STATE Magazine, Winter 2008 by Oklahoma State

A Peaceful Revolutionary Revered Native American scholar Henrietta Mann believes in the power of education to conquer prejudice and preserve indigenous cultures

pistol pete — man and mascot 32 Women for osu 38 design at its best 66

STILLWATER NATIONAL BANK

Who told YOU about OSU? Renee Hale, chemical engineering student, learned about OSU from the alumni in her own family â&#x20AC;&#x201D; sister, parents, paternal grandparents and great-grandparents. Not everyone has a family connection. But every prospective student needs to know about the many opportunities available at OSU. Take the next step. Fill out the card and mail it. Postage is paid. OR contact OSU at http://admissions.okstate. edu/onlineinquiry.html

contents

state

Winter 2008, Vol. 4, No. 2 http://magazine.okstate.edu

Welcome to the winter 2008 issue of STATE magazine, your source of information from the OSU Alumni Association, the OSU Foundation and University Marketing. Alumna Henrietta

Mann, our cover story, calls OSU her springboard into higher education and her success as a scholar and pioneer of Native American studies. (Read more beginning on page 54.) As always, we welcome your comments, memories and suggestions for future stories.

Building on Tradition Student leaders generate support for Student Union renovation.

Celebration of Books Novelist’s experience with writer’s block leads to popular book festival at OSU-Tulsa.

Remembering Friends Grief washes over campus as two separate accidents claim four students’ lives.

Kamm Legacy Lives On Beloved OSU president Robert Kamm, who died Oct. 10, 2008, guided OSU to its status as a comprehensive university while nurturing a peoplefocused environment.

For the Children Students in the College of Human Environmental Sciences raise funds for Kenya children.

Homecoming 2008 What began as a small-town harvest carnival in 1913 has evolved into “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.”

The Giving (Family) Tree A mother’s love for animals inspires her son to endow a faculty position in veterinary medicine.

winter 2008

10 14 16

From Man to Mascot Charlie Lester, the first student to portray Pistol Pete, started a mascot tradition that’s just as strong today as it was 50 years ago.

Famous Son The city of Perkins, Okla., the hometown of Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton, plans to restore his home and include it in a living history park.

Still in the Spotlight

Former Cowgirl basketball player Destanie Sykes is living her dream as a model for the world’s largest traveling fashion show.

Celebrating OSU Women Women’s council welcomes all OSU women to join its leadership and philanthropy efforts.

Online Connections The OSU Alumni Association’s redesigned website enhances your connection to campus, events, watch parties and more.

Record-Breaking Success Friends of the Library shatters attendance and donation records with guest Boone Pickens.

32 34

38 40

Distinguished Alumni The OSU Alumni Association honors these individuals for their achievements and service.

Chain Reaction Inspired by OSU’s generous donors, a young couple decides to create a student scholarship.

Dig It Students in this archaeological field course dig into the site of an 18th-century Wichita Indian village.

The Improbable Gift Couple commits to building a strong foundation for architecture students.

A Peaceful Revolutionary Henrietta Mann’s scholarly expertise influences programs from Berkeley to the Smithsonian. Now she returns to Oklahoma for the biggest challenge of her remarkable career.

Powerful Professorship Friends honor former Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology head with endowed scholarship.

at its Best 44 Design World-famous architect Rand

46 48

OSU teams with ProCure Treatment Centers to give students hands-on training in proton therapy.

Extreme Cowboys

Retired school superintendent says OSU gave him the keys to a fulfilling lifetime of education.

The Value of ‘Thank You’ Scholarship recipient’s thank you letter inspires another life-changing gift.

One to Grow On

Faculty know the importance of enhancing their own teaching and learning skills.

An Irishman in Berlin

72 74

Two friends test their mettle in a harrowing, painful race across China’s Gobi desert.

The Good Life

executive director brings his famous dog, Presley, from Hollywood to homecoming.

President Bennett’s grandchildren create scholarship for OSU-Oklahoma City students.

Elliott could practice anywhere but says there’s no place like home.

Specialized Cancer Treatment

Man’s Best Friend is America’s Greatest Dog 62 Former Student Alumni Board

Family Legacy

Only a couple of people knew the secret reason for Coach Gallagher’s journey to the 1936 Olympics.

78 82 84

108

Departments President’s Letter

Crossword

STATEment

Classnotes

Letters to the Editor

Campus News

Chapters

History

108

Essay

111

Cover photography by Phil Shockley

When you see this logo, go to orangeconnection.org to view behind-the-scenes video and extras about the article. This member-only benefit is brought to you by the OSU Alumni Association. 3

Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter

As we approach the end of the year and celebrate the holidays, we have much to be thankful for at Oklahoma State University. OSU students and faculty continue to excel in and out of the classroom. I have the privilege of seeing their creativity and innovation every day. The remarkable work that went into homecoming this fall was particularly impressive. Our alumni demonstrate the value of an OSU education across virtually every field imaginable. Henrietta Mann is a national leader in education and rights for Native Americans. Rand Elliott is one of the most original and imaginative architects in the country. With Boone Pickens leading the way, OSU donors have given at record levels this year. The incredible generosity of our alumni and friends is providing monumental financial support in the areas of scholarship, endowed faculty positions, program support and facility upgrades. Speaking of facilities, work continues on all of our many transformational construction projects. These projects will greatly enhance academics, campus life and athletics on our beautiful OSU campus. On the horizon is a major renovation of our historic and iconic Student Union. We are most thankful for each of you and what you mean to OSU. Ann and I wish you the most wonderful of holidays. Be sure to wear plenty of orange!

Burns Hargis OSU President and System CEO

winter 2008

. . . stay in school

. . . lower a cowboy â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debt

at osu and pursues their dreams. The General

not qualify for federal aid despite being academically

your gift may be the only reason a student stays scholarship fund assists students who, without

additional funding, would be unable to continue their education at osu.

many students require financial assistance but do

gifted. These students have not been awarded adequate scholarships to fully fund their osu experience without having to juggle school and work.

. . . in times of need

. . . with no family support

many osu students face the threat of dropping out

our students have life circumstances which require

no one wants to experience a financial crisis. yet,

of school because they have exhausted all means of

federal aid and scholarships but still need additional financial assistance to remain in school.

family financial support is critical, but many of them to file for federal aid as an independent

student. They do not have the benefit of parental assistance to fund their education.

oklahoma state university foundation | 400 s. monroe | stillwater, ok | 1.800.622.4678

This holiday season, Kindle The

Warmth of

MeMory

Class by Class... beginning with 1896...

You can walk through time, reflecting on the individuals who went before and paved the way for the alumni who followed in their footsteps. A donation of $500 or more entitles you to place your name or other personalized recognition on a brick paver on the Alumni Walk in the arcade of the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center. For more information about purchasing a brick paver, call us at 405-744-8716 or visit us online at orangeconnection.org/paver.

S tat e

Dear OSU Alumni and Friends, 2008 will go down in OSU history as a monumental and historic year. Thanks to the support and commitment of 32,000 alumni and friends, OSU students and faculty will receive greater financial support in the areas of scholarship, endowed faculty positions, program support and facility upgrades. Gifts totaling an unprecedented $248 million to the OSU Foundation made the fiscal year ending June 30 another record-breaking fundraising year exceeding the combined total raised during the past three years. As a result, the foundation’s market value of endowment funds eclipsed $448 million on June 30, an increase of 48 percent over the previous fiscal year. Additionally, annual giving raised a record $1.2 million as well. This financial support will make it possible for future generations to join the OSU family and create an educational environment that attracts and produces the best faculty, staff and scholars. The momentum grew again in October as record-breaking crowds came to Stillwater for Homecoming 2008 and proved OSU truly hosts “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.” Alumni, family and friends who returned for “generation COWBOY” say they genuinely appreciated the countless hours of work by thousands of students to make the event memorable. Photos on pages 24-30 recount this year’s wonderful celebration of OSU, orange and everything it means to be a Cowboy! At this time of year, many high school students are trying to decide which university they want to attend. We hope you’ll encourage your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and any other prospective students to visit the OSU website at www.okstate.edu or call our admissions office at 405-744-5358 or 800-233-5019 ext. 1. Don’t let them miss making their own wonderful memories at OSU.

Kirk A. Jewell President and CEO, OSU Foundation

Larry Shell Interim President and CEO, OSU Alumni Association

Kyle Wray, Director, University Marketing & Special Assistant to the President

spirit Get your OSU check card and gift card today.

1.888.MIDFIRST â&#x20AC;˘ www.midfirst.com

LETTERS

u n iv e rsity mar k e ti n g Kyle Wray / Director of University Marketing & Special Assistant to the President

Janet Varnum, Eileen Mustain, Matt Elliott & Rachel Sheets / Editorial Kim Butcher, Paul V. Fleming, Valerie Kisling, Matt Lemmond, D. Mark Pennie, Aaron Dickey, Emma Robertson & Kevin Cate / Design Phil Shockley & Gary Lawson / Photography Lex Meyer / Web University Marketing Office / 121 Cordell, Stillwater, OK 74078-8031 / 405.744.6262 / www.okstate.edu (web) / editor@okstate.edu (email) / osu.advertising@okstate. edu (email) O S U A lum n i A ssociatio n Jerry Winchester / Chairman Rex Horning / Vice Chairman

THE HEART OF OSU Many thanks to Chase Carter and Phil Shockley for the Melvin Welch story and photos in the fall 2008 STATE. Melvin is truly an Oklahoma State treasure whose memory must not be lost. He represents the heart of what you are trying to foster and express — the love we share for Oklahoma State University. Lynn Myers, M.D. ‘56, pre-med Oklahoma City

Samuel Combs III / Immediate Past Chairman Paul Cornell / Treasurer Burns Hargis / OSU President, Non-voting Member

Larry Shell / Interim President and CEO, OSU Alumni Association, Non-voting Member Kirk Jewell / President, OSU Foundation, Non-voting Member

John Allford, Cindy Batt, Larry Briggs, Helen Craig, Dan Gilliam, Ronda McKown, Roger McMillian, Ramona Paul, Gwen Shaw, Nichole Trantham & Ron Ward / board of Directors Deborah Shields / Secretary, Board of Directors Pattie Haga / Vice President and COO Larry Shell / Vice President and CpO Melissa Mourer / Director of COMMUNICATIONS Lora Malone & Melisa Parkerson Communications Committee

201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center / Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 / 800.433.4678 / (web) orangeconnection. org / (email) info@orangeconnection.org O S U F ou n datio n Monty Butts / CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Kirk A. Jewell / President and Chief Executive Officer

Debra Engle/ Senior VICE PRESIDENT of DEVELOPMENT Donna Koeppe / VICE PRESIDENT of Finance & administration

Gene Batchelder, Richard Bogert, Monty Butts, Bryan Close, Ellen Fleming, Ken Greiner Jr., Rex Horning, Judy Johnson, John Linehan, Ross McKnight, Bond Payne, Barry Pollard, Scott Sewell, Larry Shell, William Spears, Jack Stuteville & Dennis White / BOARD OF TRUSTEES Becky Endicott / Senior DIRECTOR of MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Lisa Frein, Abby Taylor, Chris Lewis & Leesa Wyzard / COMMUNICATIONS OSU Foundation / 400 South Monroe, P.O. Box 1749 / Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 / 800.622.4678 / OSUgiving. com (web) / Bendicott@osugiving.com (email)

STATE magazine is published three times a year by Oklahoma State University, the OSU Alumni Association and the OSU Foundation, and is mailed to current members of the OSU Alumni Association. Magazine subscriptions available by membership in the OSU Alumni Association only. Membership cost is $45. Postage paid at Stillwater, OK, and additional mailing ofﬁces. Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. Title IX of the Education Amendments and Oklahoma State University policy prohibit discrimination in the provision of services of benefits offered by the University based on gender. Any person (student, faculty or staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based upon gender may discuss their concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with the OSU Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Carolyn Hernandez, Director of Affirmative Action, 408 Whitehurst, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, (405) 744-5371 or (405) 744-5576 (fax). This publication, issued by Oklahoma State University as authorized by the Director of University Marketing, was printed by Resource One at a cost of $1.23 per issue. 45.5M/Nov. ’08/#2197.

A TOAST TO THE ‘TOAST’ The song “Oklahoma — A Toast,” (Fall 2008, page 62) was composed by a Kingfisher woman, Harriet Parker, in 1905 and adopted as Oklahoma’s state song by the 15th Legislature on March 26, 1935. In 1953, the Legislature adopted the more popular “Oklahoma” as the state song. If you were a Kingfisher graduate, you would leave school knowing the song, which we sang frequently at many gatherings, opening the program with both the “Star-Spangled Banner” and the “Toast.” I completed the 1948-49 year at Oklahoma A&M but did not return as I was a member of the National Guard, which was mobilized in 1950. At “A&M,” I was in the Aggie marching band, the symphony and ROTC band. My high school coach was Cecil “Pete” Rivers, a KHS graduate who was an All-Missouri Valley football player at “A&M” in the late 1930s. George Brownlee Attended from 1948-49, College of Arts (George sends this humorous third verse to “Oklahoma – A Toast,” which Harriet Parker jotted in a note to her Aunt Hattie.) “Oklahoma — A Toast” I give you a land that’s warm and nice At morn, and the sun is bright. Then down from the North Comes a breath of ice. And you freeze to death by night Where the walls are thin And the snow drifts in And you think you will die with the cold. I said, I know, that we never had snow But that was a lie I told.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES I enjoyed the article about Don Haskins in the Spring 2008 issue. I noticed that my old classmate, Joe Nichols, is mentioned as well (in Classnotes). It brought back some good memories. I attended OSU from fall ’49 until I graduated in May 1955. I was called to active duty in 1950 during the Korean War. That caused me to graduate two years later than I would have otherwise. I was hardly more than a mediocre basketball player in high school and intramural sports on campus, but I enjoyed sports. I attended every game possible when in college. I still follow OSU in spite of having lived out of the state since 1955. I well remember watching Don Haskins, Don Johnson, Gale McArthur and their teammates. I was impressed with how Haskins could hit those long shots. I remember a fellow named Sutton who could hit from long range well, also. I think he became a well-known coach, too. I remember how Coach Iba drilled the players to work the ball in to get a close shot, and the ball control on offense and hard defense. I think Haskins left a pretty good mark in the sport, especially in El Paso, Texas. Don Johnson and his brother, Ben, lived across the street from me for several years while we were in school in Minco, Okla., but Don moved to Chickasha for his senior year where he impressed several college coaches. His older brother, Ben, also was good player but not as good as Don. Ben lettered a few years at OAMC. I wonder where these guys are now. Thanks for the memories! David Kirk Woodworth, ’55, agronomy Retired Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve Battle Creek, Mich. Editor’s Note: Don Haskins passed away Sept. 7, 2008, but we’ll always remember him. Read more on page 106.

STATE magazine welcomes your letters. Information will be edited for length, clarity and style. Please include your year of graduation, major and a daytime phone number. Send letters to 121 Cordell, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078 or editor@okstate.edu.

Student Leaders

They want to leave a legacy. Three years ago Claire Carter was an interior design student at OSU when she was approached with an educational opportunity beyond what she could have imagined — to be a part of the first renovation of the then 55-year-old Student Union building. As Student Government Association president, Carter was approached by Student Union Director Mitch Kilcrease about the future of the Student Union building and asked to help assemble a committee of students, faculty and staff to spearhead efforts in raising funds and securing approval to renovate the building. “Working on this project was the highlight of my college experience,” Carter says. “I enjoyed it more than anything else.” The Student Union renovation was born out of the need to update the building’s infrastructure, which has not been altered since it was built in 1950. The renovations will include new centers for leadership and ethics, and diversity and inclusion; a new Career Services and University Counseling Services areas; additional lounges and open spaces for students; state-of-the-art conference and meeting rooms; reorganization of current services to better fit the needs of

Fa ll 20 08

the students; technology, infrastructure and life safety systems upgrades; and facility upgrades to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Total cost of the project is estimated at $86 million. While Carter’s role as SGA president made her a natural representative of the student body to serve on the project’s design team, her interior design education allowed her to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting.

Student members of the Design Team are (from left) Myles Pegues, Leigh Williams, Omogbolahan “Bola” Samusedeen Jabitta, Emilee Lehenbauer and Ideen Jahanshahi.

“I was able to apply everything I was learning in the classroom to this project,” she says. “It was such a unique experience.” Carter graduated in 2007 and is now attending law school at the University of Oklahoma, but plans to return to the Student Union often and see the fruits of her labor. “I’d like to return for everything I can and see the progress of the building,” Carter says. “I don’t have much to give monetarily right now, but I will give what I can because this building is a legacy for a school I intend to stay connected to.” When Carter graduated, the schematics and programming stages of the renovation had been completed and SGA passed legislation to tax themselves with half of the $86 million to fund the project. Current SGA president Emilee Lehenbauer was also serving on SGA at the time of the legislation and says the decision to impose an additional fee on students was born out of the enthusiasm for the renovation seen and heard on campus. “Everyone was in support of the project,” Lehenbauer says. “Students realize the importance of that building.”

Now that the students have shown their commitment to the project they are challenging donors to match their $43 million gift to raise the money needed to complete the project. “I can only speak from my personal experience, but OSU was able to provide more for my education because of its facilities like the Student Union,” says Lehenbauer. “This renovation will build on those traditions and is the first step in ensuring our future will be prosperous.” With a single gift to the renovation of the Student Union, a donor can enhance the life and educational experience of every student at OSU. It is a gift that immediately aligns with the needs and priorities of the OSU student body. “The Student Union is a legacy building that represents so many generations of Cowboys,” Carter says. “To be able to continue meeting students’ needs, the building has to grow and expand and it would be great if donors could match student efforts in making that happen.” To help the OSU student body continue to build on tradition or for more information, contact Vana Phibbs at 405-7442305 or vphibbs@OSUgiving.com.

My Student Union Raina Rose Tagle, ’92 accounting grad Recently I was reviewing my personal credit report and noticed that my first recorded address was “040 Student Union.” Although I did not literally live in the Union, I spent most of my time there and received my personal mail in the Student Government Association office. Morning, noon and night ... I was always doing something in the Union. The Union was the physical focal point of my OSU experience. Having the Union as my home base allowed me to accomplish more in one day than I normally could have in a week: student organization meetings, homework, meals, grabbing my books to head to class, studying for a test, SGA Senate meetings. We knew every way in and out of the building at all hours. I remember there were times when my last meeting of the day started at 10:30 ... in the evening! The proximity of cultural and political offerings in the Union made it easy to “opt-in” to a wide variety of experiences. The Abbie Hoffman and G. Gordon Liddy debate, Anita Hill, A. Whitney Brown and the then-leader of the American Indian Movement were just a few of the speakers I saw in the Union. When I ran for SGA president, a component of my campaign platform (as with several of my predecessors) was to work for the formation of a “student services center” in the Union. It is incredible to see how that dream has been surpassed and how plans for the Union’s future are even more student-focused. Do you have a special memory of the Student Union you would like to share? Please e-mail your stories to debbie.shotwell@okstate.edu.

CAMPU s N e w s

A New Direction OSU Medical School to Partner with Tulsa Hospital Beginning next July, hospitals in the Saint Francis Health System will become the new teaching sites for the majority of OSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine interns, residents and fellows. The current one-year agreement between the OSU Medical Center in Tulsa and Ardent Health System is set to expire next June. “Partnering with Saint Francis allows us to work with a premier hospital system that will provide the best possible medical education and training experience for our residents,” says OSU President Burns Hargis. The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine is a national leader in rural and primary care, as well as telemedicine. It has provided physicians for 63 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties in recent years. OSU will now join with others in the Tulsa health care community to address the issue of indigent care currently provided at the OSU Medical Center. “We are glad others are joining in the efforts to treat indigent patients in Tulsa,” Hargis says. “At OSU we stand ready and willing to do what we can to advance this endeavor.”

winter 2008

A $5.2 million construction project will help OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee double its nurse training staff and produce twice as many nursing graduates. The new 23,000-square-foot building, the Rural Health Science Center, is scheduled to open in July 2009. After the building is completed, OSUIT expects to hire more nursing instructors and that will allow the school to increase the number of registered nurses it graduates. President Bob Klabenes says the facility provides an excellent opportunity for OSUIT to meet the extremely high demands for rural registered nurses. “This is critical to the redevelopment of rural Oklahoma, and that is the focus of this program.

“We have a significant waiting list and the new Rural Health Science and Technology Center will allow us to enroll at least twice as many students as we have now.” The new building will feature classrooms, faculty offices, simulated labs including a maternal and child lab, intensive and critical care lab, medical surgical lab and a basic skills lab.

Nursing students Karen Godsey and Eugene Bates perform medical interventions on a mannequin that simulates shortness of breath. A new Rural Health Science Center at OSU’s Institute of Technology in Okmulgee will increase the number of registered nurses for rural Oklahoma.

Photo / John Amatucci

OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis are hosting a series of small, informal dinner meetings with students called “Burgers with Burns.” Participants, chosen randomly from currently enrolled students, have an opportunity to share their ideas and concerns regarding OSU, enjoy dinner and receive an “I had a burger with Burns” T-shirt.

More Nurses For Rural Areas

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Holiday 2008

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Authors and book lovers gather at OSU-Tulsa for the annual Celebration of Books, a weekend of writing workshops, book signings and tips from the pros.

The of Storytelling

here’s an old Native American proverb that says, “Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story, and it will live in my heart forever.” That adage resonates with Teresa Miller, who spent her childhood surrounded by a family of gifted storytellers. Now an author and creativewriting instructor at OSU-Tulsa, she spends her life celebrating not only writers but also the stories they tell. A painful 18-year writer’s block following her first novel, Remnants of Glory, was the catalyst that transformed Miller’s passion for storytelling into an appreciation for the work of other writers. In 1994, she established the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers to bring some of the world’s most talented authors to the state. “At first, I was simply a writer looking for the company of other writers,” Miller says. “Then I discovered the rich resources we have in Oklahoma. We have many talented writers here that I had originally overlooked.” The center, which has been at OSU-Tulsa since the university’s establishment in 1999, hosted its eighth annual Celebration of Books this fall. The celebration is the center’s premier event, featuring a weekend of panel discussions, writing workshops, presentations, live interviews and book signings. OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl believes the unique partnership between the center and the university is greatly beneficial to the state.

winter 2008

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts, in back, highlighted this year’s Celebration of Books at OSU-Tulsa. Hundreds of accomplished and aspiring writers, including his mother, Billie Letts, left, an Oprah Book Club author, attended the annual event organized by Teresa Miller, right, author and executive director of the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers at OSU-Tulsa.

“Part of OSU-Tulsa’s vision is to be a spirited supporter of the arts and humanities,” Trennepohl says. “We are pleased to be contributing to this vision through our association with the Celebration of Books and the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers. It’s always a pleasure to welcome so many gifted writers and hundreds of community members to OSU-Tulsa for the celebration.” Although the popularity of the event has grown each year, Miller didn’t know if anyone would come to the first Celebration of Books. However, she was surprised at how many people showed up enthusiastically supporting the event. She says she quickly discovered that what had been planned as a conference for authors had developed into a book festival for readers and book lovers. “The celebration is really about building a community through books,” she says.

Through growing support and attendance, it’s evident the community has embraced the event. Donations and sponsorships enabled the center to offer free admission to full-time students and teachers for the first time this year. “We’ve always been really fortunate that the community has championed and supported the celebration,” Miller says. Under Miller’s leadership, the center has brought hundreds of nationally known, award-winning writers to Oklahoma including Amy Tan, Alexander McCall Smith, Pat Conroy, Doug Marlette, Mitch Albom, Dennis Lehane, Frank McCourt and Maya Angelou. Oklahoma authors S.E. Hinton, Billie Letts, Jim Lehr, Clifton Taulbert and Michael Wallis have also participated. This year’s celebration featured acclaimed Oklahoma playwright Tracy Letts. His play about a dysfunctional

Her Teresa Miller has rediscovered her voice. After developing a severe case of writer’s block following her first novel, Miller is once again telling a story that she says has taken her whole life to complete. In Means of Transit: A Slightly Embellished Memoir, Miller takes readers from her early childhood in Tahlequah, Okla., to a short stint in a New York acting school to the writing of her first novel and the decades of writer’s block that followed. She also describes her terrifying encounter with a stalker and her creation of the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers at OSU-Tulsa. The book received national attention even before its release in September. In late July, Miller discussed her book as a guest on The Diane Rehm Show, one of national public radio’s most popular programs. Miller, a creative writing instructor at OSU-Tulsa, also serves as the

Oklahoma family, August: Osage County, won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2008 Tony Award for Best Play. Miller says it’s an honor to welcome home these accomplished writers who help change people’s perceptions of Oklahoma. “Many people, even Oklahomans, cling to the Grapes of Wrath image of our state,” Miller says. “But Oklahoma has a distinguished literary heritage, and we celebrate that at the book festival.” Although the Celebration of Books has become a learning tool for beginning writers, a gathering place for book fans and a stage for famous authors, Miller says, in the end, it’s really a celebration of stories — the stories that move and entertain us, ignite discussion and build imagination. S tories by T rish M c B eath

to Tell

executive director of the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers and hosts Writing Out Loud, a television program featuring in-depth interviews with writers. It airs every Monday at 10:30 p.m.

on OETA Oklahoma Public Television. Her other novels include Remnants of Glory and Family Correspondence.

