Coming Home: New agriculture dean Lusk returns to Stillwater
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | sophia.fahleson@okstate.edu
Dr. Jayson Lusk, vice president and dean of Oklahoma State University Agriculture, has returned to a place he and his family have always called home.
The Lusk family spent six years away from Stillwater, and when the opportunity to come back “home” arose, they jumped on it.
Lusk was born in Plainview, Texas, and grew up near Lubbock, Texas. His family was involved with local schools and in the communities where they lived. Both of his parents worked in education — his father, Raymond Lusk, in public schools and his mother, Martha Sue Lusk, in higher education. Lusk enjoyed participating in 4-H, FFA and various sports.
Lusk has two sisters and one brother: Keri, Kay Lynn and Thad. His older sister, Keri, is deaf, and he would accompany her to speech lessons growing up. He said attending speech lessons is the reason he does not have as much of a Southern accent as his parents and other siblings.
Lusk graduated from Wellman High School in 1993 and continued his education at Texas Tech University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in food science in 1997.
In 2000, he earned his doctorate in agricultural economics at Kansas State University, where he met the love of his life, Christy McIlvain.
“I did not know Jayson at the time, but my classmates would talk about how great of a guy he was,” Christy Lusk said. “I truthfully didn’t believe he was as great as everyone made him seem and thought I wouldn’t get along with him, but when I met him, I fell head over heels.
“Other than my father, he’s truly the finest man I’ve ever met.”
The Lusks married in 1999 and had two children, Jackson and Harrison.
Jackson Lusk is an agricultural economics junior at Purdue University, and Harrison Lusk is an OSU agricultural economics freshman.
“Having two sons interested in my field of study is rewarding,” Jayson Lusk said. “Watching them follow in my footsteps and seeing my interests being reflected in them as they are finding their own unique paths is a big accomplishment.”
As a family, the Lusks enjoy spending time together, especially at Table Rock Lake in Missouri, Jayson Lusk said. During their visits, they fish, go tubing and relax on the boat.
Travel and work have taken the Lusks to Europe, as well. The Lusk family lived in Paris for the majority of 2011 while Jayson Lusk worked at the French National Institute of Agricultural Research. He also has taught summer school at the University of Bologna in Italy nearly every summer for more than a decade.
Back at home, Jayson Lusk’s favorite thing to do is go grocery shopping and cook for his family while listening to Colter Wall, a country folk musician, his wife said.
Christy Lusk stayed at home with the boys when they were young, which allowed Jayson Lusk to travel for work more often.
“We would divide and conquer,” Christy Lusk said. “Jayson’s hobby is working. He loves what he does.”
Even when Jayson Lusk was on the road for work, Christy Lusk said he always put his family first.
“He would get home from work, help me with the boys, put them down for bed at 7 o’clock, and work until midnight,” she said. “Jayson is a remarkable father. I always knew he’d be a great dad.”
When the Lusks lived in Stillwater previously, they were involved with the community, especially in religious organizations. The couple said they appreciate the kindness of people at OSU and how they reflect their values.
The couple served on the board of directors at Stillwater K-Life, an organization helping youth and families in the community.
They also served as Sunday school teachers and on the financial committee at Eagle Heights Baptist Church of Stillwater. They both look forward to being engaged and involved with the community again, Christy Lusk said.
Jayson Lusk’s involvement in production agriculture began in his childhood, as he spent most of his summers removing weeds in the cotton fields, he said.
In addition, his mother still owns the family farm near Gail, Texas, where her great-grandparents settled in the late 1800s.
“At various points while my boys were growing up, we started backyard gardens, which were failures,” Jayson Lusk said. “They provided good lessons that we shouldn’t rely on ourselves to feed ourselves and should appreciate those who do.”
Dr. Scott Senseman, associate vice president of OSU Agriculture, said Jayson Lusk can connect to all aspects of agriculture because of his farm background and his expertise as an agricultural economist.
“I really like his approach to the position,” Senseman said. “He is interested in learning as much as he can about the breadth and the depth of the people in OSU Agriculture and across the state as he implements his vision.”
Senseman said Jayson Lusk’s highly productive research background at OSU and Purdue give him a great deal of credibility with faculty and stakeholders as he takes the reins as dean and vice president.
Senseman said OSU is fortunate to have Jayson Lusk in his role.
“OSU has upheld its focus on commercial agriculture more than other institutions, and that’s something important to me,” Jayson Lusk said.
His primary goals for OSU Agriculture and the state are to increase agricultural productivity, provide opportunities for agriculturalists to diversify their income, and add value to Oklahoma agricultural commodities.
“What can we do differently to have a bigger impact on students, producers and consumers?” he said. “This is what I think about when I wake up.”
Senseman said he looks forward to working with Jayson Lusk in upcoming projects, such as completing the New Frontiers Agricultural Hall and enhancing buildings at the agronomy farm to assist OSU’s wheat program.
“It is great to see his excitement about being back at OSU,” Senseman said. “His commitment and dedication to our college and to OSU Agriculture are apparent.”
Jayson Lusk said student outcomes are something he is proud of but would like to continue improving.
“Providing good mentorship to students, offering hands-on experience, and watching them leave with a good-paying and fulfilling job is what we are here for,” he said.
Throughout his career, Jayson Lusk has served as an academic adviser to approximately 100 graduate students, who he calls his “academic children.”
Jayson Lusk said he looks forward to his new adventure at OSU.
“It’s good to be home,” he said.
Story by: Avery Cantrell | Cowboy Journal