Q: How has the university made a difference in your life?
A: As a young undergraduate, I learned the important skill of relationship-building — a skill that has helped me my entire life and serves me well in my role at the Nebraska Legislature. I’m currently chair of the Appropriations Committee, which regulates financial expenditures by the State of Nebraska. Everyone has a keen interest in where the money goes, and my job as chair is to ensure we make decisions that benefit the state as a whole.
I come from a musical family — my mother was a pianist and insisted that we all learn an instrument. I joined the Cornhusker Marching Band as a trumpeter in 1971, which taught me how to get along with a large group of people with different interests and perspectives. A band is not about soloists; it’s about working together as a team. I learned as much from the band as I did from classes.
I came from Elmwood, a small Nebraska town of 650 people; I was able to afford my tuition thanks to a trust from my Aunt Betty Clements (’39), a remarkable woman who was a teacher, aviator and physician. She encouraged me to expand my thinking and to believe that anything was possible. Her selflessness has inspired me and underscores my definition of success: honesty, integrity and honoring your word.
My time at the university created strong relationships with people from every walk of life and helped me to work across a range of backgrounds. I still see former classmates at volleyball and football games and have appreciated those connections over the years. Our university gives Nebraskans pride in their state and exposes students to experiences that will impact them forever; my experiences help me to bring others together around a common cause.
At the end of the day, higher education makes a difference — not only in providing a workforce for Nebraska’s businesses and growing the economy, but in developing well-rounded citizens who are prepared to work together to achieve great things for our state.
Robert Clements (’73)
Nebraska State Senator, District 2
Executive Vice President at American Exchange Bank