Incoming Freshman Wins 'I'm A Bison' Contest

Future Oklahoma Baptist University freshman Shelby Hartgrove is an OBU Bison - and proud of it. The Yukon, Okla., resident recently won a contest conducted by OBU Admissions for incoming freshmen by showing off her Bison Hill school spirit.

The contest rules were simple: incoming freshmen should take a photo wearing their exclusive "I'm A Bison" T-shirt in an interesting place or participating in a unique event. Eligible participants were notified of the contest through the "I'm A Bison Network," a social network established by OBU Admissions to connect to the Class of 2013 using a service provided by Ning.com.

"We had pictures of beautiful scenery, in front of cool cars, many with high school friends," said Konnor Martin, an OBU admissions counselor. "But Shelby's was the best overall production."

The "I'm A Bison" T-shirt is exclusively given to incoming students who have paid their enrollment guarantee to the OBU.

"We have alumni who came before we began the young tradition of the 'I'm A Bison' T-shirt that wished they had one," Martin said. "It is quickly becoming a trademark for us."

The 2009 fall semester at OBU commences with "Welcome Week" new student orientation Aug. 22. Classes begin Aug. 26.