Holland Foundation honors founders’ legacy with $2.1 million gift

The Holland Foundation is honoring the legacy of its founders, Richard “Dick” and Mary Holland, with a $2.1 million gift commitment to support University of Nebraska priorities that were of great personal importance to the couple.

The Holland Foundation’s gift will create a presidential chair in cardiovascular sciences at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and support the Healing Arts program at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. At the University of Nebraska at Omaha, a new chair in industrial organizational psychology will be established and named for Dick Holland’s brother, John Lewis Holland.

“Through these investments at UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and UNO, we seek to honor the legacy of our founders, Dick and Mary Holland, by furthering causes that were near and dear to the couple,” said Deb Love, president of the Holland Foundation. “The arts and healthy outcomes were always important to Dick and Mary, and they were extremely proud of the research conducted by Dick’s brother, John Lewis Holland.”

The Holland Foundation was established by the late Dick and Mary Holland. The Hollands were longtime supporters and contributors to the Omaha community, particularly in the areas of medical research, the arts and youth. They were also generous University of Nebraska supporters.

The Holland Foundation’s gift commitment was made through the University of Nebraska Foundation as part of Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future. The campaign is a historic effort to encourage at least 150,000 benefactors to give $3 billion to support the University of Nebraska. A key campaign priority is to establish endowed chairs and professorships to recruit and retain faculty.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Holland Foundation,” said University of Nebraska President Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “The endowed chair at UNO and presidential chair at UNMC enhance our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent who support groundbreaking research and improve patient outcomes. The Holland Foundation’s support of the Healing Arts program ensures we can continue to integrate art into the healing process for all who walk through our doors.”

Richard and Mary Holland Presidential Chair in Cardiovascular Sciences, UNMC

With a $1 million gift commitment, the Richard and Mary Holland Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Sciences at UNMC will be elevated to the level of a presidential chair. The chair was established in 2016 by the Holland Foundation and is currently held by John Windle, MD.

Dr. Windle served as chief of the UNMC Division of Cardiovascular Medicine for 16 years before stepping away from administration to concentrate on clinical care and directing the Center for Intelligent Health Care. He has dedicated the past 25 years to making digital technology work for clinicians.

Pending approval of the University of Nebraska, the presidential chair will be awarded to Dr. Windle to further support his work. Presidential chairs supported by the Holland Foundation are also held by Ali S. Khan, MD, MPH, MBA, dean of the UNMC College of Public Health, and Walter S. Gilliam, PhD, executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute. 

“The Holland Foundation’s gifts have been transformative at UNMC,” said UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD. “Their support of UNMC’s educational mission is appreciated, and this presidential chair will allow Dr. Windle to continue his work of harnessing AI and other technologies to improve health outcomes in Nebraska and beyond. The foundation’s additional support of our Healing Arts program also is much appreciated in helping to accelerate healing among our patients and promote wellness among our faculty, staff and students.”

John Lewis Holland Endowed Chair in Industrial Organizational Psychology, UNO

A $1 million investment will create the John Lewis Holland Endowed Chair in Industrial Organizational Psychology in the UNO College of Arts and Sciences as an enduring tribute to Dick Holland’s brother.

Pending approval of the University of Nebraska, Roni Reiter-Palmon, PhD, distinguished professor and director of UNO’s Industrial/Organizational Graduate Program, will be the inaugural recipient. She is an instrumental professor and leader within UNO — and the world. Reiter-Palmon has been identified as ranking among the top 2% of her peers worldwide in the field of social psychology research, according to a study by Stanford University and Elsevier.

The late John Lewis Holland was an American psychologist and professor emeritus at Johns Hopkins University. He created the career development model, Holland Occupational Themes, pioneering the theory that if people were aware of their personality type or combination of types, they would be happier workers. His studies laid the groundwork for the field of career counseling.

John Lewis Holland earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Omaha (now UNO) in 1942.

“The establishment of the John Lewis Holland Endowed Chair in Industrial Organizational Psychology is a profound tribute to the legacy of a visionary educator, researcher and UNO Maverick,” said UNO Chancellor Joanne Li, PhD, CFA. “It will serve as a powerful reminder of our calling as educators: to inspire others to discover their passions and channel them into meaningful contributions for their workplaces, communities and the world. This chair represents the transformative impact education can have when it connects personal potential with collective progress. The UNO community is honored and humbled by this generous contribution.”

Healing Arts, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine

A $100,000 pledge will support the Healing Arts program at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine. The program connects two of the Hollands’ passions — art and health care.

The Healing Arts program aims to integrate art into the fabric of the medical center through an extensive art collection that extends to nearly all buildings on campus and includes exhibition space and therapeutic programming for patients, staff and students. The program’s centerpiece is the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, home to the Chihuly Sanctuary by internationally known glass artist Dale Chihuly.

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About the University of Nebraska Foundation

The University of Nebraska Foundation grows relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. During the most recent fiscal year, a record $388.8 million in new funds were committed to aid UNK, UNL, UNO, NCTA and UNMC and its clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine. In addition, 57,603 donors supported the University of Nebraska. Alumni engagement and fundraising are efficient, with the University of Nebraska receiving more than $7 in gifts for every $1 spent. Only in Nebraska: A Campaign for Our University’s Future is its current campaign with a goal to raise $3 billion from 150,000 unique benefactors to support the University of Nebraska. More information is at OnlyinNebraska.org.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

About the University of Nebraska Medical Center 

As Nebraska’s only public academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center enrolls more than 4,500 students across six colleges, two institutes and a graduate studies program. Its mission is to create a healthier future for Nebraskans through premier education, research and clinical care, but its impact -- rooted in a culture of collaboration, big ideas and public-private partnerships – goes far beyond, in areas that include infectious diseases, rural health, cancer research and treatments, global health security, and simulation and experiential learning technologies.