Summer 2021
MAGAZINE
CAMERON'S AGRICULTURAL ROOTS RUN DEEP
Message from the President Dear Alumni and Friends: Welcome to the Summer 2021 edition of Cameron Magazine. As the 20202021 academic year concludes, we look back at the past semester secure in the knowledge that we continued to provide a safe learning and working environment for our students, faculty and staff. During the spring semester, we were able to resume hosting select in-person events and continued to offer virtual workshops, business forums and speaking engagements in order to maintain our engagement with our community. Celebrating student achievement is always important. The celebration creates memories but it also encourages others toward future accomplishments. Although in-person ceremonies were dramatically altered or held entirely in a virtual format, we were able to acknowledge student achievement appropriately. In May, we had the pleasure of hosting not one, but two Commencement ceremonies in order to allow members of the Class of 2021 to share their accomplishments with family members. In this issue of Cameron Magazine, we revisit CU’s roots as an agricultural institution and highlight the roles some of our alumni play in today’s world. We also remember the legacy left to us by former coaches and faculty members Dr. Marcy Blackburn, Dr. Karen McKellips, Val Maples, Lonnie Nichols and Benson Warren. For the summer 2021 semester, we continue to offer most courses in an online or hybrid format, while we hope to see more students in classrooms during the fall semester. Classroom seating will continue to be physically distanced. Despite the continuing changes we have dealt with as well as those that lie ahead, Cameron University is committed to delivering exceptional student learning opportunities with highly qualified faculty and staff at an outstanding value. We hope you enjoy the summer and look forward to connecting with you – either in-person, through the mail or in a virtual format – in the coming months.
Sincerely,
John McArthur President
Inside This
ISSUE
CAMERON MAGAZINE
Summer 2021 Volume 18 Issue 1
President: John McArthur Director of Alumni Relations: Jonna Turner Senior Director of Public Affairs: Keith Mitchell Managing Editor: Janet E. Williams Graphic Designers: John Kindred Alex Zakharchenko Editorial Assistant: Rhonda Young
FEATURES 2 Campus Update Catch up with the latest news!
Photographers: John Kindred Michael Mazzo Kenton Means Keith Mitchell Janet E. Williams Alex Zakharchenko
8 Investing in the Future CU’s Agriculture Program is poised to grow. 10 A Passion for Agriculture Haley Curtsinger steps into a grassroots career. 12
From Animal Science to Veterinarian Dr. Stetson Lanier’s unbridled enthusiasm to help animals in need
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These Roots Run Deep Despite changes, agriculture has always been a part of Cameron’s mission.
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The Economics of Agriculture Ag Economist Stan Bevers weighs in with important tips.
22 Agriculture Interscholastic An Aggie tradition for more than 70 years 24
Advice from the Field Kevin Mallow knows what it takes to enjoy a career in agriculture.
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In Remembrance Paying tribute to some of CU’s long-time faculty and staff
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Alma Matters/In Memoriam
Cameron Magazine is published by Cameron University’s offices of Public Affairs and Alumni Relations. For more information, call (580) 5812211 or (580) 581-2988, or email publicaffairs@cameron.edu. All contents © 2021 Cameron University. This publication, printed by Paragon Press, is issued by Cameron University. 2,500 copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $1.23 each to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. This institution, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and educational services. Accommodations on the basis of disability are available by contacting the Office of Student Development at (580) 581-2209 or by e-mail at student_development@cameron.edu. (6/2021)
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Campus Update CU receives designation as Non-Land Grant College from USDA Cameron University has received designation as a Non-Land Grant College from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute
of Food and Agriculture. The certification serves as official acknowledgement that CU has a functioning agriculture program. It also presents new
funding opportunities as there are grants available from the USDA that are restricted to certified Non-Land Grant Colleges.
Student Enrichment Center funded by $2.1 million grant Cameron University has received a five-year grant of $2.1 million from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions program, which will fund a new student success focused office on the Lawton campus. The program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to help them become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve traditionally underrepresented student populations by providing funds to improve and strengthen the institution's academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. Dr. Marge Kingsley, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, will provide overall supervision and retain ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the practices and improvements supported by grant funds will be utilized in accordance with Cameron’s grant proposal. “As part of Cameron University’s continuing commitment to student success, we recognized that the Strengthening Institutions program could make a significant impact on the university’s ability to provide wrap-around services to at-risk 2
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and underrepresented students,” Kingsley says. “We wholeheartedly believe that adding the Student Enrichment Center to our campus will play a major role in student success.” Cameron’s Student Enrichment Center will focus on increasing persistence and completion rates, providing at-risk students with a
variety of resources designed to help them complete a college degree, increasing the number of full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students and increasing the number of students with work-based learning experiences that are aligned with in-demand industry sectors or occupations. The center will also provide resources to help increase students’ knowledge of personal financial literacy and other skills
aimed at building personal financial understanding and responsibility. The grant will allow the addition of nine employees to the Cameron staff. The center will be headed by a Coordinator of Student Success/ Title III Director, who will serve as the chief liaison between the U.S. Department of Education and Cameron University. Four student success coaches will work individually with at-risk students to ensure their academic success, while a community resource coordinator will work with underserved students to ensure they have access to community resources as needed, which could include food stamp applications, housing issues, and other non-academic issues. A work-based learning experience coordinator will direct the “CU Learn to Earn” program, which is designed to provide workbased learning experiences for at-risk students. A financial resources specialist will conduct financial literacy workshops on different topics and will provide personal financial counseling to at-risk students. The center will also hire an administrative assistant who will coordinate clerical duties.
U.S. Department of Agriculture provides $412,000 grant to establish distance-learning network in Southwest Oklahoma CU will receive more than $400,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a distance-learning network that will be used to improve learning opportunities for students in 28 rural schools across southwest Oklahoma.
to college-level coursework, including those in the STEM fields.
Cameron’s $412,090 grant will be used to link the university’s Duncan and Lawton campuses to 28 rural school districts in Caddo, Comanche, Cotton, Garvin, Grady, Jefferson, Kiowa, Stephens and Tillman counties. CU will use interactive video technology to provide high school students access
The network will allow teachers, administrators and paraprofessionals to continue their education and advance their career goals. Professional development will be provided through access to workshops, training and the latest research in the field of teaching and instructional delivery with an
Cameron University, which has more than 25 years of experience in the distance-learning field, will deliver the appropriate STEM courses to rural high schools that will enable students to satisfy high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning college credit applicable to their future degrees.
emphasis on STEM coursework. Parents, students and counselors can participate in training sessions and workshops explaining the process of enrolling in college, including the financial aid component. The project will also focus on distance learning presentations about the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. These will be geared to students, parents and counselors to ensure eligible students will receive access to the scholarship program. Yet another facet of the project will connect end-user schools with mental health resources at Cameron to increase awareness of mental health issues and provide training.
Cameron University celebrates Earth Day with tree donation from Lawton Northeast On-Line Branch Lions Club
Lions members Vivian Silverstrim and Doug Rice (front row) are joined by CU’s John Osborne, Albert Johnson Jr. and Julie Cunningham to commemorate the planting of an Eastern Redbud on the CU Lawton campus.
Cameron University celebrated Earth Day with members of the Lawton Northeast On-Line Branch Lions Club, who donated an Eastern Redbud to the university. This marks the 12th consecutive year the group has donated a tree to Cameron. The tree was planted on the north side of Aggie Gym, joining the club’s previously donated Eastern Redbuds, which
bring brilliant pops of color each March. The members of the Lawton Northeast On-Line Branch Lions Club donated two Red Oaks to Cameron in 2009. Beginning in 2010, they have contributed Eastern Redbuds, which have been planted around Aggie Gym to bring brilliant color to the Cameron campus each spring. 3
Campus Update Nalley recognized for mentoring efforts A CU professor is one of five southwest Oklahoma mentors recognized by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and their community mentoring organizations during National Mentor Month in January. Dr. Elizabeth Ann Nalley, CU longtime chemistry professor, was selected for her involvement in the Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation.
Through the program, underrepresented college students majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are paired with faculty mentors to learn research skills. Nalley and mentee Theresa Hinkle (BS, 2020), a Cameron biology and chemistry major, were matched for two years. “Dr. Nalley has been there for me, offering me personal counsel and support during a hard time in my life,” Hinkle said. “To be honest, before Dr. Nalley’s help, I questioned if I would even finish college. Now I’ve graduated last December with not one, but two degrees and have no doubt
I’ll be competitive for any doctoral program.” “Dr. Nalley has been a tireless advocate for underrepresented students in STEM,” said Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence director Brenda Morales. “She has mentored more than 100 undergraduates by providing them experience through chemistry research. Dr. Nalley’s mentorship has allowed students to gain valuable research experience that has led them to a successful completion of their undergraduate careers as well as pursuit of master’s and doctorate degrees.” Additionally, Dr. Nalley helps students prepare to present their research at scientific conferences.
