Is this statement showing too much pride? Perhaps, but let's look at the many things advisers do to help CASNR students, and you can decide for yourself. 

Advising is done differently in CASNR. For starters, each CASNR student is assigned an adviser in his or her major at the beginning of the student's freshman year. In other colleges, students aren't assigned advisers in their major until their junior year. 

A student having only one adviser during his or her whole academic career helps build comfortable relationships between advisers and their students, said E.C. Nelson, adviser and professor in biochemistry and molecular biology.

"All colleges of agriculture in the United States have the same general philosophy," said CASNR assistant dean Wes Holley. "Advisers feel they have a responsibility to provide for their students." 

This means advisers want to help the students understand they have someone on their side. CASNR advisers work hard to encourage and motivate students to do the best they are capable of doing, Holley said.

Students obviously appreciate this extra effort from advisers to help them improve as students and as people. Every year, the Agricultural Ambassadors organization recognizes the outstanding adviser in the college based on student nominations. The students pick up applications in 136 Ag Hall. The application is short and reflects the students' opinion of their adviser and how the adviser has helped them in their academic endeavors. 

Nelson received the 1999 award, having been nominated by advisee Regina Rowe, biochemistry and molecular biology junior.

"Dr. Nelson is so good with students. We can always count on him for help with our classes or even with our personal lives," Rowe said. "He always has a joke and a way to make you smile. He's one of the happiest people I've ever met. He's a great recruiter, which has resulted in a big increase in our department's enrollment. Dr. Nelson is a good example of how ag advisers are different." 

Nelson, along with the other CASNR advisers, has an open door policy and also lets students know they can make an appointment with him any time. 

"Communication between the students and me is very important," Nelson said.

Nelson said his job is to listen to the students and help them achieve their ultimate goals, whether in his department or someone else's. He likes to sit and talk with students about their career goals. He asks them what they want to be when they get taller, because he knows they are already "grown-up." 

In one of his conversations, he asked a student where she wanted to be in 10 years. The student said she wanted to be a veterinarian. Then she asked Nelson where he wanted to be in 10 years. Nelson said with a laugh, "I just want to be!" 

"Just being" for advisers consists of much more than most students realize. In addition to advising students, faculty advisers teach courses, conduct research and work with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Even though this makes for a busy schedule, CASNR advisers always make time for their advisees.

"CASNR advisers have many advisees, but that doesn't have an effect on how they care for their students," Holley said. "Whether they have eight or 125 advisees, they do what needs to be done, and they do it without a complaint."

So, as you can see, advising in CASNR is different. CASNR has outstanding advisers, but all too often, these advisers get overlooked. So, take a second or two to look at your adviser and all he or she has done for you. When you do, you will probably agree: you haven't had an adviser until you've had a CASNR adviser!