NCTA buckles up new tradition

NCTA buckles up new tradition

NCTA Buckle Ceremony
NCTA Buckle Ceremony

Curtis, Neb. – Aggie students from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis won’t be sporting class rings from their alma mater any time soon.

When these graduates leave campus after two years of academic studies and collegiate teamwork, they can head home wearing a western belt buckle engraved with their name, year, and major.

“Become the Tradition” was unveiled recently at the inaugural NCTA Buckle Ceremony for 28 students, faculty, staff and alumni who ordered a customized belt buckle.

The campus is starting a new tradition.

Last fall, NCTA’s recruiting coordinator Tina Smith was brainstorming with her husband and NCTA professor Doug Smith about offering a symbolic keepsake for NCTA graduates.

They wanted something representative of the ag college; symbolic and customized for student pride in their alma mater.

“We thought about a class ring but a belt buckle seemed more appropriate for our students,” Tina Smith said.

Students in all divisions of NCTA are purchasing the buckles. This spring, several purchasers are majors from animal science, agriculture education, agronomy, agribusiness or veterinary technology.

“The buckles are absolutely gorgeous” said Haley Rogers of Lexington, who graduates on May 5, and will continue on for a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“All the hard work throughout these last two years sure has paid off,” Rogers told friends. “I will wear this buckle with pride and remember all the memories I have made here at NCTA.”

Orders will be processed each spring semester. More details will be available late fall at ncta.unl.edu.

Download a PDF of this press release