McAlester GEAR UP seniors tour Oklahoma State University



Nineteen McAlester GEAR UP students recently toured Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Stillwater. Students began the visit with lunch in the Student Union where they interacted with current OSU students and learned about meal cards and how meals are charged through the OSU financial system. Students also explored the campus bookstore which includes OrangeTech, which is committed to fulfilling the technology needs of the OSU community at all levels by offering the latest and greatest technology products to students, faculty and staff. They provide sales of computers/tech gadgets, protection software, data recovery/hardware repair and recycling of old technology equipment.

Next students were led to a conference room where Recruitment Coordinator Jessica Medina–Benningfield gave students an overview of admissions and life on campus. McAlester students watched an in-depth video outlining campus life and resident options available. Medina–Benningfield also highlighted scholarship opportunities at OSU—most notably, the “Cowboy Covenant” which covers all university fees if the student qualifies for Oklahoma’s Promise.

Students were led on a walking tour by OSU sophomore marketing major Sydney Bahr. Students explored residential living and visited “The Village,” one of the campus’s suite options. MHS students were able visit a current suite to see the room setup and space available. They were impressed by the private rooms and high ceilings which made rooms feel spacious. They were also surprised by the furniture provided in each room which included a bed, armoire, dresser and desk with chair. Another positive of the suite style was a semi–private bathroom, shared with only one other student.

Next students saw the Colvin Recreation Center, the hub of promoting physical activity for the campus community. The 240,000 square foot facility is top notch with exercise equipment, a new outdoor pool, a four court gym, new fitness rooms, locker rooms, a multipurpose activity gym, a rock wall for climbing and a four–lane indoor jogging track. They also offer group fitness classes regularly. Access to the Colvin Recreation Center are included in student fees so all OSU students can access the center and are encouraged to use the facilities regularly.

The OSU Edmon Low Library was open and bustling with activity in the last week before finals. MHS students got a quick glimpse of how students prepare for final exams. The first floor of the library is filled with computers and printers, as well as large tables for multiple students to work and visit. An interesting feature of the library is the floor setup. The first floor is considered “noisy” but as you work your way to the fifth (and top) floor, it’s considered a complete quiet space. The noise level is supposed to decrease as you increase floor level. This is a great concept for academic groups to meet on the lower levels and discuss projects versus students working independently who may need more quiet to concentrate on the upper levels.

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Participating schools take two field trips each academic year—one to tour a college or university and one that is cultural/educational in nature.

McAlester GEAR UP students pose for a quick photo holding up their “Buffs” on the lawn in front of Edmon Low Library. Picture are:
Front Row: Stephen Fontenot, Joseph McKelvey, Keaton Wilkett, Jonathan Delcid, Bobby Barnhill, Kaylee Bryson, Miranda Winlock, Bianca Sanchez and Cydney Linehan

Back Row: Stephen Cain, Austin Craven, Noah Sparks, John Long, Randy Evans, Thomas Howell, Bryce Shuman, Tyler Gomez, Shaylee Bookout and Jacqueline Gaytan

GEAR UP students sit in the commons area of The Village, a suite–style living option on the OSU campus. Pictured are:
Noah Sparks, Kaylee Bryson, Miranda Winlock, Jacqueline Gaytan, Bianca Sanchez, Keaton Wilkett and Randy Evans

McAlester GEAR UP students wait on the second floor of the Colvin Recreation Center. Pictured are:
Miranda Winlock, Keaton Wilkett, Jonathan Delcid, Thomas Howell, Randy Evans, Tyler Gomez, Shaylee Bookout, Cydney Linehan and Bryce Shuman

GEAR UP students hold up their “Buffs” in the Colvin Recreation Center while waiting for the group. Pictured are:
Miranda Winlock, Keaton Wilkett, Jonathan Delcid, Thomas Howell and Randy Evans

McAlester GEAR UP students sit together in front of the Edmon Low Library fountain during their tour of OSU. Pictured are:
Randy Evans, Bryce Shuman, Jacqueline Gaytan, Bianca Sanchez, Keaton Wilkett, Joseph McKelvey, Bobby Barnhill, Thomas Howell, John Long, Stephen Cain, Stephen Fontenot, Jonathan Delcid, Noah Sparks, Austin Craven, Cydney Linehan, Shaylee Bookout, Miranda Winlock and Kaylee Bryson

McAlester senior Randy Evans takes a quick break on one of the hammock swings set up on campus.