GSL Spotlight: Dempster Christenson
Dempster Christenson, a research technologist, was raised in Sioux Falls, SD by two wonderful parents and an older sister. He found a passion for rifle shooting at 12 years of age and spent much of his teenage years doing late night homework while going to competitions around the country. He received a scholarship to the NCAA team in air rifle and smallbore at the University of Nevada, Reno and completed majors in Animal Science and Animal Biotechnology. Dempster was accepted into the USA Shooting National Team after finishing college and remained on the team for 10 years winning 2nd place in a World Cup, getting two Olympic slots for USA, and securing runner-up for the Olympics twice. He recently finished a Master’s degree in Animal Science focused on cattle reproduction. As a research technologist, Dempster organizes and writes research for Rick Funston.
Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory recognized by IACUC with Outstanding Animal Care Award
The Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory has been awarded the Outstanding Animal Care Award by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.
The laboratory was honored with the award at the 25th anniversary of the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory open house in August attended by its peers and the people it serves.
The Outstanding Animal Care Award honors and recognizes individuals or groups that go above and beyond to ensure that animals are cared for ethically and humanely while following all procedures. The distribution of this award is carefully considered by the IACUC committee at the university and is not often awarded.
Kelly Heath, the director and attending veterinarian for the animal care program at UNL, noted the ranch crew’s practices of cleaning and maintaining facilities, timely record keeping, and cooperative approach no matter the situation.
“I never have to worry when I go to the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory, and I can be confident that their crew has taken care of things,” Heath said.
The university recently underwent a peer review process with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) to renew its accreditation with the association, making collaboration with other accredited institutions more accessible while enhancing the research stature of the university.
The ranch was one of many animal research extension facilities evaluated for this review. The peer review group noted that the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory is the gold standard of what animal care facilities should look like.
This high praise led to the idea of awarding the GSL staff the Outstanding Animal Care Award.
To the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory crew, receiving this award justifies the reasoning behind many of the tasks that they do on a daily basis.
John Nollette, the lead ranch technician, believes the protocol of the ranch has become second nature for the workers with cleaning up after every session, communicating with project leaders, and keeping concise and accurate records.
“We take a lot of pride in what we do, and it has kind of become our way of life,” Nollette said.
Beyond the daily tasks and protocols required of the ranch, research technologist Jacki Musgrave credits the success of the ranch to the team dynamic that has been established.
This dynamic makes it easier for the crew to hold themselves to a high standard and for each member to easily find their place and purpose on the team.
Moving forward, the ranch plans to continue to rely on the protocols set in place and the culture they have built to find success and care for their cattle in a humane and ethical manner.
“You do these things every day, but to get recognized for it was pretty special for our crew,” Nollette said.
IANR staff honored at 2024 staff appreciation luncheon
Staff from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were honored at the annual IANR staff appreciation luncheon on Dec. 5 at the Nebraska East Union.
Award recipients:
- OUTSTANDING EMPLOYEE AWARD: The Outstanding Employee Award recognizes employees who go above and beyond their job responsibilities. Each of the recipients received $750, and a certificate.
- Roger Carpenter, Ranch Technician, Gudmundson Sandhills Laboratory
- Mai Dang, Grants Specialist, AVE Business Center
- Sarah Hansen, Business Center Manager, Greater Nebraska Business Center
- Stephanie Hanson, Human Resources Specialist, IANR Finance and Personnel
- EXEMPLARY SERVICE AWARD: The Exemplary Service Award recognizes employees who have made significant and sustained contributions to the university during their career.
- Richard Anderson, Trade Supervisor, Eastern Nebraska Research, Education and Extension Center facilities department
- OMTVEDT SERVANT LEADER AWARD: The Omtvedt Servant Leader Award recognizes outstanding managerial/professional and office/service employees. This award is made possible through the generosity of Lee Harlan and her late husband, Neal, in honor of Irv Omtvedt and his distinguished career at the university.
- Jodie Barnes, Administrative Assistant, Agricultural Economics
To learn more about IANR faculty and staff awards, visit https://ianr.unl.edu/ianr-awards-and-recognition.