From left, Spears Business students Justis Marshall, Gray Strickland, Chance Cain, Jacob Thorley and Lane Fanning were honored as Top 20 Freshmen Men.

Five Spears Business students selected Top 20 Freshmen Men

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Five outstanding Spears School of Business students are among the top 40 in their class at Oklahoma State University after being selected as Top 20 Freshmen Men.

The students, who are now in their sophomore year at OSU, are selected for their scholarship, community service, campus involvement and outstanding leadership during their freshman year. All 40 of the students will continue with an interview process with the Achafoa Chapter of Mortar Board at OSU that will help determine the selection of the Top Ten Freshmen and Top Ten Freshmen Women.

Honored as Top 20 Freshmen Men from Spears Business are:

Chance Cain, Stillwater, Okla. (Finance);
Lane Fanning, Laverne, Okla. (Finance):
Justis Marshall, Burlington, Colo. (Entrepreneurship);
Gray Strickland, Tulsa (Accounting);
Jacob Thorley, Ada, Okla. (Management and Marketing).

Cain, the son of Leann Cain, is involved in the Freshman Representative Council, Business Student Council and National Men’s Fraternity. He was awarded the following scholarships: Fred and Janice Gibson Endowed Scholarship, Dennis and Cindy Reilley Endowed Scholarship, and the Mark and Jennifer Allen Scholarship.

Since arriving on the OSU campus, he’s won numerous honors and awards, including Business Student Council Top Applicant, Outstanding Community Service Project by Student Organization, Outstanding Freshman Dinner Attendee, President’s Honor Roll, Dean’s Honor Roll, and Freshman Follies (first place).

“I am incredibly thankful to have been selected as one of Oklahoma State’s Top 20 Freshmen,” Cain said. “Thankful for not only the affirmation of my investment in this campus, but also for the people who invested in me, who prioritized me. If it weren’t for those who intentionally sought me out, my freshman year would have looked radically different. While I am thankful for this opportunity, I rest my laurels not on any awards I have received or my academic accomplishments, but on the life-long friendships that developed my freshman year.”

Fanning, the son of Tom and Michele Fanning, has been a part of numerous organizations, including President’s Leadership Council, Into the Streets Community Involvement Committee, Social Fraternity, Greek 100 and College Republicans. He has received several recognitions, including being named to the President’s Honor Roll, Outstanding Freshman Dinner attendant, and 2017 FFA National Beef Proficiency winner.

“Being selected as a Top 20 Freshman is a complete honor,” he said. “Having the opportunity to not only represent Oklahoma State, the freshman class and the Spears School of Business but to be able to represent my hometown, my family and those that have come before me is something that I take great pride in. I am very thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve the community of Stillwater and Oklahoma State as a Top 20 Freshman.”

Marshall, the son of Tron and Lorna Marshall, has been active since arriving on campus. He’s been a member of Freshman Representative Council, Junior Greek Life and Freshmen Business Student Leaders. Marshall has also won numerous honors and awards, including Phil and Patricia Tolbert Scholar Leader Scholarship, Dale and Vena Ozment PDS Scholarship, Out-of-State Achievement Scholarship and Scott Family Scholarship.

“Being selected as one of the Top 20 Freshmen has been a humbling experience,” Marshall said. “I am grateful to Oklahoma State for pushing me to grow in all aspects of life and challenging me to become the best version of myself. Moreover, I am continually in awe of the Cowboy culture that never fails to foster a spirit of love and philanthropy. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedicated faculty, passionate advisors and loyal friends that have helped me along the way. I look forward to continuing my education here at OSU and hope to give back to the institution that has given so much to me.”

Strickland, the son of Parker and Lori Strickland, is involved in a number of organizations on campus, including being a Spears School of Business Scholar Leader, Institutional Nominee Scholar recipient, IFC Outstanding New Member of the Year finalist (1 of 3), National Fraternity Top New Member and Koch Discovery Scholarship finalist.

Also, he was a member of Freshman Representative Council, President’s Leadership Council facilitator, Spears School of Business Ambassador, Business Student Council member, Freshman Business Student Leaders (Executive Committee member), National Fraternity Alumni Relations Chairman, Pledge Class Chairman, Pledge Class Chaplain, Recruitment team member, and Freshman Follies Director.

“It is an honor to represent the Class of 2021 as a Top 20 Freshmen Man,” Strickland said. “I know that without the help and support of countless peers and mentors, I would not have been able to accomplish any of the things which have gotten me to this point. Coming into college as a third generation Cowboy, I wanted to find avenues to serve the University and those around me while also growing myself and leadership capabilities. I am here today because of the opportunities afforded me by Oklahoma State University and I am incredibly grateful for the impact they have had on my life.”

Thorley, the son of Rick and Kathy Thorley, has been active in numerous organizations, including Spears School of Business Senator (Student Government Budget Committee), President’s Leadership Council facilitator, ROOTED Community Outreach Executive, Student Alumni Board (Traditions Committee Executive Assistant), President’s Leadership Council, Freshman Representative Council and CowboyThon Events Committee.

His honors and scholarships include President’s Leadership Scholarship, Valedictorian Scholarship, B. Curtis Hamm Endowed Scholarship, Archways to Opportunity Scholarship, New Senator of the Year, Honors College, and President’s Honor Roll.

“Being recognized as a Top 20 Freshmen Man is such an honor, and, for me it goes beyond the actual award itself,” Thorley said. “To know that I was selected because people feel I made a difference and impact on campus is so humbling. Coming from a small town in Oklahoma, I never imagined that others on such a big campus would think so highly of me, let alone allow me the honor of this recognition as a Top 20 Freshmen Man. I am so grateful for this honor, and everyone who believed, helped, and pushed me to become a true leader on campus. I hope that in turn I can use this incredible honor as a platform to shine my light and continue to make a difference for others at Oklahoma State, as well as the world.”