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Husker students collaborate to create businesses at 48-Hour Challenge

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Husker students collaborate to create businesses at 48-Hour Challenge


Twenty-three University of Nebraska–Lincoln students participated in the Center for Entrepreneurship’s 48-Hour Challenge Feb. 15-17. The event allows student teams of three to six to develop and pitch business ideas for the chance to win cash prizes.

“The 48-Hour Challenge is a unique opportunity for students to stretch themselves and find out how far they can go with a business idea in just a few days,” said Samantha Fairclough, associate director of the center and associate professor of practice in management. “Teams naturally form around compelling concepts, and students are pushed beyond their comfort zones to find data and potential customers to validate their product idea. Feedback from community mentors is a key part of the process, helping them refine their business models and fostering connections that extend beyond the event.”

The competition is open to students of any major at the university. Students represented the College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Journalism and Mass Communications and Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

The challenge winners, listed alphabetically by place with their year in school/graduation year, major(s) and hometown, are:

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First place

Street Eats, a designated food truck park in Lincoln

  • Jonathan Gerdes, senior, civil engineering, Lincoln
  • Brennon Overbeek, senior, computer science, Lincoln
  • Paige Perrone, May 2023 graduate, advertising and public relations, Papillion
  • Mohanendra Siddha, graduate student, computer science, Visakhapatnam, India
  • Kyran Thomas, senior, accounting, Lincoln
  • Andrew Wellman, senior, accounting, Waco, Nebraska

Second place

FOODI, a platform that connects foodies to local restaurants

  • Micah Fullinfaw, junior, emerging media arts, Omaha
  • Shahd Khourshed, freshman, computer science, Lincoln
  • Eddie Sicilia, senior, Clifton Builders management and marketing, Cancún, Mexico
  • Braden Starck, junior, Clifton Builders management and finance, Edwardsville, Illinois
  • Divyn Williams, senior, business administration, Omaha
  • Maci Wilson, senior, computer science, Omaha

Third place

BitVoyage, an interest-based travel booking website equipped with artificial intelligence

  • Alexah Fort, junior, emerging media arts, Sidney, Nebraska
  • Benjamin Frasier, sophomore, computer science, Omaha
  • Hannah Gish, sophomore, emerging media arts, Lincoln

“Participating in the 48-Hour Challenge showed me how my skills are compatible with those of other students,” said Micah Fullinfaw, a senior emerging media arts major from Omaha. “I learned how important it is to work with people of different backgrounds and skill sets.”

Fullinfaw pitched an idea for a smart pantry on the competition’s first day, then found five students to join his team.

“Over the two days, we constantly pivoted our idea until we landed on a new, solid business plan,” he said. “Restaurants would pay to be featured on an app called FOODI, and users would connect with each other over their pursuit of finding new restaurants.”

Competitors could leverage the expertise of entrepreneurs in person or via Zoom. Among the mentors was Emily Kist, a 2022 Husker alumna who works for Nelnet in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“Participating in new business startup competitions is so important for students because it teaches them how to navigate the framework of starting a new venture,” she said. “They get to practice things like customer discovery, market research, storytelling, building a pitch deck and more, which are the most essential steps to starting a company.”

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Jonathan Gerdes, a senior civil engineering major from Lincoln, participated in the challenge to push his skills and create a viable business within a limited timeframe. He worked with Street Eats, an event production company that strategically gathers food trucks in a centralized location to offer amenities from entertainment to food and beverages.

“A significant amount of time was dedicated to understanding our customers and their problems,” Gerdes said. “This provided a greater likelihood of devising a viable and effective solution. Our cohesive strength was rooted in respect for individual competencies, facilitating a collaborative evaluation of all aspects of our business. This approach enabled us to reach a consensus, effectively addressing challenges and contributing to our success.”

The 48-Hour Challenge helps students prepare for the next competition in the Center for Entrepreneurship’s signature series: the 37th Annual New Venture Competition, April 16 and 18. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students at the university, the contest allows students to pitch their business ideas for the chance to win a share of $47,500 and an additional $25,000 from the Husker Venture Fund, which provides early-stage capital to Nebraskan startups.

