STATE magazine - Fall 2025

The official magazine of Oklahoma State University

Cowboy family,

There’s incredible energy in Stillwater this time of year — the kind that comes with a new fall semester.

The sidewalks are filled with fresh faces and old friends, classrooms hum with possibility, and you can feel the excitement of what lies ahead. It’s a reminder that at Oklahoma State University, every season brings unlimited opportunities.

This fall, that spirit is matched by a milestone that speaks to our land-grant mission. With the historic $250 million investment in a new veterinary teaching hospital, OSU is poised to transform animal health education for generations. Surrounded by students, faculty and leaders from across the state, we celebrated this landmark moment alongside members of the Cowboy family and the Oklahoma Legislature who made it possible. This facility will help us recruit the best faculty, prepare world-class veterinarians and strengthen Oklahoma’s economy — but I want to be clear: this is only the beginning.

The Cowboy spirit is one of building — not only facilities, but futures. That’s why I’m equally inspired by the launch of the Horizon Scholars program, a powerful example of what happens when our alumni link arms to open doors for the next generation. Through their generosity, high-achieving students from all backgrounds will have the financial support, mentorship and experiences to dream as big as the sky — and achieve even bigger.

These investments — in people and in places — remind us what makes OSU so special. As we look ahead — to a new semester, a new veterinary hospital, more scholarships and greater impact — let’s remember that our work is never finished.

Every step forward is an invitation to dream bigger, work harder and help one more student change the course of their life.

Go Pokes!

Dr. Jim D. Hess OSU President osupres@okstate.edu

46 Blueprint for the Future

A historic $250 million investment sets the stage for OSU to build the nation’s premier veterinary teaching hospital and elevate rural care across Oklahoma.

52 Just Getting Started

OSU President Jim Hess outlines a bold, studentcentered vision for OSU — from scholarships and mental health to a unified OSU System. (Cover photo: Ellie Piper)

56

A Crystal Clear Vision

OSU alumnus and ophthalmology pioneer Dr. James Wise commits $2 million to advance veterinary eye care and honor the university that shaped his career.

18

Horizon Scholars

Donor-powered scholarship program launches to support high-achieving students with mentorship, global experiences and career-ready training.

24

The Fire in Her Heart

After losing her home to the spring wildfires, OSU senior Jadrian Cook found strength in the Cowboy family — and walked across the graduation stage with hope in her heart.

32

Nursing the Future

OSU’s nursing program celebrates its first graduating class and expands efforts to address Oklahoma’s health care workforce shortage.

36

Mid-Air Miracle

OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine alumnus Dr. TJ Trad saves a passenger’s life during an international flight — thanks to quick thinking, medical expertise and a suitcase full of supplies.

64

Global Footprints, Local Impact

The 2025 Women for OSU Symposium honored student journeys, cross-cultural service and the power of philanthropy to transform lives.

Letters

OSU BRAND MANAGEMENT

Megan Horton | Associate Vice President of Brand Management

Lance Latham | Chief Communications Officer

Erin Petrotta | Chief Marketing Officer

Casey Cleary | Associate Director of Marketing Strategy

Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations

Jeremy Davis | Associate Director of Multimedia

Shannon Rigsby | Associate Director of Public Information

Andrew Breshears | Associate Director of Web Strategy

Hayley Hagen | Assistant Director of Digital Communications

Dave Malec | Creative Manager

Jordan Bishop | Managing Editor

Kinsey Garcia and Kara Peters | Administrative Support

Codee Classen, Cody Giles, Stephen Matthews and Alyssa White | Design

Natalie Cox, Jeff Hopper, Page Mindedahl, Charly Smith and Sydney Trainor | Editorial

Cody Cramer, Chris Ensor, Phil Gahagans, Kaitlyn Henry and Karolyn Moberly | Marketing

Adam Hildebrandt and McKinzie McElroy | Multimedia

Gary Lawson, Ellie Piper, Eric Priddy and Elizabeth Rogers | Photography

William Hoback and Kendall Nodorft | Social Media

Kurtis Mason | Trademarks and Licensing

Kaitlin Little, Sarah Lyon, Joshua Michael and Chance Parker | Web Department of Brand Management | 305 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078-1024 405-744-6262 | okstate.edu | statemagazine.okstate.edu | editor@okstate.edu | osu.advertising@okstate.edu

OSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Scott Eisenhauer | Chair

Taylor Shinn | Vice Chair

Kurt Carter | Immediate Past Chair

Dr. Ann Caine | President

Jake Wilkins | Vice President of Business Development

David Parrack | Vice President of Finance and Operations

Les Austin, Thomas Blalock, Zach Burrow, Susan Crenshaw, Ben Davis, Deedra Determan, Jonathan Dodson, Dr. Sonja Hughes, Brian Krafft, Chris Moody, Elizabeth Nickles, Krista Roberts, Dr. Cecilia Robinson-Woods, Stacy Schauvliege, Baloo

Subramaniam, Matt Waits and Susanne Wasson | Board of Directors

Will Carr, Chase Carter, Katie Dragoo, Bailee Kirby, Libby Ray and Addie Wagner | Marketing and Communications

OSU Alumni Association | 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 74078 | 405-744-5368 | orangeconnection.org | info@orangeconnection.org

OSU FOUNDATION

Bill Patterson | Chair

Blaire Atkinson | President

Robyn Baker | Vice President and General Counsel

Dawn Barnard | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ty Ropp | Vice President of Development

Pam Guthrie | Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Melanie Davis | Senior Associate Vice President of Information Strategy

Courtney Wolfe MacNelly | Senior Director of Advancement Operations and Chief of Staff Blaire Atkinson, Bryan Begley, Craig Boelte, Ann Caine, Brian Callahan, Bryan Close (Honorary Trustee), Jennifer Grigsby (Honorary Trustee), Robert Keating, Shelly Lambertz, Greg Massey, Ross McKnight (Honorary Trustee), Gail Muncrief, Bill Patterson, Tiffany Sewell-Howard, Terry Stewart, Melinda Stinnett, Beverly WalkerGriffea, Carl Wiese and Darton Zink | Trustees

Bryanna Freer, Samantha Hardy, Jennifer Kinnard, Chris Lewis, Estefania Martinez, Amanda Mason, Heather Millermon, Michael Molholt, Grant Ramirez and Benton Rudd | Marketing and Donor Experiences

OSU Foundation | 400 South Monroe, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 800-6224678 | OSUgiving.com | info@OSUgiving.com

STATE magazine is published three times a year (fall, winter, spring) by Oklahoma State University, 305 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078. The magazine is produced by the Department of Brand Management, the OSU Alumni Association and the OSU Foundation, and is mailed to current members of the OSU Alumni Association. Magazine subscriptions are available only by membership in the OSU Alumni Association. Membership cost is $50. Call 405-744-5368 or mail a check to 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 74078-7043. To change a mailing address, visit orangeconnection.org/update or call 405-744-5368.

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, the director of equal opportunity/Title IX coordinator is located at 201 General Academic Building and can be reached at 405-744-1156 or by visiting EEO.OKSTATE.EDU.

This publication, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the vice president of OSU Brand Management, was printed by Slate Group at a cost of $2.20 per issue: 32,643. | September 2025 | Copyright © 2025, STATE magazine. All rights reserved.

From the Editor's Desk

I hope this fall edition of STATE magazine finds you well. After welcoming another record-setting freshman class and celebrating the largest OSU System enrollment in history, Oklahoma State University is entering a historic season of momentum and possibility. A landmark $250 million investment from the Oklahoma Legislature is laying the foundation for the nation's premier veterinary teaching hospital — a project that will expand access to crucial veterinary care across Oklahoma (Page 46) and propel the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine back to national prominence.

President Jim Hess, with strong support from the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, made securing that investment a top priority when he took office in February. By August, they were welcoming state leaders, alumni, faculty, staff and students to a celebration at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center to celebrate the future of veterinary medicine in Oklahoma.

With a milestone achievement both secured and in progress, Dr. Hess now looks to the future. In this issue, he outlines his student-centered vision for the university — from scholarships and mental health resources to building a unified OSU System (Page 52).

Philanthropy and generosity shine throughout these pages as well, thanks to the contributions of people like Dr. James Wise. A pioneering ophthalmologist and proud OSU alumnus, Wise has committed $2 million to expand veterinary eye care and honor the university that shaped his career (Page 56).

The launch of the Horizon Scholars program (Page 18) — launched in July with support from 13 families — opens doors for high-achieving students, offering mentorship, global experiences and career-ready training that prepares them to lead in our changing world.

While much of this issue looks toward the future, we also share stories of resilience and community today. One example is senior Jadrian Cook, who lost her home the spring wildfires in and around Stillwater, but walked across the graduation stage with strength and hope, supported by her Cowboy family (Page 24).

We celebrate the first graduating class of our nursing program (Page 32) and the quick actions of an OSU alumnus who used his skills to save a passenger's life during an international flight (Page 36).

No matter where you are — whether it’s working cattle in a field or flying at 10,000 feet — Cowboys are there making a difference. Thanks for all of your continued support of OSU and the Cowboy family.

Mack Burke Editor editor@okstate.edu

Orange Passion

Eisenhauer begins term as chair of the OSU Alumni Association’s Board of Directors

This July, Scott Eisenhauer, ’99 general business, became the new chair of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. As he starts the first year of his two-year term, he sat down with STATE magazine to introduce himself to readers and reflect on his new role.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you ended up at OSU?

I grew up on our family farm in Newkirk, Oklahoma, and was raised as a loyal Cowboy fan from birth. I can always remember there were several of our community leaders who proudly displayed their Alumni Association “circle” decals, and I couldn’t wait to be able to have one of those! OSU was always my passionate choice.

What were some of your favorite things about your time here?

Some of my favorite memories at OSU revolve around the relationships and connections I developed. I’ll always remember the student section of basketball games with Coach [Eddie] Sutton and then kicking off the “Raising the Roof” of Gallagher-Iba Arena.

What made you want to stay involved after graduation?

I have a passion for community engagement and giving back, so it’s only logical that OSU is my top choice for staying involved. I want to make sure students have great experiences in Stillwater, and our passionate alumni and friends stay connected in all ways.

How does it feel to be the chair of the OSU Alumni Association’s Board of Directors? It’s very humbling and a great honor and privilege to serve the Alumni Association as chair, representing more than 32,000 members. I look forward to meeting new alumni and friends in this role and growing America’s Brightest Orange! Having the opportunity to lead the organization is a dream come true.

In your view, why should people be Alumni Association members?

The OSU Alumni Association helps individuals and families stay connected to the university and with other alumni and friends of OSU. It’s a way to give back to the university, along with receiving some excellent member benefits. Lastly, remember that the OSU Alumni Association is the core of America’s Greatest Homecoming. We want everyone involved.

PHOTO GARY LAWSON

VISUAL REFLECTIONS

SET TO RETIRE, OSU PHOTOGRAPHER GARY LAWSON SHARES HIGHLIGHTS FROM NEARLY TWO DECADES OF CAPTURING UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Compiling a selection of my favorite images from the past 18-plus years at OSU was not an easy task.

There have been so many great moments, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of capturing so many wonderful moments at this great university and its people.

While I could have selected many other images to include, these images stand out not only because they’re among the best of my photography, but because of the experiences and the stories behind them. That’s what matters most to me.

Using a glass orb I bought during the pandemic, I was able to get a visually interesting photo of a snow-covered campus.

It’s not often I get up before the sunrise, but I was rewarded with a nice image of aerospace students preparing to launch a balloon.

Homecoming is my favorite time of year, plus the Cowboy Stampede Rodeo gave me a chance to shoot some sports.

Shooting sports has always been among my favorites, and while I didn’t do many sporting events, I always relished football games for the great atmosphere and action.

The biggest highlight of my time at OSU was getting to experience the total eclipse in southeastern Oklahoma in April 2024. I was able to absorb the moment while capturing some remarkable images.

Christmas ornament reflection (2021)

Balloon launch (2023)

Solar eclipse (2024)

Cowboy Stampede (2022)

OSU football vs. Baylor (2017)

Another memorable experience was trying to get a small dog and Bullet to pose long enough for a photo.

Sort of an “accidental image that worked out” was of wrestler Jordan Oliver when one of the studio lights failed to go off, resulting in a menacing image of a champion wrestler.

Another “early-riser” image taken from the top of the parking garage.

A double rainbow from the balcony at the Student Union after a morning rainstorm.

One of the few times an image I wanted to get that actually worked out as planned, freezing the ball in flight after it left the pitcher’s hand.

Bullet and Daisy (2014)

Jordan Oliver (2011)

OSU baseball vs UC-Davis (2013)

Double rainbow (2016)

Stillwater sunrise (2016)

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

COWBOY CORRAL

Start your game day at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center!

Enjoy a free, family friendly pep rally 2 1/2 hours before every Saturday home game.

Take pictures with Bullet steps away from the Spirit Walk, and grab a game day snack before the game! Check the day’s scores on surrounding screens, and snap some fun commemorative pics in our photo booth.

Members can enjoy a complimentary Iron Monk beverage or bottled water and pick up limited promo items while supplies last.

ORANGE FRIDAYS

Alumni Association members 21 and older can enjoy one complimentary beverage at Iron Monk Brewing Company on Orange Fridays. Join us from 5-7 p.m. Friday before the games designated on the opposite page. Life Members can enter to win a duffle

GAME DAY GUIDE

TAILGATING PACKAGES

The Alumni Association offers premium indoor tailgating spaces at the Alumni Center for home games! Each package includes:

• Private, air conditioned/heated indoor space from three hours before kickoff up until kickoff

• Stillwater’s favorite foods: Hideaway Pizza, Freddie Paul’s or Red Rock Bakery (dependent upon game time)

• Large, wall-mounted LCD screen with YouTube TV subscription for live games or for presentations

• One reserved parking spot outside the Alumni Center

• Dedicated event attendant

• Access to restrooms

Availability is limited. Visit our website for details and to book.

MEMBER TICKETS

Alumni Association members may purchase game tickets at a 20% discount to three home games this season: Tulsa, Cincinnati (Homecoming) and Iowa State!

HOMECOMING HUB

The OSU Alumni Association is excited to welcome graduates and fans back for Homecoming 2025: “From: Stillwater, To: The World.”

The Cowboy family is invited to check in and start the celebration at one of two Homecoming Hub locations on Friday, Oct. 17.

ConocoPhillips

OSU Alumni Center

• Free Iron Monk beer

• Homecoming merchandise while supplies last

• Photo booth for celebratory pictures

South Library Lawn

• Family friendly activities for Cowboys of all ages

AWAY GAMES

Elevate your away game experience with events Friday nights and Saturdays at all Cowboy football away games.

A limited number of travel packages are also available to the Oregon, Arizona and Kansas games that include hotel accommodations, welcome and pregame events, game day transfers and more.

CHECK IN & WIN!

Check in using the posted QR code at any Alumni Association game day event, and you’ll be entered to win a gift card from the University Store and shopokstate.com!

ALUMNI

8/28 vs. UT Martin

9/6 @ Oregon

9/19 vs. Tulsa

9/27 vs. Baylor

10/4 @ Arizona

10/11 vs. Houston

10/18 vs. Cincinnati HOMECOMING 2025

10/25 @ Texas Tech

11/1 @ Kansas

11/15 vs. Kansas State

11/22 @ UCF

11/29 vs. Iowa State

Oklahoma State University has launched a new prestigious scholarship program with generous support from several Cowboy alumni. In collaboration with President Jim Hess, 13 alumni families have joined together to launch the Horizon Scholars program, which will create a unique educational experience and provide renewable, four-year support for incoming first-time freshmen.

The distinctive program aims to attract and develop students who exemplify the Cowboy Code and demonstrate a well-rounded combination of academic and leadership potential, curiosity, ambition and a strong work ethic. The program will have a tailored curriculum that prepares students with practical and relevant experiences and will include stipends for internships and study abroad as well as mentorship opportunities with scholarship donors and Dr. Hess.

Program Benefits Include:

• $7,500 per year scholarship for four years

• $5,000 one-time award toward a study abroad experience

• $5,000 one-time internship or work experience stipend

• In-state tuition for all students outside of Oklahoma

• Personalized connections with scholarship donors, including mentorship, networking and professional development

• Ability to combine with other aid packages to ensure comprehensive support for students

Through the generosity of our donors, the Horizon Scholars will have access to a premier academic experience in a small community of hardworking students, where they will make lifelong connections with faculty, mentors and fellow future leaders."

Dr. Chris Francisco

SENIOR VICE PROVOST FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Starting with fall 2026 enrollment, admitted freshmen will be eligible to apply for OSU’s Horizon Scholars program and will be invited to submit additional materials, including a video essay. The Horizon Scholars application deadline is Nov. 1.

Hess said the Horizon Scholars program celebrates the generosity of the Cowboy family and honors the investment of the hardworking, successful donors who made it happen.

“These incredible families are not only helping the next generation, but they’re also leading by example and demonstrating what a strong work ethic combined with an OSU degree can accomplish,” Hess said. “We know students will be inspired by these donors and will be encouraged to challenge themselves while they’re here. Hard work and paying it forward are what make our alums so special, and these students will begin their journey to join them.”

OSU alumni Bryan and Jessica Begley were among the group of donors who helped shape and invest in the program. The couple, who graduated from OSU in 1994 and 1995, respectively, said they were inspired by their own time as students in Stillwater.

“We are confident that the Horizon Scholars program will attract terrific students and prepare them to compete with the best of the best in any career path,” Bryan Begley said. “We think these students will quickly become highly sought after by the top employers and graduate programs. Jessica and I are honored and excited to invest in these future leaders.”

Alumnus Joe Eastin and his wife, Monica, were eager to contribute to this opportunity for incoming freshmen for the 2026-27 academic year and provide access to world-class resources through the Eastin Center for Career Readiness at OSU.

"It is an honor to be a part of the new scholarship program to help students who embody the Cowboy Code continue to develop into future leaders,” said Joe Eastin, executive chairman and board chair at ISN Software Corporation.

“Monica and I look forward to congratulating the 2026 inaugural recipients of the Horizon Scholars program and are excited for them to begin their OSU journey.”

