Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny is college's honored alum for Alumni Masters Week

Rear Adm. Douglas J. McAneny, a 1978 civil engineering graduate, will be hosted by the College of Engineering as one of nine honored alumni returning to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln March 6-8 for the annual Alumni Masters Week.

Alumni Masters Week, sponsored by the Nebraska Alumni Association, Nebraska Student Alumni Association and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor’s Office.

Since 1964, more than 400 alumni have participated in Alumni Masters Week. Its primary goal is to link the university’s outstanding alumni with students who can benefit from their experiences and knowledge, as well as honor alumni for their success and leadership. Students are encouraged to take part in lectures, presentations and events with the Alumni Masters, who will speak about ways to apply formal education to working situations and career goals.

McAneny is HDR Inc.’s federal business group president and is responsible for guiding and growing the firm’s federal government business practice. He is on both the architecture and engineering company executive teams and is the CEO of HDR Environmental Operations and Construction.

Prior to his civilian career, McAneny served in the United States Navy from 1978-2013, commanding submarines around the world.

During Alumni Masters Week, McAneny will meet with faculty and students from the College of Engineering, tour laboratories and the Nebraska Transportation Center and Midwest Roadside Safety Facilities. He will also attend select classes, including CIVE 489, the civil engineering senior design class.

Masters Week will culminate with the Nebraska Medallion Dinner on Friday, March 8 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center. In addition to the nine alumni masters being honored, the alumni association will also honor Distinguished Service, Public Service and Family Tree award winners.

The Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Capt. Richard Holdcroft, a 1976 engineering graduate and the Alumni Association’s ROTC and Military Affiliate Group secretary.

Holdcroft earned his engineering degree while part of the Navy ROTC program and served 28 years as a surface warfare officer for the Navy on various ships in the Pacific and Atlantic fleets. He also spent 11 years as the director of field operations at aerospace company OrbitalATK, specializing in solid-rocket motors for space lift and strategic weapons. Currently, he holds leadership positions with a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Air Force Association, Navy League and Rotary International.