Pokes PodCAS

Oklahoma State University’s Dr. Daniel Sznycer, an assistant professor of psychology, published two papers in recent months: one about the origins of laws concerning bodily damage, and the other about emotional tears and how they work. We sat down with Dr. Sznycer to get a better understanding of his research — which ultimately gives us a better understanding of ourselves as humans! Recorded in the College of Arts and Sciences Multimedia Studio on OSU’s Stillwater campus by Keith Mattix, CAS multimedia producer. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace, CAS graphic designer. Hosted by Elizabeth Gosney, CAS marketing and communications manager.

Spring 2025 CAS Orange Gown Graduate Jordan Burks is completing a bachelor's degree in theatre this May and taking with her a passion for the stage that she developed while at OSU. Jordan isn't an actor, though. She's a stage manager. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, she sat down with graduate assistants Adeola Favour and Kierstin Pigg to share more about her OSU experience, including working on plays and musicals, how her minors in history and Russia set her apart, and what she's doing post-graduation. Recorded in Stillwater, Oklahoma, by CAS multimedia producer Keith Mattix. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace. The CAS marketing and communications manager is Elizabeth Gosney. Learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University by visiting cas.okstate.edu.

When sports media major Steve Spears came to Oklahoma State University as a sophomore, it was only three weeks before he was on camera. “It didn’t go great,” Spears said with a laugh. Luckily he’s had many more opportunities to not only hone his craft, but also help future and incoming journalists along the way: for two years, Spears has been president of OSU’s National Association of Black Journalists, building a community and creating opportunities for his fellow media majors. He talked with CAS students Payton Little and Adeola Favour in February about his experiences at OSU, as well as the importance of Black History Month and his love of Black culture. Recorded in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Feb. 17. Recorded, edited and mixed by Jason Wallace. Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney, CAS marketing and communications manager, pokespodcas@okstate.edu.

The College of Arts and Sciences' Fall 2024 Orange Gown Graduate, Paige Nguyen sat down with OSU Brand Management graduate assistant Kierstin Pigg and CAS graduate assistant Allie Putman to discuss her experience at OSU as a studio art and art history double major, including how she draws inspiration for her artwork and what it took to become the Orange Gown Graduate. Recorded in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Dec. 5, 2024. Hosted by Kierstin Pigg and Allie Putman. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace. Recorded by multimedia producer Keith Mattix. Media Contact: Elizabeth Gosney, CAS marketing and communications manager, pokespodcas@okstate.edu

OSU political science professors Eve Ringsmuth and Joshua Jansa are on a mission to increase civic engagement among high school- and college-age students. They sat down with CAS students Payton Little and Ashton Tate to discuss their research and instructional efforts surrounding political efficacy. The professors also dive into what can — and cannot — be gleaned from polls, demographics, voter trends and other factors leading up to the 2024 presidential election. Recorded in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Oct. 21, 2024. Hosted by Payton Little and Ashton Tate. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace. Recorded by multimedia producer Keith Mattix. Media contact: Elizabeth Gosney, CAS marketing and communications manager, pokespodcas@okstate.edu.

Dr. Melinda Cro officially stepped into her role as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University on July 1, 2024. In this interview, she talks about her first few months meeting with students, faculty and staff; she dives into the responsibilities we have at a land-grant institution; and she gives us a glimpse into her passion for theatre and languages. Listen in for all this and more on the latest episode of the Pokes PodCAS, the official podcast of OSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. Recorded in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on September 6, 2024. Hosted by Elizabeth Gosney, CAS marketing and communications manager. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace. Recorded by multimedia producer Keith Mattix. Go Pokes!

The transition to college life is filled with lots of exciting new opportunities. How do you decide which ones to take and which ones to pass on? How do you pick which clubs and organizations will propel your professional portfolio to new heights while still catering to your hobbies? Jenn Conner, CAS coordinator for student engagement and leadership, joined us on this episode to talk about taking the first step toward being an involved student and the ideal graduate.   This episode was hosted by CAS communications coordinator Erin Weaver. It was recorded on August 15, 2024, by Keith Mattix in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It was edited and mixed by Jason Wallace.

