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Honesty, integrity, commitment to the lives of youth hallmarks of Oklahoma State's Joe HughesOklahoma Honesty and integrity were honored in October, as Oklahoma State University's Joe Hughes was awarded his own day by the Oklahoma Legislature, even as the university held a tear-filled tribute to a man whose accomplishments changed the lives of countless youth across Oklahoma and beyond. Hughes, a longtime Stillwater resident, was the first Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service 4-H livestock specialist, serving from 1971 to 1999, and continues to be considered by many as the embodiment of the land-grant mission made real. The service is a state agency, part of the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, where county, area, district and state specialists and educators work side-by-side with local residents to solve concerns and issues important to Oklahoma, thereby improving the quality of life for them and their communities. "Joe Hughes made numerous innovative, outstanding contributions to animal science youth education programs, and was a tireless leader in strengthening ethics in livestock shows throughout the nation," said Rusty Gosz, current OSU Cooperative Extension 4-H livestock specialist. Gosz said everyone involved in Oklahoma animal agriculture youth programs knows of Hughes' "giant spirit and huge heart" for state youth. "He has been instrumental in almost every youth livestock judging event in this state, from the Oklahoma Youth Expo to the 'Big Three' OSU Beef, Sheep and Swine Field Days, a three-day event that has averaged more than 3,500 participants per year during the last decade," Gosz said. For Wayne Shearhart, longtime OSU Cooperative Extension director for first Lincoln County and then Muskogee County, Hughes was the little man with the big voice. "We Extension agents affectionately called him 'Little Joe,' and I had his back; we all had his back because he earned it," the now-retired Shearhart said. Shearhart classifies Hughes as a true champion for the youth of Oklahoma, creating and improving many of the fun yet educational animal agriculture activities that, for many generations of young people, have seemingly always existed--only they didn't, not before Joe Hughes. During Oct. 17 ceremonies honoring Hughes, Shearhart was among the educators, legislators and agricultural leaders who pointed out that youth livestock events always meant more to "Little Joe" than just an opportunity to pass on technical knowledge and skills to participants. "It was about developing a philosophy of life, a sense of personal ethics that would expand into professional integrity as youth grew into adults," he said. "It was about helping youth to realize and reach their potential." The words "honesty" and "integrity" were linked with Hughes numerous times during the Oct. 17 ceremonies by speakers there to bear witness to widespread, positive effects the longtime 4-H livestock specialist has had on others. One of those directly touched by Hughes' work and philosophy is District 38 Representative Dale DeWitt, who served as an agriculture education instructor in the Helena-Goltry and Braman school systems for three years and 26 years, respectively. "Dr. Hughes was always there for me, not just in my role as a teacher but as a fellow Oklahoman," he said. DeWitt shared the story of when his children first came to OSU as university students. Hughes remembered conversations with DeWitt about Garrett and Camille enrolling at OSU. Aware that some students find the switch from high school to life at a large university a bit daunting, "Dr. Joe" was quick to look them up, make sure everything was going well, offering advice when asked and providing the DeWitt students with a sympathetic and experienced ear should they ever need it. "Here I was, just an ag ed instructor whom he had met through youth livestock programs, with kids going to OSU; only I and my family were far more than that to Joe Hughes, and my story is not unique," DeWitt said. "Dr. Hughes has always been about doing the right thing and going the extra mile." Oklahoma Senator Ron Justice of District 23, OSU agriculture alumnus and longtime Grady County Extension director prior to assuming his Senate seat in 2004, said it was a privilege to have worked alongside Hughes. "Joe Hughes has a great philosophy of life: He never takes anything for granted," Justice said. "Character counts. He always wanted young people to know that, and they didn't have to look any further than Joe himself to see proof of that--adults, too, for that matter." For Ron Kensinger, who left Penn State University to assume the position of head of OSU's department of animal science in 2008, Hughes is a positive presence who continues to affect the lives of OSU students and Oklahomans across the state. "I was on the job for three months before I realized that Joe was not on the job anymore," Kensinger joked. "Joe is so active in our alumni association that I would see him all the time in our hallways, rushing to do something for animal science students or programs even though he had officially retired from the department in 1999." Hughes said his life has been "blessed beyond comprehension." "I don't have the words to express how I feel about (OSU Livestock Judging Coach) Mark Johnson saying I am his hero, or all the other kind things people have said of me," Hughes said. "It has been a joy, a pure joy, to work with this team. It has been a joy to work with teachers, parents and young people from across Oklahoma. I think we did alright." His lifelong commitment to youth and animal agriculture is the reason why OSU animal science faculty, staff, students and alumni felt something special should be done to honor the man who has worked so tirelessly on behalf of literally tens of thousands of Oklahoma young people. "We officially announced the creation of the Joe and Lynn Hughes Animal Science Endowed Scholarship during OSU Homecoming 2008," Kensinger said. "Everyone associated with the department of animal science wanted to do something in Joe's name that would live on, and an endowed scholarship aimed at helping young people to further their education and eventually their careers seemed an appropriate choice." Anyone wishing to contribute should send donations to the OSU Foundation, Joe and Lynn Hughes Animal Science Endowed Scholarship, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749. Checks should be made payable to the OSU Foundation. "The scholarship is a great way to honor Joe's life and his commitment to our youth," said Claude Bess, OSU Cooperative Extension Southeast District director. "Joe might be only 5 feet 6 inches tall, if he stretches, but he has always been 10 feet tall to all of us." Additional information about the Hughes scholarship and OSU animal science programs is available at http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/ on the Internet. ====CUTLINE==== State legislators Ron Justice (far left), Dale DeWitt (center left) and Don Armes (far right) lead a packed house in honoring Joe Hughes (center right) for making a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of Oklahoma youth. (Photo by Todd Johnson.)
Date: 12/4/08
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