This Central grad went on to teach English at the school for more than two decades, mentoring its perennial state champion academic decathlon team and becoming the first of the school’s many winners of the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award. After graduating from UNO, Bernstein became a beloved English teacher at her alma mater. As […]

The two brothers formed an executive team that took the well-known furniture store founded by their grandmother to new heights, including opening up new Nebraska Furniture Mart locations in the Kansas City and Dallas markets. After graduating from Central, both went off in different directions, Ron joining the Air Force while Irv became a banker […]

Circo broke new ground for women at Creighton University and went on to become a behind-the-scenes force for her family’s company, Omaha’s Precision Bearing. Circo was very active at Central, including an award- winning journalist and helping to lead the yearbook staff. She then enrolled at Creighton, where she became the first woman to serve […]

Moore has been one of the strongest advocates for Nebraska’s children, founding one of the state’s leading child advocacy organizations. As a foster parent to over 30 children, Moore learned firsthand the challenges many children face from birth through their teen years. After writing legislation to create the Foster Care Review Board (now FCRO) in […]

Hadsell has combined a long tenure with Omaha’s telephone company with service to a wide range of community organizations. After graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1970, Hadsell joined what was then Northwestern Bell. The phone company would go through many name changes, but Hadsell was a constant for 41 years. She was first tasked […]

The Kelleys have made their mark in Omaha in the investment world and through their dedication to education and children. After the high school sweethearts graduated from both Central and the University of Nebraska, Dick ultimately began a half-century career as an investment advisor. His service to clients and ethics have been noted by numerous […]

Lewis established himself as one of music’s most acclaimed jazz drummers, the versatile performer laying the beat for many top artists and performing all over the world. The son of a saxophone- playing father and pianist/ vocalist mother, he first started playing the cello at age 10 before switching to drums. By age 15 at […]

Speier established himself as an international expert in nuclear nonproliferation, playing a major role in preserving the peace during the nuclear age. He combined an undergraduate degree in physics from Harvard with a doctorate in political science from MIT, leading to his unique career. He first helped reshape the nation’s nuclear and space programs in […]

During the World War II Holocaust, John Pehle ran a secret U.S. government program that saved tens of thousands of Jews from Nazi death camps. After graduating from Central and Yale law school, he went to work for the U.S Treasury Department, becoming a trusted adviser to the Treasury Secretary. When within U.S. intelligence circles […]

This Omaha businessman has contributed much to public safety in Omaha by establishing a foundation aiding first responders. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, Somberg returned to Omaha to help run Natelson’s, a family-owned women’s clothing store, the business growing from a single store to a regional chain of ten. […]