STATE Magazine, Winter 2013 by Oklahoma State

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Winter 2013, Vol. 9, No. 2 • statemagazine.okstate.edu

Happy holidays and welcome to the winter 2013 issue of STATE magazine, your information source from the OSU Alumni Association, the OSU Foundation and University Marketing. In the past, the winter cover has featured a holiday scene and message. This year, we felt Phil Shockley’s portrait of Homecoming Grand Marshal L.C. Gordon was particularly compelling and important — and really, the holiday season should start with “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration.” In place of a holiday cover, please enjoy this special edition of a festive table of contents.

HOMECOMING

‘Branding a Brighter Orange’

Revisit Homecoming 2013 with 14 pages of coverage, photographs and a profile of Grand Marshal L.C. Gordon, the first black basketball player at OSU. Relive the action from Walkaround, Homecoming and Hoops, the Sea of Orange Parade and the Cowboys’ thrilling victory over Texas Christian University.

KOSU is ‘On Air’ in OKC Oklahoma’s largest National Public Radio station is broadcasting from downtown Oklahoma City’s historic Film Row. KOSU went live from the $400,000, 4,000-square-foot studio space in September. It is “another jewel in the crown” of the university, OSU President Burns Hargis says.

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Enthusiastic Leadership

COWBOY COLLECTION

74 As the new president of the OSU Alumni Association, Chris Batchelder will bring a mix of humor and business acumen. Batchelder began Nov. 1 after the retirement of Larry Shell. “If we can get a room full of alumni excited about the great things happening at OSU, we’re doing our jobs,” he says.

90 Setting World Records Setting records for the number of pullups, distance “traveled” while erging (defined on Page 92) and rowing speed motivate Steve Price to stay fit. In addition to being OSU’s associate vice president for technology development, Price, 62, hopes to set an example for “oldsters” to stay active and healthy.

Year in Review

Turn the Page

2013 Distinguished Alumni Awards

Cancer Sucks

Turning 15

Providing for the Future

TEDx OStateU

Pete’s Pet Posse

100 Years of OSU Extension

Travel back through 2013 with Campus News. Decades of history are a click away with digital yearbooks. Alumni honored for achievements and service to the community. … and other revelations about doctor shortages and patient care in “OSU Medicine.” OSU-Tulsa celebrates its 15th anniversary. OSUIT training center fi lls industry needs. OSU showcases expertise, passion and talent. Pet therapy program helps with emotional health.

May 2014 will mark a century that OSU Extension has been making a deep, meaningful impression on the lives of Oklahomans.

A Legacy of Achievement and Commitment

‘Exceptional Service’

Traveling Cowboys

Progress Through Professorships

Koshercue

A look at the Allen family’s foundation of success.

OSU graduates help Sandia National Laboratories keep us safe. Married couple leave good jobs and travel the world. Professorship allows microbiologist to research and teach. Chef mixes kosher and barbecue in Israel.

102 In the Wink of an Eye

OSU professor reveals the consequences of office-place fl irting.

106 Teaming Up for Animal Care OSU schools team up with vet program.

108 Invaluable Volunteers

Governors, trustees contribute to OSU Foundation’s success.

125 A Blast from the Past

Oklahoma A&M’s Whitehurst Hall shook, rattled and rolled on Nov. 13, 1936.

D E PA R T M E N T S 4

OSU Medicine

STATEment

Uniquely Oklahoma

Wellness with Ann Hargis

O-STATE Stories

111

The Cowboy Way: Josh Ward

Chapters

112

Snapshot: The Band

Class Notes

117

Campus News

History

125

Legacy Link

President’s Letter

Oklahoma State University has a proud legacy fulfilling its land-grant mission of education, research and outreach to all.

Central to that mission is our extension service, which will celebrate its centennial in 2014. This issue of STATE explores how extension service has spent a century turning small steps into giant strides that make deep, meaningful, lasting impressions on the lives of Oklahomans of all ages. We offer our congratulations and thanks for its 100 years of service. Pictured on the cover is L.C. Gordon, our grand marshal for Homecoming. L.C. was OSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first black basketball player and is a tremendous ambassador for our university. He played for Henry Iba and followed in his footsteps as a successful coach and teacher. KOSU has provided the best in public radio since it was founded on the OSU campus in 1955. In September, we celebrated a new era in KOSUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history with the opening of a second studio in downtown Oklahoma City. We also hope to expand our existing presence in Tulsa. KOSU is better equipped than ever to serve as a learning lab for students and as a news and entertainment source for Oklahoma. We are pleased to profile Wayne and Judith Allen and their family in this issue. Wayne and his family are leaving their mark on OSU through programs such as the W.W. Allen Scholars Program and the W.W. Allen Boys and Girls Club Scholarship Program. The Batchelder family also has had a huge impact on OSU, and we now welcome Chris Batchelder as the new president of the OSU Alumni Association. First Cowgirl Ann and I wish you a wonderful holiday season and express our sincere thanks for your support of Oklahoma State University. Go Pokes!

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OSU President Burns Hargis

They declare jobs finished only after they are proud of the result. Their personal standards are higher than most, which is why their successes are also greater.

MORE THAN 90,000 loyal and true Cowboys have combined to exceed the

$1 BILLION

expectation for Branding Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University. But the state’s most successful highereducation campaign continues until Dec. 31, 2014.

OUR JOB ISN’T COMPLETE. THERE IS STILL SO MUCH TO DO OVER THE NEXT YEAR. To learn more about how you can support future Cowboys and Cowgirls or to give online, visit OSUgiving.com.

O O O O O O

OGift Give the

of Membership this Holiday Season

A gift membership in the OSU Alumni Association is the perfect way to share your love of OSU with current students, friends and family! Gift memberships make perfect holiday gifts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we even provide you with a printable certificate in your electronic receipt to give your friend or loved one!

Membership in the Alumni Association is the most recognizable way of showing affinity for Oklahoma State University. Your gift recipient will be one of nearly 30,000 members who support alumni and student programs while receiving numerous benefits and discounts through their membership! 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 TEL 405.744.5368 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX 405.744.6722 orangeconnection.org

Dear OSU Alumni and Friends, This season of giving is an opportunity to see what college affordability is really like. We understand a higher education is an investment in a student’s future, and that it can be a costly one. Oklahoma State can help. OSU is the best buy in the Big 12, and the university is always at the top of affordability and quality lists. Just this past year, Forbes, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and The Princeton Review named OSU a best value college — a trifecta of best value recognition. OSU offers numerous scholarship and financial aid possibilities. More than $300 million in scholarships, grants and financial aid is awarded each year. Students entering in the fall must submit all application materials by Feb. 1 to guarantee consideration for all OSU scholarships. Let us guide you through the application process. Start by going to admissions.okstate.edu and checking out your options. OSU donors make many of those financial aid opportunities possible. During the past six years, Branding Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University has fundamentally changed OSU. Thousands of new scholarships have made a quality education more accessible, contributing to record enrollment. Similarly, faculty support helps us attract and retain premier instructors and researchers. Many work in new and renovated facilities — with more to come — that feature state-of-the-art equipment. They also collaborate through new and enhanced programs offering unique educational experiences for students and lifelong learners. Thanks to more than 90,000 generous donors to the campaign, we are doing more than ever before to fulfill the land-grant mission. Yet there are still many opportunities for you to join this historic initiative before it concludes in December 2014. Every contribution is a step toward a brighter orange future. That bright future is evident at the Alumni Association. There’s tremendous energy in the air here thanks to new leadership and new programs on the horizon. In the coming months, you can look forward to a new design on the Alumni Association’s orangeconnection.org website plus new programming in the areas of alumni career services and Cowboys for Higher Education — OSU’s legislative advocacy group. We’re also celebrating a milestone that puts the OSU Alumni Association ahead of all of its Big 12 peers. On Sept. 23, our page at Facebook.com/OKStateAlumni became the fi rst alumni page in the conference to surpass 50,000 likes — an achievement that demonstrates the passion and dedication our graduates have for OSU. We invite you to connect with us on Facebook and on all of OSU’s social media sites. A comprehensive directory is at okla.st/socialdir.

Happy Holidays,

Chris Batchelder President OSU Alumni Association

Kirk A. Jewell President OSU Foundation

Kyle Wray Vice President for Enrollment Management & Marketing

Being Well with the First Cowgirl Ann Hargis introduces Suzy Harrington, OSU’s new chief wellness officer. Dear Cowboy family, Wellness is an important part of life for both the president and me. When we arrived on campus, we were delighted to find an already robust wellness program started by an OSU benefactor, the late Bud Seretean. Wellness has continued to grow and expand, and our campus has continued to seek innovative and creative ways to incorporate wellness into the lives of faculty, staff and students. I am delighted that we have taken an even bigger step, and a chief wellness officer is now in place. We welcome to campus Suzy Harrington.

The future of wellness on our campus has never been so bright, and we look forward to reaching our goal of becoming America’s HEALTHIEST Campus. In health,

Ann Hargis

About Suzy Harrington Harrington comes to OSU from the American Nurses Association, where she was the director of the Department for Health, Safety and Wellness. Her department actively promoted the health, safety and wellness of nurses and the nursing profession. Harrington is a national speaker and subject-matter expert, quoted in USA Today, The Journal of the American Medical Association and ABC.com. She has excelled in a variety of health related roles including as the National Committee of Quality Assurance’s director of customer resources, where she spoke nationally on health care quality topics. Harrington’s favorite position was that of the Air Force health promotion and fitness program manager, where she provided health expertise, consultancy and advocacy to plan and direct the worldwide Air Force health promotion for 74 health and wellness center systems and interdisciplinary staff. Prior to the national position, in San Antonio she orchestrated the first Air

WINTER 20 13

PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

Force tobacco-free medical campus and first Air Force tobacco-free fitness center campus. Harrington’s nursing experience includes community clinic management, acute and critical care, health promotion, nurse recruiter, school health, radiology, course development and military nursing. Harrington concentrated her Rush University doctorate of nursing practice in health care business and management,

and health promotion, earning the College of Nursing Dean’s Award and the Rush Nurse Alumni Association Award. She became a Certified Health Education Specialist in 2001 after graduating with her master’s degree in health sciences. She was one of the first to receive her master’s certification in 2011. Her baccalaureate in nursing is from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

Education is an important part of college. Better health is too. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why OSU encourages healthy living by offering a tobacco-free campus, easy-to-find healthy foods

and exciting ways for students to be physically active. These programs are just a few ways OSU is committed to making healthier students and a healthier Oklahoma.

OSU IS TOBACCO FREE

FUNDED BY THE MERRICK FOUNDATION INC.

If you use tobacco and want to quit, there is help. Go to Tobacco Stops Here at tobaccostopshere. okstate.edu.

B D

Worldly Learning

Ward’s fi rst international experience was OSU’s Cambridge

Scholars program, in which top students study for two weeks in the U.K. “Since then, I’ve been to 32 countries. It was definitely a springboard to the program today, a springboard to seeing the world and getting excited about different international opportunities that exist.” In 2012, he found time in his Harvard schedule to take OSU students to Barcelona, help run the Cambridge program and find OSU was more “home” than Harvard. “You don’t feel trapped at OSU. You feel like OSU can truly have a window to the world. I think it all comes down to the opportunities you’re willing to grasp.”

Raising Eyebrows

Ward, 26, the

youngest director on campus, raised more than his share with his return to OSU last July. It was a move he admits many of his colleagues didn’t understand. “One of the things you have to come to terms with is recognizing what you really enjoy doing in life. Sometimes you have to leave so that you can bring back with you as much perspective and experience as you

Some might be surprised Josh Ward, OSU’s new director of scholar development and undergraduate research, returned to his alma mater. Ward, who graduated from OSU in 2008, has a master’s in biological anthropology and a doctorate in genetics from Cambridge, where he studied everything from the science behind mate selection to genes and their role in disease resistance. And in 2011, Ward received a postdoctoral fellowship in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School where he studied the genetics behind addiction. But it was at OSU as an undergrad where the Edmond, Okla., native opened his eyes to a wide world thanks to study abroad experiences as a college student. He’s already taken a group of students to Cambridge on the summer program he participated in when he was a student. Ward takes the reins from Bob Graalman who retired after 30 years of service to OSU. As the senior officer for undergraduate research and prestigious fellowship advising, Ward provides direction and strategic initiatives to advance the student academic, leadership and research experience. Ward also oversees competitive international study programs and services aimed at increasing student retention and opportunity.

can carry to accomplish your goals.”

Sorbet for His Palate

He is a

sorbet person. He’s nuts about the frozen desert made from ice and fruit juice. Although he loves to travel, he’s not real adventurous with food — unless it’s sorbet. The best flavor he says is elderflower. It’s a drink in the U.S., but it’s a flavor of choice in the U.K., and it’s “absolutely delightful,” he says.

Love of Orange and Black He asks, “How many other administrators can come to work and, a couple of weeks later, find themselves in the U.K. on a scholars program that they care so much about, along with a host of students, alumni, OSU President Burns Hargis and the chairman of the Oklahoma Agricultural & Mechanical Colleges Board of Regents?” He also raves about the contribution to scholar development made by former students who came through its offices years ago. “That’s incredible to me.”

Traveling Shoes

Ward’s favorite

hobby is traveling. At press time, he had been to Panama, Guatemala, Jamaica, Cuba, Turkey and Greece in 2013. When asked about his favorite place to go, Ward says it’s wherever he hasn’t been yet. Other hobbies include playing squash, something he picked up when he moved to England and realized the English don’t play racquetball, his activity of choice at OSU’s Colvin Recreation Center.

M AT T E L L I O T T PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

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SNAPSHOT

On the March

Douglas Henderson, associate director of bands and assistant professor of conducting and music education, directs the 2013-14 Cowboy Marching Band. The band, which fi rst formed in 1905, had more than 300 members this football season, nearly 100 members more than four years ago. Most members do not receive scholarships for being in the band, but do it because they love it, Henderson says.

Where are they from? Other States

Oklahoma

California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey

Kansas

Texas

Arkansas

The sousaphone, left, is related to the tuba and developed for marching bands.

BY THE NUMBERS

12 Hours

Drum Major/Twirler: 4 Flutes/Piccolos: 37 Clarinets: 30 Alto Saxophones: 29 Tenor Saxophones: 8 Trumpets: 42 Mellophones: 28 Trombones: 25 Baritones: 16 Tubas/Sousaphones: 19 Drumline: 44 Colorguard: 28

Amount of time every day the marching band rehearses the week before classes begin. The instructional staff also takes time during the week to teach new members about the history and traditions of the Cowboy Marching Band, as well as those of OSU.

Classy Brass

Total members: 310

Percent of band members are music majors. Band members represent nearly every undergraduate major on campus.

Seniors

134

Freshmen

Members of the instructional staff. 4 directors, 4 graduate assistants, 1 twirling coach, 1 color guard instructor and 3 undergrad assistants.

Juniors

Sophomores

WINTER 20 13

●

OSU Regents announce Victoria Rowe Berry as the director of the OSU Museum of Art.

●

OSU announces Stephen McKeever, vice president for research and technology transfer at OSU, has been inducted as a charter fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

The University of Wyoming names OSU Provost Robert J. Sternberg as its next president.

Regents vote to award astronaut and native Oklahoman Gen. Thomas P. Stafford an honorary degree and adopt new policies and procedures related to campus safety and security.

●

focuses mostly on stories that appeared in STATE, although there are a few that the magazine possibly should have included the first time but may have missed the boat on. So consider this list of some of the highest of the highlights — such raising more than $1 billion, generating the majority of OSU energy needs from wind power and opening up a KOSU studio in Oklahoma City.

OSU ranks in top 100 on Kiplinger’s Personal Finance list of Best Value in Public Colleges.

●

The Princeton Review names OSU as a top 75 best value public college.

OSU recognizes the Advanced Technology Research Center, Boone Pickens Stadium and the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development for reaching the $1 million mark in energy savings.

OSU and AAA Oklahoma launch AppCenter, a space to develop app ideas into functioning web and mobile applications, in the Henry Bellmon Research Center.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, OSU President Burns Hargis and others “flip the switch” to celebrate the use of wind energy at the university.

The OSU Alumni Hall of Fame inducts Jerry D. Stritzke, Malone and Amy Mitchell, and David H. Batchelder.

OSU ranks No. 5 on EPA’s list of college and university green power purchasers.

OSU-Stillwater begins receiving 67 percent of its energy needs from the 26-turbine Cowboy Wind Farm near Blackwell, Okla.

OSU announces professor Gerald Schönknecht co-authors an article for Science magazine on a type of alga that could shed light on evolution.

Oklahoma Turning Point Council names OSU a Certified Healthy Campus for the second year in a row.

Reflecting on what OSU has accomplished in 2013 (we’re cheating a little since we publish in December), is a bit of a mind-numbing activity. There is just so much to try to remember. The following is not and could never be a comprehensive list of all OSU achieved in 2013 — there are just not enough pages in the magazine to accommodate everything. A glaring absence is sports triumphs. For those you should consider subscribing to POSSE. This timeline

The Year in Review

JAN

JAN FEB

14 FEB MAR

●

OSU Regents give approval for the university to move forward with the design and construction of a new Spears School of Business building. 26

●

High school juniors and their families attempt to break the Guinness World Record for most people wearing fake mustaches at OSU’s Junior Day.

The 14 Outstanding Seniors for 2013 are honored at an Alumni Association banquet.

●

OSU’s Branding Success campaign makes history when the $1 billion milestone is officially reached with the total of gifts and pledges hitting $1,000,724,453.

Cowboys for a Cause host 21 service projects throughout April, and more than 280 alumni contribute nationwide to the community service initiative.

OSU marks the completion of the Mathematics Learning Success Center at the Edmon Low Library.

continues

●

U.S. News & World Report names Spears School of Business as one of four schools in which all full-time MBA students received jobs within three months of graduation.

Students with the OSU chapter of Engineers Without Borders serve their Spring Break in Seis de Mayo, Honduras, to set up water-filtration systems.

MAR APR

●

At the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup, an OSU-OKC team placed first, an OSU-Stillwater team placed second, an OSU-Tulsa team won an award and three OSU students received individual honors.

OSU announces mechanical engineering student Ariel Leff, a member of Engineers Without Borders, has been named an Udall Scholar.

The Wine Forum of Oklahoma sold out for the first time, raising more than $235,000 and funding 54 scholarships.

Women for Oklahoma State University award five students $5,000 scholarships as Student Philanthropists of the Year and honor Sue Taylor as Philanthropist of the Year.

Yatika Fields, the OSU Museum of Art’s first visiting artist, orchestrated a live painting event outside the Student Union while music students performed.

●

WINTER 20 13

●

AUG SEP 23

●

The first of three deadly storms wielding devastating tornadoes strikes the Oklahoma City metro area. OSU Cowboys in the storms and after the storms respond with compassion, grit and determination.

●

Cowboy Technologies announces a first round of investment funding that will make arsenic removal technology available for realworld applications.

●

JUN JUL 2

OSU announces 11 OSU researchers will receive funding from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology to advance their work in health and engineering.

The College of Arts and Sciences announces that English professor J.C. Hallman has been awarded a fellowship from the John Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.

The OSU Foundation announces a scholarship fund for students affected by the deadly May tornadoes.

M AY MAY JUN

University Dining Services announces it has won two national nutrition awards from the National Association of College and University Food Services.

OSU Regents approve a $1.17 billion budget for OSU that does not include a tuition increase for in-state undergraduate students.

For the first time, royalties at Oklahoma State University top $2 million. The royalties are generated by the use of university-developed technologies that are licensed to companies.

OSU supporters raise more than $510,000 for OSU-Tulsa and OSU Center for Health Sciences scholarships at A Stately Affair in Tulsa.

Forbes names OSU among the top 25 of Best Value Colleges in 2013.

A Princeton Review survey ranks OSU one of the 124 Best in the West colleges.

OSU President Burns Hargis welcomes about 3,900 incoming freshman at the new student convocation event. The number is only a few hundred short of the previous year’s largest freshman class in state history, 4,289.

●

Chemistry professor Richard A. Bunce receives the Medal for Excellence in Teaching at a Research University during the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Banquet.

At a reception and at the football game against Lamar, the Alumni Association recognizes the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients. (Page 28)

OSU announces the NSF has awarded a more than $500,000 grant to researchers to acquire an infrared spectroscopic and imaging system and establish a new research facility at the university. (Page 21)

Regents recognize nine OSU faculty members with the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award and eight faculty members with the Regents Distinguished Research Award.

●

OSU announces record enrollment with nearly 25,800 students on its Stillwater and Tulsa campuses.

Students with the OSU Wind Ensemble begin a trip through Japan, including performing a concert at the Japan Band Clinic in Hamamatsu.

Astronaut Thomas Stafford speaks at graduation ceremonies for about 2,700 OSU students receiving degrees.

APR MAY

JUL AUG

●

The first of two days of fall 2013 commencement.

Receive the winter edition of STATE magazine.

SEP OCT

Happy Holidays

●

Regents approve the hiring of Suzy Harrington as OSU’s chief wellness officer. (Page 8)

OSU Museum of Art opens the Postal Plaza Gallery with a community open house. With 6,000 square feet of gallery and storage space, there’s plenty of room for students, faculty, staff and the community to interact with the art.

OSU selects 15 undergraduates to participate in the 2013-14 Niblack Research Scholars program.

After more than 30 years for service to OSU, Alumni Association President Larry Shell retires. Chris Batchelder becomes the new president. (Page 74)

KOSU opens its Oklahoma City Film Row studio, doubling its ability to provide local news and music. (Page 54)

OSU announces the American Chemical Society has named professor Allen Apblett to the 2013 class of ACS Fellows. (Page 18)

●

OCT NOV

NOV DEC

●

OSU announces it has received the 2013 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. (Page 21)

●

OSU hosts its second TEDx event with the theme of “innovate.” The event is held at the Seretean Center Concert Hall. (Page 40)

BestCollegeReview.org names OSU’s Student Union the Most Amazing. (Page 19)

OSU’s Spears School of Business announces Bruce Barringer has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurship Professors of 2013. (Page 19)

OSU announces students and specialists are excavating a prehistoric mammoth found near Enid, Okla. (Page 20)

Homecoming 2013: ‘Branding A Brighter Orange’ is held. OSU friends and alumni attend Walkaround, the football game and other events. (Page 60)

region’s volatile weather conditions place an additional burden on the system.” The Southern Plains Center is one of several regional university transportation centers to receive the $2.6 million annual grant for the next two years.

Chemistry Professor Named Fellow

T Paul O’Neill, assistant director of the physical plant, and Angelyn Holmes, energy education manager, inspect the new chillers in OSU-Tulsa’s Main Hall. PHOTO / RYAN JENSEN

OSU Receives Energy Rebates

Grant Addresses Infrastructure

SU received rebate checks for its Stillwater and Tulsa campuses’ energy savings. The Stillwater campus received a rebate check for $288,069 from OG&E, and Public Service Co. of Oklahoma awarded OSU-Tulsa a $263,000 rebate. The OSU-Tulsa rebate is for a retrofit project that updated light and water fixtures. “OSU-Tulsa has made significant endeavors to reduce energy usage and increase our sustainability efforts,” says OSU-Tulsa President Howard Barnett. “With the support of students, faculty and staff, our recycling, energy and water conservation, equipment upgrades and other sustainability projects will create a brighter future for all Oklahomans.” Both campuses’ efforts are part of the OSU systemwide sustainability efforts, which have saved more than $30 million and were used by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin as a model for other state agencies. OSU ranks No. 6 in the Top 20 College and University EPA Green Power Partnerships Rankings and No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference Collegiate Athletic Conferences rankings.

WINTER 20 13

he Southern Plains Regional Transportation Center, which includes participation by OSU, was awarded a $2.6 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation. “The center will address the most challenging issues of both the Federal Highway Administration and State Transportation Agencies,” says Paul Tikalsky, dean of OSU’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “The commercial, agricultural and energy transportation corridors in the southern plains keep our nation’s economy moving forward. OSU is proud to be a partner in this consortium.” The Southern Plains group includes OSU, University of Oklahoma, Langston University, University of Arkansas, University of New Mexico, Louisiana Tech University, University of Texas at El Paso and Texas Tech University. The group plans to research how extreme weather affects the region’s transportation infrastructure. “Increased truck traffic and limited resources for construction, maintenance and preservation of infrastructure challenge every state in the nation,” says Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation Gary Ridley. “But the southern Plains

he American Chemical Society named OSU chemistry professor Allen Apblett to its 2013 class of fellows. The ACS is the world’s largest scientific society. The society honored Apblett as a leader in the application of metal organic chemistry to meet challenges faced in environmental protection, green chemistry and homeland security, and in novel routes to advanced materials. Apblett’s service to the ACS community was also noted. “These extraordinary scientific leaders are producing off-the-scale results that are improving our lives each and every day,” says ACS President Marinda Li Wu. “Their transforming work is vital in our efforts to overcome the many global challenges we now face. In short, these fellows are true visionaries who are making the world around us a far better place.”

American Chemical Society leader Bassam Z. Shakhashiri presents a certificate to Allen Apblett.

PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

Student Union No. 1

he OSU Student Union was named the No. 1 Most Amazing Campus Student Union by BestCollegeReviews.org. “We could not be more thrilled with the No. 1 ranking,” says Mitch Kilcrease, Student Union director and assistant vice president of student affairs. “It’s a true testament to the love and passion people have for this building as well as our commitment to the brand’s promise.” The 63-year-old Student Union recently completed a $65 million renovation that included improved retail and dining spaces as well as a more visible campus life area and student lounge spaces. “We have a long history of servicing students and listening to their input,” Kilcrease says. “Students played an integral part in our latest renovation project, serving on focus groups and planning committees. I’m extremely proud of that. In all honesty, it’s their building. That’s why their name is on it.”

Spears School Professor Honored Oklahoma State University’s Bruce Barringer has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurship Professors of 2013 by 3 Day Startup, a nonprofit organization designed to help individuals start companies. Barringer, head of the School of Entrepreneurship at OSU’s Spears School of Business, was the only professor honored from Oklahoma and one of only four chosen from Big 12 schools. “To be recognized as one of the top 25 entrepreneurship professors is an outstanding honor, but it’s not a surprise to those of us who see Bruce’s daily interaction with students, faculty and staff,” says Ken Eastman, interim dean of the Spears School. “Bruce and his team are dedicated to providing great opportunities for the entrepreneurship students at Oklahoma State.”

OSU is a Happy Place

SU ranks among the happiest colleges in the U.S., according to rankings from TheDailyBeast.com. The online news outlet analyzed nearly 2,000 U.S. four-year, degreegranting colleges and universities. OSU was ranked the 15th happiest college in the country based on its retention rate, student health center, overall student experience and willingness among graduating students to do it all over again. The specific criteria were future earnings (20 percent, Payscale.com), quality of education (20 percent, National Center for Education Statistics), affordability (20 percent, NCES), on-time graduation (10 percent, NCES), campus quality (10 percent, College Prowler, U.S. Department of Education, Sperling’s Best Places), activities and clubs (5 percent, U.S. News and College Prowler), nightlife (5 percent, College Prowler), diversity (5 percent, NCES) and sports (5 percent, College Prowler and U.S. Department of Education).

continues

OSU Welcomes Visiting Vietnamese Faculty

he College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology is welcoming the fourth delegation of visiting faculty from Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen University of Technology. The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering will host three of the visiting professors through the fall semester. “The primary goal of this exchange is for TNUT to implement a BS degree program in electrical engineering patterned after our accredited programs in electrical and computer engineering here at OSU,” professor Keith Teague says. The partnership provides visiting faculty members with opportunities to sit through classes they may later teach, visit laboratories, obtain course materials and meet faculty, staff and students. “We have in mind the creation of a 2+2 program where third- and fourth-year TNUT students would come to OSU to

complete their BS degree in electrical engineering and the possibility of graduate education for their students here at OSU.” Teague says.

