The University of Nebraska Foundation has bestowed its 2025 service awards on two Kearney, Nebraska, couples who have dedicated themselves to service to the University of Nebraska. Galen and Marilyn Hadley and Tom and Mary Henning were honored during a celebration on June 12 in Kearney.
Galen and Marilyn Hadley, Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service
Galen Hadley, PhD, and Marilyn Hadley, EdD, received the Harlan J. Noddle Award for Distinguished Development Service. The award recognizes a former staff member of the University of Nebraska or the University of Nebraska Foundation who has provided exemplary service in development and demonstrates the values held by former foundation Board of Directors Chair Harlan Noddle. Those values are integrity, commitment, initiative, compassion, foresight, tolerance, diligence and honesty.
The Hadleys’ ties to Nebraska run deep; Marilyn is originally from Red Cloud, and Galen is from Lincoln. The couple met while attending the University of Nebraska. The Hadleys earned multiple degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Galen a bachelor’s and doctorate, and Marilyn a bachelor’s and master’s. She also received a doctoral degree from the University of South Dakota.
Marilyn ended her 28-year higher education career as dean of the University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Education. Galen served UNK as dean of the College of Business and Technology before becoming interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and returning to faculty to teach accounting. He served as Kearney’s mayor from 2004 to 2006 and as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from 2009 to 2017, including two years as speaker.
In 2012, he shepherded the university’s “Building a Healthier Nebraska” legislative package through the body. The initiative led to the creation of the Health Science Education Complex in Kearney, the precursor to the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, and helped launch the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. Strong legislative support inspired private support for both projects.
Marilyn Hadley, after retiring from UNK, has been deeply engaged in community service, particularly in activities related to the humanities, education and the arts. The Hadleys have been University of Nebraska Foundation Trustees since 2017. In 2018, the couple received the inaugural Presidential Medal of Service from the University of Nebraska System.
“Galen and Marilyn Hadley are true public servants,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “They are champions for higher education, affordable tuition for students, quality faculty and research. Through their service and advocacy, they’ve built a brighter future for the University of Nebraska and our state. They are highly respected community leaders and truly dear friends.”
Tom and Mary Henning, Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service
Tom and Mary Henning received the Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The award, named for the foundation’s first executive director, recognizes volunteers who improve the effectiveness and resilience of the foundation to advance the University of Nebraska.
Tom is a native of Kearney, and Mary is a native of Ogallala, Nebraska. Tom attended UNK and graduated from UNL in 1971. He is the CEO of Cash-Wa Distributing Co., a company purchased by his father in 1957. Mary Henning studied education at UNK and graduated in 1969. She taught second grade in Lincoln and Kearney and is actively involved in the arts and storytelling.
They have been foundation trustees since 1992 and during that time have been a part of three comprehensive campaigns, including their current roles on the Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for our University’s Future campaign committees for UNK and UNMC/Nebraska Medicine. The couple also is among the philanthropic benefactors of the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex.
Tom has served on numerous university committees and on the foundation board and several of its committees. Mary also has provided volunteer service on foundation board committees and is a member of Women Investing in Nebraska. Tom co-founded the One Nebraska Coalition to support the University of Nebraska. He received the university’s Presidential Medal of Service in 2019.
“There are few couples who’ve volunteered more time and energy to the University of Nebraska than Tom and Mary Henning,” said Brian Hastings, president and CEO of the University of Nebraska Foundation. “Tom and Mary share their wisdom and treasure because they understand the University of Nebraska’s positive impact on Nebraska. Their breadth and depth of volunteer leadership and service at the university and foundation have been amazing, and they are truly wonderful Nebraskans.”