Curtis, NE –The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) celebrated the graduation of the class of 2025, with 83 students receiving diplomas or certificates on May 8. These included December, May, and August graduates. Of the 83 graduates, 67 proudly walked across the Curtis Community Center stage at the commencement ceremony, while many others were already employed or unable to attend.
Graduates by academic program earning associate degrees included 45 in Agriculture Production Systems, 21 in Veterinary Technology, and 9 in Agribusiness; 34 certificates were granted in Animal Health, Equine Training, Irrigation Technician, Welding, Ag Chemical Application, and more.
This year's graduating class included 33 honor students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher. Leah Schutz of Elwood was named valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 GPA, while Bailey Holtmeier of Tobias was the salutatorian, closely following with an outstanding academic record. Leah returns to her family farm as a valuable asset, having achieved remarkable success in national agronomy contests. Bailey continues her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL).
NCTA Dean Larry Gossen welcomed the graduates, attendees, and honored guests and noted, "As always, I am excited to see another crop of Aggies cross the stage and be recognized for all your hard work. This class was another exceptional class that took their education seriously. You are destined to be great additions to the agricultural industry in Nebraska or wherever you land."
Dr. Gossen introduced those present on stage, including University of Nebraska representatives: Kathy Wilmot, Regent; Barbara Weitz, Regent; Dr. Jennifer McConville, NCTA Associate Dean; Dr. Jeff Gold, University President; Dr. Chris Kratochvil, Interim Vice President for External Relations; and Dr. Mike Boehm, Vice President and IANR Vice Chancellor.
President Gold was introduced to the podium and thanked leadership, faculty, friends, and families for supporting the graduates. He urged graduates to cherish this turning point in their lives as a moment of reflection and to thank those who supported them. Dr. Gold honored graduates by saying, "Higher education is not the easiest thing in the world, as you've figured out, and your willingness to obtain and successfully complete a degree is critically important." and continued, "Whatever path you choose, the tools in your tool chest gathered here at NCTA are enduring. Your education will never be able to be taken away from you. It is the most powerful thing in your life."
Dr. Boehm was introduced to the podium and offered an encouraging message on Nebraska agriculture and words of appreciation for the graduates and their families. Dr. Boehm then acknowledged Dr. Larry Gossen's forthcoming retirement. He thanked Larry and his wife, Fay, for five years of service and presented him with a Certificate of Emeritus Dean of NCTA.
Dr. Boehm introduced Regent Barbara Weitz, sharing her deep history with higher education and recent transformation gift to NCTA for a new Student Success and Activity Center. Regent Weitz offered a heartfelt message of admiration for the college, reflecting upon when she first visited and witnessed a hands-on learning experience in the veterinary technology classroom. She was impressed with the friendliness on campus and the uniqueness of the college ranch horse and stock dog teams. She admires how college has evolved over the past century, encouraged kindness, and concluded that she "left her heart in Curtis, Nebraska."
Dr. Jennifer McConville recognized 12 graduates as Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Members, 19 earning Cum Laude (3.5-3.74 GPA), 13 graduates achieving Magna Cum Laude (3.73-3.99 GPA), and one earning Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA.
Dr. Gossen presented the candidates, and Dr. Mike Boehm conferred degrees to graduates. They received diplomas for Associate of Science degrees or Associate of Applied Science degrees in Agribusiness Management Systems (AMS), Agricultural Production Systems (APS), or Veterinary Technology Systems (VT)—certificates awarded in noted specialty areas.
Spring 2025 Graduates (Nebraska cities, unless otherwise noted)
Auburn - Triston Perry, AAS APS
Bailey, CO - Sean Lucas, AAS APS
Bayard - Zoie Clause, AS APS
Benkelman - Chase Weise, AAS APS
Blair - Lexington Jones, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Bowdle, SD - Billie Jo Hoffman, Equine Training Mgt Cert.
Campbell - Alexis Wengler, AAS ABM
Carr, CO - Kaden Erickson, Ag Welding Cert.
Cloutierville, LA - Sydney Masson, AAS VT
Curtis - Jeffrey Myers, AAS APS
Curtis - Fatiha Elwahbi, AAS AMS
Curtis - Milla Farr, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Dayton, NV - Parker Story, AAS APS
Deltona, FL - Jennifer Eichenberger, AAS APS
Detroit, MI - Ava Matthes, AAS APS, AAS AMS
Dighton, KS - Makenzie Doris, AAS APS, AAS VT, Equine Training Cert.
Doniphan - Kendyl Brummund, AAS VT
Elwood - Leah Schutz, AAS APS
Erie, CO - Abigail Johnson, AAS APS, Equine Training Mgt Cert.
Fairbanks, AK - Elsa Eager, AAS VT
Faith, SD - Mia Hermes, AAS APS, Agribusiness Mgt Cert.
Franklin, GA - Halle Hicks, AAS APS
Genoa, CO -Tailyn Thompson, AAS APS
Gordon - Stella Wegner, AAS APS
Grand Island - Owen Harb, AAS APS, AAS AMS, Ag Chemical Cert.
Hay Springs - James Scherbarth, AAS APS
Hayes Center - Jay Mintling, AAS APS, Ag Chemical Cert.
Hershey - Rylee Seamann, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Holdrege - Chloe Newth, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Hutchinson, MN - Tori Kosters, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Imperial - Remington Yaw, AAS APS
Ithaca - Tye Dickes, AAS APS, Ag Chemical Cert.
Kendall, WI - Delaney Salm, AS APS
Kennard - Alaina Schwedhelm, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Lexington - Jordan Lans, AAS AMS
Litchfield - Brandi Slocum, AAS VT
Littleton, CO - Lauren Krager, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Manning, ND - Shawna Burian, AAS APS, Beef Production Cert.
McCook - Kaden Day, AAS APS, Ag Chemical Cert.
McCook - Megan Kotschwar, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
McCook - Wyatt Meyers, AAS APS
Miami, FL - Yoandri Dominguez Garcia, AS APS
Mitchell - Tyler Keener, AAS APS, AAS AMS
North Platte - James Ady, AAS APS
North Platte - Ellie Junker, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
North Platte - Zack Lee, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Omaha - Alexes Kreikemeier, AAS AMS
Paxton - Easton Finch, AAS APS, Ag Chemical Cert.
Platte, SD - Luanna Kuipers, AAS APS, Equine Industry Mgt Cert
Potter - Karter Wittrock, Welding, Irrigation Tech Cert.
Richland Springs, TX - Riley Robbins, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Sedgwick, CO - T.J. Lechman, AS APS
South Play, SC - Caitlyn Krout, AS APS, AS AMS
Stanton - Aryana Wurdinger, AS APS, APS Beef Production
Stratton - Ava Petersen, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Sutton - Kayla Patterson, AAS VT, Animal Care Cert.
Sutton - Elyzabeth Winter, AAS VT
Thedford - Winter Benscoter, AAS APS
Tobias - Bailey Holtmeier, AS APS
Wayne - Ella Leseberg, AAS APS, Equine Training Mgt Cert.
Wood River - Elizabeth Rainforth, AAS APS
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 affordabletuition, high job placement rate for its graduates, and the success of student teams in competitive activities, including crop 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.
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