Charlie Maxwell | 2007

Dr. Charlie Maxwell’s influence on Oklahoma’s pork industry has been far reaching. He served in the Oklahoma State University Animal Science department from 1968-1996 teaching and researching swine nutrition and management. Dr. Maxwell’s research resulted in a better understanding of the impact of management systems on the performance of young pigs. He has been actively involved in a sow research project for the southern region since its inception in 1978.

While teaching at OSU, Dr. Maxwell had a profound impact on students who are still involved in Oklahoma’s swine industry today. As a program advisor, Dr. Maxwell mentored undergraduate and graduate students in swine science. He gained the respect of his students for his ability to pass along his wealth of knowledge about pig production while truly caring about the student. Students and their learning experiences are always important to Charlie. 

Dr. Maxwell’s other contributions to the swine industry include directing the OSU swine farm for many years, including a period of repopulation in the 1970s. He also served on the Oklahoma Swine Breeders Association and assisted with the OSBA annual show and sale.

Dr. Maxwell helped form relationships with swine integrators such as Tyson Foods’ Pork Group when they were looking at Oklahoma as a major production site in the early 1990s. He was an advocate for Oklahoma’s potential as a center of commercial swine production.

In 1996, Dr. Maxwell moved to the University of Arkansas where he is continuing his swine research, teaching, student mentoring, and directing the university teaching swine herd. In 2004, Dr. Maxwell received the prestigious Alltech Medal of Excellence honoring his exceptional swine nutrition research.

For his commitment to swine research, mentoring to students, and advocacy of Oklahoma’s pork industry, the Oklahoma Pork Council proudly inducts Dr. Charlie Maxwell into the Hall of Fame.