Amplified Oklahoma
90 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 15 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsAmplified Oklahoma shares voices from the OSU Library's oral history collections and examines a variety of topics related to Oklahoma history and culture. It is a production of the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program at the Oklahoma State University Library.
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Episodes
Episode 39: Women on the Home Front
July 19, 2019 05:12 - 21 minutes - 28.9 MBIn this episode, we explore the many ways women supported the war effort during World War II. View the show notes here.
Episode 38: Angie Debo
June 21, 2019 03:49 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MBThis 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.
Episode 37: OSU in Ethiopia
May 23, 2019 16:43 - 18 minutes - 26 MBIn 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.
Episode 36: Normalcy in the Dust Bowl
April 18, 2019 20:45 - 17 minutes - 24.6 MBThis 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 ...
Episode 35: Dragonfly
March 28, 2019 18:12 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBOklahoma 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 insid...
Episode 34: OSU Trailblazers
February 21, 2019 23:04 - 26 minutes - 36.2 MBThis 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 an...
Episode 33: Advice from Centenarians
January 17, 2019 19:44 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBHappy 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 ...
Episode 32: Christmas on the Farm
December 20, 2018 21:49 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBWhat 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 he...
Episode 31: Women in the Military
November 16, 2018 17:25 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBVeterans 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....
Episode 30: Homecoming
October 18, 2018 20:03 - 24 minutes - 33.6 MBOklahoma 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 Home...
Episode 29: OSU Football
September 20, 2018 21:27 - 27 minutes - 37.3 MBOklahoma 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...
Episode 28: Freshman Year
August 15, 2018 18:19 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBFreshman 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 rea...
Episode 27: Hitchin' a Ride
July 18, 2018 21:23 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBHitchhiking 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 a...
Episode 26: Living with the Dust Bowl
June 14, 2018 18:59 - 19 minutes - 27.2 MBIn 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 ad...
Episode 25: Glass House Restaurant
May 16, 2018 14:25 - 21 minutes - 29.1 MBIn 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 ...
Episode 24: Remembering Cordell Hall
April 19, 2018 17:52 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBFor 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 th...
Episode 23: Circus Performers
March 12, 2018 20:32 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBIn 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’...
Episode 22: Attucks School
February 14, 2018 14:56 - 20 minutes - 28 MBThis 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 ...
Episode 21: Dick West’s Impact on Native Art
January 18, 2018 16:16 - 19 minutes - 26.3 MBThis 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 abou...
Episode 20: "If Only There Were a Pill We Could Give People"
December 14, 2017 18:38 - 26 minutes - 36.7 MBThe 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 sol...
Episode 19: Chilocco Military Veterans
November 16, 2017 23:29 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MBOpened 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 ...
Episode 18: Cemeteries
October 18, 2017 16:26 - 21 minutes - 30 MBCold weather, football games and pumpkin patches are things to look forward to in October. But most of all, we have Halloween, spooky ghost stories and cemeteries to explore. In this episode of Amplified Oklahoma, we’re delving underground in the Oklahoma towns of Hugo and Okeene. We'll hear oral history interview excerpts from Barbara Miller Byrd featuring a unique resting place for circus workers and Anthony Felder shares a local legend. Later, we'll sit down with Dr. Alyson Greiner from th...
Episode 17: Pistol Pete
September 14, 2017 17:16 - 23 minutes - 32.2 MBFrank "Pistol Pete" Eaton was a true cowboy, the epitome of the Old West with a colorful past. He also happens to be the man Oklahoma State University's mascot is modeled after. This episode of Amplified Oklahoma is all about Pistol Pete and the students who bring the legend to life. From the oral history archives, we'll hear from two former mascots, Bill F. Smith and Phil Glasgow. Later, OSU Pom Coach and Spirit Coordinator Beki Jackson and current mascot Kyle Foreman share more about what i...
Episode 16: Sam the Alligator
August 16, 2017 20:50 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBThe Oklahoma State University campus during the 1950s was a very different place than it is today. Hideaway was just getting its start, the Edmon Low library was brand new to the campus skyline, and, strangely enough, an alligator lived in Theta Pond. This episode of Amplified Oklahoma is all about Alligator Sam of Theta Pond. We’ll hear three oral history interview excerpts about Sam from Norma Crane, Robin Duncan Robertson, and Richard Dermer. Later, Mike Nelson, Craig Barnes, and Jennifer ...
