The sports website of The Arizona Republic in Phoenix has been named the Best of the Web in judging conducted by the sports media program at Oklahoma State University.

Newspaper sports web pages were judged on their “CANE” criteria: content, appearance, navigation and engagement.

“The Arizona Republic provides a website that demonstrates both quantity and quality of sports coverage,” said Wayne Wanta, the Welch-Bridgewater chair in sports journalism at OSU. “The wealth content doesn’t overpower the reader because the page is attractive and well organized.”

The Arizona Republic edged out The Dallas Morning News and The Miami Herald. Other top newspapers in the judging were The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, The Oklahoman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Best of the Web award was created to recognize newspapers that are utilizing opportunities offered by the Internet.

“Sports websites are among the most popular destinations on the Internet,” Wanta said. “We want to encourage newspapers to further develop website technologies by highlighting those newspapers that have been doing creative and interesting content.”

Judging was conducted by students in the sports media program. Groups of judges were responsible for evaluating newspapers in five regions: Northeast, South, Midwest, Midlands and West. Three rounds of judging eliminated all but 30 newspapers. From this group, judges selected the top five newspaper sports webpages, and included five others for special recognition. OSU faculty members gave final approval to the valuations.

The judging process took three months. “It was an exhaustive process and we wanted to ensure that all newspapers, both large and small, were fairly evaluated,” Wanta said.

Several newspapers with circulations under 125,000 also were recognized: Tulsa World, Sioux Falls (S.D.) The Argus Leader, Yakima (Wash.) Herald-Republic, Hendersonville (N.C.) Times News and Farmington (N.M.) The Daily Times.

OSU has the only program in the United States that offers a bachelor’s degree in sports media. OSU also is home to the Center for International Sports Media, a network of more than 20 universities from around the world that offer sports communication courses. The center provides opportunities for participants to share teaching materials and research ideas. The program falls under the OSU School of Journalism and Broadcasting, which is one of 24 departments in the College of Arts & Sciences at OSU. To learn more visit http://cas.okstate.edu.

Photos of Commencement ceremonies can be downloaded at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ostatenews/sets/72157623894923045/

Nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate degrees were awarded to Oklahoma State University students during five ceremonies today and Friday in Stillwater at Gallagher-Iba Arena.  In addition to the graduates, OSU alumni and longtime supporters Frank and Carol Morsani of Tampa, Florida, were awarded honorary doctorates.

The Honorary Doctor of Education degrees were presented to the couple with the support of the OSU Mathematics, Science and Occupational Education Faculty in the OSU College of Education. These are just the 17th and 18th honorary doctorates awarded in the university’s 120-year history.  

“OSU is proud to recognize these two individuals who have brought tremendous honor and distinction to their alma mater through their business success and their lifelong commitment to leadership, philanthropy, service to society and incredible support of this university,” OSU President Burns Hargis said.

Hargis delivered remarks during Saturday’s three undergraduate ceremonies. Hargis told the graduates, “Don’t let money trump your passion. If you wake up everyday pursuing your passion, you will be rich.”

Hargis concluded the ceremony by telling OSU’s newest alumni members, “Keep OSU in your hearts and a smile on your face.”

In addition to Hargis’ remarks, a 10-minute video was shown during the undergraduate ceremonies.  The video was a highlight of the graduating seniors’ time at OSU and featured three groups of graduates talking about their memories as students.

Three undergraduate ceremonies were held Saturday, followed by an evening hooding ceremony for the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Science. Master’s and doctoral degree ceremonies were held Friday evening in Gallagher-Iba Arena.  

The university estimates 60 percent of its graduates choose to stay in Oklahoma to work and live.  Just another example of how OSU and its graduates continue the land-grant mission of outreach by sharing their higher education with the communities throughout Oklahoma.

Today’s graduates join more than 200,000 OSU alumni, including world, national and state leaders; renowned business leaders, educators, health and wellness practitioners, entertainers, and sports figures.

