Five CEAT students recognized for mentoring contributions

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Five students from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) were recently recognized by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence for their outstanding contributions and impact on students inside and outside of the classroom.

Sarah Casey is a senior chemical engineering student from Houston, Texas who donates her time through the CEAT Peer Mentoring program, which leverages the knowledge and experience of CEAT upperclassmen as tools incoming freshman can utilize as they acclimate to their new college environments and adapt to the rigorous courses within CEAT.

Scott Cornelius is a fifth-year senior from Canyon, Texas, majoring in architecture. He has taken part in several mentoring opportunities during his time in CEAT, but has recently devoted his time to the Architectural Mentoring program which is a seven-week program that pairs architecture and architectural engineering upperclassmen with freshmen new to either major. The mentors provide a resource of knowledge and experience which is integral to the success of new CEAT students.

Olivia Long, of Elgin, Oklahoma, is an electrical engineering senior and CEAT Scholar. The CEAT Scholars program selects top incoming students and provides them with professional development, community service, industrial exploration, and international and cultural experiences. As students progress, upperclassmen, such as Long, are asked to mentor incoming Scholars and provide them with academic guidance and advice as the newcomers adapt to their new environments.

Brooke Ryan is a fifth-year architecture senior from El Dorado, Kansas who participates in CEAT’s Summer Bridge program as a counselor. The Summer Bridge program is a two-week long program that introduces incoming freshmen to the courses and activities that they will experience during their time in CEAT. The program provides new CEAT students the opportunity to build relationships with CEAT upperclassmen, peers and faculty to ease the transition into the college environment. Counselors in the program are asked to mentor a small group of five-to-six students and provide advice and guidance during the program.

Patrick Williams, from Thomas, Oklahoma, is a mechanical and aerospace engineering junior and serves as a “PEATE” in CEAT’s Parker Hall Living Learning program. PEATEs serve as role models, mentors and counselors to students who reside in Parker Hall. PEATEs help their peers with anything from coursework, to utilizing available resources, to encouraging involvement in social activities on campus.

These students graciously donated their time to help their fellow peers achieve excellence in many different areas of their learning and living environments. The leadership and guidance of others play an integral role in the development and success of CEAT students. “Creating great technical professionals requires a collegial environment where teams of students help each other succeed,” said CEAT Dean Paul Tikalsky. “The character of these extraordinary mentors has helped the college increase retention and recruit forward looking, innovative students that want to have a positive impact in the world. Future Cowboys.”

For more information on the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence’s mentoring awards visit ofe.org/honoring-oklahoma-mentors-2021-2/.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Hopper | CEAT Marketing | 405-744-2745 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu