By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer
In 1959, there were 575 students on campus. The students knew Matilda Wilson, OU’s founder, personally, and they helped lay the foundation for building the Oakland University of 2008. Charter class graduates from 1963 and 1964, along with emeriti faculty and retired staff will be able to reconnect at the Charter Class 45th Reunion on Sunday, June 22.
“Being a part of the charter class was a unique experience for the students and the faculty,” said Patricia Sadowski. “From the beginning you could feel something special from the professors as well as the students. We were a small group of people and we really got to know each other well. We supported each other as we and the university grew together those first four years.”
Oakland University’s mission was to provide students with an elite level education.
“The first announcement to us as students was to look around and realize half of us would be gone by the end of the first semester. The faculty pushed us. They wanted to see how far academically and socially they could push us. We grew so much from that experience,” Sadowski said.
Faculty and students took field trips, had class dinners and forged lasting friendships that extended beyond the classroom.
Sadowski said it is important to members of the Charter Class to stay in touch. The last reunion of the class was the 40th and the group felt the 50th anniversary was too far away, so they wanted to gather for the 45th anniversary.
The reunion celebration will be held Sunday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Christopher Wren dining room in Meadow Brook Hall. Guests will enjoy brunch, mimosas, coffee and a tour of Meadow Brook Hall. For more information, contact Erin Sudrovech at (248) 364-6136 or sudrovec@oakland.edu.