Hastings College to launch Doerr Center for Civic Engagement

(Hastings, Nebraska) – For Karen and Roger Doerr, a line in Hastings College’s mission sparked deeper thinking. 

What does it mean to send forth students “who thrive as citizens and leaders of their local and global communities”?

“That’s a profound challenge incorporated into the College’s mission, yet it’s key to ensuring graduates can grow into leaders who can support their communities and meet the challenges of the day,” said Roger Doerr, who served the College for 44 years, with 37 of those as professor and an additional seven years as president of the Hastings College Foundation.

Inspired by the challenge, the Doerrs committed $500,000 over five years to launch the Doerr Center for Civic Engagement plus another $100,000 to establish the Doerr Civic Engagement Endowed Fund. The endowed fund provides the start of a sustaining civic engagement fund for the College that additional donors can support 

“Students who come to Hastings College, no matter what they intend to do, can develop skills to learn, listen and speak with a critical mind and open heart,” said Karen Doerr, who graduated from the College in 1975 with a political science degree. The new center will be housed within political science at the College.

Dr. Wayne Riggs, the College’s academic dean, said the generosity of the Doerrs will allow the College to serve students and communities throughout the region.

“With all of the challenges our country and world face, this is an opportune time to ensure current and future generations remain active in their communities,” he said. “As a liberal arts college, Hastings is committed to educating students as local, national and global citizens. This concept of an education for a free citizenry is part of the bedrock of our country’s founding principles.”

Riggs will provide strategic leadership for the program, and targeted initiatives pertaining to civic engagement across the curriculum will be determined by faculty. Funding will support establishing a professorship focused on the topic, which will further equip faculty to develop curriculum and enable the College to be a focal point for local and regional initiatives in civic engagement. 

The Doerrs, College President Dr. Rich Lloyd, and Chelsea LeMar, executive director of the Hastings College Foundation, signed the funding agreements on Monday, December 2, at the Barrett Alumni Center. 

“Having this opportunity to enhance the academics of the College is truly a rewarding aspect of our philanthropy and we are grateful for the ability to make it happen,” the Doerrs said.

After the signing, Lloyd noted that civic engagement is an inextricable part of the liberal arts tradition and mission of Hastings College. 

“We are profoundly grateful for Karen and Roger’s support of this important initiative, and all they have done and continue to do for the College,” he said.

LeMar said including the endowment piece is an important component of the agreement.

“It’s wonderful that Karen and Roger will see this center launch and grow, and we are so thankful for them making this happen,” LeMar said. “The opportunity to establish and grow an endowed component will sustain the center into the future, and impact students for generations.” 

About Karen and Roger Doerr

Karen (Gilmore) Doerr graduated from Hastings College in 1975 with a degree in political science. Having the center located in that department is a special aspect for her. After her undergrad degree, she studied at the Para-Legal Institute of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and then worked for a large law firm in Omaha. Her career has taken her to countless volunteer roles in the community and across the state, and professional work in public relations and fundraising for several nonprofit organizations, including Mary Lanning Healthcare, The Good Samaritan Society, Hastings Museum and the Children’s Museum of Omaha. She also worked as both an admissions counselor and alumni director for Hastings College. She currently serves as a director of the Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation.

Roger Doerr was a 44-year employee of the College, including seven years as president of the Foundation and 37 years in the classrooms teaching business and economics. Since his retirement he has served as a trustee of the College, chair of the board and as interim president. He was inducted into the College’s Pro Rege Society in 2013. He is currently a member of the Hastings College Foundation Board and its executive committee. He also has served numerous nonprofits locally and statewide. He was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as the Nebraska Professor of the Year in 1995, and is also proud of his recognition as the GPAC Men’s Golf Coach of the Year in 2006.

The Doerrs’ support of the College in recent years has included the creation of two endowed scholarship accounts, funds for deferred maintenance and upgrades to the College’s outdoor track.