We were joined on this episode by the recently crowned Mr. and Miss Black OSU. Albony Bryles and Tony Purnell, who are both CAS students, took us through their journeys of winning the pageant — from their involvement in the Black community to their career goals to the opportunities for growth their Mr. and Miss Black OSU platforms will help them achieve. This episode was hosted by OSU graduate students Adeola Favour and Jade Dudley. It was recorded on April 8, 2024, by Keith Mattix. It was edited and mixed by Jason Wallace.

The College of Arts and Sciences is home to the OSU Ethics Bowl Team, a group hosted by the Department of Philosophy that competes in matches by applying ethical theories to real life scenarios. In this episode, we sat down with three students who are involved in the organization to discuss all things ethics — from their favorite theories to real world applications — and the work that goes into preparing for a match.  This episode was recorded on March 8, 2024, by Keith Mattix. Hosted by CAS student Mallory Pool and CAS communications coordinator Erin Weaver. Mixed by Jason Wallace.

According to strategic communication senior Katelyn Woods, competing in pageants is like interviewing for a job; which means in February, Katelyn landed her dream job. As the 2024-25 Miss OSU, Woods is spreading kindness and awareness on OSU’s campus while preparing to graduate, compete in Miss Oklahoma and begin her master’s program (in that order!).     Katelyn joined us on the show to talk about the pageant, her involvement on campus and how she balances it all. Check out this episode for some pageant pointers, tips for staying focused and a good laugh.     This episode was hosted by Erin Weaver, recorded by Keith Mattix and mixed by Jason Wallace.

In recognition of Black History Month, OSU graduate student Jade Dudley sat down with fellow student Azariah Lang to talk about Black History Month, OSU’s Center for Africana Studies, Stand United and more, giving insights into Black and multicultural students' experiences here on campus. This episode of the Pokes PodCAS — the official podcast of OSU’s College of Arts and Sciences — was recorded in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on Feb. 14, 2024, by Keith Mattix. It was edited and mixed by Jason Wallace.

Hands-on experience is crucial for future careers, which is why the annual National Student Advertising Competition is a great opportunity for strategic communications students here at OSU. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we sit down with professor Asya Cooley and students Annemarie Chaney and Jaiden Daughty to discuss all things NSAC. Co-hosting is NSAC alumna and current graduate student Allie Putman and CAS marketing and communications manager Elizabeth Gosney. Recorded Nov. 1, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, by Keith Mattix. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace.

In just three and a half years at OSU, David Steichen has accomplished quite a bit. All of his accolades have led him to be named the College of Arts and Sciences Orange Gown Graduate for fall 2023 undergraduate commencement. David has blended his passions for medicine and sustainability to leave a legacy of research, a new club and a garden that gives back. Hosted by Erin Weaver, CAS Communications Coordinator. This episode was recorded on Nov. 13, 2023, in Stillwater, Oklahoma, by Keith Mattix. Edited and mixed by Jason Wallace.

In this episode, history’s Dr. Francisco Beltran and CAS prospective students coordinator Karla Gutierrez discuss Hispanic heritage, identity and the role these elements played in the civil rights movement. Recorded on Oct. 5, 2023, on OSU’s Stillwater campus.

College of Arts and Sciences faculty members are bringing the classroom to inmates at the Payne County Jail. Thanks to a CAS Community Engagement Grant and in a collaboration with Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, Drs. Kathryn Weinland, Melissa Mills and Eric Howerton are volunteering their time to prepare inmates for the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) to earn high school diplomas. In this episode, the professors share how they got started, what they have been doing and what the future holds for this initiative. You can read more about the partnership at https://okla.st/hiset-news

Looking for some advice on how to have a great semester? Need to know where the best bathroom on campus is? Look no further! Political science student Adam Shuck and political science alumna Kallie Quintero (who also happen to be OSU tour guides!) sat down to give their best advice for incoming freshmen. Whether it’s your first day on campus or you graduate this May, Adam and Kallie have the inside scoop on being successful at OSU and having as much fun as possible while doing it.

