Alumni Success

Paths to service started at Hastings College
While at Hastings College, RuAnn (Ulmer) Root ‘86 was skeptical about her classes in writing, public speaking and nonprofit accounting — requirements for her Human Service Administration degree. “To be honest, I…

Talarico building resources for fine arts educators
After teaching K-6 vocal music in the Bellevue (Nebraska) Public Schools for 23 years, Cody Talarico ’99 is strengthening arts education across the state as the new fine arts education specialist with…

Woman of Steel: Sally Jurgensmier ’93
On her family farm, near Minden, Nebraska, artist Sally Jurgensmier ’93 uses a wire welder to transform cold scrap metal into wondrous, expressive sculptures that fill her farmyard and showroom: a giant…

Collins studying actuarial science with assistance from Public School Scholars Programme
Kyle Collins, a sophomore at Hastings College from Eleuthera, The Bahamas, said he believes education is an opportunity to seize his dreams and of him understanding concepts better than he previously did,…

Johnson fosters his love of connection at Prairie Loft this past summer
The continued connection between Hastings College and the nonprofit organization Prairie Loft helped Sam Johnson ‘22 foster his love for connecting people with the environment and helping people interact with it. The…

Two summers at youth campus push Hinkson to new career path
For the past two summers, Hastings College junior Landry Hinkson has been working with kids and teens at summer camps—and the experience has put her on a new career path. Hinkson, a…

Birk follows inspiration from ‘Criminal Minds’ to find her passion
Her appreciation of the show “Criminal Minds” allowed Hastings College junior Caitlin Birk to combine her interests in psychology and criminology, which led her to an internship at a sheriff’s office in…

Worthington finds success at Ithaca College internship
Senior Sammie Worthington set herself up for success with summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). Worthington spent two months working with other undergraduate students on Ithaca College’s campus doing mathematical research. During…

Video: Opportunities at Hastings College help Polacek pursue art therapy
Since she was young, Josie Polacek, who graduated in May with distinction in psychology, knew she wanted to become a practicing art therapist and counselor. To do that, she knew she had…