Annie Funke

Senior year of high school – I remember it well. It is such a mixed bag of emotions. Pride, joy, fear, anxiety, desperately wanting to speed up and slow down time all at once; and in the midst of all of that you have to make a choice that will impact the rest of your life…piece of cake.

Hi, my name is Annie Funke. I am a University of Oklahoma alum, and I just wanted to share with you a little bit about why I chose OU as my University, and how that choice has positively impacted my life.

I received my B.F.A. in Musical Theatre in 2007, and I am currently working in the TV/film industry. You can catch me playing the role of Mae Jarvis in the hit series Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, which begins its second season on CBS this spring. My career has taken me all over the world, and I truly believe that my first big step to success was choosing the University of Oklahoma.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma, and to be honest, when I was a senior in high school, I wanted nothing more than to go out of state for college. I wanted to be independent and I wanted to go to a big city because that seemed a little more ”glamorous” to me at the time. I applied to several schools and went to each one for my on-campus audition. They were all fine. But when I stepped on the OU campus there was a sense of something pretty extraordinary. The campus was alive. The energy was vibrant. There was feeling of pride and community that I did not get at any other campus I visited. 

When the acceptance letters came in and I was choosing between schools, I knew in my gut that OU is where I was supposed to be. It was not the place I initially set my sights on, but it was undeniable. I encourage you on your own personal journey do your research, keep an open mind, and listen to your gut.

My time at OU was invaluable. Not only did I receive conservatory style training in my field, I also received a top notch, well-rounded education. And most importantly, I became a part of something much bigger than myself.

I learned how to be a contributing part of a community. I learned how to listen. I learned that practice will never make you perfect, but that it will always make you stronger. I learned that mistakes happen, but it is how you respond to them that develops your character.

OU in an incredibly special place. It helped shape who I am today, gave me the tools to have a successful career, and is still a huge part of my life today. I love my University and I think you will too. Come and join the OU family!

Best,