Recalling the Past, Integral to this process, the College of Arts and Sciences underpins the university’s educational mandate with its devotion to academic excellence and innovation, as well as its determination to give all students a balanced education that includes extracurricular and interdisciplinary activities. In this issue, we highlight our illustrious College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. The members featured here, both past and present, are prime examples of how leadership opportunities nurture leaders whose successes benefit the university, the state, nation and world. Representing the intellectual core of OSU, the College of Arts and Sciences is the largest with 24 departments, more than 80 degree options, nearly 400 faculty members, more than 5,300 Embracing the Future DEAN’S MESSAGE Gary Lawson Oklahoma’s centennial anniversary, celebrated Nov. 16, 2007, provided a perfect opportunity to reflect on Oklahoma State University’s definitive role in shaping the state’s history. From 17 years before statehood to today, OSU has continued to fulfill its land-grant university mission to educate the next generation of leaders. undergraduates and 800 graduate students. Our council is equally diverse and provides each member with opportunities to reach out in limitless directions. From ecology to politics to medicine to charity, our council delves into many aspects of community while learning invaluable lessons in management, organization and communication. A groundbreaking ceremony in November formally beginning the renovation of Murray Hall symbolizes the rebirth of an OSU landmark. The $23.8 million project, partially funded through an $8.8 million bond issue by the Oklahoma Higher Education Capital Bond Program, allows the venerable old building — a history of place for many alumni — to become home to six departments within the College of Arts and Sciences. Acquiring additional space with the Murray renovation and the new Interdisciplinary Science and Research Building, currently under construction, is one of many exciting developments occurring in the past few years. Other successes include nurturing outstanding student achievement, hiring exceptional new faculty and department heads and developing new centers, such as the Center for Africana Studies and Development and the Center for Oklahoma Studies. I hope you will join me in celebrating the College of Arts and Sciences’ key contributions to the history of the university and our state. Your support and enthusiasm play a pivotal role in serving Oklahoma and encouraging growth and opportunity for our next exciting chapter. Thank you for being a part of that future. Peter M.A. Sherwood, Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
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