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COWBOY JOURNAL Students Acrossthe stage ...

OSU mascots Masteringcommunications The true valueof a dollar

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Faculty Aboveand abroad His lessonsgo with you A picture-perfect job

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Alumni A growingpassion A Cowboybrainsurgeon A happybirthday

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Research Celebrating30 years The grassis alwaysgreener

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Service Let me be bravein the attempt Helpingpeerspieceby piece Just a mouseclick away Gilts from the heart

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SpiritRiderMeriruthCohenourandgroundcrewmember JudithHeronema pay rributeto the AmericanFlag during"TheStar-Spangled Banner''beforean OSUfootball game.(Photoby AmandaJones)

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COWBOY JOURNAL Jrom /he e<hlors ...

Staff:(backrow fromleft) SarahFultz Prater,RobynSites,JamieWherley,Mitzi Hartin,Erin ReeceHarris, AmandaFaithJones,(middlerow)BrianBendele,MattMason,JaredRobison,JustinDay,ChrisKidd,Jeremy Porter,(frontrow}RachelJohnson.AftonJameson,KendraKellon.LynetteRushinand MelissaMajors.

Editors RachelJohnson KendraKelton GraphicsEditor AmandaFaithJones Web Editor Afton Jameson Video Editor BrianBendele SponsorshipCoordinators LynetteRushin RobynSites PhotographyCoordinators Erin ReeceHarris JeremyPorter CirculationCoordinator Mitzi Hartin

Staff Justin Day Chris Kidd MelissaMajors Matt Mason SarahFultz Prater Jared Robison JamieWherley

Life throws many obstaclesin our paths.Fromstudy-abroadtrips and capstoneclassesto personal strugglesandpeoplehelpingpeople our attitude determines how we handle these situations. In the following stories, lessons are learnedfrom eachchallenge.

We offerthanksto the following people for making this magazine possible:MistyWright,Matt Wright and Keith Dant, QuebecorWorld Pendell; Christi Haley, Karsten Creek· Jennifer Knight, OSU StudentStore; ElizabethWhitfield; Sheri Ishmael-Waldrop; Bonnie Milby; Danna Kelemen;Julie Cox; and Todd Johnson Agricultural CommunicationsServices. Shelly and Dwayne-thankyou for sharing yourknowledgewith us and helping us succeedin our collegecareers.

We wouldlike to dedicatethis issuein lovingmemoryof Dr.James White, our mentor, teacher and friend.

ManagingEditors Shelly PeperSitton DwayneCartmell Julie Cox FoundingSponsors LimousinWorld OklahomaFarmBureau OuebecorWorldPendell

Visit the CowboyJournalWeb site: http://cowboyjournal. okstate.edu

Medalsare awardedto numerousSpecial Olympicsparticipantsthroughoutthe year. The firstOklahoma SpecialOlympicsequestrian event was conductedat OklahomaState Universityin October2003.(Photoby RachelJohnson)

SPRING2004 7

Letme kill. ourage. haring.Joy. Four imple w rd b at in the heart of pecial Olympic athlete and are etched in the medal w rn proudly around their ne ks. Tho e involved with pecial Olympics live the e word daily.The e four irnple word al ode. ribe the fir t tate eque trian competition for pecial Olympi Oklahoma.

kill The fir t Oklahoma pecial Olympi eque trian event was held at the Oklahoma rate Univer ity Animal c.ience ena Oct. 25 2003. ince the organization'· arrival to Oklahoma in 1969, more than 8,300 athletes have participated in 15 sports the most recent being eque trian.

Twen -eight qu trian athlete ea ·h competed in three f the four ofered event -w ricing trail pole bending barrel racing and figure-eight takera ing.

Event planning and training of the athlete and coache took two year aid Teri Ho kett, a program dire tor with pe •al lympic Oklahoma.

'Here in Oklahoma it ju t make en e," aid Ho kett. 'We've g th r es and wb y o why don't we do an eque trian program and giv it a hot?"

To date, Oklah ma ha 15 ertified coache . The free training la t cw day.

While not required it i encouraged that the individuals who want to be oa he have expcrien e with hor e aid Hockett.

When working with coache there i a great deal of re ponibility involved, ai Larry a ilias, pre i en of tht.:Oklahoma Palomin Exhibitors o iation, national youth advi er for the Palomino Hor ebreeders of America and event dire tor of the pecial lympic klahoma eque crian.

"We work with members of the O rode and eque trian team to train new oa he , he aid. They help with training and play the part of the athlete . " here' a lot that goc into [training], including how to a i t the athlete in mounting and di m unting the hor c," ai a ilia . "I the oach' respon ibility to find out the ability of the athlete and the di po ition o the hor e and match them.'

Once trained and certified, coa hes begin working with athlete t pre are r tatc ompe ition.

"Theathlcte mu ttrainforaminimum feightw eks with a ertified pe ial Olympic eque trian oach in the event the are oing to pa.rti ipa c in" aid Ho kett. asilias and his wife Paci initially became involved in pecial Olympic in January 2003 as ertified oa hes for the onhea tern Equc trian Team of klahoma. The team on i t of two athlete , tephen Harvey and Heather o amon.

"We work on onrrolling thei1·horse, man uvering around obstacle and their balance and po ture in the addle to try to give them better horsemanship overall" aid Paci a ilia . 'They don t ju t show up and ride.

They have to take arc of their hor e. We've taughtthem to bru hand addle their horse· even pi k the h ove . here' a lot of work involved."

6e6raveintheattempt The Casilla 'team u ually practice three hours ea h arurday, Pati a illa aid. he and Larry have donated the horses, equipment, barn and time to train their team.

"Our kid have come from where they could not handle a horse at all co being able to handle a hor eon their own," said ati Ca illas.

"I think it give them more confiden e."

Working with the athletes ha taught he n.vo oache many thing , but mo c of all patience, aid Paci a i.Ua. "We take so much for granted; it just teaches you patien e in that not everyone ha the ame ability," she aid. ourage Perhaps the most important word etched on the medal worn by pecial OJ mpic athlete , courage i exemplified by each individual and hi or her famil on a daily basis. u an o amon the mother of Heather, ha witne ed the effect of pecial Olympic on her daughter since the econd grade.

For Heather, outward appea.ran e belie her "differences" fr m tho e with whom he com sin contact.

'With J-learher, courao-e' mean being different and dealing with peopl who treat other differently," usan o samon aid.

"The harde t to deal wi hare word that ut like knives." pecial OJympi ha given Heather, and other , the ournge to be her elf and be confident in who she i , said u an o amon.

"By using the strength and courao-e rom being different, they become tronger," she aid. "To rand up to people who are different and be them el.ve an stand up for them elve and a ept who they are rakes oura e."

Beside the courage the athlete gain by being involved in pecial Olympic , the family members of the e athletes learn about being 'different" as well.

'In he ch ol y tern, [ he athlete ) are different; put them in pecial Olympic and you and] are different,' aid u an o amon. " verything enter ar und them.

Heather competed in the International pecial Olympics games in 1998 at the age of 16 and ince then, she has changed tremendously, her mocl1cr ,lid.

"When leather ame ba k she had gained m re el on 1den e from the whole thing," said usan So samon." he built con1den e and elf-esteem by working a a team, accompli hing g al and showing ever body he could do thi ." haring pecial Olympic would n t exist today-and could not have been created-without the time, energy, commitment and enthu ia m of more than 500,000 pe ial Olympic volunteec . pecial Olympi s relies on volunteer at all levels to en ure ea h athlete is offered a qmtlity sport training and competition experien e.

More than 1,700 volunteer coa he and thou and of ponor donors and volunteer onduct the 100-plu event held annually to upport pecial Olympic Oklahoma.

Fifty volunteers from O U and tillwaterassisted in the eques-

trian event, w rl<ing a idewalker , helping et up pattern and working with athlete a their per onal a istant .

"We do wha rever they a k u to; we help them get ready to ride and make sure they get to their event on time "said ndrea Bryant an agricultural ommu.ni ation alumna and volunteer at the event.

It makes them feel like tar , which i important "said Bryant.

Bryant and her friend Amanda arly an agri ultural edu ati n alumna, began volunteering for pe ial 01 mpic during the 2003 ummer Games.

"It make you feel like a better per on. ou've made a differen e and cl1eyremember you. It's a great feeling," aid Bryant. "The rea on we wanted to volunteer for the eque trian event i be ause we've bocl1 hown horse ."

Their pa t involvement in competitive h r e shows and their experien eat th pecial Olympics equestrian event has given them a unique per pective, aid Br ant.

"What' ifferent about this than n rmal hor e show i that at normal ho e how , you're o competitive and everyone i di tanr " aid Bry,lnt. "In [ pe ial lympics], cv rybod ' helping each other; it' not ba ed o much n the win.

"The friend hip her i rronger. Everyone is happy co ee each other and they make ure their friend get o the event on time.'

The camarad rie g beyond a warm welcome, espe ially\ hen the winner are ch sen, aid Earl .

'The all ·lap for ea h other every one of them," aid Early.

Judith Heronema, an O Hor eman' ociation member and animal ien e-pre vet major al o volunteered.

Heronema worked a a potter, a si ting in a e of an out-ofcontrol hor e or frightened onte tanc. he ha worked at the Oklahoma um mer Olympi Game for the last two years as a member of the O pirit Rider team.

"You get a diff, r nt pcrspe rive of life when you work with them and help ut," aid Heronema. "It doe n't matter what imc

they run or if they do it correctly. It's getting out there and doing it that's worth it. They may be competitive, but it's all in good fun."

Eleven other members of the OSU Horseman's Association volunteered, as well as six members of the OSU Ro<leoTeam.

OSU has had a long history with Special Olympics Oklahoma, and the turnout of volunteers and departmental assistance is proof of that relationship.

"OSU's equestrian re,tm, rodeo team, animal science department and OSU College of Veterinary Medicine have all played a significant role in helping Special Olympics develop rhe equestrian program," said John Se,tls, Special Olympics Oklahoma area services and support director.

"We have our summer games here and have for almost 20 years," said Hockett. "I can guarantee you we would nor have this program ifit were not for OSU right now giving us the help, the facilities, the people and the knowledge they've offered. OSU is very good to Special Olympics Oklahoma."

Joy According to Special Olympics, the organization empowers people with mental retardation to realize their fuJJpotential and develop skills through year-round sports training and competition. As a result, Special Olympics athletes become fulfilled and productive members of their families and the communities in which they live. ft is an experience that i5 energizing, healthy, skiUfi.il, welcoming and joyful, according to the organization.

"One of our themes has been 'Special Olympics: Training for Life,' and I trunk equestrian really shows that," said Seals. "When coaches like Larry [Casillas] train their athletes, they not only train the athlete how to ride the horse, but also how to rake care of the horse. J think this program exemplifies the tntining for life motto."

Casillas agrees. "] think it challenges rhe athletes," he said. "They arc dedicated, and they work hard. Ir's rewarding to see when they do a good job."

Being a part of Special Olympics Oklahoma has given many individuals a new perspective on life.

"When you look at our athletes and what they have to overcome just to get up in the morning and get going, no matter what their level of ability, they're positive,'' said Hockett. "They don't complain or gripe.

"They have a great sense of humor; they're fun and loving. 1t truly is a real joy. You're working with people who truly appreciate what you're doing."

Volunteers and family members agree "Training for Top:HeatherSossamon.leji. and Stephw Harvey, Bixby, 0/,./a.;Middle Micht1el Life" applies to those who assist and compete in H,·rri11g.

Vi11it11, 01:.la.:1111d Bottom:Bob Special Olympics.

Hartley. Vi11ito,Oklt,. (Photosby Rachel "They're happy about life,'' said Hockett. 'They live Johnso11 1111dMe/ism ivffliors) life in the moment and enjoy it so much, and you can't help but enjoy the same things when you're with them."

Susan Sossamon agreed the joy of Special Olympics has overflowed into her role as a parent and a friend.

"Heather has made me a better parent," she said. "She is not only my daughter, she is my best friend."

Four simple words have more value than the medals they are etched upon. ''Because in Special Olympics," said Susan Sossamon, "everybody wins." ♦ By Rflche/

Johnson, Elmore City, Okla.;and MelissaMajors, Sutton, Neb. For more i11Jormatio11 about Special OlympicsOklahomaor the equestrianprogram, call (800) 722-9004 or contactSealsatjoh11@sook.org or Hockett at teri@sook.01-g.

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Agricultural Economics

Above and abroad Facultycoupleteachesstudentsthroughstudy-abroadcourse

Dan (l,ji) ,ind Mnrri11Tilley takt a brenk in front of Kmsi11gto11 Palau d11ri11g a rccmt trip to Englnnd. Behind the couplestm,d, " stnt11tof Qu,·m Victorin. (Photo by Brady Sidwell)

F

or students and faculty members, summer break is a time to get away from classes and relax. For those participating in a study-abroad experience, it is a time to travel to diverse places.

Teaching as a husband and wife team, Dan and Marcia Tilley, both agricultural economics professors at Oklahoma State University, have traveled the world, sharing their years of experience teaching studyabroad courses for participating students.

"My wife and I are teaching a class on

participate. In AGEC 4803 International Agricultural Economics Tour, 25 to 30 sn1dems travel to Europe and conduct research while observing the agricultural practices and cultural differences. The itinerary includes Scotland, France and England.

"Students should have learning experiences outside of the United States," said Dan Tilley. "By traveling to other places,students gain self-confidence, having survived in other cultures. They gain an internationaJ perspective of life and of agriculture." the trip,whichisour responsibility asfaculty Forsruden rstravelingwiththeTi lleys, members," said Dan Tilley. "It's important a wide array of activities and work has been for us to work as a team. Since both men and set up for the trip. Having taught the studywomen participate in the program, it's abroad trip together several times, the Tilleys important to have a couple guiding the trip. already have witnessed the sites for themselves. This has aJlowed them to better inWhat better than a faculty couple?"

The couple has dedicated three sum- struct the course while enjoying the excitemers to offer College of Agriculniral Sciences ment and amazement of students when they and Natural Resources study-abroad trips arc first introduced to the United Kingdom.

"Before we ever leave for the trip, we for CASNR studenrs. They have traveled to Turkey, England, Scotland and France with have a pre-trip scavenger hunt," said Marcia students while teaching agricultural issues, Tilley. "This not only helps students to become motivated about the trip, but also alcultures and diversity.

Each year, CASNR offers summer lows them to learn more about the culture study-abroad trips to students who wish to and places they will be visiting."

12 COWBOY JOURNAL

Edinburgh Castle, rhe Tower of London, the Eiffel Tower, Windsor Castle and Westminster Abbey are just a few of the more well-known places students will tour on the trip. While there, students can choose where to visit and how much time they wish to spend at each place.

"Mosr museums in the UK have no admission charge," said Marcia Tilley. "This allows students to see first-hand some of the most well-known pieces of art in history.

British museums cover worldwide contents, some with sections for North America."

By participating in a study-abroad program, students see more places and do more things than if they were to go independently, said Dan Tilley. Some parts of the trip arc planned activities, which are required, while other times students can choose what to do nex't.

Participating in the study-abroad trip includes traveling to famous places, attending classes and doing independent research.

"As a requirement for the course, sn1denrs must write a term paper about their experience," said Dan Tilley. "They must first propose a topic and cum in an outline before we leave. This turns the trip into an independent study, which allows students to pursue their own interests and take their own paths."

Wmdsor Castle, with its fairy tale turrets n11dtowm. iJ the largest contin11allyir1hnbitedcastle in the world.

