Cameron Shropshire earns Raymond D. Thomas award for top senior
Friday, June 21, 2024
Media Contact: Terry Tush | Director, Marketing and Communications | 405-744-2703 | terry.tush@okstate.edu
Cameron Shropshire — an accounting major from Norman, Oklahoma, who graduated in December — is the recipient of the 2024 Raymond D. Thomas Award. The award is given annually to the top senior in the Spears School of Business.
As the Raymond D. Thomas honoree, Shropshire wore the orange gown at December’s commencement, signifying he was the top Spears Business senior and was the first business student to receive his diploma. The award recipient, determined by a Spears Business faculty committee, demonstrates high levels of achievement in scholarship and leadership.
Shropshire is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. He plans to sit for the CPA exam prior to beginning a career in public accounting.
He served on the 2023 Homecoming royalty court last fall. During his time as an undergraduate student, Shropshire planned the annual OSU Black Alumni Society Homecoming golf tournament. He created a directory for Black-owned businesses in the city of Stillwater and visited Stillwater High School to talk to students about the importance of postsecondary education.
In your own words, what does this award represent?
Receiving this award shows me a lot about the impact of my actions while being a student at OSU. When I first started getting involved in different organizations, I set a goal to make a difference on the campus and in the people around me. To be in this position now tells me that I ultimately accomplished that goal and that because of my actions, others believe in my ability to represent the values of the Cowboy family.
What’s your favorite memory of your time at OSU?
My favorite memory of my time at OSU was serving as a peer leader in the Spears School of Business. In this position, I served as a mentor to freshmen business students in their first semester on campus. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to pour into the next leaders of this campus and give them guidance as they navigated a new environment. Being a part of their journey was a lot of fun and it continues to be rewarding for me as I see their success inside and outside of the classroom.
What made you decide to attend OSU after growing up in Norman?
Growing up in Norman, I obviously spent a lot of time at that university that is an hour and a half south of Stillwater. Due to this, I wasn’t too familiar with OSU. After stepping foot on campus just one time for a visit though, I knew OSU was exactly where I belonged. Talking with advisors and students from Spears, I felt like everyone truly cared about making my college experience the best that it could be. Their passion for making OSU feel like a home away from home and not just a place where I studied was evident in their interactions. I was also impressed by the outcomes of students from Spears and knew that by going here, I would set myself up to be successful in my future profession.
How have the Spears Business professors and faculty impacted you?
Every Spears Business professor and faculty member that I’ve had the pleasure of interacting with during my time on campus has had a breadth of business and professional knowledge that they’ve been able to offer to me. Also, every professor and faculty member has displayed impeccable interpersonal skills that not only made me feel at home but taught me the Power of Personal. Having been able to observe and experience these qualities in them, I’ve become a better person and feel confident that I can replicate those skills in any future environment.
What is your greatest piece of advice for future business students?
My greatest piece of advice for future business students is to live in the moment. Going to college ultimately is a step in the larger process of getting to a future life that we want to live. However, don’t be too focused on the future, as it takes away from the joys and lessons to be had in your college experience. Get involved with organizations, meet new friends, go to on-campus events, etc. There will be a lot thrown at you as a student, but I encourage every future student to enjoy those moments, because college can be a very special and memorable time in life, especially if you’re spending that time at OSU.
Story by: Terry Tush | Engage@Spears magazine
Photo by: Aaron Murphy