Engler

Engler Engler exists to embolden our people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose, through the art and and Virginia J. Engler Foundation.

This innovative program will facilitate entrepreneurship potential through student courses that lead to a minor, a lectureship series, entrepreneurship training camps, internship placement assistance, student travel and more. It will also help create a venture capital fund to support student start up businesses. Located in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, this program was create

d thanks to the support of the Paul F. Vision: Create and sustain an exhilarating environment of challenge, creativity, and collaboration that fosters new perspectives, celebrates innovative thinking, and encourages personal discovery while challenging the way students think. The Engler Experience prepares students to bring entrepreneurial spirit to their life's work and engages them for a lifetime. Strategic Intent: The Engler Experience will equip aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their "big ideas" resulting in the launch and growth of 50 ventures by 2020 through transformative experiences, impactful relationships, and a stimulating environment. Pillars:
Aspire: Passion: Courage: Partner: Grit: Build

Curious. Kind. Consistent.Caden Connelly's gallery photo represents an unbridled curiosity, a commitment to new perspect...
05/29/2026

Curious. Kind. Consistent.

Caden Connelly's gallery photo represents an unbridled curiosity, a commitment to new perspectives and experiences, and a hope to give back to the communities that have served him.

In his right hand, Caden holds a camera, a tool he realized was integral to new experiences in college. Throughout his life, Caden has admired storytellers. A consistent curiosity has led Caden to pursue a multitude of personal projects behind the lens and eventually start Living Wild Media. His work has found him face-to-face with elephants, filming on the back of a boat, or sleeping in the desert sands of Namibia. He pursued photography with a desire to meet people, understand their passions and pursuits, and share their stories with a wider audience.

On his leg rests a tapestry called a Kikoi. Caden acquired this handwoven cloth during a summer he spent in South Africa. Above its practical uses, Caden says the kikoi is a metaphor for life. Each person represents a thread in the greater tapestry that is his life. A Zulu proverb he found while studying in Africa shaped this perspective. "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" translates into English as "a person is a person because of other people" and helps create a community mindset rather than a self-centered one.

Finally, in his left hand, Caden holds a poster board gifted to him by children involved with the Nebraska-based non-profit Angels Among Us. In the fall of 2023, Caden started a fundraiser and hosted a philanthropic event called Chasing a Cure. With the help of the Engler program, Angels Among Us, and the UNL community, Caden raised over $9,000 to support pediatric cancer patients and their families. This money was distributed to families struggling with the financial burdens of pediatric cancer, an overlooked issue in our state that Caden saw firsthand when he himself was diagnosed at 17.

When Caden looks at his gallery photo, he sees a reflection of time well spent, a wonderful community, and continuous aspirations. As he looks towards the future, he hopes to continue a life full of curiosity, new experiences, and never-ending aspirations.

05/28/2026

“This place is a family of people that laugh together.” – Bethany Nichols

For Bethany, the Engler community became more than a program. It became a place where she could fully be herself.
From late nights on the ranch to leading in FFA, Bethany has always been drawn to community. But it was in Engler where she realized she didn’t have to earn belonging or change who she was to fit in. Whether it was sitting around watching movies with the couches pulled together or dreaming about one day opening a coffee shop with a crowded table, she found a group of people willing to grow alongside her.

Hear more of Bethany’s story on the Engler Journey Podcast
Libsyn: https://engler.libsyn.com/pour-into-people-bethany-nichols

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6k6H7PR7LPCkjeSAbvgExL?si=880BYoD8QV2jl4sAUbs6Bg

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-engler-journey/id1493280471?i=1000766491524

05/27/2026

We are proud to be part of the Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, where we believe in building people, who build businesses, who build communities. Stories like this are a reminder that the impact of this work reaches far beyond a career or a company. It shapes families, strengthens communities, and creates opportunities for future generations!

Reflective. Involved. Intentional.Abby Hodges’ gallery photo represents more than her business, Hodges Cookies. While sh...
05/27/2026

Reflective. Involved. Intentional.

Abby Hodges’ gallery photo represents more than her business, Hodges Cookies. While she holds a tray of decorated sugar cookies, each one tells a deeper story about the experiences and people who shaped her into who she is today. Every cookie represents a meaningful part of her journey, showing that her business is not just about baking, but about the life and community behind it.

