Applying knowledge, improving friendships, working together and overcoming obstacles are skills and memories we will take with us after developing this issue of the Cowbov]onrnal.
Culminating four years of education and experience we have combined tbe individual talents of our class to develop tbi magazine. After long hours of time and effort, we have bonded and created a publication that we are proud to share with OSU students, alumni and friends.
However we could not have achieved our goal of printing a quality publication without the help of many upporrive and energetic people.
We would like to sincerely thank Shelly Sitton for her dedication, suppo1·t and guidance during the creation of the Cowboy Journal; Dwayne Cartmell for his positive guidance and vvillingness to help out in a time of need; Tamara Beardsley for her sweet pirit and humor which was a needed stress relief; Fred Causley for taking time to improve our stories; Elizabeth Whitfield and Bonnie Milby for their abilities to find grammar mistakes; Kellie Schulze for her time in managing our fiscal affair ; and Matt Wright and Deana Washington of Quebecor World for making the printing process a little bit easier to understand.
After many hour of tedious work we are pleased to prove that fifteen people with different idea can reach a common goal.
Thank ym.1for your upport and God bless.
'R.f!b.1J11 Ott and 'Rudie/ Yow1g
Editor • Robyn Ott and Rachel Young
Graphic Editor • Chris Stephens
Photo Editors • Misti loan :md Jamie Stucky
Sponsorship Coordinators• Len Ann Ca tleberry and Gretchen ummer
Circulation Coordinator • Jamie Glover
Staff • Josh Brecheen, Kyle Ellis, Ros Laubach. Jason labrn. Reba le Donald. K) lene Orebaugh and Shane Richey
Managing Editor • Dwayne Cartmell and helly Peper Sitton
Support Staff• Tamara Beardsley
Founding Sponsors • l.i111uusi11WmId, Oklahoma Farm Bureau .incl Quebecor World
Jamie Stucky Lea Ann Castleberry, Rachel Young Ro s Laubach Chri Stephen , Reba McDonald, Gretchen Summers,Jamie Glover, Robyn Ott
A Ambassadorshostannualleadershi conference
Hgh school seni01 can have trouble finding their way after graduatio~. A_tOl~aboma ~tate Uni~e~·sity,one student organization 1s committed to g1V1.ngthem direction and bringing them to OSU.
Thirteen O U students make up the g
Amba sadors, an organization e tabli hed by the Collegeof g1iculturnlSciences and Nahlal Re ources to recruit potential students to the college.
"The Ag Ambassador are highly qualified students whom I am proud to have representing OSU ' aid C SNR ssociate Dean Ed Miller.
ference goal i to show student the sign that lead to academic ucce and a profe ional career.
'The conference provide an opportunity for students to take the next step "said Chas Robbin , Ag Ambas ador and 2001 FA Conference
"The FAL Conference is not just about recruiting for OSU. It's about recruiting for agriculture's future."
LouannWaldner Director, CASNR Student Services
Typical tasks of an amba sador include hosting students who visit CASNR, helping with alumni events, traveling to high schools to promote the college and attending the ational FFA Association convention in ovember to recruit students. The ambassadors also call recently-admitted freshmen each pring to an wer any quetions they have concerning tarting college. But the group' greatest responsibility is ho ting the annual Future gricultural Leaders Conference each fall.
The FAL Conference is designed to help potential college students learn about agricultural job possibilities and enhance their knowledge of the college experience. The con-
executive chair. 'We want the students to learn as much a po ible while they're here. The purpose
of the conference is for shldents to become confident
in their fo ture."
The ambassadors invite the top 50 applicants from high schooljuniors and eniors nationwide to come to 0 U for three days of seminars and activities.
Participants are accepted on the basis of academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities and intere tin careers related to agriculture, agribusiness, foods and natural re ources. The deadline to apply is mid-October each year. The co t of the conf rence is 25, which include housing at the Student Union Hotel meals and a conference T-shirt. The Oklahoma Fann Bureau and CASNR are ponsor of the FAL Conference, which covers the remaining cost of the conference.
'The Ag Ambassadors organize the whole conference " aid Louann Waldner, CASNR director of student services and adviser for the Ag Ambassadors. "They conduct a very creative, educational and innovative threeday program for high chool tudent ."
The amba ador center the conference around the theme 'Get a Clue," which allows students to tour the campu , learn m01·eaboutthe careers in agriculture and further define their career interests. They also meet with professors, review the admi ion process and get a head start on enrollment.
In the pa t, sessions have included getting familiar with the countle opportunities and careers in agricul-
Future Agricultural Leaders Conference participants Lesleigh Hagwood (left), Tonya Brown, Whitney Baumann, Chris Dorsey and Taylor Miller share the same dream of attending OSU. (Photo courtesy of Ag Ambassadors)
ture and natural resources, learning about individual strengths and weaknesses and becoming organized and expanding personal management skills.
"The FAL Conference was an awesome experience," said Laura Bible, horticulture sophomore at OSU. "In reality, it was the deciding factor for me coming to OSU."
Regardless of their future plans, all participants get a glimpse of what everyday college life will be like.
"I learned so much at the 2000 FAL Conference," said Leah Dillsaver, landscape architecture sophomore. "I met current college students who answered questions that wouldn't have been answered before moving to college."
In addition to the sessions, inh·oductions to professors and other activities at the conference, students also build relationships with fellow participants.
"I met so many new friends at the conference and when school started, I saw them in my classes," said Bible. "It was so exciting."
Ag Ambassadors and college officials said they expect these friendships and ambitions to grow when participants come back as students.
"The FAL Conference is not just about recruiting for OSU," said Waldner. "It's about recruiting for ag1iculture's future. What better way to do that than having 13 top CASNR students role modeling, saying 'I've done it, you can too."'
If IJOU or an1Joneyou know is interestedin the FAL Conference,pleasecontactLouann Waldneror visit the Ag Ambassadors Website at http://www.agambassadors.com.
B1JReba McDonald, CanblJ,Ore.
Thirteen students served as Ag Ambassadors in 2001-2002: (front row) Ryan Luter (left), Deborah Solie, Amy Hoyle, Cathy Herren, Marcy Grundmann, Robyn Sites, Josh Fuller; (second row) Jamie Glover (left), Bart Fischer, Jeremy Unruh, Rusty Roush, Chas Robbins; {third row) Carrie Trentham{left), Laneha Beard; (back row) Coleman Smith. (Photo by Todd Johnson)
Inter;ingyou
ayintoajob
Mo t tudents start college with th hope of getting a great job after graduation, but wi.tb the current economy, some students are concerned those hopes wi11not become a reality.
Even before the events of Sept. 11 2001, the job outlook for student was not a trong a it had been in year past. Corporate layoffs and a volatile stock market were on tl1e mind of everyone.
"[The current job market] may be a little rockier now than it was before,' ajd Barry Cooper, Cargill' general manager of animal nutrition.' However, there will be good job for good people."
Companies general hiring plans have not dropped substantially. In fact, 55 percent of employers have not changed hiring plans 36. 7 percent are hi1ing fewer people and 8.3 percent plan to hire more employees, according to the ational Association of College and Employer .
However, last year 55 percent of companies offered a igning bonus and that number has decreased to about 36 percent this year according to the association.
Hiring in agricultural-related fields is promising as well. The U.S. Department of Agriculture expects there to be 57,785 job openings and.57, 175 qualified graduates available tlu year.
Deere and Co. has slowed its hiring but is starting to pick back up again, said Claya Knupp, recruiting coo1·dinatorfor Deere and Co.
On the other hand Cargill is planning to continue to hire as many as they usually do said Cooper. While colleges have noticed a light drop in recruiting efforts
the one thing that remains the same is qualified candidates are still in higl1 demand. One way candidates can make themselves more marketable i to have experience in their career area.
'We have noticed that there are more candidates available for hire, ' said Cooper. 'A couple of years ago students could it back and wait for an offer they were completely pleased with. ow the companies are more able to sit back and wait for good candidates."
The career areas that seem to be in highest demand include engineering computer-related fields and business disciplines, according to the ational A ociation of Colleges and Employers.
Within agriculture managers and financial specialists and marketing, merchandising and sales representatives as well as communication and education specialists make the top of the list, according to the USDA.
Some of the top skills employers look for in potential employee include communication skills, honesty, interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork abilities, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
With employers potentially looking to hire fewer candidates, relevant work experience could be the deciding factor between otherwise equally qualified candidates, according to the association.
Because experience is so important to employers many companies choo e to hire from their intern hip program .
"We [Deere and Co.] hire a lot of interns after they have completed an intern hip with us 'said Knupp.
Some employers said there are equally rewarding benefits for both parties in an internship program.
"A 90-day internship allows the student to learn about our company and our goals and allows us to learn about tlle student's work habit ," aid Cooper. "Then we can both evaluate the expeTience to ee ifitis a fit."
Shannon Angle, an agricultural economics senior from Burlington, Okla., received a job as a result of her internship.
During the summer of 2001, Angle interned with William Communications in Tulsa, Okla., and was hired into the profe sional development program for Williams Energy upon completing the internship.
"I went into the internship knowing I was interested in working fuere and just worked hard" said Angle. "Besides getting the job, the greatest benefit was finally getting to use the things I had learned in class. It helped bring everytlung together to make better ense."
couple of places to look for internship opportunities are Oklahoma State University Career Services and the Collegeof Agricultural Sciences and
atural ResourcesCareer Services.They hold a number of career and intern hip fair on campus that provide students opportunitie to network with companies that may offer internships and full-time employment. nother good place to look is on the Internet. Some companies adverti e their internships and put applications on their company Web sites.
Also, friend and past connections often open the doors to intern hip . Some student have found internships by calling a contact at a company and simply asking if they are intere ted in having an intern.
"Many companies are no longer pursuing you. You may have to go after them," said Angle.
Because many companies have tandards about the number of persons they hire from intern hip programs, internships often are a way to secure a goodjob. Cargill's long-term goal is to have 80 percent of their full-time employees hired from their internship program, said Cooper.
While experience is an important component of securing a competitive position in the job market per i tence i a valuable tool as well.
'Be wiUing to pay your dues. Stay positive, keep your head up and build your net\l\o'ork,"said Cooper. "Get your foot in the door and leverage your way into bigger and better things. '
Jamie Glove,;Elgin Okla.
