KEARNEY – Justin Zeleski, Ed.D., has been selected as the 2023 UNK Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumnus Award recipient.
He will be honored at the 43rd Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards luncheon on September 29 at 11:30 a.m. in the Ponderosa Room in the Nebraskan Student Union. Tickets are $25 per person ($30 starting Sept. 18), $15 for children ages 12 & under, and can be purchased until Sept. 21 at unkalumni.org/homecoming or by calling the UNK Alumni Association at 308-698-5271.
“Dr. Zeleski is passionate about promoting lifelong musical participation, especially in rural and low socioeconomic schools,” said Ting-Lan Chen, D.M.A., Gerald Feese Professor of Violin, UNK. “His efforts to break down music education barriers are commendable.”
Gary Thomas Distinguished Music Alumnus
Justin Zeleski, Ed.D. (2005)
Justin Zeleski, Ed.D., resides in Omaha, Nebraska, and is the orchestra director and strings teacher at Millard West High School, Rowher Elementary and Black Elk Elementary.
He started his career in education as a K-12 instrumental and general music teacher in 2005 at Franklin Public Schools (Nebraska) before serving as the Clark County Public Schools (Nevada) 6-8 orchestra teacher from 2006-2018. In addition to his instructional duties with Millard Public Schools, Zeleski serves on the curriculum drafting team.
He is an active member of the American String Teachers Association, serving as the secretary of the Nebraska chapter.
Zeleski has been the recipient of several honors for his work in and out of the classroom, including being a Fulbright Program scholarship recipient in 2018, named to the Marquiese Who’s Who in Education in 2022, and was a three-time finalist for the Smith Center’s Heart of Education Award. He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honorary.
While in college, Zeleski was a member of the Pride of the Plains Marching Band, wind ensemble and Kappa Kappa Psi. He performed with the Kearney Area Symphony Orchestra and many area bands and small ensembles.
Zeleski is a Grand Island native and Grand Island Northwest High School graduate. He earned a bachelor’s in music education K-12 in 2005 from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He also holds a Master of Arts Education from American Intercontinental University and a Doctorate of Education from Kansas State University.
To purchase tickets and see a complete list of weekend activities, contact the UNK Alumni Association at 308-698-5271 or visit unkalumni.org/homecoming.
Additional award recipients will be announced through Aug. 17.
2023 Homecoming Alumni Events
Friday, September 29
11:30 a.m. Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon (Nebraskan Student Union, Ponderosa
Room)
2:30 p.m. Chemistry Department’s Dr. Don Fox Lecture (Copeland Hall, Room 131)
3:30 p.m. One Room, One Teacher Induction Ceremony (College of Education Atrium)
5:30 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet (Nebraskan Student Union, Ponderosa Room)
6:00 p.m. ROTC Alumni Social (American Legion)
Saturday, September 30
10 a.m. Homecoming Parade (Downtown Kearney)
Noon Loper Alumni Brews & Brats Tailgate in Loperville (Cope Stadium)
2 p.m. UNK Football vs. Washburn University (Cope Stadium, Foster Field)
6:00 p.m. ROTC Alumni Banquet (Younes Conference Center South)
A full schedule of events and ticket information can be found at unkalumni.org/homecoming and unk.edu/offices/student_life/homecoming.
