Oklahoma State University announces inaugural members of new scholar society

Monday, May 14, 2018

Oklahoma State University has announced the inaugural members of the new Oklahoma State Scholars Society, the university’s premier scholar development program that offers major financial support and broad scholarly opportunities to top-performing in-state students.

"Members of this society are some of Oklahoma's best and brightest students," said OSU President Burns Hargis. "They are Oklahoma's next generation of leaders, innovators, and visionaries. We are honored to extend this offer and have them join our university."

Heading the list of recipients are four Oklahoma State Scholars Society Fellows. They are:

Killian Kane, Union High School, majoring in chemical engineering
Tiffany Swallow, Putnam City High School, majoring in aerospace engineering/chemical engineering
Abigail Ferrell, Edmond North High School, majoring in anthropology, linguistics, and microbiology
Amanda Bolinger, Beaver High School, majoring in animal science

Students met the following criteria for consideration in the society:

Minimum 3.8 high school unweighted GPA
ACT score of 27 or equivalent
Admitted to OSU and The Honors College
Demonstrated maturity and potential through outstanding resumes and essay responses
In-person interview with faculty committees on variety of topics

The fellows were selected based on a review of their essays and résumés, a phone interview, and the 20 finalists were invited to an in-person interview with a faculty committee in March. They also participated in a lunch hosted by OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis.

The students will join the Oklahoma State Scholars Society Fellows, receiving up to $74,500 in scholarship support, including a one-time study abroad stipend as a part of the program. The students will be awarded full scholarships equal to the full cost of attendance for four years from Oklahoma State University.

The remaining semifinalists will be recognized as Oklahoma State Scholars Society members and receive up to $28,000 in academic support over four years. Those students selected are as follows with their intended majors:

Garrison Allen, Perkins-Tryon High School, chemical engineering
Nathan Bales, Choctaw High school, electrical engineering
Paige Condren, Owasso High School, accounting
Breck Gillespie, Oklahoma Union High school, journalism
Ashley Howard, Purcell High School, agribusiness
Emily Langley, Durant High School, creative writing
Isabelle Posey, Coweta High School, biochemical engineering
Jadyn Powell, Harding Fine Arts Academy, psychology and applied sociology
Aarushi Singh, Jenks High School, computer engineering
Laney Smith, Broken Bow High School, electrical engineering
Addison Themer, Kingfisher High School, journalism
Collin Thornton, Central High School, computer and electrical engineering
Andrew Wallace, Grove High School, electrical engineering
Will Yadon, Woodward High School, entrepreneurship