With the morning sun streaming through the Van Brunt Visitors Center, Graydon Cory sat quietly at a table, schedule in hand, thinking about what was to come at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Admitted Student Day.
His calm shifted when Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson stopped to visit with the Omaha senior and Regents Scholar.
“I’m definitely coming here in the fall because I want to be a part of the Raikes program,” Cory said, when asked about his plans. “It’s an amazing program that offers cool internships and a Startup Studio, which is something I really want to get into. Being part of a cohort where everyone is excited about the same things — that’s what really drew me.”
Cory was one of more than 1,700 admitted students who visited campus with friends and family on March 28. The annual celebration offers prospective students a preview of life as a Husker, including one-on-one meetings with faculty, tours of residence halls, and opportunities to explore academic programs, student organizations and campus support services. More than 500 faculty, staff and student employees helped host the event, ensuring every detail ran smoothly.
“It’s an affirmation day for some students — and for others, it’s the thing that pushes them over the top and says, ‘I really do want to be here. I see myself here,’” said Monique Snowden, interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment management.
After welcoming and registration events in the Nebraska Union and visitors center, the day kicked off with a pep rally in the Nebraska Coliseum. The event featured Herbie Husker, Lil’ Red, the Cornhusker Marching Band and Nebraska Spirit Squad, as more than 4,500 prospective students and their guests clapped to the fight song, cheered “Go Big Red” and listened to presentations.
The rally led visiting students down different paths — some stayed on campus to explore academic programs, while others marched to Memorial Stadium for Husker football’s annual Red-White scrimmage.
For Stephanie Russo and her mother, Nicole, the scrimmage was a highlight, but the decision to attend Nebraska had come long before. Stephanie fell in love with the university during an earlier family stop on a trip to Oklahoma.
“She just fell in love with the place,” Nicole Russo said. “As soon as she got on the plane, she was like, ‘Oh, yeah, Nebraska is the place for me.’”
Stephanie, who plans to study pre-veterinary sciences in the fall, said the day gave her a chance to see what it means to be a Husker — from exploring residence halls to meeting faculty and checking out student organizations.
2026 Admitted Student Day
Admitted students and their families make their way out of the Nebraska Union.Jordan Opp | University Communication and Marketing
Sophronia Rowley (left) holds a spider as she listens to a lecture on spider behavior inside Manter Hall.
Stephanie Ollerich (right), a 1997 graduate, dances with her family inside the Coliseum.
Kennedy Brom (left), a senior PGA Golf Management major, hands out shirts to admitted students inside the Nebraska Union.
Admitted students and their families enter the Lee and Helene Sapp Recreation Facility.
Admitted Students walk from the Union to the Coliseum Saturday morning for opening remarks on Admitted Student Day.
Maren McGrath (second from left) talks with Lauren Targy (left) inside Jorgensen Hall.
Claire Johnson (left), a senior in mechanical engineering, talks with Trevor Potter about the UNL Baja SAE team inside Kiewit Hall.
Admitted students Porter Woita (left) and Annika Srivastav (right) view a dissected fetal pig inside a biological sciences lab in Manter Hall.
Jace Grunden (left), a senior agricultural engineering major and president of the Cornhuskers Figure 8 Race Team, speaks with admitted students inside the Nebraska Union.
The Cornhusker Marching Band plays “Hail Varsity” during the welcome session inside the Coliseum during Admitted Student Day.
Students clap together during the opening section of Admitted Students day in the Coliseum.
Members of the Cornhusker Marching Band chant "Go Big Red" inside the Coliseum.
While some students cheered on the scrimmage, others focused on exploring campus life in Lincoln. Hailee Raffael, a music performance major from North Platte with a concentration in cello, said she came to Admitted Student Day to learn more about academics and student life.
“My mom suggested I come, and I thought it would be a good way to see a lot of things I wouldn’t otherwise know about,” Raffael said. “I’m planning to rush a sorority in the fall and wanted to check out those meetings.”
The visit also gave Raffael a chance to see campus facilities firsthand, including the new School of Music building, which officially opens this fall. “It’s really beautiful, and it makes me even more excited to start classes,” she said.
Not every admitted student came with a set plan. Lauren Thompson, a native of Elkhorn, Nebraska, said she came to Admitted Student Day looking for guidance as she decides on a major.
“My whole family went here — it kind of runs in the blood — but I’m still undecided,” Thompson said. “Today is all about learning more so I can make the right choice for me.”
Thompson spent time exploring programs in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, with a particular interest in sports marketing and mass communication. She also considered options through the College of Business, which recently launched a minor in sports management and business.
By the end of the day, students had toured residence halls, met faculty and staff, explored academic programs, dined in campus halls and gotten a taste of Husker life.
“Seeing everything today makes me even more excited for what’s ahead this fall,” Thompson said.