*May 1999 - December 2001
·These figures are based on students whose placement was known at the time of graduation using data averaged from May 1999 to December 2001.
Paul Hitch: Shaping Cowboy Country and Beyond
From the Oklahoma Panhandle to the heart of cowboy country, Oklahoma State University alumnus Paul Hitch is helping lead the agricultural industry into the 21st century.
A the on of the late cattle feeding industry pioneer HenryC. "Ladd" HitcbJr.,Paul Hitch wasbom and rai ed on his family's ranching operation outside of Guymon, Okla.
Although agriculture is in his blood, Hitch said when he was younger there were pros and cons to growing up on a ranch outside of town.
"Growing up on a ranch, you miss running around with your pals after school. On the other hand, you could go hunting rabbits and I've ridden a horse since I was old enough to walk. There's a lot of that so1t of thing kids in town don't get a chance to do," he said.
After graduating from Guymon High School and attending Wentworth Militaiy School for two years, Hitch went to OSU, where he graduated with a degree in animal science in 1965. He was active in Greek life and aid he found a home in the College of Agriculture.
'OSU is my kind of people; I felt at home because there were people I could relate to, 'said Hitch.
After OSU, he attended Stanford University and earned a master's degree in business administration. While attending Stanford, Hitch said other students did not understand why he was going to school ifhe just planned to go home and be involved in agriculture.
'It's like you didn't need an education to be a farmer or rancher," said Hitch. "Later on, I figured out they were at Stanford to try and get qualifications to get a good job and I already had one.''
Hitch returned to his family's business Hitch Enterprise Inc., at a time when the cattle feeding industry was profitable.
"When I came back, we were making nothing but money and the feedyards were full with more people wanting to feed than we had room for," said Hitch. ' We were building pens with one hand and holding off customers with the otl1er. All we had to do was just put cattle on feed to make money."
Since then Hitch Enterpri es Inc. has grown into many different branches of the agricultural industry. Today they consist of several subdivisions, including feedyards, farms pork farrow-to-finish operations, cattle buying services, commodity services and a credit corporation.
Every day's activities are different for Hitch Enterprises Inc. with the main intere ts revolving around the buying and selling of cattle and hog
"The constant trailing obviously has its worries' said Hitch. "The prices vary significantly from day to day."
Hitch aid he ha alway been clo e to his family and he is thankful that their corporation is big enough and successful enough to accommodate his children. Jason works with him in the office at Guymon and Iris other son Chris is attending a feedyard management training program in their Kansa feedyard.
Hitch aid the agricultural indu try bas had its ups and downs, but it is a way of life for his family.
'I grew up on a ranch, my two sons have grown up on the ranch, and now my grandson will grow up at the ranch, ' aid Hitch.
In addition to being president of Hi tcb Enterprises Inc., chairman of the board, director and stockholder, Hitch takes an active role in community and statewide activities.
Hitch said he feels an obligation to give something back to his church, town, school and community.
He is a member of the Victory Memorial United Methocli t Church in Guymon, where he i on variou committees and has served as local and state layperson representative for Methodist state and national conferences. He is also a member of the Guymon Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce, he serves on the board of the local City National Bank & Trust Inc., and be is a board member and founder of PROAG - an agricultural promotion group. In addition Hitch i a member of both the board of director for the Texa County YMCA and the Oklahoma Council of Public Affair , and he previously erved six years on the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture, an appointment by Governor Frank Keating.
In addition to his involvement with local and state activities, Hitch ha made a dedicated commitment to OSU and e pecially to the Colleg of Agricultural Science and Natural Re ource .
"Hitch has been extremely unselfish with his time and financial resources at OSU, said MilfordJenl,ins, Division of Ag1icultural Sciences and atural Resources senior director of development.
Sam Curl DAS R dean a id Hitch i a trong supporter and ha erved a a member of tl1edean's advisory committee for three years.
'Paul Hitch has contributed greatly to the advancement of fue livestock industry. He has provided valuable leadership through variou livestock organizations in Oklahoma and theSouthwe t,' aid Curl.
Hitch ha provided financial support to the Willard Sparks Beef Research Center the Charles B. Browning Endowed Professorship in Food Science agricultural economics scholarships and animal science scholarships.
Hitch said he is proud of the cattle feeding heritage of Hitch Enterprises Inc. As of 2002, the combined cattle feeding capacity for their three feedyards Is 159,000. Hitch is known statewide and nationwide as a leader in the cattle feeding indusuy, as well as in many other sectors of the agricultural industry. (Photo by Jim Peck, provided courtesy of Bert Rutherford, Texas Cattle Feeders Association)
Furthermore, Hitch's help on the OSU Foundation's Board of Governors has helped raise more than 260 million dollars in its successful "Bringing Dreams to Life" campaign.
"I want to do my part to stay involved with OSU, and l will always stay involved," said Hitch.
Don Gill, OSU regents' professor of animal science, said Paul Hitch is much like his dad and is known nationally and around the globe.
"Hitch is one of the wo1·lcl'sgreatest team players," said Gill. "He is a born leader who helps to get everyone to walk side-by-side.
"He will listen to you, and if you're putting forth good ideas, he will step in and give you support. That's a rare gift."
Hitch has followed in his late father's footsteps on various occasions in the past, especially when called upon to make generous leadership and financial investments at OSU.
"Hitch and his late father have always been interested in high-level educational programs. Hitch has been very helpful to the college of agriculture," said Don Wagner, head of the animal science department. "He has also been a strong supporter of OSU research and extension programs and a true leader in agriculture."
Hitch said he is proud of his education and it has helped him to be successful in the field of agriculture, and he encourages CASNR students to be proud of their decision to receive an education at OSU.
Hitch's dedication to OSU has not gone unnoticed and is appreciated by many.
"It's a p1ivilege to have somebody of the stature and caliber of Mr. Hitch in our OSU agricultural family," said] enkins. Bu Ross Laubach, Leedeu,Okla.
Euro ean horticulturebeckonsOSU students
blossomsat OSU
For some, the idea of getting out of town eem Hke a dream, especiallywith the dailyroutines of school work and meetings.
For five Oklahoma State University students in the horticulture and landscape architecture department, this dream ha become a reality. Two of the student recently returned from Denmark and in spring 2003 tl1e other three will be studying in and enjoying the beauty of Crete Germany and the etherlands.
An exchange program offered by the OSU horticulture and landscape architecture department provides these tudents with the opportunity to study abroad and learn more about the international scope of horticulture. The program, Horticulture in the European Community and the United States, or HORTECUS,is the first horticulture exchange program for the department.
HORTECUS was made available by a grant program through the U.S. Department of Education and by the European Directorate General for Education and Culture.
Hogeschool Delft in the ether lands the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark, the Technological Educational Institute of Crete in Greece and the Universitiit of Hannover in Germany are the four pru:tnershipuniversities in Eurnpe. The U.S. universities participating include Alabama A&M, Purdue University and OSU.
Faculty from participating univer itie donated their ideas and decided on the application for the program. It took nearly four years and three application processes to gain the nonrenewable grant that fund the exchange program.
"Om primary purpose was to establish study abroad programs among the seven partners " said Doug eedham, professor of horticulture and landscape architecture.
Involvement in the program was initiated through networking. eedham who played a role in the e tablishment
of HORTECU , helped developthe idea for the program along with Allen Hammer professorofhorticultu.reat Purdue, whom be had met while in graduate school at Purdue. Hammer had the initial idea to create HORTECUSand contacted Needham to see u OSU would be interested in helping build an exchange program. Hammer's idea grew into an international exchange that sends U.S. students to Europe and brings European students to the U.S. to study horticulture.
The three-year grant compen ate the 35 students participating in the six-month exchange for moving and living expenses while at their host universities. tudents are required to pay a program fee of$175, which covers health insurance and the purchase of an international student identification card. They are also requ.ired to obtain a passport. The study abroad coordinators at the respective universities provide living arrangements for the sh1dents.
Rob Brown of Tulsa, Okla., and Kristina Lewis of Ponca City, Okla., were first-time O U participants in the program. They traveled to Denmark and studied European horticulture from Februruy through June 2002.
"Living in another country was exciting and invigorating said Brown.
Chris Rasmussen (left), and Pia Mortensen are attending OSU as exchange students from Denmark as a part of the HORTECUS program. They are discussing plant variations and horticultural differences between Denmark and the United States wdh Doug Needham. (Photo by Misti Sloan)
Compared to OSU's almost 20,000 students, the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University is extremely small, with only 3,500 students.
"Despite the size of the un.iversity, it had state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facilities," said Lewis.
OSU received two exchange students during the same time period. C]uis Rasmussen and Pia Mortensen came from Denmark and studied horticulture atOSU.
"We were the test pilots for the program," said Rasmussen.
The program is offered to all students in the horticulture departments within the participating universities.
"We were the ones who were most interested in the program," said Mortensen, Danish horticulture student and HORTECUS participant, explaining why she and Rasmussen were selected to travel abroad as the exchange students from their university.
O'Neal starts preparing
spring 2003 at the
Along with the study abroad coordinators, faculty also help students with the b:ansition and cultural changes they face when moving to a new country.
"They really knew what we needed," said Mortensen.
Any horticulture student who has completed his or her sophomore year and is in good standing at OSU is eligible for the program. The first step is filling out an application form and submitting it to Needham. He then distributes the applications to all faculty members within the seven universities in the program to inform faculty of the students who are interested in the exchange. However, selection of students to participate in the program is ultimately determined by the home institution.
While participating in the exchange, students take classes at the host university and are required to complete an internship or resea1·chproject.
Although students can take any course they wish while at their host universities, one of the main objectives of the program is to keep students on track for their graduatio11 dates by allowing them to take courses that will tJ·ansfer to their home institutions.
"We want those courses they are taking abroad to contribute to their option sheet," said Needham. "ff they don't, we want the courses to be of tremendous horticulture benefit to the students."
HORTECUS not only challenges students to grow academically, but in personal and cultural ways as well.
for
"I'd call HORTECUS a facilitator," said Brown. "Itis a facilitator for cultural exchange and for academic progress."
Although students are allowed to exchange throughout all three years of the grant's duration, dming years two and three of the grant faculty at host universities also will participate in the exchange. For one-month periods faculty members will travel to one of the cooperating universities and teach in their areas of specialization.
"There is tremendous value in faculty traveling abroad and b1inging back vital information to share with students and peers," said Needham.
