2007 Outstanding Seniors

The Outstanding Senior award recognizes students who distinguish themselves through academic achievement; campus and community activities; academic, athletic or extra-curricular honors or awards; scholarships and work ethic during their time at Oklahoma State University.

Congratulations to the 2006-2007 Outstanding Seniors!

Blake Bixler, Ruth Bobbitt, Kathryn Bolay, Jeff Clark, Evan Fitz, Allison Ford, Sarah Haynes, Katie Lee, Amy Noblett, Wravenna Phipps, Darnell Smith, Tyler Smith, Amber Stangl, Holly Thomas and Evan Worley.

Blake Bixler graduated in May 2007 with a degree in agribusiness and minors in finance and marketing. Bixler is the son of Stan and Rodeana Bixler of Waynoka, Okla.

Bixler was the 2006 president of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, as well as a President’s Leadership Council Facilitator. He was an OSU Homecoming Executive in 2005 and Vice President of Business Affairs for the Ag Student Council. Bixler is a member of Blue Key Honor Fraternity and Student Alumni Board. He is also a member of Freshman Representative Council.

Bixler has made a significant difference in his community by participating in the Tracey Cox Memorial Walk, CASNR Christmas Tree Project, and The Big Event. Bixler has also taken part in OSU Relay for life and Into The Streets.

Bixler was awarded OSU Top Ten Freshman Man, CASNR Outstanding Freshman, and Outstand Greek New Member. He is an OSU Wentz Scholar; a Regent’s Distinguished Scholar and has received the Cargill Community Leader Scholarship. Recently, Bixler was named Outstanding Senior in CASNR and Outstanding Greek Man.

“Oklahoma State has not only provided me with an education, but also surrounded me with people who will enhance my life long after I leave Stillwater.”

Ruth Bobbitt graduated in December 2006 with an honors degree in agricultural communications. She is the daughter of Michael and Cindy Bobbitt of Lamont, Okla.

Bobbitt was a member of the 2006 Homecoming Queen Court, as well as a Wentz Research Scholar. She also was an OSU Ag Ambassador and an FFA American Star Farmer National Finalist. Bobbitt is a member of Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and Collegiate Farm Bureau. Bobbitt also presented at the National Agricultural Ambassador Conference.

Bobbitt has benefited the campus and community through her involvement as a CASNR Student Academic Mentor, volunteering as a Reading Buddy and with the Harvest II Canned Food Drive. She also volunteered with Into the Streets volunteer and The Big Event.

Bobbitt was selected as the Outstanding Senior in Agricultural Communications, a member of Mortar Board National Honor Society and a Top Ten Freshman Woman. She also received awards for her work in communications from the Public Relations Student Society of America and the national Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. Bobbitt was the Outstanding Freshman in Agricultural Communications and a member of President’s Leadership Council. Bobbitt is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Agricultural Communications from Oklahoma State University. She will marry Fred Strydom in August of 2007.

“Education is not an expense. It is an investment. - President Lyndon Johnson”

Kathryn Bolay graduated in May 2007 with a degree in agricultural communications. She is the daughter of Kurt and Beth Bolay of Perry, Okla.

Bolay is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow where she serves as the OSU president and was the National 2nd Vice President. Bolay served as the 2006 Publications Committee sub-chair and designed and edited the first OSU Commemorative Homecoming publication. Bolay is also a member of Mortar Board National Honor Society, Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Society and Collegiate Farm Bureau.

In the community, Bolay donated her time to numerous organizations. She volunteered for Reading Buddies, Habitat for Humanity and Stillwater Humane Society. She has also been involved with the Alpha Zeta Toy Drive, Ronald McDonald House and Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom.

Bolay is a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and was a Top 15 Homecoming Queen Candidate. She is also an OSU President’s Distinguished Scholar and a recipient of the OSU Valedictorian Scholarship. She has been an intern for the OSU Alumni Association and for ConocoPhillips in Houston, Texas. After graduation Bolay plans to work for the Oklahoma Pork Council as Coordinator of Producer and Consumer Information.

“Since my first day at OSU it has been emphasized that any goal can be accomplished with hard work and determination. That along with the encouragement of many within the OSU family has allowed me to succeed on this campus. Now, I take the next step, from being an OSU student to being a proud OSU alumna with determination, courage and always – orange pride.”

Jeff Clark graduated in May 2007 with degrees in agricultural economics and accounting. He is the son of Marlene Clark and the late Jay Clark of Boise City, Okla.

Clark has served as president of FarmHouse fraternity and as treasurer and secretary of Blue Key Honor. As an active member of both President’s Posse and Student Alumni Board, he has been a strong advocate for OSU to prospective students, parents and alumni. He has also served as the undergraduate representative on the university’s Student Affairs and Learning Resources Committee and as the programs chair for Beta Alpha Psi professional fraternity.

