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Distinguished ServiceNebraska CommunityCollege AssociationDistinguished AlumniJames A. McKenziePictured (left to right): Dr. Leah Barrett, Jeanne Reigle, Russ Vering and Dr. Tracy KruseJeanne Reigle and Russ Vering served as co-chairs of the 23 million Nexuscapital campaign to raise funds for a new veterinary technology buildingand a combination farm operations building and large animal handlingfacility at the new Acklie Family College Farm near the Chuck M. PohlmanAgriculture Complex, 2301 E. Benjamin Ave.Jeanne ReigleJeanne Reigle, of Madison, is an agricultureproducer. She and her husband, John, ownand operate the family farm and feedingoperation, Reigle Cattle Company. Sheattended the University of Nebraska-Lincolnfor two years in pursuit of a businessdegree. She routinely takes online classes inseveral academic fields through NortheastCommunity College.In addition to her cattle operation, Reigleworked in the Madison County Treasurer’sOffice from 1980-82.Reigle has past experience in fundraising,having chaired several local efforts as wellas being a co-chair of the 2008 NebraskaCattlemen’s Ball. She has served onnumerous boards over the years includingthe Elkhorn Valley Cattlemen, PreservationMadison Inc., Madison Area Chamber ofCommerce and the Northeast CommunityCollege Foundation.Jeanne and John have four children and ninegrandchildren. ¾Russ VeringRuss Vering, of Scribner, is owner of CentralPlains Milling in Howells and Columbusand vice president of nutrition for FrontierCooperative.He graduated from the University ofNebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Artsdegree in Animal Science. Russ has alwaysbeen involved in agriculture and enjoyscaring for animals and the producers whoown them.Vering’s job description encompasseseverything from animal nutrition tohusbandry, building design to engineering,business management to team management,including internal employee experience, andthe customer experience.He has also hosted Northeast student internsat Central Plains Milling, and has severalNortheast graduates as employees.Vering is a past president of the NebraskaPork Producers Association and a currentmember of the National Pork ProducersAssociation Board of Directors.Russ and his wife, Tammi, have twochildren.¾James A. McKenzie earned an Associate ofApplied Technology degree in data processingfrom Northeast Technical CommunityCollege in 1980. Following graduation, hetook a position with the Norfolk LivestockMarket as controller and informationtechnology manager. It was there he met hislifelong mentor, Randy Emrich, whose familyowned the market.Emrich provided the business knowledge andcapital to help McKenzie begin the company,Business Management Software (BMS), at age24. BMS became an IBM business partnerand sold midrange computer systems anddeveloped software for businesses locatedacross the central United States. McKenzieeventually sold BMS to focus on family andthen took the position of information systemsmanager for the City of Norfolk, where hehas served for the past 25 years.The City of Norfolk’s technologyinfrastructure would not be where it is todaywithout McKenzie’s expertise. The projects hehas worked on range from evolving the city’scomputer and phone systems to designingand overseeing the development of Norfolk’sfiber optic network to major projects inseveral new facilities including the renovatedand expanded public library, second firestation and Aquaventure waterpark.McKenzie is a member of Northeast’sInformation Technology Advisory Committeeand serves on the board of the GreatAmerican Comedy Festival. His hobbiesinclude finance, investing, studying globaleconomics, and land and property investmentand renovation.“The property investment, which took almostfive years, that has brought me the mostjoy has been the boyhood home of the lateJohnny Carson (former Tonight Show host). Igreatly enjoy giving tours to groups as large asbusloads to as small as individuals. Seeing thesmiles on their faces is the best reward.”James McKenzie has two children and fourgrandchildren.¾

Planned GivingEnd of Year Means Changes to SS, Retirement Accounts, TaxesThe beginning of the new year willmean changes in both federal andstate policy concerning Social Security,retirement accounts and taxes.For those enjoying their retirementand already drawing Social Security,two key changes are coming. Retireeswill receive larger checks, and thoseSocial Security recipients still workingcan earn more without losing benefits.More than 64-million Americans willsee a 5.9% increase in their grossSocial Security amount. The nearly6% increase means the average SocialSecurity benefit for a retired workerwill rise by 92 a month, to 1,657,and the average benefit for a retiredcouple will grow 154 a month to 2,753. Some other retirement plansapply the same COLA to their benefits,meaning some seniors could receivesimilar increases from those incomesources.Recipients are cautioned, however,that they will not see all of thatreflected on their monthly checks.Medicare’s Part B monthly premiumfor 2022 will increase by 21.60.Standard monthly premiums for PartFounders SocietyThe Founders Society is comprisedof those individuals who havechosen to include Northeast in theirestate plan with a deferred gift forthe ultimate benefit of the Collegeand its students.B will cost 170.10 in 2022, up from 148.50 in 2021. Premiums for about7% of Medicare enrollees with annualincomes greater than 91,000 willbe higher than the standard becausethese monthly payments are based onincome.The earnings limit for those less thanfull retirement age who are drawingSocial Security will increase in 2022.Recipients under full retirement agewill be docked 1 in benefits for every 2 in monthly earnings above 1,630after January 1, an increase from thecurrent limit of 1,580.Some younger workers will bepaying more Social Security taxes in2022. According to Forbes.com, themaximum amount of earnings subjectto Social Security tax will rise 2.9% to 147,000, from 142,800 in 2021.That means a bigger tax bill for about12-million high-earning workers.For those contributing to, orwithdrawing from, qualifiedretirement accounts, the IRS hasmade several updates in the ceilingsand thresholds. For instance, thelimitation on deferrals for mostAnonymous (2)Kendra BarnesJohn & Diana BlaylockThe late LauraNel CarlisleDr. Michael & Susan ChippsVern Fairchild & the late Lucille FairchildScott & Angela GrayDr. Wade & Kristine HerleyThe late Robert & Joan HodgsonDaniel & Dr. Tracy KruseDave & Ann Lundretirement plans increases to 20,500for 2022. The annual compensationlimit also increases from 290,000to 305,000. For details on some ofthese changes, check the website:journalofaccountancy.com.For Nebraska residents, state taxes onSocial Security earnings will be phasedout over a 10-year period. The firstyear’s phase out is 5%, then 20% thesecond year, and an additional 10%each year after that with the goal oftotal elimination of the tax by 2030.The plan will be reviewed after fiveyears, however, to make sure thestate has the revenue to support thetotal phase out. Another change inNebraska tax law exempts militaryretirement income from state taxesbeginning in 2022.It is always a good idea to check withyour financial advisor at the end of theyear to see how changes in federal andstate policy will affect your individualfinancial situation. ¾READMOREon changes to Social Security,retirement accounts and taxesEd & Corinne MorrisThe late Norman OchsnerDirk & Jan PetersenMark & Beth PfeilBrian & Rose Ann RogersJeff & Lori SchererBrian & Nicole SedlacekJohn & Vickie SehiDr. G. Tom & Susan SurberFrank & Chris TudorGlenice & the late John C. Watson

