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Okemah native named Top Ten OSU Ag Senior
STILLWATER, Okla. – Blake Wilson, a 2004 graduate of Okemah High School, has been named a Top Ten Graduating Ag Senior by Oklahoma State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
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.
Wilson was also named a Dean Fred LeCrone Senior Leadership Award recipient, one of only five such honors presented.
The son of Okemah’s Andy and Catherine Wilson, he will graduate in May with a major in animal science.
Currently employed as a student worker at the OSU Poultry Research Unit, Wilson has assisted with numerous research trials, personally overseen one study, collected and prepared data for analysis and written and submitted a research proposal.
“I believe that my working through college has made me more effective in school because I had to stay focused and on task,” said Wilson, who has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average throughout his four years of academic study.
Blake Wilson (center) accepts his 2008 CASNR Top Ten Senior Award while his parents Catherine (left) and Andy (right) look on. (Photo by Todd Johnson)
“You have to be able to balance time between school, work, meetings, organizations and your social life,” he said. “My current job has benefited me immensely in preparation for my future career.”
His collegiate activities include membership in the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key and Alpha Zeta honor fraternities, Ag Student Council, National Society of Collegiate Scholars and intramural sports. He was selected to the Iota Kappa honor fraternity in his sophomore year, and received the American FFA Degree in 2004.
Wilson has been a recipient of two four-year OSU scholastic awards: a President’s Distinguished Scholarship and a Regents Distinguished Scholarship. He is also a past recipient of a Noble Foundation Scholarship, Burtrum Cattle LLC Scholarship, P.E. Harrill Scholarship, Joseph Fleming Memorial Scholarship and James C. Atherton Memorial Scholarship.
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
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating. Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
