UNO Researchers Protect the Crucial Role Bats Play in Nebraska’s Ecosystem
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha
Bats play pivotal roles in ecosystems by regulating insect populations and pollinating plants, making their conservation crucial for Nebraska agriculture. Biology assistant professor Han Li, Ph.D., and graduate assistant Evan Wigley collect sonar data to track population trends in both restored grassland and agricultural spaces.
How Four UNO Students Turned Their Dorm into a Home
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha
When Derek Dykstra, James Haver, McCartney Fitzgerald, and Brandon Lao arrived at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) for their first year of college, they had no idea they’d be matched as roommates.
Fast forward only two years, and they’re no longer just roommates; they’re a four-person comedy troupe, an impromptu counseling group, and unofficial food critics. They may have been strangers at first, but they’ve turned their dorm into a home, complete with inside jokes, late-night debates, and stolen snacks.
University of Nebraska at Omaha celebrates the class of 2024
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha
This video was utilized as the moment UNO began it's May and December 2024 Commencement ceremonies. The idea behind the video was to start the ceremony with an exciting countdown to get graduates and the crowd ready for a celebration. The visuals used in this came from the last five graduation ceremonies plus a video shoot on campus with UNO graduates.
The Cutting Edge of Counterterrorism Research: NCITE at UNO
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha
Video graphics by UNO's Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
Introductory artwork provided by NCITE, edited by Elsie Stormberg
The National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE), based at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is the Department of Homeland Security's Center of Excellence for terrorism prevention and counterterrorism research. As the nation's leading academic center for the study of emerging terrorism threats, NCITE works to generate knowledge that keeps our country safe while also educating the next generation of national security leaders.
The Inspiring Journey of the Palafox Sisters: Navigating Education, Sisterhood, and Success
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha with support from UNO's Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
Mary and Mayjem Palafox immigrated from the Philippines to the United States in 2019, accompanied by their father and youngest sister. They settled in Omaha, Nebraska. Shortly after arriving, their father had to return home with their younger sister to care for their mother and other siblings, but Mary and Mayjem decided to stay in the U.S. At only 18- and 14-years old, Mary and Mayjem were driven by the hope of accessing greater opportunities.
Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha's Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center opened its doors to the public on February 4, 2022, in Aksarben in Omaha, Nebraska. The museum explores the work and life of artist Samuel Bak. The Learning Center offers a source of collaboration and opportunities to UNO students, faculty and staff with the broader community around the subjects of art, Holocaust education, human rights and genocide.
A Warm YSEALI Welcome: Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative on UNO's Campus
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha with support from UNO's Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
Each year, cohorts of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, or YSEALI, visits the University of Nebraska at Omaha's campus to learn about civic engagement. This is their experience.
Holding Dandelions
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/University of Nebraska at Omaha
It’s never too late to start your journey, and DérNecia Phillips’ 18-year story in education is inspiring. After putting her studies on hold due to family tragedies, Phillips came back to finish her education degree years later and has been determined and focused.
Altogether she has two masters degrees through UNO’s College of Education, and now holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership after defending her dissertation this semester. The support from UNO, her family, and friends has been truly important, and her son DaTeus has been with her every step of the way.
Losing pieces
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg/Nebraska News Service
When Joni Wimmer received a phone call in January of 2016 informing her of her son and his fiancé’s car accident, she thought it was a joke. A terrible joke. Her son’s fiancé Jessie had died on impact when a driver ran a red light t-boning the couple at the intersection of highways 92 and 77. Her son, Tanner, died four days in the hospital after Wimmer made the decision to pull the plug. The couple was driving to Lincoln to get more decoration supplies for their upcoming wedding in October.
Since that phone call, her life has been a series of holding it together and trying to not to lose pieces of her son. Wimmer, retired, spends her days going on walks with her son’s dog Boris along the trails of Lake Wanahoo in Wahoo, Nebraska as well as taking care of her son’s other dog Opie and her two Australian Shepherds. At night, she sleeps at her son’s home in Wahoo.
At this moment, Wimmer feels trapped, but also knows how hard moving on will be. As much as she wants to avoid losing more and more pieces of her son, she understands the unhealthy attachment to her only son and his former home.
The video was awarded eighth place out 90 students in the Hearst multimedia narrative storytelling competition in November 2020.
Disaster 4339
Filmed and edited by Elsie Stormberg
After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, hundreds of thousands of people required aid across Puerto Rico. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, along with church groups and grassroots organizations provided supplies, food and water. But many Puerto Ricans have criticized the way this aid was carried out. FEMA refers to Maria as Disaster 4339.
For more information and other stories on the project visit: http://projects.newsnetnebraska.org/globaleyewitness/