17 Aug 2017
Professor Jessica Shoemaker is the 2016-2017 recipient of the Ray H. Bunger Memorial Award for Excellence. This Award is an annual award chosen on the basis of demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, academic promise, and achievement related to the fulfillment of the research and teaching mission of the University of Nebraska College of Law. The donor for this award gave this gift to commemorate the life of the donor’s father, Ray H. Bunger, who was a lifelong devoted supporter of the University of Nebraska. He sent his three sons to the University of Nebraska for varying periods and several of his grandchildren also received education at the University. He firmly believed that “a good education is something that can never be taken away from you.” He was President of the Franklin County School District #44 and Secretary of the Board of Upland COOP Credit Association.
This year, Professor Shoemaker published an outstanding article in the Michigan Law Review and continues to gain recognition nationally for her cutting-edge approach to land tenure issues on Native American land. Professor Shoemaker’s teaching remains highly successful and this year she also added Wills and Trusts. On top of this, Professor Shoemaker’s students rave about her teaching and the amount of individual feedback she provides. Professor Shoemaker has worked hard to sponsor externships with four tribal governments to provide a tangible positive experience for our upperclass students that helps build their professional portfolio, which she does in addition to her significant service work with the Rural Futures Institute.