Episode 15: Phi Beta Kappa
July 19, 2017 17:22 - 20 minutes - 27.9 MBWhile Phi Beta Kappa is known as a prestigious academic honor society throughout the United States, it is relatively new to Oklahoma State University. After several attempts, a chapter was finally installed at OSU in 2013. This episode of Amplified Oklahoma features oral history interview excerpts with OSU faculty members Dr. Perry Gethner and Dr. Robert Miller as they describe the trials and tribulations in the process of establishing the Gamma of Oklahoma chapter at Oklahoma State Universit...
Episode 14: Women in the Legal Profession
June 14, 2017 21:44 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBWomen were once heavily outnumbered in the law school classroom. Upon graduation, many faced challenges in securing and maintaining employment. While the legal landscape is much different today, this episode of Amplified Oklahoma looks back on some of the early adversity women faced in the profession. We'll hear oral history interview excerpts from Judge Stephanie Kulp Seymour who serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit along with former Oklahoma County District Court Judge ...
Episode 13: A Bull in the Elevator
May 16, 2017 18:33 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MBEverybody has their favorite college story to tell at get-togethers and barbeques. Students from Oklahoma State University's Class of 1959 all have one story in common, the tale of Jimbo the bull. In this episode of Amplified Oklahoma, we'll hear two very different memories of Jimbo from the OOHRP’s archives, one from Glenn Taylor and the other from Walter Hackney, two animal husbandry majors. Later, Dr. Mary Larson from the OSU Library talks about the influence of memory and experience on or...
Episode 12: Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel
April 19, 2017 21:57 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBKnown to her friends in California as “the Okie Poet,” Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel wrote more than 50 books of poetry and stories. So in honor of National Poetry Month, we’re going to take a look at her life and work in this episode of Amplified Oklahoma. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and John Cooper, who shared stories from Wilma’s life with OSU's Karen Neurohr. Later, Karen talks about her time working on the project “Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel: Po...
Episode 11: Health & Wellness
March 16, 2017 19:43 - 27 minutes - 38.4 MBSpring is finally here and in full swing at Oklahoma State University. The grey days of winter are behind us and summer is edging closer and closer. To help inspire everyone to get out there and get active, we’ve put together a great episode on health. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Art Bieri, a long time Stillwater Public Schools educator and benefactor of physical education, and Bianca Boyd, a member of the OSU family who has one of the most inspirational health jo...
Episode 10: Boley, Oklahoma
February 13, 2017 18:22 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBNestled in Okfuskee County is Boley, Oklahoma, a quiet town that was once referred to as “the largest and wealthiest exclusive Negro city in the world.” This episode of Amplified Oklahoma features the history of Boley and how the town influenced and affected its residents. We’ll hear oral history interview excerpts from Henrietta Hicks and the late William Hunt. Dr. Lynne Simpson from the Oklahoma State University Library also joins us to discuss the history of Boley and the importance of edu...
Episode 09: Folk Dancing
January 18, 2017 14:35 - 19 minutes - 26.5 MBWhat does Bugs Bunny, That 70s Show, and a Lucky Strike cigarette commercial have in common? Square dancing. Square dancing was once a major part of rural life, especially in Oklahoma. This month, we’re taking a look at American folk dances. We’ll hear oral history interview excerpts with centenarian Jimmy Ray and former square dance caller Donald Banks. In addition, Dr. Louise Siddons from OSU's Department of Art, Graphic Design, and Art History will join us to talk about contra dancing. Amp...
Episode 08: Oklahoma Holiday Memories
December 13, 2016 20:36 - 29 minutes - 40.1 MBClasses are out and the holiday spirit is in the air! This month we’re featuring five short oral history excerpts about Christmas during the Great Depression in Oklahoma. In addition, David Peters with the OSU Archives joins us to discuss the history behind the Edmon Low Library's bell tower, known for playing holiday tunes throughout December. So settle down by the fire with a hot cocoa and enjoy some unique Oklahoma holiday stories. Amplified Oklahoma is a production of the Oklahoma Oral Hi...
