A mother of four, commission officer, private investigator and a part-time writer, Jessica Wade wears many hats. This December, she will add another accomplishment to the list when she graduates from the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (PACS) with a degree in Criminal Justice Leadership.
Historic demand for a University of Oklahoma education continues to drive record enrollment growth, expanding OU’s reach across the state and fueling generational impact for Oklahoma. At the center of that momentum is the largest freshman class in state and university history, with a record 6,437 students joining the Class of 2030 this fall.
For nearly two decades, Amber Rowe has built a successful career at Teleflora, where she currently manages two divisions, the International Division and the Flower Buyer Division. With her work weeks usually encompassing from 45 to 60 hours, and family responsibilities, Amber knew that PACS was one of the only ways she could go back to school.
For many students, the path to a degree isn’t linear—and for Jenae Thompson, that journey came full circle in the most meaningful way. Jenae first attended the University of Oklahoma in the late 2000s as a sociology major. But as a young mother balancing full-time work, school, and a newborn, the demands became overwhelming. Like many adult learners, Jenae stepped away to focus on her growing responsibilities. Over time, she built a career, launched businesses, and gained valuable professional experience. Still, one challenge remained: finishing her degree.
The University of Oklahoma announced today the students named to its spring 2026 honor roll, a distinction given to those who achieve the highest academic standards. A total of 12,083 students were named to the spring 2026 honor roll. Of these students, 5,004 were named to the President’s Honor Roll for earning an “A” grade in all their courses.
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies will host the 2026 Feaver-MacMinn Seminar on April 25–26, bringing students, faculty, and industry leaders together for two days of presentations, discussions, and hands-on exploration of applied artificial intelligence. The endowed seminar honors the legacy of J. Clayton Feaver and Paul MacMinn, two influential OU faculty members whose commitment to inquiry and student engagement continues to guide this event.
The College of Professional and Continuing Studies hosted its second Lunch with the Professor Zoom session on March 4, 2026, featuring Dr. Steve Gullberg, faculty lead for the Aerospace and Defense Management program. A graduate of the former College of Liberal Studies, Dr. Gullberg opened the session by sharing his professional journey through the military and the airline industry before turning to his academic work in cultural astronomy.
The OU Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) attended the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., March 1–3, 2026. OU EDI staff connected with a wide range of economic development professionals, making new connections, while also reconnecting with familiar faces.
The 76th Annual Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference (LRGCC) concluded a successful session this past February, continuing its long-standing tradition as a premier resource for all new institutional and technological knowledge in the gas conditioning industry.
Sixteen seniors from the University of Oklahoma have been selected as Outstanding Seniors for their exceptional achievements in scholarship, honors, awards, leadership and service. Of these 16 students, Jhanvi Patel from Oklahoma City was chosen by a committee of OU faculty, staff and students as the overall Outstanding Senior.
