Oral history interview with Ceasar and Janice Williams

Ceasar and Janice Williams describe their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ceasar, an active member of the Ponca tribe, talks about how the pandemic affected his participation in ceremonies, dances, and other tribal meetings. Janice, Sac and Fox and Choctaw, talks about her loss of work as a grant writer and how the Sac and Fox Nation, Ponca tribe, and government assistance helped them get through a difficult time. They both discuss the impact of the pandemic including the effects of social isolation and learning how to shop online for clothes and groceries.The COVID-19 in Oklahoma Collection is a series of interviews which document how Oklahomans were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This project was made possible with support from the Institute for Museums and Library Services American Rescue Plan Grant

Oral history interview with Matt Posey

Matt Posey discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on two small rural school districts in Oklahoma. He talks about his long career in education and in particular his twenty-seven years in Oilton Public Schools. He also talks about some of challenges of being a superintendent before and through the pandemic. He explains the demographic of Oilton Public Schools and Bethel Public Schools and some of the many challenges due to the pandemic from mental health to general economic factors impacting students and teachers. He also talks about the positive impact the pandemic has had.The COVID-19 in Oklahoma Collection is a series of interviews which document how Oklahomans were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This project was made possible with support from the Institute for Museums and Library Services American Rescue Plan Grant

Oral history interview with Tiara Sanders

Tiara Sanders, a graduate of Oklahoma State University in human development and family science, discusses working in early education childcare in Oklahoma during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an administrator for a Stillwater daycare facility, she talks about balancing teacher health and safety with the need to keep classrooms open for working parents, especially for 'essential workers' during the pandemic.The COVID-19 in Oklahoma Collection is a series of interviews which document how Oklahomans were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This project was made possible with support from the Institute for Museums and Library Services American Rescue Plan Grant

Oral history interview with Trey Lam

Trey Lam, a 1982 graduate of Yale University, recalls lessons he learned working on the farm with his parents and grandparents in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. He discusses his mid-life career change going from a full-time farmer to being the executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. He talks about several conservation programs, lobbying for funding, and the impact the COVID-19 Pandemic has had on the agency. He explains the operation of the agency, adjustments he made in his approach to leadership, and his hopes going forward.The Oklahoma's Conservation Heritage Collection is a series of interviews with people involved with conserving and preserving the natural resources of the state. This interview was conducted in partnership and sponsorship with the Oklahoma Conservation Historical Society with funding provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. More archival material from this history can be found at the Oklahoma Historical Society

Oral history interview with Marty Sargent

Marty Sargent, a forty-plus year employee of Oklahoma State University (OSU), describes how he became involved in the field of sports management. He notes coaches he learned from and experiences that helped him. He shares his memories of the 2001 and 2011 plane crashes and the impact those had on himself as well as the community. He recalls times he spent with Coach Eddie Sutton and speaks about developing a friendship with the family of Pat Noyes. He also gives some insight into the work of a college game event manager, discusses the team travel taskforce and policy, and talks about a few of the facilities renovated during his tenure.The We Will Remember Promise collection is a series of interviews with individuals associated with the 2001 plane crash that claimed the lives of ten men affiliated with the men's basketball program and the 2011 plane crash that claimed the lives of four people connected to the women's basketball program

Oral history interview with Jenny Kress

Jenny Kress, general manager of Cheever's Cafe in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, discusses her experience in the restaurant industry in Oklahoma City and the professional and personal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes some of the immediate changes made, laying off staff and switching to curbside only, as well as the ways her restaurant group, A Good Egg Dining Group, was able to support their employees and respond to changing health guidelines throughout the pandemic. She also describes her family's history in the state and lessons learned from the first two years of the pandemic.The COVID-19 in Oklahoma Collection is a series of interviews which document how Oklahomans were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This project was made possible with support from the Institute for Museums and Library Services American Rescue Plan Grant

Oral history interview with Ron Simmons

Ron Simmons describes his experience growing up on a farm in Orion, Oklahoma. He shares memories of doing farm chores and playing with his brother as well as attending Liberty School, a one-room schoolhouse. Simmons reflects on the differences between life as he experienced it as a child and the life his grandchildren are now living with the conveniences of modern technology.The Liberty Rural School oral history project is a series of interviews documenting the experiences of students that attended the one-room schoolhouse in Major County, Oklahoma. The interviews were conducted as part of Drs. Laura Arata and Meta Flynt's HIST 4063/5063 Historic Preservation course in Spring 2022

Oral history interview with Mary Clarke

Dr. Mary Clarke, a family medicine physician in Stillwater, Oklahoma, describes her experience as a medical professional throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. She talks about how she heard about the disease and the exponential rise in cases that happened in 2020. She discusses what it was like for her medical office to shut down and transition to telemedicine, as well as the impact of vaccine misinformation on her practice. She also touches on government policy surrounding the pandemic, particularly in Oklahoma.The COVID-19 in Oklahoma Collection is a series of interviews which document how Oklahomans were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This project was made possible with support from the Institute for Museums and Library Services American Rescue Plan Grant

Oral history interview with Baloo Subramaniam

Baloo Subramaniam, a 1985 graduate of Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a degree in management science and computer systems and longtime supporter of OSU, recalls how he came to Oklahoma as a high school exchange student from Malaysia and decided to attend OSU. He explains the way he was able to work his way through college and highlights a few of the relationships he developed during those years that would come into play after he graduated. He recalls how he met Coach Eddie Sutton and later Coach Kurt Budke and shares how strong these friendships were. He discusses the aftermath of the 2011 plane crash and the impact on him. He also talks about his appreciation for OSU and encourages others to give back to the University if they can.The We Will Remember Promise collection is a series of interviews with individuals associated with the 2001 plane crash that claimed the lives of ten men affiliated with the men's basketball program and the 2011 plane crash that claimed the lives of four people connected to the women's basketball program

Oral history interview with Preston Bobo

Preston Bobo talks about growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma and working for his family's emergency response company, Environmental Management, Inc. He describes how he started working for the company while attending the University of Central Oklahoma, where he pursued a technical writing degree and courses in chemistry. Bobo discusses the early impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his family and work and how he got involved in moderating the Stillwater COVID Information Group on Facebook, where he posted frequent updates on local and state statistics and raised funds to support employees at Stillwater Medical Center. He talks about the importance of providing readable and transparent information to the public and his own experience running for city council and serving on the local planning commission during the pandemic.The COVID-19 in Oklahoma Collection is a series of interviews which document how Oklahomans were affected by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This project was made possible with support from the Institute for Museums and Library Services American Rescue Plan Grant