Dedicated to Success 
The Fred D. Brown Center, formerly known as the New Century Building on the Doane College Lincoln campus, was dedicated Sept. 16, 2007, in the presence of many supporters and well-wishers.
Recollections of the campus' 26-year history echoed through the hallways. Dr. Philip Heckman, Doane College President Emeritus, presented the "Lincoln Campus Retrospective," remembering the foundational years of the campus and the leadership of Dr. Brown.
Janice Hadfield, dean of undergraduate studies and dean of the master of arts in management in Lincoln/Grand Island, celebrated the success of the Lincoln campus and applauded the unfailing leadership and support of non-traditional student education provided by Dr. Brown.
"Dr. Fred Brown was the leader whose unwavering support turned a grand experiment into a rousing success."
Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler was on hand to offer congratulations to Dr. Brown and thank Doane for the tremendous impact it has had on the city of Lincoln.
Finally, Dr. Brown delivered a moving address, "Non-Traditional Higher Education Creates Its Own Tradition." He provided insight into how Doane College has set the bar locally and nationally for non-traditional student higher education.
The event was the culmination of an 18-month renovation effort that began in the spring of 2006 when Doane College purchased the New Century Building and two neighboring buildings from Enterprise Construction.
Following an $850,000 renovation effort, these remodeled buildings are fully owned and operated by Doane College, greatly improving the learning environment for Doane students.
Homecoming & Family Day
Doane put the "007" in 2007 with its "License to Lead" (James Bond-themed) Homecoming and Family Day celebration Oct. 4-7. The weekend featured the dedication of the new Chab Weyers Education and Hixson Lied Art Building. The four-day event also included an Alumni Master Luncheon with Elaine Jones Adams '74, principal of Boyd Elementary School in Omaha; faculty coffee talks; a state of the college address with President Brand; a golf cart parade; theatre production of "Reeling"; a Multicultural Support Services reception with alumni from the former African Americans for Freedom, Rights and Opportunities (AAFRO); sky viewing at Boswell Observatory; and reunion events for the classes of 1967, 1982 and 1997. Alumnae of the Phi Sigma Tau sorority gathered to celebrate their 100-year anniversary Oct. 6.
Concert and Tribute
The Oct. 7 Homecoming Concert in the Communications Center included a tribute to Dianne Ferguson for more than 30 years with the Music Department. Ferguson gave a special performance, playing the first movement of the MacDowell second concerto.
According to Dr. Jay Gilbert, director of bands, "Ferguson has touched the lives of all music majors as both a teacher of music theory and as an outstanding artist of the piano."
Ferguson, an associate professor of music, has taught piano, music theory, and music appreciation since 1977. She performs throughout the state, is active as a competition adjudicator and professional accompanist and is a member of PianoFOURte, an ensemble consisting of four pianists who perform two-piano music for four or eight hands.
Dedication
The public got its first glimpse of Doane's newest academic building at the dedication of the Chab Weyers Education and Hixson Lied Art Building Oct. 5 during Homecoming. The ceremony included a blessing by Roger Benally, Navajo, a graduate of Doane's on-site master of education program in the Navajo Nation, and speeches by donors, builders and Doane faculty and administration.
The $11 million, 57,714 square-foot building between Perry Campus Center and Miller Pond opened for classes in August. It houses new offices and classrooms for Doane's nationally recognized education and art programs as well as the Farley Korff Welcome Center, which includes the Admission Office, an outdoor plaza and historic memorabilia. The building also serves as the base for Information Technology Services. The building was designed by The Clark Enersen Partners, Lincoln, and constructed by Kingery Construction, Lincoln.
The building bears the name of two generous donors among the numerous donations which made the building possible. A gift by Lois (Chab) and Larry Weyers completed fundraising efforts toward the new facility. The Weyers live in DePere, Wis., and are 1967 graduates of Doane. A member of the Doane Board of Trustees, Lois Weyers is retired from a long career as a teaching and reading specialist. Larry Weyers is CEO, chairman and president of Integrys Energy Group - formerly WPS Resources Corp. - a Fortune 500 holding company with subsidiaries in the energy industry.
In 2004, Doane received a $2 million naming gift from the Lied Foundation Trust toward the new building, granted by its trustee Miss Christina Hixson of Las Vegas. The Trust was established in 1972 by the late Ernst F. Lied in honor of his parents, Ernst M. and Ida K. Lied.
Irshad Manji
Doane welcomed Irshad Manji, author of the best seller "The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith," to Heckman Auditorium Sept. 18. Manji's 20-year journey to answer her questions of the Muslim faith made her an international name, columnist, television personality and author, published in 26 countries. Her honors include the "Young Global Leader" designation by the World Economic Forum and Oprah Winfrey's Chutzpah Award for "audacity, nerve, boldness and conviction." She is the creator of the acclaimed PBS documentary, Faith Without Fear, which chronicles a young woman's journey to reconcile Islam with human rights and freedom. The Annadora Gregory Lectureship presented her lecture "Faith Without Fear: A Muslim Woman's Journey From Oppression to Hope.'
