Cowboys across generations share refugee journeys to OSU
Dear alumni, friends and colleagues,
It is a privilege to share the third issue of GLOBAL, highlighting the incredible impact Oklahoma State University has around the world and how global engagement is impacting our campus.
We have heard from so many of you that this magazine has helped demonstrate the truly global community of Oklahoma State University.
For this issue, we hope you enjoy learning more about some exciting initiatives from across the OSU community. We are particularly proud of our efforts to reconnect with the thousands of international alumni who have walked through OSU’s doors. From former prime ministers to ambassadors, our alumni’s contributions to their countries and industries are testaments to the foundation they built at OSU. In 2024, we hosted our inaugural Global Alumni Reunion in Bali, Indonesia. This special event brought alumni from all corners of the world together to share experiences and celebrate the Cowboy spirit.
This issue also highlights some of the unique challenges and opportunities that OSU faces as it navigates a rapidly changing global landscape. From geopolitical tensions to technological advancements, these factors shape how we connect with the world and prepare our students to thrive in it. But more than that, they also remind us of
our responsibility as an institution to model collaboration, respect and understanding, qualities that are more vital than ever.
In this issue, you will find stories celebrating our faculty’s groundbreaking research, our students’ experiences abroad, and our continued commitment to supporting our ever-growing international community. We are particularly proud of our alumni who have had (and are having) careers of global significance. You will see stories from alumni from decades ago, as well as more recently, who are helping to bring international understanding as they boldly move around the world.
As always, I am honored to represent OSU as we continue to build a legacy of global engagement and service. We invite you to read, reflect and reach out with your thoughts, ideas and questions.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Oklahoma State University.
Go Pokes!
Respectfully,
Dr. Randy Kluver Associate Provost and Dean, OSU Global
GLOBAL
A Cowboy Reunion in Bali
OSU alumni gathered in Bali in 2024 to celebrate the enduring Cowboy spirit and the university’s expanding global legacy. 16
Star Power
With a prestigious 5 Star rating from QS Stars, OSU shines on the global stage for excellence in teaching, research, employability, and international impact. 18
Cultural Conversation
From war-torn beginnings to campus resilience, two OSU Management Information Systems students — past and present — share a powerful journey of hope, hardship and belonging. 30
Hidden in Plain Sight
Woodruff’s extraordinary journey reveals how one OSU alumna helped shape global intelligence while staying true to her roots.
On the cover: OSU alumnus Ban Nguyen poses with student Lisa Skorniakova after the two immigrants had a candid conversation about their backgrounds. (Photo by Gary Lawson)
30 18 4
Dr. Randy Kluver
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Dr. Jami Fullerton
ASSISTANT DEAN AND DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Dr. Jeff Simpson
OSU GLOBAL
COMMUNICATION
SPECIALIST
Hailey Rose Viars
EDITOR
Jordan Bishop
ART DIRECTOR
Dave Malec
DESIGN
Cody Giles
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Cody Cramer, Ben Erlich, Devin Flores, Gary Lawson, Shelly Legg, Adam Luther and Ellie Piper
WRITERS
Jordan Bishop, Hallie Hart, Dara McBee, Page Mindedahl, Haley Rocha, Darby Rains, Sydney Trainor, Mak Vandruff and Hailey Rose Viars
OSU GLOBAL UNIT HEADS
Dr. Emily Boersma, English Language and Intercultural Center
Dr. Jami Fullerton, School of Global Studies
Elisabeth Walker, Office of International Studies and Scholars
Andrew Ranson, Center for International Trade
Sam Ball, Center for Global Learning
WES WATKINS LEGACY FACTS
BIRTHPLACE: De Queen, Arkansas
BIRTH DATE: Dec. 15, 1938
OSU GRADUATION YEAR: 1960
OSU MAJOR: Agriculture Education
MILITARY CAREER: Served in the United States Air Force from 1960-67, including time in the Oklahoma Air National Guard
POLITICAL CAREER:
- Started in 1974 in Oklahoma State Senate, ended in 2003 in U.S. House of Representatives
- Represented Oklahoma’s 3rd Congressional District
- Served on three committees: Appropriations; Budget; Ways and Means
TOP POLITICAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- Passed the Rural Industrial Assistance Act of 1986
- Passed the bill to name the Federal Building in McAlester, Oklahoma, the “Carl Albert Federal Building”
- Passed the Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation and Wilderness Area Act
Note: At the time of this issue’s writing and production, we lost the Hon. Wes Watkins, a dedicated champion of international engagement and longtime friend of OSU Global. His legacy continues to inspire our work, and we look forward to honoring his life and contributions in the next issue of GLOBAL.
Taiwanese Team Up
OSU signs partnership agreement to foster collaboration
Oklahoma State University has taken a significant step toward cementing its role as a global leader in national defense and energy security.
On Dec. 6, 2024, OSU signed a partnership agreement with the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan. This ITRI partnership focuses on fostering transdisciplinary collaboration and advancing research in aerospace, energy and One Health.
Creating opportunities for ITRI to participate in Oklahoma-based events will help spark fresh collaboration and technological advancements while driving economic development in both countries. This adds another educational layer to the agreement Gov. Kevin Stitt signed while visiting Taiwan.
Nearly 10 members from ITRI and other industries visited Oklahoma and
the OSU campus. During their time, they toured several Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education laboratories in Stillwater and Tulsa, flight demonstration and testing locations, and met with experts across OSU academia.
“OSU plays a crucial role in the drone R&D ecosystem in Oklahoma, and OAIRE has already demonstrated the great potential of drone applications,” said Dr. Wenyang Peng, deputy general director of the mechanical and mechatronics systems laboratories at ITRI. “With our shared commitment to fostering the drone industry, ITRI has long been engaged in developing drone technologies and applications, from key components such as flight control and power systems to the design and development of the entire aircraft.
“We look forward to cooperation with the OAIRE.”
The partnership highlights the synergy between OSU’s expertise and Taiwan’s growing drone industry, which was a focus of discussions during the delegation’s visit to Stillwater. Dr. Jamey Jacob, OAIRE executive director, led conversations about expanding the unmanned aircraft industry to meet rising demand, address critical security needs and transition foundational research into commercial applications.
“Our joint relationship between the OAIRE and ITRI in Taiwan exemplifies the transformative power of global collaboration,” Jacob said. “By combining Oklahoma’s expertise in aerospace innovation with ITRI’s renowned technological leadership, we are creating a partnership that not only advances cutting-edge research but also strengthens economic and educational ties.”
Dr. Jamey Jacob, OAIRE executive director, discusses an unmanned aerial vehicle with the ITRI delegation during their visit to the OSU campus.
A ReunionCowboy in Bali
OSU alumni celebrate global ties in Indonesia
In 2024, Oklahoma State University strengthened its global ties by bringing together Cowboy alumni from across Asia and beyond for a unique reunion in Bali, Indonesia.
From July 26-28, the OSU Global International Alumni Gathering welcomed more than 60 alumni, family members and university leaders representing Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Bangladesh and the United States.
The event underscored the university’s expanding international reach and the deep pride OSU
graduates share, no matter where they live.
“This was a defining moment for OSU,” said Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and dean of OSU Global. “The reunion in Indonesia was the product of a year’s careful planning and surpassed all expectations. It gave alumni a meaningful chance to reconnect, reflect on their shared history, and celebrate their ongoing commitment to the university.
“We’re eager to keep this tradition alive and continue building our global alumni network.”
A Reunion in Paradise
The gathering took place at The Edge Resort in Uluwatu, a stunning cliffside property overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Owned by OSU alumnus Rosan Roeslani, a 1992 Spears School of Business graduate and previously the Indonesian ambassador to the United States, the five-star resort provided an unforgettable setting for the weekend’s events.
