President Shrum, OAIRE director issue statements on passage of defense bill

Friday, December 16, 2022

Media Contact: Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu

The U.S. Senate gave final passage Thursday to a defense spending bill which includes funding for various OSU aerospace initiatives. President Kayse Shrum and Dr. Jamey Jacob, director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education, issued the following statements Thursday in support of the bill: 

President Kayse Shrum: 

“On behalf of Oklahoma State University, I would like to congratulate Sen. Inhofe for his service to our state and nation as the leading voice for defense during his distinguished tenure in the senate. The defense bill named in his honor is a fitting tribute to a leader who has done so much to advance defense, national security and Oklahoma’s economy. The bill includes funding for OSU projects to support our meaningful work at the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education.”  

Dr. Jamey Jacob: 

“This bill includes significant support for major aerospace projects at Oklahoma State University, and for that I am extremely grateful. Already recognized as Oklahoma’s aerospace leader, OSU is poised to make new breakthroughs and a lasting positive impact in areas of research that are key to advancing the growing aerospace industry in Oklahoma, as well as cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems and other technologies which will prove crucial in supporting national defense efforts and our facilities within the state. This new round of funding support for entities like the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) at OSU represents recognition of our important contributions to the nation and the university's land-grant mission and commitment to excellence in all things aerospace.”