OSU Junior Abigail McCrary receives prestigious Truman Scholarship

Electrical and computer engineering junior one of just 60 recipients for renowned scholarship, among three finalists from OSU 

(STILLWATER, Okla., April 24, 2026) — Recipients of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship are among the nation’s most promising future public service leaders committed to government, nonprofit work, civic impact and public service.

A commitment to service and engineering excellence has resulted in Oklahoma State University’s Abigail McCrary being named a 2026 recipient, earning her a place among a nationally recognized cohort of college juniors dedicated to careers in civic leadership.

McCrary is a junior in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology. The Grove, Oklahoma, native called her selection a tremendous honor.

“It gives me a platform and credibility that can help amplify the work I care about,” McCrary said. “It opens doors to conversations and opportunities where I can make a broader impact.”

With only 60 students being selected from 600 candidates annually, the Truman Scholarship is one of the most competitive and prestigious undergraduate awards in the country. The top 200 are chosen as finalists, with recipients selected following an interview process.

McCrary was one of three OSU finalists, along with Amara Jackson, an agribusiness major with a pre-law concentration and a certificate in ethical leadership, and Jackie Sears, a junior transfer student from Tulsa Community College majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology.

“Abigail’s recognition as a Truman Scholar is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to her hard work, dedication to undergraduate research and outreach efforts, and her commitment to a public service career,” said Jessica Sullins, OSU director of scholar development and undergraduate research. “She is an outstanding representative of the OSU student body and a shining example of how the support provided by OSU as an institution can help motivated students pursue ambitious goals.

“Guidance and mentorship from OSU faculty, funding for undergraduate research, and leadership programs prepare students like Abigail not only to be competitive for prestigious awards, but also to have a significant, positive impact on the world.”

Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate tuition, fees, books and living expenses, as well as networking and internship opportunities.

After graduation, McCrary will complete a three-year commitment to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, a collaboration through her Science, Mathematics and Research Transformation scholarship.

She has been involved in making sailors’ duties safer, a research effort she has worked on under the oversight of Dr. Chuck Bunting, Bellmon Chair and associate dean of research for CEAT.

Her research focuses on improving the instrumentation used to test electronically initiated devices, which are among the most critical components in naval ordnance. After completing her work with the Navy, she plans to earn her master’s degree in electrical engineering.

She has also served as treasurer for Lou’s Locker, an OSU-student-led initiative to provide personalized care packages containing assistive devices, setup guides and educational resources for people with ALS.

McCrary came to OSU as a Freshman Research Scholar and was awarded the Wentz Research Scholarship. She has been the club representative coordinator on the K-12 Committee for CEAT Student Council, as well as a member and ambassador for the President’s Leadership Council, a member of the Society of Women Engineers and an ambassador for the Scholar Development Office. In fall 2025, she founded First-Year Women in CEAT Fridays, a bi-weekly event for first-year women in CEAT to learn about opportunities and network with faculty and women in their junior and senior years.

With the Truman Scholarship honoring those committed to public service, recipients are often political science majors. Becoming a Truman Scholar as an engineer is an added honor; something McCrary said would not have been possible without the mentors in her life. McCrary has a goal to make an impact across research, education and leadership, knowing firsthand the impact leaders can have on the success of their mentees.

“It is funny because I always thought that to be a woman in engineering that was taken seriously, I wasn’t allowed to like pink,” McCrary said. “My mentor in high school, Mrs. Jeanne Smith, loved pink, and she is one of the smartest, most caring people I have met. Her encouragement taught me to love pink again and how to be a strong-willed engineer. I want to represent what it means to be an engineer and help people.

“To me, being a Truman scholar is not only a huge honor, but it also adds a layer of accountability and responsibility to your life’s trajectory. You become part of a community of movers and shakers who are all impactful and inspire greatness.”

 

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research and Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to meet society’s most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest university system in Oklahoma and has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 27,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 127 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 300,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.