OSU students honored with distinguished military awards
Monday, April 17, 2023
Media Contact: Jordan Bishop | Editor, Department of Brand Management | 405-744-7193 | jordan.bishop@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University students Anna Cook, Connor Garrett and alumna Lexi Littlefield have been honored with military awards that honor the work and passion they each have for their field.
Cook is a senior at OSU and majoring in aerospace administration and operations with a concentration in aviation management and a minor in aviation security.
Cook was awarded the Thunderbird Chapter Soldier of the Year Award, which honors a soldier that has gone above and beyond and is local to Oklahoma. It’s presented by the Army Aviation Association of America and the local Thunderbird chapter.
“I felt very honored,” Cook said. “I was completely surprised, I was surprised that somebody noticed because I felt like, even though I did have to step up, at the end of the day, I was just doing my job.”
Cook is also involved on campus, including being president of American Association of Airport Executives OSU chapter and works for the Office of Military and Student Veteran Success.
“Anna found our center a little later in her academic career,” said Vincent Rivera, Veteran Success Coordinator for the Department of Transfer and Student Veteran Success. “But once she found us, her presence was made known through her enthusiasm and welcoming personality.”
Garrett is a junior at OSU and a wildlife management major. A senior airman in the 137th Special Operations Support Unit, he was awarded the 2022 Arrowhead award.
“To me, it's the pat on the back,” Garrett said. “I feel like I've finally earned it when I got it, and I was all cheesy about it and big smiles, everything else.”
The Arrowhead Award awards an outstanding airman within the 137th unit. The arrowhead is a symbol of the unit and the plaque features an authentic arrowhead designed by a local Native American company.
“I don't think any one thing in my life is more important than the other,” Garrett said. “I don't regret any of it and would do it again.”
Garrett is also involved on campus with the Military Veterans Family Society as director of outreach and marketing and is a member of the rugby team.
“The moment Connor found the center, he has had an impact on other student veterans' lives,” Gunnery Sgt. Rivera said. “I can see how this would carry over into his military career and how he would be recognized for it as such.”
Littlefield graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was nominated by Command Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams of the Air National Guard for Outstanding Performance at the 138th Fighter Wing. Littlefield is currently on deployment and could not be reached for comment.
The Office of Transfer and Student Veteran Success is located at 061 in the Student Union and is available to help all students.
“Oklahoma State has a really good job of supporting its veterans,” Cook said. “It's a super, super, super valuable resource for students because this office is here and it's a really great way to build community.”
Story By: Olivia Trolinger | olivia.trolinger@okstate.edu