A season of gratitude

A season of gratitude

NCTA students Aaliyah Segura of Scottsbluff, left, and Courtney Anderson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at Aggie Dining before their holiday break. (Photo by NCTA student Annie Bassett)
NCTA students Aaliyah Segura of Scottsbluff, left, and Courtney Anderson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at Aggie Dining before their holiday break. (Photo by NCTA student Annie Bassett)

Nov. 26, 2019

NCTA Dean’s Message

By Interim Dean Kelly Bruns, Ph.D.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture!

We are thankful for the bounty of agriculture, education, families, friends and the generosity of our neighbors in Frontier County.

Our college is grateful for the kind, respectful and caring individuals who surround us each day. You can imagine that students who are far from home, in particular, and who do not get a chance to return home very often certainly miss their close friends and loved ones.

We appreciate the welcoming families, churches, organizations, and local businesses who make Curtis a home-away-from-home for many students.

Several Aggies gathered Monday to share Thanksgiving thoughts and messages which they also recorded for a radio greeting to be broadcast on Thanksgiving Day:

  • Drayden Bellamy, Kearney, animal science:  “I am thankful for my education.”
  • Sophie Nutter, Wilcox, ag business: “I am thankful for my dog.”
  • Jackson Taylor, Sargent, ag business: “I am thank for my friends.”
  • Tucker Hodsden, Lyman, mechanized ag systems: “I am thankful for my family.”
  • Trisha Fox, Stuart, ag business: “I am thankful for the opportunity to receive a college education.”
  • Nathan Burnett, Shelton, livestock management: “I am thankful for the sport of rodeo.”
  • Jacki Sjulin, Omaha, veterinary technology: “I am thankful for teachers.”

Mary Rittenhouse, division chair of Agribusiness Management Systems here at NCTA, organized this outreach effort, and also shared:

“From the rest of all of the faculty, staff and students here at NCTA we wish you a harvest of blessings, good health, and good times. Happy Thanksgiving!”

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Nearly two weeks ago, five NCTA students traveled to western Nebraska in advance of an educational forum called the Range Beef Cow Symposium.

The event which rotates to host states of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota was convening Nov. 18-20 at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell, Nebraska.

Mitchell is the hometown of Jacob Jenkins, NCTA freshman livestock industry management major. He is a close friend of another freshman animal science major who, coincidentally, is Jake Jenkins (no relation) of Kimball.

With classmates Avery Bermel, Luci Overweg and Jo Cee Johnston, the Jenkins pair traveled to Mitchell and were hosted for the weekend and during the three-day conference by Jacob’s family.

“This group of students were a tremendous help to us,” said symposium organizer Dr. Karla Wilke, beef systems specialist with the University of Nebraska. She also is Jake’s mother and called upon the Aggies when she needed some helpers.

The five set up cattle panels and working facilities in one of the barns, rearranged for a second demonstration, set up displays at the Event Center, decorated the presentation platform, and other odd jobs.

Thank you to Jacob's parents, Robyn and Jeff, for hosting several of our Aggies. We are glad the students could lend a hand and help our partners in at the University of Nebraska Animal Science Department and Nebraska Extension.  Go Aggies!

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NCTA’s campus community can lend a helping hand this season by making a child’s holiday brighter with toys and warm clothing.

Professor Rittenhouse has organized campus Toys for Tots and Clothes for Tots collection points for donations in Frontier County and to Hometown Christmas events on December 12th.

New or gently used toys are needed along with warm gifts of coats, mittens, hats, gloves and scarves for all ages of children. The season of gratitude extends from our campus home to our local families.

From all of the faculty, staff and students here at NCTA we wish you a harvest of blessings, good health, and good times. Happy Thanksgiving!

NCTA is devoted to a statewide mission of preparing students for successful careers in agriculture, veterinary technology, and related industries. The college provides open access to innovative technical education resulting in associate degrees, certificates, and other credentials.

Upcoming events

Nov. 27-29:  NCTA student break for Thanksgiving

Nov. 28-29:  NCTA offices closed

Dec. 2:  Classes resume

Dec. 3: 4-H and Girl Scout Computers, 6-8 p.m., Ed Center

Dec. 5: Curtis Rotary meeting, 12-1 p.m., Ed Center

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