A graduate wearing an orange cap and gown with a 2025 tassel examines a micro-scale wind turbine in a lab setting. She is adorned with multiple honor cords and stoles, including one that reads 'Oklahoma State University' and 'Class of 2025.' — Anne Shay will wear the Orange Gown in representation of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. Shay, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major, made numerous contributions to CEAT during her time as a student.

Shay named spring 2025 Orange Gown graduate

Monday, May 5, 2025

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

Anne Shay has left her mark on the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology by being involved in as much as possible.

Shay, a senior mechanical and aerospace engineering major from Edmond, was selected as CEAT’s orange gown recipient for the spring 2025 semester. The orange gown is bestowed to one student from each college every semester.

She was proud to have been selected to represent CEAT, which has provided her with so much in her time as a student. She said she tried to give back as much to the college as possible so other students might have as positive of an experience as she did.

“It’s been really heartwarming to know that out of all the qualified candidates in the college, CEAT has seen fit to give me the incredible privilege of being their Orange Gown recipient and shown that they’ve seen all the time and effort I’ve poured into my college career here,” Shay said. “I’m truly grateful for all the faculty, staff and friends that I’ve made. Without them, I’d never have gotten this far or been honored with this opportunity.”

Shay has accepted a full-time position with OG&E as an engineer in the company’s engineering development program. This follows three successful internships with OG&E and Shay is ecstatic to continue working with the company. She also worked part-time at OG&E’s Sooner Plant during her senior year.

Shay recently completed the Fundamentals of Engineering Mechanical Exam and plans to take the Principles and Practices of Engineering Exam in the future. She also hasn’t ruled out pursuing her MBA in the future as well.

A student in graduation regalia stands for a portrait in a lab setting. — Anne Shay, an MAE major from Edmond, will start her career with OG&E following graduation from the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University.

As an MAE major, her expertise includes the design of vertical axis wind turbine blades at the micro scale.

“It was a lot of fun going through the design process to create a blade design that worked well, especially since I had no idea what was happening at first,” Shay said. “I really enjoyed getting to take a handful of the concepts I learned in my courses and adjust them to figure out how to design a blade assembly that would start up at low wind speeds.”

Finding a home in CEAT

Shay was a tremendously involved CEAT student, serving on the CEAT Student Council in leadership roles such as president and vice president of publications. She has also been a member of engineering honor societies such as Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma and Sigma Gamma Tau, in addition to being members of CEAT Scholars and Cyclone Cowboys.

She was also a teaching assistant for statics courses, developing a passion for passing on anything she learned to younger students.

She encourages future and current CEAT students to not be afraid of broadening their horizons and to get involved. Shay notes there is something for everyone in CEAT, especially for students looking to find a balance with their rigorous coursework.

“CEAT students deal with a lot of work and stress, but having some sort of activity or group that you enjoy helps you get through it,” Shay said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help either. CEAT and OSU as a whole have so many resources out there to help students, but they don’t always get taken advantage of. Those resources are there for you, so why not use them?”

She looks back fondly on the friendships made and opportunities that she took part in as a CEAT student. She is thankful for the mentorship she received and the peers who surrounded her, something she will always carry with her.

“Everything I’ve had the chance to be involved in during my time in CEAT has made me a better person or given me the tools I need to become the person little Anne would have wanted to grow up to be and I can’t be more grateful for everything OSU and CEAT has done for that to happen,” Shay said.