University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter has announced that he has awarded the Presidential Medal of Service to Bryan Slone, president of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Presidential Medal of Service is an annual honor that recognizes Nebraskans’ support and advocacy for the NU System and higher education in the state. It is the highest honor that the president can bestow upon a community member.
“Bryan Slone understands well the crucial importance of an affordable, accessible, strong and growing public university,” Carter said. “As Chamber president, Bryan is a vocal advocate for the urgent workforce needs facing our state, and for the university’s role in meeting them.
“The University of Nebraska is in a stronger position to serve our students and grow Nebraska’s economic competitiveness thanks to Bryan’s partnership and support. On behalf of our faculty, staff and students, I thank him for his leadership.”
Slone was publicly honored at the June meeting of the Board of Regents.
A Nebraska native, Slone has served as Chamber president since 2018. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and law degree from Nebraska Law. He is a past member of the NU President’s Advisory Council, a coalition of community leaders who advise the university president and advocate for public higher education.
Slone has regularly testified before the Legislature on the university’s behalf, and has presented to the Board of Regents about Nebraska’s workforce needs and the university’s role in delivering skilled graduates and research for the state. In December, he led the effort to co-host with Carter the first statewide innovation and tech summit. The event, held at Nebraska Innovation Campus, spotlighted the role of the university and private-sector partners in growing Nebraska’s research and economic competitiveness.
Carter created the Presidential Medal of Service in 2018. He invites nominations for the award in the fall.
