Young Alumni Academy 2012 CASE Award

The UNO Alumni Association received its highest CASE honor ever in 2012 when its UNO Young Alumni Academy program was recognized in CASE’s International Circle of Excellence awards program. The academy received the Silver Award for New Program Initiatives, which was the top award in its category and the association's first-ever International Circle of Excellence honor.

CASE — the Council for Advancement and Support of Education — is one of the largest international associations of education institutions, serving more than 3,400 universities, colleges, schools and related organizations in 74 countries. The international Circle of Excellence awards program recognizes outstanding work in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing as judged by peer professionals at schools, colleges and universities as well as by professionals from outside education.

The Young Alumni Academy was founded in 2010 to facilitate networking and professional growth among alumni under 40. Sessions are held at locations on and off campus, and UNO leaders address members on topics such as athletics management, student focus and community engagement.

“We embrace innovation as one of our core values, which gives our team the freedom to explore new and creative ideas,” said Lee Denker, president and CEO of the UNO Alumni Association. “I’m so proud of our staff and dedicated volunteers who were willing to try something different and are generating high praise for UNO.”

The academy has been honored several other times through CASE District VI awards programs. Additionally, Elizabeth Kraemer, alumni programs coordinator and manager of the academy, has been invited to give a presentation on the Academy to other alumni professionals.