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New at OU OU’s horizon significantly changed in 2014 with the completion of the Elliott Tower, Engineering Center, Oak View residence hall, parking structure, new sports bubble, and recreation and athletic outdoor complex.OU’s 6th President George W. Hynd joined OU as its sixth president on July 9, succeeding Betty J. Youngblood, who served as interim president since July 2013. President Hynd came to OU with more than 40 years of educational experience, and most recently from the College of Charleston.PhotoVoice Exhibit "Through Our Eyes: A PhotoVoice Exhibit," is an SHS research project that engaged 17 tenants of Detroit’s historic Bell Building. Professors and graduate students encouraged the tenants to tell their story through photography to gain insight into health and wellness.Eye Research Institute Gift The Eye Research Institute was founded in 1968, and their mission for ophthalmic research is carried out today by faculty, staff and students. This year, the ERI received $1,036,746 in total NIH grants along with a $3.7 million gift from Irene Kinsey Stare.Dr. Madlambayan’s Research Assistant professor of biological sciences, Dr. Gerard Madlambayan has spent seven years studying the relationship between endothelial cells and leukemia, a type of cancer found in blood-forming tissue.Golden Grizzlies Men’s Soccer The Golden Grizzlies advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for a second time in the Division I era, with a 2-0 win over Kentucky. This also marks the first shutout in the NCAA Tournament since 2008.Google Glass Competition Students became Glassware developers by identifying and developing concepts for game-changing technology in the SBA’s Google Glass App Development Team Competition. The winners created Anthem, a tool focused on musical improvement.Organic Farm Hoop House In September, the Campus Student Organic Farm constructed their hoop house after a successful crowd-funding campaign in 2013. The solar structure allows for year-round farming to provide an extended growing season and helps students serve the local community.Global Business Brigades Through a weeklong trip in late August, 14 business students conducted workshops to teach Panamanian villagers basic business skills. The group consulted about individual businesses, which ranged from making and selling hand-crafted goods, to raising pigs and crops.Fall Homecoming This year, Oakland University held two homecoming celebrations: the sixth annual Come Home to OU festival in January, and the Homecoming and Reunion Weekend in September, which marked the beginning of a new tradition in holding Homecoming in the fall.Robotics Team IGVC The Oakland Robotics Association team, made up of 23 members ranging from freshmen to doctoral students, took home top honors at Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition. Oakland competed against 31 other teams from around the world.First Place Brass Band In April, the brass band took first place in the First Section of the North American Brass Band Championships in Grand Rapids. As a result of this victory, the band received an invitation to compete at the 2015 Butlins Mineworker's Open Brass Band Festival in Skegness, England.New Welcome Center The new Welcome Center inside North Foundation Hall held its grand opening in January. Prospective students now begin their campus tours in this interactive and Grizzlies-spirited room.Golden Grizzlies Volleyball The Golden Grizzlies won the 2014 Horizon League Volleyball Championship and advanced to the first-ever NCAA Volleyball Tournament in program history after a four-set win over Milwaukee on November 22.A Masterpiece Revealed “A Masterpiece Revealed” told the story of a 17th-century painting re-discovered at Meadow Brook Hall by a DIA curator. The restoration of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s masterpiece was observed by students and told through the half hour documentary released in May.The Liar To prepare for their roles in Oakland University’s production of Pierre Corneille’s farcical classic “The Liar,” student actors sought out guidance from faculty members across campus who have conducted extensive research on the subject of lying.Social Media Summer Challenge Throughout the summer, OU students completed 12 challenge items then posted photos and captions to their social media accounts with #OUChallenge and #ThisIsOU hashtags. The winner took home a custom-engraved iPad to encourage posting about their OU story.Dance Faculty Dance faculty are empowering those with Parkinson’s disease to stay active with the Dance for Parkinson’s Disease program. The program reaches communities in nine countries, and has recently sprouted in OU’s dance program with Assistant Professor Alison Woerner.Mandala Sand Art In March, the Monks of Tibet took four days to construct a mandala sand painting in the Fireside Lounge. The sands were then ceremoniously swept up and released into Bear Lake to symbolize the impermanence of all that exists.Graphic Design Senior Thesis The first graduating class of the graphic design program displayed their thesis projects in April inside the OU Art Gallery. The thesis show, MIX, brought together studio art and graphic design students’ works into one show.Elliott Tower Architect Delia Rodi, SECS ‘92, is among a group of highly skilled designers at the architecture firm, Niagara Murano who master planned the Elliott Tower site and led the design of the project through completion.SPB Trip to NYC In November, 106 students traveled by bus to New York City with the Student Program Board to explore the city and meet alumni living and working in the city. Each day, an optional excursion hosted by an OU alum gave students a taste of NYC and life after graduation.OU in NYC In August, two stories about an engineering alum and the creator of the theatre program, were told after a visit in New York City. Shawn Ward is a successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry, and Adeline Medalia supports current students through her MTD endowment.Aspire to Rise A new branding campaign launched this year that stems from the University’s historical roots. Embracing the vision of founder Matilda Dodge Wilson, the brand focuses on success, knowledge and action, and is a reminder that given the opportunity, all students can aspire to rise.WXOU For the third year running, the student radio station WXOU is set to receive the College Station of the Year Award, among other honors, from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation.Kids Against Hunger In April, OU sophomore Tiffany Bellomo organized an event to support Kids Against Hunger. Tiffany raised more than $2,000 – enough money to package 10,000 highly nutritious, life-saving meals, and gained the attention of local media to campus for the cause.Ice Bucket Challenge OU faculty, staff and students took part in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, one of the largest social media campaigns of the year. Dean Corcoran volunteered and nominated the other deans around campus to support the cause in this video.OU SWIMMING The men's and women's swimming teams captured the first-ever Horizon League championship after OU entered the new league in 2013. The men now boast conference championships in 36 meets and the women in 23. |
