Friday, August 21, 2026
“kinda chic to be a 2026 cowboy” First week of classes, here’s how freshmen feel convince his fellow freshmen to join. “We just kept saying ‘one more time, one more When Parker White time,’” White said. attended Cowboy Kickoff, “So, I got up and ran he didn’t expect to make around and was like, a memory that he would ‘Hey, we’re doing the remember for the rest of wave, do it right this his college experience. time,’ and we did.” When White’s first attempt White plans to remember his at starting the wave only made it halfway around the stadium, experience at Cowboy Kickoff long after his freshman year. he wasn’t ready to give up. “Years from now, looking The agribusiness major from back, I’m going to remember Grandview, Texas, took it the Cowboy Kickoff,” White upon himself to run around said. “I was the one who Gallagher-Iba Arena and Ashley Yarbrough
NEWS & LIFESTYLE EDITOR
started the wave.” As an agriculture major, attending Oklahoma State University has been a long time dream for White. “The first day of class it was just like pure ecstasy for me,” White said. “I was like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m really attending Oklahoma State University.’” For OSU’s new freshmen, the first week of classes has been more than big campus events. They have been about navigating
The graduating class of 2030 posed on the field of Boone Pickens Stadium for the annual class photo.
the unexpected changes and independence of college life in Stillwater. Tova Stone, an animal science major from McAlester, Okla., said that her favorite moment from her first day of class was in her dorm. “My favorite moment has been playing board games with the people I met in my dorm,” Stone said. “We were all in the lounge together and definitely stayed up way too late.” Stone hopes to continue meeting new people as she adjusts to life at OSU. “I want to branch out and meet new people here,” Stone said. “I come from a small town.” Shayla Wells, a business and marketing major from
Mansfield, Texas, said that she has had an easier transition than most from high school to college. “I definitely feel like it’s been easier here than high school,” Wells said. “Everybody’s going through the same things, and so everyone is accepting.” Wells plans to continue training to achieve her dream of being on the OSU Pom team. “I tried out for the Pom team this summer and then didn’t make it,” Wells said. “But I’m going to be doing a lot more training this year, hopefully.”
See FRESHMEN on page 4A
Courtesy Oklahoma State University
UPP E R CL A SSMEN ADVICE TO FRES H MEN ‘ 2 6 “Definitely go out more to make new experiences and friends. You only have a few years and school isn’t everything. You want to have a life too.”
“Try to find as many resources that are available and useful to you. There may be some that are available, but not as beneficial.”
Carly Johnson, Junior, TX
Hector Luna, Fifth-year Senior, OK
“At the risk of burning yourself out, introduce yourself to everyone you can. You’ll never know who you’ll meet.”
“Read the syllabus before going to class because sometimes teachers sneak extra credit in them.”
Elaina Johnston, Senior, OK
Amariah Smith, Sophomore, TX
“Get parking early so you don’t have to park in the overflow lot.”
“Go to all your classes and take notes on everything.”
Xavier Williams, Sophomore, OK
TJ McArthur, Sophomore, OK
DOW orders OSU research security audit Caleson Coon
to address the active institutional ties and collaborations with foreign entities identified under Section 1286 of the On Aug. 17, 2026, the Department of FY19 NDAA, along with organizations War ordered research security audits associated with rebranded Confucius to 30 domestic academic institutions Institutes. – one of which is Oklahoma State “Universities are critical partners in University. executing a wide range of Department According to the U.S. Department of War research programs, and the of War, these formal notifications were department must therefore ensure directing the universities to initiate that our research investments are well immediate and comprehensive reviews protected from foreign exploitation,” of their academic, financial and said Dr. Joseph Jewell, Assistant research collaborations with foreign Secretary of War for Science and entities of concern. Technology. Laken Chambers, The O’Colly The notification itself was intended See DOW on page 3A Oklahoma State University is one of two institutions to recieve an order from the DOW. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF