Pub. 10 2015-2016 Issue 3

September/October 2015 11 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members.  President’s Message — continued from page 7 Reach Richard J. Baier at (402) 474-1555 or richard.baier@nebankers.org . Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. GoNebraskaBlue.com 888-656-2757 • Health insurance • Medicare supplement • Dental insurance When life happens, trust Blue Trust Blue - Nebraska Bankers (3-75x9-75).indd 1 6/12/2015 10:51:14 AM As you might imagine, several of these member institutions have hosted interns onmultiple occasions. Hosting an intern for a summer represents a major commitment of time and resources for the host bank. I want to personally thank each of you that have served as a host bank over the past decade. Over the last 10 years, the NBA’s UFAC has committed more than $555,000 to support student scholarships within the Ag Banking Program. The financial commitment from the NBA UFAC for the 2015-2016 academic cycle will be ap- proximately $80,000. Currently, selected freshman receive a $1,000 scholarship, sophomores receive $1,500, juniors $2,000, and seniors $2,500. As the NBA officers and I guest lecture at UNL fromyear to year, we are routinely approached by students thanking us for their scholarship and offering their passionate endorsement of the program! On the 10th anniversary of the Ag Banking Program, I would be remiss in not thanking several people who helped create and launch this highly successful public-private part- nership. Dr. Ron Hanson is the lead faculty member within the Ag Banking Program and proactively manages both the scholarships and the internship process. His tireless efforts in support of his students’ success is monumental. Former NBA President and CEO George Beattie was instrumental in organizing and rallying the banking industry around this creative idea. Also, Fred Bruning of Bruning State Bank remains tireless in his efforts to raise money to support this program and to help secure the naming of The Ron Hanson Ag Banking Chair at UNL . Finally, I want to extend a personal thanks to the many banks and bankers who have donated to both UFAC and NBEF. These funding sources allow the NBA to offer much-needed scholarships to students at our university campuses as well at Nebraska’s state and private colleges and universities. Clearly, the NBA is passionate about the Ag Banking Pro- gram and its success. As I talk with my counterparts from other state bankers associations, our state’s commitment to supporting university scholarship and internship programs in the banking sector is unique. We should be proud of this effort and our accomplishments thus far! If you find yourself with the need and/or desire tomake a charitable contribution to either of these funds in support of our “NExt Generation” of bankers, please let me know. Until next time, let’s keep helping our fellow Nebraskans finance their dreams! 