ECE major Abigail McCrary is an institutional nominee for the prestigious Truman Scholarship

Thursday, December 11, 2025

Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | tanner.holubar@okstate.edu

Abigail McCrary was recently announced as an Oklahoma State University institutional nominee for the Truman Scholarship.    

Since 1977, the Harry S. Truman Foundation has given scholarships to individuals dedicated to making an impact on the world through public service.     

Nominees reflect the public service commitment that Truman advocated throughout his career. Each year, hundreds of college juniors apply for approximately 60 awards, highlighting its national prestige.     

McCrary, an electrical engineering junior in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering from Grove, Oklahoma, is just one example of the significant potential for students in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology to make a lasting positive impression on the world.     

“It is an honor to be a nominee, but it is also emboldening to be a CEAT student nominated for an award that is usually geared toward people who have political science backgrounds,” McCrary said.   

The scholarship provides $30,000 for recipients to pursue graduate school. To qualify, students must be juniors with a 3.5 minimum GPA, a U.S. citizen, have demonstrated academic excellence, extensive leadership experience and a record of public and/or community service.    

If selected for the scholarship, McCrary plans to pursue her master’s degree in engineering education or electrical engineering.    

“It is my life's mission and passion to help people, and I believe that engineering is a powerful outlet for helping people that is often overlooked,” she said.      

For her, public service is a natural way to support and strengthen a community.   

“I have had a passion for helping people for as long as I can remember, and it has driven my goals and aspirations,” she said. “All of the clubs and organizations that I am most passionate about are the ones where I get to serve others in one way or another. That isn't really something that I planned for, it's just part of who I am and what I am zealous about.”    

One clear example of her service mindset is Lou’s Locker, a nonprofit she helped launch with fellow OSU students.     

This organization improves accessibility and independent living for people with mobility challenges, such as those with ALS. Lou’s Locker provides assistive devices, setup guides, and a growing library of practical resources to make daily life easier and more independent for its users.   

Founded in spring 2025, Lou’s Locker has already raised more than $500 to expand accessible resources.    

McCrary’s passion for helping others also extends to her research studies under Dr. Chuck Bunting, Bellmon Chair and associate dean of research for CEAT.     

Through a partnership with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, their research is geared toward making life safer for sailors in the U.S. Navy.     

“My research focuses on improving the instrumentation used to test electronically initiated devices, which are critical components in many types of naval ordnance,” McCrary said.    

McCrary strives to create environments where people feel supported, capable and seen — a philosophy she puts into practice in her leadership roles, mentoring and daily interactions.   

“I’ve learned that people thrive when they feel like they’re allowed to ask for help and that someone cares,” she said. “I value service that makes someone’s day easier or helps them move forward. I like work that feels personal, practical and genuinely impactful, things that improve someone’s situation and contribute to their lives.”    

McCrary is just one example of an OSU student answering the call to lead with integrity in pursuing passions that help others, even when the work is challenging, while carrying an ambition to make the world a better place.