Charlyne Berens

Born 1946 St. Johns, MI (USA)

Berens served as professor and associate dean in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln until retiring in 2014. She served for 14 years as editor and co-publisher of the Seward, Nebraska newspaper. Many of her books have focused on themes unique to Nebraska politics and Nebraska political figures. Her book on state senator Jerome Warner is the only book length study of a towering figure in Nebraska politics. Her book Power to the People explored the historical origins of Nebraska's unicameral legislature in early twentieth century populism and progressivism. A later book explored the Unicameral's successes and failures. She has written a biography of former United States Senator and Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Berens was elected to the Nebraska Press Association Hall of Fame in 2011.

Writers who address related political themes: Robert Cherny on populism and progressivism in Nebraska, and in American history broadly conceived, John Hicks and Christopher Lasch.

Places Lived

Seward, NE
Michigan
Idaho
Chicago, IL
Sioux City, IA

Author Of

Journalism
Nonfiction

Keywords

Jerome Warner; Nebraska Politics; Journalism; Political Science; Public Affairs

Education

Bachelor of Science in Education Degree, 1967, Concordia College, Seward, NE
Master of Arts Degree in Political Science, 1995, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Occupation

Journalist
Newspaper Publisher
Administrative Assistant
Journalism Professor

Places Worked

Seward County Independent
University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications

Honors

John H. Ames Reading Series, Featured Reader, 20 November 1997
On the board of the Nebraska Press Association, 1976-1990, President, 1989-1990
Nebraska Press Association Hall of Fame, 2011

Bibliography

Leaving Your Mark: The Political Career of Nebraska State Senator Jerome Warner. 1997.
Power to the People: Social Choice and the Populist--Progressive Ideal. 2004.
One House: The Unicameral's Progressive Vision for Nebraska. 2005.
Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward. 2006.
One House: The Unicameral's Progressive Vision for Nebraska. 2014. (2nd ed.)

Berens' 1997 Ames Reading presentation is available to view:

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