No Oklahoma State Football game day would be complete without the Cowboy Marching Band. They lead the team into Boone Pickens Stadium, entertain the crowd at halftime and hype up fans and athletes alike in between plays. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we talk with 2022-23 Cowboy Marching Band director Dr. Phil Vallejo and two members of the band, Alleyn Campbell and Rosalyn Hodge, who also happen to be College of Arts and Sciences students. Phil, Alleyn and Rosalyn give us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it’s like to be part of the Cowboy Marching Band, from auditions to rehearsals to taking the field. Follow the band on Instagram @ostatecmb. Keep up with the College of Arts and Sciences @okstatecas. And check out the Greenwood School of Music @okstatemusic. This episode was hosted by Elizabeth Gosney, CAS marketing and communications manager. It was edited and mixed by Jason Wallace.

Dr. Brandy Thomas Wells, a professor in OSU’s Department of History, is turning her students into history detectives through research projects centered on Tulsa’s Greenwood District. In this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we talk with Wells and two of her Oklahoma History students, Nicki Hammack and Brett Smith, about their work expanding what we know about residents of Black Wall Street. A collection of histories is currently available at blackwallstreetwomen.com, a project started by Wells and contributed to annually by her students. This episode was recorded on OSU-Stillwater’s campus. It was hosted by CAS marketing and communications manager, Elizabeth Gosney, with editing and mixing by Jason Wallace. Photo of Eunice Jackson courtesy of the Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Harsha and Kaitlyn Taylor have been selected as Orange Gown Graduates for the May 2023 OSU commencement ceremonies. Harsha, a triple major in geospatial information systems, geography and Spanish, will be wearing the orange gown at the College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony. Taylor, a double major in animal science and political science, will wear the orange gown at the Ferguson College of Agriculture commencement ceremony. If you lost count, that’s five majors between the two of them. Recipients of this honor wear a bright orange robe — only worn by one person from each college at commencement — to acknowledge achievements they made as Oklahoma State University undergraduates. CAS communications coordinator Erin Milek and CAS student intern Allie Putman sat down with both Harsha and Taylor in the latest episode of the Pokes PodCAS. Check out the episode to hear about their OSU experiences and their plans for the future, including a big move to D.C. and becoming the first Space Force Second Lieutenant commissioned from OSU.

There’s a whole lot of buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots lately — you’ve probably heard the names ChatGPT, Bing AI, Google Bard and others — and that’s no different in the world of education. We sat down with three Oklahoma State University professors to discuss this oft-times polarizing new technology, including its effects on education and the ethics of its use. We even had ChatGPT write a poem for us with the prompt, “six people doing a podcast on ChatGPT.” You don’t want to miss it. Thanks to Dr. Rosemary Avance (School of Media and Strategic Communications), Dr. Heather Stewart (Department of Philosophy) and Richard Sylvestre (Department of English) for joining us for this episode. All three are part of the OSU Center for the Humanities, which fosters the production of new interdisciplinary projects. This episode was co-hosted by OSU senior Bella Vu and CAS marketing and communications manager Elizabeth Gosney. It was edited by Jason Wallace.

On this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, we sit down with Dr. Tommy Poole, associate professor and director of jazz studies at OSU, and OSU students Kyle Fisher and Aidan Evano. We packed a lot into our conversation, including a discussion of the OSU Jazz Orchestra (Kyle and Aidan are members, Dr. Poole is the director), the orchestra’s 2021 album Room 118, a not-so-successful trip to Orlando, Dr. Poole’s connection to Rosemary Clooney, and that all important question: What do you say to someone who doesn’t like jazz? Thanks to OSU grad and composer Dylan Shadoan for the use of his song “Dubious Dachshund” in this episode. You can listen to it and the entire Room 118 album here. Watch and listen to the OSU Jazz Orchestra on their YouTube channel and catch them live on April 8 at LowDown in Tulsa and April 9-10 at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts in Stillwater. (This episode was recorded in January 2023.)