Continuation of the program after the grant expires is based upon the development of a new course in international horticulture. The course is unique because it is Web-delivered and will be provided at no charge to consortium partners; however, universities that are not partners will be charged a fee for the course. The intent of the fee is to develop on-going funds to help with the continuation of the study abroad program.
Although all slots are filled to participate in the exchange program, faculty continue to work to extend the life of HORTECUS. Interested students are encouraged to visit with Needham or any of the HORTECUS participants to gain more insight about the program.
By Misti Sloan, Shattuck, Okla.
Sarah
early
her exchange experience, which will take place in
Universitat of Hannover in Germany. (Photo by Misti Sloan)
CASNR sports a winning tradition
Many people know that Oklahoma State University has the most national championship titles of any school in the Big XII conference. These championships are all sports-related, but that is not the only way in which OSU excels. In the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, championships are garnered in academics and club activities.
CASNR has 26 student organizations as well as 12 judging teams. In addition, the collegehas ties to the OSU women's equestrian and rodeo teams.
The national titles and championships these groups earn bring recognition to the teams and to their individual members. These honors also reflect positively on CASNR and the university as a whole.
"Competing at a national level brings recognition to the
university," said Ed Miller, CASNR assistant dean. "Winning is always nice, but it shows what students here learn and that they know how to use what they have learned."
Competitive teams and organizational activities within CASNR come from the talent, dedication and strong recruitment efforts put forth by coaches and advisers.
Recruitment occurs for many teams, especially when there is an opportunity to defend national titles and keep the university positively associated with the activity or organization. For example, the livestock judging team actively recruits members from high schools and junior colleges.
"l came to OSU because of the livestock judging team," said Kim Cerny, animal science senior. "I knew the caliber of the program, and I admired the quality of the past members ofOSU's team I had met."
Alumni support is also a part of the success ofCASNR's judging teams. Their continued support by providing scholarships and allowing teams to practice at their facilities has helped the teams to be part of the wimting tradition. Alumni donations and assessment funds also help pay for students' travel and contest expenses.
"We rely on the support of successful alums to assure the continued emphasis on the vital parts of our animal science department," said Kim Brock, former coach of the livestock judging team.
In 2001-2002, two CASNR teams earned national championship titles: the livestock judging team and the women's rodeo team. In addition, the horticulture team won the coveted Southern Regional championship title. Individually, Mark] ohnson was named National Coach of the Year in livestock judging, and Janae Ward was the national champion intercollegiate barrel racer.
Nation's best livestock judges
In November, the 2001 OSUlivestockjudging team won its first national title in 10 years, winning by more than 51 points at the North Ame1ican International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. The team judged 12 classes ofbeef, sheep and swine and gave eight sets of oral reasons to earn the championship.
Previous to Louisville, the 11-member team won the American Royal livestock judging contest in Kansas City, Mo., and set a new hlgh point record. It was the first time in 11 years OSU had won the two contests back to back.
Every year at Louisville, the champion teams from 10 and 40 years ago are recognized at the awards ceremony. All teams recognized this year in Louisville were from OSU. Both former winning teams had members present at the awards ceremony when OSU claimed this year's championship trophy.
"It was a great feeling to know our team was a part of history," said Grant Turner, animal science senior. "Having our alumni there made the win even more special."
During their judging season, the team worked out two times a week and traveled al.most ever·y weekend to either compete or practice. The time was spent learning to evaluate different species of livestock and deliver effective oral reasons.
"Several people told me our performances at the final two contests were the most do1llll1antthey had ever seen," Johnson said. "When I evaluate our performance at Kansas City and Louisville, it says a great deal about the talent and ability of the entire team."
Students ofCASNR, as well as the faculty and staff of the college, are just as excited and proud of the team's accomplishments. The wins emphasize the quality of the college and OSU students.
"It was such a great feeling to have your peers congratulate you," said Jeremy Bun, animal sci-
ence senior. "It makes you realize what you have done for your college. I never realized how much it means to everyone else to have us win a national title."
More than just flowers
The OSU horticulture judging team had not won the regional title since 1998. They accomplished this feat in February 2002 in Orlando, Fla., at the]. Benton Storie Horticulture Commodity Judging Contest. Winning this contest is more highly recognized than the national title because the level of competition is much more stringent in comparison to the national event.
The contest consisted of judging 10 classes of fruits and nuts, 10 classes of vegetables, five classes of greenhouse foliages and floral plants, and five classes of woody plants. Tn addition, contestants were required to identify 20 greenhouse and woody plants by scientific name.
"I learned a lot about horticulture [while] preparing for the contest," said Erika Brooks, horticulture senior. "Being on the team was a great experience, one you don't have in a classroom setting."
Seven students represented the horticulture department at th.e contest. Four competed as a team, and the rest were classified as individuals. The students began preparing for the contest in November by going to the OSU greenhouses for several hours each week.
"We had a good team this year because of the members' dedication to work and tl1eir background," said Janet Cole, professor of ornamental horticulture and team coach. "The fact that they were willing to prepare and put in a lot of time outside of practice to learn plants and names shows their level of dedication."
ing contest. (Photo by Gretchen Summers)
Julie Daniel, spring 2002 graduate, looks at flowers in the OSU Teaching Greenhouse in preparation for an upcom-
Tenths of a second make the difference
In May 2001 half of the top 12 barrel racers in the Central Plains region were OSU Cowboys, or in this case, Cowgirls. After the College ational Finals Rodeo, the e winning Cowgirls were national rodeo champions, making them the first such team ever from OSU.
Intercollegiate rodeo contestants compete in regional rodeos to qualify for the College Rodeo Championshlp Series and the College National Finals Rodeo. The CRCSwas established to make the qualifying process for CNFR a more objective process.
"I think the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association has created a CNFR qualifying procedure that sends the best college cowboys and cowgirls to the finals," said Sarah eely, NIRA director of public relations and administration.
At the 2001 CNFR in Casper, Wyo., nearly 450 contestants from across the United States competed for more than $200,000 in scholarships and prizes.
'Honestly, I didn t think we had a chance of winning as a team, being all barrel racers," said Janae Ward, accounting junior. "Toward the end of the week it was starting to sink in - we might have a chance, because the other teams were having some problems."
"ffitimately,seven-hundredths of a second separated Ward and 2001 OSU alumna Julia Warner for the national barrel racing title.Junior Gretchen Benbenek was eighth, securing the national team title. Ward later expanded her honors to include a December 200 trip to the ationa1 Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, earning a total of $88,568 for the season.
Coach Terry Hyman said winning a na tionaJ title brings recognition to OSU as the place to come and rodeo.
"We re building foT the future, and now recruits know it's possible to come to OSU and win a national championship, ' Hyman said.
And the winning continues ...
It is not only these championship team that make OSU and CASNR so great, Miller said, but also it's many other successful organization
The Agronomy Chili has been named Most Outstanding Agronomy Club in the nation eve1yyear for the last 12 years. Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow has earned more than 150 awards at their national contest for tl1eCowboyJournal magazine and individual entries. In addition, other club and teams have been national champion in the past, including the soils team, the horse judging team the bio ystems and agiicultural engineering tractor pull team and the meats judging team.
Each win shows the quality of students in the college, and also the quality of the faculty who take the time to shape and mold the student . It would not be possible to compete and win at a national level without them, said Miller.
"Students learn more when they are involved in these organizations than they ever could in a traditional classroom," said Miller. "Competing with other schools is a gauge of how well we are doing preparing our students. Winning is proof of the good job we are doing."
Kylene Orebaugh, Dodge City, Kan. and Gretchen Summers, Brady, Texas
are Terry Hyman (left), Julia Warner, Gretchen Benbenek, OSU Regent Lou Watkins, President James Halligan, Janae Ward and Shannon Herrmann. (Photo courtesy of Terry Hyman)
2001 J.w&~]l~Team
Mark]ohnson, Coach
HeathBush, Chickasha, Okla.
Jeremg Burr, Kins leg, Kan.
Jeremy Cantrell, Stigler, Okla.
Kim Cerny, Narka, Kan.
Marty Fear, Sutherland Neb.
Terry Lockhart, Muldrow, Okla.
Adam McClung, Greenbriar,Ark.
Casey Meek, London, Ohio
Cody Sankey, Council Grove,Kan.
ju tin Stacy, Oktaha, Okla.
Scott Stedje, Gruve,, Texas
Grant Turner, Amber, Okla.
2002 1fartimltur8 Tea1n
Janet Cole, Coach
Erika Brooks, Mu kogee, Okla.
Jana Clift,Miami, Okla.
Julie Da,niel, Newcastle Okla.
Crystal Holder, Perkins, Okla.
Kendi Nelson, Carrier Okla.
Tere a Mollett, Elk City, Okla.
Sheila Roggow, Perkins, Okla.
2001
TerrJJHyman, Coach
Gretchen Be1tbenek,Missoula, Mont.
Shannon He,nnann, Ft. Smith, Ark.
Julia Warner, Sapu.lpa, Okla.
Janae Ward, Addington, Okla.
Members of the National Champion Women's Rodeo Team are recognized by OSU President James Halligan at a fall 2001 football game. Pictured
Throughout the years, hundreds of horses have carried the brand of the Oklahoma State University equine program, but not until recently has this mark truly been recognized as more than just a symbol of ownership, but rather as a sign of excellence.
Within the last year, the Ame1ican Quarter Horse Association performance industry has seen the progeny of OSU, both man and mount, move from spectator to center spotlight. What may appear to be a fast track to success, however, sta1ted at a slow lope more than 100 years ago.
In the beginning
Like most land-grant co11eges,from the beginning the OklahomaAg1icultural and Mechanical College was dependent upon horsepower, according to A History of the Oklahoma State University Division of Agriculture by Donald Green. Agriculture was structured around the horse; from pulling a wagon to pulling a plow, the horse was without substitute. Dependent upon this need, the draft horse program was organized as a respected portion of the college.
"The draft horses were an important part of OSU's heritage," said Robert Totusek, animal husbandry graduate and former department head. "In the '20s and '30s, OSU had some of the best draft horses in the country with several studs and mares imported from Europe."
A large solid brick structure that housed 40 to SOhead of draft horses, known as the OSU Horse Barn, was built in 1902. It burned in 1922, and Willard Hall was later erected on its site. The replacement for the OSU Horse Barn was built in 1926. Itrnmained standing at the current site of the OSU Colvin Annex until the late 1970s.
