Perry native named Top Ten OSU Ag Senior

He was officially recognized during April 4 ceremonies in which CASNR officials presented $434,100 in scholarships and awards to many of the college’s best and brightest, part of $967,075 in scholarships that CASNR and its academic departments will present to OSU agriculture students for the 2008-2009 school year.

The son of Perry’s Mike and Pam Dvorak, he will graduate in May with a major in agricultural economics and a minor in finance.

He came to OSU as a wide-eyed but practical freshman, fully prepared to fund his way through school.

“While I initially viewed this as a challenge to overcome, it turned out to be an opportunity in disguise,” Dvorak said, citing that balancing the demands of school and work has made the skill of multitasking become second nature to him.

Dvorak feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in two CASNR Study Abroad trips, the first to England, France and Scotland in 2005 and the second to China and Tibet in 2007.

“The two trips have helped shape both my collegiate pursuits and career interests, and gave me the confidence to study abroad for an entire semester,” he said of his current international experience, studying at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic.

The globetrotting student will return to the United States in late May 2008, whereupon he will begin his professional career as a trader with Louis Dreyfus Commodities, a worldwide commodities trading company.

In addition to his CASNR honors, Dvorak also was named one of 41 Seniors of Significance last fall by the OSU Alumni Association awards and selection committee.

His collegiate activities have included membership in the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key honor societies, OSU Student Government Association and Student Alumni Board. A member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, he also served as president of the OSU Interfraternity Council in 2007.

Dvorak has received numerous awards and honors during his years at OSU, including a Lew Wentz Research Scholarship, a Lew Wentz Research Scholarship and a Conoco-Phillips SPIRIT Scholarship. In 2005, he was named one of the university’s Top Ten Freshmen Men.

The OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources places a great emphasis on celebrating the accomplishments of students, said Ed Miller, DASNR associate dean of academic programs.

“Awards for leadership and academic performance and the presentation of scholarships build pride in our students and their families, the faculty, donors and other supporters of the college and the division as a whole,” he said.

DASNR is comprised of the college and two statewide agencies: the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station system and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

“The exceptional amount of scholarship support we are able to award students to further their education would not be possible without the generosity of our many donors, who recognize the value of the division’s teaching, research and Extension programs,” Miller said.

The college provides 16 majors and more than 40 study options to students interested in pursuing a career in science, business, education, engineering, technology development, natural resources or communications. Prospective students can uncover and explore opportunities through CASNR at http://www.casnr.com on the Internet.

###

REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
News and Media Relations Manager
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating.  Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.