Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Women in the workplace panel

“I need to be in these spaces [the workplace] because I have someone that is another generation, or next year, that’ll be here and needs to understand that they can be in these spaces too,”

On March 23, Career Services partnered with the Office of Multicultural Affairs to host a panel discussion with women who are thriving in maledominated fields.

The panel consisted of four women who were happy to share their experiences in the workplace, their leadership styles and advice for those looking to expand their professional careers.

The panelists included Jawauna Harding, Emily Quinn, Dedra Ibañez and Imani McGill. All are connected to OSU and they are passionate about women feeling like they have a place and belong working in male-dominated fields.

Jawuana Harding, the associate athletic director of OSU, said. “That’s what I have to tell myself as I’m doing this because there’s someone else who doesn’t think they belong here, who absolutely belongs here.” Topics such as negotiating salaries when it comes to getting jobs, overcoming self-doubt and advocating for yourself were discussed. Moderator Ramya Chandrashekar, career coordinator for diversity, equity and inclusion, asked the women crucial questions, leading a discussion where viewers were able to learn from them.

See Glass on page 7

TikTok star James Droz attends Cowgirl softball 5-0 victory

nior shortstop Kiley Naomi, catching Gajewski’s eye.

“When he threw the first pitch I said, ‘Dude, I didn’t know you could throw like that. He said, ‘Oh yeah. I’ve got more,’” Gajewski said.

The Cowgirls took pictures with Droz and filmed videos with him.

Senior OSU pitcher

Lexi Kilfoyl dazzled on Saturday, pitching a complete game one-hitter to propel the No. 2 Cowgirls to a 5-0 win against No. 22 Baylor. She was not the only orange-clad pitcher showered with cheers at Cowgirl Stadium.

James Droz, a TikTok sensation with 1.3 million followers, attended the game and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. A Bartlesville native, Droz makes popular sports reaction videos often asking losing teams ‘What happened?’

“We were in the presence of greatness,” coach Kenny Gajewski said. “It was awesome. He gave me a sweatshirt. He’s a cool dude.” Droz fired his pitch near the strike zone to se -

“I’ve always wanted to meet him and do a video,” freshman left fielder Tallen Edwards said. “Like, this kid is TikTok famous and when he was on the field I was like, ‘No way.’ It was really cool to get to meet him.”

Kilfoyl said she knew Droz’s signature catch phrase — “What happened?” — and enjoyed the day.

“It’s really cool to see him come out here,” Kilfoyl said. “Such a small world. A big famous guy like that coming out here to our game.”

Droz gave Gajewski an orange sweatshirt with Droz’s phrase on it.

“He’s a really nice young man,” Gajewski said. “Great family. Hopefully he’ll come back.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

CEHS celebrates Nancy Randolph Davis Day

African American to enroll at what was previously known as Oklahoma A&M College.

Darius Prier, the associate dean of equity and inclusion, was proud to showcase the program. More than 100 students, faculty and staff attended the celebration.

OSU can foster a feeling of coming together, not in spite of, but because of its differences.

Nancy Randolph Davis made history and OSU honored that legacy with a celebration. The OSU College of Education and Human Sciences hosted an event honoring the late Nancy Randolph Davis. In 1949, Davis was the first

“Davis is a seminal, historical figure that symbolizes and represents the very best of OSU’s ideals toward equity, diversity and inclusion,” Prier said. “Her life and legacy offer lessons to be learned for our current faculty, staff and students alike.”

Prier’s overall message for the program was about how

The keynote speaker was Michelle Bryan, the associate professor of educational leadership and policies and associate vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion at the University of South Carolina. Bryan shared a variety and extension of knowledge about Davis’ life history, continued legacy and the lessons we can apply to the everyday lives Davis taught us.

Jaiden Daughty

Shattering the Glass Ceiling held the panelists Jawauna Harding, Emily Quinn, Dedra Ibañez and Imani McGill. The women talked about how they will always advocate for other women.

File Photo

Nancy Randolph Davis was a powerful woman who made history at OSU and influenced the young lives of all the students she taught during her career.

Carson Toulouse James Droz, who has 1.3 million followers on TikTok, attended OSU’s softball game against Baylor on Saturday afternoon.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

Mallory Pool Staff Reporter

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Watts-Brown strikes out 13 in OSU’s win vs Baylor

As the sophomore righty departed the mound and approached the home dugout, he was immediately met with a swarm of applause from fans present at O’Brate Stadium. OSU coach Josh Holliday even met him along the third base line to exchange a high-five and a pat on the back. Normally it’s everything a starting pitcher could ask for at the end of an outing.

game I start I always want to try to finish.”

