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Richard Holland |
Individual seats at the luncheon can be purchased for $50 and tables of 10 for $500. The deadline for reservations is Monday, April 7. Luncheon reservations can be made on NFR’s Web site by contacting Victoria Kohout at 390-2461 or Victoria@nebraksansforresearch.org.
Space is also available in the luncheon program booklet for congratulatory messages and ads. For more information on the cost to place a message or ad, contact Kohout.
An Omaha native, Holland attended Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska at Omaha). Initially, his major was chemistry, but following service during World War II as an officer in the chemical corps, he determined a career in chemical engineering was not for him.
He returned to complete his degree and switched his major to art. After graduation, he took over the advertising business of his father, Lewis Holland. In 1957, he helped establish the Holland, Dreves, Reilly advertising agency in Omaha. In 1979 it merged with a Lincoln agency and became Swanson, Rollheiser, Holland, Inc. Holland remained a principal member until he retired, having built Omaha’s second-largest advertising business.
Holland and his late wife Mary have been tremendous community visionaries, committing their talents and finances to a variety of initiatives, projects and programs that have helped shape the future of Omaha.
After Mary’s death, Holland has continued to embrace projects that broaden and enrich the community. Two contributions in this area are:
- The Holland Center for Performing Arts, which engages audiences in a variety of artistic venues; and
- The Holland Lecture Series, initiated in 2005 to address a variety of important ethical and global issues by stimulating discussion and thinking.
With a passion for new ideas, it’s no surprise that the Hollands have been longtime supporters of research. Their financial contributions helped build the state-of-the-art Durham Research Center at UNMC and, most recently, the second research tower currently under construction, which will mirror the Durham Research Center.
Holland also was instrumental in founding the Nebraska Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, which has energized many key business and community leaders in the effort to ensure a supportive research climate in Nebraska.
Proceeds from the luncheon go to support Nebraskans for Research, a 501c3 organization with members from throughout the state who come from all political parties.
NFR is dedicated to promoting and supporting life-saving research and ensuring that it flourishes in our state.
Nebraskans for Research initiated this luncheon in 2003 to recognize people who have had champions of research in Nebraska. Previous tribute honorees are:
- 2007 — Dr. James Armitage;
- 2006 — Harold and Marian Andersen;
- 2005 — Rik and Dr. Shannon Bonness;
- 2004 — Dr. Michael Sorrell; and
- 2003 — Charles Durham.