Honoring Her Father
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Media Contact: Jami Mattox | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-8061 | jami.mattox@okstate.edu
When Albert E. “Al” Darlow was selected in 1953, by O.S. Wilham, then president of Oklahoma A&M College, to become the dean of agriculture, the role was not his first or last effort in having an impact on the university.
“Education was always important to him,” said Kathy Winslow, Darlow’s daughter. “Agriculture was very important to him, as well. He taught us that without a good agricultural foundation, the lifestyle that we all have would not exist.
“We wanted to give to the New Frontiers project to honor his legacy with the naming of the assistant dean’s office."
In Winslow’s childhood, the Darlow family resided on a small farm north of Stillwater on Admiral Road. The farm was surrounded by empty lots on the edge of town until the university began to boom and grow before their eyes, Winslow said. Soon, a neighborhood surrounded the family’s property, one of those neighbors being her future husband, David Winslow.
“Growing up, everyone in Stillwater knew each other,” Kathy Winslow said. “We love OSU because it’s who we are and it’s important that we recognize and celebrate the growth of the university and the individuals who have made it all possible.”
Darlow’s contributions go beyond his accomplishments and titles, his daughter said. His dedication to his students paired with his dynamic leadership qualities were what truly made difference, she said.
“Dr. Darlow was known as an iconic stockman, evaluator of livestock, educator and administrator with skills recognized nationally and internationally for decades,” said Bob Kropp, professor emeritus of the OSU Department of Animal and Food Sciences. “He was instrumental in establishing a foundation of excellence in animal husbandry at OSU.”
OSU animal science alumna Minnie Lou Bradley, who was a student at the time of Darlow’s leadership, said accomplishments in and outside of the classroom are not the only thing that set Darlow apart.
“One spring, I was out for a couple of weeks because my parents were in a car accident,” Bradley said. “Upon returning, I was having trouble getting caught up and was overwhelmed to say the least. Concerned, I ran into Dr. Darlow, and he gave me a ride and listened to my worries.
“That next week, the professor called me aside and said not to worry about the makeup assignment. Only one person could’ve made that happen, and it was then that I realized who Dr. Darlow really was.”
Darlow took the time to get to know his students and truly care for them, David Winslow said.
As donors to the New Frontiers project, the Winslows will honor Darlow’s legacy in the new building, scheduled to be completed in 2024.
“It’s very important to our family to have his name in the new building because we know he would be so proud,” Kathy Winslow said. “We are proud of everything this institution has grown to be, and it is thanks in part to my father.”
Remembering Dr. Darlow
At the time of Albert Darlow’s undergraduate commencement in 1918, the Oklahoma A&M campus had 16 brick buildings. After earning his bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry, Darlow continued his studies, earning a master’s in animal husbandry in 1922, which was a new graduate program for the college at the time.
In the 1920s, he ran the OAMC sheep unit and taught sheep production, becoming a sheep-producing icon recognized worldwide. Prior to his teaching and administrative positions, Darlow coached the OAMC livestock judging team in the 1920s, producing four national champion teams and five high individuals in the annual contest at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago during the span of his decade as coach.
In 1935, Darlow left OAMC for the University of Wisconsin, where he served as head of the animal husbandry department and earned his doctorate in 1942. The topic of his doctoral thesis was “Effect of Plane of Nutrition on Reproduction Processes in the Ewe.” He returned to Stillwater the following year to serve as the head of the OAMC animal science department.
In 1954, Darlow served as the first president of the American Society of Animal Production. The organization recognized him as a Fellow for his distinguished service to animal science and the livestock industry. From 1953 until his retirement in 1964, Darlow served as dean of the OAMC Division of Agriculture and vice president of agriculture, serving the university and his students well for more than 20 years.
— excerpts from "Albert E. Darlow: A Brief Biography" by Richard Willham.
Story By: Abby Piccin | Cowboy Journal