Dr. Rosco Vaughn, professor emeritus of agricultural education, passed away on Sept. 13 at his home in Lubbock, Texas.

The retired faculty shared his passion for agriculture and teacher training for almost 60 years, and also served as a leader with New Mexico state and national organizations. On campus, he shaped the careers of over 300 agricultural education students and future agriculture teachers for a program that was regarded as the state’s finest when he retired in 2022.

The Clayton, New Mexico native grew up on a cattle ranch and later received bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from New Mexico State University. After, he began his teaching career in 1965 at Cloudcroft High School. He taught there for 10 years and also coached basketball. He moved into the position of executive director for Agriculture Education in New Mexico in 1975 where he provided leadership and technical support to educators and the state Future Farmers of America organization for 20 years.

In 1995, Dr. Vaughn became the executive director for the National Council for Agriculture Education and helped coordinate updates to curriculum across the nation before he joined Fresno State’s staff in 2001.

Those who were fortunate to work with him, knew him by his steady, stalwart nature; deadpan humor; and his far-reaching perspective and wisdom.

His wife, Susan, was an equally committed partner to the same mission, and was a longtime organizer of the Future Farmers of America state conference and other Future Farmers of America events and field days hosted in Fresno and on campus.

A funeral service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers in Lubbock, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Dr. Vaughn's name to the Fresno State Ag One Foundation, 2910 East Barstow Ave., Fresno, 93740 or call 559.278.4266.

Learn more about his legacy at an obituary and at a video interview with him after his retirement.