Stnnding for 11earlya millwnium, Wi11dsorCastle is the a11wtral home of Queen Elizab,th JI. (Photo by Dan Tilley)

Before returning home, tudent are CASNR Study-Abroad able to pend a final night to enj y what Programs • Spring 2004 Europe ha to offer. n one oc a ion everal student were able to ee and take International Agriculture Study of picture of ~een Elizabeth II in a hor eEngland, Scotland and France drawn arriage. Other activitie have in(AGEC 4803) cluded attending cla ic hake pearian proDaniel Tilley ductions at the Globe Theatre, which wa Marcia Tilley relatively inexpensive and tudent were Agricultural Economics able to be at rage level, aid larcia Tilley.

For tho e wanting t participate in the Japan Historic Garden and Urban Landscape Design (LA 4990) 2004 tudy-abroad trip with the Tilley , an Paul Hsu application and 500 depo it mu t be ubHorticulture and Landscape Archimitted by Feb. 3 2004. The fee for the trip i tecture approximately 1,800, which includes h u ing, land transportation and me meal .The France: Agriculture and Culture remaining balan ·e i due by March 12, 2004.

(AG 3080) rudent al are re pon ible for airfue, Steve Hallgren tuition and enrollment for the course. Three Forestry to four meeting time will be cheduled during the pring eme ter to di u s Mexican Agriculture, Culture and pa port and other arrangement .

Westminster Abbey hm bu11 tht ufting for tvtry NAFTA (AG 3080) coro1wtio11 sina 1066, as wt'// 111m,maous royaloa11"For those intere ted in their Daren Redfearn siom. While 11i1iti11g, studentsare able to su tombs of Jonathan Shaver tudy-abroad experience, the kings <111d quews 1111d vi,-w histonral British architrcPlant and Soil Sciences agricultural economics trip i a good choi e ' ture. (Photo by D<111 Tilley) aid Dan Tille . " ou an feel ar home in the Agriculture and History of Italy "It i diffi ult to de ribe the trip and UK or ocland, then ren1rn home in pired (AG 3080) onfident, omewhat tired, bur very the way tudent bond together with ut Leon Spicer experiencing it fir thand," said Dan Tilley. much enthu ed." ♦ ByJeremy Porter,Agra, Animal Science "Our students become friends and a Okla.

For more infamwtion on study abroad (40 ) 744-9712 or Jldele Tongco al (40 ) upport group for each other. ometimes the programs, contact Dr:rnid llimneberry, 744-9781. Information is available in Room are in mall group going their own way , ct other time they group together and go in assi ·tan/ dean ofintenwtional programs, at 1 9 Agricultural Hall. the area of common intere t."

While on the trip, tudents participated in la e fi r vari u agri ultural i ue . To better under tand th U. . trade i tudent vi ited the U. . Emba Learned how the i ue were handled. "\/ 1/e communi ate well, discussing plans for the next da and the tudent ' rea tion " said IJarcia Tilley. "We're onstantly ommuni ating about the trip before, during imd afterward. By doing thi , our preparation ha become much better and the students have more time to pend doing their own acrivitie ," Having been on the trip everal time , the Tilley have worked together to make each day more memorable for tudent .

'1 couJd not imagine how thi trip would have been without the Tilley ," aid Deb rah olie, a enior in agri ulrural economics and agricultural communication .

"They work hard to make ure all student are involved and have an experience they will never forger. They treat student with , fn111fi11g Qutsid~WindsorCastIr, Marcin Tilley and ;ev,•ralstudmls pausefar a mapshot ofa 011u-in-a-lifatimt so much re peer, leaving u with more than opport1111ity beforebegi1111ing their lour: Grllchm Adams {left), Ly11dinyDavi;, Katy Cra'IJ.?ford, Tilley, Mnrtin memorie , but with new friend ."

Jllilliam.rand Autum11 Williams. (Photo by Dnn Tilley) SPRING2004 13

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AnimalScience

8l11ek""d u•hiu photos courteiyoftbt OSU Dep,1rtmr11I of A11111111I Sctma. Colorphotos by }amit Wherley. Graphic duig11 by Ajio11}11111,•so11 and Jamie IVherley.

14 COWBOY JOURNAL

OBIcelebrates 30yea With a 30-year history of performance and quality, Oklahoma Beeflnc. is taking new steps to diversify the program to better accommodate today's needs.

"A bull test has a three-fold mission: to be a demonstration ofbest practices for performance testing, to evaluate bulls from different herds in a common environment and to serve as a marketing tool for participating breeders," said David Buchanan, animal science professor at Oklahoma State University.

When OBI began in the early '70s, only two breeds were represented-Angus and Hereford. Since then OBl has grown to be the second-largest bull test station in the nation.

"OBI represents a unique aspect where the land is leased from Oklahoma State University and OSU provides the extension service, but the facilities, buildings and other financial aspects are all producer paid," said John Evans, extension specialist ar OSU and OBI executive secretary.

Today, eight additional beef breeds have joined membership to the facilities: Beefmaster, Brangus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Lirnousin, Red Brangus, Polled Hereford and Simmental.

"Other facilities like OBJ are usually privately owned or completely university funded," said Evans."This is what sets OBI aside to be unique."

Oklahoma cattlemen Carlton Corbin ofFittstown,J.C. Hillier ofSti.Uwater, Burke Healey of Davis, J.O. Pharaoh of Henryetta and Hump Halsey of Mulhall founded OBI. These men had a mission to improve cattle growth and performance, and today, OBI's success continues because of their contributions.

"Ranches are buying bulls from us time and time again. We have some who have bought from OBJ for years," said Tim Stidham, OBI station director.

OBI's board of directors holds quarterly meetings to discuss issues concerning the program. Each breed has members to represent it.

Anyone can participate in the bull test program at OBI. Memberships are available to ensure reserved space in the test each year. Members also pay a slightly lower rare than non-members. Sale-fee revenues paid for the sale barn that was built a few years ago. ow, the updated facilities make more room available for buyers.

"OBI provides an avenue for small breeders like me because we are usually limited to selling our livestock to neighbors, but because of OBI, I am able to sell my animals all over the states," said Larry Sebranek, cattleman from Marshall, Okla. ''I have regular customers now that follow my bulls at OBI." OBI works with OSU's veterinary school to monitor and test the bulls while keeping up with technology.

All bulls will have passed a breeding soundness evaluation, which includes examination for physical soundness, scrotal circumference measurement and microscopic evaluation of semen. All bulls will have negative brucellosis test within 30 days unless from a certified brucellosis-free herd.

"OBI enables us ro see if our breeding program is comparable with others out there," said Jane Durham, Hereford breeder of Stillwater.

OBl allows producers to evaluate test-growth performance against other producers with an unbiased third party. uOBI has the cutting edge," said Stidham.

When bulls are tested at OBI, they are delivered and begin a 14-daywarm-up period. Then they be-

rsofexcellence gin a 112-day test specified by the Beeflmprovement Federation. The bulls fin.i h with a seven-day let-down period.

The bull are weighed and height mea urement are taken at the beginning and end of the te t.

Weight al o are taken at 28-day interval during he te t to calculate average daily gain. The bulls are fed a complete ration which i equivalent to tarting feedlot rations. OBI purcha e its feed in bulk, making it heapcr for the producer.

Each year OBI condu t two saJes of tested bull with , pproximately 350 bulls li ted. ales are held in the fall and pring to meet a range of buyer 'need and the bull qualified are tho e who are in the top 70 percent of the group tested. Evans aid only the bulls with oundness and high te t number will ell.

"OBI can put on a sale and spread osr over multiple producer unlike small producer-,' aid Evan . ln the fall 2003 sale OBJ elebrated 30 years of performance te ting. Fifty-one bulls sold at a ale average o 2 447, and 62 heifers sold at an average of 929.

Jn the la t "O year nearly 18,000 bull repre enting 16 breed have completed the OBI program.

"The way the cattle indu try ha changed and the wa eed-sto ·k producers compete and market cattle made the OBI board of directors decide they needed ro do more than ju t te t bulls,". aid Evan .

The OBI board of director wanted to provide opportunities for additi n al ervice .

One way of providing additional servi e wa implementing a replacement heifer ale. OBI sold 67 heifers in the fall 2002 sale, and it turned out to be a benefit to producers. The heifers sold higher than the market price for that week. he replacement heifer program i open to any producer just like the bull te t program. It allow commercial breeder to get the ame geneti sand guarantee from rhe people who are involved with OBI. It al o wiJJ,illow small producer to marker their cattle where the , haven tin the past.

"In irne I would like to get o the point where heifers arc out of Bl-re red bull ," aid tidham. "Producer will be able to know what tho e cattle will do f. r them becau e hey will have a guarantee to be fun tional and ound when purcha ed.' nother attempt to diver ify ha been providing produ er the opportunity to have private treaty sales at the OBI facility. Renting the sale barn and other facilities will enable ma11producers to compete with larger produ er aid tidham. ln 2003, OBJ held it fir t edu ational ield day for the public. Thi day allowed producer to come and learn the late t inform a ion in the beef indu rry o they .an cay progrc ive. Evan said the fir c educational field day wa a , u e and people arc in ere ted in more to come. For tl1e next field day OBI will focu on current i sue fa ing the industry gencti improvement, marketing opportunities and herd health. tidl1am aid one of hi goals for OBI i to get more breed invo]ved in the bulJ te t program. He al o would like to help producers with cu romized ceding and hei .er development program .

"At OBI we pride ourselves in serving our u comer with individual a i tancc and providing the performance in our bull sale ," aid tidham. "That is what makes u the best!" ♦ By Jamie Wherley,BrokenAnow, Okin.

For more information, call Oklahoma Beefluc. at{40S) 744-6060ornt {405) 624-1181 or visit http:llwww.ansi.okstate.edu/extenlobi.

PlantandSoilSciences

The grass is alwaysgreener OSU developsseed-propagated bermudagrass This spring when the Cowboys take the baseball field, it just won't be the same. The field in Allie P. Reynolds Stadium received a face lift with the newly planted Riviera bermudagrass.

"OSU is the only NCAA baseball field in the country with Riviera on the field," said Bryan \IVhite, Oklahoma Stare University turf and field supervisor."Some football fields have it, but we are the only baseball field."

Riviera is currently planted on the infield and wings of the baseball field.

Johnston Seed Co. ofEnid, Ok.la., donated the sod to OSU for the fields. The ground work began July 29, 2003. Approximately a week later the Riviera sod was put down.

"Riviera is an aggressive, rough grass that heals fast," said White. "It is just outstanding. It is a great grass to have on a field where there is so much activity."

Riviera bermudagrass is one of the many products developed through the hugest bermudagrass breeding program in a public university. That university is Oklahoma State.

Riviera seeded bermudagrass was developed by the OSU turf grass

16 COWBOYJOURNAL

development team. The U.S. Golf Association and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station provided financial support for the development.

"Riviera is a product of many years of rurfgrass breeding," said Charles Taliaferro, OSU forage breeding and genetics specialist. "It is seed-propagated instead of sprigs or vegetative. This is the first seed-propagated bermudagrass combining high turf quality and wide adaptation throughout the southern U.S. where bermudagrass is the principal turfgrass."

Riviera is produced by inrercrossing three clonal parent plants. The parent plants were selected on the basis of turf quality and transition wne adaptation from parent plants that had undergone several cycles of breeding selection. le takes a minimum of four years to do one breeding cycle.

The rurfgrass development team is led

by Taliaferro, Dennis Martin, and Jeff Anderson, as well as molecular biologists Mike Anderson and Arron Guenzi.

Taliaferro collects parent plants and begins the breeding process. Martin evaluates experimental varieties from the breed-

ing for overall performance. Jeff Anderson, Mike Anderson and Arron Guenzi conduct research on the bermudagrass for traits such as cold rolerance and disease resistance.

Jeff Anderson's job is to take the plant after it grows in the research field and put it into a freezer to simulate fall temperatures.

The plants surviving the cold temperatures are then given back ro Taliaferro for more researcl1and development.

Riviera is more cold tolerant than other varieties and can be found as far north as Kansas City or St. Louis, Mo. "Riviera wiU open the market for the transition zone between the deep south and the north," said John Lamle, research and production agronomist at Johnston Seed Co. "It is a better-quality turfgrass. It took approximately nine years to develop this particular grass."

Riviera is being marketed by Johnston Seed Co. As a part of the licensing agreement with OSU, Johnston was allowed to rename it for marketing purposes. Riviera's original name was OKS 95-1. Lamlc said all employees participate in naming seeds.

"We make a list of names that sound

good; Riviera wa one of tho e " aid Lam le.

"We thought it wa a fla hy, cla y name. It al o reflect the eed quality and orenrial."

Riviera ha been tested by the ationaJ urfgrass Evaluation Program. T P is a private nonprofit organization developed in the 19 0 . TEP test take approximately four year to perform. From 1997-200 te ting Riviera i at the top of the ii t. In fa t, Riviera rank first overall for winter kill resistance and drought toleran e. Ir also ranks firt for color pring greenup and percent ofliving ground over in pring.

The T P pe1form tests for b th eed and sod bcrmuda. ational ompanie and plant breeder pay a fee to have their varieties of rurfgras tc red. Data for thi re earch i colic ted fr m the Onited tatcs.

Information uch a turfgra quality, olor, en ity, and re i ranee to di ea e and insc ts as well as tolerance to heat cold, drought and traffic, is olle red and summarized by the TEP annually. Plant reeders, rurfgra re earcher and c.xten ion peronncl use TEP data t identify impr ved, environmentill sound turfgras es.

Local and state government entities,

such as parks and highway departments use T P or lo ating re our e-ef:ficient varictie . tfo t importantly, grower and onsumer u. e l TEP cxten ively to pur ha e dr ught-toleranr, pc t-re i tant, attractive and durable seed r sod.

The pring of 200 wa the fir t year for Riviera to be on the mark t," aid Lamie.

'1 think pring 2004 will be even better with more of a e d crop.'

Riviera is suitable for planting on hi rh-quality lawns ports fields, p:uks and golf our e fainvay .

"Riviera hould be planted in area of fl.ill unlight when ii tempera ur rea h a consistent 65 degrees Fahrenheit and arc on the ri e," aid [arrin. "One hould plant two p und per 1,000 square feet." ~ By Mitzi Hartin, Madill, Okla.

For more information cal/Joh11sto11cal Co. at (800) 375-4613 or Dennis Marli11at {405) 744-5419. Test results 011 all varieties te ted tit TEP can he viewed at hi tp./lwww. 11te-p.org.

Bryan Whitt'. OSU turf and Jield supuvuor, main/aim the Ri,,iua /1<-rm111/11gra,s ,11 A/lit P. Reynolds tudium. (Photorby Mitzi H11rti11)

dlllJofia(jamnm 1((,fuTr~ Pi Chapter ~ ArP Gold Chapter 2003 www.okstate-agr

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College ofAgricultural Sciences andNaturalResources

Across the stage and into the world Capstonecoursescreatea bridgeforcollegestudents The journey through college begins and ends with students in transition. Freshmen get a glimpse of college during orientation classes, and many seniors rake capstone courses as they prepare to cross the Gallagher-Iba Arena stage and find paths leading in new directions.

Though defining senior-level capstone courses often encourages discussion among academic affiliates, many at Oklahoma State University agree: Capstone courses add value to educational experiences, careerseeking students and collegiate programs.

