Faculty and Staff | Nebraska Wesleyan University

The legendary SM��̳ arch juxtaposed by green trees and blue sky.

Kontor named SM��̳ Men's and Women's Golf coach

Published

January 13, 2025

Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics has appointed Kean Kontor as the new head men's and women's golf coach.

Kontor joins the Prairie Wolves with a wealth of experience in collegiate coaching and golf operations, most recently serving as the head men's and women's golf coach at Midland University.

Faculty and Staff

Athletic Training

Ensrud named Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine

Jason Ensrud works with two SM��̳ students.

Published

December 19, 2024

Nebraska Wesleyan University has promoted Jason Ensrud to Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine.

English Department

Faculty and Staff

Kelen named inaugural holder of professorship in the liberal arts

Sarah Kelen teaching students in the classroom.

Published

December 6, 2024

Dr. Sarah Kelen’s teaching and research on medieval and early modern English literature and culture have earned her one of the highest academic honors at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Kelen has been chosen as the inaugural holder of the Dr. Roger A. Cognard Professorship in the Liberal Arts.

Faculty and Staff

Social Work Department

Cavel named 2024-2025 Faculty Mentor of the Year

Published

December 4, 2024

Kara Cavel, associate professor of social work, has been named the 2024-2025 Faculty Mentor of the Year.

The honor recognizes faculty who dedicate their time and expertise to mentoring their colleagues, fostering professional growth, and enhancing the teaching and service environment on campus.

Faculty and Staff

Ourada receives SM��̳'s Core Award

Darrin Good gives Jeremiah Ourada an award.

Published

November 14, 2024

Jeremiah Ourada, chief information officer, has been recognized with Nebraska Wesleyan University’s CORE Award, which celebrates staff whose efforts and contributions significantly exceed expectations in demonstrating Nebraska Wesleyan’s core values.

He was recognized for his contributions both within the CSIT Department and beyond:

Philosophy and Religion Department

Faculty and Staff

Redding honored with inaugural professorship in the humanities

Jonathan Redding talks with a SM��̳ student.

Published

November 1, 2024

Dr. Jonathan Redding’s influential research on Biblical interpretation and unwavering support of students has earned him one of the highest honors in academia at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Redding has been chosen as the inaugural holder of the Dr. Anne MacLeod Cognard Professorship in the Humanities.

Faculty and Staff

McCrystal becomes SM��̳'s head wrestling coach

Colton McCrystal poses for picture for a graphic

Published

September 25, 2024

Nebraska Wesleyan University has named Colton McCrystal as the new head wrestling coach, Director of Athletics Dwight Merilatt announced today.

Faculty and Staff

Jim Wiedie named women's basketball coach

Published

September 10, 2024

Nebraska Wesleyan University has named Jim Wiedie as the new head women's basketball coach, Director of Athletics Dwight Merilatt announced today.

Faculty and Staff

Jeff Christy tabbed as SM��̳ head baseball coach

Jeff Christy, SM��̳ head baseball coach, poses for a picture

Published

August 27, 2024

Nebraska Wesleyan University has named Jeff Christy as the twelfth head baseball coach in program history, Dwight Merilatt, director of athletics, announced Tuesday.

Admitted students

Current Undergraduates

Faculty and Staff

Parents and Families

Undergraduate Admissions

SM��̳ Named Among College "Hidden Gems"

Published

June 12, 2015

Collegeraptor.com has named Nebraska Wesleyan University to its list of 50 "hidden gems" among colleges that receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year.

Admitted students

Faculty and Staff

Gade-Jones Named New SM��̳ Vice President

Published

June 4, 2015

Tish Gade-Jones has joined Nebraska Wesleyan University as Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Biology Professor Honored With University’s Teaching Award

Published

May 28, 2015

McKinney, who has taught biology at Nebraska Wesleyan for 16 years, is this year’s Prouty Teaching Award winner.

