Brooks Hetle, Residence Life associate director, and Brooke Thiel, assistant professor of agricultural education, received the Honorary American FFA Degree in an Oct. 28 ceremony during the 95th National FFA Convention and Expo at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
“It is a tremendous honor,” Hetle said. “My involvement in FFA as a student significantly shaped me as a person and as a professional. Now as a member of the FFA alumni and supporters, I enjoy giving back to FFA to promote agriculture and help young people develop their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success.”
Hetle, who joined the NDSU staff in 2021, was the North Dakota state FFA president from 2004-2005, while Thiel was state president from 2005-2006. Hetle was North Dakota’s national officer candidate in 2005 and Thiel was the national candidate in 2006.
Hetle earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and his master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University, Fort Collins. He is the central region representative on the National FFA Alumni and Supporters Advisory Committee and a past member of the National FFA Strategic Planning Task Force.
“I’m honored to have been selected to receive the Honorary American FFA Degree,” Thiel said. “I have witnessed first-hand the positive influence FFA has on the students who choose to engage in the numerous opportunities the organization has to offer. It has been a joy to continue to serve an organization that prepares the next generation of leaders in the agricultural industry.”
Thiel earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree in agricultural education and doctorate in adult and community education and teaching from NDSU. She was a high school agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor in Kindred, North Dakota, before returning to campus as a graduate student in 2017.
Each year, the FFA organization recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to FFA with Distinguished Service Citations, VIP awards or the Honorary American FFA Degree.
Honorary American FFA Degree recipients have provided exceptional service on the national level to agriculture, agricultural education or FFA. Nominations are first submitted to the individual’s state FFA association for approval and then sent on to the national group.
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