"Capstone courses give students an opportunity to summarize, synthesize and apply the skills they have learned while studying a variety of subjects within their undergraduate program,'' said Ed Miller, College of Agricultural Sciences and atural Resources associate dean.

Through capstone courses students work on a scenario similar to what they may do in a job while still having the comfort of a class environment and the knowledge that a professor is available to direct and guide the work if needed.

If this description sounds like an internship more than a capstone, consider these points of contrast: Capstone courses involve working with peers while internships may not; in a capstone course students work on a level of equality with fellow students and professionals to accomplish a goal, whereas an intern works with a boss and co-workers in a siniation of hierarchal cooperation.

Miller said capstone courses and internships are alike in that students "work on real problems and issues for real people in the real world."

Capstone courses that complete degree programs for technical majors, such as landscape architecnire and agriculn1ralengineering, arc required and defined by the organizations that accredit these programs, he said.

These pre-defined courses do not require participation in professional projects; yet many capstone professors search for professionals to coUaborate with students.

"We have many individuals, businesses and agencies interested in our academic probrrams providing interesting projects for our capstone courses," said Miller. "That's one of the reasons why our capstones are particularly good."

18 COWBOY JOURNAL

Miller said faculty in departments supporting non-accredited programs have a choice of whether to include a capstone as a required course. Neither OSU nor CAS R make a mandate on the subject, but both promote the philosophy that capstone courses arc valuable where they arc feasible. «vve expose studenrs to career opportunities and try to get them in a position where they can present themselves well, whether they are looking toward graduate school or finding a job," said James Stiegler, plant and soil sciences professor an<l department head.

Stiegler teaches PLNT 4571 Senior Seminar, in which students are required to rcscard1 and discuss senior-level current topics in addition to completing professional development activities.

Although these are elem en ts of a capstone course, Stiegler docs not consider his course a capstone because it does not review all the information students have learned throughout their degree program and apply parts ofit to an activity or project.

According to many of the professors in CASNR and across campus, there was a push about 10 years ago to make it mandatot)' that every university department include a capstone course in its senior curriculum.

Each department began researching, creating committees and planning how they would structure such a course for each discipline, said David Buchanan, animal science professor. But before the process was completed, the idea was retracted.

The reason capstone courses were not made mandatory came down to economics for many departments, said Richard Berbcret, entomology and plant pathology professor.The funding and human resources would have cost too much for the university to afford such a mandate, he said.

In od1er departments the challenge was creating a course chat adhered ro the strict definition of a capstone course the university was promoting at that time.

"The capstone was to be a summation experience for students where they would use all the information they had been gathering and obtaining," Berberet said.

Many departments reported it was too difficult to cover this breadth of material within one course.

Berberet said since the decision to have mandatory capstone classes was abandoned, some capstone courses returned ro their original titles and formats. This is one of the reasons some capstone courses do not include the word "capstone" in the title.

Academic departments throughout CASNR have continued to redevelop and improve capstone courses.

St.-i•m fowlrr. hiosy.1/nm,111d agrimltuml mgi11reri11g ,mior. p

q111zus 111hnth,· 1uill me hi, lmowl,·dl(< awl expaimu a, 11pr~

" tudent face big hallenge when they graduate from college," said 1iller. " ome may doubt how much they have learned and how well they will perform in a work setting.''

MilJer aid a capst ne experience for mo. t srudent give. them a tremendou • boo t of el -confidence. hey begin to realize how much they have changed throughout heir college year , acknowledging the kill and abilitie they have developed.

Candi J hn.on, biosy t m and agricultural engineering enior focusing in biomechanical engineering aid participating in the cap tone ·ourse for her major, B E 4012 and BAE 4022 enior

,1w·e5 JorII lift.far away ftom mmpus. football games, la/J and 1(J1111/. ( Photos by Sarah Fultz. Prater}

'ti

De ign, i much the same as working on a design team for an engineering compan_. he and four orhcr tudents arc working n a multi-fa eted project directed by the EnV1ronmcntal Protecti n gency to rede ign ilt fence u ed to contain oil eroion within construction area .

"We learn to do a project proposal take it to management and get an approvaJ---all the diffcrenr ph.tses we would go through in indu tr ,"John on aid.

The bio tern and agricultural engineering capstone i unique be ause it i tr tched throughout two eme ter instead ofone. tudent begin the year brain t rming about proje r pos ibilities and forming group depending on their intere t .

During the first semester, they research their project and devise a plan. The econd cme. ter is pent creating their de ign and working our implementati n difficulties.

"It's good bccau e none of our other cla e have included working with a machine hop. In a lot of classes we draw something in a computer program and then we're done; with thi one we a rually have to build it," John on said. ap tone proje t vary from reating real-world olurions for busines e and firms to re ear hing. pecific t pi and giving precntarion . Though omc cap tone a ignmcnt. arc imil:-trin tru ture to those given in prerequi ite our c , ·ap tone tudent experience a higher level of expectation, as well as more stringent requirements.

Team\ ork i. the mo t important capstone lesson for ry tal mi h, animal . icnce enior. he aid group work in the required ourse, I 486 Capstone for nimal gri ulture, wa different from group projects she had completed in the pa t where the ta k could be a compli hed by delegating cparate part to ca h member and merging the part before h, nding in the a ignment.

"We had to learn how to work together and not ju ·t how to put thing. together," mith aid.

The cour c involve as imilating information and applyinct it to i uc facing animal agriculture and the food industry Buchanan aid. " tudent arc expo ed to gue peaker and concepts of re earch and learn independently choosing their own topics and learning about those topics," said Buchanan.

«Then ea h. tudenr pre ents to the class what he r he has found along with the conclu ion drawn from re earch."

He said student pecializing in livestock-oriented degree options also take one or more courseswhich represent another type of ap tone our c.

'In he e ourse , the tudcnt apply previou ly ob rained knowledge to the study o produ ·tion y tern pertaining to a specific type oflivestock, 'Buchanan aid.

While student arc the fo al point of cap tone oursc , the busines e that engage with tudent and the degree program from which they will graduate al o benefi from being part of the capstone pro ess. urvey taken by alumni and employer indi ate where there may be gaps in graduate 'knowledge or ability. Thi· feedback enable fa uJty to adjust the urri ulum and cour c de ign to en ure tudents are learning the information and skill they need to be ucces fuJin their areers.

Indu try profc ionals gain frc h ideas from capstone projec and reports. They also shape what future rraduates will know and get the cl1anceto meet potential employees. or man_ ru en , interacting with profos ·i nals an help them find a job, build a portfolio or re ume, and begin to develop a name for themselve aid an Tilley agriculrural economics profe or. gricultural e onomic rudent can ch o e from five our c that contain capstone elements. In Tilley' cla GE 4423 gribu ines anagcmenr, n1dent work in teams to complete two projects.

The first project involve a computerized game and teaches tudent about managing a produ tion y tern through an agribu ine s management simulation.

"The game emphasize marketinct production and all the decisions that ar • integral t maintaining a u cc sful peration," aid Tilley. "For the second project, students take on a bu inc planning pr blem for a real fum."

Tilley aid companie have a tendency to u e ome, if not all, of the ideas sniden t develop. However, tudents' plan are never dire tly implemented without omc changes being made fir t. olutions students create for business and indu try in environmental science, landscape ar bite nlfe, and bios t ms and agricultural engineering capstone cour e are often a cepted and applied, depending on the re tri tions of the discipline of the client's environment.

For c..xample,a design for an engineering plant cannot be implemented ou right (continued 011 page 48) SPRING2004 19

~ Ecft.<8lion• Cofllmunicabons and4-H\blJl/loe,eic,pmenl

His lessons go with you ...

There comesthat specialmoment in ev- impressed him that faculty could have such ery man'slift wheu he isfiguratively tapped an influence and have that spread to on the shoulderand askedto dot; ve,y special their students." thing, unique to him r111d fitted to his talents.

White served as a county extension -Sir Winston Churchill To be a great teacher, you must have once felt that tap, a calling or feeling that comes from deep inside and pushes you to give more to your students. A great teacher believes in students' abilities, as weU as in their dreams. Great teachers are compelled to encourage, challenge and support. They expect the most from students and won't settle for less than their all. A great teacher is one whose lessons stick with students long after they have exited the classroom door.

James White, professor of agricultural education, was such a teacher and so much more. Ile was a leader, a mentor. He was a student oflife, a member of the Oklahoma State University family, a friend to the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources faculty, and of course, an inspiration and gift to his students.

"Dr. White wanted his students to know that he cared about them as people, as well as how they performed in his class," said Jim Key,professor emeritus of agricuJn1ral education. "He was interested in what they were accomplishing as students at OSU, and he cared about the great successes they would have once they graduated."

White dedicated a lifetime to teaching and would have retired June 30, 2004.

White taught a variety of courses during his 32 years of teacl1ing, but most noted was his work in developing the agricuJn1ral education leadership and service option.

His university teaching career was devoted to guiding students who desired to pursue careers in the cooperative extension service or to become agricultural education teachers.

White experienced OSU as a student and as a faculty member, having graduated from OSU in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in animal science. However, he felt a calling to help others and became certified to teach agricultural education in 1970, said Key. "Dr. White said OSU was the greatest place in the world to get an education," said Key."He had outstanding teachers in terms of who they were and what they believed. lt

agent in Texas County before teaching vocational agriculture in Davenport, Okla., for five years. White returned to OSU tO receive his master's and doctoral degrees in agricultural education. He began his teaching career in the OSU agricultural education program in 1979.

"1lc was proud that the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has an advising system where students and faculty work as a team to help sn1dents grow profcssionalJy,'' said Key. "He appreciated how this allowed students to have the maximum amount of contact with people in the industry."

Nearly 200 undergraduate students completed industry internships under White's mentorship. The capstone experience for the leadership and service option is a 12-week internship in a professional agricultural position. White met with students several months in advance and helped them identify an internship that would help them achieve their goals. He conducted on-site supervision visits during their internships and worked with students in the develop-

ment of their portfolios. The sn1dents were able to capture evidence of their performance in their portfolio, and students said it was helpful to reflect on their career aspirations.

"Dr. White reveled in his students because of what he saw as their possibilities," said Wesley Holley, former OSU professor.

"Jmarveled at his memory of each and every sn1dent he had contact with through the years. In most cases, he could tell the most intimate details of each su.1dent'saccomplishments and chaUenges with their internship."

White taught International Programs in Agricultural and Extension Education (AGED 4713) for 10 years and brought his own in tern a tional experience in ro the classroom.

White was involved with international endeavors in Mexico, l londuras and Pakisran. He also worked with participants in training programs in Ecuador, India and Ethiopia.

"Dr. White stimulated the interests of students from diverse majors and encouraged students to travel abroad, experience other cultures and learn to think globally about the agricultural opportunities in other countries," said Ed Miller, CAS R assistant dean of academic programs.

In May 2001, White led a group of30

Above: James White (left} rmives the 1985 l-fo110rmyAmerican Farmer Degreefor his urviu to agriwltural ed11catio11 a11dFFA. (Photo <ourtesyof Carol White); lefi:James White p,msesfor a picture with his wife, Carol, and daughter, Dllva. (PhoJoby Todd johmon) SPRING2004 21

OSU students on a t\¥0-week study tour of to find out their names and hometowns. He Mexico. A group ofMexican students then motivated each of them by showing personal came to OSU to be engaged in a study tour interest and genuine concern, said Key. of Oklahoma. ''Dr. White taught people, not curriculum," said Bruce Farquhar, former student ,,Vhice valued ocher cultures and wanted students to appreciate rhc experi- and agricultural education instructor at Altus, Okla. "Through the process, he passed along ence of international education, said Key. Manuel Corro of Veracruz, Mexico, pieces of himself to all he met."

Because he passed on so much of himserved as VVhite's teaching assistant for the international agriculture class for the last self to sn1dents, they worked diligently co earn his respect. three years.

"White said he gave his best to stu"As an international student arriving in a new culture, Dr. White helped and ad- dents and sometimes wanted success for vised me," said Corro. "He gave me the right them more than they wanted it for themword at the right time. His guidance facili- selves," said Key. "He said it was a growing tated my adjustment to the Oklahoma envi- process where the two of tl1emcame together with regard to tl1estudent having confidence ronment and introduced me to American James Whit, (right) mfll:.es,uljustmmts to i11tem11in him and feeling that he wanted the vety cultures and values." tio11alst11dmt 1\IJ,m11dCorro'sdrxtorol omdemi. ,1ffir1.

White received many honors for teach- best for him or her."

(Photo rourt<'syif Carol Whitt) And his students knew White cared. ing and international agricultural develop"Dr. White was one of tl1ose teachers was able to spend with his family was a blessment. He once said a few of his most treawho recognized the potential in each stu- ing from his illness." sured included receiving the Honorary American Farmer Degree in 1985 and be- denr," said Kendra Stanek, former student White's family, friends and students ing named the Oklahoma FFA V1P recipi- and public relations coordinator for the Cen- were all amazed and inspired by his deterent in 2002. In the spring of 2003, he was tral Rural Electric Cooperative. "He made mination, strength and faith during the difyou believe that you could do it, and before ficult times with his illness. recognized by the Agricultural Education Graduate Student Association with the long, you actually had.''

"Dr. White truly lived up co the meanWhite wasn't afraid to open up to bis ing of the word admirable: deserving of the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award.

"Dr. White humbly viewed these m,v:trds, students and share what he believed. highest esteem," said Milford Jenkins, fonncr "On the first day of class, Dr. White student and Division of Agricultural Scinot as things he earned, bur awards his students had helped him to receive," said Jim said to all his students, '1 don't imagine your ences and Natural Resources senior director performance in chis class has anything to do of development with the OSU Foundation.

Leising, department head ofOSU Agricultural Education, Communications and 4-H with your life, as much as making peace with "Just being in Dr. \rVhite's presence was a your maker,"' said Brant Carpenter, agricul- humbling experience."

Youth Development. tural education senior. "And that set in my His teaching philosophy was simple.

White was dedicated to his students. heart and soul so deeply that a member of "James \IVhite had the biggest heart and I-le made an effort co meet all of his students faculty would care enough about me as a the strongest grit of anyone J ever met," said person to put that into his curriculum."

Key.''He always said he was rrying to help Bur there isn't a course or degree pro- people help themselves. The bottom line gram that could compare to the lessons included having a genuine, caring concern White taught students in his battle with can- for the sn1dents, a positive attitude, and the cer. Although White was diagnosed with self-discipline and love for the subject matbone cancer in 2001, he continued to teach ter to make it intcc:rescingfor his students." and mentor his students. He taught students Surrounded by his loved ones, James some special lifc lessons that can't be learned David White, 61, died Nov.16, 2003, at his from a textbook. home in Stillwater, Okla. A few months prior "Another course had been chosen for to his death, he shared the following: his life," Key said. "He hoped that his stu"My advice ro students is co realize dents learned from his illness. If something tl1ercis a whole world waiting for you. Don't bad happens to them, it isn't the end of the ever give up on yourself or your goals. Look world. There is still life to live. They can up. Put it all in the right perspective. Then, either be like the rock that is polished by the you will be a whol.c person." ♦ By Robyn friction oflife or the rock that resists the fric- Sites,Mountain Vi1'W, Ok/f/. tion and is ground to dust."

