Comanche native named Top Ten OSU Ag Senior

He was officially recognized during April 4 ceremonies in which CASNR officials presented $434,100 in scholarships and awards to many of the college’s best and brightest, part of $967,075 in scholarships that CASNR and its academic departments will present to OSU agriculture students for the 2008-2009 school year.

The son of Comanche’s Billy and Mary Branch, he will graduate in May with a major in agricultural economics and minors in economics and finance.

“My college experience is one that I will treasure for the rest of my life,” he said. “I have learned numerous skills, met some really great people and, most importantly, learned about the rigors of life.”

Branch’s collegiate activities include membership in the OSU Aggie-X Club, in which he was recognized as Outstanding New Member his first year; Alpha Zeta honor fraternity; and the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key honor societies recognizing academic excellence and achievement.

“I have loved being involved in Alpha Zeta and the great community service activities in which (the organization) participates,” Branch said. “Anytime I am out in public, I promote our agriculture college and what it has done for me.”

The OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources places a great emphasis on celebrating the accomplishments of students, said Ed Miller, DASNR associate dean of academic programs.

“Awards for leadership and academic performance and the presentation of scholarships build pride in our students and their families, the faculty, donors and other supporters of the college and the division as a whole,” he said.

DASNR is comprised of the college and two statewide agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

“The exceptional amount of scholarship support we are able to award students to further their education would not be possible without the generosity of our many donors, who recognize the value of the division’s teaching, research and Extension programs,” Miller said.

The college provides 16 majors and more than 40 study options to students interested in pursuing a career in science, business, education, engineering, technology development, natural resources or communications. Prospective students can uncover and explore opportunities through CASNR at http://www.casnr.com on the Internet.

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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
News and Media Relations Manager
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu

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