Al Sick Jr. Distinguished Service Award
Mr. Al Sick, Jr., provided tremendous support and assistance to the formation and organization of the Nebraska FFA Alumni. Mr. Al Sick, Jr., was a member of the Nebraska FFA Alumni Council from the founding of the organization in Nebraska (1972) until 1985 (the time of his death). He served as President of the Nebraska FFA Alumni Association and on the National FFA Alumni Council. He was recognized with the Honorary American FFA Degree as well as the Distinguished FFA Service Award at the National level.
Mr. Sick, Jr., was a tireless worker for the FFA. His life certainly represented the ideals on which the FFA was founded. It is only fitting that a Distinguished Service Award recognizing those traits in others bear his name. The Al Sick, Jr., Distinguished Service Award is designed to recognize achievement and service to Agriculture, Agriculture Education, Nebraska FFA and/or FFA Alumni.
Individuals who have made significant contributions to Nebraska agriculture, agriculture education, Nebraska FFA and/or FFA Alumni. Nominations are not limited to current Nebraska FFA Alumni members, but may be individuals outside of the Alumni Association. Past recipients of this award are ineligible for nomination. Each Nebraska FFA Alumni Chapter or an individual Nebraska FFA Alumni member is encouraged to nominate an Al Sick, Jr., Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Robert “Bob” Clausen Outstanding Achievement Award
Robert “Bob” Clausen was an instrumental leader in the support and promotion of Agricultural Education throughout the state of Nebraska. Bob was proud of the Nebraska FFA Alumni Association, and served for numerous years on the State Council. He truly recognized the value in Agricultural Leadership.
There was no job too little, too large or too labor-intensive for Bob to accomplish. He was often noted as a reliable individual, someone his fellow friends, families, and council members could count on. Bob was honest, fair, and above all passionate about supporting FFA.
It is in this spirit that the Nebraska FFA Alumni is proud to offer this opportunity to recognize other individuals who demonstrate the same qualities. Nominees must be active in their local or state alumni affiliate, demonstrate effective leadership skills, and mirror the passion for excellence that Bob displayed.
Nebraska FFA Alumni and Supporters Outstanding Chapter Application
Each year, multiple alumni chapters compile their activities, accomplishments, fundraisers, and volunteer hours and submit this application to be ranked against their fellow chapters. The top two selected chapters in the state go on to represent Nebraska at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana in the fall.
Leadership Conference Scholarship
The Nebraska FFA Alumni and Supporters are proud to support FFA members who express the desire to further their leadership skills and abilities. There are many opportunities through FFA to build both students' and chapters' abilities to be effective leaders within their local communities. These programs teach the participants valuable skills through personal development. Qualifying conferences or opportunities for this scholarship include leadership-geared topics such as effective communication, strategic thinking, vision making, and adaptability. Some examples are WLC, Leadership Series (Mission Conference and Impact Conference), COLT, EDGE, NAYI, Nebraska State FFA Convention, National FFA Convention, and Spring Leadership Conference. Any conference, workshop, or event oriented towards leadership will be considered for this scholarship. We encourage every active chapter to consider applying. Advancing leadership knowledge is a worth-while experience for all students, the future of agriculture, and our world!
Student Teacher Scholarships
Our group is proud to support the future agriculture teachers in this state by offering a scholarship to offset expenses during their time when student teaching. The Nebraska FFA Alumni and supporters UNL Student Teacher Scholarship is presented annually in memory of Dr. Ted D. Ward. Dr. Ward, a long time agricultural educator in Nebraska, began his involvement with the profession as an agriculture student at Auburn High School, served as a Nebraska State FFA Secretary, majored in agricultural education at the University of Nebraska, and became an agricultural instructor at both Sargent and Verdigre High Schools. He served in the Nebraska Department of Education as both an agricultural consultant and executive secretary of the Nebraska FFA Association. Please reach out to Dr. Nathan Conner for application information.
