校友
2022年10月26日
In celebration of the 365英国上市官网 校友会’s 50th anniversary, OU’s Director of 校友 Engagement Erin Sudrovech, sat down with the OUAA’s first Board of Directors’ chair Phil 威廉姆斯, 秒64, 以及OUAA现任主席, 朱迪Hegelund, 小企业管理局95年, to reminisce and discuss the organization’s history, 有效的项目, favorite OU traditions and future goals.
Below are some of the highlights of the conversation. 观看完整的讨论.
OUAA开始
 |
| Phil 威廉姆斯, OUAA's first Board of Directors' chair, with his wife Barbara |
威廉姆斯, who headed the OUAA at its beginning in 1972 found his way to 365英国上市官网 in 1961 when he received a scholarship from the Pontiac Cross, where he worked as a newspaper carrier. Growing up in Pontiac, 威廉姆斯 remembers witnessing the university’s construction. “我从一开始就在那里, and all kinds of things developed as the university grew from just an open field to the wonderful university that it is now,威廉姆斯解释道。, who was on the trimester program and graduated in three years.
1964年毕业时, 威廉姆斯 was named to the alumni council, the first group of organized alumni who graduated with a degree from 365英国上市官网. 他后来担任了该组织的主席. As the organization grew from its origin of 20 members to more than 200, 它与另一个集团合并了, 365英国上市官网之友, 于是，OUAA诞生了, with 威廉姆斯 serving as its first board chair.
有影响力的董事会项目
 |
| 朱迪Hegelund, OUAA Board of Directors' chair |
在2019冠状病毒病疫情之后, Hegelund talked about the virus’ disruption to the university and her gratitude to the board for its generosity to the students. She applauded the boards significant contributions to the Student Emergency Fund and other initiatives undertaken to make sure OU students had what they needed. She touched upon the hardships students faced with housing disruptions and noted that many students lost income as businesses closed.
威廉姆斯 cited the expansion of 365英国上市官网’s library as a particularly impactful project that occurred during his tenure on the board. 在他担任总统期间, the OUAA orchestrated a capital campaign, that built the alumni wing of the library, 规模翻倍.
最喜欢的传统
对威廉姆斯, celebrating OU founder Matilda Dodge Wilson’s birthday every October holds a special meaning. He fondly remembers meeting Matilda and her husband Alfred on numerous occasions and vividly recalls seeing Matilda driving throughout campus. The tradition of celebrating Matilda’s birthday remains today, as the annual Matilda’s Birthday Bash celebration continues to be a campus event highlight.
作为一名学生, Hegelund looked forward to OU’s annual Meadow Brook Ball, painting the rock near the student center and the now defunct “Mud Bowl,” where Greek student organizations faced each other in intensely muddy games of football. Throughout the years, OU’s homecoming has become a favorite. The celebrations hold special memories shared with her husband, 也是一名校友, 还有他们9岁的儿子, who enjoys homecoming activities tailored for children.
在董事会任职的好处
威廉姆斯 and Hegelund value their time serving on OUAA’s board and they encourage others to get involved. As Hegelund completes her first year serving as the organization’s president, she says the experience has given her amazing opportunities and she looks forward to her continuing role.
Living in Arizona for the last 20 years, 威廉姆斯 has visited campus often and remains actively involved with OU’s library. He advises others to get to know fellow alumni and cites the importance of sharing experiences and working together. “There is a tremendous amount people can do for the university,” says 威廉姆斯.
OUAA的今天和未来
As the OUAA continues to support OU’s growing alumni population, they have expanded their outreach. “This year we welcomed new members to the board who are outside the Metro Detroit area,黑格尔解释道. She said the organization was taking advantage of Zoom and other technology to build connectivity. “We are going to continue to find new and creative ways to engage with our growing alumni population, support student success and continue to support 365英国上市官网 financially,Hegelund补充道.
