Professor Kristen Blankley is the 2023-2024 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.
Professor Blankley published new editions of two books this year Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution and Arbitration: Law, Policy, and Practice. She also published a book chapter, a law review article, and several shorter pieces. Her article, A Muddy Mess – the Supreme Court’s Jurisprudence on Jurisdiction for Arbitration Matters, 77 Miami L. Rev. 676 (2023), received an inaugural Schmid Scholarship Prize.
Professor Blankley serves on several faculty committees, and this year allowed overloads in her classes to accommodate student demand.
