Friday, June 28, 2024
OSU hosts Purple Heart Medal ceremony for Cpl. Vanover
Courtesy of OSU News U.S. Sen. Mullin presented a posthumous medal to a WWII veteran’s family.
OSU News Staff Reporter
Artillery during World War II. Vanover was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for the injuries he sustained after being taken prisoner on the Philippine island of Luzon on April 9, 1942. He not only survived the Bataan Death March, a nine-day Oklahoma State University held a march that led to the deaths of an ceremony on Tuesday to posthumously estimated 5,500 to 18,650 American honor U.S. Army Cpl. Elmer Vanover and Filipino soldiers, but also survived with the Purple Heart Medal and Com- another three years and four months as bat Infantryman Badge. a prisoner of war until he was released U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin pre- in August 1945. sented the medal to Vanover’s family. When he moved back to Vinita, Vanover served in the 200th Coastal Oklahoma, after the war, Vanover’s in-
juries had left him more than 70% dis- Board of Regents Chairman-Elect abled, yet he continued to work for the Jimmy Harrell, a friend of the Vanover Oklahoma Turnpike Authority until he family. retired. He was a beloved Oklahoman, “I am pleased to honor such an state employee, husband and father. extraordinary man and his family on In Vinita, you can find a dedicat- OSU’s campus today,” Harrell said. ed portion of U.S. Route 66 to Vanover. “The sacrifices Cpl. Vanover and his The sign reads “Bataan Death March family have made cannot be overSurvivor Elmer ‘Red’ Vanover Memo- stated, and we are privileged to be a rial Highway.” part of this momentous occasion and Vanover’s son, Tim, has spent 10 show support for our veterans and their years attempting to obtain the Purple families.” Heart for his father after he passed away in 1990. In attendance was OSU/A&M See Purple Heart on 2
Boomer Lake sun deck to be removed Kennedy Thomason Editor-in-Chief
other infrastructure projects such as roadways and park bathrooms, she said. An outside structural and civil engineering firm discovered the concrete piers supporting the deck had deteriorated, making the safety The Stillwater sun deck is no concerns more dire than the damage more. to the decking and guardrails, which The deck, located on the west was initially recognized. side of Boomer Lake will be reThe City of Stillwater will obmoved because of safety concerns. It tain permits to remove the deck. was closed in spring 2023 for safety More information on the deck’s concerns, and never reopened. removal will be available at one of It was estimated the deck the two City Council meetings in would cost $600,000 to rebuild, ac- July. The City Council will meet July cording to a statement from a City 1 and July 15. of Stillwater spokeswoman. The city will instead focus the money on news.ed@ocolly.com Farm Foundation Architecture and construction firms are selected for OSU’s Agronomy Research Station updates.
OSU Agriculture names 2024 Champions OSU News Staff Reporter
File Photo The Boomer Lake sun deck is in the process of being removed.
Lusk, vice president and dean of OSU Agriculture. “The honorees make us proud, and we look forward to recognizing and celebrating their accomplishments.” Established in 2011, the Champion for OSU Agriculture Award Oklahoma State University recognizes individuals who are not will honor two individuals who graduates of the Ferguson College have demonstrated a commitment of Agriculture but have brought to agricultural sciences and natural distinction to the OSU Division of resources. Agricultural Sciences and Natural Ronald Elliott and Harvey Resources. Schroeder are the 2024 Champion The division is comprised of for OSU Agriculture Award recipithe Ferguson College of Agriculture ents. They will be recognized during and two state agencies: OSU Extenthe OSU Agriculture Honors cersion and OSU Ag Research. emony on Oct. 11. Learn more about each hon“These individuals embody the oree below or visit OSU Agriculture ideals and mission of OSU AgriculHonors online. ture and support our rich tradition and history of improving the quality of life for Oklahomans through science-based research,” said Jayson See Champions on 3