September 14, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
Oklahoma State University released 2007-08 student enrollment numbers today during the OSU/A&M Board of Regents meeting and enrollment across its five campuses for the Fall of 2007 is 32,265, compared to 32,402 last year. Enrollment at the Stillwater and Tulsa campuses totals 23,005, compared to 23,307 in the Fall of 2006. “Although total numbers are down slightly, this year’s enrollment is one of the most academically honored and ethnically diverse in OSU history,” said Marlene Strathe, Interim OSU System CEO and President. This year’s freshman class of 3,209 had an all-time high average ACT score of 24.8 (an increase for the fifth consecutive year) and includes 28 National Merit Scholars (an increase for the third year). More than a fourth of the incoming freshmen were in the top 10 percent of their graduating class and close to 60 percent were in the top 25 percent. The number of Hispanic, Native American and international students has increased throughout the OSU System this year and the number of transfer students from the OSU/Northern Oklahoma College Gateway Program increased for the fourth consecutive year. For more details, click here
OSU breaks ground on new classroom facility
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson joined officials from Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College to break ground today on the North Classroom Building. The $14 million facility is being partially funded through the Oklahoma Higher Education Capital Bond Program. “I am pleased to be here today to help celebrate another milestone in the NOC/OSU partnership that represents two very important members of the Oklahoma higher education system,” said Chancellor Johnson. “Creating more access to a four-year college degree, like the Gateway Program does, is essential to the advancement of our state both economically and socially.” The Gateway Program was designed for freshmen who don’t qualify academically to attend OSU to begin their higher education at NOC. It began in the fall of 2003 with just 400 students, this fall 2,000 students are enrolled, and as of the spring of 2007 approximately 320 students had completed the 24 hours required to transfer to OSU. “We are so pleased with the success of the Gateway Program,” said Interim OSU System CEO and President Marlene Strathe. “This facility will add much-needed classroom space for use by NOC students and disciplines across the OSU campus.” For more information, click here <> .
OSU names new Regents Distinguished Teachers
Regents Distinguished Teaching Award winners for 2007 were approved by the OSU A&M Board of Regents at its meeting today, and eight Oklahoma State University faculty members will be recognized during the fall convocation on Oct. 11 on the Stillwater campus. Interim OSU System CEO and President Marlene Strathe will formally recognize the outstanding faculty members from the Stillwater campus. This will be the 17th year in which these awards have been presented. Receiving the prestigious awards will be Jeffory A. Hattey, professor of plant and soil sciences in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources; Shelia Kennison, associate professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences; Ravi Sheorey, professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences; Marilyn Kletke, professor of management science and information systems in the William S. Spears School of Business; Camille DeYong, associate professor of industrial engineering in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology; Timm Bliss, assistant professor of aviation education in the College of Education; Amanda Harrist, associate professor of human development and family science in the College of Human Environmental Sciences; and James Lish, assistant professor of veterinary physiological sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine. For more details, click here
OSU selects outstanding research faculty
The OSU A&M Board of Regents announced today that eight OSU faculty members will receive 2007 Regents Distinguished Research Awards for outstanding achievement in research at the university’s fall convocation on Oct. 11. The eight faculty selected have demonstrated continued excellence in research throughout their academic careers while achieving national and international acclaim in their respective fields of study. Kaladi S. Babu, professor, physics; William Barrow, professor and Sitlington Chair in Infectious Diseases, veterinary pathology; B. Wade Brorsen, Regents Professor and Jean and Patsy Neustadt Chair, agriculture economics; Amanda W. Harrist, associate professor, human development and family science; Robert Mayer, professor, English; Ramesh P. Rao, professor and Paul C. Wise Chair in Finance; Jeffrey D. Spitler, C.M. Leonard Professor, mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Barbara J. Walker, professor, curriculum and educational Leadership. Click here
OSU/A&M Board of Regents welcomes new Regent
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry’s appointee to the OSU/A&M Board of Regents, Andrew W. Lester, was welcomed today by his fellow Regents during the regularly scheduled meeting in Stillwater on the OSU campus. Lester fills a vacancy created when Regent Burns Hargis resigned from the OSU/A&M Board of Regents in July to explore the OSU and System Presidency. “We are delighted to welcome Andy to the Board,” commented Regent Chair Lou Watkins. “Andy is well-respected as a leading scholar on constitutional law and democracy. His experience as an adjunct professor the past 18-years at Oklahoma City University School of Law where he has taught State and Local Government Law and Employment Law will be valuable particularly as it relates to our ongoing pursuit of academic excellence. His broad legal experience in civil rights, insurance and international law as well as his civic involvement in a number of important events and causes in our state will be beneficial to the Board as we carry out our duties and responsibilities to the diverse institutions we govern.” For more details, click here
OSU Board approves personnel actions
The Oklahoma State University/A&M Board of Regents approved several personnel actions during its Sept. 14 meeting at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. Garvin W. Quinn, director of marketing and communications at the Institute of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee since 2001, was named director of Agricultural Communications Services. M. Keith Owens of Texas A&M University, Uvalde, was named professor and head of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. His appointment grants tenure. K. Celeste Campbell, director of the OSU Bureau for Social Research since July 2006, was named university registrar. Blayne E. Mayfield, OSU associate professor of computer science, was named director of the Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence, formerly known as Educational Television Services. Kelly J. Burley, former news and program director at KOSU radio, was named director of the public radio station. For more details on these and other personnel actions, please click here
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On the calendar…
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Celebrate Constitution Day
OSU celebrates Constitution Day 3-5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 17, in the Peggy V. Helmerich Browsing Room at the Edmon Low Library. The presentation is part of a nationwide initiative to promote increased understanding of the U.S. Constitution and the role it plays in today’s world. Danny Adkison, an associate professor of political science at OSU and an expert on constitutional law, will discuss the “Negative Pregnant” and speak on President James Madison, the father of the Constitution. A question and answer session will follow the presentation. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.