Horizon Scholars, regardless of their chosen major, will participate in a rigorous, interdisciplinary foundational curriculum rooted in humanities, social sciences and STEM. The core curriculum will also include intensive reading and writing and special seminars and classes focused on current events and topics. The program’s objective is to create well-rounded, wellread leaders who can think critically, creatively and independently. Additional support for scholars includes targeted leadership development programming, specialized career training through the Eastin Center for Career Readiness, study abroad programming to expand global mindsets, and campus involvement requirements to enhance leadership roles and campus experiences.

Scan for more information about the program and application process.

"OSU has long combined the best of both worlds in higher education: a large research university where students can study almost anything they want, and a family atmosphere in which students find small communities that make the university feel like a home,” said Dr. Chris Francisco, senior vice provost for academic affairs. “Through the generosity of our donors, the Horizon Scholars will have access to a premier academic experience in a small community of hardworking students, where they will make lifelong connections with faculty, mentors and fellow future leaders."

With a vision to impact 500 students annually, the OSU Foundation and initial donor group hope to attract investments from up to 20 donor families before the first cohort of scholars arrive on campus in fall 2026.

“These families are leading by example and showing the entire Cowboy family the power of generosity. We are incredibly grateful,” said Blaire Atkinson, OSU Foundation president. “Our ultimate, long-term vision is that every student at Oklahoma State is connected through a donorfunded four-year scholarship, and we hope others will join us in making this happen.”

OSU and the OSU Foundation are actively engaging additional alumni and friends who are passionate about elevating the institution through student support. For more information about supporting scholarships at OSU, please contact the OSU Foundation at 800.622.4678 or visit OSUgiving.com.

SUCCESSFUL OSU GRADUATES

PAY IT FORWARD

PAY IT FORWARD TO THE NEXT GENERATION

The cohort of Horizon Scholar donors are all hardworking, resilient and entrepreneurial alumni who represent the best of OSU. Each of the following 13 alumni families has had remarkable success leading high-impact organizations while adhering to the Cowboy Code. They’re giving back to the next generation, because that’s what Cowboys do. And they’re challenging fellow OSU alumni to do the same.

Jennifer & Mark Allen

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

Gina & Tucker Bridwell

ABILENE, TEXAS

Janet McGehee & Bryan Close

TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Monica & Joe Eastin

DALLAS, TEXAS

Shelly & Gant Lambertz

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA

Ann & Bill Oglesby

BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA

Jessica & Bryan Begley

SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS

Angie & Brian Callahan

DALLAS, TEXAS

Julie & Claude Connelly

DALLAS, TEXAS

Helen Hodges

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

Gail & Rick Muncrief

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA

Lucina & Kyle Thompson

DALLAS, TEXAS

Jamie & Darton Zink

TULSA, OKLAHOMA

IMPACT SPOTLIGHT

THORNTON Julicia

SOPHOMORE | BUSINESS, SPORTS MANAGEMENT STILLWATER, OK

SCHOLARSHIPS:

• Robert A. Parman Foundation Scholarship

• Natalie Shirley and Russ Harrison Family Scholarship

Julicia Thornton weaved her way through the massive crowd at Walkaround, trying to keep a generous distance from her parents. She wanted to feel like one of the college kids.

Growing up in Stillwater, Thornton has been immersed in Oklahoma State University tradition her whole life. She held her dad’s hand when she met Pistol Pete for the first time, watched the Pom Squad perform at her elementary school assemblies and walked the high school graduation stage in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The community has given her a sense of belonging, and she wasn’t ready to leave it behind. Choosing OSU was the clear choice — to become one of the college students she always looked up to.

“As someone who grew up in Stillwater, I came in thinking I knew what to expect,” Thornton said. “But actually, living it as a student has been a completely different and more meaningful experience.”

Along with the support of her family, scholarships have been crucial to making Thornton’s OSU education possible.

They’ve allowed her to pursue new opportunities on campus without the constant stress of financial pressure. She can better focus on her education and enjoy little things, such as latenight study sessions with friends and the ability to afford parking on campus.

“These moments might seem small, but they’ve become some of the most special parts of my journey,” Thornton said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the way my scholarships have made college not just possible, but memorable.”

She has had a passion for the world of sports from a young age, something that sparked when she first picked up a volleyball in second grade.

It was more than just a game for her. Thornton fell in love with the atmosphere, energy and behind-the-scenes dynamics. The volleyball court was her playground to enjoy it all, but ultimately, she had to accept she wouldn’t continue playing at the college level.

"It’s easy to think of scholarships as financial aid, but to me, this has been a reminder that people out there believe in students like me, even without knowing us personally. That kind of support is powerful.”

-Julicia Thornton

But that realization didn’t close a door; it opened one. As a business major with a minor in sports management, she strives to become a sports agent who helps athletes achieve their goals.

“I’ve always admired the hard work and dedication it takes to be an athlete, and I want to be someone who supports them beyond the game,” Thornton said. “I’m especially passionate about helping young athletes navigate the business side of sports. My hope is to make a lasting impact by being a positive influence during some of the most important moments in their careers.”

Throughout Thornton’s life, her parents did everything they could to put food on the table and give their children a bright future. Scholarship support has not only lifted a weight off their shoulders but also provided more inspiration for her to turn their sacrifices into success.

“It's easy to think of scholarships as financial aid, but to me, this has been a reminder that people out there believe in students like me, even without knowing us personally," Thornton said. "That kind of support is powerful. It pushes me to work harder, stay grounded and never take a single part of this journey for granted."

To learn how you can make a difference in the lives of students like Julicia, visit:

THE FIRE

HEART IN HER

OSU student and newlywed receives support from the Cowboy family following wildfires

STORY SYDNEY TRAINOR

PHOTOS MITCHELL ALCALA, JEREMY COOK AND EMILY GOLDEN

Eight weeks remained before Jadrian Cook would walk across the graduation stage to receive a hard-earned bachelor’s degree. In four months, she would walk down the aisle to marry the love of her life — both steps she’d dreamed of taking since childhood.

While the Oklahoma State University nutritional sciences senior did eventually take those momentous steps, the path there became nearly impossible one spring afternoon.

On March 14, 2025, Cook clocked in for work at Cowboy Dining around 6 a.m. like she does every day and headed home at 1 p.m. to work on wedding plans.

However, on that particular Friday, Cook stopped at Walmart for groceries — a deviation that let her spot a wildfire and smoke 2-3 miles from home.

“If I hadn’t stopped at the store, I would not have seen the fires up that close,” Cook said.

Cook has lived in Oklahoma her entire life, specifically Stillwater, and she knew how quickly fires spread.

Before packing a single item or loading one of her own pets, Cook called everyone she knew — giving them

“It was all hands on deck. No one tells you growing up that in the case of wildfire, these are the things that you’re going to need, so when you’re grabbing everything inside, it’s like, what can we fit in a vehicle?”

Jadrian Cook OSU NUTRITIONAL SCIENCES ALUMNA

“I think it’s important for people to know we are prepared and responsive when those needs arise, whether that’s on a larger scale or every day on a micro level.”

Scott Alexander DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SUPPORT

a chance to grab their animals and essentials.

“I saw them driving home and started making as many phone calls as I could. I called my mom and had her call all her students and coworkers, just making sure they could get back and get their pets, dogs, anything they could,” she said.

When Cook finally pulled into her driveway, she hopped out of her car and walked into the house to find her dad napping and her brother working on his computer, unaware of the nearby danger.

Together, they leapt to action, shoving her childhood home into bags.

“It was all hands on deck,” Cook said. “No one tells you growing up that in the case of wildfire, these are the things that you’re going to need, so when you’re grabbing everything inside, it’s like, what can we fit in a vehicle?”

They also loaded the family’s cat, six dogs, five ferrets and 14 chickens.

“I was not about to leave any of them, so we got all the animals loaded in the car, and then we started loading items,” Cook said. “I got my high school yearbooks, my younger brother got his stuff and went upstairs and grabbed my prom dresses and all that kind of stuff that I wasn’t quite thinking about, the memory type material.”

With as much of their lives as they could fit in the three family cars, the

Cook family went to the safety of their second home — Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Due to news coverage, they knew they would see rubble where their home once stood when they arrived the next morning.

Still, the Cooks traveled back to their property and began sifting through ash for items that might have been spared. One item that didn’t survive was Cook’s wedding dress.

Disaster response teams, like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross, activated to help those in need. Locally, the Cowboy Strong saddled up to donate and lend a hand to help their neighbors.

Approximately 96 homes were destroyed, and an additional 123 homes were impacted. The fire also caused damage to 74 campers at Lake Carl Blackwell, according to the Stillwater Fire Department.

“I’d seen something similar happen in this town before, whenever the car crash happened at the Homecoming parade all those years ago,” Cook said. “A lot of people came together to help the families that were affected by that, and so I know this town is capable of those kinds of things. This was just on a much bigger scale than it had ever happened before that it was insane to see.”

After the OSU Division of Student Affairs sent an email, Scott Alexander — director of student support — drew

on established partnerships with University Health Services, the University Store, Housing and Residential Life, and University Counseling to assist Cook and other affected students.

“I think it’s important for people to know we are prepared and responsive when those needs arise, whether that’s on a larger scale or every day on a micro level,” Alexander said. “... We anticipate that students are going to face challenges while they’re here and we have processes, programs and staff who are ready and equipped to help in addressing those needs.”

With their basic needs met, Cook and her family, along with their dogs, moved into a hotel to begin starting over. Meanwhile, Alexander helped her replace physical textbooks, school supplies and even her graduation regalia, including an OSU-branded shirt she had purchased just a week earlier to wear under her cap and gown.

Still, he and his team continued to find additional ways to support her.

“I don’t think it was really on her radar,” Alexander said. “She and her family were in a temporary housing situation. But I remember saying, ‘You’re just weeks away from graduating. You’re heading into finals. Yes, your basic safety needs are met, but you’re still dealing with some complex challenges.’ So, I just asked, ‘Would it be helpful to have on-campus housing, a space that’s all your own, so you could have that peace of mind? Not that you’re trying to stop caring for your family, but so you can focus on what you need to focus on right now.’

“And she said, ‘If that’s possible. That would be great.’”

This made getting to work easier and gave her a quiet place to successfully finish her undergraduate degree.

OSU has a Cowboy Strong emergency fund that offers shortterm financial assistance to OSUStillwater students facing unexpected hardships such as illness, accidents or housing issues that could disrupt their education.

In this instance, the funds from Cowboy Strong helped the Cook family purchase replacement household items like clothing, bedding and other essential items.

And while Cook was receiving support from OSU, members of the Stillwater community still wanted to step up and help.

Like any other bride, Cook’s emotional tipping point during this time was continuing to plan the dream wedding with her groom without her dream dress.

Alexander and his team saw how much losing the one thing she couldn’t easily replace impacted her.

So, they reached out to Formal Fantasy, a local business that hadn’t yet had a chance to get involved.

When he called, owner Stacia Smith immediately offered to donate a dress and take care of all the altering.

While one of Cook’s friends ultimately provided the gown, Smith still found a way to help arrange for the dress to be professionally drycleaned and altered.

As Cook walked across the graduation stage in May and down the aisle in July — wearing her dream dress, thanks to community generosity — she carried more than childhood dreams fulfilled.

When she looked through the veil at the crowd, Cook now knew that even when everything seems lost, the Cowboy family ensures you don’t face the rebuild alone.

Hope is fireproof.

Scan to learn how you can support the Cowboy Strong Student Emergency Fund.

OUR STUDENTS DON’T WAIT FOR OPPORTUNITY.

Create it.

They know what they want and come here to accomplish it: stable careers shaping patient care, protecting communities, fueling a growing creative economy or leading across industries that drive Oklahoma forward.

Each College of Professional Studies student brings a unique history of jobs, training and education. Specialists work one-on-one to translate expertise into college credit and connect coursework to experiences that open doors.

Oklahoma State University-Tulsa is where northeastern Oklahoma comes together to shape the future. We unite industry, organizations, researchers and students to transform ideas into real-world impact. Through the College of Professional Studies and OSU Polytech, we collaborate with employers to strengthen their workforce and help employees advance. By driving groundbreaking research to market, advancing workforce education and fostering collaboration across diverse sectors, OSU-Tulsa is Orange Country’s center of innovation and growth.

Every class is designed with intention to transform time, e ort and credits into real progress toward a fulfilling career. For professionals in the making and professionals on the rise, we’re transforming opportunity into outcomes.

OSU Online is ranked #1 “Best Online College in Oklahoma” by Forbes Education

FLEXIBLE, AFFORDABLE, WORK ABLE.

Continue your Cowboy legacy at Oklahoma State University with a flexible and affordable online graduate degree or certificate. With career-ready options in high-demand fields and access to student support services, it’s easy to see why OSU Online is ranked as the #1 “Best Online College in Oklahoma.”

Apply today and receive waived application fees for our OSU alumni and, for the first time, one rate tuition for most degree programs!*

*Great Plains IDEA and Center for Health Sciences Programs are not included in one rate tuition for graduate degrees.

A Generous Tradition

Give Orange deepens its legacy in Cowboy culture year after year

Oklahoma State University’s annual day of giving has become more than a fundraising effort — it’s a cherished tradition.

This year, the campaign raised an impressive $1,024,914 from 2,065 donors, showcasing the powerful impact of a united Cowboy family.

For the first time, Give Orange featured an on-campus celebration that brought together student organizations from across the university to honor the spirit of philanthropy. The event buzzed with energy as students gathered to make a difference and inspire their peers to support the OSU community.

Lily Stuckey, a student digital ambassador for the past three years and an OSU Student Foundation member, played a key role in organizing the event. She was moved by the overwhelming student participation.

“I was in awe of how many students voluntarily gave to their Orange Passion to help others in their community,” Stuckey said. “Give Orange has opened my eyes to the impact students can have at Oklahoma State. We don’t have to wait to give back. We can make a difference right now.”

The Student Union Plaza turned orange with enthusiasm April 2-3 as students proudly shared what giving means to them. The event kicked off with a live session featuring participating organizations, which hosted activities and giveaways, including the OSU Student Foundation’s cash cube, where students grabbed flying bills of Cowboy Cash to support their Orange Passion.

Dr. John Tetnowski, a faculty digital ambassador and longtime supporter of Give Orange, echoed Stuckey’s sentiments. He has witnessed firsthand how generosity continues to ripple outward through the Cowboy family.

OSU Student Foundation members help spread the word about Give Orange during an on-campus celebration for the annual fundraising campaign.

“It always impresses me how generosity spreads,” Tetnowski said. “Over the years, student and alumni gifts have inspired family members, friends and others who want to support a great cause. In this fashion, a small gift multiplies many times over.”

The spirit of giving extended well beyond campus. Donors played a vital role in the campaign’s success, helping unlock more than $431,000 through challenge funds and matching gifts. Their support amplified the impact of over 2,000 contributions across 227 funds. As Give Orange continues to grow, so does its reach and influence.

“The momentum we’ve seen is remarkable,” said Adrian Matthys, assistant vice president of pipeline growth and readiness at the OSU Foundation. “Give Orange is more than a fundraising effort — it’s a celebration of community and a growing tradition of generosity. Its impact extends far beyond one day.”

$1,024,914

To learn more about how you can make an impact at OSU, visit OSUgiving.com.

“Give Orange has opened my eyes to the impact students can have at Oklahoma State. We don’t have to wait to give back. We can make a difference right now.”

LILY STUCKEY OSU STUDENT FOUNDATION

Bullet Racing and the Euphoria Fashion Show are two of the many student organizations that benefited from donations during Give Orange.

RAISED FOR OSU

Medical facilities throughout Oklahoma are getting a much-needed shot in the arm.

THE

NURSING FUTURE

OSU NURSING PROGRAM GRADUATES ADDRESSING HEALTH CARE SHORTAGES

Oklahoma State University’s fouryear Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is making great strides toward closing the gap in the state and national shortage of nursing professionals, producing a new generation of highly qualified nurses equipped to lead with confidence.

Housed within the College of Education and Human Sciences, the BSN program is the culmination of years of dedication and collaboration. From its early planning stages to celebrating the first graduating class, this initiative continues to grow with purpose and momentum.

Now in its third year, the program welcomes 105 aspiring nurses to the Stillwater campus for 2025-26. Since its inception in the fall of 2023, the program has accepted nearly 250 students.

Director of nursing Dr. Alana Cluck says it has been incredibly rewarding to lead and witness the transformation of a vision into a thriving reality.

“I am immensely proud that the BSN program at OSU

is built on a strong foundation of academic excellence, a supportive and compassionate learning environment, and a commitment to high expectations,” Cluck said.

“We strive to empower our students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in today’s health care landscape. Our nursing faculty represents a cohesive, highly experienced, compassionate and exceptionally knowledgeable team of nurse educators whose collective expertise and dedication to student success set them apart.”

Substantial growth has been found in enrollment capacity, faculty size and facilities.

Five new faculty members have joined the team for the 2025-26 academic year.

LEADING EDGE LAB

OSU nursing students can now access a state-of-the-art simulation lab that mirrors real-world clinical environments.

This high-fidelity, hands-on training space allows students to build

confidence, sharpen clinical judgment, and respond to complex health care scenarios long before they step into a hospital or clinic.

The Mary K. Chapman Nursing Simulation Laboratory was dedicated in April 2025 thanks to a $1.5 million gift from the H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Foundation in support of the initiative.

Thanks to the generous support of the Chapman Foundation, the Pedigo family and the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, among other donors through the OSU Foundation, students have the opportunity to work in a safe environment to hone their nursing skills with individual attention from their faculty.

Assistant professor Dr. Chris Fisher emphasizes that the training facility is essential to build confidence and competence in new nurses.

“This practice allows them to think and act in an environment that allows for mistakes and real-time adjustments to thoughts and actions, which is the cornerstone for clinical judgement,” Fisher said. “Practicing this in the

“I AM IMMENSELY PROUD THAT THE BSN PROGRAM AT OSU IS BUILT ON A STRONG FOUNDATION OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, A SUPPORTIVE AND COMPASSIONATE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, AND A COMMITMENT TO HIGH EXPECTATIONS.”

