The O'Colly, Friday, June 23, 2023

Friday, June 22, 2023

Spears School of Business names James Payne as dean

of Regents approved his appointment at its June meeting last Friday.

Following an extensive search for a dean for the Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University has appointed James Payne for the position.

Since May 2019, Payne has served as dean of the Woody L. Hunt College of Business at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The OSU/A&M Board

Ranking Big 12 position groups

“Filling the dean’s role at the Spears School of Business was going to require an educator, administrator and researcher with the right experience to take the reins at a college that has enjoyed such a successful history,” said Jeanette Mendez, OSU provost and senior vice president. “I am pleased the search attracted a scholar of Dr. Payne’s caliber, who is also an experienced administrator and sitting dean.”

See Spears on page 7

Football season is creeping up, and the Big 12 welcomes four new teams. The O’Colly will rank position groups in the conference each week. Running backs are the second group to go, with a few tough decisions.

1. Texas

Talk about big shoes to fill. Texas needs to replace the production of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson. The two had more than 2,500 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Robinson is irreplaceable, but Texas still has the weapons, and the offensive line, to have a powerful rushing attack in 2023. Jonathon

Brooks, Jaydon Blue and fivestar freshman CJ Baxter will fill the role. Brooks, a speedy back at 6-foot, 200 pounds, sat behind Johnson and Robinson the past two seasons, not getting much production, but is expected to take charge in the Longhorn backfield.

2. Kansas State Kansas State will have a tough time replacing star Deuce Vaughn, but a duo in the backfield will work for 2023. Treshaun Ward transferred in from Florida State where last year he rushed for 628 yards and seven touchdowns on 6.6 yards per carry. Ward is a smaller back but can burst through the line. Giddens is also primed for a breakout season after 518 yards and six touchdowns as Vaughn’s backup last season.

See Big 12 on page 3

T. Boone Picken’s gift to OSU

most significant impact.”

Oklahoma State University

President Kayse Shrum announced on Tuesday that OSU will receive a $120 million gift from the T. Boone Pickens Foundation. The gift will fund projects like new structures arriving on campus and matters such as continuing to support students’ education.

“We are incredibly thankful to the T. Boone Pickens Foundation for this extraordinary gift,” Dr. Shrum said. “Boone was a true leader and visionary whose investments, involvements and advocacy for energy independence drove America’s oil and gas industry for nearly seven decades. But it was his generosity that had the

Dr. Shrum said even today Pickens continues to make an impact for good through the generosity of his foundation, almost four years after his death. The tragic loss of Pickens struck the Stillwater and OSU community on Sept. 11, 2019. Pickens was an energy executive, an OSU alumnus and philanthropist whose giving to the university is an estimated $650 million.

“Boone Pickens’ love for Oklahoma State University knew no bounds,” said Jay Rosser, T. Boone Pickens Foundation director. “His unwavering commitment to seeing the university thrive academically and athletically was inspiring. We are proud to carry on his legacy with this $120 million gift to his alma mater. We hope this contribution will

inspire others to continue supporting Oklahoma State’s endeavors, just as Boone did throughout his life and beyond. We are honored to be able to continue his legacy and support the university he loved so deeply.”

The T. Boone Pickens Foundation was established in 2006. The organization has made many significant contributions to OSU and continues to do so with the recent $120 million gift. The gift will be split into multiple portions, which will help OSU accomplish several visions for the university. Two of these include a $63.7 million gift to support scholarships and a $25 million gift to support the OSU Human Performance Innovation Complex.

See Boone on page 5

Courtesy of Smiley N. Pool

The T. Boone Pickens Foundation was established in 2006.

Mackenzie Janish Ranking Big 12 position groups: After Bijan Robinson departure, Texas still has potential for potent rushing attack

Emi Norton Staff Reporter

Lauren King Staff Reporter

Davis Cordova Staff Reporter

the NBA draft, the Big 12 is

Gabriel Trevino Columnist

The NBA is a different animal than college basketball.

Players who have decorated college careers who flourish on the court for four years consistently fall short of even making an NBA roster.