Booker T. Washington School in Stillwater, Oklahoma has sat vacant for years. Several OSU departments are now collaborating to preserve and improve one of the few remaining, formerly segregated school buildings in the state of Oklahoma while offering a great opportunity for students to learn. Thanks to a donation from a *secret* donor, the history of the Washington School will remain in the Stillwater community for years to come. On this episode of the Pokes PodCAS, OSU history professor and director of public history, Dr. Laura Arata, explains the deep history and plans for the future of the Washington School. Images of the school are available at this link.

Ever wondered what it’s like to deep sea dive, going miles below the ocean surface to collect micro fossils at the sea floor? Boone Pickens School of Geology professor Dr. Ashley Burkett gives us her firsthand experience of doing just that, including *ahem* how they use the bathroom down there. (“Down there” meaning aboard the Alvin, a deep-sea submersible owned by the U.S. Navy.) An expert in the single-celled organism foraminifera, Dr. Burkett gives us a rundown of her research with enough zeal to convince anyone and everyone to go into the field of geology. She also tells us about her Story of Dinosaurs course, where students combine creativity and the scientific method — and critique Jurassic Park.

In this episode of the PodCAS, we have special guest Bailee Augustino, one of four Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshals for Fall 2022 and the only CAS student among the honorees. Augustino is graduating with her master’s in integrative biology and has dedicated her time to researching how environmental conditions affect the structure and dynamics of communication between and among American toads. She discusses her studies with fellow College of Arts and Sciences students Bella Vu and Allie Putman, who co-host this episode. The Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshal is the highest honor given to four doctoral or master's degree graduates who demonstrate scholarly achievement that embodies the essence of OSU’s land-grant mission.

What’s it like to be a first-generation American with deep Hispanic roots? In this episode of the College of Arts and Sciences Pokes PodCAS, OSU students Samary Simpson-Jimenez, Monse Solorzano and Nadia Valles give us some insight into their unique experiences — from food and family to school and societal expectations (and beyond!). Along with the rest of the United States, we here at CAS are thrilled to celebrate the cultures, histories, accomplishments and influence of Hispanic Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month — from September 15 to October 15 — and throughout the year.

Juneteenth is a day to celebrate freedom and honor the resiliency of all African Americans. Dr. Belton joins us to discuss the importance of Juneteenth being named a federal holiday, how an Africana Studies minor can impact a student's education and future work life, some historical figures he is inspired by, and so much more.

“It’s a very thin line between appropriation and appreciation,” said Monse Solórzano during our conversation about Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the United States. We’ve all seen the Cinco de Mayo banners, signs and social media posts advertising discounted Mexican food and margaritas. However, how many of us have stopped to consider the history of Cinco de Mayo and what it means to some Mexican-Americans? Tune in to hear about Monse’s journey to OSU and learn about Cinco de Mayo through her eyes.

“Mistakes are only mistakes if you don’t learn from them.” This was just one piece of advice that Orange Gown Recipient Kayla Reed had to share with students as she prepares to graduate with degrees in Psychology, Zoology and Plant Biology. Tune in to this episode of the Pokes PodCAS to hear about the lessons she learned throughout her journey at OSU.

Women have always had a hand in the way that history is made, but they often get left out of the conversation when it comes to their roles in major historical events. This can be especially true for women in minority groups. But despite people’s tendency to overlook the contributions of women in history, it’s important to remember them because they can be role models for young women today. No one knows this better than Kassandra Gaona and Destinee Adams. Kassandra was Miss Hispanic/Latina OSU 2020, and Destinee co-founded Okstate Stand United. They joined me to talk about some women who have made history and the importance of having these types of figures to look up to, especially as a woman in a minority group.

