When is work not work? The short answer is never. But, when you’re doing what you love, believe in what you do, and can partner with people who inspire and motivate you en route, you can say at least it’s good work. As we were putting this issue together, it struck me that so many of the people featured have so much more going on than mere tasks.
Matilda Dodge Wilson’s passion for her home, Meadow Brook Hall, is a pretty big case in point. She and her husband, Alfred, spent years planning their home, right down to the switch plates in each room. They built what’s been called an “American castle,” but to her, it was a home for her family, a place in the country where she and Alfred entertained, a location for her philanthropic and community service and above all, her “pride and joy.”
Good work can be timeless. A group of students in the ’70s took their love of the university and affection for each other and started an association that’s been getting together for 21 years. Alumnus Lisa Flynn was motivated by her love of country and her career as a vascular surgeon to serve in Iraq last year.
This issue’s Distinguished Professor, Bob Eberwein, took a love of film and built an academic program that has inspired students for three generations. And it’s Eberwein’s faculty partner, Brian Murphy, who reminds us all in the first “Gold Minds” column that “All you need is love.” He might just have something there…
Lillian Lorenzi, Editor
Looking for OU lore…
I’d like to ask again for students, alumni, faculty and staff to help us research “Legends, Fables, Hauntings (and other weird happenings) at OU.” We’d like to hear from you about any experiences you’ve had or tales you’ve heard that fit into this category. Drop us a letter or e-mail oumag@oakland.edu.