Prehistoric Mammoth Unearthed

SU students are excavating prehistoric mammoth remains northwest of Enid, Okla. Access Midstream discovered the remains while installing a high-pressure natural gas line. The fossilized bones and fragments are being taken to an OSU lab in Stillwater, where students and specialists will work to reconstruct the mammoth. “We are really fortunate to be involved in excavating such a find, and the mammoth’s fossilized remains are in very good condition for this type of removal and reassembly,” says professor Dale Lightfoot, head of OSU’s geography department. While the researchers have not finished their analysis, they believe the

mammoth to be approximately 50,000 years old. According to researchers, it is not a woolly mammoth, but more likely an imperial mammoth or Columbia mammoth, which were abundant in the southern Great Plains. Lightfoot says geography graduate student Tom Cox got OSU involved at the dig site. Cox, who has received training in geoarchaeology, was offered the opportunity to study the site by the Oklahoma Archaeological Survey, the institution called to the site when the mammoth remains were discovered. “Dr. Lee Bement notified me since this is exactly the type of site I needed for my thesis research,” Cox says. “This is an excellent opportunity to get hands-on experience and have the chance to gather my own data.” In addition to Cox, more than 20 different volunteers, including undergraduate students from the geography, geology and zoology departments, have assisted with the excavation.

Check out OState.tv for a video of the discovery. PHOTO PROVIDED

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OSU Receives Diversity Award

Researchers, from left, Wouter Hoff, Aihua Xie, Junpeng Deng and Robert Burnap gather outside the infrared core facility lab located inside OSU’s Henry Bellmon Research Center.

Instrument Allows Cutting-Edge Projects

he National Science Foundation awarded a three-year grant of more than $500,000 for a multidisciplinary research team to acquire a state-of-theart infrared spectroscopic and imaging system and establish a research facility at OSU. The system will have applications in research into drug-protein interactions, vaccines, bioenergy and cancer diagnosis. Funded through the NSF major research instrument program, the project will be led by physics professor Aihua Xie in collaboration with professors Robert Burnap, Junpeng Deng and Wouter Hoff. The spectroscopic and imaging system will allow unprecedented accuracy in the collection of information about function and formation of proteins, cells and tissues. It will support six independent types of experiments, including very fast measurements (up to 10 nanoseconds) and very low temperature measurements (down to -450 degrees Fahrenheit) of proteins and materials. It will also provide chemical imaging of single living cells. The system will be housed in the new Infrared Core Facility Lab at OSU’s Henry Bellmon Research Center. It will have multidisciplinary users from 17 research groups — 13 from OSU, one from the University of Oklahoma, one from California and two from New York.

or the second year in a row, Oklahoma State University received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “Oklahoma State University prides itself on being a campus rich in diversity and is pleased to once again be recognized nationally for our efforts,” OSU President Burns Hargis says. “Our work supports OSU’s land-grant mission and commitment to make higher education accessible to all. I am excited about the incredible strides our campus is making in the area of diversity.” “This award signifies that diversity is an opportunity rather than an obligation that continues to move OSU forward as a national leader in diversity and inclusion,” says Jason Kirksey, associate vice president for institutional diversity. OSU also was recently named a 2013 Top 100 Degree Producer by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine, which is based on U.S. Department of Education reports on institutions that confer the most degrees to minority students. The university also ranks as the No. 1 land-grant institution in the nation for the number of Native American students earning a bachelor’s degree.

Veterinary College Most Affordable

klahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is the most affordable veterinary college for in-state residents, according to a ranking of the 31 veterinary colleges in the U.S. and Caribbean. The report, issued by the Veterinary Information Network’s VIN Foundation, takes into consideration living expenses when calculating the tuition costs for both in-state and out-of-state residents. Oklahoma State ranks No. 1 for in-state and No. 6 for out-of-state residents seeking a doctorate of veterinary medicine. “We have worked very hard for many years to be able to deliver a high-quality, affordable veterinary education,” says Dr.

Chris Ross, associate dean for academic affairs at the veterinary center. “There is a great deal of concern over the amount of debt that new veterinarians have to manage, and our graduates earn aboveaverage starting salaries after having accumulated student loans that are well below the national average.”

McKeever Steps Down Stephen McKeever has resigned his position as vice president for research and technology transfer at Oklahoma State University, effective Jan. 1. He will remain a member of the OSU faculty, returning to the physics department and to his own research lab. “We appreciate Steve’s leadership during a time of growth in OSU’s research initiatives and revenues,” OSU President Burns Hargis says. “We are pleased he will remain on campus to continue his own research and lead our energy research efforts.” McKeever will continue leading the National Energy Solutions Institute, which provides energy solutions for current and future needs by connecting OSU scientists with private, state and federal sectors. “It has been a wonderful ride and one of the most enjoyable periods in my life at OSU,” McKeever says. “Together, including the entire faculty, we have done some great things.” Research expenditures at OSU have almost doubled since McKeever assumed his vice president role in 2003. He helped build a professional technology transfer program, achieving recordhigh license income for the university.

2nd App Competition Launched

eams of OSU students, faculty, staff and alumni can compete for more than $20,000 in the second annual app competition. AAA Oklahoma, CSAA Insurance Group and Cowboy Technologies are teaming up with the

continues

Oklahoma State University App Center to sponsor the competition. The theme of this year’s competition is Innovating Insurance in My Life. The goal is an app that will target the millennial generation’s relationship to the world of insurance. Ideas can serve customers, agents, customer service or claims adjustors. Activities could include, researching insurance, buying insurance or purchasing a car. “Members of AAA Oklahoma tell us they are embracing today’s smartphone and tablet technologies in a big way, and they’re looking to AAA to bring them innovative ways to access AAA insurance products and services through their mobile devices,” says Neal Krueger, CEO of AAA Oklahoma.

Nonprofit Lauds University, Alumnus

he nonprofit Community for Education Foundation honored OSU and alumnus Boone Pickens at the annual Overcoming Obstacles Achievement Awards in New York City. On Oct. 24, OSU President Burns Hargis accepted the Achievement in Education Award for the university’s partnership with the Community for Education Foundation to bring the Overcoming Obstacles Life Skills Program to Oklahoma classrooms. “We owe special thanks to 4-H employees Lynn Null and Cathy Allen, who worked hard to bring the Overcoming Obstacles program to Oklahoma youth,” Hargis says. “OSU is proud of its heritage as a land-grant university, and this is another way we serve the people of our state.” OSU is providing the youth-skills program to about 4,500 students through the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service’s 4-H program. Overcoming Obstacles is aimed at middle and high school students. Boone Pickens, chairman of BP Capital Management, received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. Pickens has donated more than $1 billion to charitable causes, including more than $500 million to OSU.

“We admire Mr. Pickens’ investment in the future of Oklahoma’s students,” says Community for Education Foundation Executive Director Erin Capone. “His drive and work ethic are wonderful examples for our young people to follow. With his support, we are ensuring that children across Oklahoma can make the most of life’s challenges and realize their potential, just as Mr. Pickens has.”

UNIVERSITY MARKETING Kyle Wray / Vice President of Enrollment Management & Marketing Michael Baker / Editor Mark Pennie, Ross Maute & Michael Orr / Design Phil Shockley & Gary Lawson / Photography Dorothy Pugh / Assistant Editor Beverly Bryant & Matt Elliott / Staff Writers University Marketing Office / 121 Cordell, Stillwater, OK 740788031 / 405.744.6262 / www.okstate.edu, statemagazine.okstate.edu / editor@okstate.edu, osu.advertising@okstate.edu OSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Jennifer Grigsby / Chair Robert Walker / Vice Chair

Dining Services Creates Label Program

nutrition-label system will help OSU students make healthier eating choices. The program provides nutritional information for grab-and-go foods prepared in OSU University Dining Services kitchens. “Between classes, jobs and outside activities, OSU students are always on the go, and their hectic schedules mean that they sometimes prioritize convenience over health when it comes to food options,” says Terry Baker, director of University Dining Services. “University Dining Services created the nutritionallabel program for prepared foods as a way to help educate students about healthy eating lifestyles by providing them the nutrition information they need to make better choices.” University Dining Services created labels for more than 800 prepared foods available on campus. Label information includes serving size, number of servings per package, ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information. “Healthy eating is a vital component of our campaign to become America’s HEALTHIEST Campus, and the new OSU food labeling system gives students the information they need to make good eating decisions,” OSU First Cowgirl Ann Hargis says. “College is a crucial time for students who may be away from home for the first time. The lifestyle decisions and habits they form here may impact the rest of their lives, which is why we want our students to be armed with the best information possible.”

Ron Ward / Immediate Past Chairman Burns Hargis / OSU President, Non-voting Member Chris Batchelder / President and CEO, OSU Alumni Association, Non-voting Member Kirk Jewell / OSU Foundation President and CEO, Non-voting Member Gregg Bradshaw, Bill Dragoo, Russell Florence, Kent Gardner, Sharon Keating, Phil Kennedy, Jami Longacre, Tony LoPresto, Pam Martin, Travis Moss, H.J. Reed, David Rose & Nichole Trantham / Board of Directors Jace Dawson / Vice President and CPO Pattie Haga / Vice President and COO Chase Carter / Director of Communications Phillip Gahagans, Melissa Mourer & Melisa Parkerson / Communications Committee OSU Alumni Association / 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 / 405.744.5368 / orangeconnection.org / info@orangeconnection.org OSU FOUNDATION Jerry Clack / Chairman of the Board Kirk A. Jewell / President and Chief Executive Offi cer Donna Koeppe / Vice President of Administration & Treasurer Brandon Meyer / Vice President & General Counsel Kenneth Sigmon / Vice President of Development Jim Berscheidt / Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications Blaire Atkinson / Director of Human Resources Deborah Adams, Mark Allen, Chris Batchelder, Jerry Clack, Bryan Close, Patrick Cobb, Kent Dunbar, Michael Greenwood, Jennifer Grigsby, John Groendyke, Helen Hodges, David Holsted, David Houston, Cathy Jameson, Kirk Jewell, Steven Jorns, David Kyle, John Linehan, Ross McKnight, Bill Patterson, Barry Pollard, Scott Sewell, Lyndon Taylor, Phil Terry, Dennis White, Jay Wiese, Jerry Winchester / Trustees Elizabeth Hahn, Parker Jones, Shelly Kelly, Kasi Kennedy, Jennifer Kinnard, Chris Lewis, Jacob Longan, Amanda O’Toole Mason, Betty Thompson Richey, Chelsea Twietmeyer / Communications OSU Foundation / 400 South Monroe, P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749 / 800.622.4678 / OSUgiving.com / info@OSUgiving.com

STATE magazine is published three times a year (Spring, Fall, Winter) by Oklahoma State University, 121 Cordell N, Stillwater, OK 74078. The magazine is produced by University Marketing, the OSU Alumni Association and the OSU Foundation, and is mailed to current members of the OSU Alumni Association. Magazine subscriptions are available only by membership in the OSU Alumni Association. Membership cost is $45. Postage paid at Stillwater, OK, and additional mailing offi ces. Oklahoma State University, in compliance with the 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, fi nancial aid, and educational services. Title IX of the Education Amendments and Oklahoma State University policy prohibit discrimination in the provision or services or beliefs offered by the University based on gender. Any person (student, faculty of staff) who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss their concerns and fi le informal or formal complaints of possible violations of the Title IX with the OSU Title IX Coordinator, the Director of Affi rmative 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 vice president of enrollment management and marketing was printed by Royle Printing Co. at a cost of $1.06 per issue. 33,495/ November ’13/#5087. Copyright © 2013, STATE magazine. All rights reserved.

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We Are Where You Are

OSU Alumni Association Chapters and Watch Clubs

More than 80 percent of all alumni live within 50 miles of one of our groups.

Join fellow OSU fans at an event near you to celebrate your mutual love of ORANGE!

Watch Parties Golf Tournaments Happy Hours Networking Dinners Family Friendly Events

To learn more or find a group near you, visit orangeconnection.org/chapters. 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 TEL 405.744.5368 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX 405.744.6722 orangeconnection.org

NUMBERS AS OF SEPTEMBER 2013

Legacy Link

Look for the Legacy Link in every STATE magazine. This page is dedicated to all of our OSU Alumni Association Legacies and to spreading orange to young Cowboys and Cowgirls. Help Pistol Pete find his way to some of his favorite places on campus: the Edmon Low Library, Boone Pickens Stadium and his Residence Hall.

Make sure your legacy is registered in the OSU Alumni Association Legacy Program at orangeconnection.org/legacy to receive all of the legacy benefits available with your membership.

201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 TEL 405.744.5368 â&#x20AC;˘ FAX 405.744.6722 orangeconnection.org

Turn thePage Eight decades of campus history are a click away. Before Facebook, Twitter and Instagram documented the college experience, there was the yearbook. From 1910 to 1991, Oklahoma State University published an annual volume of student clubs, activities, accomplishments, poems, sketches and inside jokes. Each yearbook served as a time capsule. Now Cowboys past and present can virtually fl ip through the pages of all 81 volumes. The OkState Yearbook Collection is available online as the latest of the OSU Library’s 40-plus digital collections.

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The yearbooks have been on the library’s list of digitization priorities for a number of years. Work on the project formally began in 2010. “Our digitization initiative was fi nally to the point where we had the equipment, staffi ng and technology to do this project justice,” says Robin Leech, head of digital initiatives. “The talent of our digitization team made us confident this would be a project we would be proud of.” The goal of digitization is twofold: improve preservation and access.

By producing a digital copy of rare and unique items, the library ensures the work is maintained in a more durable format while also allowing for greater preservation of the original copy by reducing the handling of items. Digitization reaches a broader audience and provides searchable, shareable content. Unfortunately, the digitization process is time-intensive and expensive. David Thompson, manager of digital products, oversaw the digitization and online presentation of the OkState Yearbook Collection. Thompson and his team prepared the original books, scanned to archival standards, edited the scanned pages and ran optical-character recognition

Digital Collections at the OSU Library Naming opportunities exist for the Digital Initiative as well as the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program and the Special Collections and University Archives — both of which are major contributors to the OSU Library digital collections. To learn more about supporting the digitation efforts at OSU, contact Brandy Cox at bcox@OSUgiving.com or 405-385-0715. The OkState Yearbook Collection is available at digital.library.okstate.edu/yearbooks. Other digital collections are available at www.library.okstate.edu/digital. www.library.okstate.edu/digital Topics include OSU and state history, and notable Oklahomans:

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Ag Coop Extension

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Oklahoma Digital Maps

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The Angie Debo Collection

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Oklahoma Inventors Database

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Architecture Master’s Reports

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Oklahoma Native Artists

to create full-text searchable files. To ensure an accurate presentation, the team checked every page of each volume. “It was an honor to work with such a unique part of OSU’s history,” says Thompson. “I hope everyone enjoys the OkState Yearbook Collection and appreciates the library’s efforts to make this collection available on the Internet.” OSU Library’s digital collections include pieces on OSU history, state history and notable Oklahomans. The list of collections awaiting digitization is just as varied. There are several ways to support digitization efforts. Donations can fund onetime purchases of equipment, hardware, software and electronic storage space. Individual collections may also be sponsored in part or entirely by donations. The OkState Yearbook Collection took more than 500 man-hours to complete. Staffi ng needs are a significant cost associated with digitization. Private funding can support this need through work scholarships, funded internships and graduate fellowships for student employees; or endowed chairs or professorships for faculty support.

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The “Big Top” Show Goes On: An Oral History of Occupations Inside and Outside the Canvas Circus Tent

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Oklahoma Ornithological Society

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Oklahoma Then and Now

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Oklahoma Today Archive

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Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame

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Oklahoma A&M and World War I

B O N N I E A N N CA I N -W O O D

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Oklahoma Academy of Science

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Oklahoma Biological Survey

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Centennial Farms

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Centennial Histories Series

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Chronicles of Oklahoma

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OkState Yearbook Collection

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The Cyrus Avery Collection

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O-STATE Stories

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The Daily O’Collegian Archive

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The Paul Miller Collection

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David Pendleton Oakerhater

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The Pistol Pete Collection

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E-Archive

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Remembering Henry Bellmon

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Early Oklahoma Serials

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Edna Mae Phelps Political Button Collection

Special Collections/University Archives Collection Guides

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Spotlighting Oklahoma

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eJournals

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Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Soil Erosion and Conservation on the Southern Plains

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Encyclopedia of Oklahoma H&C

Southern Forest Tree Improvement Committee

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The Frank Eaton Collection

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Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties

Veterinary Medicine Plexus & VetCetera

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Indian Commission Decisions

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Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel

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Index-Catalog of Medical and Veterinary Zoology

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Women in the Dust Bowl

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Women of the Oklahoma Legislature Oral History

The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association honored five graduates with the Distinguished Alumni Award on Sept. 14. The award is given to OSU alumni who have distinguished themselves through personal and professional achievements and have been recognized for service to their communities. STATE asked the awardees a few questions. Digamber S. Borgaonkar, of Wilmington, Del., graduated from OSU with a doctorate in genetics and botany in 1963. Borgaonkar is a retired cytogeneticist and educator from the Christiana Care Health System. He has held numerous research and teaching positions and has authored more than 300 publications. Borgaonkar works at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland and is a member of the OSU Alumni Association. When you reflect upon your time at Oklahoma State, what are some of the memories that come to mind? It’s a very nice, warm atmosphere here. I was able to see my first football game on the campus and experience my first snow. What’s been the most difficult part of your career, and how did that change you? Our second child was born with a genetic problem. I’m very thankful to everyone who helped us along the way because she is now a mother of two, a successful lawyer and drives her own car. I think with no medical or genetic background, it would have been difficult for me to handle that. What is one piece of advice that you would give to current OSU students? Not to plan every detail of your future life right now. Have general guidelines, follow your instincts and go where they lead you.

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Phyllis (Moore) Hudecki, of Edmond, Okla., graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s in home economics education in 1971 and a doctorate in education in 1993. Hudecki is the executive director of the Oklahoma Business and Education Coalition following two years of service as the Oklahoma Secretary of Education. She was named one of the 50 Women Making a Difference in Oklahoma by the Journal Record in 2006. Hudecki is on the OSU Foundation’s board of governors and is a member of the OSU Alumni Association. Why did you decide to attend OSU as a student? My dad went to OSU in the 1930s and, while he preferred OSU, he stressed the importance of going to college somewhere. When I was in seventh and eighth grades, we took trips around the state to check out universities and colleges. When I was a junior in high school, one of my teachers took me to a career day at OSU, and I just loved it. While visiting that day, I met several students and faculty. I felt totally at home and part of a really special family. That was when I made my fi nal decision. What’s been the most difficult part of your career, and how did that change you? Much of my career has been spent in states other than Oklahoma, where my entire family lives. I was a single mom for several years,

and most of my jobs required some travel or time away from home. I think it was very difficult to balance all of my responsibilities. I had a lot of help from many people. I learned to make adjustments and that sometimes, I just couldn’t do everything. What does it mean to you to be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award? There isn’t a higher honor than to be recognized by the place I love so much. I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition.

Lyndon C. Taylor, of Oklahoma City, graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s in industrial engineering and management in 1981. He is the executive vice president and general counsel of Devon Energy Corp. Taylor has consistently been recognized by Chambers Global in The World’s Leading Lawyers. He is vice chair of the OSU Foundation’s board of trustees and is a member of the Foundation’s board of governors. Taylor is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association. What is one accomplishment that you are most proud of since graduation? The impact I’ve had on some people’s lives. While I’ve traveled the world and done a lot of great things, I look back now at some of the people I’ve mentored, and I know I’ve really learned from that. I look at some of the people who worked for me 10 or 20 years ago and see the success they are having now, and I take a lot of pride in that. What does it mean to you to be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award?

Why did you decided to attend OSU as a student? I didn’t know I had a choice. My mom and dad both graduated from OSU. My father was also recently honored as a distinguished alumni. What’s one accomplishment you’re most proud of since graduating from OSU? My six children. What’s one piece of advice you would give to current OSU students? Experience all of the university. Join clubs, be active in raising money for charity events and be involved in professional clubs. I believe Oklahoma State University has produced so many ultrasuccessful alumni because we are a people school as well as a center for education. It has been my observation people who rise to the top are normally good, strong, ethical people who treat everybody well and are noted for their people skills.

Robert F. Sherrer, of Claremore, Okla., graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s in agronomy in 1967. He is a retired chairman of the Tom James Co., the world’s largest retailer of custom clothing. After graduation, Sherrer served in the U.S. Army as a commanding officer and was awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal. He has established several scholarships for OSU students including the Cordell Sherrer President’s Distinguished Scholarship and the Cordell Sherrer Memorial Scholarship. He has served on the OSU Alumni Association’s board of directors and is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association. What’s one piece of advice you would give to current OSU students?

It means a lot. I absolutely love this institution. When Mr. (Larry) Shell called, I was fl oored, and I asked him if he had run out of alumni. To have the chance to represent OSU is something I don’t take lightly.

The universal and spiritual success formula in life that was ingrained in me by my parents while at home: Give the fi rst 10 percent of what you earn; save the second 10 percent of what you earn; live off the remaining 80 percent of what you earn.

What is your favorite part about being an OSU Cowboy?

What does it mean to you to be honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award?

It’s the family. The alumni here, the hundreds of thousands of graduates, are like a Cowboy family. You love it, and if you’re a part of it, you know what it’s like.

C.W. “Russ” Harrison Jr., of Oklahoma City, graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s in marketing in 1979. He is the CEO of Harrison Gypsum LLC and responsible for five operating divisions of the company. Harrison is an advisory board member for the American Cancer Society and the Oklahoma Business Roundtable. He also is on the executive committee for Leadership Oklahoma. Harrison is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association and serves on its Leadership Council. He is also a member of POSSE.

I am humbled beyond measure by the recognition and the honor. I am forever grateful to our Alumni Association, our university and the countless wonderful people who have made a powerful positive impact on my life, my family, my faith in God and my career. What’s your favorite part about being an OSU Cowboy? I love Oklahoma State athletics and coming to campus on game days where we meet up with family and friends. I enjoy the heritage and camaraderie that is ours as loyal and true Cowboys. I N T E R V I E W S BY K AT I E PA R I S H

Visit orangeconnection.org/DAA to read more about each of this year’s honorees.

OSU Medicine: fighting cancer, training the next generations of physicians, providing health care for rural Oklahoma and improving the patient-doctor relationship. There’s a lot going on with OSU medicine. S TO R I E S BY S E A N K E N N E DY

Fighting Against Cancer Cancer Sucks Inc. has donated more than $107,000 to fund OSU-CHS doctor’s cancer research.

Dr. Rashmi Kaul wants to end cancers linked to chronic infections. “Research has shown that people with untreated or difficult-to-treat chronic infections develop cancers at a higher rate,” Kaul says. “If we can develop vaccines to prevent these diseases or develop better treatments for infected patients to produce a robust immune response to eradicate the diseases, we will prevent the cancer from ever forming. About 20 percent of all cancers in the world are caused by infectious disease.” Kaul, an immunologist at the OSU Center for Health Sciences, has focused her research on the role of hormones in the development of liver and uterine cancer. She specifically focuses on how hepatitis C-virus-related chronic infection leads to the development of liver cancer and also how human papillomavirus can cause uterine cancer. Her research has attracted the attention of Cancer Sucks Inc. founder Rick Horton. Since 2005, Cancer Sucks has made a donation every year to OSU to support Kaul’s research.

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“Donating to OSU and Dr. Kaul has been a very worthwhile investment for Cancer Sucks because we can actually see where the donations are being used,” Horton says. “We have been able to help purchase equipment and have been credited with funding several research studies with our donations. This funding helps everyone realize the importance of funding from a grass-roots organization like Cancer Sucks.” Horton founded Cancer Sucks in 1998 to honor his mother, Donna Holland White, who died from cancer in 1996. The organization is run by volunteers who have had their lives touched by cancer and focuses on raising money for cancer research. The organization has provided more than $107,000 to OSU-CHS, highlighted by a $40,000 donation in 2012. “Cancer Sucks has played a vital role in developing research strategies not only in our laboratory, but also in other laboratories at OSU-CHS,” Kaul says. “We have been able to purchase cutting-edge equipment that has enabled us to perform research at a competitive level.”

Liver cancer is the world’s fifth most common and third-deadliest form of cancer. Finding the link between hepatitis C virus and liver cancer will reduce the deaths due to the disease, Kaul says. The lack of effective drug therapy and the absence of a vaccine for hepatitis C virus has added to the challenges of combating liver cancer. “In our laboratory, we are trying to understand how hepatitis C virus tricks our immune system to chronically infect liver cells to establish liver cancer and how hormones may influence, as reports have suggested, increased risk of males developing liver cancer,” Kaul says. “My research involves studying the role of estrogen and estrogen receptors that allow liver cancer cells to escape killing by immune cells. We have observed high levels of estrogen receptors in male livers developing hepatitis C-related cancer. These ongoing research studies will ultimately help us to better understand the factors that may be involved in hepatitis C-related liver cancer and enable us to develop tools to detect and cure liver cancer in its early stages.”

PHOTO / RYAN JENSEN

Rashmi Kaul works on an Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer System, which is used to study various characteristics of normal and cancerous cells. The OSU Center for Health Sciences immunologist purchased this equipment with a grant from Cancer Sucks.

Funds from Cancer Sucks have been used to purchase equipment such as a realtime polymerase chain reaction machine, which is used to study the expression of genes, and a BD Accuri C6, a new flow cytometer system, which is used to study various characteristics of normal and cancerous cells. “Experimental studies at the molecular level can only be conducted with the use of cutting-edge equipment,” Kaul says. “We have been able to equip the laboratory with many modern instruments that have not only enhanced our cancer studies, but also studies of other research scientists at OSU-CHS.”

Master’s and doctoral students have utilized the funds to complete thesis and dissertation studies, while undergraduates, medical students and postdoctoral fellows have been trained in advanced laboratory techniques. Kaul also has been able to develop workshops for undergraduate students from Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa Community College and Northeastern State University to study cells using flow cytometry. More than 250 students have attended the workshop since its 2009 introduction. “These efforts have enabled us to keep educating and motivating our local students toward careers in bioscience or to become cancer researchers,” Kaul says.

Funding from the grants also has enabled Kaul to present her research at conferences around the world and invite internationally acclaimed cancer researchers to campus for presentations about their work. All of these efforts keep Kaul motivated in her quest to end cancer. “Working together with other researchers and educating our students on the latest technology will only strengthen our resources in the fight against cancer,” Kaul says. “The more we understand, the better prepared we are to end these diseases.”

Medical student Andrea Partida teaches Ali Nolan how to listen to a patient’s heartbeat.

Operation Orange Oklahoma high school students get a taste of life in medical school during OSU-CHS summer camps. PHOTO / RYAN JENSEN

Ali Nolan wants to save lives. Diagnosing diseases, performing medical procedures and treating patients are what the high school senior plans to do. She is going to be a doctor in rural Oklahoma. “I’ve always been interested in the medical field and being a doctor,” Nolan says. “Math and science are my best subjects in school, and a career in medicine is something that just comes naturally for me.” To learn more about what it’s like to be a doctor, Nolan signed up for Operation Orange, a series of summer camps offered by the OSU Center of Health Sciences. The June camps let middle and high school students experience a day in the life of a medical student and practice the skills they will need as physicians.

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“Operation Orange was a good way to get some key experience and see what it’s like to be a doctor,” Nolan says. “I had never gotten to do any kind of medical work before, and Operation Orange gave me perspective on what I will be doing in medical school and in my own practice.” Nolan was among more than 200 Oklahoma middle and high school students who participated in the inaugural camps, which were hosted by regional universities in Ada, Enid, Lawton and Tahlequah. The camps are one of the new initiatives launched under the direction of Dr. Kayse Shrum, president of OSU Center for Health Sciences, to recruit rural Oklahoma high school students to the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. “One of the primary factors that determines where a physician will set up their

practice is where they grew up,” Shrum says. “With Oklahoma experiencing a growing shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in rural areas of our state, it is imperative for us to recruit and train students who want to return to their hometowns to practice.” The OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine has made a concerted effort to meet with students while they’re still in high school. Faculty and current medical students provide guidance and mentorship to prepare the high schoolers for the rigors of medical school. “The camps are a fun way for us to connect with these students and for them to get an idea of what they will learn in medical school,” Shrum says. “It also helps to let them know that medicine is a career they can do, even if they live in a rural area.”

