2013 Honorees

Trae Anderson

Trae Anderson has provided leadership to the OU Club of Dallas Board since 1999. In addition to 14 years of service on the club’s Board of Directors, he also has twice served two-year terms as president. As president, his goal was to keep the OU standard high above others in the North Texas area. Anderson embodies the Sooner Spirit, from helping with student recruitment, and the newly established Beat Texas Lunch, and the annual Sooner Club Caravan, to supporting University Development or rolling up his sleeves to set up tables at game day watch parties, he lives and breathes Sooner. His dedication to scholarship fundraising led the board to gifts of some $300,000 during his presidencies.

His first chaired event, “The Really Really Big Beat Texas Party,” was focused on encouraging participation of younger alumni. While chair of the event from 1999 to 2004, Trey helped the “Party” generate more than $280,000.

Anderson’s creativity and dedication to OU is contagious to others on the board. As a leader, he embraced change and favored new ideas, even if they were not his own. To foster relationships with younger alumni, Anderson spearheaded an effort to involve and encourage new leadership in the OU Club of Dallas through term limits. The result was a revitalized board in which no member has served more than eight consecutive years. The OU Club of Dallas provides the most volunteer and financial support of any OU Alumni Club. The achievements of the club, which celebrates its 65^th anniversary this year, have been made possible by the tireless leadership of alumni like Anderson, who is a 1994 graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in History.

Anderson currently serves as principal with Younger Partners, a commercial real estate firm in Dallas.

Nominated by the OU Club of Dallas

Millie Audas

As the major builder of international student exchanges and study abroad programs at OU, Millie Audas’ 30 years of service to the university have left a lasting legacy. Among her many contributions before her retirement from the university in 2010, is the establishment of more than 170 university agreements and exchanges worldwide. She also developed numerous programs, which aid international students and scholars to become integrated into the life of the university and Norman communities.

She actively worked for stronger inclusion of the international students and faculty into the OU community and led the division of International Student Services, which provides services and programs for more than 1,500 international students from more than 100 countries.

In addition, Audas has served as Special Assistant to the President for International Partnerships, Director of Education Abroad and International Student Services, faculty member of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, and coordinator of Hispanic-American Student Services. She also founded the International Study Abroad Alumni Association.

Audas has devoted her life to education, which includes earning her doctorate in Higher Education Administration in 1989, and more specifically to expanding education to encompass a global classroom. Her work to increase OU’s international partnerships and help students feel safe, comfortable and educated has helped globalize the campus. Audas has been a consistent force in OU’s efforts to internationalize the university community and prepare students for an increasingly global society.

Nominated by Autumn McMahon

 

Ryan Burke

After graduating from OU in 1994 with a BBA in Accounting, Ryan Burke has become a tireless advocate for OU and the Price College of Business. Through his current employer, Ernst & Young of Dallas, he coordinates a very large annual giving campaign to OU, is a key recruiter of over 20 students annually from the School of Accounting and hosts an annual OU alumni luncheon, which gives the Price College development team an opportunity to network with alumni at his firm. Burke played a significant role in securing a $500,000 endowment from Ernst & Young to establish the E&Y Focus on Energy Fund, which helped fund a new Oil and Gas Accounting class at both the undergraduate and graduate level, five annual scholarships and the E&Y Accounting Center within the Price College of Business. He also serves on the Price College Dean’s Advisory Board and the Steed School of Accounting Advisory Board. Burke is a true friend of the university and shares Price College’s vision to provide future business leaders with an innovative and engaging education experience.

Nominated by Eddie Edwards, Mary Lurry

 

Caroline Cochran

Caroline Cochran is the visionary who founded the OU Club of Boston. As president, serving from 2009 to 2012, she began by securing regular Sooner watch party locations for area alumni, which proved popular from the beginning and has grown to the largest in the Northeast, attracting attendees from bordering states.

Throughout her tenure as president of the club, Cochran also organized networking events and socials to foster friendships and networking among alumni. She created the club’s website and social media connections, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The club currently has more than 250 Facebook members and 100 Twitter followers. She now serves as club treasurer and fundraising chair, managing club funds and continuing to guide other club officers on the board.

During her time as a student at OU, Cochran founded Engineers Without Borders (now Sooners Without Borders), served as a member of the UOSA executive cabinet as communications director, and was the systems leader for the Sooner Racing Team, where she won an international design award for the braking system she developed. Cochran helped establish OU’s Center for the Creation of Wealth while serving as program manager with the Office of Technology Development, under current interim College of Business Dean Daniel Pullin. She graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.

Without her vision, perseverance, creativity and love for her alma mater, the OU Club of Boston would very likely not exist today. Cochran’s efforts have paved the way for greater collaboration with the university and connections among alumni.

Nominated by the OU Club of Boston

 

Jim Dolan

Jim Dolan is a loyal supporter of the International Study Program through the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. He has generously supported an annual scholarship for nearly a decade. Dolan got his start in the journalism world as an Oklahoma Daily staff member and received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism in 1971. He currently serves on the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication Board of Visitors and is passionate about continuing to expand the college’s curriculum.

Dolan has been honored with the JayMac Distinguished Alumni Award as well as many local, regional and national journalism awards for writing, reporting and editing. In 2001, he was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2002.

He continues to support the activities of Gaylord College, including his support for the annual Gaylord Prize for Excellence in Journalism and Mass Communication Ceremony. He has provided annual support to the JayMac Alumni Association within Gaylord College for nearly two decades. He is also the keynote speaker for the college’s 2013 spring convocation.

