WILLIAM R. NESTER HOUSE

Dr. William R. Nester was a lifelong champion of higher education and human potential. As an administrator, educator, and mentor, he received many honors and compiled a long list of impressive accomplishments during his 45 year tenure in higher education.

Born in in Cincinnati, Ohio on February 19, 1928, Bill Grew up in the Evanston neighborhood and graduated from nearby Walnut Hills High School. He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a BS in Education, an MS in counseling and Guidance, and a PhD in higher education administration.

While a student at UC, in 1947 he was initiated into the Alpha Xi Chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. As an alumnus, he served in numerous local and national positions of Pi Kappa Alpha, including national president 1978-80 and as president of the Pi Kappa Alpha Memorial Foundation. In 1984 he received the Loyalty Award for his outstanding service to the fraternity. He was a member of the Order of the West Range. The fraternity also honored Bill by establishing the Dr. William R. Nester Award, to be presented annually to the most outstanding alumni association in the country. The Alpha Xi alumni association received the Dr. William R. Nester Award an eight consecutive years, 1976-83.

A 26-year career at the University of Cincinnati commenced in 1952, when he accepted the position of Director of the Student Union. He then held the position of Assistant Dean of men, Dean of Students, Vice Provost of Student Affairs, and finally Senior Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. An advocate and supporter of Intercollegiate Athletics, in 1976, he became one of the founders and the first president of the Metro Six Athletic Conference.

In 1978, Bill moved to Columbus, Ohio after accepting the position of Vice President of Student Services at the Ohio State University. In 1983, culminating his career, he moved to Nebraska and became the seventh president of Kearny State College. He led their move into the University of Nebraska system and thereby became the first chancellor of the University of Nebraska Kearny. In 2008, they honored Dr. Nester by naming the newest residence hall in their Living and Learning complex after him.

Dr. Nester received honorary doctorates from Northern Kentucky University, the University of Nebraska Kearny and the University of Cincinnati. In 2007, he received the William Howard Taft Medal for Notable Achievement, the highest honor given annually by the University of Cincinnati Alumni Association.

In 2005, Alpha Xi’s College Educational and Charitable Foundation embarked on The Campaign for Alpha Xi. The goal of the campaign was to build a new home for the active chapter. After almost 60 years at 3400 Brookline Avenue, on September 13th, 2007, Alpha Xi Chapter moved into their new home at 2711 Stratford Avenue. At the Grand Opening Gala, held in November of 2007, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house was dedicated as the Nester House in honor of the lifetime commitment of Dr. William R. Nester Jr. to the University of Cincinnati, Alpha Xi Chapter, and to the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Nester House Room Dedications:

• The Study: William C. Ogle 1986

• Room 206: Gerald R. Lanz 1967

• Room 204: Pete A. Smith 1989

• THC Suite: John W. Strohbach 1952

• SMC Suite: Nicholas J. Orphan (in memory of John Orphan - Gamma Omicron 1933)

• Card Room: Wayne C. Gilsdorf 1954

• South Parlor: William S. Giesler 1968

• Founders Foyer: Gary E. Menchhofer 1965

• Clock: James J. Tomsen 1957

• South Hall: Michael L. Dever 1961

• Social Room: Dennis R. Cleeter 1965

• Chapter Room: L. Jack Van Fossen 1956