Spotlight: Grace JansenGrace Jansen has always wantedto follow the same route as hergrandmother, who has demonstrateda lifelong compassion of caring tothose around her. That yearning hastranslated into a desire for Grace toenter the medical field, which began asa young girl growing up in Hartingtonwhere she witnessed her grandmother,Mary Ann Bonertz, exhibit herempathy and passion for others overthe years.Jansen is presently seeking anAssociate Degree in Nursing atNortheast Community College.Following graduation in May 2022,she plans to enter the RN (RegisteredNurse) to Bachelor of Science inNursing degree program at theUniversity of Nebraska MedicalCenter. From there, she would liketo move on to Nebraska MethodistCollege to pursue a Doctor of NursingPractice degree.“My grandmother is very passionateabout helping others, and I enjoyfollowing in her footsteps in thiscareer,” Jansen said. “She showsme the path, always reminds me tochase my dreams, and is my greatestcheerleader.”Jansen would like to remain in Omahawhen her schooling is finished tobegin her professional career, butshe would like to soon return torural northeast Nebraska to providehealthcare to underserved populationsin the region.Such support has allowed Jansen toestablish goals that will eventually leadher back to her hometown to displaythat same type of benevolence to anew generation of residents.Although she understands the longjourney ahead of her, Jansen is excitedfor the journey she has chosen forherself as she “wants to help othersto stay healthy and allow them to livetheir lives optimally.”While in college, Jansen has investedher time and efforts to ensure sheis receiving the best educationalexperience possible. She has acumulative GPA of 3.96 and has beennamed to either the President’s List orthe Dean’s List each semester she hasattended Northeast. She is a NebraskaAHEC (Area Health Education Center)scholar, serves as a member of thePhi Theta Kappa honor society andas treasurer of the Student NurseAssociation, is a member of the TRIOClub, and assists students as a tutor inPharmacology I and II courses.Jansen is modest in her determinationto become a doctor and in making herfamily and her “future family” proud.“I have always wanted to be a doctorand have always had the drive to makethat dream come true, no matter whatit took,” she said. “As a first-generationcollege student, I also wanted to showothers that I can succeed and thatthey, too, can get whatever they wantwith hard work.” ¾I would like to take this opportunity to thank allscholarship donors, especially those involved with theDr. Jagmohana & Shobhana Desai Family Scholarship andDonna and John Goossen Memorial Scholarship.I am honored to have been chosen as a recipient and these fundswill be very beneficial in aiding with books and testing fees. Withthese scholarships I can continue to focus on school without takingtime away from my studies to work extra hours.2021-2022 RecipientDr. Jagmohan & Shobhana Desai Family ScholarshipDonna & John Goosen Nursing Memorial Scholarship2020-2021 RecipientOne day I plan on helping students with theirfinancial burdens as well. Once again, thank you so much for thiswonderful gift, it will help me immensely to achieve my ultimategoal of obtaining a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.

Main Campus801 East Benjamin AvenueP.O. Box 469Norfolk, Nebraska 68702northeast.edu(800) 348-9033Northeast does not discriminate based upon any status protected by law orcollege policy. Please go to northeast.edu/nondiscrimination for details.Opening SoonNew facilities atNortheast Community Collegescheduled to open spring 2022.Veterinary Technology BuildingLarge Animal Handling FacilityCommodities StorageLike and followNortheast Community College Foundationon Facebook for more updates.Northeast Community College Foundation 402-844-7240 foundation@northeast.edu

Community College Association to one distinguished graduate of each of the community college areas. Recipients have previously been awarded the Northeast Alumni Hall of Success Award. If you are interested in nominating an individual for the Northeast Alumni Hall of Success, please contact the Northeast Community College Foundation Office. 402 .