Under Tom Coon's Leadership
As vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture, Dr. Thomas G. Coon worked extensively
with public and private agencies, community leaders, and state and local elected officials.
He served as chief OSU administrator for more than 200 faculty, 300 Extension staff,
and 300 support and administration staff located on-campus and across the state.
Gone FishingCoon retires
Dr. Coon, vice president and dean of Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, retires after nine years of dedicated service and visionary leadership to the Ferguson College of Agriculture and the university's two state agencies: OSU Extension and OSU Ag Research.
Retirement Announcement
Background and Accolades
- B.A., summa cum laude, 1976, Luther College, Biology
- M.S., 1978, University of California-Davis, Ecology
- Ph.D., 1982, University of California-Davis, Ecology
- Faculty Member, University of Missouri, 9 years
- Professor, Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 25 years
- Director, Michigan State University Extension, 9 years
- Vice President and Dean, Oklahoma State University Agriculture, 9 years
- Numerous Leadership Roles - Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, North Central Cooperative Extension Association, National 4-H Council, National 4-H Congress
New Frontiers
Embarking on New Frontiers
Dr. Coon was the driving force behind New Frontiers, a capital campaign to raise funds
for a $115 million new state-of-the-art teaching, research and Extension facility
for OSU Agriculture.
Infrastructure InvestmentsIn addition to New Frontiers, Dr. Coon developed a master plan that resulted in successful infrastructure improvements.
Making an Impact
Coon Family Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship
The Coon Family Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship was recently endowed by members of
the Cowboy family to honor Tom and Rhonda Coon's passion for student study abroad
experiences through the Ferguson College of Agriculture.
Saying Goodbye
The Cowboy family honored Dr. Coon and his family with a retirement reception for
his dedicated service and visionary leadership to OSU, the Ferguson College of Agriculture
and the university’s two state agencies: OSU Extension and OSU Ag Research.
SUNUP Segment
SUNUP Host Lyndall Stout sits down with Tom Coon to reflect on his years of service
as vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture.