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University of Nebraska at Omaha Chapter

of the

American Association of University Professors

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The UNO-AAUP confers two student scholarships annually to honor the memories of two of our former union leaders, Donald Greer and Bernie Kolasa.



Donald Greer Academic Travel Memorial Scholarship

The Donald Greer Academic Travel Memorial Scholarship of $1000 is conferred on a UNO undergraduate or graduate student engaging in a program or experience of study abroad or else a travel experience within the United States for academic enrichment. Applications are due in two cycles, Dec. 1 and March 19, and they require a letter of support from a member of the UNO faculty or peer equivalent. 

APPLICANTS: Before submitting, review the scoring rubric. The Spring 2024 application cycle is open. Please submit your application here. 

RECOMMENDERS: Please submit your Greer recommendation letters here.

Donald L. Greer was an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a national leader in the urban trails movement, and a leading researcher on urban trails impacts. A stalwart advocate of academic freedom and faculty rights, Don served for decades on the Executive Committee of the UNO AAUP. Don never shied from a righteous fight in the name of freedom and labor equity. As Treasurer, he ensured that the union remained solvent and at the ready for the rare legal battle to enforce the workers' contract. Don also loved to travel, bicycling all over the United States and the rest of world. Dr. Greer died in May 2015.





Bernie Kolasa Academic Freedom Memorial Scholarship


The Bernie Kolasa Academic Freedom Memorial Scholarship of $1000 is conferred on either a current UNO graduate student or a UNO undergraduate who has been accepted (or anticipates being accepted) for graduate study at any internationally accredited university in any discipline (to include at UNO). Applications require a statement from the applicant on the role of academic freedom in the University. Applications are due March 19 and require sponsorship by a member of the UNO faculty or peer equivalent.

APPLICANTS: Before submitting, review the scoring rubric. The Spring 2024 application cycle is open. Please submit your application here during the spring semester.

Bernie Kolasa was a distinguished professor in political science at the University of Nebraska at Omaha from 1968-2000. He was a strong advocate for academic freedom, and he was a driving force behind the development and continuation of the AAUP chapter at UNO. He served as chapter president and just about every other capacity in the organization over his tenure at UNO. In addition, Kolasa served on the Omaha school board for 16 years, representing southeast Omaha. He was known as a thoughtful advocate for students at both UNO and Omaha Public Schools. Kolasa grew up in Cambridge Springs, PA. He earned his undergraduate degree from Gannon University in Erie, PA, and then moved to Lincoln for graduate studies at the University of Nebraska. His studies were interrupted briefly when he went to work at the Pentagon as an Army intelligence officer. Dr. Kolasa died in 2002 at the age 64.

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