OSU Agriculture celebrates distinguished alumni and champions for 2024

Oklahoma State University honored an exceptional group of individuals who have brought distinction to the Ferguson College of Agriculture and demonstrated a continuous commitment to agricultural sciences and natural resources.

 OSU Agriculture, comprised of the Ferguson College of Agriculture and two state agencies – OSU Extension and OSU Ag Research – held an Honors ceremony on Oct. 11 to recognize the recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni and Champion for OSU Agriculture awards. 

 “The awards celebrated during OSU Ag Honors are the most prestigious honors the division can bestow on an individual,” said Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “From supporting the New Frontiers campaign, creating scholarships benefiting students, excelling in their career field, and serving as champions and advocates for the agricultural industry, this year’s recipients are an incredible group we are proud to recognize.”

 Jami Longacre of Kellyville, Oklahoma, Ed Moydell of Cleveland, Ohio, Rob and Mary Shuey of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, and Carl Thoma of Dallas, Texas, were honored as the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients.

 The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1983 and recognizes individuals who serve as models for current and future Ferguson College of Agriculture students.

Ronald Elliott and Harvey Schroeder, both of Stillwater, were honored as 2024 Champions for OSU Agriculture.

 Established in 2011, the Champion for OSU Agriculture Award recognizes individuals who are not graduates of the Ferguson College of Agriculture but have made significant contributions to the division.

 Lyndall Stout, OSU Agriculture Office of Communications and Marketing senior director and host of the television show “SUNUP,” served as the event’s master of ceremonies.

 “The OSU Ag Honors ceremony is always one of my favorite nights to celebrate the outstanding honorees and learn more about them through unique videos telling the stories of their lives,” Stout said. “We appreciate the opportunity to applaud the many achievements of this impressive group of honorees.”­

 This year’s event featured a new component for the honorees. In the past, each recipient received a medallion for their contributions. OSU Agriculture unveiled a new, custom-designed buckle for Distinguished Alumni and Champions.

 Not only did the 2024 honorees receive the newly minted Honors buckles, but past recipients attending the event were also presented with a buckle.

 “We were thankful to recognize our first buckle sponsors,” Lusk said. “Keith Kisling, a 2010 Distinguished Alumnus, learned about the Honors sponsorship opportunity, and he was quick to assemble a group of Distinguished Alumni from past years to help support the cause. We were honored to present the first set of buckles to the buckle sponsors – Keith, Frank Robson, Don Schieber and Matt Waits.”

 Visit OSU Agriculture Honors to learn more about this year’s honorees and past recipients of the Distinguished Alumni and Champion for OSU Agriculture awards.

 MEDIA CONTACT: Mandy Gross | Office of Communications & Marketing, OSU Agriculture | 405-744-4063 | mandy.gross@okstate.edu