Clark has volunteered his time to help with Relay for Life, Into the Streets, The Big Event, and Transylvania Station Halloween Carnival. He was also a Reading Buddy at Will Rogers Elementary School and is involved with Kairos Prison Ministry.

Clark is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Fraternity, Order of Omega, Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Societies. He is also a ConocoPhillips Spirit Scholar. Clark remained on the President’s Honor Roll four out of his five semesters at OSU. Since January, Clark has been interning in Washington, D.C., in the office of Senator Tom Coburn.

“OSU offers much more than an academic education. It instills passion in students; a passion for excellence, success and to make their contribution to the world.”

Evan Fitz graduated in May 2007 with a degree in English and film. He is the son of John and Lynn Fitz of Lawton, Okla.

Fitz is a member of the Mortar Board National Honor Society, as well as Student Alumni Board. He was also active on the 2005 Homecoming Steering and selected as the 2005 OSU Homecoming King. Fitz was a Greek ambassador, submissions coordinator for Papyrus, and on Spring Sing Steering. Fitz has also interned with NBC East Coast Publicity Department, US Weekly, and “Last Call with Carson Daily.”

During his years at OSU, Fitz donated his time to benefit the Stillwater community. He was an escort volunteer for Stillwater Medical Center, a project volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and the community outreach sub-chair for The Big Event. He also volunteered for countless organizations including: Juvienile Diabetes Research Foundation, Relay for Life and American Red Cross.

Fitz is also on the President’s Leadership Council, a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society and a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honor Society Fitz was recently named a Top Ten Senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and selected as an Outstanding Senior in the English department. He currently works as a medical intern and plans to attend medical school upon graduation.

“Throughout my time here at OSU, I have endeavored to better myself through academics, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and outside internships , however the relationships I have made and the friends I have gained will keep me connected to OSU.”

Allison Ford graduated in May 2007 with a degree in international business, management and economics and a minor in Spanish. She is the daughter of Julian and Beth Ford of Ponca City, Okla.

During her time on campus, Ford has been active in the Business Student Council and has served as president and vice president. She has also been on the Student Government Association Speakers Board, Student Alumni Board, Orange Peel, Camp Cowboy, Homecoming committees and served as the vice president of the Blue Key Honor Society. Ford is a member of Chi Omega Sorority where she has served as vice president and personnel executive.

Within the community, Ford has been volunteered with Brig Brothers, Big Sisters, Salvation Army, Harvest II, Relay for Life, and Girl Scouts. Ford has also volunteered as a Reading Buddy, participated in the Big Event ,and taken part in Up ‘til Dawn.

Ford has been a Top Ten Freshman Woman, a Top Three Greek Sophomore Woman, a Wentz Research Scholar and a Presidents and Regents Distinguished Scholar. She was recently awarded The Raymond D. Thomas Outstanding Business Senior Award and named the 2006 Outstanding Greek Woman. After graduation, Ford plans on attending law school.

“When I walked onto the campus of OSU just over three years ago, little did I know the opportunities that I would have during the next few years and I decided that I was going to make a difference .”

Sarah Haynes graduated in May 2007 with dual honors degrees in psychology and human resource management. She is the daughter of Doug and Wanda Haynes of McLoud, Okla.

Haynes has been named an “honorable mention” for the Morris Udall Scholarship, and was selected as an OSU Truman Nominee. She has received numerous honors including two Wentz Research Awards and an internship at the National Science Foundation in Washington, D. C. Haynes has maintained a 4.0 GPA.

Her honors thesis in psychology ranked first in the Wentz research competition and was accepted to be presented at the 22nd annual Society of Industrial Organizational Psychology conference in New York City. It is the first time an OSU student has been selected to present research at this national conference.

Recently, Haynes was named an Outstanding Senior for the William S. Spear’s School of Business, and Top Ten Senior of the College of Arts and Sciences. She was also selected as the Outstanding Senior for the OSU Psychology Department and for the entire College of Arts and Sciences. As a recipient of a 2007 Bailey’s Scholarship, Haynes will study abroad in Argentina this summer.

After graduation, Haynes will pursue a doctorate degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology at DePaul University at Chicago. This program only accepts three students each year.

“OSU has provided many opportunites for me to succeed. I am grateful for my involvement in the honors college, scholar development and both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Spears School of Business. Because of talented and devoted faculty, I know I will leave prepared for my future.”

Katie Lee graduated in May 2007 with a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. She is the daughter of Michael and Kathy Lee of Durant, Okla.

