Agricultural News
Ag Teacher and Lawmaker Dale DeWitt Inducted into CareerTech Hall of Fame
Thu, 22 Oct 2015 06:28:21 CDT
A full house gathered Wednesday evening, October 21st at Francis Tuttle's School of Culinary Arts' Restaurant, District 21, for the 2015 CareerTech Hall of Fame Induction Dinner. Dale DeWitt, former agricultural education teacher for Braman Public Schools and former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, was one of five Oklahomans who was inducted into the 2015 Oklahoma CareerTech Education Hall of Fame.
After the presentation, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays talked briefly with DeWitt about the honor and what he sees for the future of Ag Education and FFA. You can hear their conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
Active in sports and 4-H during high school, DeWitt earned an associate degree in science in 1970 from Northern Oklahoma College and a bachelor's degree in agricultural education in 1973 from Oklahoma State University, where he competed on the livestock judging team.
His first job was working as a hog buyer at John Morrell Packing Co. in Arkansas City, Kan. Shortly after that, he began teaching agricultural education at Helena-Goltry Schools, where he worked for three years. He then moved back to Braman, where he taught agricultural education and farmed for 27 years.
Through the years, DeWitt's FFA chapters were competitive in livestock judging, livestock showing, public speaking and leadership activities.
"He's given a life of service, which has taken a lot of sacrifice and hard work," said former student Mindi Clark. She is now assistant professor of agricultural education at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
DeWitt has received the Bronze and Silver Teacher of Teachers awards from NVATA; the NAETA Outstanding Agriculture Education Teacher Award; an NAAE Award; Honorary, State and National FFA degrees; the ACTE Oklahoma Distinguished Service Award; and the VIP Award from the Oklahoma FFA Association.
His philosophy as a teacher carried on to the state Capitol, where he was dedicated to the needs of rural Oklahoma, focusing on agriculture and education. He served as chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources A & B committees, majority leader, majority floor leader and chairman of the Oklahoma Redistricting Committee for the Oklahoma House. He served for 13 years, finishing his term in 2014.
He received numerous awards from groups such as the Oklahoma State School Board Association, the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the Oklahoma Rural Water Association, the Oklahoma Pork Council, the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and Made In Oklahoma.
In addition, he received NOC and OSU Distinguished Alumni Awards. He continues membership in the Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association, the Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association and the Sirloin Club.
DeWitt was one of three 2015 Hall of Fame inductees that began their professional career as an instructor of Ag Education.
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