Amplified Oklahoma

This month, we’re looking at the legacy of "Oklahoma's Greatest Historian" Dr. Angie Debo and her incredible career as an author, historian, and pioneering female scholar.   View the show notes here.

In this episode, we’re talking about an Emperor, a President, and the relationship between OSU and Ethiopia’s first university.   View the show notes here.

This month, we're exploring the "normal" everyday lives of people who persevered in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl.   There are many ideas about what the Dust Bowl was like in popular culture. Black blizzards, starvation, and human displacement, all of these are true. But these ideas have commonly over sensationalized the human experience of the Dust Bowl. While it was one of the greatest ecological mistakes in American history, a lack of social history prevents us from understanding the way in which people endured and succeeded during that time. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we’re exploring the everyday lives of people who persevered in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl. We’ll be examining their ideas of normalcy through their memories of dust, farmwork, and food in an effort to better understand how their lives were impacted by the Dust Bowl. We’ll also hear from Dr. Mary Larson, Associate Dean at the OSU Edmon Low Library, as she discusses how time impacts the way people remember the Dust Bowl. Amplified Ok

Oklahoma State University is more likely to be known for football than drag queens, but for years there’s been an annual event that brings a variety of communities together: Dragonfly. This month, we’re exploring the history of Dragonfly, a student-run drag show at OSU since 2003. We’ll listen to interviews with students and former advisors from the OSU Diverse Sexuality and Gender Oral History Project discuss how the show got started and how it came to be so popular among students both inside and outside of the LGBT community. We’ll also learn how the LGBT student experience has changed on campus from the early years of Dragonfly to now. 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-35-dragonfly

This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we’re highlighting the stories of trailblazing women of color that attended Oklahoma State University. We'll listen to Nancy Randolph Davis, the first African-American student enrolled at OSU, and Patrice Latimer, the first African-American President of the Student Government Association, share their experiences on campus and describe the impact of Ada Lois Sipuel's landmark case that integrated higher education in Oklahoma. Later, we'll talk to Kayla Dunn and Kaitlyn Kirksey, two students of color currently campaigning for SGA President, about the legacy these women who came before them left on campus. 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-34-osu-trailblazers

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

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.

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 i

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 Pr

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. Sho

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:

In Choctaw County, Oklahoma, you’ll find the town of Hugo. Since the 1940s, Hugo has served as the winter quarters for several tent circuses that continue to travel from town to town, amazing children and adults alike. Under the big top, performers showcase their artistry and spend hours practicing and honing their craft. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we’re learning more about some of the artists who bring the circus to life. From the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program’s archives, we’ll listen to interview excerpts with performers Lucy Loyal, Dolly Pirtle, and Mary Rawls. Also joining us are two Oklahoma State University faculty members, Lee Brasuell and Henry Segerman, who created a new circus apparatus as part of their research. 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-23-circus-performers

This month, we’re looking back on the history of Attucks School in Craig County. Built in 1916, Attucks served African American students in Vinita, a city located in northeastern Oklahoma, through the mid-1950s. Deeply rooted in the African American community, the school and its teachers provided students and their families with support in many different ways. Even today, its impact can be seen in the memories of alumni near and far, with many returning for the school’s biennial reunions. In this episode, we’ll hear excerpts from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program’s archives featuring Attucks alums Arlene Kirkendoll, Charles Kirkendoll, Lois Hunt West, Robert Ramsey Jr, Okla Hicks, and Mary Crawford. Later, we’ll sit down with Kathleen Duchamp, the director of the Eastern Trails Museum in Vinita to learn more about the history and importance of Attucks School. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library. Show notes: https://

This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we’re examining the influence of Cheyenne artist Dick West on the lives of two women who began their careers at a time when there was rarely a recognized professional Native woman artist. From the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program’s archives, we’ll hear interview excerpts from Sharron Ahtone Harjo and Joan Hill, two artists who share Bacone College as their alma mater and who studied under West. Later, we’ll sit down with Dick West Jr. to learn more about his father’s legacy in the revival of the Bacone College art department through the advancement of Indian artists. 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-21-dick-west%E2%80%99s-impact-on-native-art

The Korean War is often referred to as the “Forgotten War” because it came so soon after World War II, involved fewer American troops, and was fought in a much smaller area. While 16 million Americans served in the Second World War, the Korean War included approximately one-third that many, and while World War II involved a worldwide theater, the Korean War was contained to the Korean Peninsula. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we review the long-lasting effects the Korean War had on its soldiers, and consider today’s lessons learned from yesterday’s war. We’ll hear interview excerpts from Bill Gotcher and Gene Slocum from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program’s archives, followed by a discussion with Dr. John Kinder from Oklahoma State University’s History Department to learn more about war’s effects on US culture and society. 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/ep

Opened in 1884, Chilocco Indian School was one of the largest federally-funded boarding schools for Native American youth in the country. Located twenty miles north of Ponca City, Oklahoma, the school offered a half academic / half vocational curriculum, focused on assimilating Native students into the dominant culture. Like most boarding schools, Chilocco went through different phases of development, reflecting changes in the federal policy towards Native Americans. These changes were often prompted by the efforts of Native educators, community workers and activists, and shifting attitudes within the larger society. Throughout these shifts, however, the school’s status as a National Guard center as well as boarding school made it unique. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we're focusing on military veterans who attended the school. We’ll hear interview excerpts with Wes Studi and Charles LeClair from the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program's archives. Later, former superintendent Jim Baker shares more abou