OSU livestock judging receives $288,000 endowment

By Donald Stotts

 The link between past glory, current-day excellence and tomorrow’s promise are stronger than ever for Oklahoma State University’s Livestock Judging Team, thanks to a $288,000 endowment from Raymond and Jane Glasscock.

The Glasscock Endowment is literally a gift across the generations, a commitment to excellence connecting then Oklahoma A&M’s livestock judging teams from the 1920s – legends in the animal agriculture industry – with their 2005 national champion Cowboy counterpart and OSU teams yet to come.

Coached by renowned animal husbandry educator Al Darlow, Raymond Glasscock was a member of the 1926 Oklahoma A&M team that won the Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Contest at the International Livestock Exposition in Chicago.

“A singular achievement in itself, this accomplishment was magnified by national championships the year before by the 1925 Oklahoma A&M team and then by the 1928 team,” said Steve Damron, OSU professor of animal science and departmental scholarship coordinator.

The three combined wins permanently retired the contest’s traveling trophy. Both the trophy and pictures of the three winning teams reside in a place of honor at the main entrance of the OSU Animal Science Building.

“The Glasscock Endowment is of tremendous benefit to our team, providing immediate funding support for contest and transportation costs, as well as long-term stability for the livestock judging program,” said Mark Johnson, OSU Livestock Judging Team coach.

Johnson said the endowment reinforces that OSU animal science alumni are one of the department’s greatest assets.

“Raymond’s judging experience and its effect on his life led the Glasscocks to leave a permanent legacy to OSU to help future team members,” Damron said.

The 1926 livestock judge and native of Luther, Okla., graduated from Oklahoma A&M in 1927, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science livestock operations. He then went on to earn Master of Science and doctoral degrees in animal science from West Virginia University and the University of Illinois at Chicago, respectively.

He worked in both industry and academia, teaching at the University of Florida, University of Illinois and University of Missouri. He was a salesman for the Wilson Company and served as executive secretary of the Magic Hereford Empire, buying and selling cattle in Kansas City, Ft. Worth, Dallas and Denver.

“Raymond loved to visit about OSU,” Damron said. “He maintained close ties to the OSU animal science department throughout his working life and after he and Jane retired to Tulsa.”

One of seven children, Jane Glasscock earned a journalism degree at the University of Missouri. Raymond and Jane were married for 66 years. Raymond passed away in 2000, Jane in 2003.

“Raymond and Jane wanted to be sure they left a meaningful legacy to the department and to future leaders in agriculture,” said Don Wagner, head of the OSU department of animal science. “Not having children of their own, they chose to help young people.”

Wagner called the Glasscock Endowment a “selfless gift.”

“Their generosity will greatly enhance our educational mission and have a tremendous, positive effect on our ability to continue educating young people,” Wagner said.

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