The animal science department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has appointed two new student ambassadors for the 2021-22 academic year. 

After in-depth interviews with department faculty and second-year ambassadors, two students were selected out of a pool of eight applicants — Laura Reiling, a junior from Malcolm, and Sarah Dilley, a sophomore from Lincoln.

The two new ambassadors will serve alongside second-year ambassadors Kelsey Loseke, a junior from Blair, and Shaye Koester, a junior from Steele, N.D.

The ambassadors will interact with prospective animal science students by visiting high schools and attending various university admissions events. In addition to attending and supporting events, each ambassador will also take on the responsibility of planning one recruitment activity per year.

The animal science student ambassador program, started in 1999, selects two animal science majors as ambassadors to promote the animal science program each year. Students receive a $2,000 scholarship ($500 each semester) and serve for two years supporting the department’s recruitment efforts.

For more information on the animal science student ambassador program, visit animalscience.unl.edu.  

NCTA rodeo team hosts roping series

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture rodeo team kicked off its fall 2021 season in early September at River Falls, Wis., in a collegiate competition hosted by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

NCTA rodeo athletes also launched a new activity at home with the 2021 Round Robin Team Roping Series, which has been running since Sept. 7 and will conclude Nov. 9.

The 10-week series at the Mill Park Arena in Curtis, Neb., is open with advance registration for roping headers and heelers. Proceeds go to support NCTA rodeo. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

The NCTA Rodeo club started the team roping series to support Aggie athletes, says Jaden Clark, NCTA rodeo coach.

“I know of many avid team ropers in southwestern Nebraska,” Clark says. “They like to compete. We provide the roping steers and labor. They pay entry fees to support the team.”

The top header and heeler receive a payout, with proceeds helping the Aggie traveling team with expenses such as transportation, meals, lodging and entry fees. The Aggies traveled this fall to four competitions, including the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Mid-Plains Community College Stampede at North Platte, Iowa Central Community College at Fort Dodge and Dickenson State University in North Dakota, with a double set of rodeo action that took place at North Platte and Dickenson.

NCTA is one of 14 colleges in the Great Plains region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.

Last season, NCTA’s Nathan Burnett of Shelton won the saddle bronc title in the Great Plains region and competed at the 2021 National College Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo.

Burnett, the club president, competed again this fall while studying agribusiness management. NCFR is scheduled for June 12-18, 2022, in Casper. Learn more about NCTA rodeo on Facebook.