Welcome Plaza

The Oklahoma State University Welcome Plaza, nestled between the Paul Miller Journalism and Broadcasting Building and the Student Union, is a marquee attraction with an impressive sculpture of a galloping mare and her foal.


Areas of Impact

When you support the Welcome Plaza, you help shape the future for Oklahoma State University. By contributing to the fund(s) below, you make our future brighter orange!

Welcome Plaza Fund

20-69800 - This facilities fund supports the General University.


Welcome Plaza Masthead 2
Welcome Plaza Masthead 3
Welcome Plaza Masthead 1

A beautiful art installation project is the focal point of the Welcome Plaza, greeting students and families as they make the decision to call Oklahoma State University home. This vibrant artistic expression is an important component of OSU’s master campus beautification plan, which aims to sustain and increase the quality and quantity of green spaces across Oklahoma State.

Model 2

The piece symbolizes a coming of age with a focus on family, directly correlating with the nearby entrance to the Admissions Office in the Student Union and the ConocoPhillips Alumni Center across the street. The sculpture is meant to welcome new generations of students while introducing them to the concept of the Cowboy family — at OSU, we stick together, no matter what.

Mare 3

The plaza is an inviting garden area, landscaped to provide shade and an outdoor living space for everyone on the OSU campus. It includes a sculpture of a saddle with this quote from John Wayne: “Courage is being scared to death ... and saddling up anyway.” The arbor features 10 columns that are inscribed with tenants of the cowboy code of ethics, completing the symbolism of the Welcome Plaza and what it means to be a Cowboy.

The space has quickly become an iconic feature and provides unique opportunities for you to support the vibrancy of OSU in a visible way. Whether your goal is to memorialize a loved one or to establish a tangible connection with OSU, the Welcome Plaza includes several options for meaningful giving experiences.