- University Recreation and Well-Being
- OU Heart Walk Initiatives
Recreation Center
Recreation and Athletics Center
569 Pioneer Drive
Rochester ,
MI
48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-4REC (4732)
fax: (248) 370-4889
rec@oakland.edu

OU Heart Walk Initiatives
Oakland University is committed to making a positive impact surrounding the heart health of our university community. In collaboration with the American Heart Association, we strive to inform, empower, and engage the OU community so together we can make positive change towards our personal health.
OU is an official partner for the 2018 Heart Walk, which will be held on Saturday, May 12, at Wayne State University. OU’s goal is to register 16 teams for a total of 300 participants. We aim to raise $15,000 to further support heart disease and stroke research.
All individuals are welcome to participate in the Heart Walk, including family and friends. Even if you can’t attend the Heart Walk, we encourage all OU individuals to join a team to show their support for heart health over the upcoming months.
In addition to the Heart Walk, there are multiple on-campus engagement opportunities available for you to participate in throughout the semester and show your commitment to heart health. These are open to all OU faculty, staff and students.
For questions, please contact Becky Lewis (lewis236@oakland.edu) or Stephanie Willis (willis@oakland.edu).
Wayne State University
All members of the OU community, along with family and friends, are welcome to join us at Wayne State University for the 25th Anniversary Metro Detroit Heart Walk on Saturday, May 12. Festival grounds open at 8 a.m. with activities for all ages, including: a non-competitive 1 mile or 3 mile walk, timed 5K race, kid zone, fitness activities, and more!
Transportation from OU to WSU will be available. More information coming soon!
Can’t make it to the walk at Wayne State on May 12? No problem! We still encourage all members of the university community to join a team. Our goal is to increase engagement and participation throughout the upcoming months, whether that be through attending the walk or an on campus event, or supporting the cause financially.
OU Heart Walk Team Captains | ||
Name | School/College/Department | |
Alexander Johnston | College of Arts and Science Advising (Student Team) | |
Andrea Brodeianu | College of Arts and Science Advising | |
Ann Voorheis-Sargent | William Beaumont School of Medicine | |
Ashley Dewling | Golf Course | |
Ashley Karas | School of Education and Human Services Counseling | |
August Gunderson | School of Nursing | |
Becky Weber | Athletics | |
Charlene Waldorf | Risk Management | |
Dana Carreon | OU Macomb | |
Deb Wheeler | School of Engineering and Computer Science - Advising | |
Destin Eddington | School of Business Administration - Advising | |
Eman Shamo | School of Engineering and Computer Science - Advising | |
Gabby Sokol | University Recreation and Well-Being | |
Jaclyn Fortier | School of Business Administration | |
Jacqui Hencsie | Eye Research Institute | |
Jamie Emmert | Academic Affairs | |
Janail Silver | William Beaumont School of Medicine | |
John Ceblak | First Year Advising Center - Student Affairs | |
Kate Genord | Academic Affairs | |
Kath Borg | University Libraries | |
Katie Page | Athletics | |
Kelly Brault | Development and Alumni Relations | |
Kelsey Zuchowicz | William Beaumont School of Medicine | |
Juretta Bailey-Grajewski | Student Success | |
Kristen Rohrbeck | School of Education and Human Services Counseling | |
Maria Ebner-Smith | School of Health Sciences | |
Marlene Edge-Phillips | University Libraries | |
Mark McCormic | Chartwells | |
Melissa Roe | Admissions - Academic Affairs | |
Michelle Southward | School of Health Sciences | |
Nancy Foltz | Operations & Finance | |
Nicole Thompson | OUPD - Operations & Finance | |
Sarah Wood | International Students and Scholars | |
Shaun Moore | e-Learning | |
Stephanie Jurva | Center for Student Activities - Student Affairs | |
Tiffany Ledonne Smith | School of Business Administration | |
Todd Nucci | Communications and Marketing | |
Yvonne Plentis | Registrar - Academic Affairs | |
OU Heart Walk Steering Committee | ||
Name | School/College/Department | |
Glenn McIntosh | Division of Student Affairs and Diversity | |
Lori Marsh | Division of Student Affairs and Diversity | |
Becky Lewis | University Recreation & Well-Being - Student Affairs | |
Stephanie Willis | University Recreation & Well-Being - Student Affairs | |
Greg Jordan | University Recreation & Well-Being - Student Affairs | |
Ron Watson | Human Resources | |
Ben Fielder | Development and Alumni Relations | |
Stephanie Lee | Academic Affairs | |
Jean Ann Miller | Center for Student Activities - Student Affairs | |
Mandy Summers | Communications & Marketing | |
Janice Eaton | School of Health Sciences | |
Rick Kelley | William Beaumont School of Medicine | |
April Thomas-Powell | School of Nursing |
- Be a liaison between employees and the OU Heart Walk Committee.