Each design on the cookies reflects a different influence. The Engler logo represents the organization that helped her business grow and introduced her to lifelong friendships. The FFA emblem reflects a path that continues into her future as an agricultural educator. Hodges Family Berkshires ties back to her upbringing on the farm, where she developed her work ethic and foundation. NAYC represents her passion for investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders. SALT reflects the faith community that strengthened her relationship with God. Sigma Alpha represents a sisterhood that showed her what it means to love and be loved. And her Great Grandma Hodges reminds her of the roots of it all, the memories in the kitchen, the lessons in life, and the woman who helped shape who she is today.

This image is a reflection of how those experiences come together. Abby sees her life as a culmination of moments, relationships, and opportunities that have all played a role in shaping her path. Just like a cookie can be created, shared, and enjoyed, those experiences continue to grow and evolve over time. Each one has added something meaningful to her story and continues to influence who she is becoming.

When Abby looks at this photo, she sees gratitude. She hopes others are reminded that the life they want is built by showing up, getting involved, and being willing to take a seat at the table. By putting yourself out there and investing in others, you create something far greater than yourself, a life filled with purpose, connection, and meaning.

Legacy Driven. Grounded. Forward Thinking.Sarah Treffer’s gallery photo represents a commitment to honoring a legacy whi...
05/22/2026

Legacy Driven. Grounded. Forward Thinking.

Sarah Treffer’s gallery photo represents a commitment to honoring a legacy while carrying it forward. Growing up on Treffer Ranch, a registered Black Angus cattle and American Quarter and Paint horse operation founded in 1957, she was shaped by more than just the work. Through her experiences, she developed a deep appreciation for the values that define the operation, including grit, kindness, and respect. Those values continue to guide how she lives and leads today.

The image reflects both tradition and growth. Being raised in a multi-generational operation taught Sarah what it takes to sustain something meaningful over time. It instilled a respect for the people, the livestock, and the legacy that came before her. At the same time, her experience in the Engler program challenged her to think differently. She began to see that entrepreneurship does not always mean starting something new, but can mean adding value, bringing innovation, and strengthening what already exists.

The wild rag in the photo represents Out N’ About Rags, the business she built through Engler, where she developed skills in creativity, marketing, and strategy. Her horse, Toast, represents the future of the ranch, a ranch-bred horse she hopes to train and develop for the next generation. Together, these elements reflect her ability to blend tradition with new ideas, honoring the past while building toward what is ahead.

When Sarah looks at this photo, she sees both where she comes from and where she is going. She sees responsibility, opportunity, and purpose. For her, success is not just measured by growth, but by her ability to protect what has been built and thoughtfully carry it forward for generations to come.

Disciplined. Intentional. Driven.Lydia Ockander’s gallery photo reflects a journey rooted in passion, hard work, and a d...
05/19/2026

Disciplined. Intentional. Driven.

Lydia Ockander’s gallery photo reflects a journey rooted in passion, hard work, and a deep understanding of animal nutrition. Growing up on a sheep farm in rural Nebraska, her love for feeding and caring for livestock began not in a classroom, but in the show ring. What started as a responsibility quickly became something more. Through studying feed rations, adjusting diets, and observing results firsthand, she discovered that nutrition was not just a task, but an art form that could transform an animal’s health, structure, and presence.

Through years of experience, Lydia learned that feeding livestock is about more than meeting basic needs. It is about unlocking potential. She developed the ability to read subtle cues, from body condition to movement and overall balance, making intentional decisions rooted in both science and instinct. Each adjustment mattered. Each choice reflected discipline and care. To her, nutrition became a powerful tool to elevate animals from average to exceptional.

Her journey was not without challenges. Long days, early mornings, and setbacks in the show ring tested her resilience. Not every outcome was a win, but every experience reinforced her commitment to the process. Through it all, Lydia learned that excellence is built through persistence, patience, and a willingness to keep improving, even when results are not immediate.

Those lessons have carried far beyond the sheep barn. Today, Lydia continues to pursue her passion through cattle and her studies in ruminant nutrition at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. When she looks at this photo, she sees more than where she started. She sees a foundation built on grit and purpose, and a future dedicated to refining her craft and making a lasting impact in the field of animal nutrition.