Teresa Miller signs copies of her new novel, Means of Transit, alongside news anchor Roger Mudd during the 2008 Celebration of Books.

g n i r e b m e Rem Friends Thoughts about Chris “He was a really good friend. He would come help you at 2 in the morning if your car was stranded. He was ‘down to earth,’ smart and always tried new things. He always wanted to take care of his mom and sister. I miss him a lot; he was a good friend.” A ndrew M iller , business management senior

Thoughts about Christian “I would just like to say that my brother will be with me and my mom always, and I know that he is in heaven looking down on us. Christian was a big inspiration to a lot of people’s lives.” E ric W right

Thoughts about Kelli “She absolutely loved being at OSU and made many friends she considered her friends for life. As her parents we have been blessed to hear how Kelli touched so many lives in her short twenty-one years. We will always love her and miss her, but are so thankful for our memories.” C indy S chmidt

Thoughts about Justin “My brother was the most encouraging and selfless person. Hardly a day went by that he didn’t tell me he loved me and was praying for me. God could not have blessed me with a better brother. I never could imagine having to go through life without him, but now that I am, I find comfort in knowing that he is with God, and God is with me.” J ennifer M agers

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Grief washes over campus when two accidents take students’ lives

Alpha Delta Pi, says her daughter fell in love with OSU’s beautiful buildings and grounds on her first visit. “She absolutely loved being at OSU and made many friends that she considered her friends for life. “It was her philosophy to try her best OSU continues to mourn the loss of to be a good friend and family member. three OSU students who were killed in a We think she must have lived by this car accident on Labor Day weekend and because of the overwhelming number of another recent graduate who died in a friends and family who were here for her motorcycle accident in August. funeral,” Schmidt says. Almost everyone on campus knew “Kelli was always smiling,” Gelsinger one or more of these students, and many says. “She was a creative girl and loved students and faculty have joined together photography. Her bedroom was covered to support each other and remember the in pictures of her friends, flowers and friends they lost. her house and land in Missouri. Chris Bellmer, 21, a business Gelsinger became acquainted with management senior of Katy, Texas; Kelli Mellon through Wright, who was the Mellon, 21, a history senior of Lawson, first person Gelsinger met on campus. Mo.; and Christian Wright, 23, a geol“I had a lot of tough time in college, ogy senior of Oklahoma City, died on and Chris was always there,” she says. Aug. 31, 2008, on their way to Kaw “He had the biggest impact on my life Lake, north of Stillwater. because he was always there for me. He The only survivor, Stephen Sellers, would take me to Life Church to show 22, a business and marketing sophome that God was good, and God would more, is still recovering from injuries. be there for me if ever he couldn’t.” In an unrelated motorcycle acciWright’s brother, Eric, will never dent, Justin Magers, a 2008 finance forget Christian’s concern for others. graduate, died Aug. 17 while working in “My brother will be with me and my Hyderabad, India. mom always, and I know he is in heaven All of these students were loved by looking down on us. Christian was a big hundreds at OSU, and their friends say inspiration to a lot of people’s lives.” they’ll always remember them as the Guyla Scott, a hotel and restaurant loving people they were. administration senior, says all three of “Chris was destined for greatness the students who died together were and had a lot of motivation,” says Jacy important to her. Drew Gelsinger, a 2008 OSU graduate. “Kelli had the brightest smile and “He loved sports, especially the New could light up any room,” Scott says. York Yankees.” “Christian could make people laugh no Gelsinger met Bellmer during her matter how down they were. And Chris sophomore year through neighbors in could make anyone feel welcome.” Jones Hall. They instantly became good Unfortunately, Bellmer, Wright and friends and enjoyed attending campus Mellon weren’t the only students whose events like Lights on Stillwater together. lives were tragically cut short. “He always seemed like he would do Magers died in India while worksomething in life,” she says. ing through the International Cultural Patricia Croucher, a marketing Exchange as an English accent trainer senior, says Mellon was one of her best for Vishwas American Accent Training. friends and always made her smile. Magers’ younger sister, Jennifer, a crimi“She always wanted to know how nal justice junior at Texas Christian you were doing,” Croucher says. “She University, says Magers was her best was a good listener and would call in the friend, mentor, hero and the most selfsummer just to check up on me.” less person she knew. Mellon’s mother, Cindy Schmidt, a “He fully understood how tempo1977 family relations and child developrary our time on earth is and how the ment graduate who was a member of

decisions we make now will affect us for eternity,” Jennifer says. “Because of this, his life purpose was to share the Gospel with everyone he could.” OSU’s counseling center responded immediately to the news of both tragedies. Staff went the night of the accident to the Phi Mu sorority house where Mellon was a member. The counseling center staff also attended a memorial service on the Beta Theta Pi lawn for Magers, who was a member of the fraternity, and a candlelight memorial service in the Student Union atrium for the three students, says Suzanne Burks, director of the University Counseling Services. OSU President Burns Hargis expressed the university’s condolences to the families following the accident and will present posthumous degrees to their families in conjunction with the December commencement. “These students were all nearing their muchdeserved and hard-earned degrees,” Hargis says. “This is a proper tribute to them and their families.” Lee Bird, vice president of student affairs, says many alumni gave their time and resources to comfort students. Phi Mu alumnae even paid for buses to transport Mellon’s sorority sisters to her funeral in Missouri. Texas Roadhouse in Stillwater raised $4,800 in September to help pay for

“The world has diminished just a little bit, because they aren’t in it.” Sellers’ hospital expenses, which are not covered by health insurance, and two of the restaurant’s Oklahoma City locations joined in, raising the total donation to just over $7,000. “A couple of our servers were friends with Stephen,” says manager Chris Lampley. “It motivated us to help out any way we could.” Many people volunteered to help. “There were tons of phone calls, activities and requests helping facilitate the needs of survivors, friends and family.” These four students will never be forgotten, Bird says. However, “the world has diminished just a little bit, because they aren’t in it.” R achel S heets

Former OSU President Leaves Lasting Legacy OSU lost one of its most influential and beloved leaders when former president Robert Kamm, 89, died Oct. 10, 2008, in Okmulgee, Okla. Kamm guided the university during the turbulent late 1960s and believed in the transformational power of a college education. “I will always remember his defining statement,” says Jerry Gill, former chief executive officer of the OSU Alumni Association who was a student when Kamm was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “It is people and what happens to people in the academic endeavor that are important,” Gill quotes Kamm as saying. “Dr. Kamm believed this, and he lived this, especially in his relations with students.” Kamm, who came to OSU in 1958, was president from 1966 to 1977. But his service to OSU as a teacher, counselor and university administrator lasted more than 45 years. The arts and sciences flourished under his leadership, says Richard Poole, the former business college dean whom Kamm hired as his vice president for university relations. Poole says Kamm helped guide the university to its current status as a comprehensive institution.

photos / OSU Special Collections

Above, Richard Poole, Robert Kamm and James Boggs “At the same time, he provided an environment for growth and improved quality in the professional schools, agriculture, business and engineering,” Poole says. “We had been strong, but he arranged to get better funding into these programs and professional schools. We started getting doctoral programs in English, the arts, history and sociology. And that’s also when the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts was built.” Poole remembers Kamm always being open to other views and opinions. And the former president and his late wife, Maxine, showed a remarkable dedication to OSU, its students and employees. Also, Kamm started leadership planning retreats for the administration, Poole says. That led to more organized long-range planning. “Someone once told me, ‘What you do for yourself dies with you, but what you do for others lives on.’ And I think that applies to Bob and Maxine. So they’ll be with us for a long time.” In 1976, Kamm was appointed as a member of the executive board of UNESCO. He was chair of the U.S. delegation to the 19th general UNESCO conference in Nairobi, Kenya, and also chair of the President’s Commission for Observance of the 25th anniversary of the United Nations. Kamm left the presidency to run for the U.S. Senate against David Boren in 1977. He lost, but stayed on at OSU in various positions. He was promoted to president emeritus and professor emeritus in 1988. Also that year, he received OSU’s highest honor, the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award for citizenship and leadership. And for OSU’s centennial celebration in 1990, Kamm directed the Centennial Histories project that produced 26 books on the university’s history. Kamm was born in West Union, Iowa, in 1919. He received his bachelor of arts in English and theater in 1940 from the University of Northern Iowa. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he completed his master’s degree in 1946 and his doctoral degree in 1948, both in counseling psychology and higher education from the University of Minnesota. He became dean of students at Drake University in Iowa. To Gill and others, Kamm was more than another university administrator. “Dr. Kamm’s most significant contribution to Oklahoma State University was his ‘people emphasis’ initiative,” Gill says. “He created an academic and university-wide environment that valued people and emphasized the primacy of people as the driving force in the educational activities and successes of OSU.” M att E lliott

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little known fact that Santa lives in Stillwater! This is where he develops gifts for next season and secretly tests them in local stores. For all the latest gifts, shop Stillwater merchants. From our unique boutiques to name-brand retail stores, Stillwater has everything you need this holiday season. For Information Go To

visitstillwater.org

CULTURE STUDENT

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Children a world away eat a nutritious meal every day thanks to a student-organized fundraiser following Kenya's deadly riots.

hilanthropy is a major aspect of many OSU student organizations. From concerts to walk-a-thons and T-shirt sales to formal dances, student-organized events demonstrate a boundless desire to give back to and serve their community. Students in the College of Human Environmental Sciences are no exception. During HES Week last spring, 25 members of the Human Development and Family Science Club worked together to raise more than $1,400 for a small school in Kenya that had been looted and vandalized during riots. Club members sponsored a cookout, donation competition and potluck picnic to encourage faculty, staff and students to contribute. The Slum Outreach Ministries Nursery School in Kibera, Kenya, started five years ago through personal donations of two women on outreach trips to the poorest areas of the country. The school offers a safe haven and one meal a day for children from families enduring extreme hardship, including loss of a parent due to HIV/AIDS. Enrollment has grown to nearly 200 children between the ages of 3 and 10. After Kenya’s disputed December 2007 elections, the nation became embroiled in conflict and the streets

filled with rioters. As violence, looting and vandalism peaked, many people feared for their families’ safety. The death toll was estimated to be more than 1,500, and another half million people were forced out of their homes. The school in Kibera suffered extensive damage, and all of its desks, food, plates, pots and spoons were stolen or destroyed.

“The population of the community is so destitute, the children cannot be admitted to the handful of public schools located in the slum.” — Mumbe Kithakye

OSU doctoral student Mumbe Kithakye along with Amanda Morris, associate professor in human development and family science, conducted research at the Kenyan school in 2006. When word of the destruction reached them, they took action and shared news of the school’s troubles with OSU. “The school is located in the largest slum in Africa, and its importance to the community cannot be overstated,”

says Kithakye, whose research focuses on family resiliency in adverse conditions. “The community is so destitute the children cannot afford to attend the handful of public schools located there. “What is especially amazing about this school is that it continues to reach out to the community even under such extreme opposition.” In January, the school’s staff did everything possible to reopen the facility and was able to accommodate all 200 children because of the generous donations they received. “The school used funds raised by the HDFS department at OSU to buy food for the lunch program, which is the only meal many of the children receive each day,” Kithakye says. “The director was grateful to the OSU students who saw a need for children in another part of the world and responded.” Club President Jennie Lowther says the club will continue fundraising efforts to support the school. “This fall the HDFS club will sell hand-woven bags made by Kenyan women. Dean Stephan Wilson and his family are donating the bags, and 100 percent of the funds will be sent to the school,” Lowther says. “We hope to show the children of Kibera that OSU students a world away care about them.” L indy W iggins

For more information on the project visit www.ches.okstate.edu.

The OSU AdvAnTAge

Selecting a university is all about programs, location and affordability. And OSU has it all. • more than 250 degree programs including medicine and veterinary medicine • all the activities of a big university plus more than 400 student organizations available in the comfort and security of Stillwater • award-winning programs, renowned faculty, a world-class education — all for the most affordable price in the Big 12

Thousands of alumni return to campus each year for OSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spectacular homecoming thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recognized internationally as a model university program.

What began as

a small-town harvest carnival at the beginning of the 20th century has evolved into “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.” Along the way, with the support of the OSU Alumni Association and the student body, OSU’s homecoming has grown into a week-long spectacular that draws tens of thousands of alumni, family and friends back to Stillwater each fall. The first homecoming was held as part of the Harvest Carnival in the fall of 1913, but it wasn’t until seven years later that the OSU Alumni Association hosted its first official homecoming celebration.

n Oct. 30, 1920, 90 Oklahoma A&M alums returned to Stillwater for festivities including a football game — the Cowboys lost to Texas A&M — a dance and a dinner hosted by Alumni Association President Monroe Otey. Of the 90 alumni in attendance, 50 were from the Stillwater area and 40 were from out of state. It was also in the ’20s that today’s spectacular tradition of house decorations began when sororities started to decorate their doorways. In 1930, the first homecoming

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parade, a mile long, made its way down Main Street. By 1930, more than 17,000 alumni returned to Oklahoma A&M to renew old friendships and show their pride in the “orange and black.” During World War II, the 1942 and 1944 homecoming celebrations were combined with Dad’s and Mother’s Days and sponsored by the YMCA, YWCA, the Dad’s and Mother’s Day Association and the Alumni Association. Even amid gas rationing and cutbacks on parade floats, decorations and visiting bands, the football game and reunion functions were well-attended.

ollowing the war, a record 20,000 alumni attended the 1946 festivities, including the largest parade at the time with more than 50 floats, six bands and other community entries. Since then, the event has grown and today is recognized as “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration,” drawing more than 40,000 alumni back to campus each year. CASE International (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) has recognized OSU’s homecoming as a Seal of Excellence recipient. This is the highest award given by CASE in the field of alumni relations.

This prestigious award is given only to programs that serve as models for others. OSU’s homecoming program was cited as a premier program internationally for its widespread participation and outstanding organization.

ost recently, the world wide web enabled expanded coverage of OSU’s homecoming celebration. While homecoming events and activities have been posted online in the past, today’s online homecoming experience has grown to include photo albums, video highlights and live streams of Walkaround and the “Sea of Orange” parade. Presented by the OSU Alumni Association and planned by the studentdriven homecoming steering committee, OSU’s homecoming is a long-standing, exciting and colorful tradition for both campus and community. The OSU Alumni Association and the homecoming executive committee hope you came home to experience “generation COWBOY.” If not, or to relive the memories, visit orangeconnection.org/homecoming to see this year’s highlights. K athr y n B olay- S taude

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“The entire homecoming experience was great from the beginning of the walkaround until the end of the win of the football game. My husband celebrated his 50th year of graduating from OSU this year, and we had a wonderful day all day long Saturday. Thank you!” — Maggie Russell

The Homecoming & Hoops spirit rally combines the energy of homecoming with the excitement of OSU basketball. The packed house enjoys a night celebrating Cowboy football, O-State basketball and lots of orange spirit.

“Bryan and I met while attending Oklahoma State. Our older son Robert is a UCO senior and a loyal OSU fan, our daughter Laura is an OSU freshman and our younger son Rhys is an OSU senior and Pistol Pete! Our family’s enthusiasm for OSU reached a new level when Rhys received the honor of becoming Pistol Pete. Watching fans of all ages interact with Pistol Pete on and off the field is indescribable! We’re thrilled our children love OSU. After all, if it weren’t for Oklahoma State they wouldn’t be here! We enjoyed all of the sights, sounds and feelings associated with Walkaround, the parade, catching up with college friends and, of course, the game! 2008 is the greatest homecoming in OSU’s history.” — Saundra Gay

“Thank you for leading a great homecoming celebration! Our Pistol Pete alumni group had a fantastic time and I believe everyone felt the events were well timed, great fun and personally rewarding! The gentlemen selected to serve our alma mater as mascot were humbled and honored to be recognized throughout the weekend at our O-Club reception, Gov. Brad Henry’s proclamation, the parade, Homecoming and Hoops, The Walk (with the team) and the time-out acknowledgment on the field. Our homecoming is a major event and no small chore to pull off, so kudos to you and the posse with whom you ride!” — Scott Petty

This year’s sweepstakes award winners, the Gamma Phi Beta / Sigma Phi Epsilon pair, embrace childhood with a theme based on the works of Dr. Seuss. At left, the Harvest Carnival, an old-fashioned children’s carnival, is an event for the whole family that also generates thousands of canned goods for the Harvest II food drive.

“I just wanted to tell you that you all did a great job this year!! Wes and I have participated in OSU Homecomings for over 40 years, and none surpassed this one. I know my other colleagues on the Board of Regents join me in sending you and your committee a huge Thank You for a job very well done! All of us appreciate your commitment, leadership and hard work.” — Lou Watkins

Homecoming King & Queen: Austin Horn & Brooke Clay Sweepstakes – Greek Life: 1st – Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Phi Epsilon 2nd – Kappa Delta/Alpha Gamma Rho 3rd – Kappa Alpha Theta/Farm House House Decs – Greek Life: 1st – Kappa Delta/Alpha Gamma Rho 2nd – Zeta Tau alpha/Pi Kappa Alpha 3rd – Phi Mu/Sigma Chi 4th – Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Phi Epsilon 5th – Pi Beta Phi/Sigma Alpha Epsilon

More than 50,000 OSU alumni, family and friends return to Stillwater for Homecoming 2008’s “generation COWBOY” presented by the OSU Alumni Association. The masses flood the streets for Friday night Walkaround.

House Dec People’s Choice – Greek Life: Zeta Tau Alpha/Pi Kappa Alpha House Dec Engineering Award: Kappa Delta/Alpha Gamma Rho Sign Competition – Greek Life: 1st – Tri Delta/Lambda Chi 2nd – Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Phi Epsilon 3rd – Zeta Tau alpha/Pi Kappa Alpha Harvest Carnival – Greek Life: 1st – Kappa Alpha Theta/FarmHouse 2nd – Kappa Delta/Alpha Gamma Rho 3rd – Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Phi Epsilon Harvest Carnival People’s Choice – Greek Life: Zeta Tau Alpha/Pi Kappa Alpha Philanthropy – Greek Life: 1st – Kappa Alpha Theta/FarmHouse 2nd – Pi Beta Phi/Sigma Alpha Epsilon 3rd – Kappa Delta/Alpha Gamma Rho Football Frenzy – Greek Life: 1st – Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Phi Epsilon 2nd – Chi Omega/Sigma Nu 3rd – Kappa Alpha Theta/FarmHouse Football Frenzy – Open Bracket: 1st – Twenty Something 2nd – FIT 3rd – Bennett B Sweepstakes – Residential Life: 1st – KPF/Village 2nd – North Monroe 3rd – Stout Hall Sign Competition – Residential Life: 1st – KPF/Village 2nd – Stout Hall 3rd – Kerr-Drummond

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Residents of the Village / KPF halls kick up their heels at this year’s Residential Life Bash.

Residential Life living groups give campus an orange glow by decorating their halls and yards.

Harvest Carnival – Residential Life: 1st – KPF/Village 2nd – Parker Hall 3rd – North Monroe Harvest Carnival People’s Choice – Residential Life: KPF/Village Chili Cook-Off – Residential Life: 1st – Parker Hall 2nd – Stout Hall 3rd – KPF/Village

This year’s “Sea of Orange” Homecoming Parade is one for the record books with more than 130 entries, including the more than 50 former Petes on hand to celebrate a halfcentury of America’s greatest mascot.

Orange Reflection – Residential Life: 1st – KPF/Village 2nd – Stout Hall 3rd – Bennett Hall Parade – Residential Life: 1st – PWNES 2nd – KPF/Village 3rd – North Monroe Sweepstakes – Student Organizations: 1st – CASNR 2nd – Collegiate 4-H Sign Competition – Student Organizations: 1st – Horseman’s Association 2nd – Army Blades 3rd – Sigma Phi Lambda/Alpha Tau Omega Chili Cook-Off: Student Organizations: 1st – Business Student Council 2nd – Alpha Zeta 3rd – OSU Dairy Science Club Parade – Student Organizations: 1st – Sigma Phi Lambda/Alpha Tau Omega 2nd – Collegiate 4-H 3rd – CASNR

Bible Baptist Church wins the Grand Marshal’s Cup with this Pete-topped cake in the homecoming parade. Cowboy fans of all ages spread the spirit of homecoming by painting uplifting words for the team to read as they walk to the stadium.

Parade – Community: 1st – Bible Baptist Church 2nd – Payne County Youth Services 3rd – Renaissance School Parade – Grand Marshal’s Cup: Bible Baptist Church Bands – Small Class: 1st – Garber High School 2nd – Pawhuska High School Bands – Large Class: 1st – Henryette High School 2nd – Yale High School Orange Glow – Community: 1st – Goody’s 2nd – Costumes, Balloons & Stuff Most Spirited College: College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology

the KIRKPATRICKS’ OMMITMEN

Mother’s devotion to animal well-being inspires her son to endow a faculty position in OSU’s Vet Center.

Dr. Michael Lorenz, left, thanks Kirkpatrick Family Fund President Christian Keesee, right, for a gift honoring Keesee’s mother, Joan Kirkpatrick, and her love for animals and the OSU veterinary center.

iving is second nature to Joan Kirkpatrick and her son Christian K. Keesee. As presidents of charitable organizations and members of a philanthropically minded family, they understand the impact and importance of charitable giving. Joan Kirkpatrick has dedicated her life to the betterment of others through her leadership role in the Kirkpatrick Foundation, a nonprofit organization established more than 50 years ago by her parents, John and Eleanor Kirkpatrick. Since its creation, the foundation has donated more than $50 million in philanthropic funding for the arts, education, animal welfare, environmental conservation and more. Under Kirkpatrick’s direction, the foundation priorities have become 30

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further targeted toward animal welfare, resulting in growing support for research, preservation and education. As president of the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Keesee is honoring his mother’s passion for animals through an endowed chair at Oklahoma State University. “We made the gift to the veterinary center in small-animal internal medicine because it is an excellent opportunity to honor Joan Kirkpatrick and her love for animals and the work of the veterinary center,” says Liz Eickman, Kirkpatrick Family Fund executive director. The Kirkpatrick Family Fund’s $500,000 commitment established the chair in June. Once fully matched dollarfor-dollar by alumnus Boone Pickens’ $100 million chair match commitment, as well as the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the gift will equal $2 million in endowed funds. “As a longtime follower of veterinary projects conducted by Oklahoma State University through the Kirkpatrick Foundation, I am deeply grateful to have a chair established in my honor,” Joan Kirkpatrick says. The holder of the Joan Kirkpatrick Chair in Small Animal Internal Medicine will work with faculty in other veterinary departments to

augment research and teaching in one of several sub-disciplines of internal medicine, including infectious diseases. Additionally, one focal point of the position is to train internal-medicine residents in applied research. “This chair fills a void we’ve had for a long time, and it will have a major impact on our small-animal program,” says Dr. Michael Lorenz, dean of OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. This gift is one of many the Kirkpatrick family has made to OSU over the years. The family has given nearly $3 million, helping purchase new equipment, update facilities and create a joint program with OSU-Oklahoma City that enables vet technicians to train at the teaching hospital in Stillwater. “The generosity of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and Joan Kirkpatrick has been instrumental in improving our facilities and programs,” Lorenz says. Once the chair is fully matched, Lorenz plans to hire a distinguished small-animal veterinarian to anchor the program and attract other outstanding faculty. As the program grows, so will the impact of the gift, forever honoring Joan Kirkpatrick for her lifetime commitment to animal welfare and philanthropy.

“The generosity of the Kirkpatrick Foundation and Joan Kirkpatrick has been instrumental for improving our facilities and programs.” — Dean Michael Lorenz

Visit SUNUP on the Web at SUNUP.okstate.edu for video clips and more information.

Many men have carried the mantle of one famous lawman, keeping the Pistol Pete tradition going for 50 years after Frank Eaton’s death.

b Y Ch a s e C a r t e r

Bill Smith, ’62, portrayed Pistol Pete in 1959. The original Pistol Pete head behind him is on display in GallagherIba’s Heritage Hall. photos

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Shockle / Phil

Chuck Lester holds a photo of his father, Charlie, the first student to portray the famous mascot.

n Nov. 1, 1958, thousands of OSU alumni, family and friends gathered at Lewis Field for the homecoming football game against Army. It was the first homecoming under the newly named Oklahoma State University and a first for what has become one of the greatest mascot traditions in the United States. On that day, OSU sophomore Charlie Lester placed the very first Pistol Pete head on his shoulders and entered the stadium with his cowboy boots and pistol, ready to excite the crowd. Lester was the first in a tradition that has spanned half a century, but the tradition is based on one man who represented Oklahoma A&M from 1923 to 1958. Frank Eaton was originally asked by A&M students to be the school’s mascot in 1923 during the Armistice Day parade. With his trademark cowboy hat and handlebar mustache, Eaton would attend sporting events and perform tricks for the crowd. Before his death, only one other student portrayed him on the sidelines — but the Pistol Pete head did not appear until that historic homecoming game in 1958. This year’s homecoming logo pays tribute to the mascot Pistol Pete and the attention he has brought to OSU. But the story of Pistol Pete, the rugged mascot with the big head and cowboy hat, began with Charlie Lester. The story is often recalled by Lester’s son Chuck, who many Cowboy fans know as the voice of the Cowboy Marching Band. “Pete was always a part of who Dad was,” says Lester of his dad’s role. “He had so much fun doing it, and it meant so much to him to be able to represent the university in that way.” Lester says one of his father’s favorite stories about being Pistol Pete was participating in the one-and-only Kentucky Bluegrass Bowl in Louisville in December 1958 when OSU defeated Florida State 15–6. “We would hear about that game over and over again,” Lester says. Bill Smith, ’62, who became Pistol Pete after Lester, recalls how the nationally televised Kentucky Bluegrass

Bowl was a big boost for the new OSU mascot. “When the cameras weren’t on the football team, they would show a lot of things on the sidelines,” Smith says. “Charlie Lester and Pistol Pete were a big hit.” Lester performed as Pistol Pete only a few times during the 1958–59 school year, and during the summer of 1959 a committee was formed to select the next Pete. “We put an invitation to interview candidates in the O’Colly and no one showed up,” Smith says. “They said, ‘Bill, you’re it! We have to have somebody do this!’ And that’s how I became the next Pistol Pete.”

