Oklahoma State University
Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award
May 7, 1983
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The Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award is given in honor of the former Oklahoma State University President who made noteworthy contributions to this University, to higher education, and to the benefit of humankind as the first director of the Point Four program for technical assistance to nations around the world. This is the highest humanitarian award given by Oklahoma State University. In addition to a citation concerning the achievements of the awardee, an appropriately inscribed medallion is presented during OSU's Spring Commencement Program.

The following criteria has been established as a basis for selecting the person to receive the award:

"The recipient of this award may be an alumnus of the University, a citizen of the state or nation, or a distinguished world citizen. His/her record of achievement and qualities of leadership and service must be truly outstanding and merit this high award of recognition given by the University. He/she should possess the high ideals of citizenship and service and those qualities of character which exemplify the life of the OSU President in whose name this award is made. The person should have had a distinguished career in a professional field, some phase of business or industry, government service or humanitarian concern."

Any individual may make nominations to the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award Selection Committee. The recommendation of the Selection Committee must have the approval of the OSU Board of Regents.

  
 
2/14/1983 OSU Letter Naming FJD as Bennett Award Recipient
4/3/1983 Stillwater News: Bennett Award Set
5/7/1983 1983 OSU Commencement Program (Partial)
5/8/1983 Daily Oklahoman: Ferdie J. Deering Receives Award
7/11/1983 Farmer-Stockman Letter of Congratulation
 
 

Dr. Wayne Miller, Director of OSU Tech at Okmulgee, is introduced to Mildred by Ferdie
Dr. L. L. Borger, Ferdie Deering, and Mildred Deering, with Charles and Mrs. Voyles at luncheon.

L-R: Dr. L.L. Borger, OSU President; Mildred Deering; Ferdie Deering; Doug Wilson; Carrie Wilson; Charles Platt, OSU Foundation President; T. Boone Pickens; and Cheryl Wilson
Mildred and Ferdie Deering are greeted by Mrs. L. L. Borger, wife of OSU President at reception.

Ferdie pinning corsage on Mildred Deering
Dr. Richard Pools, helps Ferdie into robe.
Ferdie is escorted to podium by Dr. Norman Durham, OSU Vice President,  to receive award.

Dr. L. L. Borger, OSU President, reading citation during presentation.
Dr. L. L. Borger, presenting award to Ferdie Deering		  
Ferdie Deering with T. Boone Pickens, who also received Bennett Award. 
 
Family watching proceedings from comfortable seats high up in the OSU Stadium Press Box		  
View from grandstands as graduates enter
 
Dr. L. L. Borger, OSU President, and Ferdie Deering with Henry G. Bennett Award		  
Henry G. Bennett Award
   
Bennett Award Medallion
Front 		 Bennett Award Medallion
Back
 
   

Oklahoma State University proudly awards to

Mr. Ferdie J. Deering

The Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award

This highest honorary award that is conferred by the University is named for one of its former presidents who, during the period 1928-51, made outstanding contributions to the University, to higher education and to the benefit of mankind as the first Director of America's Point Four Program of providing technical assistance to nations around the world.

Mr. Ferdie Deering has been the premier agricultural writer in Oklahoma and Southwest for more than 40 years. He joined the Oklahoma Publishing Company in Oklahoma City in 1937 as associate editor of The Farmer-Stockman Magazine. He was named editor of the magazine in 1942, editor and manager in 1967, and vice president and editorial director in 1972.

Today, though he is retired, Mr. Deering continues to command wide readership and influence as editorial writer and columnist for the Daily Oklahoman and Oklahoma City Times. He also is agri-business columnist for The Sunday Oklahoman.

He has written three books. The most recent is From the Grass Roots Up, a history of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, published in 1980.

Mr. Deering is a past president of the American Agricultural Editors Association. He was a member of the Hoover Commission for reorganization of agricultural services of the federal government in 1951. He served on the USDA Committee on Information Services during 1953 and 1954.

Mr. Deering has been more than an agricultural writer. He has been a civic leader, church leader and promoter of Oklahoma's economy and a better life for all its citizens. In 1946, he helped organize the Oklahoma Flying Farmers, the first such group in the nation. This led to the establishment of the International Flying Farmers. He was appointed a member of the Oklahoma State University Advisory Committee by the man whose name this award bears, President Henry G. Bennett, serving from 1948 until 1962.

His counsel is sought by universities, corporations and government agencies. He was appointed by four different Oklahoma governors to commissions and boards, serving as chairman of two. He is the recipient of two Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Awards for editorial writing.

Mr. Deering is a past vice president of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the organizing committees of the Sirloin Club of Oklahoma, Southwest American Livestock Foundation, Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, and other groups.

Oklahoma State University gives recognition and pays homage during its eighty-eighth Commencement Exercises to this distinguished Oklahoman, whose dedication to the support and advancement of agriculture has enhanced the quality of life for countless citizens for many years, by presenting him with this citation, together with the medallion which is emblematic of THE HENRY G. BENNETT DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. 

Presented at Stillwater, Oklahoma, this May 7, 1983.

ED LONG, Chairman
Board of Regents
Oklahoma State University		 LAWRENCE L. BORGER, President
Oklahoma State University