STATE magazine - Winter 2010

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Seniors apply today, because the Feb. 1 priority scholarship deadline is approaching.

If they apply before Feb. 1, they’ll be considered for all scholarships and financial aid.

For more information go to okstate.edu and click “Apply Now,” or call 1-800-233-5019.

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WINTER 2010, Vol. 6, No. 2 hTTp://sTaTEmagazINE.oRg

Welcome to the winter 2010 issue of STATE magazine, your source of information from the OSU Alumni Association, the OSU Foundation and University Marketing. This holiday edition brings good tidings about OSU alumni, students and faculty whose generosity, tenacity and excellence inspire hope and expand horizons for others. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions for future stories.

Cover photography by Phil Shockley

Aussie Ambassador Back from Australia, this student recruits others to study abroad in the land down under.

Top Brass OSU trombones outperform the best international competition — again!

Orange Power Pass New OSU-Tulsa program encourages students to get involved in university activities and earn rewards.

Branding Success Update

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Tulsa Business Forums celebrates 25 years of bringing global business and government leaders to Oklahoma.

Paying It Forward The Women for OSU organization reminds women that giving back strengthens future generations.

Help Wanted, Help Given Partnership between OSU Alumni Association and Career Services assists job-seekers and employers.

A Special Gift A new endowed professorship in animal behavior honors scientist and autism expert Temple Grandin.

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Students in OSU Institute of Technology’s Aggreko program anticipate the exhilaration of world travel.

A Lasting Tribute

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A friendship long ago inspires new gifts for basketball scholarships and the Doel Reed Center for the Arts.

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rewarding OSU graduates who continue to live and work in Oklahoma.

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Distinguished Alumni

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Beyond the OSU Border

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Back in the Saddle

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Securing Oklahoma’s future 34 This program will benefit the state by

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Donors’ commitments to scholarships will empower students to chase their dreams.

Silver Anniversary

Adventures Await

OSU recognizes five outstanding individuals for their professional and personal achievements.

OSU continues making strides toward good health because of Bud Seretean’s foresight 20 years ago.

Successful entrepreneur puts his expertise to work for OSU by fostering commercialization of faculty- and student-developed technology.

Expressing Generosity Alumna’s gifts to agriculture and OSU-Oklahoma City pay homage to her father.

26 Homecoming 2010

Thousands from the Cowboy Nation return to OSU for “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.”

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Homecoming Endowment Endowments ensure beloved traditions such as Walkaround and the Sea of Orange Parade will endure for future generations.

Doubly Suite Couple pays football suite gift forward — twice.

Orange Savings

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Two new OSU Alumni Association programs reward members with even more great buys.

Empowering Faculty Couple’s generosity supports one of OSU’s most distinguished professors and her work to improve global nutrition.

Extraordinary American From war refugee to OSU student to IBM executive, Yupin Wang overcame environmental and psychological challenges to thrive in a foreign culture.

It’s Better to Give ...

This Army major knows her Oklahoma “pup” is in good hands while she’s serving in Afghanistan.

Peddling Good Health Cross-country bicycle ride promotes wellness and calls attention to America’s obesity epidemic.

Expanding Horizons Couple believes international study greatly enhances students’ life skills and knowledge.

A New Angle on Service Former Army medic prepares for a career to help fellow veterans transition from military to civilian life.

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OSUccess Branding Success scholarship allows Tiffany Taylor to continue her culinary arts education.

Home-Grown Values

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This Pepperdine University dean lives in California, but her heart remains close to OSU.

Tribute to a Friend Hubert Gragg believes his gift for scholar development would please his dear friend, the late Henry Bellmon.

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Facebook for Aggies?

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An antique “common-place book” identified only by its OAMC seal and anonymous scribbles preserves a bit of Oklahoma’s social history.

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Connections Continue A scholarship for Oklahoma’s youth memorializes a young alum who achieved much during his brief life.

An Unforgettable 64 Legacy

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OSU Athletics honors the life and legacy of wrestling champion Ray Murphy.

1927 Bedlam

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Inspired by football, Model T Fords and Will Rogers, Aggie fans race $25 vehicles from Stillwater to Norman in the Bedlam Flivver Derby.

Departments President’s Letter

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FM with IQ

STATEment

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Classnotes

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Campus News

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O-STATE Stories

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Chapters

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History

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Crossword

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When you see this logo, go to orangeconnection.org to view behind-the-scenes video and extras about the article. This member-only benefit is brought to you by the OSU Alumni Association.

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President’s letter

As a land-grant university, Oklahoma State takes great pride in welcoming students from all backgrounds and offering them the opportunity to develop their abilities and achieve at a high level at whatever they pursue.

Branding Success, the name of our current $1 billion fundraising campaign, states perfectly what Oklahoma State University is all about. OSU graduates stand out by their accomplishments. We produce ethical leaders who make our state and our world a better place.

Success begins on campus as OSU students achieve inside and outside the classroom. In this issue of STATE magazine you will read about Kyle Buthod who was named a student ambassador for Australia because of the leadership he showed on his study abroad experience. You also will learn about Jared Whittington and his goal to improve the lives of military veterans. Our look back at homecoming recognizes the outstanding work of our students in staging “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.”

After graduation, OSU alumni become leaders in all fields. Steve Wood is a highly successful entrepreneur and is helping faculty and students pursue technology commercialization. Scott Poindexter rode his bicycle across America this past summer to educate people about wellness and the need to fight obesity. Most recently, successful alumna Mary Fallin became the first female governor in Oklahoma.

Congratulations on your individual success stories, too. As we celebrate the holidays and reflect on our many blessings, Ann and I want to thank you for what you mean to OSU and wish you all the best.

Happy New Year and Go Pokes!

Burns Hargis OSU President

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photo / phil Shockley

OSU

Native American students succeed at

OSU grants more undergraduate degrees to Native Americans than any other university in the nation.*

Why OSU? The reasons are too many to list, but OSU leads in mechanical, aerospace and chemical engineering, the humanities, medicine and entrepreneurship — to name a few.

Also, OSU is home to a thriving Native American campus community with student organizations in engineering, science and the arts.

Those are just a few of the reasons The Princeton Review names OSU among the “100 Best Value Colleges for 2010.”

*2008-2009, Diverse Issues in Higher Education “Top 100 Degree Producers”

S tat e

Dear OSU Alumni and Friends, As the holidays approach, it’s a great time to renew or upgrade your Alumni Association membership. Memberships also make great gifts for loved ones and friends. Membership is tax deductible and can provide a year or more of benefits and connections to OSU while supporting alumni and student programs. Visit orangeconnection.org for more information.

A new year will mean new benefits for members with the launch of two services from the Alumni Association, highlighted on pages 56-57. The Orange Savings Connection is already providing exciting discounts for popular products and services coast to coast, and the new OSU Alumni Print Store is the perfect place to share your orange pride with personalized, OSU-branded announcements, stationery and more.

The Branding Success campaign also continues to advance. Half of the campaign is dedicated to scholarships and graduate fellowships, and our generous donors have responded to this $500 million goal. With more than $274 million in pledges and commitments to the campaign, we are well past halfway to our goal just three years into this seven-year initiative.

OSU donors understand the importance of attracting and retaining quality students and making our land-grant institution as accessible as possible. No student should have to pass up a quality education because of financial concerns. Pages 18-19 have more detail about student support.

Visit OSUgiving.com to learn more.

If you’re planning a trip to Stillwater for the holidays, be sure to bring along your kids and grandkids and give them a tour of the OSU campus while they’re here.

Happy Holidays!

Kirk A. Jewell President and CEO OSU Foundation

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Larry Shell President OSU Alumni Association

Kyle Wray Associate VP for Enrollment Management & Marketing

3X ALUMNUS T. BOONE PICKENS loves creating opportunities for donors to join him in leveraging their gifts to have maximum impact.

That is why he announced a generous $100 million estate gift to establish the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match. This initiative has led to more than $20 million in commitments to scholarships with more than 900 donors taking advantage of this opportunity to double their impact.

But Pickens’ generosity does not stop there, as an expansion to the program was recently announced so that even more OSU students can benefit from this gift, while providing donors opportunities to triple their contributions. These changes are effective immediately for every Pickens Match gift – including those already committed. Additionally, Pickens has agreed to extend the deadline to Feb. 26, 2011, or until the matching funds are exhausted.

Qualifying gifts for scholarships and graduate fellowships will be matched as follows:

2:1

OUTRIGHT GIFTS - MATCHED Outright gifts of at least $50,000 paid in full by the deadline now qualify for a 2:1 match, meaning a $50,000 gift will lead to an endowment of at least $150,000 once Pickens’ match is added.

1.5:1

PLEDGE OF UP TO 5 YEARS – MATCHED Qualifying pledges of at least $50,000 paid in full within at least five years will be matched 1.5:1, so a $250,000 pledge will become an endowment of at least $625,000.

1:1

DEFERRED GIFT + JUMPSTART GIFT – MATCHED Deferred gifts paired with annual gift commitments are matched 1:1 – both amounts will now be matched. Thus, a $500,000 estate gift and an annual jumpstart commitment of $250,000 pledged over 10 years, will realize a total future impact of $1.5 million.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the program or to start your impact today, visit OSUgiving.com/PickensMatch.aspx or contact a member of the OSU Foundation Development Staff at 800-622-4678 or info@OSUgiving.com.

Tomorrow begins today.

We’re defined by what we pass on to the next generation. That’s why ConocoPhillips is working with National Energy Education Development to provide America’s teachers with the training and resources they need to bring energy to life for students.

Through this program, we’re getting our kids interested in math and science and teaching them about the importance of conservation. So we can pass on what matters … to the ones who matter most.

© ConocoPhillips Company. 2009. All rights reserved.

www.conocophillips.com

LETTERS

university marketing

OSU AND ETHIOPIA

Kyle Wray / AssociAte Vice President of enrollment

I read with interest articles in your fall issue of STATE concerning OSU’s part in the development of higher education in Ethiopia. It was a running story during my time as a business journalism student, 1948-53, which included stints as editor of the Daily O’Collegian and as the first student manager of the Oklahoma-Times Stillwater bureau.

One related story I didn’t cover, due to the sensitivity of the issue at the time, was that of the first black student ever to enroll at then Oklahoma A&M. I never learned his name or knew what he was studying, and I cannot tell you how long he was a student, but even after nearly six decades I have a vivid memory of the sight of his tall, burly figure striding across the campus.

There was no mistaking his race.

His skin was blue-black and his hair of the style later termed “afro.” We passed each other daily one semester

mAnAgement & mArketing

Janet Varnum, Eileen Mustain, Matt Elliott & Melissa Oxford / editoriAl Valerie Kisling, Paul V. Fleming, Jenny Parnell & Mark Pennie / design Phil Shockley & Gary Lawson / PhotogrAPhy Jessa Zapor-Gray / Photo coordinAtor University Marketing Office / 121 cordell, stillwater, ok 740788031 / 405.744.6262 / www.okstate.edu (web) / editor@okstate. edu, osu.advertising@okstate.edu (email) O s u a l u m n i a s s O c i at i O n Paul Cornell / chAirmAn Dan Gilliam / Vice chAirmAn Rex Horning / immediAte PAst chAirmAn Ron Ward / treAsurer Burns Hargis / osu President, non-Voting member Larry Shell / President, osu Alumni AssociAtion, non-Voting member

Kirk Jewell / President, osu foundAtion, non-Voting member John Allford, Cindy Batt, Larry Briggs, Ron Bussert, Brian Diener, Jennifer Grigsby, Dave Kollman, Jami Longacre, Pam Martin, Ronda McKown, Joe Merrifield & Nichole Trantham / boArd of directors Pattie Haga / Vice President And coo Chase Carter / director of communicAtions Melissa Mourer & Kathryn Bolay-Staude / communicAtions committee

on our campus rounds and became nodding acquaintances. I inquired at the president’s office, then still occupied, I believe, by Dr. Henry G. Bennett, and was told by his executive secretary that the young man was a foreign exchange student from Ethiopia. I was asked to please not rock the boat. George W. McLaurin not long before had become the first black American at the University of Oklahoma after years of controversy and lawsuits, and Dr. Bennett was determined that we would not go down that contentious path.

Before I graduated, at least two black women graduates of Langston University had quietly integrated graduate school classrooms at A&M, but I left before undergraduates of color became as ubiquitous on campus as they are in the pages of your fine publication.

Bruce G. Johnson Orange City, Fla.

201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center / stillwater, ok 74078-7043 / 405.744.5368 / orangeconnection.org (web) / info@ orangeconnection.org (email) O s u F O u n dat i O n Barry Pollard / chAirmAn of the boArd Kirk A. Jewell / President And chief executiVe officer Patricia Moline / Vice President for deVeloPment Brandon Meyer / Vice President & generAl counsel Donna Koeppe / Vice President of AdministrAtion & treAsurer Jamie Payne / senior director of humAn resources Gene Batchelder, Monty Butts, Jerry Clack, Bryan Close, Charlie Eitel, Ellen Fleming, Michael Greenwood, Jennifer Grigsby, David Holsted, Rex Horning, Don Humphreys, Kirk A. Jewell, Griffin Jones, Steven Jorns, David Kyle, John Linehan, Ross McKnight, Bill Patterson, Bond Payne Jr., Barry Pollard, Scott Sewell, Larry Shell, William S. Spears, Jack Stuteville, Kim Watson & Dennis White / boArd of trustees B e c k y E n d i c o t t / s en i o r d i r ecto r o f m A r k e t i n g & communicAtions

Jacob Longan, Chris Lewis, Jonathan McCoy, Leesa Wyzard, Alex Gelmers & Katie Ann Robinson / communicAtions

STATE magazine is published three times a year by oklahoma state university, the osu Alumni Association and the osu foundation, and is mailed to current members of the osu Alumni Association. magazine subscriptions available by membership in the osu Alumni Association only. membership cost is $45. Postage paid at stillwater, ok, and additional mailing offices. oklahoma state university, in compliance with the title Vi and Vii of the civil rights Act of 1964, executive order 11246 as amended, title ix of the education Amendments of 1972, Americans with disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age religion, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. this includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. title ix of the education Amendments and oklahoma state university policy prohibit discrimination in the provision or services or beliefs offered by the university based on gender. Any person (student, faculty of staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss their concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of the title ix with the osu title ix coordinator, the director of Affirmative Action, 408 Whitehurst, oklahoma state university, stillwater, ok 74078, (405) 744-5371 or (405) 744-5576 (fax).

PHOTO / PHiL SHOCKLEy

OSU Foundation / 400 south monroe, P.o. box 1749 / stillwater, ok 74076-1749 / 800.622.4678 / OSUgiving.com (web) / info@ OSUgiving.com (email)

this publication, issued by oklahoma state university as authorized by the Assistant director, university marketing, was printed by Progress Printing at a cost of $.98 per issue. 35,900/dec. ’10/#3515. copyright © 2010, STATE magazine . All rights reserved.

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Campus news

G’day, Cowboys!

Embassy selects OSU’s first Australian student ambassador to recruit American study abroad participants.

“During my travels throughout Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C. An OSU student who spent a semester Australia and New Zealand, I backpacked abroad in Australia has been named OSU’s “They are excellent resources to students down the coast, camped in the Outback, considering study abroad opportunities.” first Australian student ambassador. canoed in small rivers, dived in the Great Buthod spent part of August in Kyle Buthod of Lees Summit, Mo., Barrier Reef, swam in shark-infested Washington, D.C., for an orientation an international business and Chinese waters, learned to surf, drove on sand program at the Australian embassy junior who took part in OSU’s study dunes, jumped off boardwalks and cliffs, about his role and responsibility as abroad program at the University of and had a myriad of epic adventures.” an ambassador.

South Australia last spring, was one of 34 Buthod says studying abroad is the He hopes the OSU classes and high students the Australian Embassy selected to represent its country at North American school groups he is addressing will become greatest decision he has made while universities.

“Studying abroad is more than just “Studying abroad is more than just going to school in going to school in another country. It’s another country. It’s about immersing yourself in another about immersing yourself in another culture and learning from the people and culture and learning from the people and their traditions. their traditions,” he says. “Australia taught Australia taught me so much about my life, career, goals me so much about my life, career, goals and my family and friends.” and my family and friends.” — Kyle Buthod Student ambassadors are jointly nominated by their North American and attending OSU. “I am now more focused excited about Australia and studying Australian institutions and are responsible and determined than I have ever been in abroad in general. for organizing two events each semester my life.

“My time there was absolutely incredto promote Australia’s opportunities for “If all students here could have half the ible, and I am so thankful for the opporstudents abroad. experience I did, everyone would want to tunity I had to study and travel in such The program selects students based on go abroad. The great thing is that OSU organization, articulation, professionalism, a great country. My seven months in has made it so easy for students to do so Australia truly changed my life,” he says. passion about Australian higher education — with reciprocal exchange programs and As ambassador, Buthod has hosted and their experience or interest in event large scholarship funds.” an Aussie barbecue at OSU and presented planning. slideshows about his own experiences. His “Student ambassadors have firsthand Dot tie Wit ter “Fallstralia” will feature an assortment experience of studying in Australia and of events concerning Australian culture, are well-placed to be advocates,” says music, movies, history and current events.

Brendhan Egan, trade commissioner at the

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Stoney Larue

COWBOY SPIRIT

Feb. 18 @ the Tumbleweed

Buy a ticket. Fund a scholarship.

Stoney LaRue headlines a benefit concert for student scholarships on Feb. 18 at Tumbleweed in Stillwater.

Before his performance, Stoney and a panel of local celebrities will judge four bands competing for the grand prize at Cowboy Spirit: Battle of the Bands 2011. $10 tickets go on sale in December at OSUstufu.com. All ticket proceeds fund need-based Cowboy Spirit Scholarships.

Campus news

HealthyPrograms OSU’s Oklahoma Area Health Education Centers receive accolades for promoting cancer survivorship and rural health programs.

From helping cancer patients to promoting rural health issues, programs at the Oklahoma Area Health Education Centers at OSU Center for Health Sciences have garnered honors for their vital roles in health care for rural Oklahomans.

Established in 1984 at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Oklahoma Area Health Education Centers improve access to healthcare by coordinating programs with the statewide network of health agencies, health-professional training programs, practitioners, educational institutions and community leaders.

In October, the Oklahoma Area Health Education Centers received the Champions of Health 2010 Community Health Award for a Cancer Survivorship Education Program funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Champions of Health keynote speaker and former Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith, left, with Toni Hart and Richard Perry, who accepted the Community Health Champion award.

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The survivorship program provides rural areas with local access to cancer resources including workshops, targeted communications with rural health care providers and referral information for patients.

Program coordinator Toni Hart says the focus is on helping patients begin a dialog with their primary care physicians.

“So often in rural Oklahoma, patients rely on their primary care physicians, not oncologists, for follow-up care when the cancer treatment has ended.

“This grassroots effort helps educate the patients, their families and loved ones, as well as their primary care doctors about how to work together to ensure the best possible outcomes,” Hart says.

Sustainability is also important, so the centers educate health care providers, nonprofit organizations and other partners to prepare communities to continue the educational programs themselves. Over the past three years, the centers have presented the program to more than 1,200 cancer survivors and 1,000 health care providers representing more than 100 communities in Oklahoma.

In September, the Oklahoma Area Health Education Centers, under program director Richard Perry, were named Rural Health Organization of the Year by the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma for provision of services, quality improvement or training in rural Oklahoma.

The central office at the OSU Center for Health Sciences and four remote centers collaborate to improve the distribution of healthcare professionals throughout rural and underserved areas of Oklahoma, The four centers include the Northeast Center hosted by Tulsa Community College, the Southwest Center hosted by Cameron University in Lawton, the Southeast Center hosted by Carl Albert State College in Poteau and the Northwest Center hosted by Rural Health Projects in Enid.

Together, they facilitate a regional approach to multidisciplinary and community-based health professional recruitment, education and training.

MARL A SCHAEFER

From left, Toni Hart, Lance Armstrong Foundation Cancer Survivor education coordinator; Matt Janey, AHEC program evaluator; Richard Perry, AHEC director; and Morgan Farquharson, clinical education coordinator

Photo / Phil Shockley

Rebuilding Iraq

By Matt elliott

OSU is one of five universities helping the University of Basrah reestablish business, computer and petroleum engineering programs to prepare the nation for the free world.

It beats working on a textbook.

That’s what Ramesh Rao had planned to do last summer. Instead, he went to Iraq in June 2010 with two other OSU faculty members, Khaled Gasem and James Stine, and a $1 million grant from the U.S. State Department to help rebuild the University of Basrah.

Iraq’s higher education system is still in shambles after decades of war.

Realizing the need for infrastructure, the State Department selected a nonprofit, the Academy for Educational Development, to hire five American universities to establish partnerships with Iraqi universities.

The effort by OSU is the latest in a long history of foreign outreach stretching back nearly 60 years to the university’s work with the Point Four Program under the Truman administration.

Rao, Stine and Gasem entered Baghdad in an armored convoy and stayed in a hotel in the Green Zone, the fortified corner of Baghdad, where they met with nongovernmental organizations, political leaders and news media.

“I really got a sense of how difficult things are,” Rao says. “I was so impressed with our young men and women who serve there. We don’t want all their incredibly hard and dangerous work to be reversed.”

The group met with Iraqi governmental officials and university leaders to iron out an agreement detailing what services OSU would provide.

Although the agreement is under development, Rao says he along with

his colleagues in the OSU finance department will help the university craft a business curriculum geared toward a global free market economy, quite a change from previous years of operating under a socialist economy.

“Iraq under Saddam Hussein was a command-and-control economy,” Rao says. “There was really no private enterprise to speak of.”

Stine, an electrical and computer engineering professor, will assist in developing the computer science program. Gasem, a chemical engineering professor, will assist with petroleum engineering.

Rao also traveled to Basra, where he found many dedicated faculty and students but a dilapidated campus infrastructure with irregular electricity service.

Part of OSU’s mission is to develop online courses, videoconferencing instruction and career development.

“We have to take real baby steps,” Rao says. By participating in the curriculum modernization program, OSU will be working toward the broader goal of helping Iraq become a viable nation.

Rao hopes the program will lead to a long-term connection between OSU and the University of Basrah, including faculty and student exchanges, “The important thing is doing something to help Iraq,” says Mark Weiser, the Spears School of Business’s associate dean for undergraduate studies and admission, who recruited OSU faculty for the partnership. “It fits our land-grant mission of helping people.”

Jerry D. Carroll OSU-Oklahoma City President Jan. 2, 1940–Oct. 29, 2010

Remembering an OSU Leader After four decades of leadership in higher education, OSU-Oklahoma City President Jerry Carroll died Oct. 29, 2010, following a 16-month battle with cancer.

“The entire OSU family is deeply saddened by the passing of Jerry Carroll,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “He did a wonderful job leading OSU-OKC through an exciting period of growth. Jerry will be missed.”

Carroll described his own leadership style as “management by walking around” and made an effort to listen, talk to others and seek input.

He joined OSU-Oklahoma City in 1997 as provost and became the first president in the school’s 49-year history.

Under his leadership, campus enrollment doubled to 8,000 students and the institution began offering its first fouryear bachelor degree.

Carroll held degrees from Connors State College, Northeastern Oklahoma State University and a doctorate in education from OSU in Stillwater.

His numerous activities included chairing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Walk for a Cure and hosting the fundraiser at his campus from 2008 to 2010.

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Top brass

Winners of the international trombone competition are, front to back, Isaac Washam (Stillwater), Steven Warren (Ponca City), Steven Jessup (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Noel Seals (Tulsa).

PhOtOs cOurtesy Paul cOMPtOn

OSU trombonists win again in international competition.

Five OSU trombonists prove persistence, determination and hard work pay off — literally.

After months of practicing and diligently attending rehearsals, Isaac Washam, Steven Jessup, Steven Warren and Noel Seals of the OSU Seretean Trombone Quartet won the trombone quartet competition in the 2010 International Trombone Association Competitions. The four music performance seniors received a total of $1,000 in prize money.

“We started practicing around May, and we rehearsed nearly every day,” says Steven Warren, who also won the George Roberts Competition in 2008. “We were all pretty nervous.”

The final stage of the competitions was held at the 49th annual International Trombone Festival at the University of Texas in Austin from July 7–10. The OSU Trombone Quartet competed with 29 of the best quartets from around the world.

“It was a good competition. Good fun,” says Washam, who also won the Gilberto Gagliardi Competition in 2006.

Caleb Ketcham, a music performance and mechanical engineering sophomore,

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won this year’s George Roberts Bass Trombone competition and was Caleb Ketcham awarded a W. Nirschl H-700 Dual Use trombone. Caleb was selected from among 12 competitors who were 18 years of age or younger.

He says he was given a difficult piece of music to perform, but he practiced it a lot and wasn’t as nervous as he originally thought he would be.

“Winning these competitions proves we have some of the best young trombone players in the world here at OSU.” — Paul Compton To compete, Ketcham and the quartet sent CDs with their recorded music to the International Trombone Festival, where judges narrowed the competition to three CDs for both categories. The OSU trombonists learned in February they had made it to the finals.

Since 2006, the OSU Trombone Studio has won at the International Association Trombone Competitions six times. Only the Juilliard School of Music and the University of North Texas’ College of Music have won more.

Competitions feature 14 categories, and the studio has won five of those categories in the last five years — one of them twice, says Paul Compton, OSU associate professor of trombone.

“Winning these competitions proves we have some of the best young trombone players in the world here at OSU,” Compton says. “I am very proud to work with them.”

He also says performing in the competitions vastly increases students’ exposure to professional trombonists and other students and helps prepare them for future professional careers.

“Former winners have gone on to hold positions in prestigious orchestras, military bands and other organizations.”

Ketcham says he would like to balance an engineering career with performing professionally. Warren says he aims to finish graduate school, join an orchestra and probably teach music someday.

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To find out if a Chapter Scholarship is available , contact Josh Pulver at josh.pulver@okstate.edu.

