OSU certified as healthy campus for second year

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Pictured are: Kendra Milligan, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma Jamie Payne, OSU Human Resources Mary Talley, OSU Department of Wellness Shelby Morris, OSU Human Resources Amy Hoy, OSU Human Resources Preston Nesemeier, OSU Department of Wellness Tabi Deal, OSU Department of Wellness Anne Matoy, OSU Division of Administration and Finance Kerrie Cook, BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma.

For the second year in a row, Oklahoma State University has received the highest level of excellence from Oklahoma Turning Point Council’s Shape Your Future campaign, which has named OSU as a Certified Healthy Campus.

“We were so excited to hear that OSU was recognized as a Certified Healthy Campus at the level of excellence for a second time. We are working hard to become America’s healthiest campus,” Dr. Lee Bird, Vice President for Student Affairs said.

OSU is helping its students, faculty and staff recognize the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, with an assortment of wellness programs that give individuals both the knowledge and resources needed to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

“Oklahoma State University has made great strides in the area of health and wellness, and I couldn't be more proud of this university,” First Lady Ann Hargis said. “Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to reach faculty, staff and students, we have seen real results. We are pleased to once again be recognized for these efforts and look forward to continuing a healthier campus culture.”

The Oklahoma Certified Healthy Campus status recognizes post-secondary public and private institutions of higher learning and career technology centers for their outstanding efforts and achievements in actively creating a safe and healthy environment for faculty, staff, students and visitors.

“The Department of Wellness is honored to accept this award on behalf of the entire OSU family in recognition of all the programs implemented on campus that focus on wellness and healthy lifestyles,”said Mary Talley, Employee Wellness Program Manager in the Department of Wellness.

OSU’s mission of striving to be America’s healthiest campus is easily recognized through its wellness programs and services. OSU was the first university in the Big 12 to become a smoke-free campus in July of 2008. As of August 2011, access to both the Colvin Recreation Center and the Seretean Wellness Center were included in employee benefit packages.