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Stillwater's First News with Bill Van Ness

Oklahoma State University has named Marjorie McLagan as chief information security officer, where she will provide strategic leadership for the university's comprehensive information security and cybersecurity programs.

In her new role, McLagan will protect OSU's digital assets, research data, student information and technology infrastructure. All are critical to the university's land-grant mission of providing accessible education, conducting groundbreaking research and serving communities across Oklahoma.

McLagan brings extensive experience in information security leadership. She spent 20 years with the United States Air Force, serving on active duty and later as a civilian contractor in a variety of IT leadership, operations and planning roles before joining Oregon State University in 2017. Most recently, she served as deputy chief information security officer at Oregon State, where she led security operations and focused on increasing the university's cybersecurity maturity.

At Oregon State, McLagan championed the Smart Access Program, a Zero Trust Architecture approach to cybersecurity. This experience will inform her work at Oklahoma State as the university continues to enhance its security posture.

McLagan earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Oregon State University and holds master's degrees in information technology management and human resources management and services from Webster University.

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Thousands of Oklahoma elementary students will have a chance to learn about the state’s water resources this spring as the H2Oklahoma Festival returns with stops in six communities.

The H2Oklahoma Festival will be held at six locations throughout Oklahoma in spring 2026, with more than 2,500 elementary students statewide expected to attend.

The program is designed to teach and reinforce the idea that water is one of Oklahoma’s most precious natural resources.

The 2026 dates and locations are:
    Wednesday, March 11 — Couch Park, Stillwater
    Tuesday, March 24 — Ruby Grant Park, Norman
    Wednesday, April 1 — Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
    Wednesday, April 8 — Oxley Nature Center, Tulsa
    Wednesday, April 22 — Will Rogers Gardens, Oklahoma City
    Wednesday, April 29 — Beaver Dunes Park, Beaver

Through hands-on activities and discussions, students will learn about the water cycle, water pollution, Oklahoma’s biodiversity, pollution prevention, water history, water and wildlife, Oklahoma streams, trees and a variety of water facts.

Organizers said the activities were developed in accordance with Oklahoma Academic Standards and are inspired by the nationally recognized programs Project WET, Project WILD and Project Learning Tree.

All activities will be conducted by conservation professionals and volunteers from state and local organizations, including the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality.

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Stillwater Public Schools had the honor of hosting U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler and Oklahoma Secretary of Education Dr. Dan Hamlin recently for a special visit to Sangre Ridge Elementary.

Assistant Secretary Baesler, in Stillwater for the 1050 Forward Micropolitan Summit at Oklahoma State University, specifically requested a visit to Sangre Ridge to see firsthand the excellence of the elementary school currently ranked number one by the Oklahoma School Report Cards.

During the tour, the secretaries engaged with students and teachers, observing the school's implementation of Amira Learning, an AI-powered tool used to personalize literacy instruction and accelerate reading growth. Baesler, a career educator and former North Dakota State Superintendent, praised the district’s proactive approach to national educational challenges.

"The solutions to educational challenges are in communities like Stillwater," remarked Assistant Secretary Kirsten Baesler during the visit. "I am so inspired and so motivated by this as an example of what we know is possible in rural America.”

“As community members you come together and say, ‘What do our young people need?’ ‘What does our community need?’ and you all rise together and that's really motivating and really inspiring, and I would also say really special. I would hope that Stillwater citizens don't take that for granted or assume that it just comes naturally. They are doing it well here.”

The visit included a roundtable discussion with Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Angela Rhoades, Director of Elementary Education Diane Fix, Principal Cami Patzkowski, and district leadership. The conversation focused on the unique challenges and opportunities facing both Oklahoma schools and the national education landscape.

"It was an honor to showcase the collaborative culture that makes Sangre Ridge and Stillwater Public Schools a leader in education," said Superintendent Tyler Bridges. "We are grateful for the Secretaries’ time, their thoughtful questions, and their genuine openness to our input on the future of student success."

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On Monday, Feb. 9, the Stillwater City Council formally adopted an ordinance establishing the Stillwater Public Art Program and accepted a $100,000 contribution from OnCue as the cornerstone gift to support the future of public art in Stillwater. This ordinance creates a dedicated public art committee and fund to support the development, preservation and celebration of public art throughout the community.  