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Deadline for high school Seniors to apply is February 1, 2011.

For an application, go to

orangeconnection.org/scholarships.

201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 TEL 405.744.5368 • FAX 405.744.6722 orangeconnection.org

New OSU-Tulsa program encourages students to get involved, earn rewards

“The more activities students complete, the more poi nt s they earn. More points mean better rewards.”

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Get involved and earn cool prizes. It’s just that easy with a new OSU-Tulsa program that rewards students for making the most of their college experiences.

OSU-Tulsa launched the Orange Power Pass this fall, a program that rewards students for participating in university activities, visiting various places around campus and working regularly with their academic counselors.

“It’s a simple program that helps students discover the many resources and services available to them and encourages campus involvement in a variety of activities,” says Angel Ray, academic counselor. “We have great programs at OSU-Tulsa that can help prepare students to be successful in the classroom and in their career. Sometimes students just need a little extra motivation to seek out those services.”

The program includes a wide-ranging list of events and activities that students can attend and complete to earn points toward rewards. Points are awarded for activities such

as attending new student orientation and career- and studyskills workshops, completing library tutorials, participating in student organizations and intramural sports, and volunteering with community organizations. Students also can earn points by enrolling early, submitting scholarship applications and meeting enrollment and other academic deadlines.

“The more activities students complete, the more points they earn. More points mean better rewards,” Ray says.

The rewards range from OSU water bottles and coolers to OSU football tickets and Netbooks.

Although the prizes are a great appeal, university officials believe the program is beneficial to both students and the university on an entirely different matter.

Raj Basu, OSU-Tulsa vice president of academic affairs, says the program could help prevent students from dropping out or “stopping out” of college.

“Students are busy, and sometimes they simply forget

to pay their tuition bills on time or make sure their paperwork is submitted by a certain date,” Basu says. “The Orange Power Pass program helps students stay on top of necessary deadlines and requirements, while encouraging good communication with their academic advisers.”

Student retention is an important issue among colleges and universities nationally. According to the U.S. Department of Education, only about half of students who start college actually earn a bachelor’s degree.

Basu says the new program is just one of the university’s efforts to strengthen student retention and provide students with the resources they need to succeed.

“It’s truly a win-win situation for everyone involved,” Basu says. “Our students are earning rewards and having fun while learning about everything OSU-Tulsa offers. In turn, the university is able to retain and eventually graduate high-quality students.”

T r i s h M c B e aT h

‘Tis the Season.

A. Nike Women’s Graphic Tee (2217030) Cheer the Cowboys on in the new ultra soft feminine fit cotton crew-neck tee. The tee features distressed screenprinting and is perfect for layering. Sizes XS-XL/$18.00

B. Nike Heritage Washed Cap (2217209) Show your support of the Pokes with the classic washed six panel cap. The adjustable cap features an embroidered Pete and Cowboys wordmark.

One size fits most/$18.00

A

C

B

C. Nike Basketball Practice Tee (2217129) Play hoops in comfort with the official shortsleeve 100% cotton tee with basketball and OSU inspired screenprinted graphics. Also available in orange. Sizes S-XXL/$20.00

E D

D. Nike Women’s Long Sleeve Top (2217058) Feel feminine in this French terry raglan top with charcoal heather sleeves and rib at waist and cuffs. The 96% cotton/4% spandex top features the OSU brand tastefully printed in silver foil.

Sizes S-XL/$44.00 E. Nike Shootaround Shirt (2217085) Look great on the court in this official, long-sleeve shooting top. The Dri-FIT shirt is highlighted with Oklahoma State embroidered on the left chest.

Sizes S-XXL/$50.00 F. Nike Practice Hoodie (2217101) Stay warm and look great in this heavyweight fleece hoodie with large front pouch pocket with integrated music-enabled pocket in seam. The popular OSU brand is embroidered on the left chest. Sizes S-XXL/$60.00

F

G

H

G. Nike Cable Knit Hat (2217067) Keep your head warm this winter with this clean yet simple geometric patterned pull on knit cap.

Made of super soft acrylic yarns for perfect comfort. One size fits most/$20.00 H. Nike Pre-Game Short (2217094) Look like the players in the official on-court, pregame short with side seam pockets. The Dri-FIT fabric features the OSU brand embroidered at the lower left leg. Sizes S-XXL/$40.00

Order online at shopokstate.com or call 1-800-831-4OSU.

* Don’t forget, OSU Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount! You must have your OSU Alumni Association membership number (located on your membership card) at the time you place your order to receive the member discount.

17

Donors contribute $274.6 million, or 54.9 percent of the student suppor t goal, to empower students to chase their dreams.

HaLF oF tHe $1 biLLion Branding SucceSS caMPaign is dedicated to student support. President Burns Hargis set this $500 million goal because without the students, there is no university. Donors are committing an unprecedented level of student scholarship support, inviting every able student to dream big, work hard and exceed expectations through life-changing opportunities.

Motivated students will go to great lengths to secure a top-notch education.

But with the cost of a higher education at a record level, a quality education must be made as accessible as possible.

Students should not have to limit their dreams because of financial constraints.

OSU, the OSU Foundation and donors are working together to prepare graduates for unfettered futures and to meet the scholarship-giving opportunities needed most, as outlined by Hargis.

With increased undergraduate and graduate scholarship funding, students can focus on what they’ll get out of OSU — and what they’ll eventually give back.

Donors are responding, exhibiting a desire to fuel hope in the next generation by committing $274.6 million, or 54.9 percent of the goal, less than three years into this seven-year campaign. To put that number in perspective, it exceeds the total $260.5 million raised during the Bringing Dreams to Life comprehensive campaign from June 1994 to June 2000.

This incredible generosity to the Branding Success campaign has led to the addition of 407 new scholarships and graduate fellowships. When these funds are fully endowed, they will produce almost $13.75 million in annual support for students. Both of those numbers will continue to rise as funding approaches the $500 million benchmark.

Not only does this enhance OSU’s success in attracting and retaining promising students as well as increasing their educational opportunities, but it benefits society as OSU students become the teachers, communicators and geologists of tomorrow.

Pickens does it again ….

On Feb. 26, 2010, OSU alumnus Boone Pickens made a surprising and incredible announcement to provide a testamentary matching gift of up to $100 million.

This commitment illustrates Pickens’ enduring generosity to his alma mater as well as his desire to challenge and inspire other alumni and friends to create their own philanthropic legacies to benefit OSU. In September, he expanded the program so that it would have even more impact for current and future students across the OSU system. Along with increasing the match, he extended the deadline for commitments to Feb. 26, 2011, or until the matching funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.

Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match criteria for commitments made by Feb. 26, 2011

• There is a $50,000 minimum gift size per scholarship/endowment fund for match eligibility.

2:1 Outright Gifts for Scholarships/ Fellowships Endowment

• Corporate matching gifts may count toward minimum eligibility.

• Outright gifts of cash or other assets (stocks, property, etc.) directed to new or existing endowments within any area of the university.

• These qualify for a 2:1 match, so a $50,000 gift will lead to a $150,000 minimum endowment once matched by Pickens’ estate.

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1.5:1 Pledges of Up to 5 Years for Scholarships/Fellowships Endowment • Pledge commitments of up to five years directed to new or existing endowments within any area of the university.

• There is a $50,000 minimum gift size per scholarship/endowment fund for match eligibility.

Beth Willis

One of the best examples is Beth Willis, a mathematics senior from McAlester, Okla.

The Carl G. and Gladys L. Herrington President’s Distinguished Scholar plans to pursue a master’s in education. Unlike her father, Willis has not had to work three jobs all the way through school. Instead, her financial support has allowed her to work minimally and focus on her education.

“I work for an online calculus course, and it’s a joy,” says Willis, who plans to continue to teach, though she hasn’t decided yet whether that will be at the high school or college level. “I love my coworkers and I love my work. It helps me in my major instead of taking away from my studies.”

Boone Pickens

Riley Pagett

Riley Pagett is an agricultural communications junior from Woodward, Okla. He is still considering his post-graduation plans, which may include attending law school, with a focus on agricultural policy, or going to a seminary.

“Scholarships have enabled me to really focus on my studies and college rather than going to a job and working and studying at the same time,” Pagett says.

“My scholarships not only help me as a student but they also make me want to be an alumnus who gives back, just like they gave to me.”

• Donors/families may “band together” as long as it goes into one endowed fund.

• These qualify for a 1.5:1 match, so a $150,000 gift will produce an endowment of at least $375,000 once matched by Pickens’ estate.

Hendratta Ali is a geologist who earned her Ph.D. last spring. At OSU, she was pleased by her direct access to state-of-the-art equipment.

“Typically, you send samples to an outside lab. Not here,” she says. “I go to the field, collect the samples and bring them to the lab. I analyze them. At the end of the day, I know where my data comes from.”

With the spending amounts made possible by these endowed funds, the university plans to do even more to help students. This is just one step to propel OSU to its rightful place among the nation’s top land-grant institutions.

Read more about what can be accomplished with Branding Success and how you can help at www.OSUgiving.com.

1:1 Deferred/Estate Scholarship Endowment • In order for an estate gift to qualify for the Pickens match the donor must make a commitment for a deferred gift and must make equal annual contributions for not more than 10 consecutive years that total 50 percent of the amount of the estate gift commitment.

• Corporate matching gifts may count toward minimum eligibility.

Hendratta Ali

• Qualifying gifts under the estate component would include outright gifts paid as a result of the donor’s death or the death of the donor’s spouse (will bequest, trust benefit, life insurance, etc.).

• The minimum estate commitment qualifying for the Pickens match is $200,000.

• The annual contribution will be used for the same purpose as the endowment, jump-starting the scholarship payout.

• After realizing the estate gift of the donor and Pickens, the pledged amount of the estate gift will be matched if the donor made all of the annual contributions. However, if the donor does not make all of the annual contributions then the Pickens match will be contributed to the OSU general scholarship fund.

• These are matched 1:1, with both the estate gift and the annual jump-start matched. Thus a $1 million estate and $50,000 annually in payments both qualify for the match, leading to a total impact of $3 million.

19

25th Anniversary The OSU Spears School of Business is celebrating the Tulsa Business Forums’ 25th anniversary this year.

OSU’s award-winning speaker’s series provides both the Tulsa and regional business communities with opportunities to interact with nationally recognized business and government leaders.

Oklahoma’s business and government leaders appreciate OSU’s well-known outreach program that promotes and enhances quality leadership and professional development.

“Our goal is for individuals who attend these events to gain knowledge to use in their daily business decisions as well as obtain a better understanding of world perspectives,” says Larry Crosby, dean of the Spears School of Business.

Notable speakers over the years include United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Nobel Peace Prize recipient Henry Kissinger, retired college- and professional-level football coach Lou Holtz and, just last year, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Several thousand people attend the annual speakers’ presentations, plus more than 600 attend each of the three luncheon events.

The series began in 1986 with former dean Robert Sandmeyer and director of outreach James Hromas. It has grown from two sponsors to more than 30 today, including 18 table sponsors and many other individual participants.

CFR Chairman Jack Allen has sponsored the Tulsa Business Forums year after year.

“For 25 years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting one of

the best business forums in the country,” says Allen, a 1969 OSU finance alumnus. “Where else can you be exposed to such a variety of talent and wisdom?”

Another longtime sponsor and 1973 OSU marketing graduate, Steve Tuttle, chief executive officer of NGL Supply Inc., has supported the series 22 years.

Tuttle says he is amazed at the outstanding quality of speakers OSU brings to Oklahoma.

Over the years, 80 business and world leaders have

Former Tulsa Business Forums speakers include, clockwise from top left, Ben S a s se, Georg e Will, Condoleezza Rice, Madeline Albright, Colin Powell, Steve Forbes and Tom Friedman,

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WInter 2010

Tulsa Business Forums Celebrates Silver Anniversary

THIS SPR ING ….

JACK WELCH, FORMER CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF

spoken at the forums, including 17 speakers in economics and finance, 13 in media and communication and 36 in government. The 14 world leaders, including Thatcher, Lech Walesa and Michael Gorbachev, bring special insight into global issues.

Crosby says OSU appreciates the continuous support from the Tulsa business community. “This support over the past 25 years has allowed the OSU Spears School of Business to bring these nationally known leaders to the state.”

TRUE TO TRADITION, THE TULSA BUSINESS FORUMS IS HOSTING WELL-KNOWN SPEAKERS TO HALLMARK ITS SILVER YEAR. THE SERIES OPENED IN SEPTEMBER WITH FORMER U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BEN SASSE.

GENERAL ELECTRIC.

FEB. 22, MABEE CENTER IN TULSA, 10-11:30 A.M. TICKETS $75, BUT A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY PRICE IS BEING OFFERED AT $25 PER PERSON FOR ORDERS OF 30 OR MORE.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR., VISIONARY ENVIRONMENTAL BUSINESS LEADER AND ATTORNEY.

APRIL 20

LUNCHEON, NOON,

RENAISSANCE HOTEL IN TULSA, FOLLOWED BY A JOINT INTERVIEW WITH BOONE PICKENS AT 1:15 P.M. TICKETS $100.

BOONE PICKENS, AN OSU ALUM AND ENERGY EXECUTIVE CONCERNED ABOUT REDUCING AMERICA’S

Lou Holtz, previous Tulsa Business Forums speaker

DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL, WILL PARTICIPATE IN A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION WITH ROBERT KENNEDY ON

APRIL 20

FOLLOWING

KENNEDY’S TALK. BEGINS 1:15 P.M.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on this series coordinated by the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development in the Spears School of Business, visit cepd.okstate.edu, call 1-866-678-3933, or email Karen Ward at karen.ward@okstate.edu.

21

The Women for OSU organization reminds women what it means to give back to their alma mater.

photos / Gary Lawson

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F

Last year, the council recognized two students. Rachel or many college students, volunteering time for campus Branch, a biochemistry and molecular biology senior, and organizations can put a strain on their busy academic Sara Roberts, a graphic design junior, received the Co-Student schedules. It takes a special kind of person willing to Philanthropist of the Year Awards, which included a scholarship dedicate the time and effort and also someone with a worth $2,000. desire to make a difference in the community.

“Receiving this award meant a lot to me,” Branch says. “At A growing number of women who have a passion for the symposium I got to hear everything that the other students philanthropy are taking leadership roles in the college had done and why they were nominated. I was thinking there is community. These women encompass what it means to show no way I would get this scholarship. It’s so humbling to see that the leadership, compassion and enthusiasm needed to ensure a so many other women at OSU are so enthusiastic about giving successful future. back to the community.”

Women for OSU is on a mission to create a culture that The Rose Hill, Kan., native chairs the Student Government inspires and celebrates the leadership and philanthropic impact of Association’s Sustainability Committee and has been a member OSU women.

“We believe that women have a key role in philanthropy,” says since it formed during her freshman year. She works with several programs such as Real Cowboys Recycle and Real Pokes Pass It Phyllis Hudecki, chair of Women for OSU. “We have done a lot On, and she’s implementing a bicycle rental program on campus of research on the roles of women and their roles of giving, and called Orange Bike. from that research we know women are the ones who make most Marybeth Glass, chairwoman of the selection committee for of the decisions about giving. Our organization emphasizes the scholarships, believes each of the nominees demonstrates strong importance of leadership through the philanthropy of women of willpower and a concrete focus, and each will have a positive all ages.”

The 40-member council is a diverse group of female alumni and friends of the “... We know women are the ones who make most of the university with a lifetime family-giving history of $50,000 or more. The program, decisions about giving. Our organization emphasizes originally named Women in Philanthropy, began in 1995 through the College of the importance of leadership through the philanthropy Human Environmental Sciences.

In 2008, the program was reinvented of women of all ages.” — Ph y l l i s h u d e c k i into a university-wide initiative known as the Women for OSU Leadership and impact on OSU’s vision of becoming a premier land-grant univerPhilanthropy Council. The council developed a spring symposity by being well-equipped to step out into the world and influsium and other regional events throughout the year to reconnect ence others to give. and inspire women who have a passion for OSU. “When I listened to the candidates talk about their involveIn previous years, the program has funded two scholarships ment, they truly inspired me,” Glass says. “I came away from for the Co-Student Philanthropists of the Year Award. the day of interviews feeling really great about the state of “We want to look for ways to expand the number of scholarOklahoma, Oklahoma State University and its women. They are ships and also find ways to publicize the excellent creative work strong leaders.” and service that is being conducted by our students,” Hudecki It was difficult for the selection committee to choose only two says. “With the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, we have recipients, Glass says, because each student presented compelling finally been able to do that.” stories about her impact on OSU and the community.

This year, Women for OSU pledged an endowment of at least “This is what’s fun about working with students,” Hudecki $250,000. This gift qualifies for the Pickens matching program, says. “They’re so enthusiastic and all-around great students. It’s which will provide a one-and-a-half-times match on their pledge very refreshing and uplifting to have the opportunity to talk from his estate. Thus the fund will be worth $625,000 once fully with them. We want them to start thinking now about what endowed. That would produce $31,250 annually in scholarships. philanthropy means. It’s great that our female undergraduates “It’s a tremendous opportunity,” Hudecki says. “We are very and graduate students are already stepping up and helping the excited about the Pickens Match because we are a young organicampus and our community grow.” zation, and it gives our council an important lever to launch our With the help of the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, the scholarship effort and the difference we want to make over time.”

Women for OSU are helping bring to life TOP LEFT: Jackie Joyner-Kersee, center, stands with Sarah Cary, left, civil and OSU’s vision of becoming a premier landmechanical engineering student and 2009 Student Philanthropist of the Year; and grant university.

Marilynn Benbrook Thoma, a 1970 alumna and 2009 Philanthropist of the Year.

LEFT: Women for OSU Student Philanthropists of the Year Rachel Branch, left, and Sara Roberts, right, join Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure at the Women for OSU spring symposium in Stillwater last April.

K at i e a n n R o b i n s o n

23

Help Wanted, Help Given Career Services teams with OSU Alumni Association to assist job-seekers and employers in finding the perfect match.

In September, The Wall Street Journal ranked OSU as a top 45 school for graduates who rank highest with recruiters.

Much of that recognition can be attributed to OSU Career Services.

Many people are unaware Career Services continues to serve alumni long after they graduate.

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WInter 2010

Those with an active membership in the Alumni Association can join Career Services for only $10 a year.

“Whether you are looking for a job or you are an employer seeking to hire a professional job candidate, we are here to help you,” says Pam Ehlers, director of OSU Career Services. “Particularly during these tough economic times, our staff members want to reach out and assist alumni members who may need our services.”

OSU Alumni Association members can join Career Services online at orangeconnection.org/careers or when renewing their alumni association membership.

Membership benefits include specialized career consultations, job listings, job-search assistance, campus-wide career fairs and many

other activities to help members secure employment.

The HIRE System at HireOSUGrads. com is a 24/7 online program that enables members to research companies and jobs and to apply directly for professional positions. The HIRE System also allows members to upload résumés and allows employers to view member profiles.

Another benefit of an OSU Alumni Association and Career Services membership is that it allows members to register for and attend OSU career fairs held throughout the year.

“There are no extra charges to meet with one of our career consultants in the central Career Services office or online,” Ehlers says. “Whether you need assistance designing a job search, updating a résumé or

preparing for interviews, our consultants can provide insight to help you land a job.”

Alumni career consultant Justin Days says it’s imperative that applicants prepare application materials specific to employers’ needs, especially during the current state of the economy and the resulting increased competition for jobs. “Our team can provide career advice that will help members market themselves to fit the requirements of each position for which they apply.”

For more information, OSU Alumni Association members may visit HireOSUGrads.com and

click “Alumni” or contact OSU Career Services at 405-744-5253.

Employers seeking qualified OSU graduates will find many free services through Career Services, including posting positions within the HIRE System and the ability to research job candidates, view résumés and invite candidates to interview at their companies.

Employers are also invited to campus, where they can interview job candidates in the Career Services office located in room 360, Student Union. For more information regarding employer opportunities, visit HireOSUGrads. com and click “Employer.”

25

A Special Gift A new endowed professorship in animal behavior and well-being honors world-renowned scientist and autism expert Temple Grandin.

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WInter 2010

photos / todd Johnson

Temple Grandin talks with students, faculty and staff as well as state ranchers and others during her visit to Stillwater. The scientist initiated major paradigm shifts in both animal handling and the world’s view of autism and autistics.

animal measurement, animal behavior, cattle handling and how autism helps with animal behavior.

“I really like talking to people, especially students, to get them turned on to animal behavior and animal handling,” she says.

klahoma residents In addition to the widely popular and OSU students, staff and alumni got seminar, Grandin taught an animal a peek into the minds of both two-legged science class, interacted with students and four-legged animals when worldduring various filled-to-capacity venues, renowned animal behaviorist and autistic met with agricultural leaders and provided expert Temple Grandin visited Stillwater tidbits of wisdom for the media at a Sept. 15-16.

Gallagher-Iba press conference and at the “Interest was so high for her semiWillard Sparks Beef Research Center. nar that we had to change the venue to Steve Damron, OSU professor of Gallagher-Iba Arena to ensure everyone who wanted to could attend,” says Robert animal production, was pleased the division was able to bring one of the E. Whitson, vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural most celebrated and influential scientists to campus.

Sciences and Natural Resources.

“Students, faculty, staff, ranchers Grandin, a professor of animal and state residents had the opportunity science at Colorado State University and to interact with the person who initia designer of livestock-handling facilities, discussed animal welfare, animal auditing, ated major paradigm shifts in both animal handling and the world’s view of autism and autistics,” he says. “What a priceless experience.”

Widely recognized as the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism, Grandin was diagnosed in 1950. She credits her professional success to her family’s early and timely interaction that addressed her special needs.

Her life story was turned into an HBO movie, Temple Grandin, starring Claire Danes, which shows her years as a teenager and how she started her career.

The movie was nominated for 15 Emmy Awards in August, winning five.

The Oklahoma Beef Council highlighted Grandin’s visit to Stillwater by announcing a $250,000 gift to OSU’s newly created Temple Grandin Endowed Professorship in Animal Behavior and Temple Grandin

Well-Being, which will be housed in the division’s department of animal science.

“Dr. Temple Grandin is a special person to the cattle industry because she has greatly expanded our knowledge and understanding of animal behavior, which has translated to huge strides in animal care and handling,” says Heather Buckmaster, executive director of the Oklahoma Beef Council. “She is the gold standard in determining low-stress cattle handling.”

The $250,000 gift will be enhanced

by Boone Pickens’ 2008 chair and professorship match as part of the $1 billion Branding Success campaign. The Oklahoma legislature previously committed to matching Pickens’ portion, resulting in a total impact of $750,000.

“Her life story has inspired many in terms of her ability to overcome obstacles,” says Ron Kensinger, head of the animal science department. “Her career-long accomplishments are a perfect illustration of how fundamental research may one day lead to tremendous practical advances.”

The research and teaching completed by the scientist in the endowed position will complement existing programs in OSU’s department of animal science on animal health, animal management, immunology and how animals interact with humankind.

“This will ensure that OSU can educate the next generation of scientists to proliferate the important work initiated by Dr. Grandin,” Kensinger says. “We are privileged to have friends who recognize the value of naming an endowed professorship in Dr. Grandin’s honor.”

M a n dy G r o s s a n d d o n a l d s t o t t s

27

BREAKING AWAY

Already familiar with the rush of biking and skateboarding, future Aggreko technicians anticipate

“When I’m skateboarding, it’s a feeling of enjoyment and not having any worries.”

— Wayne DeGeorge, Aggreko student, Jacksonville, Fla.

“ I l ov e m y b i k e .

When I’m riding it, I feel like I’m riding with my buddies in the Low Rider Bike Club.”

— Kyle Sheridan, Aggreko student, Los Angeles, Calif.

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For these new Aggreko students at OSU-Institute of Technology, the skateboard and bicycle wheels they bring to college connect them to warm feelings and good memories of home.

But, as most have already learned, the career path they’ve chosen will take them on adventurous assignments around the world.

OSU Institute of Technology’s two-year Aggreko SelecTech program trains students to diagnose, service and maintain equipment serviced by Aggreko, the world’s leading supplier of temporary equipment to generate power, control temperature and (in North America) to produce high velocity compressed air.

“Our students have interned in so many places,” says SelecTech instructor Stephen Stroud, “including the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Ky., the U.S. Open Golf Championship at Pebble Beach in Southern California, the Daytona International Speedway and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

“They even participated in disaster relief during the flooding in Nashville and industrial work in refineries along the Gulf Coast.”

In the sporting venues, Aggreko service often means providing heating or air conditioning to the huge tents that house the sports figures, event staff and news media, as well as providing power for the television equipment and lighting.

Many new students get a preview of life as an Aggreko technician during a summer employment program preceding their OSUIT classes.

Wayne DeGeorge’s summer job with Aggreko took him to the Coke Zero Race in Daytona as well as to Disney World and venues with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“It’s pretty exciting,” he says. “For the Coke Zero Race in Daytona, a company provided huge tents, and we provided the air conditioning and power to them.

We also provided power to the pit area.

“It was cool to be down there with the cars, hearing the engines start up and then watching from the infield as they flew down the race track,” DeGeorge says. “Their speed is amazing!”

The Aggreko SelecTech program came to OSUIT two years ago after Kurt White, an OSUIT alumnus and the company’s North America director of training and development, began looking for ways to build a new technician task force.

White asked Automotive Division chair Steve Doede and Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Institute program director Roy Achemire for their help to create an educational program.

Joe Gallagher, operations manager for Aggreko, says he is pleased with the results. “This program gave us the opportunity to train technicians from the ‘ground up,’ combining real-world applications with classroom-based learning.”

The first graduates are already working for Aggreko, troubleshooting and problem-solving all over the country.

Graduate Jared Bullock, for example, went to Utah for the cold testing of a rocket motor for ATK and NASA.

Succeeding, traveling and doing important work means a lot to one of the program’s first graduates, Eduardo Rodriguez, a talented student who was on the President’s Honor Roll, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and the student speaker at summer graduation.

