Two EHA students selected as OSU Seniors of Significance
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Two College of Education, Health and Aviation students 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.
Taryn Blackstock is an applied exercise science major from Prosper, Texas. She is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Order of Omega, Kappa Delta Sorority and a student member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Blackstock has served as president and vice president of OSU’s Pre-Physical Therapy Club, success networking team facilitator for the National Society of Leadership and Success and ambassador for the Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research. Her efforts as a Freshman Research Scholar led to a co-authorship on a high-impact research publication in the Journal of Neurophysiology, and in 2017, she received the highly competitive Wentz Research Grant. Blackstock was also selected to participate in the Cambridge Scholars Program, a two-week summer program for OSU’s top students at the University of Cambridge.
“In her time at Oklahoma State, Taryn has shown tremendous potential as both a student and an independent investigator in our Applied Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory,” said Dr. Jason DeFreitas, associate professor of health and human performance. “She is one of the hardest workers I have ever come across, and has demonstrated the ability to efficiently multi-task with an ambitious workload. Beyond her accomplishments, Taryn is a terrific and kind person who is always willing to help others. Taryn has not only succeeded academically, but she’s a leader and tremendous ambassador of our program.”
Ellie Fate is an elementary education major from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi; Education, Health and Aviation Student Council; Order of Omega and Chi Omega Fraternity. She was also named a Freshman Research Scholar in 2016, and she served as the recruitment counselor coordinator for OSU’s Panhellenic Council. Fate has been active with the Make A Wish Foundation, the Scott Carter Foundation and Mya’s Promise, a volunteer arts and crafts class for children with special needs. She also spent two summers working at New Life Ranch, supervising campers and counselors.
“Ellie is an asset to the field of education as her determination, perseverance and dedication lead to her exceptional classroom learning experiences,” said Jill Metzger, elementary education program coordinator. “Her compassion, kindness and commitment to scholastic achievement are a stimulus to others. Ellie represents OSU and EHA as a poised professional making an impact on those she encounters.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Eng |405-744-8320 |rachel.eng@okstate.edu