Highlights through the years
2011
OSU's Blake Jackson wins two coveted national scholarships
April 01, 2011
Oklahoma State University junior Blake Jackson of Hartshorne, Oklahoma, received two of America’s top scholarships, capturing both the Harry S. Truman Scholarship and the Morris K. Udall Scholarship. He is the first OSU student to receive both awards in the same year. Flint Holbrook also won the Udall award. “OSU has become a regular winner of prestigious national scholarships and Blake and Flint are the latest examples of how OSU students rank among the best in the country academically,” said Burns Hargis.
Gov. Fallin joins Pickens, Hargis to dedicate OSU’s Clean Energy fueling station
April 21, 2011
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, OSU benefactor and alternative fuel advocate Boone Pickens, OSU President Burns Hargis and Clean Energy officials dedicated the Clean Energy compressed natural gas fueling station north of the main OSU campus. The facility serves as a fueling and housing station for OSU transit buses, and is also a 24/7 public fueling station. OSU has converted all its transit/community buses to compressed natural gas.
Pickens' challenge leads to $191.5M for OSU scholarships
April 28, 2011
OSU announced that the Boone Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match reached $191.5 million in commitments and inspired 2,665 donors as the Branding Success campaign surpassed $374 million in student support. “While we have already raised more money through gifts and commitments than ever before, I am most pleased we have also had a record number of donors, particularly new donors. Boone’s gifts have inspired many and instill confidence in the future,” said OSU President Burns Hargis.
OSU hosts unmanned aerial vehicle airshow and speedfest
April 30, 2011
Starting a new tradition and further extending its national expertise in unmanned aerial systems, Oklahoma State University and several partners hosted the First Annual UAV Invitational Airshow and Speedfest. The event allowed OSU to dedicate its new unmanned aircraft flight station and give the public a free look at state-of-the-art unmanned aerial systems in operation. The show featured races as well as guest pilot demonstrations and drew more than 750 spectators.
OSU rolls out Cowboy boot topiary for commencement
May 04, 2011
As part of its continuing efforts to upgrade and highlight its campus landscape, OSU unveiled a large Cowboy boot topiary at the southwest corner of Theta Pond near the intersection of University and Monroe streets for spring commencement ceremonies. The unique topiary is more than seven feet tall and is a combination of six unique plants that create the textures and designs of a boot and spur. The boot instantly became a popular spot for photographs.
OSU President Burns Hargis and wife commit $1.5 million to support freshmen
June 22, 2011
Burns Hargis and his wife Ann announced a $1.5 million gift to the OSU Branding Success campaign to fund scholarships for freshmen students. The gift qualifies for the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, pushing the total impact to $3 million. It establishes the University Leadership Scholarship Fund to provide financial support for freshman students from Oklahoma. “Ann and I love being with our students,” Hargis said. “Many students across our state have the ability to succeed in college … but, they simply must have some financial support.”
Oklahoma State University unveils new national TV campaign
September 07, 2011
With the start of the football season, Oklahoma State introduced its “America’s Brightest Orange” branding campaign, highlighting OSU’s academic and extracurricular achievements and thrusting the university into the national conversation as a top-tier school. “The new campaign makes a statement that Oklahoma State delivers the highest level of excellence both in the classroom and beyond,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “We are proud to share our accomplishments with the world.”
OSU dedicates Henry Bellmon Research Center
September 09, 2011
At an event attended by members of the Bellmon family, Oklahoma State University dedicated the Henry Bellmon Research Center, which will facilitate interdisciplinary research. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a bust of the late Oklahoma governor, which will sit in the lobby. “This facility is a lasting tribute to Henry Bellmon’s legacy at OSU and throughout Oklahoma,” said President Burns Hargis. “It exemplifies research, discovery and economic growth – all things Henry Bellmon was passionate about.”
Tony Blair attracts big crowds during OSU speaker series visit; appears on Inside OSU
November 02, 2011
Tony Blair, former prime minister of Great Britain, visited with OSU President Burns Hargis for an episode of Inside OSU. Blair spoke in Stillwater, Tulsa and Oklahoma City as the guest of Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business. He drew more than 3,000 people for his talk on the Stillwater campus. His comments spanned topics ranging from African governance to the Palestine-Israel issue, religious understanding, sports and climate change.
OG&E and OSU partner to add wind power to support the university's sustainability efforts
December 02, 2011
OG&E and Oklahoma State University announced a 20-year agreement to provide wind power to the Stillwater campus. “As a land-grant university, we have an historic responsibility to lead the way when it comes to using our natural resources wisely and efficiently,” said Burns Hargis, OSU president. “The signing of this agreement with OG&E is part of our overarching sustainability initiative aimed at saving money, reducing carbon emissions and improving efficiency.”