Ruth and Bill Scott, the Omaha philanthropic couple whose generosity has transformed the UNMC campus, will be honored by the Omaha Press Club on Sept. 22 as the next Face on the Barroom Floor.
The Scotts will be the 150th “Face” honoree at the Press Club, which is located on the 22nd floor of the original First National Bank Building at 1620 Dodge St. The Face on the Barroom Floor recognition is given to newsmakers who have made a difference in the city and state.
The event is open to the public. A reception hosted by the Scotts begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and a roast of the Scotts beginning around 7:45 p.m. Cost is $50 for members and $60 for non-members. Call 402-345-8008 to make a reservation.
Roasters include:
- Bruce Rasmussen, Creighton University athletic director (emcee);
- Michael Sorrell, M.D., UNMC Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine (the Scotts named the Sorrell Center in his honor);
- Randy Ferlic, M.D., retired cardio-thoracic surgeon, former member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and one of Bill Scott’s golf partners;
- Judy Duffy, longtime family friend and former neighbor;
- Terry Pettit, retired volleyball coach for the Nebraska Cornhuskers (1977-1999); and
- Nick Stergiou, Ph.D., Distinguished Community Research Chair in Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
At the conclusion of the roast, Press Club artist Jim Horan will unveil his Face caricature of the Scotts. The caricature will then be placed on the Press Club’s barroom floor, where it will remain until the club has its next Face event. It will then be hung on the club’s wall.
The generosity of the Scotts is seen throughout the state. Their personal and foundation’s financial support has touched more than 150 local and statewide organizations.
Much of their generosity has been extended to educational institutions. All four of the University of Nebraska campuses have been touched by the Scotts. In addition, Creighton University, Metropolitan Community College, Bellevue University, College of Saint Mary, and Omaha Public Schools have received their support.
The Scotts’ generosity also has extended to Educare, Children’s Scholarship Fund, Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Visiting Nurses Association, Health Center Association of Nebraska, Project Harmony, The Salvation Army, and Collective for Youth.