Alumni partners boost NCTA Aggie success

May 20, 2019

NCTA Dean’s Message

By Dean Ron Rosati, Ph.D.

The Aggie Alumni Association of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is gathering for its annual meeting and banquet on Saturday, June 22.

Alumni are encouraged to attend in Broken Bow at the Nebraska One Box Convention Center.

Members and guests will celebrate another successful year for our NCTA students, the campus and the alumni of the 106 years that this institution has been educating Nebraskans and others.

Last year, in Curtis, during the business meeting, the group approved an update to its charter and officially revised the organization’s name to NSA/UNSA/UNSTA/NCTA Aggie Alumni Association.

That accounts for two titles as a high school from 1913-1968, and two iterations of the college from 1965 to present.

Special recognition includes alumni awards to be presented at the 7 p.m. banquet.

Two students will be commended with “Leave Your Mark” awards.  Additionally, designations are underway for Alumni Achievement, Alumni Service and Honorary Life Member.

I look forward to sharing a Report from Campus, and congratulating new officers and board members.

Alumni initiatives

Soon, details will be announced regarding significant contributions made in honor of an alumnus from the Class of ’76.  Phase I classroom and laboratory upgrades at the Ag Mechanics building are nearly complete. Phase II improvements to the exterior of the building will later begin this year.

A second unique gift is one that community residents may have already seen at the NCTA farm fields. 

A newly constructed 6-row, no-till drill was delivered in late April to the agronomy program and farm inventory. Anson Nielsen of Minden, production ag graduate from ’99, spearheaded contributions of components and design, and then built this new planter with other volunteers and donors.

Professor Brad Ramsdale has been out in the field, testing it out and, like many, trying to get this year’s corn crop in the ground. This amazing Precision Planter® will greatly equip our crop technology!

These two projects are coupled with generous scholarship support year-round from alumni, along with special faculty recognition for excellence in teaching.

In its third year, the Bruntz Family Teaching Award was presented at the end of the academic year. The 2019 recipient is Tee Bush, professor of math and horticulture.  She also has been faculty sponsor for the Horticulture Club and co-sponsor for the Safari Club along with the Bruntz award’s first recipient, Judy Bowmaster-Cole. Congratulations to Professor Tee Bush!

David and Ann Bruntz of Friend are both graduates of the Class of ’71. They established the award in 2016 to recognize outstanding contributions by NCTA faculty to the lives of students. This annual gift honors their daughter, Julie, who received a certificate in animal care in ’03 and enjoyed her program in the Vet Tech program. Julie passed away unexpectedly in August 2016. 

Alumni such as these generous individuals are the ‘heart and soul’ of lifelong friendships forged during college. No matter the distance or geographic location of a postsecondary alma mater, alumni enjoy sharing reunions and significant milestones.

We at NCTA are grateful for their advocacy, friendship and ongoing support to our Aggie students.

Thank you to these individuals and Aggie families who are key to our NCTA campus.

Consider joining Aggie alumni in Broken Bow on June 22.  I hope to see you there!

NCTA Mission:  The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, and other credentials.

End of May events:

May 22 – Standard of Excellence Livestock Judging Camp

May 23 – West Central Youth Animal Science Field Day

May 27 – Memorial Day (offices closed)

Early June events:

05 - Robotics for Youth Workshop, 9-3, NCTA Ed Center Computer Lab

10 – NCTA Summer Session begins

10 – Bugs, Bugs, and More Bugs 4-H Workshop, 9-4, NCTA Ag Hall

10-14 - Nebraska Youth Range Camp, NCTA campus

12 – Clover Kid/Junior 4-H Horticulture Camp, 8-noon, NCTA Greenhouse