1n the early 1940s, the draft horses were fazed out due to advancing technology. However, Clark "Andy" Kinkead, who oversaw the draft program and also taught a horse production class, was a horse enthusiast and wanted OSU to keep horses as a pait of its academic curriculum. With this in
mind, the department head at that time allowed Kinkead to retain five Quarter Horse mares to continue the program.
"When I returned to OSU and began coaching the livestock judging team in 1952, we used those few Quarter Horses in teaching and in judging practice," said Totusek. "At that time, livestock judging included horses. Everylivestockjudging competition consisted of at least one or two horse classes, and those OSU horses were useful for preparation."
From the mid-1950s to the late 1970s, the horse program was essentially nonexistent and was eventually shut down with the removal of the Horse Barn.
A new start
In 1977, due to a recognition of the enormity of the Oklahoma horse industry, the extinct OSU horse program was resurrected with Totusek at the reins as the animal science department head.
Current Oklahoma State University herd stallion, OSU Sonny Slider, has produced offspring earning in excess of 1,000 AOHA performance points. (Photo courtesy of the OSU Animal Science Department equine program)
"I recognized a need for a horse program, knowing that the Oklahoma equine industry has a greater economic impact than any other livestock species with the exception of cattle," said Totusek. "I was very fortunate to have a dean of the college of agriculture, Frank Baker, and a university president, Larry Boger, who also recognized the need."
Upon university approval, the OSU Quaiter Horse program began with no horses and one faculty position. Doyle Meadows filled that position, taking on the job in equine class instruction, research and extension.
"Doyle got the program off the ground," said Totusek. "He grabbed the horse by the tail and ran with it."
Meadows, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, generated enough contributions from Oklahoma horsemen to bujJd the current horse barn on the grounds of the OSU dairy in 1980. In addition, they remodeled the existing dairy calf research barn and converted it into the horse breeding facility and stud barn.
Totusek soon facilitated the construction of the $25,000 white vinyl fencing that encloses the horse farm today. Over a period of time, Oklahoma residents donated the horses that became the foundation of the breeding program.
"The horse industry of Oklahoma made that program possible," said Totusek. "It was all done from donations. In reality, the OSU program of today is a showcase of the Oklahoma horse industry."
Following Meadows' resignation in 1983, Totusek lobbied for an additional staff position. Don Topliff and David Freeman were brought in the following year.
"Topliff and Freeman knew exactly the ki11dof horses they wanted to produce," said Totusek. "In the beginning they just needed horses; it did not matter what kind. Using the donations, they skillfully used the available genetics to work toward a goal of quality. Some equine donations were quality and some were not. After tl1econception of the program, they had the freedom to keep and cull, and that is what they did."
They would breed the mares to whatever available studs they had, said Freeman, but they mostly used stallions outside ofOSU.
That changed in 1984, when Harry Hudspeth from Bixby, Okla., donated a stallion by the name of Harlan Okmulgee.
"He was a son of a well-known foundation sire, Harlan, and tl1efirst quality stud we O"\Vlled,"said Freeman.
Harlan Okmulgee served as the cornerstone for the breeding program for seven years and produced 90 registered foals. In 1991, Harlan Okmulgee died at the OSUhorse farm.
"We had been keeping stud prospects back," said Free-
Pistol Pete
that made his horse a
"After Okmulgee died, we focused our program on one of his offspring, OSU Sonny Slider. We started breeding to him in 1994, and he remains our keystone stud today."
Today, as the OSU horse program celebrates the 25 yeaianniversary of its reinstatement, it consists of60 horses maintained on a SO-acre farm located at the corner of McElroy Road and Western Avenue. A 120-acre pasture located at tlle OSU airport is also a component. Horses are used for laboratory experiences, judging practice and extension activities.
In 1998, the addition of the OSU Women's Equestrian athletic program increased the number of retained riding horses. From the mid-1980s until now, a main horse stall barn, several outdoor arenas, two small barns for storage of hay and equipment and a new equestrian team headquarters have been added to the horse farm. Freeman has remained as the equine extension specialist, and in 1999, Steven Cooper replaced Topliff as the equine judging coach and equine undergraduate course instructor.
"The current success of tlle OSU horse program can be found in two areas: the progeny of OSU Sonny Slider and the industry successes ofOSU graduates," said Freeman.
Slider's offspring success
The OSU equine breeding program has gained national recognition because of the performance trnits passed on by OSU Sonny Slider.
OSU
owner, Elsworth Harrison, demonstrates the talent
world champion. (Photo by Todd Johnson) man.
"OSU Sonny Slider is a quality producer," said Cooper. "OSU Pistol Pete is an example of his siring ability."
In 2000, OSU Pistol Pete, a son of OSU Sonny Slider, became the AQHA High Point, All-Around,Junior Horse of the Year. In 2001, OSU Pistol Pete again excelled, winning a world championship title in senior dally team roping.
"That is our niche at OSU," said Cooper. "We are seeing that Slider's offspring are excelling in the roping horse world."
OSU Pistol Pete is not alone in showcasing the program. OSU Sonny Slider has had 8 7 registered offspring, according to AQHA. OSU Sonny Slider's offspring have earned a total of 1,299 performance points in the AQHA (948 in open events, 315 in amateur and 20 in youth). Total AQHA earnings for OSU Sonny Slider's offspring are $21,567. To date, OSU Sonny Slider has produced one world champion, OSU Pistol Pete, and two other offspring, OSU Power Slide and OSU Watch Sally Slide, that were among the top ten in the AQHA roping standings.
Graduate success
A connection can be found between OSU's equine breeding program, its judging tradition and the success of its graduates. In the last 10 years, seven national judging titles reflect the leadership and the eye for quality possessed by Topliff, Freeman and Cooper.
"One of our best examples of successful OSU graduates who were active in the OSU horse program is Dave Dellin," said Cooper.
At age 24, making his first AQHA World Show debut as a professional trainer, Dellin won the 2001 AQHA World Championship in the 2-year-old western pleasure open division. Dellin is a 1999 OSU animal science graduate, and he competed on the 1997 national championship horse judging team, coached by Topliff.
"One of the reasons I took first was because I remembered something Topliff told us when we judged the world show in 1997," said Dellin. "Topliffhadjudged that show and told us that one of the things to look for was a horse that immediately loped out when the judges called for it. Most contestants hesitate to lope out immediately in order to make their horse appear to be slower moving, but Topliff said that at the World Show the judges would discount for it.
"All that day I remembered his words," said De1Jin,"and when they called for a lope I fired my horse off immediately. The judges later told me that was one of the best things about my run. My expe1ience at OSU definitely paid off."
Other OSU graduates who are horse industry leaders include Bill Brewer, AQHA executive director; Cam Foreman,
AQHA senior director of shows; Ed Roberts, American Paint Horse Association chief executive official; and Dan Wall, National Reining Horse Association executive director.
Global outreach
The OSU horse program and its graduates' successes also are matched with OSU's leadership in the global equine industry. In 2000, OSUbecame one of only three U.S. universities to receive an AQHA grant to teach a two-week western riding seminar in Europe.
"The Oklahoma horse industry has a responsibility to tl1eworld," said Freeman. "Our state serves as a host to many worldwide horse association competitions and sales. We are seen around the world as a horse industry leader, and programs such as this are essential in continuing our role. Not only does it benefit international students, but also our own."
For the last two summers, Cooper along with several students have traveled to Germany, Austria, Denmark and England to conduct the seminars.
"I will never forget the experience and how it broadened my view of the horse world," said Amber Moffett, OSU graduate student seminar instructor, who was hired as The Ohio State University equine specialist inJanuary 2002.
Instruction in western 1iding styles and horse management was provided at the seminars.
"We chose OSU to participate in this outreach because it is one of the very few programs in the nation that is so wellrounded," said OSU graduate and current AQHA International Affairs Director T1igg Rentfro.
Cooper said their vision for the future of the OSU equine program is certain.
"Our goal is not to just leave our brand on our horses, but on the industry as a whole," he sajd.
From draft horse to dream horse, from pulling to performance, from culls to keeps, the OSU program has maintained a steady uphill h·ot. So at the next equine exhibition, watch the center spotlight for an OSU legacy, representing excellence and sporting the OSU brand.
B11josh Brecheen,Coalgate,Okla.
1902: first OSU Horse Barn; 1909: OSU drah horses working a field; 1915: first OSU horse judging clinic; 1921: OSU's grand champion Percheron stallion; 1926: second OSU Horse Barn; 1934: OSU Belgian breeding mares (Photos courtesy of University Archives, OSU Libraries); 1977: current OSU Horse Barn (Photo by Josh Brecheen); 2001: AOHA World Champion OSU Pistol Pete w!/h owner and the OSU mascot (Photo by Todd Johnson); 2002: a one-week-old OSU filly (Photo by Josh Brecheen)
College is a journey, one that can lead to a wide range of future possibilities. While some travel this journey with no real direction or set goals, pre-veterinary science majors find prior planning is an important step on the road to a career in veterinary medicine.
Getting prepared
With only 74 of the more than 300 applicants accepted each year to the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine, getting prepared for the future should be a student's main concern.
"Focus, hard work and planning are key steps in making the process more stress-free," said J.T. Walker, veterinary medicine junior. "I cannot emphasize enough the importance of early planning. Plan ahead and search for an undergraduate program that prepares you well. Stay focused and work hard to achieve your best; it will pay off in the end."
A student can choose any undergraduate curriculum at OSU as long as the curriculum offers the core courses the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine requires.
"Choose a11undergraduate degree that fits yow· interests and one that meets the core course requirements of vet
school," said Katrina Meinkoth, veterinruymedicine recruitment coordillator. "Students should not think there is only one undergraduate curriculum that is best ill preparing them for vet school."
In addition, students should have an alternative plan just in case their goal of vet school does 11otmateria1ize.
"You need to ask yourself, 'What will I do if! do not get accepted into vet school?' and therefore pick a major that will be beneficial in both settings," said Meinkoth.
Once a major has been selected, the real journey begins.
"Students have to be realistic. Getting into vet school will certainly require hard work throughout their undergraduate career. A student's first four years serve as a trainillg ground for the real thing," said Bret White, veterinary medicine sophomore.
Rising to meet all the expectations is not only suggested from fellow vet school students, but itis also a must ill achieving the goal ofbeing accepted into vet school, said White.
