Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, American Indian OSU Alumni Society
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton of the American Indian OSU Alumni Society
By Amy Woods
Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton followed in her family’s footsteps by graduating from Oklahoma State University, making her a third- generation Cowboy.
“I grew up with a lot of orange in my closet,” the Tulsa native said. As the former president of the American Indian Alumni Society, she continues to stay involved with OSU by working to increase society involvement with Native American students.
“We’d like to be in a position where we’re able to provide greater support to the native students at Oklahoma State,” she said.
Now working as a freelance reporter in Tulsa, Krehbiel-Burton graduated from Oklahoma State with her undergraduate and graduate degrees. In 2006, she received two bachelor’s degrees through the Honors College, one in broadcast journalism and the other in political science. In 2008, she earned her master’s degree through the School of Global Studies and Partnerships.
At OSU, Krehbiel-Burton was a member of the Cowboy Marching Band and Spirit Band, co-founder of the quiz bowl team, O’Colly editor- in-chief and served on the executive board for the Multicultural Greek
Council. She is also still a member of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, the country’s oldest and largest Native American Greek-letter organization.
Krehbiel-Burton met her husband and best friends through organizations at OSU. One
of her best memories is qualifying for the quiz bowl national championship
in Washington, D.C., where the team finished 16th in the nation. Krehbiel-Burton credits
the team for introducing her to lifelong friends.
“We still stay in touch," she said. “My daughter and son know them as ‘uncle’ and ‘auntie.’”
Since joining the American Indian Alumni Society, Krehbiel-Burton has been able to share her OSU experience with multiple generations of Native American alumni.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know other indigenous Cowboys that I might not have necessarily had the opportunity to meet while I was in college,” she said.
Her favorite society event is the Distinguished American Indian Alumni Reception, which is an opportunity for current society members to honor some of their predecessors.
“It’s very rewarding to give back and to recognize our elders who have come before us.”
Krehbiel-Burton’s presidency of the American Indian Alumni Society ended in November 2018 following five years of serving as an officer. She joined the society to continue her involvement with OSU and do some good and quickly became a member of a support network that shared the same Native American heritage and Cowboy pride as her.
“Within a couple of weeks of getting involved, I wound up becoming an officer and haven’t looked back.”