Aggie Alumni Association Awards

On October 30, 2009, the NSA-UNSA-UNSTA-NCTA Alumni Association board of directors approved an awards program to recognize outstanding Alumni each year. The Association would honor graduates who applied their Aggie education to achieve excellence and recognize individuals or entities dedicating extraordinary support to the school/college. Four award areas were adopted:

Alumni Achievement – Recognizes exemplary service to NSA, UNSA, UNSTA, or NCTA or to Nebraska agriculture and natural resources. The honoree must have completed a degree at NSA, UNSA, UNSTA or NCTA.

Alumni Service – For outstanding service to NSA, UNSA, UNSTA, or NCTA. The recipient need not be a graduate.

Honorary Life Membership – For outstanding service to Nebraska’s agriculture or natural resources; recipient is not an alumnus.

Distinguished/Legacy Award – Recognizes personal or professional excellence in advancing the legacy of NSA, UNSA, UNSTA or NCTA, or for demonstrating exemplary commitment, leadership, and participation bringing distinction to themselves, their profession, the technical college, or to the University of Nebraska.

Leave Your Mark Award – (Established 2017) Awarded to an Aggie student for outstanding service to NCTA and the campus community while attending NCTA. For campus contributions, promotional or achievement efforts (primarily volunteer), exceeding expectations of student experience or employment.

Awards Process and Nominations

Award recipients will be selected by an Aggie Alumni Association committee. Nominations can be made by anyone who feels a candidate is qualified for recognition. Not all award categories need be selected annually. Nominations should include the following:

Award Category; Individual’s name; Graduate’s class year and major (if alumnus); Narrative of nominee’s achievements; Summary statement for award and press release; Contact details of nominee with current mailing address; and Nominator’s name and contact phone and email. (Limit to 2 pages, please)

Selected recipients will be honored at the annual banquet or an appropriate public event. With the recognition, honorees will receive a personal plaque and have their name inscribed to a Hall of Fame plaque on campus.

Submit nominations by April 1, 2024 to:
Dan Stehlik, Aggie Alumni Secretary/Awards Committee Chair, dstehlik2@unl.edu (308) 367-5241
Or mail to NCTA c/o Dan Stehlik, 404 E. 7th Street, Curtis NE 69025

Aggie Alumni Award recipients

2023



2022

2021

  • Steve Wellman, Alumni Achievment Award
    Anson Neilson, Alumni Service Award
    Clyde & Kristi Cranwell, Honorary Life Membership

    No awards presented

    Gary Lee Troester, Distinguished/Legacy Award
    Buzz Cole, Alumni Service Award
    Del and Bev Van der Werff, Alumni Service Award

2020

  • No annual meeting

2019

  • Joan R. Ruskamp, Alumni Achievement Award
    Gary R. Hansen Family, Alumni Service Award (posthumous)
    Dr. Ron Rosati, Honorary Life Membership
    Lucas Kolterman & Paige Twohig, Leave Your Mark Award

2018

  • Conrad H. Nelson, Distinguished/Legacy Award
    Boni Perks Edwards, Alumni Achievement Award
    Reinke Manufacturing Co., Inc., Alumni Service Award
    Dr. Mike Boehm, Honorary Life Membership

2017

  • Jo Bek, Distinguished/Legacy Award
    Barbara Berg, Alumni Achievement Award
    Mervin R. Eighmy Foundation, Alumni Service Award
    Bill and Judy Nutt, Honorary Life Membership
    Andrea Burkhardt, Leave Your Mark Award

2016

  • Gene Heller, Alumni Service Award
    Stan and Dorothy Matzke, Honorary Life Membership

2015

  • Jerry Sundquist, Distinguished/Legacy Award
    David and Ann Bruntz, Alumni Achievement
    Dr. Martin Massengale, Honorary Life Membership

2014

  • Dave Smith, Honorary Life Membership
    Mike Stewart, Alumni Achievement Award (posthumous)
    Dr. Walter Long, Distinguished/Legacy Award (posthumous)

2013

  • R.P. Smith, Distinguished/Legacy Award

2012

  • Community of Curtis, Alumni Service Award

2011

  • Richard and Marilyn Shinn, Alumni Service Award
    Dr. George Garlick, Distinguished/Legacy Award

2010

  • Elaine Siminoe, Alumni Service Award
    Dr. Weldon Sleight, Honorary Life Membership Award