2022–2023

The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association is proud to honor 21 students with the 2022-2023 Outstanding Seniors Award. This award recognizes students who distinguish themselves through academic achievements; campus and community activities; academic, athletic and extracurricular honors and awards; scholarships; and work ethic. After reviewing the students’ applications, the Alumni Association Student Awards Committee met with 47 of the Seniors of Significance who were announced in November 2022 and selected 21 for this prestigious honor.

*Denotes Alumni Association Life Member

ALEXANDRIA BIAS*

Orlando, Florida

Chemical engineering

During her time at OSU, Bias served as vice president of the Student Government Association and received the Barry M. Goldwater National Scholarship. She was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and was diversity chair for Tri Delta sorority. Bias was also a Niblack Research Scholar in the Fennell Lab for Computational Chemistry.

RIO BONHAM*

Madill, Oklahoma Biosystems engineering

While at OSU, Bonham presented research to legislators at the Oklahoma Capitol, studied abroad in Spain and installed 22 fishing line recycling bins at six locations. He also traveled to student club rallies in Iowa and Florida and packed meals for humanitarian efforts in Haiti.

After graduation, Bias plans to attend the University of Cambridge for a one-year master’s degree funded by the W.W. Allen Scholar program and then continue to pursue her Ph.D.

Kimberly Burns

Pilot Point, Texas

International business

Burns was recognized as a Top 10 Freshman Woman, a Class IX Scholar and mentor for McKnight Scholars. She served as president of the OSU Marketing Club. Burns also volunteered regularly at Our Daily Bread and the Stillwater Humane Society.

Jerret Carpenter

Poteau, Oklahoma

Natural resource ecology and management

Carpenter served as a student leader with the OSU Center for Sovereign Nations and a community mentor for OSU Housing and Residential Life. He represented OSU at the 2022 National Collegiate Honors Council Conference. Carpenter is a Women for OSU Scholar and National Udall Scholar honorable mention.

After graduation, Bonham plans to pursue a Ph.D. in agricultural and biological engineering from the University of Florida.

After graduation, Burns will be actively pursuing her MBA with a graduate assistant scholarship.

After graduation, Carpenter will continue to work in higher education while pursuing a master’s degree in Native American leadership with an option in education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. His ultimate goal is to receive his Ph.D. and begin a career in academia.

Stillwater

Industrial engineering and management

During her time at OSU, Carter was a two-time Wentz Research Scholar in quantitative finance and a College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Scholar. She is the recipient of the inaugural Outstanding Learning Assistant Award for the Department of Mathematics. Carter volunteered at a food bank for refugees and led the CEAT Student Council K-12 Outreach team.

After graduation, Carter will be working full time as an automation engineer for Walmart Inc.

Soper, Oklahoma Agribusiness

Clifton served as an officer for the Aggie-X Club and on the OSU Ranch Horse Team Executive Committee. She was named a Transfer Student of Excellence for the Ferguson College of Agriculture and attended the American Future of Agriculture Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. Clifton also volunteered

JESSICA

Tulsa

Cortez served as president of the Hispanic Student Association and was a McNair Scholar. She was a member of the College of Education and Human Sciences Student Council and named a CEHS Senior of Distinction. Cortez also volunteered weekly at Turning Point Ranch.

Kyla

During her time at OSU, Ellis Woodbridge served as vice president of the Business Student Council and the inaugural state president of Oklahoma Collegiate DECA. Ellis Woodbridge is a winner of the 2022 Riata Center for Entrepreneurship and placed first at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development by decorating graves of veterans on Memorial Day in memory of her great-uncle. After graduation, Clifton will pursue a master’s degree in agricultural economics at OSU. She would eventually like to return to her family’s ranch and be an advocate for agriculture.

Upon graduation, Cortez plans to move to Austin, Texas, to begin her master’s degree program in STEM education at the University of Texas.

Kingfisher, Oklahoma Agricultural communications

Garrett served as president of the OSU Panhellenic Council and chapter president of Alpha Omicron Pi. Garrett was the recipient of the Panhellenic Council Woman of the Year award and the Michael and Judith Johnson President’s Distinguished Scholarship. Garrett also graduated summa cum laude in December 2022.

Conference. She also was a leadership workshop presenter for Oklahoma DECA. After graduation, Ellis Woodbridge will be starting her own company, Events Unboxed, which delivers high quality, pre-themed and packaged parties directly to the customer’s door.

After graduation, Garrett will be attending law school at the University of Tulsa in the fall.

MADELYN GERKEN*

Kingfisher, Oklahoma

Animal science

Gerken served as undergraduate coordinator for OSU President’s Leadership Council and an athletic pride executive for the centennial celebration of America’s Greatest Homecoming. She was a Ferguson College of Agriculture student success leader and state secretary of the Oklahoma FFA Association. Gerkin also was a finalist for OSU Student Employee of the Year.

