Faculty members share UNMC memories

A total of 105 faculty members, celebrating service milestones of 40, 30, 20, 10 and five years, will be recognized during today’s annual faculty meeting at 4 p.m. in the Durham Research Center Auditorium.

Below, two colleagues with 40 years of service share their favorite UNMC memories.

Audrey Nelson, Ph.D., tenure associate professor, College of Nursing-Omaha Division

Audrey Nelson, Ph.D.

As coordinator of the history museum, I interview members of the 50-year class and enjoy listening to their stories of when they were students and what they see as changes in nursing and health care over the years. Also, I receive collectibles for the history museum.

This past year, a 97-year-old alumnus from California contacted me about some items she wanted to send but needed help boxing the items. Through the alumni office, a dentist and life member of the alumni, was contacted to assist this person. He shared that he knew her since she attended his dental practice.

It was great. She sent course notes from 1939-1941, a doll that dressed in the probe uniform (her mother made the uniform), her student uniform and cape, and the 1941 University of Nebraska at Lincoln commencement program, in which she was recognized as a graduate nurse. These are “gems” for the history museum.

Over the years, I have developed great relationships with students, faculty and alumni. It is always a joy to see these people on campus or at special events.

Gwen L. Hlava, professor and chair of dental hygiene at the College of Dentistry

Highlights include being the recipient of:

• The Bereuter Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching – University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
• AMOCO Award for Outstanding Teaching of Undergraduate Students.
• Certification of Recognition for Contributions to Students presented by the Parents’ Association and Teaching Council of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (seven-year recipient).
• University of Nebraska University-Wide Department Teaching Award.
• School Bell Award presented by Omaha Public Schools for the Sealant Program now in its 13th year and in more than 20 Nebraska elementary schools.
• Outstanding Educator Award, College of Dentistry Alumni Association.

The common thread with these prestigious awards is teaching and education. My greatest reward is seeing students develop, excel and exude pride and passion in their profession. The Dental Hygiene Class of 2006 placed first in the country on written national boards, which exemplifies the utmost reward for an educator. My wish for the students is that their professional career will be as rewarding for them as mine has been for me. It’s a labor of love.

For a complete list of five-, 10- and 20-year awardees, click here.