In addition to the camps, the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine offers several recruitment programs, including Med-Xtravangza and Mini Med School, and conducts outreach to key organizations such as high school FFA chapters. “We want potential medical students to know how fun and challenging medical school can be. It is a big commitment, but it is a very rewarding profession,” says Lindsey Kirkpatrick, director of osteopathic college admissions. “We organize many opportunities for potential students to meet our current medical students, who can share their own experiences about preparing for medical school. Our medical students are our greatest recruitment tools.” About 12 medical students attended each camp, demonstrating activities and answering questions about medical school. The medical students also met one-onone with the high schoolers to share their personal stories about applying for medical school. During the camps, Nolan and other attendees tested their suturing skills; studied anatomy with a human heart, lungs and brain; learned how to check blood pressure and examine the inner ear; and inserted a breathing tube into a practice mannequin. “Performing the intubation was the most exciting part of the camp,” Nolan says. “I liked being able to practice a medical procedure for the first time.” With ongoing interest from students, OSU-CHS is already planning for summer 2014 camps. For high school students interested in being a doctor, Nolan recommends signing up for the camp. “I really enjoyed it and you will get some great hands-on experience,” she says. “I would do it again.” Nolan knows her future lies at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her father, Dr. Douglas Nolan, the director of the residency programs at W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah, is a graduate of the medical college. But ultimately, her future lies in treating patients. “I’d like to open my own practice in rural Oklahoma,” she says. “I’m not sure what area I want to specialize in, but I know that’s where I want to work.”

PHOTO / RYAN JENSEN

Medical student Joshua Priddle helps Ali Nolan with an intubation.

PHOTO / RYAN JENSEN

OSU-CHS President Kayse Shrum speaks to Operation Orange participants in Tahlequah.

PHOTO / LORI SANTINE

Medical student Luanne Vo helps an Operation Orange participant practice proper ventilation on a patient after an intubation.

Primary Care “By engaging and working with patients on health issues, our physicians can address From left, Dr. Loring Barwick, Galina Michka and Janie Ramirez health problems of the Riverside Primary Care Clinic take a holistic approach to before they become the patient-doctor relationship. catastrophic,” Rafferty says. whole patient instead of just addressing “Chronic diseases account for nearly 80 one problem at one time.” percent of health care costs for consumAs the clinic grows, OSU Medical ers, employers and government payers, but Center hopes to add physicians to the nearly all of these diseases Riverside practice. are preventable.” OSU Medical Center operates five clinBy getting to know patients, Barwick ics across the Tulsa area, including one in says it is much easier to identify the warnCollinsville. OSU Physicians, OSU Center ing signs of heart attack, cancer, stroke, for Health Sciences’ faculty and training chronic obstructive pulmonary disease practice, also operates a series of primary and diabetes. PHOTO COURTESY OF OSU MEDICAL CENTER care clinics throughout Tulsa. “The holistic approach to medicine Providing health care services to resihelps you build trust over a period of Barwick, a 1996 graduate of the OSU dents of rural and underserved Oklahoma time,” Barwick says. “It doesn’t happen College of Osteopathic Medicine, and the overnight, but over time you notice things, is the primary mission of OSU Medical staff at Riverside Primary Care get to know Center and the OSU Center for Health each of their patients. According to Barwick, like weight gain or smoking that you can Sciences. OSU Medical Center is the address with your patients.” it is the best way to establish a patientprimary teaching hospital for the univerFor Galina Michka, a certified doctor relationship that benefits everyone. sity’s medical school. advanced-practice registered nurse, treatThe clinic is part of OSU Medical “A physician’s role is to educate ing patients is a team effort of the physiCenter’s efforts to encourage patients to patients to make personal choices that will seek preventive medical care and cut down cian, nurse and clinic staff. In addition promote both mental and physical wellto Barwick and Michka, the team also on the number of patients using the emerbeing,” says Dr. Kayse Shrum, OSU-CHS includes patient services representative gency room as their primary health care president and a pediatrician. “This Janie Ramirez and Danielle Parrish, a provider. requires the physician to address not only registered medical assistant. The emergency room at OSU Medical a physical illness but all aspects of their “We will take a few minutes to brainCenter treats more than 40,000 patients patient’s life that may impact their overall storm about a patient before an appointa year. OSU Medical Center CEO Diane ment,” Michka says. “Together we build a well-being and health outcomes.” Rafferty would like to see some of those plan that addresses the health needs of the patients transition to clinic services. Patients at Riverside Primary Care Clinic in Tulsa are more than just a disease that needs to be treated. “We get to know our patients, learn about their family, jobs and hobbies,” says Dr. Loring Barwick, the family medicine physician at OSU Medical Center’s newest primary care clinic. “We try to see our patients as a whole person, not just a problem that needs to be treated.”

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PHOTO COURTESY OF OSU MEDICAL CENTER

OSU Medical Center’s newest clinic is part of an effort to cut down on emergency room visits by investing in preventive medicine.

THE

HEART OF TULSA

Students at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa earn a Big 12 degree while enjoying all the benefits of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thriving downtown. With ONEOK Field, the BOK Center, Guthrie Green and the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best entertainment districts just a short walk away, OSU-Tulsa students can learn, work and play in one place. Whether your goal is increased job opportunities, a stronger network or personal discovery, you can get there from here.

Now enrolling for spring 2014. Classes begin Jan. 13.

Downtown Tulsa

918-GET-HERE

OSU-Tulsa to Turn 15

Although young, the campus has had a major impact.

n Jan. 1, OSU-Tulsa will mark the start of its 15th anniversary. “While our campus is still relatively new compared to other universities, we have had a major impact on higher education in Oklahoma,” OSU-Tulsa President Howard Barnett says. “By bringing OSU to Tulsa, the institution offered place-bound students the opportunity to earn a degrees from a major state university.” OSU officially began administering the campus on Jan. 1, 1999. Before that, the campus was home to the University Center at Tulsa, a consortium consisting of Langston University, Northeastern State University, OSU and the University of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Legislature approved the bill establishing an OSU campus in Tulsa in May 1998, and OSU-Tulsa officially opened in January 1999. Then-OSU President James Halligan pushed for the establishment of the OSU campus in Tulsa, which was the largest city in the nation without a freestanding public university at the time.

“My mantra at the time was one university and multiple sites,” says Halligan, who now serves in the Oklahoma Senate. “I still think that is the correct strategy, because the state of Oklahoma cannot be successful unless Tulsa is also successful. In order for Tulsa to succeed, it has to have an array of educational opportunities and that has to include OSU and its programs.” Under Halligan’s guidance, OSU-Tulsa maintained strong ties with the main campus in Stillwater. OSU-Tulsa offers junior-, senior- and graduate-level courses in business, engineering, aerospace, education, social sciences, human sciences and liberal arts. “We wanted students to know that if they were attending the Tulsa campus or the Stillwater campus, they were enrolled in the same nationally accredited programs,” Halligan says. “Students in Tulsa earn the same internationally respected OSU degree that students in Stillwater receive.” Gary Trennepohl, who had been serving as the Spears School of Business dean,

OSU President James Halligan, left, and OSU-Tulsa President Gary Trennepohl in 1999

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF OSU-TULSA

was tapped to be the first president of OSU-Tulsa. Trennepohl guided the transition of the campus from the consortium model to OSU. “From the beginning, we established a reputation for high quality academic programs and developed partnerships with key industry leaders to offer new opportunities for our students,” Trennepohl says. “Our goal was to offer students an OSU college experience and help Tulsa flourish by identifying degree programs that were in demand by Tulsa employers.” Under Trennepohl’s leadership, OSU-Tulsa established a partnership with

A construction crew works on the Helmerich Research Center, which officially opened in 2008 as a research facility for engineering faculty and graduate students.

The OSU-Tulsa campus in 1999 Tulsa Community College to provide a seamless transition for transferring students, expanded learning and career services to aid in student success and broke enrollment records. “We worked to create opportunities for our students and the citizens of the Tulsa area,” Trennepohl says. “Our focus on student success and dedication to OSU’s mission as a land-grant university has really resonated in the growth that we have seen on our campus and in the many things that we have been able to accomplish.”

In 2003, Trennepohl secured $45 million in funding from Vision 2025, as well as state and private sources, to construct the Helmerich Research Center. The state-of-the-art facility officially opened in 2008, offering research space for engineering faculty and graduate students. Research at the center supports the region’s aerospace, energy, manufacturing, transportation, electronics and medical industries. Since OSU-Tulsa first opened, enrollment has grown from 870 to nearly 3,000. The university has served more than 30,000 students in the Tulsa area and has impacted countless others through outreach and research programs. Chris Benge, a former speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the senior vice president of governmental affairs for the Tulsa Metro Chamber, graduated from OSU-Tulsa in 2008. “OSU-Tulsa helped me to earn my OSU degree with classes that were convenient for me,” Benge says. “When I was going through school, I already had a family and a career at the Legislature, so it created a real opportunity for me as a non-traditional student. This same scenario has been played out many times for others in the Tulsa area.” Having access to higher education was critical to Benge, as it is for thousands of other OSU-Tulsa students, who need a location close to home while pursuing a degree, raising a family and working full time.

Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating signs the bill creating OSU-Tulsa, effective Jan. 1, 1999.

“It would have been much more difficult having to commute from Tulsa and I do not even know if it would have been possible,” Benge says. “The access to higher education that OSU-Tulsa provides was an important factor for me to be able to earn my degree.” Halligan and Trennepohl provided a solid foundation for OSU-Tulsa. Halligan retired as OSU president in 2002 but remains an advocate of higher education. In honor of his many contributions to the university, he was named a 2013 OSU in Tulsa Icon. Trennepohl stepped down as president of OSU-Tulsa in 2009, returning to the classroom as a full-time faculty member in the Spears School of Business. Barnett became the second president of OSU-Tulsa in 2009 and has continued to push the university to be an innovator in higher education for Tulsans. Under his leadership, the university has expanded scholarship opportunities for students, increased awareness of OSU’s two campuses in Tulsa and placed a strong focus on developing academic programs that meet Tulsa’s economic demands. “OSU has been a higher education leader in Oklahoma for more than a century,” Barnett says. “Our mission for the next 15 years is to ensure that the legacy created in Stillwater those many years ago continues in everything we do in Tulsa.” S E A N K E N N E DY

OSU-Tulsa President Howard Barnett, right, with Tulsa Community College President Tom McKeon, the keynote speaker at OSU-Tulsa’s graduation ceremony in May 2012. OSU-Tulsa and the community college work together so that students can complete their bachelor’s degree at OSU-Tulsa.

Providing for Providing for the Future Future OSUIT natural gas training center prepares students to fill industry needs.

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PHOTO / ELIZABETH HAHN

An orange oil pump jack stands outside the newest addition to the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology’s campus in Okmulgee. It represents the history of oil and gas while welcoming students, faculty and visitors to the industry’s future at the unique natural gas compression training center. It’s a vital training tool that will impact the industry locally and nationally. Oklahoma is at the forefront of a new era of oil and gas production. With the addition of the Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Training Center, OSUIT is poised to make a difference by developing students who will have the experience to go directly from the lab to the oilfields. The 23,920-square-foot facility demonstrates the university’s foresight into the needs of the Oklahoma economy and is a valuable resource for current and future natural gas students. It will also build upon the existing natural gas compression program, which has trained OSUIT students since 1974. A Sept. 25 dedication ceremony at the Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Training Center united OSUIT with industry partners Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, ONEOK, Energy Transfer and others that invested time, money and resources. With construction completed ahead of schedule and under budget at $4.9 million, the center will enable the program to more than double its enrollment and help meet the industry demand.

Compression skids line the back of the training center’s workshop. Students operate the equipment as part of their curriculum in the natural gas compression program.

“This new training center underscores our commitment at OSUIT to help this vital industry meet the crucial need for a continuous flow of trained technicians to build, maintain and operate the vast infrastructure to keep America’s energy industry running strong in the coming decades,” says OSUIT President Bill R. Path. Improving the Student Experience The program’s class sizes have nearly quadrupled in the past several years, increasing the need for a dedicated facility. “The new training center will enable OSUIT to more effectively teach students the technical skills necessary in an industry-quality laboratory to maintain and operate natural gas engines and gascompressor units,” Path says.

The natural gas compression program will use the facility to train students on large equipment such as compression skids, which are used to transform natural gas into a moveable product. “Being able to work on equipment that I’ll use in the field is important,” says Kamron Ballard, a second-year natural gas compression major. “I’ll know what to do for the company that hires me and know how to operate the multimillion-dollar equipment so I won’t mess up in the field.” Students began using the training center in early September. Ballard says the facility offers an environment solely focused on natural gas compression and gives students a sense of pride by being able to have their own building.

Strengthening Corporate Partnerships

PHOTO / ELIZABETH HAHN

The natural gas compression program works with industry partners, learning what the workforce needs from graduates and altering its curriculum accordingly. “OSUIT has had its fi nger on the pulse of the needs of the energy industry across the state of Oklahoma and across the country for years,” Path says. “We take great pride in our corporate partnerships, and they have never been stronger.” Chesapeake Energy CEO of Oilfield Services and OSU alumnus Jerry Winchester says the program boosts the energy industry. He says the thing most people don’t see in the industry is the equipment that runs every day, all day. When that equipment goes down, OSUIT graduates save companies thousands of dollars per hour by being able to fi x it quickly. These graduates will continue to be in demand as large portions of the workforce reach retirement age. “OSUIT has the opportunity to be the hub of the industry’s transformation,” Winchester says.

OSUIT President Bill Path, with the microphone, and OSU President Burns Hargis, along with representatives from the OSU Regents, Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy, ONEOK and Energy Transfer, cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening of the training center.

Building Industry-Quality Facilities The Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Training Center may look like an ordinary building, but inside the workshop’s unique purpose is clear. With massive compression skids lined up along the back of the room and dual 30-ton-capacity overhead cranes to move them, the atmosphere simulates the field.

BY THE NUMBERS $4.9 million The facility came in under budget and ahead of schedule.

23,920 square feet The entire building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and machinery.

60-ton capacity A dual, 30-ton crane sits overhead in the main workshop. It’s used for lifting and moving the compression skids.

65 to more than 150 Enrollment in the natural gas compression program has nearly doubled due to more space.

Two classrooms — one sponsored by Devon Energy and the other by ONEOK — offer additional instructional workspace. White boards are placed on the front walls of the rooms, and collaborative technologies allow for an enhanced learning environment. The building also houses an auditorium with current video technology and a conference room for company partners to meet with faculty. “We listen to our industry partners. We sit down with them in advisory meetings and hash out what kind of skills our students need,” says Roy Achemire, OSUIT division chair for the Heavy Equipment and Vehicle Institute. “We use that information to make sure we’ve built those skills into the program.” The new technology and space help train the ever-growing labor workforce, especially in the oil and gas industry. “I want to give a major thank you to the companies that invested in the building,” Ballard says. “Their money and willingness to hire interns from OSUIT is amazing. Without them this program would not succeed.” CHELSEA T WIETMEYER

For more on OSUIT and the Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Training Center, visit osuit.edu.

shares ideas worth spreading

or the second consecutive year, OSU showcased expertise, passion and talent during a TED-like event at the Seretean Center Concert Hall on Oct. 24. Hundreds of attendees and thousands of online viewers across the globe watched TEDxOStateU: Innovate, an independently organized TED event. TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. The four-hour event featured 19 onstage segments, including three musical performances, which will all be permanently available on OState.TV and TEDxOStateU.com. Alumnus J. Bryson Baker returned as master of ceremonies. Video introductions came from OSU President Burns Hargis and TED. Kirk Jewell, president of the OSU Foundation, also welcomed attendees. Three filmed updates about the first year’s speakers and two videos of national TED talks rounded out the afternoon.

Everyone Can Do Something

“Innovate” available online at OState.TV, TEDxOStateU.com

The fi rst student speaker, LeAnn Yadon, rode her bike onto the stage to inspire questions. She is planning a 3,000mile ride across the country this summer. Her goal is to raise $25,000 toward awareness of global problems such as malnutrition and sex trafficking. “I challenge you to take your skills, passions and hobbies, and innovatively use them to give back,” says the human nutrition and premedical science junior. “Find a way to make people stop in their tracks, look at you and ask, ‘Why?’”

Students delivered seven talks, with two underscoring how easily anyone can help others. Jason Wetzler was at home in Portland, Ore., last summer when tornadoes ravaged Oklahoma. The agricultural leadership sophomore helped raise a $1,000 donation and was surprised by the public’s and media’s reactions. “When I was a kid who didn’t want to eat his vegetables, my parents didn’t say, ‘There are starving children in Africa.’ They said, ‘There are starving children down the street,’” Wetzler says. “They Two more students explained their didn’t inspire me to change the world, but efforts to assist impoverished areas they to change my world.” had visited. Wetzler spoke about the power of relaJennifer Mayo, a health education tivity, noting the “sense of shock and awe” and promotion senior, is working to people feel when a stranger covers their create reusable health products such as order at Starbucks. condoms, catheters and gloves. “I, just like everyone in this room, am “My passion is for you to go to these capable of making a small act of service places and see for yourself,” Mayo says. every single day,” Wetzler says. “By doing “You can hop on a plane and be there in that, we can each change our world.”

Helping Developing Nations

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12 hours. Once you’re there, you will see these people are worth it.” Her talk focused on condoms, which could diminish the global problems of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies. “It might be awkward to talk about, but I’ll choose an uncomfortable life that benefits others,” Mayo says. “Together, we will prevent disease, prolong life and do something for someone else.” Another senior, Lee Easton, studies computer and electrical engineering. He has a business plan to bring solar power to Sierra Leone and the University of Njala. “Africa is a place of war,” Easton says. “It’s a place of corruption. It’s a place of poverty. But I want you to know that Africa is also a place of opportunity.”

Inspirational Expertise Evan Woodson, a graduate student in history, performed his spoken-word poem, “Boxes,” before encouraging people to embrace their own inherent desire to create. Another graduate student, Ali Asmari, explained his doctoral research on

Teaching, Research, Extension

Successful Alumni Matt Waits, CEO of SST Software, delivered the afternoon’s first talk. The alumnus explained agriculturalinformation management, which utilizes data from across the world to increase farming efficiency. Alumnus David Woods and Brent Douglas are the CEO and president of GiANT Partners. They covered

LeAnn Yadon

What Are You Working For? U.S. Army veteran Heather Gomer is CEO and co-founder of Advanced Flight Training Solutions at the Sundance Airpark in Yukon, Okla. She credits OSU’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Program with giving her the knowledge and confidence to succeed. She asks people to consider if they are passionate, or “pensionate” — working just to reach retirement. “Think about your most valuable asset: time,” Gomer says. “You’ll never get this time back. Your days could be short. So do what you love now instead of working for something you will love tomorrow.” She adds, “Those of you who are pensionate instead of passionate, why? Is it self-doubt? Self-doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”

Singing, Strumming, Drumming Three musical acts performed. Seniors Cori Duke, a singer, and guitarist Chance Borger played two songs before intermission. The event restarted with the stage-rattling return of the student group called Malaysian 24 Seasons Drum, which had opened the 2012 edition of TEDxOStateU. The closing act was the Salmak Ensemble, which performs traditional Persian music. JAC O B L O N G A N

PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

Five faculty and staff members spoke about their efforts related to OSU’s land-grant mission. Dr. Kayse Shrum, president of the Center for Health Sciences, highlighted the university’s work to combat Oklahoma’s physician shortage (see Page 32). Toby Nelson, an assistant chemistry professor, explained his research on organic solar panels to energize plastic rechargeable batteries. Victoria Rowe Berry, director of the OSU Museum of Art, discussed the transformation of the historic Stillwater post office into the Postal Plaza Gallery (Page 116). Back-to-back speakers covered OSU’s work with pets. Veterinarian Lara Sypniewski explained her acupuncture practice at the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Then Lorinda Schrammel, who works in the human resources office, unveiled OSU’s pet therapy program (Page 44). She brought the program’s first two dogs, Evie and Charlie, onto the stage.

leadership and becoming significant through a heart for insignificance. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, recounted the organization’s development. “I really believe a community is built on how individuals deal with challenges and take advantage of opportunities,” the alumnus says. “We believe that each of us, by doing that, can make a difference.”

PHOTO / KASI KENNEDY

recycling fossil-fuel pollution to improve concrete’s strength and stability. Zach Barbeau, a mechanical and aerospace engineering senior, is a member of the Space Cowboys studentbased research team. He explained the group’s work on developing next-generation spacecrafts that utilize inflatable materials.

Toby Nelson

Emcees: J. Bryson Baker SPEAKERS: Matt Waits, LeAnn Yadon, Kayse Shrum, Evan Woodson, David Woods and Brent Douglas, Ali Asmari, Bob Blackburn, Heather Gomer, Zach Barbeau,Toby Nelson, Lee Easton, Lara Sypniewski, Lorinda Schrammel, Jennifer Mayo, Victoria Rowe Berry, Jason Wetzler PERFORMERS: Cori Duke and Chance Borger, M24D, Salmak Ensemble VIDEO UPDATES: Rand Elliott, Alyssa Peterson, Victoria O’Keefe

BE THE FIRST to watch the videos by following us on Twitter (@TEDxOStateU) and becoming our fan on Facebook (Facebook.com/TEDxOStateU).

DESIGN CONCEPT BY PERKINS & WILL

By providing state-of-the-art teaching and research spaces Branding Success: Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University is adding, enhancing and equipping premier facilities across the OSU system. One example is the future home for the Spears School of Business. When fully funded, it will create a first-class educational experience through dynamic classrooms, business incubators and other collaborative areas. Prominent business professionals and professors will share what they have learned from real-world experiences. Empowering future generations of business leaders is just one way Branding Success is strengthening the state, national and global economy.

To learn more, visit www.OSUgiving.com OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION 400 South Monroe | Stillwater, OK 74074 800.622.4678 | info@OSUgiving.com

Alex Miller and Charlie

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she stroked the warm, soft, brown coat and gazed into loving eyes. For the first time since arriving in Stillwater, Alex Miller felt a little piece of home. The crowded and chaotic Student Union intimidated the freshman, but she couldn’t ignore the small voice saying, “Go inside.” As she entered, she noticed two dogs wearing service-animal vests. Thinking of her own dogs in Texas, Miller asked if she could pet them. A very friendly and excited therapy dog in training named Charlie greeted the 18-year-old. In that moment, amongst a sea of strangers, her loneliness and homesickness faded away. “Charlie was licking me and being so adorable,” says Miller, who plays trumpet in the Cowboy Marching Band. “It lifted the rest of my day and definitely made me look forward to going home and seeing my own dogs.” The Keller, Texas, native expressed the hardships a new student faces on campus, especially coming from out of

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state. For the psychology and musiceducation major, being unable to drive home on weekends to see her family and pets is a struggle.

“I think the pet-therapy program will be really beneficial for students like me who are missing home and their pets,” Miller says. “It will help them through some of these hard times.” Pet-therapy programs are a new phenomenon seen in a few universities across the nation. When the idea was presented to First Cowgirl Ann Hargis last January, she recognized its potential for improving overall wellness at OSU. Hargis asked her assistant, Kendria Cost, and veterinarian Lara Sypniewski to help create the proposal for Pete’s Pet Posse. President Burns Hargis approved the proposal, and an advisory board was formed. “We have developed robust programs in physical activity and nutrition,” Ann Hargis says. “Now we are focusing on emotional health. Pete’s Pet Posse is

designed to positively impact the entire campus population.” The program is in the pilot phase with two dogs in training: Evie and Charlie. Hargis says the goal is to incorporate therapy dogs in various departments across campus, raising the morale of faculty, staff and students. Each department will determine how the dog best fits into their culture and how the animal can be most effective with the population they serve. “I have seen students change as they interact with Charlie and Evie,” Hargis says. “By the same token, I have witnessed faculty and staff get on their hands and knees to interact with these animals and go back to work with a spring in their step.” Cost says Charlie and Evie, who trained together on campus this summer, have become popular with several departments.

“Campus Life has a treat drawer for them,” Cost says. “When they visit, Evie and Charlie know exactly where their drawer is.”

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research shows animals can reduce stress and lower blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol. This adds an emotional health component to the America’s Healthiest Campus campaign. “We are hopeful that Pete’s Pet Posse will bring a little comfort to those dealing with a lot in their lives or those who just need a little lift,” Cost says. “It is optional to participate, and you choose what you get out of it.” People affiliated with OSU can apply to have their animals accepted into the program. The pets first go through a disposition evaluation and physical exam at the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. Recommendations are then made to the OSU Pet Therapy Advisory Board, and those pets accepted into the program begin training to become certified through Human Animal Link of Oklahoma. CVHS provides food, microchipping, vaccinations, heartworm preventatives, deworming and annual check-ups for the therapy dogs. “It’s my job to make sure that every dog in this program is as healthy as they can be,” says Sypniewski, the Henthorne Clinical Professor in Small-Animal Medicine. “We need to make sure that their owners have been committed to

The

their wellness so that these animals can improve the wellness of people.” Sypniewski says a nationwide anxiety epidemic is contributing to relationship and family problems, substance abuse, suicide and violence.

“The addition of a therapy dog to stressful or anxiety ridden situations has the potential to reduce psychological stress,” Sypniewski says. “They also build trust and improve communication with counselors.” Evie’s handler, Lorinda Schrammel, says Student Affairs is taking advantage of having a therapy dog on campus. “We had one student who just really didn’t want to open up,” says Schrammel, OSU’s manager of training and

development in the human resources department. “But with Evie at the session, it opened dialogue, and she helped facilitate the conversation.” Therapy dogs are used in a variety of situations from counseling services to busy airports, but the impact remains the same.

“If we bring a smile to one student’s face; if we help one stressed co-worker take a deep breath and relax; if we keep that one person from making a poor decision — hurting themselves or hurting other people; if we just have that one impact, then it’s all worth it and the program is a success,” Sypniewski says. BET T Y THOMPSON RICHEY

More information on Pete’s Pet Posse: PetTherapy.okstate.edu To watch the video of Charlie and Evie, visit: OSUgiving.com/petposse To make a donation to Pete’s Pet Posse, which will help offset maintenance and training costs as well as other expenses, contact Heather Clay, the OSU Foundation’s senior director of development for the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, at 405-385-5607 or hclay@OSUgiving.com

Heart of a Fighter

On the night of May 20, 2013, Evie was alone in Shawnee, Okla. Abandoned by her family days before, there was no one to take her to a shelter when a devastating tornado ripped through the area. Evie was injured, covered by thousands of ticks and infected with heartworms when she arrived at the OSU veterinary hospital. Because of

generous supporters of the Animal Relief Fund, Sypniewski and her team were able to save Evie. She has been adopted into a loving home and continues recovering. Despite the difficult path she traveled, Evie’s love for people and happy demeanor is infectious, which made her an ideal candidate for the pet therapy program. Evie, in true Cowboy spirit, is giving back.

EXTENDING K NOW LED GE, C HA N G I NG

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ON E NSI

AHOM

EXT

YEARS

LIVES FOR 100 E R AT

Stories by Leilana McKindra

T O S OME S T U D E NT S

in Pittsburg County, Okla., Ladell Emmons is

known as the “Organ Lady.” The nickname has nothing to do with the musical instrument, but with other organs — those in the body. Emmons coordinates OrganWise Guys, a nationally recognized, highly interactive, science-based nutrition program targeting pre-kindergarten through fifth

H O A M L

graders in six schools across her county.

Smith-Lever: Extension Service’s Opening Act

EXT

N O I S EN

According to Wayne D. Rasmussen’s book, Taking the University to the People: Seventy-Five Years of Cooperative Extension, Congress entertained similar bills in previous years before successfully passing legislation backed by Sen. M. Hoke Smith, D-Ga., and Rep. Asbury F. Lever, D-S.C.

Oklahoma A&M began extension activities in late 1914. However, extension work was occurring in Oklahoma and Texas in the early 1900s at the federal level. In Oklahoma, Langston University also engages in extension outreach activities.

Left: Cleveland County OSU Extension educator Heath Herje offers expertise on plant varieties during wildlife food plot fi eld day activities in Slaughterville, Okla.

The legislation, signed into law May 14, 1914, by President Woodrow Wilson, created a partnership between county, state and federal governments. Funding from Congress for extension services is funneled through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to land-grant universities, and states and counties benefiting from that money match those funds in their budgets.

The Smith-Lever Act established the national Cooperative Extension Service and provided funding through land-grant universities such as Oklahoma State to expand vocational, agricultural and home-demonstration programs.

