Amplified Oklahoma

Happy New Year, Oklahoma! How many New Years have you celebrated so far? Ten? Twenty? fifty? Maybe even a hundred? That's certainly the case for our narrators in this episode. This month, we're highlighting the lives of several centenarians from our Oklahoma 100 Year Life Oral History Project. They'll be sharing their secrets to success and longevity to help you with your New Year's resolutions. We'll also talk to Dr. Alex Bishop, professor of gerontology here at OSU, about what we can learn from these narrators. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/amplified-oklahoma/episode-33-advice-from-centenarians/

What are the holidays like if you live on a farm? Beyond what your favorite Christmas movies might suggest, living on the farm during the holiday season can be difficult work. In this episode of Amplified Oklahoma, we're exploring the traditions and hard work that make up the holiday season on the farm. We'll be listening to interview excerpts from our Oklahoma Centennial Farm Families Oral History Project. Also, we'll speak with Dr. Tamara Mix, professor of rural sociology here at OSU, to help us understand what the holiday experience is like for farm families. So, snuggle up by the fire with some warm milk and cookies and prepare for a great episode. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/amplified-oklahoma/episode-32-christmas-on-the-farm

Veterans Day was this past Sunday, and Amplified Oklahoma is observing the holiday by chronicling women's military service and highlighting the service of one woman in particular. This month, we'll be focusing on Rita Aragon of the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma's first female Brigadier General and later Major General. Our expert, Dr. Jennifer Murray, a military historian at Oklahoma State University, will help us relate her story to the broader picture of women's military experiences. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/amplified-oklahoma/episode-31-women-in-the-military If you liked this episode, here's a link to a hilarious and thrilling interview with Rita Aragon: https://youtu.be/SmdkNy20NiA

Oklahoma State University's Homecoming is known across the country for its huge decorations and grand displays of orange spirit. For almost a 100 years now, OSU has been putting on a great Homecoming with the guidance of the OSU Alumni Association and this tradition will carry on for years to come. From the Harvest Carnival to Walkaround and even the Homecoming Parade, there are many incredible events and friendly competitions that take place during the week of Homecoming. Since the 98th Homecoming Celebration is coming up soon, we are taking a look back at some of the memories and experiences of alumni from their Homecoming years. This month, we'll hear excerpts from former students about some of the things they did during their Homecomings and how much they enjoy coming back every year to this celebration. Then, we talk with Melisa Parkerson, Director of Student Programs for the OSU Alumni Association, about the planning of Homecoming and her own perspective on this great tradition. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/amplified-oklahoma/episode-30-homecoming

Oklahoma State University is well-known for many things and our football program is one of them. The OSU football team has been playing since 1900 and has gone through many changes and challenges. From some of our first successful seasons during World War II to integrating black athletes on campus and even to our rivalry with OU, our university and its football program have shown great progress over the years. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we are looking at the history of the OSU football program and why there is such an electric and exciting atmosphere surrounding the team. We'll hear interview excerpts from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives from former players and students alike, who all feel connected to the OSU Cowboys. Later, Clint Chelf, a former OSU quarterback, joins us to talk about his own perspective on the program as a recent player and as a loyal fan. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/amplified-oklahoma/episode-29-osu-football

Freshman year is many people's first taste of independence, making it both an exciting and terrifying experience. There have always been new students at Oklahoma State University who have felt this way as they try to navigate campus for the first time. Trying to make new friends and not stick out too much on campus are and always will be a little bit difficult. However, some experiences and traditions for freshmen have changed over the years, like the freshman beanie and Howdy Week, which really shaped the first year OSU experience for many people. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're headed back to freshman year and looking at the good, the bad, the shared, and the unique experiences of freshmen at OSU. We'll hear interview excerpts from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives about the various realities of freshman year for many OSU alumni. Then, we'll talk with Palvih Bhana, the assistant director of the office of New Student Orientation and Enrollment, about the office's role in helping incoming freshmen prepare for their first year experiences. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/episode-28-freshman-year

Hitchhiking was a very popular practice for many years in the United States. During the Depression and early war years, many people hitchhiked because it was cheap and seen as patriotic. There was a resurgence of this popularity in the '60s and '70s among the free-thinking generation because of the freedom it offered those who wanted to travel. But these days, it seems like there are at least a million reasons why you shouldn't get into a car with a stranger. However, you can ask just about any person who was an active traveler in the last century and they will tell you they hitchhiked at some point. Oklahoma State University and its students were no exception to this trend. Many alumni of Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, now OSU, used hitchhiking as a method of getting around. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're hitching a ride back in time to look at the practice of hitchhiking through the eyes of some former students. We'll hear interview excerpts from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives from alumni who used to hitchhike to and from campus. Later, Steve Spradling, the director of OSU's Parking and Transportation Services, joins us to talk about how students get around campus today and the role this department plays in the Stillwater community. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/episode-27-hitchin-a-ride

In the midst of the Great Depression, Oklahoma was hit with an intense environmental transformation known today as the Dust Bowl. A series of dust storms caused by risky agricultural practices and severe drought, the Dust Bowl impacted the lives of thousands living in the plains region. However, many questions about daily life in this time period still go unanswered. For example, how did people even keep the dust out of their homes? How were everyday tasks like laundry and food preparation adapted to withstand the intense conditions? In this episode, we'll explore the overlooked impact of the Dust Bowl by listening to several interview excerpts from the Dust, Drought, and Dreams Gone Dry Oral History Project. Also, Dr. Anna Zeide from the Oklahoma State University Department of History joins us to provide insight on how everyday habits, particularly foodways, changed during this time. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/episode-26-living-with-the-dust-bowl

In the 1960s and 70s, the Glass House Restaurant was a must-go-to attraction in Oklahoma. Known for its unique architecture, fantastic food, and even better service, the Glass House was the first restaurant to be built over a U.S. public highway. Attached to this arched building were two full-service gas stations for travelers on both sides of the road. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're looking at the legacy of this iconic stop on Interstate 44 through interviews from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives. Later, we talk with Kathleen Duchamp, Director of the Eastern Trails Museum in Craig County, about the history of the Glass House and its impact on the community of Vinita, Oklahoma. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://library.okstate.edu/news/podcast/episode-25-glass-house-restaurant

For almost 80 years, Cordell Hall served Oklahoma State University, first as a residence hall, and later as office space for the campus. In early 2018, Cordell Hall was demolished, leaving behind memories from those who called the building home. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're looking back on life in Cordell and the impact it had on its residents. From the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives, we'll hear interview excerpts from several alums who lived in Cordell during their time at OSU. Later, the OSU Library's Head of Archives, David Peters, joins us to talk more about the building's history and lasting legacy. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: