Alumni Night of Excellence

June 18, 2022

Thank you, Erin….
And thank you to our advancement team led by Mike
Westfall.
Our team does a great job in keeping connected to the
career trajectories of our alumni.
Thank you for being here at the Alumni Night of
Excellence. I am so please to see so many alumni in
person and on campus.
Our more than 130,000 alumni are not only the backbone
of the Michigan economy, but they are making a positive
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difference in their professions and communities around
the country.
Our graduates have proven themselves in a range of
professions with their achievements in business,
engineering, nursing, medicine, healthcare, education, the
natural sciences, community service, and other fields.
My deep appreciation to the Oakland University Alumni
Association for your tireless work to reach across
Michigan and the country to connect OU graduates to our
ever-growing OU community.
Thank you for your passion, support and proudly
representing Oakland University.

< P A U S E >
At no other event is the upward trajectory of Oakland
University as apparent and compelling as the Alumni
Night of Excellence.
Shortly, you will hear how tonight’s honorees have made
their mark, and collectively, represent the finest examples
of dedication, hard work, and selflessness.
Tonight’s honorees also share a history: They began their
career journeys when they graduated from Oakland
University….where our talented faculty helped shape and
cultivate their potential.
It’s been about 27 months since the onset of the
pandemic, which required nothing less than reinventing
how we deliver courses, campus life and the
administration of the university.
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While our daily focus has been on providing the healthiest
and safest campus possible, we have continued to push
ahead…in making sure Oakland is a dynamic learning
environment.
I’d like to take a few moments to present a snapshot of
developments that are positioning Oakland University as
“the university of choice.”
There are exciting visible and conceptual transformations
occurring that I think will make you quite proud…
- Construction has begun on South Foundation Hall, a
  place where nearly all students attend class….
- Classrooms and rehearsal space are being added to
  Varner Hall
- A contemporary Welcome Center in the expanded
  Wilson Hall will be ready this fall to greet new and
  returning students
- A state-of-the art Welcome Center is also planned to
  complement Meadow Brook Hall, one of the
  country’s cultural jewels.
- A new façade and renovated interior at O’Dowd Hall
  will make the OUWB Medical School a distinctive
  campus landmark
- Final improvements are underway at the engineering
  research building, where our talented faculty will
  collaborate with a range of industries in seeking
  breakthrough innovations…
- And with the purchase of an expansive 140,000-
  square-foot west-campus building site that’s partly in
  Pontiac and partly in Auburn Hills, we are in position
  to build on our reputation as a talent pipeline for the
  region’s healthcare industry with an upcoming
  physician’s assistant program and new home for a
  range of our health sciences programs.
There is no question that there are major changes ahead
for higher education institutions across the nation…and
Oakland University remains vigilant and committed to
being “the university of choice.”
o That ambition is at the heart of our “Reimagining OU”
initiative, which engages students, faculty and staff in
exploring ways to further develop our culture and
community engagement.
We know today’s students seek a range of learning
options, including in-person, online and hybrid….
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We know today’s students expect their time and money
spent on their education will translate to good, well-paying
job. And, we have an obligation to make sure it does.
And, we know today’s students want to be engaged in a
campus community that is committed to sustainability and
respects the environment…and they want to be a part of a
university that acts responsibly.
- Over the past year, we’ve made significant strides in
  developing a comprehensive university sustainability
  plan, and have a partnership with Oakland County
  that will draw upon our faculty and students.
We hope to sustain a deep and meaningful relationship
with our alumni, and continue to play a prominent role in
your lives.
We take great pride that we were there at the beginning of
your journey…and we consider it an honor to be with you
every subsequent step of the way.
We are so proud of each of tonight’s honorees -- along
with OU alumni everywhere – for representing the promise
and legacy of Oakland University.
Tonight, we take great pride in telling your story, and
sharing your success because your story is our story, and
your success is our success.
Now, I’d like to invite Erin Sudrovech back to the stage to
continue with tonight’s awards ceremony