"I have asked a lot of questions of current vet school students and discovered that maintainillg a rigorous course load coupled with extensive science-based classes will help prepare me for the challenges that lie ahead," said Krista Vega, biochemistry senior.
Prospective vet school students should consider that hands-on experience outside the classroom is also important while completing an undergraduate degree, said Vega.
One of the most dynamic aspects of vete1inary medicine is th.eability to cru·efor animals and treat illnesses. What better way to learn more about the vet-med field than to work for a well-respected veterinarian?
"The skills I have learned through my pre-veterinary internships with various veterinarians are invaluable, and have helped me become more aware of the vet-med profession," said Vega.
Vet schools want students who ru·ewell-rounded. The selection committee looks for students who have the desire and aspiration to become top veterinarians, who have prepared themselves well, who have extracurricular activities and who have work experience, said Meinkoth.
Understanding the process
Once students have prepared themselves for vet school, the next step in the process is completillg the veterinary medicine application and the required entrance exams.
When an applicant's core requirements have been fulfilled, he or she must submit the completed college of veterinary medicine application no later than Oct. 1 the year before he or she plans to begin vet school.
The completion of required pre-veterinary courses and the fulfillment of other minimum requirements do not automatically assure a student's acceptance into the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine. The selection committee must assess
a student's evaluations and the other selection criteria before an applicant is accepted.
"In selecting applicants for admission, the committee will consider grade point averages and standardized test scores along with an applicant's background, previous work experience and letters ofrecommendation," said Meinkoth.
Applicants must submit three le ters of recommendation, including one from a veterinarian.
"When applying to vet school, letters of recommendation are key," said White. "A well-respected vet familiar with your work ethic and related veterinary skills is a perfect example of a good recommendation."
Besidesletters of recommendation, tudents who are applying need to include an official transcript listing all coursework. Students also must have achieved a minimum grade point of 2.80 in those required courses.
Admission standards require applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination along with the biology subject test before they submit their application.
"Many potential vet-med students are concerned with the competitive level of their academic achievements," said Meinkoth. "The average GPA for the 2001 applicant profile was 3.49; o yes, grade are important, but not out ofreach.
"The steps involved in completing the application for admittance are time-consuming and tedious· each step needs to be handled with extreme attention to detail."
Once applications have been submitted, the admissions committee, which is composed of faculty members from within the OSU vet school and members of the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association has the responsibility to narrow down the list of applicants and to elect applicants for interviews.
'The admissions committee seek to select students with. excellent records of academic achievement and a background that predicts potential success in a variety of veterinary medical careers " said Meinkoth.
After the initial applicant selection, the committee scheduJes interviews with the remaining applicants. Interviews are granted based on the overall excellence and quality of the student's application.
Potential vet students must illustrate to the committee how their background and skills would qualify them to be the best of the best in the veterinary profession, aid White.
What to expect
The first year of vet school is similar for all students; each student will follow a standard CttITiculumwith all other beginning freshmen.
The curriculum includes a set of required cour es, which all students must successfully complete. Second year tu dent follow a et curricul.um also but have the opportunity to select electives from a predetermined list of core course
The vet school uses a snuctured cunicuJum where each body system of an animal is presented individually. After each body section is discussed, a test is given over that particular segment before students move on to the next segment.
Meinkoth said during the fir t and second yeru·,students shouJd expect to focus on the basic science of veterinary medicine. These basics cover areas that deal with physiology, anatomy and hi tology.Each of the e topics are taught dming the presentation of the major body systems during the first two years of a students vet chool cunicuJum.
'Students should be prepared to do a lot of reading and studymg," said Walker. 'Many hours are devoted to going over material that will be covered in class and preparing for upcoming exams. '
During the third and fourth year, most students complete both the required coursework and classes that specialize in a particular area of interest. The fourth year is almost completely ca e-based, offering students the opportunity to concentrate on their cho en area of intere t.
If students complete these four years of vet school, their options for a successful career are endless. Having a veterinary medicine degree offers a wide range of future career possibilities that extend from owning a private practice to working for the U.S. government.
Financing vet school
An essential element of pursuing a veterinary medicine degrne is adequate financial aid. Basic academjc expense for the cun-ent school term a1·e approximately $3,600 per em ester for residents and $9,600 for nonresidents, making tuition expenses an important facet of a quality vet school education.
With the extensive amount of time required in the cla rnom and for uffi-
Continued on page 24
Learning from experience is what the Oklahoma State University veterinary medicine internship is all about experience that can play a key role in helping students get into vet school.
Each semester, nine students are cho en to spend time at the OSU Veterinary Medicine Research Hospital where they observe,participate and decide if veterinary medicine is what they want to make as their career choice.
Students rotate through the different section of the hospital, helping with aspects ranging from surgery to diagno i and treatment of small animals. During the semester, students are required to work four hours a week and fill out five clinical reports, which are graded by their supervising veterinarians. Although the interns are not paid, they receive three academic credit hours for their experience.
Students can learn more about this internship opportunity by attending an organizational meeting, which is announced through the Pre-Vet Club. During the meeting, Ed Miller, as ociate dean of the Collegeof Agricultural Sciences and atural Resources, describes the internship and current interns tell about their experiences. Intere ted students inform Miller if they would1ike to take the internship. Miller then meets with individual students and determines when would be the best semester for them to take the internship.
Miller sa:idhe b.-iesto work with everyone's schedule to accommodate each student's needs. If they are sophomores,
Continued from page 23
cient study purposes a student must no depend upon part-time employment to meet expenses; however, there is as istance offered.
Several privately donated awards and scholarships are presented to students who excel in the vet school curriculum. Awards in varying amounts are given ba ed on proficiency, academic achievement and need. Veterinary medical students also may qualify for loan programs administered by the OSU Department of Financial Aid.
"Again, students must plan ahead," said Meinkoth. "Once a student has been accepted, they hould strut.making decisions on how to afford their education. There are several choices they can make to get financial assistance. '
Students should understand that planning for a career in veterinary medicine does not follow a simple formula. A student's success in obtaining a veterinary medicine degree from OSU is determined by extreme focus hard wo1·kand years of planning. Striving to meet these expectations ensures student a rewardingjourney that will lead toward a promising career in a va t number of fields in veterinary medicine.
By Chris Stephens, Wes on, Mis
they have thr e years to fit the program in but if they are enior , they need it now and get fir t priority. If more than nine studeo ts want the intem hip, Miller looks at grade point averages. The students with a higher GPA willbe more likely to get into vet school, he said, and will benefit moTe from their internship experience.
ndrea Tate, animal cience enior, completed the internship dming her junior year.
"The best thing first-year student can do i peak with Dr. Miller and let him know they are interested," sajd Tate. 'Then they hould attend a meeting and become highly involved within the Pre-Ve Club.
The Pre-Vet Club is an organization for tuclents interested in attending vet school. Members are exposed to veterinarians and instructors who can help t11emachieve their goals and becom familiar with the vet school, said Tate.
The Pre-Vet Club can also help build a student's resume. Instructor like to ee student who are involved with other activities, said Tate.
The internship is not required to get into vet school, but students should try to build the best resume possible said Miller. Thi i a great way to meet new people and show initiative in the vet-med program.
"The intern hip definitely reassured me this is what I want to do," sa.idTate.
Bgjamie Stuckg, mah Haven, Kan.
Dr. Gregor Morgan of the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine begins preparing for an embryo transfer at Durham Hereford Ranch near Stillwater, Okla. (Photo by Chris Stephens)
Dear
Remember when you used to read The Daily O'Collegianevery day between classes? Remember how you used to laugh at those outrageous opinion columns? Remember the captivating pictures you used to hang in your room?
Seeking the future
New place , new faces, new ideas. Oklahoma tate University plant and sou science graduate students are researching outh of the border on one of the brightest new innovations in orth American farming.
This new idea is the GreenSeeker. This top-dress fertilizer pray applicator optically sen e a plant nutrient requirements and then it applies nitrogen fertilizer a needed.
The GreenSeeker was developed during 10-plu year of research by a team of fom OSU scientists: Marvin Stone and John Solie of agricultural engineering, and Gordon Johnson and William Raun of plant and oil sciences.
Their collective effort have the potential to maximize production rates through exact fertilizer application and increased yield rates, which could help in the fight against food shortages worldwide, said Raun.
After building the GreenSeekeT which has been tested solely on wheat varieties in Oklahoma the OSU team wanted to make sure the technology would actually perform as they were predicting it would. Four year ofre earch on test plots confirmed everything they had been calculating in the lab.
The GreenSeeker was unveiled Oct. 15, 2001, at tbe OSU oble Research Center. During the ceremony, license and ma ter research agreem nt were igned with Tech Indutrie Inc., a private commercial manufacturing company.
NTech Industries Inc. au innovator, developer and marketer of proprietary technology for sensor-based agricultural nutrient and herbicide delive1ysystems, has agreed to manufacture tbe GreenSeeker. The agreement will benefit OSU by returning a perc ntage of sale revenue from the GreenSeeker product to the univer ity for further research.
GreenSeeker is such a futuristic product because of its ability to sense and calculate a plant's physical and chemical needs for fertilizer (at a range of one meter squared) and then apply it while traveling 20 miles per hour over a field.
"That is what I enjoy the most about working with this project, being part of something that pushes the edge of science,' said Paul Hodgen, soil fertility master's studen from Roachdale, Ind. At the same time, GreenSeeker will make us better stewards of the land and will reduce the risk of polluting the environment by agricultural ineffi.ciencie ."
The research behind GreenSeeker may not have been possible without the help of many different collaborators, including past and present students who aided in gathering information and building the cmTent product.
A total of 26 participants have been involved in thi joi11tprogram between plant and soil sciences and biosystems and agricultural engineering that has allowed the GreenSeeker project to develop. GreenSeeker is also part of an international research project with Mexico's International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, or CIMMYT.
The CilvlMYT resea1·chproject is aimed at developing specific plant lines for varying type of climates and soil types so that not only will nitrogen application be maximized by the plants but also specific plant breeds will be adapted for pecific areas. Research in Mexico allows scientist a longer growing season to develop the kinds of specific plant needed.
Raun and] obnson are supervising staff members who have been using collaborative research opportuni bes at CIMMYT in Mexico for the GreenSeeker project. Raun developed the international research opportunity due to his exten ive ties with CIMMYT,where he was employed for six year . Raun said thi opportunity gives student valuable international experience that is beneficial to today's graduates seeking employment.
