Distinguished Alumni of Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University (OSU) has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1890. Originally known as Oklahoma Territorial Agricultural and Mechanical (A&M) College, the institution has grown into a comprehensive university with a global reach. With more than 250,000 living alumni worldwide, OSU has produced leaders and innovators in various fields. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their contributions to society and their enduring impact.
A Foundation of Excellence
Oklahoma State University was established on December 25, 1890, under the Morrill Act of 1862. The first students attended classes on December 14, 1891. In 1957, Oklahoma A&M changed its name to Oklahoma State University of Agricultural and Applied Sciences, reflecting the broadening scope of its curriculum. Over time, the name was shortened to Oklahoma State University.
OSU's Homecoming celebration, which began in 1913, now attracts over 40,000 alumni and 70,000 participants each year. The university's commitment to academic and athletic excellence is evident in its numerous achievements, including 34 NCAA team titles in wrestling, the most ever collected by a school in one sport.
Notable Alumni in Arts and Entertainment
OSU has a strong presence in the arts and entertainment industry, with alumni making significant contributions to music, film, television, and literature.
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks is an American country singer and songwriter. His integration of pop and rock elements into the country genre has earned him immense popularity, particularly in the United States. He has achieved success on the country music single and album charts, with multi-platinum recordings and record-breaking live performances. Brooks enrolled at Oklahoma State University in 1984 to study advertising.
Read also: Baylor's Notable Alumni
Reba McEntire
Reba Nell McEntire, known simply as Reba, is an American country music singer and television, film, and stage actress. Dubbed the "Queen of Country," McEntire has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. She has had over 100 singles enter the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with around a quarter reaching the number-one spot. In the early 2000s, McEntire starred in a WB sitcom, Reba, loosely based on her own life, which aired for six seasons. She also owns several businesses, including a restaurant and a clothing line.
James Marsden
James Paul Marsden is an American actor known for his roles in film and television. He gained fame for his portrayal of Cyclops in the X-Men film series and for his roles in films such as The Notebook, Superman Returns, Hairspray, Enchanted, and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. Marsden portrayed John F. Kennedy in the drama film The Butler and Tom Wachowski in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series.
Gary Busey
Actor Gary Busey credits an OSU professor for providing him with a platform of power in the movies. His time at OSU helped shape his career in the entertainment industry.
Hoyt Axton
Hoyt Wayne Axton was a singer-songwriter and actor. His contributions to music and acting have left a lasting impact.
K.K. Barrett
K.K. Barrett is a production designer and drummer known for his work in the film industry. His creative talents have been showcased in various notable productions.
Read also: Columbia University Legacy
Steve Ripley
Steve Ripley was a rock 'n' roll musician, songwriter, and inventor. His contributions to music and innovation have been widely recognized.
Watermelon Slim
Watermelon Slim is a blues musician who has made a significant impact on the music scene. His extended returns to Oklahoma have been celebrated by fans.
Trey Kennedy
Trey Kennedy transitioned from a business degree to a career in comedy. His success demonstrates the diverse paths OSU alumni pursue.
Sharron Miller
Sharron Miller is a distinguished alumna recognized for her contributions. Her achievements reflect the quality of education at Oklahoma State University.
Kinga Phillips
Kinga Phillips is an alumna of The College of Arts and Sciences. Her work and accomplishments have brought recognition to OSU.
Read also: Excellence at Hofstra University
Leaders in Politics and Public Service
OSU has a long tradition of producing leaders who serve in various levels of government and public service.
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is an American politician who served as the 27th governor of Oklahoma from 2011 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, she was elected in 2010 and reelected in 2014. She is the first and only woman to be elected governor of Oklahoma. She was the first woman to represent Oklahoma in Congress since Alice Mary Robertson left office in 1923. Fallin graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Tom Coburn
Thomas Allen Coburn was an American politician and physician who served as a United States senator from Oklahoma from 2005 to 2015. A Republican, Coburn previously served as a United States representative. Coburn studied at Oklahoma State University in 1983.
Markwayne Mullin
Markwayne Mullin is an American businessman and politician who has served as the junior United States senator from Oklahoma since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in a special election in 2022 to serve the remainder of Jim Inhofe's term. Mullin graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2010 with an associate degree.
Kevin Stitt
John Kevin Stitt is an American businessman and politician serving as the 28th governor of Oklahoma since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022.
Robert A. Whitney
Robert A. Whitney is a former acting Surgeon General of the United States. His service in public health highlights the contributions of OSU alumni to the nation's well-being.
Steven W. Taylor
Steven W. Taylor is an Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice. His legal expertise and service to the state reflect the quality of OSU's academic programs.
