Members

Mission of the 115th Class

We, the Knights of the 115th Class of The Society of Innocents, will uphold and promote the values of superior academic achievement, unparalleled leadership, and selfless service.

Our purpose is to fight apathy and malice with civility, empathy, and integrity. We will achieve this purpose by promoting group identity over self through our collective mission.

We will continue our legacy and steward the traditions of the Innocents before us, not for the sake of continuity, but as a celebration and reminder of our ideals.

We will cultivate future leadership through service and commitment to our community.

We will be servants of the University and champions against complacency.

The Knights of the 115th Class recognize that our spirit is uniquely Nebraskan, and we will strive to uphold these values.

Jared Noetzel, Vice President
Omaha, NE

Jared Noetzel, son of Sameena and Juergen Noetzel of Omaha, NE, is a Psychology major with four minors. Jared is currently the Curriculum Chair for Honors Peer Mentor Leaders, a senior counselor for NHRI, a member of the UNL Drumline, a camp counselor for Camp Kesem, a Chemistry Lab Teaching Assistant, and he is on the Honors Program Student Advisory Board. He has served on the executive boards for Camp Kesem and the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, has been a Family Representative, and a staff member for Dance Marathon. In the Lincoln Community, Jared currently interns at CEDARS Northbridge Early Childhood Development Center and leads a drumming club at a local middle school. Additionally, Jared is a research assistant in multiple psychology research labs, previously participated in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Summer Undergraduate Research Program, and he will present later this spring at The Annual Midwestern Psychological Association conference. This summer Jared will be participating in the Critical Language Scholarship Program where he will study the Korean language. After graduation, Jared intends to conduct cross-cultural psychology research and eventually pursue a Doctorate in Psychology to become a Child Psychologist.

Precious Nyabami Valentine, Secretary
Kigali, Rwanda

Precious Nyabami Valentine, daughter of Rutikara Augustin and Kaligirwa Rose of Kigali-Rwanda is an Integrated Science major with a concentration in Agronomy and a minor in leadership and Entrepreneurship. On campus she is a member of the Rwandan Student association, Agronomy Club and was a teaching Assistant of the Engler Entrepreneurship Program. As an Agronomy student, she has interned with the Wheat Improvement Program and Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics Research Laboratory. With the second Internship, she won the summer poster competition for her work with Cover Crops. She has been on the dean’s list multiple times and has an earned the Collegiate Undergraduate Scholarship for her undergraduate studies. Together with her sister, Precious has founded C&G enterprises and hopes to continue similar work in the future.

Spencer Nussrallah, Treasurer
Omaha, NE

Spencer Nussrallah, son of Tom and Tammie Nussrallah of Omaha, NE is an accounting and finance major with four minors in the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management. On campus, Spencer is involved in ASUN as a senator for the College of Business and is the Technology Fee Committee Chair, has served as both the Financial Manager and External Vice President for UPC Nebraska, is a teaching assistant for the Raikes School, has held multiple officer position in his Fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, and was on the New Student Enrollment International Welcome Team. Outside of the classroom, Spencer has interned at Bridgepoint Investment Banking, Hudl, McCarthy Capital, Mutual of Omaha, and ScoreVision. He will also be joining the Investment Banking team at BMO Capital Markets in San Francisco this summer. He volunteers his time with Teammates, serves as a cub scout den leader with the Boy Scouts of America, is involved with Dance Marathon, and gives back regularly to Operation Others. Spencer is on the Dean’s List for the College of Business, is a recipient of both the Chancellor’s and Regent’s Scholarships and is an Eagle Scout. After graduation, Spencer plans to chase his dream of becoming an investor focused on technology.

Dana Hoppe, Sergeant at Arms
Columbus, NE

Dana Hoppe, son of Fred and Donna Hoppe, is a Computer Science major with minors in Art, Philosophy, and Math. Dana is a member of the University Honors Program and is a recipient of the Regents Scholarship. As the current Vice President of Initialize UNL, he works to promote Computer Science education and outreach on campus and in the community. Dana is a former Innovation Fellow and has been extensively involved in developing and promoting after-school STEM education in Nebraska. He is currently involved in research relating to the development of interdisciplinary education programs which integrate Computer Science and Art. As an aspiring artist, he plans on drawing inspiration from his studies to create art via digital and traditional mediums.

Amy Heusinkvelt, Keeper of Traditions
Columbus, NE

Amy Heusinkvelt, daughter of Mary and Bryan Heusinkvelt of Columbus, NE, is studying Geography with minors in environmental education, international studies, and English. Amy is a member of the color guard in the Cornhusker Marching Band, a peer mentor for the UNL Honors Program, and a planning committee member for the university’s Relay For Life. Within ASUN Student Government, Amy serves as the co-chair of the Environmental Leadership Program and as a member of the Environmental Sustainability Committee. She also serves as an ambassador for the College of Education and Human Sciences as well as for Morrill Hall State Museum. Amy works in the Department of Sustainability at Lincoln Public Schools and welcomed new students to campus as a New Student Enrollment Orientation Leader this past year. She is a Regents Scholar and on the College of Education and Human Sciences Dean’s List.

Jessica Humphrey, Philanthropy
Columbus, NE

Jessica Humphrey, daughter of John and Mary Ann Humphrey of Columbus, NE, is a Food Science and Technology major with a minor in Spanish. On campus, she is President of Relay For Life of UNL, Vice President of the UNL Honors Program Peer Mentor Leaders, and Vice President of UNL Food Science Club. Jessica has also been involved in the Center for Civic Engagement, both as a volunteer mentor to UNL students as well as a member herself in the Certificate for Civic Engagement Program. Within the Food Science Department, she currently works in a research lab to implement technologies that will help the food industry to produce safe and stable foods. She is a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Honors Program, a David’s Distinguished Scholar, and is on the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources Dean’s List. Upon graduation, Jessica plans to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Food Science.

