OSU program recruits out-of-state leaders

Alumni Ross and Billie McKnight are realizing their vision through a unique program that has already provided more than 133 student leaders with scholarships to Oklahoma State University in the last three years. The program recruits students from rural communities, outside Oklahoma, to attend OSU. There are 51 McKnight Leader Scholars for the 2014-15 academic year.

The McKnights, who met while attending OSU, established the McKnight Leader Scholars Program to develop ethical leaders who will help lead the way for others. The program includes a renewable waiver of out-of-state tuition fees, $10,000 in scholarships over two years, and opportunities to develop leadership skills through exclusive courses and seminars.

The scholarship recipients, who’ve exhibited their own leadership potential, are brought together at OSU, where we challenge them to make an impact, explained Marshall Baker, director of the program.

“McKnight Leader Scholars are encouraged to find a cause meaningful to them, join, and begin the journey of influence. The emphasis is not on titles and awards but how the students can make a positive difference through their personal involvement and leadership,” said Baker.

The students attend special classes to provide support for their journey, take an active role in service projects to build community and model the way, benefit from access to successful mentors, and connect with a community of scholars.

“Ultimately, these students will be equipped to have a profound impact on the community and career they choose,” said Baker.

The McKnight Leader Scholars Program rewards students based on leadership and extracurricular activities such as community service, job experience, 4-H, FFA and high-school student government.

Nominations for incoming freshmen or transfer students must be submitted by a high school administrator, non-parent OSU alumnus, former McKnight Scholar, 4-H or FFA leader, or other community group leader for which the student has been involved and served in a leadership position. For more information, visit OSUgiving.com/McKnight.

Listed below is this year’s class, including hometown, proposed major, and high school.

California

Prather

Macy Perry, Animal Science, Clovis East High School 

Colorado

Del Norte

Jordyn McMaster-Neely, Animal Science, Monte Vista On Line Academy

Kansas

Meade

Morgan Olvera, Mechanical Engineering, Meade High School 

New Mexico

Tatum

Kylie Wheeler, Animal Science, Tatum High School

Texas

Abilene

Blair Beale, Education, Wylie High School

Bailey Turner, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wylie High School

Amarillo

Nicole Ailes, Undecided, Amarillo High School

Casey Crosson, Health Education & Promotion, Ascension Academy

Jacob Cunningham, Strategic Communication, Randall

Kelsey Dudding, Nutritional Sciences, Amarillo High School

Joy Gossett, Elementary Education, Amarillo High School

Dane McIntosh, Mechanical Engineering, San Jacinto Christian Academy

Chloe Narrell, Agricultural Leadership, Bushland High School

Holly Richardson, Education, Tascosa High School

Jeffrey Schuman, Agribusiness, Amarillo High School

Archer City

Garrett Morris, Chemical Engineering, Archer City High School

Azle

Rebecca Herrera, Zoology, Azle High School

Briscoe

Kimberly Gibson, Physiology, Fort Elliott High School

Burkburnett

Brady Brunson, Aerospace Engineering, Burkburnett High School

Burleson

Cassandra Smithson, Biochemistry, Joshua High School

Canadian

Tucker Brown, Environmental Science, Canadian High School

Allie Collier, Art, Canadian High School

Canyon

Courtney Karr, Entomology, Canyon High School

Kennedy Lackey, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Canyon High School

Lindy Pasley, General Business, Canyon High School

Cody Price, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Canyon High School

Matthew Snell, Mechanical Engineering, Canyon High School

Follett

Jordan Wiley, Entrepreneurship, Follett ISD

Fort Worth

Jessica Juenger, Geology, C F Brewer High School

Katherine Nguyen, Multimedia Journalism, Timber Creek High School

Graham

Tayler Sullivent, Agricultural Leadership, Graham High School

Gunter

Rachel Campbell, Biological Science, Gunter High School

Jordan Newman, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Gunter High School

Hondo

Corban Hemphill, Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Hemphill Home School

Howe

Jessa Hough, Mathematics, Howe High School

Keller

Morgan Shuster, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Central High School 

Lubbock

Mackayla Morwood, Microbiology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Monterey Senior High School

Panhandle

Cory Free, Electrical Engineering, Panhandle High School 

Perryton

Emilie Heflin, Undecided, Perryton High School

Seguin

Emma Johnson, Accounting, Navarro High School

Seymour

Mariah Walker, Agricultural Leadership, Seymour High School

Spearman

Gena Hargrove, Education, Spearman High School

Taylor Williams, International Business, Spearman High School

Stinnett

Erin Summers, International Business, West Texas High School 

Sunray

Kyla Overstreet, Nutritional Sciences, Sunray High School

Tioga

Emily Bruner, Design Housing & Merchandising, Gunter High School

Vega

Macee Hatfield, Nutritional Sciences, Vega High School

Weatherford

Emily Albert, Animal Science, Weatherford High School

Wichita Falls

William Coleman, Mechanical Engineering, S H Rider

Libby Schultz, Biochemistry, Wichita Falls High School

Wildorado

Kelli Perkins, Undecided, Vega High School