Block and Bridle Club to recognize Chuck Schroeder

April 2, 2019

Lincoln, Neb. — Charles P. “Chuck” Schroeder, a native of southwestern Nebraska ranch country near the rural community of Palisade, will be recognized as the newest University of Nebraska–Lincoln Block and Bridle honoree. Each year the Block and Bridle Club selects an honoree that has contributed to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects, community activities and involvement with the university. 

Schroeder is a servant leader and a person with wide-ranging knowledge and broad interests. His career has closely aligned with the Block and Bridle Club’s core objectives, which are to promote a higher scholastic standard and a more complete understanding of animal science among student members; to promote animal agriculture through development of a program of activities that will supplement students' study of the animal sciences; to enhance professionalism of students who will one day be leaders in the animal agriculture industry; and to bring about a closer relationship among all students pursuing some phase of animal agriculture as a profession.

Schroeder graduated from Nebraska in 1973 with a bachelor of science in agriculture with a major in animal science. During his time at the university, Schroeder was a member of the Block and Bridle Club and participated on the livestock judging team and the rodeo team. After graduating, Schroeder returned to his family’s farming, ranching and cattle feeding enterprise, the Schroeder Cattle Company. However, his passion to serve the cattle industry and agriculture led him on a diverse and distinguished path in servant leadership roles. Leadership roles that Schroeder assumed included serving as the director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (1983-1986), executive vice-president of the University of Nebraska Foundation (1986-1995), chief executive officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (1995-2002), president of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (2002-2013), and founder and executive director of the Rural Futures Institute at the University of Nebraska (2013-2018). Schroeder is currently engaged in creative pursuits around art and telling the stories of elders from various cultures. 

Over the course of his career, Schroeder has received multiple awards and recognitions including Oklahoma Humanities Council Community Leadership Award, the National Cowboy Symposium Western Museum Award, the UNL College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Alumnus Award, the Ak-Sar-Ben Agricultural Achievement Award, and inclusion in “Who’s Who in the Western Livestock Industry.” Schroeder was also selected for participation in the Gallup Premier Leadership Institute and Stanford University’s Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders.

Schroeder and his family will be honored at the Block and Bridle Club Honors Banquet on April 13 at 6 p.m. at Nebraska Innovation Campus, 2021 Transformation Dr. in Lincoln. Tickets to the banquet, which will feature a prime rib dinner, are $35. Tickets can be purchased by contacting a Block and Bridle officer or Andi Hallberg at andi.hallberg@unl.edu. A reception for Schroeder and his family, friends and past honorees will precede the banquet at 5:30 p.m.

The Block and Bridle Club is part of the Animal Science department within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.