Founded in 1999 by the Nebraska Alumni Association, Cather Circle, goes beyond traditional mentoring programs, reaching out to the community and striving to spark new projects and lasting relationships. Through the Cather Circle, the Alumni Association hopes to promote the growth and education of women and to create a nationwide network of women leaders with ties to NU.

The Members
Alumna members are selected for their accomplishments in their careers and civic activities. All are highly successful women with a myriad of backgrounds and professions.

Collegians are chosen for their commitment to leadership and interest in personal and professional growth.

Past collegian members have gone on to rewarding careers and prestigious scholarships for higher degrees including Rhodes and Truman finalists and Fulbright Fellows.

Since its inception in 1999, more than 200 alumnae and 300 collegians have participated in Cather Circle.

The Program
Meetings are held each fall and spring at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln campus where attendees benefit from professional development, mentoring, and personal growth. Alumnae are reconnected with the University and collegians are connected to jobs and internships across the nation in all fields. Additionally, Circle members have adopted a variety of service projects to support the university and Nebraska communities

A committee of Circle collegians and alumnae determines the activities for the meetings. The format varies, but always tries to address the diverse interests of the members through speakers, panels and group discussions.

The Namesake
The Cather Circle is named after the legendary author Willa Cather (1873 – 1947), an alumna of the University of Nebraska. Cather was born in Virginia, but moved to Red Cloud, Neb., at a young age. During her childhood, she pursued unconventional interests for women at the time. She had a deep love for the sciences and had aspirations of becoming a doctor.

As a student at NU, Cather was editor of the school magazine and wrote numerous articles for local papers. She went on to write countless books and short stories, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel One of Ours. Her thematic writing focused on strong women, provincial life and the fading of the pioneer tradition. Cather used Nebraska as the setting in a number of her classic novels, including My Antonia, O Pioneers! and A Lost Lady. Cather challenged the typical role of women of her time by the way she lived her life and through her writings, positively influencing the way many people would come to view women.

The Nebraska Alumni Association recognizes Willa Cather as an inspiration and a role model for women today.