News

On Tuesday, May 9, 170 of our students received graduate degrees in Human Relations, Library and Information Studies, Organizational Dynamics, Public Administration, and Social Work from the College of Arts and Sciences at OU-Tulsa. These outstanding graduates have achieved a high level of academic success, but they have also made an impressive impact outside of the classroom. The far-reaching good work of the class of 2017 creates a ripple effect of positive change on our city and state. Graduates, we are proud of you!

Prior to the convocation ceremony, Dean Kelly Damphousse gave congratulatory remarks at a reception for graduates and their guests. The dean presented each graduate with a beautiful commemorative coin.

2017 graduates who were unable to attend the pre-convocation reception may still pick up their commemorative coin from Lauren McKinney in 1J32 during regular business hours.

Over 100 OU-Tulsa students visited JCPenney at Woodland Hills Mall on March 5^th for an exclusive college suiting event. In support of our students’ upcoming interview season, students received a special discount on suiting items. A total of five Tulsa area colleges participated in the event, including Tulsa Community College, Langston University, Rogers State University, and Oral Roberts University. Thank you to JCPenney for providing such excellent service for our students and for helping them become career ready!

On March 3^rd, the College of Arts and Sciences hosted a day of events featuring Dr. John Saltmarsh, a community engagement scholar. The day began with a small breakfast chat, in which Dr. Saltmarsh answered faculty questions regarding their application of community engagement in the classroom and in their research.

In the afternoon, Dr. Saltmarsh addressed faculty, staff, students and the Tulsa community with his lecture “Pride of Ownership: Community Control Over University Engagement.” Over 50 people were in attendance, including a representative of the Tulsa mayor’s office. Mayor Bynum delivered a letter, proclaiming March 3^rd as John Saltmarsh Higher Education Engagement Day.

On January 31st, the OU-Tulsa Department of Human Relations was delighted to co-host a lunch & learn with the Tulsa Safety Center featuring Casey Gwinn, the President of Alliance for HOPE International. As a national expert on domestic violence and prosecution and the visionary behind the Family Justice Center model, Casey shared his experiences and vision for the future. He highlighted the positive impact of Family Justice Centers across the country. By giving hope to children, the cycle of domestic violence and abuse can be broken. Following lunch, Casey signed copies of his book Cheering for the Children. Over 150 students, faculty, staff, and community representatives were in attendance.

After the event, Casey met with a small group of OU-Tulsa students during a Fireside Chat. Students from a variety of programs were able to ask questions pertaining to his experience and gain further insight into policy issues around domestic violence in the United States.

The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce that the following students have been selected as Arc Fellows for the spring 2017 semester:

Chloe Beachy, Master of Social Work student

Ashley Horning, Master of Public Administration student

Mackenzie Lance, Master of Public Administration student

Corazon Pardo, Master of Social Work student

Dr. Meg Myers Morgan of the Department of Political Science will serve as the faculty mentor for the team, and the community agency served will be the YWCA of Tulsa. The team of four Arc fellows will spend the semester working with the YWCA on the design and evaluation of their programs, policy and advocacy issues, and organizational behavior.

Founded in 1914, the YWCA Tulsa is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. The YWCA serves nearly 400,000 people in the Tulsa area through their four hallmark programs: health and wellness, immigrant and refugee services, racial justice, and women's empowerment.

CAS-Tulsa focuses on community impact through each of our five graduate programs. Learn how Dr. Brenda Lloyd-Jones continues to impact the community through the Human Relations program and community organizations.

"The study of Human Relations is broad, extending beyond the classroom and into the community. I encourage students to engage in community outreach and participate in outreach myself through a nonprofit organization I founded called The Mothers Group, Inc. The members are volunteers, and we focus on increasing reading activity among underserved children in the Tulsa area.  At our annual educational event—The Santa Community Project—we gift children new, age appropriate books, which helps to address the statewide issue of children who score below the basic level of national reading tests. In Human Relations, we are concerned with the wellbeing of community members and increasing their life choices, including the chances of children as they grow into tomorrow’s leaders," said Dr. Brenda Lloyd-Jones, Associate Professor of Human Relations.

The Arc program is a new service learning fellowship opportunity for students. A team of Arts and Sciences students will be selected each semester to work with a faculty mentor on issues of program design and evaluation, policy and advocacy, and professional development and organizational behavior for a local community agency.

"The beauty of the Arc program is that it's a win for everyone- our fellows gain valuable practical experience, our faculty are able to advance their applied research efforts, and a community agency benefits from the team's expertise," said Dr. Meg Myers Morgan, Faculty Fellow for Community Engagement and Impact.

Arc is hosting a social hour to kick off the fellowship application process on Thursday, October 20th from 4:00 to 5:00pm in the Faculty Staff Lounge. Students, faculty, and community members are invited to attend to learn more about the program.