with a highly ranked MBA program. “I wanted to find a program close to home with a strong alumni base. OU definitely fit those requirements,” McGregor explains. “Being from Texas, most of my family are Texas Longhorn or Texas A&M fans, so I thought it would be fun to be the rebel in my family and become a Sooner!” McGregor entered the Price College MBA program in 2010. “My most memorable experience was traveling to Hyderabad, India over Christmas break in December, 2010 and studying at the Indian School of Business,” McGregor says. “Before this, I had never owned a passport or even been on an airplane, so travelling to India opened my eyes to the world and gave me a passion for international travel and experiences.” McGregor was selected as a Dunham Scholar and traveled to London in 2011. “I was very fortunate to secure an internship with the London office of Live Nation Entertainment, the largest concert promoter in the world,” he explains. “Just a few weeks into my internship, I was working at the largest concerts and music festivals in the UK, featuring artists such as Kings of Leon, The Killers, Bon Jovi, Rod Stewart, the Black Eyed Peas, Neil Diamond, Bruno Mars, and Def Leppard.” His internship allowed him to make connections in the UK entertainment industry, which proved invaluable when he returned to London after completing his MBA in 2011. “London has some of the most prestigious and beautiful music venues in the world, so I really wanted to return to England after my graduation,” he
From left, Miguel Pardo Marin with fellow Dunham Scholars German Chavez-Majluf, Jack Grauman and Trevor Bruner in London, 2012
“THE OU CLUB OF LONDON & UK ALUMNI GROUP WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2013 AND HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE APPROXIMATELY 25-30 OU ALUMNI AND SUPPORTERS. ‘WE MEET FOR SOCIAL EVENTS, FOOTBALL WATCH PARTIES AND MORE,’ MARIN ADDS.” explains. Another influence on McGregor’s decision to return to England was personal, as he had met and fallen in love with an English ballerina named Joanna during his time as a Dunham Scholar. The couple married in London in August 2014. McGregor worked for AEG Presents, the second largest presenter of live music and entertainment events in the world, for four years and was involved with large-scale events such as the Rolling Stones anniversary concerts at Hyde Park in 2013. He currently serves as Head of Financial Reporting for The O2 in London, a 20,000 capacity arena and one of the world’s most popular music and entertainment venues. “I’m extraordinarily privileged to live in one of the most exciting cities in the world,” McGregor says. “I am a genuine fan of live music. I’ve been to over 500 concerts since moving here. As an international hub, it’s also extremely well-connected with the rest of the world. My wife and I travel a lot, so it’s convenient being able to call London home.”
A Piece of Norman In addition to being friends and fellow Dunham Scholars, McGregor and Marin also share their continued love of OU. “When Jordan and I moved to London, we realized that we were not the only Sooners living here,” Marin explains. “We decided to organize and set up a club a few years ago with the help of fellow London alum Linsi Crain.” The OU Club of London & UK alumni group was established in 2013 and has grown to include approximately 25-30 OU alumni and supporters. “We meet for social events, football watch parties
and more,” Marin adds. “We even recently reserved a room in the British Parliament in Westminster for an event with Dean Pullin, EMBA students and other OU visitors.” Both McGregor and Marin say that the Club has allowed them to meet fellow alumni and feel like they have a piece of Norman with them. “In 2013, we hosted a watch party for OU vs. Notre Dame and we decorated the venue with flags, stickers and other items sent to us by the Alumni office,” Marin recalls fondly. “There was this American couple traveling through London who decided to go to a pub see if they could catch the game. They saw our group and were shocked to find other Sooners in town. They are now part of the OU Club and they join us for events every time they are in London.”
OU CLUB of London & UK Interested alumni can find more about the OU Club of London & UK at www.facebook.com/oucluboflondonuk or by contacting oucluboflondonuk@gmail.com.
Price Magazine | 27