Membership

What is the OU Retirees Association and why should I join?
In 1991, the OURA was established by the OU Regents “for the benefit of the University and for the retired faculty and staff comprising its membership. Activities shall include, but not be limited to, assistance in fulfilling University goals and objectives, assistance in fund raising and student recruiting activities, providing informational and social opportunities for retirees, participating in appropriate University organizations, and such other services as may be requested by the University or the Association membership. It shall not function as a lobbying organization within or without the University for the sole benefit of its members.”

So if I become a member, what is required of me? How much does it cost?

Annual dues are $10, very affordable.
The OURA typically has four general meetings each year--on the second Thursday of March, June, September, and December--and strives to provide interesting and entertaining programs for its members at every gathering. You may attend one, all, or none of the events. This is a good way to meet new friends, reconnect with former colleagues, and have a little fun. A newsletter is published quarterly, prior to each meeting. Download a sample OURA newsletter (PDF).

To join the OURA or to renew your membership, click the following link, fill out the OURA membership/renewal form, and mail the completed form to the OURA Treasurer along with your dues payment. Download a Membership/Renewal form (PDF).

Alternatively, membership/renewal payments may be made online by credit/debit card at the following link: https://giving.oufoundation.org/OnlineGivingWeb/Giving/OnlineGiving/OURetiree

Benefits Updates:

[10 November 2024]  OUHR's Director of Benefits & Retirement, Lee Camargo-Quinn, provides the following update for OU retirees:

For Medicare retirees on the Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan, some of you may be aware of a potential network change with Integris starting in 2025. As of today we want to share that Humana and Integris are currently in contract negotiations. This is not yet finalized, and Integrisremains in-network with Humana through 31 December 2024. You may have received a letter from Humana if you are utilizing Integris providers and facilities. Humana is required to inform you of network changes by Medicare, even if negotiations are continuing. If Humana and Integris are not able to come to terms for 2025, Humana will ask Integris if they will see Humana Group Medicare PPO members as an out-of-network provider who is accepting Medicare, and if they will bill to Humana. Remember that with the OU plan through Humana you have a customized PPO plan which gives you the same benefit levels for both in- and out-of-network care. As mentioned, there is not a final decision as yet, and Humana is keeping OU Human Resources updated about its contract negotiations. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Humana Customer Care at the phone number listed on the back of your ID card (1-866-396-8810).

[5 February 2025]  OURA Benefits Committee co-chair Don Clothier reports the following in the wake of recent discussions at meetings of OU's Employee Benefits Committee (EBC), where Don and Mike Newkham represent the OURA in a voting capacity:

First and foremost, Humana and Integris have reached an agreement so that Integris is still in-network for our Humana Medicare Part C plan. The EBC has been discussing and watching this play out over several months, and we're thrilled with a positive outcome. Retirees on the Cigna plan (post-65 only) should have seen a change to Blue Cross/Blue Shield due to an acquisition. There is no change to the plan design, however. - All OU Medical plans (active and retiree both) ended the year 16.77% over budget, driven by large claims (over $100K) and high drug claims. - Requests for Proposals for medical insurance, pharmacy (separate from medical), stop-loss insurance (pays when an individual claim exceeds $750K), and the Wellness Portal have completed, and dates for the EBC to review have been set for this April. Don will be serving on the review committee.

For answers to questions regarding OU retirees'  health-insurance plans, for fee tables, and for the current Medicare Advantage plan's prescription-drug formulary, visit https://benefitsenrollment.ou.edu/Retirees or call OUHR at either 405-325-1826 (Norman campus) or 405-271-2180 (OKC and Tulsa campuses).

IN MEMORIAM

Robert W. Broyles.  1 February 2024, Norman, age 83.  Professor Emeritus of Health Administration at OU's Health Sciences Center.

Thomas Wesley Boyd.  13 February 2024, Norman, age 90.  David Ross Boyd Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religious Studies at OU.

Paul E. Wilson.  18 February 2024, Norman, age 77.  Retired Director of Intramural Sports at OU and adjunct instructor in the Department of Health & Exercise Science.

Kenneth Lee Hoving.  22 February 2024, Norman, age 89.  Retired OU Graduate College Dean, Vice President for Research Administration at all OU campuses, and Chair and Professor of Psychology at OU's Norman campus.

Gail R. Hall.  8 March 2024, Norman, age 76.  Retired Professor of Saxophone in OU's School of Music.

Carol Ludvigson.  18 April 2024, Norman, age 63.  Retired Deputy Athletic Director and former coach of OU Women's Golf.

Joanne Berg Hendrick.  26 April 2024, Arvada CO, age 95.  Retired Director of OU's Institute for Child Development and Associate Professor in OU's College of Education.