Amedeo Modigliani String Quartet
Whitcomb Lee Conservatory resonated with the music of the Amedeo Modigliani String Quartet Oct. 22. Performing on the violin, viola and cello, the free concert was in collaboration with the Brownville Concert Series. The Amedeo Modigliani Quartet formed in 2003 by four young musicians studying at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris (CNSM). The group was soon admitted to the prestigious string quartet class at the Conservatoire National de Région de Paris (CNR). At its first international competition, the 2004 TROMP International String Quartet Competition in Eindhoven, the quartet was awarded First Prize, the Audience Prize, the Young Jury's Prize and the Willem Vos Prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary work. Since that time, they have performed at renowned festivals and concert venues in Europe, the United States and Canada.
Liberal Arts Seminar Author Anthony Grooms
Anthony Grooms, award-winning author, poet and playwright , visited Doane students and spoke in Heckman Auditorium Oct. 10, presenting "The Average All-Around: Moral Courage and Fiction." His novel "Bombingham" was selected as the common book for Doane's Liberal Arts Seminar, a course designed to introduce first-year students to the intellectual expectations of the college, with an emphasis on critical reading and thinking.
Grooms grew up in rural Louisa County, Va. In 1967, as a preface to the forced racial integration of Virginia's public school system, his parents enrolled him in the Freedom of Choice plan that brought about limited integration of the white public schools. Grooms is a two-time recipient of the Lillian Smith Prize for Fiction. He currently is a professor of creative writing at Kennesaw State University near Atlanta, Ga.
Jerry Greenfield of Ice Cream Fame
Doane students and the public heard from the entrepreneur called "one of the least conventional success stories in American business" when Jerry Greenfield - co-founder of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. - spoke in Heckman Auditorium Oct. 29 through the Hansen Leadership Program. Greenfield helped turn a storefront venture into a $300 million ice cream empire. But he is also famous for the way the business was built - an environment where social responsibility and creative management were strengths rather than weaknesses. His lectures are called "a rousing tribute to America's entrepreneurial spirit," including the radical business philosophy and the great sense of fun that is the company's hallmark.
Doane Begins Community Meals Program
In November, Doane College, in conjunction with First Congregational United Church of Christ in Crete, began a new program serving free dinner to the public the last Monday of the month. "Open to everyone, the intent is to create an opportunity for the community to come together, to chat with neighbors, meet new people or to make it a family night out," said Rev. Karla Cooper, Doane chaplain and community services coordinator. Doane helps provide food, supplies and volunteer labor, along with other volunteers in Crete. Participation is growing and other sponsors are supporting the effort, such as a local high school student working on his Eagle Scout Badge.
Groundwater Foundation President Susan Seacrest
Environmental advocate and Groundwater Foundation President Susan Seacrest spoke at Doane Nov. 26. Seacrest founded the foundation, headquartered in Lincoln, in 1985 and served as president until her retirement in January. Amazingly, she established the foundation after reading a story on environmental hazards in the state and the impact it could have on health - a prized asset after years of medical challenges with her infant son. Thus began her personal crusade to gain knowledge and create the foundation. Seacrest's expertise in groundwater education has been acclaimed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. She was the keynote speaker at a Water Issues Briefing at the United Nations in November of 1999. The prestigious Heinz Award is among the honors and accolades of her career. The Heinz Award is bestowed to "extraordinary Americans whose pioneering achievements help expand human understanding, spur innovation and enhance the world's capacity to sustain itself."
National Non-Traditional Student Week
Doane College celebrated its 27th year serving adult learners during National Non-traditional Student week, November 5-10. As a part of the celebration, Doane's Lincoln and Grand Island campuses offered students complimentary food and giveaways before classes and members of the Alumni Council greeted students each evening. Businesses that work with the non-traditional programs were recognized with balloon bouquets and candy. Lincoln campus students, faculty and staff took a collection for Big Brothers, Big Sisters raising over $1,100. An essay contest was also held with students writing on "What it is like to be a Non-Traditional Student."
Holiday Open House
Doane ushered in the holiday season with a Holiday Open House Dec. 7 at the Lincoln Campus. The celebration was open to all students, alumni, faculty and staff and included visits from Santa Claus and the Doane Tiger. "Consuming Fire" also performed.
Wet and Wild Environmental Summer Camp
What do global warming, pollution, renewable energy and wildlife conservation all have in common? They all involve water. The Doane 2008 Wet and Wild Environmental Camp will introduce high school students to the importance of water in ways they may not have expected. Hands-on and fun explorations of our natural world will include trips to local stream, pond and prairie habitats. For more information, visit the camp web site or contact Dr. Russell Souchek at 402.826.8238 or e-mail russ.souchek@doane.edu.