“Stillwater has long been a community that values creativity and supports both established and emerging artists,” Mayor Will Joyce said. “The Stillwater Public Art Program honors that history and promotes continued expansion of our public art collection. OnCue’s incredibly generous investment demonstrates how public-private partnerships can help expand opportunities for artists and enhance our shared spaces.”

The Stillwater Public Art Program includes adopting a formal process to identify and catalog public art, increase public awareness of art spaces, plan future installations and manage art donations and funding.  

“Art ignites change,” said Laura Aufleger, President of OnCue. “It brings joy, strengthens pride in our hometown and creates shared spaces that are free and accessible for everyone. Public art has the power to inspire, connect people and tell the story of a city in a way nothing else can.

“On behalf of our entire team at OnCue, we are honored to commit $100,000 to launch the Stillwater Public Art Program. We believe investing in art is investing in the future of Stillwater. Our family and our company have always believed in the power of art, and we’re proud to support something that will enrich this community for generations to come.”

In the past, Stillwater Art Integration supported projects such as the utility art box program, communitywide public art identification website and the murals at Chris Salmon Plaza. The latter, which was developed alongside OSU art students and the Prairie Arts Center, will get its fourth installation in May in commemoration of Stillwater’s Sister City relationship with Kameoka, Japan.  

“Stillwater has long recognized the role art plays in supporting creativity and building character in our community,” City Manager Brady Moore said. “By formally establishing Stillwater Public Art, the City Council is creating a sustainable structure that allows us to honor our past work while responsibly stewarding future investments and ensuring public art enriches our community for years to come.”

Stillwater Public Art builds on a broad network of community partners, including the Prairie Arts Center, Modella Art Gallery, Stillwater Public Schools, OSU Museum of Art, Stilly Arts, Meridian Technology Center, Visit Stillwater, Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Stillwater History Museum, StillWonder, Stillwater Community Center, Block 34, and other local businesses.

“This moment reflects the momentum Stillwater has built around public art,” Dawn Dodson, Stillwater’s Chief Public Affairs Officer said. “It reflects years of thoughtful work and strong community interest in seeing public art recognized, supported and woven into everyday spaces. This program exists because so many people – artists, partners and residents – believe public art matters and have helped bring that vision forward.”

For more information and updates on future projects and opportunities, go to stillwaterart.org.

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Stillwater Public Schools is announcing a leadership transition at Stillwater Middle School. Jackie Jackson has been named the Interim Principal, following the departure of current principal Ryan Blake, who is relocating to Texas, where he’ll be starting a middle school for Celina ISD.

“We are incredibly grateful for Ryan’s dedication to our students and staff,” said Superintendent Tyler Bridges. “While we are sad to see him go, we fully support his family’s move and wish them the very best in Texas. Our priority now is ensuring that Stillwater Middle School continues to thrive without missing a beat.”

First joining SPS in 2008, Jackson’s time in the district and her proven leadership make her an ideal fit to lead the school through the remainder of the academic year. Her appointment is designed to provide a steady hand and a seamless experience for students and families.

Jackson expressed her enthusiasm for supporting the SMS community during this time of change. “I am deeply honored to serve as Interim Principal.” she said. “After nine years as an Assistant Principal here, my heart is firmly rooted at Stillwater Middle School, and I look forward to a fantastic finish to the year.”

The SMS staff will also be joined by a familiar face who will complete the school’s administration team for the year. While Jason Riggs will continue in his role as Assistant Principal, Emily Harris will return to SMS’s halls to provide additional leadership support.

Mrs. Harris is well-known to the middle school community, having served as a STEM teacher at SMS from 2015 to 2023 before moving into her recent role as the district’s Technology Integration Coordinator. A highly decorated educator, Harris was a 2024 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and founded the SMS Robotics program.

“I have full confidence in the ability of these two exceptional leaders to maintain a positive and productive environment for everyone at SMS,” said Superintendent Bridges. “Both are seasoned educators who understand, and have shaped, the heart of our district. Mrs. Jackson’s ability to step in and lead with compassion and expertise is exactly what we need right now, and we deeply appreciate Mrs. Harris’s willingness to assist in this transitional time. ”

The district will begin a formal search for a permanent principal in the coming months

ABC News

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