Friday, June 22, 2023
Spears School of Business names James Payne as dean Emi Norton Staff Reporter
of Regents approved his appointment at its June meeting last Friday. “Filling the dean’s role at the Spears School of Business was going to require an educator, administrator and Following an extensive search researcher with the right experience for a dean for the Spears School of to take the reins at a college that has Business, Oklahoma State University enjoyed such a successful history,” said has appointed James Payne for the Jeanette Mendez, OSU provost and position. senior vice president. “I am pleased the Since May 2019, Payne has served search attracted a scholar of Dr. Payne’s as dean of the Woody L. Hunt College caliber, who is also an experienced of Business at the University of Texas at administrator and sitting dean.” El Paso (UTEP). The OSU/A&M Board See Spears on page 7
Courtesy of OSU Following an extensive search for a dean for the Spears School of Business, OSU has appointed James Payne for the position, who will begin his duties around Aug. 1.
Ranking Big 12 position groups Brooks, Jaydon Blue and fivestar freshman CJ Baxter will fill the role. Brooks, a speedy Davis Cordova back at 6-foot, pounds, sat Staff Reporter 200 behind Johnson and Robinson the past two seasons, Football not getting much season is production, but creeping up, is expected to and the Big 12 take charge in welcomes four the Longhorn new teams. backfield. The 2. Kansas O’Colly will rank State position groups Kansas in the conference State will have each week. a tough time Running backs replacing star are the second Deuce Vaughn, group to go, but a duo in the with a few tough backfield will decisions. work for 2023. 1. Texas Treshaun Ward Talk about transferred in big shoes to fill. from Florida Texas needs State where last to replace the year he rushed production of for 628 yards and Bijan Robinson seven touchdowns and Roschon on 6.6 yards per Johnson. The two carry. Ward is a had more than smaller back but 2,500 yards and can burst through 22 touchdowns the line. Giddens last season. is also primed Robinson is for a breakout irreplaceable, but season after 518 Texas still has the yards and six weapons, and the touchdowns as offensive line, to Vaughn’s backup have a powerful last season. rushing attack in See Big 12 on page 3 2023. Jonathon Courtesy of Smiley N. Pool
T. Boone Picken’s gift to OSU The T. Boone Pickens Foundation was established in 2006.
Lauren King Staff Reporter
Mackenzie Janish Ranking Big 12 position groups: After Bijan Robinson departure, Texas still has potential for potent rushing attack
most significant impact.” Dr. Shrum said even today Pickens continues to make an impact for good through the generosity of his foundation, almost four years after his Oklahoma State University death. President Kayse Shrum announced The tragic loss of Pickens struck on Tuesday that OSU will receive a the Stillwater and OSU community $120 million gift from the T. Boone on Sept. 11, 2019. Pickens was an Pickens Foundation. energy executive, an OSU alumnus The gift will fund projects like and philanthropist whose giving to new structures arriving on campus the university is an estimated $650 and matters such as continuing to million. support students’ education. “Boone Pickens’ love for “We are incredibly thankful Oklahoma State University knew no to the T. Boone Pickens Foundation bounds,” said Jay Rosser, T. Boone for this extraordinary gift,” Dr. Pickens Foundation director. “His Shrum said. “Boone was a true leader unwavering commitment to seeing and visionary whose investments, the university thrive academically involvements and advocacy for energy and athletically was inspiring. We independence drove America’s oil and are proud to carry on his legacy with gas industry for nearly seven decades. this $120 million gift to his alma But it was his generosity that had the mater. We hope this contribution will
inspire others to continue supporting Oklahoma State’s endeavors, just as Boone did throughout his life and beyond. We are honored to be able to continue his legacy and support the university he loved so deeply.” The T. Boone Pickens Foundation was established in 2006. The organization has made many significant contributions to OSU and continues to do so with the recent $120 million gift. The gift will be split into multiple portions, which will help OSU accomplish several visions for the university. Two of these include a $63.7 million gift to support scholarships and a $25 million gift to support the OSU Human Performance Innovation Complex. See Boone on page 5