White was truly a blessed man to have Dr. White, thank you far sharingyour such a strong and supportive family. callingto teachotherswith 11s.Th,mk youfar "His wife, Carol, and daughter, Dava, tapping into our heartsand our minds. You jn11us White, he/la k11ow11ns "Dr. White" to his 1111111y were his all in all,'' said Key. "He couldn't were a great /eache1;and we will carryyour studmts, offertt! fl smile f1111ifirm hnndshflkf to we1yhave asked for better. The quality rime he lessomwith us thro11gho11I ourlives.

011r hr met. (Photo courtesy of C11rolWhite) 22 COWBOYJOURNAL

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SPRING2004 23

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

A picture-perfect job Professorgoes aboveand beyondthe call of duty

F

ort -one year later with five times the number of students, what started out as a pi top has turned into a life-long career for biochemist E. . cl on. "] did not ever intend to be a profcs or of biochemistry and molecular biology," said elson. "I wanted to move back home and raise purebred Che ter Whites."

Raised on a corn and hog farm in Dunk.irk, Ohio, el on attended "The" Ohio tate Univer ity where in 1957 he received hi Bachelor of cience in agriculture, focusing primarily on agricultural education.

Nelson then taught for a year at Belle enter High School in Belle Center Ohio, a an agricultural tea her before realizing he wanted to forther his education.

"Tfound out that I wa more interested in how vitamin A worked and its function rather than how much vitamin A was used in a ood upplement," el on aid.

A die-hard Buckeye fan, el on returned to Ohio tate and earned his aster

24 COWBOY JOURNAL

cl on's major re carch area is the metabolic fun tion of vitamin and other retinoid .

A frequently publi hed author of research paper , elson h, re eived numerous awards grants and funding for his rescar h at Oklahoma tate.

"I am 75 percent reearch and 25 per enc teaching, which means I am 100 percent both," said elson.

"It' a full-time j b." nd it i a job he not only enj , but al o a topi he would likeother to enjoy. shelf filled with books of re earch and cientific data are hidden behind a wall of Polaroid of current tu dent . tudent move to the next dassifiation, he move the rudent 'piehires up the shelf until they graduate, at which rime the pictures are removed.

When el on fir t tarted at Oklahoma rate, there were 15 tudent in hi department. More than 250 student are enroUed in biochemi try and molecular biology thi year. ome say it can be attributed to hi devotion and enthusiasm for bio hemistry and for the stuL,j"I:E. C. elsonis proud ofhi! W(l/1 efstudmt picdent he advi es. tures. Right: E.G. Nelson wMh withj11sti11 "He genuinely loves student ," said Cordill. biochemislr)'and mu/em/,,, biologyju11ior.

D. . oston associate direetorof the Oklaof cience and Doctor of Phi.lo phy de- h ma gricuJcural xperiment tati n. "He help tudents along by getting them interngrees in animal cience. hips and involving them in re earch."

In 1963, l elson came to Oklahoma Even though Nelson tate Univer it 's will argue option uch ampu a~er hearI am 75 percent research as pre-med and preing about a job from vet have been the reaand 25 percent teaching, a olleague and ha been here since. which means I am 100 son why biochemistry hasgained omu hin"I've had sevpercent both. teresr, students will eral job offers, but E.C. Nelson ay it is hi informal the kind of work I --------------hand -on approach wanted to do I could do better here, so I stayed," a.id cl on. that make learning more enjoyable and is "AJso this oUege is definitely a leader in what keeps students around. the tate, region and nation."

"Ifl had a que tion in class, I brought Living on campus in tudent housing, my book in his office and we at down and el on worked his way up from an in true- worked on it until I figured it our," aid helbi tor to a professor of biochemistry and Guinn, a .enior in biochemi try and moJccularbiology. molecular biology.

Guinn said elson's open-door policy and laid back anitude makes learning easier.

He also helps establish class schedules that will best suit the individual student. "l want them to feel free to discuss their academic problems," said Nelson.

1elson said it is important to know each student's interest. He said his goal is to get students to where they want to be, even ifit is not in biochemistry.

One way Nelson finds out whether or not students are interested is by getting them involved with the Freshman Research Scholars class.

"The fun thing about research is finding new information, new questions and problems, and how the field is expanding every day," Nelson said.

The Freshmen Research Scholars class is designed to give incoming students handson experience of what they can be expected to encounter in their major. This gives students the opportunity to get out of a regular lecnire and work in a lab, develop research and collect data, which is an important part of their major.

"This class really helps us think about if we really want to be in a lab," said Maggie Talley, biochemistry and molecular biology freshman.

"It is an enjoyable and fun class." clson's work is not only noted by students, but also by co-workers.

Earl Mitchell, friend, neighbor and head of Oklahoma State Multicultural Affairs, worked alongside Nelson as a biochemist.

"It's his personality," said Mitchell. "He nurtures and cares for his students, gives them good advice and goes to bat for them.''

Mitchell said biochemistry has always had a i,rreatsuccess record for students going to medical school. He also said the program is rigorous and retention is a key issue.

"Ir is very natural for pre-med students to come into this major," said Mitchell. "Getting them to stay is another part, and that is pretty much what he did."

Nelson said Oklahoma Srare's open policy with administrators and deans makes his job easier and more enjoyable.

"The administration has always been open," said Nelson. "We could have disagreements but it never got personal; afterward, we could all go have a cup of coffee." l\litchell said Nelson's strong family tics are what give him the ability to be so effective with students. Nelson and his wife, Joanne, enjoy spending time with their two

daughters, three granddaughters and one grandson.

Nelson retired at the end of the Fall 2003 semester and as his research winds down, he plans on traveling and spending more rime with his family. Retirement, however, will not ger in the way of his passion; he plans to continue advising and helping students.

Nelson's 41 years of service at Oklahoma State can be summed up with one simple statement: "The student comes first."

Everything he has <lonehas been aimed at helping the student or making the studenr's life better. "l want them to find out what they can be successful doing," said Nelson. "They are not going to be successful at their job if they aren't happy." ♦ By Brian Bmdel<', Chand/a, Okla.

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SPRING2004 25

Agricultural Education, Communications and4-HYouth Development

0S11mascotslearnto ba

PistolPete: The ultimateCowboy

He slips into a pair of black Wrangler jeans, followed by a vest to complement a whfre long-sleeve, button-up shirt. Boots go on one foot at a time. Soon, his heart starts racing as he straps on his chaps. The oversized, fiberglass head goes on and he becomes Pistol Pete, the ultimate Oklahoma State Universiry Cowboy.

As the official OSU mascot since 1923, Pisrol Pete was named after Francis "Frank" Eaton when the school was still known as Oklahoma Agricultural and Meehan ical College and the mascot was a tiger.

"Pistol Pete is a real, historic figure with a rugged individualism of the Oklahoma settlement," said Harry Birdwell, OSU athletic director. ln his younger years, Eaton was a real cowboy, gunfighter, blacksmith and a Deputy U.S. Marshal. Students chose Eaton as OSU's mascot after he appeared in StiJJwarer's Armistice Day parade on horseback.

Afterward, the tiger mascot was dropped and Oklahoma A&M became the home of the Cowboys. Students figured a cowboy represented Oklahoma better than a tiger, which was copied from Princeton University's mascot.

Although Eaton died in 1958, his spirit lives on. Each year two students arc chosen to represent OSU in the legend.try Pistol Pete uniform. Jared Wiley and Josh Pulver serve as Pistol Pete for 2003-04. Wiley, an agricultural communications junior, comes to OSU from Ardmore, Okla.

Pulver, a leisure services management junior, hails from Elk City, Okla.

"1tried out for Pistol Pete to achieve a life-long dream," said Wiley.

The tryouts are similar to an interview process. Approximately six or seven former Pistol Peres come back to OSU and conduct business-like interviews.

The interviewees try on the head to act out different situations, said Wiley. The purpose is to see how a person reacts while wearing the head. The former Pistol Pctes then choose the best candidates for the job.

"Pistol Pete has to be strong with the ability to carry a large amount of weight on his shoulders," said Pulver. "My legs often get tire<l from squatting co be on the level of children."

The newest Pistol Pete heads were designed between 15 and 20 years ago by The Walt Disney Co. The company literaJJy broke the mold when they were completed.

"The heads have come in three series with the first ones being made from papier-mache," said Pulver. "The second series was a combination of papier-mache and fiberglass. The third series, which we use, are made from fiberglass."

On a game day, the guys are spared from wearing the

(continued011page 28) 26 COWBOY JOURNAL

Ptslol Pde and th~ Spirit Rider are 1111men tin! part if th,· OSU fa,,Jim. E11rh 111n.1ro1 piny., an iflurgr, 11h/J'IJ<' phtJIO1mdSpirit Rider photo., hy Jlmm1t/11 Jones)

lancetime,tradition

SpiritRider: RidingwithCowboypride

r1I.-111the ,pirit of OSU a11dkup, ff /,e/ovedtmdition alive. (Pi.,tolPetephoto.<l,y Dway11eCar/me/I;

Balancinglife in collegecan be challenging.Along with school, many students havejobs, a variety of extracurricular activities and a social life; however,one student adds additionaldutieseach yearby representingOklahoma State Universityas the OSU Spirit Rider.

Merirnth Cohenour, an agriculturalcommunications senior, is that student. Last spr.ing,she was chosen as the 2003-04 Spirit Rider. Cohenour served as a member of the ground crew in the 2002-03 season and is now the fifth femaleto ride as the Spirit Rider.

Cohenour began riding horses at a young age at her home in Claremore,Okla. ''I was on a horse before l could walk," she said.

Her mother and grandfather went on horseback trail rides and toted Cohenour with them.

When she was 7 years old, Cohenour received her first horse. Shortly after, she began taking riding lessons.

She is trained in western, English, dressageand jumping.

Cohenour also showedwith the Pinto Horse Association of America and the Paint Horse Association,as wellas in4-H. ·'I grewup activein the RogersCounry4-H," Cohenour said.'1 also held nationalofficerpositionsin the PtHA and the APHA. College has slowed down my show schedule tremendously, but I still find time to ride and train my own horses."

Cohenour's passion for riding has grown with time, and she hopes to pursue a career that relates to horses.

"It has alreadybeen ru1 amazing experience,''she said.

"I wanted to be the Spirit Rider becauseI had such a great experience last year on the ground crew."

"It's exciting to be able to combine my passion for riding and the schoolI loveby representing it as a mascot," Cohenour said.

The OSU Spirit Rider first appeared in 1984. The late Eddy Finley,who was asked to come up with a mascot for the band, starred the Spirit Rider program. Finley,an a£,rricultural educationprofessor,wanted a mascotwho could carry the OSU flag down the field after each touchdown.

Fi n.ley'sidea originated from Tc,'<as Tech U nivcrsity's Masked Rider. Finleyand his wife,Nancy,were both Texas Tech graduates who wanted to see a similar tradition brought to OSU. John BeallJr. was rhe first OSU Spirit Rider.Beallwas a member of the OSU Rodeo Team and rode his own horse, a black mare named Della.

Ellis and Mary Grace Hostmeycr donated a 5-yearold gelding named Stars Parr ]Vloneyfour years after the program'sinitiation. This horse would be used as the official spirit horse for the OSU Athletic Department in (continuedon page 29) SPRING2004 27

The ultimateCowboy (rontin11ed from page 26) head all day. They do however end up wearing it for eight or nine hours. mce game times differ there i nor an exact schedule to follow, they aid.

Both Pulver and Wiley admitted to getting an adrenaline ru h when they get ready to act a Pi tol Pete. The ru h ome with the terri t ry.

"When I tart putting on the hap , my kg start baking. Then I load up my gun and that' when my hear art racing," aid Wiley. 'I'd say every time 1 get ready I'm nervou , but once I get started the nervousness goes away after about 10 minute ."

Pulver and Wylie decide prior to each game who will make which appearance. ome of the appearance are at he ame time, which i - the rea n there ru·etwo Pistol Pete .

"For an evening game, tar my appearan es around 2 p.rn. I have one at Chri 'U rriver ity pirit. One ofus ha to go to the piri t Walk and one ofu has to go to the family fun zone," said Wiley. "Josh g e o ' r ete' ake an ther arc u ua!Jytwo or three tailgate parties we go to.'

Their main job at the variou event are t pr mote O U and get the fan exci.tedabout the game. ddirional pla e we go are the marching band practi e and he alumni tent," aid Wiley. " nother wa we de idc who gets to do what i by our cla schedule .''

During the game Pi tol Pete ha to battle challenges a per on would no norma!Jythink about. " alking up and down stairs, seeing people and not running into things are omctimes difficult ta k to a compli h," aid Wiley. 'The head weigh 45 pound and only allow or a ertai.r1amount of vision without turning the head all rhe way to one ide or the other."

Heat i a hallenge that make breat11ing in the head difficult. An additional cha!Jengc people may not think about is giving autograph .

"The hard t thing I have come aero when igning an autograph ha o be the a tual finger of little children " aid PLLlver." ometime the e kid want every finger signed. l cl n't know why, but they d ."

Iloth Pulver and Wiley pra tice their gun twirling. Pi tol Pete' gun i heavy and it took the men some getting u ed to· or pinning it and hooting. " t he game, I hoot the gun a I t," aid Wiley. "I play Pi tol Pete. 1ju r have fun and go ut there and try to get the rowd involved. J ign a lot of au ograph for little kid and give bullet away. Mo tly, we arc there for the kid and the alumni. Werry to make ever body happy."

The more the crowd get into he cheering the more Pi tol Pete waggers around to encourage the rowd. le raises hi arms claps his hand and shoot hi gun.

"When I am our there in fr nt f 40,0 0 people at Bo ne Picken radium, hooting that pi tol, and hearing the crowd ell' rate' at the end of'Oklahoma ' that get my lood pumping" aid Wile .

After the game, Pistol Pete mingle with the fan . Then Pulver and Wile u mill tailgate with their family and friend . A~er the phy i al exerti n of being Pi tol Pete, the e guys like t get a little rest and relaxation. ' cing 1 i to! Pete an be exhausting ar time , e pecially in the heat, but it is so much fun," -~idWiley.

Pulver and Wiley get a few extra incentives for their duties as Pistol Pete.

"We get a free faculty parking permit and free ticket to get into the game ," aid Wiley. "When U goe to a bowl game, w get the ommcmorativcT--hirts free. The taff at The Territory western store help u tremendou ·ly with di c unts as well.'' (co11ti11ued 011page 46) Pi,10I P8( works lo ignit.· the crowd nl a 2003 0 U football game. (Photo by Kendra Kelton)

RidingwithCowboypride (continuedfrom pnge 27} rerurn for ca n ti ket and dee ration credit. The horse's omm n name, BuJlet wa cho en after a campu -wide once t wa held. pproximately 65 tudent have participated in the program a either the pirit Rider or a pirir Team ground crew member.The pirit Rider and crew are responsible for the are and maintenance ofBuUer. The rew also i required to make appearan e at parade , hool , r deo , pe •al OJympi and other university-related fun tion . an time the pirit crew tr.ave! without the horse to put on promotional program at elementary schools aero the rate.The e program are designed co get elementary students thinking ab ut O U at a young age.

The e appearan e , how ver put a ertain pre ure on the rider. The choen pirit Rider mu t e able t balance cla work appearan e and other dutie expected by mo t ollege student .

Being an U ma cot can have it perks; however, there also arc challenges that ari e. ohcnour balance a 15-hour la chedule a job in the animal ien e department and fulfilling the duric of being the pirit Rider. oh en our al o u ualJ trie t pend ei Tht o 10 h ur per week riding Bullet. " ppearan e are what have made people lo e Bullet," ohenour aid.

The h r e i fam u nationwid .