We’re two years into the pandemic, but navigating online and hybrid classes can still be tricky, as can finding safe ways to get involved on campus. We spoke with Brianna Roenbeck, a psychology/pre-med major and our CAS Student Council president. She had some great advice to help students stay on top of their schoolwork and also to get involved on campus safely.

All writers benefit from the outside perspective of a skilled editor. That is why the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of English house the OSU Writing Center. It serves OSU and the surrounding community, helping communicators understand and practice strategies used by effective writers, including brainstorming, drafting and editing techniques. In this episode, the director of the Writing Center, Dr. Anna Sicari, discusses her new role as co-editor of The Writing Center Journal, how research in this field benefits all writers, and why even those working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics should take advantage of these services.

We all have that crazy relative who believes outrageous conspiracy theories or a lot of so-called facts that aren’t supported by the evidence. This person seems to live in an entirely different universe than those of us who are sane, right? The truth is, we are all misinformed to some degree, says Dr. Matthew Motta, a political science professor who studies misinformation. We talk about why people are motivated to find information that supports their beliefs instead of the truth, and how we can have the most success reaching those who have refused to listen to others. He also shares other helpful tips such as, “If you want to know something about the curvature of the Earth, ask a flat-earther,” and why it is important to realize how much you don’t know.

Every semester, one CAS student is selected for the prestigious Orange Gown. Alannah Templon, a double major in Biology: Allied Health and Sociolgy: Anthropology, was selected to represent the class of Spring 2021. Templon reflects on her research, involvement on-campus, plans for after graduation, and some of her favorite memories at OSU.

Peter Exline, “the philosopher king of Hollywood,” is a 1969 OSU Department of Philosophy grad. His life and career have overlapped with the likes of Michael Douglas and the famous Coen Brothers. In fact, he served as an inspiration for multiple characters in the film The Big Lebowski. He joins us to talk about his fascinating career, how he went from Stillwater to Hollywood, and what's on everyone's mind: “What's with that rug?” Also, as a warning, this episode includes just a few words that would categorize it as PG-13.

The Center for Africana Studies is a resource housed in the College of Arts and Sciences but available for all Oklahoma State University students, faculty and staff to gain knowledge about Africa and its Diaspora. That obviously covers a lot, so the center’s new director, Dr. Erica Townsend-Bell from the Department of Political Science, has a big job. We talk about that, race-related issues in America and globally, and why the terms used on the Census form are more important than you might think.

Dr. Toby Nelson, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, was inspired by his hometown hero – Ronald McNair, the second Black astronaut. Dr. Nelson talks about that and how he is working with RPX Technologies, a Stillwater-based company founded by OSU alumni, to save lives with a product called DRACO. And he explains his view that chemistry is awesome, with highlights from his other research areas, which are based on melanin. You will learn that it can do a whole lot more than you think.

Lori Allen Walke earned a 2005 political science degree and a 2006 master’s in health care administration at OSU, where she was a Cowgirl basketball player and Miss OSU. She went on to earn a law degree and passed the Oklahoma Bar exam, but changed her career path and completed a Master of Divinity. After becoming an ordained minister, she added a Doctor of Ministry. Today she is the Senior Pastor at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City. We talk about lessons she learned at OSU, what it’s like being married to a politician, and how the couple advocates for what they believe in. She also tells the story of how the final seconds of her basketball career became one of the best feel-good moments in the history of Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Hannah Ratigan was the type of student who walked around campus when she had free time – which was rare. So the way her undergraduate experience finished, with COVID-19 restrictions, was especially disappointing for her. As CAS’s Orange Gown Recipient, she did enjoy leading her peers in the School of Media and Strategic Communications to their smaller ceremony. We talk about what strategic communication is, her philanthropic work and how a fateful trip to Chipotle changed her life.