Yussur A.F. Abrar
Yussur A.F. Abrar is a former Central Bank of Somalia Governor. Her leadership in international finance exemplifies the global impact of OSU graduates.
Thomas Allen Coburn
Thomas Allen Coburn served as a United States Senator. His contributions to public service and policy-making are noteworthy.
Chad Smith
Chad Smith was voted in as a CN Supreme Court justice. His role in the judicial system highlights the diverse achievements of OSU alumni.
M. John Kane IV
M. John Kane IV serves as a Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court. His contributions to the legal field are significant.
Anita Hill
Anita Faye Hill is an American lawyer, educator, and author. She is a professor of social policy, law, and women's studies at Brandeis University and a faculty member of the university's Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
Wally Funk
Mary Wallace Funk is an American aviator, commercial astronaut, and Goodwill Ambassador. She was the first female air safety investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board, the first female civilian flight instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and the first female Federal Aviation Administration inspector, as well as one of the Mercury 13. Funk graduated with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education.
Eka Zguladze
Ekaterine "Eka" Zguladze is a Georgian and Ukrainian government official. She served as First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and Georgia's First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.
Business and Entrepreneurship Leaders
OSU alumni have made significant strides in the business world, demonstrating innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit.
T. Boone Pickens
Thomas Boone Pickens Jr. was an American business magnate and financier. Pickens chaired the hedge fund BP Capital Management. He was a well-known takeover operator and corporate raider during the 1980s. Pickens's contributions to OSU include significant donations to the athletic department and endowed academic chairs. The football stadium is named Boone Pickens Stadium in his honor.
John D. Groendyke
John D. Groendyke is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. His achievements in business and philanthropy have made a significant impact.
Frank A. McPherson
Frank A. McPherson is a member of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and a Horatio Alger Award recipient. His success story is an inspiration to many.
M.B. "Bud" Seretean
M.B. "Bud" Seretean was recognized in "Spears School Tributes: 100 For 100." His contributions to the Spears School of Business are noteworthy.
Sanjiv Sidhu
Sanjiv Sidhu is a successful businessman. His achievements in the business world reflect the quality of education at Oklahoma State University.
Sports Legends
OSU has a storied athletic tradition, with alumni achieving excellence in professional sports, wrestling, and mixed martial arts.
Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas played 12 seasons for the Buffalo Bills and one season with the Miami Dolphins. He was a member of the Bills teams that advanced to four consecutive Super Bowls, the 1991 NFL MVP, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a 2007 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders is considered one of the greatest running backs in NFL history. His achievements on the field have cemented his legacy as a sports icon.
Dexter Manley
Dexter Manley played in three Super Bowls with the Redskins, winning two. He was a one-time Pro Bowl selection.
Justin Blackmon
Justin Blackmon played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, twice earning unanimous All-American honors. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars fifth overall in the 2012 NFL draft. Blackmon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2024.
Dan Bailey
Dan Bailey is an NFL placekicker. His success in professional football highlights the athletic talent nurtured at OSU.
Dez Bryant
Dez Bryant is an NFL wide receiver. His achievements in football have made him a recognizable figure in sports.
Mason Cox
Mason Cox is an American-Australian professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played basketball for Oklahoma State University.
Daniel Cormier
Daniel Ryan Cormier is an American former professional mixed martial artist, freestyle wrestler, and current commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As a former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion, Cormier is the second fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. He is regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of his generation.
Randy Couture
Randall Duane Couture is an American mixed martial arts commentator, actor, former United States Army sergeant, former professional mixed martial artist, and former collegiate and Greco-Roman wrestler. During his tenures in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he became a three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, an interim UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, making him a six-time UFC Champion and the UFC 13 Heavyweight Tournament winner.
Rickie Fowler
Rickie Yutaka Fowler is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He was the number one ranked amateur golfer in the world for 36 weeks in 2007 and 2008.
Johny Hendricks
Johny Hendricks is an American former mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler. He competed in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a former UFC Welterweight Champion.
Muhammed Lawal
Muhammed Lawal, also known as "King Mo", is an American professional wrestler and retired mixed martial artist currently signed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. He is a former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion and Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.
Tony Allen
Anthony Allen, nicknamed "the Grindfather," is an American former professional basketball player who played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), primarily for the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies. He is a six-time member on the NBA All-Defensive Team.
Don Haskins
Donald Lee Haskins, nicknamed "The Bear", was an American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for three years under coach Henry Iba at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University).
Scott Baker
Scott Baker is to be inducted into Cowboy Baseball Hall of Fame. His contributions to OSU's baseball program are widely recognized.
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