Dr. Jim Thorson Retiring - University of Nebraska at Omaha

Volume 3, Issue 6
Spring 2010
Congratulations to the following
students who graduated
in December 2009 with
degrees in Gerontology:
Celeste Mitchell UNO M.A.,
Social Gerontology
Priscilla Quinn UNL Ph.D.,
Gerontology Specialization
Congratulations to the following
students on completing
their Gerontology certificate:
Undergraduate:
Valerie Haschke
Annette Reilly
Kami Wiedel
Graduate:
Stephanie Hoyt
Marabeth Kracher
Nicole Neemann
Cindy Waldo
Well
done!
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA
Dr. Jim Thorson Retiring
Dr. Jim Thorson came to the UNO Gerontology Program in 1977 from the College of Education at the University of
Georgia, where he had been on the faculty since 1971. Originally from the Chicago area, Dr. Thorson did his
bachelor's degree at Northern Illinois. He was a US Administration on Aging Trainee at the University of North
Carolina - Chapel Hill, where he received his master's degree in 1971. He received his doctorate from Georgia in
1975.
He came to UNO first as the Academic Coordinator of what was then the Gerontology Program (it became the
Department of Gerontology in 1985); two years later he became the Director of the Program. The Program had
initially been entirely supported by Federal grants through the Administration on Aging. A first task was getting all of
the faculty onto "hard money" state-supported, tenure-eligible lines, thus insuring the permanence of the program.
Another goal was achieving regular departmental status within the University. Acceptance of a proposal for a graduate
degree helped in this regard. Another goal in achieving recognition of the unit as an academic enterprise, rather than
just a service program, was to encourage research and publication among the members of the faculty. The goal of
getting each individual on the faculty promoted and tenured was achieved, and at one time the Department of
Gerontology was the only unit on campus to have every single member of the faculty as a Graduate Faculty Fellow.
Finally, as a part of the long-term goal of adding to the academic reputation of the Department, work with doctoral
students was emphasized.
Many of these objectives were achieved. Dr. Thorson partnered with Dr. Powell in a long-term collaboration of
publication: together they published 42 peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters, and books. Persons with strong
research backgrounds like Dr. Kosloski and Dr. Kercher were added to the faculty. Drs. Horacek and Masters were
promoted and became Graduate Faculty Fellows. People with impeccable preparation and prospects like Drs. Lyn
Holley and Chris Kelly were hired.
The one faculty member hard to replace when he retired was Dr. Leo Missinne. He had been instrumental in working
with members of the Legislature to get the department's budget onto the hard-line state appropriation. We owe an
incalculable debt to Dr. Missinne for what he accomplished.
Dr. Thorson taught the first course on Death and Dying at UNO (1978) and encouraged the development of the
Hospice course (1985). He developed the proposal for the M.A. program, and he continued (and continues) to work
with doctoral students. To date, he has chaired the doctoral supervisory committees of 50 people who have completed
their PhD degrees. He is the author or co-author of 85 refereed journal articles, eight books, and 22 chapters in others'
books. He regularly is a peer reviewer for The Journal of Gerontology, The Gerontologist, The Journal of Social
Psychology, and Psychological Reports, as well as the Hong Kong Research Council. He is a member of the Editorial
Board of the journal Death Studies. He received the University's Award for Distinguished Research in 1991, and the
Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award in 2009.
Dr. Thorson stepped down as Chairman of the Department of Gerontology after 27 years in the position. He entered
into a three-year partial retirement program in 2007 and will complete his work at the University on June 30, 2010.
He and his wife plan to move back to the Chicago area to be near their children and grandchildren. He says that
professoring has been a wonderful, satisfying career, but that nothing matches grandfathering.

W
Gerontology Happenings DID YOU KNOW…..
Dr Chris Kelly, Assistant Professor of Gerontology,
UNL
Dr. Kelly was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for Contributions
to Students in a ceremony followed by a reception in the
Centennial Room, Nebraska Union, City Campus, University of
Nebraska Lincoln, January 29, 2010.
The purpose of this award is to provide a mechanism for positive
feedback to the UNL faculty/staff about the work they have done
with students. In addition, to encourage the goal of good student/
faculty relationships at UNL and to provide an intangible reward/
recognition in an area often overlooked in the formal rewards system.
The Parents Association solicits nominations through a special
mailing requesting UNL parents to nominate a member of the
University “who has made a significant difference” in their son’s or
daughter’s life.
Congratulations Dr. Kelly!
*************************************************************************
Dr. Lyn Holley was granted continuous appointment (tenure) and
promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, effective August,
2010.
Congratulations Dr. Holley!
Volume 3, Issue 6
There are over a hundred
careers in the aging field!
Here are just a few:
1. Adult Day Program
Coordinator
2. Advocate for the elderly
3. Aging & Adult Services
Division Manager
4. Alzheimer’s Associations
Chapter Program
Director
5. Applied Sociologist/
Clinical Sociologist
6. Architect
7. Art Therapist
8. Audiologist
Page 2
9. Career and Employment
Counselor
10. Certified Aging-In-Place
Specialist (CAPS)
11. Certified Geriatric
Pharmacist (CPG)
12. Certified Senior Advisor
Source: Is Aging the Field
for You? 101 Careers in
Gerontology by C. Joanne
Grabinski, 2007.

