OSU Extension’s Claude Bess receives prestigious OSU mentoring award
Monday, January 13, 2025
Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Editorial Communications Coordinator | 405-744-9152 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University honored OSU Extension southeast district director Claude Bess with the Leave the Ladder Down Award at its annual convocation ceremony in December.
OSU’s Leave the Ladder Down Award is reserved for individuals in the university system who have successfully mentored and encouraged those with whom they work or instruct to reach their fullest potential.
“Claude’s legacy has been tremendous through his many contributions to the development of personnel throughout the OSU Extension system, and it will continue to be great for years to come due to his investment in our people. He is a role model for many as a servant leader,” said Damona Doye, associate vice president of OSU Extension.
Bess is a native of the Eufaula area in McIntosh County and earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from OSU. He completed a master’s degree at the University of Arkansas and launched his Extension career in Arkansas before joining OSU Extension. He has devoted the past 36 years of his career to the university’s land-grant mission.
Bess said his first few years as a county ag educator taught him the value of mindful, compassionate mentorship.
“I think I was born to help people, and you can do that in Extension,” he said. “That’s why I enjoy it so much.”
He oversees 23 counties in the southeast district and manages hundreds of staff members. LaDonna Hines, Oklahoma County Extension director, said he knows each individual by name and goes above and beyond for his staff.
“Claude is immensely proud of them and their achievements,” she said. “His successes are found when his employees make outstanding contributions and impact their communities. Most would acknowledge Claude as integral to their success.”
As a longtime Extension mentor, Bess encourages county educators to perform a thorough needs assessment before mapping out their plan of work for the year. Bess is also a vocal proponent of professional development, supporting educators’ efforts to move forward with an advanced degree or join professional organizations or associations.
In her recommendation letter for the Leave the Ladder Down Award, Hines said Bess supported Joshua Campbell’s move to the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers State Extension Program specialist role as Campbell completed his doctorate.
“We can both attest to Claude’s strong work ethic and dedication to the entire OSU system,” Hines said. “We have experienced firsthand his incredible servant leadership.”
Bess is well respected nationwide and known as a dynamic and inspirational leader. He advises educators to connect regularly with county residents and identify their needs.
“To get to know them and gain their trust, that’s about 90% of the job,” Bess said. “That’s why Extension has been around for 100 years. People trust us as an unbiased source of information.”
Hiring people who fit the Extension mold is a priority for Bess.
“Sometimes you just get this gut feeling that an applicant has what it takes to be a successful Extension educator,” he said. “I have heard it said that some people just have ‘Extension bones,’ and I feel that’s a pretty accurate description – when you can recognize the qualities that make an applicant a successful hire.”
In reflection of his Leave the Ladder Down Award, Bess said he’s learned to keep the steps close together on the ladder of success.
“You don’t want those rungs so far apart that you can’t attain them in a reasonable time,” he said. “Any success I’ve had in Extension is largely due to the mentoring I received in my first Extension job, so I share what I know. That’s what it takes to mentor a successful educator.”