NBA teams prefer to draft young, high-upside players who can get a bucket against the best 500 basketball players in the world on a whim or can defend those same players reliably. Most of those guys are one-and-done; top-ranked high school recruits with world-class size and athleticism who only spend one year in college so they can enter the NBA and begin developing their game as a teenager — so hopefully when they’re of a legal drinking age they can make tens of millions of dollars.

The Big 12 doesn’t have many oneand-dones in the conference, but that’s also why it’s the best.

Only two players from the Big 12 were drafted in the first round of Thursday’s NBA draft — Kansas’

Gradey Dick and Baylor’s Keyonte George — both one-and-dones, ironically.

When teams are able to return most of its roster from year-to-year, it allows for more player development, more team chemistry, more experience and understanding of the game.

Texas made it to the Elite 8 with only one underclassman averaging more than 12 minutes per game last year, and none of its stars are projected to be drafted in the first round.

Kansas won a national championship with two first round picks, but they were both upperclassmen who fought for playing time in Lawrence for multiple seasons. The rest of its lineup was also made up of mostly juniors and seniors. Likewise with Baylor’s national championship team, which featured only one first round pick — Davion Mitchell who was a junior.

While programs such as Duke and Kentucky struggle with roster turnover after players jump to the NBA after just one season, Big 12 teams are able to continue building college basketball juggernauts. The last team to win a national championship led by freshmen was Duke in 2015, with first rounders Jahlil Okafor, Justice Winslow and Tyus Jones. It just doesn’t happen much.

So while Dick and George are the only first rounders from the Big 12, the conference will move on without two allconference second teamers. sports.ed@ocolly.com

230 S. Knoblock St. Stillwater, OK 74074

Chase Davis

Only two players from the Big 12 were drafted in the first round of Thursday’s NBA draft.

Trevino’s Tidbits: Though it doesn’t show in

still the best basketball conference

Big 12...

Continued from page 1

3. Kansas

Devin Neal is one of the best backs in the Big 12 and will have another chance to prove that this season. Neal rushed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns with 6.05 yards per carry in 2022. Neal had a few big games, most notably versus OSU when Neal had more than 300 yards. Neal also has Daniel Hishaw Jr. backing him up for another season, who had 259 yards and five touchdowns last year.

4. West Virginia West Virginia has a tank at running back. CJ Donaldson Jr. is a 6-foot-2, 240-pound tight end turned running back for the Mountaineers. Donaldson Jr. had four games with 100+ rushing yards to go along with eight touchdowns and six yards per carry as a freshman. Donaldson Jr. battled injuries last season, but a healthy Donaldson Jr. is a top-5 running back in the conference for 2023. He also has some backup with Jaylen Anderson, who rushed for 275 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries.

5. OU With Eric Gray off to the NFL, one of the best recruits in 2022 for OU will have his chance to shine. Gavin Sawchuk saw action in two games last season, but capitalized on it in

OU’s bowl game when he rushed for 100 yards and scored a touchdown.

Jovante Barnes will also contribute to the Sooners’ run game like he did last season where he rushed for more than 500 yards and scored five touchdowns.

6. BYU

BYU has always had a powerful run game, and there will be no change in 2023. BYU adds UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins to a stacked group of backs. Robbins rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored nine times last season. Robbins was an underrated portal pick-up for the Cougars, but they also have three backs -- Colorado transfer Deion Smith, Hinckley Ropati and Miles Davis -- who bolster the ground game.

7. Baylor Baylor’s backfield will feature two Big 12 starters from last season. Richard Reese, the reigning conference offensive freshman of the year, returns after 972 yards and 14 touchdowns. Reese is an explosive back with speed to get past the second level of the defense. Baylor welcomed former OSU starter Dominic Richardson this winter. Richardson had more than 700 total yards and eight touchdowns last season.

8. OSU

OSU may have lost its starter from last season, but the Cowboys have a trio of backs to lift the rushing attack higher in 2023. Ollie Gordon is the probable starter after emerging late in the season, rushing for 308 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. OSU coach Mike Gundy said in the spring he wants to get back to running the ball more in the fall. Gordon will also have Jaden Nixon and Michigan State

transfer Elijah Collins in the backfield helping out. The two combined for more than 500 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2022.

