Posted: 4/15/2026
School of Natural Resources celebrates achievements at annual banquet
By Ronica Stromberg
The School of Natural Resources celebrated its 2026 spring banquet in the Nebraska East Union on April 11 with the theme “Celebrating Resolve. Rooted in Purpose. Prepared for the Moment." About 300 people and eight student clubs attended, with 21 people receiving awards.
"'Resolve' has been our theme in the school for the 2025-2026 academic year," Larkin Powell, director of the School of Natural Resources, said. "I gain inspiration from watching our students, staff and faculty move forward to respond to the needs of our state, region and world during a time of unique funding challenges at the university, state and federal levels. We acknowledge our circumstances but watch for opportunities to make an impact on our world."
The schoolwide banquet, started in 1960 as the Wildlife Club Banquet, continued the tradition of honoring members of the natural resources community for their achievements. The student clubs gave out eight awards, followed by the school honoring 13 people with awards (see awards below).
Kristal Stoner, a National Audubon Society vice president and executive director for the Great Plains, received the prestigious Howard L. Wiegers Nebraska Outstanding Wildlife Conservation Award. A story about her appears in this issue of Inside SNR, and stories about other winners will appear in coming issues of Inside SNR.
Powell noted that the School of Natural Resources was happy to host the presentation of an external, regional award, the Joe Gabig Memorial Award. The Nebraska Chapter of The Wildlife Society presented the award to Ava Britton, a Nebraska master’s student in natural resource sciences.
Student clubs participating at the banquet hosted silent auctions as fundraisers. Students were able to purchase tickets at a discount that covered the processing fees for online registration. Funds from adult ticket sales supported costs of the banquet.
Eight organizations also sponsored the banquet, with Olsson and the Wildlife Division of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as lead sponsors.
"We were happy to welcome such a diverse group of guests at the banquet this year,” said Sarah Thorell, who coordinated the banquet with Powell and a team of School of Natural Resources staff members. “There were many friends of SNR that joined us to celebrate the accomplishments of our students, staff and faculty. We are excited to host the banquet next year, on April 10th."
Dr. Hugh Ellerman - Postdoctoral Excellence
Dr. Rene Martin - Early Career Faculty
Dr. Deborah Bathke - Extended Service Faculty
Dr. Zach Schafer - Early Career Excellence Alumni
Jeff Obrecht - Distinguished Service Alumni
Sara Brock-Contreras - Graduate Student Meritorious Award- PhD
Maddy Vasquez - Graduate Student Meritorious Award- MS
Rob Wilson - Faculty Inspiration Award
Kristal Stoner - Howard Weigers Award
Matt Gruntorad - Staff Award Recognition
Brooke Mott - Staff Award Recognition
Sara Winn - Staff Inspiration Award
Ava Britton - Joe Gabig Memorial Award