Tree dedicated to AKA on Sorority Row is ‘just the beginning’

In March, leaders and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. joined administrators from The University of Tulsa to plant and dedicate a tree in honor of the first National Pan-Hellenic Council sorority founded at TU.

“We wanted to make sure Alpha Kappa Alpha’s presence was always visible,” said Lindsay Echols, a leader for the AKA MidWestern Region. “We are extremely excited to work together in partnership with The University of Tulsa.”

AKA is an international service organization founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. The Theta Xi chapter began at TU on March 2, 1974.

“Next year will be 50 years since we chartered this chapter,” said Cheryl Ceasar (BS ’75). “We were small in number, but we were mighty.”

TU President Brad R. Carson welcomed the attendees who came from far and near. “This tree will be a permanent reminder of the presence of AKA and ‘Divine Nine,’” he said, referring to the historically Black sororities and fraternities. “When we plant a tree, we honor those who have come before us. As it grows and blossoms, it will remind us of the potential of young people, changing their lives.”

The tree, which was planted along

Sorority Row next to TU’s Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, honors the enduring, sustainable relationship between the university and AKA. A redbud tree was selected because it uniquely represents the deep-rooted relationship: The redbud is Oklahoma’s state tree and blooms pink flowers with green leaves, which are AKA’s colors.

“College is a journey. You are here to enhance yourself, to explore, find who you are. We know that is all made possible with a sense of community, and that’s what the members of Theta Xi do for The University of Tulsa,” said Christina Armstrong (BSBA ’12). “My hope is that this tree remains a symbol for all students at The University of Tulsa.”

Membership in historically Black sororities and fraternities has been relatively low at TU, but administrators seek to increase numbers of underrepresented populations in groups

“This ceremony and the planting of this commemorative tree is long overdue,” said Will DeViney, TU’s Greek life coordinator. “Visibility is an essential part of raising awareness for our NPHC organizations. I hope this is just the beginning of growth and expansion for our NPHC community at TU.”

1950s

Gail Buchanan Delente (BM ’59) was knighted by the French government in 2000 for promoting the authentic performance of French piano music through workshops in Paris from 1992 –2002. Performances and master classes were presented by well-known pianists, student performers and university professors.

1960s

Steve Turnbo (BA ’68) received the Tulsa Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award in January. Turnbo is chairman emeritus for Schnake Turnbo Frank, a public relations and leadership development consulting firm.

1970s

David Cleveland (BSBA ’73, MBA ’79) published his first book “Stop the Monkey Business,” a primer on how to manage people based on what he has learned in his 35-year career as a business president for three different industries. The book was a short run bestseller and is available on Amazon. Cleveland is managing partner of Corporate Performance Group, working primarily with business owners and presidents as a trusted advisor.

Wayne McCombs (BA ’74) is now retired as the executive director of the J.M. Davis Arms and Historical Museum in Claremore in June after 14 years as executive director. He is also on The University of Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

Lindy Schneider (BFA ’75) won the American Best Book Award for her book “College Secrets of Highly Successful

People: Keys to Launching a Great Life.” The book reveals what celebrities and CEOs did while in college that changed the trajectory of their lives from ordinary to extraordinary. Some of those featured are graduates of TU.

1980s

Martin Shoemaker (BS ’81) recently retired from the U.S. Department of Justice. He was a trial attorney for DOJ for more than 30 years. Shoemaker resides in Arlington, Va.

John Paul Speaker (BA ’83) recently received the Diamond Award from the Credit Union National Association Marketing Council. The Diamond Award recognizes success and excellence in credit union marketing campaigns nationally. He is vice president of marketing for Western Sun Federal Credit Union. He and his wife, Mary Jo McCleary Speaker (BS ’83), reside in Tulsa.

Steven West (BA ’89) has been awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his work with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation. West works with the foundation as a research advocate and a mentor and is a professor of professional practice at Oklahoma State University.

1990s

Chris Wright (BA ’94, MS ’96, Ph.D. ’00) was appointed the inaugural director for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the TU Collins College of Business.

Kevinn Matthews (JD ’98) was the recipient of the Tulsa County Bar Association’s “2nd Quarter Golden Rule Award,” which is given to lawyers who make outstanding contributions to their professions, have the highest of ideals, and are willing to mentor those with less experience.

2000s

Annie Savarimuthu (MS ’00) was named vice president of systems at Burckhardt Compression Inc.

