Recent News
Five receive 2010 Community Involvement Award
Tony Messineo applauds the Community Involvement Award winners.
The TeamMates program thrives because of the support it receives from the community, faith-based organizations, individuals, businesses, and the Lincoln Public Schools. Every year TeamMates recognizes specific outstanding supporters through the Tony and Carmen Messineo Community Involvement Award. The award recognizes those who help build the TeamMates Program in Lincoln and inspire young people to reach their full potential.
This year the award was presented to five individuals and organizations during TeamMates' Recognition Luncheon, Thurs., Jan. 21, at the Lincoln Station. Tony Messineo presented the TeamMates' 2010 Tony and Carmen Messineo Community Involvement Award to Nelnet; US Bank; Southwood Lutheran Church; Lincoln Public Schools Superintendent Susan Gourley; and Pastor Greg Bouvier, Sheridan Lutheran Church.
Following are descriptions of each award recipient.
Pastor Greg Bouvier
Greg Bouvier is the Executive Pastor of Sheridan Lutheran Church. An at-risk child himself, he overcame significant challenges by the grace of God and with the help of many adults and peers who took an interest enough to see his potential despite his mistakes. Pastor Greg's passion for TeamMates is rooted in the understanding that mentoring works and that life-long learning is the key to true fulfillment. Pastor Greg has spoken on behalf of TeamMates in a variety of venues, reaches out to other faith-based organizations to inspire them to become a TeamMates partner, and helped establish a link between his church and Belmont Elementary School, a partnership which has been mutually beneficial for each community. This effort has served as a model of sorts for the beginning of the "Faith-based Initiative" for Lincoln TeamMates.
Southwood Lutheran Church
Southwood appreciates Teammates dedication to making a difference in the lives of young people in our communities. Their values and commitment to serving youth with compassion and respect aligns with Southwood's priority to give back to our community. Southwood is looking forward to our continued partnership with Teammates and growing the number of mentoring relationships in the Lincoln Public Schools. Southwood engages in ongoing, proactive approaches to supporting TeamMates financially and through building new mentoring relationships throughout the year. As a result, the number of mentors from Southwood grows every year.
Nelnet
Nelnet is one of the leading education planning and financing companies in the United States and is focused on providing student loans and other products and services to education-seeking families and schools nationwide. Nelnet has relationships with more than 2,300 colleges and universities and their dedicated financial aid offices. Nelnet has worked closely with each of these schools to try to provide their students with the best available products and services, including highly competitive student loan terms and benefits and the highest quality servicing. In achieving these goals, Nelnet has been a leader in ethical lending practices and integrity in the industry.
US Bank
U.S. Bank has a long history of supporting the communities where we do business. Our priority focus in this area remains unchanged – we will improve the communities where we live and work through both financial support and employee volunteerism. U.S. Bank makes significant investments, loans and cash grants that help develop our communities. Our employees enhance that support as active, engaged volunteers. They provide the talent, expertise and passion that help meet the goals of nonprofit organizations, schools and civic groups where they volunteer. Our goal is to help ensure that the places where we live and work are prosperous for years to come.
E. Susan Gourley
E.Susan Gourley is the superintendent for the Lincoln Public Schools District, serving 32,320 students in grades pre-K through 12. Students are housed in 61 schools and program sites. With a general budget of $268,422,400, the district has a staff of 7,000. She received her Ph.D. in 1985 from the University of Oregon. Prior to coming to Lincoln, E. Susan Gourley was the superintendent in The Puyallup School District, located in the heart of the Puyallup Valley (WA), which is the tenth largest district in Washington serving over 20,000 students in grades pre-K through 12.
Joe Moglia, former CEO of TD Ameritrade, provided the keynote address. KFRX's Matt McKay served as master of ceremonies.
Event sponsors were Lincoln Benefit Life Company (Platinum Level - $10,000); US Bank (Gold Level - $7,500); Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center (Silver Level - $5,000); Modern Woodman of America (Bronze Level - $2,5000). Table sponsors included: Susan Ferris-Woods Bros. Realty; Bob FitzSimmons-Bob FitzSimmons, Inc.; Mark Hansen-West Gate Bank; Kim Robak-Ruth Miller Robak LLC; Joel Friesen-1st National Bank; Walmart Store #1943; Dave Myers-Lincoln Public Schools; John Miles-Cline Williams; Byron Boslau-Farmer's Mutual Insurance; Barry Lockard-Cornhusker Bank; Dan Klaus-Rembolt Ludtke. Food and venue were provided by Premier Catering and Tony Messineo.
To see photos from the luncheon, click here.
