This past Saturday, our campus at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture felt more alive than ever. Aggies came home from near and far for Aggie Alumni Day, filling every corner of Curtis with laughter, hugs, and memories that seemed to pick up right where they left off. It reminded us, once again, that NCTA is so much more than a college. It’s a community, a place where connections begin, and where they keep growing, year after year.
We watched old friends embrace, swapping stories of late nights in the dorms, weekend ski trips, and the pizza shops that once lined main street. Some alumni hadn’t walked these halls in over twenty years, and the pride in their faces as they saw how their college has grown was inspiring. Their bright smiles captured exactly why NCTA matters: this is where careers in agriculture and animal care take root, and where lifelong friendships and values are built.
The day was filled with moments that made us proud. Alums gathered for a board meeting and joined us for a heartfelt lunch program, where scholarships were presented to current students, Mason Semler and Tristan Martin. That afternoon, alumni participated in a golf tournament fundraiser, a silent auction, and opportunities to tour the campus. From the Livestock Teaching Center and Veterinary Technology building to the mechanics shops and residence halls, every stop sparked stories only Aggies could tell.
When the evening banquet arrived, we celebrated Aggies who have made a lasting difference. Awards were presented to Blaine Wilson (Alumni Achievement), Barbara Weitz (Alumni Service), Dr. Larry Gossen (Honorary Life Membership), Dave Smith (Distinguished/Legacy), and Nathaly Dragoo (Leave Your Mark). It was a powerful reminder that what starts here doesn’t stay here. It spreads out into communities across the nation. Following awards, updates from Dr. Kelly Bruns, NCTA Interim Executive Director, and Kristen Houska, Director of Development for the University of Nebraska, highlighted how NCTA’s future continues to grow with purpose and heart.
In the end, what stood out the most was simple: our alumni mean everything to us. They are far more than graduates. They are our champions, our storytellers, our recruiters, and the reason NCTA thrives. Their support lights the way for the next generation of Aggies; without them, this college would not be what it is today.
To every Aggie who joined us, thank you. You showed us that in a world looking for doers, builders, and problem-solvers, what begins here doesn’t stay here. It grows.
