UNL makes second well-being investment with Abbott prize money

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — More than 40 registered student organizations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are benefitting from a grant program.

Each organization is receiving a share of $150,000 in Abbott-funded grants — the latest step in the university’s effort to boost campus well-being using the inaugural $1 million Big Ten “We Give Blood” prize.

The new grant program — launched this fall by Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement — supports the well-being of students on campus while easing the financial burden of hosting events, traveling and fundraising.

“We are constantly getting questions from students about how to raise money — and it’s hard,” said Veronica Riepe, director of SLICE. “This program provides a pot of money that student groups can access directly. It reduces the stress of figuring out how to pay for opportunities that benefit their members and the wider community.”

The well-being grants are the second investment of Nebraska’s Abbott prize — a $1 million award earned by winning the Big Ten’s blood donation challenge in 2024.

The university has already invested $450,000 of the prize money to:

• Hire a full-time well-being coordinator to focus on financial literacy
• Launching the Abbott Access Fund to eliminate small financial barriers
• Funding a series of student-led programs that address physical and emotional well-being

In the latest investment, 45 projects have been funded, representing 44 organizations.

“Many of these student groups are fueled purely by passion and commitment,” Riepe said. “This funding allows them to bring their big ideas to life — whether that’s creating inclusive events, showcasing talent or making positive impacts in communities.”

To qualify, student groups submitted proposals that outlined goals, itemized budgets and described how their projects aligned with one of the university’s well-being pillars.

The full list of recognized student organizations receiving Abbott funding includes (student group, project title, award total):

• Agricultural Economics Graduate Student Association, “Graduate Student Well-Being and Professional Development Series,” $2,790
• American Institute of Architecture Students, “Beaux Arts Ball,” $2,233
• Asian Student Union, “Tea, Art and Connection: An Asian Wellness Gathering,” $700
• Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, “ASUN in the Sun, Protect the Red, Game Day Glow,” $1,910
• Astronomy and Stargazing Club, “Stargazing Night at Branched Oak Observatory,” $1,250
• Astronomy and Stargazing Club, “Stargazing Night at Hyde Observatory at Holmes Park,” $1,250
• Biomedical Engineering Society, “Blood, Brain and Beyond: BMES High School Outreach,” $1,950
• Campus Red Cross, “Impact Incentivized: A System to Celebrate Student Lifesavers,” $968
• College of Business Student Advisory Board, “Fall 2025 De-Stress Fest,” $5,432
• College of Dentistry Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association, “Oral Hygiene Outreach Event,” $6,401
• CornHacks Organizer Committee, “CornHacks,” $2,832
• Criminal Justice Student Association, “Criminal Justice Student Association Field Day,” $2,490
• Cycling Club, “2025 UNL Cycling Club Bike-a-thon,” $985
• Dance Marathon, “Mr. Dance Marathon and HuskerThon,” $7,500
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, “Black Excellence Festival: Celebrating Higher Education, Health and Heritage,” $7,000
• Fellowship of African Christian Students, “Uplift Huskers — Pilot launch for Husker Wellbeing Circle,” $3,500
• Fellowship of Catholic University Students, “SEEK Scholarships,” $7,500
• Horticulture Club, “Little Free Plant,” $1,000
• Husker Bass Anglers, “Casting to Make a Difference,” $7,500
• Husker Catholic, “Koinona, Chrismas Formal and Spring Formal,” $7,500
• Innocents Society, “Innocents Volunteering Across Nebraska,” $3,595
• Interfraternity Council, “IFC Man Ninja Warrior Competition,” $3,500
• Middle Eastern and North African Student Association, “SWANA Festival,” $3,872
• Minority Pre-Health Association, “Stop the Bleed Course event,” $975
• National Pan-Hellenic Council, “NPHC Field Day,” $3,232
• National Society of Black Engineers, “Mind and Motion” and “NSBE Professional Development and Community Engagement,” $6,368
• Nebraska Food for Health Center’s Trainee Council, “Fun Friday Activity: Microbiome Art,” $550
• Nepalese Students Association, “Himalayan Home: Fostering Nepali Student Well-being and Community at UNL,” $6,094
• Out of the Darkness UNL, “Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk,” $3,545
• Pickleball Club UNL, “Campus Pickleball Social,” $2,900
• Presentation Club, “Creative Expression Month,” $594
• University of Nebraska Boots and Cats, “Boots and Cats ICCA Showcase,” $1,825
• UNL Associate Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, “Gamma Gala,” $4,000
• UNL Climbing Club, “Developing Climbing Confidence and Community Along the Dells of the Sioux,” $2,042
• UNL Curling Club, “Huskers Learn to Curl,” $1,450
• UNL Dodgeball Club, “NCDA Dodgeball Nationals,” $2,520
• UNL Fast Pitch Softball Club, “2016 Swing Into Spring Club Softball Tournament,” $7,500
• UNL Feminism Club, “HOPE Kits,” $2,500
• UNL Figure Skating Club, “Aggieland Classic Competition,” $2,566
• UNL Film Club, “Film Club Public Movie Showings,” $3,770
• UNL Hosa-Future Health Professionals, “Nebraska HOSA State Leadership Conference,” $6,043
• UNL Running Club, “NIRCA Regional Cross Country Meet,” $4,000
• Women’s Hockey Club, “Youth Girls Ice Hockey Clinic,” $5,541
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, “Zeta Zen Day,” $3,158.

You can read the full article from the university here.