One bullet even discharged in his holster, coating his chaps with black soot and creating quite a stir in the (Kansas State) Wildcat crowd. Smith served as Pete during the 1959–60 school year and was the first Pete to be selected by the committee. At the time, he says Pistol Pete only attended football games and a handful of basketball games. One football game in particular stands out in his mind. “When I went to Manhattan, Kan., for the Kansas State game, our faculty adviser decided I shouldn’t carry the Pistol Pete guns across state lines. Instead, he would bring them to me,” Smith says. “He told me when he arrived he’d forgotten them, so he bought me two used guns and some bullets that had been in a fire.” When Smith attempted to use the bullets, only every third or fourth would fire, creating ominous clicking noises before an eventual discharge. One bullet even discharged in his holster, coating his chaps with black soot and creating quite a stir in the Wildcat crowd. As the decades passed, the Pistol Pete tradition grew and the selection

committee began choosing two students per school year to portray the mascot. During the mid-1980s, Charlie Lester and several other former Petes decided to create a Pistol Pete ring to be worn only by current and former Petes to honor the legacy of the men who keep the Pistol Pete tradition alive. The ring has an image of Pistol Pete on the top with the OSU brand on the sides and the owner’s name inscribed on the inside. Although Chuck Lester himself was never a Pete, he received permission from other former Petes to wear his father’s ring. Lester says he considers it an honor to wear it, both in honor of his late father and as a tribute to the mascot’s origins. “Pistol Pete was patterned after a real guy who was, if nothing else, quite a character,” Lester says. “There’s a lot of significance to the fact they chose a real person who was a lawman in the Old West.” In addition to the mascot’s history, Lester says the difficulty of wearing the head and outfit also makes Pistol Pete unique when compared to other mascots. “Because Pistol Pete has the big head, he can’t talk or show facial expressions,” Lester says. “Pete has to show emotion through his walk and body language. I think that makes him unique because today there are more cartoonlike mascots, but Pete is sort of above all that.” Smith and 50 other former Petes returned for this year’s Pistol Pete reunion at homecoming. Together they create a living history of one of America’s greatest mascots, which is a tribute to the tradition that was born from a gun-slinging U.S. deputy in Oklahoma Territory. “He’s more than just a mascot today — he’s the university representative,” Smith says. “I’m tickled to death it’s grown into that instead of just a guy at a football game.” “I’m sure other schools feel strongly for tigers, bulldogs and bears,” Lester says, “but Pistol Pete really embodies what OSU and being a Cowboy is all about.”

Perkins, Okla., a small town south of Stillwater, celebrates the life and times of a famous resident, Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton.

year ago, a 12-foot bronze statue of Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton was erected in his hometown of Perkins, Okla. It was the beginning of a long-sought-after development by the community to commemorate, educate and entertain locals and visitors about the town’s most beloved celebrity. “It’s been a pipe dream to have some type of Pistol Pete attraction ever since he died in 1958,” says David Sasser, chairman of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza Trust. The dream became a reality when Congress appropriated $200,000 toward construction of the Oklahoma Territorial Plaza and the statue by Oklahoma artist Wayne Cooper as part of the Oklahoma Centennial celebration. Before long, additional support through grants and local donations raised $1.2 million, and the project blossomed into a six-acre park with a lighted walking trail, museum, art gallery, living farm, 1901 log cabin, 1907 barn, agriculture exhibit, vintage railroad depot, turn-of-the-century

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OS U ’s m as c ot “Pisto l Pe te” is bas e re a l- life c d on o w b o y F ra n k E ato n, w h just s o ut h o lived of S til lwat e r in Pe r kin O pposite: Pl s. a ns a re u n d e r wa y to re E ato n’s h o m sto re e a lre ady l o c ated in a h is pa r k in h is to ric a l h o m eto w n .

ever y aspect of th e “T his proj ect has to uc hed ro ups tog et her. g al er ev s ht g ou br d an y co mm un it It has been rema rk able.” — David S as s er Ch ai rm an of th e Okla ho ma Territoria l Plaz a Trust The goal of the plaza trust is to restore the house to its original design. After Eaton’s death, ownership of the house changed a couple of times and the inside was gutted to house a gift shop. “We’d like to restore it to the original layout and use it to talk about Pete the man, ‘the original Cowboy,’ — who E aton he was, his character and “Pistol Pete” an . nk ra F of ue t A sta O kla ho m s ou the men who have portrayed am f he t c om m em orates Pistol Pete for OSU,” Sasser says. “And people who knew Pistol Pete can learn more about how church, one-room schoolhouse and a he became the mascot.” 1960s porcelain enamel service station Costs to restore the home to its housing a 1952 Perkins fire truck. original splendor are roughly $25,000 “I’ve never seen enthusiasm for a plus the $10,000 paid to acquire project like this before,” Sasser says. the house. Statues of Pistol Pete and another The Oklahoma Territorial Plaza famous resident, Iowa Tribe Chief Trust and Perkins Community Nacheninga, welcome visitors to the Foundation are working together to park of living history. And right behind raise the funds and have received overthe original cowboy’s pistol-yielding whelming support from the community hands is his original home, moved from for the entire project. its former location three blocks away to “It has been a rallying point,” Sasser the town’s plaza. says. “This project has touched every Dennis Beyl of Beyl-Davenport aspect of the community and brought House Moving volunteered his services for the extreme move, which involved the cooperation of OG&E to take down major power lines in the pathway. Though the house made it safely to its new location, much repair and rehabilitation is still needed for the centuryu s e. to n’s h o a E k old home. n a Fr “Other buildings that have been moved to the plaza were done so through private donations or commitments to fund the move and restoration, but there are no restoration funds for Pete’s house,” Sasser says.

several groups together. It has been remarkable.” Sasser hopes OSU alumni also will feel a connection to the project and make the pilgrimage 10 miles south of Stillwater to gain a greater appreciation of a piece of OSU’s history and will consider making a gift so Pistol Pete’s story can be shared well into the future. Donations are tax-deductible, and donors who give $250 or more to the project will be listed on a bronze plaque inside the home. Those giving $1,000 or more will receive a limited edition, 11by 14-inch “Tall in the Saddle” print by Oklahoma artist Mark Larsen. “This is just a neat opportunity to really let people know Pete’s story,” Sasser says. For more information about the restoration of Pistol Pete’s house or to make a gift, contact David Sasser at 405-5472416.

Former Cowgirl Destanie Sykes is a star whether she’s running down the hardwood court or showing off the latest fashions on the runway.

From playing OSU basketball to modeling in the world’s largest traveling fashion show, Destanie Sykes is successfully pursuing her dream as a model. Sykes, a 2007 fashion design graduate and former forward for Coach Budke’s Cowgirls, says OSU prepared her to participate in the 51st annual Ebony Fashion Fair in many ways. As a student in the design, housing and merchandising program, Sykes sometimes filled in for models who didn’t show up for the various fashion shows within the program. And the rigors of OSU basketball prepared her for the tour routine, as well. “It’s crazy how similar it is to college basketball,” Sykes says. “You’re around the same group of people all the time, and you’re always in and out of a suitcase. In college, I got used to not going home for Thanksgiving, Christmas or spring break.” After graduation, Sykes says she was ready to move on from basketball to something different. “I felt like I had done what I needed to do in the basketball world.” She applied last summer to be a model in the Ebony Fashion Fair. For 50 years, the Ebony Fashion Fair has showcased the latest high fashions to African-American women. Sponsored by Ebony and Jet magazines, the fashion fair

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photos / Phil Shockley

began touring in September and will travel to 180 U.S. cities by May 2009. Sykes grew up in a military family and graduated from Duncanville (Texas) High School. While growing up, her family traveled a lot, and she started attending the Ebony Fashion Fair as a young girl. Sykes sent an application and pictures of herself to Ebony Fashion Fair at the end of July and was surprised when they called her for an audition. “I was excited,” she says. “It was something I never thought would actually happen.” The models wear garments ranging from casual to high-end, including designs by Bill Bass, Oscar De La Renta, Carolina Herrara, Missoni, PSY Miami and Nina Ricci, just to name a few. Not only do the models wear the outfits on stage, they perform synchronized dance routines known as fashion theater, Sykes says. Even though the group presents the show in a different city each day, she describes the environment as very relaxed. “We all have a good time,” Sykes says. “And our diet is up to us. We know what we need to eat to stay a certain size. “I knew it would take a lot of hard work and a definite time commitment,” she says. “I came into it with an open mind, and I was definitely prepared to make that effort.” Traveling with the fashion show has added to Sykes’ knowledge about top clothing designers and fashion, she says, and has taught her about the differences between high- and low-fashion fabric quality and garment construction.

“That’s usually the reason why some outfits are expensive, because there is so much time, effort and treatments involved,” she says. Sykes’ unique experience from the fashion tour will be helpful if she decides to open her own clothing store or start a clothing line. Sykes would like to design women’s clothing, including business casual, and eventually add men’s clothing to her line. Evening gowns are her favorite garments to design, she says, because she believes everyone wants to be stunning at some point. “Wearing an evening gown is a chance to dress up and be beautiful and escape the mundane everyday look of casual wear,” Sykes says. “As a designer, you want to provide that moment for your clients to the best of your ability and let your imagination run wild.” Sykes says she has also learned a lot about herself on the tour. “It’s helped me with my relationship with God and in how I react to certain things,” Sykes says. “I’m learning to speak up and not be so passive. I am also learning to take initiative, step up and say something for the betterment of the show and myself.” Sykes encourages other women who dream of a modeling career not to give up. “Modeling was something I definitely always wanted to do, but I told myself I couldn’t,” she says. “There were so many excuses I put on myself. But don’t ever settle for anything when it comes to a dream. Dream big.” R achel S heets

CELEBRATING OSU Women’s council reorganizes to welcome women from all OSU entities to join philanthropic efforts.

he best birthday present Anne Greenwood ever received was the creation of a scholarship endowed in her name.

To celebrate her 50th birthday, Anne’s husband, Michael, established a scholarship fund through the OSU Foundation for graduates from her high school in Carnegie, Okla., who plan to attend OSU. The gift not only enables the Greenwoods to help students receive a quality education, it also reaffirms their belief that philanthropy is the best investment anyone can make.

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“I’m fortunate to be in the position to give, and I just can’t resist it,” she says. “It’s such a great feeling. Once you contribute and you see the impact it has on the university and its students, you’re hooked for life.” Greenwood experienced the lifechanging power of philanthropy at a young age. As one of five children, Greenwood was only able to attend OSU because of a scholarship. Her experiences at OSU ignited a passion for the university that has always been an important part of her life. Nearly two years ago, the Greenwoods retired and returned to Stillwater to be near the school

and campus they love. This enabled Greenwood to focus her time on philanthropy and give to causes near to her heart. One of these causes is the success of OSU women, and Greenwood is now giving to this cause through her role as chair of the Women for Oklahoma State University Leadership and Philanthropy Council. “I feel very, very lucky to have been given this opportunity, and I’m certain this endeavor is going to open a whole new avenue of involvement for women,” Greenwood says. The council’s mission is to create a culture that inspires the philanthropic potential and celebrates the leadership and impact of OSU women. Originally called Women in Philanthropy, the program was created in the College of Human Environmental Sciences in 1995 but was recently reorganized to serve the entire university. “Women are powerful in their giving and their philanthropic efforts, and they’ve certainly been recognized through the years. But this is an exciting opportunity to celebrate their contributions to OSU’s success and get more women involved with the university,” Greenwood says. Women for OSU will host campus and regional educational events designed to help women inspire, motivate and celebrate one another. The council will educate women on financial planning, philanthropic decisionmaking and leadership skills development through workshops, symposiums and education materials. “We already have a dynamic group of women involved in this university,” Greenwood says. “However, we want to provide an organized platform to bring in additional women who have previously not had the time or opportunity to support the university.” As chair, Greenwood serves as a symbol of the group’s goals in leadership and philanthropy. Her philanthropic efforts and lifetime commitment to OSU represent the heart of the organization.

As chair of Women for OSU, Anne Greenwood will lead the group on its mission to inspire and celebrate the philanthropic impact of Oklahoma State women.

Greenwood will guide Women for OSU with the help of a board composed of 40 alumnae and friends of the university. Together they will lead by example as well as support the program in an advisory and planning capacity. “We are a varied group in that we have all ages and colleges represented,” Greenwood says. “Everyone’s excited about this opportunity to get together, reconnect, learn what’s going on at the university and become more effective philanthropists.”

Women for OSU will hold an annual event on the OSU Stillwater campus and initiate regional programming in subsequent years. This spring’s inaugural event will reintroduce the program. For event details, log onto OSUgiving.com/ women. For more information about Women for OSU, contact Pat Knaub at pknaub@ OSUgiving.com or 405-385-5194.

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Online Connections The OSU Alumni Association’s redesigned website enhances your connection to campus, events, watch parties and more. The OSU community is buzzing about the new OSU Alumni Association website orangeconnection.org, which launched on Aug. 8. The redesigned website provides an even greater personal connection between OSU alumni and the university, and not only simplifies but enhances the user’s experience. The first change that visitors to the site see is a new, clean look, including the Association’s signature orange ball. The homepage contains all the elements that users have come to rely on, such as “Cowboy News,” while providing new opportunities to connect, such as “Orange Events” and “Orange Spotlight.” All Association events are now displayed in the new “Orange Events” section, which users can browse and sort by event type and date. “Orange Events” also houses major university and athletic events, including game times and watch party locations. “Bleeding orange shouldn’t end on graduation day,” says orangeconnection.org user Jessica Stewart, ’07. “The new orangeconnection.org has a great events calendar and information on how to stay involved with Oklahoma State University.” The new “Orange Spotlight” section of the homepage showcases some of the award-winning programs of the OSU

Alumni Association, including homecoming and the Legacy Program. All the Association web pages are categorized in an easy-to-navigate menu that enables users to quickly locate the information they’re seeking, and a new search feature allows users to swiftly scan the entire site for material. “One of the goals of the Association is to provide a connection to all things orange for alumni both near and far,” says Larry Shell, Alumni Association interim president. “The new orangeconnection.org provides alumni with all the necessary tools to renew old friendships and build new relationships.” Online Library Access and access to the HIRE System are two more powerful features available to members on the new orangeconnection.org. Users can now access a wealth of information via the search engines of ProQuest and Factiva, provided by the Edmon Low Library. For job assistance, OSU Career Services’ partnership with the Association provides alumni a great opportunity to network with future employers and employees, all at a discounted rate for being an Association member. The new “OpenProfile” system on orangeconnection.org allows members to create their own profiles with personalized content. Users can import photo slideshows and YouTube videos, display any number of news, athletic or entertainment feeds and even link to their personal profiles on outside sites such as Facebook, MySpace and LinkedIn. Content can be copied from a user’s own sources or selected from dozens of pre-selected mainstream sources like CNN or ESPN. “The new orangeconnection.org has dynamic content,” Stewart says. “I like the fact the Association is branching out on social networks and with podcasts to reach not only older alums but also newer alums.”

Users on the go can also remain connected with a mobile version of the website at orangeconnection.org/mobile, which provides all the same content in the palm of your hand. “Now is a great time for alumni to reconnect with each other and the university through the new orangeconnection.org,” Shell says. “No matter where alumni live, they always remain part of the OSU family, and our website provides the tools necessary to share, interact and grow with each other.” Get Connected. Stay Connected. Visit the new orangeconnection.org today and experience your new connection. C hase Carter

“America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration” occurred not only in Stillwater this year but in homes across the nation, thanks to the new homecoming website at orangeconnection.org/homecoming. Users were able to submit personal homecoming pictures and chili recipes, download Legacy coloring sheets and watch live streams of Walkaround and the Sea of Orange Parade. Photos and videos from Homecoming 2008 are available on the site for all of the OSU community to enjoy. “I think it’s important to access homecoming online because I can’t take my kids every year to homecoming,” says Shandee (Smith) Harrell, ’94 and ’02, who watched the parade online in Texas with her 3- and 5-year-olds. “It’s a tradition that I cherish, and I want my kids to be a part of it as well.”

RECORD-BREAKING

SUCCESS RECORD-BREAKING A Conversation with Boone Pickens

Boone Pickens is accustomed to breaking records. And his September appearance at the Friends of the OSU Library fundraiser was no exception. In the event’s 18-year history, Pickens’ appearance tops the record for attendance, sponsorships, student interest and total funds raised for the Friends of the OSU Library. The 2008 H. Louise & H.E. “Ed” Cobb Speaker Series featured “A Conversation with T. Boone Pickens,” with OSU President Burns Hargis conducting the interview. Nearly 400 guests were treated to stories, jokes and insights on Pickens’ life, as Hargis questioned him on topics ranging from growing up in small-town Oklahoma to the nationally known Pickens Plan. Pickens’ development and advocacy of a new U.S. energy plan has generated an avalanche of political and media attention. The Pickens Plan (www.pickensplan.com) is a blueprint to reduce the nation’s foreign oil dependence by harnessing domestic energy alternatives, and it is spelled out in his new book, The First Billion Is the Hardest. “We were very pleased to host Mr. Pickens,” says Sheila Grant Johnson, dean of libraries. “The news media refers to him as a Texas oil man, but to us he will forever be an Oklahoman by birth and a loyal and true OSU Cowboy. “People are fascinated with him for so many reasons: his philanthropy, his business insights and his energy plan. President Hargis and Mr. Pickens touched on it all.” The event raised a record $35,000 for the Friends of the OSU Library. The group supports every OSU student by funding library facilities, resources and services. For more information, visit www.library.okstate. edu/friends or call 405-744-6323.

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The 18th annual Friends of the OSU Library event generated a record attendance (nearly 400) and dollars ($35,000) as Boone Pickens discussed and signed copies of his new book, The First Billion is the Hardest.

photos / Gary Lawson

He just keeps giving â&#x20AC;Ś One month after Boone Pickensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; historic $100 million gift to OSU, he gave the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation $9.4 million to develop a GIS digital geology consortium between the association and OSU. The funds will provide operating capital for the Boone Pickens Digital Geology Fund to provide geologic, scientific and resource information to the general public via a map-based format researched and compiled by graduate geology students. Then in October, Pickens demonstrated his generosity again with an additional $63 million gift to OSU athletics.

The OSU Alumni Association honors individuals each year with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The six individuals honored for 2008 have distinguished themselves through personal and professional achievements and service to their communities.

F rom left, A nn M . ( W illiams) B enson , M arge C reager , Paul E . N eely, K elly O gle & W. R oger W ebb W ith O S U A lumni A ssociation B oard C hairman J err y W inchester , O S U P resident B urns H argis and O S U A lumni A ssociation I nterim P resident L arr y S hell . (N ot pictured, J. D enn y Carreker J r .)

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photo / Genessee Photo Systems

2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Ann M. (Williams) Benson

Marge Creager ’47, health and

’68, vocational and general home economics; ’72, M.S., home economics education; ’78, Ed.D., vocational, technical and career education. Benson serves as an education consultant for the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education and for the Southern Educational Board. At OSU, Benson was on the dean’s honor roll, the dairy judging team and was a residence hall counselor. She has remained involved with the College of Education, serving on its advisory committee, alumni board and as an associate. Benson of Stillwater, Okla., serves on the board of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, the Oklahoma Workforce Investment Board and has been an adviser, past president and member of the Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation board of directors. Her honors include induction into the Oklahoma Career and Technology Education Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Oklahoma Educator’s Hall of Fame in 2003. In 2002 she received the Francis Tuttle Career Excellence Award by the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education and was named a national honorary member of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America in 2005.

physical education. This Tulsa resident has devoted more than 50 years of her life to public education in Oklahoma. As a student, Creager worked for the dean of arts and sciences and actively participated in numerous student organizations and clubs, including the Women’s Athletic Association, the marching band and Alpha Delta Pi. She was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 1947-48. After graduating, she taught physical education three years at Webster High School and then took time off to raise her family. In 1959 she began substitute teaching for Tulsa area schools. In 1964 Creager took a position with Memorial High School, where she remained until 1986 and was named to the Hall of Fame for the Tulsa Memorial High School Foundation Inc. In 1987 she took a position with the Shadow Mountain Institute, where she stayed until 1997 when she became the Leonard Elementary school counselor for 10 years. She was inducted into the Red Cross Hall of Fame in 1997 for 50 years of service, was presented the national Blue Cross and Blue Shield Ageless Hero of the Year award in 1998 and was awarded the Pinnacle Award.

J. Denny Carreker Jr. ’65, indus-

Paul E. Neely ’49, commerce.

trial engineering, ’66 MBA. Carreker of Dallas, Texas, serves as vice chair of Strategic Payments Initiatives for Fiserv. At OSU, he was named an Outstanding Industrial Engineer, Who’s Who in American College and Universities and received the Ethyl Corporation Scholarship. He was a member of Sigma Tau, Omicron Delta Kappa and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He has served as president of the Electronic Check Clearinghouse Association and was named one of the top 25 technology consultants by American Banker and as Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young.

Neely of Claremore, Okla., is chairman of Neely Insurance Agency Inc. After one semester in 1943, Neely left OAMC to serve in the Army Air Corp as a high speed radio operator stationed in Naples, Italy. In 1946, the young staff sergeant returned to campus and completed his degree on the G.I. Bill. As a student, he joined Delta Sigma Phi business fraternity and worked as a student fireman for college credit. He remains active with OSU and has served as president of the Rogers County OSU Alumni Association Chapter and on the OSU Alumni Association’s national board of directors from 1996-2002. In 1993 he received an OSU Alumni Service Award.

Neely was awarded the Claremore Citizen of the Year Award in 1980 and Rogers County’s Most Progressive Citizen Award in 1993. He has served as president of the Rogers State University Foundation and the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Oklahoma as well as national director of the Oklahoma Professional Insurance Agents Association.

Kelly Ogle ’85, journalism with a

minor in political science. Ogle, a news anchor for KWTV NEWS 9, was recognized as Best Anchor by the National Academy of Television Journalists in 1999 and has received numerous awards for his investigative reporting, including best in the field by the Society of Professional Journalists in 1994 and the Oklahoma Associated Press in 1996. In 2001, the Oklahoma City resident was honored with the Don Bodard Friend of Youth Award for “Kelly’s Kids.” As a student, Kelly was a KOSU radio reporter, an anchor with the OSU television station, an emcee for Varsity Revue and a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.

W. Roger Webb ’63, history.

Webb of Edmond, Okla., has served as president of the University of Central Oklahoma since July 1997. Previously, he was president of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., from 1978-1997. His professional career began in law enforcement for the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and as commissioner of public safety for the state of Oklahoma from 1974 to 1978. Webb is a member of the board of directors of the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, National Consortium of Academics and Sports, Governor’s Campus Life and Safety and Security task force, Oklahoma River Chesapeake Boathouse Trust, Oklahoma Science and Technology Research and Development Board, Oklahoma Business Roundtable and the Governor’s International Roundtable.

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very student’s college experience is different. There are students who get involved in every organization on campus, like Wes Holmes, while others are focused on curriculum in preparation for a career in law or medicine, like Julie Holmes. The Holmeses both called Oklahoma State University home for four years and were on campus at the same time for three of those years. But their paths did not cross until after college when Wes was living in Tulsa and Julie was in her second year of optometry school at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. “I made a last minute decision to go to dinner with some mutual friends in Tulsa, and Wes was there,” Julie says. “There was an instant, mutual attraction.” Today, the two live in Tulsa and celebrated their one-year anniversary last June. Besides sharing a home in Tulsa and an alma mater, the two also share a philanthropic spirit cultivated by their individual OSU experiences. As a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, Wes, ’02 finance, quickly became immersed in campus life, volunteering with several campus organizations and taking advantage of leadership opportunities. His legacy on campus continues today through the establishment of programs like Camp Cowboy, a three-day orientation weekend where 46

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new OSU students learn the culture and traditions of the university. “OSU will be more than just four years of your life if you dive in and get involved,” Wes says. “It will be a lifelong experience.” Julie was also involved in Greek life as a member of Chi Omega sorority and focused her attention toward preparing for optometry school through a biology degree. But civic spirit was not lost on her, and OSU helped her connect with the Stillwater community through organizations like the American Cancer Society. After college, Julie focused on optometry school and Wes went to work for Williams. Though he graduated and left Stillwater, Wes’ connection with OSU did not wane. Helping to recruit future employees for Williams, Wes returns to campus often and now serves as president of the Tulsa Chapter of the Alumni Association. Through his involvement, Wes learned of the generous and inspirational donors who help support the university and was encouraged. “Seeing Boone’s gift and watching people come out of the woodwork was amazing,” Wes says. “Gifts really do inspire other gifts.” As a scholarship recipient, Wes has a personal connection to the impact an OSU donor can have on a college student. “The only way I was able to go to school was through scholarships,” Wes says. “And I remember thinking, ‘Somebody’s name is on this scholarship; this is really personal.’”

