Curtis, Neb — Graduates of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture were honored May 7 during the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, celebrating the completion of two years of training for careers in agriculture and animal health.
Kelly Bruns, Ph.D., interim executive director of NCTA, presided over the ceremony and recognized the ways students supported their communities and one another throughout the year, including helping fight wildfires and stepping up during difficult times.
Graduate Carly Stewart delivered the invocation, followed by a welcome from graduate and Student Senate President Lydia Ziemba.
Bruns introduced special guests and University of Nebraska leaders, including Regents Kathy Wilmot and Tim Clare, who delivered remarks to graduates. Tiffany Heng-Moss, Ph.D., University of Nebraska vice president and IANR Harlan vice chancellor, also addressed graduates and later conferred degrees.
Commencement speaker Nathan Nicklas, the residence life manager, encouraged graduates to lead with purpose, invest in relationships and use their talents and experiences to positively impact their communities and industries. Early in Nicklas’ address, a power outage darkened the facility. Doors were opened to let in sunlight, and Nicklas continued without amplification.
After his address, a student representative presented Nicklas with flowers in appreciation for his leadership and support of students.
Jennifer McConville, Ph.D., associate dean, recognized academic honors and announced Hannah Brett as the 2026 Aggie of the Year. Rachel Bose delivered the benediction.
The following list represents December and May graduates. It is not a complete list, as some graduates chose not to have their names released. Academic honors are noted as: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude.
Agricultural Production Systems
Atlanta, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Carly Stewart, Animal Science
Bartley, Nebraska — Treven Critchfield, Diversified Ag
Central City, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Grace Strong, Livestock Ind Mgt
Dalton, Nebraska — Cum Laude Justin Ernest, Livestock Ind Mgt; Crop Production Cert
Franklin, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude J Gladden II, Livestock Ind Mgt
Friend, Nebraska — Mason Semler, Agronomy Ind Mgt
Greensburg, Kansas — Brock Hassiepen, Livestock Ind Mgt
Hallsville, Missouri — Magna Cum Laude Dominic Troutman, Livestock Ind Mgt
Indianola/Cambridge, Nebraska — Gracelynn tenBensel-McConville, Agribusiness Mgt & Agronomy; Agribusiness Mgt Cert
Indianola, Nebraska — Cum Laude Hunter Blume, Agronomy
Leigh, Nebraska — Cum Laude Jacob Martensen, Diversified Ag
Lexington, Nebraska — Cayden Gibbons, Diversified Ag
Linden, Iowa — Magna Cum Laude Weston Ploeger, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind
McCook, Nebraska — Rachel Bose, Agronomy Ind Mgt
Milburn, Nebraska — Cum Laude Samuel McMillan, Diversified Ag
Omaha, Nebraska — Cum Laude Vivien Appleby, Diversified Ag
Rushville, Nebraska — Cum Laude Jessalinn Dieriex, Animal Science
Sargent, Nebraska — Cum Laude Tera Horky, Ag Education; Ag Welding Cert
Seneca, Kansas — Magna Cum Laude Isabelle Evans, Equine Ind Mgt
Severance, Colorado — Natalie Baker, Animal Science
Seward, Nebraska — Masa Brown, Livestock Ind Mgt
Seward, Nebraska — Cadance Mae Craig, Livestock Ind Mgt
Shubert, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Danyelle Kuker, Livestock Ind Mgt & Equine Ind Mgt; Equine Training Cert
Sidney, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Dominik Lucero, Ag Equipment; Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs
Silver Creek, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Lydia Ziemba, Agribusiness Mgt; Beef Production Cert
Springview, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Courtney McCarthy, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind
Vet Technology Systems
Cawker City, Kansas — Carter Walsh, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Covington, Oklahoma — Kiley Grantz, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Esbon, Kansas — Haylee Cockroft, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Fairport, Kansas — Morgan Dockendorf, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Grant, Nebraska — Magna Cum Laude Emma Klahn, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Kearney, Nebraska — Cum Laude Wednesday Fielder, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Lexington, Nebraska — Alyssa Copper, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Lexington, Nebraska — Patti Louthan, Vet Asst
Middlesex, Vermont — Summa Cum Laude Hannah Brett, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
North Platte, Nebraska — Olivia Dimas, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
North Platte, Nebraska — Ella Harmon, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Scottsbluff, Nebraska — Alexia Furman, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Additional Certificates
Curtis, Nebraska — Hunter Markley, Ag Welding Cert
Indianola, Nebraska — Tristan Martin, Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs
Ord, Nebraska — Laci Weeks, Animal Care Cert
