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
Without a doubt, 2011 was a significant year for Oakland University. It oversaw a great deal of change, growth and recognition for the campus community in a variety of areas. Still, none of these successes would be possible without the creativity, ambition, and dedication of Oakland’s students, staff and faculty.
Focused on a providing a distinctive educational experience with an emphasis on academic quality, Oakland University approved two new bachelor’s degree programs in 2011. The Bachelor of Arts Major in Creative Writing is one of a small but growing number of programs across the country, and the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences offers a specialized approach to pre-medical curriculum that is emerging rapidly throughout the nation.
The campus has continued a steady pace of growth and increased student enrollment for the 14th consecutive year. To augment this demand, the new Anton-Frankel Center opened in Mount Clemens, and the construction of the Human Health Building has continued to advance both ahead of schedule and on budget. The building, which will house the schools of Nursing and Health Sciences, is expected to open in 2012. In addition, a $30 million commitment from the state has allowed the university to plan for a new engineering center on campus.
In the spring, about 500 students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and business leaders joined together to help chart the university’s course as part of the Creating the Future II Summit. This new venture is designed to utilize Michigan’s movers and shakers to address state economics, health, energy, business and other issues.
A historic new chapter opened this August with the official launch of the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, the first Michigan has seen in nearly 50 years. The charter class of 50 students welcomed the unique opportunity to combine science coursework with clinical training through every step of the program. Designed to train top-notch physicians, the medical school also places great emphasis on compassion and community well-being.
Oakland University garnered tremendous national and international visibility this November, as the campus played host to a national Republican presidential debate. Several thousand attendees, reporters and community members descended on campus in the days leading up to the debate. The event not only showcased Oakland’s campus, but provided students with the rare chance to get involved and participate in an event on a national scale.
Dedicated to improving and contributing to the community, Oakland was recognized with the 2011 Business of the Year Award by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce. At the same time, the university has worked diligently to build and create new partnerships and outreach programs through its business incubators, concurrent enrollment programs, and satellite campuses.
While the year marked another tough economic and legislative time for Michiganders, Oakland University has managed to progress and even thrive. Despite challenges in an ever-changing political landscape, Oakland’s faculty, staff and students remain committed to crafting an institution of innovation and excellence.
The story of Oakland University continues below in news stories highlighting its many notable and diverse programs, events and achievements. The articles demonstrate Oakland’s growing reputation of providing a distinctive educational experience.
Campaign for OU
The Pawley family extends a $738,000 estate gift to OUWB School of Medicine.
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Schostak family makes $1 million pledge to OUWB School of Medicine.
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Growth of Campus
Oakland University has been allocated $30 million in state funding to help finance a $74.6 million state-of-the-art engineering center.
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OU officially launched its Clean Energy Research Center, welcoming hundreds of federal, state and local officials, and community and business leaders.
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New specialized engineering center at OU provides real world experiences with industry experts, faculty, and students.
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New area history book, “Images of America: Rochester and Rochester Hills,” authored by Meadow Brook Hall staffers.
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OU celebrated a milestone in the construction of its new Human Health Building with a traditional “topping out” ceremony.
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Kresge Library has been busy rolling out new amenities and student-friendly features.
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Grand opening of the Anton/Frankel Center marks new era of educational opportunity in Macomb.
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Oakland welcomes largest undergraduate class in university history, which marks the 14th consecutive year of enrollment growth.
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Enhancing Technology
OU holds the 2011 Michigan Celebration of Women in Computing conference, for women in the IT field.
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A new online grade change process has been implemented by the OU Registrar’s Office, saving time and money.
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Expert on digital age surveillance and privacy issues speaks about surveillance and monitoring in a modern, digital economy.
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The new Security Network Instructional Lab at OU gears to broaden local expertise in cyber security.
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OU’s Office of the Registrar recognized with a Model of Efficiency award by University Business magazine.
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OU-INC to host symposium focusing on new technology and job creation.
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New web-based tool makes searches easy at Kresge Library.
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Strong Undergraduate Education
During the winter 2011 semester, 16 OU students had the chance to walk on the wild side with a hands-on trip to Costa Rica’s tropical forests through an ecology course.
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IB teacher certification at OU is internationally known, with only nine universities worldwide offering International Baccalaureate teaching certifications.
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Oakland’s School of Business Administration’s new entrepreneurship minor to launch classes this fall.
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Summer study abroad programs offer unique academic experiences in countries from Ireland to Austria.
