Outstanding Senior Q&A: McKenzie Beesley

Friday, February 28, 2025

Media Contact: Hallie Hart | Communications Coordinator | 405-744-1050 | hallie.hart@okstate.edu

As a high school student in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, McKenzie Beesley wanted to be a wedding planner.

An online search for fitting degree programs led her to Oklahoma State University, where she chose to study hospitality and tourism management. Beesley learned how to plan weddings, but she also opened her eyes to many more career possibilities, immersing herself in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management’s experiential learning opportunities. 

With academic excellence and campus involvement, Beesley distinguished herself as one of 25 Outstanding Seniors named by the OSU Alumni Association for the 2024-25 academic year. 

This semester is a monumental time for Beesley. She is anticipating her May graduation, applying for jobs and getting married, using her HTM lessons in her personal life as she plans her spring wedding.

The Spears School of Business talked to Beesley about the highlights of her OSU experience.

What is the most memorable event you’ve been involved with planning at OSU? 

I’m currently an executive chair for the Wine Forum of Oklahoma, which is a really big event. I feel like the end of that one is going to be the most significant for me, but so far, it’s probably when I was the front-of-house manager for a Distinguished Chef Series event. I was able to take on a manager position, learning leadership skills and really figuring out how to actually put on an event, and then also being able to communicate to all of our big scholarship donors. 

It was really impactful because we had that hands-on experience. Professors talk about things in the classroom and their experiences, but I was really able to take what I learned in the classroom and actually be able to do it. It really helped me feel prepared for my future outside of college. It was great to see all of my hard work pay off when you put on this event for 300-plus people. 

Is there a mentor who has been particularly influential to you? 

I’m a manager-in-training at Taylor’s Restaurant on campus. Our supervisor is Silvio Ceschini. He has been my greatest mentor throughout the last four years. I had a class with him and started working at Taylor’s when I was a sophomore. He’s helped guide me and teach me and give me advice on how the industry works. It’s been very uplifting because he’s seen things in me that maybe sometimes I don’t see in myself, so it’s nice to know I have that support from him.

Do you have a favorite type of cuisine from Taylor’s rotating menu? 

This is such a hard question. They’re all so good. I really love Spain week and Latin America week.

Outside Spears, what OSU experience has been really important to you? 

Being a Community Mentor on campus. I’ve done that for the past three years, and I’ve been able to mentor freshmen in their first year of college — and it doesn’t necessarily have to be freshmen living in the dorms. It could be any classification of students, but the majority are freshmen, and it’s been really inspiring to watch them work their way into school and figure out what fits for them.

This is their first time away from home, so really creating and fostering a community inside the residential halls, being there for them and creating a safe place for them has been something that’s been memorable and a great experience. Not only in the personal aspect of it, but also the fact that I’ve been able to gain a lot of experience from it, whether it be communication or problem-solving. I live in an all-girls dorm, so I’ve definitely strengthened my problem-solving skills over the past three years. I’ve not only gained experience myself, but I’m also able to help foster a space for them and give them resources to help them get through their first year of college.

What does the next step after college look like for you? 

I am moving to Midland, Texas, which is kind of by New Mexico. So, right now, I’m job searching, finding something that I think I’d like and enjoy.

Have your HTM classes influenced the way you’re planning your wedding? 

Oh my gosh, yes. Especially my event classes, for sure. When we do events, we’re able to create timelines and pick out linens and decor, really just the whole backbone of putting on an event. It’s really helped me look through the ins and outs of what I need to do. I’ve been able to communicate with vendors on food and photography, so it really does prepare you to put on your own event if you really want to. I’ve seen so much behind the scenes that sometimes it’s overwhelming, but also, I’ve really been prepared to do this.