Oklahoma State University staff members receive free items from booths at Staff Celebration Day.

OSU Staff Celebration Day brings together university community for fun, food and growth opportunities

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University commemorated Staff Celebration Day at Boone Pickens Stadium on Wednesday with barbecue food for all to enjoy, BB the miniature horse on hand to greet attendees and local business booths set up to give away free items.

The event was a hit, with more than 1,000 staff members showing up to partake in the celebration. Michelle Chitwood, events committee chair, was in charge of putting together this event and she said the group gave away well over 100 items to staff from local businesses. Lunch for all the staff members was catered by Smokin' Joe's.

“As Staff Advisory Council, we were just wanting to make sure the staff feels appreciated, so we’re trying to give them the free meal,” Chitwood said. “We’re trying to throw in the gifts so we can butter them up a little more and they can have something else as they leave. Just so they know we’re here for them and sponsoring them.”

BB the miniature horse helps out with the raffle at Staff Celebration Day.

Staff Celebration Day was a testament to the unique spirit of OSU. Staff members said the sense of camaraderie was palpable and appreciated the Staff Advisory Council putting the event together.

Nickie Allison — senior administrative support assistant for agricultural education, communications and leadership — said the event was a lot of fun and that she felt appreciated as a more “behind the scenes” staff member.

“I think OSU is special in creating community within the different elements of the university,” Allison said. “I really like the vibe here.”

Vendors and businesses that set up booths at the event were excited to have the opportunity to give back to the staff members. The vendors provided a variety of trinkets and goodies, but they also offered opportunities for staff members to grow. The Human Resources department came through and gave staff a chance to learn about different growth opportunities and speak face-to-face with HR representatives.

Staff members had lunch catered by Smokin' Joe's at Boone Pickens Stadium.

Shelby Morris, an HR representative at OSU, said the department has been collecting goodies for staff all throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Morris said the department has different training to provide staff with, such as LinkedIn Learning, and that HR is there to give staff advice on benefits, opportunities and any help they might need.

“I think our HR office offers something unique that most universities don’t, and that is having a benefits office with face-to-face interaction. That is something that we’ve hung our hat on for a very long time, and it’s just a service that we love to offer,” Morris said.

Story By: Mak Vandruff | makenzie.vandruff@okstate.edu