Support to All Nebraska Students
Tom & Candy Henning
Inspired by the Only in Nebraska campaign and their co-leadership as chairs of the Libraries Campaign Committee, Tom and Candy Henning (both UNL 1975) have made a generous gift to reduce students’ financial burden through affordable course materials.
Through their work on the Libraries Campaign Committee, the Hennings learned about the high cost of course materials for students, including how less affluent students sometimes have to choose between purchasing food or expensive books and other resources for their classes.
Libraries Course Materials is a key piece of a larger cross-campus initiative to drive down costs for students and support equal access to learning materials from day one of a course. How it works:
- the University Libraries purchases e-books that instructors assign for their classes with unlimited user licenses.
- These licenses cost the Libraries a bit more than an individual student would pay for their own copy, and more than the Libraries would pay for a single-user item, but allow all UNL students in a course to use the book simultaneously.
- The University Libraries retain the title in perpetuity for use in future courses and, indeed, by anyone at UNL at any time.
This option makes it possible for instructors to use Libraries-purchased e-books in their courses, and the e-books are available to students directly through the university’s online course portal.
Libraries Course Materials Impact Dashboard
See the impact and value of the Libraries Course Materials tool and the Libraries’ collections on student course material costs.
View the Impact DashboardThe Hennings’ investment will have an incredible multiplier effect that ultimately assists nearly every student on campus.
Tom Henning said an investment in the Libraries Course Materials program resonated with the couple because of how it could positively impact students.
“So, whether you came from an affluent background or not, you wouldn't be disadvantaged relative to having the textbooks you need access to in order to do your studies,” explained Tom Henning.
“The Hennings have been great friends and supporters of the Libraries for decades, and we are grateful for their support of this program and hope it will inspire others,” said Liz Lorang, dean of libraries. “Data show that their investment in Libraries Course Materials is yielding a great financial and educational return, and Nebraska students are benefiting from the Libraries’ purchase of materials with unlimited licenses.”
The Hennings’ investment will have an incredible multiplier effect that ultimately assists nearly every student on campus. This is extremely powerful because for many students, the savings will mean less student debt and more opportunities to be successful in class.
The Libraries team was able to calculate the potential student savings in a single course. In a recent semester:
Soil 101: Soil and Society
- Enrolled 61 students and assigned two books, which would have cost each student $245, or a total of $14,945, if every student in the course purchased both books.
- The Libraries purchased unlimited user licenses for both books at a total cost of $831, and students accessed the books free of charge.
- Not only did this approach save money for the 61 students in this course, it will continue to benefit students in future semesters.
Tom and Candy Henning have a long history of supporting the University of Nebraska–Lincoln since their first gift to the University Libraries in 1977, kicking off four decades of support. The Hennings have been active members of the business community and have also volunteered their time to the University and local civic organizations by serving on leadership boards.
Tom Henning devoted his career to the banking and insurance industries, serving in leadership roles with Assurity Life Insurance Co. or predecessor companies since 1990 including 26 years as the president and CEO.
Candy Henning had a long career in the broadcasting industry, including owning and operating her own business, Candy Henning Co., which represented broadcast media in Nebraska.
Tom Henning authored and published a book titled “Boost! 50 Legs Up to Become a Better Business Leader.” They have two daughters, Cassandra Kohl and Madeline Giamello, and three grandchildren.
Candy Henning has served on the boards of many organizations including the Sheldon Art Association, the UNL CEHS Alumni Board, Museum of Nebraska Art, Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Lied Center Statewide Advisory Board. Tom Henning served on the University of Nebraska Foundation’s Board of Directors from 1993 to 2009 and as its chair from 2005 to 2007. Mr. Henning currently serves on the board of directors of Nelnet, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, First Interstate Bank and the Advisory Board of Lincoln Industries. He is also a member of the Nebraska Investment Council and serves on the Board of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. He has served in leadership roles on many other boards, including Bryan Health Systems. The Hennings have served as trustees of the University of Nebraska Foundation since 1987.
The Hennings have been great friends and supporters of the Libraries for decades, and we are grateful for their support of this program and hope it will inspire others.
During their undergraduate years at UNL, the Hennings spent a lot of time in Love Library and C.Y. Thompson Library (now Dinsdale Family Learning Commons) and graduated with fond memories of both.
“Before the internet, Love Library and the card catalog was my Google,” said Tom Henning, “I would encounter something of interest and look it up in the card catalog.”
Candy Henning preferred C.Y. Thompson on East Campus for its architectural beauty and light-filled spaces. The Libraries was the perfect place for them to study between classes and satisfy their constant curiosity.
The Hennings’ relationship with the Libraries was renewed with their first gift to the university two years after graduation and in the early days of their marriage.
“We were living in Kansas City and received a solicitation for a book fund drive and our donation would, in turn, get our names placed on a book plate in the books purchased,” Candy Henning said.
In 2016, the Henning family made a gift to support the Love Library Learning Commons Fund, helping to fund space in what is now the Adele Coryell Hall Learning Commons. The cafe area is named the Henning Family Cafe in recognition of the Hennings and their daughters.
Tom Henning credits former coach and U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne with influencing their continued support of the University Libraries.
“While Tom Osborne was serving on the board of Security Financial Life, Dr. Osborne said in order to have a great research university, we needed a strong research library system, something that resonated with me deeply,” Tom Henning said.
The Hennings’ enduring commitment to the University Libraries supports the only research library in the state and helps ensure a high-quality, affordable education remains open to all Nebraskans.
Learn more about the Libraries’ priorities, including affordable course materials, and consider strengthening the University Libraries with a gift to Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. Learn more at https://onlyinnebraska.org/priorities/unl-libraries/.
How to Support Libraries
Support the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries by helping advance innovative spaces, services, collections, and technology that enrich learning and research, and show your Libraries pride with exclusive merchandise including hoodies, tees, totes, and more.