Campaign for OU | Growth of Campus | Enhancing Technology | Strong Undergraduate Education | Quality Graduate Programs | Research | Quality Students | Athletics | Student Organizations | Alumni | Inspired Faculty and Staff | Diversity | Student Friendly Experiences | Community | Partnerships
By maintaining a pace of continual improvement and growth, Oakland University continues to be defined by its quality academic offerings and unique programs, as well as its dedicated faculty, students and supporters. The commitment of the campus community and the support of the local community have played an integral role in the successes OU saw in 2010.
Officials approved three new degree programs in 2010. The new Master’s of Science in Mechatronics, Master of Arts in Communication and Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies programs illustrate the versatile academic opportunities that make OU one of the leading public universities in the state.
University leaders broke ground on the new 172,000-square-foot Human Health Building that will house the School of Nursing and the School of Health Sciences. These efforts are designed to address shortages in the health care industry and increase Oakland’s economic impact in the region.
Oakland officials also announced plans for the Oakland University William Beaumont Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, while the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine prepares to welcome its charter class next August.
With these unique opportunities, it is no surprise that Oakland has continued to grow steadily. In the fall 2010 semester, enrollment increased for the 13th year in a row, with more than 19,000 students in attendance for the first time ever.
Amidst a challenging economic year, OU continued to be one of the state’s most affordable universities. The tuition increase for the 2010-11 academic year was kept under 5.8 percent, and OU maintained the no-fees pricing policy, which is the only of its kind among Michigan’s universities. By boosting financial aid resources by $4.8 million, the university provided a 53 percent discount to more than half of all undergraduate students.
Building on strategic partnerships is important to the university as well, especially with the concurrent enrollment programs now in place at Oakland, St. Clair and Macomb community colleges. Through a generous donation by philanthropists Gabe Anton and Stuart Frankel, a new facility in Mount Clemens will allow the university to expand programs and services in Macomb.
The Macomb-OU INCubator in Sterling Heights was awarded two federal grants totaling $841,000 to make building and technology improvements and assist companies in venturing from automotive to other industries.
A new venture was announced with Creating the Future II, a partnership of community and business leaders that have joined together with university faculty and staff to address state economic, health, energy, business and other issues.
Presented with a series of national and statewide challenges, Oakland University sailed through 2010 with its dedication to enhancing academic offerings, building local partnerships, anchoring the community and investing in the future. The articles below serve to paint a picture of a university dedicated to excellence in education and the community.
Campaign for OU
The OU community contributed more than $222,000, exceeding the All-University Fund Drive goal.
Full Story...
A total of $23,000 was raised for student scholarships through the OUAA scholarship fund at the first-ever Grizzly Gala.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Growth of Campus
OU breaks ground on state-of-the-art Human Health Building.
Full Story...
Prominent Macomb County investors donate building to OU.
Full Story...
OU welcomed largest undergraduate class in its history with more than 19,000 students.
Full Story...
University honored longtime Trustee Ann Nicholson by naming the University Student Apartments for her.
Full Story...
OU's SBA welcomed the new Stinson Student Advancement Center to campus.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Enhancing Technology
OU hosts the 18th annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition.
Full Story...
OUPD’s new digital communications system connects to Oakland County.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Strong Undergraduate Education
Religious Studies program expanded its course offerings, including a historical look at Jesus.
Full Story...
New Bachelor of Science major in Actuarial Science approved for fall 2010.
Full Story...
Innovative programs involving the water and environmental chemistry industries gain popularity.
Full Story...
SBA experiential learning programs equip students for success with professional work experience.
Full Story...
Embedded tutors help students boost academic writing skills.
Full Story...
SEHS Reading Recovery program awarded $4M grant.
Full Story...
Popular Cinema Studies program expands with new faculty and course offerings.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Quality Graduate Programs
SBA partnered with Altair to offer a new data mining and business intelligence certificate program.
Full Story...
School of Nursing offers two new accredited, online completion programs for nurses with a diploma or associate’s degree.
Full Story...
OU bolsters academic offerings with three new degree programs.
Full Story...
Rigorous nurse practitioner program prepares students for new opportunity.
Full Story...
Exercise Science program attracting more students to OU.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Research
OU researchers and doctoral students pair up with Beaumont Hospital in a study to help reduce fatigue and improve the health of cancer patients.
Full Story...
A total of 10 OU researchers won more than $2.7 million in National Institutes of Health awards for research in a variety of scientific disciplines.
Full Story...
Anthropology professor secured $100,000 grant to study Pentecostalism in Latin America.
Full Story...
Teaching study earned award, garnered national attention for OU's library programs.