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OU scholarship students celebrate and thank their benefactors at the President’s Scholarship Luncheon.
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Social Work Program receives national accreditation and accolades through the Council on Social Work Education.
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Ghana, West Africa joined OU's summer study abroad line-up through the Center for International Programs and MTD.
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Honors College students collaborate with students and faculty in South Korea and Australia.
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New Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning ideal for aspiring financial service professionals.
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Quality Graduate Programs
OU's new SBA Certificate Program in Personal Financial Planning helps open new career opportunities in financial planning.
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Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Michigan’s first medical school in 47 years, welcomes first class.
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Flexible graduate certificate allows engineers to choose courses for their individual career needs.
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Professional and continuing education (PACE) programs promote continuing education courses and programs.
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Energy Management program focused on managing energy issues for sustainable enterprises.
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Research
Funded by donations totaling $2 million, a unique new laboratory is being built in OU’s Eye Research Institute.
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OU undergraduates gained valuable experience by working hand-in-hand with faculty and clinicians in OU’s Eye Research Institute.
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OU’s Summer Research Program encourages budding chemistry, biology science researchers.
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OU undergraduates gained valuable experience by working hand-in-hand with faculty and clinicians in OU’s Eye Research Institute.
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NSF grant to help OU recruit more women faculty members in the stem sciences.
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Quality Students
Emily Tissot, Se Min “Gerald” Sun, Rodrina Moore, and Aianna Scott, were recognized at the 2011 Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration in January.
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The Rochester Hills Library has a new mobile website designed by OU students Jason Nixon, Christine Janello and André Hébert.
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Two Women and Gender Studies students are the first ever recipients of the Barbara B. Hamilton Leadership and Service Award, named after a former OU professor.
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An OU nursing student received a $30,000 grant from Questcor Pharmaceuticals to establish a foundation for parents whose children suffer from rare disorders.
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Students in OU’s Occupational Safety and Health program earned 31 scholarship awards worth a combined total of more than $50,000.
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A total of 17 OU students, recommended by their teachers, have won awards in the school's 2010 Writing Excellence contest.
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Accomplished student leaders Stephen Parker, Marta Bauer, and Jasmine Rudolph earned the prestigious Wilson awards and Human Relations Award.
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Oakland Post Design Editor Jason Willis named Student Designer of the Year in a national journalism competition.
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OU students and recent graduates gain experience in government operations through the Public Service Fellowship Program.
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OU environmental science major Alex Kozlowski was selected as one of the Detroit Free Press’ Michigan Green Leaders for 2011.
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International fellowship sends OU student to study at Université Sainte-Anne in Nova Scotia.
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Athletics
Leading the way with a league-best 63 student-athletes, OU has earned the top place on The Summit League All-Academic Teams.
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The Golden Grizzlies won their second straight Summit League Championship, with a victory over North Dakota State.
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OU student Brittany Carnago was named to the Division I-AAA ADA Scholar Athlete Team and chosen to receive the inaugural I-AAA ADA Postgraduate Scholarship.
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Student Organizations
WXOU-FM, OU’s campus radio station, won multiple state collegiate broadcast awards.
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The new Grassroots Grizzlies Advocacy Network promotes legislative awareness, including elections, news, events and potential internships.
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OU's Model United Nations team turned in a stellar showing at the 2011 North American Model UN Conference in Toronto.
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OU's student chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA) won three awards at the 33rd National Collegiate Conference.
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OU FIRST Robotics team makes strong showing at national competition.
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OU's Urban Farming group grows fresh produce for the community.
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Newly revitalized political science organization recognized with the 2010-2011 Best Chapter Award by the national office.
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OU News Bureau offers critical hands-on reporting opportunities to journalism students.
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Alumni
OU's MTD recognized the achievements of MTD students, alumni and community partners at the 12th annual MaTilDa Awards banquet.
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OU alumni in California network, reconnect at OUAA reception as part of an effort to develop regional networks of alumni in strategic areas across the country.
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OU alumna Amy Ackley's first novel, "Sign Language," published in bookstores nationwide.
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OU alumnus brings spark of science to high needs classroom, through a university scholarship and philanthropic organization.
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OU honors outstanding citizens at 17th Alumni Awards Banquet.
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New York Times praises OU alumna for musical theater work as Maria in “West Side Story.”
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Philanthropic alumnus honored as a Distinguished Volunteer by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter.
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Inspired Faculty and Staff
OU Professor Phyllis Rooney's scholarly paper has been republished in the 25th anniversary issue of Hypatia, a feminist philosophy journal.