UNIVERSITY
OF
NEBRASKA
AT OMAHA
UNO 402-554-2272
CB 211
FAX: 402-554-2317
UNL 402-472-0754
NH 310
http://
gero.unomaha.
edu/
Gerontology Courses — Summer 2010
Omaha Campus:
1st session: May 10—June 25
The Department of Gerontology
GERO 3070-101 Death & Dying T-R 4:30—7:35 PM Dr. Priscilla Quinn
(Note: Same as HED 3070-101)
Page 3
GERO 4550/8556-101 Health Aspects of Aging - M-W 5:30—8:35 PM Dr. David Corbin
(Note: Same as HED 4550-101)
2nd session: June 7— July 9
GERO 4670—201 Programs & Services for the Elderly MWF 1-4 PM Dr. Chris Kelly
GERO 8676 –201 Programs & Services for the Elderly MWF 1-4 PM Dr. Chris Kelly
(Note: Same as PA 8676—201 Programs & Services for the Elderly)
GERO 2000-201 Introduction to Gerontology M-W-F 9 AM-12 PM Dr. Priscilla Quinn
Omaha and Lincoln Campuses
4th session July 12—August 13
GERO 4940/8940 –401 Practicum (must apply by March) Dr. Priscilla Quinn
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Differentiating the Dementia’s: What if it’s not Alzheimer’s Disease? Featuring: Steven Wengel, M.D.,
Chair Department of Psychiatry UNMC 2:00—3:00 p.m. The Nebraska Union on City Campus –UNL. Sponsored by: The Department of
Gerontology and the Great Plains Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
March 24, 2010 — UNO Gerontology Colloquium . T-Care: Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral. Presenter: Rhonda J.V.
Montgomery, PhD 4:15 P.M. CB 126. For more information please contact: Dr. Karl Kosloski at: Kosloski@unomaha.edu
April 5th—8th - Celebrate Careers in Aging Week at UNO. Stay tuned for more information!
April 15, 2010 — Women of Wisdom awards luncheon and community-wide program sponsored by the University of Nebraska at
Omaha’s Lifelong Learning Initiative. The keynote speaker for this event is best-selling author of “A Thousand Acres,” Jane Smiley.
This is the 6th Annual Celebrate: Women of Wisdom Luncheon, which will be held at the Holiday Inn Central April 15 th , 2010, from
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are $40 a person; $35 for seniors over the age of 65. For more information contact:
UNO's Lifelong Learning Initiative 402-554-2292 or Patty Adams at padams@unomaha.edu

FROM THE COORDINATOR’S DESK
Greetings everyone!
Just a few reminders:
�� Is your current information current? As a reminder, please check E-Bruno to
make certain your personal information is up to date. Also, if you have
changed your mailing address, telephone number and/or email address,
please let us know so your file can be updated for future mailings as well as
job opportunities.
�� Pursuing a graduate certificate in gerontology? As a reminder, graduate students
completing the requirements for the graduate certificate in gerontology
must apply to the office of Graduate Studies. Please let us know when you
have submitted your application and paid the necessary fees.
�� If you are planning on graduating in May or August please contact me so we
can discuss the next steps. While there is no formal procedure, it is useful for
us to review your file to ensure you have fulfilled all the requirements for the
program.
�� Practicum experiences are scheduled at least two months in advance. If you
are wanting to complete a practicum during summer or fall 2010, please contact
me to schedule an appointment to discuss requirements and next steps.
As always, don’t hesitate to call, email or stop by.
Priscilla Quinn, Ph.D.
(402) 554-2114
pquinn@unomaha.edu
Volume 3, Issue 6
Page 4
Sigma Phi Omega—
Upsilon Nu Omaha
Chapter sponsored
aging interest group:
February 26
March 26
Meetings are at 7:30
AM on Fridays in the
UNO CPACS Conference
Room
CB-109
Contact : Dr. Lyn
Holley 554-4814 for
more information.