Name: Dr. Dustin R. Renken
Degree/s Earned: Bachelors of Science - Animal Science (UNL - 2014). Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (K-State - 2018).
Years of Membership: 2010-2014
Tell us about yourself and what you're doing now: Veterinarian for the United States Army
Did Block and Bridle impact your career path and if so, how? Block and Bridle provided a sense of pride and belonging while at the "U" - both of my parents, Richard Renken and Annette Renken (Rieken) were active members of the UNL Block and Bridle Chapter. Block and Bridle contributed to my success in my undergraduate studies which carrier over into my doctoral learning.
What advice would you give to your younger self entering college? You can accomplish more than you will ever know - just go for it! Don't let anyone tell you that you aren't good enough, or smart enough - prove them wrong! Believe in yourself. Be yourself. Live authentically. Live fearlessly!
Name: Deb VanOverbeke
Degree/s Earned: MS (Colorado State Univ, 2000) and Ph.D. (Colorado State Univ., 2002)
Years of Membership: 1992-1996
Were you an officer? What position(s)? President (1996), President (1995), Secretary (1994)
Tell us about yourself and what you're doing now. I serve as Assistant Dean for Academic Programs in the Ferguson College of Agriculture at Oklahoma State University. I am currently on the American Society of Animal Science Board of Directors and also currently serve as the National Block and Bridle Secretary-Treasurer. My husband and I have two children, Esther (12) and Joshua (9).
Did Block and Bridle impact your career path and if so, how? Being actively involved in Block and Bridle and attending national conventions provided connections that I still have today with colleagues at different institutions who were national officers at that time. I still attend those conventions, when able, and use it as a network activities with my peers at other institutions.
What advice would you give to your younger self entering college? Get involved! Step out of your comfort zone, say yes to new experiences, meet new people and build the transferrable skills that employers desire outside of the classroom!
Name: Gary Kubicek
Degree/s Earned: Bachelors Animal Science/Ag Education
Years of Membership: 4
Were you an officer? What position(s)? President and Treasurer
Tell us about yourself and what you're doing now. Raised Club Lambs for over 40 years. Sold herd this year. Retired from full time work. Continuing my 47th year of judging Livestock Shows. Enjoy hunting upland birds, grouse/woodcock, and deer. Enjoying time with family.
Did Block and Bridle impact your career path and if so, how? It was a major impact on my life. It was a great honor to serve as President of the largest organization at UNL. The lifelong relationships that were made continue today. B & B allowed me to meet key Agricultural Leaders in the State.
What advice would you give to your younger self entering college? Get involved early and stay engaged with as many organizations as possible. Enjoy the entire College experience. Time will pass by faster than you can imagine.
Name: Stacey Guthard
Degree/s Earned: Bachelor of Agri-Science
Years of Membership: 2008-2010
Were you an officer? What position(s)? President
Tell us about yourself and what you're doing now: I am back in rural Callaway, Nebraska, working a Great Western Bank as a Market President. I have 3 healthy boys. I have have a cow/calf operation and farm a few acres.
Did Block and Bridle impact your career path and if so, how? Block and Bridle became the connection with some of the great friends and I'd also give credit as to why I'm involved in the Callaway Chamber of Commerce as President.
What advice would you give to your younger self entering college? Believe it or not, college goes by fast. Network with as many people as possible because you just never know where and when the next great opportunity is going to pop up.
Name: Sheridan Swotek
Degree/s Earned Bachelor's: Agricultural Education- Teaching with a minor in Animal Science
Years of Membership: Fall 2016 - December 2019 (3.5 years)
Were you an officer? What position(s)? Yes! President (2018-2019), Secretary (2017-2018)
Tell us about yourself and what you're doing now. I am a fairly recent graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and I am proud to represent UNL Animal Science everywhere I go! I graduated in December 2019 and shortly after I took a long-term substitute teaching position for the agriculture teacher at Gordon-Rushville High School for six weeks. It was great being close to my family roots and in the heart of "cattle country." I accepted a teaching position at Kearney High School as one of three agriculture teachers and FFA advisors for the 2020-2021 school year. I never expected to be teaching in a Class A school, but I have found to really enjoy it. The students, staff, administration, and community have been incredibly welcoming and supportive. I am extremely thankful for the connections, knowledge, and leadership I gained through UNL Block and Bridle as I have definitely used these tools in my career of teaching, inspiring, and engaging high school youth about the agriculture industry.
Did Block and Bridle impact your career path and if so, how? Block and Bridle absolutely impacted my career path as it fed my passion for animal science to a greater level. One of the many advantages of being a high school agriculture educator and FFA advisor is the opportunity to use the information and experiences I had during my time at UNL and Block and Bridle to excite and educate my students about the animal science industry both in and out of the classroom. I wouldn't have anywhere near the confidence, content, or compassion for animal science and teaching it to students if it wasn't for Block and Bridle. I hope to inspire my students with the same level of interest about animal science as I have- and I am definitely recruiting them for UNL Animal Science and Block and Bridle along the way!
What advice would you give to your younger self entering college? I would tell my younger self entering college to take the time to really enjoy these unique years. No other time in life will you have the same experiences as you do in college. I was very much a "nose to the grindstone" student in terms of the case-load I put on myself and, not that I regret my hard work as it definitely paid off- I do wish I would've spent some time to truly soak it in. I am forever grateful for the memories I did make during my 3.5 years at UNL and look forward to a lifetime of continuing those friendships made during that time.