A successful 2018 at NCTA

January 3, 2019

By NCTA Dean Ron Rosati, Ph.D.

Welcoming the New Year and reflection at year-end brings many images and memories to the fore of our students and campus activities at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

 Our NCTA Aggie students, staff and faculty had another highly successful year.

 An overview of 2018 includes a few of many highlights:

January –

• Rosa Jurado of Omaha is Aggie of the Month
• Industry partnerships kick off the New Year with Nebraska Extension and NCTA as hosts for Aggie students at the statewide sorghum growers symposium

February –

• Sadie Christensen of Arnold is Aggie of the Month
• NCTA announces a partnership agreement with Mississippi State University for poultry science

March –

• Kallie Hilker of Cambridge is the Aggie of the Month
• NCTA welcomes Erica Arambula of Wyoming as Residence Life Manager
• NCTA celebrates its vital role in the University of Nebraska system through academic and student enhancement, and workforce development as “One Nebraska, One University”

April –

• NCTA students showcase exceptional technical competence as the #2 two-year college at NACTA (a national contest with agricultural colleges)
• NCTA Aggies are National Champions in crops judging for a third consecutive year
• Aggie faculty and students help “Make it Count” as they assist contests and judging for FFA members from 184 chapters at the 90^th Annual Nebraska State FFA Convention in Lincoln

May –

• Sadie Christensen of Arnold is 2018 Aggie of the Year
• State Sen. Dan Hughes is commencement speaker at NCTA graduation
• Class valedictorian Nate Letcher and salutatorian Riley Abbott are both of Hay Springs
• Joanna Hergenreder is honored for excellence with the Bruntz Family Teaching Award
• NCTA and the Curtis community host 48 students from Rwanda for agricultural courses through the CASNR Undergraduate Scholars Program (CUSP)

June –

• New staff named for NCTA recruiting are Emily Griffiths and Juliana Krotz Kroeger
• Aggie Alumni Association hosts 90 for its reunion and banquet in Curtis. Alumni scholarships go to KayLee Rasmussen, Burwell; Cole Sundquist, Ainsworth; and Shayla Woracek, Maxwell

July –

• A 5-year strategic plan is being compiled by faculty and staff, coordinated by Dr. Brad Ramsdale
• With Board of Regents approval, NCTA is able to institute one tuition rate of $131.50 per credit hour beginning in the fall semester for all students, residents and out-of-state Aggies
• NCTA reports workforce development is a key initiative, with 90 percent of Aggie graduates staying to work and live in Nebraska

August –

• Forbes tabs NCTA 16^th among the nation’s Top 25 Trade Schools
• Zippia.Com ranks NCTA alumni with highest post-graduate earnings 10 years after graduation as the top college among Nebraska’s 2-year colleges, and among highest in the nation

September–

• Fall semester enrollment of 275 fulltime students is a 23-year-record high
• Hanna Christner of Cheyenne, Wyoming is Aggie of the Month
• Aggie teams compete in Ranch Horse, Stock Dog, Rodeo, Shooting Sports and Livestock Evaluation
• NCTA hosts the Class of ’68 reunion – the last high school graduating class from 55 years as Nebraska School of Agriculture or the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture

October –

• Rebekah Daniels of Mullen is Aggie of the Month
• NCTA greets 63,000 FFA students at the 91^st Annual National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. Ten Aggies receive American Farmer degrees

November –

• The Aggie campus observes the inaugural “Countdown to Kindness” with acts of gratitude and kindness, plus gifts to the Frontier County Food Pantry
• Rebecca Saddler of Aurora is Aggie of the Month

December –

• Congratulations to 12 Aggies completing their NCTA careers in December
• Paige Twohig of Wilcox is Aggie of the Month

We greatly appreciate our many NCTA Aggie partners who provide leadership and support to mentor and guide our students as they pursue careers in agriculture or veterinary technology.

Thank you, all, and Happy New Year!

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

January Events:

4 – Statewide Advisory Council, Ag Education Center

7 – Classes resume