After announcing his retirement last year from the counseling center, Mr. Tim Ernst, was asked to return as a substitute for Southwest during the spring semester. His return was prompted by the departure of Mrs. Lindsey Augustine, who is taking maternity leave. 

“During retirement, I worked at the university (UNL) as an academic advisor,” Ernst said. “There was no real student contact, it was pretty much all through email. I just missed the direct contact and seeing the kid’s faces.” 

Students are also happy to have a familiar face back in the building. 

“He was my absolute favorite counselor. All the way through volleyball season he was one of our biggest supporters,” senior Emerson Lionberger said. “Even though Augustine’s not here right now, there’s no better replacement than Ernst.” 

When he retired, his student base was spread out to other counselors, including Mr. Logan Waite, a new counselor, who joined Southwest this year following Ernst’s retirement.  

“Being able to learn from him, taking over his students, is like replacing a legend, which is nearly impossible to do,” Waite said. “He’s a great guy to work with.”