Rebecca Thompson (BSBA ’00, MAcc ’01) was recently appointed to the Economic Advisory Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. She is a vice president of finance and chief financial officer of AAON.

John White (BA ’00) and Nadine Bissonnette White (BA ’01) are moving from Qatar to Cairo, Egypt, where Nadine will serve as the school psychologist at Cairo American College and John will work as the eighth-grade physical education teacher and basketball coach.

Jennifer Croft (BA ’01) was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle’s Gregg Barrios Book in Translation prize. She translated Olga Tokarczuk’s 2014 historical novel “The Books of Jacob” from Polish to English. Croft is currently an associate professor of English for the Henry Kendall College of Arts and Sciences.

Stacy Prammanasudth Upton (BS ’02) was announced as a member of the 2023 class of the Oklahoma Golf Hall of Fame. After 10 wins at TU, she spent 13 seasons on the LPGA Tour.

Luke Meriwether (BSBA ’03, JD ’07) was recognized as one of the “WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals” for 2023.

Travis McCallon (JD ’04) was recognized as one of the “WTR 1000: The World’s Leading Trademark Professionals” for 2023.

Calvin Michael Moniz (BSBA ’06, MBA ’08, JD ’15) was recently elected vice chairman of the city of Tulsa’s Housing and Urban Development Community Development Committee.

John Pettifer (BSBA ’06) recently accepted a position as senior assistant attorney General at the Oregon Department of Justice in Salem, Ore.

Meredith Campbell Rogers (BA ’06) recently started a new position working with Annie Brady Event Planning and Magpie store in Tulsa.

Timothy Rogers (JD ’08) was listed as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” for commercial litigation. He is a preferred shareholder at Barrow & Grimm P.C. and serves on the Board of Directors of the TU Law Alumni Association.

Moton Hopkins (BSBA ’09) and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed a daughter, Zhuri Rae, on December 27. He serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

2010s

Jeffrey Metcalf (BA ’11, MBA ’15) lives in Tulsa and is in his fifth year as co-owner of Goose and Gander, Marketing and Creative Consultants. The company has grown to a team of seven and is a fullservice marketing and creative production company serving clients in Tulsa and the surrounding region. Metcalf is active on the Tulsa Chapter Alumni Board of Directors and serves as the co-chair of the Student Success Committee.

Suzanne Bruce (BA ’77) has been selected as Poet Laureate for the city of Fairfield, Calif. She has two published books of ekphrastic poetry, Voices Beyond the Canvas (2007) and Her Visions Her Voices (2015) with artist Janet Manalo, along with many other publications in various national journals. She also has been selected as one of the Curbside Haiku Poets for the Downtown Tulsa Partnership 2023.

Ashley Hodges (JD ’12) joined the Peele Law Group in Indianapolis, where she focuses primarily on intellectual property, trademarks and contract matters.

J.J. Cody Fox (BA ’15) is now a member and donor engagement specialist at Gilcrease Museum.

Haley Lucero (BSBA ’15, MSF ’17) was named vice president and treasurer of Mile High Young Professionals in Colorado. Lucero is a senior financial analyst with Meow Wolf Inc. where she leads budget planning efforts and investor relations.

Connor Brady (BSBA ’16) recently started a new role as a planning advisor at ExxonMobil and is looking forward to exciting challenges and new experiences the organization will bring.

David Casper (BSBA ’16, BA ’16) was promoted to finance manager at Amazon Robotics.

Miranda Dabney (BA ’16) became the new communications director for the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus in the U.S. Congress, which is chaired by Tulsa-area Rep. Kevin Hern. She will retain her role as the communications director for Hern’s office. Dabney is the president of the Washington, D.C., Alumni Chapter.

Greg Fallis (BM ’17) is the bandleader of King Cabbage Brass Band, which held a show at Cain’s Ballroom on February 17, and was featured at the “Tulsa House” at 2023 SXSW in Austin.

Hannah Easley Casper (BS ’18) graduated from Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and is now working as an emergency medicine resident physician at Integris Health in Oklahoma City.

Jessica Dewey (BA ’19) has been named executive director of Living Arts of Tulsa. She previously served as interim director and director of development and programming at Living Arts.

Drew Port (BSBA ’19) was named the “Emerging Leader of the Year” by the Colorado Technology Association at the 2023 Tech Summit + Apex Awards

2020s

Madison Reavis Beffa (BS ’20) has accepted a position as a forensic toxicologist with St. Louis County.

