Pub. 5 2010-2011 Issue 4

November/December 2010 21 Extraordinary Service for Extraordinary Members. F IFTY-FIVE YEARS AGO, TOMOLSON, now chairman of Lisco State Bank and past chairman of the Nebraska Bankers Association, enrolled in a leadership development program on the University of Nebras- ka-Lincoln campus. The instructor was Don Clifton, who later founded Selec- tion Research Inc. (SRI) and brought the Gallup organization to Nebraska. The class included a mentorship pro- gram in which Olson was paired with a third-grade boy named Gregg Wright, now a pediatrician and UNL faculty member. Back in the ’50s, Olson and Wright spent many Saturdaymornings together, engaging in activities, explor- ing leadership, and sharing values that would guide both men throughout their lives. The relationship that started long ago as a college project has grown into a lifelong friendship. This year, the men- tor and his mentee are teaming up once again. This time it’s tohonor courageous Nebraska teachers through the Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excel- lence in Education. Olson and Wright are challenging Nebraska bankers to help identify and nominate courageous teachers in their communities. “A courageous teacher is committed to providing a good education to all students regardless of his or her back- ground, often going above and beyond the call of duty,” Olson said. “They not only must be courageous, but also must demonstrate a commitment to excellence, creativity, and inspirational encouragement.” The Christa McAuliffe Prize for Courage and Excellence in Education honors the courage of McAuliffe, a New Hampshire high school teacherwhowas selected by NASA to be the first “teacher in space.” Wright established the prize following the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion in1986, adisaster that claimed the lives of seven courageous astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe. Wright and his young sons had been anxiously awaiting the launch of this special shuttle mission, talking over breakfast each morning about the brave teacher who had become an astronaut and soon would be teaching classes from space. McAuliffe’s death in the fiery explosion rocked the boys and their father. Wright decided that this courageous teacher should not be forgotten, and that her example could inspire Nebraskans to honor their own courageous teachers. Do You Know a Courageous Teacher? Support Education by Nominating a Nebraska Teacher for the Christa McAuliffe Prize Ellen Hirst , Christa McAuliffe Prize Communications Director If you’re thinking about how ƚŽ ďĞ Ă ďĞƩĞƌ͕ ďŝŐŐĞƌ ďĂŶŬ you’re probably thinking about the technology driving your business today. Can it get you where you want to go? /Ĩ ŝƚ͛Ɛ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ĮŶĚ Ă ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJ ƉůĂƞŽƌŵ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ͕ ŝƚ͛Ɛ ƟŵĞ to think about Jack Henry Banking. /ƚ͛Ɛ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ƚŚŝŶŬ ĂŚĞĂĚ͘ are you thinking what we’re doing ? Q Courageous Teacher — continued on page 23