It’s an odd feeling to have that there’s simultaneously so much happening, and nothing happening at all.

Recently, in a quiet moment, I was reflecting back at the wonderful week I spent last year with students and families at graduations. And as I was thinking about it, I was also looking at the special section in the Omaha World Herald where they highlight a number of graduating high school seniors. It was heartbreaking thinking of all the graduates, both from high school and university, who are missing out on the classic commencement with all its fanfare, pomp and circumstance.

Personally, I remember that graduating high school and entering my first year of university felt like New Year’s Eve on steroids. I hope at some point they get another opportunity to have that kind of experience. Grad school, maybe?

While there’s so much we can learn from the past, it’s also not always helpful to dwell on it. Of course, that’s easier said than done as we navigate this age of uncertainty.

My own grandson won’t know until mid-June whether he’s going to be on campus in the fall. There’s still so much up in the air. Even so, there are things to look forward to. One thing I’m really excited about is welcoming our new Student Regents who start in May! Introducing…

Max Beal (UNK) – he’s the student body president at Kearney, and a senior studying Business Administration. Raised on a farm, he’s been involved numerous activities, including an internship in a congressional office in Washington DC.

Roni Miller (UNL) – Roni will be a senior this fall, majoring in Spanish and Political Science. She’s been in student government since her freshman year, and helped secure a grant from Women Investing in Nebraska to provide a counselor-in-residence program. She’s also been an ambassador, regent scholar, and intelligence community scholar.

Javin Moore (UNO) – a third year Business major, Javin graduated from Omaha North Magnet School and is very passionate about civic engagement. He’s currently the leader of the UNO Student Government, after having served in several positions including Vice President.

Tom Schroeder (UNMC) – Tom is a third year medical student at UNMC. Originally from Lincoln, he has already spent year in Turkey on Fulbright scholarship and has also served in the Peace Corps in Guatemala.

It’s tremendous to have their new voices and new perspectives, I’m very much looking forward to working with them.

In more good news, do you remember that pandemic recovery guide I mentioned in my last blog? The one that President Ted Carter and a group of experts including UNMC and the Global Center for Health Security? Well, it’s done!

The Higher Education COVID-19 Pandemic Recover Guide is complete and available to any higher education institution to figure out how and when to re-open campus in a way that ensures everyone’s health and safety.

This is a playbook for administrators, and has already been sent to a number of schools, with more requesting it as the word spreads.

The checklist is broken down to three phases and covers every aspect from engineering facility controls and administrative campus controls, to policies and procedures.

What I like most about this is that this group worked diligently to create something they’re willing to share with entire country. Some people might have opted to print and sell it, some might have decided to keep it exclusive so that University of Nebraska could be promoted as the only “safe school.” But no, it’s available to anyone, because citizens’ welfare is what matters most.

It says a lot about the University of Nebraska that we’re trying to do something to help the rest of the country. It’s something to be proud of.

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