Cameron University presents Staff Awards for Excellence Three Cameron employees were honored as recipients of the university’s Staff Awards for Excellence. Nominations were made by CU students, faculty and staff. Leslie Cothren, Director of Campus Life, was honored with the Staff Award for Excellence in Student Success. “It is not unusual to find Dr. Cothren on campus at all times meeting with students and providing them support,” wrote the nominator, noting that Cothren goes above 4
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and beyond in meeting the award criteria. Kelly McClure, Director of Information Technology Services, received the Staff Award for Excellence in Campus Stewardship. The nominator stated that McClure and his IT team worked diligently for the past year to meet the sudden increase in technology needs for students, faculty and staff, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Renee Roach, Assistant Registrar, received the Staff Award for
Excellence in Service. The nominator cited Roach’s ability to build trusting relationships with students, co-workers, staff and faculty, noting “She devotes time and attention to troubleshoot issues, assess problems and develop resolutions to the issues.” The nominator acknowledged Roach’s outstanding customer service, explaining that she plays an integral role in implementing the many systems and processes across campus that enhance the student experience.
Cameron University faculty members honored with awards Cameron University faculty members Dr. Ioannis K. Argyros, Dr. Shaun Calix, Dr. Danyelle Lee, Dr. Michelle Smith, Dr. Jan Thomas, and Dr. Aubree Walton have been honored with awards recognizing their contributions to Cameron’s academic community. Dr. Michelle Smith, Associate Professor in the Department of Education, received the 2020-21 Harold and Elizabeth Hackler Award for Teaching Excellence, Cameron’s highest faculty honor. Smith was nominated by one of her students, who wrote, “What is the sheer definition of teacher excellence if not to inspire change and growth inside whole classrooms at a time and who does this wholeheartedly? Where could knowledge go to find the person with the ability to instill itself into future generations to ensure its everlasting life without a shred of doubt or misgivings? How do you fix a broken world if you’re only one person and you are driven to shape and guide future educators of the universe? The answer is simple: you seek Mrs. Smith for all her many talents.” Smith describes her teaching philosophy as “REAL,” an acronym for relationships, engagement, applicable, and love of learning.
She believes effective teaching begins with establishing relationships, which then leads to engaging students in class. She is committed to instilling a love of learning in her students. “Teachers with passion inspire learning. It is important to be passionate about the career path one chooses in order to do it for most of one’s life. Teachers should be passionate, life-long learners.” The Bhattacharya Endowed Lectureship for Excellence in Research Award was presented to Dr. Ioannis Argyros, Professor of Mathematical Sciences. Argyros has a prolific portfolio of research in topics including mathematical analysis, applied mathematics/analysis, management science, wavelet and neural networks, mathematical economics, and mathematical physics. He regularly involves his students in research, as he strives to empower students through teaching, research and mentoring. He serves as an advisor to students in addition to mentoring their research projects and providing guidance as they present papers and talks at professional and academic conferences. Dr. Shaun Calix, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology, was honored with the
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service. Calix, who was nominated for his service as faculty advisor for the Native American Student Association, was cited for his “support and encouragement for us to be who we are as students while representing our culture,” according to the nominator. The nomination cited Calix’s willingness to go “over and beyond in recognizing this student organization on campus.” Dr. Danyelle Lee, Associate Professor in the Department of Agriculture, Biology and Health Sciences, was honored with the Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring Student Research. One nominator described Lee as “an outstanding mentor who had the biggest impact on my time at Cameron.” The student nominator described her work with Lee on a research project, saying, “It is from this oneon-one learning experience that I was able to obtain skills in the research lab that could not have been taught in a classroom setting.” 5
Campus Update Dr. Jan Thomas received the Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching. A classroom teacher at Tomlinson Middle School in Lawton, Thomas has served as an adjunct at Cameron since 2014, teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Education. In her statement of teaching philosophy,
Thomas notes that she genuinely loves teaching and serving others, adding, “I understand relationships, collaboration and motivation are key to student success. Therefore, I try to incorporate human, unique hooks and teaching strategies that are outside the box to reach my students.” The Faculty Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching was presented to
Dr. Aubree Walton, Professor of Business. Walton has been teaching online classes since 2004. Rather than rely on publisher content that doesn’t suit the disciplines she teaches, Walton personally develops her own online pedagogy. This includes creating recorded lectures with note-takings, utilizing student video demonstration assignments, incorporating recorded group case discussions, hosting a virtual open house for online students and more. She states that many students have expressed a desire for more studentto-student interaction, so she created tools to meet that need.
CETES’ Lankford honored as Woman of the Year Dr. Samantha Lankford, Director of the Center for Emerging Technologies and Entrepreneurial Studies at Cameron as well as SW Regional Director for the
Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OKSBD), was named Woman of the Year by Lawton Business Women. The honor recognizes Lankford’s service
running the LBW Student Mentorship Program, which was the only LBW program to operate successfully during the past year due to the pandemic.
Cameron continues to host summer Lawton Farmers Market After hosting the winter Lawton Farmers Market in the Animal Sciences Complex annually since 2016, CU will continue its collaboration with the Southwest Growers Association by hosting the summer Lawton Farmers Market in 6
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the Cameron Stadium parking lot. A variety of locally-raised seasonal produce, eggs, plants, meat and other offerings will be available each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through October 30. The Lawton Farmers Market will move to its
new building, which is currently under construction, in November. CU alumnus Dr. Edward Legako, president of the Lawton Farmers Market, has been instrumental in bringing the weekly event to the Cameron campus.
Cameron University and CU-Duncan continue as Certified Healthy Campuses Both campuses of Cameron University have once again been designated as Certified Healthy Campuses – Lawton campus for the 10th consecutive year and CU-Duncan for the seventh year in a row. Both designations are at the Excellence level, the highest in the program. The designation is awarded by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) in conjunction with the Oklahoma Academy, The State Chamber of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Turning Point Council. The program has 83 criteria based on the American College Health Association’s “Standards for Practice for Health Promotion in Higher Education” as well as the American College Health Association’s Healthy Campus 2020 initiative. Both the CU Lawton and Duncan campuses met more than 60 percent of the criteria required for Excellence designation.
Cameron University activities and policies that factor into the Certified Healthy Campus designation are numerous. They include status as a tobacco- and vaping-free campus, workplace health and nutrition education, opportunities for physical exercise activities such as intramural sports and the Aggie Rec Center, and availability of medical and mental health services to students. Additional programs include management support for healthy workplace environments and sharing wellness activities, such as the Cameron University Community Garden and the Aggie Mile walking trail, with the community. The inclusion of health and well-being concepts as part of the core curriculum, established relationships with internal and external partners to improve existing health and well-being programs, numerous volunteer opportunities for members of the campus community, multicultural activities, services for veterans and accessible indoor and outdoor spaces for those with disabilities, are just a few of the other criteria that Cameron meets.
The CU library is currently undegoing a renovation thanks to a grant from The McMahon Foundation. The entrance has been temporarily moved to the west side of the building. 7
CU’S AGRICULTURE PROGRAM IS POISED TO GROW What do you do when you’ve identified some areas for improvement in an academic department, yet budgetary constraints don’t allow you to implement the strategies needed to ensure students are getting the best educational experience? You develop an advisory board of alumni and business members that are well versed in the topics at hand.
and advice, and to help find solutions to challenges that might hamper the success of the academic program. Case in point: the department’s tractor was requiring more and more maintenance, to the point that faculty and staff realized that it wouldn’t last much longer. Early in the Fall 2020 semester, the tractor broke down and couldn’t be repaired. Conley was forced to lease a tractor so that critical work could be achieved – drawing funding away from the unit’s already over-taxed budget.
