KEARNEY – The University of Nebraska at Kearney will host its spring commencement 10 a.m. Friday at the Health and Sports Center on campus.

Interim Chancellor Charlie Bicak will confer degrees for 729 graduate and undergraduate students during the ceremony and present the Ron and Carol Cope Cornerstone of Excellence Award to Scott Nelson of Lincoln.

Brianna Hoffman, co-founder and board chair of the Team Jack Foundation, will deliver the keynote address.

A pharmacist at West Holt Medical Services in Atkinson, Hoffman and her late husband Andy established the foundation in 2013 after their son Jack was diagnosed with brain cancer. Since then, the nonprofit organization has raised more than $14 million for pediatric brain cancer research.

Hoffman’s commitment to this cause has been deeply personal, shaped by the loss of her husband to glioblastoma in 2021 and her son Jack earlier this year.

Jack will be recognized with an honorary degree during the commencement ceremony. An aspiring attorney, he was selected for the prestigious Kearney Law Opportunities Program at UNK, where he was a freshman honors student studying political science.

He passed away Jan. 15, 2025, at the age of 19.

“As we bestow upon him this honorary degree, we honor a young man whose courage, kindness and advocacy created real change. Jack Hoffman’s legacy will forever live on through the work of the Team Jack Foundation and the lives he touched along the way.”

The student speaker is Katie Lytle of Omaha, who graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in 7-12 chemistry education.

Lytle was involved in the UNK Honors Program, Chemistry Club, National Panhellenic Council and multiple honor societies. She served as a New Student Enrollment leader, chemistry lab teaching assistant, undergraduate researcher, chemistry tutor and coordinator for Chancellor’s Ambassadors. She also held several leadership positions for the Alpha Phi sorority, including chapter president.

After graduation, she will work as an educational leadership consultant for Alpha Phi International.

NU Board of Regents Chair Paul Kenney will also address the graduates. The national anthem will be performed by Madison Miller of Henderson, who will receive a bachelor’s degree in music education, along with accompanist Mirim Kim. The UNK Wind Ensemble will perform during the processional and recessional.

Those who are unable to attend in person may watch the ceremony via livestream on UNK’s website. A recording can also be viewed later on the website.

PARKING INFO

Commencement attendees are encouraged to park in the lots west of the Health and Sports Center. Visitors with handicap permits can park east of the Health and Sports Center. Those transporting a handicapped person will have access to drop off the individual on the east side of the complex but will need to move their vehicle to another lot.

Visitors with wheelchairs can sit in the corner seating sections on the main floor of the Health and Sports Center or use the elevator in the northeast corner of the building to sit in the designated section on the arena floor.

Doors open at 8 a.m.

BAG/PURSE POLICY

Guests should expect a visual inspection of person, bags and clothing capable of concealing prohibited items. Small clutch purses and wallets are preferred at entry and will expedite inspection.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

For safety reasons, prohibited items include but are not limited to:

•    Any type of weapon, fake weapon or object resembling a weapon. This includes firearms, knives, tasers, chains and any item deemed to compromise public safety.

•    Alcohol, drugs, illegal substances, vaporizing pens/E-cigs or any paraphernalia associated with drug use. The Health and Sports Center is a smoke-free facility.

•    Animals (except service animals).

•    Laser pens/pointers of any type.

•    Noisemakers (including air horns, cowbells or whistles).

If a prohibited item is revealed during a search, patrons may dispose of the item or they may return the item to their vehicle. The UNK Health and Sports Center does not safeguard any personal belongings or items of any type.