The University of Nebraska Foundation has bestowed its inaugural award for lifetime achievement in philanthropy on Carl Mammel of Omaha, a prominent business leader and philanthropist.
The Ruth and Bill Scott Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy was established by the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Directors in November 2024 to recognize those whose legacy of philanthropic support has provided exceptional benefits in furthering the goals and mission of the University of Nebraska over a sustained period. Named for Ruth and Bill Scott, two of the university’s most transformational donors, the Scott Medal seeks to inspire a culture of charitable giving by recognizing outstanding philanthropists to the university.
“I’m honored to be the first recipient of the Ruth and Bill Scott Medal, especially given my long-standing relationship and admiration for Ruth and Bill,” Mammel said. “For decades, we’ve walked a shared path — driven by a belief that philanthropy is not just giving but investing in the potential of people, communities and our university system. Together, we’ve witnessed the power of generosity to shape a strong future for generations to come.”
As president of the Mammel Family Foundation and a University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumnus, Mammel has deeply impacted the university across multiple campuses. His largest gift to the university system was the largest ever in the history of the University of Nebraska at Omaha and supported the construction of Mammel Hall, home of UNO’s College of Business Administration. Mammel made another gift a decade later to support a building addition to accommodate enrollment and faculty growth in the college.
His other major gifts include supporting the Mammel Business Scholarship Fund, which has funded 412 student awards since its founding in 2020, and the College of Public Affairs and Community Service building renovation at UNO; Project Health and the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine; and Husker athletics and the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at UNL.
“Carl Mammel embodies the true spirit of philanthropy — not just in generosity, but in vision,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “He has long understood that the most powerful investment we can make is in the next generation. Through his support for education and his commitment to keeping talent in our community, Carl is helping to build a stronger, more vibrant future for Nebraska and beyond. His legacy will not only be measured in the many gifts he has made, but in the lives he has empowered to learn, lead and give back in return.”
University of Nebraska Foundation President and CEO Brian Hastings said: “Carl Mammel has transformed the landscape of business education at UNO, through a combination of his significant philanthropy to fund the construction and later expansion of Mammel Hall, his support for scholarships that have benefited hundreds of students and his influence in creating a collaborative and engaging culture within the UNO College of Business Administration. Carl’s philanthropy has also benefited the other parts of UNO, UNMC and UNL. He has made an incredible difference across the University of Nebraska System, both through his impactful philanthropic investments and by sharing his time and wisdom with us as a volunteer leader.”
Mammel received the Scott Medal at a private event on June 27. This is the second service award Mammel has received from the foundation. He was awarded the Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service in 2010. Mammel has been a trustee of the foundation since 2000 and served on its board of directors from 2003 to 2009. He is a former member of the foundation’s finance and investment committees, the UNO Campus Campaign Committee for the Campaign for Nebraska and the board of the Nebraska Alumni Association.