By James Leising

The department has had a busy fall semester with the orientation of many new undergraduate and graduate students, the development of new research proposals and projects, and preparation of papers for professional journals and conferences.

A modification of the department name was approved by the OSU Board of Regents in fall. The new department name is “Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership.” The word “leadership” replaced the words “4-H Youth Development.” Agricultural Leadership is a new major or area of study in the department and students, faculty and other stakeholders believe the word “leadership” serves to identify this important academic content taught by the department.

A range of new projects and activities are featured in the fall issue of the department newsletter. I encourage you to learn about these exciting projects and activities. I have highlighted some additional activities in the following paragraphs.

Future Agricultural Education Teacher Academy and Scholarship Program

The Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership in partnership with the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Association and the Oklahoma FFA Foundation, the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education – Agricultural Education Division, and Chesapeake Energy Corporation are pleased to announce a new summer academy and scholarship program for high school students.

The purpose of this program is to encourage and promote the teaching of secondary agricultural education as a college major and career choice. In the first year, ten outstanding high school juniors will be selected to participate in a summer academy June 18-22, on the Stillwater campus of Oklahoma State University. Lodging, meals and conference materials will be provided for the students.

Upon completion of the institute, it is expected students will make application for admission to OSU in fall 2008 with a major in Agricultural Education, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. A scholarship of $1,000 will be awarded to each student during their freshman year at OSU. FFA members selected for participation will be recognized on stage at the upcoming state FFA convention in April 2007, and news releases will be sent to newspapers in the communities where the students reside.

Jon Ramsey, Teaching Associate, from OSU and Kent Boggs, Executive Director of FFA, are directing the program. Applications are available on the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology, Agricultural Education web site.

Search Initiated for New Faculty Position in Agricultural Education

A tenure-track faculty position search is underway for an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education. This 11-month faculty position will focus on the professional development of agricultural education teachers with special emphasis on serving the professional development needs of alternatively certificated agricultural education teachers. It is anticipated by fall 2007 core agricultural education courses for alternatively certificated agricultural teachers will be available on-line to assist them with completing the Oklahoma Career-Tech endorsement. A detailed position description is available on the department web site http://agweb.okstate.edu/agedcm4h/. The department is excited about the opportunity to be of larger service to the agricultural education profession in Oklahoma.

Agricultural Education Professional Education Program Receives Six-Year Accreditation

The OSU Agricultural Education Program, along with other professional education programs at OSU was reviewed by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation (OCTP) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). We are pleased to report that the Agricultural Education Program received the highest rating by OCTP and all of the professional education programs at OSU were given a six year accreditation by NCATE.

Chiang Mai University Graduate Students to Study at OSU in summer 2007

The department has signed a five-year agreement with the Department of Agricultural Extension at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, to bring ten doctoral students to OSU each summer to enroll in graduate courses that will be a part of their doctoral program at Chiang Mai University. This summer students will enroll in a research methods course taught by Dr. Kathleen Kelsey and an agricultural field study course during their eight-week experience in the United States. James Leising and Kathleen Kelsey are coordinating this program.

Preparing Media Specialists for the Republic of Mali, West Africa

The U.S. Department of State has awarded more than $227,000 for a project titled “Nurturing the Fourth Estate: Professional Development for Media Specialists in the Republic of Mali, West Africa.” This project will involve the training of media specialists in Mali on the basic tenets of a democratic press system. A U.S. team of eight media professionals will travel to Mali in March 2007 and again in December 2007. A selected group of 16 Malian media specialist will shadow journalism and media professionals in Oklahoma during the month of July. Faculty members Drs. Dwayne Cartmell, Craig Edwards, Shelly Sitton and Cindy Blackwell are leading this project.

Agricultural Communications to Lead Study Tour of the United Kingdom

Dr. Dwayne Cartmell, Agricultural Communications and Dr. Joe Schatzer, Agricultural Economics, will lead an international agricultural study tour of the United Kingdom in summer 2007. Students will see, discuss and study how history, culture and geography have shaped the agricultural and communications systems of selected European countries. Additional information about joining this study tour is available from either professor.