Preserving and fulfilling the vision for Oakland University (OU) in 2010 and beyond involves the work and dedication of many Oakland ambassadors. Guided by our motto "to seek virtue and knowledge,” we will build an even stronger Oakland that will prepare our graduates for success in work and life – and more fully secure our reputation in higher education. We are continuously grateful for friends and contributors who care and have been proactive in supporting Oakland in countless ways. Your gifts demonstrate confidence in our shared future and move us closer to our goals of changing lives, preparing leaders and improving the world around us. “You, Oakland University donors, have been inspired to change lives and impact future generations by supporting the students and faculty of this campus through your gifts of time and treasure. Your contributions make an impact on people’s lives and enable Oakland to offer a distinctive education...one that will soon include a new medical school in partnership with Beaumont Health System." — Gary D. Russi, President of Oakland University

Student Comments

“To me, scholarship money is not like a reward that is given to students. It’s more an investment made in them by the university and the alumni. You receive a scholarship as money someone put into you; you go out there to work as hard as you can to accomplish as much as you can to pay back the investment.”
— Matt MacLeod, SEHS ’04

“I was not expecting to get this scholarship. It encouraged me to be a more successful, hard-working student by making me realize that I was doing better than I thought I was.”
— Rami Haddad, an OUAA scholarship enabled him to finish his rigorous double major in math and engineering

“In my life, I never imagined I would be where I am. I’ll be the first one in my family to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree and I plan to continue my studies. OU gave me a solid base to build on.”
— LaTorya Ellison, CAS ’06

Donor Comments

“I feel so strongly that successful people in this world, whether you come from the automobile industry like I did or if you come from the medical professions or education, that you owe something to the community and the industries that you served and that made you successful in life.”
— Dennis Pawley

“I think the university is such a great place for philanthropy. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, what matters is what you do with it. When you give to a university, you’re helping students be more creative, helping them be more adaptable and prepared for competing in today’s global market and that’s something Oakland does so well. You can really have an impact on students’ lives.”
— Hugh Elliott, President and CEO, Elliott Group International

“Alumni should help the school that gave them the tools to be successful. Hearing that someone had an opportunity to pursue a course of study, or to benefit from programs that were made possible by gifts from donors, it leaves you with a warm spot in your heart.”
— John Mills, CAS ’72

“I wouldn’t have gone to college without a scholarship. My Oakland education has made a tremendous impact on my life, what I could accomplish, and the connections I made.”
— Gary Laidlaw, SBA ’64

“We wanted to give something back to the place that really provided us with a terrific start and a liberal arts education.”
— Annette, MAT ’70, SEHS ’66, and Jerry, SEHS ’66, Johns

“Oakland is a tremendous school and underrated in terms of public awareness. I received a good education and it’s an excellent atmosphere and environment for learning. Whenever I can, I encourage students to come to OU, and it’s important to help students financially when we can. Scholarships are important.”
— Randall Golden, CAS ’78

“The result of Oakland's campaign will be an institution that is ready to support the future direction of the state of Michigan and its goal to bring the promise of higher education to more citizens…to contribute to the vitality of the region around us through preparing future workforce leaders who will impact society and our quality of life.”
— Penny Crissman, Board of Trustees

“Giving from the heart, that’s where, I think, the motivation comes. You can give to lots of things. There are charities and causes pulling at people. The key is to find what touches your heart individually, specifically.”
— Ken Hightower, Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Donor

“As someone who works in an industry that is constantly evolving and re-inventing itself, I have a sense of the challenge it must be as a university to keep pace with the changes happening in the workforce. Oakland University has a calling to prepare young minds for the future. A future that will demand graduates who understand technology and math and who at the same time can write skillfully and communicate with colleagues, who can mentor others and teach by example.”
— Susan Cischke, OU Alumna and Vice President for Environmental and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company 

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