OSU students recognized for volunteer service

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

In addition to earning a college degree, 18 Oklahoma State University graduates wore a special orange cord at recent commencement ceremonies honoring their significant commitment to volunteer service. 

Undergraduate students must perform at least 400 hours of volunteer service and graduate students at least 300 hours in order to earn the honor of wearing the cord, which is draped around the collar of the graduation gown. The special honor is made possible through the CORD program at OSU, which stands for Creating Opportunities for Responsible Development.  

“We are proud to recognize these students who have selflessly committed many hours of their time to help others while working toward their degree, and we trust that their real-world volunteer experiences have benefitted them as well,” said Joyce Montgomery, coordinator of the Service-Learning Volunteer Center at OSU, which coordinates CORD. 

This is the sixth year that the program has acknowledged students’ devotion to the performance of significant service and problem-solving within the communities in which they live. The program was initiated in 2009, when Dr. Lee Bird, vice president for student affairs, partnered with the Service-Learning Volunteer Center to make a commitment to celebrate OSU’s outstanding student volunteers by offering the honorary orange CORD.

The following CORD recipients graduated in December 2014: 

OKLAHOMA

BROKEN ARROW

Esther Johnson, Civil Engineering

CLEVELAND

McKinsey Mills, Therapeutic Recreation

CORDELL

Kezia LaDan Hines, Agricultural Communications

ENID

Karlie Reed, Therapeutic Recreation

GUTHRIE

Sydney Penrod, Therapeutic Recreation

OKARCHE

Lindsey Knecht, Recreational Therapy

OKLAHOMA CITY

Danielle King, Human Development and Family Sciences

ORLANDO

Ashley Sears, Therapeutic Recreation

TULSA

Kali Davis, Therapeutic Recreation

Thomas Gardner, Recreational Therapy

Tara Isley, Recreational Therapy

Geri Schuler, Agricultural Communication, Management and Marketing

WILBURTON

Veronica Allen, Masters in Therapeutic Recreation

MISSOURI

KANSAS CITY

Rachel Gibson, Zoology

TENNESSEE

MEMPHIS

Jenna Carr, Hotel and Restaurant Administration

TEXAS

AUSTIN

Leah Danielle Smith, Therapeutic Recreation

BARTONVILLE

Alysia Little, Animal Science

GRAPEVINE

Caitlyn Johnson, Therapeutic Recreation

Since its inception in 1984, the Service-Learning Volunteer Center has promoted leadership for OSU students through interactive and meaningful service-learning activities, providing research opportunities and connecting with society to promote the general welfare of its citizens. For more information about the SLVC, visit volunteer.okstate.edu.