College of Education, Health and Aviation Recognizes Top 10 Seniors
Thursday, April 9, 2020
The College of Education, Health and Aviation has announced its Top 10 Seniors for 2020. These students have demonstrated exceptional qualities of leadership, academic excellence and community service throughout their time at Oklahoma State University. Honorees were selected by the college’s Student Affairs Committee.
Taryn Blackstock, an applied exercise science major and honors student from Prosper, Texas, was named
a Cambridge Scholar, conducted research published in the high-impact publication “Journal
of Neurophysiology” and studied the psychology of strength and anaerobic fatigue as
a Wentz Research Scholar. Blackstock volunteers in programs ranging from Preston Trail
Student Ministry to a retirement community health drive and a Rotary camp. She was
vice president and is now president of the OSU Pre-Physical Therapy Club, holds several Greek leadership positions and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. After graduating, Blackstock
plans to become a physical therapist.
Taylor Church, a recreation management and recreational therapy major and honors student from Newalla, Okla., has worked as a student recruitment assistant in the College of Education, Health and Aviation and as a recreational therapy intern at two medical centers. She assisted with research on the benefits of tai chi and rheumatoid arthritis and studied pediatric sensory processing patterns. Church received the OSU Volunteer Center Service CORD Award, recognizing her involvement in projects ranging from Payne County Youth Shelter to Warm Water Therapy and Night to Shine. She has been a panel member of the Academic Integrity Council; an ambassador for the College of Education, Health and Aviation; vice president of finance for both the Pre-Occupational Therapy Club and Therapeutic Recreation Majors Club and an OSU Diamond Doll.
Tinh Dang, an elementary education major with a minor in psychology from Moore, Okla., has conducted
research ranging from psychology to interior design. As a McNair Research Scholar,
she studied the role of community support in protecting against the effects of poverty.
She tutors college students in mathematics and also assists elementary students in
mathematics and reading. She has volunteered with SPURS, assisting adults with disabilities
with reading, and she worked as an OSU Student Academic Mentor. Dang is also involved
in the Buddhist Youth Association and has volunteered with OSU Into the Streets, the
Humane Society of Stillwater and the Regional Food Bank. After graduation, Dang plans
to go on to graduate school to study the relationship between poverty and curriculum.
Ellie Fate, an elementary education major from Tulsa, Okla., demonstrates leadership through opportunities ranging from spending three summers as a camp counselor at New Life Ranch to teaching Sunday school and volunteering at an orphanage in Mexico. She has been a Freshman Research Scholar, Spring Sing and Varsity Review cast member and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society member. As the coordinator of Junior Greek Life, she led the Panhellenic’s recruitment process involving nearly 3,000 people and applied her experience as an education major to create leadership lesson plans.
Victoria Garcia, an aerospace administration and operations major from Fort Worth, Texas, is a flight
instructor at the OSU Flight Center, where she has also worked as an aircraft dispatcher.
She was a member of the award-winning OSU Flight Team in 2018 and has served as the
Flying Aggies Banquet Director and as an ambassador for the College of Education,
Health and Aviation. Garcia is involved in Greek life and received the Jane Trammell
Memorial Endowed Scholarship and the James H. McMaster Flying Aggies Endowed Scholarship.
She has volunteered at Dixie Heights Baptist Church, Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue and the
OSU Foundation.
Braden Hackler, an applied exercise science major from Bixby, Okla., works as a student athletic training
medicine aid as he pursues a career in physical therapy. He dedicates 45-50 hours
per week providing student athlete injury treatment and assisting athletes at team
activities. As vice president of the College of Education, Health and Aviation Ambassadors,
he also mentors freshmen students in an introductory course and organizes activities.
Hackler has been involved with the OSU Pre-Physical Therapy Club since his freshman
year and now serves as club treasurer. He has also worked at a lawncare business,
was co-coordinator of the EHA Wellness Challenge and serves as an intramural sports
referee.
Kaitlyn Potter, a health education and promotion major from Owasso, Okla., advocates for public health
as an Owasso Community Resources volunteer, member of the OSU Health Education and
Promotion Club and the Student Wellness Council, and as an OSU Peer Health Educator.
As a McNair Research Scholar, she studied college students’ experiences learning about
sexual consent, earning her the opportunity to present her research at four conferences.
Potter is also a member of the Academic Integrity Panel, a certified Mental Health
First Aider and recipient of the Pauline Winter Endowed Professional Scholarship.
Jack Robertson, an elementary education major from Claremore, Okla., has served as an OSU First Year
Seminar teaching assistant, OSU orientation leader, English instructor in Upward Bound
and president of the College of Education, Health and Aviation Student Council. Already
a published science fiction and fantasy author, he is certified to teach elementary
education and middle-level English and social studies. Robertson was named Outstanding
Member of the Year by the EHA Student Council and is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma
National Honors Society.
Aimee Rogers, an applied exercise science major from Stillwater, Okla., is a member of the OSU Air
Force ROTC and has held leadership positions, including General Military Course Adviser
and Vice Cadet Wing Commander. She also received the American Legion Scholastic Excellence
Award and the American Legion Military Excellence Award. Rogers shadowed medical professionals
at four U.S. Air Force Bases and Perry Memorial Hospital and participated in numerous
Arnold Air Society Professional Service Organization volunteer events. She is a member
of St. John’s Catholic Student Center and a research assistant for the Language Learning,
and Development Lab.
Jacob White, an aerospace administration and operations major from Haslet, Texas, is president of the OSU Flying Aggies and was co-captain of the 2019 OSU Flight Team winning the National Intercollegiate Flying Association’s Regional Competition. He was also named the OSU Flight Team’s Most Value Team Member in 2017-18. He was recently selected as one of seven Delta Air Lines Flight Operations interns and currently serves as a Certified Flight Instructor and Instrument Flight Instructor for the OSU Flight Center. White, an Eagle Scout, founded the Boy Scouts of America Aviation Merit Badge Day to provide aviation mentorship to local Boy and Girl Scouts and volunteers at an afterschool aviation program at the Oklahoma WONDERtorium. He has also served the College of Education, Health and Aviation as a student council member and student ambassador.
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“We are proudly committed to preparing and developing professionals who facilitate life-long learning and positively impact the world around them,” said Dr. Stephan Wilson, interim dean of the OSU College of Education, Health and Aviation. “These students have gone above and beyond during their time at OSU, and no matter the circumstances going on around us, we value their contributions and celebrate their success and achievements. I know they will continue to do great things in their careers and within their communities.” MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany Bowman | 405-744-9347 | brittany.bowman@okstate.edu |