Ferguson College of Agriculture

 

When a career becomes a calling, the impact can be substantial. For Shelly Legg, Oklahoma State University agricultural communications professor, her career has truly been a calling.

 

“For the last 33 years, five months, and a few days, I’ve lived out my dream job,” Legg said. “I can remember telling my AGCM peers when we were sophomores that this was the job I wanted someday.”

 

“Dr. Legg has been instrumental in the development and deployment of the agricultural communications major,” said Shane Robinson, AECL department head. “In fact, there isn’t much about agricultural communications at Oklahoma State University that Dr. Legg hasn’t impacted. Her fingerprints can be found all over the program!"

 

Now, Legg, known to most as “Shelly,” is starting the new journey of retirement in July.

 

Coming from a long line of Cowboys and agriculturalists, Legg knew she would end up in orange and black for her collegiate experience, she said. Little did she know, however, her experiences would turn into her dream career.

 

Legg was involved in both 4-H and FFA, which gave her the opportunity to visit the OSU campus through multiple events, she said. Through these visits, Legg knew OSU was the place for her, so much so she did not bother to apply anywhere else, she added.

 

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications in 1988 followed by a master’s degree in agricultural education in 1989, Legg left the university to work as a media specialist for the Grand River Dam Authority. She returned to OSU in February 1992 as an academic adviser and instructor.

 

In Summer 1994, Legg began pursuing a doctorate in agricultural education, which she earned in 2000. Throughout her tenure, Legg has contributed to the exponential growth of agricultural communications program and has served as lead professor for the Cowboy Journal magazine since its creation.

 

A multi-time national champion publication, the Cowboy Journal magazine started as a small, 24-page magazine that served as a capstone project for graduating agricultural communications seniors. Although the goal and purpose of the Cowboy Journal has not changed, the size of the magazine certainly has, with the latest edition being 132 pages.

 

As one might imagine, significant learning and technological changes have occurred since the start of the magazine, Legg said.

 

“The first issue was very small and did not meet the publication deadline,” Legg said. “In fact, the first two didn’t meet our deadline because we were still learning. I was learning right along with the students how to put a magazine together.”

 

Throughout her time at OSU, Legg has developed and taught multiple AGCM courses, worked with 54 different Cowboy Journal cohorts, participated in international service work in Africa, and even co-led six study-abroad courses.

 

“Few people have the opportunity in life to do exactly what they feel like the good Lord put them here to do,” Legg said. “I feel like I was destined for this job, and I tried to do it with passion and commitment.

 

“This job has meant the world to me,” Legg added, “because of the people I’ve worked with who have made this such an amazing career.”

 

Legg said she shares her successes with her family because they have provided her with constant support. Her husband, John Legg, and sons Jacob Sitton (a 2018 OSU AGCM alumnus himself), Matt Sitton, Cody Legg and Peyton Legg provide her with love and stability, she added.

 

Although Legg is retiring from full-time teaching, she plans to return in Fall 2025 to teach the Features Writing and Editing for Agricultural Publications course.

 

“The impact she has made on our department and college and in the lives of countless students is truly immeasurable, and we are all better off because of it,” Robinson said.

 

To read Legg’s retirement remarks, please visit page 130 of the latest Cowboy Journal.