Published on January 24, 2025

Congratulations to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the 2024 State Tech Startup Challenge. The State Tech Startup Challenge is a dynamic competition for students in the Essentials of Entrepreneurship course, empowering them to develop innovative business ideas, refine their entrepreneurial skills, and pitch their plans to a panel of judges for the chance to gain valuable feedback and recognition. Winners included Business Administration, Ag-Business, and Digital Marketing students. We would also like to congratulate Ryan Klatt and the Commercial Turf and Grounds Management (CTG) program, as well as Luke Wilbers and the Agriculture Operations (AGR) program, on their students’ participation and success at the 2024 State Professional Agricultural Student Organization (PAS) competition. State Tech students achieved state rankings in the categories of Ag. Sales; Agribusiness Administration; Agribusiness Sales; Agribusiness Systems; Agronomic Production; Agronomy; Animal Health/Vet Tech; Animal Systems; Conservation & Natural Resources; Equine; Floriculture & Greenhouse; Floriculture, Forestry & Natural Resources; Landscaping; Landscaping, & Natural Resources; Livestock; Livestock & Dairy Services; Natural Resource Systems; Plant Systems; Soils; and Turfgrass. State Tech students earned a total of 60 medals: 8 – First Place, 12 – Second Place, 5 – Third Place, 6 – Fourth Place, 8 – Fifth Place, 7 – Sixth Place, 5 – Seventh Place, 5 – Eighth Place, 2 – Ninth Place, 1 – Tenth Place, and 1 – Eleventh Place. Congratulations to Courtney Brandt, Simone Perrigo, and the Practical Nursing Technology (PNT) program. The 2024 PNT graduating class achieved a 100% licensure exam pass rate. Our final Congratulations is to Tony Brenneke and the Physical Therapist Assistant program for achieving 100% Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy pass rates for the third consecutive year.