Leading the way

Seven Oklahoma State University students selected as outstanding student representatives will lead their college’s processionals into Gallagher-Iba Arena during commencement ceremonies in Stillwater this weekend.  As part of the distinctive ceremony, the students will wear honorary orange caps and gowns and carry their college’s gonfalons, the traditional long flags.  Selected by their colleges for this honor are:

Zachary Countryman
Lincoln, Neb.
aviation sciences major
College of Education

Aubrey Gooden
Edmond
finance major
Spears School of Business

Taryn Tate
Shawnee
nutritional sciences major
College of Human Environmental Sciences

OSU student Curtis Moss plans to ride his bicycle almost 4,000 miles to Anchorage, Alaska, this summer to inspire others to create their own adventure. The geography junior from Claremore plans to leave Stillwater on May 15 and spend the summer bicycling to his destination in time to catch a return flight to Tulsa on August 17.

The 23-year-old Moss also plans to use the 3,973-mile solo trip to bring attention to OSU’s National Student Exchange, a domestic reciprocal exchange program, by stopping at six of the NSE partner institutions along the way including Wichita State University, the University of Nebraska, Kearney; University of Wyoming, Laramie; Montana State University, Bozeman; University of Montana, Missoula, and the University of Alaska.

Shortly after he started attending OSU, Moss was deployed to Iraq for two years with the National Guard, which he joined while a student at Claremore High School. He returned to OSU to continue his studies and recently developed a love for cycling. He’s been testing himself on extended bicycle trips for the last year.

Moss traveled extensively with his grandparents as a child, so he wanted to do something different and challenging this summer that combined his cycling interests with a desire to see the countryside. A firm believer in the benefit of travel, he will also encourage donations to scholarship programs through OSU’s Outreach Offices that would help students fund study abroad opportunities.

Moss plans to carry about 35 pounds of supplies and camping equipment while stopping along the way to purchase food, do his laundry, and take a shower. His travel vest will hold a camera and a cell phone in addition to a GPS device. His Facebook page, “Summer 2010: Ride to the Midnight Sun” will link to his website to track his travels. 

After completing his bachelor degree in geography, Moss hopes to travel more and learn new languages. He is considering OSU’s Master’s International Program that combines a Master’s degree in International Studies with two years of service abroad in the U.S. Peace Corps.

OSU student Curtis Moss plans to ride his bicycle almost 4,000 miles to Anchorage, Alaska, this summer to inspire others to create their own adventure. The geography junior from Claremore plans to leave Stillwater on May 15 and spend the summer bicycling to his destination in time to catch a return flight to Tulsa on August 17.

The 23-year-old Moss also plans to use the 3,973-mile solo trip to bring attention to OSU’s National Student Exchange, a domestic reciprocal exchange program, by stopping at six of the NSE partner institutions along the way including Wichita State University, the University of Nebraska, Kearney; University of Wyoming, Laramie; Montana State University, Bozeman; University of Montana, Missoula, and the University of Alaska.

Shortly after he started attending OSU, Moss was deployed to Iraq for two years with the National Guard, which he joined while a student at Claremore High School. He returned to OSU to continue his studies and recently developed a love for cycling. He’s been testing himself on extended bicycle trips for the last year.

Moss traveled extensively with his grandparents as a child, so he wanted to do something different and challenging this summer that combined his cycling interests with a desire to see the countryside. A firm believer in the benefit of travel, he will also encourage donations to scholarship programs through OSU’s Outreach Offices that would help students fund study abroad opportunities.

Moss plans to carry about 35 pounds of supplies and camping equipment while stopping along the way to purchase food, do his laundry, and take a shower. His travel vest will hold a camera and a cell phone in addition to a GPS device. His Facebook page, “Summer 2010: Ride to the Midnight Sun” will link to his website to track his travels. 

