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Andrews, Clark recognized with Fulfilling the Dream awards

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Andrews, Clark recognized with Fulfilling the Dream awards


The University of Nebraska–Lincoln will wrap its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week with the MLK Commemorative Celebration, where the 2024 Fulfilling the Dream awards will be presented to Arthur “Trey” Andrews and Genese Clark.

Andrews, associate professor in psychology and ethnic studies, and Clark, doctoral student in child, youth and family studies, will be formally recognized during the celebration, which will be 6-8 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Nebraska Union’s Centennial Room. Registration is required by Jan. 28.

Established in 1997, the Chancellor’s Fulfilling the Dream awards honor individuals who have contributed to the university community or the greater Lincoln community through their exemplary action in promoting the goals and vision of King.

Andrews was nominated by psychology faculty members Tierney Lorenz and Ken Wakabayashi for his ongoing research and initiatives into recognizing, understanding and overcoming health disparities among underrepresented populations.

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“We have the pleasure of witnessing firsthand Dr. Andrew’s dedication to being a scientist-activist, who through his research program, teaching, and community engagement seeks to fundamentally leverage the results of his scientific discovery towards confronting and ultimately changing racist and unjust practices and behaviors at a local and national level,” Lorenz and Wakabayashi wrote in their nomination letter.

Since joining the faculty at Nebraska in 2016, Andrews has published numerous research articles and overseen new community initiatives, all focused on the intersection of health disparities stemming from unjust racism or other systemic discrimination.

Andrews serves as co-director of the university’s Minority Health Disparities Initiative, an interdisciplinary research initiative funded by the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Tobacco Settlement Funds in Nebraska. He also directs the Iniciativa Healthcare Access & Bienestar Latine (HABLa) lab, which conducts research into improving mental health equity, especially for Latine and Spanish-speaking populations. Andrews’ work in HABLa and other initiatives has also helped expand mental health care access in rural Nebraska.

As an instructor, Andrews co-founded the course Seeking Equity — a core class in the Clinical Psychology Training program — and trains the next generation of clinical psychologists in multicultural competence and advocacy skills.

“Indeed, his record of being an activist-scientist is an inspiring model for us, as he leverages his research in order to change racist and unjust practices surrounding health disparities through both scholarly understanding and community action,” his nominators wrote.

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Read more about Andrews.

Clark is pursuing a doctorate in the Global Family Health and Wellbeing program. She is a member of the Trauma and Resilience Explored Lab. Her research focuses on the resilience and strengths of African American families, as well as the social-emotional learning of young children in non-formal education settings.

Nominator Yan Ruth Xia remarked that Clark’s research has and will positively impact families. Clark developed the Family Strengths Wheel, an assessment tool based on the family strengths model. The wheel is an interactive tool that engages family members in identifying their own strengths. With that knowledge, families are more positive and willing to build up their positive traits to address their challenges.

“Genese is devoted to promoting the well-being of all families, and particularly low-income, Black, Indigenous, and other racially and ethnically marginalized families through her research, teaching, and outreach. She has contributed to Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision and conviction through her exemplar actions that inspire me and others at UNL and the local communities,” wrote Xia, professor of child, youth and family studies.

Clark’s research also served the Malone Center, where she studied the social-emotional learning of young children in after-school settings. The center used that research to improve its services and developed a new training curriculum.

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Clark has also been instrumental in creating more equitable environments for her peers and colleagues, Xia wrote.

“She was awarded ODI funding to design a professional development series for early care and education faculty, exploring beliefs and assumptions about race, how their assumptions impacted teacher preparation, and ways to teach race and racism through the use of autoethnographies,” Xia said. “As a member of the Family Housing Workgroup, she highlighted the nuances of international students’ needs and experiences. She provided valuable feedback and recommendations in a written report to the Chancellor’s Office for short- and long-term solutions to family housing issues, as well as her feedback for the 2023 housing transitional plan and correspondence to residents.”

Read more about Clark.





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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection

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Nebraska State Patrol troopers find 242 pounds of cocaine during commercial truck inspection


LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.

On Tuesday afternoon, an NSP Carrier Enforcement trooper conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on a semi tractor/trailer driven by Arwinderjit Singh, 30, of California, near mile marker 254 on Interstate 80.

Arwinderjit Singh mugshot(Dawson County Jail)

During the inspection, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity. An NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance inside the cab of the semi, troopers said.

After searching the cab, troopers located 242 pounds of cocaine concealed underneath the sleeper bed, NSP said.