DR. ALANA CLUCK DIRECTOR OF NURSING

Clinical assistant professor Dr. Tracy Kendall and OSU President Jim Hess present Rebecca Gentry with a nursing pin at the inaugural pinning ceremony on May 8, 2025.

Scan to watch the 2025 pinning ceremony.

STATE OF NURSING

BY THE NUMBERS

46th

IN THE U.S. FOR NURSES PER CAPITA WITH JUST 7.5 NURSES PER 1,000 RESIDENTS

(U.S BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS)

6%

INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR REGISTERED NURSES BY 2033

(U.S BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS)

52%

TURNOVER RATE OF UNLICENSED NURSES IN OKLAHOMA

22.3%

TURNOVER RATE OF LICENSED NURSES IN OKLAHOMA (2024 OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION WORKFORCE SURVEY)

simulation center before having to do it with humans who are in need of specialized care is what sets our students apart when they are working with practicing nurses during their hands-on clinical time.”

QUALITY NURSING

Backed by rigorous courses, hands-on clinicals and statewide support, program graduates are ready to make an impact from day one.

OSU BSN students have the unique experience of being embedded in campus life, like any other student.

Dr. Diane Cannon, assistant professor of nursing, believes this illustrates the well-rounded nature of the program.

“Yes, they’re training to become highly competent, compassionate nurses in an intensive academic program. But they’re also getting the full OSU experience — something many nursing students in other programs simply don’t have,” Cannon said.

“Our students are part of a vibrant, traditional college campus. They cheer

on the Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium, join Greek life, attend concerts and cultural events, and make lifelong friendships in student organizations. They study hard but feel connected to a larger community that celebrates who they are and who they’re becoming.”

Just as important, they’re surrounded by top-tier campus resources — from the LASSO Center and the Reboot Center, to mental health support, tutoring, academic coaching and career services. These wraparound supports ensure they don’t just survive nursing school, they thrive.

“It’s not just about becoming a nurse,” Cannon said. “It’s about growing into a well-rounded, resilient and connected leader. That’s the Cowboy way — and it’s a difference you can feel.”

INAUGURAL GRADUATES

The 20 degree candidates from the first class of BSN students were recognized for their achievements in May 2025 during the inaugural

pinning ceremony, marking a historic milestone.

Nurse pinning ceremonies symbolize seasoned nurses welcoming new nurses into the profession. The pin is a symbol worn by nurses to indicate to the public that they have completed the rigorous training required and expected of professional nurses. The inaugural ceremony was a true celebration of the hard work of both the students and the faculty.

And it honored trailblazing students and the official launch of a nursing program rooted in excellence, compassion and innovation. With each pin placed, the graduates joined a global legacy of nurses who heal, lead and advocate.

Each graduate has been hired in nursing positions, and some are continuing their education in graduate school. Most importantly, they are passing the national licensing exam.

This first class has set the tone for generations to come — and they’ve made OSU history.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

Tremendous early support by donors and the establishment of endowed scholarships have provided access and support for students who want to pursue

a nursing degree. The availability of scholarships helps alleviate financial barriers they may have otherwise faced.

For supporters Chelsea (a nurse practitioner) and Blake Bixler, that was the driving force in establishing an endowed scholarship fund specifically for students from the rural area of northwest Oklahoma — even more so for those with a passion for returning to serve in their own communities.

From rural communities themselves, they have witnessed how critical access to quality health care is.

“Nursing school is demanding, both academically and financially. For many students from rural areas, even the dream of becoming a nurse can feel out of reach because of cost. We hope these scholarships ease that burden so students can focus on their education rather than how they’ll afford it,” the Bixlers said.

Scholarships send a message to students, saying, “We believe in you” — that there are individuals who want to invest in their success.

“That kind of encouragement can be just as powerful as the dollars themselves, especially for firstgeneration students or those from underserved areas,” the Bixlers added.

OSU alumnus Patrick Wyers was compelled to establish an endowed scholarship in the name of his late wife, Joyce, who served on the nursing faculty at the University of Texas-Austin for 27 years.

Echoing the Bixlers’ sentiment, Wyers hopes to alleviate the stress of trying to fund a college education.

“I hope scholarships in nursing will greatly help young women and men to fully devote their time to their studies, allowing them to be able to earn a good living, and give excellent care to their future patients,” he said.

For more information about the nursing programs offered at OSU, visit nursing.okstate.edu. If you’d like to learn how to support nursing through the OSU Foundation, contact senior director of development Rachel Tribble at rtribble@osugiving.com.

The first Bachelor of Science of Nursing graduating class. Pictured from left: Christian Brashear, Briley Penny, Teigan Denny, Jackalyn Patterson, Carsen Bartmess, Lacie Newnam, Sidney Farr, Kinsley Fitzsimons, Kylee Sumners, Hannah Bradford, Anna Hester, Kaitlyn Root, Vanessa Wright, Mattie Aishman, Megan DeShazo, Rebecca Gentry, MKenzie Wipfli, Grace Adams, Ally Bartley and Tracy Hernon.

Scan to watch an Inside OSU feature on the nursing program.

Is there a doctor on board? It’s a line heard repeatedly in movies and television shows — and in real life, apparently.

Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine alumnus Dr. TJ Trad was returning from a medical mission trip to Uganda in April 2025 when he responded to the call for a doctor about three hours into his flight because a male passenger was suffering from symptoms of a heart attack.

Trad, an invasive cardiologist at Stillwater Medical Center and the Tulsa Cardiology Clinic, said the patient was drenched in sweat and rated his pain a 10 out of 10.

“He then asked, ‘Am I going to die?’ And the first thing that came to mind was ‘not today,’” he said.

Trad, who also founded the nonprofit global health initiative Cura for the World, was traveling with its medical team alongside the nonprofit Project Orphans. Because it was a medical trip, he had a lot of the medications needed to help treat the passenger including aspirin, nitroglycerin, statins, a beta blocker, a blood thinner and ACE inhibitors.

“I had all the guideline-directed medical therapies with me. It’s what you give someone in an ER in Tulsa,” he said. “We had an AED, in case he needed that, we could shock him. I had a portable ultrasound machine. I had an EKG machine; I had a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter. A device called KardiaMobile that we used to check for arrhythmia.”

Trad said there is a spectrum of heart attacks with different levels of severity from STEMI and NSTEMI where the coronary artery is completely or partially blocked, to a less severe unstable angina, or UA, that occurs suddenly and blood flow to the heart is reduced due to plaque in the arteries.

“He had all the risk factors: he was diabetic, he had high blood pressure, he had high cholesterol, he was in the right age group for something like that to happen,” he said.

Trad had the passenger lay down across a row of seats, administered the necessary medications and checked his vitals every 10 to 15 minutes as his symptoms and chest pain subsided.

Dr. TJ Trad OSU-COM ALUMNUS “

He then asked,

‘Am I going to die?’ And the first thing that came to mind was ‘not today.’”

“When they have all the risk factors and they tell you they’re having chest pain and they’re sweating, you’re going to treat it like a heart attack. You give them all the medications that we would give them in an ER. The fact that he went from chest pain to no chest pain with medical therapy, we did the right thing,” he said.

The passenger’s symptoms improved to the point where the flight didn’t have to divert, and the plane was able to land at its original destination, the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where an ambulance and medical crew were waiting on the tarmac to take the passenger and his wife to the hospital.

Trad said the passenger was admitted to the hospital for 12 hours and is now doing great.

COWBOY TO CURA

Trad’s drive to help people was sparked when he was 9, living in Lebanon with his family. He woke up with a toothache one morning, so he walked about 5 miles to a United

Nations clinic, where he was quickly seen by a dentist.

“I remember leaving that clinic and thinking to myself, if I can ever do that, that would be the best day of my life. I wanted to be that person, like that doctor that took care of me,” he said.

Trad followed his two older brothers to OSU where he spent the next 16 years first earning his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, then a master’s in biomedical sciences from OSU Center for Health Sciences and his medical degree from OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency and an invasive cardiology fellowship at OSU Medical Center.

“I graduated from my fellowship on Friday, May 16, 2016, and I filed for a 501c3 for Cura on Monday,” he said.

Cura for the World operates free clinics in Tanzania, Uganda and Peru with plans to build a clinic in Nepal near Mount Everest Base Camp. Cura’s first clinic in the United States opened in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, in 2019.

Each of the three international clinics sees about 2,000 to 3,000 patients a year and the Sapulpa clinic, operated by volunteers and open two days a week, sees about 16 to 30 patients a week.

“It feels incredibly rewarding. If I could do this full time, that’d be amazing, but I can’t,” Trad said.

“It’s not called the Trad Foundation, it’s called Cura. That creates longevity and sustainability. That’s why it’s not a one-man show. It’s a conglomerate, a bunch of people that are doing the same thing with the same heart for service and they want to help humanity.”

When it comes to what makes people feel truly happy and fulfilled, Trad said it’s three things — impact, mentorship and legacy.

“OSU teaches you that very early. It’s like we’re ambassadors for the school if you really think about it. When you go to a developing country and you meet the Minister of Health or someone like that, they ask you ‘Where did you go to college?’ I went to Oklahoma State, so then you become this reflection of the school that you graduated from. And it’s really cool,” he said. “You really feel like you’re

OSU-COM alumnus Dr. TJ Trad, founder of Cura for the World global health initiative, listens to the heart sounds of a baby girl in Zirobwe, Uganda, during a medical mission trip with Project Orphans in April 2025.

the ambassador for your city, your state and your school, and it’s a great feeling.”

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

Helping the passenger on the plane brought to mind Trad’s own history with heart attacks.

In February 2024, Trad was in the middle of performing a procedure at Stillwater Medical Center when he started showing symptoms of a UA heart attack.

“I was sweating, I had chest pain. Obviously, me being a cardiologist and knowing that my uncle and grandfather had heart attacks in their 40s, I thought, is this what I think it is?” he said.

He finished the procedure and immediately had a cardiac CT scan ordered, which found an 80% blockage in one of his arteries, so a stent was put in to relieve the blockage.

“I was supposed to go to Uganda that Monday, and this happened on the Friday before, so I canceled the trip,” he said.

Trad said recovery was slow and steady, but just a few weeks after his heart attack, he started training to climb to Everest Base Camp, and on the one-year anniversary of his stent procedure, he made the climb.

“I probably wouldn’t have climbed it if it wasn’t for my cardiac event. It inspired me to do something drastic from a health and physical standpoint,” he said. “I have a 4-year-old son, and I want to leave a healthy message for him — to love life to the fullest and have a grand adventure despite any life challenges.”

It was on that trip to Everest Base Camp, that Trad learned about the need for a clinic in that part of Nepal as well as about a porter who had been injured. Because the porter couldn’t work, he couldn’t afford to send his daughter, who is deaf and mute, to the boarding school where she is educated and receives the medical care she needs. So, Trad said Cura’s foundation would cover the

cost of her schooling until the porter recovered.

On the recent trip to Uganda in April, which Trad rescheduled from the previous year, he diagnosed an 8-month-old girl with a ventricular septal defect — a small hole in the heart. The money has now been raised to perform the procedure to repair the defect.

And while flying home from that same Uganda trip, Trad treated the passenger having chest pains.

“Maybe me not going last year put me at a place where I go this year, specifically to save not only that girl in Uganda, but maybe that guy on the plane too,” he said. “I was there to help the porter’s daughter who’s deaf and mute, I was there to help that 8-month-old girl with the ventral defect, and the guy on the plane. In retrospect, maybe what happened to me was a good thing.”

Dr. TJ Trad, an OSU-COM alumnus and founder of Cura for the World nonprofit, rides along with other members of the Cura team in Murchison Falls National Park in Uganda during a medical mission trip.

Scan to watch an Inside OSU feature on Dr. TJ Trad.

73% of OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine graduates are practicing in medical deserts, according to U.S. News data.

We’re proud to say we’ve done it again. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Medical Schools rankings has once again named OSU Center for Health Sciences No. 1 in graduates practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas. And we’re ranked No. 11 nationally for graduates practicing in rural areas.

We are educating physicians in the heart of Tulsa, and in rural Oklahoma at our Cherokee Nation campus in Tahlequah.

With a mission to educate physicians for rural and underserved populations in Oklahoma, this news is just another confirmation we are making good on that promise.

TRAVELING COWBOYS

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY TRAVEL PARTNERS AND OSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Discover the world alongside fellow alumni and friends through the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association’s Traveling Cowboys Program!

Whether you’re hoping to explore historic landmarks, take in exotic locales, or experience the most breathtaking sites, our travel partners make it easy by taking care of all arrangements. All you have to do is explore, relax and enjoy all that traveling with other Cowboys entails!

Scan the QR code to learn more about our 2026 trips.

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRIA

BELGIUM

BELIZE

BOTSWANA

COSTA

GERMANY

GREECE

HONDURAS

HUNGARY

ICELAND

INDONESIA

IRELAND

ITALY

LITHUANIA

CHRISTKINDLMÄRKTE OF AUSTRIA AND GERMANY NOV. 27-DEC. 5

Revel in joyful Yuletide celebrations on a first-class, seven-night Danube River cruise from Vienna, Austria, to Nuremberg, Germany, and visit colorful holiday markets in Vienna, Passau, Regensburg and Nuremberg. Be dazzled by Vienna’s baroque Schönbrunn Palace and the grand Melk Abbey, plus choose from engaging excursions: a tour of beautiful Salzburg, or a “Silent Night” tour to charming Austrian towns. Unpack once aboard your exclusively chartered river boat and embrace the splendor of the season as storybook Christmas scenes unfold around you!

WINTER

INDONESIAN AND MALAYSIAN JOY JAN. 11-25

MĀORI HERITAGE – AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND JAN. 25-FEB. 8

TREASURES OF PERU JAN. 26 - FEB. 1

FINLAND – ARCTIC MAGNIFICENCE FEB. 21-MARCH 1

MONTREAL AND QUEBEC CITY CHRISTMAS MARKETS DEC. 7-12

THE MASTERS APRIL 8-11

Since 1934, The Masters Tournament has been the most prestigious championship in golf. Each April, the world’s top golfers vie for the renowned Green Jacket at Augusta National Golf Club. This event brings together legacy, competition, challenge and charm, creating one of the most acclaimed weekends in sports.

Stay in the historic city of Savannah and enjoy a round at the Club at Savannah Harbor, a creation by Robert Cupp and Sam Snead. Journey to Augusta on Friday for cut day and witness The Masters.

SPRING

EUROPEAN TAPESTRY APRIL 7-18

VIVID WESTERN CARIBBEAN AND PANAMA CANAL APRIL 14-24

ITALY CLASSIC CITIES APRIL 16-MAY 1

NORMANDY APRIL 18-26

ETRUSCAN WATERWAYS – SPAIN TO ITALY APRIL 21-28

THE KENTUCKY DERBY APRIL 29-MAY 3

AFRICA’S WILDLIFE MAY 3-16

CULTURED IBERIA & FRANCE MAY 16-26

CRUISE ITALY MAY 18-26

GRAND DANUBE PASSAGE MAY 19-JUNE 3

SCOTLAND AUG. 16-24

Discover Scotland’s stirring scenery and vibrant history on a seven-night, firstclass stay in charming Stirling. Take in the pristine splendor of The Trossachs National Park and commanding views from the ramparts of Stirling and Edinburgh Castles. Stroll along Edinburgh’s celebrated Royal Mile and attend an unforgettable performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Sample Scottish whisky, cruise Loch Lomond, see golf’s home in St. Andrews and more! This smallgroup experience features expert guides and lecturers.

SWISS ALPS AND THE ITALIAN LAKES OCT. 21-30

The beauty and culture of Switzerland and Italy come together on this epic eightnight journey. Enjoy stays in St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Stresa, Italy, tucked on the shores of Lake Como. Journey by train to Zuoz and wind through ever-changing scenery on the Bernina Express. Cruise by private boat to the Borromean Islands and explore the lakeside communes of Bellagio and Como. In Milan, see Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” and admire a centuries-old baroque palace on Isola Bella. Plus, learn to prepare regional dishes at a family owned restaurant in the Piedmontese region.

FALL SUMMER

FLAVORS OF PIEDMONT MAY 30-JUNE 7

NORWEGIAN SPLENDOR JUNE 27-JULY 6

BALTIC SEA DISCOVERY JULY 10-20

VANCOUVER TO TORONTO BY RAIL JULY 16-22

WONDERS OF ICELAND JULY 24-AUG. 3

MAJESTIC VISTAS & WILDLIFE - ALASKA JULY 28 - AUG 8

COLUMBIA AND SNAKE RIVERS AUG. 4-12

SAN JUAN ISLANDS AUG. 24-29

BLACK HILLS, BADLANDS AND MOUNT RUSHMORE AUG. 26-SEPT. 1

ENCHANTING IRELAND AUG. 6-18

ANCIENT GREECE SEPT. 17-30

VILLAGE LIFE – COTSWOLDS OCT. 11-19

ITALIAN SOJOURN OCT. 13-23

CRUISE THE HEART OF EUROPE OCT. 13-28

NATIONAL PARKS OF THE SOUTHWEST OCT. 18-28

Be sure to scan the QR code to visit ORANGECONNECTION.org/travel and learn more about all of our 2026 trips.

Blueprint for the Future

OSU receives historic $250M investment to build world class veterinary teaching hospital

STORY MACK BURKE AND BAILEY

The future of veterinary medicine runs through Stillwater.

Recognizing that veterinary medicine is a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s economy and public health, Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess made securing investment for a new veterinary teaching hospital a key priority this spring.

The combined efforts of faculty, staff, alumni and students were rewarded when the Oklahoma Legislature approved a $250 million funding package to construct a new veterinary teaching hospital.

Dr. Hess said this transformational investment will directly support OSU’s land-grant mission to serve the state’s needs.

“Today marks a very historic day for Oklahoma State University and the entire state of Oklahoma,” Hess said. “Gov. [Kevin] Stitt and the members of the Oklahoma Legislature are to be congratulated for their contribution and transformational dedication to our College of Veterinary Medicine, the food supply of Oklahoma and the agricultural economy of our state.”