After completing his bachelor degree in geography, Moss hopes to travel more and learn new languages. He is considering OSU’s Master’s International Program that combines a Master’s degree in International Studies with two years of service abroad in the U.S. Peace Corps.

By Julie Barnard
Nutritional Sciences Regents Professor Barbara Stoecker is one of three recipients of the 2010 Michael P. Malone International leadership award sponsored by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). Established in 2000, the annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to international education at public and land-grant institutions.

Stoecker worked in collaboration with faculty and students to develop the applied human nutrition graduate program at Hawassa, including its curriculum, courses and faculty recruitment. Stoecker’s work has not only made a big difference in building the academic capacity of the university but has led to an infusion of much needed research resources. She continues to serve as the link between students and an education program designed to improve the country's food supply by bringing young and mid-career staff from Hawassa to Oklahoma State University for advance training in the master and doctorial programs.

“It is a special honor to be recognized with the Malone International Leadership Award,” said Stoecker. “But most importantly, credit is also due to the faculty, students and our international partners who collaborate to assure the success of the many projects we have shared.”

As a Fulbright senior specialist at Hawassa University in Ethiopia, Stoecker not only teaches courses on nutrition and metabolism to first year students in the master of science program, her internationally recognized research on the connection between child malnutrition and cognitive development is having a lasting impact in one of Africa’s poorest countries.

“This is wonderful, said Stephan Wilson, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences at Oklahoma State University. “We are so pleased and proud of Dr. Stoecker – she embodies the modern land-grant faculty whose research, teaching and outreach naturally flow from each other. In particular, the importance of the Human Sciences lives on as more than a slogan through scholars such as her.”

“This year’s Malone Awards recipients have worked tirelessly to promote international education and development,” said APLU President Peter McPherson. “Their focus on international problems speaks well of America’s highly regarded university system and the willingness of our scholars to promote higher education around the globe.”

Charles W. Steger of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) and Robert J. Jones of the University of Minnesota were also selected to receive the annual award named in honor of the late Michael P. Malone who served as president of Montana State University from 1991-99.

Malone made many contributions to MSU and U.S. higher education through his work as chair of APLU’s Commission on International Programs, where he focused the group’s efforts on issues critical to international programs and increased its stature within APLU and elsewhere.

The award will be presented during the summer meeting of the APLU Commission on International Programs July 12-14, 2010 in Sedona, AZ.

By Katie Butler

Oklahoma State University is home to statewide assistive technology program, ABLE Tech, which helps people all around Oklahoma.

ABLE Tech’s mission is to improve access and acquisition to assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. The organization provides comprehensive programs throughout the state making assistive technology devices and services more available to individuals with disabilities and their families.

ABLE tech is funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 through the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education.

Technology is provided to Oklahoman’s through four main programs: demonstration centers, short-term equipment loans, assistive technology reutilization and low interest bank loans to purchase the technology equipment. The demonstration center is located in the OSU Seretean Wellness Center in Stillwater as well as in eight partner locations across the state.

Linda Jaco, director of sponsored programs for ABLE Tech, said it is a great opportunity for OSU to be the home of this program.

“Having ABLE Tech on campus positions OSU in a unique way,” Jaco said. “It helps us serve people well beyond the OSU campus and reach people all across the state, which brings OSU to the forefront of assistive technology.”

ABLE Tech promotes the availability of assistive technology for people with disabilities but Jaco stresses that assistive technology can be any item or piece of equipment used to improve the capabilities of a person.

One Oklahoman who has already benefited from ABLE Tech’s services is Bettie Jo Knight.

Knight, a retired college professor, is gradually losing her vision and came to ABLE Tech for an equipment demonstration.

“I love all the equipment and was really excited about being able to take the items home for a loan period so I could try them out during my daily life,” she said. “It has helped me become more independent and also lets me read books for pleasure again.