"This allows OSU students to travel and work abroad, and to work with some of the foremost researchers in their field" aid Raun.
Those who have taken this opportunity said it has benefited them greatly.
' The experience I had at CIMMYT was ab olutely amazing. I lived and learned a different way of life,' said Kyle freeman, soil fertility master's student from Tuttle, Okla.
"I had the opportunity to work with some of the best scientists from all over the world," said Freeman. "The international experience I gained will be invaluable for the rest of my life, and I will certainly never forget it."
Kyle Freeman collects data samples in Mexico on wheat plots following the application of Nitrogen with the GreenSeeker technology. (Photo courtesy of CIMMYT)
"Working with the GreenSeeker project gave me the opportunity and interest to continue my education," said Freeman. "I had the chance to work with a team of professors devoted to delivering a product beneficial not only to the wheat producers of Oklahoma, but also a product that can be developed to use on crops all over the world."
Hodgen is currently at CIMMYT doing research to expand GreenSeeker's capabilities in other areas of plant and soil sciences. He too is adamant about the international research opportunity and the GreenSeeker project.
"Working within these two projects has provided me with countless opportunities, including educational experience, travel and realworld experiences as well as many
John Solie, agricultural engineering professor (left); Gregory Bell, horticulture and landscape architecture assistant professor; John Mayfield Jr., NTech CEO; Marvin Stone, agricultural engineering professor; William Raun, plant and soil sciences professor; and Gordon Johnson, plant and soil sciences professor; examine the GreenSeeker sprayer technology during the NTech licensing agreement. (Photo by Kristen Andrews)
professional contacts," said Hodgen. "These opportunities may or may not have been offered in other traditional disciplines to the extent that they have been made available through this project."
The research being done in Mexico will help adapt GreenSeeker technology worldwide. One of the many goals for the project is to have this technology used in developing countries where much of the farmland is of marginal quality. GreenSeeker has the potential to improve the nitrogen use efficiency for crop production everywhere.
The preparation and skills learned while being able to work on such an innovative project have allowed students to move on to successful careers, said Raun. Upon completion of the CIMMYT program, many of these students have returned to OSU to finish successful academic careers.
As a result of working with both projects, seven students have received the outstanding master's and doctoral student awards from the plant and soil sciences department.
In addition, two students who worked on the GreenSeeker received the Sitlington Scholarship, a presti-
gious honor awarded to students in the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
More than school awards are on the list of accomplishments for past CIMMYT research exchange students. Many have taken positions with top companies in related fields. SST, a leading agricultural technology company, The Noble Foundation and Ford Motor Co. are just a few of the companies who have hired plant and soil sciences students.
Current students and those to come will have opportunities within the GreenSeeker project and the international research project with CIMMYT.These projects are now aimed towru:d studying the application methods and determining correct algorithms enabling applicators to apply fertilizer to various crops.
Keeping these goals and the continuing problem of world hunger in mind as motivation, those involved with the GreenSeeker and CIMMYT international research projects will continue to go to new places, meet new faces and work on new ideas.
Shane Richey, Plymouth,Ind.
A new solutionto an old
roblem
One man's trash is another man's treasure. This could soon be true of the Eastern redcedar tree if Salim Hiziroglu, an assi tant professor in the forestry department at Oklahoma State University, has his way.
The Eastern redcedar tree has plagued Oklahoma ranchers and landowners for years, said Terry Bidwell, extension range management specialist and professor of rangeland ecology and management at OSU.
"The redcedar has caused widespread damage, 'Bidwell said. "As the cedars spread, not only are cattle grazing and farming affected but also many wildlife species diminish and the quantity of water declines as well.'
Bidwell said because of the Eastern redcedar, Oklahoma is in danger oflosing the prairie chicken, the bobwhite quail and the wild tmkey.
Oklahoma landowners have spent years looking for way to fight the onslaught of the Eastern redcedar. Everything including applying herbicides and walking the land with clippers has been tried, but bai-elyseems to make a dent, said Rodney Holcomb of the OSU Food and Agricultural Products Research and Technology Center.
Holcomb and Bidwell both said controlled burning can be effective "However with more and more people moving out into the country and the risks that Oklahoma wind brings to the table, in many cases burning is no longer a viable solution," Holcomb said.
The problem has gotten to the point that the state has
established programs to aid landowners financially in their quest to clear their land of Ea tern redcedar and restore it to a more u e.fuland profitable condition.
'We've got hundreds of thousands of acres in Oklahoma that are out of business because of redcedar," Bidwell said.
"We can change that, but it will co t."
ow, Hiziroglu thinks he may have finally found a use for the Eastern red cedar. native of Turkey, Hiziroglu said ever since he began working at the forestry department at OSU, people have been asking him f01·advice on how to handle the Eastern redcedar problem on their land.
" o I decided o find a way to make u e of omething that everyone el e thought of as wa te mate1ial," aid Hiziroglu.
Hi olution i particleboard made from Eastern redcedar, produced i.n a much more efficient and cost-effective manner than the cunent production method.
Using the cwTent system, a hardwood tree such as oak or pine is brought to the mill the limbs are removed and the bark is shaved offbefore it can be chipped and manufactured into particleboard. This process i co tly and creates waste. When Eastern redcedar is used to make particleboard, nothing goes to waste. The tree, limbs, bark and even the needle are run through the chipper and eventually become particleboard. This method has proven to be less expensive and faster.
In addition to helping landowner and improving product efficiency, using Eastern redcedar has envirnnmental advantages. As Bidwell said, the tree itself i a drain on the eco y tem u ing up water and taking over the land; con equently, removing it i desirable. Since the manufacturing process u es up the whole tree no waste is created.
A particleboard product made from Eastern redcedar can have many uses because the structural properties of tl1eexpe1imentaJpanel are comparable to product currently on the market, o it can be u ed in many typical ituation , ucb as manufacturing furniture. In addition since the oil in redcedar that gives the tree its odor is a natural insect repellent, using the particleboard as a closet liner would give the closet a cedar che t effect, keeping away moth and other pe t
The potential boon to Oklahoma that could come from thi discovery is interesting to say the least. After all there seem to be quite a few advantages to producing particleboard made from Eastern
This pasture near Perkins, Okla is an example of what was once productive rangeland, now being overrun by Eastern redcedar. These trees could be a wanted commodHy for farmers and ranchers some day. (Photo by Jason Mabra)
redcedar. In a way, it will be almost like getting paid to haul off trash, Holcomb aid.
Holcomb al o aid landowner eventually will be able to clear the Eastem redcedars from their land, haul them do\VTl to a particleboard mill, and get paid for their product ju t like a crop. A crop that require no input, is already there and is beneficial to remove. What a way to make the best of it.
o how long until this will be underway? Holcomb aid it could happen as early as next year.
'The first thing that bas to happen is to get a particleboard mill built in Oklahoma, which will probably cost.from $3 to 3.5 million," Holcomb said. "To get thi done there will have to be corporate financial backing. The1·eare severa1in tere ted parties, but mo tare waiting on the approval of a patent, which has been applied for but not ecured. '
They are also waiting on the outcome of an economic model on which Holcomb and agricultural economics spring 2002 graduate Chad Greenlee, have beenworking.
This model will show all costs of operating a particleboard mill uch a equipment land labor, buildings and utilitie Holcomb aid mo t of the interested parties wantto locate the potential mill in central Oklahoma, possibly just east of Oklahoma City.
"This is a product that has the potential for national marketing, because it measures up to the competition and will cost considerably less " Holcomb said.
If it catche on one mill would not keep up with the demand, meaning more job and more money to areas of the state as more mills are built, Holcomb said.
The addition of a particleboard mill or mills would mean jobs and a financial windfall for the communities that manage to attract the business, so public support for this project would seem inevitable.
Chalk up yet another exciting discovery for Oklahoma State University. Anytime a person finds a way to turn trash into trea ure it's worth getting excited about.
on Mabra, Fargo, Okla.
Salim Hiziroglu is optimistic that a mill will soon be producing his Eastern redcedar particleboard somewhere in Oklahoma. (Photo by Jason Mabra)
Each year students buy books, enroll in courses and drive to Stillwater to start classes. They don't even think about how lucky they are to have a university that is so easy to fit in to, so inexpensive and usually so close to home.
Some Oklahoma State University students know all too well what most students take for granted. They are international students, and they represent 10 percent of the campus population. They come here for many reasons, from many different countries, beliefs and backgrounds.
"I needed a better education," said Cesar Galaviz, an international student from Mexico, explaining why he decided to attend college in the United States.
Galaviz, originally from northwest Mexico, came to the United States in the fall of 1999 as a junior. Before coming to OSU, he spent his first two years of college at an agricultural university in northern Mexico, the Universidad Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro, or UAAAN. He said he had three choices of American unjversities: Iowa State University, Kansas State University and OSU. He chose OSU because UAAAN and OSU are sister universities and have an exchange relationship.
Most intema tional stud en ts come to study in the United States after receiving scholarships from their governments. Many foreign governments look for occupations their countries need to fill and then send students to study in those scholastic areas.
"In many countJ:ies, the governments see a need for an improved food supply and therefore send students to study agriculture," said David Henneberry, assistant dean of international programs for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
In Galaviz's case, he did not receive any money from his country; however, he did receive the Ralph S. Matlock Memorial Scholarship for $600 from the OSU Plant and Soil Sciences Department.
When Galaviz came to OSU, he did not know anyone. He said it was difficult to meet American students because there is not a prngram in place for international students to meet them.
Galaviz instead began meeting other international stu-
dents and became involved with the Latin American Student Association. There, he met many other Latin American students and was also introduced to Bryan Vardeman, an OSU football player from Lawton, Okla. Vardeman, who was a sophomore, had Latin American friends and became involved in LASA because of them. Despite theiTrecreational connection, Vardeman recognized Galaviz's reason for coming to America and attending OSU.
"I could tell Cesar was here to take care ofbusiness," said Vardeman about his first meeting with Galaviz.
Vardeman and Galaviz became good friends through LASA and also from living in Willham Residence Hall. In May of Galaviz's first year at OSU, the two moved off campus and became roommates.
"I think it was a good experience to live with someone from a different background," said Vardeman. "Cesar is hilarious, a really fun guy."
