OSU’s Don Wagner named national ASAS Fellow

Wagner, head of OSU’s department of animal science, was honored in the administration category during ASAS ceremonies July 9 in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the organization’s annual meeting.

“Don has influenced the lives of many students, alumni and producers during his 39 years in Stillwater,” said Bob Wettemann, OSU Regents professor of animal science. “His unique ability to understand and remember livestock production, scientific information and people has resulted in major contributions to the animal agriculture industry.”

And it is lifetime achievement that is the hallmark of being named an ASAS Fellow.

“One of the things you notice is that all the past winners are as old or older than you,” Wagner said, punctuating the point with a good-natured laugh before turning serious. “ASAS is a large society, and the title of Fellow is reserved for recognizing scientific achievements and service to the nation’s livestock industry over the course of an individual’s career. That makes the honor very special.”

Wagner has served as animal science department head since 1990. Under his leadership, the department became the largest undergraduate major and scholarship program at OSU and developed state-of-the-art beef cattle and swine research facilities. He has served on numerous international teaching and outreach teams, traveling to more than 30 countries.

A “global view” has always been a focus of Wagner. Upon earning his Master of Science and doctoral degrees at Cornell University, he joined the OSU faculty in 1965 and promptly spent the next three years in Ethiopia, Africa, as part of a Point IV team. Point IV was a U.S. program started during the Harry S. Truman Administration that provided economic development assistance to less developed countries. Wagner returned to the university’s Stillwater campus in 1968.

As an instructor, Wagner taught courses in animal nutrition, beef production and livestock feeding, including off-campus, graduate-level classes throughout the state.

His research helped bring about greater understanding of the nutritional value of sorghum grain as a livestock feed, and was credited with significant economic gains for the cattle industry.

Wagner’s extensive service to the university included a term as chair of the OSU Faculty Council and earning the 1985 Sarkeys Foundation-Elmo Baumann Distinguished Professorship, one of the premier honors presented by the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (DASNR).

The Ohio State University, from which Wagner earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1959, honored him with its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1991. It was a special moment for Wagner, a Buckeye native who grew up on a general livestock farm in western Ohio.

Wagner received the ASAS Distinguished Teacher Award in 1991, a national recognition that mirrored earlier OSU honors: Wagner is a multi-time recipient of both the Alumni Association/Blue Key Outstanding Teacher and Alpha Zeta Outstanding Teacher awards.

“Don has always been a leader in promoting the Division’s teaching, research and extension programs, not just in the field of animal science but across many disciplines,” said Bob Westerman, DASNR assistant vice president of program support. “Don is well deserving of the honor of being named a Fellow. He is highly respected throughout the Division, the university and the entire U.S. animal agriculture industry.”

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
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Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu

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