Sarah Weisbecker, Initiation
Waconia, MN

Sarah Weisbecker, daughter of David and Julie Weisbecker of Waconia, Minnesota is a political science and sociology double major with a minor in human rights and humanitarian affairs. On campus, Sarah is a Senator for the college of Arts and Science and the Appointments Board Chair for ASUN Student Government, a peer mentor for the First Husker program, and soon to be an Orientation Leader for New Student Enrollment. Sarah is also an Undergraduate Research Assistant, working on international women’s rights law. Off campus, Sarah is TeamMates Mentor, a former intern for Senator Vargas at the State Capital and an Immigrants and Communities intern at Nebraska Appleseed. Sarah spent last summer in Cape Town interning at the Human Rights Media Centre. Upon graduation Sarah hopes to do a year of service with AmeriCorps.

Rose Wehrman, Homecoming
Kenesaw, NE

Rose Wehrman, daughter of Margaret and Clifton Wehrman of Kenesaw, Nebraska, is an English major with Criminology & Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Business minors. On campus, Rose is a Regents Scholar and on the Dean’s List, is Vice President of Programming for the Honors Program Student Advisory Board, and has served as the Administrative Vice President for Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She was awarded the English Department’s Gaffney Literary Award and published in the Laurus literary magazine. In the community, Rose is on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association, facilitates an afterschool book club at a Title I elementary school, leads classes for Teen Court, and teaches English to refugees and immigrants through Lincoln Literacy. Additionally, Rose worked as an undergraduate researcher for the Buffett Early Childhood Institute through the UCARE Program and has studied abroad in Morocco. She has also completed internships with the Prairie Schooner literary journal, Bruning Law Group, Seiler & Parker Law Firm, and Nelnet. Rose intends to pursue a Juris Doctorate and Master of Arts in Education joint degree program.

Ibraheem Hamzat, Selections
Chicago, IL

Ibraheem Hamzat, son of Raheem and Saidat Hamzat of Chicago, Illinois, is a Microbiology major and Biochemistry minor. Ibraheem has engaged in research in several labs, he has participated in the Summer Health Professions Education Program and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at UNMC. On campus, he is the Chair of the Student Council of the Chancellor's Commission on the Status of People of Color. He has served as a teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry, a Life 120 learning assistant, and a science tutor for OASIS. Additionally, he founded the Minority Pre-Health Association and has served as its President. Ibraheem volunteers at the Asian Community and Cultural Center, serving as a mentor for the Young Men's Community Council. Ibraheem has been a CASNR Senator, has served as the Chair of the Academic Committee, and now serves as the External Vice President of ASUN Student Government. Ibraheem is the recipient of the Spirit of Service award and will, upon graduation, attend Medical School.

Miranda Kuzela, Selections
Bellevue, NE

Miranda Kuzela, daughter of Joey and Sharon Kuzela of Bellevue, NE is a Russian, political science, global studies, and Spanish major with two minors. On campus, Miranda is active in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, serving as Undergraduate Representative of the Curriculum Committee, organizer of Russian Conversation Table, and coordinator of the Russian Grammar Center, where she is also a tutor. Miranda also serves as Vice President of the Intelligence Community Scholars Program and has conducted research for U.S. Strategic Command. Additionally, she is a member of Chi Omega sorority and Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society. Miranda studied abroad in Russia on the Department of State Critical Language Scholarship in 2017, and in Kazakhstan on the Department of State Gilman International Scholarship in 2018. In the Lincoln community, Miranda volunteers as a tutor for Lincoln Literacy and has worked as a Legislative Research Intern, Page, and Bill Room Assistant at the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. Following graduation, Miranda hopes to attend a graduate program for Russian translation and interpretation.

Matthew Meacham, Selections
Omaha, NE

Matthew Meacham, son of Jeanette and John Meacham of Omaha, NE, is a computer science and mathematics major with a business minor. On campus, Matthew is a student in the Raikes School, a Computer Science and Engineering Peer Mentoring Program board member, a Raikes School peer mentor, a CornHacks Planning Committee member, a Raikes School ambassador, the alumni relations chairman of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, and the treasurer and co-founder of the UNL Eagle Scout Association. In his free time, Matthew volunteer develops the appointment-scheduling website for the Lincoln Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalition. He was a 2018 UNL Spirit of Service Award Nominee and is on the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s List. Matthew has held software engineering internships at Gallup, Spreetail, CSG, and Microsoft, and, after graduation, he hopes to start work as a software engineer.

Lauren Lesiak, Historian
Lincoln, NE

Lauren Lesiak, daughter of Chris and Marty Lesiak of Lincoln, NE is a chemistry and biochemistry major with three minors. Lauren plans to attend graduate school for chemical biology and pursue a career in academia as a research professor. She currently conducts research under the guidance of Dr. Jiantao Guo in the chemistry department working with fluorescent protein sensors. She has two publications, has presented at state and national conferences, and has received funding from UCARE and the INBRE program. She is a general chemistry teaching assistant, plays the violin in the UNL symphony orchestra, and mentors a high school student through NHRI. She is also a 2019 Goldwater Scholar and a recipient of the Bob Marianelli Undergraduate Research Assistant Award and the Charles Kingsbury Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award.