Statewide in 2012–13, nearly 6,600 children — more than 1,100 in Pittsburg County alone — learned to eat low-fat and high-fiber foods, drink lots of water and get plenty of exercise, thanks to a partnership between BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Since introducing OrganWise Guys locally five years ago, Emmons, the OSU Ladell Emmons Extension family and consumer sciences educator in Pittsburg County, has seen her charges go from turning up their noses at yogurt and green vegetables to eagerly slurping up cartons of the gooey goodness and happily crunching their way through raw asparagus, green beans and snow peas. The program also has sparked interest in creating community gardens to boost access to fresh fruits and vegetables in areas where grocery stores are sparse. “I’m seeing a defi nite reaction from kids wanting fresh fruits and vegetables,” Emmons says. “Granted, we’ve got a long way to go, but this is the fi rst small step.” OSU Extension has spent a century specializing in turning small steps into giant strides through programs like OrganWise Guys that make deep, meaningful, lasting impressions on the lives of Oklahomans. In spring 2014, extension services across the country will celebrate their 100th birthdays. OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources administers the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, often referred to as OSU Extension. And even after a century, OSU Extension remains as dedicated as ever to its original mission of extending the knowledge of land-grant universities and changing lives for the better. “Extension has always been and always will be about helping families manage life changes and challenges, while also focusing on ensuring an ample and safe food supply for all Oklahomans, as well as the nation and the world,” says James Trapp, associate continues

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O director of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. Statewide Extension

Three Decades of Service to Extension Recia Garcia was finish-

decades of service, certainly the way she

OSU Extension operates i n g u p a m a s te r’s accomplished those tasks changed. offices staffed with specialists degree in secondary Garcia says she used to do a twice-weekly in all 77 Oklahoma counties. education at South- 30-minute morning radio show, and The service builds its educawestern Oklahoma educators had to create most of their own tional programming around State University and had programs. Further, they had to find time to four distinct goals: increasing to make a decision: evaluate the effectiveness and to gather opportunities for agricultural accept a job with the enough resources to support a year’s worth enterprises; natural resources Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service of programs. and environmental manageor pursue a career as a classroom teacher. These days, educators have easy access to ment; food, nutrition, health At the encouragement of a mentor, she took plenty of research-based programs, evaland safety education; and the OSU Extension position. More than 30 uation tools and other resources develyouth, family and community years later, she says she would make the oped by specialists, and the ability to share development. same decision. broadly with peers across the state and That translates into a “Extension provided me a professional path even the nation. They also can tap into on– dizzying menu — everything to apply the teaching degree that was more line databases. from livestock genetics to tai flexible than a classroom,” says Garcia, who “Now, with technology, numerous details chi and line dancing to ATV retired in September as the northwest district safety training to gardening can be shared instantly and adjustments family and consumer sciences program and horticulture to personal made online with everyone in distant locaspecialist. “I was able to teach youth and fi nance and retirement to tions,” she says. “Years ago, we’d meet face adults, individually and in groups, in a variety 4-H Club and youth developto face in committees, pull together details of settings and offer education for the public ment activities to farm-estate by phone or in later meetings.” on a broad range of topics, everything from planning to small business Looking ahead, Garcia believes the extenentrepreneurship to how violence impacts development. And that is just sion service is not necessarily perceived as child development.” the beginning. important to people who do not use it or are Two weekly televiGarcia says the significant variance in day- unaware of the organization’s vast resources, sion shows, SUNUP about to-day tasks made the work enjoyable, but she also sees this gap as an opportunity agriculture and Oklahoma refreshing and challenging. to extend its reach and continue to put its Gardening, are broadcast “On any given day, an educator answers mission into action. statewide on OETA. Helping questions, might facilitate multiple meet- “We have a responsibility to remain relevant to stretch the reach of OSU ings, teach a lesson to a youth or adult — to market our wares, so to speak — and to Extension’s message also group, prepare news releases and news- be inclusive,” she says. “Beyond a tremenare a database of more than letters, devote time to developing special dous impact on our state’s economy through 5,000 research-based fact request programming and often participate agricultural research and education, we help sheets on an array of topics, in community organizations during the lunch individuals and families increase their quality as well as multiple social hour or in the evening,” she says. of life through meaningful programs directly media platforms. Although the purpose of the work remained related to their needs.” What truly sets the extenthe same during the course of her three sion service apart in an age where just about anything can be done with the swipe of a fi nger across the screen of a smartphone or tablet, is that educators and specialists frequently involved, Stronger Economies Together is made possible through interact face-to-face with people in the community. As a result, a partnership between OSU Extension and the U.S. Department programs are tailored to meet specific local needs. And most of Agriculture Rural Development. activities and events are free or low cost. “The idea of creating a region out here along Interstate 40 was really one a group of us had been kicking around for a while,” Regional Partnerships says Larry Wright, coordinator of the Western Oklahoma I-40 So far, 18 counties grouped into self-selected regions across region. “When I saw the announcement for the SET program, Oklahoma are engaged in a program designed to help rural I thought it was exactly what we needed to make the region residents and leaders build regional partnerships focused on happen and actually put together a strategic plan.” their particular economic strengths. At no cost to the counties continues

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OSU Extension experts hold a demonstration in Slaughterville, Okla., as part of a partnership with wildlife seed companies to plant acres of their seed blends.

OSU Extensionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Insect Adventure is a traveling exhibit that allows children to get up close and personal with arthropods while learning about their importance.

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PHOTOs provided by OSU Extension

On June 13, 2009, OSU Extension held the annual Summer Gardenfest at The Botanic Gardens.

Not much is known about Annie Peters Hunter, a native of Alabama who settled in Boley, Okla., with her husband in the early 1900s. What is known, however, is pretty significant.

P HOTO COURTESY OF BOLEY HISTORICAL MUSEUM PHOTO

Extending into the Future

An Extension Pioneer

Peters Hunter was the first federally appointed black home-demonstration agent. More than two full years before the Smith-Lever Act formally created the national Cooperative Extension Service in 1914, she was putting the organization’s mission into action.

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“Annie undoubtedly was a leader with vision and dedication. With being the first to hold a newly created position comes many responsibilities, one of which is to demonstrate the work is necessary and beneficial,” says Tanya Finchum, OSU professor and oral history librarian. “Annie was an agent for more than 12 years, and when she vacated the position, it was immediately filled so the work she had begun would continue. That’s part of Annie’s legacy as an extension worker.” Finchum worked with Jan Scholl, an associate professor at Pennsylvania State University, to write and publish an article about Peters Hunter in the e-journal Forum for Family and Consumer Issues.

A top priority of the western region’s plan, which is currently being fi nalized, is muscling into the aerospace industry, specifically unmanned aircraft systems by capitalizing on the facilities and infrastructure of the lightly used Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base in Burns Flat. Another priority is creating diversified agriculture and increasing the value of products to help recapture some of the money tied to livestock leaking out of the region. “A region has to have a thread that ties it together, something that bonds it, because we all know a lot of communities with that Friday night fever where they get too competitive,” Wright says. “There’s a lot of commerce coming down Interstate 40, and we have a history of working together with the communities along Route 66, which parallels 108 miles through our region. I see all the sustainable benefits we can pull off the interstate — the access, traffic, tourism and all the potential commerce that comes with that.”

H O A M L

Peters Hunter was appointed Jan. 23, 1912, as part of an effort to bolster the prosperity of black farm families. Not too unlike today’s extension service educators, early homedemonstration agents were charged with helping families to conserve resources, create a little income, and safely raise and preserve food for survival from growing season to growing season.

black home-demonstration agent within a 50-mile radius. Specific details of Peters Hunter’s extension service work are scarce. However, researchers discovered part of her efforts included working with girls through canning clubs. There also is strong evidence her canning instructions remained popular through the 1940s and were used in homes, churches and schools. Finchum says the stories and contributions of early extension workers are important to recognize today because their work helped improve the lives of many families.

T ERA

“‘Helping people help themselves’ is more Extension has extended than a motto, it has been the way of life for knowledge and changed lives countless extension workers, and their dedifor a century, and it stands cation has helped lay the foundation of our poised to do the same for Primarily operating in Seminole and state,” she says. another 100 years through a Okfuskee counties, she served as the only time-tested mix of cuttingedge research, engaged teaching and strategic outreach. The to-do list might seem overwhelming, but Trapp is fully “We’re extremely proud of and excited about reaching this confident OSU Extension is up to the challenge. 100-year milestone, but we know there’s so much more work to After all, he says, it has the benefit and backing of 100 years be done,” Trapp says. of experience. “Looking to the future, I know our educators and The work will most likely involve seeking solutions to water specialists will continue to focus on effective strategies that will and land constraints and developing crops and animals that enable our state’s agricultural producers to be a leading source of withstand the effects of climate volatility and change. food for the world and help all Oklahomans enjoy long, healthy, There also will be a need for effective ways to curb food successful lives.” waste and address health and aging concerns, as well as a myriad other programs.

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then & now

OSU’s Doel Reed Center for the Arts was established in 2006, when Martha Reed donated the 1.5-acre property and its three historic adobe structures to her alma mater. Subsequent donors and dedicated leaders have accelerated the transformation of the former home of Doel, Jane and Martha Reed into a multidisciplinary academic center in Taos, N.M. In honor of Ann and David Sutherland, the smaller home has become Casa Sutherland. It is the first fullyoperational building and serves as the “center of the Center.” The previously empty courtyard is now the

Vallion Gathering Place, named for Jim Vallion. It incorporates a patio and portals on both homes to create an outdoor area for lectures, meetings, celebrations and other experiences. The next steps include renovating the larger home, which will be christened Casa Cooper in appreciation for Lerri and Rick Cooper. Doel Reed’s studio will become a miniature museum that memorializes the Reed family and acknowledges support from Linda and Jim Parker.

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o m a k e a g i f t , visit OSUg iving.com/DoelReed.

then & now

“I think that Doel, Jane and Martha Reed would all be absolutely blown away with what ’s going on here today. The progress on the project is far beyond what we expected when we f irst talked about it in October, 2005.” — Kent Young, Reed family friend, at the Doel Reed Center for the Arts on Aug. 23, 2013.

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ON THE AIR IN OKC

KOSU expands into Oklahoma City’s historic Film Row. S TO R Y BY M I C H A E L BA K E R P H OTO G R A P H Y BY PH I L S H O C K LE Y

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The oversized switch was flipped. A microsecond later, the “ON-AIR” light glowed strong and bright as KOSU radio went live from its new studios in downtown Oklahoma City. “It’s just another jewel in the crown of Oklahoma State University,” OSU President Burns Hargis told about 200 people gathered Sept. 20 at the Hart Building in Oklahoma City’s Film Row. “Hearing KOSU live from historic Film Row is the culmination of more than two years of planning, construction and audio engineering,” Hargis said. “The expansion of KOSU into downtown Oklahoma City serves a dual role as an academic extension of the broadcast programs on the OSU campus and as a public service outreach for the university and the arts community in Oklahoma.” continues

Applauding shortly after an announcement to a radio audience that KOSU’s Film Row studios are broadcasting live from downtown Oklahoma City are, from left, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, OSU President Burns Hargis, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and television host Jenifer Reynolds.

The new KOSU Film Row studios feature state-of-the-art production technology that will provide clearer and quicker news and interviews.

DOUBLING THE LOCAL The $400,000, 4,000-square-foot studio space will join the KOSU studios in Stillwater and double the National Public Radio station’s capacity to produce local news and music. KOSU Film Row will serve as a hub for collaborating with the state’s other public media organizations. The facility features performance and production studios and an expanded and technically enhanced newsroom. New satellite receivers and other technology will allow KOSU to upload and download NPR data and audio interviews faster and with greater clarity. “Our mission has always been to serve as a conduit of fresh ideas and thinking to contemporary audiences, and our new studios are ideally located to further that goal,” KOSU Director Kelly Burley said. The Film Row studios allow KOSU staff to connect with listeners as public donations become more important to maintain its operations, Burley said. A $150,000 donation from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation and $75,000 from the Kirkpatrick Family Foundation helped fund the new station.

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As part of KOSU Film Row’s opening events, the radio station and Individual Artists of Oklahoma sponsored a contest for artists to use old records as a canvas. The entries hung on the walls during the opening of the studios in September.

RENOVATING VINTAGE OSU alumna Jenifer Reynolds, a former television news anchor and KOSU reporter, began the Sept. 20 live broadcast from the Hart Building. “We’re happy to get to share this with you,” she told a radio audience of thousands and the group that had gathered in the atrium of the renovated building at the corner of Sheridan and Shartel avenues. “This will be a unique gathering place for conversation, music and art.” Several dignitaries were on hand to celebrate the studios’ opening, including

OSU alumnus Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb; Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett; Oklahoma City Councilman Ed Shadid, who is running for mayor; OSU alumnus Chip Fudge, the developer responsible for renovating the Hart Building and several other properties in the area; and President Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis. “As an OSU grad, I’m thrilled we are here on Film Row,” Lamb said. “OSU makes a difference not just here, but in the nation and the world. Thank you for the difference you make in this state.”

before being shown to the public. The area was largely abandoned from the 1960s through the 1980s. In recent years, Fudge has bought several of the art-deco buildings and begun renovations like that of the Hart Building. Film Row is now home to an art gallery, screening room, shops and other offices. According to a recent article in The Oklahoman, about 500 people work along the two-block stretch of Sheridan.

RADIO STAR NOT DEAD

ANCHORING FILM ROW

Listen to “Uniquely Oklahoma” content on KOSU anytime, anywhere, through the live audio streams at www.kosu.org. Tune your radio to 91.7 FM in central Oklahoma, 107.5 FM in northeastern Oklahoma, 107.3 in south Tulsa and 101.9 in Okmulgee.

The renovated Hart Building is an ideal place for KOSU’s venture. The building also houses a half-dozen other businesses including resource and oil companies, fi nancial institutions, the deadCenter Film Festival and Chopt coffee and sandwich shop. “KOSU is now positioned as an anchor institution for Film Row,” Burley said. The Film Row district dates back to 1907, when entrepreneurs sold equipment and supplies to theater owners and offered spaces where fi lms were screened

KOSU’s expansion into the thriving downtown Oklahoma City area attests to the quality and longevity of the station, Burley said. “Whoever said that radio was a dying medium certainly has not heard the KOSU story,” he said. The station began broadcasting on Dec. 29, 1955, with its fi rst antenna located on a light pole in a parking lot at 6th Avenue and Walnut Street in Stillwater. Today, KOSU has antennas sitting atop two 1,000-foot towers near Oklahoma City and Tulsa. KOSU broadcasts cover 54,000 square miles in parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. It’s the largest broadcast coverage area of any public radio station in the state. In addition to about 83,000 on-air listeners every week, KOSU also has a bustling website with nearly 20,000 unique online visitors per month. “KOSU is a radio station on the rise with significant growth in listeners, as well as community and business supporters,” Burley said. “The OKC studios complete our triangle of influence connecting our base studios in Stillwater and our satellite studio at OETA’s OSU-Tulsa campus location.”

Visit statemagazine.okstate.edu to watch an OStateTV video of the opening of KOSU Film Row.

When it comes to Homecoming, one thing is clear: Neither rain nor cold can stop the OSU family from coming together for

“America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration!” Homecoming 2013 was no exception as tens of thousands of Cowboys celebrated ‘Branding a Brighter Orange’ at a week’s worth of spirited events.

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Some of our favorite moments from Homecoming 2013 are captured in the images on the following pages. Visit orangeconnection.org/homecoming to see many more online including highlight videos from each event.

PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

Kappa Delta/Phi Gamma Delta won the Alumni Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup for the top house decoration.

PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Members of the Class of 1963 celebrate their 50-year reunion at Homecoming 2013.

Homecoming Grand Marshal L.C. Gordon and his wife, Henrilynn

The Homecoming 2013 theme was pomped into the Chi Omega/Sigma Alpha Epsilon house decoration.

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PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Omega Phi Alpha/Theta Chi received the Grand Marshalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup in the Sea of Orange Parade.

PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

A member of FarmHouse dressed as a fireman’s best friend at the Kappa Kappa Gamma/FarmHouse Harvest Carnival entry.

Umbrellas glow America’s Brightest Orange at the winning Kamm/Peterson/Friend entry for Orange Reflection.

PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Members of Alpha Omicron Pi/Sigma Chi celebrate their Football Frenzy Greek bracket championship.

Cowboy Marching Band in the Sea of Orange Parade

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PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Josh Ste wart had 10 catches for 141 yards and a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown during the Homecoming game against TCU.

PHOTO / BRUCE WATERFIELD

The Cowgirl basketball team rallies at midcourt during Homecoming and Hoops. PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

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PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

Zeta Tau Alpha/Alpha Gamma Rho finished second in the house decoration contest.

PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

Harvest Carnival

Miss Hispanic Latina OSU Paulina Panduro and Miss Black OSU Chauntel Brown

PHOTO / GARY LAWSON PHOTO / GENESEE PHOTO

Sea of Orange Parade

Homecoming 2013 King Marty Jones and Queen Lucy Bates, center, flanked by the 2012 King Riley Pagett and Queen Kiley Roper. 67

PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Iba Hall residents at the Res-Life Bash

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PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Kappa Alpha Theta/Phi Delta Theta placed first among Greek pairs in the Sign Competition.

PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

2013 HOMECOMING AWARDS Legacy Coloring Contest Ages 3-5: Harley Dean Barnes, Oberlin, Kan. Ages 6-8: Becca Johnson, Edmond, Okla. Ages 9-11: Jillian Eidsness, Parkville, Mo.

Orange Reflection 1st: Kamm/Peterson/Friend 2nd: Stout Hall 3rd: Iba Hall

Football Frenzy GREEK LIFE: 1st: Alpha Omicron Pi/Sigma Chi 2nd: Pi Beta Phi/Sigma Phi Epsilon Female MVP: Rachel Urban Male MVP: Blake Umberham

Most Spirited College College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

OPEN BRACKET: 1st: The Independents 2nd: Bennett Hall Female MVP: Bri Calip Male MVP: Eric Wickliffe Sign Competition STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: 1st: Human Sciences Ambassadors 2nd: Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and Cattlemen 3rd: RHA

COMMUNITY PARADE ENTRY: 1st: Payne County Youth Services 2nd: Canyon’s Malamute Puppies 3rd: Stillwater’s Three Amigos STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: 1st: Omega Phi Alpha/Theta Chi 2nd: Dairy Science Club 3rd: Collegiate FFA

RESIDENTIAL LIFE: 1st: Stout Hall 2nd: Kamm/Peterson/Friend 3rd: Parker/Wentz

RESIDENTIAL LIFE: 1st: Bennett Hall 2nd: Kerr-Drummond 3rd: Iba Hall

GREEK LIFE: 1st: Kappa Alpha Theta/Phi Delta Theta 2nd: Kappa Kappa Gamma/FarmHouse 3rd: Chi Omega/Sigma Alpha Epsilon

GRAND MARSHAL’S CUP: Omega Phi Alpha/Theta Chi

Harvest Carnival STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: 1st: Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and Cattlemen 2nd: Pre-Vet 3rd: CASNR Student Success Leaders People’s Choice: Omega Phi Alpha/ Theta Chi Harvest II Philanthropy Award: Mortar Board

PHOTO / ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Hester Street Painting

Sea of Orange Parade BAND COMPETITION: 1st: Henryetta High School 2nd: Chelsea High School 3rd (Tie): Garber High School and Weleetka High School

House Decorations ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN’S CUP: Kappa Delta/Phi Gamma Delta 2nd: Zeta Tau Alpha/Alpha Gamma Rho 3rd: Gamma Phi Beta/Sigma Nu 4th: Alpha Chi Omega/Kappa Sigma 5th: Kappa Alpha Theta/Phi Delta Theta ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AWARD: Zeta Tau Alpha/Alpha Gamma Rho SAFETY AWARD: Kappa Alpha Theta/Phi Delta Theta

RESIDENTIAL LIFE: 1st: Kerr-Drummond 2nd: Bennett Hall 3rd: The Villages People’s Choice: Kerr-Drummond Harvest II Philanthropy Award: Kerr-Drummond

Jerry Gill Spirit Awards Residential Life: Bennett Hall Greek Life: Kappa Delta/ Phi Gamma Delta

GREEK LIFE: 1st: Kappa Kappa Gamma/FarmHouse 2nd: Kappa Alpha Theta/Phi Delta Theta 3rd: Kappa Delta/Phi Gamma Delta People’s Choice: Phi Mu/ Kappa Alpha Order Harvest II Philanthropy Award: Alpha Omicron Pi/Sigma Chi

Sweepstakes STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: 1st: Dairy Science Club 2nd: Omega Phi Alpha/Theta Chi 3rd: Oklahoma Collegiate Cattlewomen and Cattlemen

Chili Cook-Off STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS: 1st: Human Sciences Student Council 2nd: Sigma Tau Gamma 3rd: Collegiate 4-H People’s Choice: Sigma Tau Gamma RESIDENTIAL LIFE: 1st: Kerr-Drummond 2nd: Patchin/Jones 3rd (Tie): Bennett Hall and Parker/Wentz People’s Choice: Kerr-Drummond

Homecoming King and Queen Marty Jones and Lucy Bates

RESIDENTIAL LIFE: 1st: Bennett Hall 2nd: Kerr-Drummond 3rd: Iba Hall GREEK LIFE: 1st: Kappa Delta/Phi Gamma Delta 2nd: Zeta Tau Alpha/Alpha Gamma Rho 3rd: Kappa Kappa Gamma/FarmHouse

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MORE THAN A HALF-CENTURY after becoming the school’s first black basketball player, L.C. Gordon returned to campus as grand marshal for OSU’s Homecoming. He was also honored with the OSU Black Alumni Society’s Trailblazer Award. “I couldn’t believe it,” Gordon says. “I’m just so excited to be honored by a school that has already given PHOTO PROVIDED BY OSU ATHLETICS

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so much to me.”

continues

Gordon played a historic role as Oklahoma A&M began to embrace diversity in the late 1950s. He enrolled at Oklahoma A&M in 1957, at a time the college was beginning to embrace diversity, to play basketball for coach Henry Iba. “L.C. Gordon is a great example of the strength our students and alumni possess to overcome great odds,” says OSU Alumni Association President Chris Batchelder. “As the fi rst AfricanAmerican basketball player at OSU, he paved the way for many talented young men to demonstrate their talent on the historic court inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.” While looking at various universities to play basketball and pursue his education, Gordon heard from University

ABOVE: L.C. Gordon was featured in a 1961 Daily O’Collegian article on senior players. LEFT: Gordon with family after receiving the OSU Black Alumni Society’s Trailblazer Award. From left are Harry Coleman, Patricia Coleman, Nicole Gordon, Alexa Gordon, Henrilynn Gordon, L.C. Gordon, Bria Gordon, Trent Gordon, Lavalius Gordon Jr., Grant Gordon, Lawrence Harrell, Tanya Gordon and Brandy Harrell. OPPOSITE PAGE: Gordon with the current Cowboy basketball team during Homecoming and Hoops in 2013.

PHOTO PROVIDED

of Memphis coach Bob Vanitta that Iba was looking to integrate the Oklahoma A&M basketball program. Iba’s idea appealed to Gordon. Gordon says Iba was one of the greatest basketball coaches in the world and was looking for two things: a good person and a good defensive player. “Both of those were me, and I jumped at the opportunity to play at OSU,”

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Gordon says. “I have never regretted it.” Gordon was not sure what to expect in Stillwater. Growing up in Memphis, Tenn., he knew moving to small-town Oklahoma would be a significant change. He took a big chance, but he was excited to attend Oklahoma A&M and play for Iba. “I was so pleased to see how friendly the people in Stillwater were,” Gordon says. “It was shocking, actually.”

While OSU and the Stillwater community made Gordon feel welcome, the same could not be said outside of Orange Country. “One thing I remember most about playing basketball at OSU is a trip that took us through Huntsville, Ala.,” Gordon says. “The hotel had a blacks-only water fountain on one side and a whitesonly on the other. I didn’t pay any attention to it. “The next morning, I got a knock on my door, and they gave me a menu to eat breakfast. I was excited because I thought

PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

everyone was getting room service. After breakfast, one of the other players asked me why I was not at breakfast with the rest of the team. It turned out I was not allowed to eat at the restaurant in the hotel. When the coaches found out what happened, they were so apologetic and told me that it had nothing to do with OSU. It was just the hotel. The coaches were so nice. “It didn’t bother me, though. I had my mind on one thing and my eyes on the prize. My prize was to get an education at Oklahoma State. I remember that to this day. I was proud to be a player, no matter the color of my skin.” Gordon describes Iba as hard but fair, the kind of coach who believed in all of his players and wanted them to be the best they could be. Iba especially encouraged his athletes to succeed in school, Gordon says. “It was his life.” Gordon graduated from OSU in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. He went on to earn a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in physical education from Texas Southern University.

Gordon had a career coaching at the high school and collegiate levels. He led many teams to championships and was named coach of the year several times. He was a guide and a mentor to many of the young men he coached, helping them to become productive citizens. Gordon resides in Memphis, where he was responsible for starting the fi rst athletic program at his church. He also assisted in organizing the Memphis OSU Alumni Chapter. He continues to stay connected to OSU as a life member of the OSU Alumni Association. Last year, Gordon spoke to the OSU men’s basketball team. His message was similar to what he remembers Iba once telling his team: Spend more time studying at the library than dancing at the Student Union. The 2013 OSU Homecoming grand marshal did not participate in many Homecoming activities while at OSU because of his rigorous schedule. He says he was ecstatic to come back and do so. Gordon also received this year’s OSU Black Alumni Society’s Trailblazer Award, an award bestowed upon a black alumnus who embodies the OSU spirit.

ud o r p , s a r e w y I “ la p a to be ter the " t . a n i m k no ys m F o r o on l co o rd G .C. L —

“Gordon’s work as a coach both on and off the court has made a tremendous impact on the students he’s worked with, and we are proud to have him represent our alma mater as grand marshal of OSU Homecoming 2013 and as the Trailblazer Award recipient,” Batchelder says. The Black Alumni Society honored Gordon with the award at a public reception on Oct. 18 before Walkaround. More than 50 people attended the event, including 12 members of Gordon’s family. The reception included remarks from Cowboy basketball assistant coach Chris Ferguson who thanked Gordon for his courage and dedication to OSU. Gordon says he is thankful for his experience at OSU and is honored to receive the award and serve as grand marshal in the same year. “I am proud of my university, and I am connected to Oklahoma State for life,” he says. “I am so proud to be a Cowboy.”

Chris Batchelder will mix humor and business acumen while running the Alumni Association. When you see Chris Batchelder at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, he will most likely be wearing a big smile. “Humor and excitement are two things that are incredibly contagious,” Batchelder says. “If we can get a room full of alumni excited about the great things happening at OSU, we’re doing our jobs.” Batchelder was appointed president of the Alumni Association on Nov. 1 following the retirement of Larry Shell. It’s an honor and a privilege to lead the graduates of your alma mater, and it isn’t one Batchelder takes lightly. But it is one the 40-year-old has been preparing for his whole life.

