Alumni News
Friday, June 01, 2018
Oakland University alumna Dolores Catherino (BM ’86) was recently awarded an $18,000 music composition fellowship from the Anchorage, Alaska-based Rasmuson Foundation.
Tuesday, May 08, 2018
For some people, going “off-grid” means taking a voluntary respite from phone and email. But for countless others around the world, off-grid means routinely having to go without electricity for days, weeks or longer.
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Cheryl (Bartlebaugh) Boodram, MKT ’17, focuses on the future. As vice president of sales and marketing for Chief Financial Credit Union, she prides herself on developing innovative products that help her customers and community.
Friday, April 27, 2018
Luciana Piazza (BFA ‘15) and Amanda Rae Evans (BFA ‘14) recently completed a successful run in Seussical the Musical at the Riverbank Theatre in Marine City. Piazza was one of The Bird Girls and Amanda, “who commands such energy and grace throughout the show” (Encore Michigan) was Mayzie LaBird. Next up — Piazza is starting rehearsals for Big Fish at The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter. The show runs from April 26-May 20.
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Gary and Elspeth Coats know numbers. They know profit and loss, the power of big data and just how much a scholarship can do for a hardworking student. That understanding led to the couple’s generous establishment of the Gary and Elspeth Coats Student Involvement Scholarship.
Executive MBA puts research physician on new path
Thursday, March 01, 2018
Physicians spend their days in a state of urgency, treating patients, strategizing with colleagues, keeping informed on the latest breakthroughs. When Tonya Corbin, M.D., decided to transition into health care administration after 10 years as a clinical research physician, she needed a program that would allow her to keep that strenuous pace, while still challenging her academically and professionally.
Thursday, February 01, 2018
Not many investor analysts can boast of an undergraduate degree in zoology. For Kevin Pratt, MBA ’14, though, the leap from endangered amphibians to the world of finance was a positive one, thanks to the MBA program at the OU School of Business Administration.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Jennifer Lucarelli, associate professor and chair of the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at Oakland University, has been named to the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2018. The initiative honors exceptional individuals under the age of 40 who excel in their field and improve the quality of life in Oakland County.
Friday, January 05, 2018
Two OUWB graduates, Dr. Chris Jaeger and Dr. Laurie Bossory, both currently working their residencies at The Ohio State University Wexner School of Medicine, received annual housestaff awards celebrating their collegiality and humanistic spirit.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Back on November 18, more than 275 Oakland University students, staff and alumni participated in the Macomb County Santa Parade, an event that also marked the start of the group’s annual food drive to support the Macomb Food Program. The drive got off to an auspicious start with more than 800 pounds of food donated on the first day.
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
As Oakland University focuses on keeping students on a firm path to graduation, recent data from the university’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA) shows that Oakland’s four- and five-year graduation rates have reached new records and the 2016 entering class boasts the highest percentage of students who are “on track,” to graduate.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
The Oakland University Alumni Association recently added to its Prominent Alumni list, which spotlights individuals who’ve reached the pinnacle of their careers or attained positions of influence or high visibility.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Looking back on his four years at Oakland University, Wesley Brown remembers the rigors of life as a student athlete.
Thursday, October 05, 2017
When a multinational company sends employees to work in other countries, the labyrinth of rules and regulations can be difficult to navigate. Laureen Berti, a graduate of Oakland University’s paralegal certificate program, helps companies tackle this challenge with confidence.
Wednesday, October 04, 2017
As part of its annual Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Oakland University will recognize alumni and friends who have achieved success in business, community services, volunteerism and other areas on Friday, Oct. 13 at the 23rd annual Alumni Awards Banquet.
Monday, October 02, 2017
Oakland University’s Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, a two-day celebration featuring a variety of family-friendly activities, will kick off at noon on Friday, Oct. 13 with a special event honoring the 134th birthday of OU’s founder, Matilda Dodge Wilson.
Wednesday, September 06, 2017
Elise Eden (BM ‘16) is beginning the second year of her MM in vocal performance at the University of Michigan, and she’s doing it in style. She will sing the lead role of Millicent Jordan in the fall opera, Dinner at Eight, based on the 1933 movie, which has only been produced once before.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Chelsea Criger, a theatre design and technology major who will be a senior in the fall, spent two months of the summer as artist in residence at the Fish Factory Art Center in Stöðvarfjörður, Iceland.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
If you want to keep up with Tramale Turner, you’ll need a dose of caffeine and your running shoes. “I like to live my life staying engaged in every moment and ready for any new opportunities,” says Turner (MIS ’00, MBA ’01).
Friday, July 07, 2017
Literature buffs, take note. Oakland University is the second-best college in Michigan for English majors.
Thursday, July 06, 2017
S Alex Ruthmann (MM '02; PhD '06) was recently promoted to the post of Director of Music Education at New York University's Steinhardt School where he is associate professor of Music Education and Music Technology.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Air Force Veteran, entrepreneur, project manager, single father of three, Richard Morrow, HRM ‘17, lives the adage it’s never too late to learn. Morrow, who received the Crestmark Bank scholarship in Winter 2017, embodies persistence in pursuing a college education.
