STILLWATER, Okla. – In addition to their degree, 13 spring 2015 Oklahoma State University graduates from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources were recognized for serving the university and the Stillwater community through participation in the Creating Opportunities for Responsible Development program, or CORD.

It its sixth year, CORD recognizes outstanding Cowboy graduates by rewarding students with an honorary orange graduation cord distinguishing them for their outstanding community service.  The CORD is sponsored by OSU’s Service-Learning Volunteer Center and the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and honors those who have completed more than 300 service hours as a graduate student or more than 400 service hours and an undergraduate.

This semester 90 OSU students received this special distinction. These recipients included three Ph.D. students and three graduate students, each completing 300 hours of service as well as 84 undergraduates who provided at least 400 hours of service each.  During the 2014-2015 academic year, 108 graduates were honored by the CORD program representing a total of 42,500 service hours.  Hours are recorded on CampusLink, which is administered through the Department of Campus Life, and monitored during the students’ tenures at OSU.

Since its inception in 1984, the Service-Learning Volunteer Center has promoted leadership for Oklahoma State University students through interactive and meaningful service-learning activities, providing research opportunities and connecting with society to promote the general welfare of its citizens. For more information about the SLVC, visit volunteer.okstate.edu.

Congratulations to the following CASNR graduates:

OKLAHOMA
Bokchito
Madalyn Shires, Plant and Soil Science

Chickasha
Cheyene Nixon-Sparks, Agricultural Communications

Duncan
Jessica Neal, Animal Science

Mustang
Alisa Rice, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, pre-vet

Stillwater
Kendra Rash, Agricultural Economics

Tonkawa
Amber Jeans, Agriculture Leadership

Tulsa
Cassandra Rodenbaugh, Natural Resource Ecology and Management
James Barnes, Landscape Architecture

KANSAS
Garden City
Kelsey Elizabeth Lee, Agricultural Education

NEW MEXICO
Belen
Britney Lardner, Master of International Agriculture

Cliff
Shannon Norris, M.S. Agricultural Communications

TEXAS
Arlington
Brittani Hays, Biochemistry and Microbiology

Grand Prairie
Levi Holland, Biochemistry and Microbiology

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CONTACT: Brittney Rochell | OSU Communications | 405-744-9080 | brittney.rochell@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating: Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.