The Center for Entrepreneurship is a hub for students of all majors who want to pursue their ideas for a business; own a franchise or take over their family business; or explore career options. Learn more.

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Nebraska Quarterback Commit Trae Taylor Talks Junior Day, Selling Nebraska to Peers

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Nebraska Quarterback Commit Trae Taylor Talks Junior Day, Selling Nebraska to Peers


It was a busy 48 hours for four-star quarterback commit Trae Taylor, who helped Nebraska football welcome in some of the top offensive players in the country this past weekend.

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With the help of several members of the Huskers’ 2027 class, Nebraska opened its doors to 12 prospects in total. With a clear emphasis on the offensive side of the ball, at least for this past weekend, Taylor had the opportunity to reunite with future teammates while also continuing to build relationships with potential ones as well.

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With several of the nation’s top pass catchers in attendance, the weekend served as a prime opportunity to make lasting impressions and put Nebraska firmly on their radar. Based on Taylor’s perspective, he believes the Huskers’ staff, with his help, was able to do just that.

Here’s the latest coming out of Junior Day, from Taylor’s thoughts on a five-star wide receiver’s first visit to campus, to what it was like being back in Nebraska after announcing his in-state transfer, and his early impressions of the program’s new-look staff.

A major storyline surrounding Taylor for some time has been his willingness and ability to peer recruit. In doing so, he’s not only helped set a standard for what Nebraska is looking for at the quarterback position, but he’s also established a blueprint for how quarterbacks across the country can impact recruiting before ever arriving on campus.

Taylor’s helped position Nebraska in the conversation for some of the nation’s most elite offensive talent, and his commitment to the Big Red has prompted those prospects to at least seriously consider the opportunity that Lincoln has to offer. His presence alone has changed how Nebraska is being viewed in certain recruiting circles and inarguably benefits this staff’s pitch to prospects on both sides of the ball.

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Because of this, the Huskers are being made available to recruits they otherwise likely wouldn’t have gotten a chance to close on before Taylor’s decision. That means that the young signal-caller’s interest alone in making top talent around him want to jump on board as well.

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No recent recruit embodies that sentiment more than five-star wideout Kesean Bowman. Ranked as the No. 32 overall recruit in the class and sixth-best pass catcher in the country, Bowman took a visit to Lincoln for the first time this past weekend. While Taylor’s relationship with the 6-foot-2, 175-pound budding star is not new, he’s likely a recruit the Huskers don’t garner much interest from without their quarterbacks’ help.

When asked about how he thought his 7-on-7 teammate viewed his visit to Nebraska, Taylor didn’t shy away from how excited he was. “He was shocked at what Nebraska is,” Taylor said. “I’m just glad he listened to me and gave the Huskers a real chance.  Now we just have to keep building our relationship.”

From the soon-to-be Millard South Patriots’ eyes, he allowed Nebraska to open the door. Now, the pairing of Taylor and the rest of Rhule’s staff will need to close the deal. For now, if social media is any indication, Bowman very well may have had a new school to have entered the mix.

Nebraska also hosted Baron Marshall of Overland Park, KS, as well. Listed at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, the lengthy pass catcher is ranked the No. 50 overall player in his class. Despite being just a sophomore in high school currently, the Huskers aren’t wasting any time getting Taylor surrounded by top talent regardless of the class. And even though Marshall is listed as a 2028 recruit, the Big Red fully expects Taylor to be at Nebraska for the long haul, giving them reason to aggressively recruit players in classes immediately following his own.

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“I think he really likes Nebraska,” Taylor said. “It will be our job to keep getting Baron around this 2027 class. Our relationship will only get stronger with me being in Lincoln soon, because every time he comes, I’ll be there.  I hope I get to throw to him at camp this summer”.