For enjoyment, Galaviz spent his time with his new American and international friends. Galaviz and his friends enjoyed going to the movies, listening to local bands, competing in international contests and participating in LASA activities. Other times, however, they simply Eked to hang out at students' houses.
"Cesar was on a mission, but he was also here to have a good time," said Vardeman.
According to Henneberry, CASNR has a wide spectrum of international students. He said it varies from student to student on how well they fit in with tl1eAmerican culture.
Galaviz adjusted well in Oklahoma.
"He was a good student and mixed well with other people," said Henneberry.
Although Galaviz learned as much as he could while he lived in the United States, he has been around ag1iculture all his life, as he grew up on his parents' farm.
"We have a pretty good size farm, it is about 1,000 acres," said Galaviz.
His father owns the farm and has been growing corn, beans, sorghum and other grains there for 40 years. Galaviz said he decided to major in plant and soil sciences with an option in agronomy because he wanted to learn as much as he could about the soil, plants and growi.ng food.
"I see agriculture in Mexico as a business," said Galaviz. "It's a good business."
However, Galaviz said, the Mexican government has not realized the potential of agriculture in Mexico. Why?
"That's the question I ask myself every day," he said.
Galaviz said Mexico is too concerned with relationships with other countries and is importing food from other nations instead of buying from Mexican farmers. Even so, he is optimistic about the future of agriculture in Mexico.
"I think agriculture in Mexico is going to change because it is continuing to become more advanced and competitive year by year," said Galaviz. "I want to be a part of this change and development."
With confidence in his country, he returned to his farm in Mexico after he graduated in May 2002, and someday, he plans to take over the farm.
Although Galaviz was a CASNR undergrad, the majority of international students in CASNR are graduate students. Most international undergraduate students at OSU are in nonagricultural majors.
Of the international students who attend OSU, approximately two-thirds are male and a large majority of the students are not married, according to statistics from the OSU International Student Services office. Even though Mexico is located next to the United States, the country is not one of the top 10 countries represented by international students at OSU. India is the country with the largest representation, with more than 400 students attending OSU each year. Mexico enrollment averages 10 students per year.
No matter where the students are from, they each come to OSU to gain an education and to take advantage of the activities and atmosphere offered by the university.
Galaviz said his experience was good and has helped him mature. He said he plans to encourage others to come to the United States and OSU.
"It was great; it was a really good experience to leave my country," said Galaviz. "The people who go to OSU to study are going to learn a lot."
Robyn Ott, Fairview,Okla.
Cesar Galaviz came from Mexico to OSU to study plant and soil sciences. He is proudly sporting his native flag. (Photo by Robyn Ott)
Hi her educationat
s
If you're thinking of am. aster's degree, why not earn it from a distance? Oklahoma State University's recently approved agricultural education 01ilinegraduate program just may be right for you.
The OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and 4-H Youth
Development has added a complete online distance master's program. The OSU Board of Regents approved the program to begin in fall 2000.
"This program i great for students who want to pur ue higher education while still staying in the work force," said Jim Leising, head of the department.
fs-anceinAg Ed
"The only drawback to onJine classes is the lack of interac ·on with other student ," said Heinemann.
Todd and Denise Hou e of Kiowa, Okla., are both working on their agricultural education ma ter' degree "With both of us having full-time job
"Our classes can be anywhere you have Web access. " taking distance classes gives us a good opportunity to spend more time together," said Todd House.
The 30- to 36-hour master's program is designed to be completed in nine semesters or approximately three years. ine emester credit hours can be h·ansferred from another chool Wbile students work on their degrees, they are not required to come on campus. Students can even work with their graduate advi ory committee onJine.
Just like on-campus students who are required to have an advisory committee of three faculty member to provide guidance and mentoring distance education students are no different. They are given the option to come to campus to put their committee together but are not required to do o.
Bob Heinemann, a station supervisor at tbe OSU KiamichiForestry Re earch Station in Idabel Okla., has taken distance education course for the past t\vo years. He said one of the best pru.is about di tance education classes is they allow you to customize your plan of study. A student's plan of study consists of the courses he or he will take to complete a graduate degree.
Agricultural education is one of the first programs in the university to effectively
Ll e the art of video streaming. Other OSU co11ege uch as business, education and arts and sciences are looking to CAS R for ideas and advice.
To prepare cour es for online delivery professors digitally record their lecture . The video- treamed lectures as well as PowerPoint presentations homework and syllabi are po ted on the course Web page. Student can login any time and listen to lecture or review cour e material.
"I have found that even my in-cla student go back and listen to the lectures again on the cour e site " said James Key College of Agricultural Sciences and atural Re ource distance education director.
Even though tudent are tal<ingcourses from a distance, they still have the opportunity to interact with other students in their classes.
Distance students participate in interactive activities such as work reviews. Heinemann said work review did not sound good at first but in the end they became beneficial.
Reviews consist of being paired with another classmate for the semester. E-mail add re es are exchanged and student are encouraged to share thoughts throughout the eme ter. This allows the dis-
If you can access the Internet, then you can participate in higher education programs from OSU. New distance education classes are allowing agr!cultural education graduate students the opportunity to hold full-time jobs while furthering their education.
(Photo by Lea Ann Castleberry)
James Key
CASNR distance education director
cussion of assignment along with the exchange of homework ideas and critiques of each other's work.
OSU ha offered online di tance education for the past eightyeass. However, the first di tance courses were taug11t in the 1960s on talkback television sy tems operated through a microwave tower system. This system was a two-way audio, one-way video. This meant students could see and talk to the professor, while the professor could only talk to the distance students.
The problem was distance students had to find a school or site that bad the prop r equipment, aid Todd House. Then OSU changed to the compressed two-way audio/video system. This was a great way to interact and teach distance students, said Key.
'OSU began online clas es because distance students needed more course to be available "said Key.
Key and Heinemann both said distance courses are for independent people who are self-motivated. One of the benefits of this program is being able to move at your own pace said Heinemann.
Keysaid, from a professo1·' tandpoint not only do you
have to be concerned about your students, but also about technology. Using the technology allow students to further their education - whether they are in Oklahoma or anywhere around the world.
Our classes can be anywhere you have Web access," said Key.
Potential students interested in the progrnm can download admission application from the OSU Graduate College Web ite (http://www.osu-our .okstate.edu/gradcoll).
In-state and out-of-state fees are, 151 per credit hour for distance courses. Other costs such as thesis, internship and other special problems courses that do not require distance delivery are $116 per credit hour (fall 2001). There are two different degree to choo e from: the master of science in agricultural education and the master of agriculture.
For more information about the online master of science in agricultusal education or master of agricu1ture degree programs, view the departmental Web site (http:/ /agweb.okstate.edu/agedcm4h/).
Bg Lea Ann Castleberry, Ninnekah, Okla.
PepperedPorkTenderloin
• 1wholeporktenderloin,aboutonepound
• 2 t. lemonpepper
• 1/2t. cayenne(redpepper)orpepper blendseasoning
Rubtenderloinall over with combined peppers.Placein shallowroastingpan and roast in 425°Foven for 15-20 minutes,until internaltemperature (measuredwith meat thermometer) reads155°-160°F.Let roastrest for 5 minutesbeforeslicingto serve.
Every pring seme ter, one Oklahoma State University tudent gets the chance to work up c1oseand personal with legislators ai1dlobbyists.
For the past 26 years the Oklahoma House and enate agricultural committees have hosted one intern from the Collegeof Agricultural Sciences and atural Resources to be an active participant in the pring legi lative session.
CASNR i the only college in Oklahoma with an internship that gives students the opportunity to work with entire committees at the state capitol.
A majority of the intern's time is pent taking notes, doing research and getting a chance to be part of the nuts and bolts of daily activitie , aid state Sen. Paul Muegge of the Senate agriculture and rural development committee.
Interns are able to participate in various daily tasks to get a taste of what is going on behind the office doors of elected officials.
'I wa able to do a lot of different thing , including working with bills and policy, working with constituency groups and doing research and bill summaries" said Ryan
sMcMullen, 2001 legislative intern. "I had a number of networking opportunities that will be a great help in the future."
If people were more involved and understood the legislative processes better they would realize the impact the government ha on their live , aid Mary Penick, 2002 legis]ative intern.
"Until I tarted this internship, I didn't realize all the important affects the governmental processes have on me," said Penick.
This internship i not de igned to prepare tudents for a political cm·eer, aid Muegge. Although it i good experience for those who wish to run for an elected office, interns make their own decisions in regard to their future earners. Most of them tend to stay in the field of agriculture because of where they come from, he said.
"Farming is good training for politic because you never know what is going to happen the next day in either profession, aid Muegge.
In the case ofthi internship, an agricultural background can simply be used a a springboard to help relate to people, said Penick.
"I don't know what percentage of the bills pas ed have a direct impact on agriculture in a state like Oklahoma but it is quite a few, said Ed Miller, CASNR as ocia te dean. "U you consider all of tl1ebills pa sed t11athave at least an indirect influence on the field of agriculture it would be the majority.'
The agricultural legislative intern hip also gives students a unique chance to add view of the younger generation to the legislative process.
"My philosophy is that wl1en our founders created this government they wanted to create legislativebodies that represented the entire population" said McMullen. "Iti important to have doctors, lawyer , farmer and bu ine men, but at the ame time, a diver e age range i needed. It healthy to have the opinions of all age when ma king important decisions that affect all of us."
Currently, only one intern is selected for each spring I gi lative term. However, there i room for growth within thi program and it would be po ible to upport more than one intern at a time in the future, said Mmer. It depends on having legi lator who are willing to nurture the interns and having private funds to support the interns' expenses, he said.
The application proces is a competitive one, said McMullen. The intern i elected by a committee ba ed on the applications, resumes and the interview proces .
Mary Penick, 2002 legislative intern, takes a break from her busy schedule at the state capitol. Penick spends her days assisting the Senate and House agriculture and rural development committees in many ways. (Photo by Rachel Young)
A tudent who is serious about becoming the legislative intern needs to have good communication skills be professional and should be involved in campus activities said tate Rep.James Covey of the House agriculture and rural development comlD.lttee.
"The interns really have to be elf-motivated; they will have a lot of time on their hands at the capitol when not much i going on "said Miller. "So they could either it in their office and read magazine or they could go down to the library, talk to lobbyist or even talk to legislators not involved with the agricultural committee to learn more about their other interests. '
The internship requires the tudent to take the piing emester off and move to Oklahoma City. The student participating in the spring 2002 internship received three credit hours and a $3,200 scholarship from several sponsors.