“I’m the first person in my family to get a college degree. My family is very proud of me,” Rodriguez says. “I did internships involved with the flooding in Iowa and with the Winter Olympics. While I was in Vancouver, I realized I wouldn’t be doing this if I hadn’t gone to college.”

Stroud says seeing the students’ success is the most gratifying part of his job.

“The young men in the Aggreko SelecTech program arrive for their first semester of school with a skateboard, a bicycle or a beaten up vehicle and leave two years later as professional adults trained to operate and repair a fleet of Aggreko equipment. It is an amazing experience for me to be a part of their success.

“These young people earn every opportunity that is presented to them,” Stroud says, “and so far they have exceeded my expectations.”

R E X DAU G H E R T Y

Above and below, Aggreko provided temporary power and temperature control solutions for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Opposite page, from left, Mauricio Valadez and Kyle Sheridan, both of Los Angeles, Calif., and Wayne DeGeorge of Jacksonville, Fla., are students in OSU Institute of Technology’s Aggreko SelecTech program.

29

A Lasting Tribute

photo courtesy s. Mccorkle

Friendship between students long ago leads to new gifts for OSU art center and athletics Jim Vallion is honoring his mentor and late business partner, Gene Smelser, with a pair of scholarship endowments for OSU. And with help from the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, the impact is growing substantially.

Vallion, a 1951 political science graduate, contributed $100,000 to the Smelser Vallion Endowed Scholarship for the Doel Reed Center for the Arts and $50,000 to an existing scholarship benefitting the Smelser-Vallion Endowed Basketball Scholarship Fund.

In addition, Vallion’s friends have given more than $30,000 to the Doel Reed Center fund. Both funds are expected to receive even more gifts before the Pickens Match is exhausted or reaches the Feb. 26, 2011, deadline.

Because these are outright gifts, they are being matched 2:1 by the program

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established by Boone Pickens, who, like Vallion, is a ’51 graduate. Thus, the art center scholarship will be worth at least $390,000 — producing $19,500 in annual scholarships — and the athletic fund will grow to at least $150,000 — spinning off $7,500 in scholarships yearly — once Pickens’ estate is realized.

“We are extremely grateful to Jim Vallion for his tremendous generosity,” says President Burns Hargis. “This gift will provide life-changing support for our students.”

OSU Foundation President and CEO Kirk Jewell says these gifts will be a big boost to two of OSU’s key campaign priorities: scholarships and program support.

“The Doel Reed Center for the Arts is a unique opportunity for us to offer our students an interdisciplinary experience unlike any other in a working lab environment,” Jewell says. “And support of men’s basketball provides the academic backbone our student-athletes need to succeed in the classroom and on the court. Jim’s two gifts will help both students and studentathletes, which is a wonderful tribute to both Gene Smelser and Doel Reed.”

Smelser, a former Oklahoma A&M College basketball player, was an assistant

for Henry Iba’s squad when Vallion was a student. Smelser was also a restaurateur who took Vallion under his wing during Vallion’s time at OSU. They established and ran several eateries, including Val Gene’s, whose Oklahoma City location represented the state’s largest restaurant under one roof.

The first scholarship will provide support for students studying at the Doel Reed Center for the Arts in Taos, N.M. The center is named for the first director of OSU’s art department. Reed is recognized as the undisputed master of the aquatint and his works hang in museums across the globe, including the Library of Congress, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Paris’ La Biblioteque Nationale and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.

Vallion says this gift honors not only Smelser and the Reed family but also his love for OSU and art.

Vallion’s basketball donation honors Smelser for what he taught Vallion on and off the basketball court. Vallion originally planned to be a teacher and coach but later found success in the restaurant business and in floral design.

“I owe so much to Gene because he taught me so much,” Vallion says. “And

I would do anything I could for OSU because of what it did for me and meant to me. If it hadn’t been for OSU, I don’t know what I’d be doing.”

Vallion came to OSU from the community of Panama, Okla., where he was one of seven children of a coal miner. A $50 scholarship from the 4-H Club paid his first year of tuition, enabling him to be the first in his family to go to college.

“When I got to Stillwater, that was the first time in my life I had an indoor toilet, hot and running water, and a bed to myself,” Vallion says. “Life was pretty good.”

Vallion’s sociability helped him get to know much of the campus, including President Henry Bennett; Doel, Elizabeth and Martha Reed; and Smelser.

Vallion is also funding the Smelser Vallion Artist-in-Residence that enabled OSU alumna Sonya Terpening to become

“When I got to Stillwater, that was the first time in my life I had an indoor toilet, hot and running water, and a bed to myself. Life was pretty good.”

— Jim Vallion the first artist-in-residence at the Doel Reed center last summer.

“She really did a great job out there, teaching the students,” Vallion says.

“Having artists like her come out to the Doel Reed center does so much to enhance the experience for students.”

Vallion was visiting Reed’s daughter, Martha, when her lawyer stopped by so she could sign the formal agreement to create the Doel Reed Center for the Arts.

When neither she nor the lawyer could find a pen, Vallion offered his.

“Then I went through Doel’s studio and all that stuff there,” says Vallion, who has an art collection that includes three Reed art pieces. “I kind of got excited about it.”

Vallion’s gifts to OSU will help bring more students and quality artists to the Doel Reed Center for the Arts, where they can also appreciate Reed’s brilliance.

OSU President Burns Hargis, right, and his wife, Ann, thank Jim Vallion for his two scholarship endowment contributions that will provide life-changing support for OSU students.

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Did you know by being a member of the Alumni Association, you are supporting your college’s efforts in connecting alumni? A portion of your Alumni Association membership dues go back to your college to sponsor alumni and events including programming such as Cowboys for Higher Education and the Legacy program.

We are OSU.

Tracy and David Kyle have provided the lead gift on an endowment designed to benefit OSU graduates and Oklahoma companies.

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More than half of OSU’s undergraduates leave college with educational debt, and for those graduates, the average amount accumulated is almost $20,000. Entering the postcollege working world with a large debt load creates enormous stress. But a new scholarship is being developed to help debt-saddled students and benefit Oklahoma at the same time.

The OSU Scholarship for Oklahoma’s Future was created for these students. If OSU graduates remain and work in Oklahoma after graduation,

this scholarship, which can be awarded in an amount up to $25,000, will pay off a portion each year for five years of their loans associated with tuition and fees. It encourages graduates to stay in Oklahoma and will benefit both the state workforce quality and supply. This can have a positive impact for state businesses and will now give them an advantage in their recruiting efforts when competing against employers in other states who are successfully luring away OSU graduates.

The lead endowment gift for this scholarship comes from David and Tracy Kyle of Tulsa. As the former CEO of ONEOK, David is familiar with the quality of employee that comes from Oklahoma – and how important it is for local companies to attract and keep those employees.

The Kyles hope other Oklahomans and Oklahoma businesses choose to join them in giving to the program.

“For many years we have been told that the better jobs are out of state,” says David, who retired as CEO in 2007 but is still chairman of the board. “We believe Oklahoma is a great state with just as much to offer.

Oklahoma has a great quality of life and lots of opportunity.

This scholarship program should help us compete so that Oklahoma companies win, the state wins and, just as importantly, OSU graduates win.”

OSU President Burns Hargis calls this gift “very creative and generous!”

“Tracy and David know the tremendous need many students have in meeting the cost of a college degree and the burden that enormous debt is on graduates who have to borrow the necessary funds,” Hargis says. “And, they know the tremendous need for college graduates in the Oklahoma workforce. So,

they have made this wonderful gift which relieves this considerable debt burden and increases the number of graduates working in the state.”

Ross McKnight, co-chair of the Branding Success campaign, also applauds the Kyles for their dual-benefit program.

“My hat is off to David and Tracy for their innovative thinking and perseverance to bring this wonderful idea to fruition,” McKnight says. “They are two more great examples of ‘branding success’ at OSU.” David serves as vice chair of the OSU Foundation’s board of trustees, and frequently discusses with Kirk Jewell,

It will encourage the next generation of graduates to stay here and improve Oklahoma.”

David, a 1974 OSU industrial engineering graduate, worked for ONEOK division Oklahoma Natural Gas Company while earning his master’s in business administration at night by taking advantage of an ONG program that helped him pay for his education.

For his continued employment at the company, ONG paid his tuition, books and fees. His employer’s investment in him obviously paid off as he climbed the corporate ladder. Now he is helping future generations start their careers at Oklahoma companies.

“We wanted to create an opportunity where we could help a group of students who could not attend college without a loan,” David says. “It’s been said, ‘From those to whom much is given, much is required,’ and we are grateful that with Boone Pickens’ help this scholarship program will have a lasting impact on generations of future Oklahomans.”

This gift qualifies for the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, a program created by alumnus T. Boone Pickens’ $100 million challenge grant. Once fully funded by the Kyles and Pickens’ match, this gift will produce an endowment that will exceed $7 million and create an annual impact of about $350,000.

We wanted to create an opportunity where we could help a group of students who could not attend college without a loan, 'It's been said, From those to whom much is given, much is required,' and we are grateful that, with Boone Pickens' help, this scholarship program will have a lasting impact on generations of future Oklahomans.

OSU Foundation president and CEO, the best ways to advance the $1 billion Branding Success campaign. Jewell says he is delighted and amazed with this gift and the way the Kyles have sought to benefit students while also adding such a positive incentive to keep OSU’s best graduates in Oklahoma.

“When you consider this is a multimillion dollar endowment, the impact is both incredible and in perpetuity,” Jewell says. “This scholarship will provide hundreds of thousands of dollars of annual student support, and the benefit for the state will be beyond significant.

For information on how you can contribute to the OSU Scholarship for Oklahoma's Future or take advantage of the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, contact the OSU Foundation at info@OSUgiving.com or 800-622-4678.

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Distinguished Alumni The OSU Alumni Association honors individuals each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award, which recognizes alumni who have excelled through personal and professional achievement and community service.

The five 2010 recipients were honored on Sept. 18 at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center and also during the OSU vs. Tulsa football game.

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit orangeconnection.org/ DAA.

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Bob Adams, D.O., of Kirkland, Wash., graduated from OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine as a doctor of osteopathic medicine in 1977. While at OSU, Adams was class president of the medical school and chair of the Council of Student Council Presidents. Before attending OSU, Adams received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1969 and then served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant from 1969 to 1972, receiving the Navy Achievement Medal.

Adams practices sports medicine and has a family practice in Redmond, Wash.

He is also actively involved with the USA Track and Field team, serving as a team physician since 1983.

He is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the Washington Osteopathic Medical Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and the U.S. Olympic Sports Medicine Society. Adams has served on the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine board of directors and as president of the organization in 1988.

Adams received the Distinguished Public Service Award in 1987 from the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been featured in numerous professional magazines. He is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.

Mark Allen of Edmond, Okla., graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1981. While at OSU, Allen was president of Phi Delta Theta.

After graduating, he worked for Lanier Business Products and American Express before joining Advance Food Company in 1993. In 2007, Allen was named the company’s president.

Allen serves on the State Chamber of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Business Roundtable. He is president of the Oklahoma City Public Tennis LLC, a company that manages the Will Rogers Center and the Earlywine Tennis Facility in Oklahoma City. Allen is also president of the Oklahoma Freedom Alliance, a nonprofit organization working for a better government in Oklahoma, and he serves on the board of trustees at Heritage Hall School.

In 2008, Allen endowed a chair in the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and, in 2010, created the Advance Food Company Endowed Scholarship Fund. He serves on the OSU Foundation board of governors and is a member of the OSU Alumni Association.

Rand Elliott, FAIA, of

C.W. (Bill) Harrison

David A. Waits of Stillwater,

Oklahoma City, graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1973. While at OSU, Elliott was the Alpha Rho Chi medalist and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

In 1976, he opened his own architecture firm, Elliott + Associates Architects, where he has served as principal since its inception. Elliott + Associates Architects has received 10 national American Institute of Architects honor awards, placing the firm as the eighth most-recognized architectural firm since the AIA began in 1949. The firm has received 249 awards from the local level to international.

Elliott is a member of the AIA National Committee on Design, the AIA National Committee on Historical Preservation and the Editorial Advisory Board for Contract magazine. He serves as a member of the College of Fellows for the American Institute of Architects and is included in the Architectural League of New York’s Emerging Voices. He also is involved with the Oklahoma Museum Association, the Mountain Plains Museums Association and Preservation Oklahoma Inc. Elliott was named “Innovator of the Year” by The Journal Record newspaper in 2010. In 2009, he received a mayoral proclamation for service to Oklahoma City, plus the Governor’s Arts Award/ Business in the Arts and OKC Beautiful’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2007, he was inducted into the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Hall of Fame and, in 2006, was inducted into the Interior Design Magazine Hall of Fame.

of Lindsay, Okla., graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1955. In college, Harrison was a member of Delta Tau Delta and a sports reporter for the Daily O’Collegian.

After graduation, Harrison took over ownership of the Harrison Gypsum Company, later serving as board chair for both Harrison Gypsum and Allied Custom Gypsum. In addition, he has owned the Harrison Ranch since 1962 and been the CEO of Harrison Investments since 1999.

Harrison is an Oklahoma Academy member and event sponsor, an Oklahoma Regional Food Bank sponsor and a member of the Lindsay school board. He is also a trustee on the Lindsay School Foundation, the Industrial Authority and is a life member of the Lindsay Historical Society and the Lindsay Civic Arts Foundation. Harrison is a former president of the Rotary Club, chairman of the United Way and member of the city council.

Harrison serves on the OSU Foundation board of governors, is a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association Leadership Council and is a life member of the Alumni Association.

Okla., graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in geography in 1986 and 1988, respectively. In 1991, he earned a doctorate from Texas Tech University. He is president and CEO of SST Software, a precision agriculture software development firm he co-founded in 1994 in Stillwater.

While Waits has earned multiple leadership, innovation and service awards throughout his career, he also was recognized with the Precision Ag Institute 2009 Precision Agriculture Legacy Award.

SST Software spans the globe with technological advancements that link GPS technology, automated data collected in agricultural fields, crucial business alliances and software programming to create GIS products and information management services that help the entire industry reach new levels.

Waits serves on the OSU Foundation board of governors and is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.

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“Bud Seretean had a vision for his university to become the healthiest campus in America. We continue to work toward that goal with the same enthusiasm that he had more than 20 years ago.”

— Robin Purdie

The late Bud Seretean maintained a special connection to OSU throughout his lifetime, enhancing OSU’s performing arts and wellness programs.

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Beyond the OSU Border OSU continues making strides toward good health because of Bud Seretean’s foresight 20 years ago.

M.B. “Bud” Seretean, a 1949 OSU graduate, helped establish the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts and the OSU Seretean Wellness Center.

Because of his contributions, each center is honored to be thriving and keeping his dream alive.

After graduating from OSU with a marketing degree, Seretean received his master’s in retailing from New York University in 1950. Seretean went on to start the Coronet Industries, a carpet manufacturing company in Dalton, Ga., where he served as president and CEO for 30 years.

Seretean’s love for sports led him in the 1970s to the NBA, where he co-owned the Atlanta Hawks and served as president and general manager. He also served on the board of directors for Turner Broadcasting Systems, the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Braves for 20 years.

Throughout his career, Seretean won a variety of awards including the title of “Outstanding Small Businessman” in 1965 and the “Gold Torch Award” from the City of Hope in 1971.

Seretean always had a special connection to OSU, where he made numerous contributions throughout his lifetime.

Seretean kept a special focus on the performing arts as well as the areas of health and wellness.

The Seretean Center for the Performing Arts become a reality in the 1970s because of his financial contributions. The facility provides a 600-seat theater, 900-seat concert hall, a music multimedia lab, practice rooms and ample space for studio, classroom and ensemble instruction.

In 1990, Seretean, a champion of health and wellness, helped make the dream of the OSU Seretean Wellness Center come to life. It opened on Dec. 10, 1990, with a staff of six full-time employees and three graduate students. Today, the center boasts 21 full-time employees, six graduate/intern students and 50 parttime student employees.

The wellness center provides a variety of services and programs to the OSU community, including a fitness center, Employee Health Clinic, Employee Assistance Program, massage therapy, nutrition programs and more.

The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports awarded one of its first Lifetime Achievement Awards to Seretean for his dedication to practicing and promoting health and wellness.

“The success and vision of the Seretean Wellness Center can be traced back to one man, M.B. ‘Bud’ Seretean,” says Robin Purdie, director of the Seretean Wellness Center. “Bud Seretean had a vision for his university to become the healthiest campus in America. We continue to work toward that goal with the same enthusiasm that he had more than 20 years ago.”

Seretean understood the value of giving back, not only to his alma mater

but also to the community. His family continues to honor his legacy by funding the annual Seretean Memorial Wellness Walk, a campus-wide kick-off for the United Way campaign. All proceeds benefit the Stillwater United Way. About 400 faculty, staff, students and community members, including Pistol Pete and the OSU pep band, attended the fourth annual walk on Oct. 8. Participants received T-shirts funded by the Seretean Family Foundation and goodie bags. The walk serves as a way for the campus to walk together for a healthier campus and a healthier community.

Seretean passed away Aug. 17, 2007, in London at the age of 83. OSU honored his family on Sept. 29, 2007, at the OSU vs. Sam Houston game with a “Forever Cowboy” award in honor of his contributions as both a philanthropist and a proponent of wellness.

In addition to the walk, the Seretean family continues to contribute to the OSU community. In late 2007, the family presented a major financial contribution to fund numerous scholarships on his behalf for the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the Spears School of Business and OSU’s performing arts.

B r o o k e F e ac h e n

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Back in the saddle This alumnus puts his entrepreneurial knowledge and experience to work for OSU by fostering commercialization of student- and faculty-developed concepts and products.

W

hen Steve Wood graduated from OSU in 1971, he never imagined he’d be back at his alma mater — not to work, at least.

The accounting grad was off to pursue his CPA, to make it in the business world. And he did. Wood worked for a national accounting firm in Tulsa, for Williams Companies and as vice president of finance for a local energy company before starting his own enterprise, EXOKO Inc., in Tulsa in the 1980s.

“I wasn’t pointed toward my own business at all, but toward corporate America,” Wood says.

Wood grew EXOKO into a regional energy business, offering prospect development, drilling, natural gas distribution and marketing. Working initially with scientists at EXOKO, he then took the business a giant step further by developing and patenting high-precision composites for drill motors.

“When I started EXOKO Inc., I had no idea I would end up in composites,” Wood says. “Being in an industry that was just starting to deploy composites into products allowed me to grow as the energy industry did.”

Wood applied for and received a coveted Oklahoma Applied Research Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology for his composites.

The funding allowed him to refine his designs and launch yet another business, EXOKO Composites LLC. With U.S. and international patents in hand, Wood located his new business at Stillwater’s Meridian Technology Center because of its proximity to OSU. “Entrepreneurs are by definition and inclination people who recognize opportunity,” he says. “Sometimes these connections are circuitous and defy logic. I saw what I thought was a need. I just wasn’t sure about how the industry would validate it.”

The industry did validate it.

Following early market success, Wood worked with scientists at Brunswick Corp. Defense Division and later the National Composite Center to produce the composites. The process led to the development of precise manufacturing methodologies that resulted in repeatable products with dimensions off no more than the width of a human hair.

Steve Wood, seated left and on opposite page, meets with principals from Secure Analytics and XploSafe, two companies based on OSU-developed technology. From left, are professors Rathindra Sarathy, business; Nick Materer, chemistry; Wood; Allen Apblett, chemistry; MBA student Blaine Rider and Shoaib Shaikh, business alumnus.

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The products carved a new niche in the energy industry, and Wood sold EXOKO Composites to a European energy firm in 2009.

It’s this range of experience Wood brings to his new post at OSU. Through a joint faculty appointment from the Office of Intellectual Property Management and the Spears School of Business, his job is to further technology commercialization at OSU. He works with students and faculty from departments across campus, using the knowledge and expertise gained from his years in business.

He teaches a senior- and graduatelevel course, Entrepreneurship for Scientists and Engineers, and is a key player in the university’s Technology Entrepreneurship Initiative, which seeks to accelerate the commercialization of viable concepts, inventions and products developed by OSU faculty members or students.

“It’s not often you come across someone with the unique skill set Steve’s attained,” says Steve Price, OSU’s vice president for technology development.

“Steve knows the money side of things and the technology side of things. He knows what it takes to get a technologybased venture off the ground.”

OSU is already seeing the fruit of Wood’s labor.

XploSafe LLC, the first company Wood worked with on campus, just received a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research grant. The company, which develops chemical sensors for homeland security and lab safety based on technology developed

by OSU chemistry professors Nick Materer and Allen Apblett, will use the funding to develop non-detonable, non-hazardous, low-cost training aids to support canine explosives-detection operations. XploSafe is also in discussions with a global distributor.

photos / phil shocKley

“Steve has been a tremendous asset to XploSafe over the last 14 months,” says Shoaib, the company’s CEO and co-founder. “His involvement has accelerated the commercialization of multiple OSU technologies through XploSafe.”

Shaikh, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from OSU in 2006 and 2009, was introduced to the technologies behind XploSafe through a program now known as the Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scholars Program, in which Wood is directly involved. Shaikh and two other OSU MBA students were charged with developing a business plan for the budding company.

The creativity program has successfully paired other top MBA students

with faculty projects also in need of business plan development. Last spring, a team of these scholars won the Art Tuttle Award at the annual Governor’s Cup Business Plan Writing Competition for their plan for Halsa, a company created to produce and distribute a unique stability apparatus for physical therapy patients, especially the elderly.

OSU education professor Bert Jacobson created the apparatus.

Another group of these creativity scholars worked to launch Secure Analytics, a company with exclusive rights to a unique, patented data-shuffling software developed by Rathindra Sarathy, professor of management science and information systems.

Targeting the financial, insurance and medical industries, the software provides protection for highly confidential data. Secure Analytics is currently in discussions with two of the world’s largest software companies.

“Steve is a wonderful bridge between the entrepreneurship program and the scientists and inventors across the campus,” says Michael Morris, head of OSU’s new School of Entrepreneurship. “He is able to quickly grasp how a given technology works, identify the most promising commercial applications and lay out some of the more critical business challenges.”

In addition to those already mentioned, Wood is currently working on commercializing 12 to 15 new OSU technologies. One company launch is based on an advanced detection kit for Canine Parvo virus, the numberone killer of dogs worldwide. Another focuses on a method to sterilize chemical and heat-sensitive medical implants and surgical devices without the use of chemicals or steam.

Although it isn’t corporate America, Wood says he’s loving every minute.

“I absolutely love what I do now,” Wood says. “On a daily basis I have an opportunity to work on both the science side and the business side. I enjoy the faculty and student interactions, and something new is in every day’s horizon.”

K e l ly G r e e n

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A $500,000 gift split between agriculture and OSU-Oklahoma City demonstrates one way this alumna honors her father and encourages future generations.

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M

artha Burger hopes the record she set doesn’t last long.

Chesapeake Energy’s senior vice president of human and corporate resources recently made a pair of $250,000 gifts to benefit the OSU system.

One is for scholarships at OSUOklahoma City, and it represents the largest scholarship gift in OSU-Oklahoma City’s nearly 50-year history.

“Hopefully someone will shatter that record someday soon,” Burger says. “I believe it is a perfect time to help OSU-OKC. Their enrollment is growing and they are really doing some great things there. And since I live in Oklahoma City, I thought providing scholarships to OSU-OKC would be a great way for me to support the university and the community in which I live. To me, that was a win-win.”

OSU-Oklahoma City president Jerry Carroll, who died suddenly Oct. 29, 2010, expressed the university’s appreciation for Burger’s generosity before his death.

“This gift will do so much to help our students,” Carroll said. “Perhaps the most Martha Burger split her $500,000 gift to OSU between OSU-Oklahoma City and FFA leadership officers in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

generous part of her donation is that the only requirement for these scholarships recipients is a 3.0 grade point average. Ms. Burger has given us the ability to help the most deserving students at our campus, regardless of any other qualifications.”

Burger’s other $250,000 gift benefits FFA leadership officers attending OSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Burger was not involved in FFA, but has become a fan of the organization through Chesapeake, which is a big supporter and regularly visits with FFA student officers and leadership.

“I make sure I sit down and spend an hour or two with them,” Burger says.

“I’m always impressed by their ability to converse with professionals and just how business-savvy they are. It has been a really, really great experience for me to get to know these student leaders. And, after knowing them, I am confident of the positive contributions they will make to our state and country in the future.”

Robert E. Whitson is vice president, dean and director of OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“Investing in these outstanding youth in Oklahoma is an investment in Oklahoma’s future with huge dividends,” Whitson says. “The students coming up through FFA are an amazing asset to OSU, and we are extremely fortunate that Ms. Burger has chosen to assist in this way.”

Both gifts qualify for the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, which will provide a one-and-a-half-times match from Boone Pickens’ estate. Thus each of these two funds will be worth $625,000 once fully endowed, producing $31,250 annually for scholarships.

“For those of us who went to OSU, it’s really hard to put into words the way we feel about Boone and his commitment to the university,” Burger says. “He is a benefactor beyond all others, and the way he has allowed the university to leverage his wealth to create other opportunities for other donors is amazing.

“Yes, my gift alone might be significant, but Boone’s match makes it possible to more than double the number of students my scholarship can help. It is just

truly, truly amazing what he has done and continues to do for the university.”

Like Pickens, Burger was an out-ofstate transfer student when she came to OSU. She grew up in Delaware and attended the University of Missouri before coming to Stillwater as a junior. She earned a bachelor’s in medical technology in 1973 after spending just two semesters on campus before fulfilling her senioryear requirements with an internship at University Hospital in Oklahoma City.

Nine years and a career change later, she earned a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Central Oklahoma, and in 1992, she added a master’s in business administration from Oklahoma City University.

Though she has ties to four universities, Burger says she bleeds orange.

