Cathy Mapes named Top 10 Freshman Woman at Oklahoma State
December 30, 2018
Cathy Mapes, an Alva native, was honored as an Oklahoma State University Mortar Board Top 10 Freshmen Woman.
Mapes, currently a sophomore studying animal science with an option in biotechnology, is the daughter of Jeff and Michelle Mapes of Alva.
As a recipient of this honor, Mapes was invited to a private dinner hosted by OSU President Burns Hargis and First Cowgirl Ann Hargis and was recognized on the field during halftime of the OSU v. Iowa State football game.
"Top 10 is a tradition that goes back to the 1920s at OSU," said Amanda Upton, Mortar Board president. "Top 10 is based on a competitive application," Upton said. "This is likely the toughest application they've done, in which all aspects of the freshmen experience are evaluated. From grades, volunteerism, leadership and work experience, everything carries a point."
Mason Martin, the Top 10 Freshmen Coordinator, oversees the process.
"When applications are due," Martin said. "Mortar Board members do a blind grading of all the applicants based on our rubric. It's incredible because we get to see all the ways these students succeed. The students who apply are of the highest caliber, so blind grading based on their successes in their first year of college is the only fair way we are able to make cuts."
Martin said after the initial grading, 20 male and 20 female students are selected to interview with campus leadership ranging from university vice presidents, to campus professional staff to determine who would best represent OSU. These 20 come from the overall applicant pool. Martin said this year there were over 120 applicants.
"This is a big honor," Martin said. "The Top 10 title is something you carry through your time at OSU. We only want the best of the best for this honor because it holds you to a higher standard. The Top 10 become an example to the new freshmen class."
Mapes leadership at OSU is varied across campus in several organizations including the Presidents Leadership Council, Freshmen Representative Council and secretary of Chi Omega, all while remaining heavily involved in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
To learn more about Mortar Board, please visit http://www.mortarboard.org.
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