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OU's Dr. Haworth Hoeppner has won the national 2010 Ohio State University Press Award in Poetry with his collection "Blood Prism."
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Four Oakland University professors have been awarded $15,000 fellowships through the OU Pawley Lean Institute.
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Dr. Gopalan Srinivasan earned Michigan’s 2011 Distinguished Professor of the Year award, which recognizes outstanding faculty contributions to undergraduate instruction.
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Two OU faculty members have been awarded prestigious Fulbright scholarships to pursue their work in education in international and cross-cultural settings.
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Donna Malaski, an adviser in OU’s Department of Human Resource Development, has received the 2010-2011 Outstanding Professional Advising Award.
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Eddie Cheng, Ph.D., chair of Oakland’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, has been honored as OU’s 2011 Distinguished Professor.
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Roxanne Knudson and Vernita Parker are being honored for outstanding service to the university with the first-ever Sharon Wilhelm Award.
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OU's Dr. Pamela Marin receives national academic advising award.
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Mark Stone, a special instructor in the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, has helped see that OU’s World Music program has thrived.
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New area history book, “Images of America: Rochester and Rochester Hills,” authored by Meadow Brook Hall staffers.
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Local artist and OU instructor Corrie Baldauf earned a fellowship from the Kresge Foundation for her work.
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OU's Linda Tyson has earned the 2012 Michigan Higher Education, Art Educator Award by the Michigan Art Education Association.
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Cinema Studies assistant professor Ross Melnick featured in a New York Times article.
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SON dean, Dr. Kerri Schuiling, named a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
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Diversity
OU celebrated diversity, culture and community during the 19th annual Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Awards Celebration.
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The OU community presented African American Celebration Month 2011: Roots, Achievements and Projections.
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A six week China workshop about Chinese language and culture helps promote cross-cultural understanding.
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European Celebration Night full of delicious fare and diverse entertainment.
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First-ever LGBTQA Community Advocacy Scholarship awarded to OU student.
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International Village creates unique sense of community, offering domestic and international OU students the opportunity to live together.
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Student Friendly Experiences
As part of this year’s CAS theme, Fulbright Scholar Dr. Pierre Englebert discussed the current border issues of African nations.
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Political science scholars host a panel discussion to explore the impacts of political protests in the Arab world, in response to the waves of popular protest.
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OU's Writing Center is blossoming, thanks to a gift of original artwork from an OU professor, which helps to create a welcoming and creative environment at the center.
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Each year, many OU students choose to spend their spring vacation by volunteering in a meaningful way, through the Alternative Spring Break program.
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State government comes alive for OU students, faculty and staff with 14th annual OU Day at the Capitol.
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Cinema Studies students earn professional film experience on the set of a teenage zombie movie.
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Department of Music, Theatre and Dance performs tale of salvation with "Women of Lockerbie."
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Oakland University to host provocative filmmaker Michael Moore, as he promotes his new book, “Here Comes Trouble.”
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The Republican Presidential Debate at Oakland allows students to participate in a national political event and represent their university.
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OU offers a series of interactive events as part of the national Republican presidential debate.
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Golden Grizzlies share their OU stories in debate video commentaries on the Debate at Oakland website.
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OU to host cultural lecture featuring Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, focusing on the relationship between the Islamic world and the West.
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President's Colloquium to explore art and writing, with the topic of art and marginalia, presented by Andrea Eis.
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OU ranked as one of Michigan's safest college campuses by StateUniversity.com.
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Community
The Oakland Symphony performed The Planets, by Gustav Holst, as part of its 14th Annual David Daniels Young Artists Concert.
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More than 1,000 students, parents, teachers, and community volunteers attended the Oakland County Science Olympiad Regional Tournament, held at OU.
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Extraordinary benefactress Maggie Allesee honored for a lifetime of civic engagement with honorary degree.
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The Grizz works to instill love of reading in local elementary students.
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OU musicians and jazz violinist Regina Carter showcase their talents at the Detroit Jazz Festival.
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OUPD officers raise funds and awareness for national charity dedicated to supporting the families of slain officers.
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OU named Business of the Year by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
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OU recognized businessman and philanthropist Hugh Elliott honorary doctorate degree.
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Partnerships
SEHS receives $100,000 grant for pilot summer reading program in charter school.
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OU's director of Career Services, Wayne Thibodeau named president elect of the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance.
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I2B helps Oakland entrepreneurs launch new ventures for business, products, and services.
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