Oklahoma
Oklahoma State University Welcomes Class XV of McKnight Scholars – Oklahoma State University
Monday, July 7, 2025
Media Contact:
Mack Burke | Associate Director of Media Relations | 405-744-5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu
The Hargis Leadership Institute at Oklahoma State University has announced the selection
of Class XV of the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program. This year, 50 outstanding
out-of-state students were chosen for their demonstrated leadership, academic excellence
and commitment to service.
Made possible by the generosity of Ross and Billie McKnight, the McKnight Scholars
Leadership Program is one of the nation’s premier undergraduate leadership experiences.
Each year, a select group of high-achieving students from across the United States
is invited to join the cohort through a competitive application process.
McKnight Scholars receive a leadership and scholarship package valued at $85,000.
The program includes an out-of-state tuition waiver, a $5,000 cash scholarship per
year for four years and a short-term study abroad program. In addition, scholars gain
exclusive access to leadership courses, individual mentoring from upper-level McKnight
Scholars, and membership in a vibrant network of current scholars and alumni.
“This year’s class of McKnight Scholars represents an incredible group of young leaders,”
said Dr. Josh Taylor, director of the Hargis Leadership Institute. “We are excited
to welcome them to OSU and look forward to the impact they will make as students and
future professionals.”
The following students have been named to Class XV of the McKnight Scholars Leadership
Program:
- Aaron Amick – Roanoke, IN
- Hagan Anderson – Seymour, TX
- James Ashton – Escondido, CA
- Weston Barnes – Oberlin, KS
- Makenna Barron – Waitsburg, WA
- Sawyer Beggs – Sims, AR
- Kailey Benson – Cottleville, MO
- Stephanie Berenda – Earl Park, IN
- Alina Berry – Lone Pine, CA
- Jack Beyer – Lowville, NY
- Ava-Grace Bleicher – Albuquerque, NM
- Chloe Bomgardner – Jonestown, PA
- Riley Buttress – Summersville, MO
- Parker Cowan – Watertown, TN
- Kale Cox – Wichita Falls, TX
- Meredith Davis – Savoy, TX
- Molly Davis – Savoy, TX
- Kimora Evans – Mexia, TX
- Anna Ewing – Wellington, KS
- Bennett Gordon – Whitewood, SD
- Hallie Gough – Graham, TX
- Blake Graham – Amarillo, TX
- Collier Houston – Houston, TX
- Josie Jennings – Springfield, OH
- Ty Jones – Scottsville, KY
- Samantha Kennedy – Keller, TX
- Kason Koenig – Amarillo, TX
- Jalyn Lamb – Bandera, TX
- Ashley Landt – Reardan, WA
- Sofia Lee – Colleyville, TX
- Lainey McCall – Windthorst, TX
- Kalli McCoy – Goldthwaite, TX
- Bentlee McKay – Dumas, TX
- Lexsey McLemore – Windthorst, TX
- Langston Mitchell – Cassville, MO
- Daniella Nugent – Boxford, MA
- Daimya Parker – Alma, AR
- Taft Rice – Madras, OR
- Rhyanna Richert – Winfield, KS
- Braden Salsbury – Wichita, KS
- Julia Silvus – McConnelsville, OH
- Hannah Simmons – Whitesboro, TX
- Cole Stevens – Era, TX
- Ansley Tiffin-Fernandes – Amarillo, TX
- Bailey Timmons – Morton, TX
- Ella Underberg – Springville, NY
- Lilly Weber – Lamar, MO
- Emma West – Wichita Falls, TX
- Kassidy Wilfong – Chelan, WA
- Brody Will – Teutopolis, IL
To learn more about the McKnight Scholars Leadership Program, visit https://leadershipinstitute.okstate.edu/mcknight-details.html.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State outlasts UCF in overtime, Houston next
The Oklahoma State Cowboys men’s basketball bounced back in a big way Tuesday night.
Anthony Roy scored 27 points and Kanye Clary added 23, including seven in overtime, as Oklahoma State defeated the UCF Knights men’s basketball 111-104 in Orlando.
The Cowboys controlled the extra period, finishing overtime on an 11-4 run and outscoring UCF 17-10.
Clary played a major role in closing it out. He hit a key 3-pointer and went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in overtime to help seal the win.
The victory moves Oklahoma State to 18-12 overall and 6-11 in the Big 12, and gives the Cowboys two wins in their last three games after snapping a five-game losing streak. UCF, now 20-9 (9-8 Big 12), has dropped two straight.
Roy and Clary led a balanced offensive effort. Jaylen Curry and Christian Coleman each added 16 points, while the Cowboys shot 49% from the field (35-of-72) and 80% from the free throw line (32-of-40).
Themus Fulks led UCF with 22 points, while Riley Kugel added 18.
Late-game drama forces overtime
The final seconds of regulation were chaotic.
With 24 seconds remaining, Isaiah Coleman threw down a dunk to give Oklahoma State a 94-91 lead.
But UCF answered quickly when Chris Johnson hit a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left, tying the game at 94-94.
Oklahoma State had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Jaylen Curry missed a shot, and John Bol blocked Roy’s attempt, sending the game to overtime.
Cowboys respond after tough loss
The Cowboys showed resilience after Saturday’s lopsided loss to Cincinnati.
The team traveled directly to Orlando following that defeat and was pushed through two intense practices by head coach Steve Lutz and the coaching staff.
The response was clear.
Led by Roy’s scoring and Clary’s clutch overtime performance, Oklahoma State delivered a gritty win and swept the season series against UCF
Oklahoma
Oklahoma City police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon
YUKON, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City Police are investigating after a man was shot near Yukon Monday night.
The shooting happened near Northwest 10th Street and South Yukon Parkway near the border of Yukon and Oklahoma City.
Police are on the scene, and officials said the victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the hip.
OKCPD said they have at least one person in custody.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma lawmakers consider bill to require annual fee for transmission lines on private property
As consumer electricity needs grow, lawmakers are discussing strategies to ease the burden on landowners who don’t want the towers and wires carrying that energy on their property.
As it’s written now, the bill would require transmission owners to pay landowners $2 per foot of line annually. During the committee meeting, Murdock said he introduced the legislation to “start a conversation.”
“ This is an idea of, maybe moving forward, if the landowners are getting a royalty off of the power being pushed across their property, it may make it a little more palatable for someone to have a transmission line go across their property,” he said.
Landowners can enter into easement agreements with companies to set aside portions of their land for the builds. But in some cases, eminent domain is used to obtain a right-of-way.
“ I’m not saying that this is going to do away with eminent domain,” Murdock said. “What I’m hoping is this just makes it a little more palatable.”
Murdock said he spoke with utility companies about the legislation, though he didn’t name them. The bill’s language could change after creating an alternative rate based on conversations with the companies, he said.
Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, said the bill could raise utility rates for consumers living in Oklahoma’s most populous counties if companies charge more to make up for the annual fee.
Murdock pushed back, noting the lines are necessary to deliver electricity to other counties.
“You understand that you flip that light on because — and have that ability to have electricity because — the people in my district have a transmission line that goes across them, getting you that power,” he said.
StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online.
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