OSU College of Arts and Sciences launches awards, honors site

Monday, May 4, 2009

(May 4, 2009, STILLWATER, Okla.) – The College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University recently introduced a new Web feature focusing on awards and honors.

After months of design and content planning, the College officially launched an in-depth site found at http://ashonors.okstate.edu. It highlights College- and University-wide awards and honors received by faculty, staff and student achievements. Stories spotlighting faculty, staff and students also are featured.

“We created the site because the College has presented and received more than 1,000 honors over the past few years,” said Thomas Wikle, the College’s associate dean for academic programs. “The site contains information that shows current and future students, as well as faculty and staff, the many opportunities available at OSU.

“It also allows us a chance to say thank you to the individuals and organizations that provide scholarships and fellowships to the College of Arts and Sciences.”

Wikle joined OSU as a geography professor in 1989. He came up with the idea for the site after observing the volume of prestigious honors the College received, including a student who was named a Rhodes Scholar.

The site is divided into three categories: student, faculty and staff, and alumni honors. Since 1998, the College has awarded more than 700 scholarships. The undergraduate scholarships, endowed scholarships and fellowship funds are made possible by alumni, friends and foundations.

More than 200 honors have been presented to faculty in the past decade including the title of Regents Professor, which is bestowed to recognize a scholar or creative artist of exceptional ability who has achieved national and international distinction.

Distinguished alumni also are included in the site. Dignitaries, including legendary Texas oil and gas executive Boone Pickens who was recognized in 1980, are included.