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OSU honors 'international voice of rodeo'Oklahoma  There is plenty of history in Oklahoma native Clem McSpadden's family tree. McSpadden is named after his great grandfather Clement Vann Rogers, who was a member of the first Oklahoma Constitutional Convention, for whom Rogers County was named. His great-uncle was Will Rogers, which speaks for itself. Even with the strong Oklahoma history in his family, McSpadden made a name for himself, which was recently capped by his being named the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus of the Department of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at Oklahoma State University. Ron Kensinger, animal science department head, made the announcement at a reception for the late McSpadden on Oct. 17. While Kensinger, who joined OSU in June, never had the opportunity to meet McSpadden, he was on the nomination committee for the award. "This was a no-brainer. It was easy for me to say this is absolutely something that needs to be done," Kensinger said. "It was fascinating to do the background work, learning about the many, many contributions that this humble person from northeastern Oklahoma has made, not just to the state, but to the rodeo industry and the announcing industry," Born in 1925, McSpadden graduated in the spring of 1943 from Oologah High School and enrolled at OSU, then called Oklahoma A&M, the following fall. When WWII broke out, McSpadden left school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Upon his return, he earned his bachelor's degree in animal husbandry from Oklahoma A&M in 1948. While is school, McSpadden was part of a team of students that started the Oklahoma A&M Rodeo Team in 1947. From there, McSpadden's professional career took off. In November 1954, he won a seat in the Oklahoma State Senate and was eventually chosen to lead that body for two sessions as president pro tempore. In 1972, McSpadden was elected to the 93rd Congress and served one term, before deciding to run for governor of Oklahoma in 1974. "There was a genuineness to Clem that you don't see that in a lot of people that work at the Capitol," said Roy Lee Lindsey, executive director of the Oklahoma Pork Council for the last 10 years. "I never met anybody that really worked with Clem that didn't like him." While McSpadden represented the farmers and ranchers throughout the state in legislature, he had an overlying passion for agriculture and rodeo. He was asked to be the general manager of the National Finals Rodeo in the 1960s, as well as the Old Timers Rodeo and the Indian Nation Finals Rodeo. These responsibilities led McSpadden to travel nationally and internationally, where he made a name for himself as the voice of rodeo throughout the world. It was not just McSpadden's voice that was started in the rodeo arena. "He's also the guy who offered this cute little girl $10 to sing the National anthem," his widow, Donna said. "Reba McEntire, that's how she got her start." However, even with all of his successes in the rodeo and political arenas, McSpadden's legacy is remembered on a more personal level at OSU. "He epitomized the greatness of cowboys," said Burns Hargis, president of OSU. "He was the poster child." Robert E. Whitson, DASNR dean and director and vice president of OSU agricultural programs at OSU, said there is no doubt that McSpadden is a legend in Oklahoma. "The successes of our agriculture alumni are appreciated by everyone representing all three aspects of the division: the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and our two state agencies, the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service," said Whitson. He said McSpadden and his fellow distinguished agriculture alumni are held in the highest regard, in part because OSU agriculture and natural resource students can face positive futures from the strong examples created by such positive role models. "They are truly pioneers in their respective fields of agriculture," Whitson said. Some of those who attended the OSU reception on Oct. 17 were lifelong friends of the McSpaddens. Many shared stories about McSpadden being a "genuine and great person." "He was a little cowboy from Oklahoma that affected the world in a big way," said Miss Rodeo Oklahoma 2001, Lacey Dale, who is now the marketing manager for Express Ranches in Yukon. "I sat and listened to hours of stories and got hours of education from Clem. He helped me on (my journey in becoming Miss Rodeo Oklahoma) in a number of ways and helped me beyond that journey." McSpadden wore many hats to many different people. "He was like a grandfather, a father, a statesman and a friend, all wrapped up into one," said Jami Longacre, who was hired by McSpadden and his son Bart at McSpadden & Associates, LLC, in 2001 as a lobbyist for the Oklahoma Cattleman's Association. "I think anyone would say that this probably should have been given years ago just because of the impact he has had in so many peoples' lives, especially the younger people." In honor of his 80th birthday, the McSpadden family decided to give a gift to OSU. His widow, Donna and son created an endowed annual scholarship in Clem's name, whose recipient must be a full-time student within the Division. "The goal of his was to see every child have an education," Donna said. "People don't understand the importance of agriculture. Without agriculture, we would be nothing. There would be no food on your table. I think that's why we created the scholarship." An endowed scholarship and appointment as one of the division's 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients may be the perfect way to honor a wonderful life. "There is nothing in this world that's a more fitting tribute than having an endowed scholarship in the name of Clem McSpadden," said Lindsey. "There's not a better way to pay tribute." McSpadden passed away in Houston on July 7. McEntire, the "cute little girl" at the rodeo, sang at his funeral. 11/17/08 Date: 11/13/08 Advertisement
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