Dolan has been a model alumnus for OU and Gaylord College students. He is steadfast in his support of the university’s initiatives and vision and remains professional and positive in his thoughtful and constructive interactions with college faculty, staff and students.

Nominated by Dean Joe Foote, Kristen Lazalier

 

Donald Garrett

Donald Garrett is a 1963 OU graduate and a 1968 graduate of the OU College of Medicine. He is a devoted mentor to undergraduate pre-medicine students, and has served on the College of Medicine’s Admissions Board for 18 years. He is also involved with the College of Medicine Alumni Association, serving as president of the association for three years and on the Board of Trustees for seven years.

While attending OU, Garrett was an officer of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, honored as a Top 10 Freshmen Men and a member of PE-ET.  He also was the director of Sooner Scandals when Jan Crawford, who is being recognized as an Honorary Degree Recipient, headed up the Union Activities Board.  

Garrett is a founding member of the President's Associates, and has served several years on the Board of Visitors of the College of Arts and Sciences. He has assisted the College of Medicine with its Second Century Campaign for Scholarships. As a dedicated volunteer with Refuge International providing medical services in Guatemala, his influence and giving spirit go well beyond OU.

Garrett is an outstanding member of a three-generation OU family. He gives generously of his resources and his time to make OU a better place. He is a member of OU’s Quarter Century Club and the Seed Sower Society, along with his wife, Judith. Their support has enhanced and enriched programs on both the Norman and Health Sciences Center campuses and ranges from the arts, athletics and scholarships to the Surgery Library. OU is honored to have such a supportive and generous alumnus.

Nominated by Provost Dewayne Andrews, M.D., Stacy Maxon

 

S. Kim Hatfield

S. Kim Hatfield is an active and involved alumnus serving on the Mewbourne School of Petroleum Engineering Industry Advisory Board, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Board of Visitors since 2006, OU Trailblazer Award Committee, and numerous others.

Hatfield earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Petroleum Engineering in 1974 and 1979 respectively. In 1980, he joined Crawley Petroleum and has since been an advocate for OU and acted as the executive contact to the university. In this capacity, he helped coordinate Crawley Petroleum’s support for educational programs as well as general support for OU. Hatfield has also provided considerable personal support for the university with gifts for endowed scholarships and building capital campaigns. He was engaged in the formation of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy and is an active participant on the many OU boards and committees for which he serves.

Hatfield is also involved in professional and community service, including membership in the Society of Petroleum Engineers, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and as a director of the Oklahoma Energy Explorers and the Oklahoma Independent Producers Association. He is an outstanding representative and supporter of OU.

Nominated by Dean Larry Grillot

 

John Kenney

John Kinney has been actively involved with OU since graduating with Industrial Engineering and Law degrees in 1971 and 1975. He has served nine years on College of Engineering Board of Visitors, including his time as chair during the OU Engineering Centennial Celebration.

Kenney’s leadership throughout the College of Engineering has encouraged a community of generous donors. Along with his wife, Jane, the Kenneys have hosted many events in their home for the college and the Industrial Engineering school. Through their generous donations and support, today’s engineering students enjoy new facilities, renovated classrooms and meeting space as well as undergraduate and graduate scholarship support.

Kenney has been instrumental in the OU K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal, serving as Chair for the Board of Advisors and helping to develop a community that links professionals in K-12, university and industry settings with projects aimed at fostering improvements in learning at all levels. During his leadership of that Board, the annual Oklahoma teacher SKIE award for innovative use of technology in STEM education was initiated and the K-20 Scholars program was established. He also serves on the Honors College Board of Visitors.

He supports his beliefs in 21^st century learning through his daily actions in service to OU.

Nominated by Dean Tom Landers, College of Engineering in partnership with the College of Education and the College of Law

 

Bill Saxon

Bill Saxon is an exceptional supporter of OU and the Price College of Business. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Petroleum Management in 1951. He plays a role in many associations and organizations including the Seed Sower Society, Centennial Commission, Price College of Business Administration Alumni Council and Alumni Board. Saxon has also served on the Reach for Excellence Campaign, Energy Center External Advisory Board and contributes to the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

Saxon is a life member of the President’s Associates and Alumni Association. He is known for always saying “yes” to the university in any capacity: financially, giving of his time and providing guidance and leadership to the many boards and organizations for which he proudly serves.

Saxon provided a generous gift in 2005, which created the Wylodean Saxon Memorial Lecture, in honor of his late wife, and also included an endowment for the directorship of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. To support the campus he holds dear to his heart, Saxon has contributed to the Boyd House Renovation, OU Centennial Arches and also to the Energy Center.

The legacy of Bill Saxon is one that has helped to build and maintain the cornerstones of OU. He represents what it means to be an alumni, donor and friend.

Nominated by Tripp Hall

 

Hal W. Smith

Hal W. Smith is a passionate supporter of OU and the athletics program. Aside from his support of the football team, Smith provides critical resources to enable each of the OU athletics teams to achieve success. He supports all teams through fundraising efforts at his local restaurants and contributes to other initiatives on campus that allow OU to succeed. Leading by example, he is known for encouraging others to become involved and to support OU programs.

Smith is not only involved on the OU campus, having served on the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and the Management and Entrepreneurship programs for the Price College of Business but is also heavily involved in the Norman community. He established the Norman Youth Foundation in 1997 to ensure that the youth of Norman have every opportunity to enrich their lives through involvement in all activities available to them.

Smith is a wonderful ambassador for OU. Through his business success, he has served as a mentor to OU students and the youth of Norman. He is also known as a difference maker for the OU athletics program. His willingness to give of his time and resources provides OU student-athletes with a first-class experience during their time in Norman.

Nominated by Dusty Clements