When the OSU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital first welcomed patients in 1981, it was considered one of the finest facilities in the country. After securing the largest state appropriation in university history in May, the university has committed to build a

new veterinary teaching hospital that will not only propel OSU to national prominence once again but also position it as the nation’s best teaching hospital. Hess said veterinarians are essential to every corner of Oklahoma — from rural ranches to urban centers — fueling economic growth and ensuring the safety of our food supply and public health. This critical investment, combined with $79 million allocated in 2023, marks a significant step forward in advancing the future of veterinary education, food security and public health in Oklahoma.

“This $250 million investment powerfully answers the call to build a new teaching facility for OSU’s veterinary medicine school, and we thank our elected leaders for their commitment to this vital project and the veterinarians who fought for it,” said past Oklahoma A&M Board Chairman Jimmy Harrel.

“We celebrate this significant progress as a win for Oklahoma State University, its veterinary students and the agricultural community. The facility will serve the state for at least the next 40 years and equip our graduates to meet the evolving needs of Oklahoma’s vital animal industries. Our mission is to be No. 1 in the nation, and this will be the launching pad to achieve our shared vision, advancing the university’s toptier status as a land-grant institution.”

The Investment

AT A GLANCE

$329 Million total cumulative investment secured to construct veterinary teaching hospital

255,000 ft2 to replace the current 145,376 ft2 facility

built to support 150+ veterinary students

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: CT, MRI, radiography and ultrasound

Linear accelerator for oncology treatments

Aqua Cow float tank

Large-animal MRI (first at OSU)

SPECIALTY SERVICES ADDED: Neurology and expanded oncology

Chancellor Sean Burrage, Sen. Chuck Hall, Speaker Kyle Hilbert, Rep. Trey Caldwell and Sen. Todd Gollihare applaud at the Celebrating Oklahoma’s Veterinary Future event.

“For us, this means everything.”

Dr. Kelly Black HOSPITAL DIRECTOR

Looking Ahead: A New Era for Veterinary Medicine

The new 255,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing 145,376-square-foot veterinary hospital, which was built to serve 60 students but now supports more than 150.

With this expansion, OSU will address one of the most urgent infrastructure needs in its veterinary program while expanding its ability to train the next generation of veterinarians.

The current veterinary hospital was identified as a key concern when the

full accreditation status in March, emphasizing that continued compliance is tied to facility upgrades.

Dr. Lionel Dawson, professor of theriogenology, said he’s seen veterinary medicine and student needs evolve dramatically since joining the OSU faculty in 1982. When he started, there were just 26 faculty members. That number has since more than doubled, but the hospital facility has remained largely unchanged.

“We were the premier veterinary hospital when I started,” Dawson said. “But veterinary medicine has changed. Our facility is outgrown. With a new building, we’ll be able to hire more specialists, give students more hands-on learning and provide better care to animals across the state.”

Dr. Jerry Ritchey, interim dean of the OSU CVM and an OSU alumnus, said the new hospital represents a turning point for veterinary medicine in Oklahoma that will immediately elevate OSU’s ability to provide a better

The new 255,000-square-foot facility will replace the existing 145,376-square-foot veterinary hospital.

“This is a long past-due reward for the legacy of current and past faculty and staff members who have worked so diligently to produce practice-ready, highly sought-after graduates,” Ritchey said.

“Professionally, this will immediately elevate our ability to provide a better operational experience for our patients and clients, allow us to expand subspecialty offerings, improve the work environment for our students and staff, help our recruitment efforts to attract the best faculty and train our students in a contemporary environment with space and resources to enhance their educational experience.”

From back yards to barnyards

“For us, this means everything,” said Dr. Kelly Black, hospital director.

Black said the new hospital will create new opportunities to expand treatment options for small and large animals, including advanced imaging tools (CT, MRI, radiography and ultrasound), a linear accelerator for oncology treatments and an Aqua Cow float tank.

“I think it’s an investment in the future of veterinary medicine in the state of Oklahoma, and I think it’s going to bring us into the next century, where

staff, veterinary technicians and receptionists.”

He said the new space will allow for more immersive clinical teaching, access to equipment like a large-animal MRI and even more excitement among students about learning.

“It is such an awesome feeling when students get excited about a case and have the necessary tools to bring it to discussion and not only prepare them as an entry-level veterinarian, but also show what advanced care is all about,” he said.

Horse owner Steele Hunter has been a client of the CVM hospital for over six years. He lives in Stillwater, but he said he’d make the trip to Stillwater even

The current Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital was built in the late 1970s and opened to the public in 1981.

The new teaching hospital will feature modern equipment and technologies essential for both small and large

care, including advanced imaging tools (CT, MRI, radiography and ultrasound), a linear accelerator for oncology treatments and

from the best possible care,” he said. “And I know they’re gonna be putting out the best possible educated veterinarians into the marketplace that will be able to carry on their legacy and spread that experience wherever they may go.”

OSU food animal client Dale Newman has brought his cattle to OSU for a quarter century. He said ranchers like him would not be able to get their animals the care they need without the CVM hospital.

“It just makes me proud to know that there is concern about the rural animal facilities for taking care of the cattle,” he said.

“It’s a very big plus, and thank God for whoever stepped up to the plate to get it started. We’re rural, and who cares? So many people don’t know where their food comes from, it’s unreal. People also don’t understand how much people like me love our animals. We love our cattle. Thank God

somebody decided to take care of the old boys out in the rural country.”

Dr. Trey Kraft, an OSU College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus and president of the alumni society, characterized the Legislature’s support as “invigorating.”

“There are many crossroads in the headlights of veterinary medicine,” Kraft said. “There is a growing need for more veterinary practitioners in the rural corners of Oklahoma, and we are facing shortages of veterinarians on the national level. This investment in the infrastructure of Oklahoma State’s College of Veterinary Medicine will make our facilities not only contemporary but exemplary on the national level. We are setting the stage for a humongous leap forward into the future.

“I think that the facilities, and ultimately the veterinary program as a whole, should both be shining stars in the state of Oklahoma. We are so blessed to have this institution, and I look

forward to our future collaboration with legislators and Oklahoma veterinarians going forward. I don’t think we should settle until we see our school as a national power.”

The new facility directly supports OSU’s broader land-grant mission to improve agriculture and rural health through innovation and service.

“It’s program-changing, not only for our students and faculty and staff, but also for animal owners across the state, particularly our farmers and ranchers in rural areas that need the support to do what they do: feed and clothe the world,” said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, assistant professor and director of the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine.

In addition to the hospital’s expanded capacity to treat patients, there will be dedicated space for rural veterinary medicine education and production animal work, augmenting clinical instruction and providing a better operational experience. The investment

animal

an Aqua Cow float tank.

will also allow the college to launch its first neurology service, enhance its oncology offerings and attract new clinical research study opportunities.

When OSU alumna, veterinarian and former Oklahoma legislator Dr. Lee Denney attended veterinary school in the mid-1970s, the entire program was held in just one building: McElroy Hall. A lot has changed within the profession since she graduated in 1978, and Denney believes the investment is coming at a crucial time — not just for OSU, but for the entire state.

“Veterinary medicine is twofold, really,” Denney said. “We have the charge to keep the food animal population healthy, thereby keeping the food supply safe. We also have the charge to keep companion animals free of disease, as these pets have become family members.”

To further strengthen the future of veterinary medicine in Oklahoma, the Dr. Lee Denney Act of 2024 was established to provide financial support for students

pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at OSU, focusing on serving rural communities and meeting the needs of livestock producers.

Fourth-year veterinary student Eli Pool, a third-generation OSU alumnus and proud Oklahoman, was among the first cohort of students to receive the Oklahoma Rural Veterinary Scholarship.

From the student perspective, he said clinical experiences are “paramount in preparation for becoming a practiceready veterinarian.” Now, he said, those experiences will be far more expansive and accessible.

“I could not be more excited to be part of the OSU CVM at this time,” he said. “This investment will no doubt serve Oklahoma State students as well as the state of Oklahoma for another 40 years, just as the current teaching hospital has, only better. Future classes at OSU CVM will get the experience, training and knowledge to practice in a state-of-theart facility, which will result in highly

skilled, practice-ready veterinarians. Not only will this new hospital help to produce veterinarians to practice across Oklahoma and the U.S., but it will provide the gold standard of specialty care to all of its patients.”

Kami Schenk said OSU’s commitment to building a new teaching hospital also sends a powerful message to first-year veterinary students like her.

“It’s a profound and impactful blessing that gives us the opportunity to learn and serve in a facility that matches the level of care our future patients deserve,” she said.

“This investment will provide a firm foundation for future veterinarians to succeed and, in turn, change and save more lives. It’s also worth noting that by investing in our future, as current students, we feel the support and confidence from our state and community to succeed.”

From left: Chancellor Sean Burrage, Secretary Blayne Arthur, Rep. John Pfeiffer, Rep. Mike Lay, Rep. John Kane, Sen. Jerry Alvord, Sen. Chuck Hall, Sen. Todd Gollihare, Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, Sen. Grant Green, Rep. Trey Caldwell, Speaker Kyle Hilbert, Rep. Carl Newton, Regent Jimmy Harrel, OSU President Jim Hess and Sen. Darcy Jech.

Just Getting Started

In August, Oklahoma State University President Jim Hess welcomed a large crowd at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center to celebrate a record-setting funding package from the state Legislature that will drive the future of veterinary medicine in Oklahoma for decades to come.

“We’ve already begun the planning processes for what the animal teaching hospital will look like,” he said. “We’ve identified a couple of locations that would be ideal for it, and it’s really going to be a facility that I think will be transformational for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“It will be the premier animal teaching hospital in the United States. And I think it’s something that as a land-grant university, that we’re all going to be very, very proud of — not just the people who are here, but the people who are alums, our donors and the folks who believe so much in the OSU mission. I just think it will be a masterful demonstration of our landgrant mission.”

After achieving a monumental step toward one of his key priorities as president in just a few short months, the event was a well-deserved celebration for the CVM and everyone in the Cowboy family. But now, Dr. Hess said, “it’s time to get to work.”

That’s certainly an interesting choice of words for a president with over four decades of service to the university who hit the ground sprinting upon taking office in a permanent capacity in April.

From the very beginning of his time working at OSU — shoveling CVM horse stalls as a student — he’s never been afraid to get his hands dirty. In some ways, he said, it feels like he’s been shoveling ever since. In some ways, it now feels like he’s just getting started.

Here’s a quick look at the core pillars of President Hess’ leadership vision for OSU.

Expanding Student Scholarships

• Raise historic student scholarship support to expand access to a world-class OSU education

• Reduce financial barriers, improve retention and boost graduation rates

“One of my most pressing priorities is to raise money for student scholarships. We’ve done a great job of keeping our tuition and fees flat. For the last four years, we’ve not raised tuition and fees, and we’ve not had but one tuition and fee increase in the last six years. Our No. 1 goal is to keep accessibility always on our mind for our students. In that vein, we need to raise a lot of money for student scholarships, because affordability is the No. 1 obstacle for a student getting a college degree. So, we’re going to be raising a significant amount of money for student scholarships.”*

Transforming the Student Experience

• Implement career readiness plan beginning freshman year

• Early career assessments to match strengths with potential careers

• Two dedicated counselors for each student:

• Academic counselor for degree planning

• Career readiness counselor for post-graduation preparation

• Training in in-demand skills, plus early resume-building and interview preparation

• Strengthen the OSU family connection by pairing each student with an alumni mentor for guidance and career networking

“We’re focused on them from the day a student arrives, whether that be through their orientation or admission process or their first day of class, all the way through graduation, we want that experience to be the very best they can have. Every student will get an academic counselor when they come to this university. That counselor will work with them to get them in the right curriculum, the right coursework, and get them on their degree path. But what they also need from the very first day they arrive is a career readiness counselor — someone who focuses on students’ career hopes and dreams and works with that student from the time they’re a freshman until they graduate to help them get placed in a great job.”

Strengthening Mental Health Support

• Emphasize emotional wellness as key to academic success and position OSU as a “home away from home” with a moral duty to protect student well-being

• Remove barriers to mental health support by consolidating OSU counseling services under one “virtual umbrella” with a “master appointment system” for quick, easy access to the resources

• Initiate mental health task force led by President Hess and First Cowgirl Angela Hess

• Launch Cowboys Care mental health campaign led by First Cowgirl Angela Hess

“Every student can be successful if we give them the right academic support, the right mental health support that they need. And our job here is to make sure that their experience is the very best it can be. We’re their home away from home. So, in many ways, Angela and I feel like we’re surrogate parents of 36,000 people, and we take it as a moral responsibility to make sure that the well-being of those students is at the forefront in our mind all the time.”

Building a Unified OSU System

• Connect all OSU campuses and partner institutions through a unified and strategic vision

• Ensure all students feel part of the Cowboy family

• Standardize admissions, registration, payment and advising processes

• Simplify transfers, continuing education and resource access across campuses

• Increase access without requiring relocation, expanding upper-division OSU coursework opportunities for placebound students at partner campuses

“We have many different missions. Stillwater has a specific mission. Oklahoma City has a specific mission. OSUIT in Okmulgee has a specific mission, and Tulsa has a critical mission in Green Country. But our responsibility is to meet those students where they are, get them through whatever program they’ve chosen, and to get them employed in the job that they want, or in a graduate program, if that’s their desire. So, when you think about OSU as a system, what it really means is that here in Stillwater, we need to honor what those individual missions of those different locations are and provide the back office and support services for them to be successful and give their students the best experience they can.”

Renewing the Land-Grant Mission

• Enhance research, instruction and Extension services to deliver practical solutions statewide

• Drive innovation that directly improves the lives of Oklahomans in all 77 counties

“I always like to describe Oklahoma State University as the people’s university. We have lots of institutions in this state. They do a great job. We just happen to be better at it. Of course, I would say that, but our land-grant mission makes us unique. We are different from every other university or college in this state with our land-grant mission and its history. We need to fully embrace it. I know all of our students know that we are a land-grant institution, but what I’d like for all of our students and our alums and donors and our supporters to remember is that the land-grant mission focuses on a single concept. That is solving practical problems that our state and our society face, and giving those solutions in a research application or an Extension application or an instruction application to solve their problems.”

Inside OSU Vision for the Future

Adam Hildebrandt, on-air multimedia producer for Oklahoma State University, sat down with OSU President Jim Hess ahead of the fall semester to discuss his vision for the university. Their conversation covered the key topics listed here and more, offering insight into Dr. Hess’ plans for the future of the OSU System.

Scan the QR code below to watch the full exclusive interview with President Hess.

*All comments from OSU President Jim Hess

OphthalmOlOgy piOneer and OSU alUmnUS SUppOrtS

COllege Of Veterinary MediCine with$2 milliOn dOllar gift

Dr. James Wise just wanted to figure it out. Really, he wants to figure everything out. Curious defines Wise, a 1957 Oklahoma State University graduate. He doesn’t just wonder; he investigates. Throughout his life and trailblazing career as a renowned ophthalmologist, he often invoked Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, who spoke about the pleasure of finding things out.

That mentality led him to a new perspective of treating glaucoma, an eye disease that results from increased pressure inside the eye, which can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. In 1976, he invented laser trabeculoplasty, a procedure which significantly reduced eye pressure over the long term.

His laser procedure, invented almost 50 years ago, revolutionized glaucoma therapy. It is still used today all over the world and has treated far more than 100 million people.

“I have just always tried to understand things, and that takes some creativity,” Wise said. “To be creative, you first have to know a whole lot about the problem, and then you look for the weak points. And every so often, I happen to discover stuff that other people haven’t found out.”

Growing up in Stillwater, Wise enjoyed activities a young boy typically does, like fishing at Theta Pond and riding his bike across town. But even as a child, he boasted an atypical passion for learning.

He first gained an interest in science after his parents bought him an encyclopedia, which he read at age 6. He often walked a couple blocks from his house to OSU’s campus, running around the library and chemistry building. At 10, he spent his summer reading through “Elements of Chemistry,” sitting in on sophomore level lectures and watching students conduct experiments.

It fostered his love of discovery and helped set him apart before he began studying at OSU.

“OSU gave me an exC ellent ed UCatiO n that prepared me f O r mediCal SC h OO l and my Career.

i t’ S j US t a plaC e w O rth SU pp O rting.” — Dr. James Wise

Wise, 89, credits OSU for making his career possible. He was the university’s second alumnus ever to attend John s Hopkins Medical School, where his excellent OSU education equipped him with the tools to succeed, as he graduated at the top of his class.

Including the invention of laser trabeculoplasty, Wise’s discoveries have made a lasting impact on the field of ophthalmology. He has authored 34 publications and given lectures in more than a dozen countries across the globe.

“I’ve never liked the word proud, but I’m very pleased that some of my discoveries have been so impactful,” Wise said.

“Everybody wants to feel that they can make a difference. To some extent, that’s one reason I went into medicine. Because a doctor can make a difference, hopefully for good.”

Wise’s desire to do good isn’t limited to medicine. In 2010, he purchased Stillwater Milling Company to prevent it from being bought by a

corporate outfit that he felt didn’t have the agricultural community’s best interests in mind.

As Oklahoma’s largest cattle feed mill, the company is incredibly important to the state’s agricultural industry. Under Wise’s ownership, it has made significant improvements in capacity, efficiency and quality.

Cattle are no stranger to Wise, as he owns a ranch with a herd of more than 1,000. He’s always had a soft spot for animals, back to when he caught and raised rabbits and pigeons as a kid. Today, he has three dogs and three cats at home, one of which connected him with the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“This skinny black cat showed up at our front door one day and we took him in,” Wise said. “He had started doing better, but all of a sudden, Oliver got very sick.”

A vet in Oklahoma City found out Oliver’s bladder was blocked. They were able to aspirate it to remove the pressure, but couldn’t provide a stable

fix. Another animal hospital said they couldn’t do anything until the morning.

So Wise took I-35 up toward Stillwater, hurrying to CVM’s Medical Teaching Hospital.

“Oliver had been blocked up long enough that his potassium level was just about to kill him. He would not have made it to the morning,” Wise said. “But what they did for him at OSU, this was good medicine. They came out in the middle of the night and saved him.”

Oliver has since fully recovered and is affectionate, dramatic and impressively punctual. Every day at 4 p.m. , he expects his regular serving of Gouda cheese, preferably smoked. And if the Wises forget, they’ll definitely hear about it.