Choosing Bali was intentional. With its rich culture, vibrant hospitality industry and a strong OSU alumni presence in Southeast Asia, the island was the perfect place to celebrate the global Cowboy community.
Before the formal events, the gathered Cowboys and Cowgirls explored Ubud, Bali’s cultural heart, which is known for its temples, traditional arts and lush forests.
“We wanted alumni to experience local culture and connect with one another in ways that reflect OSU’s core
values: curiosity, community and global citizenship,” Kluver said.
Strengthening the Global Cowboy Family
The weekend’s highlight was a festive evening at The Edge, where there was a sea of OSU orange for a night of toasts, storytelling and new friendships.
OSU Provost Jeanette Mendez addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of the university’s international alumni.
“Building strong ties with our global alumni community is vital,” Mendez said. “Seeing their loyalty and pride firsthand was inspiring. Their achievements embody the OSU spirit and mission.”
That mission — to cultivate academic excellence, research innovation and community engagement — was reflected throughout the event. Alumni shared stories of how OSU shaped their careers and values, connecting diverse successes across industries and continents.
“We’re eager to keep this tradition alive and continue building our global alumni network.”
Dr.
Randy Kluver ASSOCIATE PROVOST AND DEAN OF OSU GLOBAL
Location: Between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, comprised of more than 17,000 islands
Capital: Jakarta
Population : 284 million
Language: Indonesian; English widely spoken in tourist areas
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Climate: Tropical — warm year-round with distinct wet (Nov–Mar) and dry (Apr–Oct) seasons
Famous For: Islands, volcanoes, beaches, batik (native fabric), Bali, spices
“There’s a unique bond among Cowboys,” said an alumnus from Malaysia. “Even after 20 years away, that connection remains strong. We share an unbreakable bond.”
Building a Global Legacy
For OSU Global, the Bali reunion wasn’t just a celebration; it was a strategic step toward deepening alumni engagement worldwide.
“Alumni relationships don’t end at graduation,” Kluver said. “They evolve, opening doors to collaboration, mentorship and innovation across borders.”
With over 10,000 international graduates living outside the U.S., OSU Global is focused on nurturing these vital connections as part of the university’s broader global strategy. As the event closed, excitement about future gatherings was palpable, with alumni already discussing hosting and participating in upcoming reunions.
“There’s clear momentum,” Kluver said. “Our alumni want to stay connected to OSU and to one another. These ties are the foundation of a truly global Cowboy network.”
This network supports OSU’s mission as a forward-thinking landgrant university, fostering academic partnerships, cultural exchange and research collaboration. Alumni play a key role in opening doors to these opportunities. Plans for future international gatherings are underway, with OSU Global exploring new locations and partnerships where alumni communities thrive.
“These events are more than reunions,” Kluver said. “They’re part of a growing tradition. Our alumni are ambassadors who multiply OSU’s global impact.”
Continuing the Cowboy Connection
Even after the last toast was made and the final sunset admired from the cliffs of Uluwatu, the legacy of the Bali gathering lives on — in the photos, the shared stories and the rekindled friendships.
For many attendees, the weekend offered more than a vacation or
“Building strong ties with our global alumni community is vital. Seeing their loyalty and pride firsthand was inspiring. Their achievements embody the OSU spirit and mission.”
Dr. Jeanette Mendez OSU PROVOST
professional networking opportunity. It was a reminder of who they are and where they come from, and of the university that helped shape their journeys.
“We didn’t need to be in Stillwater to feel like we were back at OSU,” said one alum from Singapore. “Because the Cowboy spirit travels with us — it’s woven into who we are.”
Whether thousands of miles away or right back on campus, Cowboys everywhere are part of one global family. As OSU continues to build bridges across cultures, countries and continents, it’s clear that the future of that family is brighter (and more connected) than ever.
Note: The 2025 reunion in Seoul will be covered in the 2026 edition of GLOBAL. Check global.okstate.edu for news on the 2026 International Alumni Gathering.
Agriculture Across Cultures
MIAP program helps students gain global exposure
As Newlin Humphrey completed her master’s degree, she did so as a teacher in the Czech Republic, thanks to the Oklahoma State University Master of International Agriculture Program (MIAP).
Most graduate programs have a preset roadmap with core classes a student must take. However, about one-third of the classes in MIAP are required. The remaining courses are flexible, including a capstone, an international experience and electives.
“It is an interdisciplinary graduate program,” said Dr. Karl Rich, MIAP director. “This brings in students from all over the world with an interest in trying to solve global food and environmental problems.”
In December 2023, Humphrey and Taylor Shackelford, MIAP student,
spent 10 weeks teaching at VOŠ a SZeŠ in Benešov, an agricultural high school in the Czech Republic, assisting students as they studied the English curriculum.
“Working at the school and working with the faculty was just incredible,” said Humphrey, who earned a Master of Science in agricultural education and leadership in May 2024. “I was nervous at first, and adjusting to the big cultural shift was interesting. I fell in love with it. Our role there was to help students with the Maturita exam.”
The exam is a written and oral version of the SAT for Czech students who plan to attend college. For part of the exam, students can choose between mathematics or English. Humphrey helped students practice for the exam, including conversational English.
The school offers multiple agricultural pathways from which students can choose classes like horticulture, small and large animal veterinary science, agricultural mechanics, and landscape management.
“I enjoyed getting to work with all these students,” Humphrey said. “I worked with students in all of the different pathways and facilitated different types of workshops.”
Humphrey and Shackelford were the first students in this OSU exchange program in the Czech Republic.
The program is great for those who want to teach internationally and is available to undergraduate and graduate students, Rich said.
Other MIAP international exchange programs offer the opposite experience: studying rather than teaching.
The countryside of Prague, Czech Republic, overlooks the city skyline.
Rich worked with Shannon Lucock, a faculty member at Lincoln University in New Zealand, to establish a sixmonth educational graduate exchange program between the universities in early 2024.
“MIAP students spend a semester in New Zealand, and Lincoln students spend a semester at OSU,” Rich said. “They can earn graduate credit for the classes taken at the other university.”
In February 2024, Dalton Nichols became the first OSU MIAP student to study at Lincoln.
Originally from northern California, Nichols left the U.S. for the first time when he traveled to New Zealand.
In addition to taking graduate classes in the agribusiness department at Lincoln, Nichols worked part time for Livestock Visibility Solutions, an agricultural technology startup company, where he gained experience with different technologies, he said.
Nichols worked alongside Rich’s former student, Richard Appleby, CEO of Livestock Visibility Solutions in New Zealand.
“Richard is an entrepreneur who works with technology in the dairy industry in New Zealand,” Nichols said.
Nichols enjoyed his time in New Zealand working with Appleby, he said,
especially learning about how dairies are operated compared to the U.S.
“We did a demonstration day with some of the technology, and that was great to see,” Nichols said. “I got to experience exactly what Richard was working on.
“It was great to learn about some of the dairies in New Zealand and to find out how businesses operate,” he added. “That could be a huge takeaway from the experience.”
Back on campus, the Lincoln students showed Nichols their culture and different parts of the country, he said.
He also traveled to Sydney, Australia, with friends from Lincoln.
“I spent time doing a lot of outdoor activities, seeing a lot of the country, and going on a lot of great hikes,” Nichols said. “Having New Zealand students show me around and immersing myself in their culture was an amazing experience.”
Nichols graduated with his MIAP in May 2025.
He is grateful to Rich as well as Pam Bay, graduate coordinator for MIAP, for the connections and assistance they provided during this experience, he said.
“I would recommend MIAP to anyone looking for a flexible master’s degree
with a lot of opportunities in other parts of the world,” Nichols said. “There was no way I would have gone to New Zealand without being in the MIAP program.”