"Bullet has become a tradition," aid Harry Birdwell, U athleti dire tor.

"He is an ongoing symbol that i part of O U fan fare. He i fun, beautiful and a reflection f Oklahoma life.'

Football game are the mo r imp rtanr appearan e the pirit Rider make . 'he pirit Rider leads the pirit Walk, marches to the field with the O U Marching Band and run o the 0- ard line after a tou hdown. ame da for the piri t Rider start at least three hours before kickoff.The rider and rhe ground rew meet at the h r e barn t bru hand dre the h r e.

They then travel to the ercte:rn enter for the pirir Walk. fter the walk, the rider and h r e return t the • dm n Low ibrary t lead the band to the field. Forty-five minutes before game time, the pirit Rider and the band march to Lewi Field a Bo ne Pi ken radium to make their grand enrr, n .

The band marche on the field and plit int t\ group . the r wd c wild, the an noun r yells, "Here . . . me ... Bullet with pirit Rider l\lleriruth ohen ur!"

"One of the m t exhilarating exp rien e I ever had was the fir t time 1 came down the tunnel of Lewis Field and heard m name over the loud peaker a J ran through the middJ f the band," ohenour aid. "lt wa ju t awe omc."

Throughout the game the pirit Rider waits f, r each t u hd wn, o the 0 flag an be flown high a r Lewi Field.

I make m entran c onto the field 1 alway sa 'Bullet, l hope we run your leg off," Birdwell aid.

Th pirit Rider i popular among the fan . ohen ur aid during halftime fan are aUo~ed to pet Bullet and she sign Bullet trading card fc tball , hire , cap , calendar and game ti ket .

"It i amazing how mu h of an impact a live animal has on people" ohenour aid. "Everyone like the cheerleader the band and Pistol Pete, but when you get down to it, everyone wants to see Bullet.'

The appearan e expe ted of the pirit Rider al are time-consuming.

Buller and the rider mu t be at each home game, all tillwater parade and approximately 10 thcr appearan ·e around the tate. ohen ur aid hew uld not trade thi experien e for anything. "l Rm alwa s amazed at what a profound effect Bullet has on the fans at the game, e pe iaUychildren," she aid. "Every time we go mewhere with (conti1111ed on pnge 46) pirit Ridl'1"M,•riruth Cohenourmnk,·,h,·rrntmnre duringpre-g11111~.

(Photoby Dwny11eCartmell)

"This would be where 1 ''This is something students have been wan ting,» Miller said, would think a master's degree "but they can't define or create ir. program would be an asset," Somebody has to create it said Knipp, describing the benfor them." efits of having a master's degree when applying for a speSarah Sargent was one of cialized job. "A master's is one those students. She enrolled in of the things I think could make the master's program in agricultural education and last fall the difference between you switched to the agricultural comand someone else who may have equal qualifications." munications master's degree.

To be admitted in the "l plan on staying in the uniprogram, students must comversity atmosphere," said Sargent, who graduated &om111e plete the Graduate Record Ohio State University with a Examination. They also must bachelor's in agricultural commusubmit an application to the nications. "J really have a heart graduate college at Oklahoma Samh Sargwt (l~/i) t111dGina Ci11jf,:tdlilakt ti momml to rrnil,far 11 quirk gr11duale for students, but l'm not sure it's State, a statement of purpose photo. (Photosby Eri11/I.mis) in teaching." and three letters of recommenThe specialized coursework and flex- said l\Iiller. People in disciplines other than dation to the department. communications often seek students who Students in the agricultural communiibility offered by these master's programs have specialized communication skills and allowed Sargent to work on agricultural comcations master's program must complete 30 munications requirements as an agricultural training in addition to degree expertise. credit hours focusing on agricultural com"A sn1dencwith a bachelor's in one field, munications core requirements, research and education student before the final approval of the new program, as did Gina Ciuffetelli, such as horticulture, and a master's in agri- statistics, and their personal specialization. cultural communications will have gained who graduated with an agricultural r:'uU-time students can complete the communications bachelor's degree from special talents in wrinen or oral communic-a- degree in one year, compared to approxition, '' said J\lillcr. "That's a great combinaOklahoma State. mately three years for part-time students.

"1 thought it would give me more op- tion of skills."

For Oklahoma residents, the cost of a From agricultural communications pro- master's degree in agricultural communications," said Ciufferelli about her goal of obtaining a master's. "1would like to do any- fessionals in the field to a!:,rriculturalcomtions is approximately 54,400 including fees. munications professors in universities, many For out-of-state students, the cost is higher, thing commui1ications related, including have said there is a need for highly eJucated advertising, marketing or public relations." at approximately $12,600 including fees.

As a resulc of Sargent's and Ciuffetclli's people in the agricultural industry.

Some assistantships arc available to reduce "We have experienced first-hand there tuition costs. goals, they will be the first to graduate from Oklahoma Stare with a l\1asrer of Science in is a real shortage of agricultural communicaThe Department of Agricultural Edutions professors and professionals beyond cation, Communications and 4-HYouth Deagricultural communications. the bachelor's degree," Miller said about the velopment at Oklahoma State has designed Cathy I lcrren, an agricultural commucollege's i;earch for agriculrural communicanications graduate student with a bachelor's a master's program to quench the need in degree from Oklahoma State in agribusiness, tions profcssion.lls in the industry. the industry, open the market for the MidSrudents also recognize the importance western states and fulfill student interests. experienced different interests in the of advanced degrees in the agricultural inmaster's program.

With these ideas in place, Oklahoma While Sargent wanted to further her dustry, an<l they recognize it can be helpful, State is on its way to developing a memoagricultural communications knowledge with but is not necessary to succeed. rable, reputable and beneficial program, "You definitely don't need a master's said Miller. a master's degree, Herren desired ro add an degree to succeed in agricultural communiadditional knowledge base ro her under"There's a need. There's a market. cations," said Sargent. "But a master's de- There's an interest," said Miller. "Those arc graduate educaLion.

"Having the opportunity to learn how gree docs give you a chance comove on to a the things that go together to make a doctoral degree if you want to work in program successful." ♦ By Erin Reece you can communicate more clearly with others is really important," I Ierren said. "It will academia, and it docs give you a chance to Harris, Yale,Okla. really do some research that will make a difbe beneficial ro me to have those combined For more i11jomu1tio11 about the Master experiences with my undergraduate major ference for the profession." o/Sciencein ag,-icull11rt1Iromm1111ications,call ,md my master's program when I go to look Having rhe additional discipline a the Departmcn/ ~/Agricultural Ed11catio11, master's program requires gives an edge Communicalionsand 4-H Youth Developfor a job.'' when applying for a specialized job in ment al OklahomaState Universitynt (405) The opportunity for an agricultural communications master's degree may have the agricultural industry, said Sam Knipp, 744-5129 or visit the departmentalWebsite greater benefits ro those who have gotten director of corporate communications at at http:llngweb.oh/ate.edulagedcm4hl an undergraduate degree in another area, Oklahoma Farm Bureau.

SPRING2004 31

Horticulture andLandscape Architecture

A growingpassion An educationhelpsRandyDavisfinda fulfillingcareer Plant a eed and it will grow.The adage immediately returned to work at reenl af is true not only when it comes to plants but as a propagation supervi or, a osition he al o in finding one' pa ion. Randy Davis would hold or 18 year . Then he wa promoted and pen fiveyears as the mpany's knows this from experience.

Davi began t find hi life's pa ion as vice president and produ tion manager. In a high chool student employed at Gr enleaf 2000, Davi be ame he company's presiursel)' in Pa.rkHill, Okla., during the sum- dent and hjef executive officer.

When avi was ir t pre ented with mers. While working at hi surnrn r job, avi began to c nsider his future. the opportunity to come to , he said he I wa going to g to ortheasrern could not have imagined the u e that would followwhen he returned t reenleaf ate University] to be a teacher,' Davi "I'm a goal tter,' avi said."I'm a firm said. " y dad was a teacher, and I wa going t go to ortheastern because I could believer that you set where you want to get afford it. th ughtO Uwastooexpen ive." to in life. I'm ha way about everything. Ycu Although Davi had a plan, he was not have to et your life in the dir ction you want overly en hu iasti about it. to go, realizing you don't alway have t tal Then opportunity knocked. ustin ontrol. ometimes you achieve uc ess you didn't envi ion."

Kenyon an Oklahoma tate University graduate who wa the Greenleaf producAlthough his achievement have far tion manager at the time, a ked Davi if he urpas ed any expe tation he had, Davi i had con idered attending sch ol in tillwater. most satisfied in having a career he love .

'1t's een pretty amazing. It's neat After Dav:i old Kenyon he had but thought it would be too expensive, Kenyon and Gil bccau e I have such a pa sion for m work. ickel, o-owncrofGrcenleaf, offered him I love reenlcaf ursery," Davis said. 'To the Greenleaf holar hip. me, tha ' the importan th..ing,f◄ r ou r for The holarship wa originally int ndcd any ne. Whatever you go into for your cato be a ne- ime- nly offer pe ifi ally for reer, y u hould have a pa ion for it. I you Davis and would pay for his tuition, fees don't then you ought to get into something and books o a tend . Davis was ex- you do have a passi n for.] teU people that all the time, 'Whatever you do make ure ited about the opportunity.

"J developed a love for plant at home you have a pa ion for it.' Life' too h rt n t in the garden," Davis said. "Itwa a thrill t to enjoy it,' h aid. ee one grow and develop into a big plant.

Kenyon aid the opportunitie Davi had a a n1dent at O have been vital to I'm till amazed by the proce ."

Davis' sue css.

Davis graduated from O U in December 1975 \.vith a degree in h rticulnire. He ou ee o many nident like Randy,

Randy Davis, president fllld rhief rxer/i't•eefftrer of Grun/ea/ Nursery, begfln his ror,rr whilt in high school.

32 COWBOY JOURNAL

and tha ' what O does: i give rural kid an opportunity to meet their expectation ," Kenyon said.

Greenleaf and the O U Coone tion Davi i one of16 0 alumni who work for Greenleaf ur cry.Two of those alumni are also two of the company's owners. Kenyon i a gradua of the O U Department of Horticulrure and Landscape Archite ture, and ickcl tudied math and phy ic . In addition to their po ition a co-chairmen of t11eboard for Greenleaf, the two recent1y earned other important distin tion .Theywer recognized in 2003 as 0 U Di tinguished Alumni. For Kenyon, irwa a moving honor.

'Tm extremelyhumbled," Kenyon said. " 1 t of people are more de erving than I am, but it' an honor l'U alway cherish.''

Greenleaf al ha O gra uate employed i_nsix of its top management poition . even of the company'· production supervisors arc also O alumni.

"The people wh have come from 0 U have been su cc ful at Greenleaf and have made reenleaf u e ful," Davi said. " U ha h lped create pa ion and enthusia m and the company looks for people like that." reenleaf has not always had far to look for uch people. Althou h avi ' cholarship wa originallya one-time-only award the ompan has in e provided the cholarship so other employees could attend college. a i ouch, planting upervi or at the Oklahoma divi ion, graduated from O U with a degree in horti u In,re in May 2003. he said th h lar hip was instrumental in helping her find a career she loves.

"I wa originally going to school to be a teacher," u h aid." 1ygrades weren't what they should have been, and 1 thought ' bvi usl thi i n'twha I'm uppo ed to do.' I didn t like classes; I didn t enjoy it." ouch had been studying at ortha tern tate Univer ity but dropped out. he enrolled at the Indjan apital Techn 1 gy enter in ahlequah fc r a year and took horticulture classes. he enjo ed her clas e but wanted to learn more.

"I liked when I wa working in greenhou e at the areerTech but felt heated bccau e all I learned ab ut was green-

Th~ shippingfflcility lits in thr farrgrotmd ofGrunleflfs Pflrk Hill lowtion. Tht locationhas 600 flcresin produe1io11.

(Photo.rbyj11.1ti11 D,~y)

houses,"Couch said."Then! was coldJ could get a job here [at Greenleaf], and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to see if this is what I wanted to do."

Even while she was working at Greenleaf, Couch wanted to go back to school. The opportunity to attend OSU through the Greenleaf Scholarship helped her finish her education while learning more about the work she enjoyed. Couch is pleased with the way things have rurned out.

"I absolutely enjoywhat I'm doing now," Couchsaid.

A Growing Company GreenleafNursery has grown tremendously since the time Davis beciune an employee. A closer look at the company's history shows it has enjoyed a rapid growth since its inception.

Greenleaf ursery was founded in Muskogee, Okla., in 1945 by Harold and Rebecca ickcl.The company originaUyoperated as a small retail outlet, but soon began experiments in growing plant material in containers. John ickel, a son and business partner, looked to expand the company.

"There wasn't enough room in Muskogee to get any bigger,and they wanted to expand,'' Davis said.

Nickel began searching eastern Oklahoma for land to purchase and found a spot near Park Hill, Okla. The property lies 35 miles east of Muskogee on Lake Tenkiller and is the present-day location of the company's headquarters. Davis said the Park Hill location has grown from 100 acres co 600 acres in the time he has been employed at Greenleaf.

"I think [John Nickel] would tell you he never dreamed it would get this large," Davis said.

Along with the growth in land area at Greenleaf, Davis said the company has also grown in the areas of technology and plant diversity. Greenleaf has been a leader in innovations in over-wintering procedures for

plants. The innovations began as a result of the harsh winter in 1962-63 that resulted in the loss of 90 percent of that year's saleable crop.

After that winter's loss, the company began ro propagate and grow hardier types of plant material such as deciduous shrubs and shade trees. Over-wintering procedures also were put in place the following fall. Research and development of winter pro teerion is an ongoing process at Greenleaf today. Davis said the innovations made

by Greenleaf extend beyond overwintering procedures.

"We're very innovative in production techniques and not just winterizing techniques," Davis said. "l would say we've been innovative in all production techniques."

Another of the innovations Greenleaf prides itself on is the use of a water recycling system in place at the Park Hill facility. All of the water used for irrigation at the nw·scry is recycled on site and used again.

"Vvc did this on our own without the Environmental Protection Agency telling us we had to," Davis said. "Ir was something our owners looked at and said 'We're going to do this because it's the right thing to do."'

Because of growth and innovations,

Greenleaf has had tO expand to new places over the years. [n the 1970s, a second growing facility was purchased in El Campo, Texas, approximately 75 miles southwest of Houston. Davis said the El Campo location was chosen mainly because of the climate provided by the area's long growing season and milder winters.

"It wa~ mostly started for the growing climate, but we wanted to develop the southcrn market, too," Davis said.

Today, the Texas operation boasts 400 acresinproduction,makingitoneofthclargest container nurseries in the state.

In 1984, Greenleaf purchased and put into production a nursery around a small hidJen lake near Fort Gibson, 0 kla. The nursery's purpose was to provide a facility for the low-cost production of tree whips and seedlings for the Park Hill and El Campo container divisions. A 14,000-square-foot grading was erected on the Fort Gibson property in 1990 for the purpose of sorting bare root tree whips prior to shipment to the cold storage facility at Park I Iill.

The grading at Fort Gibson was constructed in conjunction with a 239,400-cubic-feet cold storage facility at the container

(continut!donpage -18}

Lflri Courh.plll11tingsup,ri,isor,i11spedssome of the 1111r.rerys pla11tsbeforew111terizi11g prom/um begi11.

SPRING 2004 33

College ofAgricultural Sciences andNaturalResources CareerSeNices

Helping peers piece bypiece With determination, dedication and a smile, the CoUegc of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources' Career Liaisons are ready to lend fellow students a helping hand.