“I have athletic tickets, and I head to Stillwater every time there’s a game,” she says. “My time at OSU was such a great experience. The responsibilities you learn in college, right down to the basics like doing your own laundry, mean so much in the future. College is where you first learn to rely on yourself. It really doesn’t matter what you’re studying or where you go. The skills you learn in college are the skills you need forever.”

That’s not to say she doesn’t financially support the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University.

Her donations are a reflection of the lessons taught to her by her late father, a chemical engineer who worked his way through school at the University of Wisconsin. He was a proud Badger whose simple final wishes included informing his alma mater of his passing. Despite his affinity for the school, he regretted that he missed out on a traditional college experience because of his work schedule, she says. Burger’s father paid for his children’s education so they could go to school without facing so many financial obligations.

Now, Burger is doing what she can to pass on that generosity.

“All of us who are alumni and donors need to remind the students about their obligation to give back to their college,” Burger says. “That’s what I’m all about.”

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PHOTOS / PHIL SHOCKLEY AND GARY LAWSON, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

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The “Cowboy Nation� turned out in full force for Homecoming 2010 presented by the OSU Alumni Association. More than 80,000 alumni, students and fans participated in the festivities this year, which included the Harvest Carnival, Walkaround and the Sea of Orange Parade.

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Some of our favorite photos are displayed on the following pages, with many more online at orangeconnection. org/homecoming. Don’t forget to read about the new Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment on page 52 and learn how you can support “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.”

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PHOTO / GENESEE PHOTO SYSTEMS

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PHOTO / KATHRYN BOLAY-STAUDE

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Awards: Legacy Coloring Contest Ages 2-4 Bracket: Kendall Ketchum Wasilla, Ark. Ages 5-7 Bracket: Breanna Peeper Iola, Kan. Ages 8-12 Bracket: Kylie Dickerson Broken Arrow, Okla.

Ages 13+ Bracket: Shelby Dickerson Broken Arrow, Okla.

Football Frenzy Greek Life: 1st - Pi Beta Phi/Sigma Nu 2nd - Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Chi 3rd - Chi Omega/Phi Gamma Delta

People’s Choice: Alpha Zeta

Orange Reflection 1st - North Monroe, Booker, Stinchcomb, Zink and Allen Halls 2nd - Bennett Hall 3rd - Stout Hall

Most Spirited College Spears School of Business

Sea of Orange Parade Band Competition - Small Class: 1st - Henryetta High School 2nd - Garber High School

Female MVP - Sarah Brown

Band Competition - Large Class: 1st - Stillwater High School 2nd - Caney Valley High School

Open Bracket: 1st - Patchin-Jones Halls 2nd - Kerr-Drummond Halls 3rd - Sigma Phi Lambda/Delta Tau Delta

Community Parade Entry: 1st - Payne County Youth Services 2nd - Bible Baptist Church 3rd - Emily Baird and Friends

Male MVP - Zach Rowin

Student Organizations: 1st - Sigma Phi Lambda/Delta Tau Delta 2nd - OSU Rodeo Team 3rd - Collegiate 4-H and Leadership League

Male MVP - John Schroeder

Female MVP - Sylverstar Conklin

Sign Competition Student Organizations: 1st - Sigma Phi Lambda/Delta Tau Delta 2nd - Theta Tau 3rd - Mortar Board Residential Life: 1st - Parker Hall 2nd - Kerr-Drummond Halls 3rd - Wentz Hall Greek Life: 1st - Zeta Tau Alpha/Sigma Alpha Epsilon 2nd - Kappa Delta/Lambda Chi Alpha 3rd - Kappa Alpha Theta/Alpha Gamma Rho

Harvest Carnival Student Organizations: 1st - Omega Phi Alpha/Tau Kappa Epsilon 2nd - Sigma Phi Lambda/Delta Tau Delta 3rd - OSU Rodeo Team Residential Life: 1st - Bennett Hall Greek Life: 1st - Chi Omega/Phi Gamma Delta 2nd - Phi Mu/Kappa Sigma 3rd - Kappa Alpha Theta/Alpha Gamma Rho People’s Choice: Kappa Kappa Gamma/Phi Delta Theta

Chili Cook-Off Visit orangeconnection.org/ homecoming for photos and videos from Homecoming 2010: “Cowboy Nation.”

Residential Life: 1st - Patchin and Jones Halls 2nd - Kamm, Peterson and Friend Halls 3rd - Stout Hall

Student Organizations: 1st - CASNR Student Council 2nd - Dairy Science Club 3rd - Blue Key

Residential Life: 1st - Wentz Hall 2nd - Bennett Hall 3rd - North Monroe, Booker, Stinchcomb, Zink and Allen Halls Grand Marshal’s Cup: Kappa Kappa Gamma/Phi Delta Theta

House Decorations Alumni Association Chairman’s Cup: Chi Omega/Phi Gamma Delta 2nd - Kappa Alpha Theta/Alpha Gamma Rho 3rd - Alpha Chi Omega/Sigma Phi Epsilon 4th - Zeta Tau Alpha/Sigma Alpha Epsilon 5th - Alpha Delta Pi/FarmHouse Engineering Excellence Award: Kappa Alpha Theta/Alpha Gamma Rho Safety Award: Kappa Delta/Lambda Chi Alpha

Homecoming King & Queen Wyatt Swinford and Blaine Bertrem

Sweepstakes Student Organizations: 1st - Sigma Phi Lambda/Delta Tau Delta 2nd - Collegiate 4H and Leadership League Residential Life: 1st - North Monroe, Booker, Stinchcomb, Zink and Allen Halls 2nd - Bennett Hall Greek Life: 1st - Chi Omega/Phi Gamma Delta 2nd - Kappa Alpha Theta/Alpha Gamma Rho 3rd - Pi Beta Phi/Sigma Nu 51

Without a doubt, every minute and every dollar spent on “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration” is worth it. It’s time to show our support for this unique Cowboy tradition and ensure it will continue for future generations.

PHOTO / GARYLAWSON

OSU is known for “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration,” which brought more than 80,000 alumni and friends to campus this year.

Homecoming began as part of the Harvest Carnival in 1913 and today is OSU’s largest single gathering presented by the OSU Alumni Association.

It’s easily viewed as OSU’s greatest tradition and is something every student and alumnus anticipates each year. It is hard to envision the campus without it.

Yet homecoming occurs every year because students and the OSU Alumni Association are willing to dedicate the hard work, time and money to make it possible.

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“OSU’s Homecoming is not only the best and brightest, but literally the last of a dying tradition,” says Larry Shell, president of the OSU Alumni Association. “Other schools that had similar homecoming celebrations in the past lost their appeal after the tradition of Walkaround went away.

“OSU recognizes the importance of keeping the homecoming tradition alive as we know it for future generations of Cowboys,” he says.

Branding Success: the Campaign for OSU is an effort to raise $1 billion for

TEXT the university. A portion of this campaign is dedicated to a Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment. This endowment is just $8 million of the $1 billion goal — a very small number, in comparison — but a very important portion nonetheless.

The OSU Alumni Association formed a committee of 15 alumni who started raising money for this endowment last April.

“We know approximately how much fraternities and sororities spend on homecoming, and we know what we spend, and it is a very large number,” Shell says. “The endowment will not only benefit Walkaround participants, but also the other student groups. It’s honestly geared toward anyone participating in ‘America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.’”

The OSU Alumni Association spends about $200,000 a year on homecoming expenses, which equals more than $1 for every living OSU alumnus. The endowment will help recapture some of those lost funds.

“To earn interest on the endowment, we need $1 million paid in full,” Shell says.

“At that point, we will be able to offset current costs with the interest made. So far we have been successful, and the response to the endowment has been positive, but we don’t know how long it will take to reach the point that we begin earning interest.”

As of Oct. 23, 2010, $825,000 has been pledged to the endowment, and Shell says now is the time for alumni and supporters who value homecoming to step up and support its future.

The Alumni Association will recognize everyone who gives $5,000 or more during a five-year period in a permanent display inside the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center. And, all individuals who donate $100 or more will be recognized on the orangeconnection.org website.

Molly Johnson, this year’s house decoration executive, has faith in the endowment and the positive results it will produce.

“I believe the endowment will allow more groups to participate in homecoming and also make the events more competitive,” Johnson says.

“Some student groups do not have the resources to acquire donations, so they end up with higher expenses.”

“If OSU would like to keep the title of ‘Americas Greatest Homecoming Celebration,’ then an endowment will be necessary,” Johnson says. “Walkaround, including the house decorations, parade floats and residential hall decorations, is what brings 75,000 people back home every year and gives us national recognition each fall.”

John Smith, head coach of Cowboy wrestling, is also a proud supporter of the Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment.

“Homecoming truly is OSU’s greatest tradition,” Smith says. “It serves as a recruiting tool for myself and other coaches, as well as undergraduate admissions. My family has enjoyed homecoming free for many years. Now is the time for us to step up and support this important part of OSU.” Walt Garrison, a former OSU football player and Dallas Cowboys star, says he’s supporting the endowment because even though homecoming is rooted in the past, it’s important for the future.

“I love telling stories, but I don’t ever want to have to tell the story of Walkaround to my grandsons instead of showing it to them firsthand,” Garrison says. “I encourage everyone to give — and give generously — to this important cause. The next generation of Cowboys will thank you for it.”

Sometimes the logistics that go into presenting OSU’s massive homecoming celebration are overlooked.

“I think a lot of alumni take for granted that homecoming will always be here,” Shell says. “There comes a time when finances say you can’t do it anymore, and rather than wait for that time to happen and the first domino to fall, we want to be proactive. I want my grandkids and great-grandkids to experience it like all of us have.”

For more information about the Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment or to give online, visit orangeconnection.org/give.

K ale GoerKe

TO 50555 on your mobile phone to give $10 in support of “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.”

learn more at orangeconnection.org/give A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. By opting to join the OSU Alumni Association’s Mobile Club, you will receive up to four messages per month from the OSU Alumni Association. Msg&Data Rates may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected for the benefit of the Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment by the mGive Foundation and subject to the terms found at www. mGive.com/A. To unsubscribe text STOP to 50555, for help text HELP to 50555.

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photo / phil Shockley

Reilleys pay their football suite gift forward — twice.

D

ennis and Cindy Reilley found themselves in an interesting predicament when it came time for Dennis to “retire.”

Being OSU fans, and suddenly having more time on their hands, they wanted to come back for more home football games. Easy enough, considering they were already suite owners on the north side of Boone Pickens Stadium, right?

There was just one little wrinkle with that plan — the Reilleys hadn’t bought that suite for themselves.

They’d bought it for the Spears School of Business.

“We wanted the one suite so that the business school could reward students and faculty, attract future donors and maybe attract talented kids to attend OSU,” says Dennis. “I was living and working in Connecticut at the time and didn’t have a need for a suite. I bought it and gave it to the college to use as they saw fit.”

Being a good guy, Dennis didn’t want to take his gift back.

He instead did the obvious thing. He bought another suite.

“After I retired and we had more time and a desire to attend more games ourselves, we wanted to have a place we could share with our family and friends,” Dennis says. “I just decided I’d get another one.

“I’m a huge sports fan. Football, baseball, basketball. If it’s sports, I love it. For us, it’s perfect. We look forward to the six or seven Saturdays (or the occasional Thursday) a year. The athletic facilities have changed so drastically since we were in school.

The university has created a great environment for both students and alumni.”

Dennis and Cindy graduated from OSU in 1975 and lit out to conquer the world, but Reilley has always gone the proverbial extra mile to follow OSU sports, even when it wasn’t convenient to do so. When he was an executive working for DuPont in Europe, he would have his parents tape the Pokes’ games and send him the tapes.

“When we were in Ireland, we had one of the first satellite dishes in the country, and on very, very rare occasions, we’d watch the Cowboys that way,” he says.

Of course, now, being “retired,” Cindy and Dennis have plenty of time to follow OSU sports. Okay, maybe not plenty, but more. When you apply the term “retired” to Reilley, you have to qualify it a bit.

“Today I’m retired from active duty, for lack of a better term,” says Reilley, “but I’m on the board of directors of Marathon Oil corp, Dow Chemical Company, HJ Hines and Covidien.

“Today, I travel about 35 percent of my time discharging my duties for the various boards, and the rest of my time I’m a deadbeat,” he says with a smile (and under protest from Cindy).

“I like being in command of my own schedule and having the free time to do what I enjoy. I absolutely loved being a large company exec and CEO. However, if you do the job right, it’s a terrific grind, and one that you have to learn to enjoy. I did enjoy it very, very much. But in contrast, being retired has allowed me to do things I’ve wanted to do for more than 35 years.

“Cindy and I both golf. I’m a big time bird hunter, largely quail and pheasant. I fish. My newest passion — diving. I’m in the process of learning to dive. I’m beginning to get into it more and more. Looking at sealife is serene.”

“It’s been great,” Cindy says. “Dennis worked 80 hours a week when he was working, and it’s really nice to finally have some time to spend together.”

“I couldn’t have done it without Cindy’s support,” Dennis says. “Now that we’re retired, we’re making up for all that lost time with a lot of laughter.”

The Reilleys spend their winters in the Bahamas. They also enjoy spending much of their time with two sons, Jason and Michael, and their daughter-in-law, May. Michael is currently attending OSU and working on his master’s in agricultural economics.

Retirement hasn’t changed their desire to support their alma mater, however. They supported the business school long before buying suites in the stadium. The Reilleys’ commitment to the Spears School of Business began more than a decade ago when they created scholarships for Oklahoma students.

Dennis grew up in Oklahoma City, Cindy in Norman, and being from Oklahoma is something to which they attribute their success.

“We were just two country kids coming out of Oklahoma,” he says. “We deeply believe that a lot of what allowed us to follow our dreams were the values we got from growing up in Oklahoma. We feel OSU played a big role in that. It equipped us very well to deal with people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world.

“The scholarship fund we set up in the Spears School was meant to help kids have some of the same experiences we had who might not otherwise have that opportunity.”

“OSU has helped mold many great leaders through the years, and Dennis has proven to be one of the best in the business world,” says Larry Reece, senior executive director, OSU Athletic Development. “Dennis and Cindy have supported their alma mater in so many ways through the years. Besides deciding they needed a second suite for themselves now that they are spending more time in Oklahoma, they also helped make the new Cowboy and Cowgirl basketball locker rooms a reality.

“The Reilleys have always stayed in tune with what is happening with OSU.”

This article first appeared in the August 2010 POSSE magazine.

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Two new OSU Alumni Association programs provide current and life members with expanded nationwide discounts and personalized, OSU-themed cards and stationery.

Membership not only supports OSU and reconnects alumni to the university, it also provides discounts on many products and services, connects members to STATE magazine and OrangeBytes and grants access to OSU Career Services and the Colvin Recreation Center.

Orange Savings Connection Many OSU Alumni Association members are already familiar with discounts they receive from local merchants when presenting a current membership card.

In recent years, the merchant discount program has been available primarily in Oklahoma, but as of November, the discount system has expanded nationwide.

“We are really excited to offer discounts to our alumni across the country,” says Kathryn Bolay-Staude, director of membership and marketing.

Until recently, a majority of membership discounts were available at businesses in Stillwater, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The expansion of the discount system increases the member discounts to more than 1,000 outlets.

“We have so many alumni outside Oklahoma, and there are also plenty of people who travel outside the state,” Bolay-Staude says. “We want them to be able to use their membership to receive discounts even when they’re not in Oklahoma.”

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The merchant discount program provides OSU Alumni Association members with discounts for a number of different services and products, including apparel, automotive, food, sports and wellness, fragrances, travel and event tickets. Bolay-Staude says the merchant discount program is similar to an online shopping mall, and members can sort discounts by category or zip code.

“Members will gain access to extraordinary discounts with more than 500 merchants and thousands of retailers, theme parks and more,” says Allison Allie, Marsh assistant vice president.

“The average savings is 10 percent on purchases of apparel, computers, electronics and gifts. Some offers are up to 60 percent off just for being a member.”

Several of the top participating retailers include Apple, Barnes and Noble, Disney, Hotels.com, Overstock.com and 1-800-Flowers.

Allie says the new Orange Savings Connection also features live-agent support for questions or offline shopping assistance, plus special promotions and coupons for local stores and entertainment venues.

“Members also will have access to the local offers they’ve come to depend on from the Alumni Association.”

S t o r i e S By S t e p h a n i e K . tay l o r

Alumni members can begin saving now with the Orange Savings Connection program at orangeconnection.org/save.

OSU Alumni Print Store The OSU Alumni Association is partnering with On Demand Technologies to launch a new personalized print service.

The OSU Alumni Print Store allows alumni to design their own holiday and birthday cards, stationery, announcements and much more, says Heather Larkin, marketing program manager for On Demand Technologies.

Alumni can choose from a number of different designs, including both OSU-branded and unbranded options.

Creating cards or stationery is as easy as choosing a design, uploading a photo and adding a personal message.

“Sharing personalized messages with friends and family is easy,” Larkin says.

“Our branded cards are a great way for alumni to share their OSU pride as well.”

All OSU alumni, family and friends have access to the new OSU Alumni Print Store, which will donate 10 percent of each purchase to the Alumni Association.

Members will also receive a discount on every purchase when they enter a member-only discount code.

“The association is always searching for new member benefits to meet the needs of our alumni,” Bolay-Staude says. “This is another benefit available to alumni no matter where they live, since everything can be created easily online.”

The OSU Alumni Print Store launched Nov. 2 in conjunction with the Legacy Program event at the Cowboy Corral.

Families took photos in a holiday setting and created personalized cards through the new store.

Visit the OSU Alumni Print Store online at orangeconnection.org/ printstore, and start creating OSU gifts and memorabilia for your family and friends.

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Empowering Faculty Couple’s generosity supports distinguished professor with endowed faculty position.

Carl and Marilynn Thoma are true philanthropists, making gifts to improve the quality of life of others on a regular basis. In fact, the pair of OSU graduates and Oklahoma natives have given nearly $10 million to support art and the humanities, medical care and rehabilitation, museums and education through the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation.

In September, the Thomas were honored at a ceremony recognizing the impact of one of their most significant contributions to Oklahoma State.

Barbara Stoecker, Regents Professor in nutritional sciences, was formally named 58

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the Marilynn Thoma Chair in the College of Human Environmental Sciences. This chair was established by the Thomas in 2006 to support faculty who have brought distinction to CHES and OSU through enterprising research, commitment to student learning and leadership.

At the crowded courtyard ceremony, Stoecker and Marilynn Thoma were each presented with specially designed OSU medallions recognizing the gift and appointment of the chair. These medallions were the first awarded by OSU. “This is a special time as we celebrate a wonderful new faculty chair,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “Endowed chairs are a priority at OSU. They are vital to attracting and retaining the best faculty. An academic chair is the highest

Land-Grant Universities “for a career of Stoecker has worked to improve nutrioutstanding contributions that furthers tion in Thailand, China, Jordan, Iraq and international education of state and Ethiopia. Most of her international work is in Ethiopia, where she has taught, devel- land-grant institutions.” She is also a Fulbright Scholar, OSU Eminent Faculty oped curriculum and helped numerous and International Faculty Excellence Ethiopian graduate students secure fundAward winner. ing to attend OSU. In 2007, the Hawassa “We believe Barbara Stoecker is the University launched Ethiopia’s first graduquintessential land-grant faculty member,” ate program in applied human nutrition says Stephan Wilson, dean of college. thanks to Stoecker’s instrumental work.

“Her long list of accolades is tribute to her With the proceeds from the endowment created by the Thomas, Stoecker will well-rounded nature as a faculty member.

She is a researcher, a teacher, an adviser, be able to introduce more OSU students an administrator and a practitioner.” to global nutritional issues and more Marilynn is a Woodward, Okla., Ethiopian students to a field critical to native who graduated from CHES in 1971. national welfare.

Carl, originally from Boise City, Okla., “She has impacted a whole generation has a ’70 accounting and agricultural of educators who are influencing the diet, economics degree. Their philanthropy health and educational well-being of the people in Africa,” Marilynn says. “And for has included many hours of volunteerism, the lead gift to establish the Ranchers us personally, we have a tremendous sense of fulfillment that we can contribute to the Club in the Atherton Hotel at OSU and the seed funds to create the Oklahoma success of this college and this university.

Wine Forum.

Our desire is for this chair to continue to “Their incredible generosity will allow inspire students and to raise their sights by recognizing faculty members who excel. me to continue to teach a graduate class

An endowment created by alumni Carl and Marilynn Thoma will empower nutritional sciences professor Barbara Stoecker to introduce even more OSU students to global nutritional issues and more Ethiopian students to a field critical to their national welfare.

From left, Stephan Wilson, Carl Thoma, Marilynn Thoma, Barbara Stoecker and Burns Hargis distinction a faculty member can receive and indicates excellence and dedication to teaching, research and outreach.

“With their wonderful gift, Marilynn and Carl are making an indelible mark on their alma mater.”

The Thomas say they are proponents of endowed faculty positions because quality faculty drive student-learning and raise the caliber and reputation of a university. They are especially proud to see Stoecker fill their chair because of the “unusual courage and leadership” she has demonstrated by helping people throughout the world, including locations that are “not easy to get to.”

Their visibility in turn embellishes the reputation of the university.”

Adds Carl, “I got through Oklahoma State and did very well because of certain professors who mentored me and cared about me. The best place we could spend money is on the faculty because it has immediate impact. At the end of the day, the most important thing at a university is the student-faculty relationship. In that way, students acquire the knowledge and build the self-confidence to reach outside themselves.”

Stoecker’s accolades are impressive — to the point that Hargis declares there is no more distinguished faculty member on campus. She was named the 2010 Michael P. Malone International Leadership Award winner by the Association of Public and

in Ethiopia, to help support OSU student internships in Africa and to work with faculty here at OSU to internationalize our curriculum and to promote understanding of social justice among our students,” Stoecker says.

Hargis expressed the university’s appreciation for this gift.

“I think all our students, faculty and alumni can look at Marilynn and Carl as role models for their lives,” Hargis says.

“We thank them so much for their care and concern and dedication to excellence in the College of Human Environmental Sciences.”

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extraordinary

American

By M at t E l l i o t t

A former IBM executive recounts his

Be for e h e c A m e to oSU i n 1955,

childhood filled with fear and upheaval

h A d e n dU r e d pA i n, SU ffe r i ng A n d h A r dSh i p to

as his family struggled to survive the Japanese invasion of China. This 1957 economics alumnus overcame racism and cultural differences to achieve success in American society.

Yupin Wa ng

l A S t Se v e r A l l i fe t i m e S . t h e JA pA n e Se i n vA Sion of m A nc h U r i A . t h e c h i n e Se c i v i l WA r . diSe A Se . pr i vAt ion. pol i t ic A l pe r Sec U t ion. t h e l oSSe S of fr i e n dS A n d r e l At i v e S .

Yupin Wang stepped off the train in Stillwater carrying only a bamboo suitcase and a Chinese violin. His pants were held up by an oversized belt dwarfing his 100-pound frame thinned by compulsory military service back home in Taiwan, where his family and millions of Chinese had fled the Communists.

In just over a decade, Wang would become an OSU economics graduate and one of the top marketing executives at IBM during the company’s dominance of the American business world in the 1960s and ’70s.

Living History The man who stepped off that train faced more adversity than he knew. He would now have to overcome racism, xenophobia and alienation from his own culture for his efforts to become “American.” all faMily PHotos courtEsy yuPin Wang

PHotos of strEEt scEnE, sign By HaldorE Hanson froM tHE HaldorE Hanson’s cHina collEction 1937-1938, courtEsy carlEton collEgE

At right: War-torn China in the late 1930s. The Japanese invasion in 1937 killed hundreds of thousands of Chinese before Japanese troops surrendered in 1945.

Above: Yupin Wang, youngster at left, and his family in 1941. Made refugees by World War II, they moved from one corner of China to another as his father worked to support the Nationalist government’s war effort against the Japanese. Like millions of mainland Chinese, they fled to Taiwan after the war ended, fearing persecution from Mao Zedong’s communists.

Top right: Yupin Wang as an economics graduate student in 1956, shown here inside his Cordell Hall dorm room on OSU’s Stillwater campus.

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Wang retired in 2001 and decided to write his life story.

His memoir, Manchurian American, published in December 2009, reflects his drive to tell his story and encourage immigrants to join their host society despite the difficulty in leaving behind their roots.

“Many times, I failed,” Wang says. “Other Chinese laughed and said, ‘You’re Chinese. Why are you doing this? This is their country. You don’t have a chance. Just enjoy what you have.’ Me, I was more ambitious.

“I want to encourage people to reach higher — to overcome the obstacle of being foreign-born.”

He began by going through his family history and some papers written by his mother, Rei Lin Wang. He worked on his own to translate the history into English from Manchurian Chinese. Off and on, it took him more than seven years. “It was quite a task,” he says.

A WorLd turned upside doWn Manchurian American details his family’s narrow escapes from marauding Japanese soldiers and Chinese communists. The book sets his childhood against a crash course in Chinese history, including the brutal Japanese occupation of Manchuria beginning in 1931 near Benxi, Wang’s hometown, when a bomb destroyed part of a railway line the Japanese controlled – an event later termed the Mukden Incident.

The Japanese, who just years before had assassinated the region’s warlord ruler, used the bombing as a pretext to invade Manchuria with soldiers they already had nearby.

including Wang and his Wang was born in 1932 just after the Mukden Incident. younger brother and an infant The nation was divided accord- sister, to Wuhan hundreds of miles away in central China. ing to warlords and leaders But the Japanese eventually with differing allegiances, targeted Wuhan, too. including a more active Fearing for their lives, communist contingent. His Wang’s mother took her chilfamily, allied with the Chinese dren to Yichang, more than Nationalist Kuomintang and 200 miles away near the Three made refugees by the invasion, Gorges on the Yangtze River. fled the region in 1934 for Beijing. That’s where his father, There they tracked down their father, whom Wang says was Kuang Ling, an engineer, had unrecognizable, undernourjust graduated from college. ished and in rags from his They eventually moved to 500-mile trip by mule, train, Bozhou, where his father ran buggies and on foot from the government’s salt monopBozhou. They then took a oly, and the family enjoyed a boat upstream, traveling only comfortable life inside a large at night to avoid bombings, compound. They couldn’t stay eventually joining throngs of long. The Japanese invaded refugees in Chongqing where Mainland China in 1937. they faced rampant disease Nationalist General and food shortages.

