Meritorious Service Award
(L to R) David Hahn and James Given, Jr.
Not Pictured: Bobby Van Stavern

James H. Given, Jr.
B.S. 1974
Natural Resources

A 1974 graduate of the School of Natural Resources at The Ohio State University, James was employed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Soil & Water Conservation Districts until his retirement. While with ODNR James maintained close ties to the University and College. He assisted with several projects and was influential in developing the State of Ohio grant that constructed the Interpretive Center at the Farm Science Review Conservation Area.

Active with the Farm Science Review while a student at OSU, James continued his involvement after graduation. He has been an enthusiastic board member with the Farm Science Review Alumni Society since its inception. James served three consecutive terms on the board and has since served on the Past presidents Advisory Committee. Selected as the Farm Science Review Outstanding Alumni three times, James was also named to the Farm Science Review Hall of Fame in 2005.

James is a certified Photogrammetrist and an Eagle Scout. He and his wife, Marsha, reside in Powell, Ohio. They have one daughter, Michelle.

David E. Hahn
B.S. 1960
Agriculture

Recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Farm Credit Services of Mid-America as an Outside Director, David is also a professor emeritus at The Ohio State University in the Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics department. In spite of retirement, David continues to teach the Agricultural Cooperatives course and advise the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) team. In 2007 David led the College’s Czech Republic Study Abroad trip.

After earning his B.S. in Agriculture, David earned his M.S. in Agricultural Economics at Pennsylvania State University and his PhD in Agricultural Economics from Cornell University. David started as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology at OSU in 1967.

David is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Journal of Cooperation and the Editorial Board of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. He is also on the Alpha Gamma Sigma Foundation Board whose mission in providing scholarship support for undergraduate students in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

David and his wife Sarah reside in Columbus, Ohio. They are the parents of Matthew, Michael, and Benjamin.

Bobby D. VanStavern
M.S. 1956, Ph.D. 1960
Meat Science

Originally from Union, West Virginia, Bobby earned his B.S. degree from West Virginia University before going on to earn his M.S. and PhD from OSU. After serving for two years in the US Air Force, Bobby began his career at the Ohio Research & Development Center (OARDC).

Having served the beef industry at nearly every level, Bobby was recently inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. Renowned for taking a personal interest in people and their businesses, Bobby is known to many throughout the industry as a teacher, speaker, and friend. His work led directly to the eight, science based specifications for Certified Angus Beef™—the nation’s first USDA certified brand.

With the Ohio State University Animal Sciences department since 1954, Bobby was named Professor Emeritus in 1989. He has served as director and on committees of the American Meat Science Association and as president of Epsilon Sigma Phi, Extension Professional Association, and Gamma Sigma Delta. Bobby has also remained active at Indianola Presbyterian Church as a trustee, elder, usher, and member of various committees.

Bobby and his wife Sue reside in Columbus, Ohio. They are the parents of Jan and Tom.