Awardees exemplify service to UNMC

At its May 10 commencement at the Ralston Arena, UNMC recognized three individuals for their long-standing contributions and service to both UNMC and the University of Nebraska — Duane and Phyllis Acklie of Lincoln and Mike Flood of Norfolk.

The Acklies were honored with the UNMC Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award for their longtime support of UNMC and the University of Nebraska.

Mike Flood

The Acklies are stewards of Crete Carrier Corp., one of the largest privately-owned trucking companies on the continent. Through the years, they established themselves as fervent UNMC supporters. Natives of Madison County, Neb., the Acklies were among the honorary co-chairs of the general fundraising campaign for what would become the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division. Duane Acklie served on the board of directors for The Nebraska Medical Center and was keynote speaker at a UNMC Delegates Dinner. The Acklie Charitable Foundation is a founding benefactor of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

Duane Acklie served as an attorney for Crete Carrier Corp. in 1966 when it was incorporated in Crete, Neb. The couple purchased Crete Carrier in 1971, and he was president and CEO from 1971 to 1991. He has served as Crete Carrier’s chairman of the board since 1991.

Phyllis Acklie serves as vice president, corporate secretary and board member of Crete Carrier Corp. and Capitol Casualty Company. She previously served as a longtime member on the boards of Electronic Contracting Company and Union Bank and Trust Company.

Mike Flood was honored with the J.G. Elliott Award, for his leadership and vision in the planning and campaign to establish a UNMC College of Nursing division in Norfolk.

A former state senator and speaker of the Nebraska Unicameral, Flood turned to UNMC and the University of Nebraska in 2006 to address the growing demand for acute care in northeast Nebraska, which had fewer registered nurses and nurses with bachelor’s and master’s degrees than any other region in the state.

He worked tirelessly on the project, both within the legislature and as a community leader. A public-private coalition came together, raising more than $11.9 million to make the UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division a reality. Located on the campus of Northeast Community College, the J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh College of Nursing admitted its first class of students in 2010 and has continued to grow ever since.