Story by Chase Carter Portraits by Phil Shockley

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Orange Roots

He was also involved in the President’s Leadership Council and helped start an after-school reading program at Westwood Elementary.

artlesville, Okla., is a Bedlamheavy town, Batchelder says of his hometown. His father, Gene, a longtime leader with Phillips Petroleum, More Than an Education drove a GMC conversion van with a Batchelder also found time to embrace big Pistol Pete spare tire cover around the college social scene in Stillwater. Like the northeastern Oklahoma town when many Cowboys at OSU, Batchelder met Batchelder was growing up. his future wife while attending school. “We were in Stillwater it seems like “I talked to Angie several times on the every other weekend,” Batchelder says. phone when I would call other friends at “We came to every single home football the Kappa Delta house,” Batchelder says. game and most of the basketball games. “When I finally met her in person, I immeWe were here all the time from as early as diately knew she was the person I was I can remember.” going to marry.” Before the Internet and cellphones, it The former Angie Briggs is a native of was many children’s dream to hang out Moore, Okla. The daughter of a veterion a college campus. Batchelder and his narian, she had one older brother and friends would set out with $20 and hit the three younger sisters — a family similar in Student Union bowling alley, play arcade number to Batchelder and his two siblings. games or catch a movie at the Cowboy “Angie and I started dating in the Mall theater — all before the football spring of 1993,” Batchelder says. “A year game. later, her dad, Brick, and I started going to “When I went on a campus tour at the Big 8 basketball tournament together, OSU, the tour guide gave the wrong date the library was built, and I corrected him,” and we’ve only missed it twice since then.” Angie and Chris were married Batchelder jokes. “I knew then I was on Dec. 30, 1995, in Moore. Angie destined to go to Oklahoma State.” completed her OSU degree in journalism Batchelder was an involved student and broadcasting in 1996, while Chris from the very start of his college earned his marketing degree in 1995. career in fall 1991. He After graduating, his first job was in the pledged Delta Tau Delta executive training program for Foley’s and served as the Department Stores. fraternity’s philan“At Foley’s, there were 96 buyer jobs,” thropy chair, orgaBatchelder says. “Only six of those were nizing a basketball men’s apparel jobs. tournament “I crossed my fingers, rolled the dice that’s still going and ended up buying for Liz Claiborne strong today. women’s golf.” It was an ironic and humorous twist of fate for those who know Batchelder’s personality and stature. But he says he learned a lot in the position and gained a greater understanding about what he wanted out of his professional career. Angie Batchelder also worked for Foley’s as a copy editor, and in October 1997 the couple learned they were expecting twin girls. “I’ll never forget coming home that day and getting the news from Angie,” Batchelder says. “We just found out we were having twins, living in the big city of Houston. It had been an extremely hot

year. So, we took a long, hard look at our situation and decided it was time to make a change.” Orange Country Calls

As luck would have it, Batchelder found himself playing in the Houston OSU Alumni Chapter golf tournament shortly after finding out about his wife’s pregnancy. He struck up a conversation with the Alumni Association’s chapters director. “I was telling him about everything going on, and he said there was an opening at the Alumni Association I should put my name in for,” Batchelder says. The position was for the director of student programs, and Batchelder was called in to interview with the Alumni Association’s vice president, Larry Shell. “I went through two sets of interviews,” Batchelder says. “By the end of the second interview, Larry said he saw a different path for me at OSU and wanted me to interview for a position with the OSU Foundation. That was on a Friday, and on the next Monday, I was interviewing at the foundation.” As it turned out, the position with the foundation was actually to serve as the development director for the Alumni Association. “They called to offer me the job on Tuesday,” Batchelder says. “I told Foley’s on Thursday, we packed a U-Haul on Saturday and I started at OSU on Monday. I don’t think without Larry Shell, I would have ever found my way back here.” In the span of 10 days, the Batchelders had returned to their college town where Angie’s father rented a 700-square-foot duplex for the couple and their new babies. “And a puppy,” Chris Batchelder adds, laughing. “Angie drove the babies in our car, and I drove with the puppy in the U-Haul. We were so happy to be back.” A Dream Comes to Life

Batchelder’s first assignment at the Alumni Association was to plan regional events for chapters to host OSU President Jim Halligan and his wife, Ann, as the university wrapped up the Bringing Dreams to Life campaign. continues

Strategic Plan Initiatives During his first year back, Chris Batchelder, the Alumni Association staff and its board of directors developed a three-year strategic plan with five objectives. Engagement: Increase engagement to provide opportunities for in-person orange connections to at least 80 percent of all OSU alumni and friends in the U.S. Program Enhancement: Create and enhance activities to meet the needs of OSU Alumni Association members, OSU alumni and friends. Communications and Marketing: Become the primary source of communication for OSU alumni and friends on behalf of Oklahoma State University and serve as the voice of OSU alumni and friends. Brand the OSU Alumni Association as the identifiable connection to Oklahoma State University. Financial Stability: Take steps to ensure the continued financial solvency of the OSU Alumni Association. Relationship Management: Continue to develop internal and external relationships with stakeholders to ensure viability and indispensability of the OSU Alumni Association.

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“It was an incredible experience,” Batchelder says. “We made at least 18 stops, and the campaign was wildly successful.” Batchelder’s next project was one many graduates are familiar with – the campaign to build OSU’s fi rst permanent home for its Alumni Association. “I was there from the very beginning,” Batchelder says. “Feasibility studies, campaign committee, looking at other facilities, working with architecture students. “This building was one of the proposals from OSU’s fi fth-year architecture class. Our architect used the students’ design for this building, which is a great testament to the student talent and professors here.” The idea of a home for alumni on campus was very effective, Batchelder says. During the campaign, both Conoco and Phillips had been approached to name Traditions Hall in the new OSU Alumni Center. Until that point, the big dreams outpaced the fi nancial donations to make it happen. “It seems like my whole life has been about being in the right place at the right time, and that was a shining example,” Batchelder says. With Batchelder’s help, the Alumni Association secured naming rights for the entire building with ConocoPhillips. “Projects of this magnitude often hinge on one thing like that breaking our way,” Batchelder says. “A lot of hard work by a lot of people went into securing that gift, but its impact on OSU and our alumni have been immeasurable.” At the time in 2001, the $7 million gift was the largest single corporate gift Oklahoma State University had ever received. It paved the way for the construction of the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center — an award-winning facility that celebrated the 10th anniversary of its groundbreaking in October 2013. Who Says You Can’t Go Home?

Batchelder netted his next opportunity at a Cowboy basketball game when he ran into a family friend, who was opening a bank from the ground up in his hometown of Bartlesville and wanted the Batchelders’ help.

a leader and relationship builder to the point where he is equipped to assume the responsibilities of the Alumni Association president. “Chris is truly excited about the opportunity to lead the Alumni Association to even greater heights,” Shell says. “He has developed his knowledge and understanding of alumni programs that will prove beneficial to further develop our programs to serve alumni.” Batchelder knows he has some big shoes to fill as the leader of the OSU Alumni Association. Former President Jerry Gill guided the organization through three decades with Shell at his side for a majority of that time. Batchelder says the men had a tremendous effect on his career and his work ethic. “Both men were great leaders and mentors,” Batchelder says. “Jerry helped mold me into the leader and employee

attributed to the dedicated graduates who serve on its board and leadership council. “Those two groups are an incredible pipeline for outstanding leaders in our organization,” Batchelder says. “Along with our talented staff, they have positioned us for unprecedented success and service to our alumni and OSU.” One of his first initiatives as executive vice presidents was to collaborate with the board and staff to create a strategic plan for the Alumni Association — one he will work to carry out as president. Batchelder believes fulfillment of the Alumni Association’s mission is based on three things: first connecting with alumni, then engaging them and finally advancing them to become members, donors, season ticket holders or leaders among the many PHOTO PROVIDED

“We thought we would take a chance as hard as it was for me to leave,” Chris Batchelder says. From February 2004 to 2006, the small-town bank grew into a sizable, multimillion-dollar operation. It was eventually purchased by BancFirst. Batchelder left to take a job with Arvest Bank. Changes also took place within the Batchelder family after the move back to Bartlesville. Their third child, Brady, joined his sisters, Abbey and Emily, in 2005. That same year, Arvest announced plans to move into a new market, and it wasn’t long before Batchelder accepted a position to help open two new branches for the bank in Stillwater. “We were very excited to move back although I never really stopped serving the Alumni Association,” Batchelder says. “I was elected to the Leadership Council as the Washington County representative

“If we can get a room full of alumni excited about the great things happening at OSU, we’re doing our jobs.” — Chris Batchelder after we moved to Bartlesville, and then I was the Payne County representative when we returned.” Changing of the Guard

In 2012, Shell told the board of directors he planned to retire in 2013. Shell was only the organization’s 12th president in 116 years. After an extensive search, the 13th president ended up residing in OSU’s backyard. “When the board asked me to join the staff again in June last year, I jumped at it,” Batchelder says. As executive vice president and chief programs officer, Batchelder spent his first year back with the Alumni Association learning the ins and outs of the programs and developing a strategic plan for the organization. In August, the board gave its approval for Batchelder to succeed Shell upon his retirement in October. Shell says it’s been a great experience to see the man he first hired in 1998 develop his skills as

I am today because he took a direct, concentrated interest in my development. “Larry was an exceptional leader even when he was second in command. He acted as our advocate and father figure. He taught us the value of loyalty and how to keep a level head and lead with integrity.” The Alumni Association has experienced a rapid growth in many of its programs during recent years. Alumni Association Board Chair Jennifer Grigsby says she knows Batchelder will be able to continue and build upon the tremendous momentum set in motion by Shell and others. “Chris’ passion and enthusiasm for connecting and engaging our alumni is contagious,” Grigsby says. “The board of directors is so pleased he has agreed to lead the Alumni Association as its next president following Larry Shell’s retirement.” Batchelder says much of the Alumni Association’s recent successes can be

From left are Angie, Emily, Brady, Abbey and Chris Batchelder. alumni constituent groups within each OSU college and across the country in OSU alumni chapters. “Every day, we all work to try to spread the news about the great things happening at this university in order to engage our alumni and encourage them to get involved,” Batchelder says. “The only way we can do that is if they feel a sense of ownership in the process — ownership in their OSU experience. “The pride being created around the world for the OSU brand is one I haven’t seen equaled in all my years of being involved with the university. To have the opportunity to work on this beautiful campus and serve the alumni of the greatest university in the world is an incredible opportunity and one I’ll be forever grateful for.”

A strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity and diverse cultures have been the foundation of success for the Allen family. David, Judith and Wayne Allen 78

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ayne and Judith Allen along with their son, David, feel that exposure to life in a variety of locations including London and Aberdeen, Scotland, in the United Kingdom; Paris; the Ivory Coast in West Africa; and Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East, has been beneficial to them. Add to this list the many countries around the world they have visited for work or pleasure, and it is evident their experiences have been broad. It is the combination of their personal characteristics and unique experiences that has led to success and provided them resources to give generously to a number of charitable causes. At OSU the primary beneficiary of the Allens’ gifts has been the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. “The Allen family has created an extraordinary gift with their W.W. Allen Scholars Programs,” says Paul Tikalsky, dean of the college. “Every student who has been part of their programs has been given a chance of a lifetime, and they have seized it.” The Allen family established the W.W. Allen Scholars Program and the W.W. Allen Boys and Girls Club Scholarship Program 10 years ago. Considered premier student opportunities, hallmarks of these programs are leadership development, cultural awareness, career planning, communication skills development and networking with professionals. The Allen Scholars Program selects two incoming freshmen each year. In addition to a substantial scholarship package at OSU, these students are given the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. The Allens respect and value study-abroad experience, so they incorporated this aspect into the program. The Boys and Girls Club Program selects one incoming OSU freshman annually and provides a major scholarship similar to the Allen Scholars Program. “We are looking for people we think can run companies or perhaps come back and be professors at Oklahoma State,” Wayne Allen says. “A truly

above: Wayne Allen, seated, established the W.W. Allen Scholars program with a generous gift in 2007. Next to him is Marlene Strathe, former OSU provost and interim president. Behind them are Kirk Jewell, OSU Foundation president, and Karl Reid, former dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. below: Previous Allen Scholars include, from left, Chad O’Connor, Eric Gilbert, Mark Nelson and Eric Ruhlmann.

successful person is someone who has found something more important than themselves, and that’s what my hope is for each student.” Wayne Allen is the former chairman and CEO of Phillips Petroleum Co. As a highly skilled professional, he began planning and preparing his dream of becoming an engineer while in high school in Stillwater. He received a bachelor’s degree

in mechanical engineering in 1959 and his master’s degree in industrial engineering and management in 1969, both from OSU. After two years serving in the Army artillery at Fort Dix, N.J., he accepted an engineering position with Phillips in 1961. He worked in Oklahoma and Texas before promotions and a personal focus on international business took him abroad. continues

During his career, he served as director of drilling and production for the EuropeAfrica division, operations manager of the Ivory Coast region, regional manager for the United Kingdom, general manager of the Western division, vice president of international exploration and production, and executive vice president of worldwide exploration and production. Wayne was elected to the Phillips board of directors in 1989 and named president and chief operating officer in 1992. He was promoted to chairman of the board and chief executive officer in 1994. He retired in 1999 after a 38-year career with the company. Throughout his career, he had many notable accomplishments and showed commitments to education, social and humanitarian efforts. According to Wayne, “My major interest when I was working in Oklahoma was to support and improve the state economic development and to provide top educational opportunities at the local and university level.” He served as president of the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Kansas City District Federal Reserve Board, chairman of National Engineering Week, and multiple positions with the Boys and Girls Club for 18 years, including being a member of the national board of governors. He has been recognized for his efforts by induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame; the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology Hall of Fame; and the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame. He also received the Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award from OSU and the Medal of Honor by the Ivory Coast for his help in that country. His partner of 55 years in this adventure has been his wife, Judith (Hillier), also of Stillwater. Judith is the daughter of the late OSU professor J. C. Hillier, who was head of the animal science department for many years. She graduated from Stillwater High School as a valedictorian in 1955 and

went on to engage in many activities while a student at OSU, including Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, Mortar Board and Phi Kappa Phi, ultimately earning a humanities degree in 1958. In August of that year she married her high school sweetheart, Wayne, and they began what became a pattern of travel and moving around the world. Their move to Houston following Wayne’s retirement was the 20th of their marriage. “My first time to live outside Oklahoma was when we moved to New Jersey during Wayne’s time in the Army,” Judith says. “I found the experience very interesting and enjoyed the couple of years we lived there. In fact, I’d have to say I’ve found something to enjoy about all the

However, this exposure is just one piece of the puzzle. Wayne and Judith were both raised with high personal standards and a strong work ethic. That attitude is evident in Wayne’s philosophy, “Be prepared technically and professionally; be highly focused on the job at hand; don’t worry about who gets credit; stay optimistic and when you detect a problem, seek a solution.” “If what you’ve seen is people who have always worked and always produced that is what you think the norm is,” Judith says. “This has not always been a walk in the park. We have all worked hard. It has taken mental discipline, physical stamina and lots of persistence. We’ve been aided by the fact that the four of us were always very close and quick to help each other.” When asked about their many accomplishments, Wayne and Judith immediately point out that what they are most proud of is the two fine sons they raised. After being an outstanding student at College High School in Bartlesville, Okla., where he was named a National Merit Scholar, David Allen followed in his father’s footsteps in studying engineering at OSU. However, he chose to focus on chemical engineering “because I liked chemistry.” One week after graduating from OSU in 1983, he was in Scotland working in the North Sea for Southeast Drilling Co. From there, he worked for Schlumberger in Paris, then returned to Aberdeen to work for Phillips Petroleum and to marry Andrea Reid, a lawyer. After a number of years in Scotland, he joined Occidental Petroleum and moved to Doha, Qatar, followed by his present assignment in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He is now vice president of drilling and production operations for the Middle East and North Africa. “It has been 30 years I’ve lived outside the U.S.,” David says. “It just seems normal now.”

A truly successful person

is someone who has found

something more important than themselves, and that ’s what my hope is for each student.”

— WA Y N E A L L E N —

WINTER 20 13

places we have lived and would have been happy to have stayed longer in most of them. I like to meet new people, and I’ve discovered that people worldwide share common desires and aspirations.” Judith spent these years making a home for Wayne and their two sons, David and Robert, while at times teaching English and history. “We often had guests in our home who were from different countries,” Judith says. “We were interested in where Wayne was and what he was experiencing. He helped us keep track of what was going on in the world. I think this gave our sons an outlook that is useful in today’s global environment.”

left: The Allen family’s generosity provides many opportunities for students to enhance their educational and life experiences. For example, Renee Hale earned a master’s degree at England’s University of Cambridge. right: Judith and Wayne Allen, center, visited OSU President Burns Hargis, left, in his office last fall. Hargis and Paul Tikalsky, dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, thanked the Allens for their support.

According to David, most of his co-workers are not Americans, and he sees representing his native country as an important honor. “Diversity is really important,” David says. “You get different skills from different places.” Judith notes that it is easier for people to travel and live abroad now than it was when she was a young wife who had very limited ways of reaching her husband overseas. “In the days before easy communication, when Wayne was gone, you were on your own,” Judith remembers. “So you had to be fairly independent to enjoy that kind of life and be comfortable with it.” Clearly David is comfortable with that lifestyle, too. “I can’t think of any place I’ve ever been that was just like I envisioned it,” David says. “To really understand a place, you need the evidence of your senses.” He sums up his experiences by saying, “There is a whole world out there. Life is pretty short, and you might as well be open to its many opportunities.” The Allens’ younger son, Robert, was 45 when he died in 2008. He had attended OSU, graduating with a biochemistry and pre-medical degree in 1985. He then earned a medical degree in 1989 from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed a radiology

residency at the University of Missouri and a post-graduate fellowship in neuroradiology at the University of Utah. “Robert, just like his brother, David, was a very good student,” Judith says. “He spent more hours in academia and college than any of us.” While in residency, he met and married another physician, Charlisa Faulkner. They settled in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley, where Robert practiced neuroradiology and established radiology companies in Scottsdale and Tucson while Charlisa practiced psychiatry. Even when their busy schedule included raising two children, Joshua and Jennifer, they always made time for travel. “Robert lived with us in London for a while. He loved to travel so much that my grandchildren have been places I haven’t even visited,” Judith says with a laugh. Her tone turns more serious when she speaks about her son, whom she remembers as a “wonderful, talented individual.” “He was a real people person,” Judith says. “He always had a lot of friends.” While at OSU, he was president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity to which both his father and brother had belonged. A fraternity scholarship has been established in his name to help other promising students. “After his death, many people told us of his kindness and special favors he had

done to help with them with their health concerns,” Judith says. “His death was a real tragedy for the family, and there is not a day that goes by that we do not miss him terribly.” The Allen family is committed to education and cultural experiences as a path to a better quality of life. “You get to a point where you realize you have been very blessed and want to share your blessings with others,” Wayne says. “In our family, we each feel we have benefited from our association with OSU and wish to encourage others do the same.” OSU President Burns Hargis calls the Allens one of his favorite OSU families. “The Allens have made significant contributions to Oklahoma State and touched many students through their successful careers and generosity,” Hargis says. “They each serve as an inspiration and demonstrate the power and value of an OSU education. Wayne was chairman of our fi rst comprehensive fundraising campaign, Bringing Dreams to Life. Without that campaign, and people like the Allens, OSU wouldn’t be the institution it is today.” Go to wwallen.okstate.edu for more information on the W.W. Allen Scholars Program.

Alumni Give ‘Exceptional Service in the National Interest’

OSU grads help Sandia National Laboratories keep us safe.

he importance of Sandia National Laboratories is evident in its mission of “ensuring the U.S. nuclear arsenal is safe, secure, reliable and can fully support our nation’s deterrence policy.” More than 130 OSU alumni work for this U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration laboratory that also supports federal, state and local government agencies, companies and organizations. Among them is 1976 electrical engineering graduate Bruce Walker, the vice president of weapons engineering and product realization. “We have a very significant responsibility for the nuclear-weapons program, being responsible for all of the non-nuclear components as well as the overall system integration and the engineering that goes into a weapon system,” Walker says. “One

of our requirements is that the weapon never works when it’s not supposed to. That would be catastrophic. So we put a lot of effort into the safety, security and control of the systems. At the same time, to have an adequate deterrence, you have to have confidence that it will work if it does need to work.” Walker is the third OSU graduate out of the last six people in this crucial position at Sandia’s headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M. Heinz Schmitt, holder of a 1966 OSU mechanical engineering doctorate, filled the role from 1995 until retiring in 1998. The following year, the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology awarded him the prestigious Melvin R. Lohmann Medal, which lauds “contributions to the profession or education of engineers, architects or technologists that merit the highest recognition.”

In 2009, Carolyne Hart, who earned a 1976 master’s and 1978 doctorate in electrical engineering from OSU, was promoted to Schmitt’s former position at Sandia. Walker took over when she retired in 2011. “That vice presidency is responsible for the Sandia portion of the entire stockpile, and that’s a very large responsibility,” Schmitt says. “And in fact, that person is the chief engineer for Sandia’s nuclear weapons business, so it’s tough. To have three people from one university selected for that position says a lot about OSU.” Walker adds, “It is certainly special. There is a significant amount of pride that it carries. It shows the degree of success that people at Oklahoma State have had at the laboratory.” Walker, Hart and Schmitt each surpassed 33 years with the Lockheed Martin Corp. subsidiary that has more

This aerial view shows part of Sandia National Laboratories’ main campus on Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M.

PHOTO COURTESY SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES

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JAMES “RED” JONES

MELISSA GARNER AND GARY L AUGHLIN

HEINZ SCHMIT T

Gary Laughlin, an OSU alumnus than 9,600 regular employees. Long and with a 1984 bachelor’s and 1986 master’s successful careers at all levels have become in mechanical engineering, is deputy a trend among OSU alumni at Sandia. of the systems assessment and research Many people have worked to strengthen center and head of the OSU recruiting the ongoing relationship between the two team. Over his 27 years at Sandia, he institutions, resulting in stronger recruiting has noticed many similarities between and research partnerships. the two organizations, beginning with James “Red” Jones, who has a 1984 their missions. In 1890, Oklahoma A&M bachelor’s and 1987 master’s in mechaniCollege was established to fulfill the cal engineering from OSU, is a distinland-grant mission of providing a pracguished member of the technical staff with tical education to benefit the public. In almost 27 years at Sandia. He is on the organization’s OSU recruiting team, which 1949, President Harry Truman challenged Sandia to “render an exceptional service gives him insight into why Cowboys and in the national interest.” Cowgirls make such good hires. “Both institutions are founded in “One of the things that I see at service to the community and to the Oklahoma State that is not always typical nation,” Laughlin says. “There is also at universities is an emphasis, even at the a strong loyalty and patriotic spirit in undergraduate level, on student collaboration,” Jones says. “Big engineering and big people from both institutions, so culturally I think the two align very well.” science are about working well with other Bruce Nguyen, a 2006 business and people. At OSU, you help each other out international business and 2009 MBA OSU even though you’re competing for a grade. alumnus, agrees, adding that there is a On the job, you’re competing for raises special bond among Sandia’s OSU alumni. or bonuses, but it’s more important to “We are a community within a collaborate and succeed on the project or community ourselves,” says the senior program you’re working on.” strategic contracting representative. OSU President Burns Hargis and “When you get here you kind of learn Paul Tikalsky, dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, a whole new language. You talk about where you work at Sandia by just giving visited Sandia’s headquarters in August. a certain five-digit code. You can under“We want to thank Sandia for all that it stand so much about each other and start does for OSU,” Hargis says. “Our organizahaving a connection.” tions have collaborated on several research Ben Fine, a 2003 mechanical engiprojects, and Sandia actively recruits from neering OSU graduate, points to another three OSU colleges and 11 majors.” reason OSU alumni stay with Sandia: Walker and Schmitt say OSU’s practhe flexibility to change jobs within the tical education prepares graduates for immediate success in the workplace.

BRUCE WALKER

organization. The satellite systems engineer was hired to work on satellite test systems and soon discovered a passion for software engineering. “So I worked on database systems a nd supervisory control software applications,” Fine says. “I loved doing that work, so I adjusted my career trajectory to incorporate more software engineering responsibilities along with my systems engineering responsibilities. I’ve been able to branch out and get my fingers into all kinds of things.” Walker notes that the organization’s broad range of projects includes defense systems and assessments; energy, climate and infrastructure security; and international, homeland and nuclear security. “If you want to do something completely different in an area of nonproliferation, energy research or international programs, you can move within the company,” Walker says. “You don’t have to quit, sell your home, move across the country and go work for another company to do something significantly different.” Sandia employees enjoy that flexibility, but they consistently cite the organization’s mission as the No. 1 reason for their job satisfaction. “We’re helping with national security,” Jones says. “What we’re doing matters to the country.” Walker adds, “In my career, I’ve been able to make contributions to national security that I will remember when I’m 80 or 90 years old. I feel a level of fulfillment that I would not have felt anywhere else.” JAC O B L O N G A N

To watch a video feature about the ties between OSU and Sandia, visit OSUgiving.com/Sandia.

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TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE IN JANUARY FOR WOMEN FOR OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL EVENT THAT INSPIRES PHILANTHROPY AND LEADERSHIP BY HONORING WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

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Thursday, April 10, 2014 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center

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The expected sellout event will include a keynote speech by Jean Chatzky, the financial editor for NBC’s “Today Show,” an award-winning personal finance journalist, AARP’s personal finance ambassador, the host of “Money Matters with Jean Chatzky” on RLTV and a sought-after motivational speaker. The event will also reveal Women for OSU’s Philanthropist of the Year and the Women for OSU Scholarships, which honor students who show leadership through their philanthropic and volunteer activities. For more information about the symposium and how to get involved with Women for OSU, visit OSUgiving.com/women.

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featuring Jean Chatzky

Near Luang Prabang, Laos

Traveling Cowboys

A trek along the base of the Himalayas … a one-day hike up Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia … snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef in Australia …

Dan Meyers and Jocelyn Lockwood did the unthinkable. From the beginning it was a harebrained idea that couldn’t escape their minds until it became a full-blown reality, and one the married couple will never forget. They left behind good jobs and traveled the world for nine months.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

sTory By

continues

Katie Parish 85

“I had a few countries I wanted to go to, but Jocelyn wanted to see the most exotic places in the world.” — D A N M E Y E R S

ocelyn Lockwood was born into a Cowboy family in Boulder, Colo. Her parents attended OSU, wed in Bennett Chapel and filled Jocelyn’s childhood with campus visits and OSU traditions. In fall 2002, she arrived in Stillwater. She immersed herself in student life as a member of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, Freshman Representative Council, Mortar Board and Pi Kappa Phi honor society. Most of her memories come from the Paul Miller Building and the School of Journalism and Broadcasting, from which she earned a degree in 2004. Dan Meyer, a native of Berryhill, Okla., only applied to one school, Oklahoma State. He was president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and a member of Business Student Council, Mortar Board, Golden Key honor society and Interfraternity Council. He graduated with a finance degree in 2004. Jocelyn and Dan’s involvement in student activities led them to each other. At Camp Cowboy in 2002, a friend of Dan paired the two as co-counselors. “I asked my friend who this Jocelyn Lockwood girl was,” Dan says. The friend pointed to a pretty blonde woman and said he did Dan a favor. “I didn’t know then how true that would be,” Dan says. Jocelyn and Dan spent the next year as friends and then started dating their senior year. After graduation they moved to Texas and continued dating, although living in different cities. Jocelyn found success in television news at a station in Denison, north of Dallas. She was even nominated for an Emmy Award. Dan went to work for Accenture in Dallas. In just two years, his hard work made it possible for him to pay off his student and car loans. In 2008, Jocelyn and Dan returned to Camp Redlands for a 10-year Camp Cowboy directors’ reunion. Dan proposed. The couple wed a year later at Chautauqua Park at the base of the Rocky Mountains

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in Boulder, Colo. They moved to New Orleans, where Jocelyn worked in television news and Dan began a job for Hewlett-Packard. Planning the Trip of a Lifetime

In college, Jocelyn and Dan had tossed around the idea of seeing the world. As a newly married couple, the idea had somewhat faded to the background. “We are so conditioned to graduate from college, get a job, start a family and just follow the general progression of life,” Jocelyn says. “It’s scary to deviate from the natural progression.” But the idea of traveling still lingered, and daydreaming turned into planning as they weighed the pros and cons, did hours of research and talked with family and friends. “My mom really pushed us to do it,” Jocelyn says. “We knew we had to do it now before we really settled into our careers and started a family.” “I had a few countries I wanted to go to, but Jocelyn wanted to see the most exotic places in the world,” Dan says. To keep in touch with family and their careers, they would blog about their experiences. Dan’s blog, breakfree.me, used his finance background and focused on costs. Jocelyn’s blog, revealingworld.com, told of their adventures and interaction with different cultures. The Adventure Begins

Dan and Jocelyn set off March 6, 2013. They had each other and two backpacks. Twenty countries stood in front of them. The only definite plans were to make it home for the holidays. First was a short vacation to Belize, where they explored Mayan ruins and went spelunking and snorkeling. The couple then began the main portion of their trip. The idea was to work through the Eastern Hemisphere, ending up in the U.K. shortly before the holidays so they could return to the U.S. They conquered French Polynesia, touring the islands and swimming with

manta rays, eels and exotic fish in Bora Bora. Then came New Zealand, where they rented a camper van and drove about 3,200 miles sightseeing in the beautiful rugged landscape. In Australia, the couple spent four weeks exploring the vast country — snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef and hiking in the Outback. Next were the craft, culture and cuisine of Indonesia, including a visit to the ancient temples in Yogyakarta. A country of just more than 125 square miles and 28 million people, Malaysia was the next stop, and where Dan and Jocelyn made some of their favorite memories. While visiting the capital, Kuala Lumpur, they decided to cross the South China Sea into Malaysian Borneo, which is covered in untouched, dense rainforest. In the midst of exploring, Jocelyn mentioned her desire to climb one of the tallest mountains in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu. Dan quickly shrugged off the idea, but Jocelyn was determined. Two days later, the couple stood at the base of the mountain with their guide. Mount Kinabalu is the 20th tallest mountain in the world and is hiked by hundreds of adventurers every year. It’s 8.7 kilometers (5.4 miles) to the top. It was morning, and a seemingly endless set of stairs stood between the couple and the summit. Beautiful rainforest and exotic wildlife surrounded them but the increasing elevation made it hard to concentrate on anything but the path. After 6 kilometers, they refueled with a meal and water. During the second stage, the steps disappeared, and the couple’s hike became a rock-climbing adventure. Shortly after 1 p.m., Dan and Jocelyn reached the summit. “I gained so much admiration for Jocelyn that day,” Dan says. “It was an incredibly powerful experience, and it’s something we never would have seen if we were living our regular lives back in the States.” continues

Vienna, Austria

Outside Chiang Rai, Thailand

Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia

Varanasi, India

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

New Delhi, India

Inle Lake, Myanmar

Near Pokhara, Nepal

Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand

Xiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an, China

“The reality is you can do what you want to do, but a lot of people let the fear of the unknown hold them back.” — J O C E L Y N L O C K W O O D Dan and Jocelyn spent 16 days in Malaysia before leaving and heading to Thailand, where the threat of a monsoon along the Andaman Sea coast forced them indoors. In Cambodia, police looking to take advantage of foreigners scammed them. Then came Vietnam, where they explored the Cu Chi Tunnels used by the Vietnamese to elude American troops during the Vietnam War. Laos surprised them with a relaxing tube float down the Vang Vieng River, allowing them to take in the beautiful scenery. After a short stop in Myanmar, the couple would see struggle and poverty in India. The slums and burgeoning population were offset by their time spent with Robert Rademeyer, a 2004 OSU graduate who works for the government of India.

