 |
Left to right: Terry Fairfield, foundation CEO; John Goldner, UNMC alumnus and recipient of the Perry W. Branch Award for Distinguished Service to the University of Nebraska; Tom Henning, foundation chairman; and Harley Bergmeyer, foundation chairman elect. |
The award – the highest honor bestowed by the University of Nebraska Foundation – was presented during the foundation’s annual meeting on Sept. 30 to recognize his leadership, advocacy and volunteer service.
“We are pleased to recognize John’s dedication to the university and his extraordinary leadership of the University of Nebraska Foundation,” said Chief Executive Terry Fairfield. “He is an exemplary alumnus and volunteer, and the university is fortunate to have his service.”
Goldner served nine years on the foundation’s board of directors, including a term as chairman from 2001 to 2003. During his time on the board, he also served as vice chairman, chair of the nominating committee, member of the executive committee, and chair of the office site selection committee. He was elected a trustee of the foundation 1986.
Goldner said he is honored to be recognized by his university. “I have had more enjoyment in the last years through my involvement with the university and the foundation than you can imagine,” he said. “This has been a wonderful experience for me.”
During his term as chairman, the NU Foundation’s assets grew to over $1 billion, and more than $137.1 million was transferred for the direct benefit of the university. Each of these accomplishments represented at the time new records for the foundation.
Six major building projects were initiated or completed during his term as chairman. These include the Durham Research Center at UNMC; the Scott Village student housing complex at UNO, the Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater and Winslow and Irene Van Brunt Visitors Center at UNL; the NU College of Law addition and renovation, and opening of the College of Education building at UNK.
In addition to his service to the foundation, Goldner has served as president of the UNMC College of Medicine Alumni Association, president of the Friends of the UNMC Library, and member of the UNMC Board of Admissions.
A neurologist in private practice, Goldner received an undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska in 1960 and a doctorate in medicine at UNMC in 1963. He performed an internship at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash., followed by a fellowship in preventative medicine at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He then completed a residency in neurology at Mayo
Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., and returned to Omaha to begin his practice in 1969. Goldner earned his bachelor’s degree from UNL in 1960.
Goldner’s family enjoys a long affiliation with UNMC, including six members of his family who received medical training there over three generations. His father, Julius C. Goldner, and uncle, Meyer Z. Goldner, were the first family members to graduate there in 1935. The most recent graduates are Goldner’s son and daughter-in-law, David and Whitney Sears Goldner.
Goldner is married to Kay Lynn Goldner and they have four children.
The Branch Award is named for the first full time director of the University of Nebraska Foundation, Perry W. Branch, whose vision and 20 years of service exemplified commitment and dedication to the university. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate those same qualities while upholding the foundation’s mission to provide opportunities for excellence at the University of Nebraska.