Thanks to All Who Helped with Weatherfest 2009

Rick Sheehy, right, Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska, presents the Severe Weather Awareness Week proclamation to Ken Dewey, climatologist and organizer of the ninth annual Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium and Family WeatherFest. Sheehy awarded the proclamation to Dewey April 4 in Hardin Hall, in recognition of the service the event provides in helping the people of the state be better prepared for severe weather.

Ken Dewey, organizer of the 9th annual Central Plains Severe Weather Symposium and Family Weatherfest, sent this message to everyone in Hardin Hall, thanking us for our time and efforts in support of the massive event:

The 9th CPSWS Family Weatherfest was a HUGE success. Over 4,000 people participated, which is a new record.

The surrounding parking lots were filed to capacity, the auditorium reached standing room only several times during the day. Hardin Hall was busy all day long with many happy participants of all ages.

Our SNR students, combined with Geoscience students, put on an outstanding family Weatherfest which was packed all day and featured on local television news last evening.

The Photography workshops, added this year, were also a big success.  The IANR departmental exhibits were well received by the public.

The Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska came to the event and read a proclamation praising our severe weather educational outreach and designated this as the kickoff event for the statewide severe weather awareness week.  When I visited  with him Saturday, he said he was extremely impressed with our efforts to bring severe weather preparedness to our residents.

Dr. Joe Schaefer, director of the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) was a guest speaker and he raved about our event saying that he is unaware of any other U.S. community putting on an event which is as comprehensive and successful as our CPSWS and Weatherfest.

Finally, this annual event is a success because of the incredible support and volunteer efforts provided by the IANR and SNR faculty, staff and students along with our colleagues and students in the Geosciences Department on city campus.  Media coverage was extensive beginning with live TV coverage last Friday evening in front of Hardin Hall and also included the Omaha and Lincoln newspapers, television stations, and several radio stations. 

This was an incredible positive PR event for UNL during a period of time with gloomy economic news

In honor of the opening day of Major League Baseball, all of you and your resources helped me hit a Grand Slam Home run yesterday.  I am grateful for your help and look forward to celebrating our 10th anniversary event next spring.

Photos from this year's Weatherfest are online at http://www.nebraskaweatherphotos.org/CPSWS2009Photo-Gallery.html