9. Iowa State Jirehl Brock had high expectations last season after replacing Breece Hall. He showed promise early, but dealt with injuries that limited his season. Brock rushed for 445 yards and three scores. Brock had four games with less than five carries. Brock has both power and speed, like Hall, and will have a healthy start to 2023.

10. UCF

UCF has a decent backfield between R.J. Harvey, who had more than 1,000 total yards last season, and Johnny Richardson, who had 6.9 yards per carry in 2022, but the true factor for the backfield is a former five-star recruit. Demarkcus Bowman first played at Clemson as a bigtime recruit, but has since bounced from Florida to UCF. The defining factor will be if Bowman can use his potential to the max in Orlando.

11. TCU What’s left from the championship game? Max Duggan, Kendre Miller, Emari Demercado and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley are all gone. Emani Bailey is a potential breakout player for the Horned Frogs, he was the third back last season, but still managed to rush for 250 yards with 8.1 yards per carry. TCU also got a former five-star recruit in the portal from Alabama in Trey Sanders. Sanders has dealt with a handful of injuries in college but has all the tools to be a starting running back in the Big 12.

12. Texas Tech

The Red Raiders were at the bottom of the conference in rushing statistics in 2022 and they lost their starting running back SaRoderick Thompson. They didn’t replace him either. Tahj Brooks is expected to take over as the first option. Brooks ran for 691 yards and seven touchdowns on 147 carries. That’s 4.7 yards per carry. Brooks is a small but speedy back who packs a punch with his 5-foot-10, 230-pound frame.

13. Houston Houston brought in Tony Mathis Jr. from West Virginia and looking back, it was a huge addition. The Cougars had Alton McCaskill, a former American Athletic Conference freshman of the year, until he transferred to Colorado in May. Mathis Jr. will be the likely first option at running back for Houston, he rushed for more than 500 yards and scored five touchdowns last season as the Mountaineers’ No. 1.

14. Cincinnati Cincinnati is changing a lot, transitioning to the Big 12 with a new coach, but the running backs didn’t change much for 2023. The Bearcats lost starter Charles McClelland to the NFL, but kept backups Corey Kiner, Ryan Montgomery and Myles Montgomery. Kiner rushed for 362 yards and five touchdowns, while the two Montgomerys combined for more than 300 yards and five touchdowns last fall. With a new staff and system on offense, the running back situation for the Bearcats will be interesting in 2023.

sports.ed@ocolly.com

Mackenzie Janish

OSU sophomore running back Ollie Gordon will likely shoulder much of the load after last year’s starter, Dominic Richardson, transferred to Baylor.

sports

Grading every football transfer from Oklahoma State since 2017

caught 37 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns, although those stats were worse than other seasons at OSU.

Tyrell Alexander: D-

Gabriel Trevino Columnist

When 11 staters and seven other players entered the transfer portal to leave Oklahoma State in the offseason, it caused fans to start an online rebellion against the program.

The transfer portal has been around for years, but 2022-23 saw the most action. Since 2017, 51 players have entered the transfer portal from OSU. Not all were starters, but few had illustrious careers after their time in Stillwater.

Not including the 18 to enter the portal this season, as their futures have yet to run their course, The O’Colly Sports went back and reviewed every player to leave OSU since 2017 and give them a letter grade them based on how they did after. Some players are still at other schools, so their grade will have time to change.

Spoiler: the average grade among all players was a D+

Keenan Brown: B

Brown only caught six passes in two seasons at OSU, but in his lone season at Texas State, he started all 12 games, hauling 51 passes for 577 yards and five touchdowns.

Darrion Daniels: C-

Daniels, OSU’s top-recruit in 2015, played in 12 games at Nebraska in 2019, recording an interception, 34 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His grade did go up as he played four games with the San Francisco 49ers in 2020.

John Kolar: F

Kolar transferred to Iowa State in 2019 but recorded no stats although he appeared in one game.

