CAS News

Jason Bruck, an animal behaviorist in the Department of Integrative Biology, believes a quality marine science education should be available to students in Oklahoma. And though he works with dolphins, he isn't ready to declare them the smartest animals without caveats.

The Phi Beta Kappa chapter at Oklahoma State University initiated 31 new student members and alumnus Christopher Lehman during its seventh annual induction ceremony recently in the Student Union Ballroom. The honor society's Gamma of Oklahoma chapter was founded in 2013.

OSU chapter members vote on whether to offer membership to each student who fulfills the rigorous criteria for induction. That includes at least 90 hours of liberal arts courses with a minimum GPA of 3.7 while majoring in the liberal arts or sciences. Honorees must also have at least 15 hours in a foreign language and demonstrated proficiency in mathematics. A faculty committee also reviews potential inductees’ transcripts for both breadth and depth of study.

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders features a full speech-language-hearing clinic. One of their most-well known clients, Oklahoma State University softball coach Kenny Gajewski, shares his story and speaks about how important it was to find his voice.

Michael Larson’s interest in geography began when he was an engineering major enrolled in a general education summer class.

“World Regional Geography really opened up the world for me,” Larson said. “It was the first textbook I ever read cover to cover. It was fascinating, and it showed me a different direction that I could go. I had taken drafting courses for engineering. I found that drafting work also fit well with a geography degree. And that was pretty much it.”

As an aspiring film director, Amairani Perez Chamu made a deliberate choice to enroll in the American studies program at Oklahoma State University — Tulsa.

“It is really about society, culture, politics; the backbone of America,” said Perez, an immigrant from Mexico who was recently named one of 15 Outstanding Seniors by the OSU Alumni Association. “I thought it would be a good degree option in learning about what makes America, America.”

Kylie Hagerdon is a chemisty and physics pre-med student who was just accepted to University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center along with a large scholarship. In this interview with Lonna Freshley, Kylie talks about the challenges and rewards of being a pre-med student, the rigors of the medical school application process and her future plans.

Two College of Arts and Sciences students have been awarded the 2019 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, one of the most prestigious national honors recognizing outstanding undergraduates who seek research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

Alma Rios was a Sooner fan until her brother came to Oklahoma State University.

“I visited my brother here when he was awarded the Top 10 Freshmen,” Rios said. “That was my first time on campus, and everybody was just so kind and inviting.”

That’s when Rios met Lee Bird, the now-retired vice president of student affairs who inspired her to apply to OSU. 

Dr. Glen S. Krutz’s appointment as dean of the Oklahoma State University College of Arts and Sciences became official Friday. The OSU/A&M Board of Regents voted to name him dean, professor and Puterbaugh Foundation Chair. 

“I am excited to join OSU’s largest college and the intellectual heart of this great American land-grant university,” Krutz said. “President (Burns) Hargis and Provost (Gary) Sandefur are big advocates for the liberal arts and sciences. In Oklahoma, now more than ever, it is important that students gain depth in these elemental fields of study, so as to make deep contributions to their community after graduating from OSU."