Jason Collington is a Stillwater native who grew up reading the Tulsa World. After his 1998 graduation from OSU in what is now the School of Media and Strategic Communications, he worked for the Associated Press before being hired by the World. He spent the next 21 years climbing the company’s ladder, reaching the top to became the publication’s new editor on Oct. 1, 2020. About 60 days later, we talked about the future of journalism, his goals for the Tulsa World, and his advice for up and coming communicators. He also explained why he tells everyone they should be a quitter.

Imagine you work at a nonprofit, where the hours are long, the cause is so big that it can feel overwhelming, and the pay is less than what is available in the corporate world. But you believe so deeply in the idea of nonprofits that you decide to leave your job, which has been stable for a decade, to start your own business, partnering with nonprofits to increase the amount of good they do. And then, as your approach the date of this career transition, a global pandemic causes an economic recession. Would you still make the leap? Becky Endicott and Jon McCoy, a pair of CAS alumni, did. On January 1, they left the Integris Foundation to create We are for Good, which produces podcasts and courses along with its for-hire services in branding and design, storytelling and writing, and consulting. They started with a bang, debuting at No. 1 on Apple Podcast’s chart of nonprofit podcasts. We talk about why they went ahead and made the leap, how OSU helped prepare them for success, and what they wished more people understood about the world of nonprofits.

We are in the midst of a national conversation about many topics related to the American legal system. Though virtually everyone agrees that a just system is ideal, there are disagreements over how fair our current system is and what changes might improve it. Michelle Estes, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology, conducts research on wrongful convictions. We talk about what happens to people who have been exonerated, how they were wrongfully convicted in the first place, and what they want people to know about them.

As COVID-19 became a global pandemic, Governor Kevin Stitt asked experts across Oklahoma to create models projecting how it would affect the state. One of those models came from a team at OSU, which included Mindy McCann, head of the Department of Statistics. She joined us to talk about the difficulty of making predictions about COVID-19, how much confidence we should have in the data, what it shows about the effectiveness of masks, and the importance of critical thinking.

Jennifer Rudd has studied pandemics and respiratory infectious diseases for years. She is a CAS biology graduate who went on to earn two more degrees at OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she is now a faculty member. After completing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, she practiced for years before returning to OSU to pursue a doctorate in respiratory infectious diseases. Her research focuses on the excessive immune response seen with pandemic viral pneumonias and ways to improve clinical outcomes through targeting the immune response. We talk about the best way to end this pandemic, what makes COVID-19 unique, and why you should put a veterinarian on your zombie apocalypse team.

Tyler Bunch is an OSU alumnus who studied Theatre and went on to become a successful puppetry and voice-over artist, one you or your children have probably heard before. We cover his time at OSU, his transition into the craft of puppetry, and how his role as Elmo’s dad on Sesame Street has helped millions of kids understand the complexity of combating racism.

The COVID-19 pandemic has paused virtually the entire world. What does that mean for researchers, especially those whose work entails international travel? One faculty member dealing with that question is art history professor Louise Siddons, who was recently awarded a summer stipend from the National Endowment for the Humanities and a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award. The Fulbright will fund her travel to London’s Eccles Centre for American Studies, assuming there are no complications. But as we have seen over the past six months, complications are a regular part of living in a world infected by COVID-19. Louise talks about what it’s like to have your work as both a researcher and teacher in flux, why she likes abstract art, and what led her to research Laura Gilpin, a renowned photographer whose work documenting the lives of the Navajo Nation was featured in a 1957 exhibition at OSU.

Matthew Mungle is a former OSU student who studied Theatre and went on to become a renowned Academy Award-winning makeup artist and designer. In addition, he became a successful business owner specializing in makeup design, special effects and prosthetics. He joined us to talk about his time at OSU, what it's like to work in Hollywood, and why Gary Oldman is one of his favorite actors to work with.

Footage of the death of George Floyd while being arrested by the Minneapolis Police Department has sparked outrage across the country. Large protests, and in some cases riots, are pushing for a variety of changes in our justice system. In order to have an educational discussion about these difficult topics, we welcome Lawrence Ware, co-director of the Africana Studies Program and Teaching Assistant Professor and Diversity Coordinator in the Department of Philosophy. Like all of our podcasts, this episode is an open discussion for the purpose of education, and should not be mistaken as OSU’s institutional stance on race relations or any other topics discussed.

