President’s Letter

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Thanks in large part to the generosity of donors, your Oklahoma State University works tirelessly to provide both need- and merit-based scholarships to deserving students. We would love to have more of these resources to help more students to earn an OSU degree.

We are pleased to announce the first recipients of
a new scholarship. We continue to attract a growing number of out-of-state students, but the Oklahoma State Scholars Society is aimed to draw high- performing Oklahoma students. In this issue of STATE, we hear from some of these talented students.

As a land-grant university, Oklahoma State’s mission includes serving our communities and improving the lives of people throughout society. A few of those efforts are highlighted in the following pages.

Furthering that land-grant mission, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension serves every county of the state every day of the year. STATE profiles how Cooperative Extension provided critical assistance in April during the deadly wildfires that did more than $26 million in damage. Extension employees worked closely with the State Office of Emergency Management and took the lead in organizing agricultural-related relief efforts. It was another example of Extension being a good neighbor.

Earlier this year, we were pleased to name Oklahoma native and longtime OSU employee Dr. Damona Doye to head Oklahoma Cooperative Extension. She is the first woman to lead the agency, and we look forward to her leadership.

This edition of STATE profiles Cooking for Kids,
a collaboration between the OSU College of Human Sciences’ Department of Nutritional Sciences, Cooperative Extension and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. This culinary training program helps make healthier meals and improves food service operations for schools.

When it comes to food safety, OSU is a leader with programs and experts across numerous disciplines. Learn how recent graduate Courtney Elroy turned her passion for food safety at OSU into an exciting job at J-M Farms, an Oklahoma company and a leading producer of mushrooms. 

We expect another exciting year at Oklahoma State University. Our Stillwater campus is full of activity and looks beautiful. Please come visit.

First Cowgirl Ann and I wish you all the best.

Go Pokes!

Burns Hargis
OSU President