Kevin Henry: B

In two seasons at Tulane from 2020-21, Henry played in 23 games with 100 tackles, five sacks, five tackles for loss and two interceptions — a large improvement than his numbers at OSU.

Jalen McCleskey: CAlso at Tulane, McCleskey

The only thing saving Alexander’s grade from an F is that he was able to attend Vanderbilt and get a good education. On the field he only caught two passes for 11 yards.

Madre Harper: B+

After two uneventful years at OSU, Harper transferred to Southern Illinois for the 2018 and ‘19 seasons, where in 21 games he recorded two interceptions and 88 tackles. He gets bonus points for making NFL practice squads with five teams, including the Steelers in 2023.

Keondre Wudtee: D+

Wudtee played three seasons at Northern Arizona, but did play some in 2020, completing 56% of his 150 passes for 1076 yards and four touchdowns.

LC Greenwood: D-

The top recruit in the 2017 class, Greenwood left Stillwater in 2020 to play three seasons at Northwestern State, but only caught 12 passes for 132 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Patrick Macon: C+

In 2019 at South Florida, Macon put together a solid season, making 67 tackles, eight for loss, with two sacks.

Jelani Woods: A+

By far the best player to transfer from OSU, Woods became a thirdround pick to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 draft after a great season at Virginia in 2021.

Kris McCune: F

McCune played in three games at Stephen F. Austin in 2020, but only recorded seven tackles.

JD King: B-

King was the No. 2 back in Stillwater for two seasons before playing the same role at Georgia Southern from 2019-21, although he found more success. In the three seasons in Statesboro, he rushed for 1,541 yards and 12 touchdowns in 23 games.

Arlington Hambright: A-

In 2019, Hambright played his only season in Colorado where he collected a few awards before the Chicago Bears drafted him in 2020. His grade got a boost with 10 games played in the NFL, including one in the playoffs.

Thabo Mwaniki: B Mwaniki had a solid three-year career in Houston, playing in 31 games, making 97 tackles and getting two interceptions.

Baron Odom: F Odom only played in one season at East Central University in his hometown of Ada, Oklahoma, but only caught four passes for 75 yards. It’s respectable to return home, if anything.

CJ Moore: F A former four-star in 2018, Moore transferred to Iowa Central CC in 2020 before COVID-19 shutdown the season, the to Washington State from 2021-22 but recorded no stats. He is in the transfer portal now.

JayVeon Cardwell: F Cardwell went to UTSA as a junior in 2020 but did not play. He was not on a roster the next year.

Bryce Bray: CFrom 2020-22, Bray started eight games for Tulsa after not playing much in Stillwater beforehand.

Tanner McCalister: B+ McCalister’s grade is carried by his chance to start 12 games for an Ohio State team that went to the College Football Playoffs, though he regressed from his 2021 season at Oklahoma State.

Jahmyl Jeter: C+

The first player to still be in college football on this list, Jeter transferred to Texas State in 2020, and so far has played in 31 games and scored 12 touchdowns.

Hunter Anthony: D-

Anthony spent his last season of college football at Nebraska, but only started one game.

Jarrick Bernard-Converse: A

After nine starts at arguably the best program to produce defensive backs, LSU, Bernard-Converse became a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in the 2023 draft.

Grayson Boomer: F Boomer transferred to Tulsa for two seasons but has zero stats.

Brendan Costello: DCostello went back to California to play for USC in 2020 but did not play. He only isn’t an F because he was able to get a good education.

Jayden Jernigan: D+

Jernigan was a solid rotational defensive lineman in 2021 for OSU,

but with Missouri so far, he’s only had five starts and one sack. He has another season to improve his grade though.

Kamryn Farrar: D-

In two seasons at SMU, Farrar only recorded 12 tackles.

Xavier Player: D

Player participated in 23 games for UTSA between 2021-22 and will play his last year at Texas Southern.

Dezmon Jackson: D

Unfortunately for Jackson, his career will forever be remembered at the 1-yard line at the Big 12 championship in 2021 when he was tackled short of the game-winning touchdown. He transferred to Sam Houston State after that season, but regressed, rushing 99 times for 345 yards and two touchdowns.

