Doug Kristensen was appointed to lead the University of Nebraska at Kearney in July 2002 following a distinguished career in the Nebraska Legislature.

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Doug Kristensen was appointed to lead the University of Nebraska at Kearney in July 2002, following a distinguished career in the Nebraska Legislature. He was elected in 1988 to represent the 37th legislative district and served until 2002. At the time he retired from office, he was the longest serving Speaker in the history of the Legislature. He brings to the chancellor’s position a unique knowledge of the issues affecting higher education in the State of Nebraska, a record of dedication to Nebraska citizens, and a deep understanding of the University system in general and the history and mission of the Kearney campus in particular.

Doug Kristensen is the longest serving chancellor in the history of the University of Nebraska. He is also the longest currently serving leader of all colleges and universities in the state. Under Chancellor Kristensen’s leadership, UNK is consistently ranked as one of the Top 10 regional public universities in the Midwest. Reflecting Kristensen’s emphasis on accessibility and quality, UNK is also ranked number two in value.

During his tenure as a Nebraska State Senator, Chancellor Kristensen was instrumental in passing significant legislation and numerous constitutional amendments. He sponsored legislation that created the Nebraska Court of Appeals, the Tax Equalization and Review Commission, Limited Liability Companies, the Commission on Public Advocacy, the Telecommunications Act, and the Invest in Nebraska Act (the legislation which kept the Union Pacific Headquarters in Omaha). He modernized the statutory structure for Nebraska businesses through the Revised Model Business Corporation Act, the Revised Model Nonprofit Corporation Act, and the first LLC and LLP acts for Nebraska. As Speaker, Kristensen passed scores of bills dealing with taxes, transportation, and state government. Senator Kristensen was a commissioner on the Constitutional Review Commission as well as one of the sponsors of the legislation that brought (then) Kearney State College into the University of Nebraska system. At the time he held political office he practiced law and was a partner in the law firm of Lieske & Kristensen in Minden, Nebraska.

An enthusiastic advocate of everything UNK, Chancellor Kristensen has directed a dramatic renewal of the Kearney campus with over $360 million in new construction and major renovation on the main campus. Projects include construction of Antelope and Nester residence halls; creation of a Greek Village with new buildings for both fraternities and sororities; creating new east and west entrances to the campus; renovation of Men’s, Randall, and Mantor Halls, and Centennial Towers East and West; the Cope Stadium/Foster Field project; a new Central Utilities Plant; several improvement projects to campus dining facilities; extensive landscaping; significant renovation of the Nebraskan Student Union, Bruner Hall of Science, West Center, the Fine Arts Building, C. T. Ryan Library, Warner Hall, the Health and Sports Center, and the Frank House. In addition, a state-of-the-art Wellness Center and Discovery Hall–a new 90,000 square foot STEM building.