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from the issue of February 7, 2008
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Accident kills associate vice chancellor
Kent Hendrickson, associate vice chancellor for Information Services, died Feb. 5 of injuries suffered in a car accident while commuting from Omaha. He was 68.
Hendrickson had been associate vice chancellor for Information Services at UNL since 1995. He also was a professor of Libraries. Hendrickson was associated with UNL since 1985 when he joined the university as dean of Libraries. As associate vice chancellor, he oversaw a $20 million budget and 125 employees.
UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman announced Hendrickson's death to the campus via e-mail.
"Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family, loved ones and friends, and his coworkers and staff. We will do our best to provide support for his staff as they deal with this loss," Perlman said.
"Kent was a valued colleague and a great asset to this university and we are really going to miss him."
Hendrickson held a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University (1961) and a master's of library science from Michigan State University (1964). From 1964-1970, he was associate director for technical services for UNL Libraries. From 1970-1982, he held positions in private industry in Oregon. He joined the University of Arizona in 1982 in library services. He came to UNL from Arizona.
During his tenure at UNL, many advances in computing and technology services were accomplished, including a 950 percent increase in the use of computing. In 1995, there were just 75 users of the emerging campuswide computing network. Now, 100 percent of a campus with more than 5,000 employees and 22,000 students are on the network.
Networking and wiring the entire campus was achieved, enhancing bandwidth and speed of the campus network. UNL was a lead institution in the development of Internet2. A student technology fee was initiated which enabled expansion of academic computing services. Additionally, UNL's Research Computing Facility launched, which has led to the acquisition of supercomputers PrairieFire and Red. Information Services also took leadership in supporting classroom technology and the use of multi-media teaching efforts.
Automated student information systems and implementation of universitywide automated business functions (SAP) also occurred under his watch.
Christine Jackson, vice chancellor for Business and Finance, said it was apparent to everyone at the university that Hendrickson loved UNL.
"There isn't a doubt that he loved this place, and always had the best interest of UNL at heart," Jackson said. "And he especially loved the students. He wore that on his sleeve.
"He was especially good at working with groups and coalitions and was very good at getting people to work together. His staff enjoyed working for him. You could see it in his interactions with them. They appreciated his professionalism, his knowledge and his leadership. And he always listened intently to what they had to say."
At press time, services were pending.
GO TO: ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 7
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