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Terry Stuart Forst graduated from OSU in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. She then attended the ranch management program at Texas Christian University in 1992.
During her time on campus, she joined a sorority – choosing the one that had a parking lot big enough for her truck and horse trailer. Her time at OSU provided links to many friends and colleagues that helped to develop her character and commitment.
After graduation, Forst returned to Stuart Ranch to work for her father, running the horse program and helping with the cattle operation. After her father passed away in 2001, Terry shouldered the responsibility of running all aspects of Stuart Ranch, including the beef cattle production, breeding and training of performance Quarter Horses, range and wildlife management and a meat company.
Forst has evolved the horse program to be one of the American Quarter Horse Association’s leading breeders. To honor her father and the ranch’s equine heritage, the R.T. “Bob” Stuart Jr. Operating Endowment was established at OSU’s Department of Animal Science to support the operating expenses of the equine program.
Forst has been honored many times throughout her life. She was named a Graduate of Distinction by the OSU Department of Animal Science in 2012 and was presented the Master Breeder Award by the department in 2008. Forst was presented with the DASNR Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011.
In addition to honors from her alma mater, Forst was the first woman president of the Oklahoma Cattleman’s Association and its first woman recipient of the Cattleman of the Year Award in 2007. She was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2007, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2020. Forst was also recognized as the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry 2017 Significant Woman in Agriculture.
Alongside her two sons, Clay and Robert, Forst continues to innovate and grow Stuart Ranch.
Forst is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.