NORFOLK, Neb. – Northeast Community College has honored two individuals for career success and achievement following graduation from the institution.
Jarod Hendricks, of Elkhorn, and Dr. Jeremy Young, of Elgin, have been inducted into Northeast's Alumni Hall of Success. The recognition is awarded to individuals for achieving significant professional success, exhibiting exemplary citizenship qualities, or making significant contributions to their communities and/or community affairs.
“Each year, Northeast Community College celebrates the success of its former students of the institution. These individuals play a role in establishing our reputation and meeting our mission; their success is reflected in our success as a college,” said Leah Barrett president. “Mr. Hendricks and Dr. Young exemplify the qualities that are prized here at Northeast. They have contributed to our institution, their communities, our northeast Nebraska service area, and the state. We offer them our congratulations.”
Hendricks is a 1993 graduate of Northeast where he earned his degree in building construction. He is president of Lyman-Richie Corp. (Gerhold Concrete Co.), a company he has worked for since his graduation from Northeast. Lyman-Richey Corp., now a CRH operating company, produces more than 1.7 million cubic yards of concrete annually out of its 36 ready mix production facilities across Nebraska, western Iowa, and southeastern South Dakota.
“My career journey at Lyman-Richey began in a Northeast Community College Carrier Composition classroom as part of a class requirement job interview with the local Norfolk Gerhold Concrete Co., Inc. plant manager,” Hendricks said. “I have had the opportunity to contribute in many areas of the company over the years which has provided an advancement opportunity to my current position as company president.”
Hendricks credits Northeast faculty and staff in creating a learning environment and opportunities that have provided him the skillsets that are still vital to him today. He singled out two instructors in particular, retired Building Construction Instructor Mike Frank and former English Composition Instructor Dave Kramer. He said both men took time to engage with him as a student and have remained trusted advisors and friends.
“Mr. Frank and Mr. Kramer were guaranteed stops for me over the years when I would periodically return to Northeast for an advisory board meeting or just a visit. Throughout their careers, impactful teachers like these two unique individuals, play a special role in the development of students just trying to find their way. I am grateful for each of their interactions and experiences, and for the opportunities they uniquely provided in guiding me to where I am today.”
Hendricks has served as a member of the advisory committee of Northeast’s building construction program. He is also trained and certified in a number of areas that are related to his work. In addition, Hendricks is scuba certified through Huskers Divers, with several additional certifications including advanced diver and spearfishing. Hendricks is involved in the Elkhorn Trap Shooting Club, where he participates in Amateur Trapshooting Association events and serves as a club coach to junior and senior school students.
Hendricks said he is honored to be selected for the Alumni Hall of Success award.
“This came quite unexpectedly as I am sure there are many graduates of Northeast Community College who have used their own college experience as a basis for achieving great success in their personal and professional lives,” he said. “I want to thank the college for providing a great learning environment and experience where I was blessed with the opportunity to interact with great instructors.”
Hendricks and his wife, Cary, have two children, son Clay, a freshman at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and daughter Kayla, a sophomore at Elkhorn High School.
Originally from Pierce, Young is owner-veterinarian of Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Albion, Elgin, and St. Edward. He graduated from Northeast in 2000 with a degree in pre-professional veterinary/animal science and then pursued a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Young earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 2006. He joined the Town and Country practice after completing his doctorate and assumed ownership in Jan. 2009.
Young said he has great memories of the camaraderie among his fellow students and instructors within Northeast’s Ag Department.
“Northeast Community College was the best place to transition into my college career,” Young said. “I enjoyed my time at the college. My advisor and instructors were always helpful and great to work with and my Northeast Community College degree prepared me well for transfer to a four-year university.”
In addition to his work in his veterinary practice, Young is actively involved in the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association, where he presently serves as the organization’s president. He has been a member of the association’s Continuing Education Committee and has represented the association’s board as a district director, secretary/treasurer, and president-elect prior to his current role.
Young is also a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, and American Association Swine Veterinarians. He serves as an advisory committee member for the Nebraska Community Foundation, which is affiliated with the Boone County Foundation Fund. Young is a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion and has served previously on church council and committees.
Young said he is grateful for his selection to the Alumni Hall of Success award.
“It is truly humbling to receive this recognition and to be in the company of all those who have received this award. I’m truly grateful for the role Northeast Community College had in beginning my college education and setting me on the path to my career.”
Young and his wife, Kim, have two young children, son, Chase, and daughter, Ryleigh.
Hendricks and Young join over 240 other Northeast alumni who have been inducted into the Alumni Hall of Success.
The awards are customarily presented in person during a formal ceremony each October. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Northeast’s Achievement Awards ceremony has been posponted. Hendricks and Young will be formally recognized during the 2021 ceremony next October.
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PHOTO IDs: Jarod Hendricks (left) and Dr. Jeremy Young.