Current Recipients
Dr. Lakhana Didyasarin
Hall of Fame
Dr. Lakhana Didyasarin followed a generational call to education after graduating from high school in Thailand. She followed this pursuit to the United States, where she earned an initial degree in education at Oklahoma State and a master’s degree at the University of Nebraska before beginning to teach English as a Second Language – a subject which quickly became a passion. Lakhana is the founder of The American School of Bangkok (ASB), a K-12 school which has earned international recognition, including being named among the top 50 schools worldwide by the Global Forum of Education and Learning in 2019. She also founded United Communications, which produces educational television for children across Thailand. Beyond her success in creating educational opportunities for children worldwide, Lakhana operates out of the fundamental belief that knowledge must be used to serve others. Through the years, she has dedicated herself to humanitarian efforts in Thailand. From providing deeply impactful teaching equipment to schools to helping build libraries and homes, Lakhana’s passion for people has been evident in the wake of national crises. Today, she serves as a leader in the Cowboy Family by providing learning and mentorship opportunities to Oklahoma State student teaching interns at ASB in Thailand, and is an inspiration for future educators.
- B.S., Education – 1970
Virgil Williams
Hall of Fame
Virgil Williams graduated from Oklahoma State University in the 1950s, already a recipient of the National Intercollegiate Flying Association's “Outstanding Male Pilot” award as a proud member of the Flying Aggies. His professional career spanned more than three decades and established him as a respected leader in corporate aviation. Virgil spent 35 years at the Upjohn Company as Chief Pilot and Director of Aviation, during which time he also served on the board of directors for the National Business Aviation Association and helped establish the Michigan Business Aviation Administration. He is a recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award, a recognition for 50 years of safe flying. Virgil founded the Plainwell Aviation & STEM Academy, a non-profit organization that aims to introduce young children to the possibility of pursuing a future in aviation and aerospace. Through mentoring, introductory flights and educational programming, he has helped inspire a new generation to look toward the sky and imagine what might be possible. Now retired, his heart for philanthropy is made evident in the Virgil and Maurine Williams Family Aviation Endowed Scholarship at OSU, which provides support for many students who share his passion for excellence in aviation. Virgil published the memoir: “Come Fly With Me,” in 2020.
- B.S., Oklahoma State University – 1954
Gwen Shaw
Outstanding Alumni
Gwen Shaw graduated from OSU with a degree in home economics education–communications and a standout college resume. She served as homecoming steering committee chair, played on the women’s basketball team, and was an active member of Mortar Board, Student Senate and Angel Flight organizations. After graduating from OSU, Gwen began working at Procter & Gamble in Tulsa. She spent most of her career in food-service packaging sales and worked alongside several American favorites including McDonald’s, Applebee’s, KFC and M&M Mars. Her career was defined by the relationships she built and the operational strategies she created which improved nearly every aspect of the customer experience. Gwen retired in 2017 knowing her ability to make an impact was not confined to her career. Having served as State 4-H Secretary and been inducted into the Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame in her youth, she returned to the organization as an adviser. Gwen has also served as an elder at Edmond’s First Christian Church, sponsored OSU scholarships, the OSU Alumni Association and Women for OSU, and founded both Edmond Democratic Women and Disciples for Water – the latter a ministry which inspired her to o er a service learning opportunity in Kenya for students in the College of Education and Human Sciences.
- B.S., Home Economics Education, Communications – 1978
Dr. Gay Washington
Outstanding Alumni
Dr. Gay Washington is a third-generation graduate of OSU, where she earned not only a bachelor’s degree in special education, but also a master’s degree in applied behavioral studies and a doctorate in educational administration. Washington built her career in the Stillwater Public School District, where she began as a teacher in 1978 and continued to serve in a variety of roles, such as Director of Special Education, principal, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Interim Superintendent. She also contributed to student success in higher education in Oklahoma by serving as an assistant professor at the University of Central Oklahoma and an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University. Gay became the executive director of the Oklahoma WONDERtorium in 2017, a children’s museum featuring interactive STEAM exhibits, and later worked with LEAD Training, LLC as an educational consultant. Today she is dedicated to giving back to the very place that shaped her, serving as the president of Stillwater Public Schools Board of Education and doing her part to ensure student success through the establishment of the Dr. Gay Washington-Miller Endowed Scholarship.
- B.S., Special Education - 1977
- M.S., Applied Behavioral Studies - 1981
- Ed.D, Educational Administration, 1996
Dr. Katherine Janike
Rising Star
Dr. Katherine Janike graduated summa cum laude from OSU in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences and a Spanish minor. She earned her medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, contributing to research on rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory lung disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Katherine completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Illinois Chicago. She received the Lopata Legend Award for clinical excellence and also finished the academic internal medicine track to hone her teaching skills. Katherine then pursued advanced gastroenterology training at the University of Oklahoma, combining her interests in nutrition and medicine while earning recognition for clinical reasoning, teamwork and patient communication. Board-certified in internal medicine and board-eligible in gastroenterology, Dr. Janike joined the Rush University faculty in Chicago in 2026. She currently serves as an assistant professor and clinical educator in the Department of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition.
- B.S., Nutritional Sciences, Pre-Med, Summa Cum Laude - 2016
Tina Sergi
Rising Star
Tina Sergi, MS, RD, CSSD, CSCS, TSAC-F, is a U.S. Army medical o cer and registered dietitian serving as the holistic health and fitness nutrition domain lead for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bliss, Texas. After earning a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of New Hampshire, Tina earned her master’s in nutritional sciences from OSU in 2021. Her research evaluated the impact of body mass index on performance and health among military personnel, firefighters, and law enforcement o cers. Her achievements include the Women’s Faculty Council Student Research Award, a nomination for Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshal, and a dietetic internship with the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, Colorado. Tina served on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation board (2022–2025) and was named Maryland’s 2025 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year. She remains dedicated to advancing nutritional research and leadership in dietetics.
- M.S., Nutritional Sciences, Dietetics – 2021