Oral history interview with Steve Cookerly

Steve Cookerly, manager of the distribution systems, became an employee at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in 1988. He recalls his decision to move to Stillwater and to accept an electrician position with OSU's Physical Plant. He discusses some of the work he has been involved with including tolling the library chimes as part of remembrances, changing Lewis Field lights, and repairing power outages across campus. He talks about changes that have improved utilities on campus including wind power and the new Central Plant as well as programs aimed at conserving energy.The O-STATE Stories Oral History collection is comprised of interviews which chronicle the rich history, heritage, and traditions of Oklahoma State University

Oral history interview with Elvin Simmons

Elvin Simmons describes growing up on a farm in the tight-knit community of Orion, Oklahoma. He talks about his experience attending Liberty School, a one-room schoolhouse, including memories of recess, discipline, teachers, and community fundraising events. Simmons discusses his involvement in maintaining the schoolhouse after local schools were consolidated as well as his hopes for the future of the school building.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 Lydia Gaines

Lydia Gaines discusses her experience growing up in the all-black town of Tullahassee, Oklahoma in the 1960s and 1970s. She recalls fond memories of her tight-knit family and community, including learning farm work from her father, going to Carter G. Woodson schools with her nine siblings, playing piano for her local Baptist church, and developing friendships with her neighbors. Gaines also talks about her current life in Dallas and expresses optimism for the future of Tullahassee.The Tullahassee, Oklahoma oral history project documents the community history and experiences of students that attended the Carter G. Woodson school in Tullahassee, 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 Jennifer Lankford and Sherry Cook

Jennifer Lankford and Sherry Cook discuss their personal and work-related experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. As employees of the George J. Captain Library at the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma headquarters, they describe what it was like for the library to suddenly close to the public at the beginning of the pandemic and the ways they were able to meet the needs of tribal members while staying cautious and social distancing. Lankford and Cook also talk about how they were able to remain a strong team at work despite their differing political beliefs and views on 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 Bryan Padgett

Bryan Padgett, a 2002 graduate in Speech Communications from Oklahoma State University (OSU), shares his experience growing up outside of Waco, Texas as well as his faith background and how he felt called to be a pastor at a young age. He explains why he decided to attend OSU and what the campus and Stillwater were like at the time. He describes his involvement in various traveling ministries after college and how he ended up coming back to Stillwater in 2015 to plant Redeemer Church. Padgett discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the church and the struggle to rely on other church leaders for reliable information related to public health. He describes the safety measures his church implemented and the ways his congregation supported the Stillwater community throughout the pandemic. Padgett expresses his frustration with the many ways churches across the country used their theology and platforms to justify political positions that put vulnerable members at risk.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 Jean Niyondiko

Jean Niyondiko, pastor of Unbound Church in Edmond, Oklahoma, talks about growing up in a large family in Burundi. He describes moving to Bujumbura to earn a psychology degree and his work rehabilitating child soldiers before eventually pursuing ministry full-time. He discusses moving to Oklahoma to earn a master's degree in theology at Oklahoma Christian University after his family was forced to leave Burundi. Niyondiko talks about how he ended up serving the African diaspora in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area through his ministry work and through his collaboration with the Spero Project, a nonprofit organization that works with resettled refugees in Oklahoma City. As a community leader, he describes some of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic such as translating and providing accurate public health information and advocating for following safety protocols like masking and social distancing. He also describes some of the positive outcomes of the pandemic like providing native language church services and resources to a global audience through online video conferencing tools.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 Crys Davis

Crys Davis, science professor at Northern Oklahoma College and graduate of Oklahoma State University, discusses her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. She describes how her and her family remained extra careful during the pandemic due to Davis's immune disease and highlights the help she received from her medical team before, during, and after contracting the virus. Davis also shares some of the post-COVID effects of the virus and the discussions her family had concerning post-mortem plans.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 Wade Blackburn

Wade Blackburn, water treatment specialist, became an employee of Oklahoma State University in 2015. He explains what his work entails and in particular discusses the maintenance and upkeep of the iconic fountain near the south entrance of the Edmon Low Library. He recalls his career in the U.S. Coast Guard, working for an oil refinery, and learning about safety management and water treatment processes. He also talks about what is involved with dyeing the library fountain orange for Homecoming as well as cleaning it after someone has celebrated an event with glitter or champagne.The O-STATE Stories Oral History collection is comprised of interviews which chronicle the rich history, heritage, and traditions of Oklahoma State University

Oral history interview with Glenna Wallace

Glenna Wallace, Chief of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, discusses her background and experiences as the first female chief of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. Wallace discusses some of the difficulties overcoming people's thoughts about a woman becoming chief when she was first elected in 2006 as well as the challenges of being in leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Wallace talks about some of the differing opinions and decisions she had to navigate and the ways the pandemic affected communities and families as a whole. She also describes the lessons learned of how the tribe can better support its members and employees.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 Michael DuBois

Michael DuBois, operator of Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard, talks about his background and education with degrees in sociology and funeral service education from Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma respectively. He discusses some of the challenges he faced during the COVID-19 pandemic managing the funeral home including supply shortages, increases in deaths, changing restrictions, and finding ways to cater to those who might not be able to attend services in person. He describes the importance of reliable information and the various outlets he used to stay informed. DuBois also describes some of the ways he was able to help families during this difficult time.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