Skip to main content

News and Media

Open Main MenuClose Main Menu
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. 


2023 Distinguished Service Awards 


First place — $3,000 

Leslie Miller — College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology  

Second place — $1,500 

Aaron Moore — Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center 

Third place — $1,000 

Lance Millis — College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology 

Finalists — $100 

Meredith Beyl — College of Arts and Sciences 

Nathan Cragun — College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology  

Trisha Gedon — OSU Agriculture  

Rachel Kelleher — College of Education and Human Sciences  

Brittany Lee — University Health Services  

Mandi Robedeaux — Ferguson College of Agriculture  

Kayley Watson — College of Education and Human Sciences  

Semifinalists  

Tashia Cheves — Hargis Leadership Institute  

Brandi Davis — College of Education and Human Sciences  

Sandy Major — College of Education and Human Sciences  

Keith Mattix — College of Arts and Sciences  

Shane O’Mealey — College of Arts and Sciences  

Teresa Reedy — College of Arts and Sciences 

Shelley Schauer — Honors College  

Beau Smith — College of Arts and Sciences  

Karen Smith — Ferguson College of Agriculture 

Gary Tan — Human Resources 

Wendy Wildman — College of Education and Human Sciences 

MENUCLOSE