[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27284-27285]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   HONORING OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. WES WATKINS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 15, 2000

  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, these are momentous days for academic 
excellence at Oklahoma State University. Last week, Oklahoma State 
University (OSU) received national recognition for is outstanding 
record in producing world-class scholars and leaders.
  OSU celebrated being named a Truman Scholarship Honor Institution--an 
award bestowed on only five universities in the nation this year. OSU 
is one of only 37 universities in the nation to have ever received this 
distinction. No other Oklahoma university has ever received the honor. 
This year's other award recipients are the University of Texas, the 
University of Kansas, the University of Minnesota, and Willamette 
University.
  The Truman Scholarship Honor Institution award recognizes colleges 
and universities that have developed a long history of producing 
outstanding student scholars and leaders. The award specifically 
recognized OSU for: Exemplary participation in the Truman Scholarship 
program--six Truman Scholars in the last seven years. Active 
encouragement of outstanding young people to pursue careers in public 
service. Special attention to helping the most promising students at 
OSU achieve their goals through participation in national fellowship 
competitions such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Goldwater and Udall 
scholarship programs.
  The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards 75 to 80 merit-
based scholarships each year to college juniors who wish to attend 
graduate school in preparation for careers in public service. The 
merit-based Truman Scholarships are recognized as the most prestigious 
undergraduate scholarships in America. Each Truman Scholar receives up 
to $30,000 in scholarship support, plus other academic and career 
benefits.
  Oklahoma State University is rightfully proud of its academic 
success. OSU has produced 10 Truman Scholars, one Rhodes scholar, six 
Goldwater scholars, one Marshall scholar and

[[Page 27285]]

one Udall scholar. Many of these awards were won during the past seven 
years. OSU student scholar award winners include:
  Truman Scholars--Bryan Begley, Shannon Ferrell, Kent Gardner, Wren 
Hawthorne, Jr., Jeannette Jones-Webb, Kent Major, Angela Robinson, Kim 
Sasser, Chris Stephens, Carla-Kaye Switzer.
  Rhodes Scholar--Blaine Greteman.
  Goldwater Scholars--Belinda Bashore, Michael Holcomb, Ross Keener, 
Michael Oehrtman, Ward Thompson, Mario White.
  Marshall Scholar--Chris Stephens.
  Udall Scholar--Phoebe Katterhenry.
  During last week's festivities, OSU inducted its prestigious 
scholarship winners into the university's new ``Scholars Hall of 
Fame.'' As reported in the university's award-winning student 
newspaper. The Daily O'Collegian, ``Flashbulbs and applause erupted 
Friday as an orange and black ribbon was clipped--unveiling Oklahoma 
State University's latest tribute to its academic heritage of 
excellence. OSU President James Halligan and Board of Regents 
Chairwoman Lou Watkins cut the ribbon and ushered a number of OSU's 
prestigious scholarship winners into the Scholars Hall of Fame in the 
Student Union.''
  Eighteen of OSU's national scholars returned to OSU for last week's 
festivities, traveling from as far away as England. Included were all 
ten Truman Scholars.

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