President Thep Phongparnich was awarded OSU's Distinguished International Alumni Award on November 12th, 2005. the award was made in front of nearly 40,000 people at Boone Pickens Stadium on the OSU Campus. In the photo below, President Phongparnich is shown with OSU's Vice-President for Agriculture Dr. Bob Whitson and his wife Linda.
Dr. Phongparnich is the President of Maejo University in Thailand. While at OSU President Phongparnich and his delegation had an ambitious schedule of meetings to develop collaborative programs between OSU and Maejo University in Agricultural Education, Agro-Tourism and International Agricultural Trade. In addition to that, they conducted a review of OSU's student housing system and athletic facilities to prepare for future improvements at Maejo University. The photos below were taken during the moments set aside for the presentation of the Distinguished International Alumni Award to President Phongparnich.
Dr. David Schmidly, President of Oklahoma State University, presents the Distinguished International alumni Award to Dr. Thep Phongparnich, President of Maejo University of Thailand, in front of nearly 40,000 OSU fans in Boone Pickens Stadium.
Dr. Thep Phongparnich, recipient of
OSU's Distinguished International Alumni Award,
and Pistol Pete (below)
Click here to visit the Maejo University web site.
Click here to read the Cowboy Journal article on Dr. Phongparnich
Dr. Phongparnich being honored at Lewis Field on the "Jumbotron".
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President Phongparnich is shown with Pistol Pete in the photo below.
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In the photo below, the Presidential delegation isd shown with Mr. Tim Huff, director of International Student Services at Oklahoma State University and Dr. James Leising, Head of the Department of Agricultural Education.
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In the photo below, Dr. Phongparnich is being honored
in the home of Dr. Cecil Dugger.
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Dr. Phongparnich is shown below with the Honorable Wes Watkins, former United States Congressman from Oklahoma and an avid OSU supporter.
In the photo below, Dr. Phongparnich is shown with Dr. Paul Hsu, an OSU Professor of Landscape Architecture and former visiting scholar at Maejo University.
In the photo below, taken at the awards reception at the OSU alumni center, are Dr. Cecil Dugger, Dr. Ray Campbell, Dr. Bob Terry, Dr. Jim Key and Dr. Thep Phongparnich.
Dr. Bob Terry of OSU's Agricultural Education Department is shown below with President Phongparnich.
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Dugger with Mr. and Mrs. Phongparnich in the photo below.
In the phot below, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Key, Dr. Robert Price (95 years old) and the Phongparnich family.
The Department of Agricultural Education held a luncheon to honor President Phongparnich on November 11th, 2005.. Seated at the head of the table is Dr. James Leising, Head of the Department of Agricultural Education.
Dr. James Leising making a Distinguished Departmental Alumni Award to President Phongparnich on November 11th. Dr. Phongparnich was also named a Distiguished Alumni of the Department of Agricultural Education in addition to being an OSU Distinguished Alumni.
The plaque below was on display at the OSU alumni center, during the reception honoring dr. Phongparnich.
Dr. Phongparnich was honored at a gathering at the home of Dr. David Henneberry, Assistant Dean for International Agricultural Programs. The cake below was presented to President Phongparnich on that occasion (Thursday, November 10, 2005).
The original Pistol Pete, shown wearning his sixgun in the photo below, has inspired many OSU alumni to retain their bonds with Oklahoma State University. His legacy is now extended to looking over the Maejo Cowboys as well as the OSU Cowboys.
The business card of President Phongparnich is reproduced below.
The Distinguished International Alumni Award was presented during a football game at Boone Pickens Stadium, shown below.
While visiting Oklahoma, Top Phongparnich (eldest son of President Thep Phongparnich) was warmly welcomed into a classroom at the Stillwater Junior High School. Top Phongparnich is shown below in the English class of Mrs. Judy Ramsey, where students gave him an Oklahoma-style welcome.
The three photos below show a dinner hosted in honor of President Phongparnich at the home of Dr. Terry, former Head of the Department of Agricultural Education at Oklahoma State University and a mentor of President Phongparnich.
In the two photos below, Dr. Terry is shown making a presentation to President Phongparnich.
The logos of two Universities with great potential for future collaboration are shown below. Faculty, staff and students at these two institutions are encouraged to approach their administration with ideas for collaboration in their specific areas. We will approach all ideas with enthusiasm!
Information from the Winter 2006 Agricultural Education, Communications and 4-H Youth Development Newsletter
is reproduced below:
Dr. Thep Phongparnich, president of Maejo University in Chiang Mai, Thailand, received Oklahoma State University’s Distinguished International Alumni Award on Nov. 12, 2005. In front of nearly 40,000 fans in Boone Pickens Stadium, Phongparnich received the award from OSU President David Schmidley.
Phongparnich received his Ed.D. in agricultural education from the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and 4-H Youth Development in 1978. After graduating, he returned to Thailand where he began his academic career as a lecturer at Maejo University and was soon promoted to associate professor. After holding a number of administrative positions, he became president of the university.
"Dr. Phongparnich was a very determined individual who overcame many obstacles to complete his studies in the United States and to work his way up to the presidency of Maejo University,” said James Key, one of Phongparnich’s OSU advisers and professor emeritus in agricultural education.
During his 26 years at Maejo, Phongparnich implemented the Land-Grant University philosophy. He also brought Pistol Pete and the Cowboys to Maejo. It became the first university in Thailand to have a mascot.
Even while Phongparnich was in school at OSU, his high expectations and goals were evident. In 1977, he became the president of the Thai Student Association. He also was a member of the Collegiate Future Farmers of America and the Horticulture Club.
As an active member of many organizations, Phongparnich continues to make OSU proud. He is a member of the Association of Asian Agricultural Colleges and Universities, and the International Association of Agricultural Extension Educators. In addition, he is coordinator and secretary of Community Leadership Training between Maejo University and the World Vision Foundation.
Phongparnich has used his agricultural degree in a number of ways since graduation. His work with the Hilltribe Farmers in northern Thailand is one of his major professional accomplishments. Phongparnich assisted the farmers in improving their agricultural productivity. He helped them develop a sustainable cropping and animal system. This work continues and has led to collaboration with a number of universities.
The work Phongparnich has done with other universities is well-respected, and Maejo University is now working together with OSU. An agreement has been signed, which will allow students and faculty to exchange educational experiences between the universities.
A number of OSU students have chosen Maejo to study abroad, and students from Maejo have chosen OSU to study abroad. Phongparnich also helped develop the THAI-OSU Alumni Association in Thailand and is an active member.
Currently, four OSU graduates are presidents of universities in Thailand. Last year, Dr. Pongsak Angkasith, president of Chiang Mai University, received the OSU’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
“Phongparnich and his friend, President Pongsak Angkasith of Chiang Mai University, worked together and helped each other reach the top,” Key said. “They are both very worthy individuals."
Some people are given the opportunity to travel to new places and make a difference in people’s lives. These people are unique as they must take risks to make productive changes. Phongparnich has done just that. He worked hard to accomplish his goals, while combining two cultures in two very different worlds.