Thomas Coon earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and a Master of Science and doctorate in ecology from the University of California, Davis.

 

He began his career as an assistant professor of fisheries and wildlife at the University of Missouri. He then worked as an assistant professor and associate professor of fisheries and wildlife at Michigan State University before becoming a full professor.

 

Tom Coon also served as the director of Michigan State University Extension before assuming a leadership role as vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture in July 2014.

 

He was the driving force behind New Frontiers, a capital campaign to raise funds for a $115 million new state-of-the-art facility for OSU Agriculture.

 

In addition, he was successful in creating a series of on-campus infrastructure investments, accomplished by external fundraising, agency funds and university buy-in. These included the Charles and Linda Cline Equine Teaching Center, Greenhouse Learning Center, Ferguson Family Dairy Center, Dr. Raymond Sidwell Research Facility, Oklahoma Foundation Seed Stocks Building, Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center and more.

 

After nine years of dedicated service and visionary leadership to OSU Agriculture and support from wife Rhonda, Tom Coon retired on July 10, 2023.

 

While at OSU, the Coons were strong mentors for faculty, staff and students, and as a result, the Coon Family Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship was 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.

 

Rhonda Coon grew up on a beef and grain farm in northwest Iowa. She was active in 4-H for 10 years, culminating in serving as a state 4-H officer from 1973-1974.

 

She graduated from Iowa State University before serving as the county 4-H youth agent in Plymouth County, Iowa. She eventually became the executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

 

With more than 25 years of professional experience in alumni relations and fundraising, Rhonda Coon connected with alumni and friends of Iowa State University and Michigan State University before her move to Oklahoma. At OSU, she helped organize and host events in support of OSU Agriculture programs.

 

Shortly after retiring, Tom and Rhonda Coon moved back to Michigan to be close to family and were elected to the Michigan 4-H Foundation board of trustees in 2023 for a three-year term. They have been dedicated supporters and donors to 4-H in Michigan, Iowa and Oklahoma.