Shane Illingworth: D+ “We want Shane” chants are long gone from OSU fans at Boone Pickens Stadium, as he’s been at Nevada since 2022. He contended for the starting job, but didn’t win it, as he only had 82 pass attempts for 457 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

(Side note: Four former No. 1 players in OSU’s recruiting classes transferred, but none graded higher than a D+. Yikes.)

Cade Bennett: D+ Bennett is a projected starter for San Diego State in 2023 after appearing in ‘22. He has time to change his grade drastically with two years of eligibility, but for now, it’s low.

Monroe Mills: BMills started 10 games at right tackle for Texas Tech last season before an injury cut his season short. He has two years left to start and can become a better player. OSU could have used another starter on its offensive line last season.

Dee Anderson: C-

For a former four-star LSU commit, Anderson’s grade should be lower, but his solid nine games in 2021 at Alabama A&M at least gave him some college football success.

Austin Jarrard: DJarrard played on special teams for Sacramento State, but with time left, at least he can play on a rising FCS powerhouse. sports.ed@ocolly.com

HIMALAYAN GROCERY STORE

Continued from page 1

Student scholarships will be designated to the Pickens legacy scholarship funds to ensure more students have access and the ability to pursue higher education without financial burden. The gift will double the impact of donor contributions.

The recently announced OSU Human Performance Innovation Complex will help enhance the health and wellness of students, OSU athletes and the Oklahoma community. This facility will contain the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute (HPNRI)

and the Cowboy Football Center.

“Physical, mental and spiritual health played a big part in Boone’s life,” Rosser said. “Boone’s passion for health and research programs is evidenced by his philanthropic support for a wide range of world-class institutions, including MD Anderson, UT Southwestern, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, the Center for Brain Health in Dallas and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, among others. He would be pleased OSU is positioning itself through HPNRI to discover and apply evidence-informed solutions to improve lives.”

The gift will provide renovation and reconstruction at the Karsten Creek golf course – home of the Cowboy

and Cowgirl collegiate golf teams. Pickens had a longlasting friendship with former OSU golf coach and athletic director Mike Holder, and Pickens supported many of Holder’s projects.

The gift will also include donating Pickens’ personal and business archives to OSU for a museum in Pickens’ honor, which will be located inside the west end zone of Boone Pickens Stadium. The museum will celebrate Pickens’ legacy as an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

“Thanks to this gift, Oklahoma State will be able to provide more students with access to an excellent education while strengthening our position as a leader in research and athletics,” said OSU Athletic Director Chad Weiberg. “Through his historic gifts, Mr. Pickens helped

position Cowboy football as one of the nation’s winningest programs over the last two decades. OSU Athletics deeply appreciates the T. Boone Pickens Foundation’s incredible generosity and unwavering support. Health and performance were very important to Mr. Pickens personally and he was a leader in providing those opportunities for his staff and employees. Specifically, the gift to support the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute will help us advance our landgrant mission by uniting the academic expertise of our human performance and nutrition experts, led by Lance Walker, with data-informed strategies and resources that will benefit all of our athletic programs and all Oklahomans.”

At the OSU/A&M Board of Regents board meeting on June 16, the organization recognized the $120 million gift from the T. Boone Pickens Foundation.

“This gift will have a lasting and transformative impact on our university community, providing vital resources and opportunities to students, faculty, athletes and staff,” said Jarold Callahan, chair of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents. “We want to thank the T. Boone Pickens Foundation for supporting Oklahoma State University in its ongoing pursuit of excellence as one of the nation’s premier land-grant universities.”

Courtesy of OSU

The $120 million gift from the T. Boone Pickens Foundation will fund projects like new structures arriving on campus and matters such as continuing to support students’ education.

Boone...

Canopy HealthTech promotes new associate director

Stacie Pace has officially been appointed as the new associate director at Canopy HealthTech.

Canopy HealthTech is a partnership between the University of Oklahoma, the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University. Pace will keep her office within OSU’s Center for Health Systems Innovation.