Juaron Watts-Brown knows the feeling of a good outing.

On Sunday afternoon, No. 20 OSU downed Baylor 13-2 in seven innings to clinch a series sweep – the Cowboys’ fourth of the season.

A stellar outing from WattsBrown gave the OSU’s offense enough leeway to find its rhythm in the later innings to secure a win. He threw six innings with 13 strikeouts and just two earned runs.

“It was a good bounce back outing,” Watts-Brown said. “We swept the series so it was definitely a good one. I was executing pitches better. I was filling up the (strike zone) and making the right pitches when I needed to.”

Yet, one small thing made him slightly distasteful about the way it ended.

“I wanted to finish (the game),” he said. “The want was too strong. That’s when the seventh (inning) kind of got out of hand a little bit. Every

Holliday often emphasizes to his players the importance of being the best versions of themselves. WattsBrown knows he’s had a couple of shaky performances so far this season. Still, with the help of his coaches and teammates manages to pinpoint his growth from his initial start against Missouri to a tying season-high in strikeouts and holding an ERA below 3.00.

“Josh kind of told me after the game that I gave (the team) my all so they were giving me theirs and that I need to accept that and not be so frustrated,” Watts-Brown said. “It helped me calm down a lot and realize the good in my outing.”

Watts-Brown struck out his first 11-of-14 batters faced to set the tone for the OSU (20-5, 4-2) offense, which

recorded 16 hits and three home runs on Sunday. It solidified a thunderous offensive weekend which featured 39 runs and 44 hits combined.

Watts-Brown departed the game in the top of the seventh, with two opposing runners in scoring position. Baylor (9-15, 2-4) plated both runners to prevent a shutout. One half inning later, the Cowboys pieced together five hits for five runs, highlighted by a walk-off grand slam from sophomore center fielder, Brennan Holt – the first home run of his college career.

“Sweeping anyone is hard and conference sweeps are extremely hard,” Holliday said. “Three of the days we got quality starts (from our pitchers). New faces contributed and that’s always good for the team. Yeah, I think our kids did a heck of a job (this weekend).”

Andy Crown

OSU pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown logged 13 strikeouts in the Cowboys’ 13-2 run rule win over Baylor on Sunday afternoon at O’Brate Stadium.

Daniel Allen Staff Reporter

Boynton examining transfer portal, anticipating roster turnover

in their best interest or the interest of the program to be back next season,” Boynton said. “Not all of those decisions are necessarily mine or theirs.”

aren’t naive about college basketball’s current landscape.

Sam Hutchens Staff Reporter

After their season ended with a 65-59 loss to North Texas in the NIT, Cowboy basketball players met individually with coach Mike Boynton. No conversation went exactly the same.

“Each situation is a little different in regards to whether they are even capable of being back, or whether it’s

The Cowboys finished 20-16, earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NIT after being the first team out of the NCAA tournament. The team will look different next season.

“There’s going to be a lot of fluidity in the roster, honestly,” Boynton said.

Guard Caleb Asberry and forward Bernard Kouma are the only two Cowboys who have exhausted their eligibility. And to be clear, Boynton said none of the players who can return to OSU said they did not want to in their meeting with Boynton.

And yet, Boynton and his staff

“I don’t expect everyone that’s eligible (to return) to be back, in all candor,” Boynton said.

It’s why Boynton took his laptop to Wichita when traveling to watch his son play basketball. Between games, he sat in the corner, put headphones on and watched film on players in the transfer portal. He had the laptop out when eating dinner recently, evaluating potential Cowboys while a women’s game played in the background.

“We’re going to continue to make sure we are aggressive in the recruiting space,” Boynton said. “A lot of it will be through the transfer portal. We’ve already made a lot of contacts.”

Still dealing with NCAA-im-

posed scholarship reductions, Bonyton said he has more flexibility when assigning scholarships for next year. He may use all 13 if the right player mandates it, or he could stick to using just 12.

It is all about the fit, as his team evolves.

“What’s glaring, from my perspective, we need more playmakers,” Boynton said. “We’ve got to get deeper. We’ve got to get probably more dynamic in terms of playmaking front court, obviously, we got to get more skilled there.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

The Cowboys just missed the NCAA Tournament in 2023, instead earning the No. 1 seed in the NIT.

