Month: December 2017

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Gary Straquadine, ’87

Dr. Gary Straquadine completed his PhD in agricultural education at Ohio State in 1987 after growing up in New Mexico and attending New Mexico State University for his bachelor’s degree. He served as the chair of the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership at Ohio State from 2012-2015. He now serves as the vice chancellor for Utah State University Eastern and is a vice provost for Utah State University.

 

[ACEL]: Dr. Straquadine, why did you chose agricultural education as your doctoral program?
[Straquadine]: My program matched my career goal to improve the world through agriculture and extension education.

Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
OSU is the best graduate program for agricultural education. Many of my agricultural education heroes attended The Ohio State University and I was fortunate to experienced their expertise and leadership. Plus, my dad graduated from The Ohio State University in 1951, thanks to the G.I. Bill and my mom’s persistent. She worked for cooperative extension and 4-H in Campbell Hall while Dad went school. We were one of the few Buckeye families in New Mexico.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
I completed my PhD in 1987 and was well prepared for a career in teacher preparation, research, and outreach. I learned how to learn and how to align my strengths and interests. I was fortunate to take on leadership position at Utah State University where I applied much of what I learned in the agricultural education graduate program.

What courses did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State?
I really enjoyed the four course research series taught the best of the best – Drs. Miller, Barrick, Warmbrod, and Van Tilburg. I also learned much about teacher education from Dr. Don Cruickshank. I am grateful every day for the many great professors and mentors I had back in the mid-1980s.

What professor had an impact on you during your time at Ohio State?
My advisor, Dr. Kirby Barrick, was and still is a great mentor. His acceptance and patience with me is worthy of sainthood in any church. I am sure he earned his double-digit merit and hazardous duty pay during my time at OSU.

What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
Football season was a world class experience, complemented by the comradery of life among the other graduate students (Cano, Christmas, Denton, Newman, Odell, and Trefz,).

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
Utah State University, assistant professor and assistant department chair.

For what schools, companies and/or organizations have you worked throughout your career?
Utah State University and The Ohio State University.

During your career, have you received any awards or honors? If so, what are those?
I was selected Teacher of the Year in the College of Agriculture at Utah State University three times. I was also awarded Distinguished Professor in the College of Agriculture. I was selected Advisor of the Year for the entire university a few years ago. I have run many, many marathons. Maybe too many.

As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
Preparing agricultural education teachers and county extension agents. Even in my higher level administrative positions, I have always found great satisfaction in preparing formal and non-formal educators for the diverse agricultural profession.

What advice would you give to a current student?
Experience university life to its fullest. But learn to delay gratification by living within your means. Learn how to fail and fail fast. Take responsibility for your mistakes and make amends.

What did ACEL cultivate in you? How?
Humility and gratitude. Both are essential and connected. Humility keeps me teachable. Gratitude reminds me that I am but one of several thousand graduates from the department and I have benefitted beyond anyone’s (and everyone’s) expectations. I am proud to be a Buckeye.

 

Straquadine finishes one of his many marathons with his grandson, both wearing Buckeye gear out west!

My American FFA Degree: Taylor Orr

This has been a long-term goal of mine since I entered into FFA my freshman year of high school. There was a wall in our classroom that showed just a few pictures of those who had received their American degree in the past. I knew at the time that very few FFA members typically got it because of all the work that was needed, but I was determined to have it. So, every year I worked my way up, getting each of my degrees until I could accomplish my ultimate goal. I had a wide variety of SAE projects that I spent a lot of time with. I raised my own personal flock of show sheep, raised market hogs and took many different agri-science fair projects over the years. Finally receiving this degree was such an amazing experience and I hope to help my future students achieve their goals just as my FFA advisor helped me to achieve mine.

Orr with her American Degree.

 

Industry in the News

Education

High school senior proposes bill mandating ag education

Farm Bureau selected to run Ag in the Classroom

Communication

Farmers say better communication with general public is needed about where food comes from

Smart stuff

Community

Agricultural community unites for Project Protein

A thriving environment

Leadership

Medina County Farm Bureau raises $22,000 for Feeding Medina County

Taking a Stand for Agriculture

Industry 

‘Forgotten Farms’ screening puts spotlight on struggles of local dairy farmers

Some Texas Christmas tree farms devastated by Harvey floods

 

Alumni Spotlight: Lori Heiby, ’91

[ACEL]: Hi Lori! Why did you select your major?
[Heiby]: I was raised on a farrow to finish swine and diversified crop farm in Mercer County, Ohio and was actively involved in the Coldwater FFA chapter so I decided to dual majored in agricultural education and animal sciences. I wanted to find a career that would allow me to remain involved in agriculture, as well as, help others understand the importance of agriculture.  Teaching agricultural education at the high school level gives me a chance to do both while helping young people realize their potential and prepare for the future.

Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
When I was selecting a college, Ohio State had a reputation for a excellent agricultural education department so it was an easy decision.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
After completing my degree, I looked at some options in the animal sciences field but nothing seemed to really fit at the time.  I guess down deep I knew what I really wanted to do was teach, so I began traveling the state looking for a teaching position.

What classes did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State?
I enjoyed a lot of my animal science and agriculture mechanics and systems classes.  I really enjoyed my swine and sheep production classes, too. They were very hands-on and gave me a chance to get back into the barn and out of the classroom.

What professor, faculty or staff member had an impact on your education?
The professor that probably had the greatest impact on my career was Dr. Cano.  Dr. Cano was a graduate student when I began at Ohio State.  He taught Introduction to Agricultural Education my first quarter and eventually my methods of teaching class. He really help me become more confident in my teaching and helped me realize that the classroom was where I really belonged.

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
My first teaching job after graduation was at Vanguard-Sentinel Career Center in Fremont, Ohio.  For the first two years, I spent the first half of the day as the second teacher at Lakota High School in Sandusky Coounty and the last half of the day at Old Fort High School in Seneca County. After two years, I became full-time at Old Fort High School.

For what schools, companies and/or organizations have you worked throughout your career?
After teaching seven years with Vanguard-Sentinel, I moved to Spencerville High School for two years.  I just started my 17th year at Wayne Trace High School in Paulding, Ohio.

As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
I have had many students accomplish great things so it is difficult to select a favorite.  Every success is a highlight of its own. No matter if it was a student winning a district contest, being elected as State FFA President or being a National Proficiency finalist, all are moments I am very proud of.

What advice would you give to a current student?
Don’t be afraid to go where ever the job is. So many graduates today seem to be fixated on going back to their home area. The best thing I ever did, for my career, was take a job over two hours from home.  It allowed me the chance to really concentrate on developing myself as a teacher and building a successful program.

What did ACEL cultivate in you?
It cultivated in me a pride for my profession, a desire to help and educate other, both young and old, about the importance of agriculture by allowing me a chance to learn the skills and gain the knowledge needed to do so.