Profiles of Nationally Distinguished Nebraskans
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Questions or comments may be referred to Karen Kilgarin or Al Koontz of the NSEA at (800) 742-0047 or email at karen.kilgarin@nsea.org and al.koontz@nsea.org.
Click here to download the entire document in PDF format (186 pages), which contains the 44 profiles in alphabetical order, or select the individual profile below.
updated 12/18/2009
- Henry M. Beachell
Leading 20th century rice breeder and co-pioneer of Asia's Green Revolution in rice
- George W. Beadle
Nobel Prize-winning biologist initiated revolutionary changes in the study of heredity - Don Benning
Pioneer African American university coach and innovative educator - Rose Gorelick Blumkin
Immigrant who founded America's largest volume furniture store ranked among greatest entrepreneurs - Glenn W. Burton
Agronomist thought to have saved millions from starvation - Guy Chamberlin
Farmer, notable athlete, and coach of four pro football championships with three different teams - Henry Roe Cloud
Pioneering Native American educator - Mary P. Romero Zielke Cota and Rosabell Zielke Champion Fenstermaker
World's first mother-child supercentenarians had California and Nebraska roots - Carl T. Curtis
Champion of natural resource conservation, labor and social equity, fiscal reform, and the IRA during 40-year Congressional career - Frank W. Cyr
Father of yellow school bus and authority on rural education
- Gladys Henry Dick
Biomedical researcher who co-discovered cause, treatment, and prevention of scarlet fever in the early 20th century ranked among female immortals in science
- Val Logsdon Fitch
Basic research in 1964 by Nobel Prize-winning physicist may advance humankind's understanding of the universe - Jay W. Forrester
Electrical engineer laid foundation for modern personal computer - Creighton J. Hale
Helmet and bat inventor who helped mold world's largest youth sports program - Joyce C. Hall
Hallmark founder believed "When you care enough to send the very best" - Wynonie Harris
"Mr. Blues,"an American idol of his day - Leta Stetter Hollingworth
Psychologist challenged male superiority claims and founded the field of gifted education
- Catherine Hughes
A pioneer radio entrepreneur - Clara Herling Huhn
Colfax County, Nebraska native ranked among world's longest-lived persons - Joseph McVicker Hunt
Psychologist stimulated America's mid-20th century focus on children's intellectual development and helped influence educational research and Project Head Start - Charlotte Buettenback Johnson
Art teacher who co-designed first Barbie doll and was also its wardrobe director - Philip M. Klutznick
Jewish Leader, Visionary Developer, and Humanitarian Negotiator - Ben Kuroki
First Japanese-American war hero, crusader for racial equality, and newspaper publisher - Mabel Lee
Pioneering physical education innovator, women's advocate, and author - Preston H. Love
Internationally Renowned Band Leader, Musical Manager and Author - Frank B. Morrison, Sr.
Originator of first tourist attraction in the nation to span an Interstate Highway, progressive political leader, and visionary - Mary Lois Murphy
Medical researcher pioneered use of chemotherapy for children and advanced the field of pediatrics - Ada Patterson
Co-pioneer of gender equity in American journalism and human interest feature reporting - Edwin E. Perkins
Inventor and Entrepreneur -- Kool-Aid King - Charles H. Purcell
Chief engineer of San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge helped pioneer interstate highway system - J. Lee Rankin
Nation's leading lawyer played key role in school desegregation and other significant historic cases - Grant T. Reynard
Artist of many talents and achievements also taught others to create from true inner desire - Ann Ronell
Woman of Musical Firsts--Who's Afraid of the Little Lady Songwriter? - Roland Schaffert
Physicist credited with developing first practical dry-process photocopy machine - Rae Wilson Sleight
Originator of renowned North Platte Canteen that served over six million military personnel - Rueben Snake
Native American Civil Rights Leader - Lillian St. Cyr (Princess Red Wing) and James Young Deer
First Native American Silent Movie "Power Couple" - Alexander J. Stoddard
America's innovative public school leader in the 20th century and a pioneer of instructional television - Charles E. Taylor
Mechanic built engine for Wright brothers' 1903 flyer - Robert Taylor
Glamorous movie star of Hollywood's golden era, role model of decency, and world patriot - Ralph Winfred Tyler
Curriculum, instruction, and evaluation reformer ranked among world's fifty modern thinkers on education. - Orville A. Vogel
Wheat breeder helped found Green Revolution and invented scientific research equipment used worldwide. - George R. Wagner (Gorgeous George)
First television superstar changed professional wrestling into popular entertainment - Irene Worth
Acclaimed actress had Nebraska Mennonite heritage
