CONNECT 2021

more thoughtfully deliver that culture to our faculty, staff and students. It’s making sure that everyone at OSU feels respected, welcomed and engaged in the social and academic life of the college.” Originally fromPhiladelphia, Freeman started writing for a local paper at 15, finding a passion for storytelling. He earned his bachelor’s from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree from Louisiana State University and practiced for a few years in Baton Rouge before realizing his heart was in education. “Educators had a remarkable impact on my life,” Freeman said. “I wanted to help our future generations of storytellers by giving them the opportunity to try things and learn frommentors. This way students learn more, and our community benefits.” He joined the faculty at LSU as an associate professor for 14 years before moving to OSU. Here, he has focused on building curriculum to respond to the ever-changing media market. Under Freeman’s leadership, the school has added three options: advertising and public relations, entertainment media and social media. “In order to grow, we have to meet students where they are,” Freeman said. “And that’s what I hope to help do at the OSU-Tulsa campus. Tulsa is one of the keys to success in the college. You look at the physical location of the Tulsa campus, and we are on sacred ground. We are at the top of historic Greenwood, we are on Native land and a mile from a significant Latinx community. So the city of Tulsa depends on us to bring these three constituencies together to provide outstanding educational opportunities for these communities and the greater community of Tulsa.” CAS programs offered at OSU-Tulsa are critical to increasing the number of Tulsans with bachelor’s degrees. “As we continue to develop new degree programs tailored to the area’s economy and interests, we also are committed to serving the community,” said Dr. Pamela Fry, president of OSU-Tulsa. “In his new role, Craig Freeman will bring much knowledge and experience to these endeavors, and we look forward to working closely with him to expand access and pathways to higher education, particularly for those populations that have been traditionally underserved.” Freeman is eager to tackle the new challenges of the position. “We are committed to providing outstanding educational opportunities for folks around the state and the Tulsa region, and that expands from the youngest students to the oldest learners,” Freeman said. “We know it’s a community that works as hard as Cowboys always do, so we are trying to bring great educational opportunities to those hard-working people in our community there.” Freeman began his three-year appointment July 1. “It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the college on this level,” Freeman said. “The support I have frommy colleagues will serve our community well. I look forward to helping grow the Cowboy family intellectually, geographically and culturally.” “I wanted to help our future generations of storytellers by giving them the opportunity to try things and learn from mentors.” CRAIG FREEMAN OSU COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SC I ENCES 9