Support the Heart of OSU … join the A&S Associates. Don & Sue Adams Wilton Anderson & Jacqueline Adair Theodore Agnew Stephen & Patricia Armbruster Glenda Balint Grace E. Berlin Clinton Bissell Joseph & Hazel Bowers Gladys T. Burris Gerald & Mary Burson Douglas Aichele & Kathryn Castle Shu-Tsing Cheng Bob & Barbara Chitwood Jan R. Cloyde Michael R. Cummings David & Gina Dabney Jerry & Judy Davis John & Cynthia Dobson Jonathan & LeAnn Drummond Albert & Anna Lynn Durr Richard & Judith Edmonson Peter & Kimberly Erdoes Raymond & Teresa Estep Alpha Fiegel Dick Fischer & Malinda Berry Fischer Bob & Lucy Fite Kathryn Fleming Chip & Shannon Fudge Edwin E. Glover George & Mary Gries James & Ann Halligan Pamela Harkema Steve L. & Teresa Harrison Mary Hazeldine George & Beth Hixon Kevin & Peggy Huston Thomas D. Isern Stuart & Julie Jackson Linda Jamison Richard & Issy Jennings Steve & Mary Jennings John & Caryl Jobe Jenk & Jerri Jones Tony L. & Beth Kroll Theodore & Alfreda Legg William & Penny Long Chris & Jamie Loomis Robert & Pauline Maddox Patricia Ross Robert F. Mahnken Richard & Sandra Marlin Richard & Mary Marquardt Theresa M. McClure Katherine McCollom Keith & Sammy McGlamery Julia McHale Charles Mehr John H. & Lori Meinders Richard Melot Glen & Carmel Mitchell Jeff & Jane M. Mitchell Susan Mitchell Leone L. Monroe James Morrison Dale & Connie Osborn Brad & Anne Patton Donald & June Peters Boone & Madeleine Pickens Carolyn & Ronald Poe Richard & Karyl Price Carl & Grace Provence Robert & Priscilla Rives Pauline Sampson David & Mary Scheidt Carson Scott M.B. Seretean Milo & Lucy Shedeck Peter & Gillian Sherwood Billy Joe Smith Gary & Soon Smith Mary M. Smith James R. & Erma Steele Marlene Strathe Michelle A. Strabala Dean & Carol Stringer Charles & Barbara Swinton Betty J. Synar Kevin & Lesa Talley Robert & Betty Tippeconnie Evan Tonsing Kenneth & Myr-Lou Rollins-Wade Orville & Jeanne Webb William & Peggy Welch Jerry & Winona Wilhm Lynn Wilson Richard G. & Janet Wood Stuart & Teresa Yelton Bringing History into the Present Norbert Mahnken had already retired when William Bryans joined OSU’s history department in 1987. But the emeritus professor of history and the former head of the history department crossed paths in the public realm where they taught Elderhostel classes and worked together in local and state historical societies. The two shared an affinity for public history. As researchers and interpreters of history, public historians are educators, Bryans says, but instead of the classroom, they work in archives, museums, historic preservation organizations, historic sites and government agencies. “An academic historian’s research and writing is usually aimed at other historians whereas a public historian has a wider audience and the potential of having a greater impact on the perception of history,” he says. Mahnken, who taught history at OSU from 1947 until he retired in 1983, certainly helped shape the history department and record the state’s history. His research and writings focused on Oklahoma history, and he had numerous articles published in the Chronicles of Oklahoma. But he also accomplished a great deal as a public historian, Bryans says, especially in recording the area’s social history and documenting historic sites such as Pleasant Valley School in Payne County. “Norbert Mahnken was a gracious, intelligent and thoughtful man. He was knowledgeable and always willing to share his knowledge with others.” And that thoughtfulness and willingness to share is part of the legacy Mahnken, who died in 2004, and his predeceased wife, Anita, leave to the OSU history department. Their planned gift, the Dr. Norbert and Anita Mahnken Distinguished Graduate Fellowship, will fund internships in the study of applied history, also known as public history. OSU’s program, which offers emphases in historic preservation and museum studies, requires a six-credit- hour internship. “Sometimes the internship is a paid position and sometimes not,” says Bryans, noting that tuition is also an expense on top of the internship. “I can’t envision doing this program without the internship. It’s essential for students to apply the theories they’ve studied. Their education is not complete until they actually practice,” he says. “The Mahnkens’ gift boosts the competitiveness and adds value to the program. It will help us recruit top students and find the best internship placements we can, which will increase employment opportunities for our graduates. “We are very appreciative.” Eileen Mustain see related story on page 26 For information on becoming a member of the A&S Associates, contact Jana Duffy at 405-744-8214, jduffy@osuf.org. (reflects membership from July 1, 2004 – October 30, 2005) Membership in the A&S Associates is open to alumni and friends dedicating $1,000 in annual gifts or planned giving commitment. Oklahoma State University 11
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