IdeaRaiser set for OSU-Stillwater
The OSU Alumni Association and the Cowboys for Higher Education will be hosting a Cowboy IdeaRaiser on Tuesday, Sept. 18, starting at 5:30 p.m. in the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center on the Oklahoma State University campus. Part of the 100 Ideas initiative launched by Oklahoma Speaker of the House Lance Cargill (R-Harrah), the IdeaRaiser is a program working to make politics proactive, to harness the wisdom of everyday Oklahomans and to connect politics to people’s everyday lives. The event, which is open to the public, will be focused on giving attendees the opportunity to visit with Cargill and share ideas for improving the state. Light refreshments will be offered. To RSVP, call 1-888-465-2007 or e-mail rsvp@100ideasok.org. You can also visit www.100ideasok.org .
OSU-Tulsa to host public forum on proposed river plan
Oklahoma State University-Tulsa will host “RiverNow: A Public Discussion on the New River Plan,” a free public forum about the upcoming vote on the proposed Tulsa County sales tax for Arkansas River development projects. Organized by TulsaNow, the forum will take place Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in OSU-Tulsa’s Auditorium. Two representatives on behalf of both sides of the proposal will speak and answer questions from the audience during the forum. Ken Busby, executive director of the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa and a TulsaNow board member, will moderate the discussion. OSU-Tulsa is located at 700 North Greenwood Avenue, near I-244 and Detroit Avenue. For more information about the forum, call TulsaNow at (918) 630-6260.
Stress reliever/ management program
Are you stressing out over your first, second or maybe even third exam of the semester? Are you in need of a study break? Then come to Stress Management night! Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the African American Business Student Association are hosting a stress reliever seminar Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Centennial Lounge in the Student Union. Topics like time management, ways to avoid stress and more are to be covered. Besides, you were going to take a study break anyway, right?
Alcohol Awareness Week is next week
Oklahoma State University’s Health Education Department has teamed up with the OSU Police Department during Alcohol Awareness Week to present the “Brew Review” on Wednesday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m. in Student Union room 408. The program will include a skit about the dangers of drinking and driving, clarification of the charges involved, including: minor in possession, driving while intoxicated and driving under the influence. Four students will also consume different kinds of alcohol and take a sobriety test and breathalyzer test to show them how intoxicated they really are. Alcohol education information booths will be set up in the Student Union Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The booth will be outside at the Chi-O Clock on Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The “Brew Review” and weekly events are all free!
Student and alumni survey results available online
Would you like to know…
∙ how much money OSU students are earning one year after graduation? …five years?
∙ what jobs graduates with your major are getting, and where they are working?
∙ how many grads are working in jobs not at all related to their majors? …what are these jobs?
∙ how recent alumni feel about their academic preparation for their current employment?
∙ how satisfied recent grads are with the instruction, academic advising, and overall educational experience at OSU? To find this information and more about OSU alumni, go to http://uat.okstate.edu/assessment/surveys/alumni.
You can also check out the other surveys coordinated by the Office of University Assessment and Testing at http://www.uat.okstate.edu/assessment/surveys/.
First Oklahoma Teaching of Psychology Conference soon, register now
The first conference for the Oklahoma Network for the Teaching of Psychology will be held on Friday, Sept. 21, at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City. The conference has been organized by Shelia Kennison, associate professor of psychology, and Sue Jacobs, associate professor in the School of Applied Health and Educational Psychology. Keynote speakers include professor, author, and philanthropist David G. Myers from Hope College; Bertha Holiday, director of Ethnic Minority Affairs at the American Psychological Association; and Kenneth Weaver, professor and chair of psychology, from Emporia State University. Registered participants include representatives from 33 institutions around the state where psychology is taught, including 14 high schools. To register for the conference or for more information, contact Shelia Kennison at 405-744-7335 or shelia.kennison@okstate.edu. To learn more, visit http://psychology.okstate.edu/faculty/kennison/ontop.htm.
On display at the OSU Library: Patents landed by women inventors
The second floor west display case in the Edmon Low Library currently features patents issued to women living in Indian or Oklahoma Territory during 1891-1907. It is a collage of the 39 patents, which include inventions such as washing machines, hair crimpers and cabinets. The display was designed and produced by Marian Chitwood and includes some of her own family heirlooms from the time period. The featured patents are listed on the Oklahoma Inventors web site as well: http://okinventors.library.okstate.edu/facts.htm. The display celebrates the state’s Centennial and the 50th anniversary of OSU as a depository for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Cancer Prevention: Be proactive with a personal action plan – today is registration deadline
Join Kimberly Riddle from the American Cancer Society as she discusses cancer prevention and the necessary steps to develop your own personal cancer prevention action plan during Wellness Wednesday, Sept. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Seretean Wellness Center Lecture Hall. Discussion topics will include the ABC's of breast health, prevention of colon cancer, the role of family history, what tests should be performed at what ages, and a question and answer session. A free, heart healthy lunch will be served, but you must register by Friday, Sept. 14. To register, call (405) 744-WELL (9355) or e-mail wellness@okstate.edu.
Wellness tip: Craving chocolate
Eating sugary candy when you really want chocolate can leave you feeling unsatisfied. It can also lead to excess calories. If you crave chocolate, consider buying and eating your favorites in small amounts. Chocolate isn't any more calorie free than sugar, but it can be healthier if it only takes a bite or two to satisfy your urge. Wellness tips are brought to you by the OSU Seretean Wellness Center, dedicated to making OSU the Healthiest Campus in America. For more information about services for students, faculty and staff, call 744-WELL (9355).