By DR. LARRY GOSSEN
NCTA Dean's Message
CURTIS, Neb. (May 4, 2022) The NCTA Class of 2022 has much to celebrate. So does the Class of 2023 as their freshmen year at NCTA also draws to a close this week.
I am proud to be affiliated with these two groups of students. I joined the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in the summer of 2020 as the new dean on campus, just as our current graduates were preparing to begin their college careers in Curtis.
Commencement for the Class of 2022 is Thursday, May 5th. Here are some highlights from this year’s class of 80 candidates.
These Aggies represent nine states with 64 of the 80 from Nebraska. Other states represented are Alaska, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Wyoming with one each; South Dakota with three, and Kansas with seven Aggies.
They have earned credits in coursework during their three years, two years or one year at NCTA to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree, an Associate of Science degree (transfer program to a 4-year institution), or an academic certificate.
The AAS and AS degrees are awarded in:
- Agribusiness Management Systems (8 students)
- Agricultural Production Systems (50)
- Veterinary Technology (25)
Programs in APS include animal science, livestock management, agriculture education, equine management, agricultural mechanics, precision agriculture, agronomy, and more.
Currently, 15 students have earned double majors or added a certificate or two to their portfolio.
Certificates will be conferred in:
- Agricultural Welding
- Agriculture Production Systems
- Equine Training
- Irrigation Technology
- Animal Health Care
At this writing, final exams are yet underway. Class rankings for Grade Point Averages (GPA) are being tallied. Thirteen Aggies are members of Phi Beta Kappa, the academic honorary.
Academic honors including Class Valedictorian and Class Salutatorian will be awarded Wednesday evening. The public is invited to the 7 p.m. ceremony at the Nebraska Agriculture Industry Education Center.
People often ask about students who intend to continue their educational path. We know of 16 who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree, with two who started at UNL in January.
Indoor graduation
We welcome the many friends and family who will be traveling to Curtis for commencement. The ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Curtis Memorial Community Center, 201 Garlick Avenue.
I recommend arriving early to get a seat and, please, enjoy the reception immediately after. Although we were hopeful to graduation outdoors, forecasts for rain and wind prompted caution to set up and decorate inside on Wednesday.
University of Nebraska Chairman of the Board of Regents Bob Phares will deliver a welcome. NU Vice President Mike Boehm will confer the 101 associate degrees and certificates.
We are honored to be joined by Nebraska’s 3rd District Congressman Adrian M. Smith of Gering for the keynote address. Prior to his election to Congress in 2006, Mr. Smith worked as an educator, real estate agent, and served his hometown as a member of the Gering City Council.
Next, he represented District 48 for eight years in the Nebraska Unicameral. Since 2010, he has served on the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives. He is the lead Republican of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and a member of the Subcommittee on Health.
He and his wife, Andrea, reside in Gering with their two young children. Welcome back to NCTA and Curtis, Congressman!
I hope to see many community residents join our students, faculty, and staff in recognizing our NCTA Aggies. Also, we wish a hearty congratulations to ALL graduates in the Class of 2022!
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