The Graduates
The Graduate(s)
The red sashes on the Lincoln graduates caught the light in such a way that made it look like they were almost on fire. It was a sea of bright red cloth, white camera flashes, and smiles. In Curtis, Nebraska, graduates proudly received beautiful, personalized giant belt buckles created by an artist to commemorate the event before dancing their way out to their new lives to recessional music they’d chosen themselves. At University of Nebraska campuses across the state, the atmosphere was elated and electric.
This is one of the best parts of being a Regent for the University of Nebraska. After a whirlwind five days filled with incredible experiences of graduations and exploration of the university’s work, there is one word that sticks in my mind: overwhelmed. I was positively overwhelmed by the remarkable people who are working to create a bright and dynamic future not just for themselves, but also for their community.
Amidst diverse programs, there is a unified purpose.
In Scottsbluff, students received their Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing and dental hygiene from programs run by UNMC. All but three of the fifty graduates have taken positions in western Nebraska. This means medical personnel are studying and staying in these rural areas where their services are desperately needed. More than highly trained medical professionals in these communities, they’ll become neighbors, friends, family.
It’s a similar story for a number of the students who went to Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) to earn Associate degrees and certificates in agribusiness and veterinary departments. Two of the graduates at NCTA were enrolled in a program focused on cattle and, upon graduation, they each received a heifer to start their own herd.
This summer, fifty Rwandan students from UNL will spend seven weeks learning as much as they can about agribusiness and livestock at NCTA. The more we share our wealth of knowledge, the more it enriches all of us in ways both common and unexpected.
So, after driving 1,200 miles, attending numerous awards ceremonies, touring a fascinating plant and animal research center, watching proud families and friends in cowboy boots and hats beam at their graduates, I can say I am truly looking forward to my next western adventure.
My main hope for the proud graduates of today is that they keep dancing their way through the lives and communities they’ve chosen to build.
*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.
