Book excerpt: Unforgettable people. Beloved places. Enduring memories. From its beginning in 1869 as a land-grant institution on the edge of the prairie, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has expanded the frontiers of opportunity for nearly three hundred thousand graduates. This lavishly illustrated volume celebrates Nebraska’s first 150 years with a look back at the alumni, faculty, and staff whose work has made an enduring impact on the world, from Willa Cather’s Pulitzer Prize–winning literature to James Van Etten’s groundbreaking research in virology. This book also highlights the iconic buildings and landmarks on campus and the activities and experiences of students, from the East Campus Dairy Store and the Daily Nebraskan to a celebration of the Big Red sensation of Husker athletics, recognizing outstanding coaches and student-athlete achievements. Dear Old Nebraska U highlights creative inventions and groundbreaking research, from Charles Bessey’s botany classes to the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management. The University will continue to have a profound influence on the state of Nebraska and the rest of the global community for generations to come. For instance, initiatives such as Nebraska Innovation Campus—a site dedicated to ambitious research and technology ventures, including the Nebraska Food for Health Center and the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute—are working to improve the health and well-being of people worldwide. The Center for Plant Science Innovation similarly provides research leadership in the use of biomass as an energy resource, and the National Strategic Research Institute partners with U.S. Strategic Command to strengthen our national security. The University’s official motto is “Literis Dedicata et Omnibus Artibus” (Dedicated to Letters and All the Arts). Nebraska has fulfilled that aspirational motto and will continue to be a place of pride for Huskers everywhere. There is no place like our dear old Nebraska U.