Spring brings Aggie rewards
NCTA Dean's Message
By Dean Larry Gossen, Ph.D.
An old football field at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is a wonderful open, green space across from Agriculture Hall.
Looking out from the second- and third-floor classrooms and offices of Ag Hall, I can envision a venue which once hosted hundreds of football games, graduations, and public celebrations of the “Curtis Aggies.”
Today, a community garden plot occupies the southwest corner. A few trees line the western edge. Often, I see students playing flag football or tossing frisbees for a dog or two.
In three short weeks, for the first time in many years, our graduating Class of 2021 will stride onto the field for an outdoor commencement at 1:30 p.m. on May 6. Please join us for this public celebration as University of Nebraska President Ted Carter, Vice President Mike Boehm, and Regent Bob Phares honor our NCTA Aggie graduates.
Our final push this semester is filled with many rewards for current and prospective students. Here are a few examples:
On the Road Again: Aggie traveling teams are headed to regional contests this weekend. The Stock Dog Team hosts its public trial on Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds in Stockville. The Livestock Judging and Crops Teams are going to Hutchinson, Kansas for contests. Aggie Rodeo has its spring opener at Black Hills State in Spearfish, S.D. A barrel racing clinic with instructor Jeanne Mueller will be here at the indoor arena of the NCTA Livestock Teaching Center on campus.
Nebraska Promise: Free tuition at NCTA is available to Nebraska students whose families have annual income of $60,000 or less. President Carter extended the application period from April 1 to May 1 so families could complete the federal online application called FAFSA. For details about this financial aid and other scholarships, see https://ncta.unl.edu/scholarships-and-financial-aid-programs.
Glenn Jurgens scholarship: Many scholarships exist for NCTA students through NCTA Financial Aid and the University of Nebraska Foundation. One available to incoming freshmen and current students is the Glenn Jurgens Memorial Scholarship provided by George and Carol Garlick. The application deadline is April 26 for the $1,000 scholarship. The application and details can be found at https://ncta.unl.edu/scholarships-0.
New Student Enrollment: Students who have been accepted through application to NCTA and are coming to campus this fall will have their first opportunity for on-site enrollment on April 20. This day provides down payments for housing, classes, parking permits and ordering textbooks. We look forward to greeting our new, incoming Aggies next week!
May Intercession: We are offering a new “intercession” program for three weeks in May. Earn college credits on campus for in-person coursework May 10-28 in Accounting I with Professor Mary Rittenhouse or Livestock Breeding with Professor Doug Smith. Housing and meal plans are available at campus. For more specifics on the courses, contact instructor mrittenhouse2@unl.edu or doug.smith@unl.edu. For new students making application to NCTA, or to enroll in a course, contact Gaylene Stinman at gstinman2@unl.edu or call 308-367-5267.
Summer/Fall Schedule:
The academic schedule for summer classes is June 14-August 6. Campus offices at NCTA are open year-round and staff will be available for questions and conversations on enrollment, recruiting, housing, student services, financial aid and business matters. The Fall semester begins on August 23.
Dual Credit Programs:
High school juniors and seniors with a 3.0 grade point average may enroll in programs which provide concurrent credits at NCTA and high school. A reduced tuition rate is $69.50 per credit hour (half of the typical rate of $139). This fall, 11 classes will be available for dual credits. I recommend students communicate this spring with their high school to ensure eligibility. Applications can be made at any time by August 27. For details, see https://ncta.unl.edu/dual-credit-and-agricultural-academies
NCTA Events:
April 17-18: NCTA Stock Dog Trials, 8:30 a.m. daily, Frontier County Fairgrounds, Stockville
April 17-18: Jeanne Mueller Barrel Racing Clinic, NCTA Livestock Teaching Center arena
April 20: NCTA New Student Enrollment Day, Education Center
April 22: Curtis Community Clean Up, 5-7 p.m., Meet at Curtis City Park
May 6: NCTA Graduation, 1:30 p.m., Football field south of Ag Hall
June 26: Aggie Alumni Day, 10 a.m., Registration, 11:30 a.m. Luncheon, program
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 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.