Longtime Omaha educator receives UNO Alumni Citation

The UNO Alumni Association bestowed its Citation for Alumnus Achievement upon Robert L. Whitehouse during the university's summer commencement Friday, Aug. 10, at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

 

Whitehouse received a master's degree in secondary school administration from UNO in 1971. He is a University of Nebraska Board of Regent member and coordinator of the Nebraska Educational Leadership Institute.

 

The Citation, inaugurated in 1949, is presented at each UNO commencement. The association's highest honor, it encompasses career achievement, community service, involvement in business and professional associations, and fidelity to UNO. Association President Lee Denker presented the award to Whitehouse, the 144th Citation recipient.

 

"Regent Whitehouse for 40 years has been a strong and tireless advocate of education, distinguishing himself through each of his professional assignments," said Denker. "His service outside the classroom is equally admirable with meaningful contributions to numerous organizations. We are proud to call him an alum."

 

Whitehouse, who lives in Papillion, Neb., in 2006 was elected to a six-year term for the District 4 seat on the NU Board of Regents. His professional career in education began in 1967 as a teacher and coach at Omaha Central High School. He later held several administrative posts at Omaha South High School, including assistant principal from 1973 to 1983. Whitehouse later was principal at Bryan Junior High (1983-1987) and Bryan Senior High (1987-2000). He has remained active since retiring as Bryan's principal in 2000, serving stints as an adjunct professor with UNO's College of Education and as an interim principal and consultant with Omaha Public Schools.

 

Whitehouse has been equally active in professional organizations, holding membership and offices in Phi Delta Kappa, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and others. His community service extends to the University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni Association, the Metropolitan Community College Foundation, the South Omaha Optimist Club, Trinity United Methodist Church, the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame, Youth Emergency Services and elsewhere.

 

In addition to his master's degree, Whitehouse in 1976 completed studies at UNO as an educational specialist in secondary administration. A Bellevue High School graduate (1962), he also has a BS in physical education and biology from the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

 

Whitehouse has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career, most recently the Bryan High School Coaches Association Award for Excellence and Dedication to Student Athletes in 2005. He was named Outstanding Principal of the Year in Omaha Public Schools in 1997. Other honors have come from the South Omaha Optimist Club, the National Milken Family Foundation Award, the American G.I. Forum Veterans Family Organization and others.

 

Whitehouse is married to Kim Whitehouse, the principal at Sunny Slope School in Omaha. They have three adult children.