A sophomore or junior level student is usually prefeITed for this internship. Application are available by mid- eptember in 136 gricultural Hall and are due back at the end of October.
After the applications have been reviewed the top candidates for the position are selected to go through an interview process. The interview process consists of a group interview with the a ociate dean, assistant dean, director of student career ervice , coordinator of academic program and the previous intern.
The intern we choose for this po ition is highly visible, said Miller.
"We have to remember the legi lators' view of our col-
lege is of en shaped by that one intern " aid Miller. 'The person we choose is a representative of our entire college."
Jami Mc nulty Longacre, 1993 agricultural economics graduate, was the agricultura1 legi lative intern in the spring of 1992. She credits her success after college to this internhip experience.
'My experience a a legi lative intern absolutely laid the foundation for my current career as a lobbyi t ' aid ongacre. "I had no idea what I wanted to do after college before I had th.isopportunity."
Longacre said the contact she made during her internship resulted in many ofher caTeer opportunitie .
The benefit ofthi legi lative internship can be evaluated both by the knowledge gained and the valuable connections that can be made.
"The most exciting part of this experience was the people I got to work with 'said McMul1en. "I was impre eelwith the dedication ofour elected official and taff."
This internship program ha been made successful through the hard work and cooperation of O U a11dthe agricultural legislators.
"We have donors who believe in this program ' said Miller. 'It is a long-term investment; people realize these student will under tand the agricultural legislative processes and omeday become leader "
With the goal of creating great leaders, CAS Rand the Hou e and Senate agriculture and rural development committees are working to help students gain a promising future.
By Rachel Young,Bartle
·ville,Okla.
OKJ ..ABOIIA FARMERSTOCKMAN
People sell their abilities in the work force every day.
Kim Anderson an agricultural economist and profesor at Oklahoma State University, i. helping students in the Collegeof Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resou ·ces exercise and perfect the techniques used to close the deal.
The OSU Department of Ag1icultural Economic realized tbe need to form a sales and marketing class in fall 2000. The department received a 'thumbs-up" from school officials to create a 3000-level sales class for spring 2001.
Agricultural Sales and Marketing (AGEC 3323) ha quickly become one of the most popular clas e for tu dents throughout CASNR.
"When the department decided to offer a class like this, I was excited, ' Anderson said. 'A hjgh percentage of the students from CAS take sales positions after graduation, and I wanted to teach a class that would give our students a leg-up when they enter the workforce. '
The class curriculum relie heavily upon experiential learning with ales profe sional Besides traditional lecture the student are required to complete two projects during the em ester: "Sashay With A Salesperson" and "Ready et Sell."
Anderson said the projects allow the students to learn things that they could n~t possibly learn in a traditional classroom atmosphere.
"I learned people skill and communication techniques
that I would have never learned in the classroom," said Terry Lockhart, agricultural economics senior. "I took the class the first semester it was offered. Now I am a sales representative for Stillwater Equipment Company and students come and shadow me. It is interesting to ee both sides of how the class works. I learn something each time."
The first half of the class focuses on the "Sashay With A Salesper on" project. Student are responsible for finding a ales profes ion al to shadow for a day while the professional goes about his or her daily business. During this time, the students ask the salesperson questions and gather information that wi11be used to write a report for a final grade.
"Letting the student choo e their own sale per on allow them to go to an area in agricultural sales they may be intere ted in," Anderson said. 'The idea is to let students create a network of contacts they can use later in life.'
Students agree that who you know can help when it is time to enter the business world.
I was able to make a contact in the indu try who I can network wjth in the future" said Brian Bacon agricultural bu sine s senior. ' I felt the lecture material we were tested on in c]as was truly beneficial after witnessed it in action on real sales calls with real people.'
Dming the last half of the semester, students focus on the "Ready Set Sell" project. This project lets students use what they have learned to build and deliver an actual sale presentation to professionals in related professional fields.
"This was my favo1ite part of the class," said Bacon. 'I got to actually u e what I had learned. It gave me real-world, profe sional experience."
Anderson credits the success of tbe class to the businesses and companies that are eager to participate in the projects. The professionals who take the time to participate in the stu-
Terry Lockhart (left) of Stillwater Equipment Co. talks to Adam McClung during the "Sashay With A Salesperson" project. Students learn the importance of having a working knowledge of products, which helps to answer any questions consumers may have about the products they are selling. (Photo by Kyle Ellis)
dent shadowing project and listen to the sales presentations show the agricultural industry's support for OSU and CASNR, said Anderson.
The class is also a great recruiting tool for the college, said Anderson. Since the class started, enrollment has increased by 20 student every semester. The spring 2002 enrollment was more than 120 students. All majors can take the cla s as long as they have taken the prerequisites. Many times the class has more students from other departments and college on campus than agricultural economics major
"In some cases, the class i more beneficial to other agriculture majors," Anderson said. "They are students who will probably be sales representatives in the future. In our college a majority of animal science, agronomy and agricultural busines majors go into the field of sales. These are the tudents the class is aimed at."
The development of the curriculum for the class came from David Downy, profes or of agricultural economics at Purdue University. He pent 25 years working with people in sales and re-
searching the techniques they used to be successful. The research and curriculum were attractive to Anderson and the other faculty members in the deprutment. Anderson has taken the curriculum and made it his own. Each semester he tries to bring in new ideas to improve the clas
"After taking Dr. Anderson's sales class OSU students
are certainly some of the most valuable products on the market,' said Lockhart.
Through this cla s students gain experience to take to employers, and they 11avethe knowledge and insight to make the sale, satisfy the customer's needs and close the deal.
By Kyl.eEllis, Purcell,Okla.
Kim Anderson now gets to devote all of his classroom time to the agricultural sales and marketing class, due to its overwhelming popularity with students throughout CASNR. (Photo by Kyle Ellis)
Ban uet reco nizesoutstandin students
rds tie
In the company of alumni, faculty, family and friend , the Oklahoma State Univer ity College of Agricultural Sciences and atural Resources held its annual awards banquet April 5 2002, to honor the college's best aud brightest.
CASNR awarded 374,250 in scholarships to incoming fre hmen, tran fer and continuing student enrolled in the college - an amount $271,650 greater than the previous year's total, said Dean Sam Curl of the Division of Ag1icultural Sciences and Natural Resources. These funds are made possible through the financial support of donors. The contlibutions of all scholarship funds from departments and the college totaled $753,125.
New scholar hips added this year include the Reproduction Enterprises Inc. Scholarship ($1,500), the Lloyd Henslee Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Agiiculture ($500) and the Frank Sanders Memorial Agriculture Scholarship ($500).
Shane Stephens of Chickasha Okla., captured the pre tigious Paul and Mary Hummer Outstanding Senior Award with ru parents Mike and Shirley Stephens present to watch.
During his tenure as associate dean, Paul Hummer and bis wife, Mary, established the annual award that includes a Remington bronze presented to the Outstanding Senior in CASNR,said Ed Miller,CASNRassociatedean.
Stephens said he has worked toward this award ince 1999 when he received.the OSU Charle and Magda Browning out tanding fre hman award. He ha since earned his bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics with a minor in international bu iness and business economics.
' I feel Top 10 Seniors must be chiven academically, have a desire to lead within their profession and community and be goal-orientated,' said Stephens.
"While at O U, I tried to po e s each of the e quaJitie a part of my growing experience. '
Stephen was also named this year s Oklahoma State University outstanding enior man.
Along with tephens nine other outstanding seniors were recognized at tru year's banquet. The enior inc1uded Shannon ngle of Amorita, Okla. agricultural economic I accounting double major; Adele Gelvin from Joe , Colo., animal science major; CaITieAnn Hennigh agricultural economics/accounting double major from May Okla.; Bradley Johnson of Oklahoma City agricultural economics major; Ryan McMullen agricultural economics/pre-law option major from Bum Flat Okla.; Robyn Ott of Fairview, Okla., agricultusal communications major; Michael Pettijohn, plant and soil sciences major from Chickasha, Okla.; Coleman Smith, environmental science major from Fayetteville Ark.· and Yancy W1ight of Mooreland, Okla., plant and soil sciences major.
Each year, the top five enior in the CASNR are recognized in honor of Fred LeCrone who erved a the a i tant dean in the resident instruction office of the college of agriculture in the '60s and '70s.
'He was beloved by those who knew him 'said Miller. After his retirement Dean L Crone served on the city commission and a vice mayor of Stillwater. One of bis pas-
Shane Stephens (!eh), outstanding senior of CASNR, stands w11hthe award sponsors Charles and Magda Browning and his parents Shirley and Mike Stephens. (Photo by Todd Johnson)
,\L
Elizabeth Kinney is awarded Outstanding Freshman honors by Sam Curl, Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. (Photo by Nicola Xanthus)
sion was to encourage tudents to reach their full potentia1 and o stiive for excellence in academic and leadership. The winners for 2001-2002 were Angle, tephens, Smith, Wright and Hennigh.
Charles and Magda Browning established the Browning Outstanding Freshman Award. Charles Browning erved as dean and director of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for 17years.
Each year the award is given to a CASNR tudent who ha demontrated academic and leadership achievements tlu·oughout his or her freshman year.
This year' recipient of the Charles and Magda Browning Outstanding Freshman Award was Elizabeth Kinney, agricultural communications major from Mooreland, Okla.
IGnney was also recognized a the Alpha Zeta Outstanding Freshman along with Jamie Johnson, animal science major from Wyandotte Okla.
The Ag1icultural Amba sador Outstanding Adviser Award was given to animal science professor Dave Buchanan.
The CASNR Outstanding Support taff award was pre-
Simmons unit assistant for CASNR's academic programs office.
Top Ten Seniors
Top
Dean LeCrone
Pictured are the top 10 seniors for CASNR. Front: Coleman Smith (left), Fayettev!'lle, Ark.; Robyn Ott, Fairview, Okla.; Shannon Angle, Amorita, Okla.; Carrie Ann Hennigh, May, Okla. Back: Shane Stephens (left), Chickasha, Okla.; Michael Pettijohn, Chickasha, Okla.; Ryan McMullen, Burns Flat, Okla.; Bradley Johnson, Oklahoma Cily; Yancy Wright, Mooreland, Okla. • and Adele Gelvin, Joes, Colo. (Photo by Todd Johnson)
