In This Issue

Be Our Guest

The Oklahoma State University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management prepares students to become restaurateurs, and OSU Institute of Technology’s Culinary Arts program teaches the next generation of world class chefs. Pages 54-59

60 Coast to Coast

OSU restaurateurs are making their mark across the country. Check out our map of Cowboy hotspots to put on your culinary bucket list.

62

All in One Place

The Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center gives entrepreneurs the tools to market and promote their own products.

8 Leaving a Legacy

Dr. Ken Eastman retires after 10 years as dean of the Spears School of Business and more than three decades at the university.

16 A Decade of Dogs

Pete’s Pet Posse celebrates 10 years of bringing joy to campus and helping the Cowboy family through challenging times.

28

Concrete Contribution

The Dolese company’s gift to the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology is still making an impact a decade after its initial announcement.

44

Innovating Performance

The new Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI) will revolutionize how Oklahomans think about their health.

50 Hall of Fame

The OSU Alumni Association inducted four members to its ranks this year: Burns and Ann Hargis, Cecil O’Brate and Maj. Gen. Michael Thompson.

76 New Era

How OSU’s first all-female leadership team is forging a path for women in higher education.

Osu Brand Management

Megan Horton | Interim Associate Vice President of Brand Management

Lance Latham | Chief Communications Officer

Erin Petrotta | Director of Marketing

Shannon Rigsby | Public Information Officer

Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations

Casey Cleary | Associate Director of Marketing Strategy

Andy Wallace | Associate Director of Multimedia

Dave Malec | Design Coordinator

Jordan Bishop | Managing Editor

Codee Classen, Paul V. Fleming, Valerie Kisling, Chris Lewis, Michael Molholt and Benton Rudd | Design

Phil Gahagans and Karolyn Moberly | Advertising

Gary Lawson, Elizabeth Rogers and Phil Shockley | Photography

McKinzie McElroy and Meghan Robinson | Video

Kurtis Mason | Trademarks and Licensing

Kinsey Garcia and Kara Peters | Administrative Support

Contributors: Jordan Bishop, Mack Burke, Aaron Campbell, Mandy Gross, Hayley

Hagen, Samantha Hardy, Harrison Hill, Brenna Davis Long, Kirsi McDowell, Sam

Milek, David C. Peters, Grant Ramirez, Jillian Remington, Haley Simpson, Sydney

Trainor, Olivia Trolinger and Terry Tush

Department of Brand Management | 305 Whitehurst, Stillwater, OK 74078-1024 405-7446262 | okstate.edu | statemagazine.okstate.edu | editor@okstate.edu | osu. advertising@okstate.edu

Osu Alumni Association

Tina Parkhill | Chair

Kurt Carter | Vice Chair

Tony LoPresto | Immediate Past Chair

Dr. Ann Caine | President

Jake Wilkins | Vice President of Marketing and Engagement

David Parrack | Vice President of Finance and Operations

Treca Baetz, Thomas Blalock, Benjamin Davis, Deedra Determan, Scott Eisenhauer, Becky Endicott, Todd Hudgins, Aaron Owen, Joe Ray, Cecilia Robinson-Woods, Darin

Schmidt, Taylor Shinn and Baloo Subramaniam | Board of Directors

Lacy Branson, Will Carr, Chase Carter, Yuki Clarke, Jillian Remington and Chloe

Walton | Marketing and Communications

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

OSU FOUNDATION

David Houston | Chair

Blaire Atkinson | President

Robyn Baker | Vice President and General Counsel

Donna Koeppe | Vice President of Administration and Treasurer

Scott Roberts | Vice President of Development

Pam Guthrie | Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Blaire Atkinson, Bryan Begley, Ann Caine, Brian Callahan, Jan Cloyde, Ann Dyer, Joe Eastin, David Houston, Gary Huneryager, Brett Jameson, Griff Jones, Robert Keating, Diana Laing, Shelly Lambertz, Joe Martin, Greg Massey, Gail Muncrief, Bill Patterson, Jenelle Schatz, Becky Steen, Terry Stewart, Vaughn Vennerberg, Beverly Walker-Griffea, Jerry Winchester and Darton Zink | Trustees

Bryanna Birdsong, Delaney Duffield, Samantha Hardy, Jennifer Kinnard, Chris Lewis, Amanda Mason, Heather Millermon, Michael Molholt, Grant Ramirez and Benton Rudd | Marketing and Communications

OSU Foundation | 400 South Monroe, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 800-6224678 | 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 Department 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 $50. 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, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. OSU is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/ expression, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions. For more information, the director of equal opportunity/Title IX coordinator is located at 401 General Academic Building and can be reached at 405-744-1156 or by visiting https://eeo.okstate.edu.

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 $1.57 per issue: 37,116. | April 2023 | #9781| Copyright © 2023, STATE magazine. All rights reserved.

From the Editor's Desk

Imagine you own a restaurant. It’s Friday night, and you’re on the floor expediting orders, jumping into the line to help cooks as tickets pile up, dealing with challenging patrons, making drinks behind the bar and trying to stay sane. When the chaos dies down, you help prep for the next day, but even then the day is not done. You still have to do payroll, finalize employee schedules and somehow find time for marketing and social media.

It’s a trial by fire for many, but Cowboys who graduate from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management are ready for the heat, both inside and outside the kitchen. In this issue, we explore how that program is preparing restaurateurs to craft their own culinary careers and empires, as well as how the OSU Institute of Technology’s Culinary Arts program continues to serve as a springboard for aspiring chefs (Page 54). We also look at how the Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center empowers entrepreneurs across the state to market and promote their own products (Page 62).

In December, OSU announced the creation of the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI), another major milestone in OSU’s quest to become the nation’s preeminent land-grant institution. Led by renowned sports science expert Lance Walker, the new institute will take a performance-focused approach to help Oklahomans improve their health (Page 44).

As President Kayse Shrum continues to lead the university toward new frontiers, she’s joined by Dr. Jeanette Mendez, Dr. Ann Caine and Blaire Atkinson. As provost, Alumni Association president and OSU Foundation president, respectively, these women are ushering in a new era and inspiring future leaders. (Page 76).

In this issue, we look back at the lasting impact of the Dolese family’s gift (Page 28) and at the most recent inductees into the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame (Page 50). We also look back at 10 years of Pete’s Pet Posse (Page 16) and the 34-year career of outgoing Spears School of Business Dean Ken Eastman (Page 8).

I hope that you will enjoy this smorgasbord of stories and continue to support OSU, your fellow alumni and the land-grant mission that unites us all.

Go Pokes!

Mack Burke Editor