Hargis in advancing diversity and inclusion at OSU has been vital to the university’s progress and national recognition. Hargis has also guided OSU to record enrollment and fundraising since taking office in March 2008. He holds degrees in accounting and law and is the second OSU graduate to lead the university as president. Brenda D. Neal is a senior vice president of investments, and financial advisor in global wealth management at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in New York. She is also an arbitrator with oversight of securities firms that do business with the public and an activist for women and underserved minority youth with a focus on upgrading their education and job skills. Neal graduated from OSU and received a master’s degree from New York University. Archie (Stevenson) Ransom graduated from OSU in 1958 with a degree in
food nutrition and institutional management, which served her well as a dietitian and instructor in the Los Angeles area. After raising a family, she became a dietary director in Denver. While Ransom remembers tense racial times on the OSU campus, she has dedicated her life to ensure that was not the reality for her children and grandchildren. Despite a stellar academic and extracurricular record at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, Lloyd Ransom was denied acceptance to the major universities in Oklahoma in 1952 and entered military service. Following desegregation, Ransom returned to Oklahoma and earned a chemistry degree from OSU in 1958, which led to a successful career as a chemist and chemical engineer in the aviation industry. Lloyd met his wife (and co-inductee), Archie, while attending OSU.
The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit agency Minority Access, Inc., honored OSU at its 18th Annual National Role Models Conference. OSU Assistant Vice President for Institutional Diversity Dr. Jovette Dew, left, accepted the award on behalf of the university.
Rising Star Award
The American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity, a national nonprofit organization of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action professionals, recognized the university with the Roosevelt Thomas Champion of Diversity Award. Dr. Jason Kirksey, center, accepted the award in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kirksey was also recognized with the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education 2017 Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr. Distinguished Service Award.
Dr. Krystal K. Beamon is an associate professor of sociology and faculty associate with the Center for African American Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, where she was recently named outstanding faculty member. She excelled at OSU in academics and was an All-American athlete in track and field. Beamon has authored books that reflect her research interests, including race and ethnicity, the sociology of sport and the contemporary African-American experience. She earned her three degrees at OSU. Andre I. Storey is the regional vice president of ancillary services at Christus St. Patrick Health System, a subsidiary of Christus Health. He has overseen hospital operations and joint ventures that support the organization’s mission in Lake Charles, Louisiana, since 2014. During a prior job for the health system, he founded the Greater Texarkana Young Professionals. He graduated from OSU with a degree in business administration and earned a master’s degree in health care administration from Trinity University. For more information about the Division of Institutional Diversity at OSU, as well as related activities and departments, visit diversity.okstate.edu/.
Honoring OSU Insight Into Diversity magazine has recognized OSU as one of 11 Diversity Champion colleges and universities in the nation ranked in the top-tier for its “unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion at the highest administrative levels.” This is the sixth consecutive year that OSU has received the magazine’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
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