Here’s a scene that has played out countless times around the country and the world: A guy in a University of Nebraska T-shirt is standing on a crowded street corner, or is in line for a movie, or perhaps is shopping at a busy market. At some point, another guy — this one wearing a Big Red ballcap — approaches him with a handshake and strikes up a conversation.

Over the next few minutes, the strangers become fast friends. They talk about their hometowns, their majors at UNL, their common links at the university and any recent or upcoming visits to Lincoln. They part happily as new friends, reminded that no matter where you are in the world, UNL is often just a handshake away — and that the Power of Red is real.

This fall, UNL will be bringing this communal connection to Huskers living around the globe with the “Put Yourself On The Map” campaign – an interactive method for alumni, faculty, staff, students and fans of the university to connect with, to learn from and to learn about one another.

And, of course, to share Husker pride.

“We’re going to shine a spotlight on our ‘UNL community’ and the good work that our people do, wherever they may be,” said Andy Schadwinkel, UNL marketing director. “And then we’re encouraging everyone to put themselves on the map, too, by offering their stories.”

The campaign officially launches Sept. 5 – the date of the Cornhusker football team’s first game of the 2009 season. Over time, a potent Web-based network will emerge that connects thousands of Cornhuskers with one another in cyberspace … and real space, too.

John Janovy, professor of biological sciences, and three UNL students are filmed as part of a national advertisement promoting the “Put Yourself on the Map” campaign. The commercial will air during the Sept. 5 Husker football game. Photo by Jon Humiston/University Communications.

The site is http://gobigred.unl.edu.

“It’s a powerful way for people to see, where UNL people are and what they’re doing,” Schadwinkel said. “Say you’re preparing to move to a new city. You can use this network to see who with university ties might be in that area, learn about them a little, and then connect with them if you want to.”

Based on their specific interests, users eventually will be able tailor the web applications to send them news and information about their college or department back on campus. “The connection people feel to the university is strong,” Schadwinkel said. “This will make it stronger.”

UNL Creative Director Jon Humiston said it’s those powerful ties that bind Nebraskans — whether they’re far-flung or still living within the state’s borders — to the university that will power the new project.

At the same time, the Put Yourself On The Map social network will give them the opportunity to witness UNL’s global impact. Those watching Husker football on national TV or pay-per-view will soon be getting a taste of that.

A series of in-game commercials will feature faculty, student and alumni work around the globe – for example, biological sciences graduate student Nithal Kuwa’s research on AIDS in Zambia. The commercials then urge viewers to contribute their stories.

Students, faculty, alumni and friends also will see and hear the call to contribute through radio ads, on-campus promotions, and through the university’s Facebook fan page, Humiston said.

“Nebraskans are humble. They don’t like to brag about themselves,” Humiston said. “But this project will allow them to share their successes and their experiences in a new way. And that’s a good thing.”

For more information, go to http://gobigred.unl.edu.

— By Steve Smith, University Communications

Faculty, staff and students can go online and “Put Yourself on the Map.” Log in at http://gobigred.unl.edu using a UNL username (the name and number portion of a campus e-mail address) and NU id.

A team effort

A number of faculty, staff, students and alumni assisted with the “Put Yourself on the Map” campaign. They include:

Jon Humiston, Andy Schadwinkel, David Fitzgibbon, Curtis Bright (University Communications)

David Burge (Admissions)

Internet and Interactive Media

Nebraska Educational Telecommunications

Christopher Ervin, VelocityApe FX (1995 fine arts graduate)

Jennifer Lohrberg (1992 graduate)

Garrett Hope (grad student)

Patrick Combs (1988 graduate)