Ag VP, Dean Coon to retire in July

Dr. Thomas G. Coon, vice president and dean of Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, is retiring on July 10 after nine years of dedicated service and visionary leadership to the university.

“We are blessed that Dr. Coon has spent the last nine years in positions of leadership with Oklahoma State University,” said Dr. Kayse Shrum, OSU president. “He has been an influential force in an area where OSU is a recognized leader across the nation. His career of making a difference in the lives of young adults and shaping the agricultural landscape spans 40 years.” located on-campus and across the state.

Joining OSU in July 2014, Coon provides leadership for the Ferguson College of Agriculture and the university’s two state agencies: OSU Extension and OSU Ag Research.

Coon has been the driving force behind New Frontiers, a capital campaign to raise funds for a $115 million new state-of-the-art teaching, research and Extension facility for OSU Agriculture. New Frontiers is recognized as one of the fastest capital campaigns at OSU and the university’s

But after 40 years in the public safety sector, Robinson is ready for a change. He and his wife, Kathy, have plans to travel and spend more time with family. The couple have a grown son and daughter, two adopted sons still at home and an adopted daughter.

Rice, who started with the department Feb. 20, spent 25 years with the University of Arkansas Police Department before taking over as chief of police at MSU. He has a bachelor’s degree in human resource development and a master’s in operations management through UA’s College of Engineering.

“I wanted to stay in the public safety realm, but wanted new opportunities and challenges,” he said. “This will be my third land-grant university to serve.”

He and his wife have enjoyed Stillwater so far.

“I’m excited to be here and have liked everything I’ve seen about Stillwater,” he said. “This is a great town. I’m overwhelmed with how friendly everyone has been.” first academic capital campaign of this magnitude to reach its fundraising goal before the building opens.

Coon earned a Bachelor of Arts (summa cum laude) in biology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and a Master of Science and doctorate in ecology from the University of California, Davis.

He began his career as an assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife at the University of Missouri. He went on to work as an assistant professor and associate professor of fisheries and wildlife at Michigan State University before becoming a full professor.

Coon also served as the director of Michigan State University Extension before assuming his leadership role at OSU.

For a full story on Coon’s retirement, look forward to the fall edition of STATE.