‘Smile and go pokes’ Thursday, October 21, 2021
Former President Burns Hargis returns to OSU Jaxon Malaby Staff Reporter
Former OSU president Burns Hargis returned to campus to share life stories and valuable lessons, sprinkling pieces humor throughout his speech. One student who shared many laughs with Burns’ during his speech was finance major Lake Davis. “He’s hilarious,” Davis said. “I actually learned some stuff about his personal life that I had no idea about and it was super funny.” Burns’ wife, Ann Hargis, former first cowgirl, was a focal point of many stories during the speech, including her transformation from a massive UT supporter to a loyal and true cowboy. Finance major Ava Olmedo was also in attendance and was shocked to learn about Ann’s Longhorn roots. “I didn’t know that his wife was from UT, I thought she was from Oklahoma State, so I didn’t know she had to transform into an OSU fan, so I thought that was funny,” Olmedo said. Another story detailed Burns’ quest to buy his wife a OSU orange golf cart so she could take students to their classes on campus. Burns was told the cart could not be painted the right color of orange because it was patented by OSU. When Burns arrived at the store charged with painting the cart orange, he had a plan to bypass the patent. “If you had a letter from the president of OSU saying it was okay to paint the cart, could you do it?” Burns said.
Upon confirmation that a letter would suffice, Burns had one simple request. “Give me a piece of paper,” Burns said. However, telling stories was not Burns’ only plan. He also brought wisdom about life skills that he said are important for everyone’s success, particularly empathy. “Empathy is one of the key elements in becoming an effective leader, because if you do not understand where someone is coming from, it is hard to get through to them,” Burns said. Olmedo was impressed by this lesson and described it as the main thing she learned from Burns’ speech. “When he said to use empathy and make that a primary factor in your life, I thought that was cool because I think that is something that our generation lacks and I think that it is just something everyone needs to work on,” Olmedo said. Davis said there was a different piece of information he would use in his life going forward. “He said your smile is your greatest asset and I think that is fascinating because it is true,” Davis said. The effectiveness of a smile was the last piece of wisdom Burns shared with the crowd and it also generated the quote that struck home with those in attendance as President Hargis wrapped up his speech. “Smile and Go pokes,” Hargis said.
Abby Smith
57,000 for the fiftieth news.ed@ocolly.com
Burns Hargis offered advice, but one lesson that stuck with OSU students was the effectiveness of a smile.
Ellen Slater Lifestyle Editor
Alicia Young
Fifty-seven thousand. The crowd of proud parents and tired show directors roared as that number was read-aloud and presented in check form to Coach Boynton. That is how many dollars the 50th annual Freshman Follies raised for their philanthropy Coaches versus Cancer. Coaches versus Cancer is a partnership between the cancer association and the national association of basketball. The check was presented at the end of the show on Saturday. “We felt so accomplished to see the total. It was so rewarding to know that the countless hours that we put into shows, go back to something so great. That is what makes shows so special to everyone involved.” said the philanthropy committee. For the show
itself, the audience seemed to be enthralled by the productions that consisted of the hard work that the freshman and the directors have put into creating their eightminute arrangements. Freshman Follies consisted of 13 shows and casts. Unlike other years, every pairing made the show, therefore raising more money ultimately as there were more organizations involved. OSU Men’s basketball coach, Mike Boynton was there to accept the check on behalf of Oklahoma State’s branch of Coaches versus Cancer. “OSU is the leader (against other colleges in Coaches Versus Cancer,” Boynton announced on stage to the Follies crowd. The next Greek show is Varsity Revue which raises money for Coaches vs. Cancer as well as United Way. The OSU Basketball team will continue to raise money for Coaches Versus Cancer. entertainment.ed @ocolly.com