OSU program recruits out-of-state leaders
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Alumni Ross and Billie McKnight are realizing their vision through a unique program that has already provided more than 133 student leaders with scholarships to Oklahoma State University in the last three years. The program recruits students from rural communities, outside Oklahoma, to attend OSU. There are 51 McKnight Leader Scholars for the 2014-15 academic year.
The McKnights, who met while attending OSU, established the McKnight Leader Scholars Program to develop ethical leaders who will help lead the way for others. The program includes a renewable waiver of out-of-state tuition fees, $10,000 in scholarships over two years, and opportunities to develop leadership skills through exclusive courses and seminars.
The scholarship recipients, who’ve exhibited their own leadership potential, are brought together at OSU, where we challenge them to make an impact, explained Marshall Baker, director of the program.
“McKnight Leader Scholars are encouraged to find a cause meaningful to them, join, and begin the journey of influence. The emphasis is not on titles and awards but how the students can make a positive difference through their personal involvement and leadership,” said Baker.
The students attend special classes to provide support for their journey, take an active role in service projects to build community and model the way, benefit from access to successful mentors, and connect with a community of scholars.
“Ultimately, these students will be equipped to have a profound impact on the community and career they choose,” said Baker.
The McKnight Leader Scholars Program rewards students based on leadership and extracurricular activities such as community service, job experience, 4-H, FFA and high-school student government.
Nominations for incoming freshmen or transfer students must be submitted by a high school administrator, non-parent OSU alumnus, former McKnight Scholar, 4-H or FFA leader, or other community group leader for which the student has been involved and served in a leadership position. For more information, visit OSUgiving.com/McKnight.
Listed below is this year’s class, including hometown, proposed major, and high school.
California
Prather
Macy Perry, Animal Science, Clovis East High School
Colorado
Del Norte
Jordyn McMaster-Neely, Animal Science, Monte Vista On Line Academy
Kansas
Meade
Morgan Olvera, Mechanical Engineering, Meade High School
New Mexico
Tatum
Kylie Wheeler, Animal Science, Tatum High School
Texas
Abilene
Blair Beale, Education, Wylie High School
Bailey Turner, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wylie High School
Amarillo
Nicole Ailes, Undecided, Amarillo High School
Casey Crosson, Health Education & Promotion, Ascension Academy
Jacob Cunningham, Strategic Communication, Randall
Kelsey Dudding, Nutritional Sciences, Amarillo High School
Joy Gossett, Elementary Education, Amarillo High School
Dane McIntosh, Mechanical Engineering, San Jacinto Christian Academy
Chloe Narrell, Agricultural Leadership, Bushland High School
Holly Richardson, Education, Tascosa High School
Jeffrey Schuman, Agribusiness, Amarillo High School
Archer City
Garrett Morris, Chemical Engineering, Archer City High School
Azle
Rebecca Herrera, Zoology, Azle High School
Briscoe
Kimberly Gibson, Physiology, Fort Elliott High School
Burkburnett
Brady Brunson, Aerospace Engineering, Burkburnett High School
Burleson
Cassandra Smithson, Biochemistry, Joshua High School
Canadian
Tucker Brown, Environmental Science, Canadian High School
Allie Collier, Art, Canadian High School
Canyon
Courtney Karr, Entomology, Canyon High School
Kennedy Lackey, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Canyon High School
Lindy Pasley, General Business, Canyon High School
Cody Price, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Canyon High School
Matthew Snell, Mechanical Engineering, Canyon High School
Follett
Jordan Wiley, Entrepreneurship, Follett ISD
Fort Worth
Jessica Juenger, Geology, C F Brewer High School
Katherine Nguyen, Multimedia Journalism, Timber Creek High School
Graham
Tayler Sullivent, Agricultural Leadership, Graham High School
Gunter
Rachel Campbell, Biological Science, Gunter High School
Jordan Newman, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Gunter High School
Hondo
Corban Hemphill, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Hemphill Home School
Howe
Jessa Hough, Mathematics, Howe High School
Keller
Morgan Shuster, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Central High School
Lubbock
Mackayla Morwood, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Monterey Senior High School
Panhandle
Cory Free, Electrical Engineering, Panhandle High School
Perryton
Emilie Heflin, Undecided, Perryton High School
Seguin
Emma Johnson, Accounting, Navarro High School
Seymour
Mariah Walker, Agricultural Leadership, Seymour High School
Spearman
Gena Hargrove, Education, Spearman High School
Taylor Williams, International Business, Spearman High School
Stinnett
Erin Summers, International Business, West Texas High School
Sunray
Kyla Overstreet, Nutritional Sciences, Sunray High School
Tioga
Emily Bruner, Design Housing & Merchandising, Gunter High School
Vega
Macee Hatfield, Nutritional Sciences, Vega High School
Weatherford
Emily Albert, Animal Science, Weatherford High School
Wichita Falls
William Coleman, Mechanical Engineering, S H Rider
Libby Schultz, Biochemistry, Wichita Falls High School
Wildorado
Kelli Perkins, Undecided, Vega High School