MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
F
ollowing the successful launch of the inaugural edition of Langston AgroVision in 2019 and the broad positive feedback we received, it is a pleasure to introduce the highly anticipated second edition. Over the past year, Langston University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SAAS) has continued to distinguish itself in all three areas of its land grant mission.
unique ways. These include Drs. Evia Davis, Erick Loetz and Steve Hart along with Mr. Clark Williams. Their service and contributions have been deeply appreciated and will be sadly missed.
I am personally grateful to all our faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders for their support and commitment to our mission. We can be justifiably proud of our accomAcademics was highlighted by the remarkable performance plishments this past year. Together, we remain steadfast of our students and the commitment of faculty to excellence. and focused on our vision. For the year ahead, we envisage Many students had unique experiential learning opporstrengthening our SAAS academic program with upgraded tunities, complementing classroom studies with research curricula and the introduction of a game-changing new conducted alongside faculty mentors. Other students prescholarship program for students. In research and cooperasented their research at the prestigious Association of 1890 tive extension, we will continue to broaden our focus to Research Directors (ARD) Symposium and other conensure we lead the way in developing and implementing ferences. It has been a joy to see so many hard-working broad solutions that help tackle food insecurity, protect students complete their Langston University academic prohuman and environmental health, and enrich the lives of grams, graduate, and explore new horizons in graduate youth and families. schools and professional careers. The onset of COVID-19 in recent months has adversely Our research, extension, and outreach programs played affected many communities throughout our country and leading and invaluable roles in numerous arenas. Of interest abroad. It has made a devastating assault on many populato many of our clients – including limited-resource, socially tions. The pandemic is a clear reminder that much in our disadvantaged populations and other stakeholders – were the lives is tenuous and threatened by diverse forces. As we small farmers’ conference, another successful annual goat go forward, we in SAAS are committed to doing all that and hair sheep field day, and numerous workshops around is within our power to deepen our support for individuals the state. I take great pleasure from being associated with who are affected and need our help. important SAAS programs that create opportunities for diaWe will continue to communicate with you through logue with our stakeholders and provide information that Langston AgroVision and various other channels. I encourage will undoubtedly improve economic and social conditions you to share your thoughts with us through the many avefor people and communities. nues we provide. Again, thank you for your support. In this 2020 edition of Langston AgroVision, you will learn about some of our accomplishments of the past year and the Wesley L. Whittaker, Ph.D. deeply impactful work of our SAAS team. As you read, you Dean and Director of Land Grant Programs will be impressed not only with their hard work, but also their remarkable contributions. Along with us, you will bid goodbye to some of our esteemed colleagues who recently retired or will soon do so. They have served Langston University well and have distinguished themselves in their
“… SAAS programs … will undoubtedly improve economic and social conditions for people and communities.” — DR . WESLE Y
W H I T TA K E R , D E A N
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LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
