects at the 2026 ARIS Summit, ending the year-long fellowship. They will also participate in ARIS programming and share their experience and tools with their local and professional communities. She will meet other fellows and program leadership at a workshop this summer. Learn more about the fellowship here.
