Abby Sekle, (UNK Communications, Courtesy)
KEARNEY – Abby (Roland) Sekle has been selected as the 2024 Dr. Donald E. Fox Distinguished Chemistry Alumna. Sekle will give her lecture on Friday, Oct. 11, at 2:30 p.m. in Copeland Hall, Room 131. The lecture is open to the public.
She will be honored earlier in the day at the 44th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the Gala Room in the Regional Engagement Center, 2204 University Drive, Kearney. Tickets are $25 per person ($30 starting Sept. 30), $15 for children ages 12 & under, and can be purchased until Oct. 2 at unkalumni.org/homecoming or by calling the UNK Alumni Association at 308-698-5271.
“I am thrilled for Abby to be honored as this year’s distinguished chemistry alumna,” said Christopher Exstrom, professor of chemistry at UNK. “She was an excellent student and worked very hard in and out of the classroom. She embraced both the chemistry and teaching professional aspects of her education with equal passion, and that is clearly reflected in her outstanding record as a high school teacher.”
Dr. Donald E. Fox Distinguished Chemistry Alumna Award
Abby (Roland) Sekle (2004, MS 2015)
Abby Sekle of Omaha, Nebraska, has been a high school science teacher for 20 years, educating students in chemistry, physics and physical science. She is currently a science teacher at Elkhorn North High School and previously taught at Arlington High School and Benson High School.
Sekle’s hands-on and encouraging approach to learning earned her the University of Nebraska-Lincoln impactful teacher recognition and Benson High School Star Teacher of the Year award, both student-nominated recognitions. She is currently the co-coach of the Elkhorn North High School Academic Decathlon team.
The Kearney, Nebraska, native and Kearney High School graduate received her Bachelor of Science in chemistry 7-12 and physical education 7-12 in 2004, as well as a Master of Science in science/math education in 2015, both from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
To purchase tickets and see a complete list of weekend activities, visit unkalumni.org/homecoming or contact the UNK Alumni Association at 308-698-5271.
Additional alumni award recipients will be announced through August 21.
2024 Homecoming Alumni Events
Friday, October 11
10:00 a.m. Loper Gridiron Club Golf Tournament (Kearney Country Club)
11:30 a.m. Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon (Regional Engagement Center, Gala)
2:30 p.m. Chemistry Department’s Dr. Don Fox Lecture (Copeland Hall, Room 131)
5:30 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet (Regional Engagement Center, Gala)
6:00 p.m. ROTC Alumni Social (American Legion)
6:00 p.m. UNK Volleyball vs. Emporia State (Health & Sports Center)
Saturday, October 12
10:00 a.m. Homecoming Parade (Downtown Kearney)
Noon Loper Alumni Tailgate (Cope Stadium, Foster Field near Mantor Hall)
2:00 p.m. UNK Football vs. Pittsburg State (Cope Stadium, Foster Field)
6:00 p.m. ROTC Alumni Banquet (Younes Conference Center South)
6:00 p.m. Political Science Alumni Reunion (Kearney Country Club)
7:00 p.m. UNK Volleyball vs. Washburn University (Health & Sports Center)
A full schedule of events and ticket information can be found at unkalumni.org/homecoming and unk.edu/offices/student_life/homecoming.
