CAS News

During the recent opioid trial in Oklahoma, CNN turned to the Department of History’s Holly Karibo for expert analysis. Her research focuses on the history of vice, labor and sexuality in border cities, as well as examining the North American borderlands. She joined us to talk about the history of drug use and policy in America, as well as immigration policy and practice. Her expertise is the past, but her insight is incredibly relevant to present debates.

Sydney McDaniel of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, thought she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. Yet during high school, she was introduced to the world of speech pathology, which brought back an old memory.

“I had a weird flashback,” she said. “In first grade, I read a book about a little girl who went to a speech pathologist because she was having issues with articulation and stuttering. At the end, she was able to say ‘bell.’ Her speech was improving! So, that memory kind of put the job into some type of perspective for me with my future.”

The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce the CAS students chosen among Oklahoma State University’s Top 10 Freshmen. 

The OSU Mortar Board Honor Society selects honorees based on scholarship, outstanding leadership and community service. Students are eligible to apply their sophomore year based on freshman year achievements.

Glen Krutz wasn’t looking for a job when he heard about OSU’s search for a new dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass up. 

“It is rare for large college dean positions to come open at major universities,” said Krutz, then the University of Oklahoma’s senior vice provost. “I talked to some people whose opinions I respect, and they thought it would be a good fit. When I came to Stillwater, I really liked the vibe. I liked the hard questions the hiring committee asked and what they said about OSU. It was a delightful exchange during an interview that would normally be stressful, not fun.” 

Oklahoma State University’s College of Arts and Sciences honored 25 of its most successful alumni Sept. 27 during the 2019 CAS Distinguished Alumni & Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade & Development. Ardoth Hassler and Dr. George Thompson were both inducted into the Hall of Fame, while Brent Butcher and Maddy Cunningham were named Rising Stars. There were also 21 Distinguished Alumni recipients.

“This is an exciting evening, when we celebrate the success of some of our most accomplished alumni,” said Glen Krutz, dean of CAS. “We have the opportunity to learn of the rich and fulfilling careers and lives that have stemmed from their Arts and Sciences degrees here at OSU.”

Val Castor, a 1985 Department of Geography alumnus, shares stories from his life as a senior stormtracker for News 9. We also discuss how his CAS education helped prepare him for a successful career, and how the job has changed over the past 25 years.

Bryce Donaghue is pursuing a double major in environmental biology and wildlife ecology and management with the goal of becoming a wildlife filmmaker. His journey began with a life-changing diagnosis.

“I have something called May-Thurner syndrome,” he said. “It basically makes one of my veins in my left leg compressed, so it blocks off the blood flow. After a while, it gets backed up and leads to a huge amount of pain and a giant blood clot in my leg.”

The Department of Psychology and the OSU Center for Pediatric Psychology will host guest speaker and OSU alumnus Dr. Bernard Fuemmeler for the Goldman Colloquium next Friday, Sept. 27. Fuemmeler will deliver his presentation, “Childhood Self-Regulation and Health: An Intersection for Multidisciplinary Collaboration” at 1:30 p.m. in Human Sciences 236.

“Dr. Fuemmeler is a nationally recognized expert in clinical health psychology and population science with over 20 years of experience in cancer prevention and control research,” said Dr. Larry Mullins, psychology professor and director of the Center for Pediatric Psychology. “His research focuses on understanding the biological, behavioral, social and environmental factors that contribute to lifestyle behaviors linked to cancer. We are delighted that he is returning to his alma mater to be a part of the Sol Goldman Colloquia series.”

Numerous College of Arts and Sciences personnel actions were approved during the OSU/A&M Board of Regents meeting Sept. 13 in Stillwater.

NEW APPOINTMENTS: Robin Baker, teaching assistant professor, Art, Graphic Design and Art History; Frances McNeal, teaching assistant professor, English; Sabrina Beckmann, assistant professor, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics; Ashley Cole, assistant professor, Psychology.