three award winners stand with their trophies — Lance Millis, Aaron Moore and Leslie Miller (Photo by: Kaitlin Little)

SAC honors 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipients

Friday, January 19, 2024

Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University Staff Advisory Council honored its top 20 Distinguished Service Award recipients with a ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 18, in the Student Union Starlight Terrace.

This ceremony is meant to recognize servant-leaders across the university for their hard work, dedication and contribution to its success.

First Cowboy Darren Shrum attended the event to celebrate the nominees and shared his personal journey to becoming a servant-leader.

As a young corporate businessman, Shrum was focused on becoming the best in his career and getting himself to the top. However, after a meeting with his boss, his approach to that job changed from a personal gain focus to a servant mindset much like he said he saw in the DSA applicants.

“[My boss] said, ‘Darren, I really like your passion. I like your drive. I like those things. But you got to remember you don't have to win every battle to win the war. And you got to learn to play fair, and you got to play with others,’” Shrum said. “So, it was really at that point where I kind of changed my whole thought process instead of being me focused, I was more servant focused. It doesn't really matter what level you're at. I think we should all have that service mentality.”

Shrum and Staff Advisory Council Chair Michelle Stewart presented each recipient with their awards.