OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources to recognize Champions and Distinguished Alumni
Monday, June 25, 2018
The Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University is dedicated to making available science-based information relevant to improving the quality of life for all Oklahomans.
This is not possible without the achievements and excellence of its alumni, as well as other leaders around the world who may not be alums of the college, but contribute to its mission. To acknowledge some of these outstanding alumni and friends of the university, DASNR recently selected its Distinguished Alumni from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and DASNR Champion award winners.
Recognized as 2018 CASNR Distinguished Alumni are Charlotte Kirk Baer, Frederick Drummond and Gregory Schultz. The 2018 DASNR Champions are Brad Parker, Gene Rainbolt and JD Waggoner.
“Each of these honorees has been a great supporter of our programs and continue to make lasting impacts in their professions,” said Tom Coon, DASNR vice president. “These individuals are shining examples of sustained excellence in their respected fields and it is an honor to be able to recognize their contributions and to show our appreciation for their support to our joint missions of research, teaching and Extension.”
Baer, Silver Springs, Maryland, earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from OSU in 1984 and continued her education at the University of Maryland, where she graduated with a master’s degree in nutritional sciences. Baer is the national program leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Animal Nutrition and Production.
Oklahoma native and nationally respected cattleman, Drummond, Pawhuska, Oklahoma, graduated from Oklahoma A&M College in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. He served in the U.S. Artillery for the next two years and earned his master of business administration from Stanford University in 1957. Drummond is the third generation of his family to ranch and serve ranchers in Osage County.
Named an “Innovation Leader” by TIME magazine in 2006 for his development of antimicrobial coatings for wound dressings, Schultz, Gainesville, Florida, is a 1971 honors program graduate in biochemistry from OSU. He later earned his Ph.D. in biochemistry from OSU in 1976 and was a postdoctoral fellow in cell biology at Yale University from 1976-79. Schultz is professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Parker, Ponca City, Oklahoma, is the owner and operator of Parker Pest Control and has consistently and continually given back to his community, industry and his father’s OSU education connection. His father, Dick, earned a master’s degree in entomology from OSU, which led to the creation of the business and ongoing relationship with OSU. Brad was instrumental in the establishment and funding of the OSU Endowed Professorship in Structural and Household Pest Control and continues to support the OSU Pinkston Educational Facility and its mission of training and certification of all Oklahoma pest control operators.
Rainbolt, Nichols Hills, Oklahoma, earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma before serving in the U.S. Army for four years. Upon his return, Rainbolt attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin. He returned to Oklahoma to serve as president and CEO of Federal National Bank in Shawnee in 1967 and in 1985 partnered with a group of investors to acquire banks statewide to form the United Community Corporation. Rainbolt founded BancFirst in 1989, which is now the state’s second largest bank and is the largest state chartered bank in Oklahoma.
After retirement from Oryx Energy in 1999, Waggoner, Billings, Oklahoma, returned to his family’s 500-acre ranch to produce a wheat crop and maintain a cattle herd. With more than 300 acres of cropland, his family has owned the ranch since the Oklahoma Land Rush. A 1957 OSU graduate of mechanical engineering/petroleum technology, Waggoner began a partnership with DASNR through the wheat research program and Oklahoma Water Resources Center. His vision is for DASNR and the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology to work collaboratively to address issues facing producers and use on-farm research and demonstrations to teach future generations of engineers and agriculturalists.
The awards will be presented to the honorees during the 4th Annual DASNR Honors banquet, Oct. 19, at the OSU Student Union Ballroom.
Story by Sean Hubbard