The exchange programs in the Czech Republic and New Zealand offer students practical, affordable and safe international experiences, Rich said.
“Being a global citizen matters,” Rich said. “MIAP helps with one’s professional development. Once you go overseas for the first time, you change and change for the better. MIAP equips students with skills to thrive in multicultural environments and just to help make the world a better place.”
Scan to learn more about the Master of International Agriculture Program.
Left: Taylor Shackelford (left) and Newlin Humphrey visit an agricultural high school in the Czech Republic. Above: Dalton Nichols (middle) visits a dairy in the Canterbury region of New Zealand with Richard Appleby (left) and Jason Hurst of Livestock Visibility Solutions.
Meanwhile in the ‘Land of Smiles’
Spears Business students expand skills through program in Thailand
Trevor Friesen doesn’t have to guess where the conversation will lead when he arrives for an interview with an internship recruiter or a scholarship committee.
The Spears School of Business senior from Edmond, Oklahoma, has three majors and a plethora of academic achievements on his résumé, but one uncommon item stands out as the icebreaker.
“If I don’t bring it up within the first five minutes in an interview, it always gets brought up,” Friesen said.
Whenever he has the chance, Friesen enthusiastically reflects on his spring 2024 semester at Chulalongkorn University, widely ranked as the most prestigious university in Thailand. He and Austin Haddock, an accounting
master’s alumna, were the first OSU students in five years to participate in this study abroad program.
“I just really wanted to do something completely different,” Haddock said. “Something that some people would maybe say was unexpected of me.”
It was a formative experience for both students. Friesen gained firsthand knowledge of international business, one of his majors, along with management and marketing. Haddock decided to minor in marketing and international business, diversifying her skills before obtaining her bachelor’s degree in May 2024.
As she entered her final undergraduate semester, Haddock sought an experience beyond the typical senior milestones. The first-generation
college student from Claremore, Oklahoma, hadn’t traveled much, never leaving the United States until her junior year at OSU.
After a study abroad program in South Africa as a Spears Scholar Leader, Haddock realized she wanted to extend her time abroad. Haddock participated in this experience through the Spears Business Center for Advanced Global Leadership and Engagement, and it opened her eyes to more opportunities.
“Weeks after, I just could not stop thinking about it,” Haddock said. “Even to this day, the people I went with, we still talk about it.”
Haddock started thinking bigger as a senior, searching the OSU Center for Global Learning website for semesterlong study abroad programs.
Austin Haddock and Trevor Friesen spent the spring 2024 semester at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
Only one Spears Business student had previously studied at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and no one from OSU had participated in the program since 2019.
Although they barely knew each other before the trip, Haddock and Friesen flew to Thailand together and bonded over home. At their apartment complex in Thailand, they also befriended peers from Canada, Germany, Singapore, Italy and England, staying in a setting where no nationality made up a large majority.
“We were all craving something new,” Haddock said. “We all had similar attitudes toward learning and being open to new experiences. Surrounding yourself with people like that who are going to build you up, that was a really important step for me.”
Haddock leaned on this support as she stepped out of her comfort zone to deliver marketing presentations in class.
“It really changed my thought process on a lot of things,” Haddock said. “By studying marketing and international business and doing something completely different, now I’m able to look at business not just from an accounting perspective, but see why they’re doing things (beyond) just for financial reasons.”
As she studied new topics, she was also seeing them in a new context. For one project, Haddock and her classmates developed plans for marketing Thai products to other nations, gaining a big-picture view of the industry across cultures.
In some ways, common threads carried between Spears and Chulalongkorn University. Instructors taught in English, and Friesen understood familiar topics such as Porter’s Five Forces, an analysis framework for competitive business.
Other assignments were unlike anything he had done before. For one course, Friesen visited a Buddhist temple and created a vlog about the experience. The students also learned about Thai culture outside class, feeding elephants at a sanctuary in northern Thailand and regularly gathering to enjoy local cuisine.
“I traveled pretty much every weekend, whether it was getting on a plane and flying a couple hundred miles or whether it was getting on a bus or a ferry, seeing an island, seeing a random city,” Friesen said. “I love just seeing something new.”
Haddock said she aspires to someday return to Thailand but doesn’t expect much time for travel in the early years of
her accounting career, so she’s grateful she jumped on the opportunity in college.
Spears Business offers a multitude of study abroad programs through the CAGLE Center, and other opportunities are available through the OSU Center for Global Learning.
Although Friesen’s semester in Thailand provides a talking point during interviews, the value to him is much deeper.
“A lot of companies are international, so it’s not even a skill,” Friesen said. “It’s becoming a necessity. It excites me to work internationally, live internationally and potentially go to grad school internationally. It was a lot of fun.”
When they had free time, Trevor Friesen (left) and Austin Haddock explored other parts of Southeast Asia.
Scan to learn more about OSU study abroad opportunities.
Teaching in Tajikistan
From language to food — OSU Fulbright recipient finds new opportunities in Central Asia
Handmade tapestries cover the stands and walls of the bustling bazaar. A cacophony of voices carries throughout the market stalls, crafting a bright and colorful landscape of ancient Tajikistan traditions with a modern twist.
The Central Asian nation of about 10 million is technically a newer country still finding its modern identity, less than 40 years after the fall of the Soviet Union. But its heritage remains strong, cohesively fusing its past and present in an exciting environment.
Here is where Oklahoma State University graduate Ellie Scheaffer has been teaching English in Tajikistan through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program over the past seven months, putting her expert knowledge in the language arts to use.
Scheaffer has a long history with Central Asia. She participated in exchange programs in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, supported by OSU’s Humphreys Long-Term Travel Grant, and befriended fellow international students from Tajikistan in both countries. Last year, she completed a Boren Fellowship in Uzbekistan for the intensive study of Russian and Uzbek languages.
These experiences helped lead Scheaffer to her current position, where she assists in classrooms and American spaces across Tajikistan, teaching English to students. She received her master’s degree in global studies from OSU, with research focusing on language policy in Central Asia, and her bachelor’s degree in German from OSU.
“Our goal is to help young people learn, usually their fourth language, and it gives them more access to international opportunities and international education,” Scheaffer said. “It’s a skill that can act as a bridge for many communities to have more access to the world. Language learning is fundamentally important to understanding people.”
Many people in Tajikistan are trilingual, with Tajiki serving as the official state language and Russian as a “language of inter-ethnic communication.” Other languages, including Uzbek, Shughni and Yagnobi languages, are spoken across the country. Programs for English language education in Tajikistan complement this language environment.
Scheaffer has been teaching in Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, for four months after completing a teaching rotation in a smaller village called Gharm in the mountainous Rasht Valley.
“It was a really rare experience to be in that part of the country for any extended period of time, even if it was a short amount of time in the scheme of things,” Scheaffer said.
Gharm is a valley town in the Alaï mountain range that adheres to traditional cultural ideas and practices. Scheaffer had been the first English teacher to stay longer than a few weeks in this town, which is distinct in its history and is known for its apples and other fresh produce from its high mountains.
“It was the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived,” Scheaffer said. “My students were very kind and eager, and toward the end of my time there, would greet me with [Hi, Teacher] when passing by on the street.”
In her free time, Scheaffer visits countless bazaars or street markets. These bazaars offer food, antiques and Scheaffer’s favorite, suzani.
Suzani is a large textile panel of embroidery decorated with intricate patterns and colors, many of which carry a deeper meaning. Generally created by women as textiles for daily use in the home, suzani patterns reference themes of nature, the moon and sun, protection from evil, and other symbolic messages, all through the expressive artistry of their individual embroiderers.
Scheaffer said she could spend hours at these markets, sitting and talking with
merchants, who told her how the art of suzani has been passed down through families for many generations.