Admitted students

Academics

Faculty and Staff

SM��̳ Selected for National Initiative on Signature Student Opportunities

Published

April 1, 2015

Nebraska Wesleyan University has been named one of eight colleges and universities in the country to participate in a national initiative to explore signature work for all undergraduate students.

Faculty and Staff

Spring Lectures Announced

Published

January 26, 2015

Adam Earnheardt, an expert on social media and athletics, will kick off Nebraska Wesleyan University's lecture series.

Faculty and Staff

Undergraduate Admissions

SM��̳ Launches Full-Tuition Program

Published

December 3, 2014

Nebraska Wesleyan University has launched a full tuition program to further expand college access for Nebraska students.

Music Professor Named Exemplary Teacher

Published

October 22, 2014

Energetic. Inventive. Committed. That’s how colleagues and students describe music professor John Spilker.

“Students will come, and they will stay when they have taken inventive, demanding and engaging classes like those taught by John Spilker,” wrote Sandra McBride, assistant professor of English.

Academics

Faculty and Staff

Parents and Families

Undergraduate Admissions

U.S. News & World Report Names SM��̳ a Top National Liberal Arts College

Published

September 9, 2014

U.S. News & World Report has again named Nebraska Wesleyan University a top national liberal arts university.

Admitted students

Academics

Current Undergraduates

Faculty and Staff

Parents and Families

Undergraduate Admissions

What's New At SM��̳?

The Prairie Wolves will take on the Doane Tigers

Published

August 15, 2014

New bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a new forward-thinking general education curriculum, a new sport, new facility updates, new faces. We certainly have a lot to look forward to for the new academic year. Here are some highlights:

Admitted students

Faculty and Staff

Motzer Named New Vice President for Enrollment Management

Published

June 23, 2014

Bill Motzer has been named the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

He will lead the university’s enrollment planning, admissions, financial aid, retention, and marketing and communications efforts.

Art Professor David Gracie Honored With University’s Teaching Award

Published

June 4, 2014

Gracie, assistant professor of art, who began his Nebraska Wesleyan career in 2004, is this year’s Prouty Teaching Award winner.

Admitted students

Faculty and Staff

SM��̳ Honors Five Retiring Professors’ 144 Years of Service

Published

May 29, 2014

Nebraska Wesleyan University said farewell to five retiring professors at commencement ceremonies on May 17. Combined, the five professors’ tenures reach back further than the university’s history.

Current Undergraduates

Faculty and Staff

Parents and Families

Nurse Nancy Named One of Nebraska's Best Caregivers

Representatives from the Lincoln Journal Star

Published

April 14, 2014

Nancy Newman, director of Student Health Services, has been named one of the state's "best nurses."

At the April 14 campus staff meeting, representatives from the Lincoln Journal Star stopped by and surprised Newman with an announcement that she was named one of the best in the newspaper's annual "Best Nurses in Nebraska" contest.

Faculty and Staff

Why We Give

Travis Jensen, Assistant Dean of Faculty and Curriculum

Karla Jensen, Associate Professor of Communication

Published

March 31, 2014

"When asking ourselves “Why we give” we thought of Nebraska Wesleyan's core values. In particular, two core values inspire us to give back: Liberal Arts and Community.

Faculty and Staff

Why I Give to SM��̳

Published

March 31, 2014

Over the next couple of months, you will hear from your colleagues about why they give to the Faculty and Staff Campaign.

If you would like to share why you support SM��̳, please contact greber [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (Gary Reber).

Faculty and Staff

Alumni and Friends

Alums Honor Retired Business Professor With Endowed Fund

Published

March 14, 2014

Former students of LaVerne Rudell surprised their beloved professor with an endowed fund in her name during Nebraska Wesleyan University’s sixth annual Business Summit, held March 7.

Rudell, professor emerita of business administration, taught at Nebraska Wesleyan for 30 years from 1966 to 1996.