
PREMA General Manager Ryan Reiber, left, accepts the 2020 Friend of the College Award
from Cyndi and Jim Neuwirth, the 2019 recipients, during the WNCC Alumni and Friends
Banquet in October 2019.
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - The Panhandle Rural Electric Membership Association (PREMA) is the recipient of the
2020 Western Nebraska Community College Friend of the College award.
The Friend of the College award, the highest honor given by WNCC, is presented to
a person, couple, business, or community organization for their commitment to education
and fulfilling the WNCC mission of assuring learning opportunities for all - enriching
lives, invigorating communities, and creating futures.
"PREMA is extremely honored to receive the 2020 Friend of the College Award," said
Ryan Reiber, PREMA's general manager. "PREMA and surrounding electric utilities owe
WNCC much for its commitment to the establishment of the Powerline Program. Having
the program in our neck of the woods has been a tremendous blessing."
PREMA was founded in 1945 with the goal of providing electricity to farmers and ranchers
in the Panhandle. Today, PREMA serves approximately 1,600 members and covers 7,500
square miles of service territory in 11 counties.
In the early 1990s, PREMA started offering scholarships to local candidates to attend
powerline school, knowing that locals would be more apt to stay with the company long
term. Soon they realized it would be even better to have a powerline school nearby.
PREMA worked with Wheat Belt Public Power District to create an advisory committee
of rural and municipal utility experts.
The committee toured powerline schools outside the area, and began discussions with
Western Nebraska Community College to develop a program. The City of Alliance provided
land and a building and with PREMA's lead, other utilities gave time, money, and equipment
to the project. This ensured the successful launch of the WNCC Powerline Construction
& Maintenance Technology program on the Alliance Campus in June 2006.
PREMA prides itself on participating in community service programs and activities which foster the well-being and economic development of the communities in the service area.
The WNCC Powerline Construction & Maintenance program is proof of that commitment.
To date, 199 students have completed the program, eight of which have been hired by
PREMA.
For more information on WNCC's Friend of the College award, contact Alumni Relations
& Stewardship Director Mary Sheffield at sheffie6@wncc.edu.