NCTA Commencement is May 4 in Curtis

April 20, 2017

By NCTA News                                                                                     

CURTIS, Neb. – A Nebraskan who is a lifelong agriculturist and industry leader will deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2017 at the University of Nebraska’s College of Technical Agriculture.

Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, will be the keynote speaker for the Class of 2017 Aggie graduates of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, announced NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.

The ceremony is May 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, 201 Garlick Avenue.

Ibach, who also operates a farming enterprise near Sumner, will join University of Nebraska Regent Bob Phares and Mike Boehm, Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the ceremony.

“I appreciate Director Ibach sharing his wisdom with our graduates. He will be presenting to a group of young people who are hard-working, well-educated, and eager to beginning a career in agriculture,” said Dean Rosati.

The all-agriculture institution will recognize students with associates of science or associates of applied science degrees, as well as certificates in 1-year programs such as irrigation technology.

Nearly 100 degrees and certificates will be conferred, said Jennifer McConville, associate dean for Finance, Operations and Student Services.

“We have had an outstanding group of students on campus again this year,” McConville said. “We appreciate that they chose NCTA for their college education and are excited to see them excel in agriculture.”

Ibach has served as Nebraska’s agriculture director since June 2005, receiving the appointment from Governor Dave Heineman after spending six and a half years as assistant director.

“We appreciate the excellent rapport we’ve enjoyed with Director Ibach as well as the valuable resources and support of our friends at the Nebraska Department of Agriculture,” Rosati said.

Ibach, his family and employees maintain a cow-calf and grain operation near Sumner in central Nebraska. He shuttles between the farm and Lincoln regularly, along with his work duties traveling throughout Nebraska. Prior to starting his farming enterprises, Ibach worked for Farm Credit Services.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from the University of Nebraska with majors in animal science and agricultural economics. He and his wife, Teresa, have three children, and all are graduates of UNL.

For more information, see http://ncta.unl.edu or call 1-800-3CURTIS.