Oliver is just like many pets — part of the family. OSU plays a crucial role in making sure they stay healthy, treating countless animals from cats to cattle, from homes to ranches.

When the Wises experienced firsthand the exceptional care CVM can provide, they knew they wanted to support it.

Dr. Wise spent a lifetime treating people, but recognizes that eyes are just as important to animals. To ensure they get the same quality of treatment, he and his wife, Elizabeth, have made a transformational investment in CVM.

The couple made a $2 million gift to establish the James and Elizabeth Wise Endowed Chair of Veterinary Ophthalmology. This donation will help ensure that animals receive toptier eye care while supporting CVM’s innovative research and development of prepared veterinarians.

“The College of Veterinary Medicine serves to improve Oklahoma lives, both animal and human,” OSU President Jim Hess said. “Its impact is felt throughout the state and nation, and we are so thankful to the Wises for this generous gift that directly supports OSU’s land-grant mission. This donation will enhance our ability to provide top-tier education and innovative research, benefiting countless communities and advancing the field of veterinary medicine.”

The contribution will push forward OSU’s land-grant mission, as prepared veterinarians are critically needed to

serve throughout the state. Not only does CVM care for pets, but it’s also incredibly important to Oklahoma’s agricultural industry.

“There are not enough words to express our gratitude for this transformational gift,” CVM interim dean Jerry Ritchey said. “Their generosity will have an immediate impact for our ophthalmology faculty and students and result in innovative clinical ophthalmologic research in animals, much in the same way as Dr. Wise’s pioneering career as an MD ophthalmologist.”

The Wises’ gift is part of a movement within CVM to advance the future of veterinary education, food security and public health in Oklahoma. In May, OSU received the largest state appropriation in

university history to support the construction of a new, state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital.

Still, donations like this are needed to ensure that animals can get the care they need, when they need it.

Wise is happy to play his part in that, giving back to the university where it all started.

“If you’re fortunate to have some money, there’s two ways to enjoy it.” Wise said. “One is to spend it on yourself, and the other is to help other people. Helping other people can be just as satisfying and even more so.

“OSU gave me an excellent education that prepared me for medical school and my career. It’s just a place worth supporting.”

“we are SO thankf U l t O the WiS eS ... ThiS d O natiO n will enhan C e OU r ability t O pr Ovide t O p-tier ed UCatiO n and inn Ovative reS ear C h, benefiting

COU ntleSS CO mm U nitieS and advan Cing the field O f veterinary mediCine.”

-Dr. Jim Hess, OSU President

After experiencing the exceptional care OSU’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provides, Dr. James and Elizabeth Wise knew they wanted to make a difference at CVM.

Legacy in Action

Heritage Society continues to shape OSU’s future through transformational giving

Each year, Heritage Society’s mark on Oklahoma State University continues to grow.

The prestigious group consists of alumni and friends who have made a commitment to OSU through a will, revocable living trust, life insurance, life-income gift, retirement account designation or other deferred gift arrangement.

“OSU is known for generating careerready, hardworking, common-sense graduates, and we can’t do that without donors like our Heritage Society members,” OSU Foundation President Blaire Atkinson said. “Their generosity opens a world of possibilities for so many students and truly changes lives.”

Heritage Society has over 2,000 members who have committed over $71 million to OSU in the last year. The impact

of its generosity can be felt in every corner of campus and across the OSU system.

The new Agricultural Hall is one such place that was made possible because of donors like the Heritage Society. In late March, members took an inside look at the state-of-the-art facility, which is a true testament to the power of the Cowboy family. Attendees received insight from Ferguson College of Agriculture student ambassadors, toured lab spaces and enjoyed samples from the famous Larry & Kay’s Dairy Bar.

Fittingly, they later visited the Boone Pickens Legacy Experience to learn about the ultimate Cowboy. The exhibit shares an immersive view of Pickens’ life and the breadth of his philanthropy, including $652 million contributed to OSU.

And much like Pickens, the Heritage Society is leading by example.

Ferguson College of Agriculture student Presley Pullen shares her personal story with attendees.

This year, Heritage Society cumulatively gave more than $71 million to OSU in documented gifts.

SOCIETY YEAR IN REVIEW

2,044

Total Members

48

Total New Members

$71M Documented Gifts

$8.4M Realized Estate Gifts

“Heritage Society represents more than just giving. It’s transformational giving that represents accomplishment, planning and legacy to have a positive impact on future generations.”

DR. JIM HESS, OSU PRESIDENT

To learn more about making a planned gift at OSU, contact Derrick Davies at ddavies@ osugiving.com or 405.385.5661.

OSU President Jim Hess spoke with Heritage Society members as they toured Agricultural Hall.

Left: Donors learn more about Boone Pickens, whose lifetime philanthropy exceeded $1 billion. Right: OSU Foundation President Blaire Atkinson speaks with OSU Alumni Association Vice President of Finance and Operations David Parrack.

Generations of Orange

A closer look at a family legacy rooted in Oklahoma State

With a legacy spanning six decades, the Nickles family has a connection to Oklahoma State University that runs deep.

When Clark Nickles, ’66 management, chose to attend OSU, he had no idea he would be starting a legacy that would continue for more than 60 years. Since 1966, 30 members of the Nickles family have attended OSU — and they’re still counting.

Clark and his siblings grew up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, and all five of them decided to further their education at OSU, where Clark (the oldest) became a first-generation college graduate.

“My dad and his siblings all attended OSU, as did their spouses,” said

Bob Nickles, ’89 mechanical design technology, Clark’s son. “The Nickles tie to Oklahoma State grew very quickly through that era.”

There was never a question about where Bob would one day go to school. He traveled from Ponca City to Stillwater whenever the opportunity arose for wrestling matches or football games. His Boy Scouts troop even served at a football game, helping fans find their seats.

Bob also met his wife, Elizabeth (Dula), ’88 hotel and restaurant administration, from Marietta, Oklahoma, at OSU. Elizabeth’s connection to OSU started when her older sister chose to go to Stillwater.

“I traveled by train to visit my sister by myself when I was 11 years old,” Elizabeth said. “I remember being in the Student Union and all around campus, and it was just a wonderful experience.”

Bob, his brother, sister and 10 first cousins all chose to continue their family’s legacy and attend OSU, where three of them also met their future spouses on campus. This second generation, spanning graduates from 1988 until 2003, brought the count for Nickles at OSU from nine to 23.

The legacy Clark started was truly underway.

Having grown up surrounded by Cowboy alumni and fans, Bob and Elizabeth understand the importance

The Nickles family gathers for Clark’s 80th birthday, sporting orange. Clark was the first in the family to attend OSU.

NICKLES FAMILY AT OSU

BY THE NUMBERS

of remaining involved and connected to the university after graduation.

“At this point in life and because we live outside of Oklahoma, we really value the OSU connection and appreciate it when we run across it,” Elizabeth said. “We are very grateful to have the opportunity to be engaged in a lot of different ways on campus and with the university.”

Four of Bob and Elizabeth’s five children graduated from OSU, though the family has lived outside Houston since 2001.

“OSU is where my grandparents went to school, where my parents met, where three of my siblings and I found our own paths, and where so many of our memories were made. It’s more than a legacy; it’s part of who we are,” said Bridgette Nickles, ’20 human development and family science, Bob and Elizabeth’s daughter. “Being able to continue that and add my own chapter

to our family’s OSU story is something I’m very proud of.”

Clark could never have imagined the impact choosing OSU all those years ago would have. The Cowboy family lost a great man when Clark Nickles passed away in April 2025. His legacy continues to grow with Charlie and Austin Nickles joining the largest Cowboy freshman class in fall 2025.

“Last year, when I toured campus, my grandpa joined us and was so excited to tell me about the buildings that he had classes in and memories he had from his time there,” said Charlie Nickles, Clark’s granddaughter. “I am very excited to be in Stillwater and feel close to my grandpa.”

Bob added, reflecting on Clark’s life, “Dad’s lifelong pride for OSU was ever present. We are honored to continue this legacy of pride as proud and immortal Cowboys!”

Future Nickles OSU graduates attend America’s Greatest Homecoming 2005.

Footprints, Local Impact

2025 WOMEN FOR OSU SYMPOSIUM CELEBRATES

GLOBAL SERVICE, STUDENT JOURNEYS AND THE CROSS-CULTURAL CONNECTION

During her visit to Oklahoma State University, Culberson met with students and faculty and engaged in a meaningful conversation with Dr. Scott Stoodley, director of the Environmental Science Graduate Program. Their discussion highlighted ongoing collaborative efforts between OSU and Njala University in Sierra Leone, where OSU students are contributing to sustainable food systems and community well-being through hands-on global research and service.

“The difference you're making with OSU students here and internationally touches my heart,” Culberson said. “It makes such a difference, the work you are doing.”

I think study abroad is important for students because it broadens their horizons, makes them more self-confident and gets them out of their comfort zone.”

2025 WOMEN FOR OSU PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEAR

Her message of service and global understanding aligned closely with the mission of Cindy Cagle, who was honored as the 2025 Women for OSU Philanthropist of the Year. Alongside her husband, Roger, Cagle has supported student global experiences through the Center for Advanced Global Leadership and Engagement (CAGLE) in the Spears School of Business.

Established in 2014, the CAGLE Center has served as a gateway for more than 2,900 students to engage in international study experiences, leadership development and cultural exchange. It has become a cornerstone of OSU’s global learning efforts, offering immersive programs that prepare students to navigate and contribute to an interconnected world.

“I think study abroad is important for students because it broadens their horizons, makes them

Cindy Cagle

more self-confident and gets them out of their comfort zone,” Cagle said.

The symposium also honored Brooklyn Hawkins as the 2025 Student Philanthropist of the Year. Hawkins, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma during her senior year of high school, turned her experience into advocacy. She founded In the Middle of a Miracle, a nonprofit supporting teens with cancer through peer mentorship, advocacy and scholarship opportunities.

“It bothered me that there were other teenagers in my shoes going through the same thing and there was no voice, no one speaking up for us,” Hawkins said. “I decided I was going to take responsibility. I was going to be the voice and make a difference.”

In addition to these individual honors, the event celebrated 17 student scholars whose academic

Women for OSU Chair Lucina Thompson (left) and Philanthropist of the Year Cindy Cagle.

Scan to watch a video highlighting Cindy’s incredible impact on OSU.

excellence and dedication to community service embody the spirit of Women for OSU.

Six Partnering to Impact grants were also awarded to support unbudgeted projects that promote health and wellness, education, campus beautification and arts and culture at OSU. The 2025 recipients include: Poverty Simulations in Oklahoma — Education to Action; Masterclass with Marin Alsop at The McKnight Center; Cowgirls on Board: Leadership in Corporate Governance Symposium; Summer Stories: Literacy Adventures for Children in Rural Communities; Growing STEAM at The Botanic Garden at OSU with StillWonder; and Autism Spectrum Disorder Summer Camp: Enhancing Communication Skills and Parent Support.

“This symposium reminds us that when people come together with a shared purpose, the ripple effect of their generosity can transform lives and communities,” said Annie Wells, senior director of development at the OSU Foundation.

Scan to watch a video of the 2025 Partnering to Impact grant recipients.

Student Philanthropist of the Year Brooklyn Hawkins

Corporate Presenting Sponsor

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS FOR MAKING THE 2025 WOMEN FOR OSU SYMPOSIUM A REMARKABLE SUCCESS!

Thank you to the Women for OSU council, led by chairwoman Lucina Thompson, for their dedication. We are grateful for your commitment to ensure all Women for OSU programs are successful.

Platinum Sponsors

Tara Long & Sara Clark in memory of Jimi Davidson

Suzanne Wade

Corporate Student Experience Sponsor

Ranet Tippens

Corporate Digital Sponsor

OSU President’s Office

Gold Sponsors

Stock Exchange Bank: Sheryl Benbrook

Julie Blanchard & Susan Glasgow

Brenda Buck & Tracie Chapman

Robin Byford & Becky Steen

Cheryl Clerico

Amy Cline

Kayleen Ferguson

Karen Gallagher

Anne Greenwood

Aimee Hale

Joan Hert & Sharon Chaufty

Vicki Howard & Amy Mitchell

Claudia Humphreys

Traci Jensen

Sharon Keating

Jami Longacre

Jan Marie Polk

Gail Muncrief

Elizabeth Nickles & Dianne Humes

OSU Alumni Association

OSU Athletics

OSU Center for Health Sciences

OSU College of Arts & Sciences

OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture

OSU Foundation

OSU Spears School of Business

Terry Slagle

JJ Stevak

Stillwater Medical Center

Lucina Thompson

Michel Thompson

Silver Sponsors

Tammy Bove

Goodytwos Toffee: Melinda Stinnett

Lynn Hilst

Patricia Millwee Hudson

Lynne McElroy

Oklahoma Central Credit Union

OSU School of Accounting

Charlotte Pittman

Jenelle Schatz

Gwen Shaw

Sharon Voskuhl

Denise Weaver

Orange Sponsors

BancFirst

Cara Beer

Kirsten Daniel

Pam Davis

Deniece Ditzler

Carolyn Gang

Donna Giles

Ann Halligan

Retta Miller

Tina Parkhill

Beverly Schafer

Simmons Bank

Kristine Waits

Susanne Wasson

Leslie Woolley

OSU College of Education & Human Sciences

OSU College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology

SAVE the DATE

April 23, 2026 WOMEN FOR OSU SYMPOSIUM

Founder and CEO of Rustic Cuff Jewelry and Author of “The Kindness Effect” FEATURING KEYNOTE SPEAKER

“When products of the wheat breeding program stand a better chance against nature than the facilities used to create them, we know it’s time to upgrade.”

Brett Carver, OSU Regents Professor & Wheat Genetics Chair

OSU is doubling down on its efforts to nourish and feed the world by modernizing and improving the Agronomy Research Station, home to one of the world’s top wheat breeding programs. The research station is located on the west side of campus along Highway 51, and includes 28 buildings used for classroom instruction, greenhouse trials, research, Extension efforts and support services.

Thank you to our top investors. Together, we will ensure OSU Agriculture remains at the forefront of discovery.

- Oklahoma Genetics, Inc.

- Oklahoma Wheat Commission

- Ben Rempel

- Carol and J.B. Stewart

- Shirley Farm

To learn more or make a gift to the Agronomy Discovery Center, scan here, or contact Teresa Gustafson at tgustafson@osugiving.com.

Before Alton Carter ever set foot on Oklahoma State University’s campus, he had already lived in 17 foster homes, three institutions and a boys ranch. Not the typical background for an incoming student.

“I thought I was the only one who had been through this stuff,” Carter said. “I didn’t see any hope.”

But when a former OSU staff member named Martha McMillan quietly enrolled him in 12 credit hours and encouraged him to study in her office anytime, Carter found more than help; he found a way forward.

“That first semester, I didn’t know what to do,” he said. “But I sat in her office and did my schoolwork. It taught me that I could be successful.”

Carter graduated with a degree in university studies in 2009 and became the first in his family to finish high school and college. Today, he is a mentor and author of several books, including “The Boy Who Carried Bricks,” an award-winning memoir about his journey.

“My brand is inspire,” Carter said. “My job isn’t to save people, it’s to give them a seed of hope so they can save themselves.”

Now a father of five and a grandfather, Carter also works as training manager for Air Hygiene International and speaks to students nationwide. His message is consistent: “You can’t change the past. But you can use it to help people.”

He credits OSU with changing his perspective on himself.

“I used to think I was dumb,” Carter said. “Graduating from Oklahoma State gave me the confidence to believe I wasn’t.”

Scan the code to watch an Inside OSU interview with Carter.

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OSU tuition held flat for fourth straight year

The OSU/A&M Board of Regents voted to keep tuition and mandatory academic fees flat for a fourth consecutive year at Oklahoma State University.

“As Regents of the Oklahoma State University System, we are pleased to maintain tuition and mandatory academic fees without increase,” said Jimmy Harrel, past board chair. “It is our land-grant mission to provide those opportunities to as many students as possible.”

OSU President Jim Hess echoed the board’s commitment to affordability.

“We are deeply grateful to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents for once again voting to keep tuition and mandatory academic fees flat, reaffirming our commitment to putting students first and fulfilling our landgrant mission,” Dr. Hess said. “We are called to widen the doors of opportunity, and by holding the line on tuition, we ensure that a world-class education remains within reach for every Oklahoman willing to work for it. This decision supports our mission to educate the next generation of leaders, from the classroom to the community.”

OSU’s strong financial standing has earned it a consistent AA- rating from S&P Global and Fitch Group, the highest among Oklahoma’s higher education institutions, reflecting the university’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and student success.

CAS merger creates Department of Biology

Oklahoma State University merged the Department of Integrative Biology and the Department of Plant Biology, Ecology, and Evolution into the new Department of Biology on July 1.

“This merger reflects our dedication to evolving with the needs of our students and the scientific community,” said Dr. Melinda Cro, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The unified department will enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and streamline academic offerings.

“Our merged department will help foster continued research collaboration,” said Dr. Jason Belden, former Department of Integrative Biology head and now the interim head.

Dr. Mark Fishbein, Regents Professor and former Department of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution added, “We’re looking forward to better coordination of shared responsibilities for courses … and bringing plant biology further to the forefront.”

Existing degree programs — including biology, physiology, plant biology and zoology — will remain unchanged.

The merger supports OSU’s broader life sciences initiatives, including the proposed $160 million life sciences facility.

“We take seriously our responsibility to give students the foundations they need to become part of a strong workforce,” Cro said.

Faculty and staff finalized the transition over the summer, ensuring students benefit from expanded research opportunities and improved course sequencing.

“Faculty and staff are excited about coming together to tackle new challenges,” Belden said. “We’ll continue to provide outstanding training for current and future OSU students.”

Fuxa named OLLI director

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Oklahoma State University begins a new chapter under the leadership of Dr. Robin Fuxa, a longtime OSU faculty member and advocate for education.

Geared toward adults 50 and older, OLLI offers non-credit courses, travel opportunities and community engagement.

“I’m so excited to lead this work of offering experiences that bring joy, foster great conversation and build community while we learn together,” Fuxa said.

