Clark Williams A Special Instructor

“I had the privilege to spend time with so many great SAAS students. I have kept in touch with some and am amazed at where their SAAS education has taken them.”

Answering the Call: Instructor and Extension Specialist Clark Williams

CLARK WILLIAMS WAS BORN AND RAISED ON A WHEAT, CATTLE, AND ALFALFA FARM IN

COYLE, OKLAHOMA, A SCANT SEVEN MILES FROM LANGSTON UNIVERSITY.

As a boy, he was active in both 4-H and FFA and, as a high school senior, was awarded a State FFA Degree. He spent his college years at Oklahoma State University, where he earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in agricultural economics.

How Williams came to spend 30 years at Langston University’s School of Agriculture and Applied Sciences (SAAS) is the story of a single day in August 1990. That morning, Dr. Francis Epplin, a professor in OSU’s department of agricultural economics, asked Williams if he had applied for “the position being offered in your backyard.” When Williams wondered where the position was being offered, he learned that SAAS was searching for an extension specialist to work on a new USDA grant. Still a few months shy of completing his master’s degree and looking for work, he immediately called LU. He was asked if he could interview that afternoon. He could, he did, and, at the interview’s end, he accepted the job. His official first day at SAAS was September 9, 1990.

STUDENT-FOCUSED

Williams never intended to have a career in teaching, but two months into his extension duties, he was asked to teach the introduction to agricultural economics course in the spring semester. He soon discovered how much he enjoyed working with students and making a difference in their lives. In fact, teaching became the favorite part of his job.

Dr. Terry Gipson, extension leader for the American Institute for Goat Research (AIGR), colleague, and friend for 20 years, always appreciated Williams’ contributions to students. “Clark did immeasurable good for countless SAAS students,” Gipson said. “He always put them and their interests first. His retirement will be a great loss for the next generation, who will not have his guiding hand to (continues)

shepherd them through the often-complicated pastures of academic rules and requirements.”

In 1998, Williams became the primary academic advisor in the agriculture and natural resources department in SAAS and the faculty advisor to the Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Related Sciences club (MANRRS). Again he excelled. Courtney Brown, former SAAS communications coordinator, remembered working alongside him. “I co-advised MANRRS with Clark for several years, and he was a joy to work with,” she said. “I was blessed to learn so much from his experience, and I admired his true commitment to the students. LU is losing a true gem, but his impact will be long-lasting.”

Many students also share a deep appreciation for Williams and his uplifting influence. Each fall, year after year, new agricultural science students quickly realized that Williams had the answer to every “how do I” or “what should I do” question. Helena Hollins, a 2018 SAAS graduate, recalled that Williams was one of her favorite instructors. “He was the go-to guy for everything,” she said. “He knew all the answers and took every situation in stride.” Current senior Jaliyah Flowers agreed. “Mr. Williams was helpful to the nth degree,” she explained. “He always had a smile on his face and really cared about students. I cannot imagine SAAS without him.”

Dr. Steve Zeng, chairperson of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, who worked with Williams for many years, offered an appreciation of his teaching and mentoring. “In the last 10-plus years, Clark was the only instructor who never had complaints from students. He was always there to assist in academics and extracurricular activities. He always demonstrated strong patience with and passion for our students. He is simply beloved by all the students in our department.”

DUTY DONE

Williams’ years at SAAS were a period of constancy and stability. He continued serving as an extension specialist in farm management even after taking on significant teaching and academic responsibilities. He served until his retirement on numerous university committees, most notably the academic policies and retention committees.

For his many career accomplishments, Williams received deserved accolades. He was a long-standing member of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture. He served as president of the Oklahoma chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society and as vice president of the Langston City Lions Club. He was a graduate of Class XI of the Oklahoma Agriculture Leadership Program. At LU, he received SAAS outstanding advisor and faculty awards.

When he thinks back on his 30 years at SAAS, Williams’ fondest memories will be the many people he got to interact with. “I had the privilege to spend time with so many great SAAS students,” he reminisced. “I have kept in touch with some and am amazed at where their SAAS education has taken them. And I’ll always look back and enjoy the literally thousands of lunches I shared with Drs. Raymond Faucette and Steve Zeng.” Williams will also remember the trips he was able to take with students — traveling to national MANRRS conferences in many U.S. cities, accompanying study abroad students to China, and camping trips to the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, sometimes with students who had never camped before.

A single day changed a life. A morning’s question launched a career. And simple acts of caring became the thread that wove the Clark Williams story — a lively conversation with colleagues, the sparkle of understanding in a new student’s eyes, and the beam of confidence when a graduate ascends the commencement stage. Looking back on his years with the faculty, staff, and students of SAAS, Williams should feel justly proud that his instruction, mentoring, and caring forged careers and enriched lives.

For more information, please contact Dr. Steve Zeng, steve.zeng@ langston.edu.

“Clark did immeasurable good for countless SAAS students. He always put them and their interests first. His retirement will be a great loss for the next generation…” — D R . T E R R Y

GIPSON, AIGR EXTENSION LEADER

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