Dominant pitching and Naomi’s first inning home run gives Cowgirls series sweep vs Baylor

Calif Poncy Staff Reporter

From the beginning, the Cowgirls were dominant.

In the final game of its first Big 12 series of the season, No. 2 OSU defeated No. 20 Baylor 5-1.

In the first inning, OSU got off to a flying start, retiring the Bears’ first three batters, and scoring four runs, mostly thanks to a three-run shot from shortstop Kiley Naomi, giving her her

eighth home run of the season.

“Here today, it was easy to see, it was big,” said OSU coach Kenny Gajewski. “That kind of just took the wind out of their sails.”

After OSU’s opening push, the Bears were never able to get back into it. Cowgirls pitcher Kelly Maxwell was a big reason for OSU’s success, holding Baylor to just three hits, and pitching a shutout before being subbed out midway through the fifth inning.

Lexi Kilfoyl came in for the final two innings, and she picked up right where Maxwell left off, not allowing

Baylor to get a hit during her time in the circle. The only reason the Bears were able to score was an error by first baseman Micaela Wark, who was unable to secure a grounder at first that, if caught, would have eliminated any opportunity for BU to score.

“She’s been great, we should have been out of that with no runs, we just botched the play at first,” Gajewski said. “She came in and slammed the door and it was awesome to see.”

Between Naomi’s homer and the pitching duo of Maxwell and Kilfoyl disposing of batters, the Cowgirls were

able to easily secure a sweep in their first Big 12 series of the season. With a 29-2 record, and a convincing series win over the No.20 team in the nation, OSU is headed into the meat of their schedule brimming with confidence. “It makes us have that confidence going forward,” said second baseman Rachel Becker. “Starting off, especially against Baylor who’s a pretty good opponent in out conference, knowing that we can sweep them, that to me makes me feel like we can sweep anyone.”

Jaiden Daughty

OSU pitcher Kelly Maxwell pitched a shutout in the Cowgirls’ win against Baylor on Sunday afternoon.

Holt walks off in first home run, victory for Cowboys and little guys

Riggio got to hims first.

Little guys stick together, the redshirt freshman Holt said.

Roc Riggio sauntered to where dirt intercepts the green turf near home plate. Riggio clapped his hands, stretched out his arms and lifted Cowboy outfielder Brennan Holt toward the sky. Holt fought through many embraces on his way back to the dugout, but

Riggio and Holt are both listed as 5-foot-9, tied for the shortest on the OSU roster. Holt said he hears the short jokes all the time from his teammates, but loves them for it. Holt’s first college home run came in walk-off grand slam fashion to beat Baylor 13-2 in seven innings. He silenced his teammate’s quips, but only momentarily.

“Hey why is the kid (in the postgame autograph session) taller than you?” One Cowboy joked, as Holt signed for a fan he was taller than, but not by much.

Holt is a transfer from LSU who started just his fourth game of the

season Sunday against the Bears. His home run, which completed a Baylor sweep via the mercy rule, is his biggest moment in an OSU uniform. Baylor right fielder Gavin Brzozowski’s face smashed against the chain-link fence in right field as he watched Holt’s grand slam soar just above reach and crash land in the BU bullpen.

“I knew I got a barrel on it, but I really didn’t think it was going out,” Holt said. “And then it went out and I realized it was a grand slam, and then I realized it was a walk-off grand slam. It felt really good.”

The hit wasn’t as impressive as when first baseman David Mendham launched a ball into the right field seats

on Friday, one-hopping the concourse and finding the track behind O’Brate Stadium, but it triggered a bigger reaction from the OSU dugout than any home run this season.

It’s easy to root for Holt, by all accounts a great teammate and the little guy who is clawing his way into a lineup full of power-hitters.

“Brennan is well liked,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said. “It’s shared energy. When you put energy into the group, it returns. He’s a good energygiver and therefore what happens is the group returns it, so that’s a response by the group based on how he’s shared himself.”

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Chase Davis

Brennan Holt & Roc Riggio celebrate Brennan Holt’s walk-off grand slam on Sunday afternoon.

Ben Hutchens Staff Reporter

CEHS...

Continued from page 1

Due to Jim Crow laws, it was understood that when Davis was admitted to OSU, she was required to sit outside classrooms in the hallway. After receiving the secondhighest score on a test, her white classmates acknowledged her intelligence and made complaints to the professor which resulted in her access to join other students inside the classroom. Davis was no longer seen as a danger to the educational environment by her peers but rather as someone who could enrich their own education.

