Bryant, Mackiel receive UNO Alumni Citation

(OMAHA, NE) � The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) Alumni Association bestowed its Citation for Alumnus Achievement on Paul E. Bryant and John J. Mackiel at the university�s summer commencement Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.

The citation, instituted in 1949, is presented each year at UNO�s spring, summer and winter commencements. The highest honor presented by the association, the citation encompasses professional or career achievement, community service, involvement in business and professional associations, and fidelity to UNO.

Rod Oberle, a vice chairman on the UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors, presented the award.

PAUL E. BRYANT

Bryant first graduated from UNO in 1982, earning a BGS degree in urban studies. Two years later he earned a master�s degree in urban studies from UNO. Today he is senior partner in The Bryant Companies, whose mission is to impact the City of Omaha through business, real estate and community development projects.

Prior to beginning The Bryant Companies, Bryant was vice president and division manager of the International Division of Public Safety for The Gallup Organization. Before that he was national director of marketing in Gallup�s Association�s division.

Bryant�s professional career began in 1984 in the urban affairs department of the Enron Corp. Two years later he moved to Washington, D.C., and served as the Assistant Project Coordinator for a federal grant administered by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the DEA and the Bureau of Justice. He returned to Omaha in 1987 as a commercial analyst for First National Bank of Omaha. He eventually became a bank officer and developed the Department of Business Development, managing a program to loan $50 million in the inner city.

Bryant also has been active in the community, serving numerous organizations, including the Urban League of Nebraska, Network, Inc., the National Alliance of African American Athletes, the Great Plains Museum, United Way, YMCA, Stephen Center and Vincent House, the North Omaha Revitalization Committee and the city of Omaha�s Personnel Board. He served on the UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors for three years. Bryant has been named one of 10 Outstanding Young Omahans, an Outstanding Young Man of America and a YMCA Black Achiever.

JOHN J. MACKIEL

Mackiel also has two degrees from UNO. He earned a bachelor�s degree in secondary education in 1972, earning a master�s degree in the same field two years later. Since 1997 he has served as superintendent of Omaha Public Schools, Nebraska�s largest school district. The district includes 45,000 students in 60 elementary schools, eight middle schools, seven high schools and four alternative schools. Its total operating budget is more than $350 million.

Mackiel has been with OPS throughout his career. He joined the district in 1972 as an English teacher at Omaha Burke High School. He taught there for three years, then taught another three years at Omaha Northwest High School. He joined OPS administration in 1978 in the department of staff personnel services. He later served as chief negotiator and administrative assistant to the superintendent, as assistant superintendent and as chief financial officer.

His community involvement is extensive, including stints on the boards of directors of Omaha Youth Leadership, the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America, the National Conference for Community and Justice, Omaha 2000 and others. Most recently he was named an Outstanding Alumnus of the Delta Kappa Society. Other honors include the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Nebraska Community Colleges Association, the Impact Award from the Council of Great City Schools and the Large City Superintendent Award from the Congressional Black Caucus Education Braintrust.