Education alumna Caine takes her place as 16th president of OSU Alumni Association
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Media Contact: Kirsi McDowell | Senior Communications Specialist | 405-744-9347 | kirsi@okstate.edu
This summer, the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association welcomed College of
Education and Human Sciences alumna Dr. Ann Caine as its 16th president. 
Caine earned a doctorate in education and educational administration in 1998 and was inducted into the College of Education and Human Sciences Hall of Fame in 2019.
“I am so thankful and humbled by the trust the Board of Directors has placed in me by giving me this opportunity to serve. Reflecting on my career, I think it’s pretty cool that a special education teacher turned administrator is the next OSUAA president,” Caine said.
If someone told Caine at the start of her career she would lead the OSU Alumni Association, Caine said her younger self may have laughed at first.
“It was never in the “Ann Plan” to become the OSU Alumni Association president. But then, nothing I’ve done has been in the plan,” she said.
Caine intended to be a career teacher, but that changed when she began to do administrative work and became a principal.
“I’m not afraid of change or trying something new,” Caine said. “Stepping out of my comfort zone into a new role has always provided me with positive growth opportunities, and I know I’ll be able to say that about being the new president.”
Caine’s OSU connection began when she commuted to Stillwater as a doctoral student; making the trip two nights a week for class while also working as a principal at Putnam City Schools and taking care of her two children. She said having supportive professors who ensured what they were teaching was relevant kept her engaged and motivated.
“My most treasured memories are of my dissertation committee members who still, to this day, continue to impact and mentor me,” Caine said. “My committee chair Dr. Nan Restine, Dr. Adrienne Hyle and Dr. Ed Harris are such compassionate, smart, servant leaders who truly care about their students. I knew they wanted to support me through my doctoral journey, which wasn’t always easy.”
Caine counts Restine as a role model and always admired Restine’s ability to look at a situation, assess it and think of the big picture.
“Restine was also ahead of her time in respecting and embracing diversity: diversity in human beings, diversity of thought and diversity of experiences. She has had a tremendous impact on my life, and I am forever grateful,” Caine said.
“I am confident the current OSU students are experiencing positive role models just like I was lucky to have during my time as a student.”
When she was a student, Caine loved the traditions on campus.
She enjoys the OSU Marching Band performing to pump up tailgaters before football games. She also hopes the tradition of providing free food to students during finals week continues forever because it’s a great way to support the students during a stressful time.
America’s Greatest Homecoming is her favorite tradition of all. It is the Alumni Association’s biggest event and celebrated its 100th anniversary last year.
“The week is filled with so many fun activities, beginning with the Edmon Low Library fountain turning orange,” Caine said. “No one in the country can beat our Walkaround! Finishing the week with a football win, seeing the stadium sold out and listening to returning alumni reminisce about their time on campus — it’s a tradition no other school can match.”
Story By: Katie Lacey | ASPIRE Magazine
Photos By: Phil Shockley and Courtesy CEHS