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For the Love of Plants
From the beginning of their relationship, Josh Lofton and Beatrix Haggard have worked in the same office and department.
The two met at Louisiana State University where they attended graduate school. Lofton is from Oklahoma, which is what brought them from LSU to Oklahoma State University. The couple married before joining the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.
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“We ride to work together 90% of the year,” Haggard said. “But most of the time our jobs do not overlap as much as one might think.”
“We eat lunch together every day,” Lofton said. “Considering we have two little girls, we value this time to decompress and spend time together.”
They see each other multiple times a day, but their professional careers allow them to focus on different projects during the day while at work, Haggard said.
“Ever since graduate school, our offices were together,” Haggard said. “We always try to make time during the work day to spend time together.”
Being near one another at work has allowed them to help one another in their professional careers.
“She is my go-to for creativity and someone I seek guidance from on brainstorming,” Lofton said. “We talk to each other about everything we are doing at work. She helps me a lot.”
The couple said talking to one another is important, but so is listening.
“When you work together and are around each other all the time, it is impossible not to communicate with one another,” Haggard said. “The reason you get married is because you enjoy each other’s company and that shouldn’t stop because you work together.”
During their five years at OSU Lofton and Haggard have established a personal family as well as a professional one, Haggard said.
“Growing up in Oklahoma, I have always been an OSU fan,” Lofton said. “But one day I hope my daughters are able to enjoy OSU and its traditions as much as we have.”
Being closer to family was what brought Haggard and Lofton to OSU, but having the opportunity to do what they love with who they love was simply an added aspect, Lofton said.
“You are supposed to love your spouse more every day,” Lofton said. “Working as closely as we do allows us to continue to do just that.”
