NEBRASKAN OF THE YEAR

Since 1988, Lincoln Rotary Club 14 has been honoring Nebraskans who have distinguished themselves through service to others in keeping with ideals of Rotary International. These Nebraskans have shown honesty, integrity and concern for others through leadership and significant contributions to their profession and their communities. This award is open to ALL Nebraskans except elected officials, currently in office. Nominees do NOT have to be a Rotarian. 

The goal each year is to select one honoree from a statewide field based on the following criteria:

  1. Honesty, integrity and concern for others;
  2. Service in charitable and civic causes and;
  3. Leadership and significant accomplishments in his/her profession or volunteer activities.
The Nebraskan of the Year celebration is currently being reimagined and will not be held in 2024. 
 

Past Recipients of the Lincoln Rotary Club 14 Nebraskan of the Year:

  • 2023 Rhonda Seacrest

    Businesswoman — Philanthropist

  • 2022 Judi gaiashkibos
    Executive Director - Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
  • 2019 JoAnn Martin

    CEO - Ameritas

  • 2018 John Cook

    Coach - Educator - Mentor

  • 2017 Anthony (Tony) O. Messineo, Jr.

    Business Leader - Philanthropist - Friend

  • 2016 Dr. Martin Massengale

    Educator - Civic Leader

  • 2015 Duane Acklie*

    Businessman — Civic Leader — Philanthropist

  • 2014 Dr. Ron Hull

    Broadcast Pioneer — Educator — Civic Leader

  • 2013 J. Paul McIntosh*

    Businessman — Civic Leader — Philanthropist

  • 2012 Harold W. "Andy" Andersen*

    Businessman — Civic Leader — Philanthropist

  • 2011 Lee Sapp

    Businessman — Philanthropist

  • 2010 Henry H. “Hod” Kosman

    Banker — Civic Leader — Conservationist

  • 2009 Roger R. Wehrbein

    State Senator

  • 2008 Lt. Gen (Ret.) Roger P. Lempke

    Military Official

  • 2007 Allen J. Beermann

    Public Official

  • 2006 Ted Kooser

    US Poet Laureate — Cancer Survivor

  • 2005 Susan S. Seacrest

    Community Leader — Environmentalist

  • 2004 Leola J. Bullock*

    Community Volunteer — Civil Rights Advocate

  • 2003 Donald O. Clifton*

    Entrepreneur — Author

  • 2002 Charles “Charley” Thone*

    Lawyer — Civic Leader — Congressman — Governor

  • 2001 S. N. “Bud” Wolbach*

    Businessman — Civic Leader

  • 2000 Father Michael G. Morrison*

    Educator — Administrator

  • 1999 Joan R. Burney

    Communicator — Friend

  • 1998 Frank B. Morrison*

    Lawyer — Civic Leader — Governor

  • 1997 James Stuart*

    Entrepreneur — Civic Leader

  • 1996 Durwood B. “Woody” Varner*

    Educator — Administrator — Civic Leader

  • 1995 Dr. Tom Osborne

    Educator — Football Coach

  • 1994 Alice Dittman

    Businesswoman — Civic Leader

  • 1993 Earl T. Luff*

    Businessman — Civic Leader — Horseman — Humanitarian

  • 1992 Kenneth L. Wortman*

    Businessman

  • 1991 Clayton Yeutter*

    Agricultural Policy Development — Secretary of Agriculture

  • 1990 Wayne O. Tanderup*

    Businessman — Humanitarian

  • 1989 Robert E. Knoll*

    Teacher — Scholar

  • 1988 Judge Robert Van Pelt*

    Teacher — Lawyer — Jurist

*deceased