FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2019
Contact: Jason Hogue, Director of Marketing and Communications, 402-872-2429
Peru, Nebraska – The Grand Marshals for Peru State College’s 2019 Homecoming Parade, as selected by
the Student Senate, were Mr. Charles and Dr. Judy Grotrian of Brock, Nebraska. The
pair also spoke at the All-College Reunion Dinner the night before the parade and
performed the coin toss before the Homecoming football game.
During her remarks at the All-College Dinner, Grotrian shared, “Over the 23 years
I was on this campus with the Johnson-Brock students for the high school business
contest, and the 21 years teaching Peru State students, I was continually reminded
of how much of a gift this place is.
Dr. Judy Grotrian and Charles Grotrian during Saturday’s Homecoming Parade. Photo by Brandi Hull.
Not only was Grotrian announced as the Grand Marshal for 2019, but she was also the recipient of the Barb Lewellan Award during May of this year by Student Senate. This award is designed to honor an outstanding faculty, staff member, or administrator who has distinguished him or herself through the betterment of students and student life at Peru State College.
She became a part of the Peru State faculty in 1998 and just recently retired this past spring, in 2019. She was a part of the Business Department on campus, teaching courses like Principles of Financial Accounting, Principles of Managerial Accounting, Employee Training and Development, and Organizational Communications.
She was joined in the parade by her husband, Charles Grotrian. Charles is a Peru State alumnus who graduated in the Class of 1971. He went on to teach for three years at Weeping Water High School, but decided his true calling was farming.
They partnered with Judy’s brother and wife (Larry and Sue Green) to name the auditorium
in the Performing Arts Center in honor of the extended Green family. Judy and Charlie
have also honored Judy’s parents, James G. and Mavis Green, by helping to establish
and support a scholarship for high-achieving students pursuing business-related degrees
here at Peru State.
Both Charlie and Judy are southeast Nebraska natives. Throughout their lives, they
have been devoted to their children (Jay and Sheri), family, community, to working
hard and always doing their best. Their family has always valued education, not simply
as a means to an end, but as a way to an informed and fulfilling life.
Charles Grotrian (center, not a referee or Baker football player) flips the coin before the homecoming game between the Peru State Bobcats and the Baker University Wildcats. Dr. Judy Grotrian (left, not a Peru State football player). Photo courtesy of Dr. Bill Clemente.
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Thomas Veleba contributed to this release.