Annagrace Lewis recently graduated from Oklahoma State University after triple majoring in Biology, Plant Biology and Zoology. She joined us to talk about why she earned three degrees, how the College of Arts and Sciences has helped her prepare for medical school, and what it was like to have the end of her undergraduate experience wiped out by the COVID-19 epidemic.

While Oklahoma and most of America has been in some form of lockdown over the past two months, Italy implemented one of the strictest versions in the world and did it earlier than most nations. That country has now begun easing restrictions, but we spoke with OSU art history alumna Lora Webb when they were still in place. She is in Italy working toward a Ph.D. from Stanford. Lora published a letter in the Oklahoman urging her home state to shut down to save lives, just as Italy did. We spoke about that, how her experience compares to what we are seeing in Oklahoma, and why her research area makes some people uncomfortable.

Many graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences are on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19. One example is Dr. Corby Smithton, a biology and zoology graduate who went on to earn his medical degree from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. His wife, Colbi, is another CAS and OSU med graduate. They are both providers at Stillwater Family Care, where they are seeing patients who have, or think they have, COVID-19. Corby Smithton joined us to talk about what that experience is like, what he expects to see as we continue to face this pandemic, and why CAS graduates are key to pulling us out of this situation.

Countless college seniors suddenly and unexpectedly saw their undergraduate experiences end due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One such graduating senior is Chapman Howard, a mathematics and mechanical engineering major from Tulsa. He was named an Outstanding Senior by the OSU Alumni Association and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics next fall. But first, he joins us to talk about how he is doing, what he is doing, and how he has done so much over the past four years.

The COVID-19 pandemic feels unique, but human history is littered with epidemics and pandemics. Among them is the Black Death, which killed tens of millions in the mid-14th century. History professor Emily Graham joins us to compare and contrast the modern and medieval pandemics and also reminds us how these dark times reveal so much inherent goodness in people.

Sociology professors Duane Gill and Liesel Ritchie are partners in research and marriage. Their research focuses on the sociological impact of disasters and extreme events such as earthquakes, hurricanes and oil spills. They join us to discuss how the current COVID-19 pandemic compares to other extreme events, whether people from a particular area are more helpful than others in times of crisis, and how we develop resilience for the next time something bad happens.

As OSU continues to adjust to online classes in response to COVID-19, we talk remotely with Dr. Caitlin Barnes, the CAS Assistant Director of Outreach, about the unique challenges and opportunities of this historic transition. We also discuss web-based resources available to students and faculty, the new CAS coronavirus website (CAS.okstate.edu/COVID-19) and how distance learning could alter the future of higher education for the better.

Jaclyn Cosgrove is a 2009 journalism alumna and a reporter for the L.A. Times. She joins us to talk about how covering the COVID-19 epidemic is similar to her past experiences covering tornadoes in Oklahoma, except that she is working from home rather than on the scene. We also cover why she thinks it is so important to continue finding joy even in the midst of a dark and difficult time for America.

We are all dealing with a sense of uncertainty and fear as we try to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, we are joined by Thad Leffingwell, a clinical health psychologist and head of the Department of Psychology. We discuss his tips for coping, what the human mind is good at and how that leads to some of our biggest problems, and how teaching online is going for him.

While we are working remotely to try to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases, we wanted to share this episode recorded in the studio on March 6. Matt Cabeen from the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics joins us to talk about the novel coronavirus and viruses more broadly as well as bacteria. His passion for the subject is obvious, and there are even a few explanations of the immune system you have probably never heard before.

