Editor’s Letter

STATE

BRAND MANAGEMENT

Kyle Wray | Vice President of Enrollment and Brand Management Erin Petrotta | Director of Marketing and Student Communication Megan Horton | Director of Branding and Digital Strategy Monica Roberts | Director of Media Relations Shannon Rigsby | Public Information Officer Mack Burke | Editorial Coordinator Dave Malec | Design Coordinator Dorothy Pugh | Managing Editor Lacy Branson, Codee Classen, Paul V. Fleming, Valerie Kisling, Chris Lewis, Michael Molholt & Benton Rudd | Design Phil Shockley, Gary Lawson & Brandee Cazzelle | Photography

Kurtis Mason | Trademarks & Licensing Pam Longan & Leslie McClurg | Administrative Support

Department of Brand Management | 305 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078-1024 405-744-6262 | okstate.edu | statemagazine.okstate.edu | editor@okstate.edu osu.advertising@okstate.edu Contributors: David Bitton, Derinda Blakeney, Mack Burke, Will Carr, Alexis Embry, Sarah Harris, Amanda O’Toole Mason, Karolyn Moberly, David C. Peters, Sara Plummer, Shannon G. Rigsby, Monica Roberts, Gary Shutt, Kyle Stringer and Sarah Bildstein Wanzer.

OSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Tony LoPresto I Chair

Tina Parkhill | Vice Chair Kent Gardner | Immediate Past Chair Rob McInturf | President Gina Lowe | Vice President of Marketing David Parrack | Vice President of Finance and Operations Jessica Medina-Benningfield | Executive Director of Engagement Treca Baetz, James Boggs, Larry Briggs, Ann Caine, Michael Carolina, Kurt Carter, Kent Gardner, Angela Kouplen, Tony LoPresto, Mel Martin, Aaron Owen, Tina Parkhill, Joe Ray, Tom Ritchie, Darin Schmidt & Tina Walker | Board of Directors Lacy Branson, Will Carr, Chase Carter, Sarah Harris, Lerin Lynch & Sarah Bildstein

Wanzer | Marketing and Communications OSU Alumni Association | 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 740787043 | 405-744-5368 | orangeconnection.org | info@orangeconnection.org

OSU FOUNDATION

Jerry Winchester | Chair Blaire Atkinson | President

Donna Koeppe | Vice President of Administration & Treasurer Chris Campbell | Senior Associate Vice President of Information Strategy Shane Crawford | Senior Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, Leadership Gifts David Mays | Senior Associate Vice President of Philanthropy Robyn Baker | Vice President and General Counsel Pam Guthrie | Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources Blaire Atkinson, Bryan Begley, Bryan Close, Jan Cloyde, Patrick Cobb, Ann Dyer, Joe Eastin, Jennifer Grigsby, Helen Hodges, David Houston, Gary Huneryager, A.J. Jacques, Brett Jameson, Griff Jones, Robert Keating, Diana Laing, John Linehan, Joe Martin, Greg Massey, Robert McInturf, Ross McKnight, Bill Patterson, Jenelle Schatz, Becky Steen, Terry Stewart, Lyndon Taylor, Vaughn Vennerberg & Jerry Winchester | Trustees Jennifer Kinnard, Lauren Knori, Chris Lewis, Amanda O’Toole Mason, Heather Millermon, Karolyn Moberly, Michael Molholt, Benton Rudd & Kyle Stringer |

Marketing and Communications OSU Foundation | 400 South Monroe, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 800-622-4678 | OSUgiving.com | info@OSUgiving.com

STATE magazine is published three times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring) by Oklahoma State University, 305 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078. The magazine is produced by the Office of Brand Management, the OSU Alumni Association and the OSU Foundation, and is mailed to current members of the OSU Alumni Association. Magazine subscriptions are available only by membership in the OSU Alumni Association. Membership cost is $45. Call 405-744-5368 or mail a check to 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater OK 74078-7043. To change a mailing address, visit orangeconnection.org/update or call 405-744-5368. Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This provision includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies. Contact the Director of Equal Opportunity at 408 Whitehurst, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; telephone 405-744-5371; or email eeo@okstate.edu. Any person (student, faculty, or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX Coordinator at 405-744-9154.

This publication, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the vice president of enrollment management and marketing, was printed by Royle Printing Co. at a cost of $0.97 per issue: 37,622 | April 2021 | #8764 | Copyright © 2021, STATE magazine. All rights reserved.

Letters

From the Editor's Desk

After nearly two years at STATE magazine, there are still a lot of things I don’t know about Vaden Burns Hargis. Case in point, I just recently found out what the “V” stood for. But in my relatively short time here, I’ve seen his leadership in action, and it’s been nothing short of inspiring. With love and dedication, he has steered his alma mater to higher ground, bolstering Oklahoma State University’s fundraising, academic and athletic excellence, diversity and inclusion initiatives, facilities and everything in between. He leaves office with the university poised to build on a tremendous legacy that embodies what it means to be “loyal and true.”

In this issue, we celebrate the accomplishments of President Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis with a retrospective on their leadership and the countless ways their service has helped transform OSU. Just before press time, we learned Dr. Kayse Shrum will be the next president. We look forward to welcoming OSU's first female president and her vision for the future, which we'll explore in detail in the fall issue.

As we look forward to a bright orange future, we also acknowledge exciting developments from around the OSU system happening right now. This spring, the Student Union celebrated the grand opening of a new, state-of-the-art esports arena, which brings with it tremendous recruitment opportunities.

More good news: With a $2 million gift, the Hardesty Family Foundation has made a commitment to fuel transformative research at the National Center for Wellness & Recovery. The Glass family has made a $1 million contribution to support students, athletics, alumni and more. In December, the new veterans hospital coming to OSU Medical Center in Tulsa received millions of dollars in federal funding. In February, the College of Veterinary Medicine launched its new INTERACT series, with special guest Philip Dormitzer, Pfizer vice president and chief scientific officer of viral vaccines. OSU alumni, like Dr. Sarah Ledgerwood of the National Institute of Health, continue to lead public health efforts to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

In January, OSU marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a celebration that united both the Stillwater and university community. A new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force has been formed that aims to expand the scope of these important initiatives.

Goodbyes are often bittersweet, but the Hargis legacy lives on. There’s never been a better time to be a Cowboy.

Mack Burke Editor

STATE Magazine

305 WHITEHURST OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY STILLWATER, OK 74078 EDITOR@OKSTATE.EDU STATEMAGAZINE.OKSTATE.EDU