Her background includes roles in literacy education, teacher advocacy

Dr. Brent A. Marsh

CEHS Dean Pedersen to retire in 2026

Dr. Jon E. Pedersen, dean of OSU’s College of Education and Human Sciences, will retire following the 202526 academic year.

Pedersen joined OSU in 2021 as the inaugural dean of CEHS, formed by the merger of the College of Education, Health and Aviation and College of Human Sciences.

“Over a long career at multiple institutions, my time at OSU stands apart because of the focus on our land-grant mission,” Pedersen said.

and leadership within national education organizations.

Dr. Gina Peek, associate dean of extension and engagement, praised Fuxa’s appointment.

“Under her leadership, I anticipate that OLLI will continue to grow, offer fresh and relevant programs and reach even more program participants across the state,” Peek said.

Fuxa hopes to expand access and awareness of OLLI’s offerings across Oklahoma.

“All of my work has been rooted in every person’s right to high-quality education,” she said.

Marsh named VP of student affairs

Dr. Brent A. Marsh was appointed vice president for student affairs this fall.

Marsh joins Oklahoma State University from the University of Mississippi, where he has served as assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students since August 2019. He brings over 25 years of higher education administration experience across various institutional sizes and types, always keenly focused on enhancing the student experience.

As VPSA for OSU, Marsh will lead the Division of Student Affairs, which includes student services and auxiliary services such as Campus

Under his leadership, CEHS saw record undergraduate enrollment, doubled scholarship awards, and launched initiatives like Opportunity Orange Scholars and OK-Thrive.

“Every single thing we do (in CEHS) revolves around human lives and improving their existence,” he said.

Pedersen’s 40-year career includes leadership roles at the University of South Carolina, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and others.

“I can’t say enough about how lucky I’ve been to work with the faculty, staff, students and alumni,” he said.

A national search for his successor is underway.

Life, Counseling Services, Career Services, Dining Services, Housing and Residential Life, Student Conduct, Student Support, Wellness, the Hargis Leadership Institute, the University Store, and the Student Union.

“I’m humbled and incredibly excited to join Oklahoma State University during a pivotal time in the institution’s history,” Marsh said. “I am eager to work with President Hess, the leadership team, student affairs colleagues, student leaders, alumni, faculty and others to provide transformative student experiences and resources that foster personal growth and student success.”

Dr. Jon E. Pedersen

Dr. Robin Fuxa

CAS professor chosen for Leadership Oklahoma

Dr. Caitlin Barnes, director of outreach programs and academic initiatives for Oklahoma State University’s College of Arts and Sciences and an adjunct assistant professor in the Boone Pickens School of Geology, has been selected for Leadership Oklahoma’s Class 38 cohort — one of just 48 professionals statewide and the only OSU faculty or staff member chosen.

“It’s a privilege to join such a distinguished cohort of leaders from across the state,” Barnes said.

The 10-month program explores Oklahoma’s key issues through immersive experiences across the state.

“Being part of this program is not only an investment in personal growth but also a powerful way to bring new ideas and perspectives back to the OSU community,” Barnes said. “I look forward to collaborating with leaders across sectors to help ensure that our educational institutions are responsive to learners’ needs and how we can work together to move Oklahoma forward.”

Barnes joins leaders from tribal nations, the military and state government in a program designed to foster collaboration and innovative solutions for Oklahoma’s future.

OSU, ODOT partner on campus facility

Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation will expand their 50-year partnership with the new Gary Ridley Construction Residency and Training Center, a $10 million facility set to begin construction this winter.

Named for former Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley, the center will provide CEAT students hands-on experience with ODOT engineers.

“ODOT is thrilled to partner with OSU on this one-of-a-kind facility,”

said Tim Gatz, ODOT executive director.

Brian Taylor, ODOT’s retiring chief engineer, emphasized the importance of training future engineers.

“This new facility is a shared goal that will benefit Oklahoma for years to come,” he said.

The center will house the Highway Construction Material Technician Certification Program and increase usable space for ODOT on campus.

“This unique facility will allow students to get hands-on experience working alongside ODOT engineers,” Gatz said.

Completion is expected in two years on the north side of the Stillwater campus.

Dr. Caitlin Barnes

Cowboy golf wins 12th NCAA title

Oklahoma State’s men’s golf team claimed its 12th national championship with a 3-1 victory over Virginia at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.

The win marks the second title (2018) under coach Alan Bratton, who also won as a player in 1995 and assistant coach in 2006. It is OSU’s 54th NCAA team national championship.

“You hope for that kind of chemistry in every group, and we’ve got it with this team,” Bratton said.

The Cowboys ended the season with five consecutive tournament wins and seven overall.

Freshman Filip Fahlberg-Johnsson and sophomores Gaven Lane and Eric Lee secured match play victories, while Ethan Fang held a lead when play was halted.

OSU demolishes old Power Plant

Oklahoma State University demolished its former Power Plant, built in 1948, marking the end of a historic chapter in campus infrastructure.

Located along Hall of Fame Avenue adjacent to Boone Pickens Stadium, the plant served academic buildings and residence halls for decades before shutting down in 2018.

“Once cleared, the site will be sodded and maintained as green space,” said Jennifer Bennett, senior construction manager.

The new Life Sciences Building will be constructed on the site in the future.

The facility was the fourth power plant built on campus, replacing earlier versions dating back to 1898. According to James Rosner, former director of Energy Services, the WWII-era equipment had exceeded its lifespan by 17 years.

The Central Plant, located just north of the site, now handles campus heating and cooling while supporting OSU’s sustainability goals.

“It feels unreal. It’s going to be pretty emotional,” Lee said.

Bratton praised the team’s resilience and thanked OSU supporters.

“If we can keep doing things the right way, inspiring kids and attracting the right kind of kids, then we can get to do this a lot more,” he said.

The championship adds another chapter to OSU’s storied golf legacy and sets the stage for a promising future.

“Now they have their own stories to share,” Bratton said. “And a responsibility to continue to deliver those messages to younger players.”

Facilities Management began demolishing the old Power Plant this summer. It had been defunct since 2018.

The Cowboy golf team beat Virginia this May 3-1 for its 12th national championship.

OSU launches Cowboy Family Portal

Oklahoma State University has launched the Cowboy Family Portal, a free platform designed to strengthen communication and engagement with families of OSU students.

The portal offers personalized access to university news, deadlines, events and resources tailored to each student’s academic and campus life interests.

“The Cowboy Family Portal will strengthen our partnerships with families by empowering them to be actively informed during their student’s college experience,” said Dr.

Amy Gazaway, assistant director of student and family engagement.

Families can customize the type and frequency of information they receive and update their contact details independently. Key features include insights into student support, targeted communication and direct access to campus life updates.

Families of current students will receive setup instructions via email, while incoming families learned more during Orientation and Enrollment.

For more information or to register, visit family.okstate.edu

CEAT makes school changes

The College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology underwent academic and leadership changes this summer.

The Division of Engineering Technology and the School of Materials Science and Engineering became two new schools: the School of Materials, Mechatronics and Manufacturing Engineering (MMME) and the School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management (FCEM).

MMME will include mechanical engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, mechatronics

and robotics, and materials science engineering.

FCEM will house construction engineering technology, fire protection and safety engineering technology, and the fire and emergency management administration programs.

Five new school heads began this summer: Dr. Jim Smay (MMME), Dr. Heather Yates (FCEM), Professor Nathan Richardson (Architecture),Dr. Terry Collins (interim, Industrial Engineering and Management), and Dr. Mark Krzmarzick (interim, Civil and Environmental Engineering).

Young named ninth Cowgirl golf coach

Former Cowgirl All-American Annie Young has been named coach of Oklahoma State’s women’s golf program, Director of Athletics Chad Weiberg announced in June.

A 2005 OSU graduate, Young previously led the Cowgirls from 2008–11, guiding them to a Big 12 title and two top-10 NCAA finishes.

Young returns after successful head coaching stints at California State University-Northridge, Colorado State and Tulsa, where she earned two American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year honors and led Tulsa to its first NCAA berths since 2008.

“I’ve grown as a head coach over the last 14 years and am eager to apply what I’ve learned,” Young said.

Her decorated playing career includes All-America honors, Big 12 titles and international competition. She coached OSU’s first individual NCAA champion and several LPGA Tour professionals.

“It’s an exciting time for Oklahoma State golf,” Young said. “I look forward to reconnecting with Cowgirl alumni, engaging with the OSU community and building a championship culture that we can all be proud of.”

Annie Young

Sohn Kyung-shik honored as Bennett Global Fellow

Oklahoma State University honored Sohn Kyung-shik, chairman of CJ Group and the Korea Enterprises Federation, as a Henry G. Bennett Global Fellow during the OSU Global Alumni Reunion in Seoul on June 21.

A 1960s MBA graduate, Sohn credited OSU with shaping his global perspective.

“It was here that I gained not only academic knowledge but also unlocked the foundational principles of global management,” he said.

The Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Fellows Program was established in 2001 to honor individuals whose leadership reflects the vision of former OSU President Henry G. Bennett. From 1928 to 1950, Dr. Bennett transformed OSU’s mission and later served under U.S. President Harry S. Truman as director of the groundbreaking Point Four Program, a forerunner to today’s international development efforts led by USAID.

Sohn joins a distinguished list of Bennett Fellows, including Gen. Colin Powell, former Secretary of State

and Dr. Clifton R. Wharton Jr., former Deputy Secretary of State.

Dr. Randy Kluver, associate provost and dean of OSU Global, said Sohn’s leadership and lifelong commitment to

OSU grad named 91st Miss Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University sports media graduate Tessa Dorrell was crowned the 91st Miss Oklahoma on June 7.

“Working in sports really prepared me to battle a situation that you go into where people have a very stigmatized view of it,” Dorrell said.

A former Miss OSU contestant, she earned her spot at Miss Oklahoma after winning Miss Broken Arrow. Her monologue, “Walking in My Shoes,” highlighted her journey in sports media and challenged stereotypes in both pageantry and broadcasting.

“If I hadn’t stopped listening to what people said about pageants or

international cooperation make him an ideal Bennett Fellow.

“Chairman Sohn’s story is one of vision, values and global citizenship,” Kluver said.

pageant girls, I would have never done it,” she said.

Dorrell’s community initiative, “Partners Club,” supports special education in Oklahoma schools. “We try to pair special needs students with volunteers in the classroom,” she said.

A $30,000 scholarship accompanies her title. Dorrell postponed a job at KOKH Fox 25 to fulfill her duties. Her twin brother, Treyton, an OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology graduate, has earned national academic honors.

“One of my biggest goals … is to show girls that they can do this,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Tessa Dorrell is crowned Miss Oklahoma.

From left: OSU Global Dean Randy Kluver awards Sohn Kyung-shik with the Henry G. Bennett Global Fellowship.

IN HONOR OF WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY, COWBOYS UNITED FOR MENTAL HEALTH RETURNS TO OSU. JOIN THE COWBOY FAMILY TO SUPPORT STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND EXPAND ESSENTIAL SERVICES ACROSS THE OSU SYSTEM.

By making an estate gift to OSU, you ensure that your legacy lives on through the students and programs that shape our future.

Whether it’s a life-changing scholarship or support for innovative research, your planned gift becomes a lasting tribute to your values and vision.

Any account with a beneficiary designation (such as IRA and retirement funds, life insurance policies and annuities) can be used to support OSU

Scan the QR code or call the OSU Foundation’s Estate & Gift Planning team at 800622-4678 to learn more.

Coolest Building on Campus

Introducing the Student Union in 1950

Seventy-five years ago, one of the largest structures built at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College was completed after two years of construction.

Located near the center of the original campus, the Student Union building symbolized the growth and expanded student services available at the college.

OAMC students supported establishing a student center when they first became residents on campus in 1909. Students living off campus also recognized the need for a facility to host student events and activities, centralize enrollment and house student government.

In 1916, student leaders began campaigning with the Former Student Association/Alumni Association to propose fundraising efforts for a new

student union. Proposals resurfaced in 1920 and 1926 as colleges nationwide built student unions.

In 1927, there was a proposal to construct a $200,000 Student Union near Old Central, which then-college president Bradford Knapp supported. This proposal may have been related to a front-page editorial in the student newspaper envisioning an ideal campus of the future published on May 20, 1927. The editorial, author unknown, suggested major changes to the scale and scope of the campus. It also indicated that OAMC would be known as Oklahoma State University and include a student center. However, Knapp resigned in 1928, and student union plans were stalled once again.

Dr. Henry G. Bennett arrived to replace Knapp in the summer of 1928 and may have read the editorial article

titled “Utopian Institution” from the preceding year. Within a year, Bennett proposed a 25-Year-Plan for significant expansion to college facilities and again included a student union.

Roughly 2,000 students, almost 50% of the student body, signed a petition in 1936 supporting construction. Additional editorials and newspaper articles appeared over time. With the Great Depression and then World War II, campus construction plodded along without progress toward a student center. But the dramatic increase in student enrollment due to the GI Bill at the war’s end stimulated significant campus developments.

In 1947, a Student Union proposal was part of a $9 million bond authorization, including construction of additional residence halls, an infirmary and a power plant. As the proposed

union grew and higher construction costs rose, the original estimate of $1.7 million doubled to $3.4 million when construction began in 1948. Accompanying utilities, furnishings and fees would increase the bond request to $3.86 million, and actual costs would exceed $4 million.

With no available funds to begin the project, the development of the Student Union was dependent upon the sale of these revenue bonds. Revenue collected from various sources would be pooled and pledged to pay off the bonds and interest. These revenue streams included a new student fee of $10 per semester and $5 for summer school, which covered half of the projected income from the facility. Profits from the attached hotel, food service operations, bookstore, game rooms and retail stores would also be applied to paying the bonds and interest.

Excavation began at the Student Union site during the summer of 1948. The plan called for a modified Georgian style building, the architectural style first introduced to campus under Bennett and college architect Phil Wilber. To allow for utilities, a

sub-basement was needed, and the digging went deeper than any previous location on campus.

With a basement and five floors, the Student Union provided 228,715 square feet of flooring and almost 3 million cubic feet of area. But the most unique and inspiring new feature provided in the building was that it would be air-conditioned, the first facility on campus to circulate and cool the air temperatures indoors.

The basement housed an eightlane bowling alley, pool/billiards, ping pong, pinball (games room), and several meeting rooms. There were also stock rooms for the bookstore, storage space for hotel and food service operations on the first floor, mechanical equipment rooms and maintenance shops for repairs and upkeep of the building.

A large cafeteria with a capacity for 450 diners was on the ground floor, center section. Three private dining rooms, a main kitchen and a coffee shop were nearby. The north section of the ground floor housed an expanded bookstore. The barber shop, retail stores and the post office were situated along the west side and to the south was the

Excavation began at the Student Union site during the summer of 1948. The plan called for a modified Georgian style building, the architectural style first introduced to campus under President Henry Bennett and college architect Phil Wilber.

hotel lobby. The hotel was designated the Union Club to distinguish this area from the rest of the facility.

The expansive main ballroom dominated the center of the second floor and, with 20-foot ceilings, eliminated that section of the floor above. Banquets were held here, serving up to 800 and dances could hold 1,500 individuals. There was a small stage at the north end of the ballroom. The east wall was filled with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to Old Central. A grand lobby and terrazzo hallway/promenade led attendees to the main entrance on the west side. There was a smaller lobby at the north end by the elevator that led to the council room, decorated with a large conference table, wood décor and fireplace. The Student Union director and immediate staff had offices just south of the council room. At the south end, across from the promenade and next to the grand lobby, was the formal French Lounge.

The Union Club had its own wing on all floor levels at the southern end of the Student Union. There were dining facilities, a lobby and its own elevator providing access to all 81 guest rooms. Single rates were $4.50 per night and a double cost $6.50.

The west wall of the ballroom contained a balcony on the third floor where spectators could view the activities below. The Chinese and Modern Lounges were west of the ballroom balcony, with a card room between them. The north wing of this floor provided office and small meeting spaces, and the Union Club filled the south wing. Some rooms were designated as smoking areas on this and

The Starlight Terrace was the highlight of the fourth floor. Located above the Grand Ballroom, it was open to the sky above and hosted many evening dances. There were four additional dance floors at other locations in the building. The Starlight Terrace also served as a vista for visitors to look out over the original campus located to the east.

The Starlight Fountain and Snack Bar served refreshments throughout the day and into the evening, becoming a

popular gathering location for students and campus visitors. Nearby was a covered lounge that connected the Starlight Terrace to an exhibit area.

The fourth floor also had a music room, dormitory-style rooms for visiting teams, and a small apartment for the director.

The fifth floor was only at the building’s center and had the least square footage of any floor. It was originally dedicated as a location for mid-sized groups to meet.

John R. Raedeker, an OAMC alumnus originally from Cushing, Oklahoma, and interior designer in New York City, was selected to provide design ideas for public spaces. Raedeker traveled to Europe and was authorized to acquire imported antiques from England, France and central Europe. He also arranged for furnishings and furniture from leading manufacturers in the U.S. for the lounges and collected items from East Asia.

The American Institute of Cooperation, comprised of 1,500 members, was the first group to gather at the Student Union on Aug. 21-24, 1950. The unfinished building opened temporarily for AIC use only. It immediately closed again until it officially opened on Sept. 9 for Bennett to address the college faculty in the second-floor grand ballroom.

Within the first week, the studentsponsored Howdy Dance, which was free and commonly held at the beginning of each new academic year, took place on the Starlight Terrace with Charlie Keys and his Collegians providing the tunes.

At another event that week, Jimmy Clayton and his Varsitonians provided dance music for 1,500 students gathered in the ballroom for the annual Ribbon Dance. The Union Club accepted its first room reservation on Sept. 10 from David Lilienthal, former head of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, who was visiting campus.

Although open, many areas were still under construction. The bookstore would open in mid-September with the games room, most of the businesses, eating and banquet areas, and offices opening during the remainder of the fall semester. An average of 10 tons of coffee was brewed, and 1 million people served meals during the initial years after opening.

