Tuesday, April 16, 2024
2024 Miss American Indian OSU crowned Courtesy of OSU News
sustainable land management practices in the face of climate change. “I want to do child outreach Lauren Branham, a junior within colleges and natural resources,” studying natural Branham said. resources ecol“I feel like natuogy and manral resources are agement with a capped in the state focus in fisheries of Oklahoma in and aquatic ecolterms of education. ogy, was recently I didn’t know I crowned Miss wanted to do natuAmerican Indian ral resources until Oklahoma State I got to college, University 2024. because you don’t Branham is a think of things like member of the that when you’re in Muscogee and school. It’s usually Euchee nations. The pageant a doctor or scientist.” was held at the Branham Stillwater Comaspires to colmunity Center on laborate with April 6. OSU’s Greenhouse Despite her Learning Center initial hesitations or the Botanical and lack of pagGarden. Her vision eant experience, includes enhancing Branham was driven by a desire their displays of native plants and to represent her tribal nations and potentially establishing a medicine advocate for her platform: food and garden featuring plants significant land sovereignty. to the various This platform is centered on ensur- tribes represented ing tribal access to on campus. Courtesy of OSU News traditional plants, medicines and See Crowned on 8 2023 Mr. and Miss American Indian OSU Caleb Garcia and Shaeleigh McGee present the crown to 2024 winner Lauren Branham.
Meadows named 2024 Mr. OSU Mak Vandruff OSU News
Courtesy of OSU News
AURP, a global nonprofit membership organization representing research parks and innovation districts, is at the forefront of fostering collaboration between academia, industry and government to drive economic growth and innovation.
AURP and The Innovation Foundation at OSU join forces to foster innovation and entrepreneurship Courtesy of OSU News
entrepreneurship within the university ecosystem. AURP, a global nonprofit membership organization representing research parks and innovation districts, is at the forefront of fostering collabThe Innovation Foundation at oration between academia, industry Oklahoma State University today announced it has joined the Associa- and government to drive economic tion of University Research Parks as growth and innovation. With a global network, AURP provides resources, a Sustaining Institutional Member in a move to advance innovation and advocacy and best practices to its
member organizations. The Innovation Foundation is committed to supporting entrepreneurial endeavors and translating research into real-world solutions. Through its programs, the foundation nurtures startups, fosters industry partnerships and provides access to resources essential for the success of innovation-driven enterprises. See AURP on 7
Dustin Meadows, a sophomore studying physiology premed, won the title of Mr. Oklahoma State University 2024 on April 1. The pageant, in its third year, took place in the Student Union Theater. Originating from Paradise, Texas, Meadows’ journey to the pageant began when recruiters visited his fraternity, FarmHouse. Intrigued by the promise of a free haircut for participation, he decided to take a shot at the title. “That was the main entryway,” Meadows said. “Then I began to learn more about it. The winner got a $500 scholarship and a free custom suit, so it became more appealing.” Meadows focused his platform on increasing
Special Olympics volunteer participation. His inspiration to promote the program came from his experience as part of the Best Buddies program at OSU. As a Best Buddies member, he regularly meets with individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities at the Wes Watkins Center. “Just about every time I talk with them, they ask me to go to the Special Olympics,” Meadows said. “It’s really heartwarming to be able to create a relationship with someone who usually wouldn’t be able to. It’s a unique thing, and I’ve always done things involving it. In high school, after our regular baseball season, we would have a Special Olympics game after. These things inspired me to make it my platform for the competition.”
See Mr. OSU on 6