Wednesday, June 07, 2017
Michaela Judkins (BM ’16), who majored in vocal performance and music education, has been accepted into the PhD program in musicology at the University of Michigan and awarded a Regents Fellowship, their most prestigious funding package. She will start there in fall 2017. She was also accepted into PhD programs in musicology at The Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
Thursday, June 01, 2017
Honors College member and 2017 graduate Jessica Esch has been awarded Thesis with Distinction and Thesis Award in Linguistics for her senior thesis, a requirement for all Honors College students.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
The latest First-Destination Survey Report, which is based on data from the 2015-2016 graduating class, shows positive trends for recent OU graduates in the job market and other post-graduation paths.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Before family, friends and current medical students, the Class of 2017 received their M.D. degrees during a commencement ceremony that included being hooded by their PRISM mentors, and in some cases their family members.
Thursday, May 11, 2017
When people contact the Oakland University Police Department dispatch line needing any variety of help or information, there’s a good chance they could reach Dispatcher Taylor Williams, an Oakland University alumna.
Tuesday, May 02, 2017
Casey Kandow, EMBA ’13, believes hard work, mentorship and education inspired his rapid rise to chief operations officer of McLaren Greater Lansing. Kandow launched this upward trajectory, which included three promotions in three years, when he wisely followed advice from his CEO to get an MBA.
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Oakland University’s School of Health Sciences recently hosted the inaugural Healthology Symposium.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Oakland University honored more than 30 faculty members for their scholarly achievements, dedication, path-breaking discoveries in research and critical teaching roles in educating the leaders of tomorrow during its 22nd Annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, April 19.
Monday, April 10, 2017
A great leader finds joy in the success of others and inspires generations of future leaders. After 51 years in the classroom – 30 at Oakland – it’s safe to say Accounting Professor Gadis “Buck” Dillon, Ph.D., has done just that.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
As director of pharmacy at McLaren Oakland Hospital, Sharelle Brown, MBA ’15, was already an experienced healthcare professional when she decided to pursue her Executive MBA.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Tickets are now available for Oakland University’s 2017 Varner Vitality Lecture featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Goodwin will present her talk “How Did We Get Here: The First 100 Days of an Unprecedented Presidency,” at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) on Thursday, April 13 in the Athletics Center O’rena, on OU’s campus.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Being an entrepreneur isn’t just a dream for Christian Kettenbeil. Already involved in several start-up ventures, entrepreneurship is his way of life.
Monday, February 27, 2017
In the best business deals the more you invest, the better the reward. From day one, Phillip Johnson, FIN ’16, invested heavily in his Oakland University School of Business Administration opportunities. That effort paid off with the launch of his career at Meritor, one of the world’s leading automotive suppliers.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Our alumni are working in many fields, not just performance.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
After opening locations in Ann Arbor and Plymouth, Applied Fitness Solutions co-owner and Oakland University graduate Jared Freeman recently returned to his roots – along with fellow OU alum and AFS Founder Michael Stack – to establish a new 17,000 square-foot facility in Rochester Hills.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
As the Oakland University men’s and women’s basketball teams prepared to square off against the University of Detroit Mercy this past week, alumni and fans of the two schools were engaged in the second annual Giving Challenge.
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Two Oakland University employees have been named to the Oakland County Executive’s Elite 40 Under 40 Class of 2017. The program honors exceptional individuals, under the age of 40, who excel in their field and improve the quality of life in Oakland County. Alex Delavan, director of Sponsored Programs, and Shaun Moore, director of e-Learning, are being recognized for outstanding career achievements and community contributions.
Tuesday, November 08, 2016
“I always knew I wanted to be an opera singer. At no time has that changed,” said music alumna Jacquelyn Wagner (BM ‘03) who enjoys a successful career in Europe singing in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Maria (Suvak) Turchyn (BM ‘16) has just launched her teaching career. She accepted a position teaching elementary general music at Roy Elementary in Roy, WA. Turchyn wrote, “I’m so grateful for the mentors I've had supporting me during this process.” Although she’s on the other side of the country, Turchyn took her Grizzly memorabilia with her, as you can see in this photo.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Oakland University’s School of Business Administration is among the nation’s best business schools, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company profiles the school in the new 2017 edition of its annual book, “The Best 294 Business Schools” and on its website. Oakland’s business school also appears on the organization’s "Best in Midwest" list.
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Beginning Friday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. and running through Sunday, Oct. 16 until 8 p.m., The MicroMacro Art Biome pop-up art gallery in downtown Detroit will feature the work of 16 artists and artistic groups from seven different countries.
Tuesday, October 04, 2016
Alumna Ellen Peck (BA ‘95), associate professor of theatre at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, is spending the current academic year researching and teaching at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Romania as a Fulbright Scholar.
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Successfully transitioning from college student to polished professional takes practice. By integrating professional and career development skills into the business curriculum, that’s exactly what Oakland University’s ACHIEVE program delivers for undergraduate business students.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Whether you’re a Pioneer or a Golden Grizzly, Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, which takes place Sept. 22-25, is a great time to return to Oakland University’s campus and see the many reasons to be a proud alum of OU.
Monday, September 19, 2016
The Grizz Gang and Golden Grizzlies Band have much in common. Not only are they staples of the spirited ambiance at Oakland University athletic events, but they are also among the closest-knit student groups on campus.
