Passion to Profession
UNO alumni are a unique and resilient breed, embodying what is known as the “Maverick Spirit.” This relentless pursuit of excellence and a determination to overcome all obstacles has propelled many UNO alumni to achieve remarkable success in their respective fields. From Broadway stages to combat zones, from the world of jazz to the fashion industry, these alumni have not only achieved personal success but have also found ways to give back to their communities and inspire the next generation. Driven by their unwavering commitment to turn their passions into professions, they exemplify what it means to be a Maverick. Here, they share what “Going the Distance” means to them.
by Melodae Horst
Jazz is an Inspiration for Karrin Allyson
Karrin Allyson is a jazz vocalist and a five-time Grammy Awards nominee. Growing up in Omaha, she studied classical piano, sang in church, was involved with musical theatre and then began songwriting.
The alumna graduated from UNO in 1986, majoring in classical piano and minoring in French. She was a lead singer for an all-female rock band, Tomboy, but developed a keen interest in jazz. Fifteen albums later, in 2022, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from UNO.
She credits the support of her parents, UNO professors and the curriculum for being “a partner” in encouraging work ethic as she left Omaha to grow her career.
“Well, life is an inspiration,” Allyson said. “I have lists everywhere.”
Before there were cell phones, she jotted ideas down on napkins or bring her notebook to clubs, “while I’m listening, it’s inspiring.”
“There is nothing like attending a live concert,” she said. “You know, we all want to emulate our heroes to begin with, and that’s where we start. I wanted to sing like Dinah Washington or Nancy Wilson when I started, or Joni Mitchell or Carly Simon, because I like to write, too.”
Allyson said her start in classical music gave her a good basis for continuing in the jazz world.
“One thing I love about it is, of course, the improvisational aspect of it,” the jazz singer said. She said improvisation really spoke to her because “I love to make up my own stuff.”
Allyson proposes that jazz is an art form, but it is “also a science.” Jazz also involves humor and “goofiness.”
“If we don’t keep our sense of humor, it’s going to be rough go,” she said.
Allyson, who has just released two new singles, said passion is something that also resonates with her.
“First of all, you do have to have a passion for your art itself and that is paramount,” she said. “The music has to come first. You have to be in love with it. And, you know, I feel I have a passion for being true to it. And you need perseverance.”
Mitchell Hockenbury Goes with Grit
Going the distance for Mitchell C. Hockenbury, meant “grit,” he said.
Hockenbury has numerous financial certifications under his belt and owns his own business. He graduated from UNO in 2002 with a degree in business and finance. In September, he gave a presentation at UNO to students and alumni regarding financial planning. He shared some of his own stories about his challenging early life. He was the first in his family to go to college and earn a degree.
However, that isn’t where the real story begins. His idea of going the distance with “grit” didn’t come with a financial spreadsheet. Hockenbury is a career military man serving two tours, first enlisting in the Marine Corps and being commissioned in the Army as an infantry officer, then as a commander for his second tour. He led the last fighting force out of Iraq in December 2011 and was awarded numerous medals.
Hockenbury wrote a book about his unique experiences. “Tactical Influence” chronicles his unique approach to solving the insurgency problem with words rather than force during his combat tours as an infantry platoon leader during the surge of Iraq. He said he’s changed some of the way the military operates because of his groundbreaking methods.
“I say grit because it took grit to get to do what I thought was right and was kind of counter to what the Army taught,” Hockenbury said, “and you’re doing it in front of a bunch of alpha males, right? And it’s like junkyard dogs and they like the action. They don’t like to talk. Believe me, we got plenty of action. But I did it. I went with what I thought would work.”
Using words instead of weapons, he countered the insurgency in four months, and it was “nothing short of phenomenal.”
He said it took grit to get through his last four years in the military but serving military personnel on the side with his financial business during that time is what he became passionate about.
“Helping others” including hundreds of soldiers and families has “changed my life for the better,” Hockenbury said.
Today, Hockenbury’s business, 1440 Financial Partners, operates in Omaha and Kansas City on foundational principles of a conservative approach and of building strong relationships in business and life.
Q. Smith Finds Her Way
Broadway star, Q. Smith, immediately recalls the line from the song “Go the Distance,” from the Disney movie “Hercules.”
Singing lyrics from the song, she said, “I will find my way. I can go the distance. I’ll be there someday.”
