NCTA's next crop of Aggies
August 23, 2016
by Ron Rosati, PhD
In agriculture, we plan for and manage our enterprises with the seasons of the year and so goes the operating cycle for our college.
The 2016-2017 schoolyear at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture officially launched Monday with a campus full of enthusiast individuals.
What an amazing “planting season” we have initiated again here in Curtis, complete with all the valued inputs and resources necessary to establish and nourish this new crop of first-year students.
Welcome new and returning Aggies!
We tried something new for 2016, and that was to bring our freshmen and new students to campus a day earlier than in the past, asking them to move into the three residence halls last Friday. And move in they did!
Parking lots were full of pickups, trailers, cars packed to the brim, livestock trailers and even U-hauls as dozens of volunteers helped unload and cart possessions into the residence halls.
It was exhilarating to meet so many new friends and their families, some who traveled long distances to come to Curtis. One mother and daughter drove more than 1,000 miles over three days to haul horses and a load of college furnishings.
Entire families came to town, helping their family member unload everything from refrigerators to specially-crafted storage racks for cowboy hats in some instances. They unpacked, assembled beds, shelving and study nooks in the dorm rooms, and furnished each living space unique to the student.
Parents also participated in orientation sessions and meals here on campus, before bidding farewell Friday evening and leaving their young adult to begin the next phase of their life journey.
Thank you, parents and families, for entrusting your loved ones to our academic and residential life environment here in Curtis. We take our role seriously, and have ensured a solid basis for these new students with a thorough orientation and introduction to campus life as an NCTA Aggie.
Each of our staff and faculty and their family members are extended family in our small rural community. The entire community of Curtis, from local churches to service organizations such as the Rotary Club, extended their hospitality to welcome college students.
I join our associate dean Jennifer McConville in applauding our entire staff for making opening weekend a huge success. From food service, facilities, maintenance, and IT who perform so much of the behind-the-scenes support to the campus, to our faculty, staff assistants, student services and residential life out on the front lines, NCTA operated as a well-maintained machine.
My salute goes to each employee of our institution and to their families who continue the Curtis Aggie tradition of serving and educating Nebraska’s young people in agriculture.
Our campus is open to visitors. I welcome you and your family to stop by our Welcome Center at the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center and say hello, and become acquainted with NCTA.
Here’s to a successful Fall season!
Upcoming Events:
Aug. 22-26 – First week of fall classes
Aug. 26- Sept. 5 – NCTA outreach at the Nebraska State Fair
Aug. 30 – Final day to drop classes with full refund
Sept. 4 – Stock Dog practice, LTC arena, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Labor Day, offices closed
NCTA Mission:
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, food and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, diplomas and other credentials.