Wes and Julie Holmes continue a philanthropic spirit started at OSU by endowing a scholarship in the Spears School of Business.

r e h ot n A Though the young couple is just beginning to build their life together in Tulsa, Wes felt moved to take advantage of Williams’ matching gift policy and establish a scholarship in the Spears School of Business. He presented the idea to Julie, and once Wes explained the ability to make payments to the endowment and his company’s matching gift policy, she was also encouraged. Next year the Wes and Julie Holmes Endowed Scholarship will see its first scholarship awarded to a finance or accounting student with financial need. And the only thing the Holmeses want in return is for their scholarship recipients to have a similar OSU experience. Although the number of scholarships the couple will award in their lifetime could not be estimated, the impact they will have is immeasurable. “All we want them to take away is the exact same thing we did, and when they have the opportunity to give back, they will,” the couple says.

Exclusive CowboyMail email address �� $0 Show off your OSU spirit to everyone in your address book

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History Revealed

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Students in this summer course unearth artifacts and shed light on the daily life of an 18th-century Wichita Indian village. (continues on next page) By M at t E l l i o t t / Ph o t o s by G ary Laws on

Sociology senior Ben Banks, opposite, far left, says the excavation reveals details about the tribeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural changes.

Students and faculty excavate an 18th century Wichita village in northern Oklahoma as part of an archaeological field school that has unearthed thousands of artifacts from beads to flintlock gun parts as well as the remains of a wooden palisade. 50

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Professors Richard Drass, Stephen Perkins and Susan Vehik operate a field school near Newkirk north of Stillwater. The school, a collaboration between OSU and the University of Oklahoma, gives students a five-week summer immersion in the grunt work of archaeology since a landowner invited archaeologists to survey the old Wichita Indian village site in 2003.

t’s like school, except you get to dig in the dirt for artifacts, and camp. This five-week archaeological field school in northern Oklahoma is archaeology from the ground up without any tests or term papers. “That’s the beautiful thing about it,” says Stephen Perkins, associate anthropology professor. Last summer, 16 students participated in excavating a 70-acre, 18th-century Wichita Indian village near Newkirk, about 55 miles north of Stillwater. Perkins, whose father is retired sociology professor Larry Perkins, estimates the site was home to 3,000 to 5,000 people, making it one of the largest settlements in the region. Profiled in a recent issue of American Archaeology, the BrysonPaddock site is named for the two families who own the ranch land atop a bluff overlooking the winding Arkansas River. The site’s former residents left behind a rich trove of artifacts, Perkins says, including flintlock gun parts and beads they received by trading hides and other items with Europeans. The site also features the remains of one of the largest wooden palisades ever found among the Wichita. Perkins started the school with Oklahoma professors Susan Vehik and Richard Drass in 2003 after one of the landowners invited archaeologists to survey the land where he planned to build a house. When they found mounds of artifacts close to the surface, the landowner decided to build at another location and offered the site for

future study. That paved the way for the field school and its students. Since then, the Bryson-Paddock site has given researchers and students a chance to use a variety of methods to recreate the Wichita’s life there. They rely on everything from historic writings, such as traders’ and explorers’ accounts, to hand tools such as shovels and trowels. “It’s a wonderful experience. But, as I tell the students, you’re on-site digging by 6:30 a.m., and you dig until 3 in the afternoon,” Perkins says. “And it’s hot and dirty.” The field school also features guest presentations on flint knapping (how stone tools are shaped by striking flint with a hammer stone), flintlock guns, European beads and state history. With grades based on participation and keeping a technical journal, the course is popular with students, especially since OSU doesn’t have an archaeology or anthropology department.

en Banks, a senior sociology major, turned his excavation experience into a Lew Wentz research project. The site and the work fascinate Banks, who took the course in

2006 and was a teacher’s assistant the following summer, supervising other students during excavations. “It’s interesting to discover stuff that’s been lost to history,” says Banks, who, with Drass and Perkins’ aid, developed his Wentz project examining the Wichita’s cultural changes and projectile points. He plans to present some of his findings at the Plains Anthropological Conference in Laramie, Wyo., this fall. “By doing archaeology, we can find out what happened even though it hasn’t been recorded,” Banks says. “Archaeology is our history. It’s our past.”

he site, a known hotbed of artifacts since 1914, also shed light on advances in archaeological excavations and provided students with a lesson in interdisciplinary work. Through collaboration with OSU physicist Regina DeWitt, students saw in action a new technique to date pottery sherds. Called thermoluminescence, the technique measures age by examining emitted light absorbed during the pottery’s firing. It can be more accurate than carbon dating, which is unusable with recent artifacts. OSU soil morphologist Brian Carter helped students understand the site’s soil in addition to acting as a mentor for Banks, who is pursuing a minor in soil science. Perkins says their discoveries eventually will be published in a book about the site. But first the Oklahoma Archeological Survey will analyze the artifacts and return them to the landowner, who is considering placing them in an appropriate museum.

t was a gift that would increase their expenses beyond what they had anticipated, but when Jack and Carol Corgan were asked to consider a $500,000 gift to support construction of the Donald W. Reynolds School of Architecture at OSU it became a gift they couldn’t imagine not making. “We thought about it for a few hours and decided it was what we needed to do,” say the Corgans. “It was way outside of our budget, but we’re happy with our contribution; it’s what they (school of architecture) need.” With a career rooted in the study and practice of architecture, it is obvious that the Corgans’ gift is a reflection of their livelihood. What is not so obvious is how OSU’s school of architecture became the benefactor of their great generosity. Although Jack and Carol both attended OSU, only Carol holds an OSU degree and it’s from the Spears School of Business. After several years in OSU’s architecture program, Jack began considering graduate school once he learned that MIT offered a six-year program, which would result in bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture. After four years at OSU, when Carol graduated in 1967, the two married and moved to Boston so Jack could transfer to MIT and finish his architectural education. But like a true architect, Jack knew the importance of a strong foundation and was always grateful to OSU’s architecture school for providing the fundamental education imperative to his success. After graduation from MIT in 1969, the Corgans returned to OSU and Jack shared his knowledge with the school as an assistant professor for two

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years before returning to his hometown, Dallas, to join his father’s firm, Jack Corgan & Associates. pon the Corgans’ arrival in Dallas, the 33-year-old family firm employed eight people with a declining workload. Jack and Carol worked together to build a family, home and life in Dallas, and by the time Jack retired in 2000 the renamed Corgan firm had grown to include 250 employees with offices in New York, Miami, London, and Dallas and Fort Worth. Since his retirement offices have been added in Phoenix, Sacramento and Beijing. “Clearly Carol and I could never have done all of this had we, individually, been doing different things,” says Jack. “But we tend to do things together.” And it is together that the Corgans are now using their talent and resources to benefit OSU. In 2007 the Corgans made their first significant gift to the university, which created the Jack and Carol Corgan President’s Distinguished Scholarship for Dallas students attending OSU. At the time, the Corgans believed this would be their contribution to OSU’s future. ut when approached less than a year later about playing a pivotal role in the construction of the Donald W. Reynolds School of Architecture building, the Corgans took less than a day to pledge their support. Within two weeks they traveled to Stillwater to view the construction site, review documents and discuss details of the project. “Because this was a lot of money for us we wanted to ensure the building project would be on budget and on time,” says Jack. “We met with the staff and felt really good about things getting done.

“We’re confident the funds will be well spent and will result in an important contribution to the educational experience of many future students and their faculty.” Pleased with the plans in place and progress on the project, the Corgans committed $500,000 toward the construction. As a result of their support, the auditorium in the new school, scheduled for completion in June 2009, will bear the name Jack and Carol Corgan Auditorium – a lasting tribute to their commitment to OSU and each other. “We are so proud of the accomplishments of Jack and Carol Corgan,” says Randy Seitsinger, head of the architecture department. “They are an exemplary couple within the architectural community and outstanding representatives of this university. Their contribution will make a tremendous difference to the education of countless students at OSU in the future. We’re certainly honored to call them our friends.” o further demonstrate their love for OSU and desire to leave a lasting legacy, the Corgans named the OSU Foundation a residuary beneficiary of their trust estate. Funds from the estate are intended to support additional President’s Distinguished Scholarships, so that a new four-year scholarship recipient could be selected each year from the Dallas area. Any remaining funds would benefit a major academic capital improvement project on the Stillwater campus. ”It’s great to be part of such a fine university and its bright ‘orange’ future,” say the Corgans.

Jack and Carol Corgan believe in building a strong educational foundation.

A Peaceful Revolutionary Henrietta Mann is a nationally Lifetime Achievement Award, National Indian Education Association, 2008

known scholar of Native 20 th century women educators, National Women’s History Project poster series, 1995

American studies, a champion Top 10 professors nationwide, Rolling Stone magazine, 1991

of indigenous people’s rights National American Indian Woman of the Year, American Indian Heritage Foundation, 1988

and trustee for the National Cheyenne Indian of the Year, 1982

Museum of the American Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian, board of trustees, 1997 to 2006.

Indian. Now this OSU graduate Director, Office of Indian Education Programs and deputy to the assistant secretary for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 1986-87

has returned to her childhood National coordinator, American Indian Religious Freedom Act Coalition, 1991-92

home in southwestern Lecturer/Assistant Coordinator/Coordinator, Native American Studies, University of California, Berkeley, 1970-72.

Oklahoma to lead a tribal Interim director, American Indian Program, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, 1977

college, a project she calls the Visiting professor and interim dean, Haskell Indian National University, Lawrence, Kan., 1993-95

biggest challenge of her life.

Henrietta Mann remembers a day in fourth grade when bigotry toward her made her cry. “My grandfather soothed me and said racism

“Maybe you could become a teacher,” he told her, “so you can build a bridge of understanding between the cultures.”

was something I would have to live with

The little girl who had always loved school

because it exists — what a horrible thing to

contemplated the possibility.

have to tell a child,” she says. But her grandfather, whose own mother

“I decided to become a teacher to make life more harmonious and peaceful for us as a

barely escaped the 1864 Sand Creek

people and to help our non-Indian brothers

massacre at age 12, also encouraged her not

and sisters understand that even though

to deny her Cheyenne identity. He suggested

very real cultural differences exist, we have

her generation might be the one chosen

our basic humanity in common.”

to interpret their way of life to mainstream

(continues on next page)

America.

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photo / Phil Shockley

Family Tradition

Henrietta Mann’s paternal greatgrandmother, White Buffalo Woman, was 12 years old at the Sand Creek massacre of 1864 in Colorado and 16 years old at the 1868 Washita massacre in modern-day western Oklahoma. For the rest of her life she insisted on wearing her moccasins to bed in case she needed to flee in the night. In this circa 1934 photo, she holds the infant Mann in a traditional cradleboard.

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Mann grew up in southwestern Oklahoma attending frequent dinners, ceremonies and celebrations with her parents, grandparents and others in the close-knit community of McClure and attending nearby Hammon public schools. The Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes settled in the area around 1865 when Chief Black Kettle led survivors of the Sand Creek massacre in Colorado to Kansas territory and then western Oklahoma before the 1867 Medicine Lodge Treaty legalized their presence.

Both of her great-grandmothers survived the Sand Creek massacre of 1864 where 400 women, children and elders were killed by Colorado militia. Her maternal great-grandmother, Vister, carried a bullet scar in her calf and lived to tell about it only because her father whisked her and her brother to the back of a pony and sent it running with a slap to the rump. On her father’s side, her greatgrandmother White Buffalo Woman prayed to live long enough to see her grandson’s child, and when Mann was an infant White Buffalo Woman pointed her in each of the four sacred directions, blessed her and prayed she would have a good life. White Buffalo Woman died when Mann was 4, yet Mann says her great-grandmother’s loving spirit has guided her throughout her life. On Sunday mornings Mann and her mother attended the Mennonite church, singing hymns in the Cheyenne language, and on Saturday evenings she accompanied her father and grandfather to ceremonies of the Native American Church. “The greatest freedom my family gave me was to pray in whatever way I wanted, which I still do,” says Mann, a Cheyenne prayer woman asked by the Red Cross to pray at the site of the stillsmoldering World Trade Center. When she was young, Mann’s family taught her to speak the Cheyenne language, and her father’s cousin, Aunt Ruth, even moved in their home to immerse Mann in the Cheyenne language while her parents were busy working their farm. Her eyes sparkle as she recounts her Aunt Ruth’s humorous stories about animals with human traits that constantly fell into mischief for misusing their knowledge. Originating before the white man’s arrival, the stories revealed the tribe’s morals and life-lessons to generation after generation.

“My family taught us to always remember to be Cheyenne, to know our culture and help others know who we are as a people,” Mann says. “I was taught to value compassion, generosity and helpfulness and to strive to be ‘a good Cheyenne woman.’ “I like to think I’m culturally and spiritually grounded in my own traditions as a Cheyenne woman. I’m very blessed to have had the kind of cultural upbringing I had from family.”

Life Journey In numerous journal articles, speeches and advisory roles, Mann, 74, has shared her knowledge and expertise on Native American topics from religion, language and literature to higher education, employment and politics. After earning a bachelor’s degree in education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, she taught middle school one year in California before returning to Oklahoma, where she married OSU-Okmulgee graphic design student Alfred Whiteman Jr., a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. When OSU hired Alfred as an illustrator, the Whitemans, including youngsters Alden and Montoya, moved to Stillwater, where their youngest child, Jackie, was born. Mann, a lively woman with short, spiky hair, was so busy rearing three children, working full time as a secretary on campus and helping her husband co-sponsor OSU’s Native American student association that she remembers little else about her nine years in Stillwater. But she did find time with encouragement from her family and her supervisor, art professor J.J. McVicker, to enroll in one class a semester, eventually earning a master’s degree in 1970.

Henrietta Mann signed this school photo with her nickname, Etta.

“I majored in English because I knew I spoke with an accent and would have to communicate with mainstream America to successfully promote understanding,” says Mann. “I never really planned to teach at the college level or in Native American studies. I just wanted to teach, and at OSU I could take advantage of the educational opportunity and expand on my degree in English.” But the emerging field of Native American studies intrigued Mann, who applied for the University of California at Berkeley’s ethnic studies program. “When I was offered the job, I picked up my family and left, and never looked back,” she says. “It was probably the best decision I made for myself in using my academic background in a new and different way because Native American studies was not part of the regular curriculum of most colleges and universities.” In 1972, she moved her family from California’s big city environment to

the University of Montana at Missoula where she worked 28 years to create a stand-alone baccalaureate program focusing on American Indian literature, religion, philosophy, history and culture as well as the Cheyenne language and culture. “The University of Montana was very good in letting me go on my own ‘sabbaticals,’” she says, referring to educational and administrative positions at Harvard, the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and the American Indian Religious Freedom Coalition. Her three-year interval at the University of New Mexico was bittersweet, however, when her husband passed away the same day she learned she had passed her comps for her Ph.D. in American studies. She made the tough decision to incur debt to finish her dissertation, in part because her husband had encouraged her and also to fulfill her lifelong goal of promoting understanding through education. (continues on page 58)

Tribal College

Henrietta Mann was 44 years old when she posed for this photo in 1978 by Tom Kumpf, one of her former students at the University of Montana whom she considers her adopted son.

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In 2000, Mann left the University of Montana to accept the first endowed chair in Native American studies at Montana State University in Bozeman. “Holding an endowed chair is the pinnacle university professors strive to achieve. It was an honor, and I had to go and fill it.” When the three-year term ended, Montana State’s president asked her to forego retirement to be his special assistant but has allowed her a leave of absence to focus full time on the new tribal college after a couple of years as a long-distance administrator. “That’s what brought me back to Oklahoma and back in contact with OSU,” she says. “OSU was my launching pad for academe. I was looking for a new undertaking — a new challenge, new experiences. That’s the beauty of coming back now.”

Mann brings her unique perspective as a tribal elder and university administrator to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College in Weatherford, Okla. “Our young people truly represent our future and our continuity as a people. Education is a key to their very survival,” says Mann, who’s entering her second year as president. Housed on the Southwestern Oklahoma State University campus, the college looks forward to offering a two-year tribal administration degree to equip students for leadership roles in tribal government, businesses and federal programs. “We want these students to reinforce our concept of sovereignty as Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes,” Mann says. “I want the best for them — all the traditional knowledge as well as the skills necessary to be self-sufficient and empowered individuals who can live well in the 21st century. “I expect much from them, but my grandparents expected much from me. We have a responsibility to our ancestors, and that extends forward to those who have yet to walk on this good earth with us. I like to think we’re building this college for the next generation.” Mann says attracting students to a new college is the biggest challenge of her career, yet a tribal college may be the most effective means of preserving the living language and culture of her tribe. “The beauty is we’re still here, and some of us still speak our language. We have triumphed over the assimilation process to take our Indianness from us,” she says. “This has been my peaceful revolution, to teach that we are not to be feared, that we’re not opposed to progress on our own terms.” Mann enjoys teaching the Cheyenne language to her four grandchildren ages 8 to 14 and encouraging them to embrace their heritage, just as her predecessors inspired her.

For more information on the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College, visit http://www.swosu.edu/catc/

This illustration portrays the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College’s mission to prepare students for success in modern society while honoring their heritage. Below, Henrietta Mann graces the cover of the National Museum of the American Indian magazine.

Illustration / Harvey Pratt, Member, Board of Regents for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College

“I’ve had the very best education,” Mann says, “but it hasn’t changed who I am or derailed me from my goal of being a good-hearted Cheyenne woman.” How does she think her ancestors would appraise her life? She laces her fingers together, closes her eyes and pauses as if she hears their voices echoing through her heart and soul.

“I think they would say, ‘Our prayers were answered that she lived a life of service and made the world aware that we as a people continue to exist.’ And my grandfather would probably say, ‘She’s fulfilled her role as an interpreter of cultures,’” Mann says. “At least that’s what I hope they would say of me.” Janet Varnum

Look for an oral history interview soon with Henrietta Mann (including full transcript and audio excerpts) conducted as part of O-STATE Stories, an oral history project of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at http://www.library. okstate.edu/oralhistory/ostate In September, OSU honored Mann as the first recipient of the OSU Distinguished American Indian Alumni Award. Read more about it on page 91.

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PROFESSORSHIP Faculty, alumni and friends honor the former head of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology with an endowed scholarship in his name.

fter leaving OSU in 1981, Dale F. Janes thought his influence had ended in Stillwater, Okla., until he answered a phone call last June. On the other end of the line, Michael “Never in 100 years would I have because of a once-in-a-lifetime fundLarrañaga, department head of the expected something like this,” Janes says. ing opportunity provided by alumnus School of Fire Protection and Safety “It was surprising to find out that some Boone Pickens and the Oklahoma State Engineering Technology, was calling of the fellows and girls that graduated Regents for Higher Education. to ask if the school could establish a during my time at OSU were doing this On May 21, Pickens made a remarkprofessorship in Janes’ name honoring for me.” able $100 million gift, establishing a all he had done as a former head of the The Arkansas native came to dollar-for-dollar match toward donations fire protection and safety technology endowing faculty positions across campus. Oklahoma A&M College on the GI Bill department. after serving nearly two years in the U.S. This, in addition to the state’s endowed “When I found out Navy. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chair matching program, about the professorship, I industrial engineering and management in allowed donations toward an was shocked and deeply 1950 and went to work as an engineer. endowed faculty professorhonored,” Janes says. “Here “I only worked two or three years as ship or chair to quadruple. I sit in the piney woods of an engineer before I became involved in Larrañaga was deterArkansas, and Stillwater is occupational safety and fire protection, mined to take advantage of remembering me after such a field that led me back to OSU, and one this opportunity before the a long time.” I’ve stayed in ever since,” Janes says. state’s matching program Janes, a beloved profesJanes was working for Texas was dramatically reduced sor who lived by example Instruments in Dallas when the head of the on July 1, 2008. Once the and set the standard engineering technology department notiprofessorship was named, Dale F. Janes, former of achievement for his fied him about the OSU department head he along with faculty, head of Fire Protection students, was instrumental position. He returned to campus in 1971 as volunteers and alumni of and Safety Engineering in shaping the fire protecdepartment head and held that position for the department made more Technology tion and safety engineer10 years before returning to industry. than 1,000 phone calls ing technology program. Under his “Since I entered college, OSU has and e-mails to raise $250,000 for the guidance the school expanded from a continued to touch my life,” says Janes, professorship. two-year associate’s degree program to retired and living in De Queen, Ark. Donations from $15 to $25,000 a four-year bachelor’s degree program. Now Janes will be able to touch the came pouring in, and in just three and a “When I discussed the professorhalf weeks the school surpassed its goal, lives of deserving faculty for years to ship opportunity with our alumni and come through the professorship estabreceiving more than $370,000 from 528 faculty, professor Janes was recomlished in his name. donors to establish the professorship. mended time and time again as being a “Here I am at 81,” Janes says. “I don’t Once fully matched by Pickens and the person worthy of an endowed professor- state of Oklahoma, the gift will have have too much life expectancy left, but ship,” Larrañaga says. it’s wonderful to know my name is going the impact of nearly $1.5 million in Larrañaga and the rest of the school to appear on something other than a endowed funds. decided to establish the professorship headstone once I’m gone.”

Travis Brorsen, whose dog, Presley, recently won the title of Greatest American Dog, credits OSU’s leadership training with helping them fetch the award. Travis Brorsen, an ’01 agricultural communications major with a theatre minor, and his boxer, Presley, recently garnered national acclaim winning the reality television show, “Greatest American Dog.” Brorsen, who moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, talked with OSU Alumni Association’s Kathryn Bolay-Staude recently during his first return to OSU homecoming since graduating. As a student, Brorsen served on the Homecoming Steering Committee and was a Student Alumni Board executive director and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. Why did you attend OSU? OSU pretty much runs in the family, so there wasn’t really any other option. My dad and granddad went to school here, and it’s just a family tradition.

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Why is homecoming important to you? OSU’s homecoming is obviously the greatest homecoming in America, and there’s so much tradition that people really get into it. There’s so much pride and so much passion for OSU that coming home for homecoming makes you proud and honored to be a part of this university. Tell us about being on Homecoming Steering and what you accomplished? One of our ideas was to turn the fountain orange. When I approached the water department about the idea, they said, ‘No, there’s no way. The orange will turn the water and the tank orange and we won’t be able to get rid of it.’ They were anti-orange fountain 100 percent. But we just kept researching and found some coloring that wouldn’t harm the environment and convinced them to let us try it. And sure enough, it worked. That was in 1999 — I can’t believe it’s been almost 10 years.

Has life changed since you won the Greatest American Dog competition? Things have changed in the sense that Presley cares where I go every time I go somewhere. Before, I just put him in my backyard like I’ve always done. Now, I take him everywhere I go, and there are some places I choose not to go because I can’t take him with me. Besides, how many people can say their dog helps them pay their bills? Did you think you were going to win when that final moment came? I didn’t think we were going to win until it came down to two people, and then I realized it when they wanted to interview me. I thought, ‘OK, here’s my chance.’ And I owe so much to public speaking in FFA, being here at Oklahoma State, taking theater classes, being a part of Steering and Alpha Gamma Fraternity and all the leadership things I did when I was on campus. OSU really focused

on interviewing skills, and that’s really important in the real world because that’s what it’s all about. When it came down to the interview, I thought ‘Hopefully this is where I can step out and make a difference for myself.’ So once we got to that part I felt pretty good. Have you kept in touch with the show’s other contestants? Yes, Laura lives in Los Angeles, and we put together a fundraiser for the show’s finale to raise money for Best Friends Animal Rescue. And I’m still friends with Brandy and Beacon, and obviously with Ron and Tillman. How can you not love them? Every chance we get, we go watch Tillman ride the skateboard on the boardwalk in Venice, and of course as soon as Tillman is around, people don’t care who Presley is — you know, it’s all about the bulldogs!

photos / Phil Shockley

Travis Brorsen, a member of the steering committee that created OSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orange fountain nine years ago, returns for Homecoming 2008 with his famous boxer, Presley.

