NCTA thanks Aggie alumnus, veteran

An Ohio native looking for opportunities after his military service came to Nebraska more than a decade ago and found them in agriculture.

In recognition of Veterans Day 2021, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture commends the service and dedication of NCTA alumnus Wade Shipman, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years.

His journey started near Beaufort, South Carolina as a recruit entering boot camp at Parris Island.

Then, eight years of infantry capacities with the 1^st Battalion, 6^th Marines sent him out and back from the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

His career path would be crafted through education in Nebraska.

About 10 years ago, a unique NCTA program entitled “From Combat Boots to Cowboy Boots” drew his attention.

“I wanted to live in, and work in, a rural area and start a beef cattle herd,” explains the 2014 NCTA agribusiness graduate.

The small-town campus and predominately rural culture was appealing. Shipman started his career in south central Nebraska as an agricultural loan officer, returning to Frontier County and the small town of his college years.

“NCTA prepared me very well for my career choice in agribusiness management and agriculture production,” says Shipman, 37, a vice president with Western Nebraska Bank, Curtis. He handles agricultural portfolios along with commercial and consumer lending.

Coupled with the banking career, Shipman is a cattleman with a beef herd expanded since trading in his combat boots for cowboy boots. Locally, he serves as leader with the Southwest Cattlemen affiliate of the Nebraska Cattlemen.

He enjoys working with business leaders as a board member of the Medicine Valley Chamber of Commerce. At NCTA, he mentors agribusiness students and is on NCTA’s Agribusiness Advisory Council.

Volunteer service at his alma mater includes the Aggie Alumni Association board. Rarely does he miss opportunities to welcome guests from the University of Nebraska on visits and programs at campus.

Shipman is a member of American Legion Carl Heath Post #95. With Medicine Valley Public School, the post observes Veterans Day Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Curtis Memorial Community Center.

This Veterans Day, however, Shipman has invitations to participate in two area programs with extra significance to his life - his military service and the beef industry.

An elementary school student asked him to attend a Veterans Day salute at Southwest High School in Bartley where he will participate in a public program.

At NCTA, the Collegiate Cattlemen asked him to serve as a panelist for a 6 p.m. program discussing Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness.

As a USMC veteran and loyal NCTA Aggie, Shipman is honored and ready to serve.