There are good reasons for this. Where I typically go for a total transparency approach, I can understand why that doesn’t necessarily apply to the selection process for our new President. For example, the nature of these kinds of searches has changed over the years. They tend to be conducted in a shorter time frame and often candidates won’t declare themselves because they may be in a position where doing so openly would imperil their work (should they not be selected).

Even though I can’t share every part of this selection process with you, I’m taking you on this journey with me and will share when I can and explain when I can’t. Plus, I can share my thoughts, the questions I think we need to ask ourselves, and the invitation for your input.

Personally, I think we need someone who is really good at collaborative efforts.

At any given point, regarding any decision to be made about the university, there are lots and lots of people who are involved. Once you start thinking about the bigger picture – the community, the state, the legislature – the ability to work effectively with people to find common ground with the people’s best interest in mind, that’s a major skill. One I think we would all benefit from.

Those are my two cents. But I’m more interested in hearing yours. I want you to think about the future of the university – where do you see it going, and how do you think we should get there? We have another open listening session coming up that I’ll tell you all about as soon as I can, but in the meantime, I’m listening…

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.

The chip in the cow’s tag sends a signal to a computer that weighs the feed before and after the cow eats and pulls its head out. They can then track the feeding data for each cow, so as the cows grow they gather statistics on how they put on weight, size, and can monitor the health of calves.

Research like this helps our Nebraska ranchers raise their herds with the best possible outcome in the most resource efficient manner. To take the guesswork out of feed is to save time, money, and raise healthy, happy cows. Not to mention happy ranchers.

Whether it’s cows or corn or anything in between, efficiency in agriculture is critical.

The same research center has a simulator that trains crop-dusting pilots in wind tunnels that can produce winds up to two hundred miles per hour. Because crop-dusting entails a lot more than just getting from point A to point B, this simulator can also measure the size of chemical droplets, the density of the plant coverage, and the amount of drift expected (how much chemical is flying into the wrong crop area).

“They are experimenting with water conservation by running tubes under crops at different heights to determine if they can save water from evaporation by dispersing it underground.”

Every variable is tested – should the tube be eighteen inches below the plant? Twelve inches? Computers measure environmental factors like rain for their part of the plant cycle to get a full picture of what works best.

“Did you know there are more than thirty-five invasive weed species in Nebraska?”

The University of Nebraska research center has samples of each species taken from many different environments, climates, and soil around the state.

“They found that thirty-five species became over 1,500 variations.”

Wild, right? Well they’re testing all 1,500 weed variations for how they absorb chemicals and working with the EPA to help reduce the amount of chemical needed. Good for plants. Good for people.

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.

I have a secret. Actually, I have many secrets. While they’re not exactly juicy tabloid fodder, they’re more than front-page worthy. Do I have your attention yet? Good. Because as Regent, I’ve discovered that these three programs are some of the University of Nebraska’s best kept secrets – and they shouldn’t be.

Secret #1: M.O.R.E. is More

It stands for Mobile Operating Room Experience. It’s a state-of-the-art training lab fitted with an ER, ambulance bay, and even moving, talking “dummies” that act as patients. It’s changing lives. Oh yeah, and it’s on wheels. Housed in a semi-truck and funded by a grant, this specialized lab can roll into any little town or rural area to provide much-needed medical training to local hospitals and fire departments. Did I mention that because it’s funded by a grant, it’s also free.

We’re talking about a necessary service here – a high-tech, much-needed, mobile training oasis in the medical desert. What M.O.R.E. do you need?

Secret #2: There’s Just Something About Yoga Balls

You may already know that University of Nebraska has an excellent record for teacher training. You may also know that there’s a town called Kearny about three hours’ drive from Omaha. And I assume you’ve heard of yoga balls. We’re off to a good start. Did you know that one of the Education professors at the Kearney campus (yes, it exists) conducted an experiment in elementary school classes with – you guessed it – yoga balls?

One local 2nd grade class was given yoga balls to sit on as chairs, a different 2nd grade class was given extra recess, and a third 2nd grade class went about business as usual. The idea was to study the behaviors of all three classes to determine whether the yoga balls had any effect on the students’ performances. Spoiler alert: they did. The kids on the yoga balls – having a consistent, non-distracting outlet for their excess energy – outperformed their classmates and had an easier time focusing on the class. Imagine what schools across the state could do with this study – if only they knew about it.

Bottom line: education is innovation.

Secret #3: Rolling in Green

How would you feel about riding horses to school? Being on a rodeo team? More importantly, how would you feel about having a guaranteed job upon graduation in a field you care about? Sounds like a pipe dream in this economy, right? Well if you’re interested in agriculture or becoming a veterinarian, our tiny campus in Curtis, Nebraska is where such pipe dreams come true.

This exceptional program teaches students everything they need to know about ranching and farming, but also critical technical skills like how to fix a center pivot irrigation system. Think about it – if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and your system goes down, you’re going to have to wait forever to get it fixed… unless you know how to fix it yourself. Save time, save money, save your business. Companies, ranchers, and vet’s offices are waiting in line for this program’s graduates because – get this – there are only three hundred students. The only reason this program can’t host more interested students is because it’s on the campus of an old boy’s tech school and the University could only afford sprinklers for one dorm. Sprinklers.

These are just three of University of Nebraska’s many innovative and dynamic programs that have the potential to make some major waves in Nebraskans’ lives and communities. The first step: someone has to hear about it.

Secret’s out. And that’s a good thing.

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.