Outstanding Seniors The OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD recognizes students who distinguish themselves through academic achievements; campus and community activities; academic, athletic and extracurricular honors or awards; scholarships; and work ethic. After reviewing applications, the OSU Alumni Association Student Awards and Selection Committee met with 43 Seniors of Significance who were honored in the fall of 2016 and selected 16 for this prestigious honor. The 2017 Outstanding Seniors were recognized at a banquet April 27 in the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center. Scan the QR code or visit okla.st/OS17vids to see interviews with each Outstanding Senior.
JULIA BENBROOK Woodward, Oklahoma Multimedia Journalism While at OSU, Julia Benbrook has been a four-year member of the OSU Pom Squad and Miss OSU 2017. She has been a facilitator for the President’s Leadership Council, a President’s Partner with the Student Alumni Board, and president of the National
ERIC BRINKMAN McKinney, Texas Mechanical Engineering During his time at OSU, Eric Brinkman was involved in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry as a student leader and mentor. He served as a facilitator for the President’s Leadership Council, was on the drumline in the Cowboy Marching Band and an executive board
ALLISON CHRISTIAN Duncan, Oklahoma Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness At OSU, Allison Christian served on the Homecoming Executive Team as the Walkaround executive and the athletic pride executive. She was a College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Ambassador, Collegiate Farm Bureau reporter, CASNR
ADDISON FREINER Tulsa, Oklahoma Elementary Education While at OSU, Addison Freiner served as president of Blue Key Honor Society, vice president for Education Student Council, secretary for the OSU Tau Beta chapter of Chi Omega, family relations director for CowboyThon and a College of Education ambassador.
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Broadcasting Society at OSU. Her community involvement includes creating the Dance for Shelter Foundation and volunteering for Coaches vs. Cancer, Helping Hands, Children’s Miracle Network and CowboyThon. She was honored as the Women of OSU Student Philanthropist of the Year, Broadcast Education Association Award of Excellence, OSU Homecoming Court and Top 10 Freshman Women. She won a first-place news video magazine award in
the National Broadcasting Society’s undergraduate competition. After graduation, Benbrook will pursue a career in broadcast journalism and hopes to one day host a nationally televised show.
member for the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. His community involvement includes serving in Stillwater KLIFE, Sunnybrook Christian Church, the Regional Food Band of Oklahoma, Special Care Inc. and CEAT Scholars. Brinkman was chosen for the Karl N. Reid CEAT Scholars Program and the President’s Honor Roll.
After graduation, Brinkman will work as a mechanical engineer intern in Hutchinson, Kansas. He plans to return to OSU in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in thermal systems and controls.
Student Council student spokesperson and Mortar Board member. She volunteered for the Oklahoma FFA Alumni Camp, Oklahoma Youth Expo, Oklahoma and Tulsa State Fairs, OSU Foundation Thank-a-Thon, Into the Streets and Big Event. She was honored as an OSU Top 10 Freshman Women, Charles and Magda Brown CASNR Outstanding Freshman, and was on the President’s or Dean’s Honor Roll every semester. Christian interned for United States Senator James
Lankford and the Oklahoma secretary of energy and environment.
Freiner volunteered for Make-A-Wish Foundation, Into the Streets, Special Olympics State Games, Orphan Run Stillwater and interned for Bless the Children Ministries in Uganda. She earned an Honors College degree, an Academic Excellence Scholarship and the President’s Service-Learning New Program Award. Friener is a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She was listed on the President’s Honor Roll.
After graduation, Freiner plans to teach elementary school and hopes to instill confidence in her students’ ability to learn at a young age so that they can strive to achieve their dreams.
Next year, Christian will attend law school.