Letter from Lee Reynolds
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
I am often asked “How is it at OU?” It is certainly different, but I am encouraged and inspired by our college leadership, faculty, staff and students who are responsibly wearing masks and socially distancing while on campus and in our building.
Being on campus these days has the feel that this fall semester is just like summer school. While it is great to have access – although limited – to colleagues and students, to actually be in the building with posted office hours and to have traffic in Gaylord Hall, it is still different.
Zoom calls have replaced in-person meetings for the most part. However, phone calls or a caring email – even a text – are appreciated and provide a much-needed human touch.
So, I thank you for your support of Gaylord College, its faculty, programs and students. Our recently established Gaylord College Student Support Fund has enabled us to keep more than a dozen of our students in school and hopefully on track to graduate. Freshmen scholarships are still of great need to enable us to recruit the best and the brightest high school seniors. Giving to the Student Experience Fund continues to allow us to enable students to have life-changing experiences, even virtually.
Lindsey + Asp, OU Nightly, Sooner Sports Pad and Gaylord News and other curriculum, although somewhat altered, continue to provide our students with experiential learning opportunities. With the newly established Bob Burke Native American Reporting Center, students can focus their reporting careers on Native American issues, which are rising in importance.
The Kirkpatrick Foundation recently awarded a $29,800 grant to Gaylord College and OU’s Institute for the Study of Human Flourishing. These funds will enable students from Norman High School and Clinton High School, mentored by Gaylord College students, to create the “What is Home?” video project.
While these are unusual times, we are making new things happen and not-new initiatives even better. On Oct. 24, OU Nightly was presented the Best Show award during the Broadcast Education Association On-Location Conference Awards Virtual Ceremony. Prideful moments like these keep the “can do” spirit alive and well in the halls of Gaylord College. Call or come see us!
Lee Reynolds
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
Class of 1977