Full Story...
OU researchers awarded more than $2 million in health-related grants.
Full Story...
OU faculty earned nearly $1.8 million in grants to support science-related projects.
Full Story...
OU and Beaumont Hospitals announced venture into stem cell research.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Quality Students
Three seniors win prestigious Wilson and Human Relations awards for 2010.
Full Story...
OU doctoral student Benjamin Buller was awarded a American Heart Association fellowship for his research on stem-cell dynamics.
Full Story...
OU student Stephen Parker awarded 2009 SAE Outstanding Younger Member Award.
Full Story...
Passion for OU and engineering unite current students and siblings Elaine, Robert, Emily and Rachel Petrach.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Athletics
Men’s and women’s swimming teams won the Summit League Championship title for the 11th year in a row.
Full Story...
Men's basketball team won its second Summit League regular-season championship.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Student Organizations
Model UN team honored at international conference in Toronto.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Alumni
Alumna Joann Washington’s OU degree took her across the world to South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
Full Story...
NASA scientist and OU alumnus Kevin Grazier acts as a scientific advisor in Hollywood.
Full Story...
OU alumnus Ben Clarke to open local specialty shop, "People Skate and Snowboard.”
Full Story...
Longtime educator and OU alumnus earns dissertation award from the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.
Full Story...
Navy Seal and neurosurgeon Dr. Bill Underwood got his start at OU.
Full Story...
OU alumnus selected to blog classroom advice for teachers on Scholastic website.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Inspired Faculty and Staff
Fulbright scholar and political science professor Keith Gottschalk brings South African politics to OU.
Full Story...
Henri Gooren, anthropologist and OU assistant professor awarded grant to study Pentecostalism in Chile and Paraguay.
Full Story...
The AP Assembly honored Police Chief Samuel Lucido as 2010 Outstanding Administrative Professional of the Year.
Full Story...
Barry S. Winkler, professor and member of OU's Eye Research Institute, selected for Distinguished Service Award from ARVO.
Full Story...
Chief Lucido celebrated as Outstanding AP of the year.
Full Story...
Professor explored ambition, infidelity and race in new book, “Brother Mine.”
Full Story...
OU's Office of the Registrar awarded statewide Outstanding Support Staff honors.
Full Story...
Oakland County Executive L. Brook Patterson recognized OU President Dr. Gary Russi with county award.
Full Story...
OU physics professor lectures lectured to Argentinean students and country’s president.
Full Story...
Children’s literature has worldwide advocate in OU professor.
Full Story...
Shannon O’Berski, Marketing and Communications manager, promotes Meadow Brook Hall.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Diversity
Keeper of the Dream scholarship award winners promote cultural diversity and unity.
Full Story...
Jewish Film Festival brings culture and diversity to Meadow Brook Hall.
Full Story...
ISSO host family program offers local support for international students.
Full Story...
OU celebrated culture, history with 2010 Hispanic Celebration.
Full Story...
ISSO students teach diversity and culture in the community.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Student Friendly Experiences
New Early Alert program keeps students on track to graduate by assisting with academic difficulties.
Full Story...
OU’s film students receive real world experience as film production interns.
Full Story...
BoxFest Detroit 2010 showcased original plays from four Oakland playwrights.
Full Story...
OU’s innovative Summer Student Campus Corps program concluded a second successful year.
Full Story...
OU named a “Military Friendly School” for 2011 by “G.I. Jobs” magazine.
Full Story...
In its second year, OU’s Bike Share Program made an impact with the launch of 60 new bicycles.
Full Story...
OU's Art Gallery celebrates tenth anniversary with special exhibition.
Full Story...
Acclaimed writer and Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz spoke at OU.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Community
OU professor brings history and archaeology alive to local elementary students.
Full Story...
The Grizz visits elementary classrooms to inspire love of reading.
Full Story...
OU's MI Works! program enjoys fourth year of record enrollment.
Full Story...
Military spouses get financial help at OU through MyCAA program.
Full Story...
OU hosts fourth annual International Conference on Teaching and Learning.
Full Story...
OU initiative designed to engage community leaders and help put Michigan back on track.
Full Story...
John and Marie Pino donate time, resources to the SEHS and entire university community.
Full Story...
Oakland Symphony Orchestra launched up exciting first season.
Full Story...
(return to top)
Partnerships
OU's branch of the statewide Wade H. McCree Scholarship Program provides full tuition scholarships to 60 disadvantaged students each year.
Full Story...
Oakland Community College and OU launch concurrent enrollment program.
Full Story...
OU and DSO partner to give students unique musical experience.
Full Story...
(return to top)