NCTA 2026 Graduates Celebrated for Resilience
CURTIS, Neb. — Graduates of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture were celebrated May 7 during the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony at the Curtis Memorial Community Center, marking the culmination of two intensive years in preparation for careers across the agriculture and animal health industries.
Kelly Bruns, Ph.D., interim executive director of NCTA, presided over the ceremony and celebrated the countless ways students have stepped up throughout the year, including fighting wildfires and supporting each other in 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 and residence life manager, Nathan Nicklas, 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, creating an unexpected but memorable moment during the ceremony. Doors were opened to let in the sunlight, and Nicklas modeled resilience by calmly continuing without amplification, inspiring the graduates and audience with his message.
Following his address, a student representative presented Nicklas with flowers in appreciation for his impactful 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 list of graduates below represents December and May graduates. It is not a complete list, as some graduates chose not to have their names released. * Cum Laude ** Magna Cum Laude ***
Summa Cum Laude
Agricultural Production Systems
Atlanta, NE — **Carly Stewart, Animal Science
Bartley, NE — Treven Critchfield, Diversified Ag
Central City, NE — **Grace Strong, Livestock Ind Mgt
Dalton, NE — *Justin Ernest, Livestock Ind Mgt; Crop Production Cert
Franklin, NE — **J Gladden II, Livestock Ind Mgt
Friend, NE — Mason Semler, Agronomy Ind Mgt
Greensburg, KS — Brock Hassiepen, Livestock Ind Mgt
Hallsville, MO — **Dominic Troutman, Livestock Ind Mgt
Indianola/Cambridge, NE — Gracelynn tenBensel-McConville, Agribusiness Mgt & Agronomy;
Agribusiness Mgt Cert
Indianola, NE — *Hunter Blume, Agronomy
Leigh, NE — *Jacob Martensen, Diversified Ag
Lexington, NE — Cayden Gibbons, Diversified Ag
Linden, IA — **Weston Ploeger, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind
McCook, NE — Rachel Bose, Agronomy Ind Mgt
Milburn, NE — *Samuel McMillan, Diversified Ag
Omaha, NE — *Vivien Appleby, Diversified Ag
Rushville, NE — *Jessalinn Dieriex, Animal Science
Sargent, NE — *Tera Horky, Ag Education; Ag Welding Cert
Seneca, KS — **Isabelle Evans, Equine Ind Mgt
Severance, CO — Natalie Baker, Animal Science
Seward, NE — Masa Brown, Livestock Ind Mgt
Seward, NE — Cadance Mae Craig, Livestock Ind Mgt
Shubert, NE — **Danyelle Kuker, Livestock Ind Mgt & Equine Ind Mgt; Equine Training Cert
Sidney, NE — **Dominik Lucero, Ag Equipment; Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs
Silver Creek, NE — **Lydia Ziemba, Agribusiness Mgt; Beef Production Cert
Springview, NE — **Courtney McCarthy, Agribusiness Mgt & Livestock Ind
Vet Technology Systems
Cawker City, KS — Carter Walsh, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Covington, OK — Kiley Grantz, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Esbon, KS — Haylee Cockroft, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Fairport, KS — Morgan Dockendorf, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Grant, NE — **Emma Klahn, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Kearney, NE — *Wednesday Fielder, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Lexington, NE — Alyssa Copper, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
Lexington, NE — Patti Louthan, Vet Asst
Middlesex, VT — ***Hannah Brett, Vet Tech; Animal Care Cert
North Platte, NE — Olivia Dimas, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
North Platte, NE — Ella Harmon, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Scottsbluff, NE — Alexia Furman, Vet Asst; Animal Care Cert
Additional Certificates
Curtis, NE — Hunter Markley, Ag Welding Cert
Indianola, NE — Tristan Martin, Ag Welding & Irrigation Tech Certs
Ord, NE — Laci Weeks, Animal Care Cert