Raised on a commercial cattle operation west of Adair, Oklahoma, Shelly Peper Sitton’s roots run deep in agriculture. However, the role agriculture played in her life and future career path changed in high school when she became a member of the Adair FFA.

“I believe agricultural teachers make a huge difference in the lives of their student,” Sitton said. “My agriculture teacher, Dennis DeLozier, taught us a lot about work ethic, but he also taught us how to care about students.”

Sitton, who is now an associate professor of Agricultural Communications at Oklahoma State University, credits FFA with her success. “I laugh that I bleed orange and black in one arm and blue and gold in the other,” Sitton said. “Both OSU and FFA are tied closely together.”

Sitton is known for her dedication to students. She serves as the primary adviser for approximately 70 students and secondary advisor for roughly 65 additional students. Under her leadership, the number of students in the agricultural communications program has grown to more than 150. The program now includes a Master of Science degree as well. Oklahoma State University recently honored Sitton with a Regents Distinguished Teaching Award at the University’s 2005 Fall Convocation.

“We love the connection with the FFA,” said Sitton. “We never have a lack of volunteers, because such a large percentage of the agricultural communication population at OSU has ties with the FFA.” Her students run the pressroom at the state FFA convention, create the FFA Foundation annual calendar, write the script for the individual proficiency award winners, organize the state contest for the agricultural communications career development event, and serve as interns in the state office.

“I absolutely love what I do. To me life is about serving others. This job allows me to do that and make a difference in the lives of our students,” Sitton said. I can’t imagine doing anything else.”