Profiles of Nationally Distinguished Nebraskans
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Based on the success of E.A. Kral's "700 Famous Nebraskans," The Crete News publisher, John Reeves, initiated the production of monthly profiles of Nationally Distinguished Nebraskans. These profiles, written by E.A. Kral and Jean M. Sanders, began appearing in The Crete News in January 2004. With the permission of the publisher and authors, the Nebraska State Education Association offers these profiles on its website as a public service.
Questions or comments may be referred to Karen Kilgarin or Al Koontz of the NSEA at (800) 742-0047 or email at karen.kilgarin@nsea.org and al.koontz@nsea.org.
Click here to download the entire document in PDF format (139 pages), which contains the 35 profiles in alphabetical order, or select the individual profile below.
updated 06/13/2008
- George W. Beadle
Nobel Prize-winning biologist initiated revolutionary changes in the study of heredity - Glenn W. Burton
Agronomist thought to have saved millions from starvation - Henry Roe Cloud
Pioneering Native American educator - Mary P. Romero Zielke Cota and Rosabell Zielke Champion Fenstermaker
World's first mother-child supercentenarians had California and Nebraska roots - Carl T. Curtis
Champion of natural resource conservation, labor and social equity, fiscal reform, and the IRA during 40-year Congressional career - Frank W. Cyr
Father of yellow school bus and authority on rural education
- Gladys Henry Dick
Biomedical researcher who co-discovered cause, treatment, and prevention of scarlet fever in the early 20th century ranked among female immortals in science
- Val Logsdon Fitch
Basic research in 1964 by Nobel Prize-winning physicist may advance humankind's understanding of the universe - Jay W. Forrester
Electrical engineer laid foundation for modern personal computer - Creighton J. Hale
Helmet and bat inventor who helped mold world's largest youth sports program - Joyce C. Hall
Hallmark founder believed "When you care enough to send the very best" - Wynonie Harris
"Mr. Blues,"an American idol of his day - Leta Stetter Hollingworth
Psychologist challenged male superiority claims and founded the field of gifted education
- Catherine Hughes
A pioneer radio entrepreneur - Clara Herling Huhn
Colfax County, Nebraska native ranked among world's longest-lived persons - Joseph McVicker Hunt
Psychologist stimulated America's mid-20th century focus on children's intellectual development and helped influence educational research and Project Head Start - Charlotte Buettenback Johnson
Art teacher who co-designed first Barbie doll and was also its wardrobe director - Philip M. Klutznick
Jewish Leader, Visionary Developer, and Humanitarian Negotiator - Ben Kuroki
First Japanese-American war hero, crusader for racial equality, and newspaper publisher - Mabel Lee
Pioneering physical education innovator, women's advocate, and author - Preston H. Love
Internationally Renowned Band Leader, Musical Manager and Author - Frank B. Morrison, Sr.
Originator of first tourist attraction in the nation to span an Interstate Highway, progressive political leader, and visionary - Mary Lois Murphy
Medical researcher pioneered use of chemotherapy for children and advanced the field of pediatrics - Charles H. Purcell
Chief engineer of San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge helped pioneer interstate highway system - J. Lee Rankin
Nation's leading lawyer played key role in school desegregation and other significant historic cases - Roland Schaffert
Physicist credited with developing first practical dry-process photocopy machine - Rae Wilson Sleight
Originator of renowned North Platte Canteen that served over six million military personnel - Rueben Snake
Native American Civil Rights Leader - Lillian St. Cyr (Princess Red Wing) and James Young Deer
First Native American Silent Movie "Power Couple" - Alexander J. Stoddard
America's innovative public school leader in the 20th century and a pioneer of instructional television - Charles E. Taylor
Mechanic built engine for Wright brothers' 1903 flyer - Ralph Winfred Tyler
Curriculum, instruction, and evaluation reformer ranked among world's fifty modern thinkers on education. - Orville A. Vogel
Wheat breeder helped found Green Revolution and invented scientific research equipment used worldwide. - George R. Wagner (Gorgeous George)
First television superstar changed professional wrestling into popular entertainment - Irene Worth
Acclaimed actress had Nebraska Mennonite heritage