Chiang Kai-Shek’s military Their status with the was supported and trained government made their lives by the Americans who much easier than those of the were hoping to the keep the general population. That kept Japanese bogged down in them sheltered to an extent China so they couldn’t use from diseases, but they were those troops in the South still plagued with the same Pacific, according to the U.S. food and clothing shortages.

Army Center of Military And the Wangs still couldn’t History. Nevertheless, settle down, moving around the Chiang’s military, paralyzed region as his father’s job assignby allegiances to different ments shifted, making their warlords, was disorganized trips on foot, by boat and train. and poorly equipped.

He remembers watching The war with Japan was from suburban rice fields one of the most brutal periods as Japanese planes bombed in history (Google “Nanking Chongqing. He was so young Massacre”). The Japanese at the time, he was just happy destroyed China as they to not be in school for the day. went, sacking cities including The bombings stopped only Tianjin, Beijing, Nanking, the when fog broke out. He writes Kuomintang’s capital, and he routinely passed abandoned Shanghai while pioneering corpses on the roadsides. the use of biological weapons, “My Chinese contempospreading anthrax, tularemia raries and I know that simply and the plague among civilsurviving and lasting until ians. The government moved today is a miracle,” Wang says. its capital to the south in “In that time, life was worthChongqing. less. There were so many risks.

The onslaught came One could perish just like to Bozhou, but his father that. Amazingly, some of us had already sent his family,

Yupin Wang says this Chinese sign stating, “Down with the Japanese Imperialism!” refers to Japan’s aggression, domination, brutality and colonization of China during the 1930s and ’40s. survived. It was the most difficult time, but I was a kid. You just follow the grownups.”

enduring CHAos His parents’ efforts and his youth helped him survive.

He had two more brothers by the war’s end in 1945. The Russians, allied with Chiang’s government, had invaded Manchuria by the war’s end to help kick out the Japanese.

The Russians then moved in for a long stay, not retreating after the war until they could loot the region of anything its military could lay its hands on, stealing everything from entire factories to railroads. They also made sure they aided the burgeoning Chinese communist revolutionaries, who began rounding up sympathizers with Chiang’s government, which had angered citizens because of its own past abuses and crimes.

Chiang’s military briefly took over Manchuria, but hardships continued. The communists were killing Nationalist government officials whom they couldn’t convert.

Wang’s father disappeared for several months after the government sent him back to Manchuria to help re-establish order. He was later released (continues on next page)

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PHOTO by HaldOre HansOn frOm THe HaldOre HansOn’s CHina COlleCTiOn 1937-1938, COurTesy CarleTOn COllege

Above: The Japanese invasion destroyed much of Yupin Wang’s homeland, the state of Manchuria, and spread south to such metropolises as Nanking and Beijing. After the Japanese surrendered in 1945, the Russian army, which had invaded to help the Nationalists fight the Japanese, looted Manchuria and helped strengthen the Chinese communists before returning to its own country.

Lower right: Yupin Wang in 1936, at 4 years old, one year before the Japanese invasion of Manchuria. after the killing of another government figure created uproar in the press.

After learning of his release, his mother brought the family more than 1,700 miles northeast to meet him in Siping, near Siberia, in December 1945.

They had been gone from Manchuria for 11 years.

That homecoming wouldn’t last either. The emerging civil war between the communists and the nationalists forced his family to move to Shenyang, where ironically, after years of cheating death, Wang says he nearly froze to death one evening after a classmate stole his bicycle, and he had to walk home from school.

They eventually fled to Taiwan (formerly Formosa),

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braving a rickety cargo-plane flight and mobs of people jamming the airports, desperate to leave China for the tiny tropical island across the Taiwan Strait. The Wangs settled near Taipei, where his father had become the managing director of the chemical division of Taiwan Industrial Corporation.

E xotic oklahoma Despite the upheaval of his childhood, Wang and his siblings attended school as regularly as they could, and he always had good grades.

He attended National Taiwan University and studied economics. He also wrote for his student newspaper and performed in the opera.

His parents decided to send him to the United States to further his education. He decided on Oklahoma A&M after he read about its cheap tuition. A few plane and train rides later, he was in Stillwater.

The farming community in the middle of Oklahoma was a far cry from the life he knew previously.

He even started a bank account for the first time. “In China, when I was growing up nobody put money in the bank because when you have to run away, your money would stay.

So you just took cash with you.

You come to one place and you can’t count on whether you’ll be there the next day or the next month.”

He lived in Cordell Hall, where he fell in with a group of Chinese students. He was very conscious of his status as a foreigner. People treated him differently and he couldn’t shake a nagging inferiority complex, especially when he looked at the clothes he brought with him – and he was from a relatively privileged Chinese family. He was confused by holidays and customs, recalling the embarrassment he felt when he tried to ask a married girl out on a date, not realizing what the ring on her left hand meant.

Many of his fellow students were from rural parts of Oklahoma, and he marveled at their accents, the way they dressed and their lifestyles. His English was very bad, and he remembers being befuddled by local phrases such as “how ya doin,’” and “whatdoyousay.”

He spent most of his days in the library and the Student Union and didn’t participate much in the social life around campus. Still, he was struck by the friendliness of the people he met, especially the OSU staff. In China and Taiwan, civil servants were often hostile, uncaring and corrupt, he says.

He also relished the things Americans took for granted, such as indoor heating. He remembers being alarmed at how lackadaisical the locals seemed to be about communism, because Mao Zedong, the Chinese communist leader, was still threatening to invade Taiwan, where his family still lived.

thE a mErican Way It was in Stillwater where he realized he would have to become an American if he was to make it overseas. He saw returning home as a cop out.

First on his list was improving his English. He didn’t understand his course lectures. To cope he worked with an adviser for foreign students, who, amusingly, told him to take an American girl to bed to learn English (Wang didn’t take his advice). He also started studying under a demanding professor, Richard Leftwich, who had written an influential economics textbook at the time.

“It was hard to study,” he says. “If you’re studying engineering or science, you read a formula, and you study hard.

In economics, there were a lot of assignments. The vocabulary I had a tough time reading — even the basic texts. I realized I had to really change myself because I couldn’t get a different degree. I felt like I wouldn’t get anywhere. So I went on to basically change myself, I mean, fundamentally change — regardless of what others might say.

“My peers laughed at me. They said, ‘Why are you dreaming? We come here because of the commies in China. Some day we’re going

to go back. We don’t want to be here because they don’t like us.’ My view was, ‘You’re here.

You’re going to do the best you can. You’re just as good as everybody else.’”

Leftwich’s tough-as-nails approach to teaching made Wang work harder at his research and his English than he would have otherwise. He finished his thesis and graduated in 1957. He skipped his graduation ceremony and headed for New York City, where he stayed with Chinese friends of his classmates until he could find work.

He eventually found work in small accounting firms, floundering while he hoped to get a better white-collar job with a bigger employer in New York.

“I had a ‘split personality,’ you know. Psychologically, I was in two worlds. One was in America. One was in China.

I thought I was going to go crazy. There are certain behavior standards in China and in America. In China, whitecollar work was something you tried to get away from, and in America, I was trying to get into it, and in neither of them I did very well, at least initially.”

Standing up to StErEotypES When IBM hired him in 1960, he had already begun distancing himself from his Chinese friends and trying to immerse himself more in Western culture. IBM had many employees from China, but he didn’t know of any who were managers, as he would eventually become.

Wang worked in marketing for IBM in the New York and New Jersey areas, making sales projections and working in a host of assignments, including its profitable

office products division that produced a popular electric typewriter.

He took extra effort to be aggressive, ambitious and individualistic, determined to not fit the stereotype of the time that Chinese people would bow to pressure rather than take a stand.

He recalls one situation, early on, when he was asked to make sales projections for computer supplies. He had no old data on which to base his analysis and could’ve done a simple analysis based on the sales of other lines. But that wouldn’t have been as accurate.

“I thought about how to do a better forecast and decided to use a technique called regression analysis. It was a bit unique compared to the conventional wisdom of the time,” says Wang, describing the statistical method now commonly used to measure a relationship between several variables.

“My idea was try to find out the total inventory of computer supplies by looking at how many computers were out in the marketplace.”

He took the last few years of computer inventory and correlated them with the supplies sales. Then he forecast computer sales based on past history and used that information to forecast the supply sales needed.

His model predicted strong sales. But his boss didn’t understand the technique he used and neither did his boss’s boss. So he had to explain his work over and over, all the way up the company ladder.

“My forecast was ahead of many other numbers they had.

They didn’t believe me. Finally, I convinced them, and a year later, the sales came back, and

I was right. I was very close to the actual number.”

Wang’s perseverance helped crush the common misperceptions.

“The stereotype indicated I wouldn’t take the initiative and might be soft under pressure, or that I might not even dare to bring this up to management,” he says. “I was determined not to be that way.”

Wang became a naturalized citizen in 1965.

He briefly left to work at Xerox in 1966 but returned to IBM in 1968 and eventually became an executive in the company’s National Marketing Division in Atlanta, Ga. He later became IBM’s corporate director of strategy evaluation based in Westchester County, N.Y., where his career took off.

He knew several Chinese within the company who worked in research and were also successful.

“They’d come see me and ask how I did it, like there was some magic formula,” he says. “There was none. You have to work. Of course, the basic ingredients are your work habits and technical background, but the most important thing is you have to exercise good judgment. You have to see the whole picture around you — the organization — and see if there’s anything you can do. I think that’s true for a lot of things, not just the business world.”

gEnEration to gEnEration During that time, he worked to bring his brothers and sister to the United States, sending money home each month. They eventually settled in the New York area for a time, and, despite his efforts distancing himself from his

fellow Chinese, Wang married a Chinese American, Lucy, his wife of 39 years. Their son, John, is an attorney with the San Francisco law firm, Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe. His daughter, Natalie, works for a financial services firm in New York City.

His parents eventually joined him in the United States, too. After living in Manhattan for more than 20 years, they lived out the rest of their days in a large Chinese community in a Los Angeles rest home.

Wang has visited Taiwan and China several times. His best childhood memories revolve around living in Beijing, the Chinese capital.

But when he last visited Beijing, Wang didn’t recognize the city and couldn’t find the neighborhood where he used to live, nor the theaters and opera performances he loved as a teenager. He didn’t recognize his home country.

Wang, who is in contact with a producer interested in filming his life story, says he’ll always consider himself a Manchurian American.

“This is my country now. I have lots to be thankful for.

I’m very grateful for what this country did for me.”

Yupin Wang’s biography, Manchurian American, is available at Amazon.com and www.manchurianamerican.com.

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Story by DerinDa bl akene y / Photo by Gary l awSon

Jacquelyn “Grammie” Bounds takes care of JC Waggin’ Tail for her daughter, Maj. Stephanie Bounds, who is serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

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rmy Maj. Stephanie Bounds of Crescent, Okla., found her “wonderpup” at the Lawton pound in November 2001.

“JC Waggin’ Tail Bounds is perfect,” says Bounds with a smile. “In May 2010 we celebrated his 9th birthday. Being a pound puppy, I don’t know his exact birth date, so we celebrate the whole month to be safe.”

Bounds bleeds orange. She earned her undergraduate degree in English from OSU in 1996 and has been a member of the OSU Alumni Association since graduation.

She has given donations to the school and the English Department and — since finding JC Waggin’ Tail (Wags) — to organizations that help animals as well, such as the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“After reading in STATE about everything the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences does, I decided I’d much rather give to an organization that I felt

o co u

not only about giving instead of receiving during the Christmas holiday, but about one young woman who gives more than monetary donations. She puts her life on the line serving as an Army public affairs officer in Afghanistan.

In November 2009, Army Maj. Stephanie Bounds became the personal public affairs officer and strategic communication adviser to the deputy for the commander of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan. She is responsible for helping military commanders share the Army story through traditional news media, social media and community outreach.

For the previous 10 years, Bounds, who received her commission from OSU’s ROTC program, served as an Army communications officer creating and managing telecommunications and automation networks.

During this holiday season, say a prayer for the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces.

“We don’t know the amount of the more kinship to than a large, impersonal donation — just that it was given. It just national organization,” Bounds says. made sense for us to share with others.”

“All the work done at the veterinary Stephanie’s charity of choice is OSU’s center, coupled with the fact that it is the Brittany Fund because it helps people Oklahoma State University veterinary and pets alike. Established by a vetericenter, made it the perfect fit for me.” nary hospital client in memory or her When someone asks what kind of dog beloved dog, Brittany, the fund helps Wags is, Bounds answers “cute!”

“He is a mix — part Labrador retriever deserving clients care for their pets in exceptional cases. and I’m not sure what. Cute seems to “I can easily imagine being in a situadescribe him best.” tion where an expensive procedure could Bounds was away at a military school make the difference in Wags’ life and not when Wags needed medical services from being able to pay for it,” Stephanie says.

OSU’s veterinary center.

“I hope it never happens to me or anyone “Wags was staying with his Grammie else. But if it does, I like knowing my (Stephanie’s mother, Jacquelyn Bounds). contributions to the Brittany Fund, along He whimpered whenever he jumped up with the talented and amazing staff at the on the couch or barked or even when veterinary center, can help pets and their my mother picked him up. Since the people have a little better life. local veterinarian was out of town and “For all the happiness that Wags has we already had a relationship with the brought to me and my family, helping veterinary center through our donations, someone else give back to their animal my mother called the veterinary hospital friend just feels right.” for advice.”

The next day, Nov. 9, 2008, Jacquelyn and Wags arrived at the OSU Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for Wags’ appointment.

“My mother and Wags were both treated like royalty,” Stephanie says.

“Wags was thoroughly checked out by several veterinarians, and the problem turned out to be minor. Wags, my mother and I were very relieved and glad our first official visit to the veterinary center was a happy one.”

Since that visit, Stephanie continues to support the work at OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.

“My family is very fortunate.

My parents have worked hard and instill that same ethic in me. Five years or so ago, as the Christmas holiday season approached, we started asking each other if there were any specific gifts any of us wanted or needed. None of us really needed anything, but we still wanted to do something nice for each other. Someone came Stephanie Bounds knows her special dog, up with the idea of giving a charitable “Wags,” is in good hands while she’s donation to each family member’s charity overseas, thanks to her mother and OSU’s of choice in their name. That has been Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. our practice ever since.

Ph ot

This is a story …

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photo / Gary Lawson

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OSU recently began a transformative campaign to become America’s healthiest campus. But alumnus Scott Poindexter started advocating good health and fitness long before he left campus 20-plus years ago.

Scott Poindexter, a 1984 animal science graduate, completed a crosscountry bicycle trek last summer to create awareness about America’s obesity epidemic.

“No other country has the obesity issue to the extent America has,” says Poindexter, a chiropractor based in Denver, Colo. A National Center for Health Statistics survey indicates 33 percent of American men and 35 percent of American women are obese.

“Adults have to make the choices to be the leaders and lead their children, their communities and our nation,” he says.

Originally from Missouri, Poindexter spent a large amount of his childhood visiting relatives in the Oklahoma panhandle and in Covington. He learned about OSU during the summers he lived and worked for his aunt and uncle in Guymon, Okla., and followed the example of family members who attended OSU. “I did not grow up in Oklahoma, but Oklahoma was always home to me.”

After graduating from OSU, Poindexter worked as a meat buyer in Kansas City, but didn’t feel like it was the job for him. He returned to OSU and spent two years recruiting students

through OSU’s high school and college relations department.

“Selling OSU was easy, and it was so much fun,” he says.

Poindexter began taking health and wellness classes offered at the Colvin Center and the Seretean Wellness Center.

He also began playing on the OSU rugby team. Encouraged by the rugby team’s coach, Poindexter decided to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, where he played rugby on an athletic scholarship and studied chiropractic medicine.

After graduating in 1998, Poindexter started a chiropractic practice in Colorado and later traveled to the United Kingdom to help other chiropractic doctors expand their practices.

Poindexter observed a dramatic difference in lifestyle between Americans and people in the other countries.

“They are a bit healthier,” he says.

“They’re not all looking for a pill like people do here in the U.S. Their food is not processed to the gills, and they don’t want it to be.”

After returning to the United States, he knew he had to do something to confront America’s obesity problem.

Scott Poindexter stops his cross-country bicycle tour long enough to address OSU students about the importance of exercise.

“It’s an epidemic, and it’s out of control,” Poindexter says. “It’s destroying our country.”

Challenging Others by Challenging Himself As a chiropractor, Poindexter’s mission is to help people live healthy lives.

“The best way to challenge others was to challenge myself,” Poindexter says. “My options were walking, running or biking.

“Biking is a heck of a lot easier than walking,” he says, laughing. “The bike allowed me to complete the trip in less time and did less damage to my body than running would have.”

Poindexter started his bicycle journey on June 4 in San Francisco and ended on Aug. 5 in Virginia Beach.

The summer heat and humidity were some of his biggest challenges. In Tulsa, the heat index was 115 degrees.

Despite the heat and the grueling exercise, Poindexter talked to as many people as he could, sharing facts about obesity and how they could help fight the obesity problem in America.

Poindexter was featured in a number of different newspapers and news broadcasts during his journey, which included stops in Albuquerque, Amarillo, (continues on next page)

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photoS provided

Scott Poindexter’s cross-country adventure began on the West Coast and continued through the Rockies and southeastern U.S. before ending on the East Coast.

Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Fort Smith and Knoxville. When he appeared on Good Morning Little Rock, Poindexter realized his efforts were making a difference.

“The experience was just awesome, but it was really hard work,” Poindexter says.

“Of the people I encountered, 95 percent were receptive and encouraging.”

Striving to be America’s Healthiest Campus In Oklahoma, Poindexter stopped at OSU and spoke to several nutrition classes and to the OSU Wellness Center staff. He told students they must take responsibility for their own health and also lead the nation toward becoming healthier.

“They are going to be the next leaders in a very short time,” he says. “What they do is important because kids will mimic them. They have to walk the walk.”

When Robin Purdie, director of the Seretean Wellness Center, met Poindexter, she and her husband offered him a break

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from the road with a hot meal, a bed and a shower while he was in Stillwater.

“Americans have become very sedentary with poor diets, and that has negative effects on the health and productivity of our country,” Purdie says. “Scott made the ride to make us aware.”

The OSU Seretean Wellness Center has a number of health initiatives that encourage students and staff to stay active and healthy. The Peer-to-Peer health education program allows students to teach health-related topics to more than 10,000 students every year. In addition to health risk assessments for all incoming students, the center offers employee health risk assessments, lunch-and-learn programs, personal trainers and exercise physiologists for individual and group exercise.

The Seretean Wellness Center also hosts Cowboys on the Move, a program encouraging participants to record their physical activity.

“The goal is to get this campus moving and to be America’s healthiest campus,” Purdie says. “We have almost 3,000 users and have logged over 3 million minutes.”

Making A Difference Poindexter hopes his biking trip and health campaign will make a difference in people’s lives. Already he has received emails and responses from people who were influenced by his efforts and have made changes.

“Those people looked in the mirror and made some choices,” Poindexter says.

“Ultimately, not being overweight is about making a decision to stop making excuses, eat right and exercise.”

Not only has Poindexter watched as other people realized they could make healthier choices for themselves, he says the trek also taught him about his own strengths and challenging himself.

“You can do a lot of things if you put your mind to it.”

S t e p h a n i e K . tay l o r

For more information about Poindexter’s ride, visit www.fightobesityride.com.

Did you know a portion of your Alumni Association membership dues go back to your college to sponsor alumni programming and events?

By being a member of the Alumni Association, you are supporting your college’s efforts in connecting alumni as well as programming such as Homecoming and Student Alumni Board.

We are OSU.

Humphreys put millions into international experiences

Don and Cathey Humphreys are big believers in the value of living and studying abroad.

Don, a 1971 industrial engineering graduate and senior vice president and treasurer of ExxonMobil, has been fortunate to live many places during his career, including Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for almost four years.

The couple’s three daughters — Megan, Melissa and Mary — had their first international experience there with classmates from countries around the world including Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Europe and the Middle East.

“We really loved that experience,” says Don, who followed his OSU degree with a 1976 master’s in business administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. “Each of our daughters wrote one of her college essays about her experience in Malaysia.

While attending college, each of them took advantage of study-abroad programs. What we saw was that when you have the motivation to go overseas, you will have a great experience.

“It takes courage to jump outside of your sphere of comfort to get on an airplane,

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go to a different place, live in a different setting, study in a different kind of school and potentially speak a different language. When a student is willing to take on this type of challenge, it is a tremendous boost to the individual’s sense of independence and self-confidence.”

To motivate and enable more students to exhibit that courage and to experience studying abroad, the couple is making a $6 million gift to OSU. Half of that is an outright gift to fund study-abroad professorships across the university. This $3 million is eligible for a pair of matches — $3 million from Boone Pickens’ 2008 chair and professorship gift and $3

million from the Oklahoma legislature. Thus, their initial gift will be maximized to have a $9 million impact.

An additional $2 million will come from an estate gift for study-abroad scholarships.

That will be doubled by the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match. The Humphreys are also giving an additional $1 million to jump-start these scholarships for OSU students today, and that $1 million will also be matched.

Altogether, these gifts and matches will have a total impact of $15 million, which will propel the university forward in its goal to provide every student with an international experience during college.

“Don is a

“OSU will become known as an institution that produces students capable of dealing with the world, of working in a multicultural environment and with the capacity necessary to perform well on the job,”

dear friend from our time as fraternity brothers at OSU, and I’m thrilled he and Cathey are doing so much for the university,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. “They appreciate how valuable it is for young men and women to broaden their horizons by traveling throughout the world, and their incredible generosity gives our students many more opportunities to have a meaningful study-abroad experience. They are making an amazing impact on OSU.” The Humphreys hope their gift will help provide for longer study-abroad experiences.

They feel spending a semester or year outside of one’s native country is much more educational than just a week or two.

“These students will learn some very important lessons.

Seeing the world through other people’s perspectives is very enlightening,” says Cathey, who graduated from the University of Oklahoma and then worked at OSU’s Spears School of Business after she and Don were married in 1970. “That makes you pause and think about how you deal with others.”

The pair of Pickens’ matching gifts encouraged the

Humphreys to make their gift now to capitalize on these unique matching programs.

“It’s fantastic,” Don says. “I can’t thank Boone enough for making this available to OSU. I think it’s just an absolutely fabulous opportunity.”

Mark Weiser, former interim associate vice president of international studies and outreach, helped the Humphreys decide how best to structure their gift. He says one important aspect of the donation is that each of the endowed professorship holders will have expertise in a specific part of the world.

“That not only gives a student who is interested in China someone to talk to about China, but that also means we have a representative in each college who is explicitly, as part of his or her assignment, a champion for international studies,” Weiser says. “Our hope is this will stimulate more offerings for study abroad and more demand for long-term study abroad and, ultimately, create a grassroots organization with faculty involvement in each college.”

Weiser’s successor, David Henneberry, says this gift will

address the biggest barrier to students gaining an international experience – financial concerns.

“We will become known as an institution that produces students capable of dealing with the world, of working in a multicultural environment and with the capacity necessary to perform well on the job,” Henneberry says.

One student who attests to the value of study abroad is Maggie Jackson, an English senior who studied in Prague and Nepal.

“Study abroad gave me a sense of independence that

otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to have,” Jackson says. “I learned to make friends of all types of people and cultures.

It opened many doors and changed the person that I am.”

Don and Cathey are great believers in the power of education. As they say, “Investing in education, whether for yourself, your children or someone else who needs help, is the best investment anyone can make.”

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A New Angle on Service “I would make my college education help me resolve the issues other veterans might experience — so they might not be in a position where they could freeze or starve for a few months until they could get back on their feet.”

— Jared Whittington

P H O T O g r a P H y By P H I L S H O C K L E y

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By M aT T E L L I O T T

After 11 years in the military, this outstanding OSU alumnus is preparing for a career to help veterans transition from military to civilian life.

It’s a journey he knows only too well.

2nd Lt. Jared Whittington isn’t interested in letting life pass him by.

The former Army medic and volunteer firefighter is always looking for a new adventure, and the chance to help others.

The recent sociology graduate won admission to a master’s program in social work run by Fayetteville State University at the Army’s Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

Whittington, who graduated magna cum laude in May as one of the College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Seniors, is preparing for a career helping veterans transition from military to civilian life. It’s a journey he knows only too well.

Just a few years ago, Whittington was living off of a slice of barbecued baloney a day, nearly penniless from a divorce and shivering in a Cushing, Okla., apartment he couldn’t afford to heat. After eight years of active duty with the Army and Army Reserve, he was about to add another three years of service with the Oklahoma National Guard while attending school at OSU. But checks from his G.I. Bill to cover tuition and living expenses hadn’t kicked in yet. He couldn’t find a job. Employers balked at the likelihood he’d get called up at a moment’s notice because of his role as a senior medical officer in a busy Reserve civil affairs unit. He was too proud to seek help from his parents back home in Rockville, Md. He vowed he would spend his life to help people stuck in similar situations, attempting to sort things out after years of serving their country.

“I would make my college education help me resolve the issues other veterans might experience — so they might not be in a position where they could

freeze or starve for a few months until they could get back on their feet,” Whittington says.

He had put his college education off for years because of military training, assignments and a yearlong deployment to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. Leaving his career as the most senior noncommissioned officer in a medical ambulance unit, he signed up for OSU’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program to be a cadet, realizing it was the only way he’d be able to get his degree and still keep serving his country.