“You’re building more than a business. You’re becoming a leader who can strengthen the fabric of Nebraska communities an...
05/17/2026

“You’re building more than a business. You’re becoming a leader who can strengthen the fabric of Nebraska communities and create solutions that matter. This is your reminder of why you started - to create lasting impact through the power of entrepreneurship.”

Last month, our Enterprise Studio students participated in their Enterprise Expo. This event had our students share their businesses and ask for funding, just like they would with real investors. Then, they received a painting of a Nebraska town square created by artist Chuck Schroeder. This painting embodies the spirit of entrepreneurial leadership fostered in the Enterprise Studio.

Congratulations to all of our Enterprise Studio students for their accomplishments this semester!

Proud. Rooted. Driven.Cody Maricle’s gallery photo embodies what the last four years have been. The equipment in the ima...
05/16/2026

Proud. Rooted. Driven.

Cody Maricle’s gallery photo embodies what the last four years have been. The equipment in the image, including an Ag Leader InCommand 16, a 7500 GPS receiver, and center pivot sprinklers, represents the business he built alongside his brother, Carson. Maricle Ag Technology, LLC was created through the Engler program to bring value back to their home operation. Together, they service and repair pivots while also selling Ag Leader Technology, building something that supports both their family farm and their future.

That foundation is Maricle Family Farms, a legacy that dates back to 1873. As a 7th-generation farmer, Cody takes pride in being part of a multi-generational operation. Today, three generations work side by side: his grandpa, dad, brother, and himself. The farm is where he plans to be full-time, continuing to grow both the operation and the business they have built.

His UNL CASNR shirt represents his four years at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. During that time, he built lifelong friendships and gained experiences that will carry forward into his future. Through involvement in Alpha Gamma Sigma, Farm Bureau, and the Young Nebraska Cattlemen, he developed skills, connections, and perspective that he now brings back home.

When Cody looks at this photo, he sees growth, opportunity, and responsibility. It reflects where he has been, what he has built, and the commitment he has to continue strengthening the legacy he is a part of.

An evening of stories, connection, and a little friendly competition! Students gathered at Madsen’s for a night of conve...
05/15/2026

An evening of stories, connection, and a little friendly competition!

Students gathered at Madsen’s for a night of conversation, bowling, pool, and community before finals week. The evening featured Sara sharing her journey from a career spent traveling and living in New York City to becoming part of the family business at Madsen’s. Her story challenged students to think about embracing unexpected paths, taking ownership of opportunities, and building a life rooted in purpose and community.

After the conversation, students spent the evening bowling, playing pool and darts, and enjoying time together outside the classroom.

A fun night centered on entrepreneurship, connection, and hearing the stories behind family businesses in our community.

Gratitude. Support. Legacy.Lexi Harding’s gallery photo represents the people who made her who she is. Growing up in a h...
05/14/2026

Gratitude. Support. Legacy.

Lexi Harding’s gallery photo represents the people who made her who she is. Growing up in a house of nine, her family has always been the constant in her life, and over time, that circle has only grown with in-laws, nieces, and nephews. The relationships she shares with her siblings are something she knows is rare, and she does not take that for granted. Every person in this photo has played a role in shaping her, supporting her, and walking alongside her through life and college.

This image reflects more than where Lexi is today. It represents where she will be years from now and the kind of life she hopes to build. Through her experience in the Engler program, she has been challenged to think about legacy, purpose, and impact. While she has dreams of one day owning a wedding venue, this photo reminds her that success will always be measured by the people around her. The support system captured here is what gives her the confidence to dream big and pursue what is ahead.

When Lexi looks at this photo, she sees the foundation behind every goal she has. It is a reminder that no one builds a life or a business alone. Behind every dream is a group of people who quietly make it possible through love, encouragement, and faith. That support has shaped her perspective and continues to guide the way she moves forward.

More than anything, this photo represents what matters most. Lexi sees the sum of everything she loves and feels deeply grateful for the family God placed in her life. No matter where her journey leads or what she builds, she hopes to always look back and know she was blessed beyond measure from the very beginning, and that alone is more than enough.

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Dinsdale Learning Commons, East Campus 1625 N 38th Street
Lincoln, NE
68583

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