Lee was a 2006 Homecoming Executive and is now the Executive Director of Varsity Revue 2007. She has served as Orange Peel assistant programming director for two years, and the president of three honor societies: Mortar Board, Order of Omega and Omicron Delta Kappa. Lee is a past director of Camp Cowboy and a current member of the Panhellenic Executive council. In addition to these achievements Lee is also member of Student Alumni Board and President’s Posse.

Lee has given much of her time back to the community through various volunteer efforts. She has been a volunteer for The Big Event, Into the Streets and has been a Reading Buddy. She was a coordinator for a Toy Drive for Children’s Hospitals in Oklahoma City and a teaching assistant for an Arts and Sciences freshman orientation class for three years.

Lee was a Top Ten Freshman Woman, Panhellenic Council Sophomore of the Year, and received the Honors College general honors award. She is a recipient of the Wentz Leadership Scholarship and Oklahoma State Regents’ for Higher Education Institutional Nominee Scholarship. After graduation Lee plans to attend Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, focusing on pediatrics and rural health care.

“At OSU, you have the opportunities to accomplish anything that you can dream of doing. This university has propelled me to go beyond my expectations. I feel this empowerment helped me motivate and inspire many students beginning their own journey as a Cowboy..”

Amy Noblett graduated in May 2007 with a degree in risk management finance and spanish language and minors in economics and international business. She is the daughter of Susan and Duane Noblett of Manhattan, Kan.

Noblett was Mortar Board editor and a member of FMA where she served as treasurer and a conference representative. She received the Bailey Family Memorial Scholarship that awarded her a full-tuition and expenses scholarship to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. Noblett also received the College Honors Award in Business Administration for her honors thesis, “The Art of Investment – The Diversification Benefits of Art in a Portfolio.” Noblett is also a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Noblett has served the community through participating in a Voter Registration Drive, CASA fundraising and Into the Streets. She is also a member of Cowboy Cousins service organization for international students.

Noblett was a Top 5 Homecoming Royalty Candidate, a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Delta Pi, Beta Sigma Pi and a Top 20 Freshman Woman. She also received the ConocoPhillips Finance Scholarship, as well as the Wentz Leadership Scholarship. Noblett has recently been named Outstanding Senior in William S. Spears School of Business and will be attending Boston University School of Law.

“OSU has given me the opportunity to explore my interests and develop my goals in ways I would never have imagined. The personal attention I have received from OSU faculty is a real tribute to the institution and has made a lasting impact..”

Wravenna Phipps graduated in May 2007 with a degree in agricultural communications. She is the daughter of Bill and Robin Phipps of Kearney, Neb.

Phipps has been awarded many honors and won several contests while competing in collegiate livestock judging competitions. One of the highlights was being selected for the 2006 All-American Livestock Judging Team, as OSU’s only representative. She served as the 2004 Miss American Angus and was on the 2005-2006 OSU Agricultural Student Council. Phipps represented OSU as one of the 2005 American Royal Six.

Phipps has served the community by volunteering with the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, coordinating CAB Family Fun Day and participating in Relay for Life. In addition, Phipps worked with the Ronald McDonald House service project.

Phipps was a member of Golden Key International Honor Society and was a Phi Theta Kappa International Collegiate Honor Society member. She was also an editor for NJSA Pinnacle Newsletter. Currently, Phipps is on the editorial staff for the Cowboy Journal, and the assistant coach for the 2007 Livestock Judging Team. Phipps has also taken a job with MCS Cattle Service where she will do purebred cattle sales management and marketing while pursuing her MBA at OSU.

“I have always been told that success is viewed as the combination of ones experiences and dreams. Friends, family and OSU faculty have pushed me to both experience life and reach for the stars with my dreams of the future. Because of OSU and the relationships I have made here, I know I will continue to be successful in everything I do. It is a feeling of great pride to know I will forever be a Cowboy!.”

Darnell Smith graduated in December 2006 with a degree in economics and international business. He is the son of Randolph and Imogene Smith of San Antonio, Texas.

Smith was a member of the OSU football team and made it to three consecutive bowl games during his OSU career. He ended his career at OSU making it to four bowl games in his 3 years at OSU. He was part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection and named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll eight times, the OSU President’s Honor Roll two times and the Dean’s Honor Roll five times. He is a four-time OSU Academic Achievement Award winner and a three-time Arthur Ashe award recipient. A highlight of his OSU experience is meeting Barry Sanders and his fiance’.

While on campus Smith has made an impact both on and off the field. He has volunteered with Kids Across America, YMCA and with Hurricane Katrina Relief effort.

Smith has been named a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, team leader for the OSU football team, and was an OSU Community Outreach Award winner.

“As hard as I work on the football field, I work that much harder in the classroom.”

Tyler Smith graduated in May 2007 with degrees in agribusiness and marketing. He is the son of Michael and Kathy Smith of Elk City, Okla.