But he had adjustment problems at OSU. Years in the military had kept him isolated. He didn’t know what a text message was or a digital drop box (where students login to turn in projects). He also had a hard time identifying with his peers who hadn’t experienced the world outside of school. He decided to simply put his head down and work as hard as he could.

He started visiting with a counselor in the sociology department, Dahlia Molloy. She told him about scholarships, advised him on courses and listened to his frustrations.

“Dahlia had a lot of faith in me,” Whittington says. “She always told me I could accomplish whatever I wanted as long as I believed in myself.”

Molloy has worked with students transitioning from military to civilian life before. Their stories are all unique, but their difficulties making the transition are similar.

“Their situation is different from the average student,” says Molloy, who has been counseling students in the sociology department for 21 years. “He brought a lot of maturity and leadership skills he received from the military.”

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“Jared will always remain special, even among his outstanding peer group, for the cooperation, enthusiasm and intelligence he displayed.”

— BoB Graalman, director, office of Scholar development and recoGnition

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Molloy quickly realized his drive. Even after early morning ROTC training, Whittington could often be found dozing on a couch outside her office while waiting for new information on academic opportunities. And still he continued to excel in class and take on research programs on his own.

Whittington always found time for his community, though. He helped lobby the Cushing city council to start a program waiving returning veterans’ first three months of utility bills, and through an internship with the Veterans Administration, he helped veterans find employment.

He also volunteered at a nursing home in Cushing.

Working with a group of ROTC cadets visiting with patients, he co-created the Forgotten Warriors Program, which won awards from the Oklahoma contingent of the American Legion and a citation from the State Senate.

He remembers one patient in particular whom he took fishing at a pond near the nursing home.

“She caught a catfish quickly, and we fished for about three hours,” he says.

“The kitchen staff prepared her fish for her. After a while, her health prevented her from going, but for Christmas the following year, when I took requests for gifts, she wanted a catfish dinner. I got her some catfish with hush puppies and coleslaw.”

Molloy says watching Whittington work with patients showed he had the empathy and kindness so integral to a career in social work, a career that certainly won’t make him rich. But he’s not interested in that.

Whittington explored numerous scholarship opportunities through OSU’s scholar development office, and won one best suited for his career goals.

Director Bob Graalman says he quickly recognized Whittington’s gifts and his will to succeed, and helped him apply for grants, fellowships and scholarships.

Whittington became a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship and a nominee for the Truman scholarship.

Graalman says his respect grew even stronger after reading Whittington’s submission for the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity essay competition.

His account of an intensely personal event as a soldier and how it shaped his ethical convictions made him a finalist in the national competition.

“We couldn’t wear him out, and it was remarkable to observe his tenacity in an office where we enjoy a lot of talented and determined students,” Graalman says.

“Jared will always remain special, even among his outstanding peer group, for the cooperation, enthusiasm and intelligence he displayed.”

Ultimately, Whittington’s appointment to the prestigious Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship Student Congress earned him a place on the OSU Halligan Hall of Scholars. Only 51 college juniors, one from every U.S. state, are chosen for the national program focusing on diplomacy, dialogue, listening skills, negotiation and mediation.

Whittington’s current fellowship to study social work is an intense, 14-month resident program at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio that’s preparing him to work with people like himself, those focusing on social work among military members.

After fulfilling his early requirements, he’ll return to Oklahoma for a two-year internship with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He hopes to one day work cases through the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center.

“I think if anyone can make an impact it would be Jared,” Molloy says. “He’s a type of individual that doesn’t wait around for somebody else to make the change.”

OSUccess OSUccess scholarship enables this student to stay enrolled in OSU-Institute of Technology’s culinary arts program.

More than 1,600 OSU students, faculty and staff packed the Student Union atrium in the spring and watched anxiously as President Burns Hargis announced the launch of the Branding Success campaign.

Students were especially antsy, for that day Hargis would reveal the winners of the OSUccess scholarships.

Students saw the winners’ names flash across the screen, and for Tiffany Taylor, it was a moment she knew would change her life.

Taylor had multiple jobs and attended several colleges without successfully walking away with a degree. However, she decided to turn a hobby into a career by going back to college to pursue a culinary arts degree.

When she quit her full-time job and moved to the on-campus apartments at OSU-Institute of Technology in Okmulgee, she had financial concerns.

“I was worried I wouldn’t be able to pay the rest of my bursar bill for the spring semester,” Taylor says. “That’s when the emails about the OSUccess scholarship opportunity began to arrive.

“Winning the $1,000 scholarship covered my remaining balance, allowing me to enroll in the summer semester. Had it not been for the OSUccess scholarship, I would not have been able to continue my education at this time.”

Taylor says she was ecstatic, relieved and in complete shock after seeing her

name flash on the screen in the Student Union.

“When I saw my name I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, that’s my name!’” Taylor says. “After the surprise subsided and relief took over, I called my nearest and dearest to share the exciting news.”

The OSUccess scholarship opportunity allows students to creatively illustrate what success means to them through a short essay, a picture or a 30-second video.

Taylor saw this as an opportunity to visually recreate her story from her high school graduation in 2002 to now.

“After I found out about the scholarship I gathered my all-star team of friends and began brainstorming,” Taylor says.

“It was clear that the story of how I finally found my career path, and a way to pursue it, was the most successful thing that OSU could help me accomplish.”

Her video perfectly depicted how she chose her career and how OSU-Institute of Technology gave her the opportunity to pursue her goals.

For Taylor, OSU-Institute of Technology was a clear answer when it came to choosing the right college for her degree. She knew the classes she took would help her pursue her career goals of becoming a restaurateur while also being close to family and friends.

Tiffany Taylor

Tiffany Taylor

“This school allowed me to remain in a close vicinity to my friends and family in Tulsa, while also offering a college degree when other nearby schools simply offered certificates,” Taylor says.

She anticipates graduating next summer and plans to move to a ski town in Colorado to open her restaurant. If it weren’t for the OSUccess scholarship, Taylor would have had to put these career goals aside. She is thankful and knows that the impact of a scholarship could be life-changing.

“The OSUccess scholarship and Branding Success campaign has made it possible for me and others in my position to continue pursuing our passions and goals,” Taylor says. “I am extremely thankful that OSU has given me the opportunity for a successful future.”

K at i e a n n R o b i n s o n

For more information on the OSUccess scholarship campaign, visit www.

OSUccess.com or learn more about Branding Success scholarship support at http://www.oSugiving.com/ StudentScholarships.aspx.

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photo courtesy Linda Livingstone

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Linda Parrack Livingstone is dean of the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine, but orange runs in her blood.

Even though this alumna lives on the West Coast, her heart will always be close to OSU.

Oklahoma before returning to Stillwater to serve as an assistant basketball coach to Henry Iba. Livingstone and her two brothers attended many football and basketball games and spent a lot of free time around the athletic facilities. Between their father’s coaching position and their familiarity with the university, attending OSU was a given.

“We sort of grew up at the university,” Livingstone says. “It instilled a love for sports and OSU in us.”

At OSU, Livingstone played for the women’s basketball team. She completed her bachelor’s degree in economics ahead

T

here aren’t many similarities between Perkins, Okla., and Malibu, Calif.

One is a small, farming community surrounded by rolling plains. The other is an affluent West Coast city known for its warm, sandy beaches and abundance of movie stars.

But if you were to ask one of the administrators at Pepperdine University in Malibu where her home is, she will gladly tell you about her upbringing in Perkins and her life-long connection with OSU. Linda Livingstone is dean of the Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine, but orange runs in her blood. Life on the family farm provided a positive experience in family bonding but also a lot of hard work.

Her mother, Charlotte Parrack, is proud of the work ethic her daughter has exhibited all her life. “Growing up on the farm impacted the children and gave them the knowledge of work.”

Livingstone also spent much of her childhood on OSU’s campus.

Her father, Doyle Parrack, played basketball as an OSU student and graduated in 1943 with a degree in education.

Because of a shortage of athletes during World War II, Parrack was allowed to play on the 1945 national championship team. He later coached at Oklahoma City University and the University of

of schedule in 1982 and decided to stay and pursue her master’s degree while still playing basketball.

Being a student and an athlete took a lot of focus in both areas, and Livingstone remembers her teammates being just as dedicated to their studies as she was. On long rides to and from away games, the girls spent much of their time studying.

“It was very hard and demanding,” Livingstone says, “but I loved being an athlete and a student at OSU.”

W

hen she was a freshman, Livingstone encountered a young man in the Classroom Building who handed her an OSU Alumni Association magazine. Inside was an article about her success as a basketball player and a student, and her picture was circled.

The young man, Brad, said his father sent him the magazine and told him this was the type of girl he should be dating. (continues on next page)

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dean for graduate programs. In 2002, she left Baylor for Pepperdine, where she has served as a dean for the past nine years.

Livingstone’s mother says she is not surprised to see her daughter’s success in a variety of academic positions.

“I never dreamed she would end up on the career path she did, but she always had a mind of her own and a will to succeed,” Parrack says. “As a mother, I am very proud of her.”

Livingstone’s determination and strong will stood out to many of her OSU professors, too.

Debra Nelson, a professor of management in OSU’s Spears School of Business,

After the two married, Livingstone began working for a recreation program in Woodward, Okla., while Brad served as the northwest regional director for FCA. The couple spent a year in Enid, Okla., before returning to OSU so Brad could pursue his master’s degree and she could work on her doctorate in business.

remembers meeting Livingstone during an organizational behavior seminar in the management doctoral program. The two began conducting research together and continued their work after Livingstone accepted a job at Baylor.

Nelson describes Livingstone as persistent, bright, driven and focused on what she wants to do.

“She grew up in Perkins, Oklahoma, and now she’s in Malibu, California. But she is still the same Linda,” Nelson says.

“Her success hasn’t changed her at all.

She’s still warm, genuine and caring.”

John Mowen, Regents Professor and Noble Foundation Chair of Marketing Strategy at OSU, met Livingstone in the late 1980s when she enrolled in his consumer behavior class.

Recognizing her talents, Mowen and others in his department tried to recruit Livingstone to the doctoral program in marketing, but she decided instead to pursue her Ph.D. in management.

“Her outstanding career shows that our instincts were right when we recruited her,” Mowen says. “She is an extremely bright person with multiple talents. We are proud to have her as one of our Spears School alumni.”

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hough she now lives far away from OSU, Livingstone’s ties to her alma mater haven’t lessened. She and her family return to Perkins as much as possible to visit her mother. During Christmas visits, they also attend OSU basketball games and show their daughter, Shelby, the OSU campus.

Shelby, a member of the Alumni Association’s Legacy program, will

photoS courteSy linda livingStone

She and Brad began to see each other regularly between their basketball practices and Fellowship of Christian Athletes meetings, although Livingstone says they didn’t start dating until their junior years.

On Sept. 24, 1983, a day that coincided with an OSU football game against Texas A&M, the two married. In a story familiar to many alumni, Livingstone says her husband and groomsman were watching the game while getting ready for the wedding.

“They were cheering so loud everyone in the church could hear them,” Livingstone says. Incidentally, the Cowboys won the game 34-15.

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s a graduate student again, Livingstone realized she loved the classroom and university setting, and she began to pursue a career in academia.

“OSU gave me a love for learning and for the college campus setting, which led me to get my Ph.D.,” she says. “I had a quality academic experience at OSU. It prepared me well for the professional world and kept me grounded.”

After she graduated with her doctorate in 1992, Livingstone became a professor in the management and entrepreneurship department at Baylor and later associate

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probably choose a college where she can play volleyball, Livingstone says, but it would be nice to see her attend OSU. “We had such a wonderful experience at OSU,” Livingstone says. “It’s been such an important part of our lives as a family, and we want her to understand that.

“We want to support the university on a continuous basis,” she says. “We have an obligation as alumni to help our alma mater succeed.”

Livingstone has a strong connection to the Alumni Association because she worked there as a graduate student.

“OSU has inherently become a part of who we are and what we do,” she says. “If I reflect on the big picture of my life, OSU helped form my values and helped shape me with a great education.”

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Tribute to a Friend uvWwWVU

“If my gift can help the brightest students at OSU pursue their dreams, I think Henry would be pleased by that.”

— C. Hubert Gragg

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C. Hubert Gragg’s $1 million gift in honor of his friend Henry Bellmon will eventually yield $2.5 million for OSU’s top scholars.

Henry Bellmon

ubert Gragg did not attend OSU, but some of his favorite people did.

One of those was Henry Bellmon.

To honor him, Gragg made a $1 million gift to scholar development at OSU with $750,000 going to the Bellmon Scholarship Endowment and $250,000 to the Bellmon Program Endowment. These funds help OSU students prepare for graduate school, jobs and the nation’s top academic competitions through additional research and study-abroad opportunities.

The scholarship portion of his donation will be matched two-to-one by the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, bringing the total impact of Gragg’s gift to $2.5 million in endowed funds.

Recently, OSU students who have benefited from the program have achieved high-level honors, including four Udall Scholarships, a Goldwater Scholarship, a Goldwater honorable mention and three Fulbright Scholarships.

OSU President Burns Hargis expresses the university’s appreciation for this boost to student support. “We are extremely grateful to Hubert Gragg for his tremendous generosity,” Hargis says. “This gift will provide life-changing support for our students. We have been overwhelmed by the response of our loyal alumni and friends as we pursue our commitment to raise $500 million for scholarships and graduate fellowships during our Branding Success campaign.”

— Burns OSU Foundation President and CEO Kirk Jewell notes the impact that the gift will have on an already envied program.

“This is an exceptional gift from one extraordinary man to honor another extraordinary man,” Jewell says. “This donation will ultimately produce $125,000 per year, forever, in additional scholar development funds.”

Gragg and Bellmon were close personal friends before Bellmon became the first Republican governor of Oklahoma in 1963. Bellmon later served as a U.S. senator before returning to the governor’s mansion in 1987. He passed away in September 2009.

Gragg, 92, is a retired oilman, oil and natural gas pipeline contractor, manufacturer, cattleman and real-estate developer originally from Burkburnett, Texas. He spent most of his life in Oklahoma, including his current residence in Newcastle.

The oldest of Gragg’s three sons, Stephen, attended OSU. Bellmon provided the initial vision for OSU’s Scholar Development and Recognition program.

“Oklahoma State was very important to him, and scholar development was one of his passions,” Gragg says. “If my gift can help the brightest students at OSU pursue their dreams, I think Henry would be pleased by that.”

Robert Graalman, director of Scholar Development and Recognition, said alumni have always been supportive of his department, and this gift ensures the best of these programs will be available for a long time.

“Because it was given in recognition of Henry Bellmon, the person who inspired the office and the dreams of so many, that makes the gift all the more special and important,” Graalman says. “OSU is a model for scholar development programs nationally and, with this kind of financial support, also the envy of those who would like the same sort of opportunities for their students.”

Gragg’s long friendship with Bellmon plays heavily in two of his best stories. Gragg was a big fundraiser for Bellmon during the 1962 election, and Gragg was a respected friend of the previous governor, J. Howard Edmondson. Shortly after the election, the three men and their wives had dinner at Gragg’s home to discuss the transition. In 1963, Bellmon appointed Gragg state highway commissioner, and he went on to fill that role for two more governors.

Another of Gragg’s best memories involving Bellmon Hargis is the day Gragg received a telegram inviting him to the White House. He had dinner with President Eisenhower and 33 other people.

“Henry never confirmed this for me, but I always assumed I got the invitation because I had worked so hard to bring in our first Republican governor since statehood,” Gragg says.

“I just felt like my sons and my nephew should have a man of their voice on either ticket, so it was important to have an established two-party system.”

Professionally, Gragg’s accomplishments are too numerous to list. Among the highlights are building the first natural gas pipeline into Toronto in 1953 and building pipelines in 28 states.

Now he has made a gift that is every bit as impressive, empowering generations of OSU students to achieve the highest academic honors.

“This gift will provide life-changing support for our students.”

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A common-pl Ace book preserves A b i t o f o k l A h o m A ’ s s o c i A l h i s t o r y.

When one thinks of OSU, poetry may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But Tiffany Deason, a May 2010 American studies graduate of OSU-Tulsa and lover of old books, was a student in my 20th-century American Literature class last spring when she came across an extraordinary collection from a Tulsa estate sale on 151st just west of Hwy 75.

(continues on next page)

Story by Belin da Brun er / Photography by Phil Shockley 83

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An old journal discovered by recent graduate Tiffany Deason, right, inspires English professor Belinda Bruner, left, to ponder the book’s anonymous owner, its cryptic notes and forgotten poets.

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he leather-bound journal — full of early 20th-century poetry — that Tiffany shared with me is “branded for life” with the Seal of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of 1891 and documents both the poetic and the daily social and intellectual concerns of several residents of Stillwater’s formative years.

Before Facebook or Twitter, people with a passion for stories and language and cultural tidbits often kept what is known as a common-place book, a journal in which one might list dates of events, recipes or shopping lists, as well as write out poems or letters.

Tiffany and I realized the significance of this Aggie common-place book and spent much time speculating and sifting through clues as to a possible owner of this mostly hand-written journal. We were

also eager to figure out how old it might be. Though the binding of the journal displays the year 1891, the notes could have been written much later.

As I shared the journal with colleagues, OSU English Professor William Decker noted that it must have been written prior to Thomas H. Johnson’s publication of the complete and unedited collection of Emily Dickinson’s poetry in 1955 because the poems were copied down in the Aggie journal with Dickinson’s original editor’s corrections.

The keeper of the journal hand-copied 122 pages of poems and included a table of contents. The fact that I had never heard of many of the poets listed got me thinking about what might have been taught through the Aggie English department between the Great Depression and World War II.

The common-place book Tiffany and I explored over coffee contains poetry

by Emily Dickinson, Sara Teasdale, Joyce Kilmer, Rudyard Kipling, Edna St. Vincent Millay and John Greenleaf Whittier. However, the bulk of the journal consists of poets such as Marjorie Meeker Collins who have proven unable to retain the academic interest of today’s scholars.

This fact sheds light on the way literature is preserved and studied; while some authors make it into the canon of literary history, many more fade into obscurity.

In other words, many of the poets whose work was so caringly copied into the A&M journal were the “also-rans” of the early 20th-century poetry scene. (continues on next page)

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ut maybe the common-place book tells a more personal story. Who kept the journal — the book bears no identifying inscription — and why? Led by the bits of information I could find and my sometimes vivid imagination, I suggest Aggies may have been networking with government recruits for either personal or educational reasons.

Keeping a common-place book was a popular pastime before Twitter became a student’s primary mode of journaling his or her thoughts and observations and before Facebook became a network for finding old friends and teasingly commenting on others’ observations and activities.

Notes written in the journal led me to begin looking at the common-place book as a kind of networking system. As I studied the journal more closely, I noticed that the backs of several pages contained casual information, such as two McCall’s sewing pattern numbers, as well dates of social engagements and bits of home-spun wisdom.

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The names of several men listed as lieutenants presented me with a quandary: there was never a military base in Stillwater. I placed this puzzle between my father and Bonanza, which he sees with only tunnel vision in his good eye.

“Daddy, were there ever any troops housed in Stillwater, or any camps that went by military regulations and ranks?”

He focused on me long enough to remark, “the CCC camps,” referring to the Civilian Conservation Corps, one of President Roosevelt’s early job-creation programs.

As my father reclaimed the hazy cowboys on the screen of his large television for the visually-impaired, his moment of lucidity set pistols firing in me, for I had contemplated the possible meaning of a note reading “C.C.C. co. 810,” and listing four lieutenants, written on the back of “Memorial Sonnet” by Marjorie Meeker; a poem mourning the “cold uncomprehending eyes” of a love lost.

As I pondered the mystery of the Aggies and the CCC, I was fortunate to make contact with CCC historian Bob Nigh through the online James F. Justin Museum. I had many questions for him, such as how and why would a group of government laborers get their hands on a student’s collection of contemporaneous verse in the early days of Oklahoma A&M? I suspected social reasons or military conspiracies, but he informed me that members of the CCC sought educational opportunities whenever possible. Indeed, the study of poetry would have been quite the diversion from the hum-drum of K.P. or the indignities of latrine duty. (continues on next page)

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nd who is Mrs. B. Kanewske, author of many poems in the collection including “Friends” — “But fighting keeps my spirit strong / and I am undefeated still”? A college instructor? A sister whose journal of poetry was used by men of co. 810 to make notes of their lives? With paper being scarce during the Depression, a common-place book would have served the purpose of both textbook and diary.

Lt. Albert B. Duke of this company kept a scrapbook, and some of his collected material was copied into the journal, again, on the backs of pages of poetry. He was known as “the Duke of Stapp” where he and other young men served in the camps that were a starting point for the Works Progress/Projects Administration (WPA) of Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Lines from the radio show “Between the Bookends,” a show which grew from Ted Malone’s debut of poetry reading make an appearance. Whimsical scribbling, such as “Dear Little Juddy / With your knees all muddy / Where did you been last night?” found in the journal and posted by Duke, probably addresses Bert Judkins, who was apparently camp superintendent of co. 810. These young men obviously had more than poetry on their minds.

One can note that on Dec. 15, in either ’33 or ’34, (both years are scribbled in the journal) there was a “dance at Camp Barlow … Pat, Frank and I went … stayed over at officer’s quarters.” My research turned up a Camp Barlow in Oregon only — a long way to go for a dance!

Perhaps this common-place book did some traveling and served as a record of the connections between the home-base of co. 810, Stapp, Okla., and places as diverse as Oklahoma A&M, Fort Benning and South America.

Finally, one page bears the handwritten inscription “atabrine,” a cure for malaria, which is meaningfully underscored. If one uses the imagination, Stillwater may have been an underground center for the distribution of protection against bio-terrorism; less operatic, several of the CCC men may have gone on to serve in World War II and were issued a small amount of the substance.

Perhaps the leather-bound book containing “Things I Love” and “When I Am Dead” was simply the only paper the men could find upon which to hastily write their good-byes. If one’s imagination is somewhat outlandish, the men of co.

810 may have developed a love of poetry while educating themselves. Even dramatic performances were not unheard of among the mostly teen-aged men of these camps, keen to keep up with their cultural past while working for Oklahoma’s future.

“On e way or an o“ther, we have come to S“illwater, and writing is a way to preserve our journeys.“

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ll who are even vaguely connected to OSU may have a story to tell.

One way or another, we have come to Stillwater, and writing is a way to preserve our journeys.

Think back on your travels and connections, and keep record of these.

Eighty years from now scholars may find them fascinating, a young Poke may discover her or his taste for American poetry, or a fading old man may be stirred to memory evoked by the personal history of other Oklahomans because of your writing.

Whether the “tweet” is more permanent than the “sweet” of the commonplace book only time will tell, but a common-place book can be treasured for decades. This hand-written legacy will be housed in the Edmon Low Library for all to enjoy.

Belinda Bruner is a visiting assistant professor in OSU’s English department and an alumna who holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in English from OSU. She taught at Ithaca College in New York before joining the OSU faculty in 2001.

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Oklahoma Youth Expo, Touchstone partner to memorialize alumnus through OSU scholarship By all accounts, Justin Whitefield was a go-getter and a problem-solver. It took the Paoli, Okla., native only three years to secure his general business degree from OSU in 1994, and he followed that by earning his law degree from the University of Oklahoma.

His professional career saw him doing three jobs he loved. He was the first executive director of the Oklahoma Youth Expo, a lobbyist representing rural organizations at the state capitol and also a racehorse owner.

He had a wife, Clyda, and two children — son Derby, now 11, and daughter Kennedy, now 8.

But his life was tragically cut short when his airplane crashed in Arkansas on Nov. 4, 2006.

Among Whitefield’s legacies is how he took the Oklahoma Youth Expo, formed in 2001, and made it the world’s largest junior livestock show. And in the process, he focused on increasing the organization’s payouts and scholarship opportunities.

Whitefield’s best friend, Jeramy Rich, is a 1996 agricultural economics graduate who worked with Whitefield at Oklahoma Farm Bureau and then succeeded him as executive director of the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

“During Justin’s first year with the youth expo, we gave away a $1,000 scholarship,” Rich says. “When he passed away four years later, we were giving away in excess of $200,000, all to students who attend college in Oklahoma.”

The numbers continue to grow and the scholarships surpassed $300,000 last year.

Now the Oklahoma Youth Expo has partnered with Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, which deliver power and energy solutions to more than 40 million members daily, to create the Justin Whitefield/Touchstone Energy Endowed Scholarship through a $50,000 gift to the OSU Foundation. It qualifies for the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, which will push the endowment to $125,000.

Once fully endowed, this fund will produce $6,250 per year in scholarships for OSU students who participated in the Oklahoma Youth Expo.

Clyda says her husband would have been “truly honored” by this tribute.

“He always said he felt like the FFA program made him who he was because it gave him all the connections he needed, and

Justin Whitefield through those connections he was able to go to OSU, and that led to his career,” she says. “He was really motivated and wanted to give back so other kids coming out of small towns could have the opportunity to be successful, too.”

The key to Whitefield’s success was his drive. During his time in Stillwater, he worked as an intern — though he was treated more like a regular employee by Harry Birdwell, then OSU’s vice president of business and external relations.

“He only had two speeds — off and on. And the ‘on’ was at warp speed,” Birdwell says. “He lived his life that way. That’s why he achieved so much in such a short period of time. He didn’t understand what ‘no’ meant or what ‘rest’ means. He just lived life fully and crammed more into 33 years than most people do in 80.”

Scott Williams, commercial and industrial marketing manager for Western Farmers Electric Co-op, a part of the Touchstone Co-op, worked with Whitefield to boost the scholarship output of the youth expo.

“I would bounce something off him, and he’d figure out a way to make it work,” Williams says. “There was not anything in his body that said ‘no.’

“This scholarship is a great venue for us to invest in the youth of Oklahoma through the Oklahoma Youth Expo, and we were glad to do it in Justin’s name.”

Rich echoes Williams’ sentiments.

