Kelvin
Koong,
Corvallis
Well known on
the campus of
Oregon State University,
Kelvin Koong has established himself as a terrific ambassador
for all of
Oregon agriculture.
Whether it has been his keen knowledge of Asian export markets
or his leadership in OSU programs vital to the industry, Kelvin
has earned the respect of a wide audience of Oregonians.
Born in a
village near
Nanjing,
Kelvin grew up in a struggling neighborhood that has changed
little today. He graduated from
National Taiwan University with
a degree in animal science and came to the
U.S. for
graduate studies. His professional career began as an animal
science professor at UC Davis, later working as a US Department
of Agriculture research leader in
Nebraska,
then back to academia as associate director of the Ag Experiment
Station at the
University of
Nevada.
In 1987, Kelvin came to OSU and has held several administrative
posts ever since.
He was
associate director of the Ag Experiment Station, head of the
Animal Sciences Department, Associate Dean of the
College of
Agricultural Sciences,
and Dean of the
College of
Veterinary
Medicine.
As a
researcher, Kelvin is well known for his work in animal
production and nutrition. As Dean of the
OSU Vet School,
he helped secure state funding, successfully lobbying lawmakers
to invest appropriately in the school. He was largely
responsible for turning the school from a two-year to a
four-year program. No longer do veterinary students need to
complete their education at a different campus. The veterinary
school has expanded to offer all that they need in
Corvallis.
Kelvin has also
been a tireless and effective ambassador for
Oregon agriculture
when it comes to international trade. He has played an
instrumental role in furthering ties between
Oregon and
such important export markets as
Japan and
China.
Being familiar with
China and
having good contacts has put Kelvin in the unique position of
providing
Oregon agriculture
a head start in many areas. He has built relations in both trade
and academia. His presence on a trade mission to
China in
the late 90s helped pave the way for
Willamette Valley grass
seed to be tested and marketed to a country that has ended up
being an extremely important customer.
Other
international activity has taken Kelvin to the
Middle East,
where he led a team that reviewed the college ag program in
Oman.
Kelvin has also assisted agriculture on a national scale,
serving on a USDA advisory committee on Foreign Animal Disease.
On a fact-finding trip to
Taiwan during
a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, Kevin was able to provide
important information for USDA officials and the livestock
industry.
His list of
honors and awards is long and impressive. It includes the
Distinguished Service Award by the Western States of the
American Society of Animal Science. He has also been elected
president of the National Council for Agricultural Science and
Technology. His most meaningful award, however, came when he was
named the OSU Office Personnel Association Boss of the Year. |
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These are authentic stories from real
farmers. Any editorial content does not
necessarily reflect the beliefs of the Agri-Business
Council of Oregon or our members.
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