Dear Cowboy family, I can hardly believe my first year as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is already over. What an incredible journey it has been getting to know Stillwater, OSU and Oklahoma. From day one, I’ve been struck by the warmth and genuine spirit of our community — there’s something truly special about being part of the Cowboy family. Working alongside OSU President Jim Hess has been inspiring. His leadership and vision for OSU’s future align perfectly with our college’s mission to support student success through educational excellence and outstanding research opportunities. Together, we’re embracing innovation while building on OSU’s 150-year legacy. Our college’s achievements continue to impress. Some standout examples from the past 12 months include: Being home to 14 Wentz Scholars, 11 of 25 Outstanding Seniors, and OSU’s one Marshall Scholar finalist. Hosting the International Physicists’ Tournament’s U.S. finals. Helping relaunch OSU Arts Week after a 45-year break. Having Dr. Hess at the President’s Masterworks Performance for his first official event as president. Celebrating the countless honors and millions of dollars in research funding awarded to our faculty and students. Enhancing our academic structure, research capabilities and collaboration opportunities by merging the integrative biology and plant biology departments into the Department of Biology. The list goes on, but you can see how much we have to be proud of in CAS. The achievements of our students, faculty and staff are a continual testament to the excellence that defines our community. It has been one of my greatest joys to work with CAS faculty and staff this year. Their dedication to teaching, research and service continues to amaze me. Through our CAS Faculty Council, we’ve established working groups to review strategic priorities and position ourselves for continued growth. I’ve also enjoyed collaborating with our CAS Student Council, particularly during OSU Homecoming. These partnerships have sparked important conversations about enhancing their voice in college governance to create a more inclusive, student-centered environment. With CAS alumni scattered around the world, it’s been fantastic to meet so many through events ranging from CAS Hall of Fame to our annual Homecoming Reunion to Dean’s Circle gatherings. I am so thankful for the engagement of our alumni base. Looking ahead, I’m thrilled about the plans for a new facility that will support our tremendous growth in biological sciences and psychology. This state-of-theart building will be a game-changer for student success, providing modern laboratories and interdisciplinary research spaces for critical life sciences fields. As the college celebrates another successful year, I’m filled with gratitude for our CAS family. The unwavering support of each individual creates an environment where excellence flourishes. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Go Pokes! Dr. Melinda A. Cro Dean, College of Arts and Sciences FROM THE DEAN’S OFFICE PHOTO JASON WALLACE
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAxMjk=