Campus Life

This past weekend, students in Oakland University’s Project Upward Bound were in the presence of Motown greatness. Martha Reeves, leader of the famed 1960s singing group “Martha and the Vandellas,” visited OU’s campus to share stories from her life and career, stressing the importance of setting goals and cultivating confidence.

Oakland University’s School of Business Administration will welcome its first Honors class in the fall of 2018, but high school seniors interested in being admitted to the program are encouraged to apply starting in July 2017 as enrollment in the program is limited to 35 students per year.

“Learning How to Learn,” the massively popular course focused on giving students “powerful mental tools to master tough subjects” will be coming to an Oakland University classroom this fall.

Oakland University’s Project Upward Bound (PUB), a college preparatory enrichment program, has received a $3 million grant from the federal government. The five-year grant will help sustain one of the university’s most successful and enduring programs. Oakland University’s PUB is the second-largest in Michigan and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016. 

The Wind Symphony is Oakland University’s premier wind band. Its undergraduate and graduate student musicians are selected annually through competitive audition. Under the direction of Dr. Gregory Cunningham, director of bands, the Wind Symphony always maintains an active concert schedule both on and off campus, but next year will bring particularly exciting opportunities.

Oakland University ranks among the safest colleges in the nation, according to a new report from a national trade organization dedicated to furthering public knowledge on home safety and security issues.

Every day more and more companies are leveraging the benefits of business analytics to improve customer service, enhance operational performance, identify new business markets and drive revenue growth. The industry is flourishing, and Forbes reports the market is expected to nearly double by 2020.

The Oakland University Chorale is embarking on a European Concert Tour at the end of June, and they have announced a Bon Voyage Concert on June 27 at Sweetest Heart of Mary Church in Detroit.

As part of its Out on Campus Initiative, representatives from Oakland University will be participating in two of Michigan’s largest LGBTQIA festivals – Ferndale Pride and Motor City Pride – during the month of June.

The Oakland University Foundation has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the AT&T Aspire Program.

“Anything you do to the soil in a forest is going to have ramifications for how that forest system functions ecologically.”

The Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), which provides an opportunity for engineers from around the world to compete with their uniquely-designed unmanned vehicles, will return June 2-5 to Oakland University.

Oakland University hosted the 11th annual Clinton River Water Festival on Friday, May 19 for fifth grade students from the Clinton River Watershed community schools in Oakland County.

This year, the Oakland University theatre program will present Wiley and the Hairy Man as its annual children’s theatre production.

Oakland University’s Ecology Club, along with faculty and staff from the Biology Department, will host a “Bioblitz” at 9 a.m. May 20 at the OU Biological Preserve in an effort to document its biodiversity.

Whether you’re considering running for office or just want to learn more about the process, Oakland University is offering a new course that will help students gain a better understanding of the basics of campaign strategy, tactics and techniques.

The Meeting of Minds Undergraduate Research Conference will take place on Friday, May 12 on OU’s campus.The Meeting of Minds Undergraduate Research Conference, which invites students from Oakland University, the University of Michigan-Flint and the University of Michigan-Dearborn to present the results of their scholarly and creative endeavors through oral or poster presentations, will take place on Friday, May 12 on OU’s campus.

Oakland University’s School of Health Sciences recently hosted the inaugural Healthology Symposium.

The Oakland University Department of Music, Theatre and Dance recently honored some of its top student performers and distinguished alumni during the 18th annual MaTilDa Awards, which took place on April 18 in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms. The “red-carpet” event included dinner and music performances, as well as award presentations recognizing exceptional service and performance by Music, Theatre and Dance students. 

Oakland University has developed an exciting new Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema Studies with a Specialization in Filmmaking, which will start enrolling students this fall.

On April 18, Oakland University leaders, dignitaries, staff, students and friends gathered in Oak View Hall, home of the Honors College, to celebrate the dedication of the Gary W. Laidlaw Room. 

Oakland University honored more than 30 faculty members for their scholarly achievements, dedication, path-breaking discoveries in research and critical teaching roles in educating the leaders of tomorrow during its 22nd Annual Faculty Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, April 19.

On Wednesday, April 5, Oakland University held its fourth annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference. This year’s theme was “Leveraging Diversity: Creating a Community of Belonging” and featured presentations from leading experts in the field of diversity and inclusion.

In an effort to revitalize its woodlands and kick-start a maintenance program, Meadow Brook Hall is launching the Woodland Entrance Restoration Program on Arbor Day, April 28, as a community work day and tree planting celebration.

Beth Talbert, a longtime Oakland University employee and community leader, recently earned the 2017 Phyllis Law Googasian Award for outstanding contributions to the advancement of women. 

If you are wondering what to do for fun and exercise this summer, Oakland University’s department of University Recreation and Well-Being may have an answer.

The Office of Research Administration is inviting all Oakland University faculty and alumni, as well as the general public, to attend “No Guts, No Glory,” an upcoming “Soundings Series” event featuring Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler.

On Wednesday, April 5, Oakland University held its fourth annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference. This year’s theme was “Leveraging Diversity: Creating a Community of Belonging” and featured presentations from leading experts in the field of diversity and inclusion. 

Transgender advocate Charin Davenport, who teaches writing and rhetoric at Oakland University, has been selected to serve on the National LGBTQ Task Force, an organization that has been promoting equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities for more than 40 years.

Each spring, the Oakland University Board of Trustees takes time to recognize three senior students for distinguishing themselves as outstanding scholars and leaders on campus and in the community. 

The Presidential Search Committee successfully performed its duties and recommended the names of highly qualified individuals to the Board of Trustees. The full Board will consider these recommendations and invite two candidates to campus for public forums and further interviews.

Starting with the fall 2017 academic term, Oakland University will implement changes in its payment and cancellation due dates.

This past week, students in the Oakland University School of Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine gathered in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms to take part in a workshop and discussion about the nation's growing opioid abuse epidemic. 

Students from the International Technology Academy (ITA) in Pontiac visited Oakland University last week to experience a day in the life of an Honors College student. The high school students were paired with an Honors College student with whom they attended class, listened to research presentations and lunched in Vandenberg Cafeteria. 

What is it that makes a good April Fool's prank, and why do people enjoy pulling them?

Oakland University’s on-campus radio station, 88.3FM WXOU, will celebrate its 51st Birthday Bash on Tuesday, April 4 at The Crofoot Ballroom in downtown Pontiac.

The Presidential Search Committee has successfully performed its duties and has recommended the names of highly qualified individuals to the Board of Trustees for their consideration.

Every April, Oakland University hosts Pride Week to celebrate OU’s diversity in sexual orientation and gender identity with events that raise awareness, promote education and foster a sense of community.

Beginning Monday, March 27, Oakland University will host a weeklong series of events celebrating Arabic culture and history.

On Sunday, April 2, the Oakland University community will join a worldwide movement to mark World Autism Awareness Day by bringing blue light to the Elliott Tower. This is Oakland’s third year hosting an event on its campus to highlight autism as a growing global health priority. 

Director Rodrigo Reyes will visit Oakland University on March 27 for a special screening and discussion of his award-winning documentary, “Purgatorio: A Journey into the Heart of the Border.”

Tickets are now available for Oakland University’s 2017 Varner Vitality Lecture featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author and presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Goodwin will present her talk “How Did We Get Here: The First 100 Days of an Unprecedented Presidency,” at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) on Thursday, April 13 in the Athletics Center O’rena, on OU’s campus.

Daytime and evening classes on Thursday, March 9, at the Oakland University Anton/Frankel Center in Mt. Clemens have been canceled due to a building power outage.

In the spirit of re-engaging the Oakland University community between large TEDx events and igniting discussions on issues of interest, TEDxOaklandUniversity will host its first Salon, Monday, March 27, 2017, 5:30-9 p.m., in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms on the campus of Oakland University.

The Search Committee continues to be very optimistic and confident of a timely and successful search.   

Oakland University will present the 15th Annual Diverse Voices Conference from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 18 in the Varner Recital Hall.

Students, faculty and staff gathered in Oak View Hall on Tuesday for a meet-and-greet celebrating OU’s international community. Cohosted by the Honors College and International Students and Scholars Office, the event gave attendees an opportunity to learn about each other’s ethnic backgrounds and cultural traditions amid a festive atmosphere that featured live music and international cuisine. 

In 2016, the Michigan Legislature considered adopting legislation that would allow physicians to perform assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Now, Oakland University is preparing to host a panel discussion about the so-called “Death with Dignity Act.”

Oakland University, in partnership with Hospice of Michigan, will host a screening and panel discussion of the PBS Frontline documentary “Being Mortal” from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 25 in the Gold Room at the Oakland Center, located at 321 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester. The event is open to the public.

For the 2017 Jean and Fred Braun Memorial Lecture, the Oakland University community will welcome Aaron James Draplin to campus on Wednesday, March 1.