“This is really a tribute to show that someone who won’t take ‘no’ for an answer, doesn’t have ‘no’ in his vocabulary, can achieve more than anyone ever dreamed,” Rich says. “No one ever dreamed that this program could be what it is today, and Justin just believed there is no reason it couldn’t be.

“He created a premier in-state scholarship program in Oklahoma. It is difficult to quantify the number of young people who are affected and who have opportunities today they would not have without Justin’s leadership.”

For more information on the Justin Whitefield/Touchstone Energy Endowed Scholarship or other student scholarships, contact info@OSUgiving.com. For more details on the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, visit OSUgiving.com/PickensMatch.aspx.

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This offer is only available to Association members from November 29 through December 20, but your paver will become a permanent fixture of the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center at OSU. To purchase your discounted paver, contact Deborah Shields at 405.744.6366 or visit orangeconnection.org/paverdiscount.

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An Unforgettable Legacy Potential scholarship will honor former wrestler Ray Murphy

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was gripped by paralysis and required around-the-clock care and medical assistance in breathing.

“One of Ray’s best qualities was that never once in 40 years did he complain Ray Murphy was one of the most inspirational men to graduate or feel bitter about his accident,” Blazer from OSU. A two-time Division-I All-American wrestler, an honor says. “I went over to his house one or two student and a life-altering spinal cord injury defining his name, Murphy times a week and he always cheered me up if I was ever feeling sorry for myself or changed the lives of many who know the story of the Tulsa native. going through a tough time in my life. I After his death on July 20, 2010, at age 63, OSU athletics was inspired would walk away thinking, ‘What am I complaining about?’” to endow a scholarship in his name.

In spite of his spinal cord injury, In honor of Murphy, the annual distribution of buckets by Murphy had many achievements throughout his lifetime. members of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the athletic departFollowing his accident, he was actively involved in the development to help defray his medical expenses continued at the Bedlam ment of a sip-and-puff environmental unit that provided a way football game. But this year the funds will go for Murphy to operate mechanical devices such toward the Ray Murphy Endowed Scholarship. as computers and light switches and complete “Our goal is to reach $250,000,” says Dave various other tasks.

Martin, senior associate athletic director. “It’s In 1988, Murphy received an associate’s the least we can do to honor such an amazing degree in computer programming from Tulsa guy with an incredible will to live. He is such an Community College. He graduated as valeinspiration to others.” dictorian with a 4.0 grade-point average. The If the gifts and pledges meet that goal, following year he received national recognition the total will qualify for the Pickens Legacy as Handicapped Person of the Year. He was Scholarship Match, which will provide a onealso named the 1990 Citizen of the Year by and-a-half-times match on their pledge from his the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Association and estate. Thus the fund will be worth $625,000 received the National Wrestling Hall of Fame once fully endowed.

Medal of Courage Award in 1998.

“T. Boone Pickens was a very active donor Murphy was the longest-living quadriplegic to the Ray Murphy Fund when Ray was still on a respirator. alive,” says Jim Blazer, a fraternity brother and Blazer believes the recipient of the Ray head of the Ray Murphy Fund. “He has a heart Murphy Endowed Scholarship should be a bigger than what people realize. People “There were three things that prolonged Ray’s life — his faith, his like Boone Pickens and Ray Murphy, who show so much compassion for OSU, truly friends and his love for OSU,” Blazer says. “Ray lived for all things inspire others.”

OSU, and he loved the university more than anything. He would listen Murphy brought distinction to OSU to the radio if a game wasn’t on TV, or he’d go online and read about in the late 1960s. In 1967, he gained the attention of Coach Myron Roderick after academics, sports, new facilities, everything. He would read articles winning a fraternity intramurals wrestling in the newspaper. That’s what Ray lived for.” match for Sigma Phi Epsilon. That earned Murphy a spot on the Cowboy roster. He wrestler who exemplifies the qualities of a loyal and compassionwas co-captain of the 1968 national championship team. As a ate student-athlete. senior in 1969, he placed second in the 145-pound weight class at “My only hope is that we give this scholarship to someone the NCAA tournament. who has a heart for putting others before himself,” Blazer says.

“Ray was the best of the bunch,” Blazer says. “He was the “He must first be a student, then an athlete, just like Ray. I hope coolest guy in our fraternity before there was the term ‘cool guy.’ we will be able to impact a student’s life, just like Ray impacted He was definitely somebody the guys looked up to. He never mine and several others.” drank and if he did it was just a beer or two. He was very respectK at i e a n n R o b i n s o n ful of women and had a strong faith. He was my best friend.”

While working on his MBA, Murphy participated in an EastWest All-Star Match organized by the United States Wrestling Federation in 1970. In a freestyle match, Murphy was thrown to the mat in an illegal hold and landed directly on his head, paralyzing him from the neck down. For the remainder of his life, Ray

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OSU honors educator and athlete Chester Pittman with the 2010 Trailblazer Award.

Chester Pittman An ‘Unsung Hero,’ & OSU Trailblazer For nearly a decade, the OSU Black Alumni Association has honored a pioneering black alumnus or alumna with the annual Trailblazer Award for success

achieved at the university and within his or her profession and community.

“Trailblazers are people who did some amazing things during a time when many people didn’t think blacks were capable of achieving great things. But they did,” says Sam Robertson, vice president of the OSU Black Alumni Association and chair of the marketing and media committee.

This year, Chester Pittman, the first African-American to letter in sports at OSU, was honored with the 2010 Trailblazer Award during the Black Alumni Scholarship Weekend of Homecoming 2010, including recognition at the OSU vs. Nebraska football game.

“Chester Pittman not only impacted the university but also alumni and staff,” says Sam Combs, president of the OSU Black Alumni Association. “He has influenced countless students as an athlete, coach, teacher and school administrator.”

Pittman and his six siblings grew up on a farm about two miles west of Wewoka, Okla. He attended Wewoka Douglass High School and played for the football team. Integration brought the opportunity for students to meet recruiters from local universities and, ultimately,

resulted in Pittman’s college scholarship.

Although recruited by several universities, Pittman chose OSU because of the good things he had heard about it from Ed Orwig, a dairy plant owner whom Pittman worked for during high school.

Pittman says he is honored to receive the Trailblazer Award.

“My greatest concern as a student was going to OSU and getting a degree,” Pittman says. “I wasn’t trying to set any records, but I am pleased with this honor.”

After graduating from OSU in 1961 with a degree in physical education, Pittman taught at Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kan., for more than 10 years. He also coached sports, including football, wrestling and cross country. Pittman later moved into administration and eventually retired after more than three decades in the public schools system.

“Chester Pittman is probably one of the most unsung heroes we have ever awarded,” Robertson says.

Pittman says returning to campus during homecoming was meaningful. “You do anything you can to stay connected to the place that gave you an education,” he says.

Tulsa Chapter rebrands its ‘Young Alumni’

Live Orange Just like new parents searching for a perfect name, members of the Tulsa Alumni Chapter’s Young Alumni group were on a similar quest in early 2009.

Although the group was doing well, the committee members felt the name “young alumni” was too exclusive and that the group was losing participation because of it. The leaders agreed it was important to engage young alumni, but it was more important to bring in all alumni.

“When do you stop being a ‘young’ alum?” asks Michael Price, a Tulsa Chapter member who helped reframe

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Left: Jose Rodriquez,’05, and Jessi Brewer, ’07. Right: Sarah Thompson, ’06, and Shemarr Thompson, ’05, with their future cowboy, Scott. the young alumni group. “OSU is different from other universities in that we are all a family, whether we’re in school or out of school.”

The committee members wanted all Tulsa alumni to feel welcome to socialize and reconnect, says Adonis Brewer, another committee chair who led the revamping of the young alumni group.

Several Tulsa Chapter members, including Brewer,

Price and Chris Dorsey, decided the name of the group was important enough to change and presented the idea to the Tulsa Alumni Chapter Board, which agreed.

Tulsa Chapter board member Mary Bea Drummond proposed taking the idea to her marketing class at OSU-Tulsa to get the students’ perspective on what it would take to rebrand the group.

Price and Dorsey went to Drummond’s Promotional Strategies class during the spring 2009 semester to present the problem.

Afterward, Drummond divided the class into three groups and instructed them to develop an integrated marketing plan to rebrand the alumni group.

The students were given basic background information, promotional goals and budgets and told to create a comprehensive media and advertising strategy.

The winning plan, Live Orange, focuses on utilizing free social media outlets such as Facebook and moving away from the group’s “lifeless and unattractive” website and from traditional email. (continues next page)

(from Live Orange) Kevin Stauffer, one of the students who created the concept of Live Orange, says his group focused on fostering fellowship among all alumni, overcoming the stigma that alumni groups are only out for dues and, their biggest challenge, overcoming their nonexistent budget.

“The main message behind Live Orange is to take the values and experiences encompassed in an OSU education and incorporate them into your alumni years,” Stauffer says.

The Live Orange plan also focuses on involving both older and younger demographics in consistent, weekly events such as Live Orange happy hours and Show Your Orange Sundays.

Price and Brewer say Drummond’s marketing class did a good job rebranding the young alumni group and presenting the winning idea to the Tulsa Alumni Chapter board.

“The students’ plan was very professional and comprehensive and embodied what it is to be OSU alumni,” Price says.

The Live Orange group membership ranges in age from 22 to 81. Alumni get together often for a variety of events, including bowling parties, watch parties and the popular Summer Fifth Night, a tailgate event at Tulsa’s Utica Square.

“Like all alumni chapters, Live Orange is about getting people of all ages back together and getting them to reconnect through a number of different events,” Brewer says. “We have a common bond, which is OSU.” S T O r i e S by S T e p h a n i e K . Tay L O r

To learn more about the Tulsa Chapter’s Live Orange group, visit orangeconnection.org/tulsa or search for the Live Orange Tulsa group on Facebook.

Edwin Moore ‘Walks the Walk’ The seventh of 11 boys, Edwin Stanton Moore was always told he would be lucky.

And he’s had many achievements throughout his lifetime.

But Moore says his greatest luck has been having a close-knit family, a career as a coach and teacher and the time he spent as an OSU student.

“I never dreamed of going to college,” Moore says. “I’ve got a good family and had a good life.”

Moore received the 2010 american indian alumni Distinguished alumni award in September during a reception at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center.

“I didn’t expect it,” Moore says, “but if I qualify for it, I accept it.”

The award is given every year by the American Indian Alumni Association to a graduate who demonstrates volunteer service, a strong professional career and leadership within his family and tribe, says Lillian Williams, former president of the American Indian Alumni Association.

“Mr. Moore walks the walk, and he is a man of honor,” she says. “When he did something, he did it 110 percent, and that’s the thing that stands out about him.”

Moore grew up on Half-Moon Ranch near Morris, Okla., the son of William and

Leona Moore. In 1939, he started school at OSU, then Oklahoma A&M, where he was involved in ROTC, basketball and football.

He graduated with a degree in education in 1941.

Moore taught and coached in Chilocco and Phoenix, Ariz., before serving in World War II. After his military service, Moore taught in South Dakota and then returned to OSU to complete a master’s in 1952.

Afterward, he accepted a position at the Sequoyah Indian School in Tahlequah, Okla., where he worked as a teacher, principal and superintendent. At retirement, Moore was area director for the Bureau of Education office in Muskogee, Okla.

“I fulfilled my wish to teach Indian students,” he says. “I wanted to teach them and help them have a better way of life.”

Moore also served in the education division of the Department of Interior for 37 years. It is this service, as well as his military and athletic background, which Williams says underscores Moore’s worthiness to win the distinguished alumni award.

Moore says he continues to stay involved with OSU through his memberships with the O-Club and as a life member of the OSU Alumni Association. He advises current Native American students at OSU to study hard, which he says is the key to succeeding.

“You can do well with a degree from OSU,” Moore says. “If you do your best, then you can make it.”

Honoring Edwin Moore, seated, are, left to right, Native American Student Association adviser Robin Williams and students Morgan Ray, former secretary; Dalton Kelley, president and co-treasurer; Khirstin Two Crow, vice president and co-treasurer; and Valerie Rudman, 2010 Miss American Indian OSU.

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95 Rounded part 96 Cosine's partner Drink 98 Under 112 lbs. in boxing 99 101 "Fore" yeller 102 Biblical food 103 Ghost's greeting 105 Cease 106 Poisonous snake 108 With 30A, ___ 110 Pickens ___ 113 Not downed 115 Giant 117 Insect in a cocoon Coaxed 121 Russian ruler 122 Goof 123 Young woman Stare 126 Indecent language 127 Lingerie 128 Down duck 130 Not good 133 Hop 134 Goddess 136 With 104D, ___ ___ 137 Library 138 Telegraphic signal 141 Southwestern Indian 144

Anger Stir up Female sheep With 102D, ___ ___ Root vegetable Quickly Lotion brand Atmosphere Yang's partner Weep Legitimate Northwest by north Ring, like bells "Hungry __" (children's game) Warning bell Chitchat Light Emitting Diode South by east 1997 Madonna movie Walk quietly Offensive nature Warning Aborts Utopian Women's magazine Bare scalp National ___ ___ Phi Epsilon

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Don’t let time pass you by...

Being part of the Oklahoma State University family has many benefits, one of them being the unique advantage you have when it comes to shopping for insurance.

Because you are grouped with your fellow alumni, you may get lower rates than those quoted on an individual basis.

Plans offered to Alumni: • 10-year Level Term Life Insurance • Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Plan • Short-term Medical • Major Medical Insurance • Long-term Care Insurance Plan • Disability Income Insurance Program Put your OSU advantage to good use by calling 1-888-560-ALUM (2586), or visiting orangeconnection.org/benefits today.

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The Power and Beauty of Oral History

Voices and stories are keys to KOSU’s mission of public service. They are also at the heart of Juliana Nykolaiszyn’s life work. An oral historian for the OSU library, Juliana also hosts Then and Now, a weekly KOSU feature that airs Wednesdays at 9:17 a.m. and 4:44 p.m. on 91.7 FM, 107 FM and kosu.org.

Listen to KOSU anytime, anywhere, through live audio streams at www.kosu.org.

In central Oklahoma tune your radio dial to 91.7 FM or in northeastern Oklahoma to 107.5 FM.

Did you know?

• Sign-on: 1955 • Owner: Oklahoma State University • Frequencies: 91.7, 107.5 • Internet: www.kosu.org • Format: News, classical and jazz music • Local news focus: State legislature, business, people • Awards: 16 national journalism awards • Funding: listener contributions • Membership: $55 • Tower Climbers Club: $550 annually

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Each week, Juliana Nykolaiszyn selects inter- to providing access to oral history materials in a digital environment, Juliana shares a unique esting segments from a larger oral history interfacet of the OSU library with the community in view conducted by the OSU library’s Oklahoma Stillwater and beyond.

Oral History Research Program and packages Juliana has conducted numerous interviews the conversations for broadcast.

Then & Now is an outlet for the OSU library as an oral historian. One of her favorites was a conversation in December 2007 with Ruth to connect oral history with specific events or Myers Lincoln. At 110 years subjects and share those old, Ruth was the oldest stories with KOSU listeners. living Oklahoma A&M “I think I take something graduate (OAMC class of away from every interview I 1919) at the time of her death am involved with,” Juliana in 2009. says. “No matter the role, “During the interview, from interviewer to editor, I she touched her knees to her connect with the material nose, sang a few bars of the and the subject matter and alma mater and told jokes,” find myself becoming more Juliana says. “Ruth still had closely tied to the fabric that a great outlook on life and is Oklahoma.” enjoyed every minute of it.”

Juliana is uniquely trained Juliana says preserving to produce Then & Now. the voices of Ruth and others Born and raised in Miami, as they describe historical Fla., Juliana worked at the Juliana Nykolaiszyn events or their connection Florida State University to Oklahoma and the land is a vastly important radio station during her undergraduate years as learning resource for future generations. a communications major. At WVFS-FM, she “Oral history is both a powerful and beautilearned all about audio, production and conductful first-person record of the past that can serve ing interviews. us well in the future if we take the time After completing her undergraduate and to listen.” graduate work and brief stints in television production and sports marketing for minor league sports teams in Mississippi, Juliana became a librarian. She accepted a visiting appointment with OSU in 2007 and this year was promoted to a tenure track position with Kelly Burley the library.

KOSU Executive Director Working in oral history is not exactly what Juliana had in mind when she decided to become Interview transcripts from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program are available online a librarian. But she says it combines the best of at www.library.okstate.edu/oralhistory. Interview both worlds. materials (audio, video, transcripts) are also availShe is able to serve the library beyond the able in person at the OSU library, room 207. physical walls of the building by airing these stories on the radio. From conducting interviews

Stillwater-world headquarters okc-penn square Enid-Oakwood Shawnee-Shawnee Muskogee-Arrowhead Ardmore-Mountain View

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tulsa-woodland hills Mall Mall Mall Mall

Lawton-Central Mall tulsa-promenade mall Edmond-quail springs mall norman-sooner fashion mall

C l a s s n o t e s

’30s

’50s Al Sayer, ’50, arch st, and his wife, Ruth, celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary June 12. Al is a retired architect.

Ramona Parker Buescher, ’51, elem ed, is a proud great-grandmother.

George McAnelly, ’38, civ eng, and his wife, Louella, celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary this year with a trip to Hawaii. George and Louella met in Stillwater while attending Oklahoma A&M College, and they married Sept. 24, 1938. George served during World War II for four years and worked for the Phillips Petroleum Company for more than 30 years until he retired in 1972. They have two children, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

’40s Walter R. Harvey, ’42, an sci, is a retired Ohio State University professor who celebrated his 91st birthday earlier this year. He still hits the golf course three times a week.

Clinton S. Goodman, ’47, bus and pub admin, and Frances K. Goodman, also a former student, are excited that their oldest grandson, Adam, is getting married in the spring.

Ebba Jensen Johnson, ’47, HEECS, has been the public relations representative for Zion Lutheran Church in Lahoma for 20 years. Ebba is expecting to welcome a 12th greatgrandchild into the family in March.

Bruce E. Honeycutt, ’48, psych, celebrated 59 years of marriage to Leola last September. They have four children, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Bruce is a retired Angus cattle breeder.

Thomas E. Gaines, ’49, mgmt, is retired and has three children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Donald P. Schnacke, ’51, mech eng, is a licensed professional engineer and attorney who works in Topeka, Kan. Gov. Mark Parkinson re-appointed Donald to the board of directors of Kansas Inc. earlier this year. Donald has also served on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission for many years.

Karleen F. DeBlaker, ’52, gen ad, has two children and four grandchildren. She is working on establishing an OSU electrical engineering scholarship in honor of her husband, Charles “Chuck” J. DeBlaker, ’54, elec eng, who passed away in December 2009 at the age of 82.

Kathleen has two children and four grandchildren.

Alvin W. Stuart, ’52, ind eng, and his wife, Jean Stuart, ’52, HEECS, have recently enjoyed cruises to Canada, Alaska, Europe, Panama and the Caribbean.

John Lee Thomas, ’52, agron is retired and says he is growing “older and older, tireder and tireder.” John is married to Evelyn C. Thomas.

Dean Loshbaugh, ’53, ind arts ed, ’58, M.S., and Billie Scarborough Loshbaugh, ’49, pre-med, and their family have received a total of nearly 18 degrees from OSU so far.

John Taylor, ’53, agron, and his wife, Gloria, celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary last July.

Barney Kirkpatrick, ’54, mech eng, and Mary Kirkpatrick, ’54, home life, like going to OSU football games and visiting their five grandchildren.

Kenneth D. Anderson, ’56, an sci, ’87, M.S., ag, and his wife, Barbara, who is also a former student, welcomed a new great-granddaughter, Emery Jean, into their family this year.

Victor E. Bailey, ’57, ed/admin, is married to Mary and continues to practice law.

Sam F. Cheesman, ’58, DVM, is a staff veterinarian at Oak Park Animal Hospital in Pine Bluff, Ark. His grandson, Will, is interested in attending OSU after he graduates high school.

Ronal McMurtrey, ’58, ag econ, and his wife, Marguerite Gower McMurtrey, ’59, bus ed, are retired and rent their farms to their son, Douglas McMurtrey, ’87, agron, and grandson, Curtis. Ronal continues to work with them in their notill farming operation in Cherokee and Helena. Curtis recently married Blythe Bowers, a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

William Story, ’59, bus, is president and CEO of Oil International Ltd. He is married to Christina, and their daughter, Caroline, is a second-year student at Texas A&M University.

’60s Tim Khatib, ’60, M.S., civ eng, and his wife, Linda, who were originally married in Stillwater, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 10.

They also set off on a few trips to Arizona, South Carolina, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Kansas earlier this year. Tim and Linda have a married daughter, Rhonda, and a grandson, Matt.

Gary W. Johnson, ’64, elec eng, is an aerospace consultant for Science Applications International Corporation in Houston, Texas. He is married to Coe Ann, who is also a former OSU student. They were happy to see their grandson, Christopher, begin his freshman year at OSU for the 2010 fall semester.

Richard Skinner, ’64, M.S., chem eng, ’67, Ph.D., and his wife, Sandra Skinner, ’60, FRCD, ’64, M.S., first met while attending OSU. Their three daughters chose to follow in their footsteps and also graduated from the university.

G. Ray Hamby, ’65, zoo, retired from pediatric dentistry earlier this year. He also married Judi Hensley in April, and they now have four children and six grandchildren between them.

Thomas A. Luckinbill, ’65, hist, and his wife, Rhonda, celebrated the birth of their newest grandson, Holland, in March. Thomas and Rhonda have 10 grandchildren in all.

Charles F. (Chic) D a m b a c h , ’67, speech, published his memoirs in Exhaust the Limits, the Life and Times of a G l o b a l Pe a c emaker. The book is dedicated to OSU speech professor and debate coach Dale Stockton, who died in 1970. Dambach is president and CEO of Alliance for Peacebuilding in Washington, D.C. Mary Winstead Bonner, ’68, Ed.D., elem ed, and her husband, Thomas Edison Bonner, ’67, Ed.D., spec ed, retired as full-tenured professors from Emporia State University in 1986. Thomas passed away in 2004, and Mary is writing The Dr. Thomas Bonner and Dr. Mary Winstead Bonner Memoirs.

Jim Early, ’68, ag econ, and his wife, Judy, are excited that their granddaughter, Laine Croft, became the

Keep Us Posted!

Whether you’ve changed jobs or last names or added a new Cowboy or Cowgirl to the mix, we want to hear about it!

Members of the OSU Alumni Association can submit classnotes for publication in the STATE magazine and on the orangeconnection.org website.

To submit information, visit orangeconnection.org and click on Update Your Information or contact us by phone at 405-744-5368 or by mail at 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 74078-7043, c/o Classnotes.

101

Classnotes

Smelling Danger Mitchell Cady’s partner, Wynett, loves to chase balls and fetch sticks. But when it’s time to work, “She snaps right to it. She knows what to do.”

Cady, ’05, fire prot and safety tech, is one of three inspectors/ investigators for the Manchester Fire Department, which serves the New Hampshire mill town’s 110,000 residents with a force of 250 uniformed employees and 10 fire houses.

“Typically, Wynett is laid-back, fun-loving, and she loves to please,” says Cady, the sole person certified to work with the 3-year-old English yellow Labrador. “But on the job, she becomes a completely different dog.”

Cady and Wynett became the first accelerant detection K-9 team for a New Hampshire municipality in August 2009 with a grant from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Wynett transforms from friendly pooch to crime-busting canine when Cady displays her food pouch during a fire investigation or public demonstration.

Trained to associate a food reward with alerting Cady to ignitable liquids, Wynett can detect about 25 chemicals by their odor.

“The only time she eats is when she’s working or training.

There have been busy work days when she’s eaten a lot more than her two cups of food a day,” Cady says. “But Labs love to eat. A high food drive is one of the criteria the program looks for when screening dogs.”

When the pouch isn’t in sight, Wynett is free to ignore those same ubiquitous odors in gas stations and garages.

Crime-scene investigations take Cady and Wynett to burning buildings and smoldering cars as well as wooded lots or fields where evidence might be hidden or discarded.

“Wynett is a very specialized tool that gives us a much quicker turnaround to collect evidence and bring criminals to justice,” Cady says. “We are very fortunate to have this dog. Without Wynett, it might take days to determine where samples should be collected. But with her help we can do it in a matter of hours.”

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Mitchell Cady and Wynett, a 3-year-old English Labrador retriever, became the first accelerant detection K-9 team for a New Hampshire city government in 2009.

Materials Wynett indicates as evidence must be corroborated by a lab to be admissible in court. “We’re certified as a team, so I’m the only one who can work her at an incident to collect evidence, and I’m the only one who can testify on her behalf,” he says.

“Our job as investigators is to put the whole picture together.

She doesn’t replace an investigator, but she’s a huge timesaver by helping us narrow our focus and take more accurate samples.”

Cady’s interest in fire protection began while earning an associate’s degree in fire science at New Hampshire Community Technical College. Two of his professors, Gary Courtney and Thomas Dawson, are alumni of OSU’s fire protection and safety technology program.

“I was fortunate to have them as professors,” Cady says. “I realized OSU’s program was something I wanted to do. OSU’s emphasis on the scientific and engineering aspects of fire prevention has made me an even better fire investigator.”

At OSU, Cady also met his future wife, Jessica (Underwood) Cady, an industrial engineering major. They both graduated in 2005 and moved to New Hampshire, where she works for WhippleHill Communications assisting schools with website development, web marketing and project management.

Wynett lives with the couple and their dog, Shelby, who doesn’t seem to mind that Wynett accompanies Cady to work every day.

Cady says there are no days off for people with a canine partner. Even on days he doesn’t work, Cady must organize training exercises so he can reward her with food. In one typical exercise, he sets out 20 burned cans, each containing different items, and Wynett must decipher those laced with accelerants.

“She works over them, and when she gives me an alert on the ones with the ignitable liquids, she gets her food,” Cady says. “For her, it’s a game.”

Working with Wynett requires extra effort and a full-time commitment, Cady says. “But at the end of the day, the results are worth it. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.”

