Professor Bryan Reiling and Associate Professor Brett White were recently named recipients of Family & Friends Recognition Awards at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Formerly known as the Parents' Recognition Award, the Family & Friends Recognition Awards have been awarded for 38 years and honor faculty and staff who make a meaningful difference in students’ lives. These awards, organized by the Office of Student Life and co-sponsored by the Nebraska Teaching Council and the Nebraska Parent & Family Association, give parents, family members, and friends the opportunity to recognize faculty and staff who have supported, encouraged, or inspired their Husker, while also providing positive feedback to campus partners about their impact on students and the importance of strong student–faculty/staff connections.
"Dr. Reiling and Dr. White continually go above and beyond for student success and do whatever they can to help students grow academically and professionally," said Deb VanOverbeke, head of the Department of Animal Science. "They truly embody what it means when we say every person and every interaction matters."
Reiling currently serves as a Professor, Livestock Production and Management Extension Specialist, and as an Animal Science Undergraduate Teaching Coordinator, while White serves as an Associate Professor. Both are multi-time recipients of the award, with Reiling earning the award 13 times and White three times since both started at Nebraska in 2000.
Reiling's nominator stated, "My son loved being in Dr. Reiling's class this semester. College life can be intimidating for freshmen, and Dr. Reiling's class was a safe and inviting place. He appreciated how interactive each class was and how Dr. Reiling made a concerted effort to get to know each and every student in his class."
White’s nominator said, "Our daughter Amy was accepted into the Graduate program in Animal Science under the mentorship of Dr. Brett White. Amy had just completed her B.S., and was looking forward to the next chapter in her professional development. Dr. White showed exceptional skills in welcoming her to his program and animal science lab and challenged her in ways that were non-threatening, thus building her confidence and therefore tapping her intellectual potential. He gave constructive feedback when editing her grant writing, which to this day has served her well. Dr. White guided her through many poster presentations and the rigors of academia, expanding her critical thinking and developing her ease with which to give scientific data presentations."
The Parents Association solicits nominations asking parents, family and friends to nominate a faculty or staff member, including a short explanation of why this person was nominated, annually in December.
