Day in the Life of a Sooner

The University of Oklahoma is one of only a few schools to offer a Constitutional Studies program. This program offers students in-depth study of the foundation of this country’s government and heritage. OU senior, Kelly Goodson, describes her experience in a program that she refers to as “citizen training,” along with her experience of coming from a small town to OU.

The University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication is committed to providing students with hands on learning opportunities throughout multiple courses of study. OU’s very own Matt McCullock tells about his time in the Gaylord College as an anchor for both the Sooner Sports Pad and OU Nightly. Many of the facilities Matt discusses are among the many reasons the OU Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication is ranked in the top 5 Journalism Schools in the country.

The University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business is one of the best in the nation for degrees such as entrepreneurship, finance, accounting, energy management and more. OU senior, Emily Alspaw explains the importance of an OU Price degree as well as her experience within the college.

Coming to the University of Oklahoma I knew that I had to be a graduate from the Price School of Business.  After my first semester I had chosen to major in Energy Management and Economics due to my interest in the Oil and Gas industry and the economic effect that this industry has on the word. Not only did I enjoy the academics of the business college, but they have prepared me for the business world and everything that comes with that. They have given me the opportunity to grow as a student and as a professional. I really can’t say how honored I feel that I have had the opportunity to do research with great professors in their fields, and studied with students who share the same passion for learning and business as I do.

Throughout my time at OU, I have had remarkable opportunities that have allowed me to become a better student, friend, and individual. From my first steps on OU’s campus to the time I studied abroad, I knew that OU would be the best school to make my aspirations a reality. With my senior year approaching, I feel excited and nervous because I know that I will be graduating and moving on from this great school, but I know that I will always be able to look back and remember all that I have learned and how OU will influence my many choices in the future. This campus will never cease to amaze me and I am so glad that I call OU my home and University.

Emily Alspaw
Business
Southlake, TX

The University of Oklahoma’s Petroleum Engineering program is among the top 5 in the nation. It is a rigorous program that prepares students for an industry that supports much of the heartland. For many students, this program is a handful in itself, but not for OU cheerleader Lexington Halbert. Here Lexington describes her experience as a cheerleader, a student, and her time at OU.

During my time as a Sooner, I was a sorority girl, a cheerleader, and a petroleum engineering student. Experiences from all three of my major activities have had a huge impact on shaping who I am today. Sorority life taught me about community, cheerleading about teamwork, and petroleum engineering about the skills I will use in my future career.

My primary reason for choosing OU was the stellar petroleum engineering program; however, my secondary reason was to cheer for the Sooners. I have been a cheerleader since I was nine years old, and have been coming to OU football games even longer than that. Clearly, I was ecstatic for the chance to finally put on that uniform my freshman year, and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Stepping onto Owen Field in a stadium filled with 85,000 people cheering their hearts out is a truly breath-taking experience. Every exhilarating football game-day, NCAA tournament, and UCA Nationals performance is a cherished memory of mine. Those memories, surprisingly, aren’t the first memories that come to my mind when I think of being an OU cheerleader. Working hard to gain new skills during early morning practices, long bus rides, lunch dates and nights out where I bonded with the amazing men and women I got to call my teammates; those are some of my favorite memories.

While activities and social experiences greatly contribute to one’s personal growth, the main purpose of college is to prepare students for life by giving them marketable skills. The Mewbourne School of Earth and Energy does a spectacular job of that. As a student, I learned engineering basics and specialized knowledge in my field of study. This program is very tough, but I found that there is a wealth of support available to students. The professors are all very knowledgeable and being involved with organizations like SPE (the Society of Petroleum Engineers) puts you in contact with older students and other peers who are willing to work together through the struggles of the degree plan.  Studying petroleum engineering at OU not only enhanced my analytical and technical skills, but it also enhanced my ability to learn new things and gave me the confidence in myself to overcome obstacles in the future.

Lexington Halbert
Edmond, OK
Petroleum Engineering

The University of Oklahoma’s Dance program ranks among the top 3 in the nation and the College of Fine Arts puts on over 350 different performances a year. One of the nations top recruited dancers, and an OU senior, Zeek Wright describes his experience as a dancer and a student within the OU Dance program.

The future is going to be an adventure and I am really excited to see where the Arts take me. I am extremely proud to have graduated from the University of Oklahoma. The Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts has been so good to me. Dean Mary Margaret Holt and the OU School of Dance professors are incredible and have prepared me for my next step in life, a professional dance career. Next season, I will be dancing with Ballet West II in Salt Lake City, and I owe a lot of it to this school. As a developing professional, OU has prepared me for life after college. This school has helped me grow artistically and technically, and has given me opportunities to collaborate with other arts disciplines. If you enjoy performing, or attending performances, or both, OU is the university for you.

There have been so many significant events I have been involved with in the College of Fine Arts. There are so many amazing people at OU. I had the opportunity to perform alongside so many of my talented friends, including dancers, musical theatre majors, and vocal performance majors. At OU, the fine arts departments collaborate often with each other. Collaboration is an opportunity other universities do not offer, and having that opportunity to work with other departments was great. I walked in a Fashion Show to raise money for scholarships for the School of Dance. I performed in the musical On The Town my sophomore year. I actually had a line. It was one word, but I got to say something haha! My freshman year, the School of Dance collaborated with the the School of Music and I performed inDon Giovanni. There are always performances to see, so you won’t be bored.