Bennett Grandchildren Continue

FAMILY

LEGACY Inspired by their parents’ and grandparents’ altruistic

work in education, this family creates a scholarship to benefit OSU-Oklahoma City students.

or Lela Sullivan, philanthropy is a family affair. Granddaughter to one of OSU’s most beloved presidents, Henry G. Bennett, Lela has had a front-row seat observing the impact one person can have on the lives of others. Lela recalls the dedication her grandparents had for improving the lives and opportunities available to young people through education and how that dedication was carried on in her parents’ home. “It was a common belief in our home that education should be a steward of your life because the more you know, the further your life’s journey will take you,” she says. Phil Bennett, Lela’s father, was a true student of his father’s belief in and dedication to education. While raising his family in Oklahoma City, Phil served many years on the Oklahoma City Public Schools board to ensure every child in the city had access to the best education possible. “My dad always believed in the opportunity of a public education,” Lela says. Lela’s mother, Frances, was one of seven children to graduate from OSU in

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Stillwater, where she met Phil and enthusiastically shared his mission as it related to a public education. “Our parents were dedicated to the belief that the opportunity to obtain an education should be there and it should be everyone’s goal to achieve,” Lela says. “And we should be the best stewards of our own education that we can be.” Naturally, Lela and her two siblings headed for OSU after high school carrying the philosophies of their childhood and earning degrees that served as catalysts for greater things. Lela’s brother is a professor in New York, and her sister is an adolescent psychiatrist, while Lela is continuing the Bennett family legacy in Oklahoma City. After earning a degree in political science and marrying her high school sweetheart, Mark, Lela taught for two years at Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City. The two made a home and raised a family, passing along their passion for education. Although the Bennett family name is easily found throughout both the Stillwater and Oklahoma City OSU campuses on buildings, clock towers and organizations, it was important to Lela and her siblings to continue the family tradition of supporting OSU. Last year, Mark and Lela took Lela’s mother, who was 91, on a tour through

“Mark and I will never forget her smile that day ... It was still the friendliest place on earth, and looking back now I believe that trip was meant to be.” — Lela Sullivan

Lela Sullivan, granddaughter of beloved OSU president Henry G. Bennett, has partnered with her siblings to create the first endowed scholarship designated for an OSU-Oklahoma City student. The Phil C. and Frances C. Bennett Endowed Scholarship is named in honor of their parents and will be awarded for the first time next year. campus, ending with dinner at the Ranchers Club. It became one of Lela’s most memorable days with her mother. “Mark and I will never forget her smile that day,” Lela says. “She said it was still the friendliest place on earth, and looking back now I believe that trip was meant to be.” Lela says her mother expressed her desire to do more and to make a greater impact. Thus, when Frances died a few months later in a car accident, Lela immediately thought of her mother’s voiced desire and enlisted the help of her sister and brother to create the first endowed scholarship at the Oklahoma City campus in her parents’ names. The Phil C. and Frances C. Bennett Endowed Scholarship will be awarded next year to an Oklahoman who is a full-time student at OSU-Oklahoma City, has a 3.5 or higher grade point average, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and has completed a minimum of 12 hours at the OSU-Oklahoma City campus.

“It’s not just based on need because we wanted to be sure it is awarded to an academically serious student,” Lela says. Lela’s desire to fulfill her mother’s wish and her own desire to do more does not stop with endowing the first scholarship at OSU-Oklahoma City. She is now on a mission to encourage others to do the same. “I would love it if there were more scholarships just like this to provide more opportunities for deserving students and for students with a desire to continue their education in whatever field they choose,” Lela says. “I want to extend a challenge to every other alumnus in the city to provide scholarships for students to attend the OSU-Oklahoma City campus — our hidden treasure.” For more information about establishing a scholarship at OSU-Oklahoma City, contact Sue Reel at sreel@OSUgiving.com or 405-945-8635.

Photo / Joseph Mills Photography

World-famous Oklahoma architect Rand Elliott says thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no place like home.

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Photos

/ Scott Mc Donald

of Hedrich

Blessing

hen architect Rand Elliott graduated in 1973 from OSU, most people within his métier were flocking to the cultural hotbeds of architecture: Chicago, Los Angeles or New York City. But the native son could not separate himself from Oklahoma, the state that had become his inspiration and given him the foundation on which to build a stellar career. “I chose OSU’s School of Architecture because of its outstanding reputation for architectural education,” Elliott says. “I was fortunate to have Professor Bill Schillig, who became

Fuel Café at Chese pe

ake Energ y Blue Roo m Theate r at Ches apeake

Energy

my mentor, and to this day, Bill and I remain close.” Three years af ter graduation, the young architect started Elliott + Associates Architects, a firm that today ranks among the world’s most innovative. Over the past 30 years, Elliott + Associates has won more than 200 architectural, interior, lighting and graphic design awards, including 10 American Institute of Architects Honor Awards, placing the firm among the top-10 awardwinners since the awards’ inception in 1949. Last year, New York-based Interior Design magazine honored four of Elliott’s spectacular Oklahoma City projects with four awards, including two selected as Best of Year. Getting the nod was the Underground in downtown Oklahoma City and the GaylordPickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum. Earning merit awards were the Blue Room Theater and Fuel Café at Chesapeake Energy’s Oklahoma City office. “We consider the best award to be clients who believe we solved their problems, met the budget and time schedule and made their jobs or lives better,” he says. For Elliott + Associates, creating a work that “belongs” on the site is key and often requires an extensive study of local history and culture. “There are many architects who design buildings that have no specific tie to a given location. It could be anywhere,” Elliott says. “There is a clear connection in our work as opposed to being random and often banal.” (continues on next page)

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Photos / Robert Shimer of Hedrich Blessing

With the Underground’s Best of Year Public Space Award, Interior Design praised the firm for turning a 3,000-foot decaying passageway into “a spectacular light sculpture.” Elliott, with project architect Michael Hoffner and Joseph Williams, splashed the halls with fluorescent light bars of deep primary colors that double as a navigation system. “We saw this as an opportunity to create something exciting as opposed to just an underground walkway connecting point A to point B,” Elliott says. Inherent in the project is the energy and pride of Oklahoma City’s recovering downtown and nearby entertainment district. Flat-screen TVs sparkle from the walls allowing pedestrians to keep track of world events. The project started with Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. seeking designs to renovate the passageway connecting the historic Skirvin Hotel with other nearby buildings. Before its transformation, the tunnel was poorly lit and had worn out carpet held together with duct tape, Elliott says. (continues on next page)

Oklahoma City Un derground

The Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma exhibits on Oklahoma luminaries includHeritage Museum won the educaing authors Ralph Ellison and N. Scott tional category with Elliott’s “bookMomaday. “One reason the museum ends” concept for the museum has been so successful is because the located inside the neo-classical, fourdisplays merge historical information story 80-year-old Mid-Continent Life with 21st-century technology.” Insurance building in Oklahoma City. Elliott says the museum project He defines his bookends concept as team, architect Mike Mays, Michael one that uses modern thinking and Shuck, Brad Buser and Joseph Williams, history to tell a story, like bookends implemented an easy-to-use design. holding up a line of books. “My 93-year-old father can go to one The result is a museum design of the touch screens and learn about that revolves around story-telling and people and feel very much like he’s light, as the project has no collection participating in a process,” he says. or artifacts. Elliott was born in Clinton and lived in “We particularly enjoy the idea Putnam until he was 5. He gleaned from of the juxtaposition between what that an appreciation for the land and is historic and what is new,” Elliott says of the museum that features

for everything from private residences, businesses and public buildings to educational institutions. He prides himself on being a student of Oklahoma history and its culture. “Most often, I find people really don’t understand their home state,” he says. “But I’ve found it truly has been and continues to be an inspiration for me.” M att E lliott

culture and the state’s heritage that has led to his firm’s world-famous designs

Gaylord-Picke

ns Oklahoma Heritage Museu m Photos / Scott Mc Donald of Hedrich Blessing

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ment Cancer Treat n roto p d e cializ el. e p ly s lev High atomic e at th

Crews assemble the 220-ton cyclotron at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center. The cyclotron is responsible for splitting the atom and accelerating protons to nearly the speed of light to create a beam of energy that can deliver a more effective dose of radiation to a tumor.

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A new partnership between OSU and ProCure Treatment Centers Inc. means OSU students will receive hands-on training and education in one of the fastest growing fields in oncology: proton therapy. ProCure partners with leading radiation oncology practices and hospitals providing leadership and a comprehensive solution for the design, construction, financing, staffing, training and day-to-day operations for world-class proton therapy centers. Critical to the successful delivery of protons are highly qualified medical physicists and dosimetrists, who administer and evaluate radiation doses to avoid over-exposure. To support this undertaking, ProCure searched for a university partner, and OSU answered the call. “There is a huge shortage of medical physicists with experience in proton therapy,” says Niek Schreuder, senior vice president of medical physics and technology at ProCure. “Together with OSU, ProCure can have physicists working on several proton therapy-related projects and start to alleviate the problem,” he says. “We were delighted to learn OSU has several faculty members whose current research interests overlap areas of interest in proton treatment centers.” Proton therapy is a painless, noninvasive radiation treatment that more accurately targets cancer cells and causes less damage to healthy tissues and organs surrounding a tumor. It is the preferred radiation treatment for children because their rapidly growing tissues and organs are more susceptible to injury from standard X-ray radiation. According to the National Association for Proton Therapy, it is also a highly effective treatment for a wide range of localized tumors in the head and neck area, lung, prostate, bladder, spinal cord, stomach and eyes. There are only five proton therapy centers in operation in the U.S. Three

others, including the Oklahoma center, are under construction. “OSU is honored and delighted to be a part of providing this cuttingedge treatment to cancer patients,” says Stephen McKeever, OSU vice president for research and technology transfer. “This partnership will equip our students and position them as a resource for the oncology community.” The ProCure Proton Therapy Center, located on Oklahoma City’s Integris Cancer Institute campus, is set to open

Ultimately, ProCure will support OSU in its development of a fully accredited medical physics program — a process Benton says will take about five years. The program will include internships at the ProCure Proton Therapy Center and use of the center’s equipment for research. “We hope this will be a long-term partnership,” Schreuder says. “Once you commit to the training of a physicist you want to follow through.” McKeever and Benton anticipate the partnership will have a positive impact

The ProCure Proton Therapy Center will open in Oklahoma City in 2009. in 2009. The facility will be ProCure’s first proton center and will treat about 1,500 patients a year. This fall ProCure began funding graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in medical physics at OSU’s Radiation Physics and Dosimetry Laboratory. Dr. Eric Benton, assistant professor in the OSU physics department, will oversee the students’ research and act as the principal investigator on the project.

on OSU and the medical field. “Not only will our students receive the best education and training in this growing field, but they will also help bring this treatment to Oklahomans,” Benton says. “Their work will be a part of the continuing research into the most effective ways to treat cancer,” McKeever says. kelly green

When Sean Jackson was bent over and vomiting on a mountainside in China’s Gobi Desert, he thought maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Friends test their endurance capabilities in a harrowing, painful race across the Gobi Desert.

aybe Jackson and his friend, fellow OSU alumnus Trevor Hudgeons, shouldn’t have ponied up $2,900 each plus plane tickets for last summer’s Gobi March. That’s a seven-day, 155-mile foot race across dry riverbeds, up rocky hillsides and down mountainsides in the remote Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture near the border with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. But the two say they’d do it again in a flash now that the race is over, their blisters have healed and they can eat solid food again.

Two OSU alumni have the time of their lives trekking across China’s Gobi Desert with 170 others in a seven-day, 155-mile race organized by RacingThePlanet. 74

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“I compared the whole thing to being in a really painful summer camp,” says Jackson, a self-described outdoor sports fanatic from Broken Arrow, Okla., who holds a business management degree and MBA from OSU. The Gobi March takes place each June, organized by an outdoor company RacingThePlanet that uses its four marathons each year to educate people on world cultures and the environment. The company sells slots in its races for individuals and teams to trek across the Sahara, South America’s Atacama Crossing, Antarctica and the Gobi Desert. The friends got the adventure bug after Hudgeons read about the Gobi race in Runners World magazine while on a business trip to Biloxi, Miss. Hudgeons holds degrees in finance and accounting from OSU and works as a staff auditor for the Tulsa accounting firm Cross & Robinson.

ut first, they had to train. They ran marathons in Oklahoma City and Tulsa while seeking sponsorships to buy needed gear. Last spring, they hoofed it 50 miles from Stillwater to Tulsa. They also decided to use their China trip to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, receiving about $6,000 in donations. But the two would endure more hardships than side stitches and blisters. In February, Jackson’s dad and OSU alumnus, William “Bronc” Jackson, died in a plane crash north of his hometown of Lindsay about 50 miles south of Oklahoma City. Following his father’s death, a grieving Jackson took over the business side of his dad’s veterinary practice. Undaunted, the two mulled what to pack for their odyssey. The company provides group tents, but the runners bring food, packs and other equipment. The

wrong choice — as more than a few racers would discover — could make for a painful trip. So Jackson and Hudgeons packed and unpacked their bags for days, balancing weight with necessities. Before they knew it, they were on a 15-hour flight to Beijing on June 3. From the capital city’s skyscrapers and highrises, they took an eight hour plane ride west across much of China to ancient Kashgar, an oasis city rarely seen by Westerners and located along the storied Silk Road. A second bus took them out to the desert, known for its gale-force winds and extreme heat and cold, and a small village where the race would begin. “The race organizers had to get special permission to go to the places where we did,” Hudgeons says. “I think they had military testing sites out there, and the organizers always had to have a military guard with them making sure (continues on next page)

Photos courtesy Wouter Kingma / RacingThePlanet Limited

he race started the next day, early in the morning. Carrying their sleeping bags and other gear on their backs, the two ran and walked 24 miles over harsh terrain, feet slipping on loose gravel and stepping on sharp, bruising rocks. Green oases with bamboo groves and mud-brick villages stood out against a Martian-like landscape. Wild camels and dogs roamed canyons where the racers ran in 90- to 100-degree heat, past fields with cart-pulling donkeys and sickle-wielding locals harvesting hay and wheat. Other tracks took them from sun-baked riverbeds and empty plains to the snowbound Tian Shan, Chinese for “celestial mountains.” Race organizers met them every six miles with water, supplies and medical care while quizzical villagers watched them pass by. Each day had its own finish line after which runners would rest for the next race. “It was miserable,” Hudgeons says. The two spent most of the early part of the race apart but shared a tent at night with others in their group from countries including England, Germany and Singapore. “The second day was probably the hardest day for me because we were out there, and we’d run one marathon the first day. Halfway through it you start to get hot spots on the bottoms of your feet, and blisters form.” Blisters could become so painful that some found it hard to continue. One racer ran in Goretex boots to keep his feet dry. Blisters forced him to leave the race, and doctors ordered

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Photos courtesy Wouter Kingma / RacingThePlanet Limited

they weren’t going where they weren’t supposed to go.” They joined about 170 runners from all ages and walks of life. There was a man from Chicago who in 2003 was pinned under rubble following the collapse of an apartment building’s balcony in which 13 people died. He made it his life’s mission since then to do something amazing each year. Others included athletes from all over the world looking to test their endurance limits with earth’s most extreme conditions.

Alumni Trevor Hudgeons, left, and Sean Jackson show off the medals they earned for completing the gruelling Gobi March last spring. him to stay off his feet for a few months, he says. n the third day, Jackson, who had stopped eating, started throwing up about a mile from the finish line. None of the trail mix, energy bars and jerky they brought with them seemed appetizing. The fourth day came, and medical personnel had to stick his arm with an IV to rehydrate him. That forced the two to rely on each other, especially during the fifth stage, “the Long March,” a brutal 50-mile trek before the final day’s short run. “We kept on trucking along,” says Jackson, whom doctors had pumped full of anti-nausea medications. They passed the time talking about OSU sports and the foods they missed. Hudgeons recalls longing for a Big Mac. They stumbled across the finish line around 3 a.m. the next morning, more than 19 hours after they’d started. Compared to that, the last day was a sevenmile breeze. The race ended as a victory lap near the town of Upal and the Tomb of Mahmud Kashgari, an 11th-century Uyghur scholar.

“We weren’t the last, and we weren’t anywhere close to the first,” says Hudgeons, who came in at 105th place, followed by Jackson. “We finished. That’s all we really cared about.” A South African man took first place after running the 50-mile day in an astounding seven-and-a-half hours. ow, they have a wealth of memories, photos and two massive, gleaming medals to show for their trip. Inspired by his experience in China, Jackson developed his own adventure business to take clients on rock climbing, mountain biking and kayaking trips around the United States. “I’d do it again, now that I’ve forgotten how miserable it was,” Hudgeons says. “You cross the finish line and you get that big medal. And you see some of the toughest guys you’ve ever met just breaking down into tears.” They will take a break from ultramarathons next year, Jackson says, although the lure of adventure may force them to test their mettle in one of the other three RacingThePlanet trips.

raised more than $700,000 last year, including $439,000 for the general scholarship fund. Thank you for your generous support.

GO POKES!

oklahoma state university foundation | 400 s. monroe | stillwater, ok | 1.800.622.4678

elly Hampton’s old Chevy pickup bounces along a rutted path through the rolling, verdant and tree-ringed fields of his 400-acre cattle farm in the tiny farming village of Zena in northeastern Oklahoma. Grasshoppers land on the hood as the OSU alumnus rolls by his grandfather’s still-used barn, built in 1915 from hard-as-nails oak, its boards gray and smoothed with time and use. Behind it, the retired school superintendent points down a dark, oak-shaded ravine that hides the old spring from which his mother drew water. Nearby, there’s Grandpa John Kelly’s farmhouse in front of the old outhouse — definitely not still used today, he chuckles. Then, the barrel-chested and round-shouldered man wheels his truck around to check on his 50 to 60 cattle sheltering from the August heat under low tree branches. A scissor-tailed flycatcher perches on a rusted string of barbed wire trailing a gnarled wooden fence post. “It’s a heckuva way to make a living,” drawls Hampton, hardly breaking a sweat in the heat of the truck’s cab. In 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Lona, and came to OSU as a strapping football recruit accustomed to the back-breaking grunt work of his family’s cattle, pig and corn farm. An All-State selection in 1960, he suffered appendicitis and injuries during college that cut short his gridiron days, but he graduated in 1964 with an education degree. Forty-four years later, he retired this past July after 15 years as Colcord Public Schools’ superintendent and a long career teaching and coaching in schools throughout rural Oklahoma. 78

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Retired educator Kelly Hampton says OSU gave him the tools he needed to build a long-lasting and fulfilling career. “People always ask, ‘What would’ve happened if you hadn’t gone to school?’ I probably would’ve ended up at Jay in the chicken plant. So I’ve got a special place in my heart for OSU,” he says. His family’s history starts like a Louis L’Amour novel. Around 1903, his grandpa, John Hampton, lived in the mountain hamlet of Unaka, N.C., where he ran a general store. One day a man tried to hold up the store, but his grandfather foiled the robbery and shot him. The wounded robber sped home to get his brothers. But Hampton’s grandfather and family escaped west in a wagon to Tennessee, later catching a train that took them about 700 miles away to Indian Territory. They settled in Zena and took over a general store — circa-1881 — at an old Indian trading post that today abuts the family land. Grandpa Hampton also started a store in Grove. At 22, Hampton’s dad took over the Zena store and ran it until he died some 65 years later in one of its backrooms. Hampton was born in the store that still stands today, and he lived there with his parents and sisters. (continues on page 80) B Y M att Elliott P hotos by G ary L awso n

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get no complaints from OSU alumnus Kelly Hampton, shown here on the front porch of his familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old general store in Zena, Okla. Hampton retired last July as superintendent of nearby Colcord Public Schools. He runs a 400-acre farm nearby on the land his grandfather worked when he moved his family there before statehood.

“OSU was the perfect choice for me because of the way they treated people and the way they took care of them. I always felt like I was more than just a number or a dot on the line there. It was a big school, but it wasn’t out of touch with people.”

Photography by Gary Lawson

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The 66-year-old can remember marveling when, as a 5-year-old, he saw the farm get electrical service for the first time. Rural electric co-ops had sprung up throughout the state in the 1940s, bringing a bit of civilization to areas that had been powerless before. He remembers the spring house where the creek was used to cool their meat, cheese, eggs and milk before they had a kerosene-run refrigerator. He went to grade school at Zena and was active in 4-H Club. He later attended high school in Grove, where he lettered in football as an offensive and defensive lineman. He met his wife in Vinita after a football game there. He didn’t see her again until three years later, when he was dragging Main Street in Grove with his friends. “Lord, I’m not very smart, but I was smart enough to pull the car over and start a conversation with her.” He took Lona on a drive to Grove’s Ridgerunner Stadium. “That was how I impressed her,” he says, laughing. “We started dating after that.”

rom there, he was the first of his family to attend a college, thanks to a smooth-talking recruiter, former OSU and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Neill Armstrong, who convinced Hampton to go to OSU. Hampton’s values of honesty, hard work and friendliness fit there, and he calls OSU “the best decision I ever made.” “OSU was the perfect choice for me because of the way they treated people and the way they took care of them,” he says. “I always felt like I was more than just a number or a dot on the line there. It was a big school, but it wasn’t out of touch with people.” Memories of campus hijinks still bring a smile to his face. While a freshman living in historic Bennett Hall, he and golfer Norvell Brown dumped a duffle bag full of about 2,000 golf balls down the hall. That was fun until the housefather showed up, gave them a terrifying dressing down and threatened to kick them out of school. He also remembers a 300-person snowball fight on fraternity row, an epic duel between frat members and students from three residence halls.

“There came a big snow one night and all the east Bennett and west Bennett and Cordell Hall guys went over and had a big snowball fight with the fraternities,” says Hampton, laughing. “It kind of got out of hand. This was before real violence, but there were a few windows broken. The police came. I think they had one policeman back then.”

fter college, his first job was at a junior high and high school in Glencoe, a small town northeast of Stillwater, coaching girls’ and boys’ basketball and baseball. By that time, he had moved back to the family farm where he raised his two sons and daughter. He quickly realized he enjoyed being an educator because of his love of people and sharing ideas and thoughts with them. “I like to watch kids improve and do better than they would if you weren’t there.” He stayed in Glencoe a year before moving with his wife and his first son, David, to Tahlequah, where he coached junior high football and obtained his master’s degree at Northeastern State University. In 1966, he began a sevenyear stay at Jay schools, where at different times he taught junior high biology, coached football and served as a counselor and, later, principal. In 1973, he started his 20-year career working for Grove public schools in roles including high school principal and counselor. He resigned to raise more cattle a few years after both family stores had closed following his father’s death. But Colcord schools coaxed him out of retirement and kept him busy until this past summer.

uring that time, he added to the farm and built a new home next to the spring that has watered his family for a century. He points out it’s the same creek where, before bedtime as a boy, he’d swim with his sisters to cool off when their house had no air conditioning. The big man from Zena left a big void in education when he retired, says Jerry Swank, Colcord’s high school principal. He says his former boss was a laidback manager who had the skill to know when to let him do his job.

“But if I got out of line, he was there to correct me,” says Swank, who worked with Hampton for 15 years. “I’ve noticed a lot of people over the years let little things really eat at them. They worry about them. Little things don’t bother Kelly. Big things probably don’t bother him either.” Lona still teaches Native American studies and Cherokee language courses at Grove. Their dedication to education extends to their children, all of whom obtained their master’s degrees in the subject. David, the oldest, is the principal at nearby Oaks-Mission High School, and Robert is Colcord’s junior high principal. Both live on his land and help with the farm. His daughter, Kristi Collington, directs Glenpool schools’ Indian education program and teaches Muscogee (Creek) Indian culture. She is married to OSU alumnus Jason Collington, web editor at the Tulsa World and a journalism professor at Tulsa Community College.

ack on the farm, retirement seems to have only freed Hampton to do more work. The cows need tending. He rents out grandpa’s farmhouse and another nearby, and both houses needed new roofs before the winter. Debris from the 2007 ice storm still needs cleaning up. Plus, his six grandkids have games and other activities he wants to attend. Ben, the oldest, is a walk-on starting short-snapper for the Sooners, but Hampton says he’s still proud of him, despite now he must attend football games with the “tea-sippers down at Norman.” “It is just more fun than a barrel of monkeys having the grandkids around,” he says. “They all drive over or ride their dune buggies to grandpa’s house, which is about a quarter of a mile away. ‘Googie’ is what they call my wife. She’s always got food for ’em. So, we’ve always got room for the kids. We’ve got a big house and a pool and all the things kids like.” “I’ve led a charmed life,” Hampton says. “It’s been like that with my administration work and teaching and coaching. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve just been lucky. I’ve had a good life.”

The Value of A

manda Divin’s life is riddled with inspirational stories; stories of life-changing events, personal victories and influential teachers. Reflecting on these sources of inspiration, Divin prepared her philosophy on education while earning her doctorate in health education and promotion at OSU. In it she describes her thoughts and beliefs as they relate to education and the qualities and traits from teachers in her life that she plans to carry into her classroom. Divin’s passion for education and teaching exudes in her philosophy, but she was shocked and deeply moved to learn it inspired a $1 million gift to the College of Education. Divin received the Betty Abercrombie Memorial Scholarship, funded by Susan Jacques and named after an inspirational teacher in Jacques’s life, and in a thank you letter to Jacques, Divin enclosed her philosophy on education. “In writing my philosophy on education, it stirred up a lot of emotion about what I want to be and how I really feel about teaching,” Divin says. “What I do is who I am and it is personal.” The personal touch and passion evoked by Divin’s letter and philosophy led Jacques to make a gift creating four professorships that will allow more students to benefit from passionate educators like those who inspired Divin. “Our family has been blessed and I initially wanted to pay it forward through Dr. Abercrombie’s scholarship fund,” says Jacques. “Then I read Amanda’s letter during Boone’s donation to match gifts, and I just felt it was the right time to make another gift. I was so very glad I could help. I guess I just do things when I get a feeling that something needs to be done and I’m glad it helped.”

