Alumni

An FFA calling
Childhood buddies continue bonds through college and career
By Tosha Turner Powell, Amber, Okla.

From kindergarten through high school to college and now careers, three Oklahoma State University College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources alumni have built a lifestyle of learning from their passion for agriculture.

Glencoe, Okla., is where it all began for Dallas Krout, Brent Haken and Shawn Murphy.

"All but one of our parents graduated from Glencoe High School," Murphy said. "Naturally, the three of us spent kindergarten through our senior year together."

These three young men spent their high school years involved in Glencoe's agricultural education and FFA program under instructors Larry Brien and Chancer McPherson. They participated in the many aspects of agricultural education, including serving as chapter officers and running for president their senior year.

"I recall Shawn and I always trying to 'out do' each other when it came to FFA events," Krout said. "Although we were competitive against each other, we are each other's biggest support system."

College bound
Each young man knew he would attend college; however, only two of them started college with plans to complete an agricultural education degree. Haken began his journey at Oklahoma State University as an agribusiness major.

"My family is one of the only ones left in Glencoe still farming," Haken said. "We raise cattle and own a custom harvest operation. I had plans to receive an agricultural business degree but figured out that I didn't really like the math."

Haken, along with Krout and Murphy, found himself attending OSU Collegiate FFA events and decided teaching and the FFA were where he wanted to be.

"I was thoroughly involved in the FFA in high school," Haken said. "I raised and showed cattle, judged livestock and was involved in many of the leadership activities. And, I found myself helping chaperone various CFFA events while in college. The education program was a better fit for me than business."

Murphy began his college career at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Okla.

"My only reason for going to college was to be an agricultural education instructor," Murphy said. "I always knew I would end up at Oklahoma State University."

Murphy said he credits his passion for teaching to McPherson.

"I had always thought about teaching agriculture," Murphy said. "But it wasn't until Mr. McPherson came to Glencoe that I knew I wanted the same opportunity to impact students' lives."

Krout said his high school agricultural education instructors influenced his decision to become an "ag teacher."

"Brian always pushed us to give our all," Krout said. "McPherson also had a huge impact on my wanting to be an ag teacher. He taught me so much and truly inspired me to become more actively involved. By then, I had given up my dreams of being a rock star and made the decision to pursue a teaching career."

Krout, however, was involved in a larger aspect of the agricultural education program, the Oklahoma FFA.

"I was elected as central district vice president of the Oklahoma FFA," he said. "The FFA has had a tremendous influence on my life and is a large part of my decision on continuing the agricultural education route."

The college experience
For the three Glencoe natives, the Collegiate FFA chapter was a must, and they each helped coordinate and chaperone the Oklahoma FFA's Made for Excellence Program and the Advanced Leadership Development Conference.

Krout and Haken served as officers of the CFFA, while Murphy worked his way through college.

"I made a goal for myself to be finished with school and to be teaching before I turned 23 years old," Murphy said.

Jon Ramsey, teaching associate and coordinator of field placement for the agricultural education program, said these alumni received an experience in high school to set the stage for their collegiate and teaching careers.

"Their high school experience gave these three gentlemen the opportunity to travel down three distinctive paths that crossed to a very similar finish," Ramsey said. "To come from a strong rural program, such as Glencoe, these boys were ready to do what was necessary to take their experience to the next level."

Ramsey praised Haken, Krout and Murphy.

"These are exceptional young men who have passion, character and the ability to be an ag teacher," he said. "If everyone who joins the OSU agricultural education program had that kind of knowledge and experience, it would make our jobs as college professors much easier. These boys had the total concept of what an ag ed program looks like."

More than a job
The trio graduated from OSU in May 2007 and are now in their first year of teaching. Krout and Haken have joined multiple-teacher programs at Woodward and Wellston High Schools, respectively, while Murphy is the sole instructor for Covington-Douglas High School.

Krout said teaching with an experienced instructor such as Nathan Torrance is a great opportunity for him.

"Nathan probably feels like he has to baby-sit me," Krout said. "But I get the opportunity to learn from a seasoned teacher, and I know he is always there if I need to ask a question. He is helping me become a better teacher and all-around person."

Krout said he is happy in a multiple-teacher program.

"Nathan and I really complement each other as a team," he said. "I am the main teacher for hogs and sheep, and in the career development events, I focus on speeches and parliamentary procedure. Shawn is teaching in a single-teacher program and will become a strong ag teacher from taking on the full load."

Murphy said a single-teacher program is the best fit for his personality and style.

"I like to do things my own way, so the single-teacher program is working out great," he said. "I enjoy all aspects of teaching agriculture, everything from livestock to ag mechanics and from horticulture to career development."

Murphy's ag ed program is available to grades 8 through 12.

"The change of pace from 8th through 12th grade is nice to have day-to-day," Murphy said. "I have the opportunity to use different teaching methods several times a day according to which group I am teaching. Being in a single-teaching operation, I get to learn right along with my students."
Teaching agriculture is the best route for him, Murphy said.

"I am really fond of my students," Murphy said. "They are some of the best students I have ever been around. Covington-Douglas has great administrative and community support for the agricultural program. This is really not my job; it is my passion."

Haken said student teaching at Wellston helped him know the multiple-teacher program was the right fit for him.

"I was able to student-teach under Mr. Coulson," he said. "That experience let me try it out and let me know that it was right for me. I am still learning new things from my teaching partner each day."

Lifelong friends
While their time of daily interaction is but a mere memory, the alumni from Glencoe remain friends to this day.

Murphy said not a day goes by that he doesn't wonder what his buddies are doing.

Haken said he is thankful for his childhood friends being part of his journey.

"Not very often do you get a set of friends doing the same activities all the way through high school, college and now in the real world," he said. "I am very lucky to have these guys as friends."

The journey Haken, Krout and Murphy have taken through high school and college and now into their professional careers has kept their friendship strong. Agriculture is their career, their lifestyle and their passion.

Brent Haken spends time in the Wellston FFA greenhouse teaching Kayla Perry. (Photo by Tosha Turner Powell)

Shawn Murphy teaches Josh Boyd the fundamentals of livestock judging. (Photo by Jenni Boutz)

Dallas Krout helps Jeremy Cartwright look his best before an opening ceremonies competition. (Photo by Tosha Turner Powell)