Ferguson College of Agriculture

For the past 33 years, Shelly Legg has been an integral part of the agricultural communications program at Oklahoma State University. Legg retired in July 2025, long before she announced her retirement faculty in the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership had been discussing ways to honor Leggs’ legacy and the impact she has made at OSU. With this, the movement to fund an endowed professorship in her honor was created.

 

“Shelly leaves a tremendous legacy regarding the development and growth of the agricultural communications program at OSU, and this is a way for us to recognize and honor that legacy while providing long-term support for the program,” said Dwayne Cartmell, OSU agricultural communications professor.

 

An endowed professorship will help students in the department, and help retain faculty, explained James Ambrose, OSU Foundation director of development for OSU Agriculture.

 

“This professorship will serve as a sustainable resource to recruit and retain the very best professors, and ultimately ensure the greatest student experience in agricultural communications. It's a powerful way to recognize Dr. Legg's expertise and mentorship in the agriculture community,” Ambrose said.

 

Both Cartmell and Ambrose emphasized how Legg has helped grow the agricultural communications program at OSU and has shaped the lives of countless students. Ambrose said he regularly comes into contact with friends or alumni who have been impacted by Legg.

 

The goal is to raise $500,000, the required endowment minimum for a professorship fund. Once the endowment minimum is reached, a professorship holder will be appointed by the OSU A&M Board of Regents in the area of Agricultural Communications based upon recommendation by the vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. Cartmell said these efforts will help the faculty member with research, teaching and outreach activities while also providing support for students in the program. 

 

“As we think about our agricultural communications program here, Shelly has had such a lasting and long-term impact,” Cartmell said. “It was a no-brainer for us to try to launch an effort to raise funds to recognize and honor her more than 30 years of service to the program, college and university.”

 

During the silent phase of fundraising, more than 36 members of the Cowboy family have made generous contributions in honor of Dr. Shelly Legg. As of Dec. 1, 2025, gifts have been made from across 9 states. To learn more about how to make a gift in honor of Dr. Legg to ensure her impact continues for generations to come, contact James Ambrose at, jambrose@osugiving.com.

 

To learn more about the OSU AECL department, visit the website.