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Divin was moved to tears when she discovered her letter played a part in a million dollar gift to the college. “I’m amazed a little letter could do something so great,” Divin says. “The generosity of Mrs. Jacques speaks to her character; it’s amazing.” Excerpt from Divin’s Philosophy on Education “…I believe the purpose of education is to help students learn and/or develop abilities and intellect so they can contribute to society. I believe all students have some ability which they can develop and the potential to make a positive contribution to society. As an educator, I make every effort to aid students in the development of their abilities and the skills necessary to fulfill their dreams. I also strive to inspire students to realize their goals and dreams… “My job of ‘teacher’ is one of pride, enjoyment and amazement. The wonderful paradox of this job is that students teach me as much and sometimes more than I teach them. My students achieve great things not because of what activities I assign them. Because I facilitate an environment of both curiosity and comfort, my students achieve greatness. I share my heart and soul with my students. They simply reciprocate.” A serious car wreck while an undergraduate at the University of St. Thomas in Houston left Divin with a broken neck, unable to finish the academic year. While undergoing intensive rehabilitation Divin became interested in physical

therapy so when she resumed her education at the University of Texas in spring 1997 she studied kinesiology, or physical education. As a kinesiology student, Divin met some very influential educators like Terri Mitchell, who encouraged her to train and complete a triathlon on the anniversary of her wreck. After one year of physical therapy school, Divin realized it was not the right choice for her. She decided to return to Austin and pursue a master’s in exercise physiology and realized she wanted to do something greater. “I thought, ‘I want something bigger; teaching is what I want to do,’” Divin says. With this realization Divin began searching for a doctoral program in health education and promotion. OSU was a natural fit because of the focus on teaching, flexible degree plan and strong curriculum. “OSU was a breath of fresh air,” says Divin. “I was inspired and invigorated by my classes especially the CIED (Curriculum and Instruction Education) classes. They helped shape me.”

oday Divin is putting her philosophy into practice in her own classroom at Oklahoma City University. “The whole purpose of being a teacher is to help people cultivate their gifts,” says Divin. “This is where I’m supposed to be and this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” Jacques’ scholarship helped Divin achieve her purpose in life, and Divin believes Jacques’ most recent and generous gift will do the same for countless students to come. “She has created four professorships at OSU – that’s four professors who can inspire that many more students’ lives,” Divin says.

Photo/Gary Lawson

A â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank youâ&#x20AC;? letter written by Amanda Divin (left) to her donor, Susan Jacques, inspired Jacques to make an additional $1 million gift to the College of Education, which will ultimately support four new professorships.

photo / Gary Lawson

by L au r a C r u t c h e r

OSU’s Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence augments faculty knowledge regarding the latest classroom technology as well as research-based pedagogy to benefit the university and its professoriate.

With tuition on the rise and many wondering if their money is going toward the highest quality education possible, OSU continues to provide development opportunities for faculty. OSU’s Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence combines the expertise of Educational Television Services, Faculty Support and Audio Visual services into a single entity devoted to enhancing faculty growth. Teachers as Students In one of the institute’s most popular programs, faculty learn the latest trends in online instruction by taking the class as students themselves. Of the 25 initial participants in the six-week, non-credit Preparing Online Instructors course, 90 percent were tenured faculty. And more than 60 others added their names to waiting lists for subsequent classes. “Faculty in this class enroll as distant learners to maximize their experience in teaching and learning in a virtual environment,” says Hong Lin, manager 84

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of the institute’s faculty development department. “It’s unrealistic to expect even the most self-motivated, pedagogically creative and technically capable instructors to perform independently in an online instructional environment after only a few hours of workshop-style training,” she says. Just like students, faculty engage in continuous reflection and receive feedback in the actual online classroom. “This gives faculty insight into typical student behaviors and an understanding of why students sometimes submit late assignments, feel frustrated

with team members or even drop an online course,” Lin says. A similar weeklong Online Course Creation Workshop offers faculty face-to-face training led by experienced faculty, librarians and institute professionals. Faculty taking this course can submit a proposal to design and deliver an online course and, if accepted, will receive a $3,000 stipend to strengthen their college’s online courses. The Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence also fosters a sense of community and promotes long-term networking relationships such as the Grant Seeking Club for faculty, facilitated in 2007 by Kathleen Kelsey, associate professor of agricultural education. “The Grant Seeking Club invites faculty to engage in a learning community that is discipline-specific to their fields, such as social science, physical (continues on page 86) Above: Blayne Mayfield, director of OSU’s Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence, and Hong Lin, manager of faculty development.

WANTED Legacies between the ages of 7-14 for Grandparent University 2009

science or humanities,” Kelsey says. “It is task-focused, outcome-specific and meets bi-monthly so participants can share feedback from their writing progress.” Another example of building a learning community for faculty is the Engineering Case Study Learning Communities that emerged following workshops to generate interest in case studies. Engineering Professor Alan Cheville and others have since presented workshops about OSU’s use of case studies in engineering at the American Society for Engineering Education national conferences in 2007 and 2008. And Ramesh Sharda, Regents Professor and ConocoPhillips Chair of Information Systems, says in addition to conducting informal mentoring, he has been able to put at least one professor in his department in touch with a colleague from electrical and computer engineering so they can develop joint proposals.

E d u cat i o n a l A d va n tag e In today’s collegiate environment, it’s crucial that faculty enhance their teaching and learning capabilities through research-based policy and practice.

Because of this, Lin created the Provost’s Teaching Research Grant to help OSU faculty generate research knowledge that advances teaching and learning and then helps them disseminate it to national and international communities. The grant helps cover costs for fulltime faculty members to collect research data from their classes, publish it in refereed journals and share it with other educators. Education professors Lynna and Floyd Ausburn, who research desktop virtual reality, are two of four faculty who’ve already received $1,500 grants. “Thanks to the teaching research grant, our studies have been featured at professional conferences and in research journals in the United States and internationally,” Lynna Ausburn says. OSU’s faculty development programs have been so successful, the institute decided to invite educators outside OSU to a conference last April, attracting 100 faculty from 12 Oklahoma institutions. “Some of our programs are aimed at new faculty, but many who attend are tenured,” Lin says. “They take the courses not for money or advancement but simply to improve their teaching

pedagogy or technological skills to give their students the best education possible.” The institute’s faculty development department offers faculty a variety of opportunities, including professional development workshops and conferences, technology training, certificate programs, new faculty orientation, individualized one-on-one consultation, instructional design support and much more. For example, the highly visible and successful Early Career Faculty Development Certificate Program consists of a series of 14 two-hour workshops. The program is designed to help professors strengthen their teaching effectiveness and professional development for tenure and promotion purposes. The program attracted more than 460 participants in 2006-2007, the biggest faculty turnout in OSU history. These programs are just a snapshot of all that is offered, Lin says. And the interest and support shown by faculty reflects their devotion to teaching, a major component of OSU’s land-grant mission — and one that OSU faculty take to heart. Visit http://itle.okstate.edu for more information.

Assistant professor of psychology Jared Dempsey and Melanie Page, associate professor of psychology, enhance their teaching efficacy through OSU’s faculty development programs.

photo / Gary Lawson

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Remembering and caring for those among us who are less fortunate has been something Oklahomans have done for generations. Being part of “generation COWBOY” allows one the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands. If you are being called to express that spirit of service, here are two very worthy organizations:

C.A.S.A. – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained community volunteers, appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. They are everyday people who care about children. www.oklahomacasa.org 1-800-742-2272 Calm Waters Center for Children and Families – provides a wide range of free grief support programs and seminars that teach healthy coping skills to children and families whose lives have been affected by death or divorce. www.calmwaters.org (405) 841-4800

United Way of Central Oklahoma

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university. Generous donations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of any amount â&#x20AC;&#x201C; benefit our students, faculty, programs and facilities and help create a lifetime of memories for future Cowboys. honor their memories and yours by leaving a legacy.

oklahoma state university foundation | 400 s. monroe | stillwater, ok | 1.800.622.4678

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chapters

A Leader in Law and Government The Oklahoma State University Black Alumni Association recognized L. Patrice Latimer at the 13th annual Black Alumni Golf Tournament on Oct. 17 in Stillwater. In 1972 Latimer was the first African-American student in OSU’s history to be elected president of the Student Government Association. “We wanted to reflect a broader and more balanced segment of the student body,” she says. “And I think we were able to make a difference in students’ lives by providing a place for a broader range of the student body to voice ideas and concerns about student and university relations.” After graduating in 1975 with degrees in sociology and economics, Latimer earned a law degree at the University of Oklahoma, where she was inducted into the Order of the Barristers in 1980. She began her career as a government attorney and served in

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several county and federal offices in Oklahoma before entering the private sector in 1982. In 1988, she moved to Washington, D.C., and spent 16 years as an attorney for Washington Gas Light Company, specializing in utility regulation, civil litigation and labor and employment. “Every year, the OSU Black Alumni Association tries to honor a trailblazer — an African-American who has done something significant for the Oklahoma State University community,” says Wayne Williams, OSU Black Alumni Association board member. “Patrice Latimer showed OSU then and now that if you prepare and ready yourself, anything can happen.” The recent recognition brought back many special memories, Latimer says. “This award is the first real signal that our efforts to give students a voice in substantive university community concerns was valued by the university.”

Participants in the OSU Black Alumni Association’s annual golf tournament renew friendships while raising funds for student scholarships.

Several OSU alumni association chapters across the nation adopted the spirit of Homecoming 2008’s philanthropy, the Stillwater Humane Society, and raised money and materials for their local humane societies:

Fort Worth Chapter board member Deborah Abraham, left, and president Patty Sinclair, right, present the toys, beds, blankets, food and $100 the chapter raised for the Humane Society of North Texas to director of operations Tammy Hawley.

The Tulsa County Chapter collected more than 100 dog and cat toys and other items for the Tulsa Humane Society. From left are David Greer, Mary Bea Drummond, Joe Pixley, Ryan Miller, Dr. Ron Bussert, Tina Parkhill, Craig White and Justin Salmon.

Members of the OSU Native American Student Association greet alumna Henrietta Mann, center, as she returns to campus in September to receive the OSU Distinguished American Indian Alumni Award.

OSU American Indian Alumni Association Henrietta Mann returned to OSU in September, but not to study or to teach. After 30 years outside her home state, Mann returned to celebrate and be celebrated as the first recipient of the OSU Distinguished American Indian Alumni Award. “I have come full circle,” says Mann, who graduated in 1970 with a master’s degree in English. “I am indeed honored. OSU was good to me, and is good to me today.” OSU honored Mann, 74, as Distinguished Alumni for 2008 on Sept. 13, 2008, in the Student Union Oklahoma Room. The ceremony was originally scheduled across the street in the alumni building, yet a turn of events gave Mann the opportunity to receive recognition in the room displaying five paintings by her late husband, Alfred Whiteman Jr., an illustrator for OSU in the 1960s. Before the recognition ceremony, the OSU library interviewed Mann for archival purposes and then the OSU Native American Student Association treated her to a reception where she shared food, conversation and laughter with current students, faculty and staff.

“It was an honor for her to come here. I look up to her as a role model,” says Ashleigh Coser, Miss American Indian OSU 2008-2009. “She inspires me to learn more about our culture and share it with others.” Mann’s son, Alden Whiteman, says his mother loves working with Oklahoma native students, especially Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal students. Mann, a longtime Montana resident, has temporarily returned to Oklahoma to serve as inaugural president of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College in Weatherford, Okla.

mother welcomed back to her home state in a distinguished way. “Her recent award and acknowledgement by the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association says that her fellow Oklahomans are proud of her years of hard work and dedicated service to Indian America,” Whiteman says. “I hope the university continues to hold its American Indian alumni in high esteem and acknowledge the many valuable contributions Native alumni have made to the global indigenous community.”

“She is such a great role model for all women, especially for Native American women,”

Contributing writer Dana Attocknie is managing editor of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Tribune Read more about Henrietta Mann on page 54.

says Krisha Blevins, president of OSU’s Native American Student Association, who gave welcoming remarks along with Brett Cowan, president of the OSU American Indian Alumni Association. Mann’s daughter Montoya A. Whiteman of Colorado says Stillwater and OSU hold many fond memories for their family. “It is a pleasure to see my

Dear Alumni and Friends, As an Oklahoma State University graduate and Alumni Association Life Member, it is an extraordinary honor and privilege to serve as President of OSU. We are at the beginning of what I believe will be one of the most exciting and transformational periods in the history of our wonderful school. The Alumni Association works to connect you back to your alma mater and other loyal and true OSU alumni. Through the OSU Chapter Network and numerous social media outlets, the Alumni Association is successful in bringing OSU to you wherever you are. I hope you will give serious consideration to staying connected to your university by being a part of one of the most loyal and passionate university alumni groups anywhere in the country. Get connected, stay connected and go Pokes!

V. Burns Hargis OSU President For more information about joining the Alumni Association, call us at 405-744-5368 or visit us online at orangeconnection.org.

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C l a s s n o t e s

’30s John Gower ’30, gen bus, is retired. His wife of 73 years, Helen, passed away last year. Raymond Bryson ’31, an sci, is 99 years old. He lives in Greenbrier Nursing Home in Enid, Okla., and is a loyal OSU fan.

’40s Maurice R. Ransom ’40, elec eng, retired in January as a senior staff engineer at Hammond Power Solutions. Maurice has four children and eight grandchildren. F.L. Holton Jr. ’41, gen bus, and his wife, Genevieve BenbrookHolton ’42, music, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary with three children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Harold Metcalf ’42, chem eng, and his wife, Wanda, celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on July 28. Edmond Synar ’48, an husb and ag econ, has two sons and a daughter. Michael was a U.S. Congressman, who passed away in 1996. Alan is a judge, and Edwyna is an OSU graduate in business and finance. E. Keith McPheeters ’49, arch studies, has won awards in juried art exhibits for his watercolors during the past two years. He thanks OSU professors Jay McVicker and Dwight Stevens for their influence.

’50s Richard C. Davis ’50, agron, is president of five non-profit corporations involved with low-rent subsidized housing for the elderly. One corporation is the management company, and the other four are HUD subsidized housing. He is busy with church work, Meals on Wheels and raising horses. Phil O. Leonard ’50, ag ed, and his wife, Ruth, have been married for 48 years. They have one daughter, Phylles Estes, who is married to James, and two grandchildren, Jamie Smith and her husband, Mike, and James Estes. They also have

two great-grandchildren, Madison and Michael Smith.

the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

A Squirrel’s Dilemma and an action games book.

Bob Oltmanns ’50, ind eng and mgmt, is proud of his granddaughter, Laura Dunn, a national honor student who will graduate in May with a bachelor’s in forestry.

John Fasciano ’54, psych, and his wife, Beverly, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June and welcomed their 15th grandchild, Gianna Angelina Jaedke.

Owen Armbruster ’51, journ, retired from volunteering with the Red Cross after 10 years of working national disasters. The last disaster he worked was the floods in El Paso, Texas, and New Mexico, where he broke three ribs. Owen is a lieutenant colonel.

Marc Francis Fontaine ’54, Ph.D., chem eng, and his wife, Dorothy, enjoy traveling abroad and visiting family.

Rolan Decker ’58, chem, and his wife, Priscilla ’61, pre-med, welcomed their newest grandson, Zane Douglas Decker, Feb. 29. He joins his 4-year-old brother, Devin. Their oldest grandson, Mitchell Davis, returned from his U.S. Marine deployment in Iraq to celebrate Thanksgiving last year.

James “Bud” Barnes ’51, an sci, ’56, M.S., ag ed, and his wife, Patricia, are proud of their grandson, Matt Barnes, who is Pistol Pete this year. Patricia Morse Hale ’51, HEECS, has four children, Alexia, Charese, Geoffrey Ross and Kyndall, who graduated from OSU. She also has three grandchildren, Jennifer Postlewhaiter, Geoffrey Ross Jr. and Emily Hale, who graduated from OSU. Her grandson, Brian, is a senior at OSU, and her grandson, Patrick, is a freshman at OSU. Bob W. Newsome ’51, agron, ’65, Ed.D., retired from Kansas State University’s extension service. Bob completed a third term as Riley County commissioner. Lavernne “Burny” Higdon Whitnah ’51, hort, and her husband, Jack, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in April. They have two daughters, two sons, 10 grandchildren and one greatgranddaughter, Lyzi, who was born in March. Their youngest son, Kent, manages the family business, Capitol Hill Florist. Floyd Jack ’52, trade and ind ed, and his wife, Wanda, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and Floyd’s 80th birthday in August. Charles L. Annibale ’54, an sci, and his wife, Jacqueline, have been married for 49 years. They have two children, one granddaughter and three step-grandchildren. Charles retired from the U.S. Department of Labor as director of regional program operations in 1989. Charles and his wife enjoy retirement in

Joseph Leon Jeffrey ’54, an husb, worked for the agriculture extension service in Arkansas for seven years, in Kansas for nine years and in Oklahoma for 10 years. He retired in August 1995. Joseph has six grandchildren who graduated from OSU, and the seventh grandchild, Whitney, is a freshman at OSU.

Earlene (Smith) Jeter ’54, speech, and her husband Dwain Jeter ’55, an sci, took a month-long trip to China, Thailand, Cambodia and Japan and met OSU alumna Kim Namekata ’82, HRAD, at the Okura Hotel in Tokyo where she is a guest relations officer. The Jeters say it’s exciting to be so far from their home in Rio Verde, Ariz., and meet another OSU alum.

Gary T. Spragins ’58, arch, is retired. He and his wife, Sharon, have three grown children living in Phoenix, Ariz. Gary, 73, enjoys flying his airplane, The Mooney, and plans to fly to Stillwater this fall for the class of ’58 reunion. Leonard E. Sullivan ’58, mktg, and his wife, Marilyn Sue WestSullivan ’58, celebrated 50 years of marriage on May 24. They married after Leonard’s graduation in 1958. Their daughters, Diane, ’82, and Lee Ann, ’85, and their grandchildren hosted a 50th anniversary reception in Oklahoma City. Fred Gordon ’59, geol, and his wife, Ginger ’59, bus ed, retired early and now run a cow/calf operation. They enjoy spending time with their grandson, who plans to attend OSU in a few years. Donna Paris Porter ’59, sec ed, enjoyed watching the men and women’s OSU basketball teams at the Big 12 championship tournament in Kansas City.

Marvin Rogers ’54, acct, says his wife, Billie, passed away on Feb. 11. They were married 52 years.

Norman Dale Talkington ’59, adv, owns a summer cabin at Yost Lake.

Ann Goble ’56, FRCD, was WalMart and Sam’s Club Teacher of the Year for all the school districts in Greene County, Ohio. She received $1,000 for her classroom and a $100 gift certificate for personal use.

’60s

William B. Parker ’57, sec ed, has worked with New York Life Inc. for 30 years and has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table for 29 years. Arthur Peter Bieri ’58, sec ed, ’65, M.S., is married to Terri and has two children, Donna and John Arthur. He also has two grandchildren, Josh and Avery. His son, Art, has written two children’s books,

Bob Harris ’60, pol sci, and his wife, Martha, enjoy following Cowboy athletics. They attended several football games this year. John Wesley Reynolds ’60, mech eng, ’61, M.S., and his wife, Charlene N. Reynolds ’59, bus ed, have eight grandchildren. Their grandson Brad Reynolds is a sophomore at OSU. Dan M. Slagle ’60, mech eng, and his wife, Margaret, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise in the Greek islands.

Classnotes

Allen Haight ’61, mgmt, and his wife, Joy Chase Haight ’61, FRCD, live near their children and grandchildren in Texas while enjoying retirement. They spend part of the year at their second home in Durango, Colo. Wildon Schmidt ’61, ag ed, and his wife, Dorothy, retired in Kerrville, Texas, and spend summers in Lake City, Colo. Their youngest daughter graduated from OSU in December 2006. Ann Bevelhymer Cain ’63, FRCD, and her husband, Raymond, have two married sons, Matthew, ’91 and Bryan, ’96, and five grandchildren. Lyndell Mark Grubbs ’65, psych, added two new FM radio stations in Texas. Lyndell also partnered with his son, Austin, to purchase Boss Game Systems, the leading manufacturer of fiberglass deer hunting blinds. G. Lowrance Hodge ’65, ind eng, is vice chair of the Dallas chapter of the Service Corporation of Retired Executives (SCORE). Eugene G. Sharp ’65, sec ed, is a retired math teacher from Enid High School. Eugene and wife, Shirley, farm in the Carrier and Goltry areas. Their son, Shelby, graduated from OSU-Okmulgee and is a diesel mechanic for F.W. Zaloudek in Kremlin. They also enjoy spending time with their 4-year-old granddaughter, Maranda. Aaron Meyers ’66, mktg, retired from Tom James Clothing after 41 years. Aaron and his wife, Sanda, of 46 years live in the Georgia Club, close to Athens, Ga. Richard T. Crowder ’67, Ph.D., ag econ, is professor of strategic management and international trade at Virginia Tech’s Depa r tment of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Richard recently retired from the Office of U.S. Trade Representative, where he served as the chief agriculture negotiator and was responsible for directing U.S. agricultural trade negotiations worldwide. Before that, he served

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as president of the American Seed Trade Association and was a highlevel executive at DEKALB Genetics Corporation, Armour Swift-Eckrich and the Pillsbury Company. He also served as under secretary of International Affairs and Commodity Programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1989 to 1992, leading negotiations in the Uruguay Round of the GATT and managing the 1990 Farm Bill. Bill Howell Jr. ’68, mgmt, and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters who were married in 2003 and 2004, one son who is engaged and two grandchildren born in 2007. Clayann Fent ’68, HEECS, and his wife, Lynn Fent ’68, sec ed, ’73, econ, welcomed their first grandchild, Erinn Mackenna. Clayann retired from teaching in Wichita and returned to Stillwater. E. Dwayne Walls ’69, ag ed, celebrated 37 years with Bennington State Bank in Bennington, Kan., as executive vice president. Robert P. Wegener ’69, journ, ’75, M.S., mass comm, received the 2007 Award of Distinction in recognition of outstanding service to the Division of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University. Robert is the general manager of student media at Texas A&M, where he has been advising and teaching journalism for 24 years. He was also a member of the journalism faculty at OSU from 1978 to 1984.

’70s Larry Beeby ’70, music ed, ’75, M.S., sec ed, and his wife, Karen Beth Beeby ’70, sec ed, ’91, M.S., anticipate retiring from teaching and returning to Stillwater soon. Dennis Stocksen ’70, ag econ, and his wife, Linda, enjoy their four grandchildren and look forward to retirement in a few years. Gary A. Voise ’70, econ/mktg and mgmt, retired from 3M Company and is currently owner and president of VP products. Kirk Beard ’71, HIDCS, retired as executive director of human resources for Richardson school district after 35 years. Kirk is currently

manager of Harvest Drug and Gift, Harvest Boutique and Harvest Medical Supply in Wichita Falls, Texas. Letha Grace Caudle ’71, sec ed, ’77, M.A., hist, retired from Bristow Public Schools after 35 years of teaching at the middle school. She also received two State History Day awards for 25 years of service. Jae Stafford ’71, ag ed, and his wife, Kathy ’71, elem ed, enjoy their good health and retirement. Their business, Sign Farm, is growing. Michael S. Bates ’72, hist, retired last summer after 34 years with the city of Tulsa, serving as human resources director for the last 12 years. He continues to use 20 years of labor relations and negotiating experience as a consultant to cities and towns in Oklahoma. Everett Sugg Jr. ’72, mech design tech, and his wife, Sherry Sugg ’75, sec ed, have a daughter, Amy Erin, who is a sophomore at OSU. John White ’72, journ, has worked for Oklahoma Publishing Company for 32 years and was promoted to vice president for retail and national advertising. John has three children, Taylor, a senior at OSU; Tanner, a sophomore at OSU; and Trace, a junior at Edmond Memorial.

June 14. Their daughter recently graduated from San Diego State University, and their son is married and working for Sony Pictures in Los Angeles, Calif. Roger says he enjoys working in the oil business, and he and his wife are enjoying their empty nest. Susan Thomas ’74, DHM, says her daughter, Ginny, married on Nov. 8, and her son, William, started law school at OU. Retta A. Miller ’75, HEECS, ’79, M.S., is a partner is the Dallas office of Jackson Walker LLP. The Dallas Business Journal named her as one of the 2008 Top Defense Lawyers. She focuses on the representation of retail brokerage firms and other financial institutions. Retta also received the Athena Award, which recognizes women who excel in their profession, serve their community and assist other women in realizing their full leadership potential. She has also received the Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award, the Meritorious Pro Bono Service Award for her work with North Texas Legal Services, the OSU Human Environmental Sciences Hall of Fame Award and the Distinguished Alumna Award.

Rex Fry ’73, phys ed, retired from UPS after 31 years and moved to Claremore, Okla. Rex has three daughters who are all married, three grandsons and one granddaughter. His daughters, Lesley Thomas and Lisa Sixkiller, are OSU grads. His wife, Ann Ball Fry, passed away in October 2005 from cancer.

C. Wayne Sims ’75, mgmt, and his wife, Carolyn, have three grandchildren, Peyton, 3, Charlea, 3, and Paige, who was born on Valentine’s Day. Wayne and Carolyn live in Mustang, Okla., close to their three children, Wes, Eric and Rebecca, all OSU graduates.

Mark K. Hobson ’73, sec ed, and her husband, Norman W. Hobson ’74, elec tech, have a daughter, Alicia Stuart, who graduated from OSU in July with a bachelor’s in zoology and a minor in biology.