Beverly Ann Alspaugh Joyce.  28 April 2024, Norman, age 87.  Retired Reference Librarian with OU Libraries and former OURA President.

Roberta Lynne Pailes.  1 May 2024, Norman, age 80.  Retired Education Programs manager with OU's Museum of Natural History.

Jerlene Ann Bright.  7 May 2024, Norman, age 81.  Retired Director of OU's Petroleum Information Services.

Colleen Waggoner.  Washington OK, 29 May 2024, age 87.  Retired Administrative Secretary with the University of Oklahoma Press.

Stanley Jay Abel.  28 June 2024, Norman, age 87.  Retired longtime coach of OU's wrestling team and former All-American wrestler at OU.

Angela (Anne) C. Million.  4 July 2024, Norman, age 94.  Professor Emerita of Bibliography with OU's School of Library Studies..

Beverly Suzanne Essary.  18 July 2024, Norman, age 86.  Retired Assistant Training Manager with OU's Department of Training & Management.

Harold Conner.  26 July 2024, Oklahoma City, age 93.  Retired Director of the Construction Science Program in OU's College of Architecture.

Robert Charles Connor.  13 August 2024, Norman, age 86.  Retired OU Swimming Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.

Stanley Eliason.  22 August 2024, Norman, age 84.  Retired Professor of Mathematics and former Director of OU's Department of Mathematics.

Stewart R. Ryan.  7 September 2024, Norman, age 82.  Retired award-winning Professor of Physics at OU, a.k.a. "Dr. Indestructo" who presented more than 500 science shows throughout the state during his long career.

John Kent Graham.  14 September 2024, Moore OK, age 77.  Retired Adjunct Instructor in OU's Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communication.

Margaret Carol Schmidt.  24 September 2024, Norman, age 63.  Retired administrator in OU's Department of Human Relations.

John Randolph (J.R.) Morris.  29 September 2024, Norman, age 94.  Retired Senior Vice President of OU and recipient of the University's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Citation.

David F. Schrage.  5 October 2024, Oklahoma City, age 82.  Retired Vice President for Student Affairs and Adjunct Assistant Professor in OU's College of Education.

Edmund Needham (Ed) Hilliard.  23 October 2024, Norman, age 79.  Retired Director of OU's Division of Landscape Architecture.

Robert Franklin (Rob) Petry.  27 October 2024, Norman, age 88.  Retired Professor of Physics and former Dean of OU's College of Arts & Sciences.

Barbara Rae Neas.  20 November 2024, Norman, age 83.  David Ross Boyd and Presidential Professor Emerita of Biostatistics in OUHSC's College of Public Health.

Krishnaiyan Thulasiraman.  16 December 2024, Oklahoma City, age 82.  Professor Emeritus and former Hitachi Chair of Computer Science at OU.

Berrien Moore III.  17 December 2024.  Dean of OU's College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences and Director of the National Weather Center since 2010.

John Hadley.  18 December 2024, Norman, age 83.  Retired Professor of Art in OU's College of Fine Arts and noted artist/songwriter.

Sarah Caton Hogan.  23 December 2024, Oklahoma City, age 91.  Former chair of the OU Board of Regents and Board of Visitors member of numerous OU colleges and programs.

Donald Charles Hudson.  24 December, Norman, age 84.  Retired Assistant to OU's Dean of University Libraries.

Peter Brueckner.  7 January 2025, Norman, age 87.  Retired Professor of German and former chair of OU's Department of Languages, Literatures, & Linguistics.

Mildred Laverne Cornelison Tally.  11 January 2025, Tulsa, age 86.  Retired OU Admissions & Records officer on both the Norman and OKC campuses.

Mildred Louise Logan.  20 January 2025, Norman, age 87.  Retired editor with the University of Oklahoma Press.

Kenneth Ray Meyers.  27 January 2025, Norman, age 77.  Retired Mesonet project technician and former OU Physical Plant worker.

Judi Freyer.  12 February 2025, Norman, age 82.  Retired Director of OU President's Associates and of Principal Gifts & Planned Giving with the OU Development Office.

Fred H. Miller Jr.  13 February 2025, Edina MN, age 87.  Retired George Lynn Cross Research Professor and McAfee Professor at the OU College of Law.

Gregory D. Kunesh.  8 February 2025, Norman, age 86.  Retired Regents Professor of Drama & Musical Theatre and Chair Emeritus of Musical Theatre in OU's College of Fine Arts.

David L. Boren.  20 February 2025, Newcastle OK, age 83.  Retired President of the University of Oklahoma, former Oklahoma Governor, and former U.S. Senator from Oklahoma.