Dr. Shirley Niemeyer to retire after 41 years of service to UNL and Nebraska

16 May 2011    

n Wednesday May 18 the Department of Textiles, Clothing & Design hosted a celebration of the career of Dr. Shirley Niemeyer who retires on June 30 after 41 years of service to the university and the citizens of the state and the nation. A passionate and dedicated Extension Specialist, Dr. Niemeyer's research and work on housing issues and the environment provided opportunities for individuals and families across the state of Nebraska and beyond its borders to make informed decisions about their housing and the safety, decency and affordability of their physical and social environment. Throughout her career Dr. Niemeyer worked closely with the 4-H program, and brought sensitivity to design and the enormous satisfaction of creative endeavor to generations of Nebraskans. The success of Quilt Quest, a 4-H initiative that has received widespread praise, was due in part to her contributions to its development team. During the last several years Dr. Niemeyer has focused much of her efforts on the development of the Home Energy Community of Practice, working with other Extension specialists around the US to bring extensive energy conservation information to a broad audience.

Over 100 colleagues, family and friends convened in the Great Hall of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum to wish Shirley happiness and continued success as she transitions to the next stage of her professional and personal life. Among the guests were former Dean and Director of the Cooperative Extension Service Leo Lucas, Dean Darryl Nelson, Associate Vice Chancellor Susan Fritz, Dean Elbert Dickey, Dean Steve Waller, Associate Dean Beth Birnstihl, Associate Dean Jim Walter, and many of Shirley's Extension c ollaborators and faculty colleagues.