UNIV ERSITY UPDATE
OSSM Names awesome Biology Professor as New Board Member The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) has added OCU Biology Chairman Kent Buchanan to its board of trustees. “Dr. Buchanan’s work of promoting science is evident in his dedication to helping future scientists,” said former Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry upon appointing Buchanan to the board last fall. “He joins a board that shares his passion of encouraging young scientists and mathematicians from across our state, a mission that is important in maintaining and improving the quality of life for everyone here and beyond our state borders.”
BLUEtique Funds Student Employment The BLUEtique, Oklahoma City University’s upscale resale shop, has accepted more than 200 donations and sold more than $17,000 in merchandise since opening its doors in August. The store is staffed by 10 OCU students and offers gentlyused merchandise to the campus community as well as those in surrounding neighborhoods. Proceeds fund student employment scholarships. The BLUEtique accepts tax deductible donations of clothing, shoes, dishes, small appliances, toys, books, sporting goods, small electronics and other items. For more information, visit www.okcu.edu/bluetique.
The Students Have Spoken Prospective students entering Oklahoma City University’s Ann Lacy Admissions and Visitor Center will find a newly-renovated lobby thanks to the university’s Student Government Association. OCU SGA President John Riesenberg said the Student Service Fee Committee was glad to enhance what is considered the “front door” to the campus. “This is the place prospective students see when they come to OCU,” Riesenberg said. “We want our front door to match our whole campus and be a welcoming place that is student and family friendly.” The renovated lobby includes new furniture and about a dozen 20 x 30-inch photographs of OCU students enjoying the campus. OCU worked with Oklahoma City firm Frankfurt Short Bruza on the renovation. This year, the committee approved about $12,000 for campus enhancements and events. Projects recently funded include the lobby, Race with the Stars T-shirts, a 24-hour study space in the university center, lights for the university’s soccer field and a sound system for the Freede Center. Committee members include four undergraduate students from SGA and three administrators—Vice President of Students Affairs Rick Hall, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Liz Donnelly and Dean of Students John Riggs.
Members of the Thorpe family are pictured with author Kate Buford (third from right) and OCU President Robert Henry (right).
Acclaimed Author Kate Buford Kicks Off Book Tour at OCU Kate Buford, best known for her critically acclaimed and bestselling biography, “Burt Lancaster: An American Life,” delivered a public lecture about her newest book, “Native American Son: The Life and Sporting Legend of Jim Thorpe” at OCU last fall. The lecture marked the start of Buford’s national book tour. The book has been hailed as “the definitive biography of a legendary figure in American history, in and out of sports” by the Library Journal. Buford has written for the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Film Comment and Bluegrass Unlimited, among other publications. She has been a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition and American Public Media’s Marketplace.
Arts Management Students Complete Prestigious Internships Oklahoma City University dance management alumna Ellen Cole recently completed an internship with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Cole worked as an arts management intern and aided with programming functions. Entertainment Business graduate Mary Timaeus is currently interning at the Kennedy Center in the development area. Dance management senior Patrick Galvin spent last summer as an intern at Carnegie Hall and with the American Ballet Theatre. Entertainment Business student Robert Postotnik interned last summer with the Tony Awards and the Broadway League. “Our arts management programs are gaining increased respect from some of our nation’s leading cultural institutions,” said John Bedford, dean of OCU’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management.
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