JACKIE HARSHA*

Edmond, Oklahoma

Geospatial science information systems

MANOJ JAGADEESH

Stillwater

Microbiology and molecular genetics

SLOANE JOHNSTON

Tulsa

Civil engineering

During her time at OSU, Harsha was selected in a highly competitive process to be a 13S Space Operations Officer in the United States Space Force. She is the recipient of the HSSP AFROTC Scholarship and the General Carl A. Spaatz Award. Harsha served as an intern and resident at the Oklahoma State Wesley Foundation. She also studied abroad in Granada,

While at OSU, Jagadeesh was the recipient of SEBM Young Investigator of the Year and performed undergraduate research as a Niblack Research Scholar. He served as president of the Pre-Health Club and was a member of the President’s Leadership Council. Jagadeesh was a finalist for Student Employee of the Year.

After graduation, Gerken will be attending graduate school for a master’s degree in health administration.

BREE KISLING*

Enid, Oklahoma Agricultural communications

Johnston was a member of the Oklahoma State Scholars Society and CEAT Student Council. She was a K-life small group leader for high school girls and an officer for Engineers Without Borders. Johnston was also a research assistant in Civil: Environmental Engineering Lab.

Spain, for a semester after receiving the Humphrey’s’ Long-Term Travel Grant.

After graduation, Harsha will go to undergraduate space training at Vandenberg Space Force Base, where she will learn about her future job in the Space Force.

After graduation, Jagadeesh plans to attend medical school with the hopes of becoming a doctor specializing in cardiology.

During her time at OSU, Kisling was a leadership team member with Countryside CollegeLife ministry and an administrative director for Rooted Conference. She served as president of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Kisling was a Women for OSU Scholar and presented at the National

After graduation, Johnston will begin a position as a hydraulic and hydrology civil engineer at Langan Engineering and Environmental Services in Austin, Texas.

American Association for Agricultural Educators Conference.

After graduation, Kisling plans to pursue a career that combines her experiences in communications and event planning with her passions for ministry and nonprofit work.

TRABER SMITHSON*

Enid, Oklahoma Agribusiness

TANNER TAYLOR*

Adair, Oklahoma Agricultural education

While at OSU, Smithson served as the 93rd Pistol Pete and organized funding for the OSU Student Stache Network. He performed undergraduate research with OSU Rural Renewal Initiative Research. Smithson was a Ferguson College of Agriculture Ambassador and a member of Zion Lutheran Church.

During his time at OSU, Taylor served as president of the OSU Intrafraternity Council. He was the agricultural education intern for the Oklahoma Department of Career Tech and director of Oklahoma FFA Alumni Leadership Camp. Taylor was recognized as Top 10 Freshman Man and Agricultural Education Outstanding Freshman.

EMILY TRAN

Carrollton, Texas Architecture

While at OSU, Tran was the founder and chapter president of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students and president of the Vietnamese American Student Association. She served as treasurer and a volunteer with Architecture Students Teaching Elementary Kids. Tran was recognized as CEAT

WHITNEY WALKER*

Prairie Grove, Arkansas Agricultural leadership

During her time at OSU, Walker was an OSU President’s Distinguished Scholar, Ferguson College of Agriculture Burrus Family Scholar and Express Ranches Scholar. She was a member of the Oklahoma Agricultural Leadership Encounter Class XIX and on the President’s Honor Roll.

AUBREY WOLFE

Tulsa

Chemical engineering

During her time at OSU, Wolfe served as first vice president of Pi Beta Phi and a student ambassador for the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. She was a staff summer intern for the United States House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in Washington, D.C. She raised $3,944 for Big Brothers Big

After graduation, Smithson will attend T he Oklahoma State College of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall of 2023.

After graduation, Taylor will work as an agriculture educator and FFA advisor. Taylor said he hopes to inspire the next generation of problem solvers that provides the leadership Oklahoma needs.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Student of the Year and selected for a yearlong architecture preceptorship program with Pelli Clarke and Partners.

After graduation, Trans plans to work as an architectural designer and eventually return to school for her master’s degree.

After graduation, Walker will return to her family’s ranch to live and raise livestock. She will be opening an event center, managing a livestock DNA verification program, and overseeing a statewide nonprofit providing leadership development and educational opportunities to Arkansas 4-H and FFA students.

Sisters of Oklahoma by leading a Williams intern fundraiser. Wolfe was also a student in The Honors College.

After graduation, Wolfe will be working for Williams in their three-year rotational Engineering Development Program.

Wynne was recognized as a Senior of Significance and participated in the Women in Sports Celebration. She took part in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Walk and provided cards for terminally ill children in multiple hospitals. Wynne was a member of the National Student Advertising Competition team and the Cowgirl softball team.

After graduation, Wynne plans to begin graduate school, studying sport and fitness administration.

Ziehme was president of the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. She performed undergraduate research as a Wentz Research Scholar and OSU Research Scholar. She served as a research assistant for Dr. Sarah Kucker and Dr. Jaimie Krems and as a research leader for the College of Arts and Sciences.

After graduation, Ziehme plans to obtain her master’s degree in public health, specializing in epidemiology. She plans to later attend medical school to become an OB-GYN.

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