The award is presented annually to one alumnus from each of the five of the state’s community college areas.
Uhing is currently employed at Nebraska Business Development Procurement Technical Assistance Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha as a government contracting consultant for companies located in northeast Nebraska. Previously, he was employed for over 30 years at Norfolk Beverage Company, an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler.
Originally from Hartington, Uhing earned an Associate of Arts degree in business administration from Northeast Technical Community College, a predecessor to Northeast Community College, in 1979.
Uhing said Northeast’s culture of caring was vital to him as a young student.
“When I was at Northeast, I had a tragedy in my family, so I had to change the direction of where I was going to go as far as my major, and Northeast was there to guide me along. They helped me with my (career) directions, they checked up on me. That comes from the leadership of (then-president) Dr. Robert Cox. I’m taking classes right now, and I see Dr. (Michael) Chipps doing the same thing.”
Uhing went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Chadron State College. He is also a graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Finance, Executive Education as well as the Harvard Business School Executive Education, Owners, Presidents, Managers program.
He has also served as a commissioner on the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Norfolk Catholic Board of Education and NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska Board of Directors.
Additionally, Uhing is proud of his work as a mentor for Team Mates and coaches at the Norfolk YMCA and club level. He and wife, Mary Kay, have also served as directors of the Sacred Heart Parish Youth Camp.
The Uhings have three adult children, Benjamin and Blake Uhing and Kayla Simon, all of whom were enrolled in dual credit classes through Northeast while attending Norfolk Catholic High School.
Uhing, who was inducted into the Northeast Community College Alumni Hall of Success in 2004, calls Northeast his “second home.”
“I have made great friends and personal growth through my years attending Northeast and through all the great opportunities with non-credit classes. It’s a family learning environment.”
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PHOTO ID: Dick Uhing. (Courtesy Northeast Community College)