CFAES Connect: July 2020
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HireOhio 2020 Virtual Alumni Career Fair
Are you a job seeker interested in connecting virtually with employers to discuss opportunities? Or are you an employer interested in meeting qualified candidates to fill your current needs? Join us online for the HireOhio 2020 Virtual Alumni Career Fair hosted by The Ohio State University Alumni Association in partnership with Hire Talent. Alumni from Ohio colleges and universities will meet with recruiters from leading organizations in an exciting virtual event!
Thursday, July 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Whittington selected as president-elect of NACTA professional society
M. Susie Whittington, professor of agriscience education in the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL), has been selected as president-elect of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). NACTA, which was formed in 1955 as a professional society, focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning in agriculture and related disciplines at the postsecondary level. Members of NACTA are from two-year and four-year colleges, both public and private.
Whittington will serve as president-elect for 2020–2021 and will take over leadership of the organization at the 2021 annual conference, which is scheduled to be held at Ohio State’s Wooster campus in June 2021.
Since joining the department in 2000, Whittington has taught a variety of courses in the agriscience education major, preparing students to become high school agricultural educators through teaching methods, cultural proficiency, and program planning, as well as graduate courses in data collection and in advanced teaching methods.
In addition to her faculty role with ACEL, Whittington serves as executive director for Ohio State’s Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP), which is a university-wide program focused on student success and development that allows students opportunities to engage in high-impact practices that cater to their individual interests and needs.
“We are so proud in ACEL and Ohio State to have our very own Dr. Susie Whittington serve as president in this premier international organization,” said Scott Scheer, professor and interim chair of ACEL. “NACTA is fortunate to have Dr. Whittington in this role because she brings in a wealth of national and university leadership experience from serving as president in the American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) to the university-wide director of STEP at Ohio State. NACTA will certainly thrive and improve with Dr. Whittington as its president.”
“As a member of NACTA since the early 1990s, my teaching has benefitted from the talent and expertise of its members,” Whittington said. “I look forward to giving back and to paying forward to a society that has given so much to me.”
Whittington is a three-time graduate of Ohio State, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in agricultural education in 1982, 1988, and 1991, respectively.
ACEL prepares communicators, educators, and leaders in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences to integrate research-based learning, practice, and engagement, in ways that will advance positive changes that strengthen individuals, families, and communities. For more information on the academic programs and research available in ACEL, or to donate to student scholarships, please visit acel.osu.edu.
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Ohio State soil scientist awarded World Food Prize
Story by Alayna DeMartini
A soil scientist at The Ohio State University whose research spans five continents was just awarded this year’s World Food Prize for increasing the global food supply by helping small farmers improve their soil.
Over five decades, Rattan Lal, a Distinguished University Professor in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), has reduced hunger by pioneering agricultural methods across the globe that not only restore degraded soil but also reduce global warming.
“Every year we are astounded by the quality of nominations for the Prize, but Dr. Lal’s stellar work on management and conservation of agriculture’s most cherished natural resource, the soil, set him apart,” said Gebisa Ejeta, chair of the World Food Prize Selection Committee and 2009 recipient of the award issued by the Iowa-based World Food Prize Foundation.
“The impact of his research and advocacy on sustainability of agriculture and the environment cannot be overstressed,” Ejeta said.
Beginning in the 1970s with his research in West Africa, Lal has discovered ways to reduce deforestation, control soil erosion, and enrich soil by managing a critical element in the soil: organic carbon.
His research has provided the scientific foundation to show that soil can not only solve the global challenge of food insecurity but also global warming.
As the 2020 winner of the World Food Prize, which was announced via webcast, Lal was awarded $250,000, which he will donate for future soil research and education. He is the first at Ohio State to receive the award.
“It is a privilege and honor to be of service to the many small farmers from around the world because I was one of them. They are stewards of the land. They are the ones with the tremendous challenge of feeding the world,” said Lal, who is founding director of the Carbon Management and Sequestration Center in CFAES at Ohio State.
To read on, click here.
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Create your legacy at CFAES
An up-to-date estate plan is your most effective tool for protecting the security of your loved ones. But did you know you can also use your estate plan to support CFAES? Our personal estate planning kit can help you get started.
