The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved the naming of the hospitality, restaurant and tourism management (HRTM) classroom within the Scarlet Hotel in honor of Elinor Kerrey on Aug. 13.
Kerrey served as an educator in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Food and Nutrition from 1966-77. She taught foundational nutrition courses and contributed to the curriculum. Kerrey’s work extended beyond the classroom through student advising, off-campus instruction, and university and professional service, leaving a lasting impact on her students and colleagues.
The naming was made possible through the generosity of Jessie Rasmussen and her late husband, Dean Rasmussen, whose philanthropic support helped bring the HRTM academic space at the Scarlet Hotel to fruition. Jessie selected the classroom name in honor of her mother, Elinor Kerrey, recognizing how her recipes were instrumental in helping build the foundation for Grandmothers Restaurants owned by Dean and his partner, Bob Kerrey. It is also in recognition of Elinor’s contributions as an educator and her influence on future generations, including within the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Naming the classroom in honor of Elinor Kerrey provides a lasting tribute to her legacy while recognizing the Rasmussens’ commitment to advancing educational opportunities within the College of Education and Human Sciences. It reinforces the role of the space in supporting student learning, industry engagement, and the values of service, dedication and community.
An event in the Elinor Kerrey Classroom to formally celebrate its naming will be announced at a later date.
The hospitality, restaurant and tourism management program is one of four undergraduate programs in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences. Students in the program engage in a combination of classroom instruction and experiential learning to prepare for leadership positions in one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the world. The program offers six areas of focus – club management, event management, food and beverage, human resources, lodging, and tourism. Learn more at go.unl.edu/hrtm.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Nutrition and Health Sciences