That’s the action that Dr. Terry Conley, then-chair of the Department of Agriculture, Biology and Health Sciences, and Vice President Shortly thereafter, for University during a Zoom Advancement meeting of the Albert Johnson Agriculture Jr. took by Advisory establishing Committee, the Agriculture Conley’s report The agriculture program's new tractor, provided by Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, Advisory included news of was used to welcome participants to CU's Agriculture Interscholastic Meet. Committee the non-fixable in 2019. The tractor and the committee connects members of the agricultural need to find funding for a new one. Following the community to Cameron in order to verify the direction meeting, committee member John Grunewald, president our agriculture program is heading is relevant to what of Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma, contacted these leaders are living on a daily basis. Johnson and told him to send a proposal for a tractor and a drone to his company. The result: CU’s agriculture Since Cameron has the only four-year agriculture degree program now has a new tractor and drone. program south of I-40, it’s critical that the university provide a relevant curriculum as well as the tools and But that’s not the only donation made to the agriculture resources necessary for our students to succeed as they program. work toward degree completion,” Johnson says. “The Agriculture Advisory Committee has already played a “I have to thank the members of the Agriculture significant role in our ability to do so. Advisory Committee, not only for their participation, but for the investments they are making in Cameron’s The group typically meets once per semester to hear agriculture program,” says Johnson. “Between the updates about CU’s agriculture program, to offer input members of the committee, Cameron University and 8
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
individual donors, the program has received more than $270,000 in donations for the 2020-2021 academic year. These investments have allowed us to upgrade the learning facilities at the Animal and Plant Sciences Complex as well as at the university’s farm, in addition to other improvements.” For the first time since they were built, the agriculture facilities located on 38th Street are now equipped with wi-fi, a technology, which existed on the main Lawton campus, but did not extend across 38th Street. Hilliary Communications donated the installation of wireless fiber optic cable that allowed wi-fi to be installed. Lupi Construction has played a critical role in solving drainage programs at the university farm, in addition to installing a concrete floor in the Aggie barn and cleaning pens at the Animal Sciences Complex. Lupi also made an unrestricted donation to the agriculture program that will benefit students. Along with the addition of fiber optic wi-fi to the Plant Sciences classroom and the Animal Sciences classroom, both of those facilities have been renovated to provide a more effective learning environment for students. Renovations to those classrooms were made possible through donations by Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma and U2 Ranch, operated by Cindy and John Zelbst. Additional donations have been received from the Historical Association of the Lawton Rangers Rodeo, which will fund the establishment of an endowed scholarship benefitting agriculture students, and from Emeritus Professor Dr. Gale Hagee and his wife Marcie, who contribute to the agriculture program annually. “We were able to make the enhancements and improvements benefitting our student because the donors understand the value and importance of a college degree from Cameron University,” says Johnson. “The pandemic certainly impacted our spending ability, and with budgets that are under constant scrutiny, these investments in support of Cameron’s agriculture program have played a significant role in our ability to ensure our students are receiving a top quality education.” -Janet E. Williams
AGRICULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE Allan Barrington* Barrington Angus Bryan Buchwald* Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry Haley Curtsinger* Oklahoma Farm Bureau Jacob Gelnar* Gelnar Ranch and Stockman’s Bank Kerry Givens, cattle buyer and rancher Oklahoma Farm Bureau District 4 Director Jamie Glover* Glover Cattle Company John Grunewald Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma Jim Kinder* Kinder Farms Barkley Kirk, farmer/rancher* Barnes, Welsh & Perry Joe Sanders, Herd Manager Hutson Angus Farms Tye Young, cattle rancher Liberty National Bank Cindy Zelbst* U2 Ranch * CU alumni
AGRICULTURE FACULTY Dr. Jimmy Bricker Dr. Alimamy Fornah Animal science, Precision agriculture, pest management agronomy, environmental science Dr. Terry Conley Agricultural internship, Joseph H. Mullin Endowed Chair in Agriculture
Phil Hamilton Agribusiness, agricultural economics, agricultural management
If you would like to ensure that Cameron students continue to receive a high-quality education derived from relevant curricula, the Cameron University Foundation would love to hear from you! Donors have the ability to designate how their gift is used. To learn more, call the Office of University Advancement at 580-581-2999. 9
A PASSION FOR AGRICULTURE: HALEY CURTSINGER Most CU graduates who earn a degree in journalism and media production dream of a satisfying career in television. That’s exactly what Haley Curtsinger had in mind when she elected to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Production. “Informing the public has always been something intriguing to me, so my original plan was to be a television news anchor or reporter,” Curtsinger says. “Cameron University provided me with a wonderful television/media production program with the most fantastic professors that worked tirelessly to make me and my classmates the best multimedia journalists that we could be." But her career path took an unexpected turn when she tackled the first assignment for her broadcast television class. “The first news story I chose was about the Department of Agriculture’s (now known as the Department of Agriculture, Biology and Health Sciences) new bee program, where they housed, cared for and collected honey from bees. After that story was produced, it was then that I realized not only did I want to inform the public, but I also wanted to inform the public of things I was passionate about, which includes agriculture." That led to Curtsinger declaring a minor in agriculture – a minor that isn’t very common among journalism majors. It’s no surprise that Curtsinger felt comfortable delving into CU’s agriculture program – she was raised 10
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
on a ranch east of Lawton, where her family still runs a cow-calf operation. “My dad learned his knowledge and skill from his grandpa and my mom spent her childhood working on her uncle’s farm, so agriculture runs in my blood," Curtsinger says. “It was no surprise that I wanted to show livestock and be involved in 4-H, and when I was old enough, I joined FFA. During my time in that organization, I was involved in anything I could get my hands on – showing livestock, livestock judging, meat judging, land judging, creed speaking, prepared public speeches, and opening ceremonies contests, to name a few. I earned my State FFA Degree just a couple weeks before graduating high school. The things I learned being involved in FFA are truly unforgettable and extremely valuable to me.” Her dedication to agriculture paid off well before Curtsinger earned her CU degree in Summer 2018, as she had already been hired as southwest field representative by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, an organization with which she was well acquainted. “I was raised in the Farm Bureau federation,” Curtsinger says. “My dad has served on the Stephens County board for almost 20 years, so growing up around Farm Bureau for most of my life gave me a vast understanding of what the organization meant to my family and thousands of Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. When the position became available for the southwest field representative, I felt I was qualified for the job of building relationships
and informing county members and employees about federation events and state policy changes that could affect them and their families' livelihoods.” She says that both her journalism and agriculture classes have served her well. “Because I took classes in agronomy and animal science, I have a better understanding of the position or difficulties that farmers face dealing with issues concerning their crops and animal husbandry. In addition to that, the journalism classes that I took and my experience in media helps me to relate and convey their story to the public.”
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Agriculture is one of Oklahoma’s
leading industries, pumping billions of dollars through our economy...
with fellow farmers and ranchers through our various programs, conferences and conventions. In her role, Curtsinger works closely with OKFB’s public policy team to stay up-to-date on the latest legislative issues to ensure members are aware of how their organization is working for them. Information is distributed to the field services department, via newsletter, email and conference calls. “One issue that I was made aware of this year was that some of our members had difficulties renewing their state agriculture sales tax exemption permit, which is critical to the livelihood of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma,” Curtsinger says. “During this legislative session, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and a coalition of other state agriculture groups supported legislation to give more options to verify active agriculture production in order to obtain the permit. The bill passed both chambers unanimously, was signed by the Governor, and takes effect on July 1, 2021. Experiences like this have to be my favorite part of my career. I, along with the other Farm Bureau staff, hear of these issues from our members and go straight to work through the legislative process to try to better the livelihoods of our members. It’s a great feeling!”
It's an important story to tell. "Agriculture is one of Oklahoma’s leading industries, pumping billions of dollars through our economy through products, services, equipment and job opportunities,” Curtsinger says. "It’s a way of life that we all think is worth protecting. Oklahoma’s family farms and ranches work hard each and every day to grow food, fiber and fuel for fellow Oklahomans and beyond. As a grassroots organization, Oklahoma Farm Bureau provides a voice for our state’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities across all 77 counties.” That’s where Curtsinger comes in. “Through our grassroots policy development process that starts at the county Farm Bureau and ends at our state convention, each member has the ability to propose solutions to concerns on the local, county, state and even federal levels,” she says. “OKFB leaders and staff then take those ideas to the hallways of our state Capitol and even all the way to Washington, D.C., to help support and improve our rural way of life. We also provide opportunities for Farm Bureau members to develop leadership skills and network
During her tenure as a CU student, Curtsinger was active in the Aggie Club, participating in ag-related field trips that brought her new insights into the ag industry. “It was the bonds built and friendships created that made the trips so memorable,” she says. “In 2018, I was also chosen as the Aggie Club’s homecoming queen candidate, where I went on to be selected as a finalist on the homecoming court and then voted as the first runner-up by the campus. But probably the most memorable experience I had during those years was befriending Casey Curtsinger, a fellow student. He once told me, ‘Haley, you need to date a gentleman. I think it’s time for you to meet my brother.’ A few months later, I met his brother Clint. We’ve been married for almost two years and are expecting our first child, a little girl named Hannah. We run our own cow-calf operation and grow wheat and cotton just outside of Chattanooga. So if it weren’t for my involvement in the agriculture program and the Aggie Club, I wouldn’t be living the dream life with my sweetheart! (Thanks, Casey!)” -Janet E. Williams 11
From Animal Science to Veterinarian: Dr. Stetson Lanier
C
ameron alumnus Stetson Lanier is one of many Aggies who earned a degree in agriculture with a concentration in animal science at CU and then pursued a doctorate in veterinary medicine. Lanier, a native of Ringling, earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in Basseterre, St. Kitts, where he completed the three-year non-clinical program and then completed his clinical year at Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is now a practicing veterinarian at VCA Saginaw Animal Hospital in Saginaw, Texas. For many college students who are planning on attending veterinary school, the decision about what type of undergraduate degree to obtain usually comes down to two options: animal science or biology. Lanier opted for the former, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 2015. “Veterinary school is based around animals,” he says. “Agriculture is based around animals. I feel that being in the agriculture program affords students that have never been around farm animals the opportunity to see and work with them. I could easily tell the students in vet school that had biology degrees versus animal science degrees.” Lanier says that he feels the quality of education he received at Cameron paved the way for success in vet school. “I had no doubt that my upper level classes taught me how to study efficiently and properly,” he says. “It was a lot different in veterinary school, but I had learned how to use different study techniques at Cameron which allowed me to be flexible and adaptable. As a Cameron student, I was able to be certified in bovine artificial insemination, thanks to the agriculture program. That played a huge role during veterinary school.” He also feels that his chemistry minor played a significant role as a veterinary student. “I feel like I was able to grasp and comprehend some of the chemical and biochemical concepts more easily than other students in my class that just had the bare minimum chemistry 12
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requirements,” he says. “The chemistry classes are the ones in which I learned to study differently, which greatly improved my study habits in veterinary school.” Although attending Cameron for his undergraduate degree was an obvious choice due to its proximity to his hometown of Ringling, allowing him the ability to continue to work on a ranch while in school, Lanier had other reasons as well. “I also chose Cameron because it was small enough that it had a close-knit, family-type feel. I was able to meet people from all over the world in my agriculture classes and that was a great feeling. While I was at veterinary school in the Caribbean, I actually ran into a former classmate that was from St. Kitts in the grocery store. Talk about a small world!”
