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Nebraska Furniture Mart Executive Batt
receives Citaiton for Alumni Achievement
The UNO Alumni Association bestowed its Citation for Alumni Achievement upon UNO graduate Robert Batt during the university’s winter commencement Dec. 17 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
 The Citation, inaugurated in 1949, is presented at each UNO commencement. The association’s highest honor, it encompasses career achievement, community service, involvement in business and professional associations, and fidelity to the university. UNO Alumni Association Chairman of the Board Kevin Munro presented the award to Batt, who became the 153rd Citation recipient.
An Omaha native, Batt is executive vice president of Nebraska Furniture Mart (NFM). He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in business from UNO in 1976.
“Bob has been an integral part of the story behind one of America’s most successful businesses for nearly 50 years, now as a member of its executive team,” said Lee Denker, Alumni Association president. “His business acumen is second-to-none, and his civic contributions are equally impressive. He epitomizes everything which the Citation represents.”
Born in Omaha, Batt is the grandson of Rose Blumkin, who founded Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1937. He began working at the company at 14. He graduated from Omaha Central High School in 1966 then attended UNO. His mother, Frances Batt, attended then-Omaha University in the mid-1930s.
Batt, 62, has been active in civic and community organizations at the local, state and national levels. He currently serves on the three-member Nebraska Liquor Commission (representing the 2nd Congressional District), which regulates liquor licenses and collects alcohol taxes. He also is a member of the Sarpy County Sports Commission and the Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Previously, Batt served on the State Comprehensive Capital Facilities Planning Committee, which reviews building projects requested in the state budget. He also served as chairman of the Omaha Personnel Board from 1998 to 2003. His service has extended beyond Nebraska, too. After fires in 1988 ravaged Yellowstone National Park, Batt served as a charter member for the U.S. Concert Committee for Yellowstone to help raise money to restore the park.
He has maintained involvement with UNO. Recently, Batt assisted with the collaboration on a joint project between NFM’s Information Technology Department and UNO’s College of Information Science & Technology. The partnership helped develop and build NFM’s information technology platform. Batt also has served as an honorary UNO Hockey Coach.
In January 2010 Batt was presented as an Omaha Press Club "Face on the Barroom Floor,” an honor bestowed upon Omaha newsmakers since 1971. In his spare time Batt spends time and travels with his wife, Janice, and daughter Sara. |