Alumni Update

’50s

Roberta Robertson, ’51 elementary education, is now staying in assisted living (with a big Pistol Pete outside her door) at 93 years old. In addition, her granddaughter, Cace Robertson, ’07 chemical engineering, married Levi Brown on June 1. George E. Walker, ’56 geology, turned 88 years old this year. He has been married for 66 years. He said it has been a wonderful life adventure and God has truly blessed him. Ann Lancaster, ’57 home economics, is a part of four generations of her family having graduated from OSU, one generation of which was a son-in-law. Arthur P. Bieri, ’58 secondary education, ’65 masters in secondary education, has a grandson, Josh Bieri, ’21 accounting, who has competed four times in the nationally televised competition, Ninja Warrior. Jane Ann Niles, ’58 home economics education and community, celebrated her granddaughter, Bethany Niles’, ’22 architecture, graduation in May 2022. Her granddaughter is now working in Kansas City, Missouri.

’60s

Dennis R. Logan, ’60 geology, is a retired petroleum geologist. He still follows oil and gas exploration activity around the world, especially as related to ConocoPhillips and the Phillips 66 company. Arthur Rickets, ’61 business, and his wife, Kay, have fully funded a scholarship for students from southern Oklahoma. Bill Pope, ’66 secondary education, is so proud to have their fourth grandchild graduate from OSU this spring. Pope has one more grandchild scheduled to graduate next year and is a proud Cowboy! Chester Palmer, ’67 agricultural education, is the owner of 4 State Draft Horses and Mule Sale. He puts on draft horse and mule sales two times each year during May and October. He said he is living and loving life with God’s help and guidance. Cheryl Nelson, ’68 home economics, is retired and has moved to Tealridge in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Allan McCrary, ’69 history, is following his aviation career with the Air Force, NASA and Southwest Airlines. McCrary has developed his lifelong passion for cars into a full-time hobby. He was selected to be a judge for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach, California. This event dates from 1950 and is considered to be the world’s premier celebration of the automobile.

Glenn Olson, ’69 psychology, is happily retired and living in Anchorage, Alaska. He is enjoying time with his wife and six grandchildren with two on the way. Olson is orange through and through. He enjoys returning to campus for the football season. Robert Wegener, ’69 advertising, ’75 master’s in mass communication, a former O’Colly editor, is proud of his grandson, Chris Becker, ’22 sports media, who served as O’Colly editor-inchief for spring 2022. Wegener retired after a 30-year career at Texas A&M University but continues teaching one course a semester.

’70s

Patty McCrary, ’73 English, served as this year’s co-chair of Bouquets to Art at the DeYoung Museum of San Francisco. In its 38th year, this is a major fundraiser made up entirely of volunteers. Over 120 floral designers are selected to interpret art in the museum’s permanent collection. The event runs for one week, bringing over

FELIX ROY AND THE OKLAHOMA KING

In 1922, Felix Roy was the swine herdsman in charge of all breeds for Oklahoma A&M. One of his greatest accomplishments was being the herdsman who fed, fitted and showed the historic Oklahoma King. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Oklahoma King winning Grand Champion at the 1922 International Live Stock Show in Chicago. The Oklahoma King was a one-year-old hog with a weight of 500 pounds. Roy said this show was the best winning for OSU to that date. Roy is accredited with developing the feeding program that resulted in the grand champion title for Oklahoma A&M, Roy’s program assisted in shaping OSU’s feeding program that is used today. In celebration of this historic anniversary, the family of Felix Roy would like to highlight him and his time at Oklahoma A&M. Read more about Roy and the Oklahoma King by visiting okla.st/oklahomaking.

50,000 visitors. Also featured are floral fashions by floristry students attending City College of San Francisco. Patricia A. McElroy, ’73 special education, is semi-retired but is still doing individual educational testing of school age kids and young adults. Roger E. Walker, ’73 mechanical engineering, ’74 master’s in engineering, said it has been a long time since he was at OSU in the 70s, but he still fondly remembers how it felt to be on campus along with students and professors who gave him a great education in engineering and life. Today, at age 72, he is still married to his wife of 42 years, Susan, and has been retired since 2016. Both of his kids are doing well, and they have one grandson. Walker still rides his motorcycle and still plays bass guitar in the church praise band, even though he is at least twice the age of the rest of the band. Linda Hiette (Buffa), ’74 social science teaching, ’75 master’s in counseling psychology, retired in 2018 as a health educator for 40 years working in city and county health departments. She is currently involved in her church choir, Parish council secretary, cheer, welcoming committee and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Her daughter, Lindsey, is a junior at OSU earning a degree in journalism and mass media while being involved in the O’Colly and working summers at Muny Theater. Her oldest daughter, Taylor, is a graphic designer for an education testing company in New York. Michael Dunham, ’78 psychology, retired July 1, 2022, after 43 years as a financial adviser.

’80s

Pamela A. Ernst (DeCamp), ’80 education, retired in 2019 after teaching over 37 years. She is now enjoying her sweet grandson. She exercises at least four times a week to keep in shape. Ernst and her husband are getting excited about traveling with the Traveling Cowboys. Bruce A. Cox, ’82 human resources and development, retired after 23 years with Applied Systems Inc.