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With Marshall being a 6-foot-3 pass catcher with room still to grow, it’s not hard to see why Taylor and Nebraska are interested in the recruit. They’ll have to battle the likes of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and a growing list of other Power Conference schools, but the work Rhule’s staff has done early currently puts them in the lead, per reports from On3.

Another topic we discussed wasn’t about recruiting, his decision to uproot his life for the betterment of Nebraska’s football program, or even playing quarterback at all. Instead, it was about the relationships he’s been able to build with the assistant coaches responsible for recruiting the players protecting him on the offensive line.

 “I actually knew Coach Teasley from my visits to South Carolina,” said Taylor. “What he brings to Nebraska is elite.” While Teasley was named run game coordinator for the Huskers this offseason, Nebraska also hired Geep Wade as offensive line coach. Of the new head man, Taylor also had nothing but good things to say.

“Coach Geep,” Taylor said. ” I actually got to spend some time with him, and I see why linemen want to play for him. [He’s] so easy to be around and has a no B.S. sense about him when it’s time to work.”

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That’s exactly the kind of things you’d like to hear from quarterback recruits, and likely feelings that will only get stronger as their relationship expands over the coming years. Regardless, for now, early reports are positive to say the least.

Quick Hits

*On reconnecting with Antayvious Ellis after publicly announcing the duo will be teammates together at Millard South (NE) next fall, Taylor said, “It was good. Tay and I have a ton of work to do to fit in with the rest of the team and their culture, but we are kids ready to work”.

*On being back in Lincoln for the first time since his transfer announcement, Taylor said, “It was amazing this weekend. I really learned how to navigate the city, hang out with other athletes, and build relationships with them as well.”

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Driver arrested after 12 pounds of methamphetamine found hidden in vehicle on I-80

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Driver arrested after 12 pounds of methamphetamine found hidden in vehicle on I-80


KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) – Nebraska State Patrol troopers have arrested a driver after discovering a significant quantity of suspected methamphetamine during a traffic stop near Kearney.

George Watson, 50, of Poplar Grove, Illinois, was arrested Tuesday after troopers found 12 pounds of suspected methamphetamine hidden inside his vehicle during a search on I-80.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a Nebraska State Patrol trooper observed a Toyota Camry traveling over 100 miles per hour on I-80 near Kearney. The trooper initiated a traffic stop for speeding.

During the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity and conducted a search of the vehicle.

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The search revealed 12 pounds of suspected methamphetamine concealed inside the body of the car. The large quantity of drugs indicated the suspect may have been transporting the substance for distribution.

Watson was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is lodged in Buffalo County Jail.

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Flatwater Explains: What is Nebraska Medicine — and how is it different from UNMC? – Flatwater Free Press

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Flatwater Explains: What is Nebraska Medicine — and how is it different from UNMC? – Flatwater Free Press


The University of Nebraska’s plan to fully acquire Nebraska Medicine, announced in January, and the ensuing opposition among some Omaha doctors kicked off a wave of headlines.

Through it all, Flatwater readers asked a simple question: What is Nebraska Medicine and how is it different from the University of Nebraska Medical Center?

The origins

What is now called Nebraska Medicine was formed in 1997 when Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital and University Hospital merged and created the Nebraska Health System. In 2003, its name changed to the Nebraska Medical Center.

In 2016, Nebraska Medicine was officially established as a nonprofit with shared 50-50 ownership between the University of Nebraska and Clarkson Regional Health Services. The agreement also unified three previously separate organizations — the Nebraska Medical Center, Bellevue Medical Center and UNMC Physicians — under the Nebraska Medicine name and logo.

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Nebraska Medicine currently operates two hospitals, Nebraska Medical Center and Bellevue Medical Center, both in the Omaha metro area. Combined, the hospitals have more than 800 licensed beds. Nebraska Medicine has more than 9,000 employees, including more than 1,400 physicians.

Though their names are often used interchangeably, Nebraska Medicine and UNMC are two distinct organizations. Nebraska Medicine operates the hospital and handles the majority of patient care. UNMC is the NU System’s medical university.