LED BY STILLWATER

LED BY STILLWATER

PARKER HENLEY JOINS OSU AS THE LIVESTOCK JUDGING COACH

Growing up on a century family farm in Eugene, Mo., where his family raises Angus and Charolais cattle, Parker Henley was nurtured with a passion for agriculture. Through his involvement on the farm, as well as his 4-H career showing cattle, sheep, and swine, he learned to be a steward of the land.

“Stewardship is a tradition my grandfather instilled in me from an early age,” Henley said.

Not only was he heavily involved in production agriculture, but the 6-foot-6 Henley was a natural on the baseball diamond. So much so, he caught the attention of baseball scouts, eventually earning himself a scholarship. Nevertheless, his college decision was not an easy one.

Henley had a choice. He could follow his athletic ability or follow the advice of a close family mentor to pursue a collegiate livestock judging career. Deciding on the latter, he took his talent to Butler Community College to compete as a member of the livestock judging team.

Through his two years at Butler, Henley continued to build his love for livestock evaluation and production. This led him to Kansas State University to continue his judging career, as well as to continue pursuing a bachelor’s degree in animal science.

While competing at Kansas State University, Henley won multiple national awards while judging, including being named the 3rd High Individual Overall at the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Championship. Plus, he was recognized with the F.W. Bell Memorial Livestock Judging award, which is given annually to the outstanding member of the Kansas State University Livestock Judging Team.

His success in Manhattan went further than judging. Henley was an active member of multiple clubs, honor societies and graduated Suma Cum Laude in 2014. Evidently, his time in the classroom and judging circle was not over yet.

“My goal for excellence in the classroom, as well as success in the collegiate judging circles, presented me the opportunity to pursue a master’s of science and a doctoral degree at the University of Illinois while serving as the head livestock judging team coach,” Henley said.

While at Illinois, Henley led his teams to multiple top 10 finishes at national contests, and coached five All Americans. Furthermore, his position allowed him the opportunity to mentor assistant coaches, coordinate fundraising efforts and work in conjunction with the Illinois 4-H Club Association. Along with his coaching responsibilities, Henley has performed and published research in cattle nutrition, management, reproduction and performance.

With graduation in his sights, Henley was going to soon be on the market for a job. Oklahoma State University, with its rich history, tradition and recent success, was a place that instantly caught his eye.

“Oklahoma State is the premier agricultural college in the nation,” Henley said. “It is positioned geographically to the best livestock in the country.”

Being led by Stillwater’s agricultural prominence, Henley accepted the position.

Henley is eager to join the Cowboy Family and says the tradition and history, along with the strong alumni base, has him enticed and excited. His goals are simple; he wants to lead a successful program. However, pressure comes with the tradition attached to Oklahoma State University.

“I believe winning comes with re- cruiting and retaining the most talent- ed students that have a desire to be involved, while positioning themselves to be leaders in the industry,” Henley said.

His duties at Oklahoma State Uni- versity will reach beyond the livestock judging circle. He will teach multiple courses in the animal science curricu- lum, advise students, and participate in Extension through youth and adult out- reach in beef cattle nutrition.

Furthermore, Henley is excited to join the Stillwater community. He and his wife Christy have many friends in the area and look forward to continu- ing to grow those relationships.

“Stillwater had a very small, but big feel to it,” Henley said.

He is intrigued by the involvement the community has with the students.

Laced with tradition, the pages of the Oklahoma State University Livestock Judging Team’s story is forever grow- ing. The most recent chapter garnered a retired bronze bull. Parker Henley is being handed the cane, and he is en- thusiastic about taking the lead.

“I do not want to change the tradi- tion,” Henley said. “I want to continue the legacy.”

Stillwater has reaped the benefits of the livestock judging team’s heritage. Now it is time for a new era, the Henley era, to begin.

Written by Braeden Coon