2026 Distinguished Service Award: Honoring Dr. Chuck Hibberd
When: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Where: The Venue (Cornhusker Room)
Register by Friday, Sept. 4 using the registration button below.
The Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club is proud to recognize Dr. Chuck Hibberd as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Service Award, celebrating a lifetime of civic leadership, professional excellence, and community impact.
Having served as Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension from 2013-2020, Chuck currently serves as the Chairman of the Nebraska Community Foundation Board of Directors, a founding board member and treasurer of Justice in Action, and is district lay leader of the Great Plains Conference, United Methodist Church.
A Lexington, NE, native, Chuck graduated from the University of Nebraska, earning a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Oklahoma State University.
After 12 years as a faculty member, Chuck moved to Scottsbluff to lead the University of Nebraska’s Panhandle Research and Education Center. After 13 years, he accepted the position of Director of Purdue Extension. And 5 years later, he accepted the position of Dean and Director of Nebraska Extension.
Reading is FUNdamental
LCK members Jane Holzclaw, Karee Shonerd, Steve Clements, and Roger Milnitz, conducted reading sessions for preschoolers at Belmont and Campbell Elementary Schools, along with Community Action Head Start. This initiative is part of the Reading Is Fundamental program, which aligns with Kiwanis International's Young Children Priority One initiative. Both activities received funding through grants from the Lincoln Center Kiwanis Foundation.
Growing More Than Gardens
On a brisk Saturday, members of the Lincoln Center and Northeast Kiwanis clubs—alongside Mickle Middle School students, staff, and volunteers—came together to build two raised beds, six in-ground beds, and drip irrigation stands.
Funded in part by a USDA Farm to School grant, the project creates a living classroom where students in life skills, science, and math programs will grow, maintain, and learn together.
When a community comes together like this, growth goes far beyond the garden.
FFA Excellence
LCK's Sam Cressler presented the club's annual FFA Scholarship to Norris High School Senior Ava Schmutte during a special ceremony. Ava, who has demonstrated a deep passion for animal care and welfare, plans to major in large animal veterinary medicine this fall.
Honoring Excellence:
Lancaster County 4-H Achievement Celebration
Huge congratulations to our standout scholarship recipients:
- Avery Stohs (left): Awarded the 4-H Rich Wiese Memorial Scholarship, presented by Mrs. Rose Wiese.
- Emma Thomson (right): Awarded the $1,000 Lincoln Center Kiwanis Scholarship.
Meal Kits Packed with Care!
Our members and friends came together to assemble 500 meal kits for families facing food insecurity. These kits—featuring Easy Dump Chili, Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls, and Chicken Alfredo—were delivered to five Title I schools in our community. Kiwanis truly means “Serving the children of the world.”
Club Honors One of Our Own
Bob FitzSimmons was presented the 2025 Distinguished Service Award among family, friends, past award winners and Theatre Arts for Kids.
Supporting youth
North Star Senior Attends '25 Boys State
Lincoln North Star senior Max Roberts shared key lessons and fun memories from his recent experience at the 2025 Nebraska Boys State. The annual week-long immersive experience in state government brings high school seniors-to-be from across the state to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lincoln Center has sponsored students to attend the event for many years.
Record Participation at the 34th Ted Nefzger Memorial Golf Classic
Sixty-eight golfers participated in the club's annual tournament at Woodland Golf Club in Eagle on June 7th, 2025, to raise funds for youth programs. Coordinated by Treasurer Larry Graham and club members, the event secured thousands of dollars through sponsorships and raffles.
Tournament Director, Larry Graham
Lincoln Center Kiwanis teamed up with Northeast Kiwanis to build and assemble raised garden beds at Dawes Elementary and low rise beds at Culler Middle School.
Kudos to Kiwanians for helping to educate our youth about gardening and growing our food!
website.com
If you want to devote your talents, we'll find a place for you to make a meaningful difference for kids in the community.
Invest as much time as your schedule allows. You'll find service projects to weekly Friday gatherings featuring top notch community leaders.
Click here to check out our calendar of activities.
Lincoln Center Kiwanis raises financial support through fundraisers, membership, and various other fun and meaningful activities.