“We are excited about the formation of Canopy HealthTech to integrate our collective efforts in virtual health across OSU, OU and TU,” said William Paiva, executive director of CHSI. “We are even more ecstatic that Stacie will continue to have a tight working relationship with CHSI. It’s a perfect fit given our focus on deploying innovative healthcare solutions in the rural and Native American markets. Clearly, virtual health is one of our major arrows in our quiver.”

The George Kaiser Family Foundation will sponsor the Canopy HealthTech partnership, a new multi-year initiative and Tulsa-based program that aims to catalyze the commercialization of virtual health transformations for Oklahoma universities and institutions. Canopy HealthTech will accelerate startup growth and improve health care consequences by reinforcing the development of vital virtual health technologies that focus on notable health care delivery gaps.

“I’m excited about this promotion to this new role that after working with rural populations I believe will provide generational value to Oklahomans,” Pace said.

Since 2017, Pace has worked with OSU CHSI as the director of the Rural Oklahoma Network (ROkNet). ROk-Net is a practice-based research system of primary care rural physicians, and her role has helped rural health care centers access, build and share technical help and resources. This has improved care in rural areas

and communities and supports rural providers and their practices.

“Stacie’s legacy of work with rural health, along with her vast knowledge and experience in economic, business and healthcare development are a perfect addition to the Canopy team,” said Rachel Lane,

executive director of Canopy. “With Stacie, Canopy will further fast-track innovation from our university partners into startups that build an industry hub for virtual HealthTech in Tulsa.”

In addition to her work at OSU and Canopy, Pace also resides on the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma

Board of Directors, MyHealth Access Board of Directors and the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council. For more information about Canopy or its staff, please visit canopyhealth.tech.

Courtesy of OSU

Stacie Pace has officially been appointed as the new associate director at Canopy HealthTech.

Mallory Pool

Staff Reporter

Spears...

Continued from page 1

Payne will begin his duties at Spears Business around Aug. 1.

“With the excellent reputation of the Spears School of Business, I’m excited to work with the students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors to continue the school’s positive trajectory in advancing Oklahoma State University’s land-grant mission,” Payne said.

As dean at UTEP, Payne was responsible for overseeing the Hunt

College of Business on the main campus and the downtown Graduate Business Center in advancing programs. Payne served 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students and recently secured the largest single gift in UTEP’s history and first naming of a college at the university through a $25 million gift, establishing the Hunt College of Business.

Having secured successful reaffirmations at two business schools, Payne has extensive accreditation experience with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Payne has also been an active member of a number of AACSB peer review teams.

During his time at UTEP, Payne

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oversaw the restructuring Ph.D., MBA and master’s in economics programs, the redesign of the undergraduate business core curriculum, and the launch of several online programs. On top of the previous successes Payne achieved, he has also implemented a new plan and managed the successful national searches for 30 new faculty members.

In the past, Payne has served as a Fullbright Research Scholar and a Fulbright Senior Specialist at the Institute of Economics in Zagreb, Croatia, establishing a distinguished record of accomplishments in research for himself. He has published more than 280 peer-reviewed journal articles, and his work is recognized by

the Stanford-Elsevier global ranking of researchers. Additionally, he is on the editorial board of several academic journals. Payne has over 20 years of higher education administrative experience to include department chair, dean and provost at both public and private institutions. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Barea (Kentucky) College in 1985, a master’s degree in economics (1987), and Ph.D. in economics (1989), both from Florida State University

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Courtesy of OSU

Payne has over 20 years of higher education administrative experience to include department chair, dean and provost at both public and private institutions.

Preparing for Pride: First-timers guide

Jaycee Hampton Assistant News & Lifestyle Editor

The end of Pride month nears, and many people are preparing to attend pride marches and other priderelated events throughout Oklahoma.

For first-time pride march attendees, there is a list of criteria you should be aware of before attending these events.

Pride is a celebration, but it is important to remember where we are and to be alert to our surrounding areas. Despite Pride being about celebrating love, there is still a lot of hate in the world, and we have to keep a

conscious mind about it to protect those in the LGBTQ+ community.

