Beef Ambassador

Well Howdy Y’all,

It’s been one week since I last gave everyone an update about what is going on in the lives of one of your National Beef Ambassadors. Well, you’ve missed quite a lot. This week, I started school and began attending my first classes here at Oklahoma State University. Now, I know that this may seem totally trivial to some people, but for me, it was a big deal. My fellow team mates: Malorie, Mandy-Jo, Becky and Ellie have all been attending their perspective universities a year or two ahead of me, so for this “baby” of the team, it’s been quite the transition.

As many of you may remember from some of my previous posts, I am an Agriculture Communcations major here at OSU, with a minor in Ag-Economics. Right off the bat, I began attending classes with some of the most well-known professors on the agriculture field, and I’ll admit, a Monday-Wednesday-Friday Animal Science class with Dr. Stephen Dameron (whom wrote the textbook for not only OSU, but other major agriculture universities) was a bit intimidating. Come to find out, he is a totally awesome professor that takes a direct interest in his students, and makes each person fel directly engaged in his class. Furthermore, I am thoroughly enjoying not only my Agriculture Orientation 1011 class, but I absolutely love my Introduction to Agriculture Communcations class.

Needless to say, this whole college thins is washing over me in multiple waves of new things and exciting events. I am part of the CASNR (College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources) 2010 FIT class, and am housed with around 50+ freshman just like me who have a true passion for not only their perspective majors, but also agriculture in general. I’ve quickly made friends with these young ag-enthusiasts, and I have a feeling that many of them will be lifelong friends in my future. As I walk across campus each day, and hear the bell tower at Edmon Low Library tolling 12 o’clock noon, it makes me proud to be an OSU Cowboys. “Why?,” you may ask. Directly following the chime to 12, the bell tower play the OSU Alma Mater for everyone on campus to hear. Many people walking around stop to listen, or they might simply sing under their breath as they walk past.

THE OSU ALMA MATER

Proud and Immortal, Bright Shines Your Name

Oklahoma State, We, Herald Your Fame

Ever, You’ll Find Us, Loyal and True

To Our Alma Mater…

O!-S!-U!

As I hear these words, it makes me fill with pride, but it also makes me understand so many things that the words of that song applies to. You know, something that has stood proud and immortal for generations is the beef industry. For hundreds of years, it has been a major staple not only to our economy, our people, but also our way of lives. While there are times when we may get down because of adversities and hardships we may face, this proud industry will never falter and will constantly remain strong.

When people hear about the good news and word of beef, it sometimes brightens their day. For most folks who enjoy out tasty, wholesome product, the name simply speaks for its self. The aroma, the taste, the simple pleasure of eating good, quality beef can evoke some many feelings in people no matter what walk of life the come from. Finally, there are over 800,000 beef producers in the United States, and it’s those 800,000 folks of fully stand begind this indsutry… Loyal and true. These individuals are the fighters, the go-getters, the backbone of what makes not only American beef, but also American agriculture great. No matter what the undertaking may be, they are the ones who stand ready when they are called upon to not only feed the world, but also share the good message that beef has to offer.

As I look forward to the next four years here at OSU, I know that I am going to have the time of my life. Not only will I learn so much, but I will grow as an individual as well. In my heart, I am certain that OSU, the beef industry, and agriculture will be a constant, well-loved fixture in my life until the day I die. I love everything that those three institutions stand for, and my hope is that each one will continue to prosper and flourish each and everyday.

Until next time; and GO POKES,

Jackson Alexander