Congratulations to recent graduate Dr. Justin Pulley on his new position with Tarleton State University as an assistant professor of agricultural mechanics.

Pulley graduated with a doctorate in agricultural communication, education, and leadership during our summer commencement ceremony.

Lindsey Okuley, an agricultural communication major from Botkins, Ohio, recently attended the annual Ag Media Summit in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ag Media Summit is the largest gathering of the top writers, editors, photographers, publishers and strategic communicators in the agriculture industry across the United States.

Okuley was one of four students across the nation to receive a travel scholarship through the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) Student Award Program as a finalist for the Forrest Bassford Student Award. This award recognizes and rewards excellence, leadership and encourages professionalism among students.

“I admire Lindsey’s initiative to apply for this scholarship and attend Ag Media Summit,” said Dr. Shannon Washburn, professor and chair of the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership. “This experience provided her with opportunities to network with agricultural communication professionals from around the country and gain additional skills and knowledge that will benefit her for years to come.”

At the conference, Okuley was able to attend sessions related to a variety of communication mediums including producing podcasts, engaging community on social media, photography in natural light, news writing and email marketing, as well as the annual meeting and awards ceremony for the National Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow student organization.

“Returning to Ag Media Summit again this year was as impactful as ever. In addition to being honored as a Forrest Bassford finalist, I took away amazing advice from industry peers, applicable skills and a new web of connections I can rely on from across the country,” said Okuley.
Okuley will begin her senior year at Ohio State this fall. She will serve as the vice-president of Ohio State’s chapter of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.

ACEL prepares communicators, educators and leaders in the food, agricultural, and environmental sciences to integrate research-based learning, practice and engagement, in ways that will advance positive changes that strengthen individuals, families and communities. For more information on the undergraduate and graduate academic programs and research available in ACEL, please visit acel.osu.edu.

On Friday, August 2, Dr. Leon Boucher, a three-time alum and emerging faculty member of ACEL, was inducted into the Ohio Ag Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Ohio State Fair.

Boucher passed away in May 2021 at the age of 100. Below is the video which played during the ceremony highlighting his involvement in and contributions to the agriculture industry.

At the event, Boucher’s daughter accepted his induction into the Hall of Fame on behalf of her family. His supporters in the crowd included family, friends and former students of his from his time as a faculty member at Ohio State.