“We would love to see more people on campus find value in our services,” Jaco said. “It can be for anyone with poor vision to arthritis; we really can benefit everyone.”

There are about 40,000 assistive technology manufactured devices, according to Jaco. ABLE Tech and its partners have an inventory of approximately 1500 devices, which have benefited Oklahomans of all ages.

ABLE Tech’s services are available for all Oklahoman’s who need assistance at any age.

For more information on ABLE Tech’s services call 744-9748, the toll free Info-line at 888-885-5588 or visit online at http://okabletech.okstate.edu.

OSU-Oklahoma City’s Wednesday Farmers’ Market under the sponsorship of Chesapeake Energy Corporation is now open in the Glenbrook East parking lot, on N.W. 63rd Street between N. Western Avenue and N. Grand Boulevard. The market takes place every Wednesday from 2:30 to 7 p.m. throughout the growing season near Chesapeake.

“The Wednesday Farmers’ Market had a very successful opening day,” said Cheryl Camp, OSU-OKC Farmers’ Market manager. “The beautiful weather and the market’s convenient location near Chesapeake brought out an abundance of customers to shop our vendors’ 100% Oklahoma-grown products.”

This market is in addition to the Saturday market held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the OSU-OKC Horticulture Pavilion, 400 N. Portland Ave. The Wednesday Market gives shoppers a second opportunity each week to fill their fridges with the freshest food in Oklahoma. Featuring Oklahoma grown and made products from more than 30 vendors, the two OSU-OKC Farmers’ Markets allow local farmers, food producers and artisans to provide consumers with the best the state has to offer. With fresh foods, seasonal produce, certified organic products, and a variety of handmade skincare and craft items, there is something for everyone.

Vendors only accept cash or check.

To find out what’s fresh this month, visit the seasonal produce availability calendar at www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket/produce.aspx. For more information, visit www.osuokc.edu/farmersmarket or call (405) 945-3358.

As distance learning and online classes become more prevalent, distance learning options in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University continue to provide affordable solutions for students to earn a high-quality degree in a flexible format. Three Spears School degree programs offered via distance learning recently were named a “Best Buy” by a national editorial review team for combining quality and affordability.

A national review team from GetEducated.com recently ranked the Spears School’s Master of Business Administration program fifth nationally and the Master of Science programs in Telecommunications Management and Management Information Systems sixth and seventh nationally, respectively.

“The Spears School of Business has more than 2,250 distance learning enrollments at the graduate level and offers almost 80 graduate distance learning courses annually,” said Shona Gambrell, Spears School Distance Learning program manager. “The distance learning students at both the graduate and undergraduate level are located in 41 states and 6 countries and individuals from over 200 companies take the courses annually.”

GetEducated.com is a consumer watchdog and advocacy group that rates, ranks, and verifies the cost, quality and credibility of online colleges and universities. A “Best Buy” designation from GetEducated.com indicates a program has been reviewed and judged to offer a high-quality distance master’s degree to a national audience at tuition rates well below the national average.

The “Best Buy” rankings were calculated by comparing tuition and distance learning fees for similar programs at colleges and universities accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business-International. All three of the Spears School’s programs that were recognized cost less than $11,000 for Oklahoma residents and less than $25,000 for non-residents, which is well below the national average.

In addition, Gambrell said the distance learning graduate programs in the Spears School differ from other online programs because they incorporate the same teamwork focus that is found in traditional programs. She said the MBA program in particular was developed for working professionals who already have work experience and are reaching for a higher level of education.

“Oklahoma State University and the Spears School have a long history in delivering distance education programs,” said Robert Dooley, Spears School associate dean for graduate studies and research. “We are pleased to be recognized in these rankings as validation of our commitment and dedication to making high-quality graduate education more accessible to non-traditional students and working professionals.”

For more information about distance learning options in the Spears School of Business, call the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development at 1-866-678-3933 or 405-744-5208 or visit cepd.okstate.edu.