By Tyler Ellyson, editor, UNK News
KEARNEY, Neb. – Nineteen high school seniors from across the state will study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the prestigious Kearney Law Opportunities Program (KLOP), the largest incoming class in the program’s history.
Arriving on campus this fall, the record-setting group demonstrates strong interest in a program designed to address the shortage of attorneys in rural Nebraska.
Launched in 2016, KLOP is a partnership between UNK and the University of Nebraska College of Law that recruits and trains students committed to practicing law in greater Nebraska.
Selected from communities outside Lincoln and the Omaha metropolitan area, participants receive a partial room waiver and tuition assistance during their time at UNK, with most scholarships covering the full cost of tuition. The program also provides academic support, including one-on-one mentorship from faculty and peers, professional development and experiential learning opportunities.
KLOP participants can major in any academic discipline at UNK as long as they plan to pursue a law degree after graduation.
Program director and UNK political science professor Chuck Rowling said the newest class reflects both the strength of students across rural Nebraska and the growing visibility of the program.
“These students arrive with an impressive combination of academic ability, leadership experience and a clear desire to serve their communities,” said Rowling, who chairs the UNK Department of Political Science. “What stands out most is their commitment to using a legal education as a way to strengthen the places they call home.”
KLOP scholars regularly connect with current law students, judges, attorneys and other professionals through on-campus events and visits to the Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln. Those experiences often lead to internships both locally and nationally. Students are also encouraged to pursue undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities, including field study courses focused on international human rights law in Europe and the legal history of the Civil Rights Movement in the Southern U.S.
After earning a bachelor’s degree at UNK, KLOP students are guaranteed admission to the Nebraska College of Law, provided they meet GPA and Law School Admission Test requirements.
A total of 52 students are currently part of KLOP, an encouraging sign as the university works to expand access to legal services throughout the state.
“Many rural areas across our state face a significant shortage of attorneys,” Rowling said. “Programs like KLOP help build a pipeline of talented young people who understand those communities and are motivated to return and make a difference.”
For more information on the program, visit unk.edu/klop or contact Rowling at 308-865-8171 or rowlingcm@unk.edu.
The following students, listed by hometown, will begin the Kearney Law Opportunities Program this fall:
Arthur – Jaycen Hanna
Bassett – Kade Wiiest
Battle Creek – Jaiden Ertzner
Chadron – Brooklynn Hoffman
Chadron – Molly Jones
Cody – Kynzee McConaughey
Columbus – Joseph Kallhoff
Columbus – Alexis Knowlton
Gothenburg – Rileigh McClay
Grand Island – Abigail Connick
Howells – Isabel Belina
Kearney – Zachary Dauel
Kearney – Carter Symington
Norfolk – Zachary Buettner
North Platte – Nicholas Krondak
Paxton – Marlee Gleason
Wayne – Kinslee Metzler
Weston – Finley Byers
Yutan – Maddox Wentworth