Heidi Rogers

(Pracht), ’85 biosciences, ’86 master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, ’90 doctorate in curriculum and instruction, is serving as the CEO of Northwest Council for Computer Education. Rogers was highlighted in the Business Journal of North Idaho for her leadership in the council. Natalie Epps, ’86 executive secretarial administration, is happily retired and enjoys serving as a docent for the historic Dewey Hotel. She also enjoys traveling around the Rocky Mountains and desert southwest with her husband, Craig, and her three rescue dogs. One of which is named Gundy!

’90s

Shannon McCord, ’93 journalism, is a part of a 2023 Leadership Class in Dallas. Carrie Brunk (Kennemer), ’98 secondary education, is in her 25th year as an educator. She is currently a career counselor at Canadian Valley Technology Center in Yukon, Oklahoma. She is celebrating 20 years of marriage in March and has two children in high school.

’00s

Maureen Smith, ’02 international business and marketing, joined Phenomenal Media as head of product operations, overseeing e-commerce, merchandising, and wholesale operations. Matthew G. Holland, ’03 animal science, and his family look forward to road trips to Stillwater for football and baseball games. His children love the block parties before the games. The Holland family is proud to wear America’s Brightest Orange in Arkansas! Mike Mlynek, ’03 zoology, obtained his MBA with specialization in aerospace logistics in May 2021 from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Lisa Herrick, ’06 sociology, is a highly regarded board-certified juvenile lawyer. She recently joined Varghese Summersett as a partner in the firm’s criminal division. Herrick specializes in juvenile law and will oversee criminal cases involving minors and young adults. She is board certified in juvenile law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization — a designation held by only 65 attorneys in the state of Texas and three in Tarrant County.

’10s

Terrin Williams, ’11 political science, completed her master’s in criminal justice from the University of Oklahoma after serving Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma State University Foundation. In 2021, she moved back home to Nebraska, after serving one year for the State of Oklahoma Department of Corrections as a local administrator for community sentencing. In December 2021, she was named the new executive director of the Central Mediation Center in Kearney, Nebraska.

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Recently, OSU Army and Air Force ROTC Alumni, who are retired military officers, gathered for a 50th anniversary in Stillwater. The two-day event included reminiscing about campus life, ROTC activities, military careers and retirement endeavors. These former ROTC cadets had been members of OSU’s Company C-7 or the 7th Regimental Headquarters of Pershing Rifles and Scabbard and Blade. Some attendees were college sweethearts that were members of Army Blades and the Pershing Rifles female drill team, CAPERS. These veterans told stories of their military careers that took them all over the world while proudly serving their country. A retired ROTC instructor, Sgt. Maj. Herman Allmendinger from Stillwater, was visited by his former cadets.

Danielle St.

Louis, ’13 master’s degree in English and professional writing, and her Labrador-border collie rescue dog, Lucky, have hiked every Wisconsin state park together. St. Louis’ newly published book, “A Dog Lover’s Guide to Hiking Wisconsin’s State Parks,” divides Wisconsin into five regions and further details specific trails, graded for dog reactivity as well as the fitness level of human and canine alike. St. Louis runs the popular adventure dog blog and Instagram account Wisconsin State Park Dogs, which features tips for hiking and favorite outdoor travels with Lucky the adventure dog. She is a past winner of the Moth Story Slam and has received professional writing scholarships from OSU. Corbit Bayliff, ’14 animal science, ’16 master’s degree in animal science, ’22 DO, has completed medical school and has entered residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine — Wichita Family Medicine Residency Program at Ascension Via Christi in Wichita, Kansas. Miguel Figueroa, ’16 political science, joined Crowe & Dunlevy’s Oklahoma City office as associate attorney. Figueroa joined the firm as a member of the litigation and trial practice group where he assists clients with general commercial litigation matters. Bailey Barnes, ’18 strategic communications, joined GableGotwals as a new associate. Barnes focuses on general corporate transactions, commercial agreements, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Keely Clarke (Hambrick), ’19 agricultural education, married her husband Ryan,’18 agricultural education, in June 2020. The two are now living in Cleburne, Texas, where Keely teaches agriculture education at Maypearl ISD while Ryan works for a landscaping company. Maria Escobar, ’19 political science and economics, joined GableGotwals as a new associate. Escobar focuses on litigation matters, including drafting, preparing, and reviewing motions and pleadings. Her experience also includes conducting legal research on various matters, including oil and gas, civil procedure, zoning laws, discovery request limitations, and conflict of laws.

Sarah Simpson

(Oliver), ’19 biochemistry, became a registered patent agent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Simpson assists clients with patent prosecution and trademark rights as a member of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group.

’20s

Tyrha Long, ’22 university studies, accepted a job to work for the Seattle Seahawks.

Friend

Donald Decker, retired from working after 44 years in health care food service administration. Last worked for N.Y.S Mental Health Facility in Utica, New York. Decker and his wife, Barbara, are now snowbirds residing in Crescent City, Florida, for eight months a year, enjoying their little piece of paradise.