"The Career Liaisons are a team that works hard together. They have a positive attitude of dedication, wiJJingness and service," said Amy Gazaway, Career Liaison adviser. "Career Liaisons have a strong desire to help other people who arc in the same situation they arc." ] n the spring of 2001, Gazaway and Louann Waldner, director of CASNR student career services, had a vision of students helping students with career development efforts. This vision was the beginning of the Career Liaison team.

"The program started out as an advisory board and has evolved into what it is today," said Gazaway. "It has come a long way in a short amount of time."

Every year a group of12 to 15 CASNR

students are selected to form the Career Liaison team. The selection of the Career Liaisons is coordinated through an application and interview process. From the applications, candidates are selected and evaluated in an interview, which includes a short, impromptu presentation, she said.

When the Career Liaisons arc selected, their duties are to inform srudents of careerrelatt:d activities, and they arc the voice of CAS R students when it comes to needed resources or sen,ices.

CAS R Career Liaisons link the classroom to the career by hosting career-related activities and services for their feUow students. Some services include resume development, mock interviews, career fairs and professional development workshops.

"When the Career Liaisons help their peers, there is a connection we as faculty and staff do not have," said Gazaway.

Career Liaisons offer a variety of dif-

Students srluted ,u C,ireer Liaisons urw/or one y,•ar. Ahov~: /llhit11ry Yodu (left), Lani, Alley, Brandi E!,erh(lr/, Tt,rn Tho11111s, Katrina Ham/ a11d.faySe111011.

Top left: Elyse Bales. Top nght: Fnrle)'Schweighart.

(Photo by ToddJohnson:gmphi,s /Jy Chri; Kidd)

34 COWBOY JOURNAL

fcrent workshops available to all CAS R students. Some include professional etiquette, interview preparation and resume workshops.

Career Liaisons are required to have an itinerary of the workshop and then submit the itinerary to the Career Liaison adviser for approval.

After every workshop the Career Liaisons pass out an evaluation form to the participants. The purpose of the evaluation form is to get feedback on the performance and effectiveness of the workshop.

Career Liaisons meet collectively on alternating Tuesdays to discuss and evaluate career-related programs, services and activities offered by CASNR. ln addition to attending meetings, Career Liaisons maintain a well-developed knowledge of upcoming career-related activities and arc challenged with the mission of helping to inform their classmates about these opportunities, said Gazaway. l n addition to on-campus activities, the Career Liaisons visit four different employers in the state of Oklahoma. The purpose of the visits is for the Career Liaisons to gain knowledge of career opporn111iriesso they can serve as career educators. uWhcn the Career Liaisons go on employer visits, they showcase the qualities and skills ofCAS 1R students to potential employers," said Gazaway. "Career Liaisons learn alJ they can about the employer so they can bring back information anJ share it with their peers."

One hour every month, Career Liaisons arc required to work in the CAS R Career Services office and assist the department.

Being on the CASNR Career Liaison team comes with high expectations. Career Liaisons are expected to bring a positive, cooperative and enthusiastic attitude with them. They are expected to serve as representatives ofOSU and CASNR Career Services, as wcU as the student body.

«As a Career Liaison, I am nor only helping my classmates, but also I am helping myself become more professionally

sound," said my Brooks land cape architecture enior.

All areer Liai on are rra· ned to help other n,dents with their profc sional development kill , said Gazaway. In he ummer, the team travels to a location in Oklahoma for a retreat. The purpo e of the retreat i for the areer Liaison to get to know one another and become a team.

Before hool start , a weekend is devoted to areer Liai on training and profe ional development. "lt goe further than training· iris the attitude thi team po sc ," aid Jay caton, areer Liai on and fore try ophomore. areer iai n have set goals in helping their fellow students. One specific goal i genera ing a clearer me sage about what areer Liai ons do and becoming more visible to R rudent o they will kn w help i available, Gazaway aid. nother o-oalthe areer Liai on have

et i developing a Web ite, whi h will include areer developmen information as well as the arcer Liaisons' contact information.

"Mo t tudents experience some level of confu i n in term of making areer d ciion and planning or their future," aid Gazaway. "That' why we have the R arccr Liaison ."

Jarrod Bochs an agriculruraJeconomic cnior attende a re ume workshop given by the Career Liai ons.

"It' differen when it ome from - meone on our level," aid Bo h . "They ar nor as intimidating and the thing they ay are easier to under tancl. It makes a differ n c when excited, pa sionate tudent are telling their peers about profe ional dev I pmenc and areer-relaced a tivirie ."

Whitney Yoder arcer Liaison and agricultural economi enior aid the program has helped her a mu ha it ha h lpcd her fell w tudent .

" he arecr iai on pr gram ha made me become more involved on a college level and not ju tin my department," said Yoder.

'1 u ed to be scared about not knowing what I needed t d t find a areer. Twant t help other tudcnt and . how them the proce inv lved in finding a career so they won't be in the same boat I was in."

Th main g ,tl of the Liaison i to help their fell w la mates in their areer development fforts.

'1 feel privileged to help my das ·mates," aid Lanie Alley arcer Liaison and agriuln1ral educati n junior. ''Tkn w J have a i ted them with their profcs ional development kill , whi h wiU help them find a career." ♦ By Chris Kidd, Waurika,Okla.

For more i1!formatio11about CA R Caret'/' ervicesor CareerLiaisons,ml/ (405) 744- 395 or visit http://casnr.com.

International Programs InAgriculture

Sp nd 10 to 15 day with a faculty memb r tudying in one of thes ct ng countn •

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Division ofAgricultural Sciences andNaturalResouces

Just a mouse click away DRSNR develops new Web-based resources Ready or not, here it comes.

The future ... and it's coming to the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Nan1ral Resources at Oklahoma State University in the form of Web-based technology.

Soon the days of fact sheets and pamphlets wiUbe gone, replaced by new onlinc databases accessible from the comfort of one's home. The result: a system more in tune with society's growing dependency on the World Wide Web. Radio took 55 years to reach 200 million users, while the Web took only five. According tO the U.S. Census Bureau, "In August 2000, 54 million households, or 51 percent, had one or more computers, up from 42 percent in December 1998."

"The change in society, coupled with the need to be more financially efficient, has prompted the creation of two new searchable databases: the Prim-on-Demand System and OSU Extra," said Donald Stotts, communications specialist for agricultural communications services at OSU. Prior to the Internet, DASNR relied heavily on mass-produced, hardcopy fact sheets written by faculty members to distribute information to the public, said Stotts.

"At one time everything was done hardcopy.To get a fact sheet, you would have to go to a cooperative exi:ensionoffice where they would have copies," said Stotts. "If you needed a bunch of them, county personnel would have co order more copies from DAS R's publications warehouse."

The cost of paper, printing and storage is expensive, said Stotts. Putting information on the Internet saves on printing costs because people print just what they need.

"As the Internet exploded in popularity beginning in 1994, everybody quickly latched onto the idea of putting iJ1fonnation on the \i\leb to make ir more accessible," he said.

DASNR's first effort to put fact sheets on the Jnternet was Pete's Electron.icArchive and Resource Library, or PEARL. "PEARL was our first effort of putting what was essentially a hardcopy format onto the Web," said Stotts. ''The format came about because at the time there was a concern that people might not make a connec36 COWBOYJOURNAL

tion between the fact sheets available at county offices and materials available on the Web. The problem with it was it looked exactly like the hardcopy format; it didn't take advantage of the medium of computers."

Stotts said the Print-on-Demand System and OSU Extra are simply the next step in the progression, and they are more accessible and easier to use.

The Print-on-Demand System is an electronic archive and ordering system for fact sheets available to all DAS R employees, includjng extension specialists, county extension educators and research station personnel. Those with Web access are able to search the database, select the fact sheer they need and place an order.

"There arc many benefits to this system," said Gayle Hiner, a graphics designer for agricultural communications services at OSU. "Printing and storage costs will decrease, we will never 'run out' of any fact sheers and the most current information will always be available."

DASNR created a second online database, OSU Extra, to provide information to consumers in a Aexible way.

With content identical to the Print-onDemand System, the database uses a keyword search and topic headings to make the database accessible and understandable to consumers. Brief descriptions of each fact sheet also are included to simplify a search.

OSU Extra is a free service available to the public, .tllowing anyone to view HTML or PDF files in the comfort of their homes, said Hiner. The address for the Web site is http://www.osuextra.com.

Hiner said the goal is to try and think like consumers when putting information into both databases.

"Fact sheets will cross reference and be put in more than one spot," said Hiner. "VVe want to put them wherever they will be the easiest to find and the most useful."

One key feature of the Print-on-Demand System and OSU Extra is the timcEness aspect. Fact sheets posted have expiration dates; when the designated time is up, e-mails arc sent to the author(s), prompting him or her co review the information, ensuring it is accurate and timely.

o fact sheet will be aUowed to remain in the database without review for more than three years, said Hiner.

"Because the two sires are mirror images of one another, staff members can easily work with consumers and assist them in searching for information," said Hiner. "The extension educator can talk the person through on the phone and teU them exactly where a file wiU be." ln addition to developing two DAS R databases, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service is working with other states to create a national e-Extension.

This new system is being developed in conjunction with other Land-grant universities with the goal ofbringing extension into the 21st century, said David Foster, retired associate director of the OCES. Since the beginning of the Cooperative Extension Service, the goal has been to spread knowledge and educate people about agriculture. As society has changed, the need for a new way tO distribute that knowledge has become apparent.

"In the beginning, universities began to send people out in the field as practitioners to demonstrate to farmers why they should use improved farming techniques," said Foster. "By the end of the 19th century, there were a number of states that had people employed doing essentially extension work. ''The idea of extension is that individuals go out and actually be part of the community and be accepted as local people who happen to be in a position to help and move [agriculture] forward," said Foster.

With technology becoming more widely accepted and u ed, the demand to alter the way extension work is done ha heightened, aid Fo ter. The idea of a rp rarely managed databa e sy tern addres ing all of the subject matter pertinent to extension work would be attra tive.

"If there was a way all tares ould cooperate with one another to reate that database and then manage it at the y tern level on behalf of all the land-grant universities, that would be a powerful idea," aid Fo ter.

Thi i the foundation of c-Exten ion. ccording to thee- • xten ion exe u tivc committee, "The challenge i to learn to cooperate and take advantage of the hared intellectual apacity of the land-grant y tern, in a way that an be I ally branded. EExten ion provide a vehi le for doing chi in a way cha addre e the informationcc king behavior of our current and funire cu comer ."

tott said the idea fore- Exten ion ha been talked about for year .

"It' a long proces bp hi h an organization make hange," aid tort . "It' a crie of tep in whi h you bring a large organization together to then make a change. lt does happen slowly and it doe happen over time; it' more fa progre ion.

"The aim i to allow people to take advantage of information throughout the nation " aid tott . " hangc doc not occur overnight in mo t l:.trge organization e pe ially tho ·e chat have local tate, national and international omponent ," aid totts. "lt' more of a progression in whi h idea and new wa of doing thing are formulated te ted and then either adopted or di carded over time. ' The e-Exten ion national databa e i in the planning tage .

"E-Exten ion i n the wa • however the exact manner in which everything work~ together has yet to be finalized,' aid rott .

It will incorporate information from land-grant univer itie acr the United tate and provide it in one database. cording to he c-Extension Exe utive ommittee, "The idea i that teams of ubjc t matter expert wiU be in charge of their ubjecr area. These ream wilJ be rep n ible for urriculurn interactive multimedia module , a k-the-cxpert and interactive de i ion t ol ."

The goal of the system is to help people find pccific information, thu allowing them to make ound de i ion , according to the e-Exten ion exe utive ommittee. on umers will be able to u tomize the information they are looking for and accc it on their own time.

Ready or not, technology i here to ray.

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Oklahoma StateUniversity Foundation

GIFTSFROM THEHEART Ir all started with a gift.

A gift ofland was given by four Payne County farmers in 1890 to start a land-grant institution in Oklahoma. This priceless gift was the beginning of Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now Oklahoma State University.

The university's first "gift-in-kind" laid the foundation for OSU, which continues to strengthen today through the donation of gifts-in-kind. Gifts-in-kind are non-monetary donations given to the university.

"Private gifts, monetary or non-monetary as in the case of gift-in-kind, go a long way in making a difference in the lives of teachers, students and citizens who come into contact with OSU's agricultural programs," said Milford Jenkins, Division of AgriculruraJ Sciences and arural Resources senior director of development with the OSU Foundation. '1t is not the size of the gift that counts, but it is merely the gift."

The OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and atural Resources receives many gifts throughout the year.

Livestock, ranch property, equipment, real estate and farmland are a few of the gifts received. In addition, companies often provide equipment and classroom technology for the college.

"The gift-in-kind program is an opporruniry for donors to provide resources to the university for improvements in research, extension and teaching," said Jenkins.

111961, the university started officially receiving gifts-in-kind through the OSU Foundation, said Jenkins. At that time, the foundation was designated as the private gift-receiving entity by the OSU Board ofRegcnts.

Both OSU and donors benefit &om the gifts-in-kind program, Jenkins said. Gifts provide additional opportunities for teachers and students both inside and outside of the classroom. In many cases, srudcnts receive hands-on experience which benefits them after college. By giving, donors sec advancements in departments and progran1s, as well as tax benefits, he said.

"Any college, program or academic unit can benefit from gifts-in-kind," Jenkins said.

38 COWBOY JOURNAL

Joe Atkim (right) and Parl,_vSchwcighart discws th, first mare ht donated to tht equine program.

(Photos hy Kendra Kdton)

"Private resources, whether they be cash gifts or gifts-in-kind, play a critical role in helping the university expand and reach new levels of success."

The OSU Department of Animal Science is one of many areas in CAS R to benefit from gifts-in-kind. Joe Atkins of Hale Center, Texas, has given to the OSU equine program. ''OSU has a good horse program, and] wanted to help it," Atkins said. "I wanted OSU ro have quality horses kids could work with and use in class."

Atkins, a Stillwater native, attended Oklahoma A&t\1 in 1938for a year. In 1949, he started his involvement in the equine industry; his knowledge and background with horses prompted him to make donations to the equine program.

"I was first impressed with the Spirit Rider program at OSU and the srudenr involvement," said Atkins.

In 2002, when Atkins decided to retire from the equine industry, he donated a brood mare, which was in foal to Mr. Sun O Lena, from his horse ranch to the equine program.

ince then tl<.insha donated anAll donation , whether money other mare and two breedings to r. or gift -in-kind, are critical and help the univer ity ave thou and of dolun O Lena who tand at The Four ix.esRanch in Guthrie Texas. lar every year by not having to ex"We do not buy any mares for pend valuable resources from approour production herd at the fami," aid priated thing, aid Jenkin . teven Cooper, equine teaching and "The center i a teaching herd for student ," aid Pribil. "Our labor research a sistant profes or. "There is no way we could buy the mares force i mainly tudent ; they we wanted o improve the horse herd. benefit from rhe donations given and receive hand -on experience."

Invaluable gifts-in-kind tarted our Gift -in-kind enhance program and help maintain it today.' program by providing additional lot of donors are O U alumni or have a conne tion to O U, opportunitie for fa ulty o supplement their cla room instruction aid ooper. strategies through technologi all ontribucors make ure their donation are going to b a good fir Jae A1/1111s (left) and Tim Cash, 0 U harieform mo11og,·r,discussthe advan ed di tan e education and la room tecbn logy.The cooperafor the program and be u eful, industry. tive exten ion ervice and agriculooper said.

