University of Nebraska Interim President Susan Fritz, Ph.D., Monday announced the 2019 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Service, an annual honor that celebrates Nebraskans’ support and advocacy for the NU system.
This year’s recipients include Michael Yanney and Gail Walling Yanney, M.D., of Omaha, longtime supporters of UNMC.
Other recipents included the Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards and Tom Henning of Kearney.
Dr. Fritz called the awardees strong champions of the university and the vital role education plays in growing the state’s economy and well-being.
“One of the extraordinary blessings of serving at the University of Nebraska is being part of a community that truly cares about the success of the institution,” she said. “So many Nebraskans are willing to lift up their voices in support of an affordable, accessible, competitive university.
“Thanks to their efforts, we are in an even stronger position to serve our 51,000 students and people around the world. We are honored to publicly recognize their service.”
Created in 2018, the Presidential Medal is the highest honor that the NU president can bestow upon a community member. Fritz opened a call for nominations for the medal late this summer.
The Yanneys are champions of a variety of youth education, arts, health and other causes in Omaha and across the state. Their support for the University of Nebraska includes leadership of the recent fundraising campaign for the renovation of a new home for the Munroe-Meyer Institute at UNMC. The project, supported by private dollars and the state of Nebraska’s partnership, will allow MMI to double its existing square footage and enhance its ability to serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Yanneys also have played a role in almost every capital project at UNMC over the past two decades, including the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the largest public-private partnership in university history. Both Yanneys are NU alumni; Michael Yanney is chairman emeritus of Burlington Capital and Dr. Walling Yanney is a former clinical instructor at UNMC and former anesthesiologist at Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital.
The Presidential Medal of Service recipients were honored at a recent luncheon hosted by Dr. Fritz that included remarks from UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green, Ph.D., who spoke about the impact of the NACEB; UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, J.D., who spoke about Tom Henning; and UNMC and University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., who spoke about the Yanneys. The medal recipients will be recognized at the next Board of Regents meeting on Feb. 7, 2020.
Kudos to all the award winners, but special congrats to the Yanneys. They never seek the limelight but work hard behind the scenes to make sure Nebraska has a world-class academic health science center. What an incredible couple!