Sen. Ben Sasse speaks at UNL discussion panel

 The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been around for 150 years. A week long celebration started on Monday.

It featured a panel discussion in which three huskers spoke face to face with Sen. Ben Sasse. The three UNL students were chosen for their leadership and active involvement within the university.

“We got to see Ben Sasse but then we also got to see people just like us, you know there kids in college too,” UNL student, Jenna Tederman said.

One of the questions asked about improvements that could be made not only at UNL but any other higher education institutions.

“We have to practice what we preach, we have to actually be the place that we say that we are,” UNL panelist, Grace Chambers said.

“The modernization that we see in the city will allow you to do whatever you want in the Midwest, regardless of what you see and hear on the news,” UNL panelist, Kamryn Sannicks said. 

Other questions talked about inclusion within the university. Another one was asked about technology and if it is taking over.

“We use social media to substitute for real human relationships and so the humanizing language is so important here which is why we have bodies, we are meant to be anchored in place,” Sasse said.

The hundreds of students, faculty and staff in the crowd had the opportunity to write down questions for Sasse.

One of the students said a quote really stuck out to her, be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

“I’ve never been someone who’s like not trying to understand someones views or really open minded but I never thought other people would be open minded to that area and I feel like they made that okay today,” UNL student, Tasneem Ali said.

At the end of the night, Sasse was given some Huskers gear to take home. The UNL Charter Week continues with more events and speakers in the coming days.

For a list of of all the events, click here.