Campus-to-campus tailgate for Aggies

NCTA Dean's Message by Larry Gossen Ph.D.

Aggie alumni from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis will be gathering at an ag campus next month.

However, the November 19 East Campus confab will not be at tailgates of pickup trucks lined in a parking lot. Rather, NCTA alumni and friends will meet and mingle inside the spacious animal science complex of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

I am looking forward to this grand occasion. Graduates from the Curtis campus will be hosted by our Aggie Alumni Association and UNL Animal Science program at the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR)-based campus.

David Fulton, UNSTA ’80 Agribusiness, serves as president of Aggie Alumni. He confirms plenty of Aggies are also Husker fans and are gearing up for the final “East Campus Tailgate” of the 2022 season.

As Aggie Alumni, you were mailed a Tailgate postcard in September. The indoor event will begin four (4) hours ahead of kickoff for the Nebraska Huskers and Wisconsin Badgers football game.

Although we might not know start time until the Monday prior to the game, I can assure you the Aggies and Husker alumni will be there. See details at https://ianr.unl.edu/tailgate.

The Aggie Alumni Association started plans for the event in June, during its virtual annual meeting. The board had voted in February to host an Alumni Reunion at Curtis in alternating years (next in 2023), and to rotate alumni activities around Nebraska on travel years. Thus, the football tailgate on Nov. 19, 2022.

Additionally, to encourage greater involvement by alumni, the board voted in June to waive a membership fee for 2022. Attendance at the tailgate is free of charge, as well, and open to the public.

Alumni are asked to update their contact information so we can communicate from NCTA campus through email and electronic newsletters. (See https://ncta.unl.edu/aggie-alumni and look for the mailbox icon).

Tailgate pre-registration is not required, but it will be helpful for Aggie Alumni’s planning.  Watch for updates at the address above.

Aggie Program

The Aggie Alumni Association will have a brief recognition program during the tailgate. They will recognize college alumni and NCTA supporters who are nominated for 2022 Alumni Awards.

To submit nominations by Nov. 1, see details at https://ncta.unl.edu/2022-aggie-alumni-association-awards. Nominations go to Alumni Secretary and Awards Chairman Dan Stehlik.

The board has invited Aggie scholarships recipients for 2022 to be recognized along with their parents who are graduates of NCTA. Students are Ellie Jarecke of Culbertson, Trevor Schneider of Cozad, and Konnor Thompson of Lawrence.

Ellie Jarecke completed her NCTA program in Agriculture Education and transferred to UNL’s East Campus this fall to study for her Bachelor of Science degree, also in Agriculture Education. Her goal is to teach in a Nebraska classroom and continue involvement with FFA. Her father, Theron Jarecke, graduated from NCTA in 1998.

Trevor Schneider and Konnor Thompson are current Aggie students, studying Agronomy and Diversified Agricultural Management, respectively. Trevor’s father, Ryan Schneider, graduated in 1997. Both of Konnor’s parents are Aggie graduates, Kent Thompson in 1997, and Sara Buescher Thompson in 1998.

Congratulations to these three families for their college legacies at NCTA in Curtis.

The Aggie Alumni are now taking applications for spring semester scholarships for up to three recipients. Applications are due Nov. 8 to the NCTA Dean’s Office.

Grateful for alumni leaders

My appreciation to Alumni officers President David Fulton of Pleasanton, Vice President Steven Stettner of Palmer, Secretary Dan Stehlik of Curtis, and Treasurer Wade Shipman of Curtis.

Board members are Ann and David Bruntz, Friend; Boni Perks Edwards, North Platte; Gene Heller, David City; Dave May, Bennett; Dave Mahaffey, Burwell; and Linda Ramos, Valentine.

Ex Officio board members are Josi Arnold, NCTA Dean’s Office, Curtis; Larry Gossen, NCTA Dean, Curtis and Kristin Houska, NU Foundation, Lincoln.

We look forward to our gathering in Lincoln! Whether you attend the Husker-Badgers game or not, please do join the fun and socializing for this “campus to campus” get together.

NCTA Events:

Oct. 20:  Michelle Harcha, DVM, Leading with Emotional Intelligence, public program, 7 p.m., Ed Center

Oct. 21-22:  Veterinary Technology Continuing Education, Ed Center

Oct. 21-22:  Aggie Rodeo to Buena Vista University, Alta, Iowa

Oct. 22-23:  NCTA Shotgun Sports, Colorado State University, Brighton

Oct. 23:  Stock Dog Trial, NCTA students and alumni, LTC Arena

Oct. 24, 26-28:  NCTA to College Fairs at nine Omaha-area high schools

Oct. 26-28:  National FFA Expo, NCTA at Collegiate Connection, Booth #2604, Indianapolis

Nov. 11:  Aggie Alumni Award nominations due to Mr. Dan Stehlik, Alumni secretary

Nov. 19:  Aggie Alumni Association East Campus Tailgate, UNL Animal Science Complex, 3940 Fair Street

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.