Editor’s Letter

STATE

BRAND MANAGEMENT

Megan Horton | Interim Assistant Vice President of Brand Management Monica Roberts | Interim Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications Erin Petrotta | Director of Marketing and Student Communication Shannon Rigsby | Public Information Officer Mack Burke | Editorial Coordinator Dave Malec | Design Coordinator Dorothy Pugh | Managing Editor Codee Classen, Paul V. Fleming, Valerie Kisling, Chris Lewis and Michael Molholt | 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: Jordan Bishop, Mack Burke, Aaron Campbell, Will Carr, Alexis Embry, Sarah Harris, Amanda O’Toole Mason, Karolyn Moberly, David C. Peters, Shannon G. Rigsby, Monica Roberts, Kyle Stringer, Kylee Sutherland and Sarah Bildstein Wanzer.

OSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Tina Parkhill | Chair Kurt Carter | Vice Chair Tony LoPresto | 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 Aaron Owen, Ann Caine, Baloo Subramaniam, Becky Endicott, Ben Davis, Darin Schmidt, Joe Ray, Michael Carolina, Scott Eisenhauer, Taylor Shinn, Todd Hudgins,

Treca Baetz | 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

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 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 Pam Guthrie | Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources Blaire Atkinson, Bryan Begley, Bryan Close, Jan Cloyde, Ann Dyer, Joe Eastin, Jennifer Grigsby, 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, Vaughn Vennerberg & Jerry Winchester | Trustees Jennifer Kinnard, Chris Lewis, Amanda O’Toole Mason, Heather Millermon, Karolyn Moberly, Michael Molholt, Lauren Knori, Benton Rudd and 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 $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, 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 Department of Brand Management, was printed by Royle Printing Co. at a cost of $0.97 per issue: 37,622 | August 2021 | #8767 | Copyright © 2021, STATE magazine. All rights reserved.

Letters

From the Editor's Desk

The dawn of a new fall semester at Oklahoma State University comes with a wave of excitement as students return to their beloved campus and freshmen embark on their college experience with wide-eyed anticipation. This year, that electric feeling is amplified with a return to in-person learning and all the activities and experiences that come with that, including the centennial celebration of America’s Greatest Homecoming. It’s also a time of new beginnings. In July, Dr. Kayse Shrum took over as the 19th president of OSU, becoming the first woman to helm the OSU system. In this issue, we share in the celebration of her selection, explore the story of her journey and get to know more about her vision for OSU (see Page 44). Construction is underway on the new headquarters for OSU Agriculture, which, thanks to generous support from donors to the New Frontiers campaign, had already raised 87 percent of its $50 million fundraising goal when the project broke ground in April.

As we look ahead, we also look to the past. Some milestones are worthy of celebration, while others offer the opportunity to learn, educate and heal.

With OSUIT celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, we take a look back at its history and the lasting and life-changing impact it continues to have for graduates (Page 68).

This year, OSU-Tulsa commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre with a series of events aimed at shedding light on the tragedy, the rich history of the Greenwood District and exploring pathways to healing and reconciliation — 100 Points of Truth and Transformation (Page 28).

As fans return to stadiums across the country, we also look at how Cowboys have built incredible careers in press boxes and front offices, thanks in no small part to what they learned at OSU (Page 76).

The fall is about change, and OSU is ever-changing. But in all the best ways, this semester begins with the hope that it will be more normal. Still, normal is relative. Thanks to our amazing students, faculty and staff, the OSU experience is nothing short of extraordinary.

Go Pokes!

Mack Burke Editor

STATE Magazine

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