Generations of former staffers of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s student newspaper will return to Lincoln this weekend to celebrate the paper’s 125th year.
The Daily Nebraskan has provided students with hands-on journalism experience while chronicling campus life and covering moments of local and national significance.
Editor-in-chief Nina Kudlacz leads around 90 staffers, bringing news to UNL students from the basement of the Nebraska Union.
“For a generation that grew up alongside digital newsrooms, the DN remains a steady force that delivers unbiased information in a timely manner,” Kudlacz, a senior journalism and advertising and public relations double major, said. “We are taking old school journalism skills and creating ways to reach our peers.”
Assistant sports editor Eli Rodriguez said joining the DN meant being alongside like-minded people who care about news. He’s covered Nebraska softball, volleyball, men’s basketball and football during his time at the paper and used his clips to secure an internship with HuskerOnline.
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“It has pushed me to become a better journalist and, most importantly, a better person,” Rodriguez, a junior broadcasting and sports media and communications double major, said.
The Daily Nebraskan has evolved alongside the media industry, from its roots as a daily newspaper to a modern, multi-platform newsroom delivering news across digital, social, video and print.
“Our students gain real-world experience while producing meaningful journalism, and along the way became the state’s largest newsroom and one generations of readers can trust,” said Allen Vaughan, the paper’s general manager. “Our mission remains just as critical today as it was at our founding.”
Vaughan said about 100 alums are expected to attend the reunion, with the oldest graduating in 1967.
The weekend reunion kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, where the next class of Daily Nebraskan Hall of Famers will be inducted.
- Willa Cather, editor of The Hesperian, a predecessor publication to the DN, and future Pulitzer Prize winner;
- Neale Copple, first dean of the UNL’s College of Journalism and Mass Communications;
- Kitty Policky, production manager;
- Joel Sartore, photographer;
- Fall 1993 staff for coverage of the trial of the murder of UNL student Candi Harms.
The Daily Nebraskan will also host a tailgate with the Nebraska Press Association ahead of the Huskers’ home opener against Ohio.
The Daily Nebraskan has been a launching point for successful careers in and outside of journalism, including dozens of current and former Journal Star staffers.
Alums have gone on to win local, regional and national awards.
Notable alums include: Leila (Stahl) Buffett and Howard Buffett, Warren Buffett's parents; Jeff Zeleny, CNN chief national affairs correspondent; Jenna Johnson, The Atlantic senior editor; Paula Lavigne, ESPN investigative reporter; Dionne Searcey, New York Times investigative reporter; Matthew Hansen, Flatwater Free Press executive editor; Joan von Kampen, Nebraska Examiner editor-in-chief; Sam McKewon, Omaha World-Herald sports editor; Mitch Sherman, The Athletic Nebraska football reporter; Sean Callahan, HuskerOnline publisher; and Steven Sipple, HuskerOnline columnist/senior writer.
Top Journal Star photos and videos for August 2026
Seen from the interior of a car, raindrops on the front windshield reflect the Nebraska State Capitol on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, in downtown Lincoln. The city experienced its 10th wettest July on record, with 6.78 inches of rain, surpassing the normal by 3.53 inches
Lorenzo and Desarie Ball, co-owners of Capitol View Winery and Vineyards, stand in their vineyard Tuesday in Roca. The couple gave up their work in the corporate world to take over the winery south of Lincoln.
Carpet Land, including Fisher Irons (5), dogpiles with Bradyn Erickson (2, catcher) after defeating Creighton Prep to win the American Legion Class A state tournament Saturday at Den Hartog Field.
Carpet Land head coach Mychal Lanik celebrates with his 8-year-old son, Gehrig Lanik, after Carpet Land (Lincoln East) defeated Five Points Bank (Creighton Prep) 7-2 on Saturday at Den Hartog Field in Lincoln to win the American Legion baseball championship. Carpet Land swept the best-of-three series 2-0.
A sixth-grade Sixers’ player attempts a block as a T-Wolves player shoots inside the paint during the annual Railyard Rims 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by YMCA of Lincoln, Downtown Lincoln Association and Scheels on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at The Railyard in Lincoln.
Independent Senate candidate Dan Osborn waves to supporters as he is introduced during a campaign rally at Bourbon Theater on Monday in Lincoln.
Law enforcement officers on motorcycles lead a funeral procession for Crete Police Chief Gary Young as they arrive outside of Lincoln Memorial Cemetery on Monday.
Elsie Maranville ducks underneath her horse Katniss while her friend Saylor Bontrager, right, works to secure her saddle on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at the Sandhills Global Event Center.
Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea hands back a signed ball to 4-year-old Lily Decker, from Lincoln, on Saturday during Nebraska football's fan day at the Hawks Championship Center.
Seen through the digital viewfinder of a Journal Star video camera Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule speaks on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026 during a press conference at the Hawks Championship Center in Lincoln.
Jasper Gonzalez plays in the water from a sprinkler during the city's first-ever hydrant party at Densmore Park on Monday. The city is hosting four hydrant parties this month. The next three are Friday at UPCO Park; Monday at Arnold Heights Park; and Aug. 21 at the Roberts Park. All parties are 4:30-6 p.m.
