July 10, 2024
Marlene McKean first set foot on Oakland University's campus as a temporary employee in June 1985. She worked in numerous campus offices until joining the Meadow Brook Health Enhancement Institute full time at its inception in February 1986. Her journey with the School of Engineering and Computer Science began in July 1989 when she transferred to the Advising Office.
Modern conveniences, like web and email, weren't yet part of her work environment.
“I corresponded by using a typewriter and notes were written with pen and paper.” McKean recalled. "Appointments were made on a hard-copy calendar, which was always at hand and you didn't have to worry about the system going down, which did happen back in the day."
Her memories abound as she rattles off a time capsule of noteworthy names and moments:
"Before we were the Golden Grizzlies, we were the Oakland Pioneers, with mascot Pioneer Pete, and the student newspaper was called the Oakland Sail. I remember pig roasts after soccer games and the excitement and rallies held in the OC or the Lepley Sports Center for the basketball team. Anita Rapp (OU soccer player) and Haitham Hassan (engineering student/OU swim and dive team member) participated in the 2000 Summer Olympics.
“The president was Dr. Joseph Champagne, OU's third president, and Paul Hartman was the athletic director. Greg Kampe was always the basketball coach and Pete Hovland was the swim and dive coach. I was involved with the Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance for many years. I attended plays at The Barn. What fun it was to watch the hot air balloons land on campus!”
While her character is one of quiet dedication, working behind the scenes and never expecting recognition, McKean’s many admirable qualities haven’t gone unnoticed. She’s been twice recognized as Employee of the Month and has received countless thank-you notes from students, parents, faculty and staff over the years.
As she enters her 40th year with Oakland, McKean is being recognized with the 2024 Sharon Wilhelm Excellence Award. The award is given annually to a clerical/technical employee who exemplifies the positive, can-do spirit of Sharon Wilhelm, who spent her 45-year career providing exceptional service to the OU community.
Colleagues nominated McKean for the Wilhelm Award, describing her as a relationship builder with a kind spirit, calm demeanor and strong work ethic. In her current role, as office assistant in the SECS Advising Office, she's often the first face that people encounter when they visit or the friendly voice on the line when they call.
Sarah Konrad, SECS advising director, calls McKean “a friendly smile, a welcoming voice and a listening ear,” with a remarkable knack for remembering students' names and faces, even those who've been away from campus for a while.
“I remember a stop-out student who called our office when he was considering returning to OU. Marlene immediately remembered this student and happily welcomed him back,” said Konrad. “The student indicated that this exchange helped him feel much more at ease to return, knowing he was remembered and cared about. Marlene simply makes everyone feel like part of the OU family."
When another returning student recently called the office, McKean thought the last name sounded familiar. As it turned out, his mother went to OU and used to bring McKean baked goods.
“The student said that his mom would love to come with him for his appointment just to see me again,” McKean laughed, “and she’ll bake something for me!”
While being a great ambassador for SECS and OU, McKean juggles a constantly evolving list of job duties.
She said: “I enjoy all facets of my job, whether it be working with students, staff, faculty, parents or anyone else who comes into our office or calls. I assist them in whatever their needs or questions may be. I tell students what OU has to offer and give information regarding campus resources and encourage them to get involved with an extracurricular activity of their interest. I try to make each one feel welcomed and excited about being a Grizzly. I also tell them that their runaround is over. No matter where they are, if they have a question and don't know where to go, call me. I will tell them exactly where to go and who to see.”
A forward-looking mindset remains among McKean's best attributes as she leans into process improvements to better serve the OU community. “In the last five years, our office has shifted to being a nearly paper-free space. All of our forms are now submitted electronically and we house all student records electronically,” said Kurtis Kirkpatrick, SECS senior academic adviser. "Marlene was able to adapt to this change with ease. These changes have made our office faster and more efficient."
Beyond balancing the demands of a bustling advising office, McKean reflects her can-do spirit onto others. Offering wise words of encouragement, she persuaded a friend to return to school to earn her bachelor's degree from OU.
"The friend said that she would be in her mid-40s before she graduated. She had three children. I told her to start by taking one class at a time," McKean recounted. "She will be in her 40s anyhow – she may as well be 40 with a degree. She is now a math teacher at the high school level, with a master's degree, and is still working. Her children are also OU grads."
McKean also encouraged an engineering student to take a job that required working overseas.
“He was very apprehensive,” she recalled, "but after several discussions, decided to accept the offer. He loved it and stayed for several years. He is now teaching the language of that country at a university.”
Despite her achievements and the impact she’s made at OU, McKean doesn’t seek accolades, but instead takes pride in simply doing her job well.
“I am very surprised and honored that so many people would take the time to submit a comment on my behalf,” said McKean, referring to her Wilhelm Award nominators. "Thank you all so much. I am truly humbled by this recognition for just doing my job.”