Jared Bates

Bates received his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Oklahoma State University in 2004 and then went off to the University of Nebraska to earn a Master’s in Animal Science with a concentration on Breeding and Genetics. After attaining his Master’s, he stuck around the University of Nebraska to earn a Ph.D. in Animal Science with a concentration in Breeding and Animal Diseases.

After working in the state government for six years, Dr. Bates decided to work in the agricultural sector and animal science field full-time, which is what brought him to Panhandle State. He is currently serving as Assistant Professor and Department Head of Animal Science. His favorite thing about OPSU is how peaceful the area is and how the people he has met really “…believe in the mission of the university and this community.”

Dean of College of Agriculture, Science, and Nursing, Shawna Tucker stated, “Jared has been such an asset to the Animal Science Department. He is a seasoned herdsman and has taken on the responsibility of managing the OPSU herd. Under his leadership, the Animal Science faculty are working to create an excellent balance of honoring our heritage while bringing new ideas for the composition of the herd. In addition, he has played an integral role in designing and implementing some necessary updates to farm facilities.”

Jared is married and has a three-year-old daughter, that he says, “…will one day be a gymnast.” He is an “Okie” through and through. Having grown up in Tecumseh, OK, he has a family line that has lived in Oklahoma for over 100 years. Throughout his family’s tenure in Oklahoma, they have been involved in the livestock industry, with his grandfather working for the OSU Extension for 25 years as a Livestock Extension Specialist. It is his family’s history and his grandfather’s work that inspired him to get into the animal science field.