Kristen Duncan and Christina Elliott from the OSU Museum of Art join us to talk about In the Mind of a Collector, an exhibition of work donated to OSU by Tulsa native George R. Kravis II in 2018. Numbering more than 700 works, the Kravis gift includes an area of the visual arts new to the museum—industrial design—as well as fine art. Selections range from the colorful, energized brushstrokes of Abstract Expressionist painter Hans Hofmann to the comic-book-inspired Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein, and from a 1950s Frank Lloyd Wright chair to Streamline Style radios from the 1930s and 1940s. He was one of the earliest and youngest founders of an FM radio station in the U.S., KRAV, and went on to become a philanthropist focusing on art education.

Samantha Homann graduated in December, taking only 3½ years to complete degrees in English and German. She was also a leader in many OSU campus organizations and an intern on the College of Arts and Sciences' Outreach and Communications team. She was recently hired as the team's marketing assistant with a focus on social media. She shares stories about her college experience and insight into how she is able to be so efficient. She also explains why she avoids saying the word "bag."

David Kersnar, head of the Department of Theatre, is a founding ensemble member of the Tony Award-winning Lookingglass Theatre Company and has performed, designed, written, instructed and directed with the company since it was founded in 1988. He joins Lonna Freshley to talk about the options students have in both studies and careers in theatre.

Valerie Freeman is a Communication Sciences and Disorders professor and director of the Sociophonetics Lab. She joined us to discuss several topics, including the Oklahoma accent, which other dialects it may come from, how it compares to other accents, and how people perceive it.

Will Joyce, a proud CAS alumnus, is a Stillwater native who became mayor in 2018. He is also General Counsel at InterWorks, a Stillwater-based technology consulting firm. He joined us to talk about how CAS has helped him succeed.

Adley Stump, a 2011 strategic communications graduate, became famous overnight in 2012 when she appeared on The Voice. Then she became a social media star in 2016 with a viral video showing her chickens in the bathtub. She joined us to talk about finding your own path to success.

During the recent opioid trial in Oklahoma, CNN turned to the Department of History’s Holly Karibo for expert analysis. Her research focuses on the history of vice, labor and sexuality in border cities, as well as examining the North American borderlands. She joined us to talk about the history of drug use and policy in America, as well as immigration policy and practice. Her expertise is the past, but her insight is incredibly relevant to present debates.

Val Castor, a 1985 Department of Geography alumnus, shares stories from his life as a senior stormtracker for News 9. We also discuss how his CAS education helped prepare him for a successful career, and how the job has changed over the past 25 years.

Dr. Andrew Doust, the head of the Department of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, discusses how people tend to misunderstand plants and overlook their importance. He also highlights some of their most interesting characteristics and might change the way you view them.

Caitlin Barnes, the College of Arts and Sciences' instructional designer for online courses, discusses online classes, including how to succeed. She also shares tips for Canvas, OSU's new learning management system.

Glen Krutz officially began his tenure as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University on July 1. We discuss his background, first impressions of OSU and goals for CAS.

Sarah Oliver is a recent biochemistry graduate moving on to law school as she prepares for a career in intellectual property and patent law. Sarah shares insight into how students can find activities important to them while still succeeding in the classroom.

Dr. Emily Graham's research examines the intersection of politics and religion in medieval Europe. She helps us examine the historical impact of such buildings as Notre Dame, and the impact historical buildings have upon Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

Jason Bruck believes a quality marine science education should be available to students in Oklahoma. And though he works with dolphins, he isn't ready to declare them the smartest animals without caveats.

Kylie Hagerdon is a Chemisty and Physics Pre-Med student who was just accepted to University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center along with a large scholarship. In this interview with Lonna Freshley, Kylie talks about the challenges and rewards of being a Pre-Med student, the rigors of the medical school application process and her future plans.

Megan Barth Argo, an artist-in-residence in the Department of Theatre, is the music director for this week's sold-out performances of Oklahoma! She talks about the production as well as her experiences at OSU and understanding of the importance of quality mentors for aspiring theatre and music professionals.

An introduction to the Pokes PodCAS as well as an interview with Jamie Rogalski, coordinator of career services, about ways Oklahoma State University's College of Arts and Sciences is helping students and alumni.