“It’s so special. Most recently, in Dushanbe, I went to a woman’s shop in one of the bazaars,” Scheaffer said. “She had all these stacks of old suzani and she let us spread them out and look at them and appreciate them. Walls and floor and shelves covered with suzani, just bold, bright, expressive color. There are often geographic connections to each of the designs — color patterns from one city or another.”
Scheaffer explained where her best meal came from. When she was in Gharm, her host family made qurutob, an extremely popular dish in Tajikistan.
“So, it’s a yogurt dish made from ground-up bread and vegetables,” she said. “You chop up all this bread, which is usually homemade and the best thing you’ve ever eaten. Then warm yogurt sauce is poured over the bread, then fresh tomato, cucumber, onion, and herbs like dill and cilantro are sprinkled on top. Then you boil mostly flaxseed oil until it’s crackling, then pour it over the whole dish. In a way, it kind of softens everything. It’s the most delicious dish: creamy, savory, sweet, crunchy, soft, fresh and rich, all of these in one.”
Through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, students and young professionals can pursue research, graduate studies, or teach English abroad. The program partners with 140 countries to promote dialogue between cultures and expand global perspectives.
‘The Right Opportunity’
New ISS director hopes to expand OSU’s international student engagement
After two decades in international education and a journey that brought her back to Oklahoma, Elisabeth Walker brings a wealth of experience and a vision for expanding global engagement to Oklahoma State University’s Office of International Students and Scholars.
In 2024, Walker was named director of ISS, a key component of OSU Global that facilitates the education and personal development of international students and scholars, as well as assists with culture exchange and enrichment at OSU and the Stillwater community.
Walker relates to international students because of her own background living abroad. At the beginning of her career, she taught English in South Korea.
“I can empathize with people who move here to go to school, where everything is new and they’re away from their family and friends,” Walker said. “The first three months were extremely hard. I cried myself to sleep every night.”
That personal understanding of cultural adjustment shapes Walker’s approach to supporting international students at OSU. After earning her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and master’s in leadership management from Oklahoma City University, she spent 24 years working in international education in Texas before the opportunity to join OSU emerged.
Walker also discovered during her interview that Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and OSU Global dean, had been her professor when she was a graduate student at OCU.
“Multiple people were saying, ‘Dr. Kluver said he knows you from OCU,’” Walker said. “He seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place him until after the interview.”
Now back in Oklahoma to be closer to family in Tulsa, Walker aims to expand OSU’s international student population while enhancing support services. Currently, OSU hosts about 1,500 international students, which she hopes will double in the coming years.
Her vision includes building more infrastructure to support staff, expanding student resources and workshops and fostering deeper connections between international and American students.
“International students can benefit from getting to know American students and understanding American work culture,” Walker said. “And American students who end up working for global companies will benefit from having worked with international students.”
Walker highlights OSU’s strong academic programs, community feel and safety as key factors that attract international students. The university also features active international student organizations and local clubs that provide supportive networks.
Looking ahead, she plans to implement focus groups and surveys to better understand student needs. She also hopes to partner with immigration attorneys and OSU Career Services to help international students navigate postgraduation opportunities in the U.S.
“I’ve been around higher education my whole life,” Walker said. “This job and location bring together everything I’ve done. It’s magically the right opportunity at the right time in my career.”
For those interested in supporting or collaborating with international students, Walker’s door is always open.
“I’m excited to be at OSU,” Walker said. “If people would like to support international students or partner with me or the international office, I’m happy to meet with anybody.”
Elisabeth Walker was named the director of the Office of International Students and Scholars in 2024.
Star Power
OSU earns prestigious 5 Star Rating in 2024 QS Stars Rankings
Oklahoma State University has received a 5 Star rating in the latest QS Stars university ratings.
This distinction places OSU among an elite group of institutions recognized for excellence across a range of categories, including teaching, research, employability and internationalization.
The rating system, administered by global higher education analyst QS Quacquarelli Symonds, provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating university performance and global standing. Institutions earning a 5 Star designation
demonstrate a strong international reputation, cutting-edge research activity, high-impact teaching, and a commitment to student success.
“I am pleased that QS Stars recognized OSU’s excellence across the board, reflecting the university’s commitment to its land-grant mission and service to the state of Oklahoma and the world,” said Dr. Jeanette Mendez, OSU provost and senior vice president. “These ratings affirm the strength of our academic environment, research impact and global engagement.”
From left: Dr. Jeffrey Simpson, Jeff Yacup, Dr. Randy Kluver, Ben Webb, Dr. Jerry Malayer, Dr. Matt Lovern, and Lissa Walker pose with a 5 Star Certificate celebrating OSU’s achievement.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE 5 STAR RATINGS
TEACHING (5 STARS)
OSU earned a 5 Star rating for teaching, reflecting a supportive and effective learning environment. QS evaluated faculty-to-student ratios, student satisfaction and retention rates, and the effectiveness of the university’s learning management system.
Additionally, OSU’s comprehensive campus resources — including athletic facilities, medical services, libraries and student organizations — contributed to this recognition. The rating highlights OSU’s ability to deliver quality instruction and maintain strong student engagement.
EMPLOYABILITY (5 STARS)
The 5 Star employability rating recognizes OSU’s success in preparing students for the workforce. QS assessed employer reputation, graduate employment rates, career services, internship and apprenticeship opportunities, and alumni impact. OSU’s strong connections with industry and commitment to career readiness ensure that graduates are wellpositioned to succeed in their fields.
RESEARCH (5 STARS)
As a comprehensive R1 research institution, OSU’s faculty and students are making important contributions across various disciplines. The university earned a 5 Star rating for research based on metrics including quality and impact of published work, research funding and academic reputation. Notably, OSU has secured $70.9 million in new grant funding for fiscal year 2024, nearly matching the previous year’s total and underscoring its growing research capacity.
“OSU researchers tackle diverse challenges, from agriculture to neuroscience,” said Dr. Kenneth Sewell, vice president for research. “This rating validates the impact of our scholarship on both Oklahoma and the global community.”
INTERNATIONALIZATION (5 STARS)
OSU’s global engagement earned a 5 Star rating, reflecting the
Celebrated for excellence in research, teaching, employability, and global engagement, OSU’s 5 Star Certification reflects its commitment to innovation and student success.
university’s diverse international student and faculty population, as well as its expanding network of global partnerships. Hosting students from over 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states, OSU fosters a rich multicultural environment. The creation of OSUMexico in 2023 has further enhanced international academic exchanges, recruitment and study abroad programs.
“Our global focus enriches the educational experience for all students,” said Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and dean of OSU Global. “This recognition highlights OSU’s growing international presence.”
FACILITIES (5 STARS)
QS acknowledged OSU’s stateof-the-art campus infrastructure and cutting-edge laboratories, which support advanced learning and research. The university’s facilities, including student support and health services, were rated among the best.
INCLUSIVENESS (5 STARS)
OSU’s 5 Star rating for inclusiveness reflects its efforts to foster a welcoming campus community. The university’s programs support underrepresented
populations and promote equitable access to education, creating an environment where all students can thrive.
SPECIALIST CRITERIA: VETERINARY SCIENCE (5 STARS)
In addition to the mandatory categories, OSU received a 5 Star rating in the veterinary science specialist category. The College of Veterinary Medicine holds full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education and maintains international partnerships and accreditations for its diagnostic laboratories.
OSU also earned a 5 Star rating in innovation. The 2024 QS Stars ratings offer a clear and comprehensive validation of OSU’s commitment to excellence in education, research and global engagement.
“This recognition reaffirms OSU’s position as a world-class institution making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities worldwide,” Mendez said. “It’s a proud moment for our university and a testament to the dedication of our faculty, staff and students.”
