Over the course of four decades, Moore’s career in marketing and business ascended to senior executive levels in the corporate world, including top leadership roles at Sonic Corp. and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. Moore currently serves on the boards of directors for ONEOK, ONE Gas and QuikTrip Corp. and is a sought-after speaker and consultant on leadership development and brand strategy. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to serving and supporting OU.
“Pattye Moore is a wonderful example of what it means to be a dedicated OU alum,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “She understands the extraordinary impact of the OU experience on our students – and by giving back through her gifts and her time, she is an inspiration for all who wish to enrich their alma mater. We are incredibly grateful that she is a part of the OU family.”
The OU ring was adopted in 2000 through a student initiative to create a symbol that would capture the true essence of the university’s history and tradition. The OU ring honors graduating seniors and alumni from all classes, highlights students’ commitment to higher education and recognizes the heritage of the OU community. At each Ring Ceremony since the tradition began, an honorary ring has been presented to a distinguished member of the OU family in honor of their longtime service to the university. Honorary ring recipients are nominated by the members of the Student Alumni Board and ultimately selected by the university president.
Previously, Moore held a number of senior management positions at Sonic Corp., serving most recently as president of the company and as a member of its board of directors. During her 12-year tenure, the company grew exponentially from less than $900 million in sales with 1,100 restaurants to more than $3 billion in sales and over 3,000 restaurants.
From 2007 until her retirement in 2019, Moore served on the board of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, serving as the nonexecutive chairman for nine of those years. She also served as the interim chief executive officer while the company conducted a search for a permanent CEO.
Moore is the co-author of a book on leadership instincts, and her business acumen has gained her recognition on a national level, earning such honors as being named to the Top 100 Marketers in the U.S. by Ad Age, Top 50 Women in Foodservice by Nation’s Restaurant News and Most Influential Female Corporate Directors by Women’s Inc. magazine.
Moore serves on the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication board of visitors, and her energy and innovation have paved the way for many progressive endeavors, including scholarship endowments, the donation for which a room in Gaylord Hall was named after a beloved professor, as well as support for Lindsey + Asp, the student-run ad agency. She served as an adjunct instructor for OU’s program in Arezzo, Italy, and is teaching a management and leadership course this semester in OU’s online master’s program in strategic communication.
Her service to the university also includes serving for the past nine years on the OU Foundation Board of Directors. Her many contributions to OU have been recognized with the Gaylord College Distinguished Alumni Award and the Regents’ Alumni Award.
Moore graduated Phi Beta Kappa from OU in 1979 with a bachelor of arts in journalism and public relations, and she attended executive education programs at Harvard, Wharton and the University of California, Berkley.
For additional information about the Ring Ceremony or for accommodations, email specialevents@ou.edu or call (405) 325-1701.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information visit www.ou.edu.