Mary Ann Couger ’77, spec ed, and her husband, Guy, are proud of their son, Brian, who graduated from OSU in May with degrees in biochemistry/molecular biology and psychology.

Teresa A. Sanders ’73, journ ed, received the “Supervisor of the Year” award from the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City last May before retiring as supervisory chaplain after 25 years in the Bureau of Prisons.

Michael L. Case ’77, arch, is director of marketing for Reid and Associates LLC. Michael joined the commercial design/build firm in 2003 after working with Fluor Inc. and various architectural firms in Oklahoma, Texas and Georgia.

Roger Walker ’73, mech eng, ’74, MAE, and his wife, Susan, celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary on

William “Bill” Evans ’77, gen bus, and his wife, Becky, live in St. Petersburg, Fla. Their son, Zach,

Tim Ryan

Ancient City Reveals New Surprises

monitoring. On his blog, he chronicled Public relations alumnus Tim Ryan his experience illustrated with National visited Beijing on a business trip more than Geographic-like photos showing the people a generation ago. He saw a city of squat, and places around Beijing. drab buildings and a protective regime that “Two years prior to me going there, the restricted where he could shop and eat. media presented a very specific China that Ryan returned there last summer as a we were going to encounter,” he says. special events management consultant with There was intensive coverage of the the Olympics, contracting with several government’s violent repression of Tibetan companies that sponsored the Games. The monks vying for their country’s indepencity the 1984 alumnus remembered didn’t dence, news about environmental disasters, exist anymore. mining accidents and a regime that was lash“It’s a city of skyscrapers,” says Ryan, ing out against dissidents in advance of the who has been consulting for the Games Games. Also, Beijing’s air pollution grabbed since 2000. Before he came to Beijing, Ryan, global headlines due to concerns about worked with the Bank of China through athletes’ health. Maritz, a St. Louis., Mo., “But that’s not what “We were led to marketing company to believe that it was we encountered at all,” implement staff training oppressive, that he says. “We were led guidelines. While there it was dirty, that it to believe that it was for his six-week stay, he oppressive, that it was consulted for Aggreko, an was hard to work there, that it was dirty, that it was hard to English generator company, dismal. And yet, work there, that it was helping it use its assets as a Beijing is a very corporate sponsor. vibrant city, a very dismal. And yet, Beijing is a very vibrant city, a very Ryan spent his days modern city.” modern city. The Chinese working with a team welcomed us with open arms.” that included a group of Chinese college He hopes the Games shattered a few students who also acted as translators. His Western stereotypes about the nation. Also, group helped coordinate everything from he hopes the Olympics, with its earthhotel rooms, restaurants, ticket packages friendly Olympic Village and green construcand transportation to merchandising for tion practices, become a catalyst for an Aggreko’s guests. emerging environmental movement there. Twenty-one years ago, he was there with “The students I worked with were Carlson Marketing, part of a team setting very conscious of recycling, which I never up a client’s company meeting there. If he would’ve guessed,” he says. “If I was printwanted to go to the grocery store, there was ing something and there was a mistake, I only one he could use, and he had to arrange was crumpling up the paper and they would for government minders to take him. Also, look at me and say, ‘Think of the trees’ there were only three or four restaurants … The theme for the Olympics was ‘One available to him. World, One Dream.’ And it really is, when But this time, Ryan, also an amateur you get down to it.” photographer, found a vibrant night life Matt Elliott in Beijing to rival that of Paris or London with chic restaurants and little government

22, serves in the U.S. Coast Guard and their daughter, Kelsey, 19, is a cheerleader at NSU in Tahlequah, Okla. Larry McLaughlin ’77, ag ed, and his wife, Teresa, enjoyed their visit to Stillwater this fall for their son’s enrollment. They enjoyed seeing the new stadium and additions to the campus and town. Cindy Mellon ’77, FRCD, is in her 27th year of teaching early childhood special education in Lawson, Mo. Cindy and her husband, Richard, have a daughter who is a senior at OSU. Valli Jo Rallis ’77, pol sci, and her husband, Gus, moved back to Oklahoma. Valli enjoys spending time with her family, riding her horse, volunteering at her daughter’s high school and keeping up with three dogs. Christopher S. McCann ’78, bio sci, works for ConocoPhillips as the project procurement manager. Christopher and his wife, Cynthia, have two sons attending OSU, Luke and Matthew. John O. Everett ’78, Ph.D., acct, received the Ray M. Sommerfeld Outstanding Educator Award from the American Taxation Association in August 2007. The award is funded by Ernst & Young Foundation and recognizes the recipient’s career contributions to tax-related teaching, research and service. Craig D. Spaulding ’78, micro, and his wife, Brenda K. BurrowSpaulding ’77, hist, have two children. Their son, Clint, graduated from OSU in 2007 with a bachelor’s in finance, and their daughter, Rebekah, a President’s Distinguished Scholar, is a freshman at OSU. Deena Link ’79, psych, and her husband, Frank, have a son, Lawrence, who is a freshman studying agriculture at OSU. Gary Messec ’79, ind draft tech, and his wife, Becky Messec ’82, journ, have a daughter, Kaylee, who graduated in May with a degree in health promotions.

Classnotes

Jerry Roundtree ’79, an sci, ’84, DVM, his wife, Debi Roundtree ’82, HEECS, and their two daughters, Hannah and Kaylee, live in Page, Ariz. Their son Jacob lives and works in Tulsa. Their son Joseph attends OSU, and their son Jense plans to attend Arizona State University.

’80s Tom Brunsteter ’80, forestry, and his wife, Deborah, have three daughters. Taylor is a freshman at OSU majoring in animal science. Rhiannon is a senior at Oklahoma Baptist University, and Mallory will finish cosmetology classes in December at Stillwater Vo-Tech. Ennetuk Efiong Usoro ’80, RTVF, ’82, mass comm, and his wife, Affiong, have a son, Ottobong, who is a student at International American School in Warsaw, Poland. Ennetuk is the No. 2 diplomat and deputy ambassador at the Embassy of Nigeria in Warsaw. David B. Lamerton ’80, mgmt, and his wife, Jacquelyn Kay Harrison-Lamerton ’80, Engl, have four children. John graduated from OU in 2005; Katie and her husband, Will Gungoll, graduated from OSU in 2006; Megan graduated from OSU this year; and Joseph is a freshman at OSU. Scott Peters ’80, zoo, and his wife, Carol, live in Knoxville, Tenn., and remind people who wear orange that they bleed OSU orange, not Tennessee orange. Jo Arnold Pettigrew ’80, Ed.D., was appointed by Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry to the State Ethics Commission in December 2007. Bob Shroyer ’80, fire prot and saf tech, retired from Oak Ridge National Lab in October 2007 and is now a fire code consultant. Gary Humphrey ’81, civ eng, is commercial manager of a new Fugro company, Fugro GeoConsulting Inc., based in Houston, Texas. Gary is responsible for methane hydrates and scientific drilling projects. June Pentecost ’81, HIDCS, and her husband, Kevin, have a daughter, Dana, who is a sophomore at OSU

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majoring in nutritional sciences. She managed a 4.0 grade point average while completing 35 hours last year. Dana is also a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and she competed with the OSU competitive cheer squad in Daytona Beach, Fla., in the spring. Marcia Spitzmiller-Wilson ’81, HRAD, works with Beuton Public Housing Authority, which administers HUD grants for Beuton, Ark., and Saline County. Marcia is a fiveyear breast cancer survivor as of August. Robert Teel ’81, HRAD, and his wife, Judy, have been married for 15 years. They and their two children, Emily, 9, and Bobby, 12, live in Glenview, Ill. Robert works for Bravo Cucina Italiana restaurants as a sous chef. Peter Dickinson ’82, fin, and his wife, Diane Dickinson ’82, prevet, ’84, DVM, started a non-profit organization, Heart of the Shepherd Inc., this year, and also operate a farm, Shepherd’s Cross Inc. Peter and Diane are founding members of the Oklahoma Agritourism Committee. Their website is www.shepherdscross.com. Cheryl Wood-Myers ’82, psych, ended her 22-year career as a DHS social worker to work full time as a psychology/sociology instructor at Eastern Oklahoma State College.

Julie Evans ’83, bus admin, drove her newly restored “OSU Spirit Wagon” to tailgate parties this fall on the Stillwater campus. Julie had the 1965 GMC Carryall completely restored and added a personalized license plate, “Go-Pokz.” The five-passenger vehicle, which is painted OSU orange, carried OSU fans from Tulsa to Stillwater for the OSU football games. Julie discovered the one-owner vehicle, which had been undriven since 1994, at Keystone Lake. “I wanted to restore the Carryall because it was so cute and unusual,” says Julie, who also thought it would be fun to paint it OSU orange and use it for tailgating. “It was really fun driving from Tulsa to Stillwater for the games. Everyone would pass us and wave very enthusiastically. It was also a great way to make new friends while tailgating.”

Bill Wall ’82, trade and ind ed, is program manager for the Joint Stars Aircraft Engine Program. Robin Price ’84, pol sci, and her husband, David, have a son, Josh, who started kindergarten this fall. Kristi Dietz-Divin ’85, elem ed, married Michael Divin on March 19, 2008, in the Bahamas. Kristi is assistant principal at Millsap Elementary in Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Kathy Stubbs-Duke ’85, D.O., married Kelly Duke in Januar y 2008. Paul Venincasa ’85, mktg, was awarded the contract to complete the audio and visual work in the west end zone of Boone Pickens Stadium.

Paul is honored to contribute to his own university in this way. Paul Vrana ’85, fin, is a partner in the transactions and energy practice areas of Jackson Walker and co-chair of Jackson Walker’s energy practice group in the Houston office. H Texas magazine recently named Paul as one of Houston’s Top Lawyers. Ramona Jewel Himes ’86, org admin, opened an art gallery, Exhibit One Gallery, in Stillwater with her two daughters in 2007. Ramona is the granddaughter of Frank “Pistol Pete” Eaton.

Lisa Palmer ’86, psych, ’89, appl beh studies, has a son, who is 8. Lisa teaches special education in Austin, Texas. Larry Price ’86, math, retired from the U.S. Air Force in September 2007. Richard G. Petricek Jr. ’87, civ eng, ’96, M.S, environ eng, married Callie “Heng Hong” Lee-Petricek in March 2008. Chris Barnes ’88, pol sci, is a U.S. diplomat. He serves as vice consul in Yekaterinburg, Russsia. Chari Sowers ’89, Ed.D, bus ed, and her husband, James Sowers ’89, Ed.D, bus admin, live in Wichita, Kan. Chari retired in July after 29

Intern Edition Former KOSU student reporter lands coveted internship role at National Public Radio.

the University of Malta through OSU’s study abroad program prepared her for the environmental change. “Washington, D.C., and I are still getting to know each other,” she says. “The pace is faster, but I do enjoy it.” Since 1999, nearly 90 former interns have become NPR employees. Nearly 40 more are public radio employees. Executive producers also have a history of joining the NPR staff once their internship is done. “I would like to be able to stay,” Tatroult says. “I would be excited about the prospect of a future with NPR.” Associate professor John McGuire served as Tatroult’s academic adviser during her independent study with OSU. “This is a wonderful opportunity for Lacy to train in radio journalism at the highest level,” he says.

Photo courtesy Doug Mitchell

Lacy Tatroult, a former student reporter for radio station KOSU, was named executive producer for National Public Radio’s Intern Edition this fall. While being an intern herself, Tatroult led at least 20 interns at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., as they collaborated to develop, report, write, edit and produce one 30-minute program that incorporates audio, video and multimedia content. “It’s going really well,” the ’08 broadcasting news production alumna said during an October interview. “I am learning a little bit of everything. Everyone here is at the top of their game, and they are all here for a reason.” “Intern Edition” is a training program inside NPR put together in the same way as NPR programs. Tatroult helps run the Intern Edition program and teaches interns from all over the United States how to report, write, record sound, edit scripts, track narration and edit audio. “I also have a hand in promotions, producing, web design, blog editing and reporter training,” says Tatroult, who worked at KOSU during her final semesTatroult says she appreciates OSU and KOSU for teaching ter as part of an independent study course created in partnerher how to do what she’s doing. “I couldn’t have been better ship with OSU’s School of Journalism and Broadcasting. prepared,” she says. “All the credit goes to my professors and At KOSU, Tatroult produced numerous long-form radio the people I worked with at KOSU.” features on topics ranging from Oklahoma fashion design Rachel Sheets to the resurgence of fiddling among To listen to Lacy Tatroult’s work, visit http:// Oklahoma’s youth. “I couldn’t have been www.npr.org/about/nextgen/internedition/ “Lacy was an incredibly gifted radio fall08/index.html or www.kosu.org better prepared. All storyteller during her independent study the credit goes to with KOSU,” says Rachel Hubbard, my professors and associate director, “and she will continue the people I worked to learn and grow, working with the best with at KOSU.” minds in public radio.” Tatroult says she applied for the internship last summer after much encouragement from KOSU. Moving from her hometown of Lawton, Okla., to Washington, D.C., was a “significant change,” she says, but spending her junior year at

Classnotes

Kelly Kerr ’89, mgmt, won a National Press Photographers Association award in feature photography for a Tulsa World piece, “Playing Dress Up,” about bands participating in the newspaper’s annual Spot Music Awards show. Kelly worked for the Tulsa World 13 years, published a photo book, Oklahoma Revisited, last year and now teaches photography at the OSU Institute of Technology. He is passing on his knowledge to students at the same time he is educating himself in video — expanding from stills to motion and sound.

“Achievers under 40.” Molly was also nominated for an award with Great Women of Gaming.

David Myers ’95, acct, is the controller for Wellman Products Group.

Ron Arthur ’93, sec ed, was the Shawnee High School Teacher of the Year for 2007-2008.

Rudy Sanchez ’95, trade and ind ed, celebrated 10 years with FANUC Corporation in Hartford, Conn., where he is a senior engineer. He and his wife, Sonia, have a son, Winston, 3, who enjoys puzzles and wants to learn to read.

Charles A. Rothofsy ’93, mktg, and his wife, Amanda, welcomed their second daughter, Sarah, on Feb. 29, 2008. Chyanne, their first daughter, is 15 years old. John Tresp ’93, mech design tech, married Lise in Stravanger, Norway, on June 16, 2007. John and his wife welcomed a baby girl, Adalea Solveig Tresp, in April 2008. They also have three children, twin 9-year-old boys, Bjørn Vegar Knutsen and Per Kristian Knutsen, and an 11-year-old daughter, Malendy Knutsen. They plan to move to Tulsa next June. Steve Lehmann ’94, elec tech, welcomed a son, Matthew Alexander, on April 3, 2008. Joseph Charles Loeffler Jr. ’94, health, and his wife, Heather, welcomed Joseph Charles Loeffler III on April 13, 2007.

years with the Wichita Public Schools and 33 years as a public educator in Kansas.

’90s Greg Graffman ’90, sec ed, is a partner in the law firm Geisert, Wunsch, Watkins and Graffman in Kingman, Kan. Scott Bonnalie ’91, fin, is executive director for Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation. He leads the strategic growth of the medical education company and oversees day-to-day operations and management. The foundation is dedicated to meeting the educational needs of physicians and other healthcare professionals by providing continuing medical education. Jeffery Nesheim ’91, ento, and his wife, Dawn, welcomed their third child, Aidan Michael, on May 14, 2007. Big brother Conner and

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big sister Hannah love their new baby brother. Mark Rubes ’91, mktg, and his wife, Lori, have a daughter, Kassidy Rose, who is 6 years old. Mike Seiler ’91, av sci, was promoted to lieutenant colonel in July 2007. He took command of the 349th Flying Squadron on April 11. The 349th is one of the four flying squadrons in the 22ARW at McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kan. Ken Hamilton ’92, D.O., and his wife, Tina, moved to Springfield, Mo., in March. Ken works for Cox Health Physicians for Women. Craig Robinson ’92, journ, and his wife, Jennifer ’92, arch eng, live in Edmond, Okla., with their four children. Craig works full time as a captain in the Oklahoma Army National Guard while Jennifer stays home to raise the children. Molly Jarvis ’93, mktg, ’99, MBA, is vice president of marketing and sales for Cherokee Nation Enterprises. Molly was featured this year in Oklahoma Magazine’s “Forty under 40” and the Journal Record

Paul Alan Ziriax ’94, fin, and his wife, Lisa Miller Ziriax ’93, journ, welcomed their first child, Alexandra “Allie” Lyn, on Dec. 18, 2006. James Lichtenberger ’95, mgmt, and his wife, Jeanna Lichtenberger ’96, elem ed, welcomed their third child, Lucy Caron, on Nov. 13, 2007. They have two older children, Shelby, 5, and Jesse, 3.

Alexa Taylor ’95, psych, and her husband, Trey, celebrated their first wedding anniversary. They enjoy living in their nearly 100-year-old home in a historic district in Dallas, Texas. Kristie Luchtel Ferguson ’96, geol, ’99, M.A., married Stephen on April 30, 2008. They welcomed their first child, Hayden Matthew, on Aug. 16. Kimberly A. Malone ’96, FRCD, and her husband, James K. Malone II ’93, elec eng, ’96, M.S., welcomed twin boys in August. Jason L. Tindle ’96, acct, married Angie in March. Jason has two new stepsons and a third child due in January 2009. Dan Kurtenbach ’96, sec ed, is the head football coach at Casady School in Oklahoma City, Okla. Bryndon Manzer ’97, mktg, and his wife, Janie, have two sons, Brooks, 5, and Banks, 1.

Keep Us Posted! Whether you’ve changed jobs or last names or added a new Cowboy or Cowgirl to the mix, we want to hear about it! Members of the OSU Alumni Association can submit classnotes for publication in the STATE magazine and on the orangeconnection.org website. To submit information, visit www.orangeconnection.org and click on Update Your Information or contact us by phone at (800) 433-4678 or by mail at 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 74078-7043, c/o Classnotes.

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Get a Global perspective

Composite photo / taCi Fast, Joel pennie

Study abroad is no longer a luxury. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s essential to a college education. With opportunities in 32 countries from Asia to the Americas, OSU offers a multitude of ways to get a global view while earning college credit and memories to last a lifetime.

Bo Burns ’97, bio sci, ’01, D.O., is the medical student clerkship director for the department of emergency medicine at St. Francis Hospital. Trinity Grant ’97, mktg, and her husband, Brian, welcomed their second child, Brenley May, on Feb. 6, 2006. Brad Black ’98, gen bus, and his wife, Tiffany Black ’98, elem ed, have a son, Joe. Tiffany resigned her teaching position with Moore Public Schools after 10 years to be a full-time mom. Matthew Brown ’98, appl beh studies, and his wife, Carla ShankBrown ’98, elem ed, have two daughters, Haley, 5, and Hannah, 3. Matt is the new director of residential life at OSU, and Carla works at the Rise School of Stillwater. Monica McGraw ’98, elem ed, and her husband, Matt, welcomed a daughter, Meredith Kindle, on June 29, 2007. C. Wes Sims ’98, zoo, and his wife, Sarah, have one child, Charlea, 3. Wes worked at zoos in Colorado Springs, Colo., Tulsa, Okla., and Jacksonville, Fla., before returning to Oklahoma in 2005 to work for the Oklahoma City Zoo. Sarah works for the University of Oklahoma Foundation. They attend OSU football and basketball games as often as they can. Ashley Patton-Castaneda ’99, mktg, married Marcelo on June 30, 2007, in Richardson, Texas. Ashley is a sales specialist with Astra Seneca Pharmaceuticals, and Marcelo is a financial adviser with AXA Advisors in Plano, Texas. Andrew J. Dowty ’99, aviat, and his wife, Stephanie D. Dowty ’98, acct, moved to Richmond, Texas, where Andrew is a corporate pilot for Parker Drilling Co. Their son, Tyler, is 3 years old. Kevin S. Jones ’99, M.S., and his wife, Aileen, are parents of two sons: Jackson, born on Sept. 28, 2006, and Hudson, born on Feb. 20, 2008. Alyce Mangus-Scrivner ’99, HRAD, and her husband, Mark, welcomed a daughter, Chloe Jean, on June 18 in Nashville, Tenn.

’00s Kimberly Allen ’00, FRCD, and her husband, Casey, welcomed Paxson Gordon to their family on Jan. 9. Paxson has a big brother, Parker.

Krystal Jennings ’01, journ, completed an M.S. in teaching, learning and leadership at OSU-Tulsa.

Stephen Ellis ’02, ind eng and mgmt, and his wife, Erica Ellis ’02, ind eng and mgmt, welcomed Audrey Christina on March 14.

Jennifer Chandler ’00, geog, and her husband, Jeffrey, welcomed their first child, a daughter, on Dec. 20, 2007. Carissa Clumpner ’00, HRAD, and her husband, Scott Clumpner ’01, fire prot and saf tech, welcomed a baby girl, Caroline Sue, on June 2, 2008. Derek Dick ’00, an sci, ’02, M.S., is the horticulture/agricultural instructor and the agricultural department head at Coffeyville Community College. Derek’s wife, Tenae Baker-Dick ’99, an sci, ’00, M.S., teaches second grade at Oklahoma Union Schools in South Coffeyville, Okla. Stephen R. Kovacs ’00, D.O., is president of the Oklahoma Urgent Care Association and owns and operates three urgent care centers in Owasso, Claremore and Bixby. Danene “D.J.” CameronMoberly ’00, nut sci, graduated this year with an MPH and works as a certified diabetes educator in a private practice. D.J.’s husband, Michael Moberly ’98, fire prot and saf tech, works for BP Exploration as a fire and gas engineer. They both work and live in Anchorage, Alaska. Jeremy Mason ’00, journ, is a podiatrist with Metro Tulsa Foot and Ankle Specialists, and his wife, Sarah Monn-Mason ’01, acct, ’01, M.S., is a tax manager with Deloitte Tax LLP in Tulsa. Cory Reid ’00, fin, and his wife, Kara Gowan-Reid ’00, elem ed, welcomed their third son, Cole Jackson, in September. They have two other boys, Caden, born in August 2004, and Carter, born in December 2006. Rebecca Chancellor ’01, elem ed, received the John Spragens Award for Christian Education from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary for additional education in the field of Christian education.

at First Presbyterian Church, and Casey is an instructor and recruiter for OSU’s Army ROTC.

Lindsey Long ’02, elem ed, and her husband, Nathan, have two children, Makenzie, 4, and Gentry James, born Dec. 6, 2007.

Mmatlou Kalaba ’01, ag econ, is the senior economist for trade and industrial policy strategies in Pretoria, South Africa. The Nelson Mandela Scholar married his wife, Lebogang, in South Africa and insisted that orange be a part of his wedding colors even though some of the bridesmaids were doubtful of the groom’s choice of colors. However, once the women saw the color combinations, they admitted he has good taste. Kabala thanks OSU for his appreciation for orange. Karina Shreffler ’01, soc, her husband, Jeremy Shreffler ’01, HRAD, and daughter, Clara, welcomed a son, Adam, to their family in March. After receiving a Ph.D. from Penn State in August 2007, Karina joined the department of HDFS at OSU as a faculty member. Tara Smith ’01, physio, ’04, M.S., tchng, learn and ldrshp, married Craig Smith on June 21. Devon Magness ’01, elem ed, needed a change from teaching and became a landman doing oil and gas research. Jessica Blake ’02, comm sci and disorders, married Joshua Blake on Oct, 27, 2007, in Mishawaka, Ind. Jennifer Shouse Bruns ’02, fin, ’07, MBA, works for the FDIC in Oklahoma City. Her husband, Jeremy David Bruns, graduated in May from OSU and works for Kinnunen Sales and Rentals in Stillwater. Jenna Caldwell-Campbell ’02, FRCD, and her husband, Casey Campbell ’02, pol sci, welcomed their first child in November. Jenna is director of youth and family ministry

Kylie Martin ’02, mktg, and her husband, Luke Martin ’02, gen bus, married on Sept. 15, 2007. Luke was appointed to the board of governors of the Licensed Architects and Landscape Architects of Oklahoma. He also serves on the advisory board for OSU’s Sigma Nu fraternity. Dalynn Schauer-Pair ’02, sec ed, married Felix Pair II of Hawley, Texas, on June 14. Don A. Payne ’02, FPST, married Elizabeth K. Vincent on June 20 in Negril, Jamaica. Justin Juozapavicius ’02, journ, was recognized as the Associated Press staffer of the year for Oklahoma. Justin’s wife, Cary Aspinwall-Juozapavicius ’02, journ, won a first-place award for business feature writing at the AP/ONE awards. Scott Storey ’02, ag ed, ’03, M.S., and his wife, Amanda Storey ’03, ag ed, ’04, M.S., have a son, Seth Stephen, 3, and a daughter, Emily Suzann, born April 22. Ellen Elizabeth FairbanksWood ’02, mktg, and her husband, Jason, welcomed daughter Ainsley Taylor on Aug. 28, 2007. Mark Andrew Barnes ’03, pol sci, is in his second year at Kyoto University in the Faculty Law in Japan. Cody Bridwell ’03, mktg, and his wife, Piper, welcomed a daughter, Legend Carter, on March 18. Julie Garver ’03, and her husband, Charles, welcomed a baby boy, Cale Cooper, on May 11.