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Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds...
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested one person after finding more than 240 pounds of cocaine during a commercial vehicle inspection.(Nebraska State Patrol)

Singh was arrested on suspicion of possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an open alcohol container, no drug tax stamp and displaying a fictitious license plate.

Singh was lodged in Dawson County Jail, and his bond was set at 10% of $2 million. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12.

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas

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Athlete of the Week: Creighton Prep boys wrestling’s Zaiyahn Ornelas


OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Creighton Prep senior Zaiyahn Ornelas won his fourth consecutive Nebraska state wrestling title on Saturday.

According to NSAA records, he joins 39 other wrestlers in state history to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a great feeling,” Ornelas said. “It’s a feeling everybody wants.”

The senior ended his career as the 39th four-time state champion in Nebraska history, winning three at Wilber-Clatonia before joining the Jr. Jays.

Ornelas won three Class C state titles at Wilber-Clatonia at 106, 113 and 120 pounds before transferring to Creighton Prep for his senior season, where he competed in Class A at 126 pounds.

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“Three state titles there and then just thought I could bump up my competition,” Ornelas said.

“Zaiyahn is one of the cleanest technicians I’ve ever seen. That’s a huge testament to his coaching staff at Wilber,” Fisher added.

Ornelas was one of four Creighton Prep wrestlers to win state titles this season, helping lead the Jr. Jays to the Class A team title. Teammates said his presence in the practice room raised their level of competition.

“I could never slack off just because my competition in the state was easy. I always had to come in this room and get better or else I was going to get beat,” said sophomore Cruzer Dominguez, a two-time Class A state champion at 106 and 120 pounds.

Sophomore Kameron Green, the Class A 144-pound state champion this year, also credited Ornelas for aiding in his development.

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“Zaiyahn being a training partner has helped me in tremendous ways,” he said. “When he wrestles, he’s not the nicest or shyest kid, but he’s tenacious and tough.”

The sophomore won his first state title after finishing as a runner-up at 126 pounds as a freshman.

Junior JT Smith, a two-time state champion at 175 and 190 pounds, said the achievement carries weight for the entire team.

“It’s something really special to have a teammate that’s a four-time state champion,” he said. “That’s something everyone wants to be.”

The junior finished the season as a back-to-back state champion after winning a gold medal at 175 pounds as a sophomore.

Fisher said Ornelas’s attitude set the tone from the start.

“He has so many skills and then coming into our room, he’s extremely coachable. Every time he came in here he was humble, ready to work, wanting to get better and that’s why he is as good as he is,” Fisher said.

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Ornelas signed to wrestle at the University of Nebraska in November. He said the move to Creighton Prep delivered what he was looking for.

“This is the reason why I came here. I went out to explore, to find the best, and this is the territory that I found. If it wasn’t for these guys — the push — I would have not been there,” Ornelas said.

“It’s hard to believe. That’s kind of what I wanted since the beginning, freshman year,” he said.

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition

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Nebraska Chamber taps former state senator to lead during leadership transition


LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry has selected a former state senator and longtime board member to lead the chamber while it searches for a new president and CEO.

Board of Directors Chair Pat Keenan said Thursday that Matt Williams of Gothenburg agreed to serve as interim president.

ALSO READ: Nebraska Chamber president and CEO resigns after less than a year

“The Board is grateful to Matt for stepping into this role during a very active and productive time for the Nebraska Chamber,” Keenan said. “He has steady leadership, strong relationships and trust from his many years of advocacy for economic development, and decades of experience working with the legislature and state government on tax policy and economic development incentives.”

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Matt Williams(NE Chamber)

Williams represented District 36 in the Nebraska Legislature from 2015 to 2023.

The chamber said Williams has had a lifelong career in banking and serves as chairman of Flatwater Bank. He previously served as chair of the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association.

His long involvement with the chamber includes membership on the Board of Directors; he currently serves as director for District 6. In 2025, he was named to the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame.

“The Nebraska Chamber is on rock-solid footing, with the clear vision of the Board, and talented and hard-working staff hitting its stride in legislative policy and advocacy, technology, manufacturing, leadership-development, fund-raising and membership. The success of cutting-edge initiatives like 6 Regions, One Nebraska, the launch of the Go Big Future series, and the strong member engagement across the state demonstrate the success and strength of this organization. I’m excited to lend my support in whatever way I can for the Chamber. I know how strong businesses and communities make for a stronger Nebraska, and I’m glad to be part of that.”

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