Created by Dr. Ramey in fall 2016, the endowed scholarship supports graduate students in the School of Education and Human Services Department of Counseling committed to a humanistic counseling orientation — an individualized approach Dr. Ramey strongly advocates and calls “transformative.”

“I’ve known since I retired that I wanted to do something to give back,” she said. Dr. Ramey retired from OU in 2011 and now maintains a small private counseling practice in Boulder, Colorado. Creating the scholarship during her lifetime meant the opportunity to meet the students it helps, she explained. “I wanted to give to OU with a warm hand rather than a cold hand.”

In this spirit, Dr. Ramey made sure to congratulate inaugural scholarship recipient, Rebecca Vannest, in person during a return trip to campus. Vannest began her doctoral studies under Ramey’s guidance and will now complete them in part thanks to her generosity.  

“We are so grateful to Dr. Ramey for supporting our students through this scholarship,” said Angie Schmucker, vice president for Development and Alumni Relations at OU.

Endowed scholarships, she explained, are a way OU faculty and alumni can leave their mark and open doors for future students. Following her career of mentoring countless students during her tenure as a full-time professor in the Department of Counseling from 1981 to 2011 and department chair from 1996 to 2008, Dr. Ramey’s scholarship will continue where she left off.  

“Our faculty touch and inspire so many lives during their time at OU,” said Schmucker. “Dr. Ramey’s gift continues her impact on students and our community, even now that she has retired. It's an incredible thing.”