- Recruit team members.
- Encourage participation and engagement in various well-being activities.
- Lead by example (i.e. participate!).
- Record and report out participation of your team.
- Host fundraising events/opportunities.
- Utilize and promote the AHA website for online donations, team registrations, and team engagement.
- Track cash donations of $25 or more, as these individuals receive a free OU t-shirt. Team captains should note who has made a cash donation, and collect the individual’s name and shirt size. Shirts will then be distributed by a member of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will track online donations directly, and those individuals will also receive a shirt.
For further assistance in becoming a team captain for your department or student group, please contact Becky Lewis lewis236@oakland.edu or Stephanie Willis willis@oakland.edu.
Tax-deduction receipts for donations are available online. The American Heart Association has an option for a receipt that can then be printed out for tax records.
Celebrate Go Red Week January 29 - February 2 by participating in a variety of events, programs, and workshops that aim to support and positively impact your personal heart health journey.
Remaining Events:
Thursday, February 1
Nutrition Workshop: Fuel Your Heart - Recreation Center (2 p.m.) - Eating healthy is one of the most important ways to keep your heart and body working at its' best. Join us and learn about heart healthy alternatives made simple.
Eat Heart Healthy - Vandenberg Cafeteria - Looking for a heart healthy meal? Consider dining in the Vandenberg Cafeteria where the lunch and dinner menus will feature heart healthy meals. Also, stop by our nutrition table to learn more about cooking heart healthy, delicious meals at home or on the go.
Mobile Know Your Numbers - Library (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.) - It's always a good time to know your health numbers and what they mean to your personal health. Assessments will include heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index, body fat percentage, and glucose.
Friday, February 2
Go Red Dance Jam - Recreation Center 3-Court Gym (12:10 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.) - Celebrate the conclusion of Go Red Week by participating in our 2nd Annual Go Red Dance Jam! This fitness fusion class will have you dancing to Latin inspired songs, along with today's top hits with two different instructors. Be sure to wear red to this event!
Oakland Center
No heart breaks here! Stop by the tables in the Oakland Center to learn more about making healthy food choices, share a heart-healthy story or make a heart healthy-tribute to a friend or loved one.
Recreation Center, David E. Herman Room
March is also National Nutrition Month! Freshen up your dinner plate at this cooking demonstration with antioxidant-packed foods. Your heart will thank you for it! Please sign up in advance here .
Recreation Center, Studio 919
Two steps can save a life! Learn or refresh your skills to prepare yourself for heart-related emergencies. Participants will learn the proper technique to perform hands-only CPR.
Human Health Building, Room 2045
March is also National Nutrition Month! This is not your grandmother’s oatmeal. Learn fresh ideas at this cooking demonstration for using this heart-healthy grain for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please sign up in advance here .
Elliott Tower at 12:10 p.m. (Rain Location: Rec Center Track)
Get your steps in for the day and walk for heart health! Join a variety of university leaders in a 30-minute walk across campus.
- April 4 - Joi Cunningham and Pat Engle
- April 9 - University Deans
- April 13 - Student Affairs Directors
- April 17 - OUPD
- April 23 - President Pescovitz
Recreation Center
One of OU’s most popular employee events! Walk with your colleagues around campus for 1.5 miles of fun. 2018 promises new and exciting changes to the walk for extra excitement! This is a free event, open to all university faculty and staff to participate.