“Petty arguments you used to hold onto you let go of,” Jocelyn says. “It’s really brought out our strengths and weaknesses and helped us understand each other and what we want in life.” Next?

Dan and Jocelyn arrived back in the States before the Thanksgiving holiday. Dan had been granted unpaid leave from Hewlett-Packard and returned home to a regular workday. “One of my friends asked me if I was ready to return home to an 8-to-5 job,” Dan says. “And I don’t think we really know yet. I think this trip has opened our eyes to what the other possibilities are.” For Jocelyn, one of the hardest parts of deciding to travel the world was leaving her career behind. She is beginning from

Along the Himalayas

After nearly three months of travel, Dan and Jocelyn arrived in Nepal. They toured stuck-in-time villages located at the base of the Himalayas. For three days and four nights, they stayed in village homes made of mud and brick. The women dried corn for the winter months, and the children bathed in communal water. On the last day of their trek in the villages, the host family forgot to make breakfast for their visitors. The couple’s tour guide made last-minute preparations for them in the next village. A short time later, Dan and Jocelyn stood in front of a 200-year-old mud and stone home. The family had never had visitors but graciously opened their doors to the Americans. For two hours, the wife prepared Gurung bread and curried potatoes over an open fire. She served the meal on their finest copper plates, and the group sat on mud floors to eat and visit. The Nepalese family didn’t speak English, but Dan and Jocelyn found a way to communicate. “It was one of the most rewarding experiences of the trip for me,” Jocelyn says. “To be welcomed into a home and communicate only by hand gestures and smiles. It was something so simple.” Double-Edged Sword

The nine-month journey has been enriching and rewarding, but wasn’t without adversity. “The hardest part for me is letting go of the normalcy of everyday life,” Jocelyn says. “It’s the little things, like we can’t watch OSU football, and it’s killing us.” The memories of OSU football, fireworks on the Fourth of July or the smell of a hamburger have opened their eyes to the luxuries of living in the U.S. “You can sit on your couch and watch what’s happening on television,” Dan says, “but you don’t understand it until you see it with your own eyes.” Parts of the trip were a double-edged sword. Dan and Jocelyn say they had some hardships and a bit of struggle along the way, but they also gained a deeper appreciation for each other.

Bali, Indonesia scratch and will be looking to restart her journalism career using her traveling experiences. “The one thing that pushed me over the edge was the fact I reported each day on things that happen across the world,” Jocelyn says. “Yet, I had no idea what the towns, the people, the culture was actually like. I truly believe journalists need to understand the world that they report on.” Their journey also has shown them the importance of family and friends. Before settling back into their lives, Jocelyn and Dan planned to spend time traveling the U.S. and catching up with their loved ones. Dan and Jocelyn visited 20 countries in nine months. “The reality is you can do what you want to do, but a lot of people let the fear of the unknown hold them back,” Jocelyn says. “And we almost did,” Dan replies. Jocelyn adds, “We almost didn’t do this, and I’m so glad we did.”

OSU veep

Train, Set World Record, Repeat keeps set ting

endurance

world records.

S TO R Y BY BE V E R LY BRYA N T P H OTO G R A P H Y BY PH I L S H O C K LE Y

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STEVE PRICE is a driven man. The world record is held by Jan Kares of the Czech Republic, who did 4,620 pull-ups in 24 hours from Oct. 7-8, 2011.

In addition to serving as OSU’s associate vice president for technology development, he believes in exercising for good health but admits he needs a challenge. His best motivation seems to be

SETTING WORLD RECORDS. Pulling Up Price, 62, and his wife, Ann Roberson, have six sons; one is a Marine. “I asked him what he did for his physical training, and pull-ups were on the list,” Price says. “I started checking The Book for Alternative Records to see if anyone had set a record for pull-ups; no one had, in my age and weight categories,” Price says. That inspired Price’s first world record attempt. From April 21-22, 2009, he set the world record with 3,175 pull-ups in 24 hours. But that was just a fraction of the number of pull-ups he had done to prepare. Over a year and a half, Price performed 60,000 pull-ups. He worked on his goal for 15 to 18 hours every weekend. His other interests, which include wall and rock climbing, also helped strengthen his pulling muscles, he says. He calculated the rate at which he would have to perform pull-ups in order to set a record — 2.2 pull-ups per minute. He set a metronome to pace himself before he reached the point of being ready to try for the record.

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On the day of his attempt, he had 42 witnesses to confirm the number of pullups in the allotted time. He also was videotaped, and it was broadcast on the Internet. Pull-up records are categorized several ways, including by number, by time and by the sex of the competitor. Price held the 24-hour, male pull-up record for about a year. Since then, his total has been passed at least three times. From May 30-31, 2010, U.S. Navy Seaman Jason Armstrong, in Pacific Grove, Calif., first broke Price’s record with 3,355 pull-ups in 24 hours. In the process, Armstrong also broke the record for most pull-ups in 12 hours, with 3,165. Others have tried several times, Price says. “It took an ex-Navy Seal three tries to set the current (American) record.” David Goggins tore a tendon in his forearm on his first attempt in September 2012, after completing 2,588 pull-ups. In November 2012, he completed 3,207 pull-ups in 12 hours before stopping with third-degree burns on his hands from the shear and frictional forces. Goggins completed 4,030 pull-ups in 24 hours from Jan. 19-20, 2013. While it’s on video, it was not officially verified by the time STATE went to print.

Up Next, Erging After setting the world record for pull-ups, Price wondered what else he could do with those pulling muscles. Almost simultaneously, he became interested in ocean rowing. “I started looking at boat designs and my wife got me an erg (rowing) machine,” he says. “I would stay home to work out with that.” He logged millions of meters erging, or stationary rowing, while waiting for a custom boat to be built suitable for rivers, lakes and oceans. Again, Price found himself looking at different world records as motivation to continue his new workouts. In May 2012, he set the 24-hour world record for erging in his age and weight class during his first attempt at the Seretean Wellness Center. He rowed 200,837 meters. “I was notified that my record was posted online at the Concept2 (manufacturer of his erg machine) website, indicating they had accepted my data,” Price says. “I made sure I printed it off fast, because there’s always the possibility that someone in the world will break my record, and you can never be sure when that will happen, so you enjoy it for the moment.” Price videotaped his rowing record. Brian Carroll, president of the OSU rowing club, served as an official witness for the event. As of Nov. 12, Concept2’s website still listed Price as the record holder.

How About on Water? Each of Price’s world records builds on his previous successes. In August 2013, Price and his rowing partner, Colin Angus, 42, came within 78 minutes of breaking the human-powered speed world continues

record on a 440-mile stretch of Canada’s Yukon River. Price and Angus traded two-hour shifts, alternating sleep and rowing. During a sprint in the last 60 miles, they realized they didn’t have the power to catch up to the record but continued pushing themselves. When they crossed the finish line, they were surprised to learn they set the fastest time in the past five years, the fourth-fastest

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overall time in history and the second-fastest time for a two-person team. “We were looking at an ocean race in Great Britain starting and ending in London, without touching the shore and with no assistance from anyone,” Price says. To prepare for that race, Price says they rowed under all weather conditions on Keystone Lake, west of Tulsa, Okla. What stopped them was the $70,000 in expenses for the boat, shipping

equipment and electronic gear. He says he and Angus tried to raise the money before having to pull the plug. Only six crews participated in that race. “As a consolation prize, we did the row down the Yukon River,” he says. “They followed the route of the Yukon Quest, which only allows canoes and kayaks to participate. We raced independently, about 12 hours ahead of the other racers (in the Yukon River Quest).”

Price and Angus were the fastest nonstop traverse between Whitehorse and Dawson City. The rowers are looking at 2015 for the Great Britain race and have started fundraising.

Having a Goal “The theme running through this is I can’t exercise without a goal,” Price says.

“

“My exercise regime consists of also getting up at 5 a.m. I force myself to exercise three or four times a week. I have to have a significant goal. I’m 62 years old and I want to encourage us oldsters to keep going. Many have a lack of enthusiasm. I’m hoping to encourage our cohorts to get out.” In addition to his exercise regiment, Price and his six sons go backpacking together once a year. He also enjoys bow hunting and

gun hunting. And he was a ballroom dancer for 20 years, as well as an instructor. Price says data show that age-related illnesses may be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. “Master athletes from ages 40 to 80 show greater maintenance of muscle mass,” Price says. “Part of my story is I’d like to think if we oldsters get excited, there is still excitement to be had.”

There’s always the possibility that someone in the world will break my record, and you can never be sure when that will happen, so you enjoy it for the moment.” — Steve Price

M I C R O BI A L F O O D S A F E T Y PR O F E S S O R S H IP E N A B LE S M I C R O BI O L O G I S T T O R E S E A R C H , E D U CAT E . PHOTO / MANDY GROSS

Food microbiologist Peter Muriana has always been interested in research related to cultures in food products.

rofessor Peter Muriana’s work protecting people from the potentially dire consequences of foodborne illnesses is being facilitated through an endowed professorship. The food microbiologist recently received the Advance Food Company/S.E. Gilliland Professorship in Microbial Food Safety. “It’s what I am able to do with the endowed professorship that is important,” Muriana says. “With this professorship, I intend to use the funds to enrich my activities in research, extension and teaching.” Muriana, an OSU animal-science professor in the Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center, says the long title of the Advance Food Company/S.E. Gilliland Professorship in Microbial Food Safety is indicative of its importance. “The title of the professorship carries two names: one a large, successful Oklahoma food company, and the other an eminent faculty member of OSU and noted food microbiologist, so to be associated with a title bearing both of these names is an honor,” Muriana says. The professorship was initiated in 2008 when former FAPC food

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microbiologist Stanley Gilliland challenged his fellow animal-science faculty and other organizations to contribute to the professorship he created with Advance Food Co., which resulted in donations of $288,500. Founded in 1973 by Paul Allen and David McLaughlin, Advance Food Co. merged with Pierre Foods Inc. in 2010, resulting in AdvancePierre Foods. It has become a leading supplier of further processed ready-to-eat products such as warm-and-serve hamburgers. “I have been involved in the center since its inception,” says McLaughlin, a member of the FAPC’s Industry Advisory Committee. “We have a lot of great employees who graduated from OSU and wanted to support the institution,” McLaughlin says. “Basically, we wanted to give back in some way. We weren’t sure exactly how it was going to end up, but we decided to give the resources to the university and let them decide how to best use it.” Gilliland died in 2010, but his legacy lives through this gift and its intention for the continual improvement of food safety through research and education.

“Many food companies have supported FAPC through cash donations targeted at specific short-term needs such as seminars or funding to support graduate-student assistantships,” says Chuck Willoughby, FAPC business and marketing relations manager. “Endowments, however, are perpetual. The principal remains in place to generate funding on an ongoing basis and likewise, recognition of the endowment is ongoing.” SUPPORTS RESE ARCH AND STUDENTS

Throughout his post-graduate and professional career, Muriana says he has always worked on research related to beneficial and inhibitory cultures, which was also one of Gilliland’s areas of expertise. “For more than 25 years, I have engaged in research identifying and characterizing antimicrobial proteins (i.e., bacteriocins) produced by lactic acid bacteria that could have potential use as food preservatives,” Muriana says. “I know this is one subject that was close to Dr. Gilliland, as he too was involved with beneficial microbial cultures.”

PHOTO / REBECCA BAILEY

The Advance Food Company/S.E. Gilliland Professorship in Microbial Food Safety allows Muriana to focus on protecting the food supply.

Another piece of his research includes applying these bacteriocins to raw and processed meats as antimicrobial interventions to inhibit pathogens and spoilage organisms, Muriana says. “Perhaps some of my work may be applied to ensuring the safety and quality of AdvancePierre Foods’ products,” Muriana says. He says this professorship allows for more student opportunities. “I would like to apply some of the donation to fund a student summer internship in food microbiology for an undergraduate who may be undecided in (their) career paths,” Muriana says. As there is a big push for the advancement of food safety, McLaughlin said additional programs and student opportunities are important. “The big area we would like to focus on is to get some things done, as far as curriculum at OSU, is food safety,” McLaughlin says. “I hope this will entice young people to continue to be interested in the area of food and agriculture. I think

PHOTO / MANDY GROSS

Muriana received the Advance Food Company/S.E. Gilliland Professorship in Microbial Food Safety, which was the result of $288,500 in donations.

it has a great future, and I think OSU is a great place to fi nd out about it.” FOOD-INDUSTRY BENEFIT

Willoughby said these types of monetary opportunities to support research benefit not only FAPC, but also the entire food industry. “Endowed professorships and chairs provide supplemental funding to FAPC’s budget,” Willoughby says. “Interest earned from the endowment is available to be used by the faculty member appointed to the professorship. These funds, when added to other sources of funding, such as appropriated budgets or grant awards, enhance the faculty member’s opportunity to conduct research meaningful to the food industry.” Muriana’s expertise and accomplishments extend past the borders of OSU. In January, Muriana was appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

“This committee is used by the USDA, FDA and other regulatory agencies that interact with and regulate the food industry to provide scientific input on issues,” Muriana says. The committee is made up of scientists from academia, industry and government. “Each member of the committee brings their unique area of expertise to the team,” Muriana says. “I hope that my experience in food microbiology will help to contribute something substantial along with the other members of the committee.” Muriana said he is grateful for the new opportunities presented to him this year as they allow him to extend his expertise by investing more research in the area of food microbiology. “I am familiar with Dr. Muriana and his work and think he is exceptional,” McLaughlin says. “From his background and experience, I think any research he conducts would be practicable.” R E B E C CA B A I L E Y

An OSU chef mixes kosher laws and barbecue on a trip to Israel. S TO R Y BY B E V E R LY B RYA N T

P O R T R A I T S BY G A RY L AW S O N

chef with the OSU Institute of Technology

visited Israel in the summer, combining a bit of dry rub barbecue with Jewish kosher laws.

The culinary visit to Israel was another step in

strengthening relationships between Oklahoma State University and Israeli chefs. OSUIT chef Aaron Ware made his second trip to Israel last summer, this time with fellow OSUIT culinary faculty member Celia Henley. Ware taught Israeli culinary students about dry rub barbecue and cold salads, as well as marinades, grilling techniques, brines, smoking methods, the history of American barbecue and American-style grocery stores. “In Israel, they don’t have grocery stores,” Ware says. “Over there, everyone has ‘a guy’ — a bread guy, a produce guy, a meat guy.” In exchange for his teaching, Ware learned about kosher cooking and methods. And, yes, a way to prepare kosher barbecue.

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continues

Celia Henley and Aaron Ware

AARON WARE

Building a Relationship The visit built on earlier exchanges that started several years ago after First Cowgirl Ann Hargis and professor Bill Ryan, from the College of Human Sciences’ School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration, met Itzik Levin at the Jewish Federation of Tulsa and the Oklahoma Israel Exchange. In February 2012, Ryan, Ware and Susan Robertson, executive director of OKIE, flew to Israel to experience the culinary scene in the Sovev Kinneret region. Shortly after, an official invitation was extended to chefs Erez Amos and Ilan Roberg to be the guest chefs at OSU’s Distinguished Chef Scholarship Benefit Series. In November 2012, the chefs oversaw 60 to 70 students and prepared 14 appetizers, two main courses and unique desserts paired with Israeli wine. With 230 guests in attendance, the event was a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration. While they were here, the chefs worked with the OSUIT faculty to explore

a student culinary exchange between OSU and Rimonim Culinary School in Tiberias.

Teaching and Learning On his first trip to Israel, Ware says he taught about American-style breakfasts and barbecue sauce. This summer, he focused on dry barbecue rubs and cold salads. In addition to teaching American cooking techniques, Ware participated in some continuing education on kosher eating, baking and some fruit carving. He and Henley toured the region, visiting original food sites and vineyards. Ware says his goal is to have some Israeli students come to OSUIT to create a cooperative exchange between the two programs. “I am trying to stay connected to the Israeli community,” Ware says. “There is a very strong community there. Any time I get a chance to talk about my time there, well, it has changed my life. All the biblical stories you learn in church, I’ve been there. It has enriched my life. “Being part of the OSU family, I really feel privileged. This past summer, I was so

happy to have Celia travel with us. They really roll out the red carpet when you go. They pull out all the stops. “You really don’t know what impact you make on people until you have the chance to meet them again. It made me feel really good. One friend is going to bring his kids the next time. We’ve built some bonds. I am humbled and very privileged to be a part of the OSU family to develop these relationships.”

Kosher Barbecue

PHOTO PROVIDED

At the Rimonim Culinary School in Tiberias, Israel, are, from left, student David Koster, chef Erez Amos, student Roey Benisti, and OSUIT chefs Aaron Ware and Celia Henley.

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Ware says he was surprised about what he learned about kosher laws. A lot of people believe that kosher has to do with certain foods. “That’s not really the case. Read Leviticus in the Old Testament,” Ware says. “With us over there, I couldn’t light the fire on the stove because then it would no longer be kosher. A lot of the ingredients are fresh. Beef has to come from the front part of the animal. They can eat the hindquarter of beef if they remove the sciatic

Chefs Aaron Ware and Celia Henley had a chance to sample spices and fresh bread being sold at a Jerusalem market.

nerve. Some depends on how many times they pray, the amount of time they wait between having milk and eating beef and it all depends on the level to which a Jewish person chooses to adhere to kosher laws.” Ware was able to see a kosher kitchen could not store milk and beef in the same refrigerator. “You can’t put dairy and a meat product on the same plate. Eating utensils are kept separately. They have to have a kosher chef in that kitchen all day long, and they have to pay him. The hotel next to the school was 100 percent kosher certified,” Ware says. “They want everything to be pleasing to God. Everything is about atonement. Even when they pray, they are praying for forgiveness for the sacrifice of the animal,” Ware says. “All the products I used to do the barbecue and all the cold salads were

certified kosher,” Ware says. “We used spareribs, which are from the front half of the cow. We don’t take that 13th rib, so it’s kosher.” In Oklahoma, Ware has invited Rabbi Yehuda Weg from Tulsa to speak with his culinary students. Weg visited OSUIT’s culinary arts department recently, drawing a large crowd of students to hear about Jewish food laws and kosher meal preparation. Ware is incorporating Jewish food preparation methods into his curriculum in several classes and plans to have more representatives from the Jewish community make presentations to students in coming months.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

“You really don’t know what impact you make on people until you have the chance to meet them again.” —A A R ON WA R E PHOTO PROVIDED

OSUIT chef Aaron Ware has a laugh with Rimonim Culinary School students in a barbecue class he is teaching.

101

In the Wink of an Eye Office-place flirting gets you on the fast track to nowhere.

S T O R Y B Y B E V E R LY B R YA N T

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People fl irt for many reasons, maybe to indicate an interest in a deeper relationship or simply for fun or to entice a boss into a promotion. • The latter can be called “strategic flirting,” or the idea that flirting in the office place will help people advance in their careers. • Turns out, it often backfires, and the flirt faces the disapproval of others in the business. Lex Smith, assistant professor of management in OSU’s Spears School of Business, recently presented a study of women in the workplace showing that strategic flirtation can cause more damage than the risk of a hair-pulling match with the target’s significant other. “There’s not a lot of literature in the management area that looks at flirtation as a way of getting your foot in the door or moving up,” Smith says. “Some studies have shown that flirtatious behavior is actually damaging to your reputation.” It’s what Miss Alice Reighly, president of the Anti-Flirt Club formed in Washington, D.C., in the early 1920s warned against decades ago in the club’s 10 rules: “Don’t flirt: those who flirt in haste oft repent in leisure.”

FLIRTING TOOL BACKFIRES The study was part of the first paper Smith started working on in her doctorate program at Tulane University. She was a doctoral candidate and Ph.D. project member from 2004 to 2010. She earned her doctorate in management in 2010.

“Our study shows, in fact, that people will generally use whatever tool is at their fingertips. In more masculine environments, women will use the flirting tool more readily,” Smith says. “The environment will not support that, despite encouraging it.” Smith’s research included categorizing several law firms into masculine and feminine cultures. Masculine offices may encourage women to flirt more, but if they do flirt, the office staff will not support them and will punish them. “Punishment can appear subtle, such as not being cc’ed on a memo ‘accidentally,’ or not receiving emails ‘accidentally on purpose,’” she says. “In more feminine environments, we find that women are not punished as much.” There is a broad spectrum of behaviors commonly considered flirtatious, Smith says. “Because we were interested in women’s behavior, we looked at behaviors they defined as flirtatious,” she says. The researchers met with focus groups of women lawyers in

New Orleans in different stages of their careers. Smith and her team asked the women if they flirted or observed flirting in their workplaces. “They observed 40 to 50 behaviors they considered flirtatious, and we got the list down to about 10

continues

Flirting in the Workplace Researcher Lex Smith says examples of women’s strategic fl irtations included in the study were “the kind of behaviors you might see in a date, but done overtly in a work setting.” For example: •

Allowing a man to peek down her shirt

•

Smiling ﬂirtatiously

•

Having a romantic ﬂing with a man at the office

•

Giving massages

•

Winking

•

Laughing ﬂirtatiously

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items,” Smith says. “We contacted lawyers in Texas, Louisiana outside of New Orleans, Alabama and Georgia. We looked at the largest law firms in that area.” After making observations about each of the fi rms, Smith says, researchers grouped the women according to the cultural characteristics and assigned the fi rm’s labels of masculine or feminine. The participating women were kept anonymous.

FLIRTING COSTS OUTWEIGH BENEFITS The researchers defined 10 or so behaviors as flirtatious, Smith says, such as wearing low-cut blouses, touching people and crossing or uncrossing their legs in a suggestive way. “These characteristics were just about women,” she says. “When we add in men, we would look at behaviors such as complimenting someone’s appearance or asking someone on a date. For this study, we concentrated just on women’s behaviors.” The law offices included in the study had as few as four or as many as 20 women in the study. About 1,000 surveys were sent to women, and 306 completed surveys were returned. “We were really happy with that. It was not as hard as we expected to get the contacts,” Smith says. “We had several who were inter-

“Costs really do outweigh the benefits, but there are still some environments that encourage it, to the woman’s detriment,” Smith says.

STUDY TO COVER MEN Smith and her colleagues plan to continue with another study and a larger paper on men’s and women’s use of flirtation. She says they will look at a broader range of behaviors more commonly associated with men’s flirtation, such as giving compliments, holding doors open, flattering people and ingratiating behavior. “That kind of banter leads to more camaraderie and teamwork among co-workers,” Smith says. “We want to see if it is successful or if it distances people. That’s much more of a long-range study we are doing here at OSU, and it will be interesting to see what comes of it all.”

PHOTO / PHIL SHOCKLEY

“Some studies have shown that flirtatious behavior is actually damaging to your reputation.” — Lex Smith

Lex Smith

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ested in talking about it and willing to do interviews. Every time I talk to people about it, there is some story to contribute. That’s been the best part of this project.” Smith says the study did not cover sexual harassment. “Sexual harassment is more about control,” she says. “We looked at benign flirtation. It’s an important point — the last thing we want to communicate is that sexual behavior should be used in the workplace.” She says the research team wanted to find out whether casual flirtatious behavior by women had a detrimental or productive effect in the workplace.

In some industries, such as airlines, a bit of flirtation with co-workers and customers can be a successful business tool, Smith says. It’s the kind of banter that can help customers relax in potentially stressful situations, such as flying. It also is a different type of flirting than the strategic flirtation involved in the study of law firms that Smith and the others published. “If you look at certain industries where people are thrown together, such as in service industries, flirtation is a part of the culture, both with customers and staff,” she says. “Flirtatious behavior makes it a much more fun and fluid place to work.”

history

Reserve your place in OSU

alumni, family and friends

sale

Cyber Nov. 29 - Dec. 20 OSU Alumni Association members and nonmembers can purchase brick pavers in the Alumni Walk for a savings of 50% off * the original price. $100 for members | $125 for nonmembers This special offer may only be available for a short time, but your paver will be a permanent fixture at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center. To purchase your discounted paver visit orangeconnection.org/paverdiscount or call 405.744.5368. *Does not apply to new graduate discounted price.

Need more great gift ideas? Visit orangeconnection.org/giftideas to find additional gift options for all of your OSU family and friends! 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center Stillwater, OK 74078-7043 tel 405.744.5368 | fax 405.744.6722 orangeconnection.org Online

Mobile

Mail

Phone

OSU-OKC and OSU Vet Med Team Up Spay and neuter program helps animals and students.

The Veterinary Technology program at OSU-Oklahoma City and the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences are teaming up to provide a realistic learning experience for future veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Funded by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, the collaboration allows fourth-year veterinary medicine students and thirdsemester veterinary technology students to work together to spay and neuter shelter animals. The teams demonstrate the important working relationship that occurs every day at veterinary practices. “Once these students graduate and go into the field, they will be working side by side — technician and doctor,” says Dr. Lesa Staubus, a clinical assistant professor in the veterinary center’s shelter medicine surgery program. “This program allows them to get a feel for what that will be like and to learn how they can better work together to make the procedures go smoothly.” The $50,000 Kirkpatrick Foundation grant enabled OSU-OKC to equip its surgery suite with four new anesthesia machines, four new electrocardiograms, a pulse-oximeter, blood-pressure and temperature monitors, and disposable surgery supplies. The grant allows OSU-OKC to handle four simultaneous surgeries. “The improvements, made possible by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, will have longlasting effects on our capability to offer training and continuing education classes,” says Dr. David Morales, an associate professor in OSU-OKC’s veterinary technology program. “We now have four stations in the surgery suite. This is a nine-week program that allows the veterinary technician students to perform each task twice and then spend one more week on any skill they feel they need to enhance.”

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PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

The collaborative surgeries take place at OSU-OKC. Cats and dogs are brought from central Oklahoma animal shelters in Edmond, Midwest City, Norman and Purcell. The shelters are responsible for transporting the animals to and from campus, and the students provide the rest under the supervision of Morales and Staubus. For veterinary technology students Courtney Allen and Stephanie Bowen, the experience was positive. “I was the prep student,” Allen says. “I prepared the surgery site and helped with the anesthesia. We were doing surgery on a dog. Michelle Baker was the veterinary student performing the surgery. It went well. I think it is very helpful for the veterinary students to see what all we can do.” “It was my first time to do a surgery,” Bowen says. “We operated on a 7-month-old dog. The veterinary

student was Jonathan Bagwell. He talked through everything he did. It was very useful, and I learned a lot.” According to Morales, each surgical team consists of four students: a veterinary student surgeon and three veterinary technician students to assist the student surgeon, to start and monitor anesthesia and to prep the patient and assist as needed. Throughout the joint surgery lab, Staubus ensures the veterinary students are moving quickly and safely. “The idea is to keep the time a dog or cat is anesthetized to a minimum,” Staubus says. “The classroom setting is one thing, but once you get into a clinical setting like this, the level of focus and excitement is really elevated. The students — veterinary and technician — are really engaged with the live surgeries.” “It’s pretty cool,” Bagwell says. “I expected the veterinary technician students to be nervous the first time but they weren’t. They are confident in their skills and you know they have been working to develop those skills.”