Lanier says he was fortunate to learn from Cameron’s outstanding faculty. “I was lucky to have two of the greatest mentors while I was in the agriculture program,” he says. “Dr. Leon Fischer and Mrs. Brenda Sweeney laid the foundation for my college career and were always huge advocates for me to pursue further education. Anytime that I had questions, they were more than willing to make time and personally sit down with me to talk. By writing reference letters, they were essential in my ability to go on to veterinary school.”
- Janet E. Williams
Lanier has extremely fond memories of his time as a Cameron Aggie, including his participation in the Aggie Club.
I had learned how to use different study techniques at Cameron which allowed me to be flexible and adaptable. “The Aggie Club was the absolute best choice that I ever made at Cameron,” he says. “I was able to experience many great memories doing community outreach with the club.” He also recalls a particularly memorable class which involved a trail ride and overnight campout in western Oklahoma. “We were in tents that night and woke up to it snowing,” he says. “It was so cold! I often look back on those memories and the fun that I had riding horseback through so much open country.”
Dr. Stetson Lanier believes in providing the best care for his patients, whether they are dogs, cats, burros or other species needing treatment.
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Despite changes, agriculture has always been a part of Cameron’s mission.
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If history reveals nothing else, it shows that a hallmark of Cameron University has been its willingness to adapt to meet the needs of southwest Oklahoma. That ability, along with the “Cameron” brand and its roots in agriculture, are the three things that directly tie today’s university to its first day as an educational institution.
a demonstration farm that provided students with practical experience. He purchased a wagon and a team of Percherons – a breed of draft horses known for their strength and ability to pull heavy loads – along with hogs, poultry, and Jersey and Holstein cattle to start a dairy herd.
When Oklahoma became a state, its western region was devoted largely to farming. High schools were scarce, which meant youngsters living on farms had no access to education beyond elementary grades. The Oklahoma legislature responded in 1908 by establishing six agricultural high schools – one in each of the state’s judicial districts. To compete for one of the schools, a community had to guarantee a proper location. In Lawton, a group of creative businessmen organized the “University Improvement Association” to raise funds to
From 1911-1916, CSSA operated a commercial creamery operation. The butter it produced drew national recognition.
Since Lawton had no market for milk and cream, Liner obtained permission to establish a commercial creamery. A large DeLaval cream separator and 8-foot churn were installed in the northwest corner of the basement. Students were paid 10 cents an hour to operate the equipment. The venture was the only commercial operation in the area, and Cameron’s butter was sold as far away as Chicago and New York. A building was constructed for the operation in 1913, but unpredictable markets created for an unstable financial flow and the venture was shut down in May 1916. One of the first buildings on the Cameron campus was a barn, erected in 1913 using student labor.
purchase the required acreage. They did so by acquiring and developing land west of Lawton, then selling it as town lots. With profits from the sale, they then purchased 160 acres two miles west of the city, which satisfied legislative requirements.
In 1912, CSSA graduated its first high school class of four students. Rev. E.D. Cameron – Oklahoma’s first superintendent of public instruction and the man for whom Cameron was named – traveled to Lawton for the ceremony and praised the work of CSSA and the other agricultural high schools and their importance to Oklahoma’s farming industry.
The new Cameron State School of Agriculture fell under the authority of the State Commission of Agriculture and Industrial Education. Boys took classes in farm dairying and crops, agriculture botany and physics, soils and fertilizers, carpentry, blacksmithing, roadmaking and farm machinery. Girls studied cooking, domestic chemistry, home nursing, laundering and sewing. By March 1911, the school had moved from a temporary location in Lawton to its current site. For a time, all school activities took place in the property’s sole building, a three-story brick structure. President J.A. Liner created
While courses for boys focused on farming, female CSSA students learned homemaking skills.
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This is the earliest known aerial photo of the Cameron campus, taken around 1924 looking westward. The expanse of pastureland that extended all the way to Wolf Creek would eventually become part of the school’s campus. Note the row crops and fledgling orchard under development in the lower left portion of the photo. (For reference, the CU Library is now located where the main building on campus once stood.)
But almost as quickly as the agricultural high school system was established, some legislators began working to dismantle it and redirect the funds to the state’s colleges. Rural families who wanted a farming education for their children were frustrated at the lack of legislative support. A succession of Cameron presidents – the majority of whom had rural backgrounds themselves – fought the attempts to abolish the agricultural high schools outright or force their demise by cutting funds. The attack on the system was partially successful when, in 1917, the legislature closed the institutions at Broken Arrow and Helena. Financial conditions were critical by 1921, when legislators adjourned without appropriating funds for the agriculture schools. Farm families began to realize that they had been “getting the crumbs instead of the whole loaves in the state provision for their education,” noted a Lawton Constitution editorial of the day. Ironically, CSSA had enrolled its largest class at that point – more than 100 students. Lacking adequate housing, cots were set up in every available building, including the barn loft, and a chicken coop was temporarily converted into a makeshift boys’ dormitory. New president A.E. Wickizer devised a plan to keep costs under control by using the farm to produce as much of the school’s food as possible. He enlarged the dairy herd with 20 registered Holsteins and added shorthorn cattle to the stock. Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs were purchased, along with 60 registered Mammoth 16
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Bronze turkeys and more than 100 White Wyandotte and Barred Rock chickens. The farm raised the forage necessary to feed the livestock, which, in turn, fed students.
A lack of student housing in the early 1920s required creative solutions, such as converting a poultry barn into a boys’ dorm.
To the extent that meager appropriations allowed, Cameron expanded its physical plant, which now included several farm buildings and feedlots. The school farm flourished as students planted a seven-acre apple and peach orchard, a half-acre vineyard, and flower and vegetable gardens, which added opportunities for hands-on learning. Still, state funding failed to match the school’s needs and facilities were in grave disrepair. Despite its financial woes, Cameron won high praise in the Daily Oklahoman, which noted Cameron “is not a school for the city-bred child.” Although any youngster – regardless of background – could attend CSSA, “Cameron specializes only in subjects which
During the Great Depression, Cameron obtained funds to build dairy barns. These structures still stand and are now part of CU’s Physical Facilities operation.
will be of practical use to the children of the farm.” Girls learn to cook “the kinds of meals a farmer’s wife must prepare for a hardworking husband” and boys “learned the latest in agriculture and mechanical science. … A majority of the children attending Cameron return to the farm after graduation … in nearly every instance the training they received helped them to prosperity in agriculture.” Again, CSSA found an ally in the people of Lawton. Just as they had done 15 years earlier in working to establish Cameron in Lawton, they rallied to provide funding for repairs and renovations and pressed the legislature to consider appropriation requests – even to the extent of sending citizens to legislative sessions to rally support. Lawton’s support for CSSA was partly responsible for Senate Bill 187, which elevated Cameron to a junior college in 1927. While this change effectively eliminated Cameron’s status as a state agricultural school, it had little or no impact on curriculum. Most girls took courses in domestic science, while boys took subjects designed to help them become successful farmers. The school farm, which consisted of 80 acres of bottomland along Wolf Creek and 70 acres of upland, served as a laboratory for a wide range of farming experiences. Students were allowed to bring cows to school and exchange milk for room and board. Oklahoma remained predominantly rural, as it would for many years to come. Farm families continued to support Cameron’s commitment to ag education, asserting that their children deserved the same opportunities as their urban counterparts. By 1936, a majority of CSAC’s students still came from the farm. Cameron offered associate degrees in science and agriculture, and expanded its agriculture and home economics curriculum. The State Board of Agriculture advocated changing the school’s name to Western Oklahoma Agricultural College, but ultimately, the school was given the title of Cameron State Agricultural College for its new mission as a junior college.
