Ag college deserves

Okay, people of Southwest Nebraska, it's time to rally around in support of Weldon Sleight, the new Dean of the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis.

For years, we have known that the ag school has powerful potential. What it teaches is what this state and this region needs: practical education in ag-related fields. We're not talking just farming here. We're talking about the jobs -- such as veterinary technicians -- so important to the rural towns which serve the farmers.

But, there are two problems. For one, the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture is hemmed in because there is not sufficient housing for enrollment increases, and for another there is not enough promotional dollars to spread the word about NCTA throughout Nebraska and surrounding states.

Weldon Sleight is dedicated to changing that.

He will start by placing emphasis on two very important strategies: entrepreneurship and growth.

The two concepts are related, and rural Nebraska needs to listen closely to what the new Dean has to say. At the heart of Dr. Sleight's philosophy is the need to alert rural citizens to the importance of business principles, and that's what entrepreneurship is: "The act of organizing, operating and assuming the risk for a business venture."

In many cases, that is what's been missing in the decline of small towns and rural areas. Business leaders need to emerge, and Sleight will work hard to spread that message to the people of Southwest Nebraska, especially to the students who attend the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture.

Rural America is ready for a comeback, and young people are our greatest hope to lead the turnaround. That's why we need to give support to Dr.Sleight in his efforts to expand housing at NCTA. More dorm space is needed. Otherwise, it will be very hard for the ag school to grow beyond its current enrollment, which is in the 250 range.

Sleight was born in a small town in Idaho, named Paris, which he has seen decline from 800 population to 400 during his 56 years of life. Similar population losses have taken place in Southwest Nebraska during the past half century. It's time to reverse the trend. Rural living is precious and needs to be preserved. But, in order to do so, we must develop business opportunities. What better place to start than in our schools? Dr. Sleight is on the right track. Let's do everything we can to help him in the quest to expand NCTA and, in the process, create more business opportunities in rural Nebraska.