The Student Union contained over 200 rooms, six dance floors and a browsing room with hundreds of books and magazines. There were eventually 21 meeting rooms, and five Stillwater businesses leased space: Peyton Glass provided women’s and men’s casual wear, Reichman’s Florist, Creech’s Sports and Gift Shop, with barber and shoeshine shops also available. The convenience of a U.S. Post Office onsite proved to be very popular.

The Student Union’s first director, Chester A. Tibbetts, reported individuals swinging the chandeliers, dirty boots on carpets and furniture, and courting activity in the lounges.

Tibbetts decreed: “As long as they had one foot on the rug, they should not be disturbed.” Liquor bottles were discovered behind curtains, in drawers and under cabinets after parties.

There had also been souvenir hunters collecting engraved OAMC dinner knives and silverware, stainless steel serving plates, ashtrays and brass lamps, which needed to be replaced.

The new Student Union needed students to assist with the new facility’s operations. Over 400 student employees were hired to work in all areas of the

building. Students worked as pin setters, servers, shop assistants and custodians. The Student Union Advisory Board was created to assist with planning and procedures for building management and use. Comprised of 21 student members, this group was instrumental in designing and providing programs meeting student interests while also serving as a voice to communicate administration and student concerns with the campus to correct inappropriate activities.

The new OAMC Student Union was affectionately compared to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City for its opulence and amenities.

The Student Union’s primary purpose and function to serve as a center for student life, relaxation, enjoyment, education and engagement has remained constant despite many changes over 75 years. For generations of students, it has become their campus home.

LEGACY PROGRAM

Above: Over 600 grandparents and legacies in attendance at Grandparent University participate in 21 different majors across two baseball-themed sessions. Below: Legacies and their families enjoy ice cream and games at the Pokes Summer Kickoff.

PHOTOS

KANSAS CITY

Cowboys in Kansas City spend a day of service at their Cowboys Give Back event with Heart to Heart International Service Project.

OKC METRO

OSU alumni and fans in the OKC metro had a blast at an Oklahoma City Thunder game this season.

HOUSTON

Houston Cowboys celebrate and connect with incoming freshmen at their Bound for Stilly event.

EAST TEXAS

Members of the Cowboy family meet at Cascades Country Club in Tyler, Texas, for An Orange Occasion. The annual event is held to celebrate all things OSU and recognize local incoming OSU students.

JACKSON/HARMON

Cowboys in Jackson and Harmon Counties enjoy a night out and live music with fellow OSU alumni and fans at Orange Peel Altus.

NORTH TEXAS

North Texas Cowgirls meet for an evening of networking and great conversations at Piatello Italian Kitchen in Fort Worth.

Jean Sanders, Washington County OSU Alumni Chapter

Jean Sanders is dreaming as big as the sky as she serves as president of the new Washington County OSU Alumni Chapter.

Before attending Oklahoma State University, Sanders worked in the oil field for many years. In 2008, she realized she wanted a degree and decided to return to school.

As a working adult, she chose a nontraditional route to earn her degree. In 2021, she graduated from the Spears School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in general business.

“I grew up in Kansas, so I really didn’t have OSU on my radar until my best friend moved down there,” Sanders said. “I fell in love with Stillwater. When I decided I wanted to go back to school, I knew I wanted to go to OSU.”

Now living in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Sanders has worked with fellow Cowboys in her community to form their own OSU alumni chapter. It was obvious there was a community of alumni and fans who were excited to get involved, even holding events last year before the chapter was official.

The Washington County Cowboys are excited to rally together and create something truly special in their community. With their monthly chapter meetings at Scissortail Brewing and events planned through the fall, these alumni and fans are excited to promote their chapter and host memorable events while raising funds for their chapter’s scholarship fund.

“I think it’s important to host some fun events and get our chapter

established this year,” Sanders said. “Watch parties are some of my favorite events. As a chapter, we have some fun things planned for our first watch party of the season that I’m very excited about.”

This year, their Bound for Stilly event to welcome incoming freshmen into the Cowboy family and celebrate the chapter’s scholarship winners, had over 100 Pokes in attendance. The chapter also gave out $500 scholarships to two students in attendance.

WASHINGTON COUNTY OSU ALUMNI CHAPTER BY THE NUMBERS

2,665 ALUMNI AND FRIENDS

278 MEMBERS

75 MILES FROM STILLWATER

Jean Sanders graduated in 2021 from the Spears School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in general business.

1990

1970

Judith P. Griffin, ’70 sociology, is celebrating 10 years of retirement from Walt Disney World Resort. Since retiring, she has traveled, with the highlights being Iceland and the United Kingdom. She is active in her local Alpha Chi Omega alumni club, the Central Florida chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America and the Disney Golden ‘Ears retirement club. Griffin has also been a rescue dog mom to eight dogs over the years, Schnookie being the most recent.

1980

Kenneth M. Steele, ’80 civil engineering, a Tulsa native, was awarded the 2025 Oklahoma Book Award in Fiction for his debut novel, “The Promise of Unbroken Straw,” published by Tulsa-based Yorkshire Publishing. The story follows Paul, a young boy coming of age during World War II, as he grappled with loss, strained family ties and the search for meaning across a lifetime.

1982

Chad L. Moody, ’82 electrical engineering, works for ICM Inc. out of Colwich, Kansas, as an electrical power engineer IV. After graduating from OSU, he got his MBA from McNeese State University. He is currently a registered PE in 13 states and still has a few years before retiring.

1986

1986

Kimberly D. (Bradford) Stewart, ’86 marketing, is back in Stillwater living her best alumni life with husband Richard C. Stewart, ’86 management science and computer systems. The couple retired from the United Services Automobile Association two years ago and decided to make Stillwater their retirement plan. They are enjoying all OSU sporting events they can!

1988

1988

Krista Roberts, ’88 physical education, ’90 master’s in health education and promotion, ’07 master’s in natural and applied science, was elected as a member of the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

1989

Les Austin, ’88 accounting, was elected to be a member of the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

AJ G. Griffin, ’90 hotel and restaurant administration, was named to The Power List of Most Influential Oklahomans by The Journal Record.

1993

Craig A. Maile, ’86 English, ’99 master’s in human resources and adult education, states that coming to OSU was a life-changing choice. After nearly 40 years in education, he appreciates the opportunities available because of that choice.

1988

Elizabeth Nickles, ’88 hotel and restaurant administration, was elected to be a member of the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Bill Chandler, ’89 agricultural economics, ’91 master’s in agricultural economics, has been named director of supply chain at Standard Meat Company, a fourthgeneration, family-owned protein processor based in Fort Worth, Texas, global supplier for the food service and retail industries. Chandler brings over 30 years of experience, including leadership at Cargill, where he earned a reputation in the industry for creating integrated, high-performing systems that align supply chain strategy with customer needs. He and his wife, Kristen, recently relocated from Wichita and are excited to engage with the Fort Worth community.

Deb Emerson, ’93 political science, received an Influential Women Award from the North Bay Business Journal. This award recognizes outstanding local North Bay, California, professionals who demonstrate exemplary leadership, lead new innovations, and more.

1997

Kenna Mitchell, ’97 journalism and broadcasting, was awarded the Innovative Transportation Solutions Award by Shannon L. McCord, ’93 journalism and broadcasting, at the WTS Greater D/FW Chapter Annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet for the completion of the award-winning Northhaven Trail bridge project in Dallas.

1998

Tony M. Buratti, ’98 mechanical engineering, ’00 master’s in mechanical engineering, is the founder and CEO of Brooklyn Riley Investments, a consulting firm focused on providing companies with strategy, business development, M&A and customerfocused sales campaigns.

1999

Nimrod T. Chapel Jr., ’99 economics, a renowned civil rights attorney, justice activist, and NAACP leader, was listed as a Relentless Champion for Justice Honoree: Missouri Justice Defender Award for his as an attorney fighting for justice, dignity and equality. His legal work has addressed some of the most egregious civil rights violations in Missouri and beyond.

1999

Eric Hoffman, ’99 architecture, is being featured in a Nation Building Museum exhibit, “A South Forty: Contemporary Architecture and Design in the American South.” Hoffman was the recipient of the 2013 National AIA Young Architects award and more recently served as HOK’s project architect for the Saint Louis Art Museum expansion. The exhibit is on display until winter 2026 at the museum in Washington, D.C.

2002

Kyle D. Kennedy, ’02 animal science, has been named the chief operating officer of Central Power Systems & Services. Central Power is a 23-location dealership specializing in heavy construction equipment; manufacturing, distribution, sales and support of power generation equipment; and over the road truck service and parts. Kennedy lives with his wife, Nicole, and their daughters in Yukon, Oklahoma. In his spare time, Kennedy enjoys elk hunting, traveling with the family and is actively involved in the church.

2003

Ashley (Studer) Clinesmith, ’03 art, recently earned the use of her 14th Mary Kay career car. She is celebrating 26 years as a Mary Kay sales director.

2003

George T. Tabor, ’03 human environmental sciences, was presented with two military related awards from the National Infantry Center located at Fort Benning, Georgia. The first award is the Order of Saint Maurice, Centurion level, presented for distinguished service and support to Infantry operations. The second award is the Order of Saint Michael-Airborne, Guardian level, presented for distinguished service and support of Airborne operations. Both awards are the second highest in both categories and are related to Tabor’s 23-year career in the US Army. He retired as a master sergeant and served in three airborne units and special forces.

2005

Michael Kibbe, ’05 political science and economics, was appointed co-chair of Littler’s Veterans’ Initiative affinity group. Littler is the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management.

2009

Troy Smith, ’09 construction management, is flying helicopters for fun now!

2010

Jeremy S. Campbell, ’10 agricultural economics, had an incredible time at the Boys from Oklahoma concert, reconnecting with so many fellow Cowboys!

2011

Stacy Schauvliege, ’11 international business, was elected to be a member of the OSU Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2012

Whitney (Woolf) Michael, ’12 animal science, recently changed careers and is now the chief of staff to South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

2013

Nathan D. White, ’13 automotive service technology, achieved GM world-class technician status.

2015

Justin L. Kunkle, ’15 architectural engineering, was appointed vice president and owner of PMA Engineering, a privately owned structural consulting engineering firm. Kunkle started as a summer intern at PMA, and his drive, diligence and professional principles have helped him flourish.

2018

Netrisha L. Stutson, ’18 police science, recently returned to the federal government after serving as a police officer. Stutson is employed with the Internal Revenue Service and received a permanence award before becoming a police officer.

2019

Javier Alejandro Flores Guerra, ’19 university studies, graduated in June with his master’s in fine arts in acting from The Theater School at DePaul University.

2019

Hannah K. (Hendryx) Hough, ’19 animal science and ’23 master’s in general agriculture, celebrated one year as the Tulsa County OSU extension service ag educator in January 2025. In April 2025, she celebrated five years with OSU Extension. She has loved being a part of America’s Brightest Orange and visits campus whenever she gets the chance!

2023

Billy Hunter, ’23 nursing, is living his best life in his dream location because of his degree at OSU-OKC.

2024

Andrew Fleet, ’24 plant and soil science, stepped into a groundbreaking role as the first water conservation educator with OSU Extension. In this position, he has traveled extensively across the state, participating in workshops, conferences, and outreach programs. He has also served as a guest speaker, sharing research-based strategies on irrigation efficiency, groundwater conservation, stormwater management, and sustainable urban landscapes. Fleet is committed to empowering Oklahomans with the tools and knowledge to use water more wisely for future generations.

2024

Leslie Rodriguez, ’24 human development and family science, was awarded Teacher of the Year at Kellyville Public Schools during her firstyear teaching family and consumer sciences. It is awarded to a single teacher each year who has shown dedication to the field.

’60s

RuthAnn Halacka Ball, ’61 home economics education, stays busy in retirement as the co-author of two books. She released “Wisdom for the Journey: Reflections of Early Educators” in 2024 and “Leaders in Family and Consumer Sciences” in 2016.

J.C. Bryson, ’61 preveterinary science, ’63 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, says “Go Pokes!” to the Class of ’63!

Mark Grubbs, ’65 psychology, was named Pioneer Broadcaster of the Year by the Texas Association of Broadcasters.

Pamela J. Sherrer, ’68 elementary education, and her husband Jerry D. Sherrer, ’71 physical science and ’74 master’s in elementary education, have been married for 58 years. The couple has a granddaughter, Emma, who is loyal and true all the way!

Vaden W. Morgan, ’69 animal science, ’76 master’s in agricultural education, retired from East Central University’s biology department after serving as an adjunct instructor for 15 years.

’70s

Roger Sinclair, ’72 OSU Institute of Technology, had a great career at a catalyst manufacturing facility at the port of Catoosa for over 25 years. He was a licensed electrician and is now retired, and enjoys traveling and fishing.

Adrio M. Baur, ’74 accounting, plans to visit Stillwater around Homecoming this year. It will be his first time returning to campus in a while, and he will meet up with fellow Alpha Tau Omega brothers.

Ray E. Smith, ’74 general administration, has retired after 50 years as a financial advisor. He and his wife, Kay Smith, ’75 mathematics, celebrated their 50th

wedding anniversary. They intend to travel and spend time with their children and grandchildren. Ray’s hobbies include golfing, woodworking and photography.

Ronnie D. Sarratt, ’75 animal science, ’79 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has been blessed with 72 years, 15 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

Rickey J. Wolfe, ’75 pre-veterinary science, ’77 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, has spent 48 years in equine practice with racetrack and performance horses thanks to his wonderful education from OSU. He says he needs to retire, but is currently working half days and still learning.

George W. Lawson, ’77 radio/television/film, is most likely retiring after 50 years in radio and 30 years with KFDI-FM in Wichita, Kansas

’80s

Richard D. Antle, ’81 business administration, shares the good news that he now has a granddaughter who has him wrapped around her finger. After three sons and four grandsons, they finally have a little girl in the family!

Ted Welch, ’81 tech ed, donated a painting of an OSU golf theme, requested by the former head of OSU Athletics, that is still at Karsten Creek.

Frank E. Babcock, ’82 horticulture and landscaping, ’83 master’s in horticulture, made the Three Million Dollar Sales Club in 2024. He will also retire at the end of this year and hopefully move back to Oklahoma.

Kim (Schumacher) Schlittler, ’82 accounting, ’83 master’s in accounting, is stepping into a volunteer career in animal welfare. After nearly 30 years as executive director of Best Friends of Pets, she is now focusing on spaying and neutering. She has created a list of spay/neuter clinics and programs across Oklahoma, and her next step is to connect retired

veterinarians to these clinics to perform more surgeries.

Patricia L. Marshall, ’86 doctorate of curriculum and instruction, served as a Fulbright Specialist for a threeweek inclusion project at the Universidad de Santander in Bucaramanga, Colombia, in 2024.

David K. Ratcliff, ’86 radio/television/film, is going on his 35th year as an attorney in Oklahoma, practicing in civil and criminal litigation, estate planning and probate. He serves as president of Ivy, Ratcliff & Chasteen, P.C., in Chickasha and has been municipal judge for Minco for nearly 25 years.

Cara L. Beer, ’87 master’s in horticulture, is proud to be an alumna, especially as the first holder of a master’s degree in landscape architecture. She would like to thank professors Jerry Walkup and Steve Ownby for their guidance and encouragement among the undergraduates and the staff at Corner Correctional Center in Hominy, where she observed, interviewed and engaged inmates in beautifying their environment.

Dr. Gregory D. Kirk, ’88 psychology, was named a 2024 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Kirk is the vice dean for research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This fellowship is given to scientists, engineers and innovators based on their scientifically and socially distinguished efforts to advance science.

’90s

Sandra D. (Orr) Cooper, ’92 management and ’01 master’s in occupational and adult education, recently retired after 35 years in education human resources, including OSU, Tulsa Community College and Tulsa Public Schools.

Robert P. Wettemann Jr., ’93 history, is an associate professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy

and has published his second book, “Rhino Tanks and Sticky Bombs: GI Ingenuity in World War II.”

Thomas Hall, ’98 mechanical engineering, is the proud father of Gabi, who just won the 6A State tennis doubles championship.

’00s

Roy Brent Young, ’06 Ph.D. agricultural education, retired from Colorado State University Extension after a 20-year career. In addition to his work in extension, he served as an agricultural educator at the secondary, junior college and university levels.

Maria (Lupita)

Fabregas Janeiro, ’09 agricultural education, was awarded the National Distinguished Ruby Award at the 2024 National and Regional Awards for Epsilon Sigma Phi.

’10s

Clayton R. Thornton , ’12 sociology, is now a service manager for Bob Howard Acura, an affiliate of Group1Auto, one of the largest dealership chains in the world.

Anil Kumar Pantangi, ’13 master’s in management information systems, was recently recognized as a Top AI 75 Leader with the AI Transformer Award by Dallas Innovates, honoring his contributions to the enterprise-scale innovation in responsible and generative AI. In addition, Pantangi is now a member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for senior technology leaders recognized for their expertise and impact in the industry.

Kristen M. McCullough, ’16 elementary education, was awarded Elementary Debate Coach of the Year from the Tulsa Debate League for the 2024-25 school year. She was presented with this award at Rogers High School in Tulsa. McCullough was

the debate coach for Greenwood Leadership Academy.

Clayton A. Juel, ’17 marketing and management, is currently working for Legacy Motor Club as director of partnership development.

’20s

Dalton M. Williams, ’21 marketing, is beyond thrilled to share that he is the new marketing manager for the BOK Center and the Arvest Convention Center in Tulsa. He is so excited to be joining such an iconic venue and talented team.

Kelsey Hulcher, ’24 animal science, was recently hired as a livestock employee at Blue Hill Ranch in Carson, North Dakota. The ranch runs nearly a thousand head of commercial and registered black Angus cattle.

Friends

Marcella C. Sirhandi, retired OSU professor, released a book titled “Origins and Evolution of Contemporary Miniature Painting in Pakistan,” published by Cambridge Scholars Press.