Jennifer Kramer hugs her son, Christian, as she drops him off for his first day of kindergarten at Humann Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Lincoln.
Andrew La Grone, representing the Nebraska Republican Party, presents his case during a hearing at the Lancaster County Courthouse on on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Lincoln.
A long-exposure-pan photograph of a cyclist on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, as they ride the Billy Wolff Trail at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.
Lead teacher Alex Deaney (left) watches as 1-year-old Daniel Obe (right) plays with a bubble machine on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in a classroom located at the Bansal Family Home for Head Start in Lincoln.
Pius X head coach Michael Grindey greets players during warmups as the Thunderbolts hold football practice on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at Lincoln Pius X High School in Lincoln.
Lincoln High school players run through drills at Beechner Athletic Complex on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Lincoln.
Window washer Rogelio Perez repels from the roof of the Scott Engineering Center ahead of classes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Lincoln.
Nebraska Wesleyan University baseball player Jaxson Volmer loads an incoming University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman’s bags on Monday on the UNL campus. “It is a lot easier with volunteers helping,” NWU baseball player Drake Venema said. “I know as a freshman, I was scared and flustered by the experience. So this definitely would have helped me.” Athletes from Wesleyan were earning money for travel and equipment for their team's programs by helping with move-in.
A colorful umbrella is seen thought rain droplets on a windshield following a short storm on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Lincoln.
Lancaster County Election Commissioner Todd Wiltgen explains how election commission staff ensure gathered signatures are verified and processed at the Election Commission's office Friday.
Pedestrians navigate the sidewalks along downtown O street near Brothers on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, in Lincoln.
Lincoln Food Market Program Manager Kristina Brandl, left, helps Nolan Lemna unload fresh produce at the Catholic Social Services food market on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.
Fans in the front row, including Megan Gonzales (center, arms outstretched, from Thedford) react as the Turnpike Troubadours perform during The Boys From Oklahoma show on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Following performances from opener(s) American Aquarium, Cody Jinks and Flatland Cavalry, headliners Cross Canadian Ragweed and Turnpike Troubadours performed to end the night. “It has been such a wild ride, the whole experience—It has been so immersive and so electric it’s been incredible,” she said.
Cody Canada sings on guitar with Cross Canadian Ragweed during The Boys From Oklahoma show on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Following performances from opener(s) American Aquarium, Cody Jinks and Flatland Cavalry, headliners Cross Canadian Ragweed and Turnpike Troubadours performed to end the night.
The Turnpike Troubadours perform during The Boys From Oklahoma show on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln. Following performances from opener(s) American Aquarium, Cody Jinks and Flatland Cavalry, headliners Cross Canadian Ragweed and Turnpike Troubadours performed to end the night.
Penmaking instructor and veteran Larry Wolterman turns pen blanks from a Bradford pear tree Friday at Nebraska Innovation Studio on the Nebraska Innovation Campus. “Everything outside of this pen disappears — it’s just me and the wood,” Wolterman said. The tree was one of three removed from Tavern on the Square in June.
A Chevrolet Traverse is trapped in floodwaters under the overpass on North 48th Street near Cornhusker Highway on Wednesday.
Lincoln Standing Bear student fans—including senior Braden Gorman (wearing orange)—greet their team after the win on Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, as the Falcons and the Grizzlies face off for their mutual Class A debut at Seacrest Field in Lincoln. Lincoln Standing Bear beat Lincoln Northwest 42-6.
Columbus's Naomi Robertson (33) nearly collides with teammate Kyrstin Nickolite (29) as Nickolite catches a pop fly on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at Lincoln Standing Bear High School in Lincoln.
Sophomore piccoloist Emily Moyer (center-left) celebrates with her bandmates after winning the “drill down” competition during the annual Cornhusker Marching Band exhibition concert on Wednesday at Memorial Stadium. “I’m just so excited— I never expected that I’d get that far, much less win it all!” Moyer said. “I didn’t make it in last year so it’s really big for me that I was able to come back this year and prove myself.” The "drill down" contest features band members following rapid marching instructions. When a mistake is made, drum majors and directors will tag the band members out until there is one person left on the field. Band Director Tony Falcone has said in previous years that the drill down displays students' competitiveness and intensity as they fully concentrate to hear, process and execute the commands nearly instantly.
Lincoln Northeast head coach Javonta Boyd greets Telemekus Alexander (2) after the game on Thursday at Seacrest Field.
The officials perform the coin toss as Lincoln Southeast's Brooks Gordon (4) Henry Lewis-Ahrendt (58) and Mason Mehta (3) watch on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at Seacrest Field in Lincoln. Lincoln Southeast led Millard West 14-7 going into halftime.
Sydney Beat, from Holdrege, lumbers down O Street during the 11th Lincoln Zombie Walk on Saturday. The walk returned after a decade-long hiatus, featuring people dressed as both zombies and resistance fighters.
