There’s always a lot happening in the ˮ community — more than typically can fit into a few long articles or enewsletter blurbs. To catch you up on even more on-campus events, student successes, faculty and staff achievements and alumni accomplishments, we’re publishing more short-form content, Tiger Bites, each month as a way for readers to see more of what makes ˮ amazing.

Get caught up this month on:

  • Wellness week hosted by Master of Arts in Counseling on Lincoln campus
  • ˮ Theatre success
  • Alumni, staff and faculty celebrate at annual holiday open house
  • Two ˮ alumni recognized by Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals 

 

MAC holds wellness week for students

Master of Arts in Counseling student Ekianet Tamayo pets Joanna, a trained therapy dog, during a break between her classes in Lincoln.
Master of Arts in Counseling student Elianet Tamayo pets Joanna, a trained therapy dog, during a break between classes on Tuesday, Dec. 5. 

The faculty of ˮ’s Master of Arts in Counseling program noticed a trend in late November — students in the Lincoln-based program were stressed, even compared to prior years, as holidays and finals approached. To help students reduce stress and learn coping skills and tools that can also be applied to future clients, the program held a wellness week. The week was also sponsored by the SAMHSA Tigers Together grant as a suicide awareness and prevention effort.

Throughout the week of Dec. 4-8, students could take a break before evening classes in the MAC building on ˮ’s Lincoln campus by coloring a giant tiger picture, potting tiny plants, picking up fidget toys and petting therapy dogs, among other activities. Counseling resources and SAMHSA crisis resource information (including the 988 hotline) were also available. 

Wellness activities were also extended to students attending evening classes in the Fred Brown Center, and students on the Crete campus participated in a day-long DeStress Fest on Dec. 5. 

Students and faculty gather and chat before evening classes in the Master of Arts in Counseling building.
Students and faculty gather and chat before evening classes in the Master of Arts in Counseling building. The program, along with the SAMHSA Tigers Together grant, held Wellness Week for students in Lincoln the week before finals to reduce stress.

 

ˮ Theatre production receives “Best Scene”

Image of the set and cast of ˮ's production of "A Bright New Boise." The majority of the play takes place in the break room of a large arts and crafts store in Idaho.
The cast of A Bright New Boise from l-r — Matthieu Helaine ’27 (Leroy), Jules Harlow ’26 (Pauline), Adam Milikan ’27 (Alex), Cody Lee ’26 (Will) and Olivia Nelson ’27 (Anna).

ˮ Theatre’s November production of A Bright New Boise was awarded “Best Scene” by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region V. The cast will perform the scene at the regional festival in Des Moines in January to an audience of around 1200 college students and theater faculty. 

A Bright New Boise is a play that explores the complexities of faith and forgiveness in the ever-changing landscape of modern America. The production ran from Nov. 16-18 at ˮ. 

 

Lincoln Holiday Open House kicked off seasonal festivities

ˮ staff and alumni, and their families, make orange and black tie-dye shirts during the Lincoln Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 1.

Around 180 ˮ alumni, staff, faculty and their families attended the Lincoln Campus Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 1. The event ran from 4:30-7 p.m., with guests invited to make orange and black tie-dye shirts, grab a cup of hot cocoa, play bingo, make crafts — and, of course, get photos with Santa and chat with fellow Tigers. 

Photos from the open house are available on ˮ’s (candid images) or ˮ Alumni’s (photos with Santa.)

 

Alumni receive awards from Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals

Ross Ricenbaw ’21E and Jake Wiese both received awards for their work from the Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP). 

Ricenbaw was selected as the 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient. He is currently  middle school principal at Waverly Public Schools, where he has been principal since 2013, according to a NSASSP press release. He earned his Education Specialist degree from ˮ in 2021. 

Travis Moore, Waverly Public Schools board member, told the NSASSP that, “Mr. Ricenbaw’s enthusiasm for the principalship is reflected not only in the results he has achieved but also in the unwavering support and admiration he receives from students, parents, teachers and peers. His leadership has left an indelible mark on Waverly Middle School and the District 145 community, making him a shining example of excellence in educational leadership.” 

Wiese was selected as the 2023 Outstanding New Principal of the Year, presented annually to a principal who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in their school, region and at the state level, according to a NSASSP press release. Wiese has been PK-12 principal at Dorchester Public School (DPS) since 2020. He earned his Master of Education in Educational Leadership from ˮ. 

DPS Superintendent Curt Cogswell told the NSASSP, “Mr Wiese understands the importance of building relationships with his students, students, staff and community members. It is evident when you watch him walking down the hallways interacting with students and staff, he makes time to connect with everyone he meets. He is extremely engaged with the patrons of our community and has established excellent partnerships to benefit our students.”