SHARING THEIR STORIES
OSU ALUMNUS, CURRENT STUDENT DISCUSS JOURNEY TO AMERICA FROM WAR-TORN HOMES
Oklahoma State University has always been focused on meeting the needs of Oklahoma, a state that historically has welcomed immigrants.
As with native Oklahomans, higher education is a critical component in helping immigrants to achieve personal and career success. In February this year, GLOBAL magazine asked one of OSU’s most successful immigrant graduates, Ban Nguyen, to meet with more recent additions to Oklahoma and OSU.
Nguyen, co-founder and CEO of Jimmy’s Egg, is a 1984 Management Information Systems (MIS) graduate of OSU who came to the U.S. as a refugee following the Vietnam War.
Lisa Skorniakova is a freshman also studying MIS who came to America from Ukraine because of the ongoing war between her homeland and Russia.
The following is a shortened version of the candid dialogue between these two individuals with shared yet distinct experiences at OSU — an alumnus who navigated life as a refugee student and a newly enrolled refugee student beginning her academic journey.
BAN NGUYEN
LISA SKORNIAKOVA
Ban Nguyen
Hello, Lisa. How long have you been here?
Lisa Skorniakova
I have been in America for two years, but at OSU for almost one month.
Ban
I was born in Vietnam. In 1975, when the war between the North and South ended, I was on the South side — the losing side. When the North took over, we had to escape the country. I arrived in Tulsa when I was 13, but getting here wasn’t easy. We didn’t leave freely — we had to escape. But once we made it out, the government accepted us into a refugee program. I came straight to Tulsa, where I was able to go back to junior high, then high school, and eventually college.
Since I was still young when I left Vietnam, I didn’t know any English. That was the hardest transition for me. When I was thrown into junior high, I struggled to adapt to the language and the culture. I got bullied by people who thought they knew what Asians were supposed to be like, mostly from what they saw on TV. They assumed I knew Kung Fu or karate, so they would test me. I just wanted to be treated like a normal person.
My four years of college were the best time of my life. I found myself. I got to hang out with friends and experience new things. I wasn’t exceptional or super smart, but I did enough to graduate with my degree in MIS.
Lisa
I just turned 18 two weeks ago, so I’ve lived in Ukraine my whole life. I grew up in the capital with my family, and we traveled a lot.
In 2022, the war started. So, my mother, my sister, and I moved to France. I didn’t know any French; my language skills were like your English, basically zero. So, I had to learn both French and English at the same time. I was in collège, which in France is like middle school (for ages 11-14). My teachers told me I couldn’t use my phone to translate, so I had to learn
TulsaPeople interviewed Lisa Skorniakova and her family after they had just moved into a comfortable rental home — a meaningful milestone in their journey of settling into life in Tulsa.
French and English without it. It was really, really hard. But no one bullied me, everyone was really kind and they supported me a lot.
Later, my father moved to France, too, and we lived together like we did in Ukraine. My father is a software engineer. When he moved to France, he continued working online for his job in Ukraine. Eventually, my dad got a new job, and they helped move us to America. We didn’t know much about the U.S. at first, but his work explained everything to us. That’s how we ended up here in Tulsa.
My brother is still in Ukraine; he’s part of the Ukrainian military. Every day, my family and I are really scared for him because we love him so much. We’re also really worried about the situation in Ukraine and in the world. He’s 24 years old.
It’s a completely different situation over there. You see it on TV, but you never really know what it’s like.
Ban
So, was your family, your dad, able to get refugee status?
OSU alumnus Ban Nguyen and student Lisa Skorniakova discuss their journeys to Stillwater in a conversation at the Student Union in February 2025.
Lisa No, not like you. In France, we were considered refugees, but not here. In the U.S., it’s Uniting for Ukraine (a Department of Homeland Security initiative for displaced Ukrainians impacted by the war. Ukrainians with a supporter in the U.S. may be considered for parole, on a case-by-case basis, for up to two years.)
Ban
I went through that when I was young — war was all I knew growing up. I was always aware there was a war, but I never saw it firsthand because my father was a high-ranking officer. He protected us from it. I never witnessed it directly, but I could hear the bombing and fighting.
Lisa I never saw it either, but my brother sees it every day because he’s so close to Russia.
My grandparents live in Bucha, near Kyiv. When Russia invaded Ukraine, it was really bad. Bucha was in a terrible situation. My grandparents were lost for a while because Russian soldiers came to their home, took them outside, and told them they had to hand over their phones, or they would break them.
Ban Was OSU the only school you applied to?
Lisa
I heard a lot about OSU and even did some projects related to it in high school. But at first, I thought I would go to Tulsa Community College because it’s affordable, and I didn’t know much about scholarships.
Brian Allen (an OSU alumnus in Tulsa) helps students get scholarships and get into universities or colleges. I heard about him and thought maybe he could help me, too.
Ban
In junior high and high school, I was very shy and never really left my family. I think I told you the reason I chose OSU, it was close to home. That’s why it was the only school I applied to.
My plan was to go home every weekend and work so I could afford my car. Do you go home a lot, and you just stay here?
Lisa
I try to go home every weekend, but sometimes, like now, I have an exam this week and next week. So, I’ll stay here to study.
Ban
Yeah, during my freshman year, for the first two months, I went home a lot to work. But then I realized how fun college was, so I stopped going home. I stayed here, met people, and eventually quit my job. Of course, I took out a student loan to cover expenses.
Lisa I applied for a student loan to pay for this semester.
Ban
Back then, I had a student loan, a Pell Grant, and an Oklahoma Tuition Grant. My father’s income was really low, so when I did my budget, I realized I didn’t have to work; I had enough money to pay for college.
Young Ban Nguyen is all dress up for Lunar New Year in Vietnam, a celebration of culture, family, and the beauty of time-honored traditions.
So, I stayed on campus, met new friends, and started going out. That’s how I came out of my shell. I was very shy and mostly kept to myself, but that was the time when I really, I guess the word is blossomed. I figured out what I wanted to do, developed my personality, and learned how to talk to people and have fun.
I lived in the dorm for two years before joining a fraternity. You know about fraternities and sororities, right? It was expensive, but joining took my college experience to another level.
I think having a well-rounded experience is important. In college, I saw students who only studied, and honestly, some of them had no personality. Then there were the ones who only partied, and they didn’t get anywhere because their grades suffered. The most successful people I knew were the ones who balanced both. They partied, but they also knew when to stop and focus on school.
That’s how I lived my life. As a person, you know when you’ve had too much of something — too much partying, too
much work, even too much food. It’s all about balance. If I partied too much one week, I knew I had to buckle down and study the next.
Lisa
I’m really trying to focus on studying English right now. Learning English is my biggest fear.
Ban
I understand that. Are you able to make a lot of friends?
Lisa
I want to have fun too, but I know I worked really hard to get here, and I understand that I need to focus on studying right now.
Ban
Being a minority and not speaking English fluently comes with its challenges. But experiencing different cultures and learning from them gives you a unique perspective. One thing I’ve learned is that this country rewards people who work hard and keep trying. Eventually, your efforts will be recognized.
We might struggle with English, but when it comes to math, it’s a different story. In Europe, Ukraine, and Asia, I was studying calculus and geometry in seventh grade. When I came here, kids in seventh grade were still learning basic math — I couldn’t help but laugh in my junior high school because the education levels were so different.
Lisa
My brother prefers to stay in Ukraine. His biggest goal in life is to become a pilot. He started university in Ukraine studying engineering because he loves airplanes. Whenever my family and I traveled, I would always take pictures of airplanes and send them to him, saying, “Look at this plane!”
He called on my birthday, and we were able to talk for a little while. And he told me more about it. He said he saw bodies in houses and on the streets, with animals feeding on them.
Graduating from Tulsa Central High School in 1980 was a defining moment of accomplishment for Ban Nguyen.
