NCTA welcomes Dean Gossen

June 18, 2020

Dean’s Message from former Interim Dean Kelly Bruns, Ph.D.

CURTIS, Neb. – This week we welcome Dr. Larry Gossen as the new dean at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

Dean Gossen and his wife, Fay, moved to the NCTA campus over the weekend. They have relocated from Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Gossen has dedicated 24 years to education in Kansas as an FFA advisor, agricultural education teacher, and mentor to many youth.  He also worked with the National FFA Organization in Indianapolis.

All of us in the Cornhusker state were fortunate last August to have Dr. Gossen’s expertise and leadership join the Nebraska Department of Education as State FFA advisor. And, now we are very pleased to have Dr. Gossen as a dean within the University of Nebraska system here at NCTA.

I’m quite sure that all in the Curtis community will be equally welcoming to the Gossens. Welcome Larry and Fay!

Partners in challenging times

I’ve appreciated the kindness and support provided to me during my capacity as interim dean. And, I am grateful for the confidence that University of Nebraska vice president Mike Boehm placed in our NCTA faculty and staff during the interim period, particularly as we have faced the challenges of COVID-19.

The safety and care for our Aggie students during this time has been coupled with our mission of providing quality, affordable education to all.

We have addressed these priorities with extensive input and consultation from the leadership at the University of Nebraska, State of Nebraska and Governor Pete Ricketts, and our regional partners at the Southwest Nebraska Area Health District, among other colleagues in education.

Summer Session

In addition to Dean Gossen’s first day at NCTA, Monday also marked the start of our summer session. This 8-week program for veterinary technician students (mainly those who completed their first year in early May), brings 25 students to campus. About half of these are living in campus residence halls.

Barb Berg, Veterinary Technology Systems division chair, designed a safe atmosphere for on-site academics. Physical distancing and state-directed health measures are in place for all students, faculty and staff.

The summer session Vet Tech faculty and staff are Barb Berg, Judy Bowmaster-Cole, and Chrissy Barnhart.

NCTA transitions

I will continue serving as director of the West Central Research and Extension Center in North Platte, and will assist Dean Gossen and Associate Dean Jennifer McConville in making a smooth transition in preparation for the fall semester of programs.

We had a very successful New Student Enrollment here at campus on June 9 with 77 students and many family members coming to Curtis. A hat tip to Gaylene Stinman, admissions associate, for organizing an outstanding day. We will host a second NSE day on July 7, and it is open all prospective, new and transfer students.

Fall enrollment is active, with many new students looking forward to joining the Aggie family at Curtis. It is a privilege to share the story of our appealing, safe and welcoming “Small Campus, Small Town.”

I am grateful to the Curtis community, our students and alumni, and all industry partners for the positive experience I have had as interim dean.  Thank you, and as always, Go Aggies!

Part of the University of Nebraska system, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a two-year institution with a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology and related industries. NCTA is known for its affordable tuition, high job-placement rate for its graduates, and for the success of student teams in numerous competitive activities including crops judging, ranch horse events, livestock judging, shotgun sports, stock dog trials, and intercollegiate rodeo. The college is consistently ranked as one of the best two-year schools in the nation.