Agricultural News
William L. Ford Honored by OSU's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:02:16 CDT
Oklahoman William L. Ford will be honored as a 2012 DASNR Champion award recipient by Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources on March 28.
The DASNR Champion award recognizes and honors those who are not graduates of OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources but who have brought distinction to the division while demonstrating a continuing interest in and commitment for agricultural sciences and natural resources.
Ford, a 1960 graduate of Shawnee High School and president of Shawnee Milling Company since May of 1979, currently serves on the DASNR Dean's Advisory Council, providing insights that help ensure division programs are tackling issues and concerns of importance to Oklahoma.
The division is comprised of the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) and two state agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
Whitson said Ford was instrumental in the creation of the CASNR Student Success Center that houses a student career resources facility, a multimedia-equipped student board room and accessibility to staff who provide individual student guidance and coordinate programs relevant to the personal, professional and academic development of current students, prospective students and alumni.
"Oklahoma is known throughout the world as a producer of quality agricultural products," Ford said. "It behooves all of us to help our wonderful students see the benefits to themselves, the state and the region in pursuing agribusiness careers. Literally, they are our future."
Ford said he felt "humbled and privileged" to be named a 2012 DASNR Champion award recipient.
"Shawnee Milling Company exists in no small part because of the combined efforts of OSU professors, researchers and educators over the years that have led to continuous advances in Oklahoma grasses, crops, livestock and related agricultural products," he said.
Ford has served on a number of civic and agricultural boards, including the North American Millers Association and the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association, and is a past chairperson of the Oklahoma Baptist University Board of Trustees. Ford served on active military duty in the U.S. field artillery from 1964 to 1966; he then served as a reservist until 1972, retiring with the rank of captain. He is a member of the U.S. Field Artillery Association Board of Directors at Ft. Sill, Okla.
He attended the University of Oklahoma, played baseball for the OU Sooners for four years and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from OU in 1964 and 1967, respectively. Ford has been married to the former Nancy Montgomery of Purcell for 44 years. They have three children and nine grandchildren.
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