Hard-working horseman is Aggie of the Month

April 4, 2019                                                      

By Jocelyn Kennicutt, NCTA News

Damian Wellman, a third-year student from Prairie View, Kansas, has been named the NCTA Aggie of the Month for March.

The honor was announced this week by Ron Rosati, dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

The livestock management major is eligible to graduate from NCTA in May, and may return for another semester. He would like to study agricultural business at Montana State University.

Aside from his busy academic load at NCTA, Wellman is also a student employee on campus serving as a resident assistant in Aggie Central residence hall.

Plus, he works with the NCTA farm crew, caring for livestock, feeding animals, operating equipment and doing any farm chores necessary to keep the agricultural campus operating smoothly.

When not working, he is often in the saddle, riding his horse, Lil Bay, at the campus pastures or at the indoor arena, and competes with the NCTA Ranch Horse Team.

Wellman was nominated for the Aggie of the Month honor by Catherine Hauptman, executive assistant to NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.  She has seen his “compassion for people” and “dedication to his academics.”

“He always has a smile, is polite, and he will go out of his way to help anyone,” Hauptman says. “Damian displays good character, hard work ethic, and is humble, kind, and always willing to lend a hand.”

Jennifer McConville, assistant dean, smiled in agreement during a conversation last month in the NCTA Dean’s Office.

“I can always count on Damian for helping on campus,” McConville said. “He is a great all-around student.”

After receiving a baccalaureate degree, Wellman has bigger plans for his career as a horseman.

“I would like to work on a bigger ranch and help start colts (training them for ranch work),” he said. “It would also be cool to do some equine chiropractic work or be a farrier.”

Wellman will remember NCTA fondly.

“It has been a very personal college experience with a friendly faculty that benefits all students,” Wellman said.

As the March Aggie of the Month, he will receive a certificate from the Dean’s Office for his dedication and positive impact on campus.

Note:  Jocelyn Kennicutt is an NCTA student communication assistant and animal science major.