Wednesday, April 18, 2012

How to Join

Are you a graduate of OU?  Maybe not a graduate, but you love the university?  Do you know someone who should be a member of the OU Alumni Association but isn't?  If so, now is the perfect time to join or purchase a membership for someone.  Not only is it a great way to show your support, but members also receive exclusive perks.  And with three ways to join, it's easier than ever:
 

Going online is a quick and simple way to join OR renew.  Click HERE or copy and paste this link into your browser:  https://www.oufoundation.org/onlinegiving/JoinAlumniAssoc.aspx

Once on the page, fill out the simple form and you will receive your membership kit in the mail in a few weeks.  The online form is available 24/7, so no matter your schedule, it will be there when you need it.


Joining by phone is also simple and can be done by calling us at (405) 325-1710.  Our office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.



And finally, if you are in Norman and would like to stop by our office, we'd love to meet and talk with you!  We are located on the fourth floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Union, at 900 Asp Avenue.  Didn't know the Union had a fourth floor?  Surprise, we're up here!  We have a form to fill out to join or renew your membership and will process it upon completion.


FAQ:

What is the cost of a membership?
Membership rates vary and are as follows on the chart below:

Please note, all gifts are 100% tax deductible.


How can I pay for a membership?
Payment can be made by check (made out to OU Foundation) or any major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover).

What are the perks to having a membership?
Perks of having a membership include receiving Sooner Magazine, special consideration at Boomer Bash, a discount at the OU Alumni Store, Legacy Program for kids, Library checkout privileges, discount at university book stores, career services and online career resources, discounted membership rate for the Huston Huffman, discounted alumni membership rates to the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course and discounts at many other national and local stores.

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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sooner Tradition: The Sooner Schooner


OU's Sooner Schooner - much like Purdue's Boilermaker Special or Georgia Tech's Ramblin' Wreck - is a highly recognized symbol of school spirit has been the official mascot of every sports team at the university since 1980.  Matching white ponies named Boomer and Sooner pull the Schooner, which is modeled after the Conestoga wagons that brought settlers to Oklahoma Territory.


In 1965 Dr. M.S. Bartlett and his brother Charles "Buzz" Bartlett donated the original "Sooner Schooner" and the ponies, Boomer and Sooner, to circle the field on home game days and at bowl games. After several groups passed on the care-taking of the Schooner, the RUF/NEKS, the oldest male spirit group of any college in the country, took the reigns. In 1980, the University of Oklahoma officially named the Sooner Schooner as its mascot. Today the Schooner is kept in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, at the Bartlett Ranch. The RUF/NEKS are still the official caretakers and drivers of the Conestoga wagon and each year one member is selected to become a Schooner Driver.  These well-trained young men are responsible for driving the Schooner out onto the field after OU touchdowns.


It's also tradition for the RUF/NEK queen to sit beside the driver and a young member of the RUF/NEKS usually hangs by his legs off the back, waving the university's flag as the Schooner is driven out onto the field and then back into the tunnel.

To honor the tradition, a retired Schooner has been placed in the student union in the Clarke-Anderson Room, adjacent to the union food court.


The Sooner Schooner...just one more reason there's only one Oklahoma!  Boomer Sooner!

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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

OUtstanding Alumni: Jonathan Horton

Jonathan Horton, '08

When the 2012 Olympic games open this summer in London, a Sooner will be among the world's elite athletes.  Jonathan Horton, Olympic Gymnast, earned his bachelor's degree in 2008 in Business Management from the University of Oklahoma, with hopes of using his Price College education to open his own gym someday.  While at OU, he became one of the most successful and decorated gymnasts in university history.  As a freshman, he took home over 10 event titles and two all-around titles.  As a sophomore, he accomplished more, winning 13 event titles and an astonishing six all-around titles and qualified for his first world team.  In his third season as a Sooner, Jonathan set records at OU, breaking Bart Conner's career marks for career NCAA titles (5) and career All-American honors (15).  He was also the first athlete since Blaine Wilson to win back-to-back American Cup titles.



His senior year was one for the record books as well. He was one of five finalists for the 78th AAU James E. Sullivan Award presented to the nation’s top amateur athlete, but the best was yet to come.  He was the sixth OU gymnast to be named a Nissen-Emery Award winner. OU took home its eighth national title - five of which were in the last seven years. He finished first in the all-around at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team trials, and was named to the 2008 Olympic team.  He was also the 2008 USA Gymnastics Men's Athlete of the Year.

He's now on another US Olympic Team.  The 2012 Summer Olympics are sure to set more records and push more limits.  Jonathan is proud to call the University of Oklahoma his alma mater and is a great representative of our university anywhere he goes.  Here's to Jonathan!  The Sooner Nation will be rooting for you!

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