Looking Back

5 YEARS AGO

• T. Boone Pickens statue unveiled

• President Burns Hargis announces retirement

10 YEARS AGO

• OSU opens Center for Sovereign Nations

• Unmanned Systems Research Institute established

15 YEARS AGO

• Wreath lighting tradition begins

• OSU launches Branding Success campaign

20 YEARS AGO

• ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center is opened

• Willham Hall is demolished

25 YEARS AGO

• Gallagher-Iba Arena completes expansion

• Cowgirl Stadium opens for OSU softball

50 YEARS AGO

• ‘Oklahoma Gardening’ goes on the air

• Tornado strikes campus

75 YEARS AGO

• Student Union and Bennett Hall open

• Edmon Low Library construction begins

In Memory

Melvin Wayne Bollenbach , ’60 geology, passed away on June 26, 2025. He was born Aug. 26, 1938, in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He attended Big 4 School before going to OSU. Upon graduation from OSU, he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy and served for 9 years. While stationed in Rhode Island, he met and married Jaqueline Germaine Shelly on Jan. 7, 1965. In 1970, Bollenbach started his career as a financial advisor with Smith Barney. He continued to thrive in the financial industry until his retirement in 2019 at 80. While having a successful financial advisory career, his true heart was always ranching. In 1976, he purchased two farms where he raised cattle and produced wheat, beans, corn, and alfalfa, expanding operations. His love of horses led him to the quarter horse racing industry, where he became well known as one of the top breeders in the nation, producing world-class performers and brood mares. He served as a director for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association and as a commissioner of the Oklahoma Racing Commission, significantly contributing to the elevation of Quarter Horse Racing in Oklahoma.

David Gordon Bowen, ’72 agriculture, passed away April 14, 2025. He was born on Dec. 28, 1948. Born and raised on the family farm in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Bowen learned the values of hard work, resilience and community from an early age. His days in Boy Scouts and 4-H opened doors that led him to Oklahoma State University. A proud OSU graduate, Bowen rarely missed a chance to cheer on his school’s

teams, no matter the season. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Cathy Bowen, his three sons, Brent, Brandon and Devin Bowen; his brothers, James Bowen and Frank Nulty; and three grandchildren, who were the light of his later life.

Herman Ernst Kiesling, ’75 Ph.D. in animal nutrition, passed away July 25, 2022. He was born on Jan. 23, 1938, in the Klattenhoff community of Tom Green County, Texas, to a large German family with dozens of cousins. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University, his master’s degree at New Mexico State University and his Ph.D. at OSU. Herman and his wife, Sarah Lee Sofge, taught their daughters, Sherry and Terry, the value of hard work. He enjoyed being a grandparent to two granddaughters, Abbi and Reagan. He is survived by Sarah, his wife of 59 years, daughters, Sherry and Terry, granddaughters, Abbi Bristow and Reagan Fox, and sister, Willene Lagrimenta.

Randy Keith Carter, ’77 general business, passed away March 9, 2025, in Stillwater. He was a proud Army veteran and enjoyed a long, successful career in insurance. A lifelong OSU fan, Randy was a devoted Cowboy football season ticket holder for decades. He treasured spending fall Saturdays watching the Cowboys with his family and following other OSU sports, especially golf. He is survived by his wife, Karen; son, Chase; son-in-law, Coleman Hickman; and many other loving family members and friends.

Robert Clark Nickles, Sr., ‘66 management, passed away on April 25, 2025. He was born on July 21, 1943, in Ponca City, Oklahoma as the oldest of five children. Clark went on to Oklahoma State University where he met his wife, Susan. The couple moved to Ponca City where he began a more than 30-year career with Nickles Machine Corporation, a business founded by his grandfather, with Clark eventually serving as president. Clark and Susan became parents to three children; they enjoyed life in Ponca City, golf and traveling. Clark was preceded in death by his wife, Susan Nickles, brothers, Jim and Doug Nickles, daughter-in-law, Carrie Nickles and grandson, Steven Nickles. He is survived by his companion, Sue Lunsford, three children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, a greatgrandson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends

Harold Raymond Mace born May 23, 1939, in Oklahoma City, passed away Oct. 8, 2024. A visionary in fire service education, Mace earned degrees from Central State University and began leading Oklahoma Fire Service Training in 1969. He transformed it into a modern, accredited program and oversaw its first full-scale training facility. As director of Fire Protection Publications for over 20 years, he expanded it into the world’s largest publisher of firefighter training materials. He also led OSU’s School of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology, helping establish national certification standards and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. OSU’s Fire Publications and Training Building is named the Mace Center in his honor.

Births

Brynlee William Jocelyn Ezra

Jennifer Miller-DeWitt , ’07 sociology, and Jason Dewitt welcomed Brynlee June DeWitt to the world on July 21, 2024. Brynlee is proud to be sporting America’s Brightest Orange already.

Claire

Brad Lundblade, ’17 management, and his wife, Heather, welcomed their daughter, Claire Marie Lundblade, to the world on May 14, 2025. Claire joins the family just 18 months after her sister, Lillian. Brad was a four-year letterman on the OSU football team.

Kingston

Matthew R. Wiley, ’23 engineering and tech management, welcomed Kingston Ray Wiley to the world on Dec. 4, 2024. Kingston is the younger brother of 2-year-old Kearslee. Thankfully, Bullet is always there to make everything better.

Krystal Dulaney Chacon, ’08 marketing and business management, and husband, Stephen, are proud to introduce their future Cowboy, William Chacon, to the Oklahoma State family. William was born on Jan. 2, 2025.

Samuel

Misty (Royall) Pitts, ’17 political science, and Joseph Pitts are proud to introduce Samuel Gregory Pitts to the Cowboy family. Samuel was born on Aug. 20, 2024, and looks great in Cowboy colors.

Colter

Makayla Hamilton Davis, ’25 agricultural leadership, and partner Cody Davis are excited to introduce Colter Lane Davis to the world. Colter was born on Sept. 8, 2024, and loves watching OSU sports, especially when he sees Bullet run.

David O. Brazil, ’09 English, and Pamela Brazil welcomed daughter Jocelyn Isabel Olivia Brazil on Jan. 9, 2025. Jocelyn is already working on her collection of Cowgirl attire.

Henley

Allison R. Lang, ’18 wildlife and pre-veterinary studies, ’22 political science, and husband Zachary Taylor, ’18 psychology, are excited to announce the birth of Henley Taylor. Henley was born on Aug. 2, 2024, and has been the happiest baby since the day she was born.

Stella

Morgan (McCaskey) Davis, ’19 mathematics, and Caleb Davis, ’19 general business, announce the birth of their daughter Stella Kate Davis. Stella was born on Nov. 22, 2024, and is the light of her parents’ lives.

Katie Barlow, ’15 entrepreneurship and accounting minor, and Nick Barlow, ’19 business management and sports management minor, welcomed Ezra James Barlow to the world on April 21, 2024, and they couldn’t be happier.

Simon

Bethany Gray, ’19 master’s in counseling, and husband, Peter, announce the birth of their second child, Simon Gray, on Jan. 2, 2025. Both parents and newly appointed big sister Molly couldn’t be more excited.

Sheila Ferreira, ’05 journalism and broadcasting, married Kirsten Agar on Dec 12, 2024, in Norman, Oklahoma. The couple is ready to find a “house divided” car plate.

Kortni Perkins, ’21 animal science, marrie d Gavin Perkins on Nov. 14, 2024, at The Rusty Mallard in Chandler, Oklahoma.

Clarissa N. Roenne, ’21 agribusiness, and Jack L. Roenne were married on Jan. 18, 2025, in Stillwater.

Hannah Allen, ’25 business administration, and Gage Allen, ’25 construction engineering technology, were married on May 17, 2025, in Tryon, Oklahoma.

Andrew Fleet, ’24 plant and soil science, married Alexandra Martin on May 25, 2025, at the Will Rogers Gardens in Oklahoma City.

New Life Members

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

*An asterisk designates current OSU students who are new life members.

Conlie Smith*

Laithan Knight*

Chase Weber, '21

Nancy Thornburgh*

Candis Hogan

Fredericksen, '02

Zachary Bukowski*

Kristi Kargl, '95

Steven Fox*

Ashley Bennett*

Alex Boyd*

Dustin Brown*

Gary Cross

Jonas Horne*

Kevin Heupel, '20

Elliot White*

Clint Rhodes, '98

Reagan Savage*

Samuel Hollenbaugh, '19

Taylor Johnson*

David Herdman, '86, '87

Aubrey Ruffin*

Braden Nelson*

John Wright, '24

Emily Rountree*

Robin Steinmann, '76

Rebekah Bowman*

Hunter Schadler, '24

Viviana Sanchez, '24

Caleb Cline, '21

Kylie Hammack*

Emma-Frances Smith*

Kent Warkentin, '94

Bret Frie, '82, '82

Bryce Schwarz

Payton Winter*

Emma Lewis*

Amy Tsai, '68

Ethan Biedenstein, '24

Brent Ivy, '81

Nancy Shearer, '94

Daley Bradley, '24

Danielle Nester*

Emilee Lehenbauer, '11, '13

Tyler Borelli, '23

Olivia Vanhootegem*

Jordan Erne*

Becky Slovacek, '76

Chris Gerber, '24, '24

Tchinina Rayburn, '92, '08

Nathaniel Gill*

Adison Warren*

Gavin Bodenstab*

Mari Garcia*

Weston Givens, '97

George Dunker, '24

Jason Snider, '97

Mia Halcomb*

Caroline Kreger*

Larry Klumpp, '82

Braden Beckham*

James Moses, '82

Lori Marble, '87

Abigail Norris*

Kassidy Malo*

Jami Warkentin, '93

Rachel Lawson

Jozlynn Clark*

Dallas Vaughn, '04

Chad Spiva, '94

Blake Gerber, '24, '24

Sheridan Strong, '24

Brooks Manzer*

Staci Bowen, '85

Kylie Quigley*

Cheril Hood

Chad Mills, '16

Mason Koelsch*

Emma King*

James Hutton, '85

Larry Evetts, '69

Kristy Rochell, '05

Mark Mathers, '83

Tasha Burke*

John Biamonte*

Manda Ruffin, '93

Cali Wheeler*

Srinivas Pramodh Kotipalli, '23

Gaye Lynn Chaney, '86

Stephanie Smith*

Grace Hendrix*

Barbara Ray, '68, '01

Hannah Giaudrone*

Seth Hardy*

Kari Hawkins, '00

David Scates, '84

Bryleigh Davis, '24

Nancy Shahadi, '81

Patti Lewis, '84

Kelsey Darnell, '15

Don Gullett, '72

Duke Allen, '73

Jeffrey Randall, '85

Kyle McDowell, '24

David Anderson, '24

Susan Pangelinan*

Susan Addison, '77

Donnita Wilkens, '83

Aden Schmidt*

Lindel Larison Sr., '91

Melissa Sturgeon, '22, '22

Madison Petree, '21

Jeff Freeman, '77

Brielle Prock*

Jeremy Williams, '07, '16

Curtis Boley, '89

Westin Nelson*

Aubrey Sills, '23

Abi Banther*

Kaytlynd Bonar*

Gary Rosenhamer, '72

Reece Gabel*

Emma England*

Roger Bennett, '70

Chris Cameron, '91

Tara Brown, '80

Tori Luce*

Mason Mabery*

Tera Roblyer, '91

Brenda Adams

Amber Revels*

Clayton Richards, '22

Joshua Buck*

James Rinke*

Mark Dodson, '01

David Svejkovsky, '76

Cheyanne Ford*

Laurie Clawson, '24

Brook Langford, '24

Eyan Bonner, '24

Ben Baker, '62, '64

Jeremy Calvin*

Danielle Hernandez*

Megan Hart*

Emily McKee, '21

Alfonso Aguilar*

Nathan Johnson*

Debbie Greenwood, '75

Emma Lewis*

Taylor Bohannan*

Corbin Young*

David Cockrell, '75

Zoe Ann Stinchcomb, '80

Adyson Jergins, '24

Gabriel Donajkowski*

Eilene Minnix, '90

Nancy Herdman, '07

Ian Olson*

Marlene Greyson

Julie Lorenz, '90

Suzy Azzaro, '89

Alisa Hudzik*

Alex Roberts*

Catherine Scott*

Pam Fry, '86, '89

Peggy Peck, '76

Andrew Stevenson*

Kaitlin Beisly*

Raleah Williams, '97

Summer Yost*

Mike Ridgway, '84

Nathan May*

Tamara Barnes, '12

Amir Talab*

Jacob Griffin*

Sharolyn Wallace, '85, '97

Jane Braden, '78

Jaci McDaniel*

Victoria Wynn, '97, '03

Gabe Gosney*

Jake Richardson*

Mary Rachel Bailey, '81

Owen Biddle Jr., '73

Philip Parr, '06, '08

Ty McLaughlin*

Mandy Tolar, '21

Gabrella Rimer, '24, '24

Emma Norstebon*

Jeffrey Casey

Jessica Pope, '24

Corbin Roy*

Rebecca Wettemann, '95, '95

Kennedy Schwartz*

Dana Kuehn, '93

Alisha Kirtley, '87

Sungjoo Chung*

Kenneth Caster, '89

Emily Slay*

Sean Ivan*

James Posey, '03

Justin Worcester, '23

Isabella Garcia*

Brandon Tyrrell

Samantha Robinson, '24

Dana Davis, '95

Wesley Boeckman*

Kenzi Terrell*

Tony Vaccaro, '96

Jason Zwilling, '09

Anna Ready, '24

Ryan Stephenson, '12

Douglas Shivers, '87

Matthew Rangel

Amy Pendergraft, '91

Taln Glidewell, '24

Catherine Barrett*

Lee Everett, '11

Kyle Nicholson, '24

Avery Cannon, '24

Diane Dross, '88

Vicki Gillette, '86

Kathryn Warren*

William Holmes, '76

Rylie Huckelberry*

James Sang*

Nicole James*

Kait Pinkerton, '24

Macie Sells*

Allie Whitacre*

Matthew Pryor, '04

Connor Tarrance*

Marilyn Sullivan, '77

Amanda Baldridge, '24

Carson Tewell, '22

Grace Riggs*

Camden Grizzle*

Tsai-Chin Harrison, '92

Audra Loney*

Dalton Carter, '23

Haylee Garcia*

Nora Lo Nigro*

Ashlyn Calhoun*

Cora Winterscheid

Sofia Brignola*

Ryan Stallsmith*

Lauren Roy, '98, '00

Magnus McKee*

Ally Fein*

Michael Kriege, '87

Jack Riley*

Donna Woods, '82

Nina Gerardy, '61, '64

Hayden Alexander*

Jo Wilson

Gabby Baker*

Ally Williams, '19

Tori Rodgers*

Marcey Slatton

Venessa Goff*

Krista Cothron*

Kaylen Anderson*

Joe Cox, '63

Michael Coager, '23

Robert Smith, '92

Monty Lewis, '69

Ryan Moseley*

Kristen Uhlich, '12, '14

Clint Berger*

Donald Martin, '78, '79

Beth Reintjes, '99, '01

Joyce Williams, '84

Michelle Brewer

Withrow, '08, '12

Garrett Wade*

Chad Young*

Taysir Aljumah Sr., '19, '24, '24

Moh'd AbuAwad, '93

BayLeigh Graves*

Laney Warrington*

Ryan Coppoc, '24, '24

Robert Pierce, '91

Elisa Allen*

Rebecca Gentry, '23

Judy Moses, '72

Rob Brown

Jason Smith*

Brennan Stockard*

Susan Keirn*

Makayla Medrano*

Meredith Williams*

Ethan Ivy*

Marty Coats, '10, '12

Darrell Gwartney, '82

Tell Wilson*

Patti Sebesta, '80

Eric Sweatt, '93, '95

Sarah Lacy*

Missy Wikle, '94

Cindy Mikeman, '79

Amanda Seidl, '03

Alaina Whittington*

Hailey Brunner*

Haven Davis, '21, '23

Zane Trinidad, '24

Amanda Smith, '22

Carson Capps*

Michael Solomon, '79

Roger Griffin, '75

Daniel Hall, '02, '02

David Strong, '95

Karen Kobs, '85

Allison Dreyer*

Ty Eulitt

Lori Mirth, '85

Trey Conklin III, '96

Stacey James, '85

Kelcie Moton, '22

Emma Sweatt*

Alexandra DeWolf, '21

Taylor Bottorff*

Ashley Mihelis*

Jonathan Titus, '24

Jim Lovett, '05

Jacob Close*

Henry Ray, '65

Elijah Nicholson*

Judy Holderread

Sandra George, '03

TK Baker, '83, '89

Jamie Parker*

Ryan Stafford, '98

Steven Grundmann, '76

James Perdue*

Maci Marckx*

Madison White McKee*

Kristi Delleney, '93

Whitney Michael

Frank Vargas III, '16

Maddie Hawley, '24

Jill Frie, '80

Becky Moore, '78, '79

Dean Shaw*

Emma Lathem*

Chelsea Steffen, '06

Lauren Meberg*

Stacy Ragsdale, '85

Tracie Felder, '24

Elaine Duff, '23

Miller Gerardy, '61

Tom Schmidt Jr., '69

Brenda Ridgway, '84

Olivia Corrado*

Jim Ferrill, '62

Jeff McCoy, '82

Laura Levescy*

Jason Schnuelle*

April Thompson, '93

Jordyn Langrum*

Stuart Price Jr., '80

Randy Gilbert, '03

Mark Grubbs, '65

Jim Hess, '91

Breca Grady*

Jeffory Cronkhite*

Brianna Butler*

PARTING SHOT | 8.17.25

The OSU System welcomed nearly 37,000 students — including the Class of 2029 shown here — for the start of classes this fall, setting a new system enrollment record in Oklahoma. This also marks the second consecutive year of record enrollment at the OSU-Stillwater campus and the fourth straight year of record-setting freshman enrollment.

PHOTO ELLIE PIPER

REWRITING THE RULES OF FLIGHT

The sky isn’t just an airspace — it’s our laboratory. And it’s where the OSU Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education turns cutting-edge concepts into everyday reality.

From rocket propulsion to autonomous systems, OAIRE tackles every dimension of the aerospace industry.

Our Advanced Air Mobility research is transforming transportation through faster emergency responses, better rural community connectivity and cargo delivery that defies geography.

Ready to see the future take flight? Experience it all at the Thunderbird Drone Festival with Emmy-winning cinematography, synchronized drone shows, hands-on piloting and more.