By TYLER ELLYSON, UNK Communications

KEARNEY – Zane Schawang arrived at UNK as a walk-on football player and leaves as an honors graduate with a degree in construction management.

The Waverly native balanced the demands of academics and Division II athletics over the past 4 1/2 years.

A versatile offensive weapon, he contributed as a running back, wide receiver and punt returner, finishing his Loper career with more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns. He was equally committed in the classroom, earning multiple MIAA Academic Honor Roll and CSC Academic All-District honors.

As he prepares to walk across the commencement stage Friday, Schawang reflects on a college experience shaped by hard work, competition and opportunities that extended far beyond the field.

What does this moment mean to you?
Going to college and graduating has always been the plan for me. It's exciting to think the moment has finally come and all the hard work has paid off. Not only did I get a degree, but I've made many connections and memories along the way.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on staying in Kearney and starting full time in January as a project engineer with Sampson Construction.

Why did you choose construction management?
Growing up, I always enjoyed building things. As I got older and went into high school, I took as many shop classes as I could, and that's when I realized I wanted to do something in construction. Looking into construction management, the problem-solving, teamwork and competitive nature of getting work done under budget and on time were all really intriguing to me.

What are the strengths of this program at UNK?
One of the biggest strengths of the construction management program is having professors with years of industry experience. The CM professors are able to connect the classroom information with real-life applications they've experienced in the past. Another strength of the program is the hands-on learning opportunities. Whether it's surveying, site walks or swinging a hammer in the lab, they make learning so much easier.

Talk about your internships. How valuable were those experiences?
I worked for Sampson Construction in the summer of 2023 as a laborer. The following summer, they asked me to come back and intern with them, so I returned in the summers of 2024 and 2025. I found that internships were crucial for learning and gaining knowledge. There's only so much you can retain in a classroom. The amount I learned in one summer on the job site showed me how important those experiences are.

Tell us about your time on the UNK football team. What did this opportunity mean to you?
My time playing for UNK football was amazing and something I'll forever miss. There were many ups and downs throughout my career, but I'm thankful for the opportunity. I walked on in the fall of 2021 and was able to earn a scholarship in the spring of 2022. I've made friendships with countless people along the way and learned many lessons. I've gained more from this game than I can even process. Many of these lessons will help in my career and for the rest of my life.

What's your most memorable experience at UNK?
I've made countless memories at UNK. If I have to choose one, I would say scoring my first college football touchdown is the most memorable. It was the first game of the 2022 season. I was still young and didn't expect to play. I got in the game in the second half and ended up scoring on a 32-yard run. My parents made the long drive to the game, which made it even more memorable.

Who was the most influential person during your undergraduate career?
It's hard to just name one person, as there have been many people who have had great influence on me. One of the most influential was Dr. Jim Vaux. He showed up to class every day with a smile on his face and always talked to the students before starting class. He was passionate and knowledgeable about the CM program, which made it easy to show up and want to learn.

What advice do you have for current and future Lopers?
Have fun and make the most of your time here. Experience as much as possible while you're in college and get involved in whatever activities or groups you can. Build connections with everybody to open doors for yourself in the future.

How would you describe your time at UNK?
Coming to UNK was one of the best decisions I've made. The people I've met and memories I've made are unmatched. It's crazy to think that I've been here for 20% of my life. I still remember my first day here and checking in for football camp in the Health and Sports Center. It's hard to think that two things I've done for most of my life are over (school and football), but I'm excited for the future.