Episode 07: Women in Oklahoma Politics
November 14, 2016 22:52 - 25 minutes - 35 MBThe presidential election has ended, but that doesn’t mean we’re ready to be done with political campaigns here at Amplified Oklahoma. This month is all about political campaigns, election nights, and inaugurations. We’ll feature oral history interview excerpts with former Oklahoma legislators Vicki Miles-LaGrange and the late Hannah Atkins. We’ll also talk with Dr. Jeanette Mendez from Oklahoma State University's Department of Political Science about her research on women in politics. Amplif...
Episode 06: Germans in Oklahoma
October 17, 2016 20:32 - 36 minutes - 50.9 MBThis month, Amplified Oklahoma brings you Germans in Oklahoma. This episode explores the lives of three generations of German-American women. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Margaretha Harriman, who was drafted by the Nazis as a teenager, and her niece Margaretha Schwabe, who lived just half a mile from the Berlin Wall. Ilka Heiskell also talks about growing up in Germany two decades after the war. Finally, we’ll sit down with Dr. Richard Rohrs from OSU's Department o...
Episode 05: From the Belly of Our Being
September 12, 2016 15:38 - 27 minutes - 37.5 MB"From the Belly of Our Being: art by and about Native creation" runs from September 27, 2016 to January 28, 2017 at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art. The exhibition features beautiful pieces of Native American art made by talented artists from Oklahoma and across the country. In this episode, we’ll listen to oral history interview excerpts with two of the exhibition’s artists, Anita Fields and Shan Goshorn. Listeners will also go behind the scenes of the exhibition with curator Hea...
Episode 04: Friendship
August 17, 2016 15:27 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBThe first week of classes this semester at Oklahoma State University coincides with National Friendship Week, so what better way to start out the school year than to talk about friendship! In this episode, we’ll hear from two Oklahoman politicians, Lisa Johnson Billy and Anastasia Pittman, and learn how friendship impacted their lives and political campaigns. Also, Dr. Farida Jalalzai from OSU’s Department of Political Science joins us to discuss her research on women in leadership. Amplified...
Episode 03: The Centenarian Play
July 13, 2016 21:51 - 23 minutes - 32 MBWhether it’s "Hamilton," "Mad Men," or "Saving Private Ryan," everyone loves a little bit of history packed in with their entertainment. In this episode, we’re focusing on how the OSU Library transformed the Oklahoma 100 Year Life Oral History Project into "The Centenarian Play." We’ll hear from OSU student Trey Phipps and talk about his experience portraying centenarian Delmar Hopkins in the performance. Dr. Alex Bishop from OSU’s College of Human Sciences joins us to discuss the use of oral...
Episode 02: Love
June 14, 2016 21:30 - 36 minutes - 50 MBIn this episode, we’re discussing love. June is always a popular wedding month across America, so let’s take a look at some unique Oklahoma love stories. Listeners will hear oral history interview excerpts from Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Vance Trimble and Tulsa Public Schools educator Chloe Brown. We’ll explore some of the neurobiology of mammalian monogamy and parental bonding in prairie voles with Cornell University’s Dr. Alex Ophir. Listeners will also enjoy love in the OSU Library ...
Episode 01: Tornadoes in Oklahoma
May 18, 2016 19:39 - 35 minutes - 31.7 MBIn this episode, we’re talking tornadoes. May is typically an active weather month in Oklahoma. Devastating storms such as the May 3, 1999 and May 20, 2013 tornadoes will be explored through oral history interview excerpts with Gayland Kitch, Moore, Oklahoma’s Director of Emergency Management and Gary England, longtime Oklahoma City meteorologist. Listeners will also hear from Dr. Alex Greer with OSU’s Political Science Department about his experiences conducting quick response fieldwork afte...
Episode 0: Introducing Amplified Oklahoma
May 18, 2016 17:23 - 5 minutes - 5.33 MBIn this episode, we introduce you to the OSU Library’s latest podcast, Amplified Oklahoma. Every month, Amplified Oklahoma will share voices from the OSU Library’s oral history collections, and visit with experts, students, our interviewing team, and others as we examine a variety of topics related to Oklahoma history and culture. In this episode, listeners will learn more about the Library’s background in developing audio programs and explore what goes into a good name. Amplified Oklahoma is...