Leading Cameron through the junior college transition was John Coffey, who earned praise for making the school a driving force for southwest Oklahoma’s development. While the college’s primary focus remained agriculture, it saw its mission expand as Lawton became increasingly urbanized. Unfortunately, Coffey’s inability to get along with Oklahoma Governor “Alfalfa Bill” Murray eventually led to his removal. Ironically, Coffey would become the head of the State Board of Agriculture in 1937, a move that would benefit Cameron. By the depth of the Great Depression, Cameron had tripled its enrollment and become the third largest junior college in the U.S. Thanks to the New Deal programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the college secured funding to build new dairy barns – structures that still stand and are among the oldest buildings on campus. Farm improvements continued with Charles Conwill, Coffey’s successor. The Federal Emergency Relief Organization supported several campus projects, including maintenance of the orchard. A National Youth Administration program established an extensive irrigation program, which allowed students to plant more than 200 acres of beans, peas, onions, okra, lettuce and spinach. World War II signaled a permanent change in Cameron’s makeup and mission. The student body became predominantly female and a pilot training school was established. The orchard was neglected and the irrigation program discontinued. Although the male-to-female ratio returned to normal after the war and enrollment climbed steeply as soldiers returned home, there was a new emphasis on technical trades and non-ag-related courses. In 1947, Vernon Howell arrived at Cameron and had an aggressive vision that included making the school’s ag program one of the largest in the state. CSAC purchased land west of campus to use for crops and livestock grazing and added eight farm buildings. A rodeo club was initiated in the 1950s and Cameron hosted its first Southwest Oklahoma FFA Annual Aggie Field Day – an event that eventually transitioned into today’s Ag Interscholastics. 17
Under Clarence Davis, Howell’s successor, Cameron continued to expand agricultural education with the addition of a pasteurization plant, homogenizing equipment, holding tanks and milking system. But even as the program grew, some students grumbled that CSAC’s mission had changed and the school was more cosmopolitan. They felt that “agriculture” should be stricken from Cameron’s name, since it gave prospective students as sense that the school was mired in the “horse and buggy era.” While no action was taken, the issue would repeatedly resurface in the years ahead.
agricultural legacy. With CU’s reassignment to the OU governing board a decade earlier, keeping cowboy mascot Ole Kim was problematic. Student surveys indicated that one-third of students wanted a change, one-third wanted to keep Ole Kim, and the remaining third didn’t care … they just wanted a mascot to help maintain school spirit. The dilemma was resolved at a donor event when one longtime alumnus commented to a CU staffer, “It doesn’t matter what you call us, we’ll always be Aggies.” Ross decided to keep Ole Kim – although he became a prospector – and athletic teams remained Aggies.
Vietnam and the resulting growth of Fort Sill, along with growing pressure to make Cameron a four-year institution, sped change in its culture during the 1960s. Marketing brochures scarcely mentioned the ag program. When Cameron finally made the transition to a university in the late 1960s, President Richard Burch attempted to reinvent the school, replacing the team name “Aggies” with “Cardinals” and changing school colors to red and white. This did not sit well with most of the student body, which successfully lobbied for a return to tradition. No longer a junior college, discussion resurfaced over Cameron’s name. Among those suggested was University of the Great Plains, but in the end, the name was simply shortened to Cameron College.
As Cameron moved into the 21st century, Oklahoma’s rollercoaster economy put higher education funding at risk. By 2015, appropriations were the lowest in two decades, forcing the university to make a tough decision about its offerings. Once again, rumors ran rampant that CU would eliminate agriculture. The number of ag majors had decreased in recent years, averaging around 75, and only two percent of bachelor’s degrees were awarded in agriculture. Rather than eliminate the program, the university combined it with biology, and later with health sciences, to create new opportunities for education and research.
In 1969, Don Owen succeeded Burch as president. Under Owen, Cameron’s dairy herd and milk processing equipment were sold – a decision that was highly symbolic of the school’s future. Publicly, Owen noted that the cattle and equipment were no longer used for instruction and, therefore, not cost effective; privately he indicated that he wanted the matter to be handled quietly to limit discussion that Cameron was deemphasizing agriculture. Owen’s concerns were well-founded as every action taken with regard to the university’s agriculture program in the 50 years since has sparked rumors of its elimination. By 1976, more CU students were majoring in business than anything else – with ag majors fading to a distant fourth. When Don Davis became president in 1980, he found new ways to keep the school involved in agriculture, adding a degree program that supplied the region with high school ag teachers into the early 1990s. It was during Davis’ administration that the current Plant/Animal Science Complex was constructed on the west side of 38th Street and improvements were made to the school farm. But one tie to agriculture was severed during his administration. In 1992, the legislature transferred governance of CU to the University of Oklahoma’s governing board. For the first time in its 84-year existence, Cameron was not governed by an entity whose primary function involved agriculture. Shortly after Cindy Ross took over as CU’s president in 2002, she, too, was faced with what to do about the school’s 18
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Members of the Aggie Club hang a welcome banner on campus in preparation for the Ag Interscholastics during the 1970s.
As it has done repeatedly over the past century, Cameron has found ways to remain relevant as an agricultural institution. Current president John McArthur established articulation agreements with Redlands Community College and Western Oklahoma State College that enable their graduates to continue toward 4-year agriculture degrees at CU. Cameron’s degree has options in agronomy, agribusiness management, animal science and general agriculture – worlds away from the early days of blacksmithing, carpentry and dairy production, but they demonstrate that the university continues to adapt to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s evolving ag industry.
Aiding that process is an advisory board comprised of producers and operators in the field of agriculture. Organized in 2019, the board – which includes a number of Aggie alumni – provides insight into current trends in the agriculture industry and is making a significant impact on the department’s courses, facilities and operations. Thanks to a grant from the McMahon Foundation, two new greenhouses are currently under construction on the main campus and are due for completion in late summer. These will not only serve as classrooms, but will also enable agriculture faculty to study treatments on crop growth in a controlled setting. Farm Credit of Western Oklahoma has gifted the department with a drone, enabling Cameron to expand its involvement into “precision agriculture.” Using drone technology it’s now possible to economically survey entire fields or pastures from the air to determine specific locations needing pest control, fertilizer, additional irrigation, erosion control or intervention against some other abnormality that cannot easily be observed at ground level.
Two new greenhouses currently under construction will be ready for use in time for the start of the Fall 2021 semester.
whether they were named Howell, Burch, Davis, Ross or McArthur, understood agriculture’s importance to Cameron’s history, growth and traditions, and found ways to promote the program when eliminating it might have been far simpler. That, in itself, shows how deeply Cameron’s agricultural roots run. – By Keith Mitchell, relying heavily on the historical research of Hugh Corwin, Sarah Eppler Janda and Sally Bradstreet Soelle
CU assistant professor Alimamy Fornah prepares to test fly a new drone that will be used in precision agriculture and other crop production research.
Technology has enabled the agriculture industry to grow food more affordably, economically and with less toil, and CU is preparing its graduates to effectively use that technology to become successful ag producers. In retrospect, every Cameron president since World War II had an opportunity to eliminate agriculture from the school’s curriculum as the makeup of southwest Oklahoma became less rural. Yet none did. Instead, the school adapted programs to fit the region’s needs by producing high school ag teachers, increasingly engaging in research, or adapting educational coursework to better address the changes affecting today’s farmers. Those presidents, 19
THE ECONOMICS
of agriculture
Farmer. Rancher. Ag teacher. Veterinarian. Extension agent. Not only are these just a few of the career opportunities that a degree in agriculture can lead to, they are fairly common across the country. One job title that isn’t as top of mind but is still critical to the industry is that of agricultural economist. It’s a role that Cameron alumnus Stan Bevers held for almost three decades before retiring in 2016. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education in 1982 (the first year that degree program was offered), Bevers spent five years as a vocational agriculture instructor at Carmen-Dacoma High School in Carmen, Oklahoma. After receiving a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University in 1989, he served as an Extension economist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, retiring as professor and Extension economist. As you might expect, an agriculture economist deals with the money end of the industry, including balance sheets, profit and loss statements, financial projects on cattle and other livestock, agronomy and more. Bevers says it’s a profession that is becoming more critical to the ag industry. “Ag economists are needed more and more,” he explains. “Cattle prices are dropping like a rock. Although people see that, they don’t recognize the impact on the economy because 95 percent of the population only sees prices at the grocery stores and restaurants. They think the price of beef is high, yet they don’t see the low prices that cattle producers are currently experiencing. There are a lot of middlemen in between the producer and the end user.” Another largely unknown fact is that one agriculture producer provides enough food substance for 120 people annually. 20
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Yet many of those consumers discount the importance of agriculture, choosing to focus on what Bevers refers to as “cow farts.”