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Alumni Webinar Series Continues
Join us for the second installment of the CFAES Time and Change Alumni Webinar, a monthly series for our alumni and friends on a variety of intriguing issues led by prominent CFAES alumni and industry experts. Please mark your calendar for the third Thursday of each month.
The second webinar in the series will be Thursday, July 16, from 2–4 p.m. The topic will be "Managing in Today’s Global Grain and Feed Environment.” In our second session, three industry thought leaders—all CFAES alumni—share their insights on the interaction and impact of the global market on areas such as grain, feed, micronutrients, co-products, and other additives.
The panel of speakers will include:
Constance Cullman '90 BS Agricultural Economics, '92 MS Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology
President and CEO at American Feed Industry Association
Kevin Adams '83 BS Animal Science, '86 MS Agricultural Economics
President at Consolidated Grain and Barge
Tadd Nicholson '93 BS Animal Science
Executive Director at Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association -
Where are they now? Alumni Awards edition
The CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award gives public recognition to those who have brought distinction to themselves and the college at large through their participation, commitment, and leadership. We have been honoring individuals with this award since 1971, and in that time we have honored 358 individuals. Of those honored over the years, 86% are male, 14% are female, this compares to the current alumni population which includes 44,554 individuals with 67% male and 33% female. Honorees of this award represent each of the College's Academic units with 32% coming from the Department of Animal Sciences, 17% from the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership, and 16% from the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. We checked in with them to see what they have accomplished since earning their award and what it meant to them. Hear from a few of our honorees below.
Bernie Scott, ’61 BS Agricultural Education, ’77 MS Agricultural Education
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2007
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you. A: It was an inspiring experience for me personally, especially having my wife, Jean, and entire seven grown children and their spouses present!
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: The 2013 induction into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame at the Ohio State Fair!
Q: Do you have other thoughts or comments about your experience with CFAES Alumni Awards and your alumni experience?
A: I keep realizing or imagining that the 2007 Ag Alumni Award seemed like a gateway recognition leading to my 2009 Ohio State Duncan Alumni Citizenship Award and later the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame!
Karl Kisner, ’90 BS Agronomy
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2016
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you. A: Recognition of my career achievements by my alma mater—but it could not have happened without the schooling, training, and teaching that I discovered while at Ohio State.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: Since the award, I was able to help my company go through a merger and then develop and lead its Global Marketing Team. Most recently, I accepted a new role, director of corporate strategy with Veseris, a company that is focused on the specialty pesticide markets—structural pest control, turf, and ornamental. Though the company name has changed, it’s the same company I started with upon graduation from Ohio State.
Nick Christians, ’77 MS Agronomy, ’79 PhD Agronomy
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you.A: It was one of the highlights of my career. It was also good to get back to campus and see how it had changed.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: Distinguished Service Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America in 2017.
Q: Do you have other thoughts or comments about your experience with CFAES Alumni Awards and your alumni experience?
A: The college was an excellent host during my visit to campus. They made sure that I saw everything that I wanted to see.
Larry Lokai, ’67 BS Agricultural Education, ’73 MS Agricultural Education
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2016
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you.A: A great honor and humbling experience, when one looks at the great alumni from Ohio State. I was a 30-year career teacher and FFA advisor, plus in 1997 won a Ruby Award for 30 years as a 4-H advisor. I was very honored to be on stage with so many great leaders from The Ohio State University.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: Since 2016, when I won the award, I have helped coach the past four Ohio FFA Milk Quality and Products champions. East Knox FFA was the state winner in 2016, 2017, and 2019. In 2018, the team from Lynchburg Clay FFA won the Ohio contest. However, one of the proudest moments I had was in 2019, when I helped coach the top four Ohio FFA Milk Quality and Products teams plus 16 of the top 20 students in Ohio. They included 1st, East Knox, Howard, Ohio; 2nd, Felicity Franklin FFA, Felicity, Ohio; 3rd, East Clinton FFA, Lees Creek, Ohio; and 4th, Versailles FFA, Versailles, Ohio. For four weeks before the state finals, I was averaging 900–1,000 miles a week going to four different schools.