PHOTO / GARY LAWSON

“The facilities are really nice,” says Elizabeth Wilson, a fourth-year veterinary student. “I expected it to be a learning experience for everyone involved, and it was.” “It’s nice to see what all goes into their (veterinary technician) training,” Baker says. “These facilities are similar to what all of us will be working in if we go into private practice.” The veterinary technology program started in 1995 and moved into the Agriculture Resource Center at OSU-OKC in July 2008. The technician program has admitted as many as 53 students and graduated 29 students in its largest class. There are 27 students in the fall 2013 class. OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences opened its doors in March 1948. The incoming class numbered 82 students while there were 92 graduates in 2013. Veterinary technology students Ashley Green and Nikki Thomas prepare to anesthetize a dog for surgery.

TOP:

DERINDA BLAKENEY

BOTTOM: Dr. Lesa Staubus, center, instructs students Carlos Vargas, left, and Elizabeth Wilson on preparing patients for surgery. RIGHT: Veterinary technology students Jennie Parker and Liz Dallman confer on anesthetic doses.

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Invaluable Volunteers Governors, trustees contribute to OSU Foundation’s success.

ince its 1961 establishment, one of the OSU Foundation’s most valuable resources has been a group of volunteers who advise, govern and enhance the organization. The OSU Foundation Board of Governors has grown from 26 founding members to 195 today. Among the governors is the smaller board of trustees, which has grown from seven original members to 27. “We could never repay the talent and counsel the governors and trustees provide to us. They enable the Foundation to fulfill the mission of uniting donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence,” says Kirk Jewell, president of the OSU Foundation. “They have significant experience and expertise in many areas as well as influence with current and future supporters. They also offer their time, talent and financial resources because they deeply care about OSU.” Governors are elected to six-year terms, serving as liaisons between the foundation, their communities and current and prospective donors. The entire group meets in Stillwater each fall, and all are invited to one of six regional meetings during the spring. “Governors expand our ability to touch as many alumni as possible,” Jewell says. “They are so passionate about OSU that they are always connecting with others who share that Orange Pride. When they know a friend, neighbor or co-worker may be interested in supporting the university, they help us engage that person.”

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Trustees, who serve four-year terms, oversee the OSU Foundation’s policies and goals along with providing accountability for management. The trustees meet three times annually. Based on their expertise and interest, each trustee also joins at least one of the following committees: audit; budget; compensation and management development; development/ campaign; donor relations; governance; and investment. “Trustees are the equivalent of a board of directors, whereas governors are more like shareholders,” Jewell says. “Trustees really have to put a lot of attention into their responsibilities. They fulfill a very important leadership role and represent various constituencies such as their college, geographic region and passion.” Governors can also be asked to join committees, which is often a step toward becoming a trustee. For example, 1972 marketing alumnus Jerry Clack was elected to the board of governors in 2005. As a financial adviser, he joined the investment committee before his 2009 election as a trustee. Last summer, he was elected chairman. “When the opportunity to become a governor came along, it was the right time for me to start giving back to my university,” Clack says. “My father had taught at OSUIT when it was Okmulgee Tech. After putting my two older brothers through OSU, he really appreciated that I received a basketball scholarship. So now I am trying to give back some of the things that OSU has done for me.”

PHOTO / KASI KENNEDY

Trustees serve as the governing body for the OSU Foundation and support OSU through their financial contributions, counsel and influence with others who can help the university. Clack says he has found each new position more rewarding despite the increased demands on his time. “What makes it worthwhile is the satisfaction of being a part of what’s happening at OSU,” Clack says. “This is a whole different university than it was many, many years ago when I was a student. Everyone has caught the enthusiasm of what is going on in academics and athletics.”

He credits many people for that enthusiasm: OSU President Burns Hargis, benefactor Boone Pickens, Jewell and recently retired Alumni Association President Larry Shell, along with the deans, professors and alumni. “We really have everyone working together to benefit the university,” Clack says. “Being a part of that is very gratifying.”

The governance committee nominates governors and trustees. The governors then confirm trustee nominees during the fall annual meeting. “Joining our board is a great way to get engaged with the university at a leadership level,” Jewell says. “If someone is interested in that, I’d love to hear from him or her at kjewell@OSUgiving.com.” JAC O B L O N G A N

Three trustees and 12 governors for the OSU Foundation were elected during the recent meetings of the board of governors and board of trustees.

T rus t e e s Patrick B. Cobb

Helen J. Hodges

David L. Houston

Tulsa, Okla.

San Diego

Oklahoma City

G ov e r nor s William Barnes

Brad Gungoll

Diana Laing

Daniel Stith

Broken Arrow, Okla.

Oklahoma City

Calabasas, Calif.

Oklahoma City

John Bartley

Spencer Haines

Travis Moss

Scott Verplank

Stillwater, Okla.

Oklahoma City

Dallas

Edmond, Okla.

Doug Gottlieb

David Henneke

Jenelle Schatz

David Woods

Irvine, Calif.

Enid, Okla.

Tulsa, Okla.

Edmond, Okla.

For the entire list of governors and trustees, visit OSUgiving.com/boards.

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PISTOL PETE DIDN’T WORRY ABOUT MINIMUM REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS… IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVERS ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2013. If you’re 70½ or older, you can transfer as much as $100,000 per year from a traditional or roth individual retirement account directly to OSU without counting any of that transfer as taxable income. And if done properly, the transfer counts toward that year’s required minimum distribution. Q U E S T I O N S ? Call the OSU Foundation Gift Planning Office at 800.622.4678, or visit OSUgiving.giftlegacy.com/IRArollover.

THEIR

OWN

WORDS

T H E D U S T. B O W L The OSU Library, together with the American Library Association and Mount Holyoke College, is part of a National Endowment for the Humanities-funded effort to develop a traveling exhibit about the Dust Bowl. The display will be presented across the country in 2014 and 2015. Interviews from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program will have a prominent place in the exhibit, and photographs from OSU’s Special Collections and University Archives will also be used. Panels will feature quotes from various oral histories, including an excerpt from OSU alumna Marguerite Scruggs. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from OSU in 1941 and 1946, and she later returned to Stillwater in 1973 as associate dean of home economics. In the following selection, Scruggs talks about some of the storms she remembers from growing up during the Dust Bowl: “There were two kinds of storms — at least two, but two

main kinds. What I would call sand storms, it was sand and red dirt and usually strong wind, and it would just grind paint off of things. And there were the dusters. The dusters were the black soil from Kansas and Iowa, maybe others, but it was the consistency of face powder or maybe pumice. Those would usually roll in. “I’ll describe Black Sunday, which I remember. I know it was a Sunday (in April), 1935. It was a sunny day, and Mother and Dad and Paul and I were at home. … At about 4 p.m. we looked outside, and the whole northwest sky and north sky was just black as midnight. It was just solid black and coming our way. And so dad had built a storm — now we’d say storm shelter, but we called it a storm cellar I think or storm cave, but anyway we had one. … So the four of us went to our storm cellar, because this looked terrible. It was just black, the blackest I’ve ever seen. We hadn’t been in the cellar very long when we heard voices. It turned out to be the neighbors across the street, a couple. They had started over, and they almost got to our storm cellar when the storm arrived. They couldn’t see where the cellar was. Dad, when he heard the voices, he opened up the cellar door and they could see our light. We could see that it was black — from a sunny day like today to absolute dark in a matter of minutes. The people were able to come down then, and that’s what I remember about that.” To read Marguerite Scruggs’ entire interview, scan the QR code or go to http://goo.gl/94C8Wl.

The Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Edmon Low Library documents the culture and history of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. Interviews are available online at www.library.okstate.edu/oralhistory. For more information about the program, or for assistance with searching, contact the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at 405-744-7685. PHOTOS / OSU SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

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Kansas City’s Night with OSU A record number of Cowboys and Cowgirls gathered in Kansas City Aug. 17 for A Night with OSU. The latest of four events hosted by the Alumni Association and OSU Foundation this year included OSU President Burns Hargis and other distinguished OSU leaders. Earlier events were in Denver, Chicago and Wichita, Kan. A Night with OSU is intended to bring a bit of Stillwater to alumni who can’t make it back to campus. It’s a free event open to OSU alumni, family and friends,

OSU President Burns Hargis and Kansas City OSU Alumni Chapter Treasurer Lauren Groden at A Night with OSU in Kansas City on Aug. 17.

and it is a great way to connect with fellow Cowboys. “Some of the older alumni lose their roots and familiarity with Stillwater,” Kansas City Chapter Treasurer Lauren Groden says. “Events like this are so instrumental in re-acquainting alumni with each other and the university.” A Night with OSU in Kansas City was hosted at Antioch Park in Merriam, Kan., and was attended by more than 260 alumni. Attendees were able to meet and interact with Hargis, who delivered a report on the latest news and events

James and Sandy Poulain with their son, Grayson, at the Kansas City event.

Paul and Kathryn Newsome with their children, Haddon and Claire, in Kansas City on Aug. 17.

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from the university. “This type of outreach by the university is important,” Kansas City Chapter President Robert Williams says. “It shows the value of alumni outside the borders of Oklahoma.” Groden says there are a large number of OSU alumni in the area, but not many know of the local chapter.

Interested alumni can connect with the chapter at orangeconnection.org/kc or at Facebook.com/KCCowboys.

Kansas City OSU Alumni Chapter President Robert Williams and Hargis at A Night with OSU in Kansas City.

Luke and Stephanie Sumrall at A Night with OSU in Kansas City.

First Cowgirl Visits Cleveland County More than 50 members of the Cleveland County OSU Alumni Chapter put on their best orange for a night with First Cowgirl Ann Hargis on Sept. 19. “It was absolutely splendid,” says Cleveland County Chapter President Lynne McElroy. The event, which was held at the National Weather Center in Norman, provided a unique opportunity for alumni to meet Hargis and hear about things taking place on campus. “It’s always such a joy to meet enthusiastic OSU alumni like the ones in Cleveland County,” Hargis says. “We shared a wonderful evening together, and I hope they were able to learn a bit more about what goes on behind the scenes at OSU from their First Cowgirl.” Members asked Hargis about a range of topics including student life, revisions to the fine arts department and

Painting Houston Orange Cowboy fans and OSU alumni had one mission at the start of this football season: Operation Paint Houston Orange. Thousands gathered on Labor Day weekend to cheer the football

From left, Cleveland County OSU Alumni Chapter President Lynne McElroy, First Cowgirl Ann Hargis, Susan Potts and Denise Gore at a Sept. 19 reception for Hargis in Norman. the new equestrian facilities. She also described her typical day. “She is such a genuine person,” McElroy says. “She is so involved with student activities, and that is something we, as a chapter, really focus on — the

team in its season opener against Mississippi State. The Houston OSU Alumni Chapter was influential in ensuring Cowboys had a memorable weekend. Chapter volunteers hosted a golf tournament at Wildcat Golf Club the Friday before the football game. Nineteen teams and more

Alumni Association Chair Jennifer Grigsby, second from right in the back row, and her family at the Mississippi State versus OSU pregame tailgate in Houston on Aug. 31.

students and providing scholarships for students.” Hargis is an influential figure on campus, leading an increased awareness of the health among students, faculty and staff through the America’s HEALTHIEST Campus campaign, McElroy says. She has also become a popular figure among students, for whom she provides golf cart rides across campus and tweets about campus events. The event was highlighted by live music and a starry view from the observation room at the National Weather Center. It was made possible through a partnership with the OSU Foundation. “It felt like the Academy Awards of chapter events,” McElroy says. “We really appreciate her taking time to come down and talk to our chapter face to face.” Connect with the Cleveland County Chapter online at orangeconnection.org/cleveland and socially at Facebook.com/OSUAAClevelandCo.

than 75 participants painted the greens orange while raising more than $6,500 for scholarships for Houston-area OSU student scholarships. The OSU Alumni Association, OSU Foundation and OSU POSSE collaborated on a tailgate and pep rally,

continues

From left, Randy Donnell, Karl Carlton, Bud Whileyman and Bill Losa took first place in the Houston OSU Alumni Chapter’s scholarship golf tournament Aug. 30 at Wildcat Golf Club.

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which drew more than 3,000 Cowboy fans. The air-conditioned Reliant Center provided welcome shelter from the Houston humidity for the event. Pistol Pete, the Cowboy Marching Band and the OSU Spirit Squads led fans in singing traditional OSU songs, including the alma mater. Fans were excited to see two special guests, OSU Athletics Director Mike Holder and OSU President Burns Hargis, who spoke to the crowd. Alumni Association President Larry Shell announced his retirement and received a standing ovation. A road rally welcomed the team and the coaches to the

stadium, where the Cowboys posted a 21-3 victory over the Bulldogs. Special thanks should be given to volunteers and sponsors of the chapter golf tournament John Prewitt and Fulcrum Associates LLC, Michael and Terri Divine with Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, J.J. Stevak, Roger Buchanan, Bob and DeAnn Sims, Lisa Lucas, Nick Phillips and many more.

AIAS Names Distinguished Alumnus

Connect with the Houston Chapter online at orangeconnection.org/Houston and Facebook.com/OSUAAHouston.

Wilson Pipestem

From left, Jake Regier, Adam Stachmus, Rex Stachmus, Brandon Tarvers and Justin Elder at the Houston OSU Alumni Chapter’s scholarship golf tournament.

PHOTO / BRUCE WATERFIELD

From left, Kristi Fisher, Graham Fisher, Lu Fisher and Fred Fisher at the Houston OSU Alumni Chapter’s scholarship golf tournament.

The OSU American Indian Alumni Society honored Wilson Pipestem with its 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award on Nov. 9. “I was surprised and honored when I learned I was chosen,” Pipestem says. “As one can quickly tell from my collection of orange ties and the orange room in our home, I am a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University. To be recognized by my fellow Indian alums is particularly humbling.” While competing as a scholarship athlete on the OSU track and crosscountry teams, Pipestem served as

Cowboy fans fill Houston’s Reliant Stadium with the O-S-U chant during the AdvoCare Kickoff Aug. 31.

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president of the Native American Student Association for two years. He earned numerous academic awards and graduated from OSU in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in English. Pipestem continued his education at Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, Calif., where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1995. He began his tribal advocacy career in Washington, D.C., working for multiple law firms and honing his knowledge about tribal rights. Pipestem is currently the managing partner and co-founder of Ietan Consulting and president of Pipestem Law Firm. Pipestem’s career has been dedicated to advocacy on behalf of Native Americans and their tribes. One of Pipestem’s most notable achievements is his role as lead counsel in the historical settlement reached for the Osage Nation in August 2011. After 11 years of litigation, the Osage Nation and the federal government agreed to award headright holders of the Osage Minerals Estate $380 million for compensation in historical losses due to asset mismanagement by the federal government. This is the largest settlement for an Indian tribe against the U.S. “It’s such an honor to recognize Mr. Wilson Pipestem as our Distinguished Alumni Award recipient this year,” says Christie Modlin, president of the OSU American Indian Alumni Society. “It is also an honor to recognize his accomplishments and how he has utilized his education, heritage and passion for his native people in his career as an attorney to face some of the biggest challenges facing Indian Country.” A member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and an Osage headright holder, Pipestem resides in Skiatook, Okla., with his wife, Brenda, and four children. For more information about the OSU American Indian Alumni Society, visit orangeconnection.org/aias.

Upcoming Events Join an OSU alumni chapter near you to celebrate OSU and connect with Cowboys. For the most current event listings, visit orangeconnection.org/chapters or scan the QR code. DEC. 5

McAlester Main Street Christmas Parade Pittsburg County Chapter

DEC. 7

Bedlam Blowout & Pizza Party Fundraiser Stephens County Chapter

DEC. 7

Bedlam Kickoff Birmingham Watch Club

DEC. 14

All College Classic Pregame and Postgame Events at Brix OKC Metro Chapter

DEC. 15

Holiday Harbor Cruise Orange Co. Chapter

DEC. 16

Cowboys for Higher Education Legislative Event Cherokee Strip Chapter

DEC. 18

Cowboys for Higher Education Legislative Event Stillwater

DEC. 21

MGM Showcase Pregame and Post-game Events Las Vegas Chapter

JAN. 9

Happy Hour New York City Chapter

JAN. 16

Bowling Night Stephens Co. Chapter

JAN. 16

Happy Hour OKC Metro Chapter

JAN. 16

Happy Hour Tulsa Chapter

JAN. 23

Cultural Dinner New York City Chapter

FEB. 1

Vintage O-State Loyal & True Tulsa Chapter

FEB. 1

Chapter Scholarships Due Alumni Association

FEB. 20

Networking Dinner Stephens Co. Chapter

FEB. 20

Happy Hour OKC Metro Chapter

FEB. 21

Brighter Orange North Texas Chapter

FEB. 22

Brighter Orange Houston Chapter

FEB. 24

OSU vs. TCU (MBB) Alumni Outing North Texas Chapter

MAR. 7-10

Big 12 Tournament (WBB) OKC

MAR. 8

OSU vs. Iowa State (MBB) Alumni Outing Des Moines Watch Club

MAR. 12-15 Big 12 Tournament (MBB) Kansas City MAR. 13

Happy Hour New York City Chapter

MAR. 20

Happy Hour Stephens Co. Chapter

MAR. 20-22 NCA A Wrestling Tournament OKC APRIL

Cowboys for a Cause Community Service Month

APRIL 5

Ryan’s Run/Cowboys for a Cause Pittsburg Co. Chapter

APRIL 17

Legacy Event Stephens Co. Chapter

MAY 16

Chapter Leader Training Alumni Association

S T O R I E S BY K AT I E PA R I S H

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Photos from a recent reception honoring generous donors to the OSU Museum of Art’s Postal Plaza Gallery.

Tremendous community support has accelerated and enhanced the establishment of the OSU Museum of Art’s first location. The Postal Plaza Gallery, located in Stillwater’s historic post office at 720 S. Husband Street, is in the midst of a “soft opening” period and will unveil its first exhibition in January. “Sharing a Journey: Building the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art Collection” will feature highlights from the OSU Museum of Art permanent collection, ranging from the ancient world to the present day and spanning five continents. It recognizes the ongoing commitment of OSU faculty, staff, alumni and friends who have worked together to build this outstanding art collection, much of which will be on view for the first time. All of the teaching museum’s exhibitions and programs are free.

THANK YOU, Museum of Art supporters, for your dedication to a brighter orange future.

Discover your orange passion at

OSUgiving .com *Scan the QR code with your smartphone or call 800.622.4678 to learn more

FA L L 2 0 1 3

’40s Dorothy Burrus, ’41 elem ed, M.S. ’62 curr/instruct/ms, Ph.D. ’69 ed admin, lives in Dallas and celebrates her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At 94 she still drives to the Choctaw Casino every month. Her son Raymond, ’68 mktg, and daughter-in-law, Susan, ’67 elem ed, live nearby. Bonnie Gae Howe, ’43 bus, celebrated her 89th birthday. She was the freshman queen at Oklahoma A&M in 1943 and a Chi Omega. She married Bill Haight, ’46 hist. Paul Geymann, ’47 sec ed, ’51 HPER, was on the 1946 Oklahoma A&M national championship basketball team and is a life member of the “O” Club. Billy Clark, ’48 mech eng, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard a destroyer escort as a radarman 1st class. He returned to Oklahoma A&M in January 1946 to complete his degree.

’50s Robert Oltmanns, ’50 ind eng and mgmt, is happy to announce his granddaughter, Laura Christina Dunn, ’08 forestry, married Zachary Allen Patty, ’07 forestry, and they have two sons. James Christopher, ’52 ind eng, and his wife, Carol, ’61 phys ed, observed their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 13, 2012. Martha Sowell, ’53 HEED, met three other members of the 1953 class of home economics education in Oklahoma City to celebrate their 60th anniversary of graduation from OSU. The other three were Mary Myles Smith Rogers, Esther Robinson Moorhead and Majorie Ball Moesel. Guy Strevey,’53 sec ed, and his wife, Irene Strevey, ’53 art, will celebrate 60 years of marriage in November.

They met at Oklahoma A&M. Guy is a certified fi nancial planner. John Fasciano, ’54 psych, and his wife celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary at a party thrown by their fi ve daughters. Delbert Black, ’55 poultry sci, M.S. ’59 poultry sci, Ph.D. ’69 higher ed, still follows the OSU Cowboy football games. Larry Ferree, ’58 mgmt., M.A. ’61 mgmt, and his wife, Suzy, ’58 FRCD, celebrated their 55th anniversary in August. Suzy is consulting schools on readiness, and Larry is enjoying building a business in photography and being active with their children and grandchildren. Claudia Webster, ’58 FRCD, is living in Kailua, Hawaii. She is retired and loves living in paradise.

’60s Robert Harris, ’60 sec ed, enjoys following Cowboy athletics. Anita Tackett, ’60 hum sci, has retired from selling real estate so she can focus on artistic endeavors. She continues to learn in the areas of oil painting, pastel painting and her newest interest, designing jewelry from precious metal clay. Isaiah Fidler, DVM ’61, received the 2013 American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor for basic research at a ceremony in Atlanta. In 1996, he was awarded the School of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Pat Porter, ’61 gen bus, retired from being a Delta Airlines captain. Pat’s wife, Emily Porter, ’61 HEECS, is the president of Bonham (Texas) Economic Development Corp. and a chair of the City of Bonham Tourism Association. Gary Brown, ’63 ag ed, was hired by Friona State Bank following graduation from OSU. He serves as president of the bank, now known as Friona InterBank. Gary and his wife, Barbara, celebrated 54 years of marriage this year. The couple have two children and six grandchildren.

Kim Ford, ’63 an sci livestock op, owns a centennial farm.

front of scoliosis research and treatment for almost 40 years.

LaVarene Hilliard, M.S. ’63 elem ed, was recognized as a Living Legend, Unsung Hero of Denver and Teacher of Excellence.

Ray Purdy, ’67 an sci livestock op, retired in 2010 and is currently working as an agriculture consultant. Ray received the 2013 Pioneer Award presented by the Kansas Ag Bankers.

Michael Leitner, ’63 rec, served as president of the New City Fire Department in New York and is president of the Rockland County Volunteer Fire Police Association. He also serves as the curator at Rockland County fi re museum. Gladeen Allred,’64 sec ed, and her husband, Ed Long, ’56 ag ed, are traveling to the Congo for a volunteer mission trip to help bring clean water wells to the region. Richard Skinner, ’64 chem eng, Ph.D. ’67 chem eng, and his wife, Sandra Skinner, ’60 FRCD, M.S. ’64 FRCD, attended Grandparent University in June with their grandsons Matt, Nathan and Kellan. Sandra has attended all 12 sessions of GPU and their granddaughter, Natalie, attended every year she was eligible. Billy Anderson, ’65 an sci livestock op, and his wife, Glenda, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May. Their granddaughter, Kaylee Elliott, an sci, is a sophomore at OSU. Marleen Harris, ’65 elem ed, M.S. ’70 elem ed, and her husband attended Grandparent University with two of their grandchildren, Lindsay and Conrad. Their oldest grandchild, Jerika Herbert, is a freshman at OSU. Eugene Sharp, ’65 sec ed, enjoys farming in the Carrier-Goltry areas of Oklahoma. He and his wife, Shirley, have one granddaughter in the fourth grade. David Collins, ’66 ag ed, M.S. ’71 ag ed, retired from U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2008 and started a farm appraisal business upon retirement. He has two children that are OSU graduates, Brian Collins, ’07 an sci, and Kristie Shirley, ’99 psych. George Thompson, ’66 physio, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Scoliosis Research Soc iet y i n Lyon, France. Thompson is an orthopedic surgeon at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland and has been at the fore-

Bill Schwertfeger, ’67 phys ed, was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame on Nov. 9, 2013. John R. Bourdette, ’68 an sci livestock op, M.S. ’74 soc, retired from Western New Mexico University after 14 years. He taught 31 years at the university level at seven different schools. He and his wife, Marcia, are moving to their ranch outside Watrous, N.M., to raise quarter horses. Patricia Linton, ’69 sci, retired from Tulsa Public Schools in May 2012 after 43 years as an elementary librarian.

’70s Eddie Feddersen, ’70 phys ed, and his wife, Connie Feddersen, ’70 phys ed, are happy to announce the birth of their granddaughter, Makai. Makai is the daughter of Kurt Feddersen, ’05 hort/land mgmt, and Shawna Feddersen, ’05 journ and broadcast. Nancy Andrews, ’71 HEECS, taught high school for 37 years and retired and moved to Stillwater in 2008. Her son owns Cowboy Travel Plaza and she has two adorable grandchildren. Mary Hazledine, ’71 sec ed, M.A. ’73 Engl, received an MBA and Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington. At Georgia Southern University, she served as a department chair from 1995–2000 and an associate dean from 2004–2010. Mary Ann Matzke, ’72 zoo, retired as head adviser in the College of Science at Oregon State University. Mary Ann served as an adviser there for 10 years, and received the university Academic Adviser Award in 2011. Her husband, Gordon Matzke, M.S. ’71 geog, retired from Oregon State University in 2003 as professor and chair of the Department of Geosciences. They have two children and two grandchildren. Larry Odom, ’72 zoo, retired from being the district conservationist for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services.

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Vicki Cunningham, ’74 fash merch, closed her retail jewelry store in February. She reopened as a personal jeweler specializing in appraisals, custom design and special orders. Vernon Harrison, ’75 an sci, is retired from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. He has four children and 11 grandchildren. He’s been married to his wife, Rita, for 42 years. Rick Hedrick, ’75 pol sci, and his wife, Janice, have six grandchildren. The lone girl, Hadlee, is the first Hedrick girl to be born in 50 years. Ed Stokes, ’75 civil eng, was honored in a business trade journal in Houston. Ed is chairman of the board of the directors of the Offshore Technology Conference organization. It is made up of 10 engineering, two geoscience professional societies and two oil industry trade organizations. Michael Keller, ’76 acctg, is working at Kirkpatrick Bank and enjoying his children.

Jerry Winchester, ’77 agron, and his wife, Karen, sold their cattle due to years of drought, but they still help with their children’s ranching. Jerry still harvests pecans in Love and Marshall counties in Oklahoma and the couple have 4 grandchildren. Beverly Wornom, ’78 phys ed, teaches school in Rapelje, Mont. Bruce Brasington, ’79 hist, has been named a 2013 Piper Professor by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. Bruce is a regents professor of history at West Texas A&M University. James White, ’79 special ed, is the special education teacher and football coach at Hastings High School in Alief, Texas.

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Chapter Leader Profile: Erik Scott More than 41,000 OSU alumni live in the greater Tulsa area, and at the helm of one of the Alumni Association’s largest chapters is one man: Erik Scott. A native of Bartlesville, Okla., Scott says choosing orange wasn’t hard. “I looked at several other schools,” Scott says. “After my sister chose OSU, it was an easy decision.” Scott arrived on campus in fall 1990, and the rest is history. A finance and international business major, Scott was active in the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Interfraternity Council, intramurals and Spears School of Business clubs. He says some of his favorite times on campus happened in Gallagher-Iba Arena. “I arrived on campus the same day as Eddie Sutton,” Scott says. “Seeing him coach at Gallagher-Iba was a huge part of my four

“I was involved less than a year before I became president,” Scott says. “It went so fast. Most people have a joke that I fell asleep at a meeting, and when I woke up, I was president.” While heading the Tulsa Chapter is a lot of work, it does have its benefits. The Tulsa Chapter was awarded Large District Chapter of the Year by the Alumni Association in May 2013. “The alumni chapter is about meeting new people and re-engaging with the university,” Scott says. “My job is about spreading the love of OSU to other people, and that makes my job awesome.” While president, Scott has seen attendance to the Tulsa Chapter’s Vintage O-State more than triple. He has also been influential in the Bedlam Run with the OU Club of Tulsa. In its fourth year, the Bedlam Run is now Tulsa’s third largest run. In its first year, the run had about 300 participants, but now has more than 1,600 runners.

