Community Award for Service

By NCTA News

Community service volunteer and campus mentor well describe the many contributions of Mary Rittenhouse.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture recognized Rittenhouse, a Curtis resident and associate professor of Agriculture Business Management, with the NCTA Community Award.

“Mary’s contributions to our campus community are invaluable,” said Larry Gossen, NCTA dean. “Time and time again, she gives of herself to assist others in Curtis and here with our campus family.”

Rittenhouse is a mentor to business students and others, particularly encouraging students as they develop and pursue their goals as entrepreneurs and business managers in agricultural enterprises.

This year she taught microeconomics, macroeconomics, business statistics, accounting, and management courses. She also co-taught the agriculture capstone class with Joanna Hergenreder and interacts with students from many of NCTA’s academic areas.

In conjunction with her busy teaching programs, Rittenhouse manages the Aggie Store located in Ag Hall and guides student workers in that capacity.

Rittenhouse is faculty sponsor for the Business Club and Women in Agriculture. She is known for her culinary skills and thoughtful gifts of appreciation.

Since moving to Curtis and joining the faculty in 2015, Rittenhouse participates in economic development and community projects such as the Medicine Valley Chamber of Commerce, Fall Festival, the Star Theater volunteer programs, and the annual Game Feed for the St. James Catholic Church.

Previously, Rittenhouse was on the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Kearney and had been an economic education specialist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

The fall semester begins her 21^st year as an educator with the University of Nebraska system.