“If you want to reduce greenhouse emissions, you quit driving your car and stop heating and air conditioning your home,” he says. “Those activities account for more than 50 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, while cows account for less than three percent.”
For students who hope to enjoy a long-term career in agriculture, Bevers offers advice on how best to achieve that goal.
average calves the last three years, so that cow has to go. That person is not going to be cheap; the cost of the person doing the analytics costs more than the profit margin.”
“There are two groups – those who come from an ag background, and those who don’t,” he says. “For those who do, who want to farm like dad and grandad and be part of the family operation, I recommend getting a business degree. Ninety-nine times out of 100, dad and grandad didn’t teach the younger generation the business end of the operation. Dad doesn’t think about teaching the financial end – maybe because he doesn’t want to tell the kids they’re in a tight financial situation. I want that young family member to get a business degree and figure out the financials of the operation.”
He breaks it down into three steps.
As for those who don’t have an ag background, Bevers suggests they learn the basics – animal science, agronomy, etc. - and mix in business classes as electives. Bevers says there are ample career opportunities for agriculture graduates.
“Number one is gathering the data – both financial and inventory, profit and loss statements for each asset, the balance sheet. Next is taking that reconciled information and performing analytics – using a drone to study cattle movement patterns to see where I need water to improve grazing in a certain area. Step three is taking the analytics and turning it into action plans. I see what that drone has told me. Is it financially feasible to use my cash flow to put in a new well in the back pasture? If it is, put it into action.” Following his retirement from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Bevers established RanchKPI, a consulting firm that works with livestock producers across the country. “My average customer has 2,000 cows in Wyoming and Montana,” he says. “They are profit motivated but their costs continue to rise. The average cost to run a cow for a year, including feed, vet care and machinery, used to be about $1 a day. Now, it’s about $950 per cow per year. That cow is maximized in production and can only have one calf a year. Take that maximum production relative to rising input costs, and your costs get higher than your production is going to return. What’s the calf worth? Calves are selling now for what they brought 20 years ago. What’s a profitable rancher do? He scrutinizes every dollar he spends. He scrutinizes productivity to make sure he’s producing a calf that the market is demanding. You don’t control the average price for calves. What you do control is whether you’re above the quality the market is demanding.”
My ag ed degree from Cameron set up everything for me.
“There are a lot of students who come from ranching families – huge ranches that operate on thousands of acres with massive herds. There’s a chance that ranch is going to be sold and the younger generation is going to be working for the guy who buys the ranch. The guys who buy these large operations do so because they think ranching is an easy way to make money. They just want the ranch to break even for several years, because the value of the land is going to increase about three percent every year. That’s better than a savings account or a CD. The people who are buying don’t want the ranch to be a money pit, so they hire people who have the agronomic basics. They need someone who knows the numbers. The opportunities are there now and they’re only going to get more important. Commodity prices haven’t kept up with inflation, so it’s a tighter squeeze. We have to have good managers who know how to operate on tight margins.” And then there’s the increasing role that technology plays in agriculture. “A recent thesis was on the use of radio frequency tags on cows and calves,” Bevers explains. “Run a cow through a chute with a reader, pull up everything on that cow and calf. You spend a lot of money to do that – the EID tags are $3 each, and the reader attached to the chute is about $1,500. The cow goes through the chute, the tag triggers the reader so information is downloaded to a computer. That is technology at its finest for ranchers, but that data on the computer has to be accumulated or in some way aggregated and analyzed by someone who can look at that information and determine that cow has produced below-
Bevers has fond memories of his time as a Cameron Aggie. A native of Altus, he spent two years at Western Oklahoma State College before transferring to CU. The ag professors consisted of Bennie Doane, Al Bennett, Ira Kennedy, Don Profitt and Dr. David Cox, who came in from Arizona specifically for CU’s new agricultural education program. “The classes were great, and what the professors did for me was huge,” Bevers says. “Al Bennett was a big influence on me. I wrote a paper on soil fertility and really busted my butt on it. He gave me a B+, but I went to him because I thought I deserved an A. He said he graded my paper like it was a graduate paper and told me I needed to go to graduate school. It took me five years to get there, but I enrolled in Texas A&M. My ag ed degree from Cameron set up everything for me.” - Janet E. Williams 21
Agriculture Interscholastic: AN Aggie TRADITION FOR MORE THAN 70 years
When the members of the Oklahoma Legislature passed Senate Bill 109 on May 20, 1908, which laid the foundation for Cameron State School of Agriculture, little did they know that more than 100 years later, Cameron University would still be attracting high school students with an interest in agriculture to its campus. For more than 70 years, Cameron has hosted the annual Agriculture Interscholastic career development event, with the exception of 2020, when the event was cancelled due to the pandemic. Each year, hundreds of high school students descend upon the Cameron campus to test their skills in areas ranging from practical animal science and agronomy to leadership and business while they prepare for the state FFA competition. By hosting the Agriculture Interscholastic, CU provides high school students from across the state an opportunity to qualify for the state competition and to explore opportunities for their future education.
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Competitors from across the state gather to evaluate the first class of cattle during the 2021 Agriculture Interscholastic.
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Meat
Meat judging teams must evaluate cuts of meat to determine grade based on quality. The contest helps high school students develop the ability to evaluable meat animal products in order to optimize economic returns to producers and industry as well as to meet the needs of consumers.
Land
Milk
The milk quality and products events provide participants the opportunity to work cooperatively to determine milk acceptability, present their findings, solutions and recommendations; identify cheese types, milk flavors and artificial dairy products and more.
Participants in the land judging competition are required to lower themselves into a pit so they can effectively evaluate the composition of the soil to determine its value in agronomy.
AGGIE ALUM N I S POTL IG H T Antoine Ehouman, a native of Cote D’Ivoire, assisted with the 2011 Agriculture Interscholastic event. He graduated from CU in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture with a concentration in Agriculture Business Management. He is currently an assistant manager at Clemens Food Group in Blacksburg, VA, following stints as the swine center manager at Virginia Tech University and as farm manager at Smithfield Foods in Laurinburg, N.C. Ehouman says he chose to attend CU due to the lack of higher education programs in agriculture in his homeland. His CU experience led him to internships at both Smithfield Premium Genetics and Cornell University’s Teaching and Research Center Sheep Farm. 23
: d l e fi e h t m Advice fro KEVIN MALLOW KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO ENJOY A CAREER IN AGRICULTURE
management, insect management, rodent management, forestry and small acreage agriculture. He also managed the 4-H livestock program. “My advice to college students is when you choose a degree, spread it out,” Mallow says. “Learn as much as you can in the different areas of agriculture. Everyone wanted an animal science degree, but it’s hard to find jobs in animal science. There are more jobs in crop science. I have a B.S. in agriculture with a concentration in agronomy and an animal science minor. That opened up more opportunities. Don’t corner yourself too much in one area.”
For CU alumnus Kevin Mallow, being raised on a farm near Walters set the stage for a career in agriculture. After earning a Cameron degree in 1988, he started his career as an Extension agent in Oklahoma, moved to Colorado to take on the same role, and now runs the agriculture program for the Southern Ute Indian tribe. He has practical advice to offer college students who want to enjoy a similar career. “When I graduated from Cameron and people asked what I wanted to be, I said I never wanted to work in an office,” Mallow says. “I laugh now because you never know what you’re gonna do until you go do it. I’ve been in the field a lot, but there’s a lot of office time too.”
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While some may not see the link between agriculture and technology, Mallow says it just isn’t so. The challenge today is keeping up with technology. “The technology is changing so quickly, and the hard part is knowing when that change is needed. When someone says they bought a drone, I have to ask if they know how to use that drone. I look at when is a drone a tool and when is it a toy. In many cases, it’s a toy. In many other cases, it’s a fabulous tool. People say they’re using a drone and a computer system and GIS to inject fertilizer using all that technology. My question is, how has the bottom line changed? If they say, 'What?', the drone is a toy. If they say, 'Yes, I’m able to put on less fertilizer, I’m able to save money
"I feel like everything I have done and continue to do goes back to my time at Cameron."
When he started his career as an Extension agent in Oklahoma, he relates that he was primarily a 4-H agent in Coal and Atoka counties, working with kids, schools and livestock. When he moved to Colorado to be an Extension agent in 1992, he was an agricultural agent, completing programs in crop production, livestock production, horticulture, master gardener, weed 24
He also stresses the importance of working in the field. “It’s important to go out and get some experience. I was raised on a farm, so I was driving tractors when I was 9 years old. By the time I was 17, I was working for the neighbor, taking care of his cattle, doing a real job. So many kids today go to college with an idea of what they want to be, but they’ve never really done it. It’s important to get some experience and utilize that experience to know what you want to do.”
in this area because of the technology and the technology pays for itself,' then it’s a tool.”
In 2003, he left the Extension service to work for the Southern Ute tribe.
When he served as an Extension agent in La Plata County, Colorado in the early 1990s, Mallow found himself in a recreation area that was experiencing major population growth.
