Hennings establish scholarship for Crete, Wauneta area students

Tom and Candy Henning of Lincoln have established a scholarship fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation to help students from their Nebraska hometowns attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

The Henning Family Scholarship will enable the university to award scholarships to students who graduate from Crete and Wauneta–Palisade high schools.

The Hennings, who graduated from those schools and met while attending Nebraska, want future generations of students to continue their education at the university.

“We both grew up in rural communities in Nebraska and have been fortunate in our lives in so many ways,” Candy Henning said. “We believe that is, in part, due to the education and experiences we received at UNL. We feel the best way for us to give back to our hometowns is to help young people attend UNL and believe this investment will benefit both our hometowns and state.”

The Henning Family Scholarship will provide awards annually to two first-year students — one graduate each from Crete and Wauneta–Palisade High. Based on the students’ academic standing at the university, the scholarship may be renewed for up to three additional years.

“An education at Nebraska can be transformative for students in various ways,” said Katherine Ankerson, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer at Nebraska. “Tom and Candy Henning experienced this for themselves and have been ambassadors of the university ever since. We are grateful for what their scholarship will enable students to accomplish.”

The Hennings graduated from high school in 1971, with Tom attending Crete and Candy attending Wauneta–Palisade.

Tom Henning devoted his career to the banking and insurance industries, serving in leadership roles with Assurity Life Insurance Company since 2005, including 26 years as the president and CEO. He currently serves as its non-executive chairman of the board of directors. He served on the University of Nebraska Foundation board of directors from 1993 to 2009 and as its chair from 2005 to 2007.

Candy Henning held a long career in the broadcasting industry. She is a founding member and past chair of Women Investing in Nebraska, which enables women to collectively fund bold projects addressing important issues in the state.

The Hennings have served as trustees of the University of Nebraska Foundation since 1987.