Alumni Stories
Finding path in college lets Weber return to his roots
Kyle Weber, a 2017 Hastings College graduate, was promoted earlier this year to senior ranger at Chatfield State Park in Littleton, Colorado. Weber has been working for Colorado Parks and Wildlife full…
Paths to service started at Hastings College
While at Hastings College, RuAnn (Ulmer) Root ‘86 was skeptical about her classes in writing, public speaking and nonprofit accounting — requirements for her Human Service Administration degree. “To be honest, I…
Talarico building resources for fine arts educators
After teaching K-6 vocal music in the Bellevue (Nebraska) Public Schools for 23 years, Cody Talarico ’99 is strengthening arts education across the state as the new fine arts education specialist with…
Woman of Steel: Sally Jurgensmier ’93
On her family farm, near Minden, Nebraska, artist Sally Jurgensmier ’93 uses a wire welder to transform cold scrap metal into wondrous, expressive sculptures that fill her farmyard and showroom: a giant…
Video: Opportunities at Hastings College help Polacek pursue art therapy
Since she was young, Josie Polacek, who graduated in May with distinction in psychology, knew she wanted to become a practicing art therapist and counselor. To do that, she knew she had…
Tippl aims to build community, support bars and restaurants
Four friends who met at Hastings College are living their dream of owning a business together — and helping their community while doing it. “We’ve always had the desire to start a…
Alumni come together after years apart to put on play
The play “Strong City” is full of Hastings College alumni. “We’re doing a sort of renegade reunion,” the writer of the play, Paige MJ Erickson ‘00, said, as the director and almost…
Starting up: Cermak mentors next generation of entrepreneurs
Levi Cermak ’18 has viewed life through an entrepreneurial lens for as long as he can remember. As a youngster, he sold candy bars and bookmarks to his friends and watched his…
Grefe ’05 redefines banking after 15+ years of service
As Kelly Grefe’s four year journey came to an end when he graduated from Hastings College in 2005, he had no idea where his career would take him. Now, after 15+ years…
Hall retires with record of helping students succeed
Brian Kloppenborg ’06 credits Hastings College math and computer science professor Dr. Mark Hall for saving his career. After graduating from Hastings College with a major in physics and minors in math…
Jensen to continue making sunshine into retirement
Dr. Byron Jensen, Professor of Music, is retiring from Hastings College after 19 years educating and inspiring students in Hastings, and 43 years after he first entered the world of music education.…
Darling ’03 leads Fontenelle Forest, inspires a love for nature
On a bitterly cold winter’s morning, Matt Darling ’03 points out the wonders of Fontenelle Forest Nature Center: 17 miles of hiking trails winding through 1,400 acres of upland forest and Missouri…
Sanford leaves comfort zone behind in content marketing career
As she made job changes, moved across the country and took risks, Marissa Sanford said it was important to “be okay with being uncomfortable for a little while” — advice she chose…
Ginkens says ‘yes’ to one of the biggest opportunities of her career
For as long as she’s lived, she’s played every sport. So it was no surprise that Ally Ginkens ‘20 would leave her hometown of Mullen, Nebraska, to go on and double major…
Appelhans pursues dentistry through residency in Pacific Northwest
Brooke Appelhans ‘16 dreamed of being a dentist since she was a little girl, which led her to pursue her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Hastings College. She is continuing to follow…
Teal ’17 credits Hastings College in finding her passion (video)
“I remember when I came here as a freshman, I was very much like, ‘I have to receive the training to go on to do the big things,’” said Laurel Teal ‘17.…