A group of people sitting in stadium seats, many wearing orange and black. At the center, a person in an orange mascot costume with a large cowboy hat and chaps labeled 'OSU'. The crowd in the background is also seated and facing forward.

Photo Gallery: Wrapping up Welcome Week

Monday, August 18, 2025

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

Oklahoma State University began the 2025-26 school year with a slew of fun events to get students back in the groove following summer break.

Here is a compilation of events that welcomed students back to Stillwater.

SUAB Night and Involvement Fair

Students gathered in a building celebrating its 75th anniversary as the Student Union Activities Board hosted SUAB Night on Wednesday, and students came back again Thursday to learn about OSU’s 400+ student organizations. The events served as the first on-campus events for students in the fall semester.

Cowgirl Soccer Season Opener

The OSU athletics season kicked off Thursday at Neal Patterson Stadium as the Cowgirl soccer team hosted Mercer. OSU won the match 2-0 to give the No. 22 Cowgirls their ninth-straight season-opening victory.

Cowboy Kickoff

The largest freshman class in OSU history gathered inside Gallagher-Iba Arena on Friday for convocation, otherwise known as Cowboy Kickoff.

OSU President Jim Hess and Cowboy football coach Mike Gundy talked to students about what to expect in their college career. OSU hype man Les Thomas and Pistol Pete taught the freshmen all the cheers they will need to know at OSU sporting events.

Rock the Block and Cowboys Care

Right after Cowboy Kickoff, the Division of Student Affairs hosted Rock the Block at the Colvin Recreation Center. The event had games, booths with fun swag and gave students the opportunity to sign up for intramural and club teams.

First Cowgirl Angela Hess also announced her mental health initiative, Cowboys Care. She handed out shirts and talked to students about the resources available for them on campus.

Classes begin

Stillwater was abuzz on Monday with thousands of students returning to the classroom to begin the school year. They had the chance to commemorate their first day with pictures on Library Lawn.