Oklahoma State University - Alumni Association

For more information, contact:
Larry Shell
405.744.5370

Cowboys For Higher Education

A Loud & Proud Voice for Oklahoma State University

The Cowboys for Higher Education advocates seek to promote and enhance the Oklahoma State University System by encouraging alumni and friends to effectively communicate the issues important to Oklahoma State University and all of higher education with members of the Oklahoma Legislature and all Oklahomans.

This OSU Alumni Association sponsored program is an independent, statewide group of alumni and friends working to promote the issues that affect the OSU System and the Oklahoma Higher Education System with elected officials. They also work to inform them on the positive economic and social impact the institution has on the State of Oklahoma.

The primary goal of this program is to promote and enhance Oklahoma State University through grassroots networking, which includes building and maintaining relationships with your elected officials.

As an advocate, you will be kept informed of legislative issues important to OSU and higher education and asked to share this message with your legislators through personal meetings, phone calls, and/or letters. Members maintain personal contact with their legislator(s) and community throughout the year, but even more so during the legislative session. Calls to action are issued by the CfHE Office and are timed around issues in the legislature and require immediate attention in order to be truly effective. All advocates are volunteers, but must be willing to act immediately upon request.

Legislators are more receptive to hear concerns and opinions expressed by their constituency. You are encouraged to invite legislators to appropriate local OSU Chapter and Club events, as nothing could be more impressive than showing off the accomplishments of OSU alumni and students who have benefited from higher education.

Oklahoma State University is a state-funded institution which requires support from the Oklahoma Legislature. Therefore, the goal of this program is to advance the University's mission by encouraging alumni to share in the building of a strong OSU System by soliciting support for, or opposition to a particular legislative issue.

The CfHE members provide a unique service to the University. We need your participation as a network member to share our story with legislators. We are not asking for money. We need your time, talent, and influence.

Show your support for Oklahoma State University by three simple actions:

Education. Stay informed of legislative issues affecting higher education in Oklahoma.
Participation. Invite local community leaders to discuss the importance of higher education in your area.
Strategy. Take action and contact your legislator(s) when calls to action are issued surrounding higher education issues.