Gaylord College Board of Visitors

Serving as president of Gaylord College Board of Visitors is an honor and memory-maker. It has been a most unusual time period, so seeing up close the challenges facing our academic professionals and our Gaylord College students was eye-opening.

I stepped into the leadership role just weeks prior to a global pandemic that changed everything we had come to know as “normal." The first meeting was canceled given the coronavirus outbreak, and our fall meeting quickly turned Zoom. With fears of declining participation, I was thrilled when that fall meeting resulted in much higher levels of attendance and with enthusiastic commitment and support. Through those early pandemic months, BOV members battled challenges keeping their small businesses afloat, waging public relations challenges unique to their industry and for some, restructuring their professional or business practices. Business moved forward and Gaylord tackled new opportunities with enthusiasm.

The past two years taught me the value of serving as a business and professional counselor. This has been especially important in extending and enhancing some of our student programs. Looking back, when Lindsey + Asp launched the next generation, Gaylord College called up Pattye Moore and Debbie Yount. Similarly, Gaylord College was granted university resources to aid in the establishment of our first online master's program (in strategic communications).  Robert Hess eagerly stepped forward to offer professional guidance. And this past year, my task was to be on the ground helping a leadership committee representing JayMac, the College and BOV realize a Gaylord College quest to develop Gaylord Alumni Connections Councils. Sundee Busbee, Lee Reynolds, Kathleen Burr and I developed our first model program in Dallas-Ft. Worth with plans for additional councils to roll out in the coming months.

The demand for alumni with a desire to give back is real. The value we bring is not fully understood until we sit alongside the parents, the student, the professor facing a new opportunity. Our college needs alumni and friends of alumni to participate through the offer of time, talent and financial resources. I cannot imagine it has ever been more important than today.

I am excited to serve as the next chair of Gaylord College’s Board of Visitors. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my fellow board members who are so dedicated to this extended OU family of ours. The stories of our students, the passion of our faculty and the dedication of our staff never cease to impress me. 

With steady leadership from Marti Gallardo, Dean Ed Kelley, Lee Reynolds and many others during these difficult years, we are in a great place today to continue working for the students of Gaylord College. In the months to come, we’ll be looking for ways to expand the BOV’s role in connecting with students directly— as mentors, speakers and advisors. I am excited to help continue the Connections Council programs, planning expansion into Tulsa and other areas to reach more students.  We’ll also be recruiting some new members on the board who have professional accomplishments in the media world. 

The greatest part about participating on the BOV for me has been working directly with Gaylord College students, helping some to make that transition from college to the professional world. Our work always brings me back in touch with that eager yet unsure young person I used to be as I ventured out into the world. It’s clear the foundation I received at OU has helped serve me throughout my life, as it sustains these talented young people today. 

I am eager to hear ideas and discuss ways alumni can get involved. We need all our community’s best ideas and efforts. Please don’t hesitate to send me your comments (keithedwards247@gmail.com). Boomer Sooner!