The support the College of Fine Arts receives from its patrons is remarkable. It may not seem like it, but there are people in Oklahoma who love and support the arts. It’s incredible. I was given the opportunity to tour overseas twice with the ballet company, Oklahoma Festival Ballet. We performed in Eisenstadt, Austria at the Esterhazy Palace. This is the palace where Joseph Haydn conducted his orchestra. We, as well as the OU Chorale, performed Haydn’s The Seasons there. The President of Austria was in the front row at one of the performances. A performance I will never forget. I gained so much experience and culture studying at OU and I am eternally grateful for this school. The opportunities are boundless and I highly recommend this university. I made the decision to attend the greatest university in America and I do not regret it one bit. There’s no place like OU. Boomer Sooner!

Zeek Wright
Dance
Amarillo, Texas

Being a student leader at the University of Oklahoma takes a very special type of student. It takes someone that can manage the responsibilities of class and college involvement without skipping a beat. The President of the Black Student Association, Isaac Hill, is a great example of this type of student. Here Isaac explains the importance of getting involved while attending OU.

The sooner experience is truly a great one it has allowed me to grow and develop into a better version of myself. Even now I am still learning while teaching new sooners. Although, I would have never had this experience if I did not take time to step out and see what the university has to offer. That is why one of the biggest pieces of advice I give to every new student I encounter is to make sure they get involved and find their place on campus.

Through my involvement I was able to connect and meet one of the people who have had the largest impact on me during my time here this advisor and I actually had the same hometown and our shared experiences led to a bond that will surpass my college career. By meeting this advisor I was encouraged to break out of my shell which allowed me to develop ties to so many different people across campus and grow into a leader. I am so glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone my freshman year and was able to find where I belonged early on. This time allowed me to climb the ranks and be empowered by those before me. This empowerment led me to lead always keeping in mind to build upon and set the groundwork for those students who should come after me.

The time I spend here continues to shape me into a better version of myself. The guidance and mentorship that is given to the students on this campus is absolutely impressive. I would have never been able to be the leader I am without the leaders before me and I will continue to empower leaders just as I was.

Isaac Hill
Black Student Association
Midwest City, Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma’s College of Architecture is the perfect place for people who like to work with their hands. The college provides an environment they like to call “studio culture”, allowing students to learn from each other as much as they do from their professors. OU senior Minh Tran explains the importance of studio culture, studying abroad and his experience in the College of Architecture.

More often than not, people talk about the difficulty of being in architecture school; so what is the value of it? After 5 years at the University of Oklahoma's College of Architecture, I've realized that there is a lot more to architecture school than just staying up late, drawing pretty pictures, and doing construction details.

The architecture program trains students to think critically when it comes to designing a building. A project often has a big concept that questions the students about how architecture or design can affect a community, the environment, a viewer's experience, etc. The first few years, students will focus more on the overall picture of the concept which will become more technical and practical as the curriculum reaches the final year. The tools that students use can range anywhere from hand drawing, model-making, to architecture and design programs.

As architecture students, we often find ourselves spending the most time in our main classroom which we refer to as "Studio". We work, play, sleep, eat here. We spend so much time here that there are occasions when our families and friends question whether we are still alive. Other students on campus will be a little surprised if they see us anywhere other than in the architecture building. Yet, Studio is still my favorite class. With so much time spent there with my classmates, we create good memories and a lasting bond that I wouldn't trade for anything.

To say that we spend lots of time in Studio makes it seem as though we are locked up in one building but the truth is that architecture students will often go on field trips, whether it is a 5-day trip to Chicago or a 4-month study abroad program in Rome. There are also social events such as the progressive dinner, Beaux Arts, the bond fire as well as extracurricular activities such as design workshops and competitions.

Overall, design skills, public speaking skills, computer proficiency, field trips, cocktail parties are only a few things that one can get out of architecture school.

Minh Tran
Architecture
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The University of Oklahoma’s Meteorology program competes for #1 in the world every year in severe storm research. With the National Weather Center located on the Norman campus, students are given access to world-class facilities and the world’s top meteorology researchers and professors, including OU grad and Emmy-award winning meteorologist Gary England. Here, OU senior Riely Picos describes her experience as a student studying weather and severe storms.

I came to the University of Oklahoma for the Meteorology program but I found out that there was so much more to offer at this amazing school than an awesome degree program. Starting at my very first campus tour, the University of Oklahoma was more than I imagined it could be. I felt like I belonged from the start and I knew there was something special about this university.

Throughout my experience at the University of Oklahoma, I have gained more than an education. I have gained lifelong friendships, leadership skills, professional experience and a sense of belonging. There were challenges along the way but there was never a problem that someone was not eager to help me solve. The Sooner family cares about your success and strives to provide the resources to help you achieve your goals.

Being a part of the Sooner family is much more than simply attending the University of Oklahoma. Being a part of the Sooner family is getting goose bumps every time you hear the OU chant, walking down the south oval, meeting people from all over the world, and feeling like you are a part of something that truly matters.  This university has played an integral part in who I am and has influenced who I strive to be in the future. I encourage everyone to take the plunge and join the Sooner family because your life will be forever changed!

Riely Pickos
Meteorology
Zion, Illinois