Jill

My region:

NEOK 

What's your educational background?

University of Oklahoma
English Literature Major with a Minor in International Area Studies
Class of 2017

As a student, where did you leave your mark on campus?

I left my mark on campus through my involvement with the Union Programming Board. UPB is a student leadership organization, housed in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, where students from across campus can develop their leadership skills through event planning. My involvement in UPB changed me into a better person and a better leader. I believe that every student should take advantage of the many fantastic leadership and development opportunities offered across OU’s campus. There’s a home for everyone here!

Define the OU Family in your own words.

The OU family became clear to me after I got involved on campus. I came from a town of about 250 people, and coming to a university of 20,000 students was intimidating. I didn’t think that there would be very many students who shared my small town experiences. The more I got involved, the more I realized that the OU family encompasses people from all backgrounds. Being a part of the OU family means that you can find friends with whom you share similarities. The OU family also means that you get to connect with fellow students whose background is totally different than your own.

When was the moment you felt the greatest Sooner pride?

I have never been more proud to be a Sooner than during graduation weekend. The reality of graduation sunk in during the commencement ceremony as I stood alongside thousands of graduates and sang OU’s chant for the last time as an undergraduate student. In that moment, I felt immense pride in the school and the town that had become my home. Students from all backgrounds stood together in celebration of their time at the University of Oklahoma. This sense of togetherness is what makes me so proud to be a Sooner.

What was the greatest gift you took with you after graduation?

The greatest gift I took from graduation was experience. If it weren’t for my time at OU, I would not have experienced 4 years of life-changing personal and professional growth. OU gave me a chance to travel abroad, to make connections across campus, to make new friends, and to find a home. I am a more well-rounded person for having studied at The University of Oklahoma, and I will always be grateful for all of the fantastic experiences I’ve had here.

Reveal one secret about campus.

The Western History Collection is one of OU’s well-kept secrets. I didn’t discover it until senior year, but I wish I had visited so much sooner! It is a great place to study and do research. It also acts as a miniature museum and houses some of OU’s richest history.

What is your favorite OU tradition?

My favorite OU tradition is singing the chant at the end of every major OU event. There’s nothing better than singing the chant alongside fellow Sooners and sharing in a big victory!