Welcome from Burns Hargis

Monday, August 18, 2008

August 18, 2008

Published in today’s issue of the Daily O’Collegian

“First Cowgirl”, Ann, and I want to welcome you to the start of another exciting school year at Oklahoma State University.

If you are one of the more than 5,300 new students at OSU, we are delighted you have chosen our university to pursue your higher education goals.  You have made a great choice!  If you are a returning student, we are pleased you are back and hope you had a great break.

OSU is a special place and I encourage you to take in everything you can.  Participate in campus activities.  You will meet great people, develop essential skills and expand your horizons.  When I look back on my time as a student at OSU, this involvement was some of the best education I received.  Your time at OSU will be a time of personal growth, as well as a time to build relationships that will last the rest of your life.

I especially hope you will interact with students from the many countries represented on our campus.  You will be living, working and “playing” in a global marketplace, so start learning about it now, and also consider studying abroad.
 
It is an exciting time at OSU.  Our campus is undergoing historic construction that will make us more competitive in academics and athletics, and we enjoyed record fund-raising this summer for faculty endowed positions, which will translate into a great educational experience.

OSU was founded in 1890 and one thing that has not changed in all those years is our land-grant mission of teaching, research and service.  Land-grant universities were created during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, who believed for the good of the country and its citizens that everyone should have access to a college education, and those colleges should serve the state and the world.  We remain committed to Lincoln’s vision.

Today we have an expanded vision of a modern land-grant university that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world; and expands outreach across our state and around the globe.  That means creating a truly collaborative campus where students in the fine arts can discuss ideas with engineering students, or business majors can explore potential products with design, housing and merchandizing students.  The possibilities are endless.  Thanks to a gift from Amy and Malone Mitchell, we will begin an entrepreneurship program to benefit all students and help us pursue our vision.     

OSU took a significant step to make our campus healthier when we went tobacco free on July 1.  The change was supported by student, faculty and staff leadership and creates a healthier environment in which to learn, work and visit.     

One of the best OSU traditions is athletics.  I encourage you to join the fun and excitement this fall at bigger and better Boone Pickens Stadium.  Our football team needs your support for what I think will be a great season.  A full, rocking stadium will translate into victories.  And, believe it or not, victories will translate into helping lift the entire university.  Please come to the fun!  

I hope your semester is successful and rewarding.  Work hard.  Be creative.  Have fun.  Go Pokes!