Three College of Human Sciences students selected as OSU Seniors of Significance
Friday, November 22, 2019
Three College of Human Sciences students, all pursuing degrees in nutritional sciences, have been selected as Oklahoma State University Seniors of Significance for the 2019-2020 academic year by the OSU Alumni Association. The Seniors of Significance Award recognizes students who have excelled in scholarship, leadership and service to campus and community and have brought distinction to OSU.
Bailey Bruner, from Elk City, Oklahoma, will graduate in May with a degree in nutritional sciences, option in allied health. She has served the college in a variety of leadership roles, including faculty engagement executive officer and treasurer for student council, student ambassador and freshman scholar leader. At the university level, Bruner is the new member coordinator for Blue Key Honor Society, president of Chi Omega National Women’s Fraternity and a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She has contributed to America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration as a Homecoming Steering Committee member for campus life and a Homecoming Big Committee member for Harvest Carnival. Her community engagement efforts include volunteering for the Make A Wish Foundation, Into the Streets and Westwood Elementary as a reading buddy. She is also a student employee at University Health Services.
“Bailey is an exceptional student and mentor who truly helps motivate others to be the best that they can be,” said Dr. Barbara Stoecker, Regents Professor of Nutritional Sciences. “She is a caring individual who will make a wonderful nurse and eventual nurse practitioner.”
Cole DeWitt, from Cherokee, Oklahoma, is set to graduate in May with a degree in nutritional sciences, option in human nutrition/pre-medical sciences. He currently works as a student assistant for the OSU Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, teaching assistant for the OSU Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, farm manager for Gene DeWitt Farms and owner/operator for Cole DeWitt Cattle Company. His leadership roles include serving as president of his fraternity, public relations/treasurer for OSU’s Pre-Optometry Club and student ambassador, freshman scholar leader and peer mentor for the College of Human Sciences. This fall, DeWitt was selected for the 2019 OSU Homecoming Royalty Court.
“Cole brings his western Oklahoma values to everything he does at OSU,” said Dr. Stephen Clarke, nutritional sciences department head. “He doesn’t shy away from hard work or responsibility, and he always leads by example. We are excited that Cole will be attending Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry next fall.”
Keely Ratcliff, from Amber, Oklahoma, will also graduate in May with a degree in nutritional sciences, option in allied health. She serves as president for Human Sciences Student Council and is the undergraduate student representative for the college’s academic affairs committee. Additionally, Ratcliff is vice president of OSU’s Pre-Physician Assistant Club, facilitator for President’s Leadership Council, recruitment counselor for Panhellenic and student worker for OSU Sports Nutrition. She serves the community as a Stillwater KLIFE ministry volunteer and small group leader, and she is actively involved in her national women’s fraternity. Ratcliff is a member of the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board, Phi Eta Sigma National Academic Honor Society and Phi Upsilon Omicron National Academic Honor Society. She also participated in Oklahoma State Collegiate 4-H, serving as treasurer, co-homecoming chairman and social officer. Like DeWitt, Ratcliff was also selected for the 2019 OSU Homecoming Royalty Court.
“Keely is an outstanding individual who is among the most thoughtful and caring students I have known,” Clarke said. “She is excited to pursue a career in healthcare as a physician assistant and is exactly the kind of person I would send my friends and family to for care.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Eng |405-744-8320 |rachel.eng@okstate.edu