“The alumni chapter is about meeting new people and re-engaging with the university. My job is about spreading the love of OSU to other people, and that makes my job awesome.” — Erik Scott years on campus. He made me grow to love college basketball.” Following graduation, Scott moved to Dallas for his first job. He recalls relying on STATE magazine to keep up with what was going on at OSU. After a few years, a job in Tulsa opened up at Level 3 Communications, and Scott jumped at the opportunity to head home. In 1997, he married his sweetheart, Jennifer, a 1994 journalism and broadcasting graduate. After Scott started working for Level 3, the couple attended their first Tulsa Vintage O-State, unaware of how involved they would be with the event in a few years. Scott says his involvement with the Tulsa Chapter stemmed from a donation basket they put together for a community service project. He then moved quickly up the ranks from treasurer to vice president and eventually to president.

“Being chapter president could be a fulltime job,” Scott says. “There are more than 41,000 alumni in the Tulsa area, so I am constantly thinking of ways to get all of them re-engaged with the university.” Connect with the Tulsa Chapter online at orangeconnection.org/tulsa or socially at Facebook.com/OSUAATulsa. K AT I E PA R I S H

’80s Sheila Blankenship, ’80 adv, is the owner and publisher of The Hooker Advance in Oklahoma. Hope Wheeler, ’80 fin, is the administrative coordinator for Good Shepard Catholic School at Mercy in Oklahoma City. This school provides applied behavior analysis to therapy to students with diagnoses on the autism spectrum and other similar neurological disorders. Karen Greenwood, ’81 fash merch, is excited to announce the birth of her first grandchild, Abby. Dave Huey, ’81 arch, M.S. ’83 arch, was promoted to senior principal of Dewberr y, a privately held professional services firm, in the Tulsa office. Dave has had more than 25 years of experience in the design of new and expanded facilities for medical, educational, military and private-sector clients. Blaine Hale, ’82 mktg, has joined Colvill Office Properties as senior vice president of the new Dallas office. Blaine will handle leasing for Chase Tower as well as leasing and marketing activities for the firm’s Dallas portfolio. Kristine Mayo, ’82 inter des, and her husband, DeWayne, have three grandchildren: Mia, Myles and Kaia. Georgann McKenna, M.S. ’82 bus ed, was promoted from senior vice president of human resources to senior vice president of sales and administration at First Federal of Bucks County in Pennsylvania. Jerry Stritzke, ’82 ag econ, was named president and CEO of Recreational Equipment Inc. Jerry previously served as president and COO for Coach Inc. He began at Seattle-based REI on Oct. 1 as the seventh president in company’s 75-year history. Jerry was inducted into the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2013.

Dorothy Pugh, ’83 journ, joined OSU’s University Marketing department as the editor of college magazines, leaving a 27-year journalism career at newspapers around the nation, including the Dallas Morning News, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Indianapolis Star. Jeanne Lowrey, ’85 FRCD, joined the Northwestern Financial Network as a financial representative in the Oklahoma City area. Anne Martin, ’86 soc, M.S. ’89 bus ed, and her husband, David, are retired and spend winters in Arizona. They enjoy visiting their children and grandchildren as much as possible. Julie York, ’86 HEECS, is happy to announce that her son, Nick York, ’11 sec ed, is teaching history and coaching football, basketball and track in East Texas. Julie’s second son, Zac York, serves in the U.S. Army and is stationed in Hawaii. Her daughter, Natalie York, is attending OSU and majoring in hotel and restaurant administration. Wendy Mohr Hauser, ’88 ag, resigned from clinical veterinary practice in March 2013. She accepted a position with Merial Ltd as a technical s e r v i c e s ve te r i narian for the Pacific Northwest. In October 2012, she was invited by the Federal Trade Commission to appear as a panelist on the pet medications public workshop. She serves on the American Animal Hospital Association board of directors.

’90s Linda Hale, ’90 elem ed, has two grandchildren: C l a i re B a r r, t h e daughter of Kari Hale Barr, ’02 bus; and Kade Manfield, the son of Leah Hale Mansfield, ’01 FRCD. Bret Sholar, ’90 wildlf ecol, is happy to say his daughter, Abby, is a communication disorders major in the Class of 2017. Her great-grandfather, Russell Pierson, ’37 agron, lives in Oklahoma City and is almost 102.

Misty Kinbrough, ’92 elem ed, is the dean of students at Astec Charter Schools in Oklahoma City.

Veterinary Medicine. Cyril is married to Jean Clarke, M.S. ’93 vet parasite, Ph.D. ’00 vet biomed sci.

Susie Henning, ’95 physio, was promoted to director of development at Trinity Christian Academy in Willow Park, Texas. She is married to Jeff Henning, ’95 mech eng, M.S. ’97 mech eng. Jeff is a stress analyst in the aerospace industry. Their daughter, Faith, enjoyed the Legacy Weekend this past March and looks forward to applying to OSU next year.

Tammera Mittelstet, ’00 elem ed, received the 2012 Milken National Educator Award by the Milken Family Foundation and the Oklahoma Department of Education in November 2012.

Amy Presley, ’95 physio, M.S. ’99 couns & student personnel, has three children: Aubrey, 21, Riley, 17, and Aiden, 13. Paul Green, ’96 civil eng, was named director of operations for the Oklahoma Department of Transportat i o n. Pa u l m o s t recently worked as the division engineer for ODOT’s Perry-based Division 4. Paul is married to Amy Green, ’92 DHM, and they have three children: Jacob, Samuel and Maggie. Keith Bittle, ’99 pol sci, has two children, Abby and Alex.

Kyle Freeman, ’99 plant & soil sci, M.S. ’02 plant & soil sci, Ph.D. ’05 soil sci, has been recognized by Vance Publishing in i ts inau g u ra l 40 Under 40 in Agriculture Awards as an industry leader in advancing food production. Kyle is married to Nicola Freeman, ’02 ag comm.

’00s Cyril Clarke, M.S. ’00 higher ed, was named dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. Cyril previously served as a professor and dean of Oregon S t ate U n i ve r s i t y’s Co l l e g e of

Phyllis Norman, ’00 enviro sci, was appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to the Joint Co m m i s s i o n o n Women in the Profession for a two year term. Phyllis will work with 16 other commissioners identifying gender barriers, combating bias in the justice system and securing full and equal participation of women in the legal profession. Jennifer Colby, ‘01 acctg, and her husband are expecting baby number three in March 2014. Kara Rother, ’01 DHM, AAS ’07 nurse sci, was promoted to clinical director at Integris Baptist Medical Center over the Outpatient GI & Interventional Radiology Departments. Ian Cornwell, ’02 int’l bus, and his wife, Amy, are proud to announce their third boy, Ian Case Campbell, was born on June 25, 2013. Lewis Cunningham, ’02 fin and ag econ, M.S. ’04 ag econ, and his wife, Holly Cunningham, ’05 fin, are happy to announce James Lewis Cunningham was born on July 7, 2013. James joins three older sisters, Lily, Katherine and Haley. Joe Bill Ferguson, ’03 an sci, is the owner of Ferguson Animal Health Veterinary Clinic in Calera, Okla. His wife, Tiffany Ferguson, ’02 psych, D.O. ’07, is the director of emergency medicine at Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant, Okla. The couple has one daughter, Berkley Jo Ferguson, born Nov. 26, 2012. Denny Kramer, Ph.D. ’03 Engl, is the senior assistant dean at the Baylor University Graduate School. In June 2013, he completed the Harvard University Institute of Higher Education Management Development Program. Brandi Moore, ’03 journ and broadcast, recently left the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as regional

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communications manager after five years to become the community relations manager for the Child Abuse Network Inc. in Tulsa. Natalie Williams, ‘03 agri bus, and her husband, Jeremy Williams, ’03 hort/land mgmt, graduated as friends in 2003, reconnected in 2006, and were married six months later. They have two sons, Reese, 6, and Ryan, 9 months. Candace Nickeson, ’04 ag econ, and her husband, Cade Nickeson, M.S. ’04 ag, have two daughters, Chayley and Calecy, and were expecting their third child in November 2013. Ryan Roberts, ’04 bio sci, opened his own pediatric dental practice May 2012 in Tulsa. He and his wife, Julie Roberts, ’06 arch eng, welcomed their first child, Grace, on Sept. 12, 2012. Andrea (Luttrell) Hendricks, ’06 mktg, and her husb a n d, Er i c, we lcomed their first child, John Wyatt Hendricks, on April 6, 2013. He weighed 6 pounds, 3 ounces and was 18.5 inches long. Kimberly MatheSoulek, ’06 mktg, MBA ’08, Ph.D. ’11 hum sci, has been appointed to assistant professor in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Kimberly is one of nine new faculty members. Cassi Rash, ’06 journ and broadcast, was promoted from out-ofstate admissions counselor to outof-state recruitment coordinator for OSU undergraduate admissions as of Sept. 1, 2013. Ashley Marie Rhea, ’06 fin, married Patrick Miller Dickinson on Oct. 27, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Tulsa, Okla. Patrick proposed to Ashley at the Tulsa Zoo in July 2011. Ashley is the chief operating officer at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Mo. Patrick is finishing his nurse

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anesthetist clinicals at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

degree in education starting September 2013.

Chris Stewart, ’06 av sci, and his wife, Katie Stewart, ’08 athl train, are proud to announce their daughter, Alexandra Jeannette Stewart, was born on June 15, 2013.

Kim (Curley) Whitley, ’09 bio chem & molec biol, has taken a pharmacist residency position at Norman Regiona l Hea lth Systems. She received her doctorate in pharmacy from OU College of Pharmacy on June 1, 2013. She hopes to specialize in oncology and infectious disease pharmacy.

Matthew Smart, ’07 b i o c h e m, of Jenks, Okla., married Nicole Martin on Aug. 17, 2013, in Sidney, Mont. Matthew is a lab technician for Sanjel, an oil and gas service company. He is also the president and founder of the OSU Alumni Association Montana Chapter. Nicole works for Eastern Montana Industries helping people with special needs. Michael Lowry, ’08 mgmt, and his wife welcomed their fourth child, and only daughter, into the family on Aug. 1. Derek Munson, ’08 physio, and his wife, Michelle, celebrated four years of marriage in 2013.

Shelby Stotts, ’08 comm sci and disorder, is working as a registered respiratory therapist.

Cale Walker, ’08 ag leader, a former Pistol Pete, and his wife, Mindy Walker, ’10 an sci, are happy to announce their son, Mac Randall Walker was born on April 4, 2013. He weighed 7 pounds, one once and was 20.5 inches long. Randy Bortz, ’09 univ studies, has joined Northwestern Mutual as a financial representative in the downtown Kansas City office. Amy Smith, ’09 psych, has been accepted to the University of East Anglia in Norwich, Norfolk, U.K. Amy will be pursuing a postgraduate

’10s Dana Paladino, ’10 bio sci, is pursuing a dental hygiene degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Carolyn Siska, ’10 adv, was married to Trent Raleigh, ’12 PR, on July 5, 2013, in Chicago. Carolyn works as a brand manager at Littlefield Brand Development in Tulsa, and Trent works as a sponsorship activation coordinator for the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock. Bradley Chester, ’11 ag bus, went on mission trips to the Dominican Republic and Haiti from July 2012 to May 2013. He is an assistant youth minister in Memphis, Tenn., at First Evangelical Church. Jordan Henry, ’11 elem ed, was accepted into Texas Women’s University to pursue her master’s in school counseling. Sydney Sumner, ’11 HRAD, and Chris Sumner, ’10 psych, would like to announce their first born, Savannah Rae Sumner, was born on Sept. 1, 2013. She weighed 8 pounds and was 21¼ inches long. Natalee Ulrich, ’11 HRAD, is working as a hotel manager in Austin, Texas. Thai Ursin, ’11 mktg, married Shemar Ursin on June 29, 2013.

Emily Willett, ’12 HDFS, married Austin Willett, current student, on July 27, 2013. Austin will work for BKD Accounting in Oklahoma City starting in January. Brooke Beyer, Ph.D. ’13 bus admin, has been appointed to assistant professor in the Department of Accounting and Information at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Brooke is one of nine new faculty members.

In Memory Wanda Ford Newton, ’41 ed, M.S. ’66 ed, died August 12, 2013, in Edmond, Okla. She was 93. Wanda was bor n i n B r i s tow, Okla., Feb. 8, 1920, to Earl Walter and Nellie Agnes Strein Ford and lived there most of her life. Wanda graduated from Bristow Public Schools, Bristow Junior College, and then Oklahoma A&M, where she earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science. Wanda married William “Bill” Hempstead Newton on June 1, 1942. She taught tap, ballet and ballroom and also danced with the Tulsa Opera Ballet. She choreographed countless school and community variety shows. George M. Gebetsberger, ’50 mgmt, died June 26, 2013, in Tulsa. He was 86. Born May 5, 1927, in Okmulgee, Okla., he graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1945 a n d s e r ve d h i s country in the U.S. Army during World War II with the Office of Strategic Services. Following the service, George graduated from Oklahoma A&M with a degree in human resource management. He worked for Sun Oil Co. for 34 years and retired in 1983. Following retirement, he worked for 17 years with Harley Industries Inc. George was a charter member and devoted parishioner of the Church of St. Mary. William Ryan, DVM ’51, died Aug. 12, 2013, in Grimes, Iowa. He was 86. Following service in the war, Bill entered the School of Veterinary Medicine at

Oklahoma A&M and graduated with the school’s first graduating class. From 1951 to 1958 he practiced in Midland, Texas; Boise City, Okla.; and Duncan, Okla. Professionally, Dr. Ryan received the Meritorious Service Award and the Veterinarian of the Year award by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. He served as president of the American Veterinary Exhibitors’ Association and the Public Relations Committee of the American Equine Practitioners Association. He co-founded the American Veterinary History Society. Professional memberships include the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical History Honor Society. He was a member of the Oklahoma State Alumni Association. George Smyth, ’51 arch eng, died Jan. 8, 2013, in Morgantown, W.Va. He was 86. Born on Feb. 22, 1927, in Philadelphia, he served as a sergeant in the 519th Military Police Battalion in Yokohama, Japan, after the armistice was signed. He qualified for his license to practice architecture in 1955. He held a National Council of Architectural Registration Boards certification and was licensed to practice architecture in seven states. After 25 years of private practice, he became an assistant professor of architecture at Fairmont State University, where he was awarded a Faculty Achievement Award and in 1997 was named Professor of the Year. Ernest Dale “Duke” Holderman, ’52 gen bus, died June 17, 2013, in Arizona. He was 85. Duke was raised in Chickasaw, Okla. with his siblings before he attended Oklahoma A&M. He played football for the Aggies for one year before his graduation. He also met his future wife, Peggy, in Stillwater. They married in August 1952 and eventually operated their own successful business, Duke’s Office Supply. He was a college and football referee for 25 years and an avid golfer.

Keep Us Posted Alumni Association members may submit information to be published as a classnote online and in STATE magazine based on availability of space. Announcements that are incomplete (such as marriage/union and birth announcements without spouse/partner information) or older than a year may not be considered for publication. Clearly print your information and mail to Class Notes, 201 ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, Stillwater, OK 74078. Information can also be emailed to info@orangeconnection.org or submitted online at orangeconnection.org/update. A L U M N U S /A L U M N A

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Richard Tourtellotte, ’54 bus & pub admin, died Sept. 1, 2012, in Oklahoma City, from a massive stroke while playing cards with his friends. He was 80. He was born Dec. 4, 1931, and grew up in Stillwater. During his time at Oklahoma A&M, Richard was an active member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. After graduation, he served in the

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U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Following the military, Richard joined Continental Oil Co. and returned to Oklahoma City to become a regional supervisor while studying law at Oklahoma City University. He graduated from OCU in 1964. Richard was named outstanding law graduate of Oklahoma and the 10th Judicial Circuit and was among the top 10 law graduates in the United States. John Barton, DVM ’59, died Aug. 14, 2013, in North Carolina. He was 79. He attended veterinary school at Oklahoma State University from 1955-1959. After veterinary school, Dr. Barton served two years in the US Army Veterinary Corps. He was stationed at Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md., where he worked in research. After completing his service in the Army, Dr. Barton returned to Charlotte, N.C., and began working in a mixed practice. He and his partner opened a small-animal hospital, Barton-Francis Veterinary Clinic, in 1960. They established another location in 1964, which Dr. Barton bought and renamed Archdale Animal Hospital. He practiced there until his retirement in 1994, when he sold the practice to his sonin-law. During his career, Dr. Barton mentored many young veterinarians and was active in the local veterinary community. He was instrumental in bringing to Charlotte the fi rst emergency veterinary clinic, which continues to operate. Gerald “Jerry” Ray Hicks, ’61 phys ed, died Aug. 23, 2013, in Tulsa, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 74. He married the love of his life, Karen, in 1960. He started his career teaching physical education in the Tulsa Public School System. He then went on to receive his master’s in counseling from Northeastern State University, while continuing to teach. From there, he attended The University of Tulsa where he earned his education administration certificate. Jerry was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Broken Arrow, where he served on many boards and committees and as an usher for many years. He was a member of the POSSE club and a lifetime member of the OSU Alumni Association. Kirk Breed, ’68 zoo, died at the age of 73 of cancer in California. Kirk was the executive director of the

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California Horse Racing Board and a former lobbyist in Sacramento specializing in horse racing issues. He was appointed to the CHRB in February 2008. As executive director, Kirk oversaw enforcement and licensing and directed and implemented the CHRB’s equine drug-testing program, among other duties. Before working with the CHRB, he was appointed general manager of the California Exposition and State Fair in 1979, turning it into one of the premier agricultural fairs in the country during his six-year tenure. He also directed the opening of one of the fi rst satellite wagering facilities in Northern California in 1985. He also worked for the State Department in Washington, D.C., and served two years as a Peace Corps director in Colombia. Kirk spent six years working for the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation. He was a founding member of the Oklahoma Horse Council and wrote legislation that became law as the Oklahoma Trails Act. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, and his four children. Marilyn Quadracci Fabry, ’75 math, lost her battle with cancer on Aug. 31, 2013, in New Mexico. She was 60. She was born on June 13, 1953, in McAlester, Okla. She taught in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. She enjoyed drawing, cross stitching, baking, decorating cakes, watching movies and teaching. At different times in her life, she played the piano at church. The Los Alamos (N.M.) Board of Education declared Aug. 26, 2013 Marilyn Fabry Day.

Charlotte Jenny, ’76 philo, died Aug. 16, 2013, in Spokane, Wash. She was 58. Charlotte was born on Oct. 22, 1954, in Shawnee, Okla. She graduated as salutatorian from Shawnee High School. After receiving her OSU degree, she studied medicine at the OU Health Sciences Center and graduated in 1980. Since then, Dr. Jenny practiced psychiatry in Oklahoma in public and private positions, and worked as a locum tenens psychiatrist in several states, including Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Michigan. A longtime resident of Norman, she joined the staff of the Behavioral Health Service at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Spokane, Wash., in October 2012. Charlotte was known for her professionalism, her wit and her dedication to her patients and family. Keith Flanagan, DVM ’78, died April 3, 2013, in Aventura, Fla. He was 65. Keith was born April 6, 1948, in Texhoma, Okla., and graduated from Texhoma High School in 1966. He married Jan on Aug. 2, 1979. Keith attended Panhandle State University before moving to Stillwater. After graduating from OSU, he spent the next two years serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps for the 5th Special Forces Group in Fort Bragg, N.C. Following his military service, he worked at the Marlow (Oklahoma) Veterinarian Clinic. He became associated with Christian Veterinary Mission in 1979 and did his first shortterm mission trip to Haiti in 1986. He left again for Haiti on April 2, 1987, with Jan and their sons following in

June. For the next 26 years, he and Jan served in a variety of roles in ministry and development work in Haiti. Joe Don Lacy, ’10 ag leader, died June 18, 2013, at Integris Clinton Regional Hospital. He was 27. Joe Don was born Oct. 4, 1985, in Clinton, Okla. He was raised in Arapaho, OK and graduated from Arapaho High School in 2004. He was active in FFA while in high school and earned his State and American Farmer Degrees. He continued his education at Oklahoma State. While in Stillwater, his friends knew him as the president of Alpha Parka Westa. He returned home to farm with his family in the Arapaho area upon graduation. Ralph Hamilton, a longtime OSU supporter, passed away on Oct. 8, 2013, in Tulsa. He was 84. Ralph was born on Nov. 21, 1928, in Hillsboro, Ohio, to William J. and Bessie (Ford) Hamilton. He received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Ohio State University in 1949, a 1955 master’s degree in agricultural journalism and a 1969 doctorate in mass communication from the University of Wisconsin. In 1973, he and his family moved to Stillwater, where he assumed the role of director of public information at Oklahoma State University. He was also on the board of directors for Friends of the Oklahoma Museum of Higher Education. He retired from OSU in January 1993 after 20 years in university relations. His retirement years were spent traveling and participating in community activities.

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The Best in the Nation OSU’s “simply amazing” Student Union is the best in the nation. That’s according to BestCollegeReviews.org, which ranked OSU’s Student Union No. 1. The vibrant hub of the OSU campus has evolved to meet students’ needs since it opened in 1950. A recent $65 million renovation has improved retail and dining spaces for thousands of students and visitors. OSU is focused on bright minds, building brighter futures and the brightest world for all.

A Blast From the Past The day Oklahoma A&M’s Whitehurst Hall shook, rattled and rolled

It was a Friday morning, Nov. 13, 1936, and Whitehurst Hall bustled with activity as hundreds of faculty, staff and students went about their routines, unaware of the events above and below ground that would soon shake things up. Built of Strong Stuff Built in 1926, Whitehurst stood three stories tall with reinforced concrete floors, a flat roof and brick walls. It was one of the few structures west of Washington Street; agricultural fields, experimental plots, stockyards, chicken coops and barns also were located along Farm Road. The building was the namesake of John A. Whitehurst, president of the Oklahoma Board of Agriculture from 1918 to 1926. The building housed the office for OSU President Henry G. Bennett and his staff on the ground floor and the library and departments in the agriculture school, along with other administrative offices. Built before air conditioning, 240 windows opened

Story by David C. Peters, OSU Library Photos courtesy of OSU Special Collections

to breezes in warmer months. In the winter, steam lines running from the college power plant about 100 yards east provided heat. Below the 6-inch concrete bottom floor, a 3½-squarefoot tunnel ran inside foundation walls and around the building. It contained steam pipes, other plumbing, and natural gas and electrical lines. Temperatures inside the cramped tunnel could reach 140 degrees, and men working inside would need a break every 20 to 30 minutes to cool off. The Boom The second week of November 1936 started innocently enough. Early in the week, a drain in H AT T E R the soils laboratory had clogged with sand, soil and other small particles. Students had unsuccessfully tried to break up the clog with several solvents. On Friday morning, Nov. 13, college plumber Charles Penix and two student assistants, Harlos V. Hatter and Floyd C. Felkins, tried routing the drain from the third-floor laboratory. It didn’t work, and the crew decided the best way to remove the obstruction was to get at it from the base of the drain pipe as it passed through the foundation tunnel at the east end of the building. Penix headed to a conference at the engineering dean’s offices and left his student FELKINS assistants to complete the plumbing work. Hatter and Felkins removed a manhole cover in the agriculture library, and Felkins descended into the tunnel to continues

Whitehurst Hall before the 1936 explosion

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A blueprint of the first floor at Whitehurst Hall shows the location of the library and other administrative offices, including the president’s quarters. Much of the heavy damage occurred in the library and registrar’s office on the building’s northeast corner. check things out. He carried a 200-watt electric light bulb at the end of a long extension cord. The lamp guard had been removed to allow for a larger bulb. On his way back out of the tunnel, Felkins held the extension cord with the light bulb trailing behind. Just as he exited the manhole pulling up the light bulb, it struck an edge and shattered. There was a slight hissing, then a blast. Floors rumbled, walls shook, furniture overturned and windows rattled and shattered. At the building’s northeast corner, the explosion sent broken glass flying from first- and second-floor windows, threw employees from their chairs and covered offices with a debris blanket of concrete, furniture, office supplies and files. In one office, a filing cabinet flew through the metal, plaster and lath ceiling above it. The concrete floors above the tunnel cracked for more than 230 feet and raised more than 3 inches in some locations. A clock in the agriculture library and one in the dean’s office crashed to the floor, stopping their timekeeping at 11:49 a.m. Campus police, headed by Ed Phelps, evacuated the building as it filled with smoke and dust. There was no fire, but there was fear of a second explosion. Stillwater residents, hearing the boom, rushed to the site. Disaster Averted

The 1937 edition of the OSU Yearbook displays pictures of the damage to Whitehurst Hall after an explosion resulting from a broken light bulb igniting gas that had built up in an underground tunnel.

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No one was killed, but at least four people required stays at the Stillwater hospital or campus infirmary. Virginia Alexander was the most severely injured, suffering a concussion, a deep scalp wound and a strained back after she was thrown about 10 feet. Her registrar’s office desk was directly over the tunnel. Student Charles Hudgins, who had been working in a nearby office, carried Alexander outside. She remained unconscious until Monday morning and stayed in the Stillwater hospital for a week. Leah Ruth Schedler, who worked alongside Alexander, injured her back, had considerable bruising and was in shock. She was taken to the Stillwater hospital.

Birdie Adams, the agriculture dean’s secretary, had minor bruises and was in shock after being pinned under her desk. She was released from the college infi rmary the next day. Assistant plumber Felkins dislocated his shoulder when the explosion threw him to the floor. He suffered fi rst-degree burns over his upper body and arms and was taken to the college infi rmary. A letterman on the cross-country team, Felkins would miss at least one race. Assistant plumber Hatter suffered minor injuries, as had a few others, and did not require hospitalization. About 300 people were in the building at the time of the explosion; nearly 50 were on the fi rst floor. If the blast had occurred after lunch, there would have been twice as many students and staff, along with those attending an Oklahoma Garden Club clinic. Finding a Cause While Felkins and Hatter had not smelled gas when they opened the manhole, efforts to fi nd the cause of the explosion did not rule out the possibility. On Friday afternoon, chemistry students ran tubing into the steam tunnels to identify gases being released. They collected 20 air samples. That evening, authorities placed chickens in the tunnels to determine if dangerous gases were seeping into the area. The chickens appeared healthy when they were removed Saturday morning. President Bennett met with a group of university experts from engineering, chemistry, architecture and other fields Saturday morning after a large amount of rubble had been removed from inside the tunnel. The group had been formed at an emergency meeting at the scene of the explosion, just after the blast. Workers clearing rubble had discovered two old and extremely corroded natural gas lines. The lines may have been connected to a barn originally at the location but destroyed by fire a few years

before Whitehurst was built. The gas lines were in good condition as they passed through the tunnel, but their underground sections had deteriorated before entering the building. Natural gas had apparently been leaking into the tunnels for some time. In the weeks before the explosion, employees and students had noticed occasional odors, and two manhole covers had popped open without any damage. Authorities concluded the sparks from the breaking light bulb ignited the gas trapped in the tunnel. The university experts recommended that six ventilators be installed in the tunnels to carry gases and noxious fumes above the roof. Other changes would eventually work their way into Oklahoma law. All gas lines into campus buildings were replaced, with old lines cut off and abandoned. New gas lines entered buildings above ground so they could be easily inspected and repaired, and a malodorous substance was added to the natural gas distribution system. State laws to require those two safety measures for buildings would later pass. Friday the 13th Shortly after the explosion, a student sent a telegram to his local newspaper declaring, “Whitehurst Hall has been entirely destroyed by an explosion.” An exaggeration, of course, but there was significant damage, and crews worked night and day to remove all debris by Monday. The fi rst damage estimate was for $5,500 (equivalent to about $91,500 in 2013) to fi x floors, replace windows, install new ventilators and gas lines, and repair and replace furniture. Once additional building renovations were approved — including adding a fourth floor — the project total reached $75,000 (about $1.25 million in 2013). Friday the 13th in November 1936 could have been much worse at OSU, but injuries were limited and Whitehurst Hall held up remarkably well.

A few of the injured, including student assistant plumber Floyd C. Felkins with first-degree burns, were taken to the college infirmary for treatment after the Whitehurst Hall explosion on Nov. 13, 1936.

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