“When I left the Extension office in Durango, the number of people who called me and said they depended on me, they trusted me - that’s when I knew I had made a difference for some people. When you’re an Extension agent and people want you to stop by their house, then you know you’ve made it. They want you to come see them. People bring you their problems. They talk about things that they can’t figure out themselves. When you get in tune with it, and you’re trying to take a look and they have irrigation problems or crop problems and you can help them and show them the reason, it makes a difference in their lives. Basically an Extension agent is a problem solver. Helping people is what it’s all about. It makes you feel good because usually, you aren’t giving them the answer, you’re guiding them to the answer.”
“I was the Extension agent when Durango hit its fastest growth period,” he says. “That meant a lot of urban dwellers were moving to a rural environment. They’d never lived anywhere but in an apartment and wanted to buy 40 acres and raise cows and chickens or have a subsistence farm. A subsistence farm in Durango isn’t feasible, because of the extremely short growing season. “As an Extension agent, that’s an example of one of the things you learn quickly. You have to dig in, understand growing seasons, and so forth. I did a lot of teaching the basics of land management – that’s how I spent a big part of my career as an Extension agent.” “As an Extension agent, you try to measure impacts, and that’s hard to do. You know that you’re making a difference when people trust you, when people want to come and see you. These are people jobs – you’ve gotta know that you can deal with people and work with them and enjoy that interaction with people. I know I do.
As an agriculture professional with the Southern Ute tribe, he’s worked in water quality, soil and water conservation, irrigation construction, water rights management, municipal water system construction, livestock production, pest management, crop production and even a little horticulture, turf management and gardening. In his current position, he is the agriculture division head in charge of agriculture administration, custom farm programs, agricultural land rehabilitation, mosquito control, weed control, fence contracts, and prairie dog and gopher control. He also represents the Tribe on local boards. More than three decades after graduating from Cameron, Mallow credits his college experience in Lawton with his successful career. “The thing that stands out from my time at Cameron is the people in the agriculture program. Dr. Charlie Reick taught agronomy and plant science. He was amazing. He had a photographic memory and was a speed reader. It was super to have him as a professor. Benny Doane in animal science and Gene Kennedy made a lot of difference in my life. They were very high-end professors who worked at a lot of large universities, but they decided to come back to a smaller college. Benny was a sheep specialist, and Charlie was one of the top agricultural chemical guys in the nation. “After I graduated, I went to a lot of places around the country and met people who got degrees from bigger universities. I feel like I got a better education than they did. It was more one-onone, and in a more socially friendly environment. I feel like everything I have done and continue to do goes back to my time at Cameron.” - Janet E. Williams
Kevin Mallow checks a field of alfalfa grass mix hay for alfalfa weevils and spiders mites.
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VA L M A PLES Longtime fans and older alumni will remember Val Maples, who is widely considered a pioneer of women’s sports at Cameron. She was instrumental in the development of a number of women's athletics programs, coaching many of them herself. Maples coached women’s basketball, volleyball and softball at Cameron State Agricultural College and served as Dean of Women from 1957-1967. She dedicated 22 years to promoting women’s sports during her 31-year career at Cameron. As tribute to her many accomplishments, a bench outside of Aggie Gym was dedicated in her honor in 2007. She was inducted into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. Maples, 93, died at her home in Lawton on December 9. She was buried in Healdton, her childhood hometown.
LON N I E N ICHOLS Lonnie Nichols was arguably the greatest men’s basketball coach in Cameron history, guiding the Aggies as an assistant coach and then as head coach from 1973-1981. In his eight years at CU – four as assistant basketball coach and four as head coach, he took trips to the national tournament with the Aggies three times. Coach Nichols compiled a 122-26 record during his time as head coach (1977-81). He was NAIA Coach of the Year in 1979 when Cameron reached the quarterfinals of the national tournament, then he took the Aggies all the way to an NAIA National Basketball Championship the next year. After winning the NAIA District 9 and National Championships in 1980, Nichols was presented with the Oklahoma Sports Headliner Award. After leaving Cameron, he coached at Oklahoma City University, then moved to Texas where he was involved with high school sports in Fort Worth and Garland. Coach Nichols was inducted into the Cameron University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. He passed away due to a brain aneurysm on April 9 at his home at age 78. 26
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Dr. M arc y Bl a c k burn Dr. Marcy Blackburn, 68, passed away on December 28, 2020, at her home east of Lawton. A proud Cameron graduate who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, she was an elementary school teacher before joining the faculty at CU, ultimately serving as acting dean of the Department of Education prior to her retirement. Blackburn’s former students regarded her as an outstanding instructor and mentor who challenged them to excel. Her legacy continues through the countless educators she prepared for the classroom, many of whom refer to her as their favorite professor. Not only did she encourage her students to explore their creativity, she helped them to understand the importance of giving everything 100 percent.
Dr. Karen McKellip s Dr. Karen McKellips, who impacted Cameron education students throughout her tenure as a faculty member, passed away on September 13, 2020, at her home in Round Rock, Texas, at the age of 80. McKellips’ interest in cultural foundations, Native American educational history and educational biography guided her love of learning, as evidenced by her numerous publications and presentations. Highly regarded across the country, McKellips served as the national president of the Society of Philosophy and History of Education and its special interest group, the Educational Foundations Society. She was known for her presentations to both entities, bringing a mixture of shock, delight and education to raise awareness about times and places long ago and their relationship to contemporary areas of concern.
Ben s on Warren Benson Warren, professor emeritus of art, passed away on January 30 at age 73. Warren played a key role in the development of Cameron's art program from 1974 until his retirement in 2014. Known primarily for his large-scale sculptures, he led the commissioning or acquiring most of the outdoor artwork seen on campus today. His own work can be seen in Lawton, at Cameron, and in the art collections of several other universities across the U.S. Among his works are two that are on permanent display on the CU campus: the oak "ELUL II," which was created in 1973 and can be seen inside the CU Music Building, and "Cubes," which Benson created in 1976 and is located in the northeast corner of Cameron Park. He also designed and cast the ceremonial mace carried at all major university events.
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ALMA MATTERS
Alumni who received more than one degree are listed by year of most recent degree. Those who attended but did not graduate are listed under the year they would have graduated; or in some cases, the last year they attended. If you have changed your address, have a new job or have other news to share, contact the CU Office of Alumni Relations, 2800 W. Gore Blvd., Lawton OK 73505, 580-581-2988; alumni@cameron.edu; or on the web at www.cameron.edu/alumni.
1970s
Dr. Michael Bowers (BA ’77), is the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also serves as treasurer of the Western Political Science Association.
Brandi Thomas (BACC ’95), Lawton, has been appointed general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Lawton Fort Sill and Convention Center. Catherine Prose (BA ’97), Wichita Falls, Texas, enjoyed an exhibition of her original artwork at Lawton's Leslie Powell Gallery this spring. She is a professor of art at Midwestern State University.
2000s
Perri Ann Wyatt (BSA ’89), Lawton, was honored as a Champion of Children by Lawton Public Schools. She is a teacher at Parker Point Group Home.
1990s Dewayne Burk (BS ’93), Lawton, has been named Deputy City Manager for the City of Lawton. Alice Shuman (BA ’95), Dallas, Texas, is Vice President of Western Litigation’s Dallas office, where she also supervises the Healthcare Group. She has been with the firm for 12 years. 28
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
Jennifer Helms (MBA ’04), Gretna, Neb., is now Vice President – Innovation, Projects & Technology at Boston Mutual Life Insurance. She was previously with the American Council of Life Insurers and Onyx Data Solutions. Julie Cervantes (BFA ’05), Waco, Texas, exhibited her original artwork at during a solo exhibition at the Cultivate 7twelve art space in Waco. She teaches art and Spanish at Midway High School in Waco.
1980s
Mary E. Henderson (BS ’81), Dallas, Texas, is Chief Accounting Officer, Vice President and Corporate Controller at Trinity Industries. She has been with the company since May 2009.
Cheryll Jones (BACC ’06), Iowa Park, Texas, has been appointed to a two-year term to the post of County Auditor for Wichita County. She previously worked for Schultz & Co. CPAs in Wichita Falls.
Edward Hilliary Jr. (BS ’00), Elgin, has been appointed to a six-year term on the Oklahoma Career Tech Board of Education. He is the managing partner of Hilliary Communication, which operates five regulated telephone companies and three broadband operations in Oklahoma and Texas. Jesse Belville (BS ’01), Frisco, Texas, is a financial advisor at Merrill Personal Wealth Analysis. Misti Tyler (BS ’01), Anadarko, has been honored as District Teacher of the Year by Anadarko Public Schools. She teaches English at Anadarko High School. Donna L. Merkt (BFA, ‘04), Norman, has been named director of the South Dakota Art Musem following a national search. She was previously director of museum experience at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum and curator of education at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee.
