Pokes PodCAS

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 s...

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,...

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, a...

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 f...

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 Americ...

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 sy...

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 Ab...

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 s...

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...

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.