Janet Varnum

OSU Spirit Rider this year. Jim is a warehouseman for McJunkin Redman Corporation.

Richard Fang, ’69, M.S., hort, and his wife, Marian, now live in Monrovia, Calif., and have two granddaughters: Lauren, 11, and Katie, 6.

E. Dwayne Walls, ’69, ag ed, has worked for Bennington State Bank for 39 years and is the bank’s executive vice president. He is married to Shari and says that their grandson, Chase, already wears orange.

’70s Pamela McLaughlin Cobb, ’71, is a former OSU student who recently retired from working in the Fort Worth Independent School District. Pamela is married to Michael Cobb and immensely enjoying retirement.

Roger Walker, ’73, mech eng, ’74, M.S., is a reliability engineer for Aera Energy LLC in Bakersfield, Calif. Roger turned 60 on July 4. He and his wife, Susan, are excited about becoming grandparents this year.

Brenda (Farabough) Blohm, ’75, soc, ’77, psych, is married to Charles.

Their daughter, Candace Blohm, ’08, nutri, recently married Ross Michael Ward, ’08, civ eng.

Steve Mills, ’75, journ, married Mikki almost three years ago in Venice, Italy.

They have two 3-year-old grandsons, Noah and Damian, who are Pistol Pete Partners and join Steve and Mikki during OSU football games. Steve is vice president of managed care for Essilor of America.

Elizabeth “Liz” Burns, ’78, journ, ’86, M.S., curr/inst, is beginning her 11th year as principal of Childers Middle School in Broken Arrow. Liz is the proud aunt of recent OSU graduate Leuren and current OSU student Gregory.

Don Henderson, ’79, ag econ, is a self-employed real estate appraiser and married to Marcia (Nicholson) Henderson, ’79, bus ed. Their youngest son, Jeff, began his sophomore year at OSU in the fall.

’80s Gregory S. Burns, ’80, an sci, and his wife, Cheryl, have four children.

Gregory is a self-employed cattle rancher.

Mark D. Conkling, ’81, agron, is a resource specialist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service under the United States Department of Agriculture. Mark is married to Debra A. Conkling, ’84, ag comm., and their son Gavin recently graduated from Truman State University. Their son Aaron is a junior and a residential assistant at OSU. Bob Kilpatrick, ’84, acctg, Ph.D., received the Arizona Society of CPAs’ 2009 Excellence in Teaching Award.

Bob has taught at Northern Arizona University for 22 years.

Janice Cooper, ’85, fin, began teaching for the first time this fall as a third-grade teacher for the Allen Independent School District in Texas.

Janice is married to Scott, and their son, Grant, became a freshman at OSU last fall.

Carol Ring­rose Alexander, ’86, Span/journ, is executive vice president of Retirement Investment Advisors. She was selected as one of “50 Making a Difference” for The Journal Record’s Woman of the Year. Earlier in the year, her company was also awarded the 2010 Compass Award in the small business category from the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium.

Cynthia (Weatherman) Harvey, ’86, org admin, was promoted to supervisor in February for HHSARegional Services. Cynthia is married to Ed. Jeff Fair, ’87, Ed.D., higher ed, was recently promoted to associate athletic director for sports medicine at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Jeff is married to Carolyn Fair, ’90, M.S., higher ed.

William R. Harl, ’87, ag econ, accepted a job offer from McDermott Engineering in June, and he now works as a controls manager.

William, his wife, Shannon R. Harl,

’88, rec, and the rest of the Harl family are doing fine in Tomball, Texas.

Donald retired from public education work in May 2007.

Steven R. Hickey ’87, speech comm, was promoted to bereavement coord i n a to r a t C o m panion Health Services. The company has of fices in Edmond and Guthrie, Okla.

Chad Bilby, ’95, an sci, is a marketing lead for Monsanto. Chad, his wife, Brooke, and his daughter, Morgan, welcomed Cole into their family in February.

’90s Darcy J. Asuaje Alezones, ’90, fire prot and saf, is the safety, health and environment manager at SalonCentric, a L’Oréal distribution center in Tulsa.

She is working on implementing a safety culture within the organization.

Darin­ K.­ Behara, ’90, pol sci, is director of Student Life at Oklahoma City Community College. Darin is married to Shelli D. Behara. Their daughter, Laurin, was born in February 2006, and their son, Luke, was born in October 2009.

John C. Harnard, ’90, acctg, ’91, M.S., recently became president and CEO of Epworth Retirement Community in Oklahoma City. John was previously the founding executive director of Tallgrass Creek, an Erickson retirement community in Overland Park, Kan. He was senior vice president of operations for RehabWorks for the eastern half of the United States and a partner with CPA and advisory firm Baird, Kurtz & Dobson before that. John is also on the board of directors for the Kansas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. He received a master’s degree in theological studies from Ave Maria University in Florida and is a licensed nursing home administrator and certified public accountant in Oklahoma.

Jill­Sutter, ’92, HRAD, is director of K-12 sales for Horizon Software. Jill and her husband, Craig, welcomed their daughter, Neve, into the world in February.

Donald McCroskey, ’94, M.S., appl beh st, enjoys spending his time volunteering when he isn’t traveling.

Ryan Riffer, ’96, chem eng, and his wife, Misty, are excited about moving to Paris for his job.

Evelyn Faye Woods, ’96, ag comm, is an assistant dean for Student Affairs at Northeastern State University.

Evelyn received her doctorate in college student personnel from the University of Louisville in December 2009.

Jennifer (Barnes) Schutter, ’97, ag ed, 01, M.S., hort, and her husband, David, welcomed a second son, Jason, into the family this year.

His older brother, Justin, is 3 years old.

Jennifer is a horticulture specialist for the University of Missouri Extension.

Matt Brown, ’98, M.S., appl beh st, is OSU’s director of Residential Life.

His wife, Carla Brown, ’98, elem ed, started a new job as lead teacher at the College of Human Environmental Science’s Cleo L. Craig Foundation Child Development Laboratory.

Ty Griffith, ’98, bio sci, and his wife, Ann Griffith, ’99, sec ed, recently moved to Maryville, Mo. Ty is vice president of operations and planning at St. Francis Hospital & Health Services.

Sabra (Meyers) Olsen, ’98, an sci, ’01, DVM, works for Pitman Animal Hospital. Sabra and her husband, Brian, welcomed a new addition, Jacob Anders Olsen, to their family in March.

Carol Newstadtler, ’99, MBA, is seeking a job in which she can offer her professional finance expertise concerning outlooking, budgeting, hyperion and pricing. She is married to Kevin Newstadtler.

Kari Rains, ’99, comm sci and disdr, ’01, M.S., FRCD, puts a humorous spin on growing up and living life in rural Oklahoma in her f irst book, Shakespeare Makes Me Puke, which was published this year.

Kari is a former OSU basketball player

103

IN THEIR OWN WORDS Listen to audio excerpts of OSU alumni sharing their compelling life stories and college memories or read their interview transcripts at www.library.okstate.edu/oralhistory/ostate

World-Class Athlete and OSU Trailblazer Orlando Hazley positively impacted the lives of thousands of young people during his notable career in education.

O

rlando Hazley, the first African-American sports letterman at OSU, was already a nationally known sprinter before he enrolled at OSU in January 1956.

After graduating from high school in 1952 in Enid, Okla., Hazley attended Langston University for one year and joined the Army in 1954. He qualified for the U.S. military services’ world track meet in Rome, N.Y., where he won the 100-yard dash and was a member of the first-place 440-yard relay team.

In a 2009 interview for the O-STATE Stories project of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program, Hazley shares his life story, including the day legendary OSU track coach Ralph Higgins offered him a scholarship to OSU. Hazley was a participant in the 1954 national Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) track meet in Colorado when his coach introduced him to Higgins. Hazley accepted both a ride back to Enid with Coach Higgins and a scholarship offer to attend OSU after completing his military obligation.

Two years later, Hazley enrolled at OSU and married his wife, Velda, the following summer. His highly successful college career includes Big 8 Conference championships and winning performances at regional and national track meets. At a meet in Arkansas he ran a wind-aided 9.3 seconds 100-yard dash that equaled the world record.

Former teammates remember Hazley as dedicated, disciplined and hard working, as both an athlete and a student.

Hazley recalls that many of the younger athletes “would come to me with their problems”; and his home became a gathering place for his fellow black athletes. Hazley says teammates accepted him, but he also remembers discrimination at eating and lodging establishments when he traveled with the team.

After graduation in 1960, Hazley began an impressive coaching and teaching career, first in Oklahoma City and, beginning in 1966, at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, where he was a classroom teacher, track coach and assistant football coach, then dean of boys and later assistant principal.

His track teams were highly competitive, with the boys and girls teams winning state championships under his tutelage. He concluded his 30-year career in education as principal of Tulsa’s McClain High School from 1977 to 1986.

Hazley, a member of the OSU Track Hall of Fame and recipient of the OSU Black Alumni Association’s “Trailblazer” Award, is lauded for his values of discipline, hard work and integrity. The Tulsa resident holds education in high esteem and views sports as a key to obtaining a quality education, and athletics as “a means to an end, never an end in itself.”

O-STATE Stories, a project of the OSU Library’s Oklahoma Oral History Research Program chronicles the rich history and heritage of OSU. Photo / oSU SPecial collectionS & UniverSity archiveS

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The Teaching Gene Jessie Thatcher’s passion for education and love for OSU lives on through her great-granddaughter.

Jessie Thatcher Bost Bonnie Bost Laster didn’t choose to attend Oklahoma State University. She basically inherited it.

The graduate student comes from a long line of OSU alumni that started with OSU’s first female graduate, Jessie Thatcher, in the spring of 1897. Jessie went on to teach in Oklahoma’s public schools for many years.

“I never even looked at other colleges when I was in high school,” Laster says. “I knew I wanted to follow in Jessie Thatcher’s footsteps.”

As an undergraduate, Laster spent her freshman and sophomore years at OSU before she transferred to the University of Kansas during her junior year and received her bachelor’s in community health education. She says she liked the health education program there and thought it was a good fit. When it came to pursuing her master’s, however, she knew exactly where she wanted to be.

“I can’t really describe the feeling I get when I’m walking on the OSU campus,” Laster says. “It really does feel like home.

I guess I can just imagine Jessie walking there, too.”

As Laster graduates from OSU this month with her doctorate in educational psychology, she gives Bonnie Bost Laster Jessie credit for her decision to pursue her degree and to do so at OSU. Laster says she’s fortunate for her OSU roots and an inherited passion for education as well as having so many strong women in her family.

“Jessie was a feminist but in a very gentle, subtle way,” she says. “She didn’t march in picket lines or distribute feminist brochures.

She simply pursued her bachelor’s degree.”

Laster says her great-grandmother was probably modest yet strong in her convictions.

“I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been for her,” she says. “Women didn’t get degrees back then.”

They couldn’t even vote.

“I am sure she was an incredible inspiration to others,” Laster says. “I know she is to me.

And I am also sure she was completely unassuming about it.”

Like Jessie, Laster wants to teach, and she wants to teach research methodology and statistics specifically.

At the moment, Laster lives in Charlotte, N.C., and teaches as an adjunct professor at Winthrop University in South Carolina. She plans to teach advanced education psychology in the spring and research methods in the summer. She also hopes to become a full-time professor someday.

Her other teaching job involves bending into sometimes seemingly unnatural poses. Laster is a certified vinyasa power yoga teacher, and she’ll begin teaching classes after the first of the year.

She also works for The Evaluation Group, a private evaluation firm based in Columbia, S.C., and, together with her husband, Clint, remains a business partner with The Lolly Garden, a children’s clothing store in Tulsa.

When she isn’t working, Laster spends time with her family, which includes her two children, Hannah, 6, and Kaden, 4.

She says Hannah already shows signs of wanting to carry the family teaching legacy into the next generation. Hannah wants to be a dentist and teach at a dentistry school.

“We play school pretty much every day,” Laster says.

who lives in Perkins, Okla., with her husband, three children and two pets.

She works as a certified child and parenting specialist and child development specialist.

Brian Storts, ’99, chem eng, and his wife, Ruth, have a 3-year-old son, Owen, and a 1-year-old daughter, Carter.

’00s Eric Grote, ’00, const mgmt, and his wife, Sarah, recently welcomed their second child, Jake, into the world in July. Eric is a project manager for Caston Construction in Oklahoma City.

Jes s ic a Ly n n ( W i l l i a m so n) Howard, ’00, Engl, works in education in North Las Vegas, Nev. Jessica and her husband, Dathan, are the proud parents of two daughters: Brooklyn, 7, and Savannah, 2.

Kassi (Edwards) Johnson, ’00, psych, ’02, M.S., cnslng/stu pers, is a stay-at-home mom. She and her husband, Scott, are expecting their second baby in February.

Rebecca “Becky” Wiiest, ’00, ag econ, is a farm loan manager for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency. Rebecca and her husband, Kenneth, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Emma, in July.

Laura Roush, ’01, elem ed, ’10, M.S., ed tech, is an elementary school librarian for Broken Arrow Public Schools. Laura and her husband, Justin Roush, ’99, mech eng, and son, Jackson, enjoy cheering on the Cowboys.

Chad Fisher, ’03, biosys eng, and his wife, Amanda Fisher, ’03, acctg, celebrated the birth of their second daughter, Olivia, in June.

Krystle Paige Hughes, ’03, journ and broadcast, ’05, M.S., hlthcare adm, married Matthew David Cunningham on Oct. 9, 2010, in Pottsboro, Texas.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica, and live in Sherman, Texas.

MELiSSA OxFORD

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Classnotes

Todd Dickinson, ’04, ag ed, and his wife, Savannah Dickinson, ’06, an sci, welcomed Aubrey Rhea into their family June 27. Todd is a senior food technologist for Simmons Foods in Siloam Springs, Ark. Laura JoAn Powell, ’04, AAS, polic tech/AAS appl tech, loves her new job as a microbiology lab assistant at the University of Central Oklahoma.

Laura is married to James R. Powell.

Sara (House) Parr, ’05, physio, married Richard in 2009. Sara received her master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 2008. She works as a physician associate at the Oklahoma Arthritis Center in Edmond.

Michael D. Pendergrass, ’05, fin, is a financial consultant for AXA Advisors LLC. Michael and his wife, Christy, had their first child, Emma, in April.

Jenny (Smith) Weaver, ’05, hort, owns Verdigris Valley Sod Farms in Claremore, Okla. She and her husband, Ben, recently welcomed a

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new baby girl, Isabella Rose, to their family in March.

Chris Faulconer, ’06, bio sci, works for a dental school. Chris’s wife, Erica Faulconer, ’05, micro bio, received her medical degree from the University of Oklahoma in May. Erica also began her residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center this year.

Ebonie Kalaiwale Hill-Williamson, ’08, journ, is an academic adviser for the Honors College at OSU. Ebonie and her husband, Joe, have a 2-year-old son who loves the color orange. Joe is finishing his Air Force basic training, and the family is anxiously awaiting their move to Joe’s first duty station.

Tanya C. Dvorak, ’09, Ph.D., ag ed, and Joseph S. Dvorak, ’05, biosys eng, ’07, M.S., had a new baby, Anne Marie, in September. Tanya is an education officer at Kansas State University.

In MeMory Burritt L. “Turk” “Tommy” Tomlinson, ’50, hotel & food mgmt, died Feb. 6, 2010. Turk also received training at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, Ill. During his career, he was director of food services for many universities before his retirement in 1980 after 23 years at Colorado State University.

Turk was also a pitcher for the OSU baseball team, and he and his wife, Inez Tomlinson, ’40, nutri sci, kept in touch with some of the players. They also spent a few days each summer in Grand Junction, Colo., with William (Bill) Hutchinson, ’49, mktg, and Corinne Hutchinson, ’48, psych, of Bartlesville. Bill passed away in 2005.

Thomas Sterling Wetzel, the Wilton T. Anderson Professor of Accounting and coordinator of the master’s program in accounting at OSU, died Oct. 7, 2010, at his home in Stillwater. Thomas grew up in Chicago and earned a bachelor’s in accounting and an MBA from Northern Illinois University before

completing his Ph.D. at OSU in 1980.

He returned to Northern Illinois University, where he taught six years before joining the OSU faculty in 1986. During his career, he was a past president of Beta Alpha Psi, member of the Oklahoma Student Loan Authority board of directors, a 47-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi and former faculty adviser to the Zeta Theta chapter.

He loved OSU football and followed the team to away games as part of the “Road Crew.” He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, and daughters Janine and Laura.

photo / phil shockley

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The 1927 Bedlam Flivver Derby PHOTO / OSU SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

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by David C. Peters

Inspired by football, Model T Fords and Will Rogers, Aggie fans rally around their team with determination and spirit in 1927.

OAMC’s 1927 football season started badly for Coach John Maulbetsch and the Aggies. Two of the opening road matches ended in losses, including a 40-0 whipping by the University of Minnesota.

As the Nov. 19 Bedlam game approached, OSU’s 2-4 record included only three home games.

Fan support was critical, especially since the remainder of the season would be on the road, but travel to away games was extremely difficult in the mid-1920s.

To increase Bedlam attendance, editors of the Daily O’Collegian proposed a race from Stillwater to Norman based on the summer’s popular “Flivver Derby,” in which Will Rogers announced a $500 prize for the driver of the first Ford to arrive non-stop traveling from Oklahoma to California.

As racers clamored to the road, the comedian remarked, “They are coming here from Oklahoma so thick we can’t see the movie stars for Oklahoma Fords.”

W

ithin days of the O’Collegian’s announcement of a local Flivver Derby on Bedlam game day, excitement on the Stillwater campus started to grow.

College organizations began advertising to purchase dilapidated Fords in good running order, even though the race required cars to be Fords worth less than $25.

Student cars had been forbidden on campus until recently and had to be registered in the President’s Office. By October, 42 student vehicles among the 2,800 students were recorded.

O’Collegian editors hoped the race, inspired by Will Rogers’ race to California three months earlier, would raise the spirits of the Aggie football fans in advance of the annual Bedlam football matchup.

The flivver derby would take place from Stillwater to Norman on the morning of the OU football game.

The college Press Club sponsored the first official entry, “Power of the Press.”

The tennis team entered the “Love 30 Special.” Mechanical engineers registered “Dis Squeals,” and within a week there were 10 named chariots in contention.

A published notice stated other vehicles would be following the racers to pick up those who broke down and provided additional inspiration for some to enter unreliable Whoopies. (A general term applied to jalopies often with messages or slogans written on them.)

Safety concerns with these questionable cars led to a rule barring women from competing as drivers, but they were allowed to ride as passengers with special permission from the organizing committee. Women pilots had been in recent news stories of unsuccessful aircraft flights and the promoters were concerned about removing any possible “jinxes” to the race. (continues on next page)

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PHOTO / OSU SPECIAL COLLECTIONS & UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Vehicle registration ended at midnight on Oct. 31, 1927, with 46 vehicles entered, but many would require extensive repair, modification and decoration to pass the inspection the day before the race.

On Friday, Nov. 18, the flivvers lined up for inspection outside the college gymnasium. An entertained and joyous crowd of 200 braved the cold temperatures and a brisk wind to witness the parade of decorated vehicles and the drawings for lead-off positions.

A Flivver Derby from Stillwater to Norman in 1927 gener“First and Ten” driven ated spirit among Aggie football fans as students raced to

by Rex Quinn won the Norman in $25 Fords hoping to win 50-yard-line seats for pole position and would the Bedlam game. lead half of the cars south on Knoblock from the Gateway corner at Knoblock and College However, two male drivers were avenues. James Algyre, driving “Aggieland injured the day before inspection when Unlimited,” would lead the rest of the cars their flivver crashed near Coyle, southwest west on College. The college president’s of Stillwater. They had gone to Guthrie office requested that on the day of the race to check on printing of the college humor the cars be spaced at 50-yard intervals magazine, the Oklahoma Aggievator, to to avoid congestion at the start of the be distributed at Owen Field during the race. Cross-country Coach Max Meadors Bedlam football game. Their injuries were ruled all vehicles eligible, fit to run, and minor, but the car was destroyed, and they instructed the drivers to be at Gateway had to withdraw from the race. corner the next morning before 8 a.m.

Since a specific course had not been John L. Bishop, the official starter designated and the only rule required for the Bedlam Flivver Derby, addressed racers to circle the Capitol Building in the drivers before the race and told them Oklahoma City, the distance varied from to display good sportsmanship and use 85 to 95 miles, depending on the route caution to prevent accidents. selected. Later, a second stipulation Then he added one more restriction — required racing vehicles to pass through all flivvers arriving in less than three hours downtown Guthrie, as the local press had would be disqualified. provided extensive pre-event publicity.

It had been determined that by followThe winner of the race would receive ing all posted speed limits it would be five tickets on the 50-yard line in the Aggie impossible for drivers to reach the finish section, but additional prizes soon were line, moved to the Norman offices of the added for other finishers, including a OU student newspaper instead of the new car tire, meals at several restaurants, Sooners’ Owen Field, in less than three cash, Victor records, record player needles, hours. Staff from the OU newspaper were shoes, a pound of Horse Shoe chewing assigned to record the times and placement tobacco and a pair of socks. All particiof the arriving cars. pants regardless of their placement at the Beginning at 8 a.m. on Nov. 19, Ford finish would receive a free megaphone.

Model T’s loaded with OAMC students

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roared, thundered, rattled and limped their way out of Stillwater following the leads of Quinn and Algyre.

Large groups of citizens in Guthrie, Edmond and Oklahoma City lined the most probable routes, cheered them on their way and helped them when they broke down. Except for paved city streets, the majority of the grueling route was “improved” dirt highways.

Six cars finished the race in less than three hours and were disqualified.

Leroy Tucker, driving “The Spirit of Kow Kollege,” who may have also exceeded the speed limit along the way but was smart enough to wait near the finish line before crossing it at 11:01 a.m., completed the race in three hours and one minute.

The first to arrive had been Wyatt Kilgore, driving the “Poultry Special,” who had finished the course in two hours and 15 minutes, averaging 40 mph, exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph. He was disqualified along with other speeders “Bearcat” and “Puddle Jumper.”

Four cars weren’t able to finish due to mechanical problems or minor accidents, luckily none with injuries. “Cowculus: Hard to Pass” and “Henry’s Greatest Mistake” were both left by the side of the highway. Five other vehicles left Stillwater but failed to report at the finish line, and their status was unknown. At 1 p.m. the last registered flivver reached Norman. It was the “Campus Flirt” driven by Charles Platt with an average speed of 18 mph.

The Bedlam Flivver Derby of 1927 was considered a public relations success. Every major newspaper market across Oklahoma, some as far away as Georgia, covered the event. Even the University of Oklahoma fans appreciated the spirited humor and goodwill displayed by their Aggie brethren.

However, the Sooner joy was brief.

Final score: Aggies – 13, Sooners – 7.

David C. Peters is coordinator of OSU Special Collections & University Archives at the Edmon Low Library.

The Bedlam Flivver Derby inspired a similar Georgia Tech “Old Ford Race” in 1929. To read more, visit http://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/2010/10/7/1569103/old-fordraces-lead-to-birth-of-the-reck-parade

The Bedlam Flivver Derby rules: • All entries must be listed with the Daily O’Collegian not later than midnight, October 31.

• Every entry must be of Ford make, valuation not to be in excess of $25. All entries subject to appraisal by committee.

• Only one entry may be entered by each campus organization.

• Every entry must carry on external portions of said dilapidated (collegiate) flivver, not less than ten yards of bunting, or a color approximating orange and black.

• Every entry must be painted in orange and black to the extent of one-half pint of paint, “Beat O.U.” legends prediminating (sic).

• Every entry must make the trip from Stillwater to Norman under its own power. Persons riding entries must not leave car while same is in motion.

• Not less than two or more than five persons may ride in any one entry.

• Contestants must observe state speed laws.

• Entries will start from Gateway corner morning of Sooner-Aggie

game (exact hour to be announced later.)

• John L. Bishop, Stillwater businessman, will be the official starter.

• Every car must circle the capitol building at Oklahoma City enroute (sic) to Norman, but route is left to choice otherwise. Finish line will be at stadium entrance, Owen field, Norman.

• First prize shall be five (5) reserve seats on the 50-yard line in Aggie section at Owen field. Other prizes to be announced later.

Will Rogers shows off a new Model A given to him by Henry Ford. The photo was taken Dec. 22, 1927, in Los Angeles about a month after the Bedlam Flivver Derby.

PHOTO / Will ROgeRs MeMORial MuseuM, ClaReMORe, Okla.

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OSU

grads are the best

in Oklahoma, job recruiters say

That’s according to a survey in The Wall Street Journal. OSU was the only Oklahoma university to make the cut.

What do those job recruiters have in common with a record 3,500 freshmen who chose OSU this fall?

They know OSU values dedication, leadership and hard work. Our reputation in engineering, agriculture and architecture makes us a hit, too.

Know a future Cowboy? Go to okstate.edu, or call 1-800-233-5019.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

LYNCHBURG, VA PERMIT NO. 215

Wayne Allen, center, with Allen Scholars, from left, Chad O’Connor, Eric Gilbert, Mark Nelson and Eric Ruhlmann.

Ross and Billie McKnight met at OSU, where he was president of

their success with the university that brought them together. The

the Student Government Association in 1971. The couple met when

co-chairs of the $1 billion Branding Success campaign recently

he served as a judge for the Freshman Queen contest where she

announced a $15 million gift to establish a scholarship to recruit

was competing. She didn’t win, but the couple took the real prize, as

future student leaders to OSU. With a match from T. Boone Pickens,

that meeting was the first step toward their lifetime of happiness.

this endowment will generate $1.25 million annually.

They have gone on to success in both the personal and professional spheres, and they have always been happy to share

Thanks to these two leaders, the university they love will continue to produce future generations of achievers just like them.

Photo / Gary Lawson

Bringing Leaders to Oklahoma