Giving From the Heart Award

A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Phi Beta Kappa – Marian Andersen willingly, enthusiastically and generously gave her time, talents and personal resources throughout her lifetime.  

Philanthropy has always been important to Marian, as is evidenced by the extensive list of organizations to which she provided leadership and support. Active in community and statewide activities, she was president of Planned Parenthood of Omaha and chaired its first capital campaign. She is also past president of the Junior League Omaha and recipient of its Distinguished Service Award, along with serving as the first woman chair of the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees. In addition, Marian served as United Way of the Midlands’ Women’s Chair in 19??, founded the Tocqueville Society in 1987 with her husband Harold “Andy” Andersen and served as its first chair.  

Regionally, she served as a board member of the Nebraska Arts Council, the Mid-American Arts Alliance, the Doane College Board of Trustees, the Nebraska State Historical Society, the Museum of Nebraska Art, and with her husband she co-chaired the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival. And nationally, Marian was a member of the Public Broadcasting System and served as vice chair of the American Red Cross.