STILLWATER, Okla. – Students with Oklahoma State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) continue to bring national notoriety to the university, as evidenced by a number of awards presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
“These students truly deserve the honors they have earned, and they are an example of the overall excellence of our program and education that can be attained at OSU,” said Dan Thomas, head of the students’ home academic department, biosystems and agricultural engineering. “I encourage potential employers to take note because our students have capabilities that can meet many different engineering opportunities.”
A Fulbright Scholar currently working in Sierra Leone as part of her academic studies, Jessica Lay was honored as the 2012 recipient of the Pharos of Alexandria Global Learning Award. The award recognizes exceptional academic achievement, leadership, humanitarian service and dedication to both her department and ASABE. Lay is a 2006 graduate of Broken Arrow High School.
Scott Clark, a recent CASNR graduate now employed by John Deere Harvester Works in Illinois, was honored as the 2012 recipient of ASABE’s Roger R. and Laura M. Yoerger pre-professional Engineer of the Year Award. The award recognizes engineering excellence, as well as distinguished leadership and community service. A native of Kiowa, Kan., Clark is a 2007 graduate of South Barber High School.
Mikayla Marvin, a 2009 graduate of Yukon High School, was selected as the winner of the 2012 K.K. Barnes Student Paper Competition, an exercise measuring knowledge, originality and initiative in technical expression, as measured by both written and oral components. Marvin’s winning entry was entitled, “Escherichia coli Transport to Subsurface Drains through Surface-Connected Macropores.”
“It is a demanding and daunting competition,” Thomas said. “Mikayla had to compete against top students from across the United States and Canada to win.”
Taber Midgley’s presentation, “Streambank Erosion and Instability Induced by Seepage,” took first place in the Master of Science degree student category. He is a 2006 graduate of Durant High School.
Peter Storm placed third in the 2012 Undergraduate Project Poster Competition. He is a 2011 graduate of Stillwater High School.
In terms of team honors, the Oklahoma student branch of ASABE earned first place in the 2012 Association of Equipment Manufacturers Competition and the department’s student Robotics Team garnered second place in the ASABE Robotics Competition.
“These students were not alone,” Thomas said. “Many different faculty and staff – and we have some of the best in the country – served as mentors and were critical to their success.”
ASABE is an approximately 9,000-member international and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to biological, agricultural and food systems. Its members hail from more than 100 nations, and are consultants, managers, researchers and others who employ the interrelationships between technology and living systems to improve the quality of life for people.
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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating; Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