Ban
But I do remember in my neighborhood, a lot of my brother’s friends were drafted and went to war — they never came back. My brother, though, had a bad heart, so he couldn’t be drafted and got to stay home.
Are there many Ukrainians at OSU?
Lisa
I only know two Ukrainian people here.
Ban
When I came in as a freshman, there weren’t many Vietnamese students. But by my sophomore and junior years, more started coming, so we were able to form a student group.
In Oklahoma and the U.S., there are so many opportunities — honestly, much more than in Vietnam or Ukraine. Make the most of it.
Lisa
Do you have any advice for how to be successful here?
Ban
To me, this country offers so many opportunities. You don’t have to be an engineer or a doctor — just find something you enjoy, work hard, and you’ll succeed. The main thing is, it won’t come to you; you have to go out and get it.
When I grew up, I saw a lot of people, and even though my English was broken, I still loved communicating with others. I never felt shy about it. If someone made fun of my broken English, I knew that person wasn’t for me, and I wouldn’t hang around them. You have to find true friends. That’s how I chose my friends.
There’s a lot of opportunity here, whether it’s getting a certificate or a diploma. With my three kids, I never pushed them into any specific career. I didn’t say they had to be a doctor or a lawyer. They each chose their own path.
Lisa
What do you wish that people at OSU knew about you when you were here?
Ban
When I went to college, I didn’t really envision where I’d end up today. I never really thought about it; I just went through the motions, tried to coexist with everyone, and did my best. I didn’t expect much from OSU. I was just like, “Give me my degree, let me graduate, and then I’ll find a job somewhere.” I rushed through my four and a half years at OSU. To me, it was just an institution that teaches you how to learn, and that’s it. I just wanted the knowledge and to do my best.
I did have some really tough teachers, though. There was one in my management class, a Vietnam vet. He was a colonel or something, and he had a rough experience, so he didn’t treat me very well. But that was just one thing, and you learn to survive. I didn’t expect anything from OSU. To me, I was just another number among the 20,000 students.
Dr. Randy Kluver
Ban, you have continued to support OSU, your alma mater. Can you talk about why this is important for you?
Lisa Skorniakova volunteers at “Word in a Box” at the Tulsa Central Library in 2024. There, she offered face painting for children, performed traditional Ukrainian dances and shared insights about Ukrainian heritage, history, and national attire with American guests and people from other cultures.
Ban
At certain times, things just happen. I don’t know — my best man’s daughter was killed in a drunk driving accident in Alabama. She was an international student studying business. The only reason I got connected with OSU was because he was my best man. So, I connected with the OSU Foundation and created a scholarship for international students in her name. That was the only reason I got involved — taking something bad and trying to give back to my best man, for his daughter.
Then my name got thrown out there, and one day, Dean Eastman tracked me down. He really took a liking to me, and we became friends. For me, if I meet someone once, and they become part of my circle, I’ll do anything for them. I didn’t want to make a name for myself — it just happened. I got involved with different departments, and here I am.
Dr. Kluver
Lisa, what do you wish people at OSU knew about you?
Lisa
It’s hard to say because I haven’t done something really big in my life like Ban. Because I’m just in the process. High school was more difficult than here, but I think people here actually want to be here. I really like it. I really like the people. I’m just trying to do my best.
Ban
It took me seven or eight years to really acclimate to the United States before I even went to college. It just takes time to adjust.
Just remember, college is the best time of your life. Believe it or not, all my closest friends today are the same ones I made in college. Some of them even became my lawyer or financial advisor — people I still trust. I know it might be harder for girls to meet people, but at some point, I just broke out of my shell. I started meeting people, learning about their lives, and they wanted to know about mine. You’ll be fine. This is a great place, and especially in Oklahoma, people are really friendly.
Ban Nguyen and Lisa Skorniakova discussed their acclimation to American culture and college. Nguyen earned his MIS degree from OSU and Skorniakova is an MIS student.
Stabilizing Force
OSU researchers create ‘smoke alarm’ for earthquakes
An earthquake rumbles throughout your home’s interior, but the house stays intact.
Imagine not just your home staying safe but also bridges, skyscrapers and cultural landmarks. All thanks to a device an Oklahoma State University researcher is developing and testing at this very moment.
Dr. Priyank Jaiswal, a professor at the Boone Pickens School of Geology, conceived the idea in 2016 following a 5.8 magnitude earthquake in Pawnee, the strongest in Oklahoma’s history.
“I first thought about it as a smoke alarm. You just put it there, and if there is fire, it lets you know,” Jaiswal said. “How about we have a system that lets you know if your house isn’t doing so great?”
Jaiswal and Dr. Mohamed Soliman, an OSU civil engineering professor, were granted funding from the National Science Foundation to pursue the idea.
Their creation was Intact — a seismic device about the size of a shoebox. Jaiswal said it’s simple to use: Just clamp it to a structure’s foundation, and it connects to the WiFi, sending
data to servers that can provide a digital footprint for the building. This allows people to see how often the structure is subliminally shaking and give them time to stabilize it in case of an earthquake.
“Our land-grant mission is to educate people and empower them,” Jaiswal said. “Having this technology installed, they can see and touch and collaboratively access this data.”
One example Jaiswal used for how beneficial Intact could be was the 2021 Surfside, Florida, condominium collapse that killed 98 people.
The team behind the Intact invention. From left: John Nickel (Cowboy Technologies), Amanda Aker (Office of Technology Commercialization), Jai Hare Rajendran (Office of Technology Commercialization), Dr. Priyank Jaiswal, (Geology), Dr. Mohamed Soliman (College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology) and Richard Gajan (Spears Business).
“Think about if such a sensor or such a system was in place and the owner of the building, or the management company, had an app on their cell phone or their computer that they would see any kind of alarm go off when the structure of the building seemed to be shifting,” Jaiswal said. “These things are slow. Actual fatigue starts from the inside, not the outside. By the time you see a crack in the wall, it’s already too late.
“So, what if management knew that something was coming six months before the actual incident? That’s a long enough time period for them to safely evacuate and rehabilitate.”
John Nickel, with OSU’s Innovation Corps, approached Jaiswal and Soliman about commercializing Intact for public use. With enthusiastic approval, the duo started looking for places to field test the device, settling on churches in Latin America.
Working with civil engineering college students and the Nacional Institute of Anthropology and History, Jaiswal visited the Cholula Pyramid site in Puebla, Mexico. The pyramid, which began construction in the 3rd century BC, is the largest in the world, though the Great Pyramid of Giza is taller.
In 1594, Spanish colonists built a church — Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios — atop the pyramid. Over the centuries, the site has seen
significant signs of fatigue because of natural aging and Mexico’s precarious position atop tectonic plates.
“Nobody going inside a church thinks about whether this church is going to be there tomorrow or not,” Jaiswal said. “It’s a pillar of the community. In many communities, it forms a part of their identity. So, having as much time in advance to have a plan in place as to what needs to be done if this church isn’t as safe as we thought it was is crucial.. Mexico has gone through two large earthquakes, and we can see clear signs of fatigue on the walls. Is it ready to take the third one? Maybe. If it took the third one, is it ready to take the fourth one? These are questions that you cannot easily answer without data.”
Although cultural heritage sites might be low on a nation’s priority list, the monuments are huge tourist attractions in Central American and Mediterranean countries where the risk of natural seismicity is high. Jaiswal sees a place for the device in almost every industry, from homeowners and civil engineers to even the energy field in areas like wind farms.
“My dream is to have it installed in every structure in the world,” Jaiswal said. “Every skyscraper, every drilling rig, anything where the structure is at risk from a natural element or from aging, should have this. It takes time. … But we’ll get there.”
“My dream is to have it installed in every structure in the world. Every skyscraper, every drilling rig, anything where the structure is at risk from a natural element or from aging, should have this.”
DR. PRIYANK JAISWAL PROFESSOR AT THE BOONE PICKENS SCHOOL OF GEOLOGY
Intact is a seismic device about the size of a shoebox that can be clamped to a structure’s foundation. It then connects to the WiFi, sending data to servers that can provide a digital footprint for the building.
Ensuring Energy Security
Hamm Institute, OSU
Global collaborate on energy
security project with South Korea and Japan
In today’s geopolitical climate, energy security is more crucial than ever.
The Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University is bridging academia, industry and applied research to develop practical solutions for the most critical energy security challenges.
Funded by a $50 million endowment from Harold Hamm, founder and executive chairman of Continental Resources, the Hamm Institute is dedicated to strengthening energy
security for the U.S. and its allies. This commitment is why South Korea’s largest energy company, SK Energy, has enlisted the institute to address pressing energy security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Hamm Institute partnered with OSU Global and the School of Global Studies, which boasts experts across geopolitics, trade and economics, to lead the Trilateral Energy Security Committee project.
Energy security is a significant challenge for South Korea and Japan
because of their dependence on energy imports. They import almost 100% of their crude oil, natural gas and coal, leaving them highly vulnerable to global market fluctuations, geopolitical tensions and environmental disruptions. A significant energy supply disruption would send serious ripples through their economies, national security and the wider region.
The TESC research team — which includes Andrew Ranson, director of the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development, and Dr. John
From left: Dr. Woongtae Chung, Korea Energy Economics Institute; Joey Jun, SK Innovation; Jason Anglolano, Hamm Institute for American Energy at OSU; E.Y. Easley, SK Innovation; Andrew Ranson, OSU Global; Katie Altshuler, Hamm Institute; Lambert Yang, SK Innovation; Dr. Ann Bluntzer Pullin, Hamm Institute; Dr. Randy Kluver, OSU Global; Dr. John Schoeneman, OSU Global; and Hiroyasu Sakaguchi, Institute of Energy & Economics, Japan.
Schoeneman, assistant professor in the School of Global Studies, as well as from the Korea Energy Economics Institute and the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan — is taking a multi-phase approach. They are crafting policy recommendations that balance energy security with carbon reduction targets using advanced data modeling, machine learning and qualitative interviews.
Preliminary findings from the TESC project stress the crucial role liquefied natural gas plays in stabilizing the regional energy balance. But the team isn’t stopping there. They’re also looking into new technologies like hydrogen, ammonia and small modular nuclear reactors.
So far, the project’s success has been due to its collaborative nature. The Hamm Institute and OSU Global are leading the effort, while the research teams from international counterparts at KEEI and IEEJ are providing essential data, market analysis and
The Hamm Institute partnered with OSU Global and the School of Global Studies, which boasts experts across geopolitics, trade and economics, to lead the Trilateral Energy Security Committee project.
strategic guidance. Their collaboration has allowed the team to engage relevant energy experts in South Korea and Japan. Likewise, industry partners on both sides of the Pacific have been hands-on, offering their wealth of expertise to help frame and inform crucial energy security challenges.
The TESC project is not just pinpointing solutions. It is also pioneering the path for future energy security initiatives.
The project’s work is far from finished. The team is looking for new partners to extend the reach of the research. The goal is to make the model transferable and use it to generate similar research in other regions that face the same challenges.
This is a vital step in protecting economic stability and national security for the U.S. and its allies. The collaboration demonstrates how shared expertise can help address complex global challenges.
SK Energy representatives tour the Hamm Institute for American Energy at OSU.
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT
AN OSU ALUMNA’S CLIMB TO THE CIA’S HIGHEST RANKS
On a Wednesday morning inside Stillwater’s downtown Aspen Coffee, you can find people of all vocations and backgrounds.
You wouldn’t expect a former intelligence officer to be sitting at a table, drinking an iced vanilla latte, but then again, hiding in plain sight for the Central Intelligence Agency was Meredith Woodruff’s job for 25 years.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
That long career in the CIA would never have happened without Oklahoma State University.
America’s brightest shade of orange is in her blood.
Woodruff’s parents met while they were at OSU in the 1930s. Her mother, Cecelia, studied dietetics, and her father, Curtis Williams, studied history. Her father was quite involved at then Oklahoma A&M College, earning the rank of cadet colonel in the ROTC, being voted a student senator and president of his fraternity.
After marrying and graduating from OSU, her parents each earned graduate degrees, Curtis in law and Cecelia in dietetics.
But Stillwater soon called them home once again when Curtis began his law and political career as a county attorney. Cecelia became OSU’s lead
dietician, running the sole cafeteria on campus and feeding students three meals a day, seven days a week.
With the outbreak of World War II, Curtis’ unique skill set made him a vital asset to the United States. His strong language background, law degree and trustworthy Oklahoma values shaped him into an ideal candidate for the military’s judge advocate staff.
Woodruff was born in Washington, D.C., but her family joined her father in Germany shortly after WWII ended. The youngest of three, she was the only sister of two older brothers. She learned German as her first language and lived abroad until she was 5, when the family moved back to Washington, D.C.
However, when Woodruff was just 13, Curtis passed away. She and the rest of her family then moved back to Stillwater in 1961.
“Stillwater has always been the place that felt the most like home. Even after all the places I have been, it just feels right,” Woodruff said.
After graduating from Stillwater High School, Woodruff followed in her family’s footsteps and enrolled at OSU, where her brothers had recently graduated.
Woodruff was a brilliant student, graduating with two bachelor’s degrees in English literature and descriptive
“Stillwater has always been the place that felt the most like home. Even after all the places I have been, it just feels right.”
– Meredith Woodruff
linguistics. She focused on German and learned Hebrew. She was also a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. As an honors senior, Woodruff had the opportunity to teach a freshman literature composition class, which she touts as one of her favorite memories at OSU.
“My time at OSU prepared me for all the writing I would go on to do in the CIA,” Woodruff said. “Oftentimes people would ask me ‘What Ivy League school did you go to?’ after reading my work, and they would be shocked when I told them I went to OSU.
“It just shows how great an education I received while studying here.”
LOVE, WAR AND UNEXPECTED BEGINNINGS
After graduating from OSU, Woodruff wanted to attend law school like her father had.
She was accepted to Michigan and Harvard’s law schools but opted to defer from Michigan for a year to teach high school. During this time, she fell in
love with an old high school friend and Stillwater native, Freddie Woodruff. The two were married in 1972.
Shortly after their marriage, Freddie’s birthday was called in the draft lottery to serve in the Vietnam War.
“He already had a master’s degree, he had already lived in Canada for a while, and he believed he should go,” Woodruff said.
Freddie went through all the military testing required to fight in the war. Without speaking another language, Freddie scored a perfect score on the language aptitude test, leading the military to take an instant interest in his intelligence. They gave him the option of going to the Defense Language Institute to learn a new language, where he opted to learn Russian.
“Talk about decisions that impact your whole life,” Woodruff said.
Freddie graduated No. 1 in his class from the DLI, and he and Woodruff were sent to Germany to continue his work for the Army Security Agency. While they lived in the country where she was born, Woodruff earned a master’s degree in psychology from
Wayne State University’s international program in Berlin.
Because of his Army work, the CIA soon recruited Freddie to join the Clandestine Services division, the agency’s most secret and confidential branch.
By then, Woodruff and Freddie had welcomed their first daughter into the world. For Woodruff and their first child to travel overseas with Freddie on his tours, she would have to undergo the same training Freddie was taking, and she would have to do it all while pregnant with her and Freddie’s second child.
“It was such fun; it was a lot of hard work. I did well at it. They had never had a wife who had been able to do it all successfully,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff finished the training and moved to Russia with Freddie to begin his first tour in 1979. The family returned stateside with two children in tow in 1981, where the head of the CIA’s Soviet Division was there to congratulate Freddie on a job well done … or so they thought.
“Turns out, he was really there to ask what I’d think about coming into the agency,” Woodruff said.
FURTHERING A GLOBAL LEGACY
A CIA push to hire more women within the government was sweeping across the country.
Woodruff became the first married woman hired by the agency as an operations officer, as well as the first to have children already. Thanks in part to her training history, working alongside Freddie and having done a tour overseas, she finished top of her class and was ready to embark on her first mission.
The Woodruffs went on a combined four overseas tours during their service in the CIA before Freddie was killed on a mission in 1993.
After Freddie died, Woodruff continued her work in the CIA in many different roles and would go on three more overseas tours.
Woodruff became a vital asset to the U.S. government, working in Clandestine Services for more than 25 years in Central Eurasia, the Near East, Africa and Europe. Many of these operations are still classified and Woodruff can’t discuss them publicly.
In 1997, while serving in Europe, Woodruff received a phone call from Deputy Director of CIA for Operations Jack Downing, recalling her home to Washington to put together a recruitment center to bring in an unprecedented number of new officers.
Woodruff also began formulating a plan to recruit women specifically to apply for operational positions within the CIA.
“I said, ‘I want to be on television. I want to be on radio. I want to do magazine ads and be pretty open about this.’ My boss said, ‘You’re nuts.’ I said, ‘Do you want the numbers, or do you not want the numbers?’ He said, ‘OK,’” Woodruff said.
Woodruff took out an ad in The Economist titled “Do you have what it takes?” to reach potential applicants. The ad ran on Sunday, and by Thursday, they had thousands of applicants.
Woodruff served as a chief of station, division chief and center chief before retiring in 2008 as the agency’s most senior female operations officer after over 25 years. She holds the CIA’s most prestigious awards: the Donovan Award for Operational Excellence and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal.
After retirement, Stillwater called Woodruff home yet again. She purchased 15 acres of land to build what she calls “a cowboy house.”
It didn’t take her long to get involved in the community she had always held so close to her heart. For years, Woodruff was a part of the OSU Friends of Music organization with the Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music.
In 2023, she was initiated into OSU’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, the country’s oldest and most esteemed honor society. In October, she will be honored as a College of Arts and Sciences distinguished alumna.
Along with these honors, Woodruff is also an OSU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute instructor for the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses. She has taught international history and aspects of U.S. intelligence classes to aid in OLLI’s mission to help seniors stay active and social.
She has become a popular public speaker, addressing topics such as international events, the U.S. intelligence community and the life of a real-life spy.
She recently partnered with two former colleagues, John Sipher and Jerry O’Shea, in Spycraft Entertainment, a global production company focusing on more realistically representing U.S. intelligence.
Woodruff will tell you, though, that being a member of the OSU Global’s Ambassadors Board is currently her greatest passion.
“What I love about OSU Global is their emphasis on the practical
rather than theory,” Woodruff said. “Everything has action and a purpose with real-world application.”
Woodruff works closely with OSU Global Dean Randy Kluver. When Dr. Kluver arrived in 2017, they sat down to discuss the idea of the school offering certificates so that students would have an opportunity to further their education in more specific areas in a global landscape.
“Meredith has been an invaluable resource and ally for OSU Global and the School of Global Studies,” Kluver said. “Her amazing experience, her global perspective and her strategic understanding have helped us to guide our academic programs, to position the university globally, and to develop a clear strategy for the future to help make OSU a truly global university with an international impact.”
Along with advocating for more opportunities for OSU Global students, Woodruff occasionally speaks to Dr. Jami Fullerton’s public diplomacy classes.
Woodruff also works closely with the OSU Foundation, providing the “Meredith Woodruff and Donald Garner Endowed Scholarship” for OSU Global students.
Nowadays, you can find Woodruff around Stillwater attending various social functions of her respective clubs and organizations. She is always looking forward to what is next in her busy schedule but enjoys spending time with her husband, Donald Garner, a 1959 OSU engineering alumnus who played football and basketball for Cliff Speegle and Henry Iba.
“It’s good to be home. Stillwater is such a great place to live, but OSU is what makes it exceptional,” she said.
Scan the code to watch a video interview with Woodruff.
Celebrating Legacies
2024 marked several key OSU Global anniversaries
Although anniversaries are just numbers, OSU Global finds them opportunities to reflect on where we have come from and where we are going.
The anniversaries remind us of our organization’s purpose from the beginning and allow us to reflect on how far we have come in achieving those purposes. Oklahoma State University’s legacy as a global land-grant institution is built upon the vision and commitment of those who went before us.
Here were the three key anniversaries in 2024 that helped to shape OSU’s global engagement:
75th Anniversary | Point Four Program
• The Point Four Program was undoubtedly the key moment OSU launched into global engagement.
• The initiative began with President Harry S. Truman’s 1949 inaugural address, where he outlined four major foreign policy goals. The fourth — sharing American knowledge and technology with developing nations — led to creating the Point Four Program. Truman then called upon his friend, Dr. Henry G. Bennett, who took leave as president of Oklahoma A&M College, to establish the new agency that would shape U.S. engagement worldwide in the post-WWII era.
• Bennett then spent the next two years developing projects around the world, involving universities as key implementers of the development projects. He called upon his personal relationship with Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie to create a partnership for OAMC to work with the Ethiopian government to help establish Haramaya University and Jimma Technical School. More than 100 OSU faculty, researchers and their families relocated to Ethiopia to lay the foundation for these institutions and the Debra Zeit agricultural research facility.
• This anniversary celebrated OSU’s lasting global impact, highlighting decades of educational exchange, agricultural innovation, and international partnership. Bennett served as director of the Point IV program (now called the Technical Cooperation Agency) until his untimely death (alongside his wife, Vera) in an airplane crash in 1951.
40th Anniversary | Oklahoma/Kyoto Sister State
• In 2024, Oklahoma and Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, marked 40 years of their sister-state relationship, established in 1985. The sister-state agreement promotes cultural exchange, education, business, agriculture and medical collaboration.
• As part of this relationship, OSU created a campus in Kameoka, Japan, and hundreds of Japanese students studied at OSU-Kameoka. Although the campus in Kameoka didn’t last long, the City of Stillwater still maintains a sister-city relationship. It has a citywide walking/riding trail (the Kameoka Trail) commemorating the historical partnership.
25th Anniversary | School of Global Studies
• In 2024, OSU’s School of Global Studies celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of preparing students for impactful careers in international affairs.
• Since its inception in 1999, the program has evolved to meet the changing dynamics of global challenges. Originally known as the School of International Studies, it was restructured in 2016 to the School of Global Studies and Partnerships. It was later rebranded in 2023 as OSU Global, reflecting its expanded mission and global engagement.
• The Master of Science in Global Studies, offered through OSU Global, equips students with interdisciplinary knowledge in global trade, disaster management, public diplomacy, and leadership. The program emphasizes real-world issues and prepares graduates for roles in multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
Oklahoma State University leadership and faculty connect with OSU alumni in the International College Beijing Center at China Agricultural University in October 2024. Included are Dr. Xiaoyan Wang, deputy dean of International College Beijing, China Agricultural University; Dr. Cheryl DeVuyst, agricultural economics department head; OSU Provost Jeanette Mendez; Dr. Jeff Simpson, assistant dean and director of global partnerships; and Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and OSU Global dean.
Oklahoma State University alumni gather in New Delhi, India, to bond over brunch and fond memories of their time in Stillwater.
Oklahoma State University alumni from various fields attend a reunion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at a venue provided by the Saudi Entertainment Academy.
