Annual Faculty and Staff Awards

By Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.

We close each year at NCTA with an event celebrating our faculty and staff members, nominated by their peers.

Excellence in Service Award

The Excellence in Service Award was presented to Roy Cole, who has served NCTA for many years in managing the farm and ranch. Roy has supervised students during both the school year and summer months, imparting his experience, knowledge, and skills. He is always willing to serve where he is needed and is recognized for his patience and ability to interact with multiple faculty members.

NCTA Community Award

This year, the NCTA Community Award winner was Sandy Wills for her longtime contributions to NCTA, the Curtis Community, and rural Nebraska above and beyond her primary responsibilities. She is a familiar face in supporting local events with baked goods, helping in the food pantry, and bringing treats to the sheriff's office and various folks on campus. Sandy even serves some of our senior community members with travel to appointments or events.

Stewart Family Faculty and Staff Award

The Stewart Family Faculty and Staff Award is a new award this year sponsored by UNSTA Alumnus Jim Stewart and his family. This award comes with a $1000 gift and was created to recognize one member of our faculty or staff that has had an extraordinary impact on the life of an NCTA student.

I was honored to present it to Jan Price in this award's inaugural year. She has made an impact on a huge number of students, always checking on students to make sure they are doing okay and if they need anything. If students are looking for answers (sometimes even Jennifer or myself), we know we can always go to Jan Price. We will place a new multi-year plaque in the Agriculture Education Center and are thrilled that Jan Price will be at the top of the list, setting the bar high for the future.

Bruntz Family Award for Teaching

The Bruntz Family Award for Teaching, along with a $1,000 gift, was awarded to Dr. Doug Smith. He has made outstanding contributions to NCTA in many ways, providing experiential learning opportunities and giving students the hands-on experiences they ask for. Doug coaches a successful livestock judging team, is the go-to on animal science among ag teachers, and represents NCTA across this state and nation by serving on numerous committees or organizations. My very first time on campus, before I had even applied for this job, I asked someone if I could get a quick tour of campus, and Doug stepped right up and offered to do so.