BEATICE – District Court Judge Paul W. Korslund was selected as the speaker for graduation by the department of math and sciences at Southeast Community College-Beatrice.

Korslund said he will emphasize the importance of cooperation and competition during his address to SCC graduates.

“I am a big supporter of cooperation,” Korslund said. “The conflicts are everywhere, but if we look for the ways to work together, we can succeed. Competition and adversary are necessary for the progress, yet a lot can be achieved through cooperation.”

Korslund presented the historical experience of the homesteaders as a vivid example of cooperation and resilience. He said that although all homesteaders were individuals with their own goals and hopes, they cooperated for the sake of development and prosperity.

Korslund considers the homesteaders’ experience as a demonstrative example for the graduates to follow. “We benefit from the struggle of the homesteaders, and we should realize that we are not alone,” he said.

Korslund has been supportive to SCC over the years. He has been involved in the Family Resource Center and in the Resolution Center, which cooperates with courts.

“The college is wonderful,” Korslund said. “Not only does SCC perform as the institution of higher learning but it is also very beneficial for the community.”

According to Korslund, “it is gratifying to see the variety of the students who benefit from learning at SCC.”

He also highlighted the importance of the cost of community colleges, because it increases availability of getting a higher education.

Korslund said he likes hiring SCC graduates for the court work because of their professionalism and knowledge. The most recent example is Jolene Porter, an SCC alumnus, who works for the Beatrice District Court.

Korslund also expressed his delight about the exchange programs at SCC. Besides holding the Academic Transfer Program, SCC is a host college for the Global Undergraduate Exchange program (Global UGRAD), which is sponsored by the US Department of State. “I believe in foreign exchange programs. They are good,” he said.

Korslund recalled the Brown vs. Board of Education court trial. “ ‘Separate but equal’ was stated in the argument against segregation,” said Korslund, “students learn from interaction with each other therefore, student exchange programs are the benefit for everybody.”

Korslund can relate the experience of exchange students to himself as he had lived and studied in Europe for many years. “I have a multicultural background,” he marked.

Originally born in Kearney, he went to high schools in France and Germany. Korslund speaks French fluently and German partially, he said. He still keeps in touch with his friends in France. He enjoyed living in Europe but came back to Nebraska because “his home was calling for him.”

Korslund has been holding the judgeship since 1998. He also held the positions of Beatrice mayor and attorney. He graduated from the Georgetown University in 1971 and received his doctorate in law at the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Korslund was given the Nebraska Supreme Court Outstanding Judge award in 2008, which is the highest award given by the Chief Justice.

In addition to his professional career, Korslund has been an active member in various community activities. Among them was the membership in the Homestead Early Risers Kiwansis Club, where he achieved the Homestead Monument of America Pioneer Award.