OSU College of Arts and Sciences names top 10 seniors

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Top 10 Students meet with College of Arts and Sciences at Murray Hall on the OSU campus. Front row from left: Dawson Metcalf; Renee Derese, guest of Rex Linn; Stacey Dunbar; Lydia Meador; Stefanie Krull; Blaine Bertrem; Regents Professor Peter M.A. Sherwood, dean of the OSU College of Arts and Sciences; John Brooks; and Amy Martindale, director of Student Academic Services for the College of Arts and Sciences. Left to right/back row: Jason Caniglia, vice president of development for the College of Arts and Sciences; Steven Ortman; Brent Harkrider; and alumnus and actor Rex Linn.

Alumnus and actor Rex Linn encourages students to pursue goals.

Actor Rex M. Linn, a regular on TV’s hit series, CSI: Miami, was named 2011 Distinguished Alumnus for the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University on April 14.

Linn, a 1980 journalism and broadcasting graduate, was presented with the distinction at the college’s honors and awards banquet where more than 200 students were recognized.

Linn has appeared in more than 35 films including Cliffhanger starring Sylvester Stallone, Clear and Present Danger starring Harrison Ford, and Rush Hour starring Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan. His current and most popular role is as Sgt. Frank Tripp in CSI: Miami as David Caruso’s reliable buddy.

Linn encouraged students to “go full speed ahead” when pursuing their dreams. “Do not let others discourage you from your goals though at times they may seem unobtainable,” he said. “Just remember, it does not matter what coast you are living on, perseverance is the key.”

Top 10 Seniors are Blaine Bertrem, psychology, Edmond, Okla.; John Brooks, political science, Gore, Okla.; Ellysia Dierker, Spanish, Corinth, Texas; Stacey Dunbar, English, Oklahoma City; Brent Harkrider, biological sciences and chemical engineering, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Stefanie Krull, history and German, Stilwell, Okla.; Lydia Meador, botany, biochemistry and microbiology, Broken Arrow, Okla.; Merideth Miller, English, Edmond; Steven Ortman, psychology, Henryetta, Okla.; and Erin Prutow, political science and philosophy, Newtown, Penn.

The annual honors and awards banquet is coordinated by the OSU Arts and Sciences Student Council who serve as the voice for undergraduate students in the College. The College of Arts and Sciences provides core courses for all colleges of the University and the foundation of teaching and scholarship essential to any university. The College is comprised of 24 departments. To learn more, visit http://cas.okstate.edu.