Our Stories

Pre-Columbian studies during fellowship lead to class ideas
After receiving a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Dr. Glenn Avent, Associate Professor of History and Chair of the Department at Hastings College, spent a month in Mexico…
Federal agent sees some movie-esque moments
In dry, mountainous terrain in the middle of New Mexico, a single helicopter descends from the blue and hovers just above ground, sending a cloud of dust skyward. A handful of black-clad…
Conquering obstacles to solve the mysteries of life
Dr. Deanna (Schmidt) Hutchins ’74 is an adventurous spirit wrapped in a barrier-blind attitude and a quest-seeking point of view. An anomaly in her early career, Deanna is an obstacle-buster, way-paver, and…
Ministering ‘to and through’ coaches
Josh Reynolds ’00 serves as the Central-Northeast Nebraska Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). For the last 10 years he has worked with FCA, and Josh said, “I love…
International studies major spends junior year in Russia
Thanks to an exchange program and supporting grants, Hastings College student Ian A. Tuttle had an opportunity to spend his junior year in Russia at Pyatigorsk State Linguistic University (Pyatigorsk is a…
Foote giving life her all
When a friend in Altman Hall found herself frustrated by her accounting homework, then-Hastings College first-year student Dana (Pote) Foote ’96 remembers leafing through the numeral-rich textbook and feeling a click. “Looking…
Print in Digital Age
An impressive journalism career has taken Josh Awtry ’98 across the United States, and now he’s leading efforts to redefine and ultimately save local print newspapers in the digital age. Josh’s vision…
Memory Maker
Scott DeBoer ’89 has had incredible success since graduating from HC in physics and math. He continued his education at Iowa State University and graduated in 1992 with a masters in physics…
Neurologist reaches out with telemedicine
For many small town and rural inhabitants, having a specialist at their disposal is typically not possible. Dr. Allen Gee ’88, a psychobiology major from small town Nebraska, is bridging that gap…
Lee aims to teach values everyday
Principal. Coach. Role model. Mentor. Thomas “Tommy” Lee ’87 fills each of these roles at Omaha Northwest High School, where he is serving his first year as principal and coach. Omaha Northwest…
Vyhlidal: ‘Find the thing you love’
There’s an old couch in the office of Jeff Vyhlidal ’08, but he can’t remember the last time he himself sat down on the well-worn cushions. “It’s almost always filled with students,”…

Campaigning Young
Nick Musgrave, a junior from Parkersburg, West Virginia, double majoring in history and political science spent last fall on the campaign trail with Chuck Hassebrook, 2014 Nebraska Democratic candidate for Governor, as…

Video by Hulbert captures humor, Best in Show
For Josh Hulbert, communicating through words is difficult. “I feel more comfortable just showing them via cinema,” said the sophomore advertising and public relations major from Aurora, Colorado. And his messages are…

Anderson moves from student to employer
Heartland Bank Regional President Jeremy Anderson ’04 is finding the importance of hiring Hastings College students and alumni. “As an alumnus that has seen a large benefit in my career and life from my experience at…
Agriculture plays a critical role in society, Killefer’s career
“I have always been interested in the sciences for as long as I can remember,” said John Killefer ’84, head of the Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University.…

Hull thrives as part of musical family
“I owe all my talents and musicality to the people that have surrounded me, pushed me to work hard, and guided me through all the struggles,” said Michael Hull, a senior from…