Joe and Lynn Hughes

Measure of a Man

When you live your life like OSU’s retired animal science professor Dr. Joe Hughes, two words become synonymous with your name: honesty and integrity.

As the first Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service 4-H livestock specialist, serving from 1971 to 1999, Hughes devoted his life and career to establishing youth livestock programs that would instill the traits and characteristics he portrayed and valued in the human race. His goal reached far beyond teaching fundamental skills to inspiring an honorable attitude and character in Oklahoma’s youth.

“When Hughes started the job, he was committed to bringing integrity to the 4-H program,” says Dr. Steven Cooper, associate professor in animal science.  “He worked to develop programs that made sure youth would progress and hold themselves to higher standards.”
 
Nearly 10 years after Hughes’ retirement his name is still well-known among the faculty, staff and even students occupying the halls of the animal science building.

“You can walk in the building and ask anyone about Joe Hughes and you will get something sincere because he just moved people in a way that not everybody does or can,” says Cooper. “Few people come along that have that kind of impact.”

In devoting his life and career to the youth of Oklahoma, Hughes became a role model for many of his fellow colleagues.

“Joe was the kind of faculty that set the standard for integrity in the department,” says Cooper. “If you were going to pattern your behavior and mindset after a faculty member, Joe was the model.”

A testament to Hughes’ impact was the more than 200 individuals who gathered at OSU on Oct. 17, 2008, as the Oklahoma Legislature proclaimed the day “Dr. Joe Hughes Day,” in honor of his contributions to the Oklahoma 4-H program.  Though the attention and fanfare paid to Hughes that day did not typically mirror his humble personality, the group of admirers announced an endowed scholarship in Hughes’ name to benefit future OSU students.

“Trying to get Joe to let us do something for him was a struggle; that’s just not him,” says Cooper.  “Everything he does is directed toward others. He doesn’t want a plaque or his picture on the wall, but a scholarship to give back and help others – he’s willing.”

The Joe and Lynn Hughes Endowed Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student in animal science with the intent of supporting those students who have benefited from the youth livestock programs Hughes established.

“We wanted to set something up in a major way,” says Cooper. “So many people benefited in the state from Joe Hughes, and we don’t want people to forget what he means to OSU.”

The department has not set a monetary goal for the endowment. Instead, the hope is that anyone who met Hughes or benefited from his work in some way will have the opportunity to contribute to the scholarship and to play a part in keeping Hughes’ legacy alive, continuing his life’s passion – to help today’s youth.

For more information about the Joe and Lynn Hughes Endowed Scholarship or to make a gift, please contact Kathy McNally at 405-744-7964 or kmcnally@OSUgiving.com.

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