Dr. Phil Berkenbile, Oklahoma CareerTech Director, has been named Oklahoma State University Agricultural Education 2006 Graduate of Distinction.

He received the award Tuesday, April 4, 2006, during the department’s annual awards reception in the Student Union ballroom. Accompanying him to the reception was his wife Linnie, his daughter Jennifer, son Bob, and their families.

Berkenbile has earned three degrees from OSU – a bachelor of science and a master of science in agricultural education, as well as a doctor of education in agricultural education with an emphasis in educational administration.

“What was important about my time at OSU was the people,” Berkenbile said.

Berkenbile was the Agricultural teacher for Morrison Public Schools from 1972 to 1988, before he accepted a position with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education in 1988, as the central district supervisor. In June 1995, Berkenbile became Morrison Public School’s superintendent, but he returned to the CareerTech system in 1999, as Associate State Director. He was named State Director of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education in 2004.

In this role, he is responsible for providing leadership to the Oklahoma CareerTech education system and serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Dr. Berkenbile has brought strong state leadership and greater accountability to the State CareerTech System.

“I would not be where I am today if not for CareerTech and the people associated with it,” Berkenbile said. “It’s about the ‘people’ with me and it always has been.”

“So many people helped me get to where I am today,” Berkenbile said. “Agriculture was a big part of my life.”