Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipients Announced

From left: NE Chamber President Bryan Slone; Whitney Schwisow, Beatrice; Ryann Haburchack, Ewing; Emalie Wightman, Omaha; Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen; Tommy Pugsley, Omaha; and Brogan Jones, Allen. Not pictured: Jerry Brito-Mendoza, Omaha

​LINCOLN, Nebraska — The NE Chamber recently announced the recipients of six, $2,000 scholarships named for past Nebraska Business Hall of Fame honorees.
 
2023 scholarship winners include:
 

• Jerry Brito-Mendoza of Omaha, from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, awarded the Moe Beardmore Scholarship;
• Ryann Haburchak of Ewing, from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, awarded the Virgil Eihusen Scholarship;
• Brogan Jones of Allen, from Wayne State College, awarded the Kenneth L. Wortman Scholarship;
• Tommy Pugsley of Omaha, from Creighton University, awarded the Jack Swartz Scholarship;
• Whitney Schwisow of Beatrice, from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, awarded the Robert & Cynthia Milligan Scholarship; and
• Emalie Wightman of Omaha, from Nebraska Wesleyan University, awarded the Bob Harris Scholarship.

 
Students must be sophomores or juniors in a business-related field, show demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities, and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point-average to be considered. Since 1997, the NE Chamber Foundation has awarded over $238,000 in scholarships to 119 students across Nebraska.
 
“Nebraska has long been a state with pioneering business leaders, and they are committed to helping pave the way for young, aspiring minds,” NE Chamber President Bryan Slone said. “It’s wonderful to bring these young intellectuals in to connect with the larger business community.”
 
The scholarship winners were recognized at the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Banquet on February 2 in Lincoln. At the banquet, the following business leaders were inducted into the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame: Dick Tegtmeier of Encore Manufacturing Co. in Beatrice; Tony Messineo of Valentino’s in Lincoln; Mildred Brown of The Omaha Star in Omaha; Ralph and Beverly Holzfaster family in agribusiness/community development in Paxton; and Jim Clifton and Jane Miller of Gallup in Omaha.
 
The NE Chamber is the largest, statewide business and industry association, proudly serving its members since 1912. It is where members of the business community gather to help make Nebraska the best place to own, operate and grow a business. Focused on delivering economic and workforce growth and a competitive business climate, members also gain a network of engaged, connected business leaders across the state. Learn more at nechamber.com.