One hundred bold and driven students have been awarded scholarships through the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for the 2026-27 academic year. A total of $194,000 in one-time scholarships will support these aspiring builders in their pursuit of purpose and entrepreneurial growth.
Rooted in a gift from the Paul and Virginia Engler Foundation, the Engler program was founded in 2010 with a mission to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. Today, Engler is more than a program, it’s a community where students from all majors and backgrounds converge to build purpose-driven enterprises, turn problems into solutions, and ultimately strengthen the communities they call home.
2026-27 Scholarship Recipients:
Incoming Freshman Scholarship Winners:
Arlington, NE: Adrianna Mincer
Beatrice, NE: Claire McGrury
Beemer, NE: Katrina Moyer
Bellwood, NE: Becca Podolak
Blue Hill, NE: Megan Macklin
Bridgeport, NE: Justin Dobrinski
Burwell, NE: Cody Marshall; Ericka Larsen
Byron, NE: Kaden Kleen
Clearbrook, MN: Ava Larson
Correctionville, IA: Gabrielle Hamann
Cozad, NE: Ava Joyce; Carson Reiman
Denton, NE: Sayers Burkey
Dunning, NE: Eli Rogers
Elbert, CO: Madalynne Kashner
Genoa, NE: Elsie Thompson
Gurley, NE: Josette McConnell
Hastings, NE: Dilsia Colindres Fonseca
Henderson, NE: Weston Panko
Leigh, NE: Quentin Mullenhoff
Milford, NE: Sydney Burkey
Newcastle, NE: Ava Stewart
Ord, NE: Colton Thompson
Park River, ND: Natalie Bina
Petersburg, NE: Ciara Baker; Katelyn Krohn
Ravenna, NE: Claire Ahrens
Raymond, NE: Khloe Cuttlers
Saint Edward, NE: Cody Andreasen
Scribner, NE: Ian Schiller
Shelby, NE: Hannah Heinrich
Shickley, NE: Levi Kamler
St Libory, NE: Kylie Caspersen
Sumner, NE: Preston Beattie
Table Rock, NE: Briana Robeson
Wahoo, NE: Alex Barry
Waverly, NE: Esther VanOverbeek
Continuing Student Scholarship Winners:
Albion, NE: Brant Benes
Amherst, NE: Breanna Bosshamer
Aurora, NE: Morgan Bonifas
Baker City, OR: John Garcia
Beatrice, NE: Kaden Van Winkle
Blair, NE: Alexis Warner
Blue Hill, NE: Libby Macklin
Bridgeport, NE: Bethany Nichols
Bruning, NE: Easton Weber
Burwell, NE: Jaci Larsen
Casper, WY: Nolan Hornecker
Columbus, NE: Emma Klug; Matthew Kinnison
Cook, NE: Nolan Wellensiek
Crawford, NE: Alexa Tollman
Denton, NE: Micah Pracheil
Deshler, NE: Colton Isernhagen
Dodge, NE: Meg Anderson
Fairbury, NE: Alexis Mau
Genoa, NE: Alicia Weeder
Gothenburg, NE: Braeden Anderson; Jake Burge; Maxwell Wyatt
Hamilton, MI: Nate Freyof
Harrisburg, NE: Isaac Olsen
Hay Springs, NE: Braydon Binger
Herman, NE: Mason Stoddard
Indianola, NE: Nathan Rippe
Julian, NE: Abigail Hodges
Kearney, NE: Gage Fryda
Kennard, NE: Jack Pohlmann
Lincoln, NE: Austin Kamm; Olivia Vanderford
McCook, NE: Charlie (Ethan) Bortner
Monroe, NE: Clara Preister
Neodesha, KS: Kyle Eggers
North Bend, NE: Paige Bunn
North Platte, NE: Ceidan Childears
Oakland, NE: Isabella Benne
Ogallala, NE: Caleb Most
Orchard, NE: Karter Otte
Ord, NE: Adam Knapp
Osmond, NE: Reagan Choat
Paxton, NE: Ainsley McConnell
Pender, NE: Alex Roth
Richland, NE: Gunnar Wolfe
Rising City, NE: Alexa Carter; Rylie Carter
Roseland, NE: Ashley Bonifas
Savage, MN: Tyler Newlin
Shelby, NE: Eli Kreikemeier
Shickley, NE: Lynley Swartzendruber
St Paul, NE: Abby Hirschman; Zachary Hirschman
Stapleton, NE: Caleb Burnside; Lance Jones
Steinauer, NE: Leah Christen
Sutton, NE: Carson Mau
Syracuse, NE: Emily Holz
Waco, NE: Cora Hoffschneider
Weston, NE: Addison Grant; Jake Rezac
These scholarships reflect our commitment to investing in the people who are ready to build—people willing to take risks, solve real problems, and lead with grit and humility. For more information, contact Program Director Tom Field at 402-472-5643 or tfield2@unl.edu.