Davis’ drive to attend Oklahoma A&M was mainly due to its closeness to Dunjee High School where she taught home economics and because it was her right.

Even though she is now known as a civil rights activist and trailblazer for equity in higher education, Davis didn’t see herself as a change-maker at the time.

“One does not need to see themselves as a leader or be in a position of authority to become a changemaker,” Bryan said. “Institutional transformation is situated in how we interact and advocate for diverse students to become everyday leaders.”

At the celebration, on top of the keynote speaker, a panel of faculty and graduate students from various back-

grounds and academic areas engaged in discussion on the historical influences of Davis’ pioneering efforts for equitybased practices in higher education.

Panelist Olajumoke Beulah Adigun, an assistant professor in the School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Aviation, feels the way people can foster a commitment to equity is in creating a good environment for conversation.

“Everyone wants to be heard,” Adigun said. “As a society, we often spend more time talking and not enough time listening – not just listening to what is being said but to who is saying it.”

With Davis, people eventually began listening to her needs which paved the way

to a more inclusive and equitable environment for all people seeking a degree in higher education.

College of Education and Human Sciences Dean Jon Pedersen shared the honor of being a part of the celebration.

“We feel strongly about what Nancy Randolph Davis means to the college, campus and our greater community,” Pedersen said. “Her legacy will continue to have a positive impact for years to come.”

Echoing this sentiment, OSU’s provost and senior vice president, Jeanette Mendez, said that everyone can all learn from Davis’ acts of leaning back to help others.

“Woven in the university’s academic mission are the ways by which we can prepare students within the classroom

to do good beyond the classroom,” she said.

When thinking about what it means to uphold diversity, equity and inclusion, values such as empathy, advocacy, benevolence and commitment are at the forefront of that mission.

Emily Tucker is the assistant professor and program director for OSU’s Opportunity Orange Scholars. She added that when spaces are created where an individual is allowed to be whoever they are, that is where people have an opportunity for connection and belongingness among individuals from all backgrounds.

For information about Nancy Randolph Davis and her impact, please visit education. okstate.edu.

Courtesy of OSU

The OSU College of Education and Human Sciences hosted an event honoring the late Nancy Randolph Davis, the first African American to enroll at what was previously known as Oklahoma A&M College.

Glass...

Continued from page 1

Meg Clowers, a sophomore secondary education major with a focus in history and geography, said she has aspirations to become a men’s basketball coach and she took the time to ask the panelists a question of her own during the Q&A at the end of

the panel.

“I was very excited to see somebody who was in athletics on the panel because education itself is a pretty female-dominated field so I feel like there are not a lot of barriers there,” Clowers said. “But when you add on coaching, especially a men’s sport and then also history, It’s mainly men. So it was really nice to see women in education and women in athletics, both here today.”

The tone of the panel was extremely uplifting and encouraging. All of the panelists reminded the people who attended that they are capable of doing anything they set their mind to in the workplace.

“Advocate, advocate, advocate all the time,” Dedra Ibañez said. “I have had women that have advocated for me and I will continue to advocate for them through mentorship and organizations making sure that their voices are heard and that they know that they need to take that role. You need to go for it.”

“I just know I’m leaving here feeling better, my spirits are higher,” Clowers said.

news.ed@ocolly.com

Lethal fentanyl poisoning is real.

The drastic increase in opioid overdose deaths is largely due to fentanyl poisoning. Illegal fentanyl is cheaper than most other drugs on the streets and is being intentionally substituted into cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and drugs like counterfeit Adderall®, Percocet® and Xanax® as well.

Learn the facts and protect those you love.

Jaiden Daughty

Jawauna Harding, the Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development, discusses key areas of concern in the workplace regarding women.

More than books: Edmon Low Library celebrates OSU authors

Taylor Carroll Staff Reporter

Edmon Low Library hosted its 17th OSU authors event honoring OSU staff, faculty and students who published a book in the past year.

The event was held in the Peggy v. Helmerich Browsing Room at the library where hard copies and eBooks surrounded the room, which encouraged other authors to read what their other colleagues have written.

The Dean of Libraries, Sheila Grant Johnson, made a speech to the authors about their achievements and encouraged them to get to know one another. Following the speech, the guests were served with

honey-glazed chicken sliders and southern potato skins while discussing the content of their books.

