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, 2025 to:
Dave May, Aggie Alumni Secretary/Awards Committee Chair, mayville_dk@hotmail.com
Aggie Alumni Award Recipients
2025
Dave Smith, Distinguished/Legacy Award
Blaine Wilson, Alumni Achievement Award
Barbara Weitz, Alumni Service Award
Dr. Larry Gossen, Honorary Life Membership
Nathaly Dragoo, Leave Your Mark Award
2024
Duane Chub Klein, Distinguished/Legacy Award
Chuck Hatzenbuhler, Alumni Service Award
Mo Khamouna, Honorary Life Membership
Allison Wilkens, Leave Your Mark Award
2023
Steve Wellman, Alumni Achievement Award
Anson Neilson, Alumni Service Award
Clyde & Kristi Cranwell, Honorary Life Membership
2022
No awards presented
2021
Gary Lee Troester, Distinguished/Legacy Award
Buzz Cole, Alumni Service Award
Del & 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