Coy Moses (BA ’20) was named “Middle School Teacher of the Year” at Daniel Webster Middle School in Tulsa.

Alaina Wilson (MBA ’21) became the new membership engagement manager at Tulsa Regional Chamber.

Javidan Alayi (MS ’22) started new position as analyst for sales business at American Airlines.

Natalie Dankert (BSBA ’22, BA ’22) is the new manager at Tulsa Regional Tourism and Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC). She has worked as a contractor there to execute Play Tulsa Music, assist in the planning and executing of Tulsa’s band and artist representation at SXSW 2022 in Austin, and has managed Tulsa FMAC’s social media.

Chuck Funai (BS ’78), TU Trustee, hosted a reception with the Dallas Chapter of the Alumni Association at the Dallas Star on February 3, which included 200 alumni, prospective students, parents, and special guests. He is photographed with Fort Worth Chapter President Bryan Garvey (BA ’18) and Dallas Chapter President Spencer Pearson (BS ’16)

Jean Mermoud Pickett (BA ’83, MA ’94) was the special guest at a TU Panhellenic Summit on February 10 with over 50 sorority alumnae, student leaders, and special guests in attendance. The event was hosted by TU Board of Trustees Chair Marcia Mott McLeod (BS ’75, JD ’80) and President Brad Carson. Panhellenic President Ileana Braddock helped lead the summit. Pickett resides in Fort Worth, where she is chief of staff to the chancellor of TCU, while continuing to volunteer as past Chi Omega national president and past National Panhellenic Conference chair. Photographed from left to right are President Brad Carson, Julie Carson (JD’97), Ileana Braddock, Marcia MacLeod, and Jean Pickett.

Brig. Gen. Brent Wright, USAF, Ret. (JD ’92) was selected to the inaugural class of “55 Over 55 Inspiring Oklahomans” and was recently named a Sigma Chi “Significant Sig” after 32 years of honorable military service.

Christopher Siegle (JD ’97) was elected as a fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He had recently spoken at the USC Tax Institute and the ABA Tax Section.

Maria Cervantes Tipton (BA ’01, JD ’06) recently joined as vice president of legal for StarRez Inc. She also is serving as president of the board of directors at the STAR Institute. Tipton is also a military spouse supporting her husband, Col. Jerade Tipton’s 25 years of service in the United States Air Force. They are stationed in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Brian Surratt (BA ’98) was named a Political Science Distinguished Alumnus and gave a keynote address on March 6 in Chapman Hall. Surratt is president and chief executive officer of Greater Seattle Partners and serves on the TU Black Alumni Leadership Council.

Amanda Clyma Turner (BA ’01) earned a master’s of science in Nonprofit Administration in December 2022 from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. She is the executive director of prospect management, research and advancement services at The University of Tulsa

Keith Nodskov (BSBA ’04) recently completed a successful tenure at Midcoast Energy as the director of risk control and credit, where he led all the risk management and forecasting activities for the natural gas and LPG marketing entities of Midcoast Energy. Nodskov assisted in the successful sale of both marketing entities. In January, he started a new role as head of middle office for Atlas Oil Company, a refined products supply and trading firm in Houston. He and his wife, Jane, live in Bellaire, Texas, with their two children.

On February 25, over 100 alumni gathered in Houston for a reception with TU alumni, prospective students, parents and special guests.

Photographed are Houston Chapter President Michael Kumpas (BSBA ’14) and past Houston Chapter President Keith Nodskov (BSBA ’04)

Tyler Brooks (BSBA ’18) was recently named manager of OMP at Kraft Heinz North American headquarters in Chicago, after two years at ALDI US. In this new role, he focuses on solution design and implementation of software delivering advanced end to end supply chain planning and management solutions across all 33 manufacturing facilities in North America.

Hope Forsyth (BA ’15, JD ’18) was selected to receive the 2022 Sponsored Scholarship Grant (SSG) for federal judicial clerks, administered for The Honorable Nancy F. Atlas Intellectual Property American Inn of Court by the University of Houston Law Center’s Institute for Intellectual Property and Information Law. The SSG-Clerks program facilitates scholarship concerning intellectual property and information law matters by individuals serving or soon serving as judicial clerks with the federal courts of appeals and district courts.

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