Caleb Wiseman is a junior at UNK, where he’s studying 6-12 math education. He also serves as a resident assistant and math and statistics tutor on campus, and he’s involved with UNK Student Government and the Catholic Newman Center. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)
KEARNEY – Caleb Wiseman calls his time at the University of Nebraska at Kearney an “amazing experience.”
“UNK has given me so many opportunities,” he says. “I’ve been very blessed.”
Those opportunities wouldn’t have been possible without some fatherly advice.
Wiseman’s parents, Chris and Deb, both attended UNK and graduated with teaching degrees. Chris was also a member of the Loper men’s basketball team.
Despite those ties, their youngest child wasn’t giving UNK much consideration during his college search. It was almost three hours away from his hometown of Plattsmouth, and nobody else from his graduating class was coming here.
Eventually, Chris convinced him to take a tour.
“The second I stepped on campus, I fell in love with everything,” Wiseman explained. “I fell in love with the people – all the professors I met were amazing – and I saw there was a community here that I wanted to be part of.
“On the ride home, I told my dad, ‘Yeah, I think I’m gonna go to Kearney.’”
Wiseman received the prestigious Board of Regents Scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition, along with additional financial support through the UNK Honors Program.
“That was huge for me,” he said. “One of the biggest things I was looking at during my college search was affordability.”
He moved into Men’s Hall on campus in fall 2022 and immediately recognized it was his home away from home.
“That first week, I probably met everybody on my floor,” Wiseman said with a smile.
He’s continued to make connections across campus since then.
CAMPUS LEADER
Wiseman is involved with the Catholic Newman Center, where he serves on the Parish Council and leads a weekly Bible study. He’s also part of UNK Student Government and he works as a resident assistant in Mantor Hall.
“My RA my freshman year was really great,” he said. “I felt connected and I felt like I had somebody I could reach out to no matter what. I want to be able to give that to other people.”
That’s not the only way Wiseman is supporting fellow Lopers.
Last summer, he served as a New Student Enrollment leader, helping incoming freshmen prepare for the transition to college. When the school year started, he began a new position as a math and statistics tutor in the Loper Success Hub.
Emily Bahr, interim director of UNK Tutoring and Academic Support, describes him as a campus leader and role model who builds strong relationships with other students and creates a welcoming, comfortable environment for anyone seeking tutoring services.
“Caleb’s knowledge of mathematics and his ability to explain it clearly make him an effective tutor,” she said. “But more than that, he believes in students’ ability to be successful in math, and that comes through in his tutoring style. Every time I have observed Caleb while tutoring, he has been positive and encouraging to students. Math can be tough, and I think it makes a difference to have a tutor like Caleb there to offer help and encouragement.”
FUTURE TEACHER
Originally a computer science major, Wiseman switched to 6-12 math education during his freshman year. Inspired by his parents and the other educators who impacted him back home, he wanted to pursue a career where he could make a positive difference every day.
“This isn’t just interesting to me,” he said. “I’m motivated beyond that because I want to be the best teacher I can be and I want to give back to students in that way.”
He refers to math education as “the best program on campus.”
“It completely changed my thinking,” Wiseman said. “Dr. (Amy) Nebesniak and Dr. (Ted) Rupnow have done an amazing job with that program and I’ve truly loved my time in it.”
Nebesniak has equally glowing remarks about her advisee, calling him dedicated, focused and incredibly driven – someone who excels in everything he sets his mind to.
“Caleb is one of those people who draws others in,” the UNK professor said. “I don’t believe he has ever met a stranger. He has a magnetism about him, which people just want to be around. He brings instant energy and enthusiasm to our campus. And he is a great example of how our UNK students can be involved on campus and maintain high academic standards for themselves.”
A regular on the UNK dean’s list, Wiseman was recognized by his peers last semester when they voted him homecoming king. Although he’s “very grateful” for the honor, that’s not the driving force behind his servant mindset.
“I want to be a teacher and I want to make everybody feel at home in my classroom, so this is just kind of an extension of that,” Wiseman said. “I really love Kearney and I love everything this school has given me, and I want everyone to have the same kind of experience I got to have.”
Nebesniak believes that mentality will serve him well in his future career.
“Caleb is going to be the type of educator students remember and talk about fondly, even 30 years after leaving his classroom,” she said. “He will create a fun and safe learning environment where kids are able to grow and learn. And he will be a person who will profoundly impact not only his students, but his colleagues and the entire school.”
