September 30, 2024

Wehrman takes her corn creation to the masses

Carrie Wehrman is surrounded by yellow and green corn gloves
Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Growing up in Lincoln surrounded by a family of Huskers, attending the University of Nebraska–Lincoln seemed like the natural choice for Carrie Wehrman, a senior child, youth and family studies major.

While being a Husker fits her like a glove, it turns out, so does being an entrepreneur. 

Wehrman gained attention for her unique creation — corn gloves — and recently launched a website to sell them to Husker fans beyond her campus community.

“My cousin was working at a camp in Texas, where schools have hand symbols for their teams, and asked, ‘Why doesn’t Nebraska have something like that?’" Wehrman said. "That question inspired me to come up with the idea for the corn gloves.”

She started by making a few gloves and debuted them at Husker football games. Gradually, the corn gloves caught the attention of other fans. She customizes each corn glove by hand in her parent's garage — the classic entrepreneurial beginning, she said.

“People will talk about the Husker games, and I’ll ask, ‘Have you seen those gloves that look like corn?’ And when they say yes, I’m like, ‘That’s me!’” she said.

 

Carrie Wehrman and friends take a group photo wearing Wehrman's creation during the game against UTEP.
Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing
Carrie Wehrman and friends take a group photo wearing Wehrman's creation during the game against UTEP.

And while she hopes that the gloves might catch on, she keeps busy with her role on campus as a third-year resident assistant in Smith Hall. Wehrman aims to help her fellow Smith residents feel surrounded by their own Husker family.

“I applied to be an RA because I just knew it was something I wanted to try," she said. "Being able to help people and create community was something I was passionate about, and my passion for it has only grown over the last three years.”

For Wehrman, being an RA isn’t just about overseeing her floor — it’s about building meaningful relationships through small moments.

“As an RA, there’s such a huge opportunity to impact people’s lives because you live side by side with them," she said. "Even something as simple as asking, ‘How’s your day?’ can make a difference.”

The experiences as an RA have inspired her career goals after graduation.

“My time as an RA has been foundational," Wehrman said. "I’ve actually pivoted my plans after graduation and am looking into a professional career in housing and residence life.”