By Katie Amaral

An Oklahoma State University faculty member recently received a prestigious award for his dedication and service to the teaching community.

Charles Cox, state program specialist/program leader, received the 25 Years of Service Award for his work in the Oklahoma 4-H. Sixty-four individuals were recognized nationally by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

As a child, Cox was involved with 4-H. He enjoyed wildlife conservation and competed in numerous public speaking contests. He received his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from OSU and began employment upon graduation.  

“I went to work for Extension fresh out of college and have never worked anywhere else," Cox said. "My duties have changed, but my desire to work with people and to see them succeed has not ever changed over the past 27 years.”

During the past 27 years, Cox has helped many students achieve success.

“To see young men and women enter fields of medicine, education, politics and other contributing professions is rewarding,” Cox said.  “Many say that 4-H helped them learn to set goals, to work hard and to achieve success.”

Cox, adviser for the Collegiate 4-H club, said Collegiate 4-H helps individuals improve their leadership skills.  

“They tend to be more inclined to be leaders in their community, to give back more to 4-H and are more likely to become 4-H educators as a profession than their peers who come to college and get involved in things other than 4-H,” he said. "The other part of that is that they are also students, so they cannot be involved in everything. It is OK that they move on and are not in Collegiate 4-H, as long as they never forget where they got their start!”