UNMC’s skate day makes a fun and icy return

UNMC kicked off the 2021 holiday season on Dec. 10 with the return of its annual UNMC Holiday Skate Day.

The event, which had been postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 safety measures, drew about 40 skaters from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It was the final event in De-Stress Week, a series of events — including stretching classes and a "make-and-take" holiday ornament class — designed to provide relaxing activities for UNMC students, faculty and staff during a hectic time of year.

About 40 people took to the ice.

For more images, click on this Flickr album from the event by UNMC's Kent Sievers.

UNMC faculty, staff and students also stopped by the UNMC Ice Rink for hot chocolate or tea and to pick up UNMC branded gloves. In all, 115 people took part in the event.

"It was great to see the annual student and employee skate day back after a year off," said Kacie Baum, senior manager of events and community engagement for UNMC. "These De-Stress Week activities each year not only provide a mental break but are a fun way to bring the UNMC community together for a good time, too."

For Athena Ramos, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Health Promotion and Center for Reducing Health Disparities, the event is a tradition.

Athena Ramos, PhD, assistant professor and figure skater.

"It’s important to be with our colleagues and be able to have fun," she said. "We focus so much on our work that we don’t give ourselves a little time to let our hair down. For me, this is the one event I always come to if I’m in town, because it’s fun and I love figure skating."

The UNMC Ice Rink, which is open to the public, will remain open through Jan. 30.

Normal hours of operation are:

• Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For holiday break hours and more information, click here.