"I had a goal to improve O U's brood tkins said he wanted O U to have mare band b giving outstanding mare ," tural experiment stations likewise have benhis horses and knew the would be taken efited over the year from generou aid tkin . gift -in-kind, aidJenkin . care of and put to good use.

The O U Purebred Beef enter al "For omeone to tep out and donate benefit rom gift -in-kind, aid Jenkins.

'1n 1890,people had a pa ion, people horses of this caliber is out tanding,' said "Donation to the beef center have had a dream and people had a vi ion. and Cooper. "Our program would not be what it helped it obtain the highest quality of ge- They were willing to unselfish[ i today without gifts-in-kind." graciou ly provide re ource and a et to neti in he indu try," aid Cind Pribil the univer iry," said Jenkins. "The made any donors, like tkin.s,are long-time 0 U Purebred Beef enter manager.

0 U upporters and want to see the uni" he beef center ha received attle, their vi i n a reality b giving an ver ity continue growing and crengthening bull emcn and trucks," said Pribil. " mall invaluable gift." ♦ By Kendra Kelton in all areas, aid Jenkins.

Muldrow, Ok.la. gift make a big difference."

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Agricultural AlumniAssociation

ACowboy brainsurgeon nything an be po iblcwirh a degree from Oklahoma tare University, even brain urgery. eurosurgcon Barry Pollard, a 1973 bi chemi try graduate, began hi academic studie preparing to be a veterinarian.

Pollard, who wa rai ed in the agricultural commw1ity of Hennes ey, Okla., grew up with a trong farming and ranching background. a youth he wa active in •F and enj yed working on his family's farm.

Hi intere tin farming wa encouraged by hi father, Ru ell Pollard, who wa a high school vo ational agri ulrure in tru tor.

Above: Neurosurgton Barry Pollard lives 11tar Waukomis, Okla. Right: A m:ekjlow, through Pollard Pnrms. (Photos by Amanda }Ollts and Cbris t,phms) 40 COWBOY JOURNAL

Hi ather and all four of his iblings graduated from O U, o attending the university wa part of a family tradition.

When Barry P llard entered college he wanted to become a veterinarian. However, a ring of unu ual circumstance cau ed him to change hi mind. One fa eful day, an "ornery" cow changed h' future plan . " y dad sent us out to treat a cow, and we did not have very good facilities" said PolJard. "The vet threw a rope at a ow and unfortunately caught her. The cow tore down the barn door and it fell on me and the vet. It wa about then that I decided tO go to medical chool."

He wa aJ o encouraged to attend medical hool b hi roommate in FarmH u e fratem.ity who were rudying to become doctor . Following their lead, Pollard began working toward a degree in biochemistr •.

"O U wa he greate t place for me," aid Pollard. "l could ab olu ely do anything I wanted to do. I ould pi k an future l wanted to pi.ck. There wa always a lot f enthusiasm and people with goal-oriented futures at O U." Pollard recommend tudent take full advantage of all the opportunicie available at O . He wa active in a fraternity and competed in pring ing, Varsity Revue and intramural pore .

"It i important to have a good time and be ome a well-rounded tuden ," a.id Pollard. 'But, you cannot get away from the obligation that you need to tudy and work hard."

While attending the university, he had a part-time job in the agronomy department, working in the weed lab and organizing research project for graduate student . " 11 of it was very scientific until the last chore," aid Pollard." ea uring how well a chemical performed was dependant upon ma111ta111ing a teady hoeing rate, which wa ometimes more difficult at three in the afternoon than it was in the morning."

Upon omplccion of his undergraduate degree, Pollard attended the niver ity of

1ledical Oklahoma chool where he pcciali.zed in neuro urgery.

"J have always been intere ted in the urgery part of medical hool, and I wa fortunate enough to meet ome neurosurgeons who took me under their wing and wer kind o me," aid Pollard ha been practicing neuro urgery at t. a.ry' Ho pital in Enid, 0 kJa., i11 C 1982.

"We probably do 15 urgeries a week on average; we specialize in spinal injurie· and brain tumors,' said Pollard. "Having the training and knowledge to be able to help people with heir pain or di ea e pr blem i very atisfying."

Bob Kropp, profes or of animal ci.ence at O U, is one of Pollard' patients.

"Dr. Pollard i a tremendou neuro urgeon, world renowned and high1yre pe ted for hi kill ," aid Kropp. "It i tremendou that a man of hi medi al tarure ha continued to Livein Waukomis and work in Enid.

He i an as et to the people of Oklahoma." o t of Pollard' patient have ome fr m Oklahoma, a well a uthern Kan a and the Texas Panhandle.

"I have been told that if you have problems with your spine or brain there are onlyfourpla e rogo: the Mayo linic,John Hopkin , M.D. Anderson and t. ary Ho pita! in • nid, Okla.,' Kropp aid.

Pollard works with fellow neur urgeon Bru e Pendleton and nur e Regina Krau e at the hospital.

'1 fit were not for having them to hare work with, I would n t be able to be involved a much in other projects "said Pollard.

Barry Pollard' "other projec "are m re than hobbies. Iis agricultural intere t include P&K quipment and Pollard Farm .

In 1983 Pollard bough theJohnDeere dealer'hip in Kingfi her, Okla., with partner Wendel Kirtley,the managing operator who retired in 1996.

"The operation, whi h i ailed P K qwpmcnt, has become very ucce sful," aid Pollard. "In the next 10 year , you will ee ur dealer hip grow and pro per." s the bu iness flourished, Pollard purchased dealership in nid, orman and Purcell with new partner hane lifton and Drew omb.

"The opportunity to own and operate a John Deere dealership in my home county offered me a future with my kind of people," aid PoUard. "The hard-working farm and ranch familie of Oklahoma are a plea ure t0workwith."

Through hi involvement with P Equipment, Pollard is a supporter of 4-H and FF activitie in he ountie with hi dealer hips. l lping with the area ' premium ale all llard to give back to the community. Another way he up ports lo aJ agricultural program is through regional and stare youth show .

After developing hi private neuro urgical practice and building ad alcr hip bu ine , Pollard de id cl to inve tin developing a cattle operation. He purchased land and cattle and began a to ker-calf operation.

Eventually, he became intere ted in rai ing regi tered ngu cattle a a projec he and hi family could work on together.

"He i a elf-made man who i' very down to earth," Kropp said. "I have even een him in the pa ture with hi crub n.

He i an example of the lo al boy from a mall town wh made g . He operate one of the elite Angus programs. He is an a ct to the Ameri an gu soaanon."

Pollard said hi main goal for the Angus breed i t have the pr du t remain the mo t highly ought after meat product in the indu try, omething a ompli heel through product testing and geneti selection.

'1 wanted to u e my medical knowledge of genetic , embryo transplant and artifi ial in cmination produ e high-quality Angu attle " aid Pollard. "Hopcfull , it will let u develo omething that will tay in the family a long time."

Pollard ha three on , Barrett u tin and Pre ton, a well a two rep-children, April mirh and Jeffrey King. lis wi e is R ocannePollard. ex eme ter, hi youngc t on, Pre ton, who is the mo t active in the family' farm, plans co tudy agribu i.ne ar O U. '1 am not ure I want everyone to know, but the be t advice my dad gives me i t take the good from the pe pie you have t0 be involved with and leave the bad" said Preston P Uard.

Barry Pollard aid helping hi children to become successful adult is a major priority for him.

"I wane to alway be able to help m famil;: grow and be a ucce sful in their career and family lives a po ible," he aid.

Barry Pollard ha proven an O U alum nu can achieve a wide variety of goals ... from the farm to he o crating room to th dealer hip and back to the farm. ♦ By /lmanda Faith Jones, t. Francis,Kan.

Agricultural Economics

The true value of a dollar Studentneedsfundsfora double-lungtransplant As college graduates take the next step in their lives, their debts may seem overwhelming, but for students who battle chronic illnesses, their educational expenses plus medical bills can be insurmountable.

Ashley Guthrie, agricultural economics junior, knows this story all too well. G uthric has battled cystic fibrosis for the past 22 years, and a double-lung transplant is her best chance at a normal, disease-free life.

"Since I have had ir my whole life, J really have never known any other way," Guthrie s;tid. "It's just part of me."

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic mutation that stops the production of protein in the cells of

the lungs, which causes abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The disease has been a nuisance throughout most of Guthrie's life, and it will eventually cause so much mucus ro build up in her lungs they will no longer be fonctional.

Guthrie has been on rhe donor waiting list since November 2002. The rwo-yearwait is more than half over, and Guthrie said she expects to receive a double-lung transplant in lovcmber 2004.

Due ro the S150,000 price rag on this life-extending procedure, the Oklahoma

11111,ISU

Standing (ltop Stdl•u!tllrr's J,uematio,,nl House of Pancllkes, Ashlty Guthrit (right) jo,m out of htr many supporters. Gil St11ni-t,Stillwnta Rlldio KGFY-FM disc jockey. Stuart co111i1111ed his d,1ily brMdtnst n11dlii•ed 011 the roof far fa11r dnys hifore $10,000 was raiwl to hrlp fimd G11thr1tsdo11blt-!1111g tra11spla111.

(Photos by },·remy Porter)

42 COWBOY JOURNAL

State University Snidcnt Government fusociation has declared the Ashley Guthrie Project its primary fund-raising effort for rhe year.

"We felt since we are the representing body of OSU and we have the capacity ro rake on a project of this mass, it would be easier for us to raise the money than a smaller organization," said Joe St. John, SCA vice president. "We're willing to do what we can."

The SCA has pledged to continue creating fund-raising events until it has raised the money needed for the transplant.

The SGA became involved in Guthrie's campaign when her cousin and campaign coordinator.Janna Westmoreland-Morgan, called OSU organizations to sec if they wanted to help our, said Guthrie.

Since the beginning of the fall 2003 semester, SGA has encouraged other organizations ro join in its effort ro help Guthrie with her medical needs.

Businesses, individuals and organizations have rallied behind the Ashley Guthrie Project to donate time, energy and, most importantly, money.

After the OSU Homecoming Parade, the SGA, StiUwater's International House of Pancakes restaurant, and Kinnunen Sales and Rentals sponsored a rooftop fond-raiser, hoping to raise Sl0,000.

Stillwater Radio disc jockeys Dave Deken of KSPI-FM and Gil Stuart of KGFY-FM camped and broadcast &om the !HOP roof, promising not to come down until the full amount was raised.

Activities for children were available in the ]HOP parking lot. A fish rank at the JHOP entrance collected donations from pocket change to S 1,000 donations, all equally accepted and appreciated.

Adam Stringcr,IHOP general manager, said before he had heard of the Ashley Guthrie Project he knew nothing about Guthrie as a person, but now he knows a lot.

"She came here numerous nights and actually sat on the roof, and you could tell she wasn't feeling well," said Stringer. "But she wanted to be here because she wanted to be pan: ofit."

Stringer said Guthrie was calm even though so many people were helping her.

"When she saw people give money, she thanked them," he said.

Although Stringer decided to participate in the Ashley Guthrie Project only a week before the fund-raiser began, he had been searching for a way to give back to the community for seven months. When the SGA approached him with the idea of supporting Guthrie, he was immediately interested.

"J t became a personal thing," said Stringer. ''ltwas for more than just an organization. Vl/ewere doing a fund-raiser for Ashley, who came here many rimes before, and we knew she needed the money to save her life."

David Webb, Stillwater radio manager said Deken and Stuart came down from the roof after four days because they knew they had raised the Sl0,000, and Stillwater radio representatives were working hard to collect the money and deposit it in the account.

Though Sl0,000 has been raised, many more dollars are needed, and the SGA continues to organize fund-raising events.

Nikki Ebert, SGA vice president's chief of staff and Ashley Guthrie Project committee head, said she and the other three committee members arc planning additional fund-raising events for spring 2004. Though solid plans have not yet been made, the group would like the next event to be closer to campus to involve students and OSU affiliates while also allowing Stillwater citizens to participate. "l think it's wonderful that everybody is willing to help and try to do something to make Ashley's lung transplant possible," said Janie Williams, Guthrie's morn. "When you're young it can be hard to let other people know that you have a serious disease; sometimes they just back away, mostly because they're scared. But it's great for her to have all this support and backing."

Born in Wyoming, Guthrie lived in \i\/isconsin for a short time, but most of her life was spent in the small town of Haskell, Okla. Although doctors told her parenrs she wouJdn't live to be a year old, she survived an active childhood, playing softball from time to time, cheerlcading from sixth grade through her senior year, and serving as class president and student senate president.

"Ashley never dwelled on her disease," said Williams. "The doctors said she wouldn't be able to do a lot in school but everything that came along, she did. For her, this is just a way oflifc."

Guthrie graduated from Haskell High School in 1999 with a class of 40 and starred her college career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in fa!J 2000.

During her two years at NEO, Guthrie took a variety of classes, which helped her decide to major in agricuJrural economics.

Guthrie has attended OSU for a year, and keeping up with school has become more difficult since she has been sick more frequently.

"I used to only go to the hospital once eve1y six months, but I've been getting sick more often," said Guthrie.

Williams said her daughter was well throughout most of junior high and then in the hospital a lot during high school. During her first year of college she wasn't as sick, but this last year she has been in the hospital about every month.

"The doctor said she is in the end stage of cystic fibrosis," Williams said. "She's gotten to the point where there's not a lot of medicine or things they can do. They just try ro keep her stable so she can get a transplant."

When Guthrie's name reaches the top of the list, she willneed the S150,000 to pay for the transplant, and she will also have to meet certain weight and health requiremenrs before undergoing the risky procedure.

The risky part of the transplant is not the surgery, but the possibility that Guthrie's body will reject the new lungs at any time from a month ro years after she begins breathing with them, said Williams. She will need to continue taking medicine to prevent rejection for several years after the transpl ant is completed, making the initial SlS0,000 pale in comparison to the price of long-term medical needs.

The fund raising for Guthrie's transplant is being arranged through the Children's Organ Transplant Association.

Guthrie said not a lot of people use COTA, but she and her family decided it was a good way to keep people from doubting whether the money they raised was being used for a legitimate cause.

"This way all the money goes directly into an account that COTA has set up, and they give it to us as we need it," said Guthrie.

As Guthrie's family waits and hopes for funds, they know there is the possibility that their oldest sister and daughter may be too sick to receive the transplant when the time comes. However, also knowing that cystic fibrosis is one of the hardest diseases a fami_lycan face due to its unpredictable nature, the family said raising awareness is a secondary goal d1at may help others find a cure. «we want to continue helping the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, although it doesn't

Gil Stuar/ interviews Stc'lll Ri,·e. lead vomlist a11d g11itr1ri;tof !he ml-dirt /1,uulNo jusli<e, t1ho111 /1111ds co11tributd to theAshl,-y G11thri1· Projectfiw11 tht /land's No·vember concert 111 Stillwater.

help anyone directly and ,tll their money goes to research," said Williams. "I have two sons, two other daughters, nieces and nephews, and all of them could carry the cystic fibrosis gene."

Though Guthrie's sisters and two halfbrothers have never been tested for cystic fibrosis, they have never shown symptoms.

But, because cystic fibrosis occurs through gene transfer, any offspring of this generation will be susceptible to the disease.

For the Guthrie family, their need for money is a stark reality. When they first found out what the cost of the transplant would be, they thought it would be impossible to raise such a sum witl1 only the support of their small-town community.

