Alum and Lifelong Educator To Be Honored By UC

William Nester was educated at the University of Cincinnati and began his career as the Director of the Student Union. Since then he has received three degrees from the university, and in 1996 received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. 

At the beginning of his professional career, he was an educator and mentor at the university, and returned to Cincinnati after serving in various capacities nationally at Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney State College and The Ohio State University. He served at these institutions as Vice President, President and Chancellor, attaining Chancellor Emeritus status from the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 1993.

Dr. Nester has worked tirelessly as a fundraiser and higher education advocate for 50 years. He continues to offer his services and serves in the capacity of administrator, student counsel, public servant and involved citizen. He is considered a strong leader and is admired for his integrity, wisdom, commitment and loyalty. His accolades as a mentor come from former students who are now outstanding business leaders, university presidents and CEO’s of multi-million dollar corporations.

Dr. Nester resides in Cincinnati with his wife Mary Jane and is the father of four sons.  He is listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.  A partial listing of his awards and recognitions includes the Pi Kappa Alpha Distinguished Service Award, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators University President’s Award of Significant Contribution to Higher Education, and the American Association of University Professors Award for Chapter-Distinguished Leadership in Cause of Academic Freedom.