Search for latte leads to recruit

A chance encounter between her mother and UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., at this coffee kiosk in Paxton, Neb., has resulted in Kallie Schneider being accepted into the UNMC College of Medicine.

They were in search of a latte, but found so much more during a chance encounter at a small kiosk in Paxton, Neb.

In 2004, UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D., and his leadership team were traveling east on I-80, capping a two-day goodwill trip to western Nebraska, when a request came from the back seat.

“Would a short stop in Paxton for a latte be possible?” asked College of Nursing Dean Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc.

Absolutely, Dr. Maurer said.

The two vans veered off I-80, onto exit 145, and headed north toward Cuppa Calf-e, a small drive-through espresso kiosk a few miles shy of the legendary Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse and Lounge.

Kim Schneider was behind the window that day taking java orders. While filling requests, she told the group how she and two other farm and ranch wives had opened the kiosk to help send their kids to college. Then someone asked: “Are any of your kids interested in medicine?”

Why, yes, her youngest daughter, Kallie, planned to pursue a pre-med degree after graduating from Paxton High that spring.

From the front passenger seat, Dr. Maurer handed Schneider his business card saying: “When she’s ready to attend medical school she should let me know. Tell her to mention Paxton and I’ll remember.”

“This shows you never know the result at the end of the day. We were on I-80 and had to find a latte and ended up with a student — a smart kid to boot. It was fate.” UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.

For four years, Kallie carried with her Dr. Maurer’s business card and then wrote him this past October. “This is a letter to tell you that my application is in,” said the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate, recounting the brief conversation her mother had with Dr. Maurer that April morning in 2004.

“I remember the conversation with your mother vividly,” Dr. Maurer responded. “Thank you for letting me know. I will follow your application,” he said, inviting her to visit when she came for an interview.

Unfortunately, Dr. Maurer was out on the December day that Kallie stopped by the chancellor’s office.

Two weeks ago, she received another letter from UNMC — this one accepting her into the College of Medicine’s Class of 2012.

“This shows you never know the result at the end of the day,” Dr. Maurer said, reflecting on that chance encounter. “We were on I-80 and had to find a latte and ended up with a student — a smart kid to boot. It was fate.”

The Schneider family, meanwhile, looks forward to visiting campus in August to see Kallie begin her medical education.

“The chancellor called the other day to congratulate us and said that when we came for parent orientation to make sure to stop by,” Kim Schneider said. “It’s kind of a Cinderella story.”