Libby Whitlow, a public history masters student and a GRA for library communication services, started planning the event in January and made sure each author got their publication on their websites, goodie bags and a poster of all the authors.

Whitlow said the library wanted to recognize the people who took the time to write a book to get it published, whether they are novels, textbook publications, research or creative works.

“As Sheila said earlier, a library isn’t just about books,” Whitlow said. “It’s about connections. It’s about knowledge. It’s about bringing people

together. And so this event is just a great opportunity to have authors come together and learn.”

Many authors showed up to talk about their books and get recognition for their work. Donna Lindenmeier, an associate professor in recreation management, recreation in athletic management and leisure studies, is the co-author of the “Oklahoma Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.” Lindenmeier’s book talks about creating an outdoor recreation plan for the state so that they can use the state to get later water conservation fund money. Her goal was to help other communities find a plan and apply for grants to make recreation in their city or town. After her book was

published, five different communities in Oklahoma contacted Lindenmeier trying to find out when the book is getting published. “Everyone’s affected by it,” Lindenmeier said. “Every student here has had an interaction with it, whether they know it or not.”

Carlos Cordova, a professor of geography at OSU, is the author of “The Lakes of the Basin of Mexico: Dynamics of a Lacustrine System and the Evolution of a Civilization.”

Cordova’s book focus on lakes that used to be in cities in Mexico but no longer exist. He set the book up like a textbook, with many pictures and graphs describing the change in over 500 years. A few of the changes showed in the

book are the lakes, landscape changes and animal species that used to be in Mexico. It took Cordova three years to write the book and he said it is important for OSU to know what happened to Mexico. The target audience for Cordova’s book is academics, historians, archeologist and engineers. He is also making a Spanish version of his book so people in Mexico can read it and learn about what was in their country.

“Many people in Mexico do not know about the history of the city of what’s below the city, or what the city used to be,” Cordova said. “In many museums, and in many textbooks, they have the wrong information.”

news.ed@ocolly.com

Courtesy of OSU OSU authors

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

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The best selection of beer, wine and li quor that Stillwater has to offer! Perfect for all your game day needs, come to Brown’s Bottle Shop located on 128 N. Main

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Serving quality pizza and more since 1957.”

Murphy’s Department Store

815 S Main, Downtown

Open 10-6

Monday thru Saturday

Business Squares Business Squares Company Coming?

Check out “Cowboy Cabin” 550 steps east of Boone Pickens Stadium

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (03/28/23). Personal dreams can come true this year. Restore energy with daily rituals including beauty, rest and reflection. Springtime blossoms into personal insights that reveal profitable summer opportunities in new directions. Autumn romance delights, inspiring collaboration for winter financial savings. Lead with your heart.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 7 — Think before speaking. Use tact and diplomacy around sensitive issues. Avoid silly arguments with family members. Gentle encouragement works better than force. Listen and learn. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Do the homework. Writing or publishing projects can flower. Don’t push if the timing isn’t right. Edit and follow rules carefully. Adapt with unexpected delays.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 9 — Have faith in yourself to make a financial goal. Learn from the competition. Patiently address a hidden expense or challenge. Forge ahead and prosper.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Consider words and actions before launching, especially with personal matters. Hidden dangers line the trail. Slow to review. What do you really want?

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 6 — Allow yourself time to decompress. Don’t make hasty decisions. Enjoy private rituals. Write in your journal. Extra sleep and good food recharge you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Connect with friends, old and new. Together, you can move mountains. Gentle pressure works better than force. Inspire and encourage others to succeed.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 6 — Plan professional moves before making them. Coordinate and organize. Don’t leave anything to chance. Test to ensure that everything works as intended. Avoid impulsive moves.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is a 7 — Explore and investigate patiently to navigate barriers or limitations. Avoid risky travel conditions. Expect the unexpected. Document your adventures. Coordinate itineraries and keep backup plans.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is a 7 — Stay in communication around financial obligations, bargains and agreements. Support each other to save resources and raise profits. Avoid arguments. Sign after careful review.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Work with a partner to navigate unforeseen circumstances. Slow to consider and strategize. Maintain open lines of communication. Consider consequences before taking action.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 7 — Guard physical energy despite challenges. You’re growing stronger. Don’t push into a brick wall. Find alternate options. Keep doing what’s working and abandon what’s not.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Have fun with people you love. Things may not go as planned, especially regarding romance. Don’t push anything. Complications abound. Let things ripen.

5

Tim D’Alfonso

Solution to Monday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk