Four CEAT students named Top 20 Freshmen for Fall 2025

Four CEAT students named Top 20 Freshmen for Fall 2025

Monday, September 15, 2025

Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | [email protected]

Each fall semester, the Oklahoma State University Mortar Board selects the Top 20 Freshmen Men and Top 20 Freshmen Women for that school year. The overall top 20 freshmen are selected from this group.

Students apply for this prestigious honor during their sophomore year based on their accomplishments during their first year on campus and are selected based on scholarship, outstanding leadership and community service.

Four College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology students were named as Top 20 Freshmen: Joe Black, chemical engineering; Reese Huhnke, chemical engineering; Myles Lozano, mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Harrison Oakes, mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Joe Black

From Moore, Oklahoma, Black said he didn't go into his freshman year with the goal of being named a top student. But he got to campus, immersed himself in CEAT and dove headfirst into opportunities that presented themselves.

"You commit to working hard on your schoolwork and getting connected on campus, while taking advantage of ways to serve and be a contributor," Black said. "Everything I did as a freshman just felt like it was the right thing to do at the time.

"Balancing it all definitely had its challenges, but it was worth it. At the end of the year, you look back and see the difference you made, and also how it changed you into someone better. Being a student at Oklahoma State was a dream come true for me, so being a representative of the university in this capacity is truly humbling."

Black was also named a Freshman Research Scholar and worked with Dr. Christopher Fennell, head of the OSU Department of Chemistry, and started working as an undergraduate assistant this semester.

With a fifth year of tuition available to him through the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award, he has a goal to pursue a master's degree. While currently undecided which exact path he will take after graduation, he said he will continue to make strides in chemical engineering research and gaining experience.

"My career goal is to find a position working on something that adds value to the lives of others and generally makes this world a better place," Black said.

Reese Huhnke

Huhnke, from Whitesboro, Texas, said the recognition honors both his hard work in the classroom and his mentors, friends, family and professors who have helped him get to this point.

"I'm grateful to be able to represent both myself and those who have guided me," Huhnke said. "Being named a Top 20 Freshman motivates me to continue striving for excellence and to make the most of the opportunities available at OSU. It's a reminder that hard work and integrity are noticed and valued, and it encourages me to stay engaged and give back to the campus community."

As a CEAT student, Huhnke has a goal to make as big of an impact as possible academically, socially and professionally while challenging himself, collaborating with his peers and contributing to the advancement of science and technology.

With an interest in biomedical research, Huhnke wants to eventually attend medical school and become a pediatric surgeon.

"I'm passionate about helping children and making a lasting difference in their lives through medicine," Huhnke said. "I believe that my background in engineering will provide a strong foundation for innovation and problem-solving in the medical field."

Myles Lozano

Lozano, from Republic, Missouri, said he is humbled by the recognition and the many opportunities that he has been a part of as a CEAT student that have led to this point.

"This award reflects the hard work and dedication I committed during my freshman year and motivates me to continue striving for excellence throughout my time at Oklahoma State," Lozano said.

Lozano sees the award not only as a reflection of his hard work, but also as a way to encourage others to pursue their own success.

"I've always lived by the motto, 'The sky is the limit, why not pursue it?,'" Lozano said. "This award embodies that mindset, and I hope to inspire my peers to pursue their highest potential as well and will help me during my time as a student."

Lozano has a desire to get involved in as many things as possible, from CEAT Student Council, career fairs, internships and research. He wants to gain experience researching in aerospace engineering and learn more in internships.

"After graduation, my career goal is to work in the aerospace engineering industry," Lozano said. "Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris, BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman are among the organizations I aspire to join."

Harrison Oakes

Oakes, from Guymon, Oklahoma, said he is excited about the doors that will open and the possibilities that will become available for him.

"It is a huge honor, and I feel very fortunate to have been chosen for this recognition," Oakes said. "Being named a Mortar Board Top 20 Freshman motivates me to continue working hard and contributing to the OSU community."

He has goals to excel academically and gain hands-on engineering experience in propulsion and aerodynamics.

"I believe these fields are at the core of aerospace innovation, and I am eager to contribute to ongoing work while gaining valuable experience," Oakes said.

By building technical skills along with professional networking, he looks to prepare himself to meet any challenge in the future.

"After graduation, I would love to pursue a career with leading aerospace companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing or SpaceX," Oakes said. "My ultimate goal is to contribute to the design and development of cutting-edge aerospace systems, whether in defense, commercial aviation or space exploration."