Smith directed Freshman Follies, Varsity Revue and Spring Sing. He participated in an OSU study abroad program to Italy in the summer of 2006. He’s held an officer position in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Student Council for the past three years, is a member of Mortar Board National Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi, and served as Vise President of Activities for Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

Smith has served his community through involvement with The Big Event, Relay For Life and Harvest II Canned Food Drive. Smith was a participant with KaBoom Playground Project, the Tracey Cox Memorial Walk, and served as a small-group leader for FFA Alumni Leadership Camp.

Smith is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society and a member of Alpha Zeta Agricultural Honor Society. Smith was a Top Ten Freshman, a Homecoming Top 15 Royalty Candidate and a recipient of Professional Fraternity Gold Award. Recently, Smith participated in the Agricultural Leadership Encounter where he traveled across the state promoting agriculture and will spend two weeks in Australia observing different agricultural practices.

“I am a firm believer that a distinguished title is not a mark of a great leader but rather the desire to devote time, energy, and resources to a visionary cause that benefits others.”

Amber Stangl graduated in May of 2007 with honors with a degree in American studies and a minor in history. She is the daughter of Vicky Stangl and Paul Stangl of Clinton, Okla.

During her time on campus Stangl has made an influence within numerous student organizations. Stangl was the 2006 Camp Cowboy Staffing Director and is a Student Alumni Board Executive member, serving as the Leadership Development Executive. She helped start two student organizations on campus, College Heroes and the American Studies Student Organization. She is also the Arts and Sciences Student Council vice president external.

Stangl has also made an impact on her community. She has been a participant in both Into to Streets and The Big Event. She has also traveled to Nicaragua and Costa Rica on a medical missionary trip.

Stangl was the college of Arts and Sciences 2006 Outstanding Junior Award recipient. She is a member of Mortar Board and a 2006 Homecoming Royalty candidate. In 2005 and 2006, Stangl won best delegate at Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislators. Stangl has recently been named a Top Ten Senior in the college of Arts and Sciences.

“My experiences at OSU have provided me with a spring board to jump into the world! I have been challenged to work hard and learn much and had the opportunity to have fun and laugh often! I am grateful for my time here and will always look back on the friends, fun, and adventures with a smile!.”

Holly Lynn Thomas graduated in May 2007 with a degree in marketing and management. She is the daughter of Rex and Debbie Thomas of Edmond, Okla.

Thomas was the Assistant and Executive Director of the Big Event, as well as President of Blue Key Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. She was secretary of Chi Omega Sorority and Marketing Executive for Business Student Council. Thomas also participated in President’s Leadership Council, Varsity Revue and Spring Sing. She is a member of the President’s Posse, Student Alumni Board, Orange Peel Programming and Business Ambassadors.

Thomas also volunteered for Into the Streets, Relay for Life and Toys to the Game. She was the co-chair for Make-A-Wish Foundation’s “Wish Week” and volunteered at the Tour of Homes. Thomas is a Reading Buddy and participated in Roll and Stroll benefiting Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Thomas is a member of Golden Key, Order of Omega and Phi Kappa Phi. Thomas was a Top Ten Freshman Woman and Top 3 Outstanding Greek Sophomore Woman. Recently, she was named an Outstanding Business Senior and honored by Beta Gamma Sigma.

Thomas has completed several internships including the HOPE Center of Edmond, Target, and The Professional Golf Association. Presently, she is a Business Analysis Intern for the New Product Development Center on campus. After graduation, Thomas plans to work for Eli Lilly as a pharmaceutical sales representative.

“My interaction with faculty, alumni, and a diverse student body enriched my experience and clearly defined for me the principles of OSU - research, instruction, and extension. It is this and the life - long friendships I have gained that make me proud to be a cowboy - now and forever.”

Evan Worley graduated in May 2007 with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering, with a minor in geography. He is the son of Joe and Kate Worley of Oklahoma City.

Worley is a member of the Blue Key Honor Fraternity and Student Alumni Board. He was the recording secretary for Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and was a 2005 Homecoming Executive. He was part of the 2006 Homecoming King Court. Worley has been a member of the CEAT Scholars Program, CEAT Student Council, and President’s Posse.

Worley has given back to the community through his involvement with Into the Streets, Relay for Life and The Big Event. Through Homecoming he has also supported philanthropic events such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.

Worley has been selected as a Top Twenty Freshmen, Finalist for Outstanding Greek Man and Social Fraternity Outstanding Scholar. He has also been a Wentz Research Scholar and awarded Engineering Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence. After graduation Evan will move to Orlando, Fla. to work for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. He will marry Alecha Martin in June of 2007.

“My time at OSU has been an incredible experience. The opportunities afforded to me here have enabled me to grow as a person and will serve me for the rest of my life..”