Meet the wonderful people behind the campaign!
Dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business
2025 OU UWN Campaign Chair
Laku Chidambaram, Ph.D., serves as the Dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma and holds the Fred E. Brown Chair in Business. Previously, he served in various leadership roles at Price College, including Interim Dean, Senior Associate Dean, Associate Dean and Division Director.
During his leadership of academic programs, student enrollment has grown exponentially with the most recent growth rate of 10% year-over-year. As Interim Dean, he led efforts to build a strong culture of support and community; helped raise over $26 million in philanthropic gifts; and established the Price Career Center, the Office of Experiential Learning and the First Year@Price.
Laku has taught undergraduate, masters, executive, and doctoral courses and received nine teaching awards from the three universities that he has served. In 2019, he was inducted by the Association for Information Systems (AIS) as an AIS Distinguished Member Cum Laude to its inaugural class. He holds a PhD from Indiana University, an MBA from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Commerce from Loyola College.
“When I was invited to chair this year’s campaign, it felt like a full circle moment. The kindness of strangers helped me on my journey and now it is my turn to lead our community’s effort to give back. Not a week passes by when I say to myself, there but for the grace of God go I. Nothing I have ever done is greater than everything I have been given. Without the gifts I've received, I would not be here today. Some people are not as fortunate. Through no fault of theirs, they do not get the gifts I did. The dice just rolled a little less or a little more. They live in our community. They learn in our community. They are our community. And one of the best ways to ensure they can eat, sleep and live a little more like us is to support the United Way of Norman, which focuses on helping the less fortunate members of our community. I cannot wait to get our OU community to join me in this effort.”
Dear OU Community,
Each year, the United Way Campaign offers us an opportunity to come together—not just as colleagues and educators, but as neighbors and changemakers committed to building a more caring and compassionate community.
This year, I am honored to serve as Chair of OU’s United Way Campaign. As someone who believes deeply in the power of higher education to transform lives and as someone who has benefited directly from the kindness of strangers to access this power, I know firsthand the impact of giving.
United Way partners with organizations across our community to tackle real issues: food insecurity, children’s welfare, homelessness, mental health, and emergency assistance. These are not others’ problems; they are ours. They affect our students, our colleagues, and our neighbors. The good news is, you can help by donating to the United Way of Norman. Whatever you give stays local and helps create a safety net for those who need it most in our community.
So, I ask you: Will you join me?
Give what you can. Every dollar makes a difference. It will help a hungry child have a warm meal. It will help an unhoused person get emergency housing. It will help a victim of domestic violence find shelter. Do not underestimate your power. You can close the gap between someone going hungry and having a meal. You can close the gap between someone sleeping on the sidewalk and sleeping in a bed. You can close the gap between someone forgoing healthcare and getting treatment.
Our goal is to raise $100,000 by December 15. Let’s not just reach our goal but exceed it. Let’s not wait till December but do it now. Let’s not just talk but act. We can do it. Together, we can elevate this year’s campaign into something extraordinary. As Norman’s largest employer, OU can show the world that we not only talk the talk but walk the walk. And most importantly, we truly care about our community.
As a bonus, if you want to watch a Dean sweat—and who doesn't—I will do 100 pushups for every $10,000 raised. Even after we cross our goal, I will keep doing it for every $10,000 raised. So, make a dean sweat … I know you want to. I invite others to join me in sweating for a good cause as well!
Contribute now in one of three ways:
I close with the words of Oscar Wilde, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” So, act now. Our community needs it. And make me sweat. Our community is waiting for it.
With much gratitude,
Laku