James Males, ’73 PhD Animal Science
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2006
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you. A: I was nominated for the award by my major professor, Dr. Burk Dehority. I was honored that he nominated me and more honored to receive the award. I was also the second member of my family to receive a College Alumni Award. It was a personal achievement to follow in the footsteps of my uncle, Herman Purdy. It was also the first time that many of the emeritus faculty in Animal Sciences knew that I was related to Herman.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: I successfully completed my career as a department administrator at Oregon State University. This included getting a major building project started. The most significant building in the project was a livestock arena, a large wet lab teaching facility, and additional classroom space. After retirement, I worked half-time and managed the facility and taught for three years. Since total retirement, I have written a book, The Purdys: A Cattle Family. The book includes a history of the beef cattle program at Ohio State from 1939 to 1954, and a complete biography of Professor Herman Purdy, including the 1946 National Champion Livestock Judging Team from Ohio State, which he coached.
John Foltz, ’79 BS Agricultural Economics, ’81 MS Agricultural Economics
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you.A: I owe a lot to The Ohio State University: two degrees, it is where I met my wife, and it is where I made friendships which have lasted since college days. Receiving the award was a very nice recognition of my efforts in life and in agriculture.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: Educating young people as a college professor for 30 years. Youth are our future!
Q: Do you have other thoughts or comments about your experience with CFAES Alumni Awards and your alumni experience?
A: Being a Buckeye alum makes me a member of a large and meaningful group. My experience at Ohio State and within CFAES was world class and gave me the “keys to the world.” Coming back after almost 40 years to be on the faculty at Ohio State is allowing me to continue to be a part of what we do as a great university.
Richard Munson, ’71 BS Horticulture
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 1998
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you.A: First of all, I was totally surprised and felt undeserving of the award. Upon reflection, I am deeply honored and somewhat proud to be a member of a group of alumni to be recognized as having contributed positively to the college. I am humbled to be honored.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: I was elected as a fellow of the International Plant Propagators’ Society in 2005. It is an organization of industry and academic professionals who embody all that is good about the nursery industry.
Q: Do you have other thoughts or comments about your experience with CFAES Alumni Awards and your alumni experience?
A: I am a Buckeye forever and always proud of my association with CFAES, and I always let others know it!
Fred Hegele, ’65 BS Food Technology Agriculture
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2013
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you.
A: I have always felt surrounded by great people at Ohio State and in CFAES, so receiving recognition from within such a prestigious group is humbling.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: I have done some mission work in Kenya for teenage moms and their babies, I have helped with an early childhood development initiative for families living in poverty, and I have chaired the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation Board of Trustees in providing educational benefits to undergraduates.
L. Andre ‘Andy’ Swiger, ’54 BS Animal Science
CFAES Distinguished Alumni Award, 2003
Q: Describe what receiving a CFAES Alumni Award meant to you.
A: After 15 years on the faculty at Ohio State, I went to Virginia Tech as head of Animal Science, then associate dean for research, and finally dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. To return for this special recognition was very fulfilling to me because of my lifelong love and respect for Ohio State.
Q: What has been your greatest achievement and/or milestone since winning your alumni award?
A: About all that was left for me was retirement. I have been hung four times: first by the Ohio State Saddle and Sirloin Club, second by the Virginia Tech Block and Bridle Club, third by the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame, and finally by our College Hall of Fame.
Q: Do you have other thoughts or comments about your experience with CFAES Alumni Awards and your alumni experience?
A: As a member of our local alumni association, I enjoyed a speaking visit by Archie and one by a past director of the marching band.
Nominations for the 2021 Alumni Awards have closed, but you can nominate for the 2022 awards here.
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Who in the world is the CFAES Alumni Society Board?
The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Alumni Society Board represents the voice of all alumni of the college. The board serves as a resource for all relations between college alumni and The Ohio State University Alumni Association and has representatives from every academic department, every region of Ohio, from out of state, and from the last three graduating classes. The group meets quarterly in addition to holding events throughout the year.
Get to know a few of our board members each month.