LaQuinna Cox (BBA ’05), Lawton, is vice president of AllAmerica Bank in Medicine Park. She is a member of the Oklahoma Banker’s Association Women in Banking Committee. Amanda Mack (BS ’06), Lawton, has been named Teacher of the Year by Lawton Public Schools. She teaches second grade at Crosby Park Elementary and is in her 14th year of teaching.
Jim Menefee (MBA ’06), Goshen, Ind., has been promoted to group president over European operations at Lippert Components.
Dr. Andrea Jones (BS ’08), Oklahoma City, is a family medicine doctor at OU Health Physicians Family Medicine Center OKC. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
2010s Kyle Luetters (BA ’10), St. Charles, Mo., has earned designation as a Wealth Management Certified Professional. He is director of investments and planning at Racen Wealth Management as well as president and founder of 410 Media Group. Brigit Minden (BA ’10), Marlow, has joined the Oklahoma Department of Education as Director of Secondary Mathematics in the Office of Curriculum and Instruction. She previously taught at Central High School near Marlow. Angela Kimbrell (BS ’11), Lawton, has been named a Champion of Children by Lawton Public Schools. She teaches at Lawton High School.
Lacey Barger (BACC, AS ’13; MBA ’19), Lawton, is a CPA, wealth advisor and review manager at Barnes Welsh & Perry. She is also an adjunct instructor at Cameron University. Amanda Hrbacek (BA ’13), Anadarko, has been named Site Teacher of the Year for Anadarko Middle School.
Dr. Todd Bridges (BS ’15), Lawton, has been named chairman of the McMahon Foundation Board of Trustees. He has been a member of the board since 2014. He is the senior dental partner at Bridges and Buckner Dentistry by Design.
Cody Bower (BS ’17), Lawton, has joined Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management office in Albuquerque, N.M., as a financial advisor. He was previously with Arvest Wealth Management
2020s Cole Lehr (BA ’20), Lawton, was named First Class Teacher of the Year by Lawton Public Schools. He teaches senior and freshman English, is assistant coach of the boy’s basketball team and head coach of the freshman basketball team. Luis Ramirez de Arellano (BA ’20), Elgin, has joined the CU staff as an admissions counselor serving the central Oklahoma area. Dakota Phillips (BBA ’21), Lawton, has accepted a position at Red River Science and Technology.
Misty Neal (BA ‘14, AAS ’09), Lawton, is pursuing a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice at Nova Southeastern University. She is an adjunct professor at CU.
Lesa Sparks (MS '15, BS ’98), Marlow, has been named a Champion of Children by Lawton Public Schools. She is the principal at Carriage Hills Elementary.
IN MEMORIAM Eric Abraham, Lawton JoAnn Akin (’73), Frederick CW4 (Ret.) Albert T. “Eggi” Anderson (’96), Delmar Baldwin (’00), Lawton Jerry Barbe, Temple Martha “Ann” Beadles, Fletcher Wayne Bentley, Rush Springs Jimmie Billington, Norman Toby Blaylock, Shawnee Anita June McClung Brown, Apache Helen Louise Burns, Lawton Johnny D. Caldwell, Lawton Martha Jean Carleton (’49), Purcell Antonella Carpenter (’78), Bixby Linda Douthit Clark (’74), Lawton Martha Alyene Colvin (’60), Cache Steven Rex Conner (’86), Sterling Dale Wilson Coody, Lawton Patrick Fulton Davis (’70), Piedmont William “Gene” Fikes (’68), Lawton Charles R. Florence (’57), McLoud Patricia Bunkley Franklin (’87), Lawton Thomas Earl Franklin Jr., Lawton Darlene M Freeman, Apache Scott Gallops (’06), Lawton Jerry Wayne Geiger (’68), Snyder Blanche Billingslea Gildart (’54), Lawton Robert Jay Goodin (’69), Elgin Eren Jo Gober (’82), Stillwater Terry Goode, Grandfield Cynthia Ann Boydstun Griffy (’82), Lawton SFC (Ret.) Ronald Grossman (’12), Lawton Tom Spencer Hankins (’73), Tulsa Lawrence Hansen, Frisco, Texas Robert E. Hinman (’63), Lawton William T. Harrell, Tulsa Hugh D. Holcomb Jr., Oklahoma City SSG (Ret.) Frank Monroe Horton (’90), Lawton Harold E. Hurst (’41), San Antonio, Texas Donald Dale Jimerson, Guide Rock, Neb. Demetria Fene Johnson, Dallas, Texas
Vicky Smith (BA ’17), Marlow, has relocated to Doha, Qatar, where she works for Raytheon
Billy Josefy, Grandfield Sue King (’75), Cache Ursula Kujan, Shamokin, Pa. Marvin A. Lepien Jr., Lawton Orlo C. Lewis, Oklahoma City Orvella G. “Cookie” Littlefield (’49), Lawton Thomas Clifford Lorah, Geronimo Carrie Ann Lyman (’04), Lawton Thomas Mauchahty-Ware III (’08), Anadarko Marlene Witzel McPherson (’51), Lawton Jessie Mildred Mendozarosas (’76), Lawton Harold Ray Miller (’73), Marlow Mozella Lue Miller, Norman Donna Kay Millspaugh (’60), Lawton Tommy Monroe, Duncan Steve Morren, Altus Kimberly Dawn Myers, Schertz, Texas Raymond “Dink” Nauni (’83), Lawton Rhoda Colleen Nevaquaya, Indiahoma Jimmy Allen Nichols, Marlow Steven Eugene Nunley, Marlow Paul Kent Powell (’64), Hobbs, N.M. Shirley Shanklin Pyle (’71), Lawton Don Quickle, Walters Norman Lee Reser, Wichita Falls, Texas MAJ (Ret.) Ernest Allen Rhodes (’71), Lawton Larry Haden Riley (’74), Lawton James H. Robinson (’76), Enid Jerry Lee Salyer (’56), Tulsa Jack Lynden Sasser, Lawton Debria Schuler (’11), Temple Buford Tom Self, Pilot Point, Texas Sharon Amelia Silcock, Lawton Jerry Slaughter, Sherman, Texas Gary Lynn Smith, Orlando, Fla. Vickie Ruth Snider, Lawton CSM (Ret.) George J. Snyder (’85), Lawton Charles Spencer (’63), Elgin Jean Starr, Highland Village, Texas SFC (Ret.) Willie Grey Alexander Staton, (’97), Lawton Vicki LaRue Stewart, Oklahoma City
Mercedes Terry (BA ’21), Lawton, will begin her teaching career this fall at Lawton’s MacArthur High School, where she will teach English. Hannah Wellman (BS ’21), Lawton, has joined the staff of Cameron’s Academic Advising Center as an advisement specialist.
Shirley Mae Stewart, Lawton Patsy Ruth Stogsdill, Mansfield, Texas Opal Stricklan, Lawton Wilma Sykes, Burkburnett, Texas SGT (Ret.) Walter Tallent (’75), Lawton CW4 (Ret.) Joe L. Talley (’73), Lawton Willard Ray Teakell, Claremore Emma Thurman (’59), Walters Bradford Totten (’78), Seminole Makayla Lauren Taylor (’21), El Paso, Texas John D. Tregilgus Jr. (’75), Lawton Kenney Ray Thomason, Altus SFC (Ret.) David John Voegtlin (’90), Lawton Donna Jeanne Wallace (’93, ’02), Chattanooga Phyllis Ann Weber (’88), Pumpkin Center Gary Kent Wheatly, Hilton Head, S.C. Kenny White, Walters Everett Earl Young (’61), Burleson, Texas Michael Denver Woodall, Frederick Johnny Hugh Woodward, Indiahoma Johnny Vance Wray, Chickasha Marvin D. Wright (’76), Faxon
CU SUPPORTERS, FACULTY AND STAFF Marcy Ann Blackburn, Lawton Jane Louise Cottingham, Lawton Dorothy Cox Hicks, Lawton Jo Johnson, Lawton Valdelores “Val” Maples, Lawton Karen Kay Sweeney McKellips, Lawton Lonnie Nichols, Garland, Texas Roma Lee Porter, Lawton Mary Ann Walley, Lawton Dale Wardlaw, Burlington, Colo. Leslie Benson Warren, Lawton Donna Beth White, Enid
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MAGAZINE
Attention: To submit an address change, please call the CU Office of Alumni Relations at 580.581.2988, or email alumni@cameron.edu
2800 West Gore Boulevard Lawton, Oklahoma 73505-6377 580.581.2211
CAMERON UNIVERSITY
LEGACY ADMISSIONS PROGRAM Children and grandchildren of CU alumni who qualify for the program will receive a double room waiver for Oklahoma residents, out-of-state tuition waiver for non-Oklahoma residents who live in campus housing, and an application fee waiver for undergraduate students applying to CU. alumni Brady and Renee Roach, Leighton Roach (center), son of CU issions Program. is a member of the CU Legacy Adm
Learn more at https://www.cameron.edu/admissions/legacy