“I think that is what it is. Whatever it is. Finding your way in art, navigating through time and space, or moving to a different city,” Smith said on a Zoom call from her home in Manhattan, New York.
However, going the distance doesn’t always mean success.
“It can mean just going as far as you can for whatever you want out of life,”
Smith said. Smith, born in Omaha as Quiana, attended UNO in 1995 and 1996, majoring in theatre, before going on to Ithaca College in New York. She later obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre. Of her many credits, she has performed on Broadway, on television and toured internationally.
Smith was in the first revival of “Les Misérables” off Broadway and performed in that production in Omaha, which she said was very rewarding to her because when she also first saw the musical in 11th grade it gave her “chills.”
“I said, ‘this is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” and then it turned out to be my Broadway debut,” Smith recalled. “It was very powerful for me seeing that dream realized. It makes you feel more confident in seeing what else you can do.”
Success for Q. has also come in other ways, such as her marriage to fellow performer, Lawrence Stallings, and being mom to Caleb, 3.
She said she started singing early at the Salem Baptist Church in Omaha in the children’s choir and performing in plays that her mother and grandmother would write. Her parents, Liana Smith, a Christian playwright and drama director and father Rudolph “Rudy” Smith, renowned photojournalist and UNO alumnus were her foundation. She was grateful to get a full-ride scholarship to UNO for academics. After finishing her degree in musical theatre at Ithaca College she moved to New York City and began, “living the dream,” she said.
Smith credits the church and her parents for the support she had along the way. “As many times as I called, they never, never said come home,” Smith said. “I knew in my heart I didn’t want to. And I am so grateful they didn’t give me that cushion to fall on.”
Jared Hall Practices Tenacity
Jared Hall graduated from the UNO in the multidisciplinary studies area in 2020. This gave him a solid footing as a fashion designer and founder of 3am Luxury. Even though he was discovered online and now participates in international fashion shows, he said he is just getting started.
“My goal is to become an overall global iconic brand,” he said.
About going the distance, he said is, “Having tenacity to face adversity and new challenges and the will to win.”
The former athlete related it to playing a team sport. “I’m the one that is here to take the throne. I am here to hold it,” he said. “But at the same time when you are part of a team you also have the ability to inspire others.”
Hall’s road meant sacrifices and big dreams that “molded” him and encouraged him to show others that he could do something different with his life. After leaving college the first time, and spending two years in California, Hall came back to Omaha. He had to let go of friends and situations to pave the way to actualize his goals to get back into college and to create a business.
“In just being a young black male society says one thing and you fight against society because you say that’s not who I am,” Hall said.
Hall received support from his parents, four sisters and five brothers. He and his twin brother, Jaron Hall, share a competitive spirit and push each other to achieve their dreams.
So far, Hall has overcome many obstacles including getting articles of incorporation, naming, logo and trademarking approval. It took nine years and a lot of rejections he said. Most of the work he did himself because he wanted to understand the process.
Giving Back
A common thread among these alumni is the desire to give back to others.
In July, Smith and her husband taught a musical theatre interpretation workshop for participants in the Summer Musical Theatre Academy.
“I tell my students, ‘I won’t be around in a hundred years, but you will, and I want to tell you everything I know so you can develop,’” Smith said.
Hockenbury said in the next five to ten years, “I do know that I will be helping people. It is little nuggets that come along. The reason I’m here is passing off [knowledge] and empowering.”
Allyson has worked on numerous projects with UNO. In November, Allyson and her partner, Bill McLaughlin, performed at UNO’s Strauss Performing Arts Center.
Hall, too, gives back to UNO by speaking to business classes. Additionally, he wants to be able to contribute to the local economy someday, build partnerships and offer jobs to those who also desire to work in the fashion industry.
Not Done Yet
Sometimes going the distance doesn’t have a destination, the dreams just keep getting bigger.
Smith said she will continue her concert work, educational endeavors and voice-over career but also wants to open a bed and breakfast in Hawaii and become a published author
“You know I have a lot of dreams and I love to tell my students that dreams do come true,” she said. “They really do. So, once you hit that dream or goal, then set another one.”
Hall said he’s 50% of the way there.
“I must have an impact on the world. That’s what my overall mission is to impact the world and for others to know my life and to share the example of my experience.”