Nick Rettig, Past President
’14 BSAGR Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Risk Manager, New Vision Farms
Q: Tell us a bit about what you like to do when you are not at work.A: I enjoy spending time with my wife, Aspen, and our dogs, Cali and Vida. I also like to go fishing and enjoy experimenting with new recipes on the grill.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the CFAES Board?
A: Being able to connect with and work alongside fellow Buckeyes who are passionate about the CFAES community and mission.
Q: What is your favorite memory from CFAES?
A: I don’t know that I can pick one favorite memory. Some of my favorites include Agribusiness Club trips and socials, being a part of the initial CFAES Peer Mentor group, the BBQ Science class I took, and overall all of the amazing and lasting relationships I got to build with my fellow Buckeyes—students and faculty alike.
Marie McConnell, Treasurer and Class of 2019 Representative
’19 BSENR Environmental Policy and Decision Making
Outreach Manager, Clean Fuels Ohio
Q: Tell us a bit about what you like to do when you are not at work.A: I like to hike and go backpacking. I have a tiny garden and a ton of house plants. Like many of us, I’ve been bitten by the quarantine baking bug, and am working on perfecting my bread recipe. I also volunteer with a local animal rescue, fostering dogs who are waiting to be adopted.
Q: What is your favorite thing about being on the CFAES Board?
A: Supporting recent grads as they begin building their lives and careers beyond Ohio State. Getting to connect with alumni from so many different academic backgrounds.
Q: What is your favorite memory from CFAES?
A: Studying abroad in Nicaragua with other CFAES first years. Introducing potential students to Ohio State and the college as an Environment and Natural Resources Ambassador.
Nick and Marie are both starting new roles as of July 1 on the CFAES Board.
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Alumni in the News
Our alumni are out in the world making great things happen. If you see alumni in the news, let us know!
Here are some recent CFAES newsmakers:
Emily Beal AS Agricultural Communications 2019, BSAGR Agricultural Communications 2020 - Beal joins Agweek as multimedia journalist
Russell Brode ASC Horse Production & Management 1985 - Russell A. Brode
Skylar Buell BSAGR Agricultural Communications 2020 - Animal Ag News: Latest News in the World of Animal Agriculture
Dr. Hannah Epley PhD Agricultural Education 2014 - Ohio 4-H adapts to serve youth amid pandemic
Hannah Crossen Everetts BSAGR Agricultural Education 2012 - Teacher ambassadors share info on FFA, ag education
Randy Gerber BS Agricultural Mechanization & Systems 1982 - Gerber to helm WC's physical plant
Patty House MS Agricultural Education 1997 - Free virtual 4-H camp scheduled for Clark County kids
Nicole Jackson BSENR Parks Recreation & Tourism Administration - Nicole Jackson: Environmental Educator | Black Birders Week
Ray Jackson BS Dairy Science 1990 - Creamery Business Booms During COVID-19
Allen Johnson BS Dairy Science 1994 - The show must go on for Ohio’s livestock exhibition industry
Dr. Max Judge MS Animal Science 1958 - Teacher of Purdue's first meat science course reflects on lifetime of research
Dr. Laura Lindsey BS Environmental Science 2009, MS Soil Science 2009 - Double-crop soybeans
Aaron Meyer BS Environmental Science 2004 - Finish Lines: Aaron Meyer
Sarah Noggle BS Agricultural Education 1999 - Paulding County 4-H and FFA kids stay resilient
Dianne Shoemaker BS Dairy Science 1982, MS Dairy Scinece 1986 - New Federal Funds for Farmer
Jon Smith ASC Greenhouse Production & Management Technology 2004 - Along the Way: Respected local organic farm to sell produce on site
Cameron Stephens BSAGR Sustainable Plant Systems 2015 - Alumni Profile: Cameron Stephens
Charles Troxell BS Agribusiness & Applied Economics 2005 - Spring Cab Cam | Charlie Troxell
Wendell Water BS Agricultural Education 1969 - Wendell Waters named to Ohio Agriculture Hall of Fame
Jason Wish BS Animal, Diary & Poultry Science 1998 - Wishwell Farms taking 2020 farmers market changes in stride