NATHAN KRAMER HONORED AS OUTSTANDING
YOUNG ALUMNUS
Blair resident given special
recognition
by Dana College during Homecoming, Oct. 1
Nathan Krämer was honored with one of Dana College’s
most prestigious alumni awards Oct. 1 in Blair, Neb., when the college
bestowed upon him the title of “Outstanding Young Alumnus,”
at a special ceremony held as part of Homecoming festivities.
Honorees are chosen for their achievements after leaving Dana College
and must have graduated in the last 15 years. Krämer’s
outstanding involvement in events planning was a major reason cited
in his selection for the award.
“Dedicated to Dana College…an asset to the community…gives
100 percent to every organization in which he participates…always
willing to help…highly creative and extremely organized…"
The praises of Nathan Krämer, this year’s Dana College
Outstanding Young Alumnus, are numerous and come from a variety
of nominating sources. Krämer, a member of Dana’s graduating
class of 1998, is proud of his alma mater and has not been afraid
to give back of his time, talents and dollars.
Krämer’s first contact with Dana College came while
he was still a high school student from Bethune, Colo. He visited
Dana for several Luther League District retreats and conferences.
Alice Laaker, the former dean of women at Dana, befriended the young
student and encouraged him to come back to Dana for his college
education.
With the help of Dana faculty, he overcame learning disabilities
and persevered to pass his courseload. As a student employee, he
worked in the library, custodial services, as an assistant to Campus
Pastor Terry Cassell and served as campus photographer, working
for Phil Pagel. He settled on an art major, and supplemented on-campus
jobs with off-campus jobs, including working for Enterprise Publishing
in Blair as a graphic artist and for Goodberry/Jensen Conservation
Services in Omaha, working in art restoration. Krämer helped
form a campus ministry group, "Clown White," and also
worked to organize an Art Guild.
A highlight of his college experience was a 1987 interim trip to
Europe, led by Professor John W. Nielsen. Krämer calls the
trip "one of the most powerful influences in my adult life…it
exposed me to things that make my life rich and rewarding today."
He also credits Luella Nielsen for her influence on that trip. Another
memorable moment was less happy. The fire at Old Main also destroyed
months of Krämer’s work in constructing decorative art
tiles that were to be used on the exterior on the new home of Richard
and Janyce Hunt. The Hunts were understanding about the loss and
commissioned him a second time to complete the project.
He and his wife, Amy Barlow, met at a Lutheran Church volunteer
work program in 1983. They share a broad variety of interests including
a passion for entertaining, writing and developing genealogical
histories, classical music and collecting family heirlooms and Dana
memorabilia. Since graduation Krämer has worked at Dana College,
coordinating special events in Parnassus; as a creative partner
and chef at Carey Cottage in Fremont; as an events coordinator for
Creighton University, and since 1999 for HunTel.net in Blair, where
he assists businesses in the development of websites. He continues
to be active in alumni affairs, most notably as the creative director
of The Grand Tour, Homecoming 2002 and The Hoffbräu Haus for
Homecoming 2003.
Dana College is a place where all students actively participate.
They make things happen — in their own lives and in the lives
of others. Through a highly supportive faculty and campus community,
Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership abilities,
and other important values and knowledge as they make choices about
their future. Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business,
education, art and social work, among others, ensure that students
have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging
careers or placement in graduate school.
Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair, Neb.
To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.
Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge,
Build a future — We’re with you all the way.
— END —
For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu
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