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Joe Russell Kreger is Oklahoma’s poet laureate again — the first to hold the position on two non-consecutive occasions. The self-described cowboy poet has written around 200 poems, released two books — Lookin’ at Life and Still Lookin’ — and spoken across the state, the Red River and beyond.

But the 82-year-old Tonkawa resident didn’t find his voice until he wrote his first poem at age 56.

Growing up, Kreger was involved in farming and ranching and wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps at Oklahoma State University. After graduating from OSU in 1961, he went into the Army Reserves and to work for Redbud Hereford Ranch. From ’65 to ’68, he pursued a master’s degree at OSU in agricultural education while teaching at Northern Oklahoma College. He eventually returned to his hometown and purchased what is now Kreger Ranch. In 1993, his ranch sustained heavy flooding. The silver lining was it opened the floodgates on his creative calling. “I was totally frustrated because of the damage we’d sustained time and again,” he said. “I started getting a poem running in my head about the Salt Fork Arkansas River. I wrote it down, and I kind of sprung a leak after that. I’d start getting poems running through my head, and I’d jot ’em down. I’d be on horseback or in my truck. I’d write ’em down on whatever I could, a feedsack, maybe.”

He had plenty of material to work with after decades of living the cowboy life, and his goals, like his style, were simple.

“I just started writing things down for my son … lessons I’ve learned along the way.”

Soon, he made the leap from hobbyist to prolific poet, and, in 1998, Gov. Frank Keating appointed him state poet laureate for the first time.

“It came on me like some sort of surprise, you might say,” Kreger said. “I’m not a poetry expert by any means, but for some reason my stuff, which is simple, has resonated well with most of the audiences I’ve been in front of. … I feel like I was somewhat successful in promoting poetry and encouraging young people to express their thoughts and write down some of these things they felt strongly about.”

Kreger said his passion for writing still burns bright, and he’s ready to hit the reading trail again, working with the Oklahoma Arts Council to bring poetry to underserved schools and encourage young people to express themselves.

“I never sat down to force a poem out. It’s just if something got to rattling around in my head, I would write it down,” he said. “We’ve all got things going on in our minds that most people don’t write down. I really would encourage folks to embrace that. Sometimes just putting it down on paper and looking at it can help you figure out a dilemma you’re faced with, almost like self-therapy. And that might help someone else, too.”

Kelley Newkirk-Konarik, OKC Metro Chapter

Kelley Newkirk-Konarik has rocked America’s Brightest Orange for many years, sporting the beautiful smile that comes with the joy of being an OSU Cowboy.

Konarik grew up in Liberal, Kansas, and her family moved to Oklahoma when she was 15. Though she spent much of her youth in Kansas, she is an Oklahoman at heart.

“Growing up, I was a huge Kansas State fan because they’re purple, and what little girl doesn’t love purple?” Konarik said. “When I moved to Oklahoma, I looked good in orange, so I decided I needed to be an OSU fan. I still love it.”

Despite her family being OU fans, Konarik attended OSU to study education. She lived in Cordell Hall and enjoyed taking part in dorm activities, serving on Homecoming committees and attending Greek events. She said the shared comradery of Homecoming made it her favorite.

Konarik fondly remembers Theta Pond. Not only was it the setting for numerous social activities, but her first date with her husband, Steve, took place there. Though the couple went their separate ways in college, they reconnected later and have been together for 12 years.

Her life changed forever when an OSU alumni chapter was created where she worked, Devon Energy in Oklahoma City. Her co-workers encouraged her involvement because there was no question of her love for the university — her office was decked out in orange and OSU paraphernalia. Through this, she became more involved with local alumni, which led her to a leadership position with the OKC Metro OSU Alumni Chapter.

Vintage O-State, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, was one of the first chapter events she helped organize.

“We did that event for many years,” she said. “It was our big event to raise money for scholarships. I really embraced events like that and decided I wanted to do anything I could to help them grow and be successful.”

Now, Konarik is the incoming OKC Metro chapter president, previously serving as vice president and treasurer. As a chapter leader, she plays a role in planning fundraising events, hosting other events and organizing watch parties for away football games.

“First and foremost, chapters hold the responsibility to raise money for scholarships for incoming freshmen from our area who are going to attend OSU,” Konarik said. “We also engage with our local alumni through a variety of events and programming.”

This year, the chapter took fundraising to new heights with its first golf tournament. More than 175 golfers participated, including several university leaders and former First Cowgirl Ann Hargis. The chapter had planned a Kendra Scott event in August,

OKC METRO CHAPTER BY THE NUMBERS

49,934 alumni and friends 5,117 members 3,758 current OSU students from the OKC metro area 52 miles from Stillwater featuring all orange and black jewelry perfect for game day.

“I am so passionate about OSU,” Konarik said. “Being able to talk with fellow alumni and sharing that passion is one of my favorite things to do. We’re always trying to think of fun new ways we can engage with alumni.”

There are more than 30,000 alumni in the OKC Metro area who are all welcome to attend chapter events. Konarik advises all alumni, no matter where they are, to watch their inboxes to see how they can get involved with their local chapter.

“Being involved with an OSU alumni chapter is such a joy in my life,” she said. “We all share such a strong love for OSU and the Cowboy family. It is truly so special.”

Kelley NewkirkKonarik poses with Pistol Pete at the OKC Metro OSU Alumni Chapter’s first golf tournament in April 2021.