Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture honors spring 2026 graduates at May 7 ceremony

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