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Tana Redelsperger ’03, elem ed, and her husband, Jon Paul Redelsperger ’94, ag econ, purchased their first home. Chas Robbins ’03, ag econ, and his wife, Loni Robbins ’04, ag bus and fin, welcomed their f ir st child, Corbin Everett, on April 3. Eric W. Sims ’03, MSIS, and his wife, Jamie Sims ’05, theatre, have two children, Peyton, 3, and Paige, 2 months. Eric works for OPUBCO Communication Group as a desktop service technician, and Jamie works in events management for the Ford Center and Cox. They attend football and basketball games as often as they can. Alexa Wiley-Wagner ’03, int’l studies, and her husband, Jake, welcomed their first child, William, on Feb. 4. Ryan Duncan ’04, agri bus, is assistant vice president of First National Bank of Texhoma, Guymon branch. Erin Lindstrom ’04, bio sci, began her podiatric surgical residency in Cleveland, Ohio, this summer. Matthew Sloan Wood ’04, pol sci, graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in May 2007. Melissa Watson ’04, int’l bus, and her husband, Kevin, welcomed their first child, Bethany Faith, on April 16.

Devina Sulaiman Currie ’05, mgt info sys, and her husband, James Currie ’04, comp sci, welcomed Michelle Sulaiman Currie on Aug. 27 in Tulsa, Okla. Ryan Jarmer ’05, acct, is a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Ryan is deployed as part of Operation Continuing Promise serving as the medical logistics officer for a humanitarian mission to Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Rebekah Simpson McBride ’05, MSIS, and her husband, Anthony “Tony” McBride, live in Yukon, Okla. Rebekah is a remote administrator of the Chickasaw Nation. They provide technical computer support to the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City. Tony is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma and works in security. Jared “Rex” Miller ’05, econ, and his wife, Caroline Booher Miller ’05, sec ed, welcomed their first child, Jackson Lee Miller, on June 18. Michael D. Pendergrass ’05, fin, is vice president of AXA Advisors LLC in Oklahoma City. Peter Rosen ’05, Ph.D., bus admin, and his wife, Brooks Rosen ’96, psych, ’98, spch path, welcomed baby Leah in July. She joins big sister Hannah and big brother Elijah.

Lucas P. Westpahl ’04, ag econ, and his wife, Laurie M. Westfahl ’04, HDFS, welcomed a baby boy, Colin Lucas, on Jan. 31.

Kelly Sue Thomas ’05, soc, finished her M.S. in criminal justice administration at NSU in Broken Arrow, Okla. Kelly also received a teaching certificate in early childhood education and social studies, and finished her first year of teaching.

Jamie “Rochelle” Henderson Covington ’05, ag comm, and her husband, David, welcomed their first child, Chloe Lynn, on June 2 in Woodward, Okla.

Kiel Werner ’05, econ, is a recruiter for GDH Consulting in Tulsa. He joined OSU alums Jeremy Wilson, Travis Dolle, Blake Hannan and Ryan Corle at the business. Brandon Boydstun ’06, land arch, and his wife, Ashley BelairBoystun ’06, ag econ, welcomed a son, Brandon Donald, on Aug. 31.

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Adam Fenderson ’06, mech eng, married Erica Melton on June 7 in Longview, Texas. Kristin Kussmaul ’06, health promo, plans to graduate from nursing school at the University of Texas in Arlington in August 2009. Jared Pawelka ’06, MBA, welcomed daughter Marry Caroline Brent Pawelka on Sept. 3, 2007. Aaron Rayburn ’06, agri bus, and his wife, Kristi, welcomed a daughter in August. Megan Lowery Reilly ’06, nut sci, has a dance company, Tippi Toes, which is franchising with locations in Texas, Oklahoma and Ohio. Her husband, Chris Reilly ’05, gen bus, coaches baseball at the University of Cincinnati. Phillip Savage ’06, av sci, graduated JSUPT April 4 and received his pilot wings. He was assigned to KC-135s at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash. Phillip and his wife, Ashley Nicole Savage ’06, HRAD, reported to Spokane in October. Caleb Stevenson ’06, theatre, and his wife, Kari Lynn-French Stevenson ’07, theatre, live in Chicago, Ill., where he attends classes at The Second City improvisation training center. Jenna Leigh Gaeddert ’07, gen bus, works for Stillwater Screenprinting, and her husband, Christopher Lee Gaeddert, is sports director of Stillwater YMCA.

In Memory Hiram Henderson Henry ’40, instru music, died Oct. 2, 2008, in Stillwater. Hiram came to OAMC in 1936, majored in music and later served the university’s music department in various roles for 35 years. As a student, Hiram participated in band, orchestra, pep band and Student Enter tainers. In 1940 he accepted a job as band and orchestra director at Pauls Valley public schools, where he met his future wife, Wanda (Suggs) Henry, who preceded him in death on June 8, 2008. During World War II Hiram was assigned to the Navy’s Seabee Band in Norfolk, Va., and later Williamsburg, Va., and then the Navy School of Music in Washington, D.C., where he was an instructor until his discharge in October 1945. After earning a master’s in music from the University of Southern California in 1946, he joined the OAMC Music Department as assistant director of bands, director of a newly formed all-girls band and instructor of low brass and percussion. Hiram was director of marching bands until 1957, when he was appointed director of bands. He directed marching and concert bands until 1966. The concert band performed on campus and took an annual concert tour to high schools throughout the state. One of the band’s most popular activities was the summer concert series at Theta Pond he conducted for 33 years. During the years, Wanda worked for OSU’s Cooperative Extension office and was a sponsor for Tau Beta Sigma. She was also an honorary member of the University Society of Student Entertainers because of her years of support to students. Hiram retired in 1981 yet remained active as an adviser to the OSU alumni band, Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He was a member of several state and national professional music organizations, serving in leadership positions in each, and chaired the Oklahoma Band Clinic and the State Music Contest Committee for many years. He was elected to the Oklahoma Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1972, received the Kappa Kappa Psi

Doyle Parrack, a member of Henry Iba’s 1945 championship basketball team, died Sept. 5, 2008, at his home in Perkins, Okla. After graduating with a degree in education, Parrack began his coaching career at Shawnee High School before landing a spot in 1946 with the NBA’s Chicago Stags. Parrack, who was 86 at the time of his death, left the NBA for Oklahoma City University. As coach and athletic director, Parrack improved OCU’s national stature by leading the Chiefs to a 137-71 record, winning two All-College Tournament titles and making four NCAA Tournament appearances. In 1955, he was hired as head coach at the University of Oklahoma, winning the Big Eight Coach of the Year award in 1959 before returning to Stillwater in 1962 as an assistant coach under Iba. In 1972, Parrack coached the Israeli national team. He retired in 1980 after two years coaching the OU women’s team.Parrack and his wife, Charlotte, were married 56 years. Robert McCulloh ’49, journ, died Aug. 29, 2008, at age 83. Robert wrote a new version of the “Alma Mater” in 1957 upon OAMC’s name change to OSU. As a student, Robert played in several musical groups and was a member of Sigma Delta Chi. After graduating and working as a newspaper editor, he returned to OSU in the 1950s and worked in the public information office for many years. Visit the O’Collegian website at http://ocolly. com/?s=Robert+McCulloh to read Editor-in-chief Jaclyn Cosgrove’s feature story about Robert. Harold Max Cumpston ’51, mech eng, died Dec. 15, 2007, at age 79. After Max graduated from OSU, he was commissioned as an Army first lieutenant at Fort Leavengood. In 1952, Max served as an engineer platoon combat leader in the 65th Engineering Combat Battalion in Korea, where he built supply roads, gun emplacements and mine field clearings. After returning to the United States in 1953, Max worked

Ed Glover Edwin Eugene Glover ’47, gen bus, died Oct. 14, 2008, at age 86. Not only did Ed graduate from OSU, he excelled professionally for 40 years on campus, advancing from assistant accountant to director of internal audits before retiring on Dec. 31, 1987. Ed grew up during the Great Depression and knew his father couldn’t afford to send him to college. But a family friend, George Givens, the chief engineer at the campus power plant, offered Ed a job paying 20 cents an hour to help finance his education. As an Oklahoma A&M student, Ed was awarded varsity letters in wrestling three consecutive years and also received military training in the ROTC. The program was compulsory for male students, but Ed never regretted the training he credited for strengthening his leadership abilities and saving his life as a prisoner of war. Ed’s leadership skills were first put to the test in April 1943 when he was called to active duty. He was commissioned a second lieutenant at Fort Benning, Ga., and served in various places during his tour, including the front line at St. Loa in northern France. On Sept. 5, 1944, Ed was wounded in the leg and captured. For the next seven months and 11 days, he was held captive in a German POW camp until freedom came on May 15, 1945. Ed said he considered each day of service to the United States — even those spent as a prisoner or war — as an honorable day. During his service, Ed earned numerous awards and citations including the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with Palm, POW Medal, ETO Ribbon with two battle stars, the American theatre medal, Victory Medal and Medal of Valor, State of Oklahoma. After his rescue, he spent 18 months recovering at Borden General Hospital in Chickasha, Okla., before returning to Stillwater. He re-enrolled at OAMC and completed his degree while working at the college to support his wife, Mary, and young children Linda Kay and Tom.

photo / phil shockley

“Distinguished Service to Music” award in 1977 and was elected to the Oklahoma Music Educators Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 1947, Ed began working in the comptrollers’ office as an assistant accountant and was promoted to assistant chief accountant and internal auditor in 1965. In 1970, he was promoted to director and department head of internal audits. Professionally, Ed was a member of the Association of College and University Auditors and was elected national president in September 1974. He was a member of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade and was elected national commander in 1970. He was named “Home Town Hero” in March 2000. He loved bird-watching and for years consistently raised the most funds for the local Audubon Society’s annual Birdathon. Ed never wavered in his love for OSU or the ROTC and created an endowed scholarship to support the recruitment, training and development of future U.S. Army leaders. “The ROTC is one of the very frugal ways of training good leaders,” he told STATE magazine in 2007. “It’s a wonderful organization that promotes patriotism, love of country and love of their institution.” Memorials may be made in his name to the OSU Foundation, Edwin E. Glover ROTC Leadership Development Scholarship, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK, 74076.

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photo courtesy University of Texas-El Paso

Don Haskins

Larger-Than-Life Coach Lives On in Players’ Hearts

Former Texas Western College guard Steve Tredennick has a clip-on tie he’d like to frame. It’s a game tie that adorned the prodigious neck of his towering and burly former basketball coach, client and friend, Don “the Bear” Haskins, who died Sept. 7, 2008, in El Paso, Texas. Haskins could never stomach the ties — they would always disappear by tipoff. After all, he was a fan of the blue-collar man, and he had no patience for stuffed shirts. For Tredennick, a lawyer in Round Rock, there remains the task of deciding what to put on that tie’s frame. “Something like, ‘the Bear is gone, but his spirit lives on,’” says Tredennick, who played for the Bear from 1961 to 1965. Haskins, an Enid native, played for his mentor Henry Iba at Oklahoma A&M from 1949 to 1953. He had a dead-on jump shot in Stillwater, where he met and married his wife, Mary. He left school and played with an Amateur Athletic Union team and later found his way to coaching jobs in west Texas. He got his college degree there and, in 1961, landed the head coach position at Texas Western, now the University of Texas at El Paso. Just five years into his career, his black starting lineup beat Kentucky’s all-white squad in the NCAA championship, a game credited with destroying the color barrier in college sports. Haskins, who told interviewer after interviewer he only played his best guys, pried open higher education’s door to thousands of black students. The game has been chronicled in several books and the 2006 film, Glory Road. Later in his career, Haskins, whose withering stare and hulking frame gave him his nickname, turned down coaching positions at bigger schools that would have

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paid him more money. Loyal until the end, he retired in 1999 with 719 career wins for a school that had little pull with big-name recruits and fewer resources compared to larger schools. His success early on surprised his teammates who played with him in Stillwater, says Harold Rogers, his friend and former Aggie. “We didn’t think he was paying attention,” laughs Rogers, a tax attorney in Wichita Falls. Rogers, who called Haskins a “fabulous individual,” followed his friend throughout his career and sometimes visited with him before games. Haskins was memorialized in a public service Sept. 11 at the team’s arena, the Don Haskins Center, as a man who loved his community that in turn revered him as a patron saint. Local stories abound about his generosity that, often at great personal expense, spilled over across the border. Haskins’ friend, El-Paso Times reporter Bill Knight, wrote that the coach and his hunting buddies each Christmas would bring pickup truckloads of toys and food to children in a nearby Mexican village. There’s also the story of the poor Mexican family whose car had broken down on a dirt road en route from Van Horn to Los Angeles. Haskins happened upon them, put them up in a motel, paid for their car’s repairs and gave them money to send them on their way. His generosity extended to his friends and family as well. Haskins, who had been in ill-health for years, gave Tredennick one of his Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame rings. “He’s in a better place, and he’s no longer in pain,” Tredennick says. “We’re all roaming around, in our individual ways, trying to somehow make peace with it.” Matt Elliott

for George E. Failing as a design engineer. In September 1960, he was hired by Serv-Air as the director of civil engineering at Vance Air Force Base. When Northrop assumed the contract in 1972, he became manager of operations, assuming overall operation of the base contract for several years. Max received his law degree from OCU in 1974. Northrop transferred him to the corporate office in Lawton in 1976 to help establish a working relationship with several Middle Eastern companies. He put together a successful proposal for the expansion of the royal Saudi navy. He operated an $800 million contact over five years at the principal ports in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning to the U.S. on a fulltime basis, he became manager of Vance Air Force Base’s environmental branch and along with a very qualified staff built the finest environmental branch in the Air Force. He retired in January 2001. Guy S. Short Jr. ’59, geog, died June 20, 2008. Guy met Delores Williams during college, and they married April 17, 1957. After college, he worked full time as a supply tech in the Oklahoma National Guard until 1968, when he transferred to the 95th Division Army Reserve. Guy retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1988 and later retired as a civil service staff supervisory administrator for the Department of Army in 1993. Guy and his wife spent most of their time in Stillwater. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, genealogy, golf and all OSU sports. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, American Legion, Theta Chi Fraternity and Reserve Officer’s Association. Lynn Barton McDonald ’71, died in Bend, Ore., on July 7, 2008, at 58. At OSU, Lynn was a member of Delta Tau Delta. After graduating, Lynn earned his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma and completed his residency at Truman Medical Center. He served on the medical staff of the SS Norway cruise ship before relocating to Bend, Ore., to begin a 27-year career at St. Charles Medical Center. Lynn volunteered in his community, taught advanced life support classes and helped develop Air Life. He enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, skiing, running, and even wind surfing in his younger years.

A tax-free gift of up to $100,000 from your traditional or ROTH individual retirement plans could help Miguel: Experience another country’s political system through studying abroad Provide research support to a professor whose faculty stipend resulted in ground-breaking research Graduate debt-free from OSU

IRA Rollover Plan Details: »

Donors must be 70 ½ at the time of transfer.

The gift must roll directly from the account to a qualified public charity by December 31, 2008, to count this year.

Distributions to donor advised funds or supporting organizations do not qualify under this law nor do rollovers to split interest gifts (or life income vehicles) like charitable remainder trusts or annuities.

These gifts may be used to fulfill documented pledges.

Pension plans and 401(k) plans as well as 403(b) plans are not eligible.

visit OSUgiving.com/IRArollover or contact us to discover how your ira can benefit osu students today. oklahoma state university foundation office of Gift Planning | 800.622.4678 | giftplanning@osugiving.com

History

An Irishman in Berlin By David

C. P eters S pecial C ollections and U niversit y A rchives

OAMC coach Ed Gallagher, center, was the U.S. wrestling team’s honorary coach at the 1936 Olympics. Front row, left, silver medalist Ross Flood; center row, from left, W.H. “Billy” Thom and Ed Gallagher; back row, Clarence Gallagher, left, and gold medalist Frank Lewis, right.

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Photo / National Wrestling Hall of Fame

t was a long way from Stillwater, Okla., to Berlin, Germany, in 1936. Travel across the Atlantic was difficult and expensive, and Oklahomans were slowly recovering from the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. But Edward Clark Gallagher’s many friends would ensure he could afford to make the trip abroad that July as honorary coach of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. They knew nothing of his other reason for making the journey. Gallagher was the most successful U.S. collegiate wrestling coach in the 1920s and ’30s. Many thought he should have been selected to coach the 1932 U.S. Olympic wrestling team, especially when two of the three gold medalists in freestyle wrestling were his former student-athletes. In March 1935, he had just led the Oklahoma A&M Aggies to their seventh national collegiate tournament in eight years when he was again denied the position of Olympic wrestling coach. Although he was named honorary coach, the title and position did not include any financial support. Gallagher remained quiet about the decision, but sports writers, other wrestling coaches and many of his current and former athletes freely expressed their disappointment and frustration. During the next year, Gallagher focused on qualifying as many of “his boys” as possible, working with members of his undergraduate squad along with graduate student transfers and former student-athletes. He helped them adjust to the Olympics’ seven weight classes, which differed from the eight collegiate categories. Thirty-five of his wrestlers competed in preliminary tournaments leading to Olympic tryouts, and 18 made it to the finals. In March 1936, the Stillwater community began organizing

The community rallied around Coach Ed Gallagher so he could attend the 1936 Olympics as honorary coach of the U.S. wrestling team. But few knew the other important reason he traveled abroad. fundraisers to cover Gallagher’s $1,000 travel expenses. Events included a high school benefit basketball game, dances, a college interfraternity tournament and a battle of the bands between the Varsitonians and Ralph Williams’ College Club Band. OAMC even celebrated “Gallagher Day” on April 8, selling 25-cent all-activity tickets providing admission to a baseball game, track meet and varsity football scrimmage at Lewis Field. By the end of the day, the total reached $1,135, ensuring that Gallagher, affectionately known as the “Little Irishman,” would make the trip to Berlin.

f Gallagher’s 18 wrestlers competing in the finals at Lehigh University, four instantly qualified for the Olympics by winning their weight classes: Ross Flood at 123 pounds, Harley “Doc” Strong at 145, Frank Lewis at 158, and Roy Dunn at heavyweight. Another, Fred Parkey, won a spot as a team alternate after finishing third in his weight division. Two more of Gallagher wrestlers, Ray Kozlowski and heavyweight Tom “Butterball” Hanly, won second place but were not selected as alternates. Kozlowski had actually tied for first place with Orville “Steve” England of Southwestern Oklahoma Teachers College, but was awarded second place. Roy “Duke” Clemons of Central Oklahoma Teachers College, who was coached by Gallagher’s former student Ray Swartz, won the 191-pound weight class; and Ed Knight of Southwestern Oklahoma Teachers College, who had previously wrestled for OAMC, won second place at 158 pounds and was chosen a team alternate.

rancis Millard of North Adams, Mass., who won the 134-pound category, was the only finalist in the seven weight categories not from the state of Oklahoma.

On July 7, two automobiles left Stillwater carrying the eight Oklahoma wrestlers plus Gallagher and his son Clarence, a senior at the University of Oklahoma medical school who accompanied them as mat team trainer. They boarded the USS Manhattan in New York Harbor on July 15 and sailed for Hamburg, Germany. During the voyage, Gallagher supervised daily workouts, including two hours on the wrestling mats, plus calisthenics and half-mile sprints around the ship. He disagreed with head coach Billy Thom’s decision to allow the alternates to compete for the Olympic slots, but as honorary coach he did not have any control over these activities. After returning to the U.S., Gallagher stated the injuries and exhaustion from these matches before reaching Berlin probably cost several men medals. The ship docked in Germany on July 24, and the team attended opening ceremonies in Berlin on Aug. 1. Wrestling competition began the following day, and the matches ended two days later. Even though Flood and Lewis both had four matches the last day, Lewis won the gold medal, and Flood won the silver. Strong and Clemons came in fifth place. After the wrestling finals, Coach Gallagher attended as many athletic events as possible before the closing ceremonies on Aug. 16 — four days before the USS Manhattan was scheduled to depart Hamburg. Very few individuals knew the whereabouts of Ed and Clarence Gallagher during those four days. Their disappearance was directly related to Clarence’s reason for joining the trip. Coach Gallagher had begun to develop palsy years earlier and the symptoms were becoming more pronounced. Only those closest to him were aware of the toil it was taking on his body.

Clarence had referred his father, who was only 48, to specialists in the U.S., but they were unable to adequately treat his condition. Father and son traveled by train from Berlin to Vienna, Austria, for an arranged meeting with Parkinson’s specialists. After two days of medical tests and consultations, they returned to Hamburg for the trip home. There was nothing the doctors could do. On Sept. 5, Coach Gallagher arrived back in Stillwater to celebrate his 49th birthday. There was no mention of the trip to Vienna. He talked only about the Olympics, his pride in his wrestlers, various events they attended and collecting autographs of world-famous athletes, including Jesse Owens.

oach Gallagher began preparing for the 1940 Olympics scheduled for Tokyo, Japan, not realizing he had already trained his last Olympians. Few could image the adversities the human race was about to confront that would lead to a 12-year suspension of the Olympic Games. Four years later, Edward Clark Gallagher developed pneumonia, a common condition of advanced Parkinson’s, and passed away one week shy of his 53rd birthday. His legacy, however, lives on. • Between 1916 and 1940, Ed Gallagher coached 23 wrestling seasons, garnering 138 wins, 5 losses, and 4 ties. (Wrestling competition halted during World War I.) • For 19 seasons, Gallagher’s teams were undefeated in dual meets. • Of the 13 NCAA competitions during Gallagher’s tenure as coach, the OAMC team brought home 11 NCAA championships. • From 1921 until Feb. 27, 1932, Gallagher coached 70 consecutive wins.

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Tomorrow begins

today. We’re defined by what we pass on to the next generation. That’s why ConocoPhillips is working to provide clean, efficient technology to turn coal into clean-burning fuel. Our process helps capture carbon and remove impurities that affect our air quality. And, because we believe we’re responsible for finding long-term solutions for future generations, ConocoPhillips is exploring new sources of secure, stable energy. So we can pass on what matters … to the ones who matter most.

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“This means actively listening to both sides

........................

E s say

of the debate and avoiding internal tendencies to discredit the opposition.”

he amount of political information available to the public has skyrocketed, as have the amount of attacks waged against both major political parties, from the politicians, the parties themselves, the media and outside groups. With all of this information — or misinformation — available, how does the public find the truth within the messages? The politicians, the media and the public can disguise the truth. For example, speechwriters carefully craft messages that are political in nature, allowing for sound-bites to be picked out and reported by the media. It then becomes subjective as to where the truth might be within these messages. The downside to this is that the public generally only hears these soundbites, not the full speech. Claims of media bias and distortions of truth are rampant. Some evidence suggests a liberal media bias, owing to journalists self-reporting a liberal ideology. At the same time, the corporate media ownership favors conservative bias, with a bias toward stories intended to reflect the company’s well-being. And lastly, many studies have shown when story content is dissected, the journalistic norms of objectivity are achieved. Beyond possible bias, the media have the ability to set the agenda and pay

attention to some issues at the expense of others. The public follows the cues of the media and comes to find these issues as important. The rise in media outlets allows the public to selectively choose the message that supports prior viewpoints. This selectivity can distort the truth. When exposed to messages that run counter to these beliefs, the person enters a state of internal conflict and needs to rectify the disconnect between the conflicting information and prior beliefs. If the person were truly searching for the truth within the message, all messages would be examined and evaluated objectively. But we are “cognitive misers” in that we want to make a decision without exerting tremendous effort. Since we do not have the time or memory capabilities to evaluate all messages, we opt for the easier route and ignore the conflicting information. Further, in selectively choosing supportive media content, the public tends to assume a bias exists against their side. This “hostile media effect” can be applied to other aspects of life. Take for example the sports fan who believes all referees make calls against his favorite team or the child who feels his parents always take the side of his sibling. Selectivity and the hostile media effect should not be taken as a solution

to avoid finding the truth in messages. Instead, the public needs to avoid these tendencies and search for the truth. This might mean turning on a channel or surfing the Internet to find information previous discredited or avoided. This means actively listening to both sides of the debate and avoiding internal tendencies to discredit the opposition. In short, the burden lies with the public to find the truth. And in doing so, the public needs to be able to move beyond the predispositions and move to objectively weighing the arguments accumulated from multiple sources.

As assistant professor of political science, Jeanette Morehouse Mendez teaches courses in American political behavior and specializes in elections, campaigns and the media. Mendez received her Ph.D. in 2003 from Indiana University and is OSU’s 2008 recipient of the Arts and Sciences Junior Faculty Award for Scholarly Excellence. She has received numerous research grants and published many manuscripts, book chapters and articles for national journals, including Journal of Politics, Social Science Quarterly and Political Psychology.

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A chair

at the table

From left, OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl, finance senior Taylor Wesberry, OSU President Burns Hargis and ONEOK Inc. CEO John Gibson A $1 million gift from Tulsa-based ONEOK, when matched, creates a $4 million impact on finance education at OSU-Tulsa. By establishing the ONEOK Chair in Finance, the Fortune 500 Company improves education for business students at OSU-Tulsa and strengthens the larger business community. Investing in an endowed chair now will produce exceptional graduates to supply the future talent and expertise Oklahoma needs to ensure economic prosperity.

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PAID OKC, OK #2000