Haskell citizens have managed to contribute S8,000 toward the transplant funds, which brings the total amotmt donated to only about $18,000. There is still a daunting Sl32,000 left to raise.

Yet, Guthrie and her family value every dollar contributed and maintain high hopes that before November 2004 arrives d1ere will be enough funds to buy the lungs Guthrie needs to complete her college career and begin a new, healthier chapter in her life.

"Vl/e'vc been amazed that outsiders we've never heard of and will probably never meet have helped so much," Williams said.

"They have just been so wonderful." ♦ By Sarah Fultz Prate,; Stillwate1; Okla.; rmd Afton Jameson, Geary, Okla.

To contibuteto theAshley Guthrie P,-qject, call the Student Government Assoriation al (405) 744-6500.

SPRING2004 43

Agricultural AlumniAssociation

A happy birthday Agricultural AlumniAssociation celebrates20 years ''Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestlyimportantor 11earlyimpossible."

-Edwin H. Land Surely this statement was on the minds of Oklahoma State University graduates when the Agricultural Alumni Association was formed in 1983.

For years, graduates of the College of Agricultural Sciences and arural Resources knew something must be done for alumni to stay connected with each other and their alma mater after commencement.

Max Berry, a 1957 agricultural economics graduate and chairman of the "Committee ofTwenty," remembers how the Agricultural Alumni Association became a reality.

"Information was presented to us about other agricultural alumni associations around the nation," Berry said. "We felt the college, students, and we, as alumni, were missing out on opportunities that alumni at places like Purdue, Ohio State and l\1iehigan State were taking advantage of."

The "Committee of Twenty" was formed in 1983 to develop the CASNR Alumni Association. The committee actually consisted of21 CASNR alumni.

"Before the committee members were selected, it was decided to be The Committee ofTwenty," said Dirk Webb, 1978 agriculrural education graduate and member of

the Committee ofTwenty. "Then the Dean's office released the names of the committee members and 21 names were on the list. 1 guess we could not count."

This selected group of CAS R alumni took the initiative to develop the OSU Agriculrural Alumni Association.

A CASNR graduate was selected from each department to be a representative on the committee and represent his or her discipline, said Webb. \!VesleyHolley, former executive secretary of the OSU Agricultural Alumni Association, contacted committee members to meet in his office to discuss a vision for the association, Berry said. Lack of members and funding made the early going difficult.

"Our goal, as a committee, was to form a common bond to bring agricultural alumni back to the college and show the bonds of the students and agriculture," said Webb.

Berry said the Agricultural Alumni Association knew what it wanted to accomplish, bur the majority of the members ar the time were farmers who didn't have a lot of time.

"Ar first, we sent our mailings to in-state alumni, hoping they would come to meetings,•· Berry said. "But progress was slow."

In 1983, 50 ro 60 members were involved in the association. The group grew to more than 100 people in the second year when the charter was signed.

OSU Agriwfturaf Alumni Assoriation members enjoy good food ,md good ro11v,1rsntio11 during the a,mu"f I-lom,·,·omingbarberur Ort. 18, 2003. (Photo by Todd johmon)

44 COWBOY JOURNAL

"At the rime, the committee members felt like there were many agricultural related fields, other than just farming, students were taking advantage of," Berry said. "These people were concerned with the future of agriculture, and they became the motivators of the association."

During the past 20 years, the Agricultural Alumni Association has grown to more than 3,500 members. Now, on its 20th birthday, the OSU Agricultural Alumni Association has become what its founders aspired it to be.

"Today, the alumni association is doing exactly what they set out to do 20 years ago," said Ed Miller, College of Agriculn1ral Sciences and Natural Resources associate dean. "They are working for the students."

Miller said the Agricultural Alumni Association has always had this vision, but during the last five years its goals have been met because of increased membership and motivated members.

"The alumni association has always had the desire to do more for the smdents, but two things have limited it: budget and direction," said l\ililler. "Now, we have been able to accomplish things we have always wanted through increased membership."

Holley, now the associate dean and associate director of the College of Agriculture at 1cw Mexico State University, said the alumni association is the key mechanism for communication among graduates.

"The association keeps alumni informed about what is going on in the college," Holley said. "It plays a vital role in proV1dingfeedback to the college."

Agricultural Alumni Association members not only advise the college about what is working well, but also they provide insight on changes that could be made for CAS R to evolve with the times, said Holley.

Holley said the Agricultural Alumni Association has evolved into a vehicle that is dedicated to working for the students, as well as the college, by becoming a vital recruiting tool.

"Over the last few years, the Agriculrural Alumni Association has developed a consensus among board members by cen-

tering on supporting and recruiting student 'said Holley.

The griculrural Alumni o ,anon barbe ue on Homecoming aturda i an event chat allow member to gather and share idea about C R's future.

"The barbecue gives alumni a chance to talk about wha i g od for the college

while enjo ing rhem elve in a friendly atmo phere," aid Linda Iartin, C NR a i ranr dean and the gricultural Alumni A ociation execu ive ecretary.

The gri ultural umni A otiat1on has gained momentum through it members increa ed involvement and thi give the asciation the opportunity to achieve it goal

ofincrea ed rudent involvement, he said. "vVe hope to get more feedback from our alumni ab ut what i working and what ould be better," Miller aid. ' Vie al o would like to funnel more money to tudcnts via re ognition program , a well as make more opportunitie available in career services through intern h.ip and job placement for our graduate ."

Th vision the founder had in 198 ha all wed the O U gri ulcural Alumni Association to tran form into the organiwtion it ha become today.

"Everything we set out to do in 1983 is happening now" Miller aid. "We are working for the tudents and the colJege i bene ting. 1ow we are fo u ing on how to make it better."

Graduate eeking information ab ut 0 U Agricultural Alumni A o iation membe1 hip an inquire in 36 gricul ural Hall, tillwater OK 7407 orvisirthe ollege of griculrural cience and arural Resource ' Web sire at http:// www.ca nr. om ♦ By Jared Robison, Ringwood Okin. rot! Landgraf (lift) and Jack Pritchard dimm the .fi,turt of tht Agriwlturol Alumni llssociatio11.(Photo

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RidingwithCowboypride (continuedfrom page 29)

]om/ Will)' (foedi11g)1111d M,..-iruth Cohmour ;pc11d1i111,· togdher roordinn1i11g O U spirit nctivitirs lo make JI/rt'

gamrday ,•xJurimm urt mjoyuble for ,,!/, (photo by Jnmie Wherft-y)

The ultimateCowboy (ro11tin11ed from page 28) "We are lu k be au ·ewe can u e the weight room with the athlete and we get a member hip to a lo al athleri club for being Pistol Pete "said Pulver.

At time , being a nident may eem lik afull-timejob,butimaginealoha ing co make 200 per onal appearance a ear at porting event and private function . Pi tol Pete i paid a 25-per-hour fee and 32 cents per mile for all private event .

"We go to private function like birthday partie , weddi11gsand gra uation ," said Wiley.

Time management i one of Pulver' and Wile '. bigge t i sues. They mu t batance their da load· with all th other ta k they mu t do.

"We ar required b fi ocball oach Le 1ile to work out rw time a week if we want to be on the field during a game" aid WiJcy. I ulverand Wile must keep in contact with the pirit office and keep tra k of aU their engagement by renirning phone all or e-maiJs. "To handle m la load I get up in the morning, go to cla do reading and homework a oon a I an after la be46 COWBOYJOURNAL

cau e 1 know at night and on the weekends 1'm going o be Joa led down and not have time,'' aid Wiley.

Both Pulver and Wiley aid they think being Pistol Pete will help them in the future be au e they have made beneficial contact and have developed timemanagement kill .

Anyone wanting co auditi n for Pi col Pete mu t be a full-time tudent with a 2.0 grade point average. J n pril, the . ociecy quares e tionintheDai(yO'Collegia11run a noti e for tryout .

"Everyone should try out," aid Birdwell. '1t i a highlight in the oUege experience. You get to live a part of the spirit and interact with kids." tudent intere ted in trying out can all the pirit ffi e in allagher-Jba ena at (405) 744-8039. An tudent i encouraged to try out.

"Pi col Pete repre ent O more than ju ton aturday ... more than ju tan P highlight or an) hing like that,'' said Wile . ''Pi tol Pet repre ent O U to kid who are two year old to people who are 102. Pistol Pete is the essence of O U. He re1 re cnt O U and its tradition ." ♦ By

Lynette Rushin, Mustang, Okla.

the hor e, hundreds of people tell us Bullet i rheir favorite ar of the whole game."

"I love knowing I am carrying our su ha beloved tradition," ohenour aid.

After each game Buller is taken back to the hor c barn, where he live and is cared for by be pirit Rider and rhe ground crew.

Thi year a change wa made to the program - tar Parr Money was retired. " tars Parr Mone was ju t getting too old," aid reven ooper U animal science assi tan t professor. "He wa a great hor e for O U, and he played hi part well. We felt he ju t needed to be retired."

The new hor e, rgo mokin Man, i a 5-year-old gelding purchased by the O U thletic Department.

The new horse po ed an additional challenge ohenour ha faced.

"The bigge t challenge wa ju t not knowing what to expect" she said. "We had no idea how he would rea ton game day. It i hard to imulate 44,000 creaming fans."

When the athleti department purha ed the hor e, he was already broke to ride. La r ear' pirit Rider,Ja on Wright, also worked with him when he could,just co try t get him ready. ohenour penr the summer w rkingwith him.

The O U thletic Department supplies rhe rider and eacl1member of the ground crew with their uniform .The uniform con ists of an orange hirt black jeans, a black vest and black boot .

The pirit Rider i an important tradition to O U, aid Birdwell. here i a ranie of the pirit Rider in front of Gallagher-Iba Arena on the O U campus.

"Every morning when I drive up to work and ee that tatue, I eel a en e of pride overwhelm me," aid Birdwell.

Tryout for the pirir Rider are held each spring. The rryout consists of a written application an analy i of hor eman hip using ' geldings and an intervi w. " th ugh it i a time- on l1t11ingta k, the sense of pride I feel every time I put on that uniform and get Bullet ready· or the game makes up for all the hour I pend working with him," ohenour aid. "I will never forget thi experien e. ' ♦ ByAftonfameson, Geary,

Okla.

One rider andfaur ground-crewmembers are selectedeachyear. For more i11farmation about the piril Rider or hying out, callCooper at (405) 744-6065.

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Students to professionals (continuedfrom page 19) becau e law require that a de igncr mu t be a Ii need engineer before the plan i u ed, aid Paul We Ider, bio . , tcm and agricultural engineering profe or. ln agricultural ommunications, agricultural education and other non-licen eeldi cipline tudenr·' lution can be directly adopted when profc ional cc fit. 0 U tudent have contributed to a wide variety of professional endeavor directly and ind ire tly, aid David Lewi fore try profes or and environmental science undergraduate pro am dire t r.

"Among the urrent project that exist becau e of the work initially d ne b tudents arc the White Paper Recycling program at U and the ti.llwater reek Project," Lewi aid. tudent al have m, de recommendation addrc sing i su including bio-ma s ern.i ion , compo ting at O U' poultry facility, defining the fea ibiliry of odor abatement relative to the Oklahoma enate wine bill and identifyin a volatile hydrocarbon contaminant in oil, aid Lewi . riculrural edu ation tudents convert their education into practice while fulfilling the requirement in ludcd in GED 410" lethod and kills in Tea hing and T\Ianagement i.n gricultural Education. ccording to the O U epartment of griculrural Education, ommunications and 4-H Y, uth evelopment, agri ulniral education eniors mu t develop unit ofintru rion and in tru ti nal tea hing t ol.

Cu11diJoh11n11(lift), Kody F~otherwm and Kent Eva/I ore <ompleti11gtheir majors.focuHdi11bio11mha11iml mgi11uri11gand will work do$ely with Ditrh /Vitrh exemlive,, Richard harp (mom/ Ji-om right), researchand devrlupmml prujert 111m111ger, ,111dKevin elf. 1111m11ger of re.rearchand det•dopmenl, i11devdopi11g II rml•world sol11tio11 for imlalli11g silt .fr11u1~(!iriently to ,1~•oidero11011 lTround com/ruction au01.

before they leave campu to begin 12 weeks of tudem teaching.

From roilegc fre hmen to cap tone enior , 0 U student over ome many challenge on their wa from the dmissions Offi e to the other ide of the GalJagherlba ena rage, he aid. ome may return a i.ndu try profe sional to add a real-world edge to future capstone experiences. Others could someday work a edu ators creating their own course that carry tudents through the m1nition from college to the working world.

Regardle of their backgrounds or future prospe rs,. tudent benefit from the olid ground cap tone our e an proVld du.ring a time when que tion are abundant. " apstonc cour e help student focu on what they have a c mpli.hed a ademically and profes ionally while at O U," aid l'vliller."Ho efolly,the realization of the skills and capabilitie they have developed help bridge the gap between life as a student, the graduate'. fir. t job and ultimately a ucce ful career." ♦ By arah Fultz Prater, ti!/wate,; Oklc1.

A growingpassion (continuedfrom page JJ) ivi ion in Park I lill. The fa ility create a humidified tcmpcrature-conrroilcd environment to maintain the high quality and vigor of tree . The e con rru ti n allowed reenleafto begin marketing it. bare root tree and ceding in pring 1991.

Greenleaf added another new location in 1997 when 295 acres of land were purcha ed in Tarboro . .The Tarboro fa ilicy i a diver e, complete pr duct line, a mailer version of the klahoma and Texas OJ eration . Davi aid the orth arolina division wa opened becau c of its clo er locale to Grecnl af' ea tern market.

"We ell a 1 t of plant material in that area » Davi aid. "Vl/efelt we ould provide more for ur cu comer b, being there."

Today, reenleaf i the third largest nursery in the nited tate . During the 48 COWBOY JOURNAL

peak ea on, the nur cry employ 1,200 people in it fa ilitic in Oklahoma Texa and 1orrh arolina. ln Oklahoma alone, Greenleaf produce more rhan 10 million liner, and 8.5 million finished plants. These plants in ·lude 70 varietic of conifers, 570 varietie ofbroadlcaf evergreen and deciduou hrub , and 145 varieties of shade and flowering trees, Davis said. The diver ity of plant the company produ e has been one of the biggc t change in e he has worked there.

"Diver icy in plants ha een a huge change," Da\~s said. "People want omething different. It' a real hallenge to keep up.'' rcenleaf currently hips to 45 state and anada. The ompany has enjoyed having a po itive economic impact in ea tern Oklahoma, a well as in it other location .

"It i one of

herokee ouncy' [Oklahoma] major indu rrie with much of the revenue being paid out locail ,," Davis aid.

Greenleaf has followed the path of many of i pr du by t.'Uci.ng r t, nd growing readily. Davi look f, r that growth to continue.

"We're a ompany that believe in controlled growth,'' Davi aid. "We're not interested in merger or acqui irion . [We're] not really the bigge t, but our goal i r be one of the be t. "l see u ontinuing to grow and pro per and that's through controlled growth, good deci ion making, and planning," he said.

"I'd ,1ythe fi.itu1·e loo~ bri hr for reenleaf.

We've got a lot of good O U graduate on hand and a good bu inc . plan. I'm reall excited about Greenleaf for the future.'' ♦

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Cowboy Journal Oklahoma State University Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and 4-H Youth Development 448 Agricultural Hall Stillwater, OK 74078-6031