The top two vote-getters will emerge in the District 5 Regents race, where incumbent Rob Schafer, who did not respond, is being challenged by Gary L. Rogge and Jerome Wohleb.
University of Nebraska Board of Regents
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents consists of eight members elected to serve six-year terms representing districts across the state.
Board members meet every six to eight weeks. Regents are not compensated but do receive tickets to athletic events.
There are four seats on the ballot this year. Incumbent Jim Scheer of Norfolk in District 3 is running uncontested.
In Districts 4 and 8, both candidates will advance to November's general election.
District 4: Elizabeth R. O'Connor (incumbent) and Jim Rogers, both of Omaha.
District 8: Barbara Weitz (incumbent) and Zachary Mellender, both of Omaha.
The top two vote-getters will emerge in the District 5 primary race, where incumbent Rob Schafer of Beatrice is being challenged by Gary L. Rogge of Auburn and Jerome Wohleb of Lincoln.
District 5 covers 11 Southeast Nebraska counties, including parts of Lancaster and Sarpy counties.
The races are nonpartisan.
Schafer did not respond to the Journal Star's questions for the Voter's Guide.
District 5: Gary L. Rogge
Age: Declined to provide
:63418 Highway 136, Auburn
Occupation: Retired
Political party: Nonpartisan
Elected offices held: None
ܳپDz:Auburn public schools, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Family: Three children, four grandchildren
Website: None
Gary Rogge, 2024 candidate for District 5 Regents race
COURTESY PHOTO
Why do you want to be a University of Nebraska regent?
The board needs new leadership. I want to be part of that fresh approach. The current problems with the departure of the athletic director and university president are directly related to the Board of Regents. Problems with high officials leaving for other universities is a bad, bad sign of failures with the board. Politics and personalities in a six-year term directly affect egos and distract from the board’s duty. Voting in new members can go a long way.
What experiences qualify you for this role?
Over my lifetime, I have had experiences that have molded me to be strong. Not to overreact, not to rush, not to speak out loud, but to give things time to develop and educate myself to the issues, as I bring others into the problem to involve and seek their input. A positive, agreeable, final resolution and the end results are what is important.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
My personal top priority would be to meet the other board members. I’m sure we all have some common experiences where we could bond -- family, children, aches and pains, not enough money or maybe too much money. A second top priority would be to communicate with the Nebraska unicameral. A third priority would be to meet with the city of Lincoln officials. Working relationships are a must with the University of Nebraska system.
What, in your opinion, is the role of the University of Nebraska in the state?
The role of the University of Nebraska has always been to educate students who want to learn to be leaders in perpetuating the cultural society in advancing lifestyles. The standard of living is based on hard work and education of its members, where we all achieve and advance economically.
NU is funded primarily through state appropriations and tuition revenue. How should NU balance being a good steward of taxpayer dollars while remaining affordable for students?
Regent board members should be thinking about their own finances when spending government money. What are the bills each month, and what if anything is left at the end of the month? What is important and what is very important? It's important to get value for all the university system tax money spent.
The university is in the middle of a budget-cutting process. What areas would you protect or target for cuts?
I would need to have a lot of information and knowledge today to make any statement about budget-cutting. I will work for all Nebraskans in educating future leaders and keeping graduates in the state.
District 5: Jerome Wohleb
Age: 67
:1740 W. Foreman Drive, Lincoln
Occupation:Retired, pharmacy director, Bryan Health
Political party: Democrat
Elected offices held:President, treasurer, secretary, board member for national and local health care professional associations
ܳپDz:Master's in business, Doctor of Pharmacy
Family: Married, three children
Website:
Jerome Wohleb, 2024 candidate for University of Nebraska Board of Regents, District 5
COURTESY PHOTO
Why do you want to be a University of Nebraska regent?
The Board of Regents is responsible for many decisions that are key to the future success of the university and the state. As a regent I want to bring needed change by addressing 1) the ongoing attrition in experienced and effective university leaders, 2) improving the university’s “average” national ranking, and 3) attracting enough students to meet our labor needs for highly trained graduates.
What experiences qualify you for this role?
I have studied at all four University of Nebraska campuses, and served as faculty at nine universities in four states. I have provided director-level leadership at large institutions for 30 years, including 19 years of membership on three boards of directors.
Growing up on a Nebraska farm, I learned hard work. As a pharmacist, I know the challenges and rewards of health care. As an educator, I have served students in multiple settings. In high-level leadership roles, I thrive on innovation.
If elected, what would be your top priority?
My top priority would be to address the current labor crisis. Multiple studies indicate that Nebraska will have a critical shortage of several professions in the next five years. The ongoing lack of applicants to our universities is concerning, which I will work to change by making it more affordable for students, creating business affiliations to grow academics and partnerships, and engaging faculty to demand excellence from our programs.
What, in your opinion, is the role of the University of Nebraska in the state?
Universities in Nebraska should provide an enticing education for all students inside and outside Nebraska centered on six key areas: 1) education, 2) workforce development, 3) community engagement, 4) research, 5) health care, and 6) entrepreneurship. Universities should play a vital role in the state’s educational, economic and social development by essentially preparing students for the workforce to be a highly competitive candidate in their area of study.
NU is funded primarily through state appropriations and tuition revenue. How should NU balance being a good steward of taxpayer dollars while remaining affordable for students?
Most people forget that new revenues could be realized if more research was pursued. Millions of dollars are available from grants for many different types of research. Industry is very interested in new ideas and solutions to bring value to their investors as well. We need to push for excellence and Tier 1 research status. Great schools do not have financial challenges.
The university is in the middle of a budget-cutting process. What areas would you protect or target for cuts?
Appropriately managing costs is a challenge I have successfully faced in most of my leadership roles over my career. Thoughtful review of expenditures is generally preferable over a general cut in services. Collaboration within departments could create efficiencies. I would protect our core departments such as agriculture, business, health care, engineering and fine arts to name a few. A well-rounded education is necessary for universities to enhance their national collegiate ranking.