For starters, the most important thing to do in preparation is to stay hydrated. It is vital to drink plenty of water throughout the days leading up to the event especially if it is outdoors. Keeping a handful of Liquid IV and Pedialyte is crucial for your health in the Oklahoma heat. Applying sunscreen regularly is also just as important as anything else when involving outdoor events.

Pride is a unique way to meet new people and build connections. Everyone there with great intentions is full of support for the community, whether they are a part of it or just a strong ally. For safety precautions, it should be advised to have a buddy system. Stay

with a close friend at all times and have a way to find each other if someone gets lost in the crowd. It is easy to feel overwhelmed in large crowds in a place that might be unfamiliar.

Law enforcement will be at all large pride events, such as Tulsa Pride Festival and Parade. Officers are there to assure a safe environment for everyone and will be the first to lend a helping hand to those who need it.

One of the most important things to reflect on when attending pride events: don’t feel the need to disclose your sexuality or gender identity to anyone in order to take partake in the event. Everyone is welcome. Allies and members of the community are able to come together and show love for one another, but it is nobody’s business how

you identify until you are entirely ready to proclaim that.

There is no particular way in which you should dress. Light clothing helps with outdoor heat, but being comfortable in whatever you choose to wear is crucial. Judgment has no room at Pride events. Everyone is there for the same reason: to celebrate love.

Show up as you are; there is no need to put on a facade. Remember this is a time to celebrate the community, have an open mind and have fun with people who have similar beliefs and goals for the future. Be kind to those around you, and show support for those who need it. Acknowledge the importance of Pride and why you are there in the first place.

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Courtesy of Ilmars Znotins

A protester holds a sign reading “Love is a terrible thing to hate” during the Baltic gay pride parade in Riga, Latvia, on June 9, 2018.

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Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Lewis

Daily Horoscope

Nancy Black

Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes

Today’s Birthday (06/23

/23). Share this year with beloved friends. Do the research to guide your exploration. Renovations prepare for family fun this autumn. Support friends to adapt around winter changes. Springtime domestic changes require adjustment, before your career takes off next summer. Teamwork gets extra results.

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 9 — Prioritize your work, health and energy despite unreliable conditions. Focus on what you know works. Steadily practice healthy routines for growing strength and ease.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Romantic barriers abound, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Love works in unusual ways. Growth and expansion are possible. Insight comes gradually. Follow your heart.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is a 7 — Your home is your family sanctuary. Adjust to unexpected conditions. Clean messes and make repairs. Discover the perfect solution. Savor simple domestic pleasures.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Engage with a challenging intellectual puzzle. Adapt around chaos or confusion. Do the homework, and rely on basic facts. You’re exceptionally quick and charming.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 9 — Strategize for financial growth with steady, achievable goals. Maintain momentum despite distractions. Doors previously closed are opening. Don’t rush off in the wrong direction.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 9 — Build strong foundations with a personal project. A surprising development inspires action. Follow the rules. Reconnect with a sense of purpose or dream.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 7 — You’re sensitive to noise or chaos. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Adapt practical plans. Unplug and recharge.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Teamwork provides vital support. Follow instructions carefully to advance. Adapt and coordinate to manage structural breakdowns. Don’t take anything for granted. Collaborate with friends.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Organize for efficiency around unstable professional situations. There’s room for expansion. Build and grow from strong basic structures. Push to keep deadlines and agreements.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is a 7 — Complications could deviate your exploration. Expect delays. Use your good sense. Study the remaining options. It all works out. Detours reveal their secrets.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Buy, sell and trade. Prioritize basics. Pull together to overcome a temporary challenge. Discuss shared finances. Strategize to store provisions for the future.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 9 — Connect around a challenge with your partner. Strategize and collaborate for ease and efficiency. Creativity and romance blossom. Develop your common vision with love.

1 Noisy toy

7 Went fast

11 Oroville structure

14 Legends on the road

15 Depilatory brand

16 Post-op area

17 Beatles song with the lyric “Sunday morning creeping like a nun” 19

Luke Schreiber

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