With the start of another academic year, I hope you are planning a trip to Stillwater this fall to experience the beauty and excitement on the Oklahoma State University campus. Our campus looks better than ever. Thanks to ongoing donor support, we are upgrad-
Former Congressman Wes Watkins is an Oklahoma treasure and a loyal and generous alum.
ing and adding much-needed facilities, including two
He has a fascinating rags-to-riches story that is
recently completed projects.
superbly captured in a new book by OSU alumnus
The new wing for the College of Human Sciences
Kim Parrish. You will also enjoy profiles on Paul
building opened this semester and will allow us to
Wyers, John C. Smith, Behfar Jahanshahi, Rob
better serve students with new labs, a 300-seat multi-
Walton, Bob Smith and Stacia Long Glavas.
purpose room, and space for seminars and student
Thanks for all you do for Oklahoma State University. First Cowgirl Ann and I hope to see you
project displays. When you come to campus, you can stay at the renovated Atherton Hotel, which features the new State Room Lounge. Connected to the Student Union,
on campus soon. Go Pokes!
The Atherton Hotel is listed among the Historic Hotels of America and places you in the heart of the campus.
Burns Hargis
While our campus is changing every day, one
OSU President
thing has remained constant throughout Oklahoma State’s history: the determination, creativity and impact of our graduates. Today’s students have many wonderful success stories to inspire them. This issue of STATE profiles some notable examples. OSU alumna Malinda Berry Fischer was named the Philanthropist of the Year at the 2016 Women for OSU Symposium. PHOTO / GARY LAWSON
Malinda’s grandmother, Malinda Blanche Wise Diggs, was the second woman to graduate from Oklahoma A&M College in 1898. Malinda has given back to her alma mater in so many ways.
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FALL 2016